Live 'n Learn Team hits another home run

Today (October 15) the Live 'n Learn team at DWLC arranged for a presentation on financial fraud. The event, sponsored by the Highlands North Network, was attended by 22 local residents who got a great overview of the types of financial fraud being perpetrated along with many practical methods of prevention and mitigation. 

The guest speakers, Angie Ferguson for RBC Pakenham, and Laurie Selle, RBC Arnprior, both have extensive experience in dealing with issues of financial fraud. Engaging and informative, they shared many anecdotes from their own experiences, as well as some of the processes and procedures that banks are implementing in an attempt to deal with this very serious issue that affects (or has affected) many in our community. This is especially germane to this audience as, although not exclusively so, seniors are over-represented in the numbers of those defrauded by various on-line and other scams.

Angie and Laurie discussed such common frauds as the grandparent scam (where one receives a message concerning a loved one that is in trouble and needs financial help immediately), romance scams (fraudster expressing a romantic interest before asking for money), phishing scams (where the fraudster attempts to get personal, bank, or credit card info on-line), and others. 

The key message was that, while the banks are doing what they can to manage fraudulent activity, ultimately the onus is on the individual to be suspicious and take prudent steps to protect their identity. This includes such basic items as using strong passwords, protecting their bank cards and PINs, and engaging with their bank, in person, whenever in doubt about a financial transaction. Most of all, trust your instincts.

Of course, as with any Live 'n Learn presentation, this was all preceded by a great luncheon spread arranged and prepared by Brenda Guinea.

Thanks to all who attended, those who helped organise, and, most of all, Angie and Laurie who took the time to visit with us and share their knowledge and experience.

Shrove Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Did you know? 

Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day or Mardi Gras, is the final day before the Christian fasting season of Lent begins (Ash Wednesday), celebrated with feasting and revelry to use up rich foods like eggs, butter, and sugar before 40 days of abstinence leading up to Easter. The name "Shrove" comes from "shrive", meaning to confess sins, as it was historically a day for Christians to confess and seek absolution before the penitential Lenten period. People eat pancakes (Pancake Day) or party (Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday) to use up these ingredients and say goodbye to indulgences.

Well you won't have to confess your sins, but there may be a bit of revelry and last minute indulgence at the Centre's upcoming Pancake Day. See you there. (And don't forget to RSVP to darlingwhitelakecentre@gmail.com.)

Christmas Craft Fair

On Saturday, November 15, the Darling White Lake Centre was the venue for a locally organized and hosted craft fair. The following is a copy of the report that was published in the Lanark Era following the event.

As always, kudos to the organizers for another successful event at the Centre.

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What started as a small idea—a cozy community craft show tucked beside White Lake—quickly grew into something much bigger than we expected. Throughout the day, neighbours wandered in with smiles, local makers proudly shared their creations, and the room buzzed with that special kind of holiday-season kindness you can’t quite put into words.

But the real magic happened quietly, one can of food and one small donation at a time.

By the end of the show, our little community had gathered 218 lbs of food and $205 in donations for the Arnprior Food Bank. This morning, everything was delivered—boxes stacked high, bags full to the brim, and hearts just as full.

It was a beautiful reminder that when people come together, even in a small hall by the lake, they can create something truly meaningful.

Live 'n Learn - Epoxy Resin Presentation

We’ve all seen art pieces that augment natural wood with epoxy resins and have marvelled at their beauty. Well, on Thursday, 25 attendees at the Centre got to see just how pieces like these examples (crafted by Brian Cairns) are created.

As part of the Centre's ongoing education initiative, the Live ’n Learn team arranged a presentation offering an introduction to epoxy resins, their increasing use in woodworking, usage tips, and techniques. Beginning with, as usual, a delicious lunch (thanks to all the cooks, busboys, and dishwashers).

We are lucky to have at least four craftspeople around the lake who work with that medium. And today they generously shared their knowledge and experience, as well as some beautiful examples of their art, with an appreciative audience.

Brian Cairns led off with a detailed overview of the various epoxy resins, their history, and many of the tools and techniques he employs when working with the products.

Brian's talk was followed by Larry Paquette, Garry Cardiff, and Dave Blackburn who each spoke of how they use/have used the medium and also showcased some of their own work. (There was also a slide show presenting photos of many more projects than were on display.)

Larry's cutting boards

Garry's maple root table and bench

One of Dave's pieces, still on the lathe

After the presentations there were many questions from the audience about specific pieces that were on display, and, judging from the feedback, there may soon be more than four practitioners in the area.

Noreen O’Keefe was the lucky winner of the door prize, a gorgeous cutting board, also crafted and donated by Brian Cairns.

Thanks to the Live ’n Learn team who, once again, offered community residents an interesting learning experience. And thanks to the presenters for their contributions.

Keep an eye on your Friends of the Centre email blasts for announcements concerning future presentations.

Another successful Strawberry Social

Did you know that strawberries are the only fruit that has the seeds on the outside? Also, a serving of strawberries contains the daily recommended dose of vitamin C?  

Now that the educational part of this post has been accomplished...

Last Saturday was the DWLC's annual Strawberry Social, 2025 edition. A total of 62 of your friends and neighbours came out to enjoy a fantastic feed of strawberries slathered in maple syrup and whipped cream followed by an exhibition of line dancing put on by a local group. Donations were also collected for a very deserving local charity, the Connect Well Seniors.

This signature event was organized by our very own Jaqueline Cairns (who even arranged for the weather man to offer up a beautiful summer day) and a fantastic group of volunteers. A huge shout-out and thank you to all who helped out and to those who came out in support of this most anticipated annual event.

Kitchen staff 

Claire's dance troupe.

Strawberry Social - Mark your calendars

It's that time of the year again. White Lake's (over)population of does are now dropping their offspring, deer and horse flies are coming out of hibernation (or whatever it is the little buggers do all winter), and strawberries are coming into season.  

All of which means - IT'S STRAWBERRY SOCIAL TIME.

"The sense we are most afraid to lose"

Yesterday, the Darling White Lake Centre was pleased to host the latest in our ongoing Live 'n Learn sessions, Dr. Zoe Bonell discussing the importance of eye care. A graduate of Carleton University and Cardiff University in Wales, Dr. Bonell is an optometrist practicing in Ottawa.

After a great buffet lunch put together by the Live 'n Learn volunteers and sponsored by the Highlands North Network,  Dr. Bonell took centre stage. 

Over the course of 90 minutes or so, Dr. Bonell discussed many, many aspects of eye care, beginning with the structure of the eye itself. She described common issues and treatments, including many age-related vision concerns such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, stressing the importance of regular eye exams in detecting and correcting these issues. The presentation ended with a series of recommendations/reminders on how to protect our eyes during daily activities, such as safety glasses for DIYers, eye protection during sporting activities, UV protection in sun and snow, etc. As Dr. Bonell pointed out, vision is the sense we are most afraid to lose, yet we sometimes neglect to take the necessary steps to protect it.

It was a very informative session and the Centre thanks Dr. Bonell for taking the time out of her busy schedule to come and share her knowledge and expertise with us. And, of course, we extend our thanks to the many wonderful volunteers at the Centre who continue to make these special events available to our community.