Margot says:
For the past two years, NWOne residents have had two quarterly building newsletters to read and enjoy: the Poulin Pulse and the Regina Rambler. I took up the challenge of editing and producing the Pulse in 2023, while Irenka Farmilo also began editing the Rambler two years ago, upon the retirement of long-time, venerable editor Margi Young.
As editors of sister publications, Irenka and I had chatted on occasion about what a combined newsletter for both condos would entail. Given that both newsletters include similar content, and that we sometimes share stories for publication, it seemed like an idea that could work. But how?
It was on a spring walk that Irenka – whom I consider a “‘big ideas person”’ – had a eureka moment. What better time to test out producing a combined newsletter than during
NWOne’s 50th anniversary season, in which coverage and photos of our celebrations could come together in one special issue?
I already knew that the Rambler team, composed of Irenka, Grace Hyam (proofreader and editor), and Norma Elliott (layout artist, web designer, and overall magician), was a lean and efficient group of volunteers who create a professional-quality newsletter each season. What I didn’t know before collaborating with these neighbours was how much fun we’d have doing so.
From our initial brainstorming over cappuccinos at Irenka’s, followed by countless emails and a few Zoom calls (as Norma perfected our issue layout from Newfoundland), we have now reached the finish line. Norma summed the experience up best recently, when she observed that we are doing this because it’s fun. And, I daresay, it’s community. Happy reading!
Irenka adds:
Let me jump in here to say that working with Margot has been an absolute delight. She kindly calls me a “big-ideas person,” but she’s the one who draws out the heart of a story — just read any one of her interviews in this issue. She’s a natural storyteller, with a sharp eye for detail, a real knack for making people feel heard, and a style that sparkles.
From the get-go, our whole production team adapted to the new world of producing a joint magazine. We agreed: we take the work seriously, but not ourselves. That spirit held true through brainstorming, writing, editing, layout — even when we made changes midstream (which we did, plenty of times). Every shift or revision happened with full consensus and zero drama, even when not with zero workload impact. Honestly, not a single tense moment. Just a lot of back-and-forth, a few good laughs, and a shared desire to make something our community would enjoy.
And yes — this issue’s arriving a little later than usual. Normally, you'd be flipping through it by mid-June, but we held off so we could include the June 21st celebrations in all their glory. We figured you'd forgive us for the wait — and we hope the extra pages and party pics make up for it.
We had a great time putting this together. Now it’s your turn — happy reading!
Although my home has been NWOne for nearly 20 years, until recently it didn't mean much more than a place to live (though in many ways perfect, being so close to nature trails, a bike path, stores, the library and transit for this nondriver). I hadn't been involved in much apart from the Regina Rambler and pool-water testing.
But last summer a small group of us decided to try to bring in wellness services, mainly to help the older adults in our condo complex to "age in place" as well as for those without a family doctor; and just generally to promote the well-being of everyone living here. Our initial plans evolved into what the Wellness Committee offers now: clinics and educational presentations, as well as a monthly newsletter. And, yes, it's the older crowd, primarily, attending those events and subscribing to the newsletter.
What I didn't expect was that I now feel so much more a part of our condo community. In fact, it feels as though I'm living in a neighbourhood, chatting "over the back fence" with friendly, interesting people that I might never have talked to had it not been for the interaction at the Wellness events, and at activities arranged by the Social Committee, the 4 O'Clock Connection founders, the Environmental Action Group, the Stretching and Strengthening leader, the Gardening Committee, etc. As a very shy person, I tended to avoid gatherings. But now I'm getting to know other residents and seeing how social interaction enriches one's life.
We have such a vibrant "neighbourhood"! But note that it's thanks to the residents who volunteer their time, energy and imagination to make life interesting for us — and even to make our surroundings beautiful. When we no longer go out to work and maybe have cut back on activities outside our homes, we can contribute to our little community, whether by organizing or helping at events or merely by taking part in them and perhaps learning how we might aid someone who needs a bit of assistance or just a friendly ear. Such support for our neighbours and neighbourhood can pay huge dividends. I can see that in myself: I have a renewed purpose — and I smile more!
If you've ever lived at NWOne, chances are you've seen Denis Girard — even if you didn't know it. He's the quiet force behind the scenes, the man who has kept the buildings running smoothly for nearly four decades, and who still greets you with a nod or a story if you take the time to ask.
Denis arrived at NWOne in April 1989. "Before you were even born!" he reminded me with a chuckle, referring to my own connection to the Regina building, where my grandmother and great-aunts lived from the 1980s to early 2000s. It's likely he saw me toddling around the hallways as a child. That's the kind of continuity Denis offers to our community — a sense of presence, stability, and quiet dedication that spans generations.
But his journey to NWOne started further north, in Sprague, Ontario, a small town near Elliot Lake. "I'm a small-town guy," he says, "That's why I need the cottage. I need to get out of the city sometimes." Denis moved to Ottawa at age 24, after years of seasonal work and gas station shifts in the north. "My sister and brother-in-law told me there were jobs here, so I came."
His first job was at Minto's rental properties on Woodridge Crescent, where he did a bit of everything: maintenance, cleaning, groundskeeping. "That was basic training for being a super," he laughed. "Lots of work, but it was good experience."
It was another superintendent — also named Denis, coincidentally — who helped him land the job at NWOne. "He saw me working hard and recommended me," Denis recalls. "I didn't really know the guy, but he saw something and put my name in."
Since then, Denis has seen thousands of residents come and go. He's watched the buildings evolve — although, as he says, "Not much has changed. Just different people, younger families now and then, but it's mostly stayed the same."
But even with all that change, the constants for Denis are clear: the buildings, the people, and the work itself. "I loved it," he said without hesitation when I asked why he stayed so long. "The people here — it's like family. And the job? You always have a job. Maybe not big money, but stability. A paycheque every two weeks. That's what mattered to me."
Denis never dreamed of being a fireman or a fighter pilot. "I didn't know what I wanted to be," he admitted. But maybe that's what makes him so good at this job. He grew into it. Over time, he became a master of everything — plumbing, painting, window-washing, and more. "I wash windows in 20 minutes. Other guys take an hour and a half," he laughed. "I know exactly how much to spray, how fast it'll dry. That's 36 years of doing it."
He has trained and worked alongside family — his brother-in-law, his son Matt, and even offered side jobs to others. "I'd say a task would take 15 minutes. Next day, they say it took an hour. I tell them, ‘Then something's wrong with you!'"
Teamwork, he insists, is crucial to running a building of this size. "You need good support. You can't do it alone." He's worked with many staff over the years, from Dave across the courtyard to Dua in earlier days, and while some relationships were easier than others, Denis remains easygoing. "I don't have enemies in the building," he says. "Not yet, anyway."
Of course, with thousands of residents over nearly 40 years, there are plenty of stories — including one ghost story. A couple once told Denis they saw the ghost of an elderly woman who had passed away in the building, appearing angry at her old door. "She had no way of knowing that woman lived there," Denis says, "but she described her exactly. Gave me goosebumps." He pauses, then adds, "I believe in that. Sometimes a place remembers."
Among the more famous residents or guests? A young Alanis Morissette, age 14, singing the national anthem at a Rough Riders game. "I met her then," he says, smiling. "Didn't know she'd be so famous later."
Now, as NWOne nears its 50th year and Denis approaches his 37th year with the building, he is a living archive of the place. He's not just a superintendent; he's part of the fabric, woven into the lives of thousands of residents, past and present.
"Are you the master of everything at this point?" I ask him. He laughs. "Who else would be?" Indeed. For NWOne, there's only one Denis Girard — and we wouldn't want it any other way.
About ten years ago, one of our condo neighbours, Enid Page, organized a group of NWOne residents to take occasional outings in the Ottawa area. Enid was, and still is, a charming and generous lady, and also an excellent organizer. Enid called her group the Gadabouts. (See the article by Enid Page in this edition, Memories of NWOne — ed.)
The first outing I took with the Gadabouts was a tour of Aylmer, with Enid as our guide. She proved to be very knowledgeable; I learned a lot, and greatly enjoyed the company of the group. Subsequent outings included a variety of destinations: the War Museum, the Billings Estate, Kingsmere, Fairmont Le Château Montebello, and the town of Perth, to mention only a few. For these outings we usually carpooled but, for those in downtown Ottawa, we sometimes took OC Transpo.
In late 2018, Enid moved out of NWOne, but she still resides in this area. For a while we discussed the idea of continuing the Gadabouts in a somewhat revised format, but then the pandemic began, and this became impossible.
Many of us still have happy memories of the Gadabouts. Now, as we celebrate the history of NWOne, we would like to express our appreciation to Enid for all her work in organizing the group, and for her enthusiasm and her friendship. Thank you so much, Enid!
When Jeannine Jennings first stepped into NWOne in April 2005, it wasn't part of a long-term plan or an exhaustive search — it was a moment of clarity. Widowed for four years and not initially considering condo living, she followed a friend to view a unit with an "unobstructed view" listed in the paper. "I ended up making an offer on the spot," she recalls. "It just felt like it was fine." It was a three-bedroom and it had everything she needed.
That decision would not only offer her peace, stability, and community—but eventually, love.
Enter Blair Erskine. He moved into NWOne in the winter of 2009, just around the corner from Jeannine. At the time, Blair had been living in Britannia Village, and it was during those winters — when they both belonged to a ski club — that a friendship began to bloom. "We first became very good friends and started dating," Blair says. "And then I decided, rather than walk 300 meters back and forth every day, I might as well look for a place here, too." A unit opened up quickly and the rest, as they say, is history.
Together, their story is stitched into the very fabric of NWOne: both its joys and challenges.
One of the more dramatic events Blair remembers vividly is the vault explosion in the Poulin Building in 2013, when faulty re-installation during transformer upgrades led to a massive power failure. "There was a dead short from 6,000 volts to ground," Blair explains. "Two workers were injured, and the building was without full power for three weeks. We had emergency generators parked outside and cables running through windows just to power the essentials." Blair recalled that he could feel the blast from his apartment on the sixteenth floor, since he was home during the incident.
But NWOne is more than crisis stories. It's built on the strength of everyday moments, like the kind that Jeannine recalls when she accidentally dropped her keys into the recycling bin on her way to a bridge game. "I was so panicked," she laughs. "I couldn't get into the building, my car—nothing." But thanks to building staff Mike and Theresa, her keys were rescued with calm expertise. "They came with a ladder and got them out like it was something they did every day. That's the kind of people they are. Always willing to help a neighbour." Jeannine highlighted how it's people like Theresa and Mike who have made NWOne a special place to live.
For Jeannine, NWOne became a place of connection. From casual hallway conversations that unexpectedly turned into birthday celebrations to organized activities that filled her days, she found both purpose and community. "Someone once told me they were thinking of moving to a residence for meals and services," she says. "And I told them, 'This is that in-between place.' We don't have a dining hall — but everything else is here if you want it. And you can always order in!"
In fact, Jeannine helped bring some of those things into being — most notably, the NWOne Choir. It started informally during a Christmas potluck around 2011. "Everyone was just trying to sing louder than the next person," she remembers. "And Karen Hovner came up to me and said, 'We need to put some order into this. Will you start a choir?'" So she did. It began humbly, "very shaky," Jeannine says. Yet with time, and especially with the arrival of choir conductor Mary Ann Dunn, it blossomed into one of the most cherished community groups. "We've meshed," she smiles. "It's been a sheer joy."
In addition to the choir, Jeannine credits line dancing as another community favourite — equal parts social and mental workout. "It keeps you focused," she says, "and it's fun."
Blair, for his part, didn't just move in and fade into the wallpaper. Within a year, he joined the condo board, helping shape the governance of the Poulin building during key years. The pair have become steady presences, both practical and joyful, in the rhythm of NWOne.
And they've watched the community evolve. "When I moved in, there weren't many children," Jeannine remembers. "Now I see kids growing up here playing out on the oval. It's wonderful." Blair adds that the surrounding community has grown, too: "There's the coffee shop on Britannia Road, Baja Burger Shack, a new bakery, the beach is cleaner, and the paths better maintained. The electric bike shop is a nice addition too."
Through their stories, we see the threads that make NWOne more than a condominium; it's a lived-in, lovingly layered community. From power outages to choir practices, the lives inside these walls are woven together by shared stories, spontaneous moments, and relationships that grow stronger with time.
Jeannine and Blair's story is just one of many at NWOne, but it's one that reminds us that community is built not just by bricks or bylaws, but by kind gestures, laughter in the hallways and, sometimes, even falling in love 300 meters from your front door.
Congratulations — Northwest One's 50 years is a benchmark worth recognizing!
For more than a decade the Poulin building was my home and every single day, from the 18th floor, I enjoyed the sweeping view of the distant Gatineau Hills and, in the foreground, the mighty Ottawa River fast-flowing downstream through mostly unnavigable rapids — a constant testament to the history and development of the Ottawa region. It is a scene of changing colours and moods, depending on the season. And it is indelibly etched in my memory along with the special spirit of "community" that the folks who live in NWOne have contributed, over many years, to the condominiums' reputation as “a good place to live”.
As part of a transition plan for old age, in 2018, I moved into a nearby rental building, the same age as NWOne, and from my apartment windows I have a clear view of both the Regina and Poulin buildings. So it seems I have not yet completely broken the ties that bind! Friendly and supportive lunch get-togethers with NWOne former bridge friends and the Gadabouts gang, continue — a little less frequently, as we each advance in years — for which, as octogenarians and nonagenarians, we thank our lucky stars to be able to enjoy! (See article "The Gadabouts" in this edition — ed.)
Here's to NWOne and to all of you who live there, as you collectively shape its next 50 years! Long may the Regina and Poulin buildings define the City of Ottawa's Britannia skyline.
I send my fond memories and very best wishes.
The Rambler is planning a series of articles featuring the talented artisans we know are in our midst. We've seen your work exhibited in the Party Room. Now we want to know more about you and why you are passionate about what you create.
We also want photos of your creations. If you sell your work, tell us how you can be contacted. Let us know you're interested in being a featured artisan.
Descriptions of your work, your passion for it, how you got started are all things we want to know about. If it would help, we will send you a series of questions that can help you when writing about your art/craft (though these words are synonymous). We will also arrange to photograph your work if you need help with that. Contact us at: ramblermailbox2625@gmail.com
When Grace Hyam moved into the Regina building of NWOne in 2013, she did so with confidence and intention. Having lived for 35 years in a house on Ryan Drive near Centerpointe, the decision to downsize came only after much reflection. “People ask me sometimes if I ever regretted leaving the house,” she says, “but I had totally made the decision. And I was very happy to be here once I got settled.”
For Grace, who had lived through deep roots and great change — like the passing of her husband — NWOne represented more than just a shift in square footage. It was a community of possibility. A place where books could breathe on spacious shelves and where a swimming pool just steps away offered both movement and memory. The units, with their generous layouts, stood apart from others she had visited. “Some of the condos were very small,” she says, "and one that I liked a lot unfortunately had a sunken living room, which was a non-starter for me."
Twelve years later, Grace reflects on her life at NWOne with warmth and clarity. She arrived knowing one close friend from her hiking group and has since expanded her circle. Her impressions of the building’s residents have evolved over time. “When I moved in, there was a significant population of middle-aged working people and also a lot of retirees,” she recalls. “Now I think there are probably more retirees than before — but also more families with children. It's become a greater variety of residents.”
Grace fondly describes NWOne as a kind of intergenerational sanctuary — where children grow up with a community of "adopted grandparents" looking out for them. “It’s kind of cool,” she smiles, “watching the little ones grow up with so many different people around them.”
Like many who live here, Grace has her own rich professional past. A historian by training, she studied European history — particularly Franco-German relations in the twentieth century — before moving to Ottawa and joining the National Archives. “Once I got to Ottawa, I was immersed in Canadian history,” she explains. What was originally meant to be a career capped at early retirement became a 43-year journey, 32 of them as a regular employee and 11 more on contract after her husband passed away.
Her division, the Manuscript Division, focused on the personal papers of prominent Canadians — prime ministers, writers, charitable organizations, and more. “We handled written records other than those of the Government of Canada,” she says, which included the Red Cross, Scouts, Guides, and literary archives. Her face lights up recalling the intellectual rigor and variety of her work.
Her love of learning continues to this day. She recounts the early days in the building, when a fellow resident, Al Guard, hosted informal computer help sessions for those looking to demystify technology. “I was very illiterate about computers,” Grace admits with a laugh. “But Al’s sessions really helped.” The program eventually ended, but the idea stuck. When told there might be plans to start a similar “fill-in-the-gaps” tech series for residents, her eyes spark with interest. “That would be great. Someone to help people figure things out — that would be very helpful.”
Grace also brings a spirit of civic engagement to her community. She recalls with admiration the kindness and responsiveness of former Board Chair Margi Young during the 2015 federal election campaign. Grace had called to clarify whether candidates were allowed to campaign in the building. “She called me back within the hour,” Grace says, still impressed. “We decided on campaigning between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m, and we had no issues.” It’s one of those stories that captures both the thoughtfulness and the orderliness that long-time residents appreciate about NWOne.
And like any great memoir, Grace’s story circles back to connection. Though she didn’t realize it at the time, her new condo home brought her back into the orbit of people she’d crossed paths with before — residents, teachers, even past coworkers. Her life and the life of NWOne have grown intertwined, each reflecting the other’s story of quiet perseverance, curiosity, and care.
As NWOne celebrates 50 years as a community, stories like Grace’s remind us that the real foundation of any building lies not in its concrete or brick, but in the lives lived within it. From the bustle of Ryan Drive to the archives of Canadian history, from snowshoe trails to Mud Lake paths, Grace Hyam has lived many chapters. We’re lucky that this one unfolded here.
Saturday, June 21st: Weather sunny and warm. Colourful decorations. Games area. Kids zone. Corn toss. Face painting. Photo booth. Party time!! ☀☀☀☀☀ In the party room at 11:30 our MP Anita Vandenbeld chatted with residents prior to her speech and presentation of a certificate to honour NWOne's 50-year milestone. ☀☀☀☀☀ On the patio Larry Jones and a team of volunteers fired up the barbeques to cook hamburgers, hotdogs and chicken burgers for a crowd of hungry residents. ☀☀☀☀☀ At 1:30 a presentation was made to Alan Thomas, who has lived in the Pouling building for an amazing 47 years! Our MPP Chandra Pasma presented Alan with a certificate. Then it was time for cake – and not just any cake: an amazing replica of NWOne by local baker Joanne Wilson. See picture on previous page. ☀☀☀☀☀ Special shout-out to Laura Pollak whose clever Escape Room was fun for all.
The Gardening Committee began 16 years ago as a single committee for NWOne when some owners, concerned about the plants, shrubs and trees of the existing landscape, took action.
The group began work clearing weeds, removing dying shrubs, trimming trees, and adding soil not only to the planters surrounding the buildings, but also to planters located near the shuffleboard court, the tennis court, and the BBQ area. The oval had three large areas with evergreens, shrubs, and flowers, but in recent years they began posing a danger to the garage below and had to be removed.
Even though hundreds of hours were dedicated to the betterment of NWOne landscape, it became evident that additional help was required to maintain the large NWOne property.
Working with management, the committee hired a landscaper to trim shrubs and trees, and a summer student to help with weeding. This evolved into a contract with a landscaping company, Queen of Spades, who worked with the gardening volunteers for a number of years. The company dedicated one day to the Poulin Building and another to the Regina Building. By this time, each building had its own Gardening Committee, working in cooperation with each other. The oval remains a shared undertaking. COVID did disrupt the landscaping work as Queen of Spades could no longer offer us their services due to lack of workers. Instead, we were fortunate to obtain the services of horticulturalist Alexander Robertson to continue with garden development.
Approximately five years ago, the Gardening Committee was asked to create a pollinator garden. This was well received as we were well aware of the benefits to butterflies and the environment at large. A separate volunteer group continues to develop this garden area in the north part of the oval near the stairs to the north parking deck.
The committee is most proud of transforming the front of the building by replacing crab grass with shrubs and flowers for a welcoming environment — a major accomplishment.
Your Gardening Committee gathers in the early spring to plan what needs to happen with the planters surrounding the building, as well as in the central oval.
Some plants may not have wintered well, others have grown too large or spread too far, and some need to be moved for better exposure. Trees and shrubs are trimmed and dead branches removed.
The earth is enriched with fertilizer and new earth and mulch are added. Annuals are used for interest and for splashes of vibrant colour. And, of course, there’s a lot of weeding to be done.
None of this would be possible without the efforts of Rollie O’Brien and Andrea Giffin, as well as the expertise of our horticulturalist, Alexander Robertson.
We are also fortunate to have a group of dependable and dedicated owners who water the gardens to keep them fresh and bright. New team members are always welcome. We appreciate any amount of time you can contribute to maintaining our planters.
Many owners and visitors alike take the time to admire our gardens, making the effort all worthwhile.
Now that readers have been introduced to the Regina Gardening Committee, we would like to share an interview with Andrea Roth, who also works with horticulturist Alex Robinson and a small team of volunteer gardeners on the grounds outside the Poulin building.
When did you begin coordinating the gardens at the Poulin building?
I began working on the gardens at the apartment building three summers ago when I took on the role of garden coordinator for Poulin. That first summer, I was fortunate to be mentored by Christine Dunn, whose guidance helped me learn the ropes and understand the needs of the garden space.
What inspired you to take over as gardening coordinator?
After moving and no longer having a garden of my own, I felt something was missing. Gardening has always brought me peace and a sense of purpose — I’m especially drawn to the colours, textures, and quiet beauty of flowers. Taking on the role of coordinator gave me the opportunity to reconnect with that passion and contribute to a shared outdoor space that others could also enjoy.
Has gardening been a lifelong passion?
Absolutely. I’ve loved gardening since I was a teenager, when I started my first vegetable patch. There’s something deeply satisfying about working with your hands, nurturing plants, and watching things grow. Although balancing work and family life didn’t always leave time for gardening, I now have the space to return to it. Being involved in the apartment gardens has been a fulfilling way to rekindle that lifelong connection.
Has coordinating the garden resulted in you meeting neighbours and making friendships?
Yes, absolutely. Through coordinating the garden, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful neighbours who have generously offered their help, especially with watering during the hotter months. It’s been heartwarming to connect with people who share an appreciation for the garden. Seeing others enjoy the space and knowing it brings a bit of beauty and calm to their day has been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
Do you have other hobbies and pastimes?
Outside of gardening, I enjoy line dancing, reading, and spending time with my grandchildren. I’m also passionate about supporting community causes, and I volunteer at drop-in centres for people experiencing homelessness. In addition, I take great interest in pollinator gardens, which combine my love for nature with a commitment to environmental stewardship.
What plans do you have for the gardens in the coming years?
Looking ahead, I’d love to continue developing the gardens in a way that makes them both sustainable and welcoming. One of my goals is to incorporate more drought-tolerant plants to reduce watering needs, and to select plant varieties that can better withstand the windy conditions of the site. In the new oval area, I hope to use plants with shallow roots that are well-suited to that space. I’d also like to further expand the herb garden and possibly introduce some vegetables. Most importantly, I want the gardens to remain a space that people can enjoy — somewhere that brings neighbours together and fosters a strong sense of community.
This year marks a monumental milestone in the history of our buildings, the 50th anniversary of NWOne. Originally constructed in 1975 as luxury apartments, our buildings have stood as a beacon of community and home for half a century. Located adjacent to the NCC bike path, the Mud Lake Conservation area and the Ottawa River, its location is unrivalled. In 1996, we embraced a new chapter as the Ottawa-Carleton Condominium Corporation (OCCC587). Over the past 26 years, the Board has continued to evolve in keeping with the Condominium Act and the Condominium Authority of Ontario.
After 50 years, our building, while structurally sound, is in need of “a new party dress/suit.” To that end, we are entering a new phase of significant repairs and upgrades to restore our beloved building and complex to its original luxury label, with what we hope will be minimal disruption to our daily lives.
Here’s to the past 50 years of shared experiences and to many more years of unity and growth. Happy Anniversary, NWOne!
Born 50 years ago and intended as a condominium complex, NWOne spent its first years as luxury rental apartments complete with concierge services. Conversion to condominiums came later — 1984 for Regina and 1996 for Poulin. Urbandale, the developer, continued to offer rental units in the Regina building until 2024; they still have rental units in the Poulin building. Urbandale was the property manager until 2010. Their parting gift was the redevelopment of the shared facilities including relocation of the office from the first floor of the Poulin building into an underground bunker, unfortunately without a thought given to accessibility.
We’re just now shaking off the last vestiges of being a rental complex as we adjust to the boundaries set by our declarations and rules. We are a vibrant community thanks to the many volunteers who contribute so much — maintaining our beautiful gardens, offering health and educational information, newsletters, social and recreational programming. Congratulations to our Social Committee for organizing a great 50th anniversary celebration of our community.
After 50 years we are at a crossroads; some needed repairs have caught up with us. The shared facilities require extensive repair. The January 2025 Notice of Future Funding for the shared reserve fund shows that we will collect from owners, and spend, approximately $20,000,000 over the next 15 years. This would involve noisy and disruptive construction almost every year. At the end we would have repaired facilities with minor accessibility updates, nowhere near what is required. How do we get the repairs done in a shorter period of time and include all of the accessibility upgrades required?
We have hired a consultant to represent our interests and guide a team of experts as they prepare a roadmap to achieve a leak-free garage and functional, accessible amenities. This would involve repair, replacement or some combination thereof.
This is an exciting opportunity for NWOne: the possibility of connecting both buildings to functional, accessible, sensibly laid out amenities. Imagine being able to go from either building to the pool or the office without having to negotiate stairs; accessible washrooms on the same level as the party room; changing rooms near both the pool and the gym; decent ventilation. We can dream.
At this point we really don’t know what the team will suggest for amenities and what changes should be made to those existing.
Barring any unforeseen problems, we’re expecting the report in September. Once we’ve had a chance to review this report, it will be shared with owners. We want to ensure that if we have to spend a very large sum on our shared facilities, we get the best possible outcome.
We may not often think of all the different threats birds face daily. Potential dangers include predatory cats, window collisions, pollution, pesticides, plastics, vehicles, and habitat disturbance, to name just a few. On Friday, May 30, Environmental Action Group members and NW One residents lingered in the Party Room after the monthly potluck to listen to a presentation from Bird Friendly Ottawa on actions we can undertake to help save birds.
Team member Ashley Reynolds, a researcher in ecology and evolutionary biology, shared with us the seven actions that Bird Friendly Ottawa promotes to help minimize injury and death to local birds.
As condo dwellers, we have a unique opportunity to help keep birds safe through our choice of window coverings. Clear glass panes pose a very real threat; birds cannot distinguish that they are there and may fly straight into them. Patterned window decals — featuring dots 5 cm apart or less — work as feather-friendly visual signals to birds, as do drapes or blinds. Removing houseplants from right inside window ledges can also help prevent birds from flying towards them and hitting the glass.
A second major source of injury and death to local birds is outdoor cats. The Ottawa Valley Wildlife Bird Care Centre (OVWBCC) estimates that they treat 350 injured birds a year. Hunting is innate to cats and as birds have many air sacs throughout their bodies, which work with lungs and which cats can easily damage. Keeping your cat indoors at all times, while ideal, is not the only option available. Use of a covered patio (catio) or walking your cat on a leash are two outdoor alternatives that can help protect birds.
The next two actions suggested by Bird Friendly Ottawa will benefit our communities and planet as a whole. "Bird-friendly gardening" includes planting native species, removing invasive plants, reducing pesticides, and adding a birdbath or water feature to your garden. Reducing our overall plastic use is also an important action we can all take to reduce the chance that birds accidentally ingest plastic or get stuck and entangled in it in the wild. When it comes to plastic, rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, regift, or recycle!
The fifth action that we can take to save bird populations is through our purchasing power as consumers. Buying shade-grown coffee, as opposed to beans grown in full sun, supports bird life as shade coffee farms offer a forest-like environment with trees, shrubs, and ground cover, providing shelter, nesting sites and food sources for birds. Shade coffee farms act as crucial stopover points for migratory birds during their long journeys, providing rest and sustenance. They also provide an important wintering habitat for birds migrating from North America to Central and South America.
The final two actions proposed by Bird Friendly Ottawa are activities that promote interaction with Ottawa’s field naturalist and birding communities. As individuals, we can all contribute to birds’ well-being by getting involved as citizen scientists. Whether you participate in the annual Christmas bird count or sign a petition to have Ottawa granted bird-friendly status, small, individual actions all add up. Finally, joining Bird Friendly Ottawa or one of their partner organizations is a great way to sustain the well-being and safety of our precious feathered friends.
Bird Friendly Ottawa is a team of volunteers from the Ottawa Field Naturalists Club, the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, Ecology Ottawa, and Safe Wings Ottawa who work to protect bird habitats and support natural areas such as Mud Lake. For more information, contact info@birdfriendlyottawa.ca
Thank you to the residents of Regina and Poulin buildings for their generous donations of jigsaw puzzles over the last few years. They were an invaluable gift to those of us shut in during the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued to be very popular. We now have over 100 choices of puzzles ranging from 300 to 1,000 pieces.
If you borrow a puzzle and discover a piece missing, please make a note on the box. We usually discard those with more than one missing piece.
Of course, please let me know if you have any suggestions. midgleygravin@sympatico.ca
Are you flummoxed by links that are printed on paper? Copying it error free by hand is often a daunting task, not to mention recopying it into a browser. Have you wanted to access a link online that doesn't open when you tap or click it? You think to yourself, I can't get there from here. Smart phones to the rescue. Extract a link from text using features like Live Text on iPhones or Google Lens on Android devices.
I can't get cool,
I've drunk a quart of lemonade.
I think I'll take my shoes off
And sit around in the shade.
It's hot!
My back is sticky.
The sweat rolls down my chin.
I think I'll take my clothes off
And sit around in my skin.
It's hot!
I've tried with 'lectric fans,
And pools and ice cream cones.
I think I'll take my skin off
And sit around in my bones.
It's still hot!
The Regina Rambler, authorized newsletter of Carleton Condominium Corporation 217, and the Poulin Pulse, authorized newsletter of Ottawa-Carleton Condominium Corporation 587, are published quarterly, with Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter issues. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information; however, the views expressed are those of the contributors. Official condo policy statements are written or approved by the boards of directors.