ND Times Issue 12 2022 June 16

Mountain DHS “Back to the Roots”

Canada,” said Richard.

by Brandon Mayer

Local residents Bob Weagant and Richard Gilmer are eager to celebrate more than 50 years since graduating from Mountain District High School, and are inviting other former students as well as any interested locals to celebrate with them. Mountain District High School was located in South Mountain, and closed in 1970. There was a reunion at that time, as well as another in 1995 which boasted approximately 500-600 guests. The building which is rich in history on Lough Road remains in use today as an apartment complex.

Bob graduated from Mountain DHS in 1967,

and Richard in 1963. The pair intended to plan a 50th high school reunion two years ago to mark the semicentennial anniversary of the school’s closure, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to their plans. The pair joked that a 52nd reunion will do. The event is planned for July 16 at the Mountain Township Agricultural Hall, located at 2967 Lough Road in South Mountain. The day will open with a “meet and greet” from 1 pm until 4 pm. There will then be 4 pm opening ceremonies, a 6 pm dinner, and musical entertainment after dinner until midnight. Registration for the event is $75, which includes the catered dinner consisting of hors d’oeuvres, an en-

trée, salads, and homemade desserts. Camping will be available on the fairgrounds for those wishing to stay the night. The following day, from 10 am until 12 pm, a breakfast will be offered by the fire department for the price of a freewill donation.

The reunion will include former students of both the Mountain District High School, and the North Mountain Consolidated School, plus other area schools. Members of the public are welcome to register for the event – it is not necessary to be a former student of the schools. Former students from as far away as British Colombia and the Caribbean are registered for the reunion. “Pretty much all across

Bob provided some background on what student life was like at Mountain DHS. The school served grades 9-13, with no more than 120 students at any given time. Bob explained that there was no choice of subjects for any of the years, except a single choice between typing or Latin in grade 10. “I chose Latin for one year and got rid of that pretty quick in the second year,” he joked. The school had no gym, but Bob reports that the school was “fierce” with athletic prowess. Students at Mountain DHS competed in sports such as football and hockey with students from other schools in the region.

“There was a lot of community spirit revolving around the whole school,” said Richard. “The school was the centrepoint of the community at the time.”

Richard himself was an athlete on the school’s championship hockey team, and also talked about how there were many track stars who attended the school. Bob added that curling was a big sport at the school as well.

Anyone interested in attending the reunion should call Anna at 613-652-4915, or Richard at 613-9895397. There is also a dedicated email address set up at mdhsreunion50@gmail. com. Tickets must be purchased before July 1.

See page 6 & 7 for

The Voice of North Dundas

Vol 3, No 12

Reaching by direct mail to over 5,500 homes and businesses in Winchester and area June 16, 2022

The former Mountain District High School in South Mountain, still in use today as a residential apartment building

Agricultural groups giving back to community

Dundas Federation of Agriculture

The Dundas Federation of Agriculture (DFA), along with Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO), the Dundas Dairy Producers Committee (DDPC), and the Dundas Soil and Crop Improvement Association (DSCIA) recognizes that many within our community need support and especially as the cost of living continues to climb with inflation.

presented in Winchester. The $2000 donation is helping our community increase their access to local food while improving local food literacy.

June 6-12 was Local Food Week! It’s an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the abundance

of fresh, healthy, aff ordable local food that we are privileged to have access to across the province.

The DFA, CFFO, DDPC and DSCIA are helping to increase access to local food by giving back to our community. On June 2, donations of $500 from each of the local agriculture groups to Community Food Share were

Our agricultural community encourages all to support local and encourage an increased use of local food by public and public sector organizations when possible, supporting our agricultural community today and into the future.

Community Food Share would like to also remind our local producers that they accept fresh produce and will work with our farmers for any donations of meat.

Recognizing World Elder Abuse Prevention Day

As June 15th is observed as World Elder Abuse Prevention Day, it’s important to recognize not all seniors are in the best of circumstances. It’s estimated that 7 to 10% of older Canadians are victims of elder abuse. Physical, sexual, psychological, or financial abuse and can result in distress, impairment, or bodily injury. Every senior deserves the right to feel safe, and live free from abuse. The theme of World Elder Abuse Prevention Day for 2022 is “Rights don’t get old.” Basic human rights of older Canadians are challenged and undercut every day and, tragically, this has never been more true than over the last two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s estimated that 1 in 6 seniors are victims of elder abuse. Within the Eastern Counties alone, the Carefor Elder Abuse Prevention Program has seen an increase of over 40% in elder abuse cases since March 2020. Tanya Mayich, Carefor’s Elder Abuse Prevention Coordinator, and Community Network Chair for the Prevention of Elder Abuse for the Eastern Counties and Akwasasne shared, “Seniors who lack capacity or have serious medical issues can be taken advantage of by the people closest to them. It is key to have good support around

these seniors.” It is imperative within our local community that we educate ourselves of the universal warning signs and the associated risk factors concerning elder abuse, and advocate for the rights of seniors. Tanya explained, “This day is celebrated to advocate for seniors so their voices can be heard. We must acknowledge elder abuse as a public and human rights issue throughout the community and around the world. Every older adult deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and we can only make a difference if we mobilize together as a community.” Seniors have the right to live free from abuse and you can make a difference. If you know a senior experiencing any type of abuse, if you need support, or have any questions or need further information call Carefor’s Elder Abuse Prevention Coordinator at 613 932-3451 ext. 4244 or visit www.elderabusepreventionservices.com. -30-About Carefor and the Elder Abuse Prevention Program Carefor is a local not-for-profit charity that provides home healthcare and community support services across Eastern Ontario. Whether in the home, in the community, at care facilities or one of its clinics, 1,500 staff are part of the circle of care that is tailored to clients’ needs. The Elder Abuse

Prevention Program served over 140 vulnerable seniors this past year in the Eastern Counties. For more information about Carefor, please visit www.carefor.ca. For more information about Elder Abuse and the Elder Abuse Prevention Program, please visit www.elderabusepreventionservices.com.

About the Community Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse

The Community Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse for the Eastern Counties and Akwasasne is a long standing, well established, local non-profit network that encompasses a full continuum of services dedicated to the social identification, community education, and prevention of elder abuse.

The network is comprised of volunteer board members in the areas of criminal justice, social assistance, community outreach, healthcare, and mental health agencies all within the local community. For more information contact:

Tanya Mayich Community Network Chair & Elder Abuse Prevention Coordinator for Carefor Eastern Counties tmayich@carefor.ca (Email is preferred) 613 932-3451 ext. 4244

L-R Jackie Kelly-Pemberton, DFA Zone 11 Director; Jane Schoones, Community Food Share Team Leader; Thomas Breteler, Dundas Dairy Producers Committee Chair; Ryan Devries, DFA President; Brian Vandenburg, Dundas Soil and Crop Association President

Celebrating our Nursing Team

submitted by Jane Adams

Each year during National Nursing Week, the WDMH team pauses to celebrate the contributions of our fellow nurses – to their profession, their colleagues, and the patients we care for.

Nurses are nominated by their peers for exemplifying the qualities of Nursing Leadership and Lifelong Learning. A WDMH team is celebrated for its collaboration. And the Debbie Stoodley Commitment to Nursing Award goes to someone who emulates Debbie’s commitment to the nursing profession.

“These annual awards shine a light on WDMH’s amazing nursing team and the work they do every day,” noted Nathalie Boudreau, Vice President of Clinical Care. “Congratula-

tions to all the winners and the nominees.”

The 2022 Nursing Leadership Award was presented to Kaitlyn Schwerdtfeger.

“Kaitlyn has always been a team player, offering to help in any way she can. She is helpful and thoughtful toward new staff and is always open to learning,” her nominators said.

Alexandra Dunbar received the 2022 Lifelong Learner Award. She was recognized as an invaluable educational resource who is always available to support her fellow staff members.

“We are so grateful to have Alexandra on our team,” her colleagues said. “Since starting with us, she has continued to seek out further education. She has also provided education to staff and orientees as a Wound Care champion.”

Teamwork is essential to the safe delivery of nursing services and the 2022 Team Collaboration Award was awarded to the Post-Partum Nursing Team who provide care for families after birth. This team is described as one that is always there to assist in anyway: “They help and teach other nurses and doctors who may not be familiar with the department. They also accommodate and help other units and staff when needed without question. And they are always positive.”

Debbie Stoodley’s commitment to the nursing profession and to WDMH was well-known by all who knew her. She will always be a cherished member of our team for more than 40 years. The 2022 Debbie Stoodley Commitment to Nursing Award was presented to San-

Winchester Bike Nights are back

by Brandon Mayer

A popular series of motorcycle shows will be returning to North Dundas, though event-goers will have to wait longer than they bargained for to take in the first show.

The first Winchester Bike Night since 2019 was scheduled to take place June 9, but was cancelled due to rain. Bike Night events did not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to restrictions and safety concerns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no rain date for the June 9 show, but there are three upcoming monthly shows on July 14, August 11, and September 8.

“Gather your friends, get your bikes and come out for a sweet ride to Winchester to enjoy live

music, food vendors and more!” reads a promotional post on the Township of North Dundas website. The Bike Nights are being run by the Winchester Downtown Revitalization Committee.

Last Thursday’s event was supposed to feature live music from The Last of the Duke Street Kings, a Bruce Springsteen tribute band. It is reported that the band will instead be invited to contribute entertainment for one of the other nights instead. All of the Bike Night events will offer food from local vendors, including Iron Forge, Scoop of Jo’s, Milanos, and more. The events also feature local craft beer and wine.

New this year is that each event will feature a different “Manufacturer on Main”, referring to different motorcycle

dra Fawcett. Her nominators noted: “Sandra has worked at WDMH for over 30 years. She is one of a kind, compassionate, a mentor for new and experienced nurses. She goes above and beyond the call of duty. During the pandemic, Sandra has picked up multiple overtime shifts and has been a dedicated member of the Emergency Department team. She has assisted local doctors in running flu clinics to protect the community.”

If you would like to provide comments or suggestions about hospital services, please contact Cholly Boland, President and CEO, Winchester District Memorial Hospital at 613-774-1049 or by email at cboland@ wdmh.on.ca.

OPP record checks moving online as of

June 13

manufacturers. The June 9 event was set to feature Freedom Harley Davidson of Ottawa, displaying their newest motorcycles as well as vintage models, with Harley staff on site. It is unclear if Freedom Harley Davidson will be on site for a future event. Also new this year is the “Bike of the Month” exhibit, which will change with each event. The June 9 event was supposed to feature a 1956 DKW motorcycle belonging to Bill Zandbelt. The stunning bike was Bill’s first motorcycle, though he did not keep it long. He sold it, and it was bought back and returned to him as a gift for his 90th birthday in 2020. It is unclear at this time whether the beautifully restored bike will be on display at a future event instead.

Admission to any of

the Bike Night events is free of charge, thanks to the sponsors who made the event possible. The events begin at 5pm and run until 9pm, and take place in the area surrounding Sweet Corner Park at the intersection of Main Street and St. Lawrence Street. During the events, Main Street is closed to vehicle traffic from Mill Street to Louise Street North, and St. Lawrence Street is closed from Main Street to Caleb Street.

More information about the events, including upcoming “Manufacturer on Main” and “Bike of the Month” exhibits, can be found on the Winchester Downtown Revitalization Committee Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/winchesterDRC/.

New process is quick, easy and secure

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is moving record checks online as of June 13, 2022. The new process will allow those living in OPP-policed communities to submit requests for police record checks at opp.ca/recordchecks. The online application process will allow members of the public to apply quickly, easily and securely for:

Criminal Record Check (CRC)

Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC)

Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)

OPP Non-Parent Custody Check (LE213)

Payment will be collected electronically as part of the online application process, with results delivered directly to the applicant through a secure portal link.

The fees for record checks remain unchanged:

Record checks: $41.00

Fingerprints: $90.00

Volunteer checks: free

Additional information will be available for the public at opp.ca/recordchecks as of June 13, 2022.

"On average, the OPP completes 140,000 police record checks every year. We are so pleased to launch the new online system, which will significantly streamline the application process for both our members and the public. Moving police record checks online allows the OPP to efficiently and effectively meet the needs of the communities we serve."

-Deputy Commissioner Chris Harkins, Field Operations

Masks

still required at Winchester District Memorial Hospital

Masks are still required at Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH), despite changes announced by the Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. Patients, visitors and staff must wear a mask while at the hospital.

“We know that masks provide an additional a layer of protection and we want to keep everyone safe,” say Cholly Boland, CEO. “We want to protect our most vulnerable patients and also keep our staff healthy so they can continue to provide care.”

Active screening will continue and masks will be provided upon arrival at the hospital.

Blades of Glory Dundas Dairy club

submitted by Felicity Porteous

The second meeting of the Blades of Glory Dundas Dairy club was held on May 24 at Ayrporte farms. We started off the meeting with the 4-H pledge and roll call. We had our secretary go over the minutes from our last meeting and then had our leaders cover some new business. Next, our

leader Tracy did a presentation about how to judge cows, in order to prepare us for our upcoming judging night which was to be held on July 8. Then, we split up into two groups, experienced members and members just starting to learn. The experienced members judged a class of soybeans and shelled corn and also went over how to tie a halter prop-

erly. The other group went over how to judge a class of Jersey senior calf heifers with our leader, Lee, and gave reasons for the class. Both groups then switched stations.

Once we finished with the stations, all members gathered to judge a class of 2-year-old Jersey cows and give reasons for the

class. Members learned lots of new things and we had fun. The meeting was then adjourned by our president, and we all enjoyed cookies and drinks.

The last place trophy

by Brandon Mayer

One of the many events held in the month of June is the ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge. The challenge seeks “Canada’s Most Active Community” – an honour which was won by North Grenville last year. The title comes with a $100,000 cash prize which the winning community naturally uses to improve its recreational amenities, such as parks and trails. At the risk of sounding like the Summer Scrooge, I can’t help but wonder if Canada’s least active community should get some prize money as well. Not as a trophy of course, but as an acknowledgement that such a community is likely in desperate need of some parks and trails!

The causes of inactivity across all age groups are many. Of course, we would all love to blame the addictive nature of video games, television, YouTube, and other number of screenrelated factors. What kid is going to want to go outside and play when there is an

exciting virtual reality inside that offers an escape from the stresses of being a youth of today? Unfortunately, that explanation doesn’t hold up when it comes to toddlers. Younger children are not able to take themselves to the park. They do what they are permitted to do. So why aren’t their parents engaging in physical activity with them? Are today’s parents simply lazy? I offer an alternative theory. Today’s parents are busy and poor.

One source I found suggested that Canada’s poverty line is sitting at around $49,000 of household income per year for a family of four. This is not the threshold of “being poor” or “living paycheque to paycheque”, it is the threshold that separates those who can afford the basic necessities of life from those who can’t. Accounting for 20% payroll deductions, a family making $49,000 per year would be taking home about $750 per week, or $3,000 per month.

I did a quick search of area rental properties. A “good” price for a twobedroom rental seems to be somewhere between $1,500

and $1,800 monthly, while a three-bedroom place runs from $2,000 monthly and up. I was even able to find some rentals of nothing more than a single room for $1,000 per month. In order to cover utility bills, groceries, transportation, and other routine expenses, it is generally recommended that rent should be no more than one third of income. So in other words, the 2021 bare minimum figure of $49,000 per year simply doesn’t hold up in the 2022 world of $2 per litre gasoline, skyrocketing food prices, and an outof-control housing market. For a family wanting to rent a three-bedroom house, minimum income should theoretically be $98,000 yearly just to make ends meet. For two parents working minimum wage jobs, that income level would require both parents to work about 12.5 hours per day, five days a week. Imagine the hefty child care fees with a schedule like that! And when would you take your toddler to the park? Well… never.

When we think of today’s kids being less active than they were decades ago,

we need to point fingers less, and realize that the world is simply a different place than it was back then. Long gone are the days of a one income household, where the working parent had reasonable hours and another parent was at home all day to take care of household duties. The combination of increasing inflation and the current housing crisis has turned the working poor into a group who simply work, eat, and go to bed.

The “working poor” explanation of why kids are less active does not hold out for older kids and teens. An explanation that does, however, is the extent to which these youth are often vilified. Working at an elementary school, including after hours in the extended day program, we often have teenage visitors. They are almost always polite and well-behaved (and dare I say, often better behaved than the younger children who are under our supervision). Sure, the occasional swear word slips out, but these teens will apologize and immediately clean up their language if it’s pointed out to them. Some

Strong love of reading evident at WPS

however, don’t even give us the chance to interact, because they take off running as soon as they see us approaching. They are so used to being chased out of anywhere and everywhere by those who assume they must be bad news, simply because of their age. It’s unfortunate because, let’s face it, teens who choose to be in a schoolyard supervised by adults are not likely interested in committing acts of vandalism or selling drugs. The reality is, in small villages, a schoolyard is often the only comfortable outdoor public space available.

The moral of the story is simple. Don’t criticize parents who don’t have the time to be active with their young children, when they are barely getting by in a brutal economy. Don’t chase well-behaved teenagers out of prosocial, active environments, and then complain that they are lazy and addicted to video games. And yes, in a world where the last place trophy comes with a dose of understanding, maybe Canada’s Least Active Community just needs a good play park.

by Brandon Mayer

For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Winchester Public School was able to offer a muchanticipated Scholastic book fair from June 7-9.

The book fair drew significant interest from WPS students, many of whom brought large sums of cash to school to purchase new reading material. The book fair was set up in the school’s library, and even as individual class shopping trips to

the library wrapped up, students would invariably think of another item they wanted to purchase, and return with more money the next day.

Mrs. Annette Rice, the Learning Commons Informationist at WPS, explained that the pur-

pose of a school holding a Scholastic book fair is two-fold. First, the book fair provides an opportunity for children to purchase books that are relatively low in cost. Second, while the book inventory is owned by Scholastic, and Scholastic retains the revenue from book sales, schools who participate are compensated with purchasing credits. This means that after a successful book fair, the school’s library can receive new material for free to help keep library shelves freshly stocked.

The three-day Winchester PS book fair had a revenue goal of $1,500 this year, which was nearly surpassed in the first day alone. After sales wrapped up, total revenue was well over three times the original goal. Mrs.

Rice was very pleased with the outcome.

In order to ensure that all families would have an equal opportunity to support their children’s learning and reading, Mrs. Rice visited House of Lazarus in the days leading up to the fair, to collect some less expensive books to make available for sale. House of Lazarus was happy to provide several boxes of books, of which they receive many donations. Mrs. Rice sorted through these books, and displayed them for sale for just 25 cents each. Many students were appreciative of having the lower cost books available. Coop student James Burton helped Mrs. Rice for the duration of the book fair, and took a special interest in selling the 25 cent books.

To help create a fun shopping atmosphere, James brought in a record player to play some easy listening music during book sales, and he even brought along some vintage records to show to the students.

As the book fair came to an end, Mrs. Rice couldn’t help but be excited about the Scholastic credits earned, and the anticipated new material which will help ensure that a healthy love of reading continues to be passed down from generation to generation.

Annette Rice and James Burton prepare for the third and final book fair day at Winchester PS on June 9

Hallville Fire Station may be expanded

by Brandon Mayer

At the regular meeting of Council on May 31, a plan was put in motion to expand Halleville’s Fire Station. A key information document presented to Council explains that an existing pickup truck which is used by Sta-

tion 2 substation in Hallville to respond to fires must be stored in South Mountain, because Hallville’s fire station only has room to store its pumper truck and tanker truck.

There are 11 firefighters stationed in Hallville, but the two firetrucks can only accommodate a total of seven

riders between them. When all of Hallville’s firefighters respond to a call, this means that the last four firefighters are left only with their personal vehicles as a means of getting to the location of the call. “Parking the pickup truck… at the Hallville station would reduce the chances of firefighters being required to report to the scene in their personal vehicles,” the information document reads.

Council was given a rough estimate of $175,000 as the cost of a proposed expansion to the fire station, where the pickup truck would be stored. It is reported that the public has already shown support for the

Ontario Dental Care Programs for Seniors and Children

by David Shanahan

Now that the pandemic has eased somewhat, nonemergency dental services under the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program are gradually restarting. The Ontario government has issued guidelines for both seniors and childrens dental care programs.

Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program:

The new Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) provides access to free dental services to seniors aged 65 and over who meet the required income conditions and do not have dental benefits either through private insurance or other government programs. There is a large local need for this program; it is important to note that in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark, 55.5% of our population over age 65 report having no access to dental insurance (Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, 2017).

In order to qualify for OSDCP, a single senior must have an income of less than $22,200 per year, while a senior couple must have a combined annual income of less than $37,100.

The income eligibility for the new OSDCP is based on a senior’s net income (line 236 from their income tax forms). Seniors can apply online or pick up a paper copy of the application form at their local public health unit’s office. Dental services covered under this program include:

Examinations/assessments

Preventive services (e.g., cleanings)

Restorative services to repair broken teeth and cavities

X-rays

Oral surgery services to remove teeth or abnormal tissue

Anaesthesia

Endodontic services (root canals) to treat infections and pain

Periodontal services to treat gum conditions and diseases

Prosthodontic services, including dentures, are also covered to a certain extent under the OSDCP.

For more information about the OSDCP program: www.ontario. ca/page/dental-care-lowincome-seniors.

Teeth cleaning, checkups and dental treatment for kids:

Healthy Smiles Ontario is a government-funded dental program that provides free preventive, routine, and emergency dental services for children and youth 17 years old and under from low-income households.

The program includes regular visits to a licensed dental provider and covers the costs of treatment including:

check-ups, cleaning fillings (for a cavity) x-rayS, scaling tooth extraction urgent or emergency dental care (including treatment of a child’s toothache or tooth pain).

Cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening and braces, are not covered by the program.

Children are automatically enrolled in the program if they receive assistance

project. The goal is to avoid using municipal taxation funds to support the project, and instead fundraise to collect the required money for the expansion. The proposed start date of the construction is the spring of 2023.

Fire Chief Raymond Sherrer told Council at the May 31 meeting that he was hopeful members of Council had read the information document, and that he would field any questions. When Mayor Tony Fraser asked for more detail, Chief Sherrer explained that there are firefighters and members of the public who “don’t feel that the station [in Hallville] is adequate for what’s there” because of the two new

subdivisions in Hallville. Chief Sherrer added that the proposed expansion of the Hallville Fire Station would also provide room to install a washer and dryer, which would also be purchased with fundraising money. He explained that the purpose of a washer and dryer – which all other North Dundas stations currently have – is to wash away the carcinogens and other toxins that firefighter gear absorbs during firefighting. Mayor Fraser, who is a former firefighter himself, added that dirty firefighter gear doesn’t offer as much protection, and doesn’t last as long.

Council gave Chief Sherrer the green light to obtain

estimates for the cost and design of the project, though Councillor John Thompson explained that it would be irresponsible to fully endorse the project without first obtaining these estimates, as well as gauging the amount of fundraising dollars anticipated from local businesses and individual donors.

Other routine business was discussed at the May 31 Council meeting as well, including a request for renovation funding from the Chesterville and District Historical Society, the approval of which was delayed pending further estimates of the cost. In total, the meeting ran for just under 90 minutes.

under Temporary Care Assistance, or Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities, or they or their family receive Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support.

Once your child is enrolled, they are covered: up to one benefit year (August 1st of the current year to July 31st of the following year), or up to their 18th birthday. If your child turns 18 during the benefit year, they’re no longer eligible.

If your child is in the program for emergency or essential care, they are covered for 12 months from the date of enrolment. Clients receiving emergency or essential care must re-enrol after 12 months.

You can enrol in the program online or by mail. Once your child’s enrolment is confirmed, you will get a Healthy Smiles Ontario dental card in the mail. You must present your card to your dental provider at each visit to receive services under the program.

Note: The Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program contacts applicants/ clients by phone or mail, and does not send invoices to applicants/clients. If you apply online or contact the program through Ontario. ca, you may receive an email from Healthy Smiles Ontario. If you have not applied online or contacted us recently, please do not open attachments or click on links in the email. Contact us using the above information to determine if the message is authentic.

More information about how to apply online or by mail, along with income eligibility requirements, ca be found at: www.ontario.ca/ page/get-dental-care.

The Hallville Fire Station

Québec Set to Assist Alzheimer’s Patients

How ironic that Québec, the most Roman Catholic province in Canada, is proposing progressive legislation for Alzheimer’s patients.

It’s time for other Canadian provinces and American states to show similar humanity. Québec’s Health Minister, Christian Dubé, has tabled Bill 38 that would allow patients with severe Alzheimer’s disease to receive an assisted death by allowing written consent to be given before they are mentally and physically incapable of doing so.

Under the proposed rules, a doctor would have to be certain that the patient was requesting death without pressure from any other people. Moreover, patients would be able to reverse this request at any time including at the time of the procedure.

To provide extra precaution, the patient must choose a trusted third party to act on their behalf at the appropriate time.

As long-time readers know, this column has been fighting for a more common-sense approach to MAID (medical assistance in dying) for years.

Current laws across North America ignore so much suffering. The Canadian law is so poorly conceived that it is hard to imagine how it has lasted so long without revision. It allows Alzheimer’s patients to ask for MAID while being mentally coherent and to sign the needed legal documents. But as the disease progresses and patients lose capacity, the request become void.

Any reasonable person would acknowledge the inadequacy.

Alzheimer’s patients need an advanced directive or an advance request for MAID that will be legally valid after their health has deteriorated.

Readers can understand the frustration for Alzheimer’s patients who wish to access MAID. But despite extensive efforts by the medical community and advocates, Canada’s elected Members of Parliament and Senators have not resolved the issue.

Those having read this column for years may recall the suggestions that the Government of Canada be replaced by taxicab drivers, garbage collectors, or veterinarians! The people in these professions have ample common sense. They would change the law in 24 hours.

But it is not only politicians that have fought against access to MAID for Alzheimer’s patients. Ethicists, moralists, and religious people who believe that “only God can decide on life and death” are also responsible. While 80 percent of the population agrees with proposed changes to the legislation, the minority conspire to block access by any and all.

Yet the concerns of this minority can be addressed. First, to be clear, MAID is only an option for those who actively request it. It cannot be imposed on anyone. But if those who are opposed would like to do so, they are free to sign an affidavit stating that they wish never to participate in MAID. But instead, they blow bullhorns. And those in need of assistance languish.

There is something lost in today’s digital society when decisionmakers lack connection to the people. Gone are the days when readers responded to a call for better legislation with thousands upon thousands of handwritten letters. But it is impossible to forget reading those personal stories of anguish on stationary where tear marks lingered. And politicians had to respond when one such campaign, for the legalization of heroin to ease the pain of terminal cancer patients, resulted in 40,000 letters on the health minister’s desk.

Now it’s time for the rest of Canada to replicate this same Quebec legislation.

Congratulations to Québec’s Minister of Health, Christian Dubé and to Dying with Dignity Canada for continuing efforts to achieve access to MAID. For Alzheimer’s patience wishing MAID, let’s facilitate the dignity of a peaceful end of life, just as the law now allows for others.

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Chesterville’s Railroad Recording Company has recently started a monthly concert series, with performances taking place at the Old Town Hall in Winchester. The first show in the series took place last month, and was given to a sold out audience. Now, organizers are preparing for another exciting event next month, when they will welcome the Texas Horns. Based out of both Aus-

tin and San Antonia, Texas, the Texas Horns have been performing for 25 years. Consisting of Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff on tenor sax, harmonica and vocals, John Mills on baritone sax and flute, and Al Gomez on trumpet and flugelhorn, the group has performed live with hundreds of artists at major festivals and world class venues, including Ottawa Bluesfest and the Edmonton Blues Festival. Over the years, the Texas Horns have performed with many notable artists, and a

recent touring gig with Jimmie Vaughan has included opening for Eric Clapton in September of 2021. Additional information about the group can be found at TheTexasHorns.com

Laura Greenberg of Railroad Recording Company emphasized what an exciting event it will be to have the Texas Horns in Winchester. “For many years, they have been the in-house horn section at Ottawa's RBC Bluesfest, and this year they are arriving a few days early to perform a couple shows, including ours at the Old Town Hall in Winchester on July 5,” she said.

Local recording company running concert series Tid Bit Musings

Laura is a musician herself – she is a professional bassist who tours internationally. Originally from Ottawa, she moved to Chesterville about three years ago, where she opened Railroad Recording Company along with her partner, Dave Tettmar, who is originally from the UK. More information about the recording company itself can be found on their website at https://www. railroadrecordingcompany. com/.

Laura studied electric bass performance at Carleton University, and is a two-time winner of the Maple Blues Award for bassist of the year. In 2021, she was featured in Bass Player Magazine. Laura will be playing bass with the Texas Horns at their concert in Winchester on July 5. Railroad Recording Company will be running the sound as well as promoting the show. While the upcoming show will only be the second that the Company has held at the Old Town Hall, the ultimate goal is to host monthly shows.

Tickets for the July 5 concert are selling for $45 each, and can be purchased online by visiting https:// texashorns.ticketsplease. ca/.

by Elva Patterson Rutters, RSSW

When school wraps up in June, the expectation is that lessons are retained til the next year and on into life. When it comes to communication or gossip in some minds, the five investigative W's are forgotten, Who? What? When? Where? and Why? Gossip is only negative if it hurts someone, but if it improves the learning curve, then gossip is advantageous. When we hear someone relate a story/incident to us, our antennas need to arise to check authenticity. In a blink of an eye, a speculation is turned into a fact. Remember to old "telephone game' played? You need to be the beacon in the light to ask questions. Who was/were the person/ persons involved? and when did such action occur? where did it transpire? None of the obscure words like someone, somewhere, over there, sometime, recently etc, count as reputable. If you do not have concrete proof of that, then the idea must be quenched immediately. If names can't be given because of confidentiality, then zip goes the mouth! Failure to name names means one needs to fail to pass on the incident details.

The Why? is more illusive and perhaps never to be known. Possible reasons vary from control issues, jealousy, manipulation, mischief, fear-mongering, self-absorption, to self-serving. Figuring out the motivating factors will probably be a task for a pyschiatrist. Others reveal their hidden agendas quite overtly.

Recently, a chap said he was told by (unknown) that a gal was spending unauthorized money (no details) and the club had to let her go. Most organizations/businesses are double protected through receipts and two signing authorities on cheques, so the validity of the story was negated after a lot of hurt and devastation had resulted!

God gave us a tongue behind a set of teeth, a set of lips and perhaps He should have added a zipper!

The cover of the Texas Horns’ most recent CD, “Get Here Quick”

Brandon Mayer

CO2 Down to Earth 16 Darkness, Light, and the Canada Columbine

and wildflower handbooks (I prefer the Peterson “A Field Guide to Wildflowers” because the drawings make significant details clear) that are a great help in identifying these factors. In their unique combinations, these factors determine the light preferences of particular plant species. This brings us to the question of the aspect and the light exposure of your garden site.

Catch the Ace Wins Regional Service Award!

ing, this is the best time to observe and mark out the maximum light exposure of your site. Then continue your observations every few weeks until snowfall to determine the increase in the shaded areas.

by Philip Fry

Darkness has once again sp read over our Province. With 16.8 percent of eligible voters claiming a majority government, the illusions we might have had about living in a democracy have sunk into oblivion. But for gardeners at least, light shines in the darkness, and the darkness shall grasp it not.

Before the debacle, I was writing about how to “prep” soil in view of creating a native wildflower garden. Now it is time to think about how light works with plants in your garden site.

A quick reminder: plants capture and transform energy from the sun through the agency of chlorophyll, the pigment which gives leaves their green colour. The pigment absorbs the radiant energy from the sun (predominantly the red and blue areas of the spectrum) and provokes photosynthesis, the reaction in which car-

bon dioxide is reduced to its two components, oxygen and carbon, and carbohydrates are formed using water and some minerals in solution. This process is the way by which the sun’s energy is harnessed for the use of all living beings, and is therefore the central component of mostly all ecological systems (the exceptions perhaps being newly discovered organisms living near heat vents in ocean depths).

Plants' leaves have evolved to to maximize their use of sunlight in various habitats. Their diverse sizes, shapes, the structures of their veins, pores, and textures, the way they are arranged on the plant's stems, and the daily and seasonal timing of their exposure to the light and shade, all collaborate in the task of receiving energy from the sun without exposing the plant to overheating or excessive water loss. There exist internet applications

AUTO CENTER

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN OUR TEAM AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOR BUSY AUTO REPAIR AND SALES SHOP

R/T Auto has immediate opening for an experienced Automotive Service Tech.

Position requires mechanic to perform full range of general automotive maintenance and repairs.

• Road test and diagnostics on automotive systems, including engine, brakes, suspension, A/C repairs, exhaust, tires etc.

• Maintain a safe, organized and neat work area

• Strong work ethic, self motivated and able to work independently

• Valid Automotive Service Tech License

• Valid driver's license

• Competitive wages

Send resume to info@rtauto.ca

Call- 613 774 2000

Apply in person to: R/T Auto Center 12034 Main St, Winchester, On KOC 2KO

The aspect of your garden is the main compass direction it faces: in theory, facing south provides maximum sunlight, north the least. In practice, however, obstacles of various kinds – your own or the neighbour's house, a fence, hedge, or tree – intervene and create shade, modifying the amount of light that falls on the garden site; this is its real exposure. The density and placement of the obstacles produce different degrees and qualities of shade: a well-spaced grove of trees produces dappled shade, which is constantly changing in the degree of light admitted, while a building creates an area of static, deep shade, bordered by areas of transitory degrees of illumination. As the light also varies according to the sun's angle at various times of the year, the cycle of the seasons needs to be taken into account. In the summer, some areas are exposed to full sunshine, but are in complete shade during the winter. With the summer solstice approach-

Exposure, as well as soil quality, are the main determinants of which species of wildflowers will flourish on your site. But there are “in-between” species that do well in transitional exposure zones if all other conditions are satisfactory. A good example is the fragile looking Canada columbine with its nodding red and yellow “lantern” flowers, which thrives in many light gradients as long as the soil is well drained and is gravel-strewn enough to ward off intense competition from more stalwart species. It does best in a slightly nutrient deprived soil. It is just finishing bloom now and will soon be in seed. When collecting seed, never take more than one-tenth of the pods available at the site.

Unless it is in dense architectural shade, the current exposure of your site can be modified over time by adopting the principles of natural plant succession. That is for my next column. Contact me if you wish at: wildflowerguy@ gmail.com.

The Kin Club of Russell’s Catch the Ace lottery won a regional Kin Canada award this past weekend, as the best service project for the past year. It will be judged later in August at the Kin Canada national convention, to see if it merits as the best service project in all of Canada. Given the incredible success of this lottery, raising $2.2 million dollars in a relatively small area, and the resulting media that ensued, the Kin Club of Russell members are keeping their fingers crossed.

This popular local charity has been approved for its 5th licence (RAF1246067)! Online ticket sales are open now, paper tickets are also on sale with the first draw to be held Sunday, June 26 at 3:15 pm. We are so excited to be back!

Our six worthy charities approved for this

lottery are: Good Neighbours Food Bank (Township of Russell), Kin Club of Russell’s Storage Centre For Local Service Clubs and Charities, Osgoode Care Centre, Valoris Foundation, Victoria’s Quilts Canada and WDMH Foundation.

For further details, please visit our updated website: https://kinclubofrussell.ca, or the Kin Club of Russell’s Facebook page. The website and Facebook page are updated on a regular basis.

For technical assistance in purchasing tickets, please contact us via email at russellkinhelpdesk@gmail.com

For all other inquiries, please contact us via email at kinclubofrussell@gmail.com

Thank you everyone for your very generous support of this project!

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Public Works

Civil Engineering Technician

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of WINCHESTER DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Will be held on Tuesday, June 28th, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. This will be a virtual meeting held via Zoom To access the sign-in information please contact:

Amy Laflèche at alafleche@wdmh.on.ca no later than June 27th

The Corporation of the Winchester District Memorial Hospital will be holding its Annual General Meeting for the purpose of receiving the Annual Report of the Board of Directors and officials of the Hospital, the election of Directors, and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting. The Winchester District Memorial Hospital By-Laws provide that the Board of Directors shall include the election of Directors by members of the Hospital Corporation.

The Township of North Dundas is currently seeking to ll the position of full-time 2-year contract Civil Engineering Technician position with the Public Works Department.

Applicants must possess diploma or degree in Civil Engineering, with minimum 2-years of relevant experience and registered with OACETT or PEO. Township o er competitive compensation and bene t package.

To apply to become part of our team, please submit your resume and cover letter by 11:00 am Friday, June 24, 2022 to:

Township of North Dundas 636 St. Lawrence St., P.O. Box 489

Winchester, ON, K0C 2K0

Fax: 613-774-5699

Email: careers@northdundas.com

A full job description is available on Township’s website

FOR SALE

Floating dock on the Rideau. 60' (3 sections and walkout) Best offer 613-258-8000

Walker with seat; electric active cycle, manual exercise cycle. Call 613-5678533

Wheelchair, Fuse 5.0 with accessories; Shower chair with coasters & commode. $375 each. Call 613-567- 8533.

Old horse machinery for lawn ornament or for use. No 1 horse hay. Call Jim 613-258-3561

Travel trailer Jaco, 5th wheel, fully loaded, 28ft long, perfect condition. Must sell. Call Jim 613258-35612

Men's bicycle, 2 electric motors, jointer planer. Call Doug 613-258-4573

No. 6/4 wire cabtire 18 meters; No, 6/4 wire liquidtight 15 meters; $175.00 each or both for $300.00. Bill 613-8501584

1992 Ford Econoline E150 Palm Spring's edition. B.C. vehicle, no rust, 396000 kms. 5.7 litre engine, tested and certified $2500. Phone: 613-791-0204

Hearing aid with charger, hardly used. Call 613-5678533

Hardwood firewood for sale $110/face cord. Minimum 3 cords for delivery. Jon 613-227-3650..

Small square and large round hay bales for sale. Jon 613-227-3650

Cedar posts and rails for sale, various sizes available. Call Jon 613-2273650

WANTED

Looking to rent farmland for cash crops. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204

HELP WANTED

GENERAL LABOURER NEEDED for construction company to start immediately. $18-$22/hr depending on experience . Harvey (613)227-8850

WANT3D

The Eric Gutknecht Memorial Bursary Charity is seeking 250ml jars (new or used) for 2022 jam/ jelly sales. Drop off at 529 George St. E or call Billy at 613-796-0941

ORMOND PROTESTANT CEMETERY ormondcemetery@gmail.com

Memorial Service and Columbarium Dedication

June 26, 2022 @ 7:oopm

12659 Ormond Road, Winchester, ON

Message by Reverend Daniel Wallace, music by Bonnie Wallace, and local history/genealogy presentation by Robert McDonald

* rain location Harmony Community Church 12010 Ormond Rd, Winchester, ON

Reid's Mills Cemetery

Annual Memorial Service

July 10 at 2:30. If rain at Osgoode United Church

40. Slants or swerves 42. "Oh my!" 43. Law enforcement dept.

Unaltered

One more than ten

A tribe of Israel

Introduction (abbrev.) 52. 10 in a decade

57. Split or cleave off (ar-

DOWN

1. Extra

2. Even

3. Came up

4. 1/60th of a fluid dram

5. British Thermal Unit

6. Operatic solo

7. Calms

8. The smallest amount

9. A meeting

10. Pertaining to modern science or equipment

11. Wild African sheep

12. Streamlet

13. Impart information

21. Founder of Carthage (Roman mythology)

25. Sacred text of Zoroastrianism

27. Express agreement

28. Tibetan ox

30. A type of cabbage

31. Historical periods

32. Dried hemp leaves

33. Dummy

34. Object of worship

35. Bottom of one's shoe 36. Special advantage

37. Light Emitting Diode

41. A chaw

44. Important or inner 46. Ancient war goddess

50. Horned animal 51. Lubricated 53. Delete 54. Afflicted

Behaved

Baldwin's Birds

on an adjacent nesting box, en route to their destination. Once happy that I am not a threat, they fly straight into the nest to feed their young and then leave for more! The Bluebirds are not the only busy ones either, as their activity is similar to the busy little House Wrens in another nearby nesting box.

placing a nest, although they are usually always very well made, when they do get it right!

Children’s book supports safe shelter

A miserable wet day it is today, as have seen a few others just recently, but the feeding of the new arrivals to the world still has to go on. Our Bluebirds have not shirked from that duty, as can be seen from the picture, and some of those snacks

for the kids have been quite substantial! Even though I have been quite actively working on some landscaping in the garden near to their nesting box, the parents have patiently waited for me to either be still, or well passed by where they are perching

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

Orange Salad

Salad time! We serve a lot of salads at Salamanders and they always hit the spot, particularly as the weather warms up. Try this one and see if you like it. It’s an Orange Salad that you can have with a meat or vegetable protein or without...

Ingredients

2-3 oranges, peeled and cut into quarters, then in half again or,

2 small cans of tangerine oranges, drained

2-3 chicken breasts, poached, cooled and cut into thin strips or,

2 good-sized slices of halibut, also poached, peppered, cooled and cut into chunks or,

¾ cup (or as much as you want) of bean curd, cut into chunks

2 cups of fresh, raw bean sprouts

1 Romaine head, sliced (not broken) into strips (leave the bottom 2 inches out)

½ cup of unsweetened orange juice

2 tablespoons of lemon juice

½ cup of low sodium Soya or Tamari sauce

3 tablespoons of mayonnaise

1 tablespoon of fresh grated ginger or 1 tablespoon of pickled ginger, minced

¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (readily available this time of year)

1/8 cup of chopped or broken cashew nuts (can be salted)

Note: Bean curd, bean sprouts, Tamari and ginger are all available at T&T in Ottawa).

“Busted” Cashewnuts are regularly on sale locally in a smallish can at a good price.

Preparation

· Combine the orange, your choice of protein, bean sprouts and Romaine in a salad bowl

· Mix the juices, Soya or Tamari sauce, mayo and ginger in a Mason Jar and shake (it’s ok to add 2 or 3 tablespoons of olive oil if you’ve a mind to)

· Pour the nd of fresh black pepper; alternatively, serve the dressing on the side and let folks pour on as much as they want

With this delicious salad, you might try The Crusty Baker’s garlic bread. I had some recently and it is very tasty! A light white wine to accompany is also “de rigueur”. You might try talking to the nice people up at our local LCBO.

As always, please give me a status report, including how you may have modified this recipe, at pcormier@ ranaprocess.com.

We had a Cedar Waxwing drop in for a few minutes the other day on it's way to somewhere else, but not on our patch! Our Robins seem to be behaving themselves and not attacking our house and car windows now as they, or one of them, was wont to do! However, a couple of friends have told me stories of having to assist their Robins by either shoring up their new nests with a bit of wood to prevent them from falling, or, as in one case, to prevent the nesting material from dropping down into the exhaust fan compartment where it had been placed by the birds. For quite a sizeable garden bird, the Robins don't seem to have much "Know How", when it comes to actually

The Goldfinches and House Finches are displaying their wonderfully bright yellow and red colours as they flit amongst the pine trees, whose lovely green shows up their colours even moreso. Of course our Little Hummingbird is also a "frequenter" of a lofty pine tree perch and is also busy at our feeder, as are our Woodpeckers, Chickadees, and Nuthatches, and even a Chipping Sparrow. I hope that you are all enjoying the bright colours of your garden birds too, despite their sometimes wet and bedraggled appearances, as they cope with some of the more prolific downpours, whilst, hopefully, you are able to watch them from some form of dry observation point. Whatever way you do, make sure that you enjoy and remain safe and well.

Cheers,

John Baldwin

by David Shanahan

The Farmer’s Daughter is the first book for children written and illustrated by Marguerite Boyer, co-owner of the Times. She decided to have all the proceeds from the sale of the book to go to Naomi’s Family Resource Centre, a refuge which provides safe, secure, confidential emergency shelter and support services to women 16 years and older with or without children who are victims of family violence in any form.

The Centre is one of the few safe shelters for women and children who have suffered from such violence, and is located in the Winchester area. There is an ongoing and constant need for financial support, clothing, and volunteers, and Marguerite wanted to do something to help. A children’s book seemed an appropriate way to do so. The book has been available to buy at the B&H store in Kemptville and at Foodland in Winchester for the past few months, and last week a cheque for $1,500 was presented to Naomi’s Family Resource Centre CEO, Deborah Thomson, by Judy Beveridge of B&H Kemptville.

Thanks to Judy Beveridge of B&H, Kemptville, Dan Pettigrew of Foodland, Winchester, and all the people who purchased a copy the Farmer's Daughter.

Anyone needing urgent help from Naomi’s Family Resource Centre can call their 24/7 crisis line: 613-7742838, or 1-800-267-0395. https://naomiscentre.ca. In an emergency, call 911.

Gee Ma! Is that all you've got for us!?

47 Christie Lane Winchester

Judy Beveridge presents Deborah Thomson with cheque

Registration now open for SNC Summer Fish Camps

the fundamentals of fishing.

“There is a lot of value in continuing with these camps, like promoting ecohealth,” adds Smith. “Kids are given the chance to fish all day, learn a new outdoor hobby, make new friends, and connect with nature.”

Sign up online at: https://www.nation.on.ca/ resources/watershed-education/youth-fish-camp

To learn more about recreational fishing: www. nation.on.ca/recreation/ fishing.

South Nation Conservation (SNC) is thrilled to host its annual Youth Fish Camp this summer! To kick off the 13th year, an additional camp and location have been added to the schedule to reach more youth across the watershed.

The popular youth summer camps are held in July and August 2022 at the Cass Bridge Conservation Area in Winchester, High Falls Conservation Area in Casselman, Jessup’s Falls Conservation Area in Plantagenet, and new this year, the Cardinal Legion Way Park in Cardinal.

“These camps deliver an invaluable outdoor

learning experience for youth,” explains Kelsey Smith, SNC Stewardship and Outreach Assistant. “They help to familiarize young people with the natural environment through responsible and sustainable fishing.”

Recreational fishing programs promote sustainable angling practices and encourage residents to explore fishing opportunities at Ontario Conservation Areas.

Young anglers between the ages of 9-13 will enjoy two fun days of environmental education, water quality testing, catch and release fishing, and learning

Storm Response May 2022

SNC works in partnership with its 16 member municipalities to share natural spaces and offer recreational opportunities on land and water.

Registration is open. Each camp is $40 and will run on the following dates:

· July 6 and 7: Cass Bridge Conservation Area, Winchester

· July 13 and 14: High Falls Conservation Area, Casselman

· July 20 and 21: Jessup’s Falls Conservation Area, Plantagenet

· August 3 and 4: Cass Bridge Conservation Area, Winchester

· August 10 and 11: High Falls Conservation Area, Casselman

· August 17 and 18: Cardinal Legion Park, Cardinal

SNC is a not-for-profit and community-based environmental agency that relies on fundraising to protect and enhance the local environment across its 4,441 square-kilometer jurisdiction. Education programs are funded by users fees and donations: www. nation.on.ca/donate.

Help Support Your Local Businesses SHOP LOCALLY

With thanks and gratitude

To the community of Winchester,

Thank you for your patience as you and nearlyover 7650,000 fellow Ontarians waited for our crews and partners to safely restore power.

Thank you for your trust in the 3,200 Hydro One team members,power workers, out-of-province utilities and contractors who worked around the clock.

Thank you for your kindness to our crews through your letters, emails, calls and sandwiches.

The damage from this storm was unprecedented and affected our entire system with damaged transmission towers and endless kilometres hundredsof downed power lines and over 1,900 broken, poles. and trees. Despite the devastation, I’m incredibly proud of how our teams and suppliers rallied together with Ontarians to support neighbours and help those in need.

These moments remind me of the critical role Hydro One plays in energizing Ontario and keeping the lights on for you and your family. Winchester, once again, thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

Warmest regards,

Mark Poweska President and CEO Hydro One HydroOne.com