Real Talk!

I apologize if this seems to be a recurring subject in my blogging... it seems to be a recurring subject in life.

Ethics:Plural noun
1. (Used with a singular or plural verb ) a system of moral principles: the ethics of a culture.
2. The rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc.: medical ethics; Christian ethics.
3. Moral principles, as of an individual: His ethics forbade betrayal of a confidence.
4. (Usually used with a singular verb ) that branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions.

I know that good people sometimes make inappropriate choices- especially when it comes to being accountable for bad choices. Morals define personal character- they are the standards for behaviour, while ethics are the expression of morals within the social system to which they apply- sort of like the rules that guide conduct or principle in action.

Wikipedia says:

Ethics (also known as moral philosophy) is a branch of philosophy which seeks to address questions about morality, such as what the fundamental semantic, ontological, and epistemic nature of ethics or morality is (meta-ethics), how moral values should be determined (normative ethics), how a moral outcome can be achieved in specific situations (applied ethics), how moral capacity or moral agency develops and what its nature is (moral psychology), and what moral values people actually abide by (descriptive ethics).

We all encounter ethical dilemmas in our lives.

As my regular readers will know, I steadfastly believe that virtue is its own reward and that examining a dilemma and responding with ethical behaviour is a continuous opportunity for personal growth. We learn much when we recognize that there is a big difference between what one has the right to do and what is right to do.

Ethical dilemmas often demand INSTANT clarity. Faced with such a situation, I tend to first observe my emotional reaction and acknowledge there is something needing attention… then, intuitively and unconsciously, I process the problem logically- from the BIG to the small. I do THINK before I act… and in spite of my imperfection, I am able to arrive at something I feel is a decent starting place.

My process goes something like this:

I gather all of the facts- as many as I can get… after all; it’s definitely not fair to make judgments without considering the full story. I also factor in my strong personal commitment to positive social and environmental outcomes. Am I perfect? Far from it… remember, I’m merely noting how the process works inside MY head.

I move then, on to:

1/ Are there LLLLLaws, rules, legislations or regulations that apply?
2/ Is there an OOOOOrganization that has applicable “codes” of ethics?
3/ I seek GGGGGuidance from those I trust, I get their perspective
4/ I consider all options available and how they will IIIIImpact each party involved- I look for a fair and reasonable resolution- weighing the consequences of omissions as much as actions.
5/ I CCCCCare about how this sits with me, emotionally. I have to be comfortable with the solution.

I am careful not to dismiss something purely because of its source. I keep an open mind. I know that the experiences I have today may change tomorrow- but it doesn’t change me… my authentic self.

& the consistent practice of meditation and introspection has taught me to recognize the source(s) of my personal preconceptions and also, to filter them- I have discovered this is a most important aspect of the process.

There is no truth. There is only perception. —Gustave Flaubert

I must admit, in business, there are times that I am bound by regulations that sometimes don’t sit well… they don’t fit…. those are the worst occasions. & Just recently, I have found myself feeling as though I am being extorted for and of my integrity. Taken advantage of, so to speak… and I realize that I am frequently baffled by the ethical choices of others. Actually, I feel this way, all too frequently.

The night before last, I had a break-through: I concluded that this is not just my own personal issue… I know too many other people struggling- feeling as if someone behaving unethically is violating them…

Perhaps it’s part of the current global turmoil… the ever-changing social morality is going through an adjustment.

& I have to face it, there are and will always be opportunistic vultures ready to justify poor ethics on the basis of “that is how we’ve always done it”… or “I have rights”… even though it may be anything but right.

Yup… my beef is with the people who draw a line in the sand, unbendingly… the ones who are totally convinced that their interpretation of the situation is the absolute reality and are willing to defend it blindly- coincidentally, without any personal accountability. In other words, “the selfish”. Or is it “the greedy”?

Eric Hoffer wrote, "The uncompromising attitude is more indicative of an inner uncertainty than a deep conviction. The implacable stand is directed more against the doubt within than the assailant without."

Okay, maybe it’s “the weak”?

All too often, when you question someone on an ethical issue, they look to pin the responsibility, or blame, onto another person- finding a “patsy” to take the fall… or worse… they have set someone up to be the patsy… like that oft employed political “false flag” operation in which forces of one power disguise themselves as enemy forces so that they can justify retaliation.

“Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." -Eric Hoffer

Ya, it’s weak.

Former United States President Harry S. Truman made famous the line, “The buck stops here.”
I have tried to live my life that way, too. I’ve made no bones about my choices and I’m always happy to explain myself- but I’m also willing to adjust my stance, when new information comes to light.

My father used to tell me, “Jody, people don’t want to know the truth.”

I can understand that the truth might hurt, or be a disappointment….

But I don’t like being lied to… and I won’t lie. And I also believe that omission is a form of lying. I live my truth and speak my truth and I am ready and willing to be questioned, to answer truthfully and listen and be open to the stance of others. I really do live by the golden rule, too… “Do unto others…”

And I live my truth out loud- not unsolicited, you must understand… I have learned, when someone steps on my toe, to say ouch. I have learned, when I am part of a group decision, to voice my concerns. I have learned, as a parent, to be truthful.

I have, also, learned to acknowledge the positive behaviours of others and I have learned to acknowledge my mistakes… and sometimes that hurts… and sometimes I am disappointed… and then,

I make a fresh start of it.

Okay, so Flaubert said "there is no truth"... I think the only real truth is that we really don’t know much at all…

the one thing I do know is that I would never knowingly hurt anyone and I strive to make good and honourable choices. I'm SINCERE.

Look that one up in your Funk and Wagnalls.

We’ve all seen those late night infomercial testimonials from folks who have gotten rich, buying rental properties, with absolutely no money out of their own pocket…. And it isn’t all mistruth…

It can be done… and it’s also true that seven out of 10 Canadian millionaires have made their wealth through real estate investments. And, in some cases, by simply buying real estate at the right time, at the right location and at the right price.

But…(there’s always a big but)… we must remember that the first rule of real estate investing, even ahead of location, location, location, is to know the people with whom you are dealing. &, Even that is risky business. No real estate "system" is foolproof.

Building an inventory of investment property is not for the faint of heart. In order to accomplish a “no-money down” purchase, you must have good credit, a good & stable income AND usually, a home that you already own and occupy. Then, you also have to be prepared to become a landlord.

There are many considerations you need to make before you become a landlord including (but not limited to):

- How are you going to screen prospective tenants?

- How much of a return do you expect? In what time frame?

- How are you going to screen prospective tenants?

- Are you going to manage the property yourself? Do you have a plan to save for and set aside the costs of maintenance?

- How are you going to screen prospective tenants?

- Are you familiar with the applicable laws? The “RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT? Local Building By-laws? Safety regulations?

- How are you going to screen prospective tenants?

- Have you set up a plan to save and set aside property taxes? What about OTHER taxes?

- How are you going to screen prospective tenants?

- Have you investigated appropriate insurance coverage?

Don’t get me wrong, being a landlord can be profitable- if you have the right disposition and a good bit of luck, you can create and maintain a decent income stream… but those late night infomercials are created (at significant cost) by people selling a video, a book or a seminar. That is how THEY make money.

& Those 7 out of 10 millionaires? Most have made their money through prudent, well-planned investments… by buying real estate at the right time, at the right location and at the right price.

Infomercials are designed to appeal to the sensibilities of viewers. They play on our desire to earn and promise that the secrets of THEIR system can delivers us from debt and magically transform us into millionaires. Usually, there’s a push to act quickly… a hook… perhaps a warning, this is the last chance! & Then, there’s often a nice bonus promise… book now and receive a free pen!

&, Perhaps even worse… some tell you that their seminar is free. They fail to mention that you have to buy the course materials, in order to attend.

How many times to do we have to be told, “if it seems too good to be true”… “It probably is”?

WOMAN POWER

A life free from violence is a basic human right and yet, statistics prove that at least one out of every three women has been beaten, forced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime.

If I appear to be all over the map with this blog, it’s because this subject is ALL OVER THE MAP!

Violence against women and girls is a global, universal problem of pandemic proportions and according to the World Health Organization, up to 70% of female murder victims are killed by their male partners.

Even more staggering is the Canadian government statistic: young Indigenous women are five times more likely than other women of the same age to die as the result of violence.

In British Columbia, Highway 16 has been dubbed “The Highway of Tears” since the mid nineties, when a number of First Nation women disappeared from that area or were found murdered there- at least five of these women were under the age of 18. In 2002, Terri Brown of NWAC (Native Women’s Association of Canada) condution interviews and ascertained that some 31 missing women had fallen victim to The Highway. A film released in July 2009, a film entitled “Finding Dawn” counts the number as more than 60.

Inspired by the Stolen Sisters report (Amnesty International) in 2004 Canada’s Fahrenheit Films produced a one-hour television documentary entitled “Stolen Sisters” that followed one family’s search for a missing loved one and documented other stories of the missing. It first aired in October of 2007.

Five years ago, the Native Women's Association of Canada formed “Sisters In Spirit” a campaign to raise awareness about violence against aboriginal women- many who have suffered domestic abuse, homelessness and such poverty that they have turned to prostitution.

The list of missing and murdered women covers the country.

Laura Madison a criminologist researcher with Dark Horse Consulting in Kenora conducted extensive research into missing people across the country and uncovered discrepancies with how police deal with missing First Nations women. She has provided the Ontario Provincial Police North West Region with training sessions and provided them with handouts about policy, communication, legislative and social issues that require changes to better protect Aboriginal women.

“The fact that you can actually see a missing First Nation woman’s face in the newspapers just started about two years ago,” Madison was quoted as saying in January of 2009.

In February 2009, the UN Human Rights Council issued a report that specifically highlighted the treatment of aboriginal women in Canada as a human rights concern. Apparently, Saskatchewan is the only province to have developed a missing persons committee. Amnesty International, the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and the Liberal Party of Canada have all called on the federal government to take more action on the alarming number of Aboriginal women and girls that have been murdered or gone missing in the past three decades.

As of March 2009-
There were 520 known cases of missing or murdered Aboriginal women and girls in Canada; a group that makes up less than 2% of the Canadian population.
347 of the 520, or 67 percent, were murdered. 126 (24 percent) are women and girls who remain missing;
150 of the 347 murder cases remain unsolved
The majority of cases occurred in Western provinces, with 137 incidents in B.C. alone.
Of the known cases that have been documented:

26% of the incidents occurred in British Columbia, 17% occurred in Alberta, 14% in Manitoba, and 12% in Saskatchewan. (Twenty-six of the B.C. cases are women whose remains were found at the notorious Picton pig farm.)

52% of the cases involve women and girls under the age of 30 years. Fourteen percent of the missing girls and young women were under 18 years of age at the time of their disappearance.
43% of the cases of missing women and girls have occurred during or since 2000.
55% of the cases of murder and 43% of disappearances occurred during or since 2000.

Some native leaders estimate the true number of missing to be closer to 3000.

It's hard to put this in perspective but if you compared the “500” death and disappearance rate to the corresponding number of citizens in this country- it would be equivalent to over 18,000 Canadian women and girls missing or murdered in the past thirty years.

& another horrible statistic: 86% of perpetrators of sexually violent crimes against Native people are non-Native.

On November 12, 1971, four white men abducted Helen Betty Osborne (aged 19) from the streets of The Pas. She was sexually assaulted and brutally murdered. A judge said later:

HELEN BETTY OSBORNE

... the men who abducted Osborne believed that young Aboriginal women were objects with no human value beyond sexual gratification ... Betty Osborne would be alive today had she not been an Aboriginal woman.

A 1991 Manitoba Justice Inquiry into the murder of Helen Betty Osborne concluded that racism and sexism intersect in dangerous stereotypes of Indigenous women as sexually “available” to men. The Inquiry said “Her attackers seemed to be operating on the assumption that Aboriginal women were promiscuous and open to enticement through alcohol or violence. It is evident that the men who abducted Osborne believed that young Aboriginal women were objects with no human value beyond sexual gratification.”

FELICIA SOLOMON

On March 25, 2003 – three decades after the murder of Helen Betty Osborne – her 16-year-old cousin, Felicia Solomon, went missing in Winnipeg- parts of her body were found three months later.

July 1, 2009: The body of Cherisse Houle, 17, had been uncovered by a construction crew working near the shore of Sturgeon Creek in the Rural Municipality of Rosser.

CHERISSE HOULE
Advocacy groups in Manitoba claim there are at least 75 unsolved homicides where the victims were women and on August 1, 2009, the RCMP in Manitoba announced they have launched an investigation to re-examine the cases.

Aug. 20, 2009 A 14-year-old boy who was walking his dog near the intersection of Winnipeg's North Perimeter Highway and Highway 59 found the body of Hillary Angel Wilson- she was a friend of the late Cherisse Houle.

HILLARY ANGEL WILSON

These are daughters, mothers, sisters, cousins... they are my family, too.

WE MUST PUT AN END TO THIS!

UPDATE

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Could+serial+killer+roaming+Highway/1937131/story.html
By John Bermingham, The ProvinceAugust 28, 2009

Could a serial killer be roaming Highway 16?

Family calls for task force after 6 young females vanish along the route in 12 years

Is a serial killer cruising up and down the Highway of Tears?

Since 1990, six girls or young women have either been murdered or disappeared along Highway 16, which links Prince George to Prince Rupert.

Now the family of one of them is calling for a missing-women task force similar to Vancouver's.

The latest to vanish was Nicole Hoar, a 25-year-old tree-planter who was last seen June 21 hitchhiking from Prince George to Smithers.

A dozen RCMP officers in Prince George are following up hundreds of sightings of Hoar across Canada.

The first of the girls to disappear was Delphine Nikal, 15, who called her family on June 13, 1990, to say she was hitchhiking home to Telkwa, 15 kilometres from Smithers. She was never seen again.

Ramona Wilson, also 15, was spotted walking along the highway on June 11, 1994, looking for a ride from Smithers to a nearby village to see her boyfriend.

Her body was found outside town 10 months later.

Two months later, the body of a Prince George prostitute was found near Burns Lake. Roxanne Thiara, 15, disappeared in July 1994. She told a friend she was going out with a customer.

In December the same year, Alishia Germaine's body was found behind a Prince George elementary school.

The 15-year-old, who friends say was a working prostitute, had been stabbed to death.

Darvin Haugan Jr. wants to know what really happened to his stepsister Lana Derrick, 19, last seen in Terrace on Oct. 7, 1995.

In Derrick's case, her boyfriend committed suicide the night she disappeared.

But Haugan thinks a serial killer may ultimately be behind the disappearance of Derrick and the other women.

Haugan said they all could have been picked up by the same driver.

"There should be a major concern about who is doing this and why," he said from Terrace.

"Is it a serial killer, or what?

"When is it going to stop? The police are pretty tight-mouthed about what's going on."

Haugan wants a task force set up to answer "who and why?"

"Something's got to be done," he said.

"Obviously, the police force aren't getting anywhere, so maybe a task force should be brought in. This issue needs to be addressed soon."

Lead investigator Cpl. Judy Thomas said there is no link between Hoar's disappearance and the other women other than the route.

"When you get missing people or homicides along that route, people say, is it the route that connects them?" she said.

Parents Jack and Barb Hoar, from Red Deer, Alta., were in Prince George last week to thank the community for its help and donate funds to Search and Rescue operations.

Jack's employer is offering a $25,000 reward to anyone who finds Nicole.

Police say they can find no thread linking all six women to a single perpetrator.

A recent internal review of the five historical files has concluded that there is no evidence pointing to a serial killer.

Police spokesman Sgt. Tom Bethune would not elaborate on how police came to their conclusion.

One of the main reasons is lifestyle differences: Two of the girls were known prostitutes. Four were native or part-native.

Bethune wouldn't say if any of the three women found dead near the highway were sexually assaulted.

There was supposed to be a task force in 1997 to find a serial killer or rule one out. But it was put on hold, owing to budget cutbacks.

Investigators admit they can't cope with the current workload. It's hard finding the time to follow up tips when there's more immediate work to do.

"I can tell you that every tip that comes into this office is being explored to the nth degree," said Bethune, referring to the Hoar investigation.

The older investigations are more difficult to keep in the public mind.

Prince George Coun. Shirley Gratton said the federal government should fund the police task force, if it is to get started at all.

"Our wilderness is so wild out here that it's like a needle in a haystack to find where these people would be," she said.

"They could be from anywhere, these people that are picking up these girls."

Gratton said she still sees girls hitchhiking along the highway, despite the dangers.

"I guess when you're young, the fear isn't in you," she said. "When you get older, you're more cautious."

Recently, a major real estate company engaged a third-party research firm, International Communications Research (ICR) that surveyed 1,000 individuals to discover how men and women differ in the home-buying process.

Questions included "How long did it take for you to know that the last home you purchased was right for you?" and "If you found the home of your dreams but had concerns about its security, would you still be interested?" There were also some more personal questions such as "Who wears the pants in the relationship?" when it comes to making major financial decisions.

A consumer expert with the real estate company says, “Both men and women are increasingly concerned with having a space to work in their homes -- something we would not have seen 40 years ago." She continued, "We also found that feeling insecure about a home's safety is a deal-breaker for most people, regardless of gender."

The results don’t really surprise me. Women are quicker to recognize a house they like- and will often decide at the first visit. Security concerns can be a deal breaker for about 60% of buyers. 20% more of the women put proximity to family ahead of proximity to work. Four times as many men would use a spare room for entertainment- women opting for an actual guest bedroom. 70% of those surveyed said they share the pants in the family when it comes to financial decisions.

23% of women vs. 20% of men felt that they wore the pants. & In my experience, women generally have the last say when it comes to home purchases, which could explain why more of them believe they have the upper hand.

Generally speaking (which is always dangerous)… I find that women have an easier time imagining themselves in a new space. They often jump into furniture placement- pointing to particular floor areas and suggesting it is the perfect place for “the antique clock” or “Aunt Maggie’s piano”. On the other hand… in my experience, men have a harder time letting go of their castle.

Sometimes, buyers become so emotionally embroiled in a particular property- or worse, a particular aspect of a property that they become blind to other significant issues. Sometimes they cave to their partner who really loves the view or really loves the workbench in the garage. In other words, rational thinking gets thrown out a window- except, of course, to justify reasons to go for it.

& It’s not a bad idea to make an offer immediately, once you find the right spot- a good house at a good price may be scooped up by someone else if you hesitate for too long- in fact, this is the most common way that people miss out…. But brace yourself… there’s a funny thing that happens to many of us, right after making an offer. It is known as buyer's remorse. It’s that queasy, “I’ve just done something extremely stupid” feeling and it often occurs right after you sign your name and hand over the deposit. Remember, “buyers’ remorse” is a natural human emotion and prepare for it.

I advocate the “Pros & Cons” approach- making up a written list of advantages and disadvantages for the house as part of the decision-making process- particular when I see clients labouring over a decision…. and I keep the list, in my client files- so they can review it, if they get cold feet or “buyer’s remorse”.

The purchase of a home is one of the most complicated financial transactions in life. The first time you buy, the complexity of the transaction can be particularly frustrating because there are a number of unknown rules and procedures that many people have had to learn through "the school of hard knocks." Never mind the battle with the banks, lawyers, and loan officers.

I believe the most important decision that a buyer must make is selecting a qualified Realtor® to represent them. The advantages are numerous… experience with the area, knowledge of market values and access to a large and varied selection.

According to a study by the Canadian Real Estate Association, one out of every 100 jobs depends on spending associated with resale housing transactions - on things like renovations, furniture and appliances. This study also found the average resale housing transaction in Ontario generates more than $47,000 in economic spinoffs.

Having been a designer/decorator in one of my previous incarnations, I like to keep my finger on the trend pulse... so, I thought I'd share the predictions for 2010.

Let me be clear… the following information is NOT to be used by Sellers… studies show that it takes less than a minute for prospective Buyers to size up a property… that first impression is a lasting one. Sellers need to ask the advice of an objective eye… and remember that Buyers probably won’t care for a bubble-gum pink kitchen- even if it looks cool.

Sellers need to opt for neutrals and de-personalize their spaces- offer up a clean, clutter-free, pleasant smelling, fresh canvas. It’s very difficult for folks to imagine their belongings in a room with strong décor… while you might love bold accents, they can turn prospective Buyers off.

If you have too much stuff, store it… there’s nothing worse than crammed storage- so you may have to find a place away from your home for things. “Febreze” your home or apartment daily, and open windows. Remember, kitchens and bathrooms are dealmakers and deal breakers. Simple things, like nice fluffy towels, fragrant soaps, a fresh shower curtain, crisp tea towels… shiny new faucets… can set the tone.

For those folks planning to stay in their place a while, there are some interesting colour trends for 2010. Experts argue that the 2010 “it” colour is green… or purple. Most lean toward green. Not the sage variety… a yellow infused green. Purples range from periwinkle to deep aubergine. Blue is making a comeback- primarily in midnight shades of navy and denim- although aqua and teal are hanging in.

In 2010, yellow will still be still prominent, although moving toward the gold and carmel- bronze tones and orange is moving toward copper. Creamy, butter-tinted beiges are now taking the place of white for a softer look. Carbon greys and earthen browns are hot.

On the runways, we are to expect urban-themes: black, brown, maroon and dark blue… and “techno” colours like lime, violet, white and silver. In furniture, shiny surfaces are all the rage. Strong, streamlined shaped furnishings in singular pieces with plain or geometric fabrics. Flooring selections include abstract designs in linoleum, the classic black and white checkerboard tile or polished wooden floors with an overlaid, geometric patterned rug.

The overall influence, in 2010, is Art Deco. Clean, simple and elegant. Art Deco often features aluminum, lacquer, stainless steel, animal skin patterns, inlaid wood and elements of zigzags or stepped patterns, lightening bolts, sweeping curves, lines, chevrons and sunburst. Geometric and angular, the use of chrome, glass and mirrors exude the Deco feel. Flowing natural forms and female imagery are highlighted in lamps and carefully selected ornaments. Lamps with geometric glass shades work well with art deco interior design.

Stylized images of airplanes, cars, cruise ships, skyscrapers or simple nature motifs like shells and flowers are connected to the style. All things Egyptian, Chinese and theatrical contrasts like glossy black lacquer, satin and fur, exemplify the highly fashionable elements of the Deco trend.

The fusion of old and new is an opportunity to create original recycling chic. Go for symmetrical, repetitive shapes and use glass and stainless steel. Bold, highly contrasted and interesting shapes and colours make things seem light and kind of fun. It will “open up” your space, too.

The look can be achieved on a small budget. Visit second hand stores for original art deco pieces that can be refinished. Indulge in some fabulous, but inexpensive poster art, film and entertainment memorabilia. Spruce up an old dresser by painting the main frame gloss white or gloss black- you can paint the drawers another colour- or each a different colour. Change handles to chunky, prominent shapes or bold colours.

Art deco style features primary colours like red, yellow and blue or Miami colours like pink and green and fabrics and materials like velvet and leather. Wood pieces should be stained in light colours. Add intriguing and unusual accessories. The Art Deco - 30's look can lend an elegant Hollywood-style glamour and can be achieved on any budget.

Think: Pizzazz. Go with crisp, modern, sensual and seductive lines. Dramatic Deco undertones catch the attention with highly-stylized, luminous, geometrics and splashes of luscious reds should be desaturated in places and then pumped with luxurious decadence. Originally, the movement represented modernism turned into fashion. Individually crafted pieces would exude luxury and create a sleek and anti-traditional elegance intended to symbolize wealth and sophistication.

Ornaments should be geometric or stylized from representational forms; and unusually varied, between man-made substances (plastic- especially bakelite; glass; and concrete) and natural elements (jade, silver, ivory, obsidian, chrome, and rock crystal).

Outdated kitchen cabinets- especially the ones with center panels can be easily updated and transformed into deco-friendly glass paneled doors. Simply remove the cupboard doors. Use a chisel and rubber mallet to remove the lip that holds the centre panel and it should be easily removed- measure the panel and order glass in that same size, to replace it. To install the glass, put it in place, then carefully install glazing points approximately every five to six inches to hold it in place. Fill the seams between the edges glazing putty and smooth it with a putty knife. Once the putty has dried, reinstall the cabinet doors.

With its natural geometric look, art deco style can also give a bathroom a touch of glamour. Uplighting will make the most of light with pearl grey or white walls, glass and chrome. Octagonal or hexagon patterned tile is perfect for flooring. Cabinetry should be stand alone pieces of interesting furniture and wall sconces will cast an evenly diffused light around the mirror, for grooming. Set the room off with a glossy oval mirror and streamlined chrome towel bars- with some luxurious, plushy black and pink or mint green towels.

& Don’t forget that artistic exterior doors will increase the value of a home AND provide a focal point with enormous curb-appeal. One fastest growing trends in doors today is the art deco door. The deco style door includes elements of geometrical form, curved twists and smooth, sharp, uneven lines, etched glass or mirrors and is painted in the appropriate gloss colour. The result is a door that is truly a work of art.

ESP (extra sensory perception), clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, supernatural, metagnomy, parapsychology, metaphysic, cryptesthesia, sixth sense… it has many labels and many variations. These phenomena have been observed for many, many years… some say, since Biblical times.

Sir Richard Burton used the term “ESP” in 1870. The first systematic study of ESP was conducted by the Society for Psychical Research of London in 1882. I’m not really writing this blog to debate whether there is such a thing as clairvoyance. In something the size of a blog I haven’t got sufficient room for that discussion.

Some would say that it is a better-instructed lot who know that clairvoyance exists, for them; I acknowledge that this post is written years of study and experiment.

I believe that we all have “psychic” abilities. Clairvoyance, for example, lies latent in every one, and those in whom it already manifests itself are simply, in that one particular area, a little more advanced than most. We each have our talents.

As you may already have gathered, in 1997, my brother established The Ontario & Toronto Ghosts and Hauntings Research Society
( http://www.torontoghosts.org/ ) and effectively organized what has long been a matter of intrigue for his siblings as well. His site get emails from all over the world- many involving haunted real estate, ghosts, and problem hauntings. Matthew and his partner, Sue Darroch, investigate all sorts of paranormal activity. ( www.psican.org)

Having been a Realtor® for many years, I have had the privilege of touring through many properties… and I have absolutely no doubt that certain places (both vacant land and buildings) resonate with an obvious energy. Some are quite lovely and some, not so much….

I have mentioned in prior blogs, I have listed and sold properties in which there have been violence (murder, suicide and other tragedies)- in fact, I’ve lived in a few. Some are more “interesting” than others and for many years, I have debated with colleagues in the Real Estate industry on the issue of “disclosure” as it relates to this sort of property.

There is no question in my mind that a Realtor® should reveal any knowledge of the property- particularly anything that would qualify as a stigma, affecting the overall value of the property. Often a property is stigmatized because of environmental or structural problems- say, contaminated soil or a faulty foundation and some properties are stigmatized because something horrible has happened there.

It’s the existence of “dark energy” or something that makes you go “hmmm”- well… that’s where there are no regulations to follow. And, in my experience, some folks are very tuned-in to the vibes and others don’t seem to feel it… or don’t care. So, it’s a coin toss for me, as to when I approach the subject with prospects… but I always do.

Jason Offutt, in his blog “From the Shadows: True Tales of the Paranormal” wrote, “Stigmatized property simply means something happened on the property that could psychologically affect the buyer. That includes a natural death, murder, suicide, a previous owner had HIV/AIDS, a felony was committed on the property, and, in some states, ghosts.”

I’ve been through some properties that I prefer NOT to visit again. I’ve had people ask to see them and I’ll show them- but, I’m honest and forthright about it… albeit, gently. Some people actually enjoy being in those places. I understand that, in some cultures, it is an honour to make your home in such an environment. Go figure. Well… to each, their own.

& I have to say that there have been times when I have distinctly felt that the home was selecting… or rejecting its prospective new residents… and on occasion, felt that a home or homeowner was blocking a sale.

Having honed a sense of conscious awareness, I approach both property and people with an openness that allows me to hear the more subtle language they communicate. I listen and there is often much to hear. I’ve learned to follow my instincts- at times, ahead of logic.

Houses emit some not so subtle signals, too. "My roof leaks" "I have been abused " "I have inadequate storage space" "My plumbing is out-dated" “ Pets have been allowed to hurt me “ It’s amazing though, how few Sellers are aware… and yet, Buyers get the messages- loud and clear… The “other” sort of information is sometimes as easily recognized by prospects.

One of Cincinnati’s most respected psychics has become a highly sought after clairvoyant agent. He agrees that being a real estate agent and a psychic share more in common than one would think. “Both are people businesses – agents are often in the role of counselor and guide,” he says. “I don’t have all of the answers, but often I can tune in and see things happening in a person’s energy field.” he says.

In April 2007, Patrick Kitano posted a blog (at Inman News) in which he said, “OK, I just met one more real estate agent who infers she has psychic powers. Maybe it's a California attribute, but being a psychic real estate agent is a great advantage when it comes to pricing, not to mention foreseeing encumbrances.” And “ Seriously, the psychic real estate agent has become a mildly entrenched meme in our culture.”

A commercial Realtor ® in Calgary says that studying the art of palmistry has taught her how to cue into body language more and uses her knowledge to evaluate how business meetings will go. “I truly believe that this is a science,” she says. “It’s about developing a sense of conscious awareness, and it has opened up a new branch in life for me.”

Why not consult a psychic Realtor® ? Presidents, politicians and their families, celebrities, top executives of Fortune 500 companies, and business people wanting to make the right decisions have consulted psychics for guidance on the paths they choose. Lincoln participated in séances and experienced visions-including one that predicted his assassination.

I urge you though... not to accept God-like answers that lay out irrevocable paths- remember, nothing is carved in stone... no psychic should try to convince you of anything or try to extort money from you (for hex removal, etc.)

Be objective about the information provided by a psychic- if nothing else, it gives you something new angle to consider... but listen to your own intuition...

and it's worth saying again... don't be extorted... don't pay anyone for outrageous services such as "hex removal"... or other hocus-pocus. There are simpler remedies.

“None of us wanted to use the haunted bedroom so it became a storage room.”

"All I know is we walked into the attic with her, and it's cavernous, and we were just looking hard, and, I don't know, this feeling came over me — this warm feeling," the fellow says. "I looked at my wife and she felt it, too."

“My radio will just turn on by itself and my CD will start playing,” she said. “A few times when I have come home after my part-time job in the evening, the radio has been on and the sound isn’t going but the equalizer lights are going crazy.”

“The lady before us kept trying to tell us about the ghost and I told her I did not want to know,” “[My husband] said he can’t remember it being on any paperwork, but he knew about it from the owner. She told us.”

It didn't take long for things to start happening. My mom would get locked out if she left the house. When we went to the basement, we always had a feeling we were being watched. That was me and my mom who always had that creepy feeling, although my mom never discussed this with me 'til later years.

My parents would sometimes sit out front of the house and one day when my mom was waiting for my dad to come home, she was out front and she saw a women walking in the front yard. She looked like any other flesh and blood person but when my mother looked down at this woman's legs, she did not have any, she was floating across our lawn and she disappeared by some trees.

Another time, my father was walking through the hallway of the house and he saw black figures going from one doorway to another, when he went to check to see who it was, no one was there.

Doors began opening and closing on their own. My parents took us out of the room immediately. After this incident, my parents asked the realtor if anything happened in the house before we moved in. The realtor was at first apprehensive to tell us anything, but after my father began shouting at her, she became more willing to say what happened. The realtor explained that there was a family that lived in the house before us and the father of the family went on a shooting spree and killed his entire family and himself in the house. This is why the house was so cheap. After finding this out, my father threatened to sue the realtor for not telling us.

Actor Nick Cage has bought a landmark New Orleans French Quarter property right up the street from the new home of Brad Pitt and Angela Jolie according to the website Big Time Listings. The Lalaurie House in New Orleans has had a checkered past and according to Wikopedia is considered the most haunted property in all of New Orleans.

The Lalaurie Mansion is reported to be the sight of sadistic acts committed upon their household servants and slaves by Delphine LaLaurie in the 1830’s. These spirits have been haunting the property over the past 100 years according to local reports. The house being haunted may have been the attraction for him as he has previously bought another New Orleans property in the Garden District from noted horror writer Anne Rice.

I swore that I wasn’t going to blog about the passing of the King of Pop…

MICHAEL JACKSON

It's just that there seems to be much controversy surrounding the parentage of his 3 children... you can't escape it!

DEBBIE ROWE

Former child star, Mark Lester, claims he donated sperm to Debbie Rowe, who is alleged to be the mother of Paris and Jackson's son Prince Michael.

IVF specialist Dr Lila Schmidt involved in conception of “Blanket”,who is bound by confidentiality rules but can talk in general terms, says: "The surrogate is the carrier of the baby. The biological mom is the egg donor. The surrogate has no connection to the child. It's not their kid. On the birth certificate you can say whoever you want. That's why you hire an attorney. The birth certificate can say Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse but there might not be any genetic relationship to the child."

Claire Elisabeth Fields Cruise claims that she donated all 3 of the embryos to surrogates. She also claims the sperm came from 3 separate donors but identified Julian Bleecker as the father of Paris. Bleeker denies this.

Rumours and allegations abound in the media that the sperm donor whose issue impregnated Debbie Rowe was that of famed dermatologist, (Rowe’s former boss) Dr. Arnold Klein.

And how about the rumours that Michael Jackson is the biological father of Tom Cruise's adopted son Connor Cruise? And did you know that 25-year-old Norwegian rapper Omer Bhatti is in fact Michael Jackson’s secret son?

And/Or, the mother of Michael Jackson's youngest child Prince Michael II is a Norwegian dental hygienist he met on vacation in Tunisia? And… that Miko Brando, son of Marlon Brando- bodyguard and loyal friend of Michael Jackson is said to be the biological father of, at least, little Blanket?

Is it true that that one of MJ's sisters donated eggs for the children? Is LaToya Blanket's mother? Is MacCauly Culkin daddy to Paris? Diana Ross?

Did Michael Jackson get all of his eggs from the same basket?

Pretty well everyone agrees: Michael Jackson is not the biological father of his three children… well, except Jackson’s older brother, Tito… who said, “They are all Michael’s children. Prince looks just like my grandfather. There’s no question they are Michael’s. They are 100% his.”

The rumour mill has not stopped grinding.

And I haven’t even touched on autopsy findings, the famous proboscis or lack thereof.

Rumours… hmmm there are two things one can count on- rumours and change- and people have pretty wicked imaginations. Blanks get filled in.

"I Heard a Rumour" is a 1987 song recorded by English girl group Bananarama. American actress, Rumer Glenn Willis was born August 16th, 1988- she is the daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis- who named her after the British novelist Rumer Godden.

There are several mentions of “rumour” in the bible, including: “Acts 2:6 But the rumour of this having spread, the multitude came together and were confounded, because each one heard them speaking in his own dialect.” “Jeremiah 49:14 I have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle.” And “Ezekiel 7:26 Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.”

If you feel like you're missing out on good rumours, you can visit the Bizarre Rumour Generator at: http://unquietmind.com/insult.html

According to Mats Alvesson (Lund University) and Stanley Deetz (University of Colorado Boulder), “The use of metaphors in rhetoric of persuasion also contributes to image management and the legitimation of expertise.” They also advocate, “…being appropriately sceptical about what one hears and reads…”

I'm suddenly humming... I think it's a tribute to Marvin Gaye's fabulous rendition of Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong's "I heard it through the grapevine"... grapevine referring to an informal source of information.... hmmmm inform.

Rumour sounds so much more villainous than “grapevine”… grapevine being more reminiscent of the children’s games variously known as Chinese whispers, Telephone, Broken Telephone, Whisper Down the Lane, Gossip, Arab Phone (from the French Le téléphone arabe), and Stille Post (Silent Post).

I’m sure most of us have played it, at one time or other. A player whispers a sentence to the next player. Each player successively whispers the message to the next- the sentence reaches the last player is announced aloud. The result is often highly amusing, filled with errors that typically accumulate in miscommunication.

I suppose that the group of players in broken telephone COULD stand metaphorically for a mill.

I wonder if the expression “rumour mill” would originate from “grist mill”… taking one thing and making it into another? “Roomer mill” would make more sense to me… seeing that, in theory, people who live together would talk more.

I suppose that term “rumour mill” is some attempt to connect a recognized source for information… but a mill is also a place where something is manufactured… and being “put through the mill” is supposed to be a very unpleasant experience… although rumour has it that publicity agents often "leak" information or rumors to gossip columnists to publicize the celebrity or their projects.... but, apparently, that's only because people want to know....

We are grateful to the Washington Post, The New York Times, Time Magazine and other great publications whose directors have attended our meetings and respected their promises of discretion for almost forty years. It would have been impossible for us to develop our plan for the world if we had been subjected to the lights of publicity during those years. But, the world is now more sophisticated and prepared to march towards a world government. The supranational sovereignty of an intellectual elite and world bankers is surely preferable to the national auto-determination practiced in past centuries."

- David Rockefeller

We shall have world government, whether or not we like it. The question is only whether world government will be achieved by consent or by conquest.

- James R. Warburg (CFR)

The Council on Foreign Relations is the American branch of a society which originated in England in 1919 [and] believes national boundaries should be obliterated and one-world rule established.

-Barry Goldwater

We are not going to achieve a new world order without paying for it in blood as well as in words and money.

-Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., in "Foreign Affairs," July/August 1995.

OKAY... What is it really????

On Globalization: “that loose combination of free trade agreements, the Internet and the integration of financial markets that is erasing borders and uniting the world into a single, lucrative, but brutally competitive marketplace”- Thomas Friedman (American journalist, columnist and author.)

In his book “Globalisation: Threat or Opportunity?” Paul Streeten lists of 36 definitions of globalization, running the gamut from positive to negative. Some definitions focus on economics, others on technology and some, combinations thereof or on completely different issues. A few words do stand out.

Streeten repeatedly refers to ‘Internationalization’- suggesting the idea of the entire world becoming a marketplace and a great many arguments that anti-globalizationists make involve markets, market failures (often in the same sentence as ‘multinational corporations’), or ‘market creep’ – (markets moving into areas in which they are not wanted.) ‘Economic Interdependence’ is a repeated phrase and Information Technology is often identified as the driving force behind the growth of interdependence – as it provides the means with which people and businesses communicate worldwide.

Anti-globalization activists identify this interdependence in other terms, citing the push for globalization as exploitation around the world by money-grubbing tycoons…

And, as global magnates like Rupert Murdoch acquire ever increasing control of global media, it could be argued that freedom of expression and ideas are falling victim ever more frequently to economic decisions- (According to the 2009 "Forbes 400", Murdoch is the 132nd-richest person in the world, with a net worth of $4 billion.)

Certainly, the mass media often portrays anti-globalization movements as a loose, flighty, group of intellectuals who support obscure forms of action that have little meaning. Demonstrators are often vilified as opponents to the inevitable and are accused of stalling economic and political progress.

It does seem that the overall goal and effect of globalization is the rapid circulation of products, profits, culture and ideas- and many argue that the people at the bottom are being trampled in the mad rush.

Those against globalization, describe globalism as the unregulated political power of large, multi-national corporations and their power-exercised through trade agreements.

Further, they accuse these corporations of seeking to maximize profit at the expense of degrading labor standards, environmental conservation principles and the integrity of national legislative capacity. Working conditions aren't always sanitary, wages aren't always fair and the GDP isn't always distributed evenly or spent improving the country's standard of living and infrastructure.

Adam Smith (author of “The Wealth of Nations”) asserts that free trade should benefit all interested parties and in this work, he criticizes the implicit political corruption of mercantilism in limiting the benefits of trade to the elite classes. Smith, also, describes mercantilism as a system where one Country increase its power by getting excess gold on foreign transactons- a system fostered by merchants eager to achieve monopolies and easy profits. A world where democracy (one person, one vote) would be replaced by something more market driven (one dollar, one vote).

Economist Amartya Sen suggests that ‘development’, often tied to ‘globalization’, should be measured in terms of “human freedom”- rather than the traditional economic terms and methods: such as gross domestic product. Sen argues that democracy and civil rights should be a primary unit of measurement of development, rather than being described as in some way distinct from development.

Proponents of globalization argue that globalization aids in development and precipitates a spread of higher education and from that, more people who "do the right thing" and give attention to global concerns. Issues such as environmental protection will, they believe, in time, naturally become a priority.

Anti-globalizationists disagree and point to those unstable, volatile regions, where rebels looking to reap the benefits of globalization trade already patrol economic hubs and charge companies huge fees to protect their assets- for instance, Fruit giant, Chiquita has acknowledged paying money to the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) in return for "protection". Some believe that Chiquita also made payments to Colombia's main left-wing rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).

Chiquita claims they aren’t the only ones who have made deals with drug lords and terrorists, for security. However, “Our actions were always motivated to protect the lives of our employees and their families,” company spokesman Ed Loyd told the Wall Street Journal.

Just the other day, I came across this sentence: “America, in addition to being a nation, is a brand.” No kidding.

And, without a doubt, there are aspects of Anti-Americanism contained within the anti-globalization movement. Unease at American corporate power and influence, as represented by McDonalds was the reason that José Bové (syndicalist, author, member of the alter-globalization movement and farmer) took part in the 1991 action during which a McDonalds in south-west France (near where they make Roquefort cheese) was dismantled by protesters- just days before it was due to open.

A 2nd April 2002 article produced by the BBC explains:

Bové has concerns about how the food sold in McDonalds is farmed, sourced, and processed. He opposes the bland homogenisation of culinary culture as represented by a soggy Big Mac. There were community concerns about litter, and the impact of a multinational on local businesses.

It was hormone-treated beef that finally sparked the action. Such beef, where the cattle are fed hormones to artificially speed up their growth had been blocked from entering European markets by the EU on health grounds. In tit-for-tat trade retaliation, the US, backed by the WTO, imposed high tariffs on some 'luxury' European food products, including Roquefort cheese.

This tariff was a severe economic blow to the farmers of South West France where Roquefort is made. The construction of a McDonalds nearby, to sell this hormone-treated meat to them in a sesame seed bun with 'French' fries seemed to add insult to injury.

Agribusiness uses genetic modification, hormones, fertilisers and pesticides to force ever-higher yields from the land in vast monoculture farms. Such farms possibly cause health and environmental problems, and certainly result in an excess of a bland crop. This excess is then dumped onto the foreign markets, undercutting the price of local produce and bankrupting the farmer.

And quotes Bové with saying:

Genetic modification is not the answer to the problem of hunger in the world... no one really believes that the problems of hunger and underdevelopment can be solved by technological means; economic, social and political conditions have to be taken into account.

Co-author of 'The World Is Not For Sale', Bové became a farmer in 1975 as a political act'. He advocates eating local produce, grown organically and farmed collectively. In effect, Bové's legal defense for the McDonald’s protest put globalization on trial.

Aside from local food being tastier, Bové argued that local consumption provides local employment and trade that is environmentally sustainable. This, he presented, in contrast to the standards of multi-national agribusiness and fast food outlets, who he portrayed as soulless and purely profit-motivated.

UH HUH

A wise man once told me… if you are confused… follow the money.

ADDENDUM: a friend sent me this link on August 12, 2009

http://www.eatrealeatlocal.ca/#/video CHECK IT OUT!

The Perseid meteors are an annual show, starting in late July when Earth enters a cloud of debris from the tail of Comet Swift-Tuttle. This year we’ll also cross the path of a new strand of debris that separated from the comet in 1862.

The comet Swift-Tuttle was actually discovered because of the strand of material boiling off from the comet. Two American Astronomers, Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle, working independently, made the discovery.

On the 12th local stargazers could be treated to some 50 visible meteors per hour.

Visible light. Electromagnetic radiation.
Energy released. Electrons within atoms.
Light is all our eyes can really see.
Particle and wave.
Traveling energy. Vibrations at
different frequencies and
travelling at different speeds.
Continuum;
electromagnetic spectrum.

In total darkness, our eyes sense single photons- they absorb some of the photons flowing through space. Of visible light, violet has the most energy and red the least.

At twilight, sunlight scatters in the upper atmosphere: L'Heure Bleue, a most solitary time.

I fell in love with him, long before he was known for writing poetry… although I recognized immediately he was a poet…

a poet in its root sense- meaning seer, visionary….

He had a great love for privacy, a great love for solitude. He needed long periods alone to meditate, reflect, think. He needed to have the noise stilled… to contemplate, dream, write…

A great fan of Merton, he was a great lover of Merton’s work… and rogue intellectuals,
McLuhan, for example.

He had a certain stubbornness, pride, a certain amount of arrogance, a certain amount of determination to find out things in his own way and also to beat a path that was his own.

There was nothing one could do about it.

We often spoke in whispers… the moon exposed, at intervals… scattered through slats

in the window blinds. Light of a different frequency bends at slightly different angles.

Such were our concious attempts to reach each other…
another human being…into the soul of another human being…

Such are Laws of Reflectance.

"the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection."

The atoms in some materials hold on to their electrons loosely. In other words, the materials contain many free electrons that can jump readily from one atom to another within the material. When the electrons in this type of material absorb energy from an incoming light wave, they do not pass that energy on to other atoms. The energized electrons merely vibrate and then send the energy back out of the object as a light wave with the same frequency as the incoming wave. The overall effect is that the light wave does not penetrate deeply into the material.

In most metals, electrons are held loosely, and are free to move around, so these metals reflect visible light and appear to be shiny. The electrons in glass have some freedom, though not as much as in metals. To a lesser degree, glass reflects light and appears to be shiny, as well.

A reflected wave always comes off the surface of a material at an angle equal to the angle at which the incoming wave hit the surface. In physics, this is called the Law of Reflectance.

There comes that certain point & one just realizes they’re on a path alone…

The decision is simply to go on with it or not…

Though, no one truly forgets the brightest white light… The way something burns red hot, then turns to white.

The mixture of all colours, mixture of light… frequencies… incandescence.

A perfect colorless, white.

Melissa Leong’s article, in today’s National Post, screams from its title, “Home sales rocket to record levels” and quotes one Toronto Realtor ® as saying, “February right through, it hasn't stopped. Right now, it is a seller's market.... We're constantly in multiple offers”… and a spokeswoman from RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic as saying that while Buyers can still get a good deal- “That's not going to last. Those prices will go up if inventory does not come on the market”.

Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, Regional Director, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada, says "Traditional market indicators are in place - the stock market has made tremendous gains in recent months, crude values have risen significantly, and the Canadian dollar has gained almost 10 points in the past month. Combine these influences with pent-up demand and growing economic stability and you have the ingredients for solid sales in the top-end of the market."

It might be a wet summer, but Canadian housing sales have and, as a result of a sizzling in June, Canada's two largest real estate markets -- Toronto and Vancouver -- came close to breaking their all-time sales records. This week the Toronto Real Estate Board said Greater Toronto realtors reported record sales in July- a hefty 28% rise over the same month in 2008.

Our local markets, surrounding Bancroft and Barry’s Bay, have picked up- dramatically, too. I feel like the past couple of weeks are little more than a blur. Recent buyers have been lucky, snapping up some of the best real estate deals in years- and there are still some real opportunities.

Although there are some new listings coming up for sale- if they’re priced properly they sell fast! It’s always a good idea to have a Realtor® scouting for you… giving you early information on listings that fit your criteria for that perfect retirement or vacation property. These days, a number of Buyers find that their retirement is only a few years down the road but the current low interest rates are an incentive to buy now and use the property recreationally or to produce rental income, until it’s time to retire.

&, Lately, I’ve been asked a lot about “foreclosure” and “power of sale properties”… I believe it’s because there is so much hype in television commercials we see on channels that broadcast from the United States…. The laws here are much different and lenders have a serious responsibilities and strive to obtain real market value for properties they’ve taken back. Listing contracts for these properties are often made with the understanding that the fact the property has been, in some way, repossessed will NOT be highlighted in the marketing process.

Still… there are some excellent deals to be had and, judging by the action in our local marketplace, but there it’s not the time to procrastinate! Currently there are listings for cottages with shared shoreline or boat-required access… and seasonal cottages/camps with acreage and waterfront lots for under $100,000… some under $50K…. and there are building lots and year round homes for well under a $100K, too! In fact, some building lots are still listed under $10,000.

Indications are, especially with all of the multi-million dollar rebuilding plans, this area is going nowhere but up, up, up. & It already has much to offer…. Location, location, location are still the 3 most magic words in Real Estate.

These days a lot of buyers start their property search on the internet. They visit sites like www.realtor.ca and if they find something that catches their interest, they might email the listing agent for more information. While this is not a bad plan, it may not be the best.

Buyers should consider entering into a Buyer Representation Agreement with a Realtor ® and have a professional do the research for them… AND protect them from the risks involved in purchasing property.

In the industry, we call an unrepresented Seller a “Fiz-bow”- that’s how we pronounce the acronym “FSBO”- meaning “For Sale By Owner”. There are a variety of reasons given by Sellers when they’re asked why they are considering “FSBO”… some are: “I don’t know any agents” or “I’ve had a bad experience”… but, by far, the most frequent is “I want to save the commission costs”.

Speaking of FSBO’s, a colleague of mine once said, “If you were being sued for the full value of your home, would you hire a lawyer or defend yourself?”

I can’t think of a better for the risks of not using the services of a professional in the field.

Every Buyer and every Seller wants to have a successful experience... and here are my top ten reasons that “Buyers and Sellers” should utilize the services of a real estate professional:

1/ Honest & Professional representation:

Probably the most serious drawback of a For Sale by Owner is the lack of protection for both the Seller and the Buyer. A Realtor® has knowledge of all of the requirements and must adhere to rules, regulations, legislations and a strict Code of Ethics. Once you agree to have a Realtor® represent you, they are under contract to provide you with competent service.

You can verify the status of any Realtor © by visiting http://www.reco.on.ca/ (The Real Estate council of Ontario.

AND, particularly as a Buyer, you want to avoid scams like this:

Canadian Woman Informs Police about Real Estate-based E-mail Scam
Waterloo Regional Police have recently received a report from a woman residing in Kitchener (Southern Ontario, Canada) that someone tried to deceive her by sending spam messages.

The woman revealed that she had received spam messages while searching for a home online in the first week of July 2009. She disclosed her name as well as personal details.

However, she got suspicious of the deal after she had received an e-mail that asked her to transfer money in the account of an unidentified person.

It is said that after the woman had got apprehensive about the deal, she applied her investigative skills and found that the home owner was suspicious.

Olaf Heinzel, Police Spokesperson, said that the home owners had indicated that it was not available for sale, as reported by therecord on July 6, 2009.

Hence, the sale was fake and advertisement posted online primarily meant to fool people.

Heinzel further said that there were potential risks involved while dealing on the Internet. Sometimes dealing on the Internet could not be trusted as the person with whom the dealing is going on not a genuine one.

Furthermore, these e-mail scams operate from outside the country which makes tracing them a difficult task. Police have advised the woman that she should lodge a formal complaint against the website hosting that advertisement.

Internet users need to be extremely careful while accessing information online and confirm the legitimacy of the website, said Heinzel.

Internet scams that dupe innocent users have become very common now-a-days.

Security experts have warned netizens that cyber criminals especially spammers advertise fake houses for sale through spam e-mails in bulk. They are confident of their techniques that someone would fall to them.

In fact, scammers are very intelligent in their methods as they take real ads and modify their details slightly so that they seem realistic to users.

Hence, there are few points that can be used by netizens to find out the legitimacy of home advertisement. For instance, if the price of a home is relatively low to the market price, then the deal should not be made. Secondly, if the home owner is asking to wire money before the deal is signed, then it is certainly a fake deal.

2/ MLS ®

Realtors® have far greater resources than the average homeowner/homebuyer. Certainly, a determined FSBO can put a “for sale” sign in the yard and run an advertisement in the local paper, however, the home won’t receive nearly as much exposure as it would through the MLS®.

It is nearly impossible for out-of-town Buyers to know a FSBO is available and a great number of sales, especially in rural/recreation/retirement areas, come from out-of-towners.

Buyers can rest assured that their Realtor® must and will include any appropriate FSBOs in their presentation of prospective properties.

3/ PRICING

Determining what each particular piece of real estate is worth is crucial, but extremely difficult. Most homeowners honestly believe their own home is worth more than comparable homes in the same area… and often, they’re wrong.

A Realtor® has access to statistics, current market conditions and other information that is important in assessing the likely selling price of a property AND tips for improving Buyer appeal.

Overpricing any for-sale home is a sure way to deter potential buyers… and most Buyers looking at a FSBO assume THEY will be saving the commission… not that the Seller will be saving the commission. In fact, many buyers making an offer on a “For Sale by Owner” will take into account that the services of a REALTOR® are not being used and they will deduct their calculated savings of commission from the FSBO asking price.

Both Buyers and Sellers need to be informed of the recent sales comparables and current local market- the kind of information a Realtor® will provide- in order that they can come to a reasonable agreement on price.

4/ Representation

FSBO=an unrepresented seller

Potential buyers will spend less time in a for-sale home if the owner is present during the showing- they’re often shy about discussing its pluses and minuses with their own agent if the owner is within earshot.

Buyers are less inclined to make an offer if they know they'll be negotiating directly with the seller. It’s just not as comfortable as dealing through a third party.

A Realtor® creates an effective emotional buffer between the Seller and Buyer- helping the Seller evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising market position and write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it smoothly through the process.

Buyers who have contracted a Realtor® in Buyer Representation can discuss FSBO opportunities with their Realtor®. A Realtor® will show FSBO properties and most Sellers will agree to pay commissions to a Buyer’s Agent….

In fact, Buyers should be concerned, if a FSBO Seller is not willing to pay the Buyer’s Agent- it may be that something is not quite right about the whole deal, if they balk at having an expert help a Buyer check things out and write up a contract.

A simple grammatical error or missing word from an Agreement to Purchase can create a dispute that will give rise to a lawsuit. Most after-sale complaints involve alleged damages of less than $10,000 that may spiral into thousands more if legal action is required.

A Realtor® knows contract language and has learned how to reduce the likelihood of confusion by drafting a clear concise offer, reducing exposure for both parties.
.

5/Security

As a Seller- when your property is marketed with an agent's help, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Agents will generally pre-screen and accompany only qualified prospects through your property.

As a Buyer- A Realtor ® will help you avoid being lured into a “FSBO” that may be unscrupulous or fraudulent by calling and checking them out, in advance AND provide you with company on your visit to the property.

6/ FSBOs are likely to stumble into legal trouble

While the previous 5 items have included mention of potential legal disputes, this concern warrants serious attention.

Real estate transactions are fraught with potential liability- for unwary Sellers, as much as unwary Buyers.

There are laws regarding disclosure requirements and a FSBO or FSBO Buyer who overlooks even one mandated requirement could lose money or worse, face a protracted and expensive lawsuit- after the transaction closes or fails to close.

It is important that Buyers and Sellers understand that the sale of real property is not just a marketing exercise; there are many legal issues involved which can create liability. Of all the things you want and expect from buying or selling property, a lawsuit is probably not one of them.

7/ Monitoring, renegotiating and closing

Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or completion), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs might be required for the Buyer to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most people… not to mention the stress.

A Realtor® can help to objectively resolve any issues and move the transaction to closing because of their experience and the simple reality that they aren't emotionally invested in the transaction- they can keep a cool, level head during the ongoing negotiating process.

8/ Time

A Realtor® can save you valuable time- working many, many hours, behind the scene, for every hour that they’re in your presence.

Under contractual responsibilities, a Realtor® has a vested interest in fulfilling their obligations to Buyer and Sellers alike- not to mention it is how they earn a living.

Statistics tell us that 90% of FSBOs will contract a Realtor® after approximately a month of the hassle, time, energy and emotional stress of running ads, fielding phone calls, holding open houses and showing parades of people through their properties. FSBOs get tired of people who need “help” to buy a home and who ask the seller to take less, carry a second mortgage, engage in creative financing, or even entertain some form of fraud. And then there are the onces fresh out of some “no money down” seminar.

Statistics tell us that some 90% of Buyers will contract a Realtor® after spending a few frustrating weeks trying to find property by calling listing representatives on ads… or trying to negotiate with a FSBO on their own.

9/ Connections

Realtors® spend a great deal of time developing relationships with appraisers, local banks, township officials, lawyers and other Realtors®- all of whom can help streamline the many steps involved in the listing and selling process. These same connections are helpful for Buyers seeking advice. Further, it is sometimes helpful to speak to your local Realtor® if you are planning to purchase out of town- they may be able to recommend a good Realtor® in that area.

10/ Success

Even in a robust market, fewer than 30% of FSBOs will sell… statistics tell us that FSBOs fail at a rate of more than 87%.

More than 9 out of 10 FSBOs will contact a Realtor ® within 4-5 weeks, if they really want to sell.

87% of residential home sales involve the Internet, particularly www.realtor.ca AND 92% of Internet buyers find their agent that way.

Sure, it costs money to employ a Realtor ®, but they work… and work hard to earn their commission.

When a Realtor® is involved: a Seller is more likely to sell their property faster and a Buyer is more likely to find a desirable property… and at the same time… both Buyers and Sellers reduce the chance that anything will come back to haunt them.

Bancroft was once one of the larger villages in North Hastings. Settled in the mid 1800s, it consisted primarily of flour, saw, woollen, and shingle mills in its early days. At the turn of the century the North Hastings region was experiencing unprecedented prosperity and its population was at a peak.
The Barry’s Bay area of Renfrew County (Sherwood Township) was first settled over a hundred years ago, along with other communities on the Opeongo Line. The town also served as a standby base for the Canadian Military during the war years.
The area is dotted with many ghost towns. In this blog, I will try to highlight a few.

Addington (Perry) Road

Get there: Highway 41, from the Clare River south of Highway 7 to the Denbigh area, parallels much of the old road.

Commonly called the Perry Road, after the Perry brothers who built it, the Addington Colonization Road started at the Clare River in Lennox and Addington County. It wound its way northward, skirting Mazinaw Lake, to eventually link with the Ottawa and Opeongo Road through Renfrew County. Provincial Land Surveyor A. B. Perry won the contract to build the road and 45 miles were completed by 1856.
First the road route was blazed, to guide the work crew through the wilderness. Next, trees along the way were hacked down, with large stumps often left to rot. Little grading was done and travellers had to wind their way around the large stumps and hazardous rocks. Swampy areas were laid with “corduroy”—logs spread across the road. Travel over these areas was a bone-jarring experience. Culverts were installed to facilitate drainage and bridges were constructed over creeks and rivers.
Frequent fires destroyed the bridges and travelling the road was tiring and hazardous. It was much easier to get around by horse and sleigh during the winter months, when snow and ice covered the road. A. B. Perry completed the road to the Madawaska River but bridges over the Madawaska were destroyed regularly by the large log jams from river drives.

Finally, Ebenezer Perry, A. B.’s brother, completed the Addington Road to the Ottawa and Opeongo Road. Ebenezer was the land agent for the Addington Road. He dispensed location tickets to the free land grant settlers who took up lots along the way. By 1858, some 160 lots were occupied, with more than 100 others settled the following year. It was a tough life for the pioneers, but some of them stayed to enrich the region we call Mazinaw Country.

Balaclava: Renfrew County

Get there: Turn North from Dacre (highway 132) onto highway 513.

You’ll find a row of ramshackle buildings with sagging roofs, huddled along a narrow road.
The remains of Balaclava include an old water powered sawmill, one of the last to operate in Ontario. If you look closely, you can still see pieces of machinery and wagon wheels inside the building.
The first sawmill was built in 1855 and purchased by the Richards family in 1868. Interestingly, the Richards family was taken to court in 1903, on an early piece of anti-pollution legislation. Apparently, the Richards had been using the stream as a disposal unit for all their sawdust. The stream was becoming clogged and another mill, further downstream, complained. The Richards lost the court battle and shortly after that, added the huge burner, which still stands today.
Much of the original mill was destroyed by fire in 1936 but was quickly rebuilt and continued to operate for only a few years after it was sold to Donald Dick in 1957 and ceased operations when the surrounding timber supply became depleted.

Although Balaclava had been a busy industrial and farming centre throughout the latter part of the 19th century, it was by-passed by the railways- that… combined with failing farms and dwindling lumber supplies was the town’s demise. The mill continued to operate on waterpower until 1967.
There may be one occupied house in Balaclava. Well kept, with sky blue aluminum siding, it usually features a large For Sale sign in front, presenting a humorous contrast to the buildings across from it.

Bannockburn:

Get there: about 15 miles north of Madoc on Highway 62.

Gold was first discovered at Bannockburn around 1878. A small deposit, it was known as Bannockburn Gold Mine and run by locals for several years, with little success.
The mine operated as a commercial venture from 1894-1898. Operations included a 10 stamp mill and mercury amalgamation process for recovery of the gold. The workings consisted of several shafts, small pits and an open cut trench.

The mine never operated at a profit, due to the irregular nature of the deposit. It lay abandoned until 1982, when it was acquired by a prospector. Most of the workings have fallen in or are now obscured by forest.

Balvenie: Renfrew County

Get There: about 8km east of Griffith on HWY 41 lies a road named Marchand-Lacourse Rd. Turn right and continue to the fork... (You will need a 4x4 or walk from there on)

A small settlement established itself here in the late 1880's and added a post office in 1891- it closed in 1940.

Blairton

Get there: Follow Highway 7, west of Marmora- 7 kilometres to the Blairton Road. The former town site is two kilometres to the north.

An iron manufacturing town of the mid 1850s on the shores of Crowe Lake, a location accessible only by water as roads were nearly unusable. The railroad eventually came to Blairton in 1866 that made the mining operation more profitable. The mine was an open pit mine close to the lake and the town located to the rear. With the railroad, the town began to grow and soon had a population of around 500 inhabitants. The town prospered for about ten years when water became its worst enemy. Ice floes tore away the railroad trestle. Water began to seep into the mine.

At one time, the town had boarding houses, stores and about forty houses for miners with families.

Brent: Algonquin Park, Nipissing District

Get there: A few kilometres West of Deux Riviere on Hwy 17 is the Brent Road, follow this dirt road for 63 km until you hit Brent.

There are still cottages on the road; at least until their leases expire in 2017- there are also rail-beds, some foundations, an abandoned hotel, Ranger Station and a cemetery.

Brent was a divisional point on The Canadian Northern Railway, between Pembroke and Capreol. Built in 1915, the facilities included a round house, water tanks, coal chute, maintenance sheds, shops, and station. Brent also boasted a general store, school, church and post office (1928-78). From 1921-32 The Brent Lumber Co, operated a sawmill half a mile west of the settlement. The advent of diesel rendered the divisional point useless by the 1960's and it closed in the early 70's. Brent at that time counted 160 residents. In 1978 the government refused to maintain the long dirt road, and ordered the residents put of the park (for the winter at least). The rails were taken up in 1996 and the station and numerous buildings have since disappeared.

Brinklow (Limerick Township)

Get there: At the corner of Highways 62 and 620.

Also known as Brinklow Station on the Central Ontario Railway.
There is an old house on the corner, it is currently being updated.

Brudenell, Ontario

Get there: Around the intersection of Foymount Rd 512 and Opeongo Rd

Once the busiest community on the old development road, Brudenell boasted some 200 residents in the latter 1800s. There are still 36 registered parish families, most of whom are descendents from its 1850s town founders.

At one time, Brudenell had a racetrack, blacksmith and 3 hotels that served liquor- the town fast gained a reputation. They say a Brudenell Saturday night was a thing to behold and then Sunday mornings at "Our Lady of Angels" church was a sorry sight, indeed.

As you enter Brudenell, the concrete foundation on your left is all that remains of Bill Costello's hotel- it later became the office of the Brudenell and Lyndoch Telephone company- and the private home next door (at one time the town hall) still retains some of its original grandeur with its large veranda and gingerbread trim. When this establishment was operated by Cooey Costello, it was known locally as the "sin bin" and its main salon featured a grand piano.

There was a daily stage service to Eganville, Rockingham and Combermere, from Brudenell in the late 1800s. The decline occurred when Prime Minister Laurier routed JR Booth’s railroad through Killaloe instead of the Opeongo line, in 1893.

Al Capone had a large log cottage on nearby LetterKenny Road... a perfect getaway in the lush Ontario wilderness.

Burgess:

Get There: New Carlow Rd (which runs south east off Hwy 62) a few kilometres east of Maynooth.

Ore crushers peer through the birch trees, while across the road stand the log remains of a storage building. There is e4vidence of former mining and milling operations, throughout the area.
Once a thriving village of about 300, employed primarily in the corundum mine, the town was booming until a synthetic version of corundum, “Carborundum”, was invented.

Castleford:

Get there: Near Renfrew, off the Opeongo Line, around Farrell’s Landing. From River Rd 1, turn right onto Thomson Rd and travel 1.4 km (0.8mi) to the driveway beyond the spruce plantation on your right. Walk up to the next driveway on your right to access the First Chute via a tree-lined lane.

West of the bridge on the right, a plaque commemorates Lt Christopher James Bell, a veteran of the War of 1812, who settled on the Bonnechere in 1829. In the time when rivers were the highways of trade and commerce, those making the trek up the Bonnechere River from the mighty Ottawa used Farrell's Landing (a few kilometres up-river) and the village of Castleford as jumping-off points to the interior. Timber barons, loggers, teamsters, and the pioneer squatters who established farms up-river to supply the logging camps disembarked here.

Cheddar: Haliburton

Get there: Hwy. 118 west from Tory Hill to Cheddar Rd and head south to the boarding house. Nobody lives here and the village has been swallowed up by the forest.

The village was located in the former Cardiff Township (once the northern part of Peterborough County but now in Haliburton County) The old mine 1 km south of Cheddar does not allow trespassing but the old town site east of the boarding house, through the forest, still has the remnants of old buildings.

They say that Cheddar is a ghost town extraordinaire. A trip to its present location will baffle the mind at its illustrious past. The ghost town has been literally reclaimed by the forest and only one building remains. Cheddar began in 1871 when Benjamin Woods opened a store and post office along the windy and new Burleigh Road (a colonization road). It was called Wood's Corners- after a Mr. Woods who offered "entertainment to the travelling public".

Soon after came the hotel, a blacksmith, sawmills, 2 churches, a school and a second general store (owned by A. Southwood in 1890). Mr. Southwood got the new postmaster contract and instantly changed the name of the prospering settlement to Cheddar after a town in England. By the 20th century uranium was found nearby. The Cheddar Mine opened in 1932. By 1942 the mine was abandoned and soon the town began to fade in importance. In the winter months to keep active the local men formed a hockey team that would play local larger towns like Wilberforce.

A fire tower was located south of Cheddar past the mine at Hook Mountain. Built in 1931, its tower man protected the local forests by an early detection of forest fire from the tower's cupola. The farm soils had become depleted by the 1950's. New roads were built and paved to welcome the new cottage boom in Haliburton. The old windy gravel trails that were the Burleigh and Monck Rds. were paved and straightened to bypass Cheddar. Suddenly the once strategic junction was left behind. The forest has reclaimed the entire town site and mine site.

All that remains is the old boarding house, a cistern and fragments of the Cardiff fire tower.

CORBYVILLE

Get there: on the bank of the Moira River- Corbyville is north of Belleville. Take Canifton road until it divides.

Mr. Henry Corby immigrated to Canada. Mr. Corby had been a baker back in England and when he arrived in Belleville in 1832, set up a small shop. After serving in the Rebellion of 1837 he bought a St. Lawrence steamer named the "Queen" which he operated for four years.

It was customary for farmers to set aside a portion of their inferior grain to be made into whisky, and as Henry Corby was already making whisky for the locals, it's no wonder that he became interested in the distilling process. In 1857, Corby built a dam and established a grist-mill on the bank of the Moira River. In 1859 he built a distillery which became more important than the mill.
Ten years after building his first mill, Henry decided to try his hand at politics and was elected mayor in 1867. The following year he served as a member of the Provincial Parliament for the Conservatives.

Henry died on October 25, 1881 at which time his son, Harry, took over the business. Harry began to sell the whisky by the bottle rather than the barrel, seeing it a better business opportunity. In 1905 the company was named the H. Corby Distillery.

Hiram Walker bought the operation and added a number of new facilities. A short distance from the town, the Walker Company built new vats and company offices and the name Hiram Walker became known the world over. For nearly 70 years the Walker Distillery flourished. In 1991, the operations were closed.
On Sunday April 5, 2009 the old Corby Distillery burned down- arson was suspected. Only one building and the silo remains on the site.

A bookstore now occupies Henry's old bakery and grocery store.

CORDOVA (Peterborough County)
Get there: 32 mi/51 km NW of Belleville
“the hamlet with the heart of gold,"
While a number of early buildings remain occupied, a number of other buildings are gone and Cordova stands as a ghost of the minefields. Around the turn of the beginning of the 1900s, Cordova was one of Ontario’s leading gold producers. After the gold rush to the Highlands of Hastings began in the year 1866, any of the deposits proved difficult to work or outright fraudulent. The local bubble burst and the mining camps turned into ghost towns.

During the 1890s, improved technology prompted the reopening of some of the more important mines located near Cordova. Between 1892 and 1917, two of the larger mines produced a combined 23,000 ounces of gold. By the 1940s all mining in the Cordova area had stopped and the mines closed.

Craigmont:
Get there: located several kilometres south of Combermere, Ontario, in the woodsy hill country of Raglan and Carlow Townships.

Craigmont was a mining town. Its ore, Corundum, was the hardest mineral- save for the diamond. Corundum was used as an industrial abrasive. The Craigmont deposit was discovered in 1876, but it was not until 1900 that mining operations began by the Canada Corundum Company. The town had a population of 400 consisting of both a company town and a private town. Following the 1913 flash fire that destroyed the mill, Craigmont fell into decline and by 1921; all that was left were the remains of the huge smelter and its foundations.

Dartmoor: Victoria County
Get there: Take the old Monck Rd east from Hwy 12 past Sebright to Dalrymple Rd.
Dartmoor has certainly vanished from modern maps, but at one time was a thriving hamlet with a schoolhouse and a post office. Some of the old barns remain as well as an original log cabin/farmstead and the schoolhouse.

Located on the Monck Rd at Lake Dalrymple Rd. in the former Township of Dalton, City of Kawartha Lakes- a former municipality located in the northwest corner of the former County of Victoria, now the City of Kawartha Lakes.

The town was named after Dr. John Dalton (1766-1844), an English scientist who had a lot to do with the beginnings of atomic theory. Dalton has an extensive history in logging and colonization along the Old Monck Colonization Road.

Villages in the Township include old logging/farming communities from the 1800s. These include: Sadowa, Sebright, and the ghost towns of Uphill (also on Monck Rd.), Ragged Rapids and of course, Dartmoor. All had been rural post offices. Settlers included the Thompsons, Gardiners, and Montgomery's and were mainly of Scottish/Irish Presbyterian backgrounds. Back then, one of the most colourful figures of the municipal history of the township was Joseph Thompson who was reeve for a quarter of a century. Thompson was a great hunter; there are many legends that speak of his prowess in the wilderness.

Doyle’s Corners
If you are looking for Doyle’s Corners, you should know that it was subsequently called Tara, then Oxenden and finally Maynooth in 1863 after a town in County Kildare, Ireland.

Eldorado

Get There: Hwy 62 North of Madoc, approximately 21 kilometres. Turn left on Center Millbridge Road.

The first gold rush in Ontario occurred in 1866 when word of fabulous strikes came out of the wilderness of Hastings County. Prospectors, speculators and miners from across Canada poured into the area with the hope of finding their fortune. Within a few weeks, there were hotels, bars, brothels, boarding houses, mercantile stores and others that numbered more than eighty buildings. In the time it took to become a boomtown, Eldorado became a ghost town when many of the claims proved to be fraudulent.

Enterprise: The Township of Stone Mills (established on January 1, 1998 by the amalgamation of the former Township of Camden East, Township of Sheffield and Village of Newburgh)
See also “Newburgh”

Getting there: Greater Napanee/Lennox Addington

The township covers 71,064 or 68,833 hectares and is centrally located and share boarders with; Addington Highlands, Tweed, South Frontenac, Loyalist, Deseronto and Greater Napanee
The area is home to a number of ghost towns, throughout Camden East, Colebrook, Enterprise, Newburgh, Tamworth/Erinsville, and Yarker- some built upon and around the Canadian Shield, the Limestone Plain and the Salmon River Valley.

The Newburgh/Centreville area might best be described as a series of hamlet – sized communities in rural settings. “Rogues’ Hollow”, Newburgh’s original name and “Whalen’s Corners”, Centreville’s first designation, and the numerous small centres in the former Camden East Township, all had a very meteoric rise and fall. This region in the present Stone Mills Township, so named because of the many old limestone structures in the area, has gone from booming mill and small industry towns to the present ‘bedroom’ communities for Napanee, Kingston and to some extent Belleville.
At Centreville, the old log schoolhouse still stands about two km west of the hamlet’s main intersection.

Esmonde, Ontario

Get there: turn onto Opeongo Rd from Hwy 41- About 1.5km (0.9mi) beyond the roadside byway, look for the Opeongo Oasis on the right side of the road.

Early settlers, shanty men and travellers often stopped here on their journey up the line to quench their thirst. Legend has it that since these stops sometimes resulted in heated discussion and bloody conflict; the creek would at times run red with blood. Others contend that the water was coloured by the red wine which was split during the common practice of diluting to make the bottle last longer.
St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, built in 1890, marks the remains of the hamlet of Esmonde. From here the road skirts the base of the Opeongo Hills along the southern edge of the Bonnechere Valley.
St. Joseph-the-worker, with sleeves rolled up and wearing a careworn expression, appears to be standing guard over Esmonde’s Catholic Church. In fact, after much debate, it faces westward down the Opeongo Road. During the statue’s commission — thought to be in the 1980s — it was debated as to the direction it would face since St. Joseph’s parish includes people from both Dacre, to the southeast, and Griffith, to the southwest. To split the difference, St. Joseph would have to face south. In the end, the community did not want the sainted statue to face southward into the bush where, in the words of a local, there was nothing.

Esmonde is just one of several communities built along the historic line. It boasted a school and Catholic Church, and for a while, a post office. But, once the land was farmed out the settlers moved on. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church continues to offer mass to this day.

Ferguslea
Get there: From Renfrew, head up the Opeongo Line by travelling west via Hwy 132 to the Ferguslea bypass.

The byway into Ferguslea follows the route of the original Opeongo Line past several original log homes and rustic wood fences reminiscent of early Canada. The Kingston and Pembroke Railway (known as the Kick'n Push) came through in 1884, and for years thereafter passengers would disembark and overnight at the once-bustling Opeongo Hotel.

Foymount

Get there: ascend northwest along Opeongo Rd to the intersection of Foymount Rd 512. Turn left and proceed for a short distance to Foymount.

Foymount might be it considered a modern ghost town of sorts. Constructed during the “cold war” as a radar base and part of the NORAD system of hostile aircraft detection, the town sits atop the highest point of land in eastern Ontario. Intercontinental ballistic missiles made the base obsolete and the town closed down. Recently, however, a few inhabitants have made Foymount home- but there is still much to see of the remains of the once bustling military establishment.

Frontenac Road

A route for the Frontenac Colonization Road was surveyed by Provincial Land Surveyor Thomas Gibbs in 1852 and 1853. The road was constructed under the supervision of Warren Godfrey. It began in Hinchinbrooke Township and was completed through Olden and Clarendon Townships and into Miller to the Mississippi Road junction by 1862. The community of Playfair Corner grew up at the intersection. The Frontenac Road shared the same roadbed as the Mississippi Road as far as Johnston Corner, to the northwest, but the section was abandoned early in favour of a route through better farmland. The road was extended to the Madawaska River before the end of the decade. Most of the free land grant settlers who took up lots along the Frontenac Road were unsuccessful in their bids to establish self-sustaining farms in the region. One by one, they pulled up stakes and left, beaten by the harsh climate and inadequate soil conditions. Much of the Frontenac Road fell into disuse, but some of it was incorporated into township and county roads. Mountain Grove, Coxvale, Ardoch and Plevna are communities that developed along the Frontenac Road.

Furnace Falls Haliburton

Get there: From Highway 503 take the exit to White Boundary Road. Continue on this road for 1.2 kilometres.

The former town site is situated in an open field with a log building on the north side.
According to modern maps the open field was once the town centre, but it is actually the southern section of the village. The northern section of the village (on the former IB&OR railway line) is now a trail. To the south of the abandoned barn and log cabin visible from County Rd. 503 (just before the picnic area) there is a creek where the rail trail crosses. This is about where the flag stop was located for Furnace Falls.

Today, all that remains of Furnace Falls are the falls themselves and sporadic buildings and old log barns.

First settled in 1874, Furnace Falls was built to accommodate workers at the Snowdown Iron Mine (in Snowdon Township) at Lot 20 Concession 1.

By 1887 a siding and flag station was built on the Irondale, Bancroft and Ottawa Railway (IB&OR) and was situated between the communities of Irondale and Howland Station where Furnace Falls sprang up at mile 4.9 on the railway line.

J.C. Parry opened a saw and shingle mill at Lot 18 Concession 1 after iron ore was found here too. He also built a store in 1883- it served as the settlement’s post office. There was also a smelting works, workshops, 5 homes and other buildings in the hamlet. Later there was a Furnace Falls school called USS #7.

The hamlet never had a population higher than 50.

Gelert: Haliburton

Get there: Haliburton County, south of Minden where the Gelert Rd. and Sedgwick Rds. meet.

There are 2 churches, school, 2 stores, old homes, town hall still standing.

Gelert began as a sawmill village and at times had been called Little Ireland, Snowdonville and Minden Station. First settled in 1860, Gelert was thriving in the late 1800s- especially after the 1878 of the Victoria Railway.

By the 1890s, Gelert had a post office, 2 general stores (both still standing), a shingle mill, a sawmill, a carpet mill, a blacksmith, a hotel, a carpenter, a shoemaker, a wagon maker, churches and a school.

Depleting farm soils (a common problem on the Canadian Shield) and losses of timber stands in forest fires are blamed for sending the village into decline. The post office closed in 1969 and CN removed the rail lines in 1980.

The cemetery at the east side of town is the resting place of a number of early Finnish settlers.

Glanmire:

Get there: 11 km north of Millbridge on the Old Hastings Rd.

All that remains of this community is the cemetery and the cement steps leading up to a monument at the site that was once St. Margaret’s Anglican Church (1887), 3 derelict wood structures, cedar fencing and forest.

First known as Beaver Creek and then Jelly's Rapids, after settler Andrew Jelly- the first reeve of Tudor township. The community once boasted a school, church, post office and a few dwellings. When the post office opened, the new name Glanmire replaced the old.

In the early days, a UE Loyalist, Isaac Stymers, carried the mail on foot from Glanmire to Bancroft. Although most of the buildings are gone, just north of the cement bridge crossing Beaver Creek, the cemetery headstones in the St. Margaret’s churchyard remain.

As with much of the land along the colonization road, the land was quite infertile and the town's days were numbered from the start. The post office closed in 1939. The church lasted a bit longer until the 1960's when it was demolished.

Havergal:

Get there: Hwy 28 East from Bancroft 25.6 km to McArthur Mills, then just a few hundred meters east of McArthur Mills turn left (north) on Boulter Road. Take Boulter Road north about 12 km to either Havergal or Haas/9th Line.

Silgrey, a rustic four-season hunting and fishing camp featuring some of the best fishing in Ontario is located on the site of the original Conroy Brothers farmstead.

Here, at the Conroy’s Farm a post office was established in 1880 - the name was changed to Havergal in 1886.

Silgrey has several rental cabins, at the water’s edge, overlooking the Conroy Rapids on the York River at the Conroy Marsh. There are also several river view or forested campsites available.

Hickey Settlement:

Get there: North of Bancroft, Ontario half way between Birds Creek and Maynooth off of Highway 62 are Hickey’s Road East and West.

The west road leads back onto the land of the original Hickey Settlement and on up Hickey’s hill to where the old homestead and farms were.

Primarily settled by the Hickey family from Ireland. Stone fences run through the forests, reminding us of the torturous labour the pioneer farmers undertook.

HYBLA

Get there: Hwy. 62 north from Bancroft about 11 km to the Hybla Road (on the right). Follow the road east about 2 km and you come to the Hybla Gospel Tabernacle, a small, insulbrick building almost hidden by trees and bushes, but close to the road on its north side. The small train station is now the residence of the Woodcox family.

(If you continue on the Hybla Road another 3.5 km and you come to a T in the road, turn left 3 km down the road, on the north side the Zion United Church stands.)

Hybla’s main street now consists of three original buildings, a store, now a house, a dwelling and the abandoned Hybla Gospel Tabernacle.

The railroad arrived in 1907, when Hybla was a quiet farming community and soon the settlement grew to include a small station, by the tracks. On the main street were two stores, boarding houses and churches. A blacksmith shop and a sawmill made up Hybla’s other industries. From the feldspar mine high in the hills beyond, wagons brought the ore down a winding road piling their load beside the small station. When the railroads switched from coal to diesel, the station and boarding house were no longer needed.

Kenneway: Haliburton

Get there: Surrounded by forest and lakes, the village was relatively isolated in the area, approximately 10 km away from Wilberforce, a larger town to the South East.

North of Harcourt in Haliburton just south of Algonquin Park, this settlement village was located near the modern town of Harcourt, Harcourt Township, Haliburton County, Ontario. It began around 1860 and was abandoned around the 1930's. Primarily a farming settlement, Kennaway also supported a schoolhouse, a few mills, a livery stable, a post office and a hotel. Kennaway created its farms out of the piny soil of the Canadian Shield.

Kiosk Algonquin Park- Nippissing
Get there: 25 km west of Mattawa, Highway 630, turn left, and follow about 35Km, to Kioask.
Originally, Kiosk was simply a mill, built by the Staniforth Lumber Co. in 1936. The small settlement clustered nearby and by 1948 included about 175 residents, a catholic church, a separate school, company store, post office, company offices, a bunkhouse and 15 dwellings. By 1960 it was a bustling village of 80 homes and nearly 600 residents.

The mill burnt down in 1973 and the government ordered all residents to vacate by 1996. By 1990 the place was empty and Kiosk was little more than an Algonquin Park info centre.

Khartum Griffith Twp, Renfrew County
Get there: A sign announces Khartum about 6km East of Griffith on HWY 41.
In Khartum, you will find the foundations of a burned-out service station and (near the creek) the remains of an old lumber dam.

The settlement, at one time, included a sawmill, store/post office, bunkhouse and a few homes. The post office opened in 1903 with the name Lett, and was changed to Khartum in 1908

Malone: Marmora and Lake Township
Get there: North Marmora- 401 at Belleville, exit 538(W.L. Road) and drive north on Wallbridge Loyalist to Hwy 14; northwest on 14 to Marmora. From Toronto, exit 436 (Newcastle) and drive on Hwy 115 north to Peterborough. Take Hwy 7 to Marmora. Corner Hwy 7 & Victoria
First known as Powells Mills, the village took the name Malone in 1863 when the first post office opened. Also a mining town, Malone was smaller than Cordova but had more mines operating but for a shorter period of time. By the turn of the century, the mines were no longer productive and were closed.

Another remaining legacy of iron mining around this region; the Marmora Open Pit Mine, is a man-made wonder-lake, seventy five acres in area, six hundred and thirty five feet deep, filled with four hundred feet deep of clear blue spring water that is steadily rising to the top.

Marlbank:
Get there: Marlbank is located in Hungerford Township in the second concession- in Tweed, Ontario, Canada, a few kilometres west of Highway 41.
Originally called Allen's Mills, after Dr. James Allen, the first settler- a graduate of Edinburgh University who came to Canada shortly after graduation and settled in Conway, Ontario about 1839. From there he moved to Napanee, then known as Appanea, where he practiced medicine and owned a drug store. A sawmill was practically a necessity in a settlement at that time, and one was built along the stream that flowed through the valley. More settlers came and soon the hamlet became self-sufficient.
Allen's sawmill cut the lumber for the buildings that were starting to sprout up in the valley. The mill operated by using a water wheel, which operated with swinging buckets. “The creek poured from a canal and dam down a fifty foot fall to fill a wheel bucket. The weight of a full bucket pulled the next bucket to the filling station level as the wheel revolved. By shaft and pulley a rope was harnessed to the water wheel to saw the sturdy logs into boards.”
More settlers came and soon the hamlet became self-sufficient. Many necessities such as crude farming implements and the repairing of wagons and sleighs were in constant demand. There was also an Irish weaver who wove flannel, and a village tailor who fashioned clothes from this flannel.
The population in the valley grew steadily and it became necessary to build a school. The first school was built along the road that led to Tamworth. Around 1870 a larger building was erected on what became Queen Street after the first school became too small for the number of pupils. This first school was then used as a house and was situated near the railway station. It was still standing when the second school had burned down and was finally dismantled about fifty years ago.
The inhabitants petitioned the government for a mail service and post office. Dr. Allen was asked to select a name for the office and, because of the nature of the soil in the valley, Dr. Allen chose the name of Marlbank. The inland sea of the early ages had dried and left millions of tiny animals called crustaceans. Their bodies changed to white dust and were called marl, hence, the name of Marlbank.

The post office was located at the northern end of the village for many years. In the 1920's it was moved to the center of the village and remained there from thirty-two years. It was then moved to the top of the hill on the main street. In 1974 it was again moved a few doors down the street to the home of Harold Tuepah. It is now housed in the only general store left in Marlbank.
In 1904, a fire erupted on the site of the Marlbank Phoenix but the building was rebuilt in 1905, and was known as The Stinson House.
In 1907 the building and ownership changed hands to Mr. William O'Keefe, who re-named the pub after himself, calling it the O'Keefe House, shortened and regularly referred to as the "O.K. House". The business held fast to this name through several years, and owners until 1938 when Sam Schell dubbed the building "The Marlbank House". After a fire destroyed most of the building again in 1994, the tavern's name changed once more, quite fittingly, to "the Marlbank Phoenix Tavern".

When the first rural postal service was introduced about 1914, Henry Allen became the first mail deliverer. Henry would bicycle twenty miles a day to deliver the mail.

Marlbank is the home of the hardest underwater cement in the world that built the Suez Canal. Dr. Allen had been aware of the large deposits of marl in the vicinity and hoped that they might be used for crockery someday… but nothing very much was done with the deposits until the unusual soil was discovered to be excellent in the making of cement.

There is some discrepancy as to who was the first company to move into Marlbank to start up the cement works. Some claim that the first company in Marlbank was the Canada’s Cement Company, which was formed in 1891, and in 1892 the cement plant was erected- others say that it was the English Portland Cement Company Works.

On November 10, 1898, R.T. Hoppner and Company, mineral dealers of Montreal, bought stock in the Marlbank works and, in December 1898, a new, larger building was near completion. In the spring of 1899 the cement works opened, slated to run day and night, including Sunday.
On 24 May 1900, The Tweed News carried the heading “Cement Companies Amalgamate.” The manufacturers of the Portland Cement Company had consolidated their interests.”

Many died during the plant's period of operation and one man lost an arm. The plant was also plagued with many fires- September 22, 19 00 the cement works was almost totally destroyed by fire- August 12, 1903, another fire gutted the “clinker grinding room” and November 8, 1903, there was another damaging fire, in the same room.

Marlbank’s first tavern and dance hall burned and the same property has been the site of two costly fires since then. In 1953 Robert Asselstine lost his home and his service station and garage because of fire. The sawmill and gristmill burned and was not rebuilt. A large grocery store was burnt along with the post office. A store owned by Ben Thal burnt, and it was less than two feet from another large store, which was saved by the efforts of the Bucket Brigade.

In 1889, the Bay of Quinte railroad was extended through Marlbank to Tweed and on to Bannockburn. This railway carried the cement to the Deseronto port, and from there; to the world. Many school children travelled to and from school on this train system.

Marlbank was booming in the early 1900's. There was a cement works, a bakery, a cheese factory, three blacksmith shops, thirteen stores, a barber shop, a pool hall, a dance hall, a sawmill and a gristmill, two churches, a railway station, a bank that was open two days a week, and staffed by the Tamworth Branch, a fee farm, and two hotels.

One of the “watering holes,” the old Fitzgerald, was described by one of the residents as “some hot spot.” All that is left now of the Fitzgerald is a hole in the ground as it burnt down a number of years ago. However, the second hotel, located at the south end of the village, still remains.
Around 1911 cement was discovered at Point Anne, a village on the shores of the Bay of Quinte. This discovery spelled doom for the Marlbank plant as cement could be transported from Point Anne to Montreal by boat for far less than by rail.

The marl taken out for the cement formed quite a large sized lake, which was later stocked with fish, and cottages sprouted up around it. It was named Lime Lake. Dry Lake is also a manmade lake.
In 1957, the cheese factory building was bought by J. L. McGrath, who tore it down and used the materials in the construction of a house in the city of Kingston.

In 1917, George Jordan bought the local bread business – two houses and, apparently, one is still standing.

Maxwell Settlement:

Get there: Highway 62 north past Bancroft to Maxwell Settlement Rd. Follow to the junction of Maxwell Settlement Rd. and Clark Lake Rd. just NE of Bancroft.

The remains of an old farm, an abandoned home can be seen, near a bend in the road. An old schoolhouse/church is now occupied.

Group of Seven artist A.J. Casson painted the village in his work “Country Road”- an outstanding canvas from the late 1950s.

McCraney:

Get there: on the shore of Rain Lake in Algonquin Park.

In the early days, Algonquin Park was filled with rail lines and mill towns. One of the small mill towns that popped up in the Algonquin Park during the early 1900s, McCraney, consisted of a large sawmill, a combined church and school, and the park’s only Orange Lodge. There was also a train station, boarding house and private homes… and soon, other mills.

In 1896, the Canada Atlantic Railway was built along the shore of the lake. McCraney was considered the central point between Depot Harbour and Madawaska. The train also attracted hunters and fishermen who used McCraney as their entry point, into the park. The lake was once known as the best place for bass fishing.

Eventually, a small lodge and a number of cottages were built. The McCraney station continued to operate even after milling operations ceased around 1945. The rails were lifted in 1959 and the cottages were demolished.

Millbridge and Millbridge Station:

Get there: Millbridge is a few kilometres north of Bannockburn on Hwy 62, west on Millbridge Road. Millbridge Station is on the other side of Hwy 62, about 2 km east along Stony Settlement Road.
Take the road about 3 km to the empty St. Oswalds Anglican Church, continue on down the main street to the former store and hotel (both now residences) the abandoned church, school, and community hall, and the cellar holes.

Millbridge originated as a small community along the Hastings Road to serve travelers. Located next to the Jordan River, it also became a small mill town, with three hotels, stores, a church, town hall and a schoolhouse. The school is now a private residence and the church still stands. Some new private homes have been built where the original structures once stood, but some stone foundations can still be seen.

Millbridge Station came into being when an extension to the Central Ontario Railway passed five km to the east of Millbridge. A flag stop station was soon built, later joined by a store, the Hogan's Hotel, and some residences. The railroad is now gone, but the hotel survives.

The Mississippi (Snow) Road:

Commonly called the Snow Road for surveyor and builder John A. Snow, the Mississippi Colonization Road began at Balfour’s Bridge over the Mississippi River, to the east of the community of Snow Road.
Surveying began in 1857, with a route winding its way around the rocks and swamps in a north-westerly direction through Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Counties. Completed to the Hastings County border in 1859, the Snow Road crossed the Addington Road at Vennachar Junction, below Eagle Hill. The section between the present-day ghost towns of Playfair Corner and Johnston Corner were abandoned early because the surrounding rocky terrain proved too difficult for farming. County and township roads, however, follow some of the old Snow Road route from its beginning at the Mississippi River to the Vennachar Junction area.

There is little evidence of the old road route through the rugged country west of Vennachar Junction and north of Weslemkoon Lake until it approaches the Hartsmere area in Hastings County. The Snow Road was eventually completed through to Bancroft where it met the Monck and Peterson Colonization Roads. Some of the Snow Road is still in use, crisscrossing Highway 28 as it approaches Bancroft.

Mowat:

Get there: On the north-western shore of Canoe Lake in western Algonquin Park

A mill town, Mowat began to attract residents in 1897. It was a lumberman’s town that included all the usual stores, a hospital and businesses. Growing to a population of more than 500, it was the largest town in the Park. When the school opened in 1898 it listed 30 pupils in attendance. Unexpectedly, the lumber industry entered a recession and the population dwindled to just over 200. By 1914 it was down to 150. The community continued to decline and in 1946 the school closed having only 6 pupils.

Murphy’s Corners:

Get there: located at the intersection of North Steenburg Lake Rd and the Old Hastings Rd.

Murphy Corners is just west of Steenburg Lake. In the old days, Murphy Corners—settled by brothers James and Pat Murphy. The Corners was a sort of mill town, and the village of Thanet was the stopping place. In 1860 a school was built in Murphy Corners, a church followed 10 years later. The original Murphy log homestead is still being used as a seasonal residence; it can be seen at the northeast corner of the crossroads. Church services were conducted in this cabin until the new building was constructed.

Nephton: Havelock, Belmont and Methune Twp, Peterborough County

Get there: Peterborough County just NE of Stoney Lake. Near Havelock. Take highway 28 to Northey's Bay Rd, to near QUARRY BAY PARK which is 2 km before the turn into the Petroglyphs Park.

There are no longer any residents in what once was a thriving mining community, just the street lanes remain. Established in the mid 1900s with a library, store, school and homes, the town began to boom when the local Nephton Mine was opened in 1935. The mine is still there, but the village was demolished by the 1990s.

Newfoundout:

Get there: Six kilometres up a trail off of Opeongo Road, across from Davidson’s Corners.

The road to it is more a trail up the side of the mountain, impassable for passenger vehicles and a steep hike on foot. Log barns, cabins and derelict vehicles can be seen.

The Black Donald Mountains at the southern edge of the Ottawa Valley offer a spectacular and panoramic view. It was there, in 1856, that a group of about a dozen settlers left the Opeongo Road and struggled up the mountainside where they located their lots and began to clear the land- it was some of the most terrible land ever opened for farming.

The community failed to attract any schools and churches. The children had to walk each day down the mountain trail to the nearest school. By 1948 Newfoundout was a totally ghosted settlement.

Newburgh:

Getting there: located in a valley along the Napanee River, and is about 30 minutes from Kingston, 10 minutes from Napanee and around 35 minutes from Belleville.

First settled in 1820 by the sons and daughters of United Empire Loyalists, the site for this village was originally chosen because of the fast – flowing rapids and waterfalls. The waters along this stretch of the river were strong enough to power mill waterwheels.

Within a few years, there was a thriving village in the hollow of the valley, informally known as “Rogues’ Hollow and by 1839 the Newburgh Academy, one of the earliest schools in Upper Canada, had been founded.

In 1841, the Wesleyan Methodist Church was first established. The original wooden structure was replaced in 1858 by a limestone building which is now home to Newburgh United Church.

In 1887 the village suffered through a devastating fire which destroyed much of the downtown area. Many of the original frame buildings were replaced with brick and limestone structures but in parts of the village some of the original frame structures remain.

O'Grady, Hagarty Township (Also known as Emmett):

Get there: along The Opeongo Line Settlement Road, as are Tramore, and German Settlement. O’Grady is located at a T-junction where High Country Road meets O’Grady Settlement road-just outside of the pretty town of Killaloe, Ontario.

Even though T.P. French, Crown Land Agent, called the second settlement in Renfrew County's Hagarty Township EMMETT, the residents and neighbours called it O'GRADY or most often The O'Grady Settlement.
Even before the Ontario government opened up the Opeongo Colonization Road to settlement in the mid 1870's, free land had attracted the O'Gradys. It is likely that the oldest sons were familiar with the area from jobs on the Ottawa and Bonnechere Rivers in the square timber operations.

From 1859 to 1869, the oldest sons took land grants in "an unsurveyed tract to the westward", later surveyed and named Hagarty Township. One daughter married Owen Hammill and remained on the family farm in Fallow field.

After the death of her husband Thomas, in 1865, Margaret brought the remaining younger members to Hagarty to Lot 26, Concession 1. From here, after marriages, the family members moved to nearby lots, although the August 1862 census shows the name of Thomas O'Grady on Lot 25, Concession 1, subsequently settled by his son John. Henry settled on Lot 22, Concession A. Martin, the second oldest, settled on Lot 24, Concession 1.Tom Connelly of Ottawa, a great-grandson of Martin, and his wife Shirley Mask now own the homestead built by Martin.

Each of the seven sons in turn named one of his sons Thomas after his father. As a result, the sons' names were often appended to their fathers' or spoken with the first initial of their second baptized name in order to clearly identify each in conversation: Con's Tommy, Winnie's Tom (since Henry died early in a fall from a wagon when his son was only three years old), Rhody's Tom, Thomas L. (John's Tom), Thomas H. (Martin's Tom), Joe (Tom's Tom), Will's Tom.

The arrival of the railroad through Killaloe reduced the traffic on the Opeongo Line. The end of the pineries and lumber camps turned many settlements into ghost towns.

Ore Chimney:

Get there: Located near Cloyne or Northbrook on the east side of Highway 41 - Bishop Corners, Barrie Township, Frontenac Co.

A deposit of gold was discovered (by Johnny Bey, a Mohawk from St. Regis at Cornwall) at a location that would later become the hamlet of Ore Chimney.

The Ore Chimney Gold Mine began production in 1909, as an offshoot of Eldorado and came into being only after a process called cyanide separation was invented to separate the gold from its parent rock. It remained in operation until sometime in the 1920s. There are a number of visible ruins that still can be seen including the foundations of the mill and the shell of the powerhouse.

Ormsby:

Get there: Highway 620 w 4 km to the Old Hastings Rd.

In Ontario’s central highlands, Ormsby remains the most intact of the many villages along the Hastings road. Enticed by the lure of free land, settlers were unaware of just how harsh the land really was. As long as the settlers lived there and continued to need hotels, mills, churches and stores, these communities thrived. Soon, however, the dreadful conditions chased most of the settlers to the more promising prairies.

At one time, Ormsby included two hotels, two stores, two churches, a school, a blacksmith, a sawmill and other small businesses. In 1893, its population was 225- it is now population 20.

The old post office/general store is still there, now “THE OLD HASTINGS GALLERY” it is an eclectic, fun shop!

The Ottawa and Opeongo Road:

The Opeongo, an early colonization road developed to open up the Ontario wilderness, was planned to be built through present-day Algonquin Park all the way to Georgian Bay, at the mouth of the Magnetawan River. An east-west route situated to the north of Mazinaw Country, the Ottawa and Opeongo Road began at Farrell’s Landing on the Ottawa River.

Farrell’s Landing, near present-day Castleford, was as far as the steamboats could navigate up the Ottawa River. Construction was halted on the road near Carson Lake, west of Barry’s Bay, a great distance short of the intended destination. Many Europeans came into the country along the Opeongo. They were lured by the free land grants and overly optimistic accounts of the quality of the land and the climate. Some of these settlers abandoned their farms early, unable to sustain a living in the harsh environment. Others, lucky enough to have at least some arable land, eked out a living in the area.

Peterson Road:

In 1858, construction began on the Peterson Colonization Road, an east-west route linking the Ottawa and Opeongo Colonization Road in the east with the Muskoka Road to the west. Situated to the north and west of Mazinaw Country, the Peterson Road was more than 180 km in length. It was the longest of the colonization roads designed to open up the vast Precambrian Shield country between the Ottawa Valley and Georgian Bay. The lands along the Peterson Road were opened to settlers under the mistaken assumption that a great agricultural community could grow and prosper throughout the region. But like so many of the other early pioneers who poured their hearts and souls into little homesteads among the rocks and swamps, most settlers of the Peterson Road pulled up stakes. Before the turn of the century, much of the Peterson Colonization Road was overgrown and abandoned farms dotted the area.

Petworth, Frontenac:

Get there: on the Napanee River- north of Yarker.

Partially occupied. Close to Lake Ontario shoreline. Historic area, very scenic. The ruins of Stephenson and Lott mill are located at Petworth, Ontario, Petworth started out as a lumber town in the 1840s. In the 1870s, when a group of vigilante farmers from nearby Verona, upset about their flooded fields and ruined crops, crept down late one night and blew up Petworth's dam.

By the 1890s, it was one lively place, boasting a blacksmith shop, cheese factory, general store, school and two churches. Two hotels were kept busy, quenching the thirst of the many loggers, who arrived every spring. By 1905, it was a very different story. Sixty years of steady logging had pretty much depleted the surrounding woods and the new railway took a turn eastward bypassing the tiny village. Petworth never recovered. Petworth is now completely deserted.

The stone walls of the old Stephenson and Lott sawmill are still standing, along with the blacksmith shop, a barn, several original houses and the one room schoolhouse, closed since the 1960s. Newer houses stand amidst the ruins and other original buildings, some of which are still in use as sheds, storage buildings and the like.

Porterville:

It may have been called Porterville in 1912 but renamed Lake St. Peter in 1940 to coincide with the name of Lake St. Peter station on the Central Ontario Railway.

Queensborough:

Get there: north of Highway 7 on the Black River, about 20 km north-west of the town of Tweed and 15 km north-east of the town of Madoc.

Once part of Elzevir Township, Queensborough was amalgamated into the municipality of Tweed on January 1, 1998.

First settled in the 1830s and called Cooksookie. Named in 1854 after Queensborough on the River Boyne-it is sometimes also spelled Queensboro. The village is almost deserted now, although a few of the old original buildings still remain.

Note: Hazzard’s Corners: is just a few miles from Queensboro in Madoc Twp- Directly north from Belleville 20 minutes on Hwy 62. 10 minutes south of Madoc (Hwy 7) on Hwy 62. 11700 east side of the Hwy. 1 mile north of Ivanhoe.

Ragged Rapids, Victoria County:

Get there: Take the Black River Rd. east from just north of Cooper's Falls.

Once a logging village located on the Black River in Dalton Township. Logging operations grew as timber was sent down the river in the late 1800's.

Other ghost towns in the area included: to the south, Uphill, Dartmoor and Horncastle; and to the SW, Sadowa- all had been rural post offices in the late 1800s.

It has been estimated that Dalton has 25,000 acres of non-agricultural lands that are well adapted for reforestation.

One of the most colourful figures of the municipal history of the township is Joseph Thompson who was reeve for a quarter of a century. Thompson was a great hunter and there are many legends surrounding his prowess in the wilderness. Just an old farmstead remains.

Restholme, Limerick:

A village near St. Ola was also once known as Amery.

Rolphton, Rolph Township:

Get there: On Hwy 17 West of Deep River.

The nuclear demo plant stands near the town site (1.5 km East near the river.
Paved streets and overgrown yards, nuclear demonstration plant, the town started as a farming community until Ontario Hydro built the Swish hydro station in 1948, a town site which housed construction crews, was established.

After construction the town site came to house employees of the Nuclear and Hydro plants, besides the Hwy Businesses strung the hwy, with a post office (opened in 1948) 3 service stations, restaurants, O.P.P detachment, and stores.

While town was dismantled in the early 1980's the nuclear plant produced until 1988. Though small it was Canada's 1st nuclear reactor and produced 20 000 watts.

In its peak 300 residents lived in the hydro settlement which counted, at one time, over 60 homes.

Shannick, Marmora Twp:

Get there: Hwy #27 east to Norwood and continue east to Marmora. Beaver Creek is just north of Marmora.

Also spelled “Shanick” this a small village was originally a French settlement that almost disappeared twice. It dates back to the early 1800s when it was home to immigrants, empire loyalists and settlers looking for a new start in life.

Shanick is a lost settlement in Hastings County; Marmora & Lake Twp, Ontario- the first settlers were granted land from the crown as early as 1848- the community went through a rebirth around 1880 when the Airhart lumber mill was constructed. Once the mill was closed the community went into another decline around 1930.

Today the community no longer has a post office or a schoolhouse but slowly the population is increasing.

Springston:

Get there: Springtown is about halfway between Burnstown and Calabogie on highway 508. Turn west in the middle of Pakenham Village (past Scoops) onto the White Lake Road, travel north through White Lake to Burnstown and west to Springtown.

Springton grew on the shores of the Madawaska River. A stopover place for settlers traveling up the river, Springtown dates from 1848 when the first post office opened.

Although part of the old town site is below the water, the post office building still stands.
In its prime, the village contained a blacksmith shop, hotel, general store, and a sawmill. Springtown’s importance declined when the Kingston and Pembroke Railway and travel along the road dwindled. Later, much of the Madawaska River was dammed for its hydroelectric power potential flooding part of the original town site.

Thanet:

Get there: north of Millbridge on the Old Hastings Road where the Steenburg Lake Rd. crosses. 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) north of Murphy Corners.

Although only a small cemetery now marks the location of Thanet, at one time it was considered the main stopping place as one headed north past Murphy’s Corner toward Ormsby. The centre of Thankat was located to the north side of the cemetery, just past the lowland.

The village was once also known as McKillican, after its first postmaster, Benjamin McKillican. At one time, three hotels once offered food, lodging and plenty of drink. One of the establishments, known as “Thwaites Place,” had a quite a reputation throughout the county.

One can still find old barns, a abandoned gas station and foundations in the hamlet.

Uphill Dalton & Digby townships, Victoria County:

Get there: off County Road 45 - at a junction on the old Monck Colonization Road. Follow Monck Road (old Hwy. 503) past Sebright, before Norland- near VANKOUGHNET and Head Lake.

Once a village of half a hundred people near the south end of the Digby boundary. It was long made famous by its tavern keeper, John Calhoun of the North Star Hotel.

Other close-by ghost towns were Dartmoor and Sadowa to the west and Ragged Rapids to the north. All had been rural post offices.

Uphill also had a post office and 2 stores in the late 1800s.

Umfraville:

Get there: follow the Old Hastings Rd, north from Ormsby.

The only evidence that Umfraville ever existed is the small pioneer cemetery. In 1875, it is reported the town had 250 residents, a post office, a flourmill, a sawmill, a school, four churches and all the various other businesses associated with early Ontario towns. When the Central Ontario Railway passed will to the east, the disheartened settlers fled and all the businesses closed down.

Ursa:

Get There: off the Glamorgan Road (County Road 3) and along Ursa Road.

There is a small collection of buildings and old farm equipment on both sides of the road that are either falling down, have fallen down and are passing into disrepair.

Vardy, Varty or Vardy Settlement- Dungannon Twp, Hastings Co, ON

Get there: Off the Bronson Rd or Quarry Rd.

Vardy was once the site of a small Nepheline quarry.

Wallace:

Get there: take Hwy. 127 north out of Maynooth. Continue north on 127 to the South MacKenzie Lake Road (on the right). Stay on 127 for another 7.3 km, then turn right onto a township road, and travel east 1.3 km to the boarded-up white frame building on the left hand side.

The boarded-up, white framed building was once the community hall. Behind it lies the pioneer Polish Cemetery. Beside it, the foundations of the Roman Catholic church, torn down in 1960, are clearly visible.

Little remains of what was once the terminus of the Central Ontario Railway. Until the late 1950's, the C.N.R. ran a train every Wednesday to Wallace which served the Polish settlement and local lumber companies.

Just the old church and its cemetery survive. The town was located at the end of the Hastings road and offered little to the early settlers. There were several sawmills and a plentiful supply of timber. Hauling timber was the railway’s only business. When the timber supply diminished, so did the population. When the sawmills stopped operating, the rails were lifted and Wallace became another ghost town.

Welch's Corners:

Those seeking Welch’s Corners should know that it was subsequently named Salem, then Coe Hill Mines, after mine developer William Coe- later, the name was shortened to Coe Hill.

Wilno:

Get there: east on highway 60 from Barry’s Bay. The original Opeongo line, now impassable to motor vehicles, can be seen in an opening past Yantha Lake, where it joins Highway 60.

Wilno claims to be Canada's oldest Polish settlement. Established in 1864, the community flourished when the railroad was built through the Wilno Pass in 1895.

Visitors must visit the Shrine Hill (St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church) for one of the most stunning views in the Valley. From here, one can see Round Lake straight-ahead and Golden Lake to the far right. An historic plaque commemorates the Kazubian pioneers who settled this rocky landscape so reminiscent of their homeland.

There is a great deal of myth and misunderstanding about properties being sold under "Power of Sale". Let me begin this blog by saying that I am not a legal expert and that any homeowner who is in default of their mortgage payments should stay in touch with their lenders.

In this economic climate, many lenders are understanding and willing to make special arrangements for payments under certain circumstances AND FURTHER... anyone facing any sort of action from their mortgage lender should gather up any and all mortgage documents that they have and seek professional legal advice- in other words...get a lawyer!

Foreclosure and/or power of sale is a serious matter- but it shouldn't be as confusing as it seems to be. It is primarily a problem of and for the (owner) borrower and the person(s) or company that provided the borrower with their mortgage funds.

In Ontario, when a borrower defaults (fails to pay) on their mortgage, the financial institution (or lender) most often attempts to recover its losses by repossessing and selling the property. In most cases, mortgage documents include a “power of sale” clause granting the lender the right to sell the property when there is a default.

The Mortgages Act of Ontario talks about two types of power of sale: Contractual and Statutory. Contractual power of sale occurs when the mortgage documents have included the provision for power of sale: a statutory power of sale takers place when the mortgage documents don’t spell out the provision for a power of sale but the borrower has been in default for 3 or more months.

In a contractual power of sale, the borrower is notified of the lender’s intent to exercise the power of sale, the borrower has 35 days (or as otherwise might be stated in the mortgage documents) to pay up. In a statutory power of sale, the borrower has 45 days to redeem and pay in full.

In other words- even once power of sale process has begun and the homeowner is removed from the home, the homeowner has the ability to bring the mortgage up to date and pay all interest and fees owing and move back into the property... the reality is; that once a homeowner is removed from the property (or chooses to leave) they rarely come up with the funds necessary to get their property back and the sale proceeds under power of sale. The power of sale can often be the fairest, most inexpensive method to deal with an unpleasant financial circumstance.

Once this redemption period expires, if the borrower has not paid up, the lender is allowed to sell the property by auction, private contract or tender. Usually the property is listed by a real estate representative and placed on the market for sale. There is a responsibility upon the lender to ensure the property is brought to the attention of a large segment of the market- for instance, it should be put on MLS for the usual length of time and offered for fair market value.

Foreclosure is different but similar... it's a more involved legal action that a lender can take if the borrower stops paying. The lender applies for an “order nisi” – the first order of foreclosure. Sometimes the borrower will sign off and agree, otherwise, the lender must apply to the courts before they proceed.

Once the court determines that the borrower is not going to redeem (by paying the full amount owing, plus interest, costs and taxes) they will issue registration of the Final Order for Foreclosure, the mortgagee will automatically be deemed to be in possession and have the right to sell the property.

Ontario's laws are very strict about the procedures for marketing a power of sale property and the company or person who is initiating the power of sale must do their best to obtain what is called TRUE market value as opposed to fair market value for the property, otherwise if the property is sold too far under TRUE market value, the owner could sue them for the difference.

The lender must account to the borrower or borrowers and any other parties with vested interests. The Mortgage Act requires that the proceeds of the sale first be applied to the cost of conducting the sale, then to interest and costs owing under the mortgages, then to principal money owing under the mortgage, next to any amounts due to outside parties, and finally if there is any surplus- it goes to the owners... alternately, if there is a short fall, under power of sale, the seller can sue the owner for the difference.

In the case of Foreclosure, the title to the property is registered in the name of the mortgagee who accepts the property in full satisfaction of the debt, releasing the defaulted owner from liability.

In a Power of Sale situation, once the creditors are paid out of the proceeds of the sale, the property may be transferred (deeded) to a Buyer.

As a Buyer, the purchase of a home being sold by power of sale is nothing to fear... and should be dealt with in the same way as any other purchase- except the Buyer must understand that the bank (or lender) won't- can't, really- make any representation or warranties- the lender has likely never occupied the home and won't have any knowledge of its workings.

There are no "secrets" in a Power of Sale or Foreclosure. It is a governed process. The Seller's mortgage will be discharged, any other mortgages and leins will be discharged and outstanding monetary expenses (such as taxes and utility charges) will be paid for (or adjusted for) at closing. The Buyer's lawyer will conduct a title search, prior to completing the transaction, to ensure that title is clear.

Before making an offer to purchase a power of sale, it's a good idea that the Buyer to do their homework. Obtain copies of the survey, inquire at the township offices about permits and documentation that relate to the property. Talk to neighbours. Sign a Buyer's representation agreement and have a Realtor working on your behalf.

Be prepared... the Lender/Seller often attaches a schedule "B" to Purchase Agreements, spelling out the terms of the process and their responsibilities or lack thereof.

A well-drafted Agreement can help to deal with concerns. I generally recommend, particularly in the case of a power of sale, that an offer be made conditional "upon the approval of the Buyer's solicitor". It's not so much that lenders will change their schedule "B"s... but they are all a little different and the Buyer's lawyer will be able to explain the jargon of the schedule "B" and provide expert advice, addressing any areas of concern.

Some Buyers, especially those experienced in purchasing property under power of sale, are not too concerned about Schedule B's... as they are commonly used and generally contain simple disclosures- as an example, the may contain the following clauses (or,they may not):

1. The purchaser acknowledges that the Vendor is selling pursuant to the power of sale contained in its mortgage (the "Mortgage") on the property and accepts title pursuant to the exercise thereof,

2. The Vendor shall have the right to terminate this Agreement if the Mortgage is redeemed or payment is made on the Mortgage prior to closing,

3. In the event that the exercise of the power of sale of the property by the Vendor is placed in issue, the Vendor may extend the closing date for a period of time not exceeding 60 days in total, if the Vendor is unable to resolve such issue by 5 p.m. of the last day of such extended period or periods, this Agreement may be terminated by the Vendor,

4. This Agreement is made without representation, warranty or condition with respect to the fitness,condition, zoning or lawful use of the property. The Purchaser will accept the property "as is" "where is" condition on the day of closing without regard for its state of repair, location of structures, wells, retaining walls orfences (freestanding or otherwise) and subject to any judicial, municipal or any other government by-laws, agreements, restrictions, rights of way, easements, covenants which run with the land or minor encroachments by buildings or fences on the subject property or adjoining properties or streets,

5. The Vendor is selling only such interest as it may have in the fixtures and chattels referred to in the Agreement and/or located on the property and does not warrant title thereto. On closing the Purchaser may have possession of the fixtures and chattels then on or about the property "as is". The Vendor agrees that it will not remove any such fixtures and chattels from the property but the Vendor will not be responsible for the removal of such fixtures or chattels by any third party prior to closing. The Vendor will not provide a bill of sale, warranty or other title documentation and there will be no adjustment or abatement of any kind to the purchase price with respect to fixtures and chattels,

6. If the Property being conveyed is a condominium then the Vendor agrees to deliver to the Purchaser forthwith upon request a written consent to obtain an 'Estoppel Certificate' directly from The Condominium Corporation. The Vendor shall not be obliged to deliver any further documentation of the Condominium Corporation nor an Estoppel Certificate,

7. The Vendor and Purchaser agree that the acceptance of this offer communicated by confirmed facsimile transmission shall be binding upon the parties. The Purchaser agrees to deliver an executed original Agreement to the Vendor within two days of acceptance of the offer,

8. Any termination right provided for in this Agreement shall be by written notice delivered to the address set out below or by confirmed facsimile transmission to the other party or his/her solicitor whereupon the Agreement shall be at an end and the deposit returned to the Purchaser without interest or penalty,

9. The Vendor has no knowledge and makes no representation whatsoever as to whether the property hasbeen insulated with urea formaldehyde foam insulation or whether the property contains any othersubstances, liquids. Gases or materials which may be hazardous or toxic,

10. Purchaser covenants and agrees to pay to the Vendor at closing, in addition to the balance due onclosing, the amount of Goods and Services Tax ("GST") (if such tax is applicable to this transaction)which may be imposed by relevant legislation of the Government of Canada on the sale of thisproperty. Provided however that the Vendor is solely responsible for the payment of GST on theamount of any real estate commission payable by Vendor hereunder. The Vendor shall not beresponsible to provide any certificale with respect to the applicability of GST to the transaction,

11. In the event of conflict between this Schedule "B" and the provisions of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, Schedule "B" shall prevail,

12. The Vendor makes no representation whatever with reference to the tenancy or occupancy of theproperty and the Vendor will transfer possession subject to such tenancies and occupancies as may exist at closing without any adjustments respect thereto. In the event, that vacant possession cannot be provided by the closing date, the Vendor may, at its sole option, extend the closing dale for any period or periods not exceeding 60 days- If vacant possession cannot be provided by 5 p.m. on the last day of such extended period or periods, the Purchaser may accept the property with existing occupants or either party may terminate the Agreement without penalty.

In many cases, the redemption period has long passed... so there is no possibility that item #2 or #3 will come into affect.

It is also wise to remember that, since the owners (or mortgagors) of the property were not able to make the mortgage payments, they may not have been able to upkeep the property and may have deferred or not repaired or maintained the property.

Power of Sale, or not... I always recommend that Buyers obtain a home inspection; as it helps identify areas that need attention and specifies defects or potential problems.

& a lawyer can advise the Buyer if the property qualifies for Title Insurance and those risks that will be covered and which will be excluded.

Title insurance policies can be issued in favour of a purchaser (on new/resale homes, condos and vacation properties), a lender, or both the purchaser and lender. Lenders will sometimes require title insurance as a condition of the loan. The premium for title insurance is paid once (at the time of purchase).

The types of risks that are usually covered under a title insurance policy include: survey irregularities; forced removal of existing structures; claims due to fraud, forgery or duress; unregistered easements and rights of-way; lack of pedestrian or vehicular access to the property; work orders; zoning and set back non-compliance or deficiencies; etc. For a risk to be covered, generally it has to have existed as of the date of the policy. As with any type of insurance policy, certain types of risks might not be covered, for example, native land claims and environmental hazards are normally excluded.

Title insurance can help ensure that a closing is not delayed due to defects in title. And, if an issue relating to title arises with respect to a risk covered under the policy, the title insurance covers the legal fees and expenses associated with defending the insured's title and pays in the event of loss.

While distress sales resulting from bank foreclosure or power of sale provisions often represent a great way to get a fantastic deal on a home, remember 1/ Utilize the services of a qualified Realtor by signing a Buyer Representation Agreement. 2/ Do your homework. 3/ If you have any legal questions about any contract- speak with a lawyer. No one but a lawyer is qualified to give legal advice.