Issue 11 2023 March 23 NG Times

by Brandon Mayer

A local poet is using her talent to support a great cause, and it’s not the first time. Jagjeet Sharma has now launched her fourth collection of poems, following her tradition of donating proceeds to the Ottawa Heart Institute. She was eager to share details of the newest collection.

“Under a Maple Tree is a continuation of my journalistic poetry,” said Jagjeet. “It is a mixed, random collection, a social and political discourse put in a poetic form, reflective of the times we are living in. It is published by Broken Keys Publishing and it is also available on all

Poems for a great cause

digital platforms.”

When it comes to writing poetry, Jagjeet is anything but a novice. “My interest and love of poetry began many years ago,” she said. “It developed furthermore at Carleton University completing my honours degree in journalism when I took English literature courses, including a Canadian Literature course. I fell in love with Keats, Wordsworth, Robert Frost and of course Leonard Cohen. I took a poetry workshop as well, and then there was no looking back.”

Why choose the Ottawa Heart Institute as the organization to receive the proceeds? It turns out that there is a personal connection for Jagjeet.

“We presented a second cheque in November 2020 – the first one was presented in 2018 – to the Ottawa Heart Institute which turned into an emotional moment,” Jagjeet said. “I was reminded of the day when my better half was wheeled into the surgery room to get his heart’s mitral valve repaired. I had all the confidence in the surgeon, but doubts still lingered, because you can never fully know the outcome. Well, the outcome was great. He recovered well, and thus we began our mission, our commitment to pay back to a worldclass institution.”

Jagjeet is emphasizing that buying her latest poetry book is a way to both

support local and help the Ottawa Heart Institute. “The Heart Institute has become the be-all and end-all of our lives,” Jagjeet added. “The year 2017 became a turning point in our lives. Now, more than three years later, we are still raising funds for the Ottawa Heart Institute through my poetry books. I never thought my passion for writing poetry would one day turn into a conduit for a noble cause. Friends, family, neighbours, and colleagues have been very supportive in inspiring and motivating us to forge ahead, even during the difficult times of the pandemic.

Anyone wishing to purchase a printed copy of Under a Maple Tree can get in touch with Jagjeet by email at asiansounds1@hotmail.com. There is also a personal donation link which the Heart Institute has set up which is linked to the poetry book. It can be used for ordering a book or donating to the cause, and can be accessed at http://donate.ottawaheart.

ca/goto/Guddi_Surinder.

Myers Health Check for Change raises funds for KDH Foundation

Hey Day is on the move!

McVeigh, General Manager, Myers Kemptville.

Thank you, Myers Kemptville Chevrolet Buick GMC, for being a Community Hero!

About the Kemptville District Hospital Foundation

submitted by Jean Gallant

This coming June 9 and 10 will mark the 60th time in Kemptville's history that the much-anticipated HEY DAY fundraising event will take place, and it's on the move!

tville. The building will be filled with incredible bargains for every age.

submitted by Kristy Carriere

Myers Kemptville Chevrolet Buick GMC is supporting the Kemptville District Hospital Foundation through the Myers Health Check for Change Program.

The Foundation, through its new Community Hero initiative, is pleased to recognize Myers Kemptville Chevrolet Buick GMC, for their outstanding support of the Foundation.

Myers has supported the

Foundation through sponsorships, donated prizes and through the Health Check for Change program, which donates $10 from every multi-point vehicle inspection to the Foundation. To date, Myers has donated over $10,000.

MPP Steve Clark, a long-time supporter of KDH, attended the cheque presentation at Myers and said, “We can all be proud of the business community’s long-standing sup-

port for KDH.”

Michael Wallace, KDH Foundation Board member echoed Mr. Clark’s sentiment.

The Foundation needs to raise $2 million to purchase a new CT scan. The support of the business community will be critical to bringing a much-needed CT scan to Kemptville.

“We’re very happy to make this donation to such an important initiative for the Foundation”, says Bob

The Kemptville District Hospital Foundation (KDHF) is the registered charitable organization that supports Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) by fundraising for essential medical equipment that the hospital’s care teams need to care for patients. Government funding alone cannot supply all the equipment needed; KDH depends on the generosity of community donors to fund lifesaving equipment. Community support enabled the hospital to open its doors in 1960 and remains at the heart of KDH.

Donations to the KDHF support the skilled and compassionate care that is happening every day inside KDH. www.kdhfoundation. ca.

You may be one of the hundreds of bargain hunters, collectors, and treasure seekers who have enjoyed finding that special item over the years. Hey Day is one of Eastern Ontario's largest indoor garage sales; it is known for amazing finds at garage sale prices.

We are excited to announce that this year we'll be at the North Grenville Municipal Centre in Kemp-

We're grateful to be able to hold Hey Day once again, after a 3 year hiatus due to covid concerns. The event is organized and staffed by hundreds of volunteers. 100% of funds raised at Hey Day go to the Kemptville District Hospital to purchase equipment used for the comfort and care of patients.

Can you volunteer some time? Do you have items you'd like to donate? Please contact us at kdha.heyday@ gmail.com or call 613-4474492.

L-R: Bob McVeigh, GM, Myers Kemptville, Margret Norenberg, Board Chair, KDH Foundation, Steve Clark, MPP Leeds-Grenville, Michael Wallace, Director, Marketing at Myers Automotive Group and Director, KDH Foundation.

NGCT gearing up for Romance on the Road series

by Brandon Mayer

Popular local performance group, the North Grenville Community Theatre, is putting on a series of performances in support of non-profit organizations. The so-called “Romance on the Road series” is intended to raise funds for local nonprofits.

This year, the performance is called “Romance on the Road: The Many Faces of Love”. The performance’s director is NGCT’s vice president Darrell Nunn. He shared a glimpse of the program for the upcoming series. The introduction reads:

“Whatever your personal life journey has been, it’s likely that you have encountered at least some of love’s many faces: euphoria, lust, disappointment, rediscovery, contentment, and, with any luck, a growing wisdom resulting from reflections on these events in your life’s journey. And love features in so many classic stories we have encountered in myths, fairy tales, the theatre – and Netflix!. [These] three short plays are comedies that explore the foibles of this emotion. They are larger than life. Let me say again: they are COMEDIES. Laugh, even when some of the humour is dark.”

Four performances will

take place at:

- Pierce’s Corners Community Hall in Pierce’s Corners on April 13 at 7 pm.

- St. James Anglican Church in Kemptville on April 21 at 7 pm and April 22 at .

- St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Osgoode on April 23 at 2 pm.

Darrell explained more about the significance of the concert series. “During COVID when we at North Grenville Community Theatre were not sure if or when we would perform again, we rehearsed two half-hour, small-cast comedies in members' homes,” he explained. “We then offered them to local chari-

table venues to see whether they wanted us to perform there in the spring of 2022. They would sell tickets and reap whatever profits. This project was very positively received, so we decided to offer such a program again this year.

For more information on the individual venues, and to purchase tickets, please email the contact at your location of choice:

Pierce's Corners - terry@watkiss.net

St. James Anglican - capesydney@gmail.com

St. Paul's Anglican - pandydesbiens@primus.ca

The Old Town Kemptville Business Improvement Area (BIA) and the Kemptville Buskerfest Organizing Committee are thrilled to finally announce the official date of the 2023 Kemptville Buskerfest. It will be Saturday, May 20, 2023 in Downtown Kemptville.

The organizing committee is also grateful to welcome the support of our returning title sponsor, Urbandale Construction. “We are very grateful to have Urbandale back this year as our title sponsor. They’ve been very easy to work with and they sound as excited as we are to be a part of the 2023 Kemptville Buskerfest. Our small but mighty group of volunteers look forward to exceeding their expectations as well as the expectations of all of our festival-goers.” - Buskerfest Organizing Committee Chair Sierra Jones-Martel.

The Kemptville Buskerfest is a free community event that draws thousands of visitors to marvel at the jaw-dropping human talents on display in Kemptville’s downtown core. “We’re proud to be both organizing and hosting Buskerfest again this year. The financial opportunity it represents for our downtown businesses is a big one. Even though we think our volunteers outdid themselves last year, it sounds like this year’s festival will be even better!” – Old Town Kemptville BIA Board Chair – Dave Leger.

This year’s Buskerfest hopes to feature an even bigger presence from the local visual and performing arts community. “The Kemptville Buskerfest is a wonderful showcase for the many talented artists and performers that call North Grenville home. Having more opportunities like Buskerfest for our artists to display their abilities will further elevate our community’s cultural presence and make it even more rewarding to live, work and play here. It is Council’s hope that Buskerfest becomes an annual signature event that draws people from far and wide to experience our small town feel alongside the Kemptville Creek, the Ferguson Forest Centre and our vibrant commercial sector.” Mayor of North Grenville – Nancy Peckford.

The organizing committee is now accepting applications from those who are interested in becoming volunteers and vendors for the event. If you’d like to join our Buskerfest family, just go to our website www.kemptvillebuskerfest.ca and click on the “Get Involved” button.

Don’t miss out on this popular spectacle for the whole family! This year’s stellar lineup of performers will be announced closer to the event date, so stay tuned to our website and social media. Check out our FAQ section for more info on the event.

For further media inquiries, please contact: Deron

Johnston, Executive Director Old Town Kemptville

BIA bia@northgrenville.on.ca

6 clever car hacks for surviving spring weather

(NC) Late winter and early spring mean slippery driving conditions, more pedestrians on the roads and dark, rainy skies. Rather than turning a blind eye to the changes ahead, these car hacks will prepare you for anything the warmer, wetter season brings.

1. Check your wipers. Over the winter, your wipers can become damaged by frost, ice and heavy snow. Keep your windshield clean and clear by installing a new pair of wipers after the snow melts away.

2. Show off your pearly lights. Visibility in the spring months can be bleak. To make your lights shine bright,

simply brush them with toothpaste so your vehicle can stand out in a rain storm.

3. Keep your tires roadready. Melting snow often unveils new potholes and cracks in the road. Save your car from major roadway damage by ensuring your tires are filled to the manufacturerrecommended air pressure at the turn of the season.

4. Understand hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds up between the road and your vehicle's tires. It can impact the driver's control and ability to brake. Prevent the risk of hydroplaning by reducing your speed in rainy weather and safely avoiding large

puddles.

5. Share the road. Warmer weather means there will be more pedestrians, construction workers and cyclists on the roads. Remember that speeding fines are often increased in construction zones, and you need to be vigilant at pedestrian crossings.

6. Rest assured with insurance. Is your vehicle covered should an emergency strike?

Jump online and head to Esurance for your auto needs. It'll make your life easier by providing you with an online quote, claims information and policy management — available any time, anywhere.

G & S Auto

We are celebrating our 10TH ANNIVERSARY of serving North Grenville families! We LOVE what we do! We are as honest and reliable as the day is long, and with our knowledgeable and professional staff, we will get you and your family back on the road quickly and efficiently. What more can you ask for when it comes to your vehicle and your safety?

Ogilvie

We’re pleased to be your reliable automotive solution provider! The staff at Ogilvie’s can handle any repair you need. The technicians are always im proving their abilities and expanding their capability to serve their clients’ every need.

Mike Ogilvie is our fearless leader and has been a licensed Auto Technician since 1989. Mike and his father Gord started the business in 1985 and worked together until Gord retired in 1997 and then Mike and his wife, Vicki bought the business. His love of cars and attention to detail has built the reputation of Ogilvie's. His hard work is responsible for the growth of his business.

Vicki has been with the company since 1999. She manages the daily operations, accounting and marketing of the company. She is also a registered Salesperson with OMVIC and the Used Car Dealers Association.

spring car care

R Rose Automotive

The mechanics at our shop have over 60 years of experience between them. They are dedicated to providing high-quality repairs to keep you safe and happy. Whether you're coming in for a routine inspection or a repair service, we promise that you will be completely satisfied with our work. We provide 12-month warranties with all of our services for your peace of mind.

We're committed to providing a stress-free experience to both new and returning customers. Our shop only uses parts from reputable brands to ensure that your vehicle is always ready to drive.

Winter’s cold temperatures and icy conditions have been hard on your car, so it is likely showing some signs of wear and tear. Spring is the perfect time to bring your car in for a full inspection to identify any minor problems, before they become major ones.

Car care check list:

Change your oil and oil filter

Check your fluids.

Replace your wiper blades.

Check your charging system

Check your lighting

Lubricate your chassis parts

Check your belts and hoses

Check your filters.

Make vehicle maintenance a priority this spring to protect yourself and prolong the life of your vehicle!

It has been our honour and privilege to serve the people within our great community since 2008. We have built our reputation on listening to our customers’ needs and working within their budget, all while keeping them safe on the road. It is our mission for 2023 to provide the same great service. Keep us in mind for all your future Automotive, 24/7 Towing and Autobody needs.

Ag truck ticketed for going over 40 km/hr, evokes criticism directed at police

by Nelson Zandbergen Courtesy of Farmer’s Forum

Is it time to liberate modern farm machines from the 40 km/h maximum speed limit that applies to them when on the road in Ontario?

The question has been kicked into gear after a Wellington County OPP officer stopped and ticketed the operator of a fertilizer hauler for exceeding the slowmoving-vehicle limit — an action that triggered a social media backlash and 2,900 online comments.

The OPP detachment’s Feb. 28 Facebook post of the eyebrow-raising incident shows the back end of the pulled-over machine and its slow-moving vehicle sign, as viewed through the cruiser’s windshield. The officer’s on-dash radar reads 75 km/h.

Wellington County OPP

“would like to remind you that tractors and implements of husbandry cannot go over 40 km/hr when traveling on a roadway,” the accompany-

ing caption reads. “A tractor this size at those speeds presents a danger to the operator and to other motorists. Visit the Ontario Federation of Agriculture for more info.”

Such truck-like haulers — equipped with huge off-road tires — are a common sight in rural Ontario, moving between fields and agribusinesses to quickly disperse fertilizer in the spring. Also known as floater trucks, they are capable of travelling faster than 40 km/h but still qualify as an implement of husbandry, the same designation as a farm tractor under the Highway Traffic Act.

Wellington County OPP

Const. Joshua Cunningham confirmed for Farmers Forum that the operator — not the company — received a ticket for exceeding the slow-moving-vehicle limit on a road south of Fergus. The $85 ticket “is not one that’s very often issued,” Cunningham said.

The Facebook post was shared over 540 times and

generated 2,900 comments. Cunningham added that the detachment was “not trying to shame anybody” but was acting out of concern for safety and was simply enforcing the law.

But many replies to the post suggested the ticketing officer should have found other things to do.

Wrote Jon Hunt: “You know, I support the police in general because they have a difficult job to do, however, can’t you find something useful to do other than harass farm equipment? The rate of crime activity in our area has increased dramatically …. Perhaps your time is better spent investigating these crimes that have actual victims rather than harassing people for perceived dangers that are often overblown and ignore modern equipment safety factors. It seems to me that farmers traveling closer to road speeds is a good thing.”

Chris Pilger wrote: “I’m pretty sure you’re creating more of a hazard on the

roadway pulling him over.”

Aaron Thomson wrote: “Seems like it would be much safer to let equipment go faster rather than impeding traffic. I’ve yet to hear of an accident due to speeding farm equipment but every day I see multiple near misses from impatient traffic passing equipment in unsafe places.”

“This fertilizer spreader has the same airbrake system as a highway tractor,” wrote Earl Reading, also observing the unit’s signal lights in the photo. He added that under the Highway Traffic Act, the machine can’t be inspected and licensed “due to its tires amongst other things. So fix the HTA to meet the everchanging farm equipment and allow us farmers to feed this ungrateful society we live in.”

Reading’s comment, which garnered 770 likes, drew a reply from Audy Bedard: “Maybe the minister of agriculture should talk to the MTO and tell them that tractors move a little faster

than they did in the 30s. And are completely safe at the higher speeds.”

But Joe Scott, worried about reforming the law, noted, “If they open that can of

worms, they will open us up to safety-ing every cultivator and seed drill and hay wagon in the province. The ticket is far more affordable.”

Collision leads to charges

Submitted by Grenville County OPP

On March 19, 2023 shortly after 6:30 p.m. Grenville County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers responded to a two vehicle collision where a sedan struck a tractor trailer on Highway 401 east bound in the Edwardsburgh-Cardinal Township. No one was injured in the collision. After a brief investigation, the driver of the sedan was arrested. A male, aged 43 from Iroquois, was charged under the Criminal Code (CC) with;

Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs - 320.14(1) (a)

Fail to Comply with Probation Order - 733.1(1)

The driver was released and is scheduled to appear at the Brockville Ontario Court of Justice at a later date.

If you have any information on the above investigations or any other please contact Grenville OPP on 1-888-3101122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-(TIPS) 8477 or submit your tip on-line at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca. Crime Stoppers does not want your name, you don't go to court, and you could earn cash reward.

73’s fold as they run into a hot hand to end their season

Carter Vollett

T: 613.258.3282 F: 613.258.4391 by the sportsguy

Kemptville only had two final games in their barn to stay in the running for a playoff berth as they faced Carleton Place Canadians on Wednesday evening to be slammed 7 - 4, and Smiths Falls Bears on Friday evening to fall 4 - 3.

Kemptville struck first in the initial frame as McDougall reversed to Fennell on the line, over to Nathan Merrett to rifle it top shelf past Jackson Pundyk at 2:40. Mathieu Fehr toe dragged with helpers from Colter and Gourgon put it behind Jacob Biron to knot it at one at 13:46. Mathieu Fehr assisted from Cooper with Soloway recording his second of the contest for the Canadians’ tie

breaker at 17:14.

Matteo Disipio from McGuire and Ryan opened the second stanza at 4:58 to give Carleton Place a 3 to 1 lead. Kemptville countered with Vollett through the neutral zone and dropped back to Merrett on the point saucered to Ty Whyte to pull the trigger at 9:27. The Canadians answered back with Matteo Disipio’s second of the game with assists from Ryan and Hamilton at 10:03. Warner connected with Yakubowski to set up Khaden Henry in the slot at 16:00 to move the 73's within one.

Kemptville initiated a comeback with a tic tac toe from Brazier with Melvin onto Benjamin Campeau

World Water Day: Seriously off track

by Brandon Mayer

An important occasion has turned 30 this year. World Water Day is an annual event that has been held on March 22 every year since 1993. The day is meant to bring awareness to the fact that about 2 billion people around the world still don’t have access to clean water and sanitation.

World Water Day is a United Nations initiative. The organization has stated this year that we are “seriously off track” to meet our goal of ensuring that the entire world has access to clean water and critical sanitation (such as toilets) by the year 2030. Few would disagree that water should be considered a human right, but

tape to begin the last twenty at 1:27. Thomas Dickey’s game winner with helpers from Disipio and Jamieson to give the Canadians the tie breaker at 6:02. Brandon Walker insurance goal from Bouwer with Brady to open the flood gates at 8:03. Solo marker came from Caton Ryan at 12:29 to see Alex Musielak replace Jacob Biron as Carleton Place had a 7 to 4 runaway.

Kemptville matched Carleton Place with 39 SOG with 0/2 PP.

Final season meeting with Smiths Falls Bears on Friday evening was met with a 4 to 3 loss witnessed by 473 fans to deflate the playoff balloon and end the 73’s season.

Kemptville drew first blood when Logue penetrated the line with Trottier to Matthew Yakubowski to beat Dawson Labre at 7:17. Shaymus Stevenson assisted by James and Campbell to flip it by Alex Musielak to even it up at 10:26. A squeaker off the stopper's glove to trickle over the line for Sean James from Barrett with Thompson at 19:09 to break the tie.

Sean James counts his second with a combination from Shaymus Stevenson to start the second twenty to move the Bears ahead at 1:21. PP for Smiths Falls for game winner as James with Brown to find Riley Thompson PPG to make it a 4 to 1 romp at 10:29.

With a man advantage, Whyte tagged Grady Logue PPG from behind the net to launch a comeback at 5:27. Henry hugged the wall across to Campeau to drop back to Coleman Bennett on the line to hammer it home short side at 9:07 to move the needle within one at 4 to 3. Alex Musielak left the ice for extra attacker at 18:42 without success.

Kemptville outgunned their opposition by 46 to 37 with 1/2 PP for both teams.

Your Kemptville 73’s have to close out their season, but not without expressing their appreciation for the community support received from fans of all ages.

See you around the wall next season…Hockey with EDGE

providing it for everyone is a huge task.

In what the UN is calling a “once in a generation” event, the UN 2023 Water Conference is currently underway (or has just passed, for those who read the paper late), being scheduled for March 22-24. The UN Water Conference is the first event of its kind for almost 50 years. Talking about water is one thing, but taking action on the water crisis is entirely another. For individuals, it seems so daunting that it is easy to forget or give up on.

Few of us have the money or time to start drilling wells in areas that don’t have access to clean water, for example.

The question is not what we can’t do, but rather what we can do. The United Nations lists the three most

common and helpful actions that people living in North America can take to do their part in combating the water crisis. These actions are:

1) Save water: Take shorter showers and don’t let the tap run when brushing your teeth, doing dishes and preparing food.

2) Stop polluting: Don’t put food waste, oils, medicines and chemicals down the toilet or drains.

3) Eat local: Buy local, seasonal food and look for products made with less water.

Besides donating to charities that build wells and provide adequate sanitation in developing countries, such as the Kemptville-based Ryan’s Well Foundation, people can undertake the simple actions above to do their part in

meeting the world’s water goals.

When it comes to water shortages, we often think of situations in developing countries. However, it is also important to remember that many first nation reserves in Canada are also struggling with access to clean water.

Providing clean water to everyone in Canada should be seen as just as important as providing clean water in developing countries. When it comes to clean water on reserves, only the federal government can take action, which means that we need to express to our representatives how important we think it is.

Water is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s time that we talk less, and do more to make sure that everyone on Earth has access to it.

Nickname: Moose

Born: Ottawa, ON., Jan. 13, 2002

Position: Left Wing

Previous Hockey Club: Pembroke Lumber Kings

Hockey Hero: Milan Lucic in his prime

Most Inspiring Persons: David Goggins

Favourite TV Show: Sons of Anarchy

Favourite Musician: Rick Allen (Def Leppard)

Favourite Food: Steak & garlic mashed potatoes

Favourite Hockey Moment: Every Game

Favourite Sport other than Hockey: Football Life as a Jr. A Player: Time consuming but rewarding. Some of my best memories in life One word that describes me: Lively

The needle was set for a comeback, hands of time decided differently…Khaden Henry, Benjamin Campeau with Grady Logue approve of Coleman Bennetts missile short side from the point to pull the 73’s within one during a must win on Friday evening excursion against the Smiths Falls Bears.

Part-time Building Custodian Handyperson

Job Description

The position is responsible for daily cleaning of the building as well as all repairs assigned by the Property Manager. These tasks include:

Garbage collection - Surface cleaning - Floor cleaning /Mopping and vacuuming - Final cleaning of vacant apartments prior to initial occupancy - Troubleshoot and perform minor repairs on heating, cooling and ventilation systems, plumbing systems, and electrical systems - Performing annual apartment inspections with Property Manager - Monthly building fire alarm and system testing and verification - General HVAC: replace filters, replace belts - General plumbing: unblock drains , repair leaks - General Electrica: receptacle replacement, light fixture replacement. switch replacements - Painting, drywall patching and repair - Summer grounds maintenance pruning, hedge trimming, etc. - Seasonal installation and removal of window AC units.

Qualifications & Essential Skills:

Skills: Must be familiar with and able to use power tools, hand tools required for light carpentry, electrical, plumbing and HVAC. Ability to operate lawn maintenance equipment as well as snow removal equipment (snowblower) required. Must be friendly and able to communicate effectively in a courteous manner with others. Problem solving and critical thinking also required.

Experience: Previous maintenance and/or custodian person experience required.

Physical Capabilities: Work can be physically demanding, requiring bending, crouching, kneeling. Must be physically capable of lifting 100lbs.

Terms of Employment:

Permanent contract, part-time (3hrs/day Mon-Fri), flexible weekday daytime hours with ability to set own schedule. Vulnerable sector police record check required before hiring complete.

Work Setting:

Small, 30 unit multi-residential seniors apartment building.

Work Location: 5581 Dr. Leach Drive, Manotick, ON

Salary: Starting at $25 hourly, depending on experience. Please forward resumes to rideauhousing@rogers.com

letters cont'd

Dear Editor, I am pleased to read Zara Zrudlo’s contributions to the NG Times, especially their March 16, 2023 piece, Heritage. Their response to Lorraine Rekmans’ letter regarding the acknowledgement of Indigenous land reinforces my long-held opinion. Listening to land acknowledgements read or recited before any number of meetings, I wondered who, including the listeners, understands the statement.

The words are meaningless to many as evidenced by the absence of Indigenous heritage in the Heritage Week issue of this paper. There are readers who will balk when I write, this is our home on native land. Those who recoil have not heard nor understood the acknowledgement recognizes the historical and contemporary presence of Indigenous people in North Grenville.

The Legal Aid Ontario Webpage succinctly states, land acknowledgements must be personal, heart-felt, and honest. Fulfilment of the acknowledgement requires understanding. Understanding we are on the path of learning about Indigenous history, culture, and contemporary issues. Understanding the purpose and what we hope to achieve in delivering a land acknowledgement.

Understanding the power of a land acknowledgement is essential to establishing healthy, reciprocal relations while respecting and recognizing Indigenous People. The individuals giving

the land acknowledgment must be able to cite their organization’s work toward understanding, truth, and reconciliation.

Rote recitations and cold readings of the land acknowledgement can be a misunderstood stew of verbiage. All too quickly, since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report in 2015, the land acknowledgement has become a tired paternoster.

Michael Whittaker

Dear Editor, My favourite part of this paper is always the “letters to the editor”, and in this week’s paper, I appreciate the opinions of all four authors. First, Jean Hartjes’ “Our Home on Native Land”. Yes, I agree. Second, Lorraine Rekmans – also, I couldn’t agree more. This is still Algonquin land. At the very least they (the province) should not be putting the prison on Algonquin land. Some of this vacant land or all should be kept and returned to them. And to Elaine McGreavy, I understand your despair. I live on Prescott Street and the traffic has always been heavy here, but it keeps getting worse with so many dump trucks and very heavy trucks with long loaded trailers besides. I do still have my backyard to get to in the summer. The noise is somewhat less. And last, but not least, Leo Kleiss. I think you are quite right about the health care system. I have never had

MUNICIPAL OFFICE HOURS

The Municipal office is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Visit our events calendar to find out what’s happening in the community: www.northgrenville.ca/events

UPCOMING MEETINGS

COUNCIL MEETINGS

Please see the Council agenda for further details on how to participate in Council meetings. All Council meetings will be live streamed on YouTube at: youtube.com/user/NorthGrenville/ featured and on the Municipality’s website at: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings

To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please provide your comments no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting to clerk@northgrenville.on.ca.

Council agendas are available at: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings.

• Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. (Open Session) – Council Chambers

• Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. (Open Session) – Council Chambers

• Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. (Open Session) – Council Chambers

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Committees may be meeting in-person or virtually. Please see the Committee agenda for details on how to attend. Agendas can be found on the Municipal website at www.northgrenville.ca/ meetings.

VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Marketing Coordinator Summer Student

to worry about that yet, but my luck might run out. I have been lucky to not be a big user, and I am a bit of a health nut and it does seem to keep me away from medical help, but my luck probably won’t last forever. Thank you so much for your letters.

Kathy Piché

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill the position of Tourism Student. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualification in confidence to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023. Visit www.northgrenville.ca/careers for details and more information on how to apply.

Tourism Summer Student

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill the position of Tourism Student. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualification in confidence to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023.Visit www.northgrenville.ca/careers for details and more information on how to apply.

Parks and Recreation Seasonal Student

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture is currently accepting applications for full and part-time spring/summer student positions. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualification in confidence to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023. Visit www.northgrenville.ca/careers for details and more information on how to apply.

Advisory Committees

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill volunteer positions on various Advisory Committees of Council.

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee due 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023.

• Heritage Advisory Committee

• Housing Advisory Committee

• Indigenous Advisory Circle

• Property Standards Committee

Visit www.northgrenville.ca/careers for more information on how to apply. For questions, please contact the Clerk by email at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca or by telephone at 613-258-9569 ext 171. Applications due by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2023.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Community members are invited to take a community survey to assist in the creation of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy. The survey is available at www.northgrenville.ca/equity and hard copies are available at the North Grenville Municipal Office (285 County Road 44), the North Grenville Public Library (1 Water Street), Kemptville Youth Centre (5 Oxford Street West), North Grenville Community Living (2830 County Road 43), and Seniors’ Community Services (215 Sanders Street). TThe survey is open until 4:00p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023.

Building: 613-258-9569 x130 Fax: 613-258-1441

Fire Services Info: 613-258-9569 x201

Fax: 613-258-1031

By-Law Services: email: bylawinquiries@northgrenville.on.ca

613-258-9569 x211

Police Administration: 613-258-3441

Animal Control: 613-862-9002

One bird's topsy- turvy spring

Once again the weather does a flip-flop and everything has to rethink as to what it is doing and how it is going to cope with it! We haven't got to the first day of Spring yet and some of the hibernating animals, such as the Chipmunks, have already popped out to have a look around. This, of course, doesn't over impress the resident non-hibernating members of our garden crew, the squirrels, who don't really want any more competitors to their food supplies! On the other hand, the birds just carry on as normal, warily, competing within their kindred flock members and a few others, for their turn in the "pecking order". Hopefully, the budding Crocuses, forcing their way upwards through the Niger Seed husks at the front of the house, along with other budding plants and trees, will soon provide them with more of their natural foods. Until the appearance of such a food supply is more established, we'll have to continue our support for them all until we ourselves are certain that they can survive independently without our support.

One of our resident birds in our topsy-turvy weather, is the beautiful little "Upside-down Bird" a White- breasted Nuthatch, but even it has its moments of uncertainty, as can be seen in the picture of it being the "right way up!" What a lovely treat, as it shows off its other side! Maybe you too have had the good fortune of seeing one in your "neck of the woods". Stay safe and well.

Cheers, John Baldwin

Tid Bit Musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters RSSW

Baldwin’s Birds Charlee’s Hero WOD to raise awareness and support families

What does equality mean to you? Is it a blanket term or are there related conditions? Defining and supporting equality requires clarification and understanding of the connotations. Crying "equality" with no reference to ability is threatening our growth as a society.

As a society, we like to claim equality in terms of employment, color, sexuality, spirituality, and opportunities. In reality we need to address whether an individual has the qualifications and experience to attain equality. To simply accept one based on color, sex, or whatever the defining characteristic is, could jeopardize someone's well-being. For example, a person being accepted as a firefighter without the physical strength and insight is of danger to the colleagues and the fire's occupants. When we speak of equality, we must not discriminate based on particular characteristics just because of those characteristics.

As we educate ourselves and others, it is crucial to bring into awareness the responsibilities and training of the individual. It is true,"you can be whatever you want to be" IF you put in the training and education, along with experience. Experience is gained through doing, and that can/will include making mistakes. We hopefully learn from our mistakes. Equality will be achieved through your attitude and aptitude!

Theft at local Walmart location

by Brandon Mayer

It’s something that certainly doesn’t happen every day in a small town – masked individuals running out of a busy department store with stolen electronics. But it’s something that happened here in Kemptville early last week at the local Walmart location.

Social media users were initially alerted to the theft in a post by a customer who was in the store at the time, which was later taken down. Another Walmart employee confirmed for the Times that three male suspects walked confidently through the store, laughing as a witness noticed them.

Thefts from department stores are not particularly rare. One estimate suggests that Walmart loses the equivalent of 1% of its gross revenue to theft, or about $1 for every $99 spent. While this is only one source and can’t be independently verified, it is without a doubt that sur-

submitted by Jane Adams

The amazing team behind Charlee’s Run is at it again –and they are inviting everyone to join them.

This year, a new event is being planned and all proceeds will support the Winchester District Memorial Hospital’s Family Birthing Unit.

Charlee’s Hero WOD (Workout of the Day) takes place on Saturday, May 13 from 9 am to 3 pm at CrossFit Kemptville. Workouts will run every hour on the hour and are scalable for all fitness levels. The cost to participate is just $20 per person. Kids under 12 can participate for free. Local vendors will be on site.

Charlee’s Hero WOD aims to bring the community together to raise awareness for pregnancy and infant loss, to offer support for those in need, and to provide an outlet for families to remember the little ones that have been lost too soon.

“We hosted Charlee’s Run last year and the community has asked for another event to support our goal to raise awareness around pregnancy and infant loss. After losing our daughter Charlee, we never wanted another family to feel alone. If our story could reach even one family in, then it was worth it,” explains Charlee’s Run organizer Mallory Holmes. “Thank you to my CrossFit Kemptville colleague Aly Johnson for kindly offering the idea and the space for this fundraiser.”

“Thank you to Mallory and Aly for organizing another special event in honour of Charlee,” says Justine Plummer, the WDMH Foundation’s Manager of Direct Mail & Events. “We are looking forward to working out!”

To register, email charleesrun@gmail.com with the name(s) of people who would like to join and which time slot you prefer between 9 and 3. Spaces are limited to 10 per hour, so don’t wait to secure your spot! For more details, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/121826624578726 3/?ref=newsfeed.

reptitious shoplifters often take advantage of the busy environment of department stores. What is rare about last week’s theft is the brazen nature of the alleged crime.

A spokesperson for the Ontario Provincial Police confirmed that an incident took place at a “store on Colonnade Drive in Kemptville”, but did not name the store as is protocol for OPP statements.

“At approximately 18:44 on March 12, 2023, three young males entered a store on Colonnade Drive in Kemptville,” said Const. Ann Collins of the OPP. “The three males had face coverings and walked directly to the electronics department. Once the display was accessible, the three males grabbed various iPad tablets totalling $4,500 and took off running towards the emergency doors. Video surveillance outside the store shows the males running north at

the corner of the LCBO parking lot where they entered a white vehicle.”

The three males are described as follows:

- Caucasian, 16 to 20 years old, brown hair separated in the middle with dreadlocks. Male was wearing a red puffy jacket and grey sweat pants. Thin and possibly around 5'8.

- Darker complexion, 18 to 22 years old, black hair wearing a blue sweater and grey sweat pants. Appears to be a bit older than the other two.

- Black, 16 to 20 years old, black hair, thin, wearing a white puffy sleeveless jacket with dark sweater under. Dark pants and red running shoes.

Const. Collins confirmed that the incident took approximately three minutes from start to finish. Anyone with information regarding what happened is encouraged to contact the Grenville County OPP at 613-258-3441.

Yazdani Family Dentistry responds with insights on Odd Fellows building

The Marketing Director for Yazdani Family Dentistry has reached out to the Times to provide further insight into what will become of the so-called “Odd Fellows Hall” in downtown Kemptville. Yazdani purchased the historic building a few years ago, after it had been the headquarters of the local chapter of the Odd Fellows fraternal organization for well over

a century.

“Ultimately, we have renovated the Oddfellows building to host office spaces in the upstairs portion of the building,” said Yazdani Family Dentistry Marketing Director Lisa Leduc. “This will act as our ‘headquarters’ for the office. With our now three locations and the bulk of the leadership team working primarily out of Kemptville, we needed more space.”

The move is being made in part to help ac-

OPP Report

Two people charged after break and enter

commodate other plans for growth within Kemptville. “Dr. Yazdani has intentions on expanding the Kemptville office (115 Sanders St.) in our near future so that we can accommodate more patients and get back to a more timely schedule for treatments again,” said Lisa. “The Oddfellows building will also act as our training centre for staff development. Dr. Yazdani invests in his team regularly by providing continuous learning opportunities so that we can provide the best in customer service for our patients. We are always striving for excellence in everything we do.”

Given that the historic building was once a booming social hall, many locals are no doubt wondering whether there will be opportunities for renting space in the building. Unfortunately for eager social butterflies in North Grenville, the answer to that question is “not right now”.

“I know that the com-

munity is wondering if we will be renting the building out to the community as we have a stage in the lower half of the Oddfellows building,” said Lisa. “Although this is something we do want to be able to do, it is not something we can offer at this time. However, we do hope to be able to create partnership opportunities with other local businesses for potentially hosting community events there. At this time, due to insurance and budget restraints, we will not be renting the hall out to the community. If anyone is interested in collaborating on something, they are welcome to reach out to me.”

The newly renovated building has visible signs of new life, after spending a few years as a shuttered reminder of a different era. Anyone wishing to contact Lisa can reach her at lisaleduc@yazdanidental.ca.

THOMAS M. BYRNE

Barrister and Solicitor

General Practice

Corporate / Commercial Family Law

Estates

Real Estate

Wills & Powers of Attorney

tom@tmblaw.ca

613.258.1277 222 Prescott St., Kemptville

Two people have been charged after a break and enter on Centre Street, Spencerville. On March 3, at around 5 pm., officers from Grenville County OPP responded to a break and enter. After a short investigation, one person was located and taken into custody.

A male, aged 23, from Johnstown, was charged under the Criminal Code with:

· Break, enter a place- with intent to commit indictable offence- one count

· Disguise with intent- one count

· Mischief under $5,000- one count

· Being intoxicated in public place- Liquor Licence Act (LLA)- one count

The accused was released to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville on April 14, 2023.

Further investigation identified a second person involved. A male, aged 24, from Edwardsburgh Township, was charged with:

· Break, enter a place- with intent to commit indicatable offence- one count

· Disguise with intent- one count

· Mischief under $5,000- one count

The accused was held for a bail hearing in the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville on March 15, 2023.

Driver charged with impaired

One person has been charged after a two-vehicle collision on Highway 401.

On March 12, at around 7:30 pm, officers from Grenville County OPP responded to a motor vehicle collision on Highway 401 in the Township of Augusta. There were no injuries to the parties involved, but as a result of an investigation, one of the drivers was arrested.

A male driver, aged 39, from Bois-Des-Filion, Quebec, was charged under the Criminal Code (CC) with:

· Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs

· Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

The driver was released and is scheduled to appear at the Brockville Ontario Court of Justice at a later date.

If you have any information on the above investigations or any other, please contact Grenville OPP on 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-(TIPS) 8477 or submit your tip on-line at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca. Crime Stoppers does not want your name, you don't go to court, and you could earn cash reward.

TOP SECRET CLEARANCE CANADA (LEVEL lll)

RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL INTERIOR / EXTERIOR PAINTING-DRYWALL REPAIR-STIPPLE-STUCCOWALLPAPER-EPOXY-PLASTER-CAULKINGSTAINING-PRESSURE WASHING 613 298-7811 http://oliverpaintingottawa.ca/

Do you care about the health of your family, your community and your environment? We are recruiting one enthusiastic person to represent public interests for the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Region. The Source Protection Committee oversees the implementation of science-based source protection plans to protect municipal water sources in the Mississippi Valley and Rideau Valley watersheds. We meet several times a year in various locations across the region.

The former “Odd Fellows Hall”, soon set to be office space for Yazdani Family Dentistry by Brandon Mayer

Farmers urged to keep safety top of mind as planting season approaches

by Jackie Kelly-Pemberton, Director Ontario Federa-

tion

of

Agriculture

TRAVEL TALK

the reasons safety is essential for the sustainability of farm businesses.

Spring

is just around the corner and that means farmers will soon be hitting the fields to get this year’s crops into the ground. It’s a busy time of year, which makes it more important than ever to keep safety top of mind.

This week is Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, an annual event that those of us in the farm community use to increase awareness of farm safety, share resources and promote the importance of developing best practices and farm safety plans.

This year’s theme, Safety is Our Promise, is part of the three-year safety campaign called “Your Farm, Your Family, Your Success.” In 2023, organizers from the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association are focusing on practical safety advice and inspiring conversations about farm safety while highlighting

Safety is important in any business but it’s even more critical in agriculture because for us, the farm isn’t just a workplace, it’s also where we live and raise our families.

My husband and I farm in Dundas County in Eastern Ontario, where I’m an active member of our local farm safety organization. We do a lot of work at local events and farm shows – like the Ottawa Valley Farm Show taking place this week – and through advertisements in local media to remind farmers of how important it is to be safe. This is particularly key during a busy time of year like planting where days are long as we rush to get our crops planted as quickly as possible.

These late winter weeks before we can get rolling with planting are a great time to inspect and do maintenance on farm

equipment, and make sure everything is working correctly and safely. Once the season gets underway, stay alert, avoid working when you’re over-tired, wear protective gear, and make sure your employees know how to keep themselves safe too. And just in case the worst does happen, have a first aid kit and emergency contact numbers handy.

Road safety is also an important aspect of farm safety. Too many accidents involving vehicles and farm equipment happen every year, and both farmers and motorists have a role to play in keeping our roads safe. Our local federation of agriculture was one of many across the province who participated in a slow moving vehicle signage campaign last year to help raise awareness of this important issue.

It’s not just physical safety that matters, though. Emotional and mental health is important too. Research over the last

few years has helped draw attention to the high levels of stress that farmers face, and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture was proud to launch the Farmer Wellness Initiative last year in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association – Ontario Division and with government funding support.

It includes a confidential telehealth line that makes mental wellness support available free of charge to all Ontario farmers and farm families 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in English and French. Trained counsellors who understand the realities of agriculture can help with any issue, not just those related to farming.

If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, you can access support at 1-866-267-6255, with additional resources available on the Farmer Wellness Initiative website.

I know we are busy planning for spring, but it’s important that we make farm safety part of that plan. You’ll find information and resources that can help you do that on the OFA website.

by Scott Waldron and Diane Wilson, Gravitate Travel

April is right around the corner. It may seem like it's a bit early to be thinking about December's holiday season, but did you know that when it comes to travel, the early bird truly does get the worm (or in this case, the best rooms, the best views and often the best deals).

Booking your trip early gives you many benefits, and we encourage you to take advantage of that. We’ve listed some of them here to help you make your decision.

1. We know that traveling at holiday times can be expensive with elevated pricing due to high season, especially for larger families or large group travel; this is why we recommend putting a small deposit down now to secure the resort and room/cabin of your choice and paying the balance closer to the departure date, or work with your travel professional to pay off your vacation on your terms.

2. Booking now means you can secure that ocean view, swimup suite, or that ever popular guaranteed connecting room for families, or a preferred cabin category on your cruise.

3. Many travel partners will offer bonus incentives for booking early, ask your travel professional.

4. Worried about the price dropping after you book… some of the tour operators may offer a price drop guarantee. Ask about this when you are speaking to your travel professional.

5. And don’t forget, once you’ve made your deposit, secure your travel protection and/or travel insurance at the same time to protect your vacation investment. What’s the difference between the two? Ask your travel professional.

6. Booking now means you have more time to prepare and make a plan for everything you want to see and do before you arrive, saving you more time for fun with your loved ones.

7. Now that you’re booked, it really frees up your time to enjoy spending quality time with your family and friends throughout the holiday season, or shopping, or baking, or anything else that makes you smile!

The bottom line is, booking early gives you the chance to choose exactly what you want and need for your trip, and that is what makes a great vacation!

Schedule an appointment either in person or on the phone to talk to one of our travel professionals using our easy online scheduling tool. When you’re ready, we can assist you in making all the right travel choices. Go to www. gravitate.travel and click on the Let’s Talk icon on the top right hand side.

TICO # 50026003 709 RIDEAU STREET, UNIT 2, KEMPTVILLE, ON K0G 1J0

It’s never too early to be thinking about your holiday travel!

MyChart connects patients to their health story

Terry MacLellan and his family have lived in Barrhaven for 13 years, but they still think of Winchester District Memorial Hospital as their hospital of choice. In fact, they wouldn’t think twice about driving down Highway 31 for care. Now, Terry says the option to use MyChart to track the care his family receives is an added bonus.

MyChart is a secure online portal that enables patients to see and manage their personal health information any time, anywhere. Three local hospitals are now offering this new option to their patients.

As part of the Epic digital health network joined by Deep River & District Hospital, Kemptville District Hospital, and Winchester District Memorial Hospital late last year, patients can now have greater access to their own information through MyChart. Patients anywhere across the network of hospitals in the Ottawa region can see their own health records, including aftervisit summaries, upcoming appointments, test results, progress notes, discharge notes, medical imaging reports and

more. Patients can also record their medications, allergies, and health measurements, such as blood pressure and weight.

Terry says his daughter starting using MyChart first and he signed up following a recent visit to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. He was able to compare the test results from before and after a medication change. “It’s all there and it’s pretty cool,” he notes. “It keeps track of your medications, your blood tests and the dates of your procedures. We also get notifications from the app when a test or lab report is in. It’s hard to remember everything but it’s all there and we can share information with one another too.”

To sign up for MyChart, patients need a valid email account and an activation code. There are several options to sign up:

- Ask hospital registration staff to sign you up when you are registering.

- Use the MyChart activation code on your After-Visit Summary.

- Complete a paper form and present government issued photo ID to Health Records to request an activation code. Your activation code will then

be emailed to you.

“Signing up for MyChart is easy and I can even use it on my phone,” adds Terry. “I would highly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to get on MyChart because it really gives you the control for your own health care. We’re going to sign my wife up next!”

The Atlas Alliance network of local hospitals using Epic and MyChart includes Deep River & District Hospital, Hawkesbury and District General Hospital, Kemptville District Hospital, The Ottawa Hospital, Renfrew Victoria Hospital, St. Francis Memorial Hospital, University of Ottawa Heart Institute and Winchester District Memorial Hospital. For patients who visit a non-Epic site and would like access to their records, requests can be made through the hospital’s Health Records department. For more information about how to register for MyChart, please visit your local hospital’s website.

Don’t

let food safety in the kitchen lapse

It’s an age-old problem, but not one that should come with age. Yet, compared to younger culinary novices, elderly people may be more prone to making mistakes in food preparation that can lead to food poisoning.

Kitchens can be a dangerous place. So no harm in having a refresher to make sure food safety in the kitchen doesn’t lapse. You know why. Recall that occasion when it seemed like a good meal – until later, when cramps, nausea and diarrhea had you vowing never to eat again. Unless you’ve been visiting uncared for places or you are victim to an outbreak of foodborne illness, there’s no excuse for food poisoning other than an unfortunate mistake.

Unfortunately, mistakes happen, and with some frequency in the kitchens of seniors. For example, a study published in the Journal of Food Protection found that older adults were less likely to use food thermometers when cooking meat, increasing the risk of undercooked meat.

Another study found that elderly people were more likely to store food at unsafe temperatures, such as leaving perishable foods out at room temperature for too long or storing them in the refrigerator at temperatures above 40°F (4°C). This could increase the risk of bacterial growth.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that older adults are more likely to develop severe complications

from foodborne illnesses, such as kidney failure or sepsis, due to age-related changes in the immune system and underlying health conditions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) claims that contaminated food is one of the most serious health problems in the world. It's usually due to an organism called E. coli. And for infants, pregnant women and the elderly the consequences of consuming it can be fatal.

The good news is that food safety in the kitchen is straightforward and largely unchanging.

One - Wash your hands repeatedly. Your fingers are excellent at transmitting infection.

Two - Keep kitchen surfaces meticulously clean. Bacteria always win if you become careless.

Three - Protect food from insects and rodents in cupboards and drawers. Animals often carry pathogenic organisms that cause foodborne disease. Store food in closed containers.

Four - Many foods such as fruits and vegetables are better in their natural state. But others are not safe unless they're processed. For instance, lettuce needs thorough washing and pasteurized milk is safer than raw milk.

Five - Cook food thoroughly. Many raw foods such as poultry, meats and eggs may be contaminated with disease causing organisms. Thorough cooking will kill the pathogens. So if cooked chicken is raw near

the bone put it back in the oven until it's done.

Six - Eat cooked foods immediately. When cooked foods cool to room temperature, bacteria begin to multiply. The longer the wait the greater the risk.

Seven - Store cooked foods carefully. A common error is putting too large a quantity of warm food in the refrigerator. In an overburdened refrigerator, food remains warm too long allowing bacteria to proliferate.

Eight - Reheat cooked foods thoroughly. This is your best protection against bacteria that may have developed during storage.

Nine - Avoid contact between raw foods and cooked foods. For instance, safely cooked foods can become contaminated by even the slightest contact with raw food. So don't prepare a raw chicken and then use the same unwashed cutting board and knife to carve a cooked bird.

Ten - Add a pinch of common sense. If something seems “off”, then don’t eat it. If food is past it’s expiry date, throw it out.

Sign-up at www.docgiff. com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us on Instagram @ docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones

Submitted by Jenny Read

L-R: Terry, Andrea, Scott, Courtney MacLellan

Greener Homes Grant: Rebates for furnace upgrades and more

by Brandon Mayer

With home heating costs skyrocketing across the country, and predictions that it will only get worse from here, it is no wonder why homeowners are seeking ways to lower their bills. It turns out that there is government help available to do so.

The federal government has partnered with Enbridge Gas to bring rebates for a wide variety of home upgrades. Canada’s Greener Homes Grant provides rebates – some worth thousands of dollars – for upgrades including home energy assessments, home insulation, air sealing, new windows and doors, space and water heating, smart thermostats, solar panels, and weather proofing. The goal is to make Canadian homes “greener” by increasing heating and cooling efficiency, and switching to energy sources that are renewable and cleaner.

The Government of Canada has contracted Enbridge Gas as its delivery partner for the program. To participate, homeowners must schedule a home energy assessment, complete at least one of the recommended upgrades, and then schedule a follow up assessment before receiving the grant for the specific upgrade(s) they completed. Up to $600 can be reimbursed for the assess-

ments themselves. Rebates vary in amount, with some as low as $125 for a smart thermostat or $325 for each qualifying window and door, and the highest possible grant being $10,000 for upgrades to home insulation.

Local expert Rick Buffham has been eager to share his knowledge on one particular side of these home energy upgrades – the HVAC side. He explained that the federal and provincial governments are strongly pushing toward upgrades to heat pumps, which is what the HVAC rebates are currently focusing on.

Rick explained that home heating costs are unmanageable for a lot of people right now. “Being a rural contractor for as long as I’ve been, I can say that this has been a horrible year,” he said. “The fuel cost, especially when natural gas isn’t available, is absolutely the highest it has ever been.” For many customers in our area, particularly those outside of the denser settlement areas, reliance on ever more expensive energy sources – such as propane – is a reality.

The province is currently working to an eventual goal of all-electric heating, but that concept can be scary for many people who have been told over the course of decades that electricity is the most expensive way to heat. However, heat pump systems work differently. While they do operate us-

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

The origin of the Hamburger has been in dispute for quite some time. However, the name itself is probably an indication of its true origin. In the 19th century, minced beef and onion patties were served on a plate rather than bread, took their name from beef raised in the countryside around Hamburg and became Hamburger Steaks. Since they were often served with bread or as a sandwich, one can infer that placing the patty inside a bun was a natural evolution, particularly in the US. Meanwhile, of course, the Hamburger has become a staple dish all over the world. Now, you can surely get a ¼ inch by 4 inch piece of something that is called a Hamburger but tastes a lot like cardboard at certain fast food joints; or, you can have a real, honest to goodness HAMBURGER. This recipe is how our family treats the Classic Hamburger. Classic Hamburg

Ingredients

2 pounds of medium ground beef (up to 25% fat) at room temperature

2 pounds of ground pork (it comes in at about 15% fat) at room temperature

½ cup of sweet onions, finely chopped

½ cup of steel ground oatmeal

2 eggs

¼ cup of your favourite sauce, e.g. Catsup, BBQ sauce, Korean BBQ marinade

3 tablespoons of crushed garlic

A couple of dashes each of Worcestershire and Tabasco Sauce

ing electricity, they use the environment as their source of heat. There are different models of heat pumps, including air source, ground source, and water source heat pumps. “This isn’t just straight electricity,” added Rick. “Air source heat pumps – yes they’re running with electricity, but they’re creating their own heat.”

Rick confirmed that Ontario does have expensive electricity, but because of the rising costs of other energy sources driven largely by federal carbon taxes, the gap is closing. He explained that even as recently as five years ago, a switch from allelectric heating (such as an electric furnace or baseboard heaters) to a propane furnace would save a homeowner about 25% in energy costs. Today, the same switch would probably not save the homeowner a penny. “The electrical stigma is definitely there, but this is heat pumps – the average efficiency of a geothermal heat pump is over 500%,” said Rick.

While heat pumps can be put in anywhere, HVAC professionals also know how to weigh different options for saving customers money. For example, Rick explained that some homes may need prohibitively expensive electrical panel upgrades in order to support a heat pump, in which case HVAC professionals can recommend other options for saving money. In addition,

Preparation

Livingstone - Peter David

while heating with natural gas is still far less expensive than heating with propane or oil, these systems can have a heat pump added to make a “hybrid” system, which also has an advantage because heat pumps work for both heating and cooling.

The logical first step for saving money on home heating costs is to make upgrades to insulation, and to outdated doors and windows as needed. Rick explained that no matter what your fuel source is for your home heating, it makes sense to “tighten up” your house to keep the generated heat inside. When the insulation and windows are sufficient, it’s time to look at furnace upgrades, including heat pump options or the addition of a heat pump to a natural gas furnace. Although there is a cap on how much rebate money can be claimed for each household, the Greener Homes Grant provides guaranteed money for people who complete specified upgrades. This differs from some past rebate programs that were more complex and ambiguous.

For more information or for an HVAC consultation, visit https://www.rbheating. com/. More information about the Greener Homes Grant can be found at https:// www.enbridgegas.com/residential/rebates-energy-conservation/home-efficiencyrebate-plus.

·Spray a cookie sheet with Canola oil

·Thoroughly hand mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl

·Hand fashion thick patties of ¼ pound of the mixture and place on the cookie sheet

·Place your cookie sheet in the freezer, let freeze, remove the patties and store in a freezer bag

·When ready to cook, take out however many patties you need and defrost

·You can then either: broil or bake them in the oven, fry them or BBQ them

Serving

Now comes the fun part. "Dressing a Hamburg" is a work of art. First you need a good bun, such as Grahame's. Some people like to toast the bun; my preference is to leave it alone or warm it slightly in the microwave. You place your cooked patty on the bun. Then, you can dress with a slice of onion or tomato, slather with Bacon Jam (recipe of 13 September 2021), homemade or green relish, mustard (I prefer a grainy one from Mrs. McGarrigle's) or anything else that suits your taste buds. Some folks have to have Catsup on their Burg, others not. The Classic Hamburger allows for a lot of tastes. At Salamanders, we even serve a Hamburger Soup from time to time!

The Hamburger isn't just a summer treat, it's great family fare all year round. We can only manage to eat one per person at our table; big appetites will require two. So enjoy and please provide me with your take on the Classic Hamburg at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

At the Ottawa Heart Institute on Tuesday March 7, 2023, age 78. He is survived by his beloved and cherished wife of 52 years, Bonnie (Bonita); sister Nora (Ken Vince), brothers Jim and Angus (Sami Dent), Sister-in-law Pat (Fern Marques), brother-in-law Peter (Kathy) Proulx and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. Predeceased by his parents Flora and John Livingstone (Ancaster, Ontario). Also pre-deceased by brother-in-law Paul Proulx (lovingly remembered by Carol and Mary Lou). Greatly missed by cousin (and life-long partner in various escapades) Lawrie Livingstone; dear friends Cy and Julie McKenna and Irene Murphy. He was a proud Mason and former Master of Temple Lodge 665, Ottawa and member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Ottawa. Peter was happiest when he was working on his home, which he built and which he never considered finished; riding his mower to ensure the grass and shrubs met his standards; teasing his friends and neighbours and reading through his 900+ cookbooks to plan meals and gatherings for his family and friends. He leaves behind a legacy of humour, joy and respect for his honesty, caring, generosity and kindness. The family is particularly grateful to the doctors of the Ottawa Heart Institute for their kindness and compassion: particularly Dr. Robert Chen, Dr.Hadi Toeg, Dr. Michael Froeschi and Dr. Chidam Yagappan and to the wonderful nurses in the unit who cared for Peter tirelessly and also comforted and supported Bonnie. Particular gratitude also to Greer and Shelly Knox and Robert Mead for their unceasing concern, care and support; to Magdalena and Tad Adams and to Owen Severn. A Memorial Service for Peter will be held at the Kars Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 1610 Roger Stevens Drive, Kars, Ontario, on Wednesday, May 17th at 1:00 p.m. followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers donations to The Lanark Animal Welfare Society or the Ottawa Heart Institute would be appreciated by the family. Tributes, donations or condolences may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com.

FOR SALE

Champion generator, 4000 WATT, like new, 4 plug 15 amp, 120/240 volt 3 prong plug $340. nadfudt@gmail.com

R.V. screened room add on to extend your space. Good condition, no longer needed. $200. nadfudt@gmail.com

Cedars for hedging, 2' tp 10', Tamarac & Spruce. Call Jim after 6pm 613-258-3561

Property for rent for spring & fall deer & turkey hunting. Call Jim after 6pm 613-2583561

Serta Queen mattress with queen box spring. Asking $100. (613)2582604

Firewood for sale. Cut, split, seasoned, mixed hardwood. $105/face cord. Call Ken 613 323 5503 20230201

Dry firewood for sale $110 a cord plus delivery fee.

Call or text Jon 613-2273650

For Sale: Never used 1/3 horsepower Emerson motor. $100 firm. Call Reg - 613 258 7606

Saturn Rosewood Acoustic Guitar, 40 yrs old never used, in original pkg, $375 or best offier. 613-567-8533

Wheelchair, Fuse 5.0 with accessories; Shower chair with coasters & commode. $375 each. Call 613-5678533.

MISCELLANEOUS

HISTORIC HALL AVAILABLE FOR RENTALS in

CROSSWORD

Beautiful Burritts Rapids! Start a book club in time for cooler weather in a hamlet near walking trails and parkettes. Our hall is well equipped for any gathering or celebration, and we offer very competitive rates. http://burrittsrapids.com

WANTED

Experienced+local farming family looking to buy a farm. Min. 10ac tillable with a liveable house. Open to creative solutions. davidrbailie@gmail.com.

Looking to rent farmland for cash crops. Call or text Mitch @ 613262-1204. (8 weeks)

COMMUNITY EVENTS

KLUB 67 Euchre – Fun, social card playing every 2nd and 4th Wednesday monthly at 1PM, September to May. Location: Kemptville Legion, 100 Reuben Cres, Kemptville. Everyone welcome $5., cash prizes.

BREAKFAST, Kemptville Legion! Every 3rd Saturday from 8-10am - $8 for adults, $6 for children 10 and under. Euchre will be held following breakfast, registration starts at 11:30 am.

Kemptville Legion: Now Open Fridays 1-7. Free Pool and Darts. Everyone Welcome

BINGO, Kemptville Legion, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, doors open at noon

North Grenville Duplicate Bridge Club Bridge, Masonic Lodge 311 Van Buren Kemptville, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 12:15. All Levels of bridge players are welcome. Info call 613-795-7155

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

Easy Medium Hard

Solution to last week’s Crossword

The Weather with Connor

featuring Connor Mockett

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to another week of The Weather with Connor. Last column, I talked about my top 3 favourite storm chases I’ve ever been on. This week, I thought I’d talk about the story of my worst storm chase.

Disclaimer: I know this storm was a huge deal for many, many people and turned their lives upside down. I am not diminishing that, just talking about my chase day when it happened.

The date is Saturday, May 21, 2022. It was a warm late spring day, and thunderstorms were forecast across a wide area from the Eastern Ontario region, all the way to the Quebec City region. The thunderstorms in the Eastern Ontario region were supposed to fire up in the early afternoon, and generally be non-severe in nature. Parameters were not all that impressive around here. Southeastern Quebec, however, was supposed to have a big day. A tornado outbreak was actually possible that day, and a tornado watch was issued in the early afternoon as storms started to fire in the middle of the afternoon.

The Quebec event was pretty hyped up in the weather community. For multiple days in advance, weather models were consistently showing an environment capable of producing tornadoes in isolated supercells. On Saturday morning, I took one final look at the models, and headed out to my target area: Trois-Rivières, Quebec. This was the furthest east I’d ever chased, but I knew the terrain was good from previous times scouting the area on Google Maps.

I packed my car with my chasing essentials. Cameras, dashcam, snacks, and an overnight bag for a hotel in case I chased into the night. I left at about 8:30 am that morning and began my 4 hour drive to my target. So far, so good, nothing has gone wrong with my day.

About 2.5 hours into my drive, I stop one final time

to look at the models and current radar. At this point I’m well past Montreal, so there’s no turning back. During this stop, I begin seeing tweets and reports about a terrible storm tearing through Southern Ontario. Models hadn’t picked up on this storm until the morning it was happening, so it was unexpected by me and others in the chasing community. Anyway, I continue my drive towards TroisRivieres, thinking there’s no way that strong of a storm will make it all the way to the Ottawa area.

At about 12:30 pm, I get to Trois-Rivières, and begin the toughest game there is: sitting and waiting. Storms are expected to fire in the next 2-3 hours, so I head down to the St. Lawrence River right in town to get a good viewing area for each direction.

Around 1pm, I start looking at the Ontario storm again. It strengthened even more and was just going through Peterborough at the time. At this point, I sounded the alarm that something bad was coming. I remember word for word what I typed on Facebook that afternoon, “A destructive Derecho is heading straight for the Ottawa Region. Winds of 120km/h+ are likely”.

I was 4 hours away from home waiting for storms, while the storm of the decade was heading straight for my stomping grounds of Eastern Ontario. It was a terrible feeling knowing something terrible was going to happen, and I wasn’t there to see it, chase it, or report on it. Before I even saw a storm in Quebec, my day was already kind of a bummer.

Anyway, let’s get back to Quebec. Storms indeed fired around 2:30 pm in the hot and muggy 32 degree weather. I crossed over the St. Lawrence River to get on the northern side of it, and headed towards my target storm about 20 minutes

west of Trois-Rivières. That storm, along with pretty much every single other one around there, wasn’t able to get its act together. Storms were high based (meaning the clouds weren’t low to the ground), and honestly not all that pretty.

At the time when I started to leave the Trois-Rivières region, I started to really figure out what happened at home in Ottawa and around the area. That Derecho really tore places apart, from completely destroying forests and powerlines, to in some cases, homes. I was disgusted with my decision to chase 4 hours away from home at this point, and it made for a really long drive home.

On my way home, I actually intercepted the Derecho in Quebec, as it had made its way further east out of Ontario. I was just west of Sorel-Tracy at 5:30 pm when I got into it, and I ended up recording a 74km/h wind gust on my Kestrel Meter with my hand hanging out the window on the side of the road to do so. The winds took down many trees along HWY 40 in Quebec, and took out power.

After that interception of the Derecho while it was weakening, I decided to end the chase, get gas, and go home. I was disappointed the entire drive that I wasn’t home to chase that storm, and Quebec’s storms being a bust didn’t make that feeling any better. I had just missed a once in a decade, maybe once in a lifetime, storm that was only 30 minutes north of my house in Winchester. Without a doubt my worst chase ever.

I don’t think we’ll see a storm like that again for a long, long time.

TAKE HOME MEALS

Thursday March 30 & Fri March 31 2023

Please Preorder the day before for next day

Curbside pick up 2-5pm

Order & Pay online www.cateredaffairs.ca

613-324-3136

$44.95 Complete Meal for 2 + HST

$89.95 Complete Meal for 4 + HST

Butter Chicken or Tofu & Cauliflower (G/F)

Boneless Chicken in Mildly Spiced Tomato Cream Sauce | Spiced Basmati

Rice | Housemade Samosas & Cilantro Chutney

| Chef's choice of veggies | Naan Bread | Garden Salad withRaita Dressing

Smoked Beef Enchiladas or Bean Medley Enchiladas (Vegetarian)

Smoked Beef, cheese & beans wrapped in a soft flour tortilla with enchilada sauce | Pico de Gallo (chunky salsa) | Sour cream | Cheddar | Mexican rice | Pickled cabbage, Red onion & jalapenios | House fried Corn Tortilla Chips | Salad with Creamy vinaigrette

All Family meals are picked up COLD. Included are Chef's choice of Soup or Salad or Appetizer, Appropriate Side Dishes & Dessert and gentle heating instructions.

EASTER BUFFET BRUNCH

at Catered Affairs

9am - 1pm

$29.95 per person, plus tax & grat

$14.00 for children 10 yrs. and under ; 2 yrs and under are free.

RSVP ONLY info@cateredaffairs.ca

Easter Take Home Turkey OR Ham Family Meals

Easter Menu Sat April 8th & Sunday April 9th Pick up 12pm - 2pm: Pre order by Mon April 3rd

$120 + HST (Meal for 4) $65+HST (Meal for 2)

Moist and tender brined local Berube Turkey sliced white and dark meat (gluten/dairy free) Made-inhouse Herb & sweet onion confit dressing | Whipped mashed potatoes | Vegetable medley | House made gravy |Fresh cranberry/apple Sauce | Dessert

Brown Sugar & Mustard Glazed Ham | Pan jus | Scalloped Potatoes |Vegetable Medley | Brown Butter & Sugar Glazed Carrots | Buns & Butter | Dessert

Book your special occasion, Corporate event or Wedding!!! with Catered Affairs

820 Heritage Dr. Kemptville Campus. 613-324-3136

info@cateredaffairs.ca

"We are open for your convenience during these troubled times"

Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Sex, gender identity and pronouns

referring to themselves or others, depending on their gender identity.

by Zara Zrudlo

Sex, gender identity and pronouns have recently been a very commonly discussed topic, but why are we talking about them so much, and why do they matter? And what can we do to be more supportive?

In this ,I’ve put together a compilation of some basic information. Some definitions to start off:

- Sex is what people are assigned at birth based on their external genitalia: male, female or intersex— people whose sex organs don’t fit into either of the binary genders.

- Gender Identity is how people really feel on the inside, regardless of their sex.

- Pronouns—he/him, she/her, they/them, ey/eir— are what people use when

People often think of gender as one or the other, male or female. In reality, it is a spectrum! In that spectrum, there is a huge space between male and female, with many gender identities in that gap. Some examples include non-binary, where a person does not identify with being a man or a woman, and gender fluid, where a person’s gender identity fluctuates through the spectrum of male, female and the wide space between.

The variety in gender identities are supported by a research study done by Cambridge University. They studied the brains of 10,000 people and found that 25% of brains were more typically female, 25% were male and 50% showed characteristics from different parts of the spectrum, some completely in the middle, some to either side. This may contribute to the multitude of gender identities, but not everyone who’s brain isn’t extremely male or extremely female identifies as nonbinary.

Sometimes people’s gender inside is different from the gender they were assigned at birth—people like that are called trans or transgender. There is actual science showing that this isn’t just a mental construct, it is actually in our DNA and brains. For example, the brain of a person who was assigned male at birth but identifies as a female will exhibit more female characteristics than someone who was assigned male at birth and identifies as male inside as well—cis-gender.

For hundreds of years, people’s pronouns—he/ him, she/her, they/them, ey/ eir— and sex have been determined by their genitalia. However, as I’ve described above, it’s a lot more complicated than that, and has been for as long as humans have existed.

A common question is ‘Why would we even use pronouns other than she and he in the first place?’ Calling people by their pronouns is a matter of respect. It’s similar to remembering someone’s name, and calling them that, not just a name you think would fit them. It fosters

The NG Photography Club

inclusion and equity, and can make people feel welcome, instead of misunderstood and excluded.

The most common pronouns are she/her and he/ him; however, there have been attempts to use gender neutral pronouns for people who don’t fit either of the binary genders since the 14th century, although that hasn’t really been accepted until now. Even now, however, 2SLGBTQ2IA+ people can face violence, murder, and discrimination.

With such a spectrum of different identities that are scientifically proven but still receive so much hate and doubt, suicide rates for 2SLGBTQ2IA+ youth are five times higher than straight and cis-gender youth. In Canada, 2SLGBTQ2IA+ youth make up 25 to 40% percent of homeless youth, partly because a lot of families kick their children out if they find out that they are 2SLGBTQ2IA+.

Assuming someone’s pronouns based on how they dress or look can be really hurtful, so just something as simple as introducing yourself with your pronouns and asking other people what theirs are can lower suicide rates and make people feel safe and welcome. An example sentence could be: “Hi! My name’s Zara. My pronouns are they/them, do you feel comfortable sharing yours?”

If you don’t have a chance to ask people what their pronouns are, don’t assume. Use they/them, which are gender neutral pronouns, until you know! It may take a little time to get used to it, considering it hasn’t been considered grammatically correct until recently. However, grammar is less important than someone’s life, so if people tell you what their pronouns are, respect is of the utmost importance.

Zara Zrudlo is a homeschooled, fourteen year old resident of Kemtpville. They love writing, art, acting, reading and anything to do with music. Ever since they were little, they’ve cared a lot about activism and social justice, and hoped to make a difference in the world. Zara has written two and a half novels, and ran a newspaper for their friends and family for three years. They love hanging out with their dogs and chickens and spending time imagining having dinner with various book characters.

Spencerville Agricultural Society April Meeting

submitted by Eric

Connell

We are inviting you to join the Spencerville Agricultural Society, April Meeting!

The Spencerville Agricultural Society meets monthly to plan community events, including the 168th Spencerville Fair! We are looking for bright, enthusiastic volunteers to join our team! If you want to help give back to your community and get involved, start with us, we are happy to welcome you!

Next Meeting: Monday, April 17, 2023 Meeting: 7:00 pm

Volunteers Needed!!

We are looking for volunteers who are interested in helping our 168th Spencerville Fair. We currently are looking for help with the Junior Work, Friday Pony Horse Show, Parade, and More!

If you are interested in joining, please email info@spencervillefair.ca to receive an email with the Zoom meeting details.

Tulips evoke spring when we're not quite there yet. I couldn't resist bringing some home and love the sun's rays on the petals. Photo by Sandy Archibald.

Lost Lands of the Algonquin

by David Shanahan

We are becoming used to hearing a Land Acknowledgment being said at the start of many official and unofficial meetings in North Grenville and surrounding lands in recent years. It confuses some to hear statements that the lands are the unceded territory of the Algonquin people, although other nations may also be mentioned in the statements, such as the Haudenosaunee, or Six Nations, and the Mississauga also.

This reflects the confusion that existed at the time the British assumed juris-

diction over the region after 1763, and the incompetent and incomplete attempts by British military officials to reach agreements with the Indigenous peoples of the area in order to allow settlement of around 3,000 refugees from the American War of Independence who needed somewhere to live. In 1784, the Crown made agreements to that end with the Mississauga and the Haudenosaunee, although much of the territory between the Ottawa and Saint Lawrence Rivers were, in fact, traditional Algonquin lands.

Before the arrival of

Europeans, the Algonquin people were a major force in trade and commerce, with traditional lands stretching from the St. Maurice River in the east, to Lake Nipissing in the west. The Ottawa River valley was the heart of these lands, the main route through which nations traded. There was a major settlement on Morrison Island in the Ottawa River, and anyone passing along the river paid their toll of a part of whatever goods were being transported. The Algonquin acted as middlemen in the fur trade between the French and the Huron to the west, further emphasising their strategic importance.

Aside from Morrison Island, the main Algonquin settlements were along the tributaries of the Ottawa, particularly the South Nation and Gananoque, and they had a major settlement at Trois Riviere, at the mouth of the St. Maurice. These settlements were comprised of a number of families, living together in the summer months, then individual families went to their traditional hunt-

ing areas during the winter. They used longhouses throughout the year, and had close alliances with the Nipissing, Oddawa and Huron peoples. Their very strength brought them into conflict with the Iroquois south of the Saint Lawrence, who were rivals, particularly in the fur trade with the Europeans. The Mohawk, better armed by their English partners, began a war with the Algonquin around 1570 which lasted, off and on, for decades. For many years, the Saint Lawrence River valley itself became a no-man’s land, too dangerous for either side to inhabit, as Mohawk raiding parties used the Rideau River system to move warriors against the Algonquin bands in the lower Ottawa River region. In 1645, the French entered into treaty with the Mohawk, betraying their Algonquin allies. The position of the Algonquin became so desperate that, between 1650 and 1675, they were forced to leave the Ontario side of the Ottawa River and move to settlements near Montreal. Only Morrison

Island was strong enough to resist the Mohawk. Many Algonquin joined mission settlements, and a very large number died in epidemics, leaving the nation weakened and unable to regain their lost territory.

So it was that the land we now live on, which had been the homeland of the Algonquin for so long, became practically empty for long periods, the scene of skirmishes and ambushes, where permanent settlement became impossible for either warring groups. By the time of the Conquest, after 1760, the powerful Algonquin people had been pushed out of their traditional lands and the Mohawk and Mississauga had taken over along the shores of the Saint Lawrence and along the inland waterways. So it was, that when the British came to make treaties for this land, it was not from the Algonquin they received it. The lands of the Algonquin were sold by the Mohawk and Mississauga, and the remnants of the great Algonquin nation were left without recognition by the new colonial power of

Britain.

It was not until the early nineteenth century that groups of Algonquin returned permanently to lands around Golden Lake and Maniwaki, and it was not until the 1870's that those at Golden Lake were provided with reserve lands. The people who had held that huge territory from the St. Maurice River to Lake Nipissing, were granted just 1,560 acres at Golden Lake. It cost the Crown $156. When Land Acknowledgements describe these lands as unceded, it means that the traditional inhabitants, the Algonquin, have never formally surrendered or ceded the territory to the Crown, and the Crown’s claim to these lands is based on a mistaken assumption that other Nations had a right to cede them instead. Today, the Crown Canada has recognised the error of the past, and negotiations between the Canadian Government and the Algonquin Nation continue in an attempt to rectify an historic grievance.

and Kemptville Rotary with all net proceeds donated to World Central Kitchen for their Ukraine relief program Reserve your table at Maple Weekend Pancake Breakfast - “Kemptville Campus on Eventbrite”

See more information on Facebook @FallInLoveNG

Members of the Algonquin community hold a number of wampum belts, some of which memorialize early relations with the French and the English, near Barriere Lake, Quebec, circa 1926.

COURTESY OF ALGONQUINS OF BARRIERE LAKE

A tasty presentation

by Ashley Sloan

Two members of the Kemptville Rotary club, John and Cora Beking, hosted a special event during a Tuesday night meeting at the Grenville Mutual Building.

An El Salvador themed meal of rice topped with a sunny side up fresh egg, homemade refried beans, cheese filled papusas, and a dessert called cholado, was served to members and guests while John and Cora gave a presentation on their latest mission to El Salvador. This was their eighth mission, where they went to work on projects with people living in these communities to create and build partnerships, as well as long lasting friendships. Rosie and Trevor were their hosts during their mission in El Salvador and have worked on a few of these missions with them.

Together with a team of members from different

Rotary clubs from Gananoque, Cornwall, Ottawa, Kingston who were part of this trip, their main mission was to attend a Project Fair where, depending on the community that hosts, you can either visit a large community centre and go from table to table, or sit and have the people present you a 5 minute presentation on their project. The Rotary members then pick a "Project from the heart". John and Cora chose a stove project, since they began their first mission when they met a gentleman named Gustavo who runs a stove factory.

The first model of stoves were made from concrete and were smokeless, but required a good amount of wood. Cora and John delivered 60 of these stoves by boat and trained the women in the village on how to use them. During this trip, they were able to assist in the

building of a newer, more permanent version of stoves using brick and mortar with a larger flat metal surface. The temperature of this newer model can go up to 1400 degrees, where it becomes smokeless. As an additional fun touch, Cora added a rotary pin in the mortar. Most families were able to not only cook more efficiently, but also use these stoves to make baked goods to sell. The stoves sell for $100 US, and two of the major benefits of these newer models is that they burn roughly 40% less wood than the original units and don’t take as long to heat up.

A former project Cora mentioned that has made a huge impact to the residents in the community was a Water project. Cora asked the members and guests to imagine living at the top of a mountain in a home that would be described as

North Grenville Covid Assessment Centre closure is inappropriate

submitted by Steve Gabell

Ontario Greens local leader Steve Gabell released the following statement in response to the news that North Grenville Covid Assessment Centre is to close.

“Since opening in September 2020 the North Grenville Covid Assessment Centre (NGCAC) has provided vital care for people in our area.

Many people in our area do not have family

doctors or have one who is not local. NGCAC has enabled people to access prompt medical care for Covid or other respiratory infections and has been a vital part of our local healthcare system.

My wife, my young daughter, and I have all benefited from the excellent and accessible care NGCAC has delivered, as I know many others have as well. I’d like to thank Dr Rutherford and the team at NGCAC for their

a shack. In order to have water, you need to walk down the mountain to get to the source of water, and then climb back up. This was quite a to do for families as they would also have to go down to work, if they had a job, and children would have to go down the mountain if they were able to go to school. The water project was successfully accomplished by several clubs coming together and raising funds and applying for grants. The Rotary Foundation also matched .80 cents to every dollar raised. The cost of the well was $70,000, and it will now pump the water up to the top of the mountain. The residents pay a usage fee of $7/month that will be reinvested into maintenance of the well and pump house.

John and Cora also recounted that some of the buildings in the village, like

the schools and medical centres, are made from sea crates. These crates are left behind as it is cheaper to leave them than ship them back to Europe. They are then converted into additions to any of the current buildings.

One of the Rotary members who John and Cora have established a partnership with is Tito. He owns a successful business that has employed over 180 employees in the community, and someone who has a big heart. He started a backpack project that Cora and John were able to be part of with a donation to the project. They joined Tito and his team handing out backpacks to the students at a local school. It seems Tito is always celebrating a birthday with a big dinner and entertainment when Cora and John are visiting. So, as an appreciation gift, a few Rotary members presented him with a card and donated towards Tito's projects for his birthday.

The biggest project that was presented to them was a medical project, and this is where Cora and John ran into Jennifer Jones, the President of Rotary International who is from Southern Ontario. Rotary President Jones is also recognized as being the first female to hold this position. She was currently in El Savador visiting the Medical Centre for the opening of the preemie unit. The Rotary Club raised money to bring in blue lights for jaundiced babies. The significance of this project has helped drop the death rate of preemie babies. The next fundraising focus for the Medical Centre is for a high pressure steam sterilization unit, with a total cost of $90,000. The great news is that they are currently just

shy of $16,000 left to raise! Once the money is raised, the next step will be to have it approved by the Rotary Foundation to hopefully receive their match of .80 to the dollar.

During this visit, a new wing was dedicated in honour of the work done by Bruce Higgs, a Rotary member from Gananoque, as well as International Rotary President Jennifer Jones, and clubs from Canada, the United States and Colombia.

The next Project Fair will be in Armenia, Columbia in 2024. Members are looking forward to attending. As the meeting was wrapping up, one member asked how the government or local governments support these communities.

Cora replied that "when she arrived to one of the villages and the Mayor met them, she had asked this question and was told that the township had implemented a recycling program where the residents can bring their recycling and garbage to the depot and receive credits towards their groceries."

These types of projects are in partnership with the local Rotary Club.

The meeting concluded with Happy Bucks. For a loonie donation, you can offer some happy news from your life.

If you would like more information on the types of community events and projects supported by the Kemptville Rotary Club, visit their website www. kemptvillerotary.ca

Matilda the Musical!

service to our community over the last few years.

Doug Ford has terminated funding for all covid clinics in the province, in the mistaken belief that the pandemic is over.

The pandemic is not over. People are still contracting covid, being admitted to hospital with it and dying from it. Covid has also led to a surge in other infections, such as strep throat.

People who are sick need medical care close

to home and they need it promptly.

Closing NGCAC while the pandemic is still ongoing will only serve to increase pressures on emergency departments in our hospitals.

Ontario Greens are calling on the Ford government to continue funding NGCAC so people can access the care they need when they need it.”

submitted

by Neil Conroy

Coming to the Urbandale Arts Centre in Kemptville April 15 – April 30, 2023 is Kemptville Youth Musical Theatre’s 26th production, “Matilda the Musical”. Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, this Tony Award-winning musical tells the story of Matilda, an extraordinary girl who, armed with a wonderful spirit and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her destiny. Packed with high energy dance numbers and memorable tunes, children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an amazing imagination! Tickets are available at Brewed Awakenings, on line at http://www. kymtc.org/buying-tickets/ and at the Door. Cost $22 Show dates and times are: April 15th, 21th, 22nd, 28th and 29th at 7:30 pm and April 23rd and 30th at 3:00 pm.

Winner of the NGTimes GiveAway

Brenda McCutchen is the lucky winner of our International Women's Day Giveaway. Brenda won a basket overflowing with donations from women-owned businesses in North Grenville. Brenda is one of our voluntary subscribers and says she "reads the paper from cover to cover every week". Special thanks to those who donated to this giveaway: The Workshop Dance Studio, Bodhi Tree Yoga, Jac's Boutique, Torialex Designs, No Go Coffee Co., Get Cronk'd and Hardstones Grill.

If you would like to be eligible for future giveaways please visit https://ngtimes.ca/ locally-engaged-giveaway/ to learn about our voluntary subscriptions.

Mudpuppy Nights in Oxford Mills

Frog tadpoles had dropped out, perhaps having been eaten by the Mudpuppies. We had visitors from Mississauga, Grégory Bulté brought a class group from Carleton, Steve Marks brought a party from Orillia, and Audrey Turcotte's herpetology class came from La Cité Collégial in Ottawa.

submitted by Fred Schueler &

Mudpuppies, Necturus maculosus, are giant permanently aquatic Salamanders, which are widespread, but hard to observe, all across Canada, from St Lawrence tributaries east of Quebec City, to the Arctic Watershed in the Ontario Clay Belt, to the Assiniboine River across Manitoba. Unlike other Amphibians, they are most active in the winter, so they are most often seen as bycatch of ice fishing, and are studied by midwinter minnow-trapping.

The one place, in all of Canada, where they are routinely observed in the winter is below the dam in Oxford Mills, where a big population moves upstream onto flat limestone bedrock. In the 1990s, we found that our excitement about the abundance of Mudpuppies in Kemptville Creek was not shared by research funders or regulators, because the species had no sporting, commercial, or at-risk status. In 1999 we began Mudpuppy Nights in Oxford Mills, to publicize the wintry spectacle of Mudpuppy activity, every Friday evening from after Thanksgiving until the creek's freshet in March. The primary data gathered are counts of how many Mudpuppies are seen between the dam and the bridge, along with counts of other creatures, and records of the ice and water conditions.

The major influence on the number seen is the flow in the creek, since the

Mudpuppies can't walk upstream against a strong current. This year, after a drought-like summer, we had below average flows, lots of Mudpuppies, and few visitors until the beginning of January. Then a massive thaw sent seven times the average flow past the dam, and above average flows, reduced or zero counts, and many groups of visitors continued into March (except for a midFebruary decline to average flows, when moderate numbers of 'puppies were observed). Matt Keevil and Amanda Bennett have done most of the wading and counting, with us elders often staying ashore to regale visitors with Mudpuppy lore. Visitors are invariably thrilled by their first opportunity to relate to these relics of the Age of Dinosaurs.

This year's Mudpuppy viewing season started up on October 12, 2022 with a Muskrat climbing into the spillway of the dam, a couple of invasive hybrid Crayfish, a scattering of Whirligig Beetles, and a single Black Bass. Through October, the flow in the creek remained very low, and we observed the noses of Mudpuppies poking out from under ledges, Bull Frog tadpoles, Giant Water Bugs, a Water-Scorpion, a couple of juvenile Northern Pike, and Leopard, Green, & Bull Frogs. These conditions continued through December, with the count of 'puppies peaking at 41 on December 16, one of them seen eating a small frog. The Bull

On December 30, melting snow cover, light rain, and 7°C air temperature raised the creek's flow to above average on the RVCA's excellent online graph. The thaw peaked on January 6, washing up under the lit-up Christmas tree on the west shore below the dam, rushing along at 33 cubic metres/ second, when the average flow for the date is 4.6 cubic metres/second. On January 13, the spillways were widely open, but with ice and snow drifts along their sides, and waves filled with lumps of ice washing up against the wall on the east side.

Creek flow subsided in later January and the beginning of February, with modest numbers of Mudpuppies, a few frogs and Crayfish, a couple of juvenile Pike, and Otter tracks in the snow. On February 3, we had the one cold snap of the winter, at -26°C, and lots of frazil ice and loose pans in the eddies, but 11 Mudpuppies were seen, and on 6 February, there were 15 Mudpuppies, including one that was 32.5 cm long, the largest we have measured at Oxford Mills. Visitors included a crew from South Nation Conservation, another from Blazingstar Environmental, Prince Edward County Field Naturalists, and a party from Peterborough.

There was more high water later in February, but on March 3 the flow was down to 113% of normal, and we astonished students from Carleton and

Queens universities with three Mudpuppies and two big Crayfish. With March coming in like a lion, flows were only half of normal on the 15th, and we were able to catch and retain two 'puppies to be viewed by a group of "elderly ladies" from Ottawa and Gatineau, visiting the Brigadoon Restaurant for lunch. Cold weather continues to be forecast, so we don't know how much longer mudpuppying will continue.

With the irregular weather we've been having in recent years, it seemed that after 2012, with the arrival of abundant invasive Crayfish, we saw fewer Mudpuppies, but it will take a careful statistical analysis to be sure. In recent years, with many fewer Crayfish, there seems to have been an increase, and especially an increase in the percentage of small individuals. A friend did a regression of the Mudpuppy counts on flow for a course at McGill, and found that the decrease was significant, but this was before we saw the subsequent apparent increase.

We hope that this year's increase of students visiting will inspire new research into the ecology of Mudpuppies and the creek. In the summer we'll be doing "craypuppy" wades, which will introduce participants to the Mudpuppies, Crayfish and other creatures and plants of the creek. If any group or family wants to arrange one of these, just let us know (Fred <bckcdb@istar.ca> or Aleta <karstad@pinicola.ca>).

Aleta Karstad