Baldwin's Birds New petition aims to lower insurance requirements for local events

Nesting Season Is Underway!

Our now much brighter coloured feathered friends, are looking resplendent, as they are caught in the bright sun's rays when they come to feed. What a treat we are getting, as Nature takes its course, and the birds go through their mating rituals, to attract a partner to be able to produce this year's offspring. Their bright plumage is just one part for some of them, but there are still those who also go through other mating rituals. Yesterday a pair of Cardinals were down on the ground and appeared to be kissing, although I suspect that one of them was treating the other to some seed, just to say,---"Look I can provide for you and our "family-'to- be" , if you take me for your partner!"

Other birds have different ways of trying to attract a partner, such as the Cowbirds and Grackles, who wheeze out or, is it, squeeze out a raucous sound as they fluff up their shining feathers, to impress? The Redwing Blackbirds tend to be noisy too and the male Rock Pigeons ruffle up their iridescent neck feathers and strut proudly in front of their potential partner, in their mating display efforts to impress. However a much more refined approach is made by the beautifully serene Mourning Doves, who usually tend to be in pairs on a daily basis anyway! In yesterday's late afternoon sunshine a pair of them were just hunkered down on the grass very close to each other, seemingly, just enjoying each others company!

Whilst some of the birds are "doing their thing" in order to get started with their family life there are some who get on with it fairly quickly! In this category I would put the Robins who sometimes build two or three nests during the warmer months of the year., so don't have much time to hang about! As can be seen in the picture that my wife took, one of our Robins has already built on my small nesting platform, above a garage door and is now occupying it. Nearby another nesting box is, as near as we can tell, being occupied by a Bluebird. We are still not one hundred percent certain of this because they do make false nests to deter predators, whilst still having one situated elsewhere. If they are not using this particular nesting box they will have to keep an eye out, because a House Wren has made its appearance in the garden and it has used this particular box before too!

I hope that you are able to see for yourself what is going on in your own garden and that you are enjoying what the birds provide for us. Stay safe and well.

Cheers,

John Baldwin

Heinz and Mathilde Winter

1930-2012 1927-2022

by Brandon Mayer

A petition currently circulating online regarding the Township’s insurance policy for event vendors aims to ask some tough questions about why the required insurance level is so high. The petition was started by Winchester resident Kelly Windle, a business owner who also organizes events such as the Garden Party Market.

“I am not looking for any special treatment, just to understand the current policy they have circulated,” Kelly told the Times. “The Garden Party Market is a for-profit event, so there will be different expectations for my event and I accept that.”

Kelly wants a chance to formally ask Council, in session, to lower the insurance requirement for event organizers and vendors to what she calls the “industry standard” of $2 million liability. Her upcoming event – the Garden Party Market in July – typically draws a crowd of about 1,500 people annually. It has seen annual growth over the last three years, and Kelly doesn’t want it to “die” now.

“If the current insurance requirements stand, I will have to cancel this annual event,” said Kelly. “I also have vendors that will not participate due to the increased insurance costs, and I cannot adjust my vendors fees as those fees cover the bands, porta potties, advertisements and more.” Kelly wonders why it’s necessary for both hosts and vendors to have the insurance. “My question to the Council is that if the host (me) acquires the $5 million Special Event Policy, why is it that the vendors participating in my event are required the $5 million as well?”

Kelly is proud to say that the organizers and volunteers of events such as Dairyfest and the Parade of lights have successfully won the Township’s support in getting “blanket” coverage for these events (consistent with past years), and exempting bands from needing separate insurance, which would have risked pricing live entertainment out of North Dundas.

One point that Kelly is emphasizing strongly is that $2 million liability insurance appears to be the industry standard. She points to other places – such as South Dundas, Kemptville, Cornwall and Ottawa – that require vendors to have only $2 million of liability insurance, leaving her to question why North Dundas businesses and events owners are hit with the $5 million requirement.

“Maybe it is a lost cause, but I have to try and be hopeful that the Council and Township will see that the Market is a draw not only for my business, but for the vendors involved, the other businesses located downtown Winchester, and for tourism,” added Kelly. “I would like to see the Market continue to grow and prosper in this community, and I also hope that the Council and Township will consider all local events like Winchester Open Mic Cafe when creating a policy.”

The petition can be found at https://www.change.org/p/ support-local-events-north-dundas. Kelly is optimistic that if we work together, positive change can happen. “I started the petition to raise awareness and reach more people in the community to rally with me to support not only my event, but the many events this policy affects, and will affect. I do not want to see our events priced out of the Township.”

Our thoughts are ever with you

Though you've both passed away

And those who have loved you dearly Are thinking of you today & every day

A

Of Life In Honor Of Rodney Fluke 1953 - 2023

Saturday May 27, 2023 1:00 pm To 4:00 pm The I00F

Drop in for a visit with friends and family to share some of our favourite memories and stories of the wonderful husband, father, papa, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend who is greatly missed

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

This week, I have another salad for you, one that combines pasta with scallops, the sweet tasting seafood par excellence. As the days get warmer, you’ll find that cold dishes like these are a bonus that helps you get outside faster to garden, mow the lawn or swing in the hammock. So, please give the Scallop Pasta Salad a whirl accompanied by a cold white wine of your choice.

Scallop Pasta Salad

Ingredients

1 package of sea-shell pasta, cooked al dente, drained, rinsed with cold water and refrigerated

1 pound of sea scallops, preferably the small Digby-style, thawed (if frozen) and patted dry

1 398 ml can of “fancy” peas, drained

4 cups of broccoli florets cut into small pieces

¼ cup of finely chopped fresh basil leaves

Enough Romaine leaves to feed 6 folks

Then…

¼ cup wine vinegar

¼ cup of lemon juice

¼ cup of olive oil

1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon of white granulated sugar

1 tablespoon of crushed garlic

1 teaspoon of black pepper

1 tablespoon of butter

Preparation

1. Boil up your broccoli florets as usual but just enough so that they are still crisp

2. In a separate pan, melt the butter and sprinkle with black pepper

3. Add your scallops and cook them lightly, just so that they are opaque; then, refrigerate

4. In a large bowl, combine all of the wet ingredients and sugar

5. Mix in the refrigerated broccoli and scallops and add the basil leaves and peas

6. Mix in the amount of pasta shells you would like (keep the rest for another day)

7. You might wish to cover the mixture and refrigerate for another hour or for an afternoon

To serve, place a base of Romaine leaves on separate plates; then, spread the refrigerated salad mixture among the plates. I always enjoy some fresh bread with a salad so, off you go to Grahame’s: you don’t even need butter, since the dressing is “dippable”! This salad is very versatile, for example, you can use cauliflower florets instead of broccoli; you can skip the fancy peas and use garbanzos, etc., etc.

As always, please let me know how this turned out for you at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.