Issue 15 2022 April 20 NG Times by The North Grenville & North Dundas Times

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Vol. 10 No. 15

The Voice of North Grenville

April 20, 2022

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by Clare Weissﬂog for Sustainable North Grenville Come out and celebrate Earth Day at the North Grenville Sustainability Fair this Saturday, April 23, from 10 am-3 pm. This popular Spring event takes place at the North Grenville Municipal Centre, and also features the electrifying “EVent” – the largest electric vehicle showcase between Toronto and Montreal! If the price of gas has been giving you the shivers lately, come and see what ﬁres up our EV enthusiasts! The Sustainability Fair is organized by community volunteer group, Sustainable North Grenville. It brings together locally-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, market vendors, artists, conservation enthusiasts, and community groups from North Grenville and the surrounding area. While the main hall will be full of booths where you can

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shop, learn, and share ideas, the arena is where you will ﬁnd the electric vehicles. Test drives of some models will be available -arrive early to sign up, some conditions apply, and expect to wear a mask in the vehicle. We are introducing a new feature this year – our “Greening Your Home” section. These booths will feature businesses that can help you save energy (and money) for your home. Find out more about heat pumps. Chat with the electrical company about the charger you’re installing for your electric vehicle. Find an energy auditor. Want to talk about Passivhaus and ultra efficient homes? We‘ve got you covered. Plus, you will be able to see a large display of electric yard equipment that will keep your property looking its best. There will be a draw for a battery-powered leaf blower, donated by long-time SNG supporter, Allison Miller.

Parents will ﬁnd our usual kids’ corner is a hive of activity for all of their busy bees! In fact, those garden helpers are the theme for our hands-on activities this year. Build a hive, learn about different kinds of bees, plant some seeds for the garden, or just take a break and relax with a good book from the collection provided by our very own NG Public Library. Our presentations this year cover a wide range of topics aimed at helping you ﬁnd ways to reduce your environmental impact. The presentations take place in the municipal theatre this year. Please note: due to remodeling work on the main theatre entrance, the theatre must currently be accessed via the exterior doors on the northwest corner of the Municipal Centre. For further information on the presenters and presentations, as well as other aspects of the Fair and the Electric

Vehicle Showcase, please visit the Sustainable North Grenville Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Join us for a day of sharing, learning, and connecting with your community at the North Grenville Sustainability Fair. With a delicious, locally-sourced food concession, and accompanied by a slate of talented local musicians, the Sustainability Fair is a feast for all the senses! Act Local | Build Relationships | Create Community The 13th North Grenville Sustainability Fair and EVent - The Indoor Electric Vehicle Show Saturday, April 23 from 10am - 3pm. North Grenville Municipal Centre, 285 County Rd 44; Kemptville. Please note: Any Covid regulations required by the municipality on that date will be in place and enforced by the municipality. Masking is encouraged.

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The Voice of North Grenville

Kemptville Street Piano Painting Contest

Cambridge 2012. Photograph by Claude Schneider Photography There’s a street piano on the North Grenville Times coming to town, and it needs a website, where viewers may lick of paint. The Kemptville vote for their favourite paintStreet Piano Concert Series ing. The winner will receive invites North Grenville art- $250, plus the cost of materiists to submit proposals for als, and have the pleasure of the task of painting the piano. seeing their art featured in Submissions will be posted downtown Kemptville from

mid-May to mid-September. The piano will then move to its winter location in the Municipal Centre. Artists had until midnight on April 20 to submit a proposal, and viewers may cast their votes starting April 21 until the contest closes at midnight on April 27, giving the winner two weeks to paint the piano before the Street Piano Concert Series debuts in downtown Kemptville. Please see the Kemptville Street Piano Facebook page for submission details, and don’t forget to visit the North Grenville Times website on April 21 to choose your favourite image and make your opinion heard. Looking forward to seeing you at the free concert series starting in May. Now get proposing! What is a Street Piano? It’s a piano placed in a public area that encourages passersby to stop and play. Why a Street Piano? Who is it for? Street Pianos draw pedestrians, turning any location into a concert

venue/cultural hub. By giving residents an instrument to play together, this project encourages locals to share their knowledge, initiate their own ‘play’, and create relationships, setting a precedent for positive experiences in Kemptville’s public spaces and inviting foot traffic to downtown businesses. Learn more about street pianos at www.streetpianos.com. When and where are the concerts taking place? The concert series will take place on Sunday afternoons from mid-May to mid-September, with the ﬁnal location of the piano yet to be determined. Check the municipal calendar and the Street Piano Facebook page for updates. The Kemptville Street Piano is presented by Lisa Poushinsky, founder of Voyageur Art & Music School. Contact Lisa for information at Lisa.poushinsky@gmail. com .

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North Grenville’s Council declares PITCH-IN Week Council has declared Pitch-In Week, April 17 – 24, 2022 for the Municipality of North Grenville. “It’s a big year for Kemptville, given a number of returning and first-time events, including the Old Town Kemptville Busker Festival in May, Kemptville LIVE in July, and the International Plowing Match in September,” emphasized Mayor Peckford. “We are so grateful to all those residents who are committed to beautifying every corner of our community. Even spending an hour or two to PITCH-IN while people are out in their neighbourhoods, parks, or on the trails makes a big diﬀerence.” Residents or groups who wish to participate are asked to register with the Municipality by calling 613-2589569 at extension 133, or via email at publicworks@ northgrenville.on.ca. Pitch-In Canada provides designated Pitch-In waste collection bags. PITCH-IN Bags can be picked up at the North Grenville Municipal Centre (285 County Road 44) reception. Participants can dispose of the collected materials either through the curbside collection program, or drop oﬀ at the Oxford Mills Waste April 20, 2022

Transfer Station. There is no bag tag required on the PITCH-IN Bags. “When the snow melts, it reveals items that have been discarded over the winter months. Removing this waste quickly is only made possible by the many residents who volunteer their time to cleanup neighbourhoods throughout our incredible community. This is an important reminder to ensure that we each take care of waste appropriately even when it may be ‘out of sight’,” added Councillor Kristin Strackerjan. Pitch-In Canada declared a year-long event, with cleanups organized throughout the year. North Grenville’s event has been registered for the month of April, with a focus around Earth Day on April 22. PITCH-IN Canada is celebrating 55 years. It began in 1967 with a handful of concerned citizens picking up harmful debris along the shore of Vancouver Island. PITCH-IN CANADA is a national, community-based organization comprised of eco-action and community volunteers who believe that maintaining a quality environment and encouraging civic pride is everyone’s responsibility. PITCH-IN

CANADA encourages voluntary action to keep communities clean, beautiful, and to restore and maintain a healthy environment. The Municipality of North Grenville has participated in Pitch-In Canada since 2002. PITCH-IN Safety Tips:

Be prepared – wear proper safety equipment (gloves, reﬂective vest) Watch for cars and be careful near roads Do not pick up dangerous items Be prepared to sort items for garbage or recycling Wash your hands when you’re done

Make every dayEarth Day Happy Earth Day

from North Grenville’s Council

Mayor Nancy Peckford

Councillor John Barclay

Councillor Kristin Strackerjan

Councillor Doreen O’Sullivan

Councillor Deb Wilson

www.earthday.ca 2

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The North Grenville Times

A Theatre Critic’s Review Victor Lachance, CAPP Reviews I attended the April 12 premiere screening of the “Local Green” commercial here in Kemptville. You may not have been aware of this futuristic event hosted by the Municipality, since it was only announced six days (4 business days) before the commercial presentation. It came to town so fast that there was unfortunately no time to announce it in the Times. Oddly enough, there was nevertheless enough time for the town’s Mayor to get an article about the event into the April 13 edition, unfortunately after the fact. The event was somewhat overshadowed by a rally of residents outside the venue, lamenting the destruction of farmland and farm buildings in the making of the “Local Green” commercial. Mournful chants of “Save Don’t Pave” were heard, especially as local dignitaries like the Mayor and members of Municipal Council strolled by, but did not address, the protestors. There was no sign of the well-known and photogenic executive producers of the commercial, Steve Clark, Sylvia Jones and Lisa Thompson. Some speakers at the rally went so far as to observe the odd timing of the event, just prior to the upcoming provincial election, and well before the issue of prison policing costs has been solved, and before the farmland has been transferred by Agriculture Ontario, and even before the province has completed or disclosed (I can’t tell you which because the province refuses to release its records about) the environmental assessment and other due diligence requirements. Undeterred, the hosts of the premiere event began by asking the audience to not discuss or ask any questions about the Kemptville prison, even though almost all of the subsequent slides talked about the proposed prison. I have to admit that this was a brilliantly executed piece of theatre, but perhaps a bit too rehearsed display of cognitive dissonance – you know, when you can hold two toApril 20, 2022

tally contradictory thoughts in your head at the same time. At least one audience member immediately left feeling misled once again on what constitutes a premiere viewing, in this case billed as a “public engagement session”. Which I suppose it was, but only if you are in favour of destroying heritage farmland. It briefly looked like “Local Green” might be an innovative attempt at a new form of science fiction, but the presentation settled down into the standard fare of cheerful local fiction. But then the event exploded into a dramatic feature of intolerance and mistreatment of the audience. For a moment I wasn’t sure if such hostility by the director was a form of staged audience participation or simply a horrible way to treat otherwise calm and polite audience members who had post-credit questions. I myself think it would have been nice to have some audience engagement on how public knowledge of the prison’s damage to Kemptville might affect the message of the “Local Green” commercial. Otherwise, the whole exercise might come across as simply greenwashing the proposed prison. In this critic’s opinion, this overt disrespect for those whose taxes paid for the commercial was rather galling, if not offensive. A friendly and collegial reception followed the pre-

The Voice of North Grenville

Baldwin's Birds

Spring is in the Air

miere, with many good ideas and suggestions for green initiatives on presently unconfirmed and unavailable “surplus land”. Unfortunately some of the gaiety was dimmed when some of the guests noted that there would be even more green possibilities if only there was no prison. They were met with silence, possibly because the “Local Green” producers hadn’t thought of that. It seems to me that divorcing the “Local Green” commercial from the reality of the proposed prison may be a very hard sell indeed. It seems to rely a bit too much on residents’ trust in the production team’s previous commitment to transparent and accountable communications. For example, what if those who see the commercial recall the producers’ promise to not support the proposed prison if it costs the taxpayer money? That might sour the message. That’s not the fault of the municipal staff who produced an esthetically pleasing commercial. However, it does bring into question the motivation and timing behind its development. I’ve never been a fan of greenwashing serious issues. In that respect I can’t recommend this sales advertisement to anyone. I give all those involved a nod for a brilliant attempt to deliver a first class serving of green fiction, but in the end it still left me hungry for the truth.

The warm sunny patches in our weather pattern seem to be working their Spring magic and the birds are starting to respond, as can be seen by today’s picture of a couple of Bluebirds. Whether or not this is an indication of a firm commitment to one of my nesting boxes still remains to be seen. Hopefully, it will be the case, but only time will tell! Along with the more usual courting and nesting activities going on, we are still experiencing some somewhat fanatical and frenzied activity from our Robin guest mentioned in my last article. This bird has definitely got an obsession with wanting to get through windows of any sort! At first, it was just our basement windows that it tried to negotiate, and despite our trying to put it off, it was returning all day long, using its beak and body to try and gain access. My wife and I thought that we had finally succeeded in deterring it, only to find that it had decided to try one of our car windows instead, where it perched on a wing mirror, from which it launched itself downwards to attack the corner of a door window. We were attracted to what was going on by the ever increasing

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white streaks down the car body! Despite us cleaning it oﬀ, the Robin persisted and tried the other side mirror and window, plus that of another vehicle. Obviously the vehicles being moved about at times proved a bit of a distraction from this strange behaviour, but now it has moved its plan of attack to the rear of the house and the large kitchen

window. At seven o'clock this morning I was awoken by a persistent, but now very familiar, banging noise from the kitchen, down the hallway from the bedroom. Sure enough, friend Robin was the culprit, launching itself from our deck at the window to get in! A few frantic waves of arms and hands and it ﬂew oﬀ again to regroup and think of its next strategy, which will be - what! I'll leave you all to ponder on that question and I'll let you know the answer, if and when it is revealed by the Robin! Until then, enjoy the warmer weather and the birds that it brings, but above all stay safe and well. Cheers, John Baldwin

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Editorial

The North Grenville Times

The circle game by David Shanahan I don’t know about you, but I’ve been hearing from a lot of people who are really quite tired of the debates about the proposed prison for Kemptville. Some of them are in favour of the prison idea, others are opposed, and most couldn’t care less, just as long as people stop talking about it (and writing articles and letters in the Times!). Personally, I believe discussion and transparency are essential in matters like this, and so we’ll continue to provide space in these pages for such dialogue. You may note an article by one of CAPP’s spokespeople in this issue, in fact. No, dialogue is good, protest is good, and consultation is good. It’s all good, but surely it has to go somewhere, have a speciﬁc aim and focus? And that’s where I have a problem. It seems the debate, controversy, call it what you will, has devolved into those opposed to the prison concentrating on the role of the mu-

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Thank you for the very insightful articles, “Losers Weepers - the Law of Nations”. The attitude of these European monarchs and those who agreed with them was so very arrogant, to say the least. Why do white people most often feel that they are the superior race? That they feel that their culture is the only one that is justiﬁed? Where did that begin? In a book I am presently reading, “Untamed”, the author, who is American, states: “that this nation - founded on liberty and justice for all - was built while murdering, enslaving, raping and subjugating millions. Liberty and justice for all was meant for white, straight, wealthy men!” Also, I found the letter by Elizabeth Sinclair very hard to understand. Her reasoning is lost to me. How do you negotiate with a cold, heartless monster that is Putin, who orders his soldiers to target innocent civilians? Babies, elderly people, no diﬀerence, and threatens his own soldiers with death if they do not obey. What kind of horrible greed is that - all for expanding his empire to give him more power? This morning I noticed my No Prison sign is missing from my front lawn. Some “kind,

nicipal council in all of this. The position of council has tended to be: “let’s focus on the good things we might get from this development, and recognise our limitations.” I must say, I ﬁnd both of these approaches to be rather pointless. I know, everybody will jump on me for this, but someone has to say it. Who imposed the thing on North Grenville? Ford, Steve Clark, and Solicitor General, Sylvia Jones, all of whom, no doubt, are following guidance from the bureaucrats. Who failed to consult with the people of North Grenville before imposing the prison on them? Why, Ford, Steve Clark, and Solicitor General, Sylvia Jones. Who has refused to disclose the background papers dealing with the choice of site, the background studies, and other relevant material? Oh look, it’s Ford, Steve Clark, and Solicitor General, Sylvia Jones agin. This being the case, why is opposition to the plan concentrating on municipal council, which has repeatedly,

and accurately, pointed out their almost complete lack of power to do anything about the project? Why are they being blamed for the actions, policies, deception, and antidemocratic actions of Ford, Steve Clark, and Jones? Are CAPP and JOG afraid to face them, or too lazy to travel as far as Brockville or Queen’s Park to protest and campaign against the actual perpetrators of the thing? But council are not guiltless in this either. Fine, they have no power to stop the prison; but why can’t they protest about the manner in which it was imposed on us? If they did speak out, they would have a united community behind them - both opponents and supporters of Ford, Steve Clark, and Sylvia Jones. They cannot be happy with the way this community, and they as our representatives, have been treated, anger at such a lack of respect for the people of North Grenville deserves to be shouted out loud. One demand by CAPP

and JOG is that council condemn the project outright. But here is an area where the two groups are on very weak ground. They give the impression - actually they explicitly state - that they represent the majority of residents. But do they? How do they know? Has either side, opposition or council, bothered to ﬁnd out what level of support the prison has in North Grenville? No, but CAPP and JOG continue to act as the righteous defenders of the people, even though they may not have the support of more than a few. Who knows? But this has led the two groups to take up positions and make statements that simply ignore what both the municipality and the province have said. They condemn what they see as the paving over of precious farmland by the concrete of the prison at a time when farmland is more needed than ever. But the Public Consultation last week emphasised that the prison will take around 50 of the nearly 200 acres of

the land in question. Which leaves almost 150 acres left for farmland. But one speaker at the meeting pointed out that it may not be very good agricultural land anyway. And the fact that CAPP, or someone else not associated with CAPP, ignored the request of the moderator at the Public Meeting to stick to the topic of the evening, what to do with whatever lands may be transferred to the municipality, and continued his prepared remarks regardless of repeated requests to stop, did nothing for the reputation of CAPP. And to claim that it was the moderator who was being anti-democratic is a bit rich, given the fact that the protests were being directed against those who were not, and are not, responsible for the mess. It was also disappointing that, after condemning everyone else for not engaging in genuine consultation, CAPP now makes fun of the municipality for holding a consultation session with the public over the potential uses of the

land to be transferred to the community. It was, they say, too soon to consult and discuss the matter. That sounds like the excuse Ford, Steve Clark, and Sylvia Jones used for not consulting us before announcing the prison plan. Ok, now that I’ve annoyed everyone, let me suggest this: let’s focus on those who are really to blame: the aforementioned Ford, Steve Clark, and Sylvia Jones. If you want to stop the project, focus on them and the provincial election. Get guarantees from the NDP, the Greens, and Liberals that the prison will be reconsidered, at least. Protest can be powerful and eﬀective; but not if it’s aimed at the wrong target. Otherwise, you go round in circles, and the real target is left untouched.

law-abiding” citizen must have decided it wasn’t appropriate? If anyone has any extra signs to spare, they are welcome to put several on my lawn. Also ABC signs are welcome! I am so sorry that we have lost Jim Bertram. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and many friends. Kath Piché

Dear Editor,

Well-being (adequate shelter, food and water); Economic Wellbeing (adequate job security); and, thirdly, Environmental Well-being, meaning that the well-being of Society and the Economy cannot come at a cost to the Environment. Gabell did not mention: “When the Paris Agreement was signed, Canada was a signatory to the “4 Per Thousand” Initiative. This means that we, as Canadians, are to return 0.4% carbon back to the soil through carbon sequestration. The ‘4 per 1,000’ initiative was launched by the French government at the COP21 Paris climate summit in 2015. It aims to boost carbon storage in agricultural soils by 0.4% each year to help mitigate climate change and increase food security (www.4p1000.org). In 2014, I made a proposal to start a 50-acre Green-Care Farm at the former Kemptville College farm. That proposal was unsuccessful. I wish that Gabell of the Ontario Green Party would focus more on solutions than playing the ‘blaming game’. Stopping Climate Change is a massive project that we all must be involved in. The Europeans, well ahead of us, sequester carbon, compost organic waste, and return the organic waste back to the community to grow gardens. Back in the 80s, apart-

ment dwellers in the Netherlands already used a green bin, recycle bin, and waste bin. Gabell needs to take his blinders oﬀ and come up with a constructive, rational carbon recycling initiative. Carbon fuels will be with us for a long time to come, especially now that we are facing energy crises around the world. We can mitigate climate change in this country, because there is enough land.

other side because of the respect that he had for other opinions, which always shone through. A couple of times we had discussions at my front door, and the neighbours would ask me afterwards “Wasn’t that Jim Bertram?”. When I conﬁrmed that, they were often perplexed, because of what they had seen in the papers between the two of us. I told them that Jim was one of those rare Conservatives that you could actually talk to, and discuss things rationally. I have always admired him for that. I have Conservative friends who are reluctant to talk about issues with me, and I have to use Jim as an example that we can disagree, but can still be friends. Jim was often nostalgic about how his Party looked like it was abandoning many of its values in the process of swinging to the Right. We occasionally discussed those values that had been usurped, and I often found that while I didn’t agree with some of them, there were still a lot that I could live with. Jim was always a gentleman, and I am going to miss our conversations, as infrequent as they were. I am also going to miss him. Colin Creasey, Kemptville

Dear Editor, In response to Roger Parnell's letter in April 6 Times, one has to wonder what they are hiding! Are they afraid someone else will remember the Rideau Correction Centre in Burritts Rapids? It was brought to light in a recent letter to the editor in the Ottawa Citizen outlining its previous existence. It opened on farm land in 1947 and closed in 2004. It was demolished in 2013. The land is still held by Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correction Service. As the writer of this letter (George Neville of Ottawa) suggests, it would be more appropriate to erect the prison on this land. Has anyone even remembered or raised the possibility of this site either locally or provincially? Mary Sue Boyle

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On April 12, while picking up some groceries, a female resident (35) was panhandling in front of the store I was visiting. Also on the same day, Oxfam released an alarming report: “263 million people are at high risk of ending up in extreme poverty this year. By the end of 2022, at least 850 million people will have to live on less than $1.90 a day”. This poverty is due to the Corona pandemic, growing global economic inequality, and sky rocketing food and energy prices due to the war in Ukraine. On top of that, we have an alarming addiction and mental health crisis, which cost the Canadian taxpayers well over $50 Billion a year. This is our society today. Steve Gabell, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands & Rideau Lakes’, Green Party of Ontario, is only concerned about Climate Change, and has the audacity to call countries that increase fossil fuel production truly dangerous radicals. Gabell went on to blame the Ontario PC Government, and then the Federal Government, about their new fossil fuel investment initiatives. As an Environmental Biologist, I have been teaching Crop Production, Climatology, and Climate Change for well over forty years. A sustainable society is based on three pillars: Social

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Dear Editor, I had a couple of things that I was going to write about this week, but then Jim Bertram’s passing eclipsed all that. Many of your readers will know that Jim and I were at the opposite ends of the political spectrum from all of the sparring that we did in Letters to the NG Times. Jim was one of those rare individuals that you could discuss things together without rancour, even though we often disagreed. There was a sort of wry humour that was always present at times throughout our conversations. The really interesting thing was that there were also many things that we could agree on, which I think helped in the discussions on things on which we had diﬀerent views. Jim proved that it is possible to talk to the

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Considerations affecting housing discussed by Council by Brandon Mayer At the regularly scheduled North Grenville Council meeting on April 13, a lengthy discussion about housing took place, bringing to light some of the considerations and challenges that are relevant to addressing the current housing crisis occurring both locally and nationally. Cristal Laanstra, the Municipality’s Deputy Director of Planning and Development, answered questions from Council regarding affordable housing, including whether having 25% of newly developed land used as affordable housing is being seen as a guideline, or a firm rule in practice. Regarding this issue, Deputy Director Laanstra informed Council that the 25% figure is more of a general guideline, because it can be very difficult to achieve higher density, smaller affordable housing units, particularly in rural areas. Director of Planning and Development, Amy Martin, was able to provide

more insight, clarifying that every developer which brings forward a plan to the Municipality must provide details on how they will address the affordable housing requirement to create more affordable units. The policy is flexible, so as to allow projects to proceed when they have the potential to provide significant community benefit in ways other than the addition of affordable housing units. Director Martin also provided Council with the good news that engineering studies in the Municipality’s rural residential subdivisions have suggested that up to two additional units (in addition to the principal dwelling) can be serviced by existing infrastructure without difficulty. This would exempt owners of these properties from having to undergo additional engineering studies in the future, should they decide that they want to add additional residential units, thereby creating an incentive to add more housing locally.

Province provides funding for retirement homes The Ontario government has announced that it is investing up to $95,695 in nine licenced retirement homes in Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. This is the first round of new funding for infection protection and control (IPAC), personal protective equipment (PPE) and extra support for resident care. “Our government is providing this additional funding to help retirement homes manage COVID 19,” said MPP Steve Clark. “Our loved ones, visitors and staff are gaining the support they need to keep everyone safe.” The additional funding will be used for infection screening, cleaning supplies and enhanced sanitization, replacement HEPA filters, extra staff to support resident care, and PPE to keep residents and staff safe. Two of the facilities receiving funding under this initiative are Bayfield Manor Retirement Community ($9,468), and Kemptville Retirement Living Inc. ($13,727). A new round of IPAC, April 20, 2022

PPE and extra support for resident care will happen this summer. “Ontario’s retirement homes provide a caring and safe place for many seniors to live,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Our government will always step up to help residents and staff stay healthy and secure as we continue to manage COVID-19 for the long-term.” Licensed retirement homes can request reimbursement for funds spent to purchase IPAC products, new air filters, and to offset the cost of increased staff needed for COVID screening, testing, monitoring and audits, and resident care and engagement. The Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA) will distribute the reimbursed funds to eligible licensed retirement homes on behalf of the Ontario government. As of February 2022, there were 777 licensed retirement homes in Ontario.

The Voice of North Grenville

The Council meeting discussion on policies and other issues of consideration when it comes to housing developments in general went on for over an hour, bringing to light the complex nature of housing. Issues discussed included ways to preserve trees during the development process, the feasibility of adding a walkway between subdivisions to aid children in getting to school, and considerations about traﬃc disruptions during the construction of new developments. Discussions also took place regarding whether the Municipality should assume ownership of ﬂoodplain lands in the area of a new development (with much debate). Further, a local couple from Hurd Street had some of their concerns addressed regarding the new development bordering their property – these concerns involved issues such as stormwater management, and water table concerns from the additional drawing of well water from seven proposed

neighbouring properties. North Grenville is not the only Municipality in the area with housing at the forefront of Council meeting discussions lately. To the east, in North Dundas, Council recently received proposals for two new developments, one of which would involve the building of the first high-density stacked townhouses in the Township. Such an emphasis on affordable housing is likely to be at the forefront of discussions during municipal Council meetings across the country, as local government officials seek ways to increase housing supply in order to drive inflated prices back down. On a national level, the federal government has taken initial steps to address the issue, such as banning the sale of homes to foreign buyers for the next two years to help ensure more housing supply for Canadians.

UPDATE

For updates related to COVID-19 and the North Grenville Municipal Centre visit: www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus

MUNICIPAL OFFICE HOURS

The Municipal oﬃce is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please note: Renovations at the North Grenville Municipal Centre reception area are underway. Access to the facility will continue to be through the main entrance doors located on the North side of the building. Customer service will be moved upstairs for the duration of the renovation project. Access to the 2nd ﬂoor stairs and elevator will be available during this time. Sign-up to Mayor Peckford’s e-newsletter at: northgrenville.ca/connect.

UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETINGS Council will resume meeting in person on April 5, 2022. Please pre-register with the Clerk at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca. Masks must continue to be worn when physical distancing cannot be maintained. If you require accommodation, please advise the Clerk when pre-registering so that we may best assist you. 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 meetings will be live streamed on YouTube at: youtube. com/user/NorthGrenville/featured and on the Municipality’s website at: northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes. Council agendas are available at: northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes. • Council Meeting (Open) – TBD – May 3, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. • Council Meeting (Open) – TBD – May 11, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Committee meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting, preregistration is required by e-mailing the Clerk’s Oﬃce at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca. • Tourism Advisory Subcommittee – April 21, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. • Arts and Culture Advisory Committee – April 26, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. • Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee – April 27, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. • Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee – May 2, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. • Heritage Advisory Committee – May 5, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.

Rocking for Ukraine Bonspiel

NORTH GRENVILLE POLICE SERVICES BOARD

by Randy Hughes Good news. The Rocking for Ukraine Bonspiel on April 2 at the North Grenville Curling Club (NGCC) raised a total of $13,789.14 to be distributed evenly to the Ukraine Red Cross and a local refugee program. We had 80 curlers participate and over 80 businesses and individuals donated either money or prizes. Two local bands provided entertainment during the day, The Grateful Kids and Electric Echo. About 100 members and guests enjoyed our first sit down club dinner in over two years. Our Sunday Night Rental players also stepped up and donated their prize money to the cause, which was then matched by one of their players. We were happy to be able to make a positive influence on both the local and global stage. Together, along with your support, we will continue to provide North Grenville and its citizens a great venue in which to curl. We hope that our collective efforts this year will make a difference in the lives of others less fortunate than ourselves. ‘Thank you’ to everyone involved for a job well done. the north grenville

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Phone:613 329 0209 Email: melissa@ngtimes.ca www.ngtimes.ca

Police Services Board meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting virtually, pre-registration is required by e-mailing the Clerk’s Oﬃce at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca • Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 1:30 p.m.

VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Please visit northgrenville.ca/careers for updates on volunteer and employment opportunities. Drainage Technologist (6 month contract) The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill the position of a Drainage Technologist for a 6 month contract position. Please visit northgrenville.ca/careers for the job description. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualification in confidence to hr@northgrenville.on.ca no later than 4:00 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2022. Heritage and Archives Assistant – Kemptville Campus The Kemptville Campus is seeking a Heritage and Archives Assistant (summer student, May – August 2022). Please visit northgrenville.ca/careers for the job description. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualification in confidence to the Executive Director at lsutherland@kemptvillecampus.ca no later than 4:00 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2022.

The Municipality of North Grenville 285 County Rd. 44, PO Box 130, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca www.NorthGrenville.ca 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

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The North Grenville Times

Municipality of North Grenville remembers Jim Bertram

Jim Bertram celebrating election to Council in 2014 with wife, Sonja, and daughter, Erika It is with profound sadness that Council recognizes the passing of Jim Bertram, former Councillor with the Municipality of North Grenville. Mr. Bertram passed away on April 5, 2022. “On behalf of all residents and business leaders in North Grenville, Council would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Mr. Bertram’s family, along with those who were enriched by his commitment to our community,” said Mayor Peckford.

A retired teacher with a distinguished career, Mr. Bertram was an active parent, grandparent and community leader. He was passionate about a variety of issues in North Grenville. He served as a Councillor with the Municipality of North Grenville from 2014 – 2018, and as Council liaison to Public Works. Mr. Bertram embraced his role as an elected oﬃcial and fully understood how much he could make a diﬀerence as a member of Council.

ABC Internet Matters empowers adult learners online

While on Council, Mr. Bertram launched the North Grenville Rural Summit, a successful community-led event centered around rural economic development, showcasing local agriculturebased businesses. The inaugural Rural Summit was held in 2016 at the Kemptville Campus, followed by events in 2018 and 2019. Subsequent to the 2018 Summit, MPP Steve Clark took the time to commend his eﬀorts during a statement at Queen’s Park. “Mr. Bertram cared deeply about North Grenville and its residents. He was a ‘people person’ never afraid to speak out on topics he cared about, and was a true champion for individual rights and freedoms. He continued to speak out after his time on Council on a variety of issues,” added Councillor John Barclay. North Grenville’s ﬂags at the Municipal Centre have been lowered to half-mast in Mr. Bertram’s honour.

ABC Life Literacy Canada is pleased to announce that its ABC Internet Matters program, supported by the Canadian Bankers Association, is expanding to offer new resources. The program provides introductory digital literacy education for older Canadians who are not comfortable using the Internet and adult learners who need help in strengthening their digital skills. ABC Internet Matters released its latest workbook in November 2020, at the height of the pandemic, which put a spotlight on how vital the Internet is to our modern way of life. As the pandemic continued, it was clear that strong digital literacy skills were needed for tasks such as filling out an application for social assistance, booking a vaccine appointment, staying up to date on current affairs, or staying connected with friends and family. Approximately 30% of older Canadians are not using the Internet. To that end, ABC Internet Matters aims to support them with the skills needed to thrive in a digital age. “This program has been supporting adult learners at such an important time, and we are pleased to be able to expand its offering of even

UCDSB Trustees Meeting Student Transportation Update: General Manager and Chief Administrative Oﬃcer of Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO), Janet Murray, presented a report to Trustees about STEO’s Inclement Weather Zone Review. She shared that after a thorough assessment of zonal cancellation viability, STEO recommends that a systemwide cancellation model remains in place to support student and driver safety, driver engagement and continuity of service. Following the presentation, Trustees voted in favour of a motion to have STEO do further research into viable solutions and the cost of a zonal approach. Student Mental Health and Wellness Update: Superintendent Jennifer Perry presented to Trustees an update on student mental health and wellness. This relates directly to the Board Improvement and Equity Plan. There is a multi-tiered system of support for students, which is overseen and developed by the district’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Jennifer Curry. Tier one is mental health promotion, tier two is targeted skill development services, and tier three is treatment and ongoing care supports. April 20, 2022

Superintendent Perry also shared that including student voice continues to be crucial for the UCDSB. The district’s wellness goal is that all students will report that school is a safe and inclusive space, and positively influences their mental health, wellness, and sense of belonging. So far, over 4,000 students have been consulted by Principal of Equity and Inclusion, Dan McRae. Masking in Schools: Superintendent Marsha McNair provided an operational update to Trustees. She noted that after consultations with both local chief medical officers of health, they continue to support the Ministry of Education’s recommendation that masking remains optional. Both doctors recommended that families practice extra vigilance and consider public health measures, including encouraging masking in schools. Following the presentation, Trustees passed a motion to strongly recommend masking at UCDSB for students, staff, and visitors. Staffing Update: Superintendent Chad Brownlee shared a staffing update. Covering staff absences continues to be a challenge in our schools and

The Voice of North Grenville

the school board is seeing a higher number of positions unfilled each day. System staﬀ have been re-deployed to fill some of those daily vacancies. No school closures have taken place yet due to staﬃng, however, a total of seven classes had to be moved to remote learning for one or two days.

more resources as we come out the other side of this global pandemic,” says Alison Howard, Executive Director of ABC Life Literacy Canada. “Thanks to the Canadian Bankers Association, more seniors and adult literacy learners will be able to continue to improve their digital literacy skills and utilize all that the Internet has to oﬀer them in a safe manner.” The expansion of ABC Internet Matters will add an additional workbook that focuses on how users can search safely online using tools such as Google, and how to avoid fake news, which became a timely topic during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Statistics Canada, 96 per cent of Canadians who used the Internet to search for information on COVID-19 said they saw material they believed was false or misleading. By completing the ABC Internet Matters workbook, learners acquire the skills needed to identify if a story or a website is accurate, and the knowledge required to help find information from trusted sources. This workbook joins a suite of free downloadable tools and resources – available at abcinternetmatters. ca – including resources on

how to use Google Maps, how to create strong passwords and how to identify secure websites. “The CBA is proud to return as sponsor of ABC Internet Matters and supporting the growth of this free, national digital literacy program,” says Anthony G. Ostler, President and CEO, Canadian Bankers Association. “Engaging with technology can be challenging for older adults. This important program helps them stay safe, informed and connected in our increasingly networked world.” To learn more about ABC Internet Matters, and to download the free resources and workbooks, visit www. abcinternetmatters.ca. ABC Internet Matters videos: How do I keep myself safe on the Internet?: https:// youtu.be/9jP0VTZpepQ Get connected and stay safe online: https://youtu.be/ S7_pfTFw6hs

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The Voice of North Grenville

Community Theatre’s Ripcord performance coming next week

Actors rehearsing for the upcoming production of “Ripcord" by Brandon Mayer Local theatre group, North Grenville Community Theatre (NGCT), will be putting on its production of “Ripcord” next week, after many months of preparation and rehearsal. The play – written by David Lindsay-Abair – had its world premier on October 1, 2015, directed by David Hyde-Pierce, a Hollywood

actor known for portraying Dr. Niles Crane on the sitcom “Frasier”. “Ripcord” was taken on as a project by NGCT last year, with many months of planning, casting, and rehearsals necessary to get the production ready for audiences. Producer Debbie MacGillivray told the Times about some of the people involved. “Several of the actors and

crew have been with NGCT (formerly KPI) for many years, including Paul Rochon, Winston Kinnaird, and Lee Gaw,” she said. “We are also thrilled to have recruited some actors from ITR Theatre Company of Osgoode, namely Greg Eisnor, who plays the long-suffering care worker trying to cope with Marilyn and Abby’s shenanigans, and Jorie Basque, found amidst all the chaos as Marilyn’s daughter. Our youngest actor in this production, a senior in high school, is Dominic Churchill, who has also done sound and light for NGCT. Another one of our actors, Sheryl Cunningham, grew up in a theatrical home and was bitten by the bug at a very young age. Away from acting for many years, she has returned to the stage to round out our cast.” The play is sure to bring much excitement, with a plot full of surprises. A play description provided by Debbie reads, “What happens when a cranky resident of a senior’s residence, who has been living single in a double occu-

pancy room for several years, suddenly ﬁnds herself with a bubbly roommate? In a word – mayhem! Robin Churchill plays grumpy Abby Binder. Abby quite likes living alone in her double occupancy room until bubbly Marilyn Dunne arrives. Marilyn, played by Laura Fletcher, will not allow Abby’s grouchy disposition to ruin her optimistic outlook. The two women enter into a battle of wits immediately, each one determined to outsmart the other. Enter a Zombie waiter, a scary clown, and even some sky-diving! Who, if anyone, will end up victorious?” “Ripcord” will be performed at the Urbandale Arts Centre in Kemptville on April 28, 29, and 30 at 7:30 pm, plus a matinee on May 1 at 2 pm. Tickets are available online at ngct.ca, or in-person at B&H Community Grocer, or at the theatre door, if not sold out.

A debut thriller by Kemptville author Local author Lis Angus’s ﬁrst novel, a thriller titled Not Your Child, was released on April 18. The novel is published by The Wild Rose Press, and is available in both ebook and paperback formats. The story features Susan, an Ottawa psychologist and single mother, whose twelve-year-old daughter disappears. The immediate suspect is Daniel, who has been following the girl and claims she’s actually his granddaughter who was abducted as a baby—but Daniel has an alibi, and two searches of his house turn up nothing. The hunt is on—police are on full mobilization, and Susan fears the worst. Author bio: Lis Angus grew up on a farm in Alberta, then moved to Ottawa to study journalism and social sciences. In her early career she worked with children and crisis. Later she her husband owned • and Brakes • families Vehicleinrepairs a •consulting ﬁ rm in Toronto and raised their family Class “A” Mechanic • Suspension there, before Kemptville. has been writ• TireLis Sales • Sale ofretiring Quality to Preing allOwned her life,Vehicles but mostly for• business; she began her Air Conditioning novel after completing her term as Chair of the Kemp• Flat Bed Tow Truck • Alignments tville District Hospital Board in 2016.

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The Voice of North Grenville

The Environmental impact of Death Art Show and Sale this weekend and the Green Burial Alternative what inspired them to paint a by Sasha Honsl, Director, Green Burial Ottawa Valley We come from nature. Our parents and our ancestors came to life, lived, and survived from the nourishment given by plants and animals. The survival of all animals, of course, comes from plants which are nourished from the soil that is comprised of decayed plant and animal material. This cycle of life has existed since living things existed. In the past, humans, in one way or another, returned to the earth and contributed to the cycle of life. Fast forward to modern times and human death has become a highly commercialized and profit- driven business which has disconnected us from the natural process and has caused a negative environmental impact instead of a positive one. Driven by the high cost of “commercialized” burial, cremation, for example, has become a popular alternative to burials (according to canadianfunerals.com, in 2019 the cremation rate was 73%), but this comes at a significant environmental cost. Cremation results in toxic emissions, including persistent pollutants. The cremation process also requires a significant amount of energy, resulting in millions of tons of CO2 emissions across the globe. The alternative to cremation, burial, has become an expensive option, with again significant environmental impact. Did you know that many cemeteries have concrete vaults that the coffins are placed into? The vaults’ only purpose is to ensure that the ground does not settle over time, causing a dip that would have to be topped up with soil. The manufacturing of concrete is one of the largest contributors of worldwide CO2 emissions. According to statistics I have found, as an example in 2010, concrete vaults accounted for 2.5% of the concrete usage in the US. A single concrete burial vault weighs 1,800 lbs. and ranges upward to 3,000 lbs. For a 1 ton burial vault, about

1 ton of CO2 is produced to manufacture and transport the vault to a cemetery. This is the same amount of CO2 that a four-person family produces in about 9 days. It takes a tree about 40 years to sequester 1 ton of CO2. Next up for environmental impact, the casket: The materials used in caskets may be wood, plastics, metals, fabrics, paints/varnishes, and besides the energy to make and transport, they all create different environmental hazards in their production, transportation, and use. A toxic mix of chemicals that, over time, break down and contaminate the surrounding soil. What is embalming? Embalming is a surgical procedure by which the body’s blood volume is drained and replaced with specialized chemicals- embalming fluid contains a mixture of formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, methanol, and other solvents. The formaldehyde content generally ranges from 5 to 37% and the methanol content may range from 9 to 56%. In the United States alone, about 20 million litres of embalming fluid are used every year. Embalming is performed to preserve a body for viewing. In addition to embalming, the body is typically cosmetically touched up to make the deceased look as “alive” and natural, so that loved ones’ last view and memory can be a positive one. Understandable, but is the environmental impact, and what you could view as the desecration of the body, worth it? Besides the significant environmental impact, what does this all add up to? Canadianfunerals.com – “According to research from Tom Niebuhr’s InMemory database, a burial in Canada costs between $5,000 and $10,000 on average. On the other hand, a cremation costs between $2,000 to $5,000”. This does not include any memorial services – just the cremation or burial of the loved one. What is the alternative ?

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The alternative is what nature intended and what was the norm for humans and our ancestors – a natural or green burial – going back to the earth, making a positive environmental impact and contributing to the cycle of life. The Green burial standard, by definition, does not allow for any form of embalming or cremation. The remains for burial must be enclosed in a fully biodegradable shroud, container, or casket. Ideally, ‘containers’ will be made from locally sourced, sustainable fabrics and materials, and directly buried into the earth. Green cemeteries are typically park-like forested settings, with small markers designating the burial Gladiolas, watercolour by Rachel MacDonald locations- a peaceful tranquil artists from Ottawa, North place to visit and remember by Sandy Armstrong loved ones. As they are proIs it time to update the Grenville, North Gower, Cartected grounds, they host and artwork on your walls? We leton Place, Orleans, Gatineau, and, of course, Manotick. become nature conservato- have the solution. ries. Unlike most cemeteries, Come to the Manotick Art All the artists will be on hand no chemical pesticides or Association Show & Sale. to answer any questions you herbicides are used. Losing a This juried show features 40 might have, find out why or loved one is a painful experience, but giving back to nature can be a beautiful thing. I love and get choked up every time I read this quote: “When I showed Judy a photograph of this beautiful forest, she smiled and said, 'I'm gonna O n t a r i o F e s t i v a l o f Ontario Festival of Small become a tree.' That's when Small Halls organizers has Halls General Manager, Anna I knew this place was perfect announced that they will Wood. “The underlying beaufor her.” continue to offer the joy of ty of a Small Halls show is in The green burial move- live music concerts in small seeing your favourite act in ment and awareness is grow- communities across Eastern a unique and intimate coming exponentially worldwide. Ontario, during the month munity setting that allows you In Ontario there are now of May, 2022. Unlike previ- to connect with the music and about 10 hybrid (existing ous years, there are no gigs the artist.” cemeteries with a green burial scheduled for North Grenville Safety is of the utmost area) with another 18 in de- locations. importance, and the Festival velopment. The festival will feature a crew will follow any guideMore information can be wealth of Canadian artists at lines set out by the province found at: The Ontario based numerous venues in the Ot- and local health authorities. Natural Burial association, tawa Valley and beyond. The Some of the scheduled gigs in www.naturalburialassocia- programming includes several the area include: tion.ca, and www.greenburi- awe-inspiring acts, such as: Friday, May 13, Kaia Kater alcanada.ca. More locally, the Ashley MacIsaac; Basia Bu- - St. John's United Church Green Burial Ottawa Valley lat; Chris Murphy; Great Lake Brockville. group’s goal is to establish Swimmers; Harrow Fair; Friday, May 13, Great Lake green burial sites in eastern Hawksley Workman; Jessica Swimmers - Manotick United Ontario. Green Burial Ottawa Pearson & The East Wind; Church - Manotick. Valley will have a table at the Kaia Kater; Skydiggers. and Saturday, May 14, Kaia Kater Sustainability Fair, April 23 at The Redhill Valleys. - Manotick United Church the North Grenville Munici“It’s an eclectic festival, Manotick. pal Centre. with musical mavericks, Saturday, May 14, Great (www.greenburialottawatrusty veterans and some re- Lake Swimmers - St. Anvalley.ca). markable newcomers,” says drew's Presbyterian Church

particular piece. Each piece of work is original, so you could be going home with something that is truly unique for your home. With hundreds of pieces being shown over the weekend, you are sure to ﬁnd something special for that tiny little space that is hard to ﬁll, or a statement piece for a large wall that really needs something spectacular. Doors open on Friday, April 22, from 6-9 pm, Saturday, April 23, and Sunday, April 24, from 10 until 4:30 pm both days. Location: The Manotick Curling Centre, 5519 South River Drive in Manotick. Free Admission and lots of parking available. A portion of all sales will be donated to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, and you can also make a cash donation to the Canadian Guide Dogs at the door. Everyone is welcome, come and join us!

Ontario Festival of Small Halls announces lineup

services

- Prescott. Fri, May 20, Harrow Fair (opener, The Redhill Valleys) - St. John's United Church Brockville. Saturday, May 28, Skydiggers - Winchester United Church Winchester. All concerts begin at 7.30 p.m. Tickets for individual events go on sale online only, any time after 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12. Visit www. ontariosmallhalls.com, or www.festivalofsmallhalls. frontgatetickets.com. The Ontario Festival of Small Halls takes showcasing cherished community venues to heart and puts the halls themselves front and centre. For more information, please visit the website and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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The North Grenville Times

Province expanding access to COVID-19 Antivirals The Ontario government is expanding eligibility for COVID-19 antiviral treatments and PCR testingto more high-risk individuals. “I am pleased that we will be able to offer more accessible antiviral treatment options to more people across Ontario,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Oﬃcer of Health. “I ask everyone across Ontario to continue doing their part to keep their communities and loved ones safe by staying up to date on vaccinations and wearing masks.” Eﬀective immediately, the following higher-risk groups are eligible to be tested and assessed for antiviral treatments, such as Paxlovid, in Ontario: - Individuals aged 18 and over who are immunocompromised (have an immune system that is weakened by a health condition or medications); - Individuals aged 70 and over; - Individuals aged 60 and over with fewer than three vaccine doses; and - Individuals aged 18 and over with fewer than three vaccine doses and at least one

risk condition (e.g., a chronic medical condition) Anyone who is eligible for an assessment is now also eligible for a PCR test at any testing centre in Ontario. Since April 12, it should be easier for eligible individuals with a prescription to access antivirals by using the expanded list of dispensing locations, which include participating pharmacies across the province. A list of pharmacies that are dispensing Paxlovid is available at Ontario. ca/antivirals as of Wednesday, April 13. The list will be regularly updated as the list of participating pharmacies expands. Treatment for antivirals must be started within ﬁve days of symptoms in most cases. Individuals who are part of higher risk groups and who have COVID-19 symptoms should immediately seek testing and care, by contacting their health care provider or visiting a clinical assessment centre. Individuals can contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 for more information about where to ﬁnd a clinical assessment centre or to determine if they are at higher risk.

Mathilde Winter

Individuals can access Ontario’s antiviral screener tool to help determine if they are at higher risk and should be assessed for treatment. A positive rapid antigen test, PCR or rapid molecular test is required as part of the assessment for antiviral treatment. Rapid antigen tests remain available for pick up at no charge from over 3,000 retail locations in the province. Clinical assessment centres continue to be available to assess and test patients as well as to prescribe and dispense antivirals. Health care providers may also determine if antiviral treatment is appropriate for patients based on individual circumstances even if they do not belong to one of the groups listed. The oral antiviral Paxlovid, manufactured by Pﬁzer, was approved by Health Canada on January 17, 2022. Treatment with Paxlovid must begin within ﬁve days of symptom onset. To get assessed, individuals can visit a clinical assessment centre or contact their primary care provider. Eligible individuals will be able to book their fourth dose appointment

through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900, directly through public health units that use their own booking systems, through Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, participating pharmacies, and participating primary care settings. Booster doses are being offered to these individuals at a recommended interval of five months after receiving their last booster. Data suggests that Moderna may provide a stronger protection for older adults eligible for fourth doses, speak with a health care provider or immunizer if you have any questions about COVID-19 vaccine products. PCR testing is available for eligible individuals at over 200 assessment centres and community labs, and at over 790 participating. pharmacies. Visit Ontario.ca/covidtestinglocations to find a testing location. If you test positive on a PCR, rapid molecular or a rapid antigen test, you must isolate, except to seek testing and care. Visit Ontario.ca/ exposed to learn more about isolation directions.

what had happened to me. It wasn't until much later, when I was recovering at home, that I recalled my "Out of Body" experience. Now, I know, I believe you are saying to yourself, "here we go, another religious whacko", but please indulge me. I am in a place, there is no atmosphere, such as trees or grass, anything like that, but oﬀ in the distance I see people, one of the people approaches me and says, “Welcome, you are going to love it here". Then a voice comes from a distance, a voice that is rich and deep, but not harsh. That voice said, "You can go back". Okay, okay, I get it: you are thinking, here we go again. However, I don't care if you believe there is a God or not, if you refer to God as our Heavenly Father, just plain God, or Allah, or think there is no God and after death, we just rot in the ground. I am here to tell you this Easter Season, 2022, that "There is a God". Whether you attend church or not, I believe, just as we attend school to learn

and build experiences, you owe it to yourself to obtain a Bible or a Koran and read it. The best Bible version for a "new timer" is "The Message". There are no "thee's and thou's”, it is written in modern everyday English. If your curiosity begins to get the better of you, there are many printed versions of Bible Thesaurus, articles and books written by religious scholars. One I can mention is C.S. Lewis, the author of "The Witch, The Wardrobe and The Lion" and "Mere Christianity", among many others. Have A Happy Easter.

A Cautionary Tale by Josephine Herman As we celebrate the Holy Season of Easter, I would like to tell you, the readers, my story, as I feel it is my duty. Firstly I want to thank David Shanahan and The Times for their continuous endeavour to bring the Gospel of God to the readers of this newspaper. David, it makes God smile! So the following is my story. In 1997, my husband and our two teenage children moved to Ontario from Nova Scotia, as my husband worked in the engineering department in the communication industry. I quickly went to work looking for a job and applied with an international engineering company in Ottawa. I ﬁnally secured work the following year, 1998. By late 2003, I began to experience drowsiness on my way home from work. There were times when I pulled over into the commercial truck weigh station on the 416. However, as soon as I pulled over, I did not feel sleepy any longer, so would carry on driving home. On January 20, 2004, just as my husband and I climbed April 20, 2022

into bed, I rolled over and told him, "I hear blood running in my right ear". I collapsed. David quickly phoned 911. Still unconscious, I was transported to the Kemptville District Hospital for assessment and then on to the Ottawa Civic Hospital. After assessment, it was deemed I had suﬀered a brain aneurysm burst in the centre of my brain. I was quickly moved into the Neurosciences operating room, where Dr. Howard Lesiuk, Neurosurgery, performed emergency surgery to block the blood ﬂow from the rupture. I spent six weeks in the Neuroscience Department hospital bed, I have no recollection of my time there. Then three months in Elizabeth Bruyere Rehab Centre, recovering and attending rehabilitation classes. Shortly after entering the Rehab Centre, I began to experience conscious thought. I had no idea where I was, or how I had gotten there. Looking around the Rehab Hospital, it appeared to me to be an old army barracks of some sort. I quickly learned

The Voice of North Grenville

The family of Mathilde Winter of Hallville, Ontario would like to express sincere gratitude to the many friends and neighbours who supported us following the passing of our mom/Oma. First, we are so grateful for the kind but nonetheless efficient efforts of Heather Holmes, Care Coordinator, as we sought the support needed to keep mom in her home as long as possible. When the time finally came and mom moved to Bayfield Manor, the staff of that facility provided top notch care and support to mom and subsequently treated us with kindness and compassion on the day of her passing. As we have come to expect, Byers Funeral Home staff made our planning as uncomplicated as possible. Then, on the day of mom’s funeral we are so fortunate that Reverend Blair has such a clear understanding of what made our mom “tick” and could convey that so well to all attending her funeral service. As well, thanks to Hallville Choir under the direction of Helen Hyndman for your musical contribution. Last, but not least, to all of you who reached out with kind words, memories, cards, food and hugs we are reminded once again that we live in a wonderful community. Our mom would have been overwhelmed!

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The Voice of Merrickville-Wolford

Ukraine initiative a success in Merrickville

by Brandon Mayer A fundraising initiative, which was started last month by the Merrickville-Wolford Chamber of Commerce to aid Ukraine in the wake of the invasion by Russia, has far surpassed its initial goal. The fundraiser began with a modest goal of raising $15,000, but, as of the time of writing, nearly $48,000 had been raised by local businesses in support of the war-stricken country. The fundraising initiative had support from a large number of stores and restaurants in the Merrickville area. Merrickville-Wolford Chamber of Commerce Director, Yves Grandmaitre, gave credit to many businesses and individuals who went above and beyond with the fundraiser, including a gift basket draw from local gift shop Pickle & Myrrh, perogies being sold at local coﬀee shop Village Bean, and a Ukraine egg painting workshop offered by local artist Irene Chahley. Yves also noted that many

stores donated part of their sales as part of the fundraiser, and Mainstreet Restaurant single-handedly raised over $10,000 of the total amount raised. Given that many diﬀerent charitable organizations are collecting and distributing money earmarked for Ukraine, the Times asked Yves what the money raised by the Chamber’s initiative will be used for. “Fundraisers had the option of donating where they wished,” Yves said. “Examples include the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, or Veterinarians Without Borders. Funds provided to the Chamber, including almost $2,000 raised through coin collectors spread across the Village, will be donated to the ‘#United with Ukraine’ initiative, organized by the Ukrainian World Congress.” Though the initiative has already seen such success, the fundraising is not yet over. Some stores and restaurants in the Merrickville area have decided to continue fundrais-

Indigenous matters

ing, as charities supporting Ukraine (and other relief eﬀorts globally) continue to have a need for funds. Additionally, the local initiative may help to inspire similar fundraising in other localities. “Our Chamber also reached out to other Ontario Chambers through the Ontario Chamber of Commerce weekly town hall and challenged them to mount a similar initiative,” Yves said. “We heard back from several Chambers asking for more information.” Many locals in Merrickville-Wolford and surrounding municipalities have proudly shown their support for Ukraine by displaying Ukrainian ﬂags outside their homes. The war between Ukraine and Russia began with the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24. Overwhelming evidence, including countless videos and photographs, have pointed to a full-scale attack on Ukraine at the hands of Russia, including vicious bombings and fatal attacks on civilians, including children. Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia have been attempted in the past month, but Russian President Vladimir Putin is now claiming that these talks have reached a dead end. More about the Merrickville-Wolford Chamber’s initiative can be found on a dedicated Facebook page at www.facebook.com/merrickvillewolfordstandswithukraine, or on the Chamber’s website at merrickvillechamber.ca.

Indigenous status in 1950

This is part of a series of articles on Indigenous issues and history to promote awareness of our shared history among the general population. by David Shanahan On 13 May and 16 May 1946, respectively, the House of Commons and the Senate passed parallel resolutions to establish the Special Joint Committee on the Indian Act. When local Indian Agents were asked for input into a proposed review of the Indian Act, one of the issues they raised across the country was that of defining what exactly an “Indian” was. Robert A. Hoey, Director of Indian Affairs, provided the Committee with a description of the problems faced in defining an “Indian” according to the Indian Act. He spoke of the “blood quantum” element in that definition: In practice, this definition means that a person of pure Indian blood may marry a white woman, thus reducing the Indian blood in his offspring to 50 per cent. The son of such a union may follow in the footsteps of his father, reducing the Indian blood in his children to 25 per cent, and one can readily follow this reasoning to its logical conclusion. The question that has always disturbed me since entering the department, is the question relating to the moral authority of parliament by statutory enactment or a government by regulations or policy to deprive persons with 50 per cent or more white blood of the full rights of Canadian citizenship. On May 27, 1946, Henry

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Jackson appeared on behalf of the Union of Ontario Indians, speaking for the Robinson Treaty and James Bay Indians. He summed up the status and condition of the people he represented: The Indians are subject to the ruling of the Department of Indian Affairs... The Department acts on all matters on the report of the Indian agent, under section 99A of the Indian Act. An agent is appointed through the recommendation of the Department of Indian Affairs and he presides over all meetings of Indian councils and controls all proceedings. He has sovereignty power to govern as he sees fit. The Indians are not at liberty to deliberate over and discuss their own domestic problems. They are tied down to a helpless condition and cannot move unless and until the Indian agent so directs. The fact is, under the present law, the Indians of Canada are unable to legally speak for themselves. They are a subjected race, held down and made helpless by the very Act which is supposed to help and protect them. The Indians cannot go direct to the Department of Indian Affairs for address of any grievance. All communications must go through the Indian agent, who, in many cases is the direct cause of a grievance. The agent has power to veto any resolutions of the Indian Council, and any effort on their part to go over his head will be totally ignored by the Department of Indian Affairs. Expenditures on Public

health, education and police cannot be made unless recommended by the Indian agent. Under the present administration, Council are under the exclusive control of the Indian agent, and the Indian councils are no longer considered as the controlling body of any Indian community. The Indian agent’s duties are becoming more and more like a commander of an internment camp of a defeated enemy. This was the situation for Indigenous people across Canada as late as 1950. The Indian Act was amended after the SJC sessions, and many of the most egregious elements, as mentioned by Henry Jackson were dropped. But the Indian Act remains in place, leaving the Canadian Government to decide how it should be enforced and what it should contain. Now, imagine if such an Act of Parliament was applied to Jewish Canadians, or Moslem Canadians, or British Canadians. It would have taken this long to repudiate and dispense with it.

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"We are open for your convenience during these troubled times" Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

New LLGAMH leaders support frontline workers Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Addictions and Mental Health (LLGAMH) has recently welcomed two new members to its team. Andrew Brown is LLGAMH’s new Director of Clinical Operations and Myra Baumann is taking on the new role of Director of Finance and Administration. “Augmenting our senior leadership team to better support our front-line team is one of our key priorities,” explains CEO Patricia Kyle. “We are excited to have Andrew and Myra on board.” Andrew Brown’s journey to Brockville has had some interesting twists and turns. He grew up in Ottawa and went to Carleton University. Then his career took him to BC for more than 25 years. A decision last year to move back to Ottawa included a

side trip to Brockville to visit a friend. Then came the new opportunity with LLGAMH. “When I was told about the role, it felt like kismet again. I was quite taken by Patricia’s vision and the transition point that the Agency is at. I wanted to be part of that.” When not working, Andrew enjoys gardening, mountain biking, and vintage cars. He plans to go to every classic care show in eastern Ontario this summer. When Myra Baumann saw the LLGAMH posting for the Director of Finance and Administration position, she says she was intrigued. The new role at LLGAMH is a nice combination of her past work in health care and education and she says she is excited to work in a setting that supports those in need. Myra has spent the last

Spencerville Agricultural Society istrative support, and ﬁnance. First orders of business include some new hires and the annual budget preparation. When not working, Myra is most likely to be found outside – walking, hiking, and discovering areas she’s never been to before. She is also an avid reader and is about to become a grandmother! Welcome to LLGAMH Andrew and Myra!

10 years at the Limestone District School Board where she modernized the ﬁnancial portfolio. She also held several administrative positions at Kingston General Hospital for 17 years, progressing from Financial Analyst to Director. To begin, Myra will be responsible for several key areas including facilities, transportation, contracts, information technology, admin-

Développement d’un Centre d’expertise en transformation numérique et intelligence artificielle, au service de l'apprentissage Le Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE) a convenu de mettre sur pied un centre d’expertise en transformation numérique ainsi qu’en intelligence artificielle au service de l’apprentissage. Fidèle à son rôle de chef de file en éducation, le CECCE adopte ainsi une approche résolument moderne pour le bien-être et la réussite des élèves. L’un des principaux objectifs du conseil scolaire est de réduire les écarts de rendement et favoriser le rattrapage pédagogique chez certains élèves éprouvant des difficultés. L’outil pourrait aussi être utilisé pour améliorer les résultats de l’ensemble des élèves. Le projet s’insère dans le Plan stratégique du CECCE, en lien avec l’innovation, la transformation pédagogique au service de l’apprentissage et à l’engagement des élèves. La pandémie, les confinements et les absences fréquentes d’élèves ont contribué à créer des écarts de rendement chez certains d'entre eux. Plusieurs vivent ou ont vécu de l’anxiété ou différents défis liés à la santé mentale. L’intelligence artificielle offre au CECCE la possibilité de April 20, 2022

dresser le profil et les besoins des élèves plus rapidement et avec plus de justesse en croisant les données disponibles. Les équipes-écoles pourront par la suite mieux cibler des stratégies gagnantes visant le bien-être et la réussite de chaque élève. Toutes ces données seront stockées sur les serveurs du CECCE de façon sécuritaire et confidentielle comme c’est le cas pour toutes les données d’élèves du Conseil. Afin de réaliser ce vaste projet, le CECCE a conclu un partenariat avec la firme de service-conseil Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton (RCGT) qui dispose d’une expertise reconnue particulièrement en Ontario, au Québec et au NouveauBrunswick dans la gestion et l’accompagnement des conseils scolaires en milieu minoritaire. Elle a aussi l’expertise dans l’utilisation des statistiques avancées et de l’intelligence artificielle dans le secteur de l’éducation. Lors de la phase 1 qui débute en avril, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton procédera au diagnostic de l'infrastructure et à l’évaluation de la capacité technique et des outils technologiques du CECCE et

développera la structure et un prototype visant à repérer les besoins des élèves. Quelques écoles seront identifiées cet automne dans le cadre d’un projet pilote menant vers le déploiement d’algorithmes d’intelligence artificielle. Le lancement dans toutes les écoles élémentaires et secondaires est prévu d’ici la fin de l’année scolaire 20222023. De plus, la mise sur pied d'un centre d'excellence permettra aux partenaires de s'associer et de s'entourer d'expertes ou d'experts venant de différents domaines liés à l'éducation qui sauront nourrir la réflexion ainsi que les prochaines étapes. « Ce projet novateur permettra de tracer un profil encore plus précis des besoins individuels des élèves, et de cibler les stratégies gagnantes visant leur bien-être et leur réussite scolaire », a déclaré le directeur de l’éducation Marc Bertrand. « Soucieux du bien-être et du succès des élèves, le CECCE entre dans une nouvelle ère en utilisant l’intelligence artificielle pour réduire les écarts de rendement, a déclaré la présidente de CECCE, Johanne Lacombe. D’ailleurs, cela s’inscrit dans les ob-

jectifs du nouveau plan stratégique du Conseil, en ce qui a trait à la pédagogie transformée. Nous sommes emballés à l’idée d’explorer toutes les possibilités de cette technologie du 21e siècle qui sera au service des élèves et de l’éducation. » « Outre les enjeux auxquels de nombreux élèves étaient déjà confrontés en termes d’apprentissage, les effets négatifs de la pandémie sont venus en amplifier certains et l’impact de celle-ci pourrait se sentir pendant plusieurs années pour les élèves et les conseils scolaires. Notre engagement à soutenir le déploiement de cette initiative pour faire face à ce grand défi témoigne également de notre volonté à bâtir des communautés toujours plus fortes et inclusives. Nous sommes heureux d’y travailler en collaboration avec notre partenaire le CECCE », a souligné l’associé en Conseil en management de Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, Pierre Fortin.

by Eric Connell, The Spencerville Agricultural Society meets monthly to plan community events including the 167th Spencerville Fair, and 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! Due to current social gathering restrictions, our meeting will be held virtually. Next Meeting: Monday, May 9, 2022, at 7:30 pm We are looking for volunteers who are interested in helping our 167th Spencerville Fair. We currently are looking for help with the Talent Show, Junior Work, Friday Pony Horse Show, and Parade. If you are interested in joining, please email info@spencervillefair.ca to receive an email with the meeting details.

The Food Corner by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

Our family is a huge fan of eggs. They are a great source of protein and are very tasty in all kinds of dishes. The Breakfast Frittata from last February’s Food Corner is a good example. This recipe is an Open-faced Southern Breakfast Sandwich that is fun to make, particularly if you use it as a cooking lesson for the kids. It’s one of those great family Saturday morning specials and is open to all kinds of variation.

Open-faced Breakfast Sandwich

Ingredients: 3 to 5 large eggs 2 tablespoons butter 5 tablespoons (a splash) of milk ½ cup of grated Cheddar cheese ½ cup of fresh mushrooms, sliced ½ cup of onions, sliced ¼ cup of green peppers, sliced 8 to 10 tomato slices, about a half inch thick 4 to 6 English muffins, split in half and lightly toasted Preparation: 1. Melt the butter in a pan and add the onions, green peppers and mushrooms (in that order). 2. Crack the eggs into a medium mixing bowl, add the milk and whisk. 3. When the veggies are tender, pour the egg mixture over them. 4. Cook until the mixture is set; stir lightly, take off the heat and set aside. 5. Place your muffin halves on a cookie sheet and place a slice of tomato on top of each one. 6. Top the tomato with some of the egg mixture and the grated cheese. 7. Place in the oven on “broil” and heat only until the cheese melts. You are then ready to serve. If you wish, you can place a spoonful of salsa on each sandwich for a bit of added flavour. You will notice that I don’t mention salt or pepper in this recipe: you can add those to suit your tastebuds; however, I use S&P sparingly most of the time. These sandwiches are pretty good as diet food, by the way. Please keep me posted on how you made out at pcormier@ranaprocess.com. www.ngtimes.ca

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Picnic table, 8' and homemade charcoal BBQ with spit- $100 for the two. Call 613 258 7606 Hearing aid with charger, hardly used. Call 613-5678533 Champion portable generator, 1500 starting watts/ 1200 rated watts. Never used, $250. Call John 613258-8820 Wheelchair, Fuse 5.0 with accessories; Shower chair with coasters & commode. $375 each. Call 613-5678533. Walker, Barber Kit, Women's, Bowling Shoes Women's Short Leather Boots call 258-5547 Triplex, waterfront, downtown Kemptville. Email redmondjg52@gmail.com for details. Old used POS system along with two cash drawers, two receipts printers AS IS. $500 OBO. Contact dqkemptville@gmail.com Firewood for sale $110 a cord delivered, min 2 cord for delivery. Call Jon 613227-3650

Hay and straw for sale 4x4 round bales, stored inside. Call Jon 613-227-3650 Cedar posts and rails for sale, various sizes available. Call Jon 613-227-3650 Dust Free N #1 Horse & Cow Hay. Round or small square bales...call Jim 613.258.3561 Horse drawn machinery for horse or small tractor, all types...call Jim 613.258.3561

WANTED Looking to rent farmland for cash crops. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204 I will buy 500 seedlings of boxwood bush, sempervirens, for planting this spring. 1-613-277-7098

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

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HELP WANTED Secretary Needed, Part-time Barnhart Law Office, Winchester. 613-774-2808. barnhart@bellnet.ca FOR RENT Basement apartment near Beach Road Oxford Mills. Fully furnished 2 bedroom $1,400 per month includes heat, hydro, wifi, satellite TV, garbage pick up and parking. Call 613-2048591 or 613-258-3648.

ACROSS 1. Deadly snake 6. Passed with flying colors 10. Old flatboats 14. Labor organization 15. Back of the neck 16. Ruination 17. Pathfinder 18. Voyage 19. Not closed 20. Plague 22. Contends 23. Soft drink 24. You sew with this 26. Misplaced 30. Sprocket 31. Apply gently 32. Apiece 33. Gorillas 35. Perch 39. A sudden involuntary movement

HISTORIC HALL AVAILABLE FOR RENTALS in Beautiful Burritts Rapids! Gather your loved ones for a celebration of life or a life well lived. Start an art, musical, travel, or book club 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/

SERVICES SERVICES RETIRED CARPENTER Renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, additions, decks, home repair. Call George at 613 462 7637

41. Punishment 43. Trio 44. Dirty air 46. Raise a stink 47. Fire residue 49. Beer 50. Covered stadium 51. Depressed urban area 54. Essence 56. Adoration 57. Out of breath 63. Any minute 64. Short hit, in baseball 65. American symbol 66. Apollo astronaut Slayton 67. Put ____ words 68. Scoundrel 69. Got a good look at 70. Russian emperor 71. S S S

DOWN 1. Astrological transition point 2. One single time 3. Lives, in brief 4. Defeat decisively 5. Caper 6. Gazelles or hartebeests 7. Slaughter 8. Majestic 9. Rely 10. In the open 11. Speedy 12. Show obeisance 13. Feeling 21. Neighborhood 25. Deserve 26. For fear that 27. Pledge 28. Cicatrix 29. Menaced 34. Plunderer 36. Margarine 37. Flower stalk 38. Kid 40. Exam 42. Cast out 45. Shade of red 48. Tolkien creature 51. A clearing 52. It comes from bees 53. Call forth 55. Not here 58. Flees 59. Neighbor of Vietnam 60. They come from hens 61. Turn on a pivot 62. Notices

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COVID-19 Vaccine Status Report by the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit Vaccination Statistics: For individuals 5 plus, our ﬁrst dose vaccination rate is 94.5%, and second dose rate is 91.7% and third dose rate is 62.0% Vaccination rate for 5 to 11 is 65.1% with a ﬁrst dose – 50.1% of children 5 to 11 have received a second dose. For youth age 11-17, 87.8% have second doses and 19.9% have third doses As of April 3, 2022 a total of 429,839 vaccinations have been administered in the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU) region. Our vaccination dashboard has all the details and will be updated again next Tuesday, April 12. Fourth Doses: As of Thursday, April 7, those age 60+ (born in 1962 or before), and Indigenous people and their adult household members are eligible for a 4th dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Available through pharmacies, your healthcare provider or any of our clinics Recommended interval for the 4th dose is 5 months after your third dose, but can

be given as early as 3 months after it. Vaccination Booking Reminders: Getting vaccinated with three doses provides good protection against symptoms and very good protection against serious disease requiring hospitalization. The strength of protection may decrease after several months. So all people 60 and older are encouraged to get a fourth dose of the vaccine. This is the age-group that has higher rates of hospitalization and death because of underlying health conditions that make it a challenge to cope with COVID infection. A list of upcoming clinics is available on our website. Walk ins may be available at clinics based on clinic capacity. Demands for appointments are very high right now. More appointments are being added so keep checking back. Please don’t call the YMCA in Brockville directly as they do not book appointments. Call 1-844-369-1234 or book online Also continue to check with a participating pharmacy or your health care provider. If you have booked an

appointment and get a vaccination earlier at a pharmacy or health care provider, please cancel your appointment with our clinic. Antivirals: Since April 12, Ontario is making it easier for eligible individuals with a prescription to access antivirals by expanding dispensing locations to include participating pharmacies across the province. A list of pharmacies that are dispensing Paxlovid will be available at Ontario.ca/ antivirals as of Wednesday, April 13 at 8:00 a.m. The list will be regularly updated as the list of participating pharmacies expands. For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, visit the COVID-19 Protection and Vaccines section of our website.

Fundamentals:

The Resurrection, part 2: How do we know it happened? by David Shanahan Without the Resurrection, there is no Christianity. “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” [1 Cor. 15. 13-14] That is quite straightforward, isn’t it? It was written about twenty years after the death of Jesus, and was part of a letter Paul wrote in which he passed on what he had learned about the Resurrection. It is important that this teaching had been clearly formulated so soon after the event, because it shows that there had been no time for any myths or legends to grow up about the Resurrection of Jesus. It had already, even then, become the basis for everything Christians believed. But on what evidence did they base this belief? Why should we believe it ever happened? How do we know Napoleon fought at Waterloo, or that the Titanic sank in 1912? We base our knowledge on historical evidence: eye-witness reports, judging between accounts and written reports to evaluate facts and remove fictional elements. That is how we decide if something really happened or not in history, or even current events. So, what is the evidence for the Resurrection? In fact, there is so much it will be possible only to point out some of the more obvious arguments. Let’s start with the very basics: either it is a true event, or it is fiction. If it is fiction, who made up the story and why? The people who first preached the Resurrection were the men and women who had followed Jesus during his public life. Does this mean they had a good motive for carrying on by telling this lie? After his arrest, these people ran away out of fear they too would be taken into custody. After his execution, they locked themselves into a room out of fear that they would be next for crucifixion. But something happened that brought them out into the streets shouting and singing and telling the world that Jesus was alive. What happened to them? What did they gain from this deception, if that’s what it was? They spent the rest of their lives travelling the world telling people that Jesus was God and had risen from the

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Sell all or part. Offers invited. Brokers protected. (613) 769-5353 or (613) 798-6006 April 20, 2022

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dead. They suffered deprivation, torture and death. People will do that if they believe something enough, even if it is a lie. But people don’t do that for something they know is a lie. And if the Resurrection did not happen, they knew it was a lie, because they were the ones who had made the story up originally. And if it was a lie that they made up, for whatever reason, then they went about it in a very strange way. The four Gospels contain differing accounts of what happened that morning when the empty tomb was found by the women, differences that reflect what happens when various witnesses describe the same event. People always remember things differently, not contradicting each other, but providing individual memories of the same event. If the story was made up, these accounts would be more uniform, they would have got their stories straight, without these differences. The story would have been tidier, and the first witnesses would certainly not have been who they were. The first reports of the Resurrection, according to the Gospels, came from women. Under Jewish and Roman laws, women could not testify in court because they were considered unreliable wit-

nesses. Then why would the disciples base their claims on the testimony of women? The Gospels say that not even the disciples believed the women at first, so why should anyone else? We are told that even when Peter and the others heard the womens’ story, and visited the empty tomb, they still did not believe that Jesus had risen. That took a personal visit by Jesus to their locked room, followed by many other appearances, to many other people. At one place, more than five hundred people saw and heard him. Mass hallucinations do not happen, that is a scientific fact. And Paul points out that most of the five hundred witnesses were still alive twenty years later and they could be interviewed to confirm the accounts. The Gospel accounts are full of little details that ring true, some of them quite strange indeed. When Jesus, like every dead body at the time, was prepared for burial, his head was wrapped in a cloth and strips of linen were wound around his body. When the tomb was found empty, the burial cloths were found lying where he had lain. But the cloth that had covered his head had been folded carefully and set to one side. Try and imagine that scene!

OGS Branch May presentation Join the Ontario Genealogical Society on Monday, May 9 at 7:00 pm, when well-known Canadian genealogist Dave Obee will introduce us to Genealogy by Google. Google is an invaluable tool for genealogists. It pays to know some tricks, including eﬀective ﬁltering and search strategies. Don't forget Google Books, Google Maps, Google Images and the historic newspaper collection. You will quickly discover that a simple search simply scratches the surface of what is available to genealogists. Everyone is welcome but registration is required. Visit our website: leedsandgrenville.ogs.on.ca for a link. After registering, you will receive an email with a link to join the presentation.

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History

Local settlement in 1818: The Banished Briton cal and economic scene he found in Upper Canada, he decided to make a survey of the province, following the template of a similar study conducted in Scotland. He sent out a questionnaire to the various Townships, seeking replies to thirty-one questions regarding all aspects of life, social, economic, political, and agricultural. This raised the suspicions of the governing elite, known to history as the Family Compact, generally descendants of Loyalists, with a very conservative view of society. A follow-up series of township meetings organised by Gourlay convinced the authorities that he was a dangerous radical in the same style as trade union activists then operating in England. He was arrested and accused of sedition, was put on trial twice, but cleared by successive juries. This made him even more dangerous in the eyes of the Compact, and was jailed when he refused to leave the province. The authorities ﬁnally banished and returned him back to England in 1819. It had been a tumultuous two years. As a result, he is known as “The Banished Briton” in the older histories. But his short and dramatic visit to Upper Canada produced a wealth of information drawn from his Township

by David Shanahan

The monument to Robert Gourlay in St. James Park in Toronto, once home to his greatest enemies.

Few people today, other than historians, know the name of Robert Gourlay. But, for a few years after the end of the War of 1812, he was one of the most prominent characters in Upper Canada: in the eyes of the governing elite, he was a troublemaker who needed stopping. At a time when the population of the province was around 77,000, it was easier for one individual to attract attention than it would be any time afterwards. And Robert Gourlay attracted attention as few others have in their time. To make him even more interesting, Gourlay arrived in Upper Canada as a visitor, not intending to stay very long, and with no intention of causing the kind of uproar he did in his short time there. Born in 1778, he had already gained a reputation in England and in his native Scotland as a reformer, writing a number of pamphlets and books on subjects such as government reform. He came to Canada in 1817 to inspect some land in the Niagara region which his wife had inherited, hoping to sell it and return to Scotland soon afterwards. Intrigued by the politi-

surveys, and he published the results in two volumes, “Statistical Account of Upper Canada”, in 1822. It was a lengthy and detailed description of the province in the ﬁrst months of 1818. From the historian’s point of view, it is a wonderful source, albeit needing some corroboration from more recent and perhaps more objective writers. For all his energy and application, Gourlay was an easy man to dislike, rather too convinced of his own abilities and talents. He seemed to be unable to resist using extreme and insulting language about the ruling elites of the province, which only added to the strength of the opposition which grew up against him. But his treatment by the authorities, including by the very influential and conservative John Strachan, Anglican Bishop and political powerhouse, was undeserved, and reflected the prevailing Loyalist and imperialist climate of the day. Gourlay didn’t help his situation by referring to Bishop Strachan as “the parson of York”. In introducing the area of Eastern Ontario to his British readers in 1822, Gourlay noted the role rivers played in commercial life, and even suggested the benefits that could accrue should the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers

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TIMES NOW HIRING NEWS REPORTER WANTED The North Grenville Times is an independently owned publication serving the population of North Grenville and surrounding area. We are seeking to hire a talented and motivated reporter. Responsibilities include collecting and analyzing information of public interest and writing news articles for a weekly publication. The successful candidate will be gathering information, conducting interviews, writing articles and taking photographs of events in the local community. Please consider submitting your resume if you are a person with: • Excellent news judgment • Strengths in accurate, clean reporting • The ability to initiate stories and features • Excellent reporting and writing skills • Experience at a news organization in a deadline-oriented reporting/writing role • Ability to work quickly and independently, meet multiple deadlines, and make efficient decisions • A valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle

be joined via a canal on the Rideau. “From the townships adjoining the Ottawa, and the rivers Rideau and Petite Nation, which empty into the Ottawa, the produce is transported in boats down that river to Montreal, and goods are remitted through the same channel. The head waters of these streams communicate by short portages with those which fall into the St. Lawrence; and by means of locks and canals, an inland navigation might be easily eﬀected between the St. Lawrence and the Ottawa, to the beneﬁt of commercial intercourse, and the security of the province in time of war. The forks of the Rideau, around which the townships of Oxford, Marlborough, and Gower, are situated, are expected to become an emporium of interior commerce. They afford advantageous situations for water works, especially for the manufacture of iron, and it is said there is a good supply of ore in the Vicinity.” Among the Townships contacted by Gourlay for his Statistical Account, was Wolford, which, at the time, included the settlers in Oxford, Montague and Marlborough Townships. In May, 1817, the population of the Township was recorded in the Wolford Township Book at 319. Oxford-on-Rideau had only 71 inhabitants, almost all living in the west of the Township near the border with Wolford. Gourlay had no direct information on which to base his estimates of population, assuming that Oxford would have around the same number of inhabitants as Wolford. However, the response to his survey from the Township of Wolford can be supplemented by the information in the Township’s municipal records from the period, which are found in the Archives of Ontario. And it is from these that an account of the life in the region in 1818 can be compiled.

If you have your finger on the pulse of your community and you are willing to work both independently and as part of a news team, to tell this community’s stories, please submit your resume to: editor@ngtimes.ca April 20, 2022

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The headline of a prestigious health and nutrition publication reads, “Do we need to limit dietary cholesterol?” For decades, the answer was, yes. We were told to limit our intake of cholesterol to 300 milligrams (mg) or less daily to decrease the risk of heart attack. Was it just a catchy headline? Cholesterol is not the devil incarnate. We would die without it. Cholesterol is a part of all cell membranes, needed to make vitamin D, bile acids and some hormones. Some medical specialists have long cautioned that cholesterol is not the culprit in cardiovascular disease. One of the world’s most famous cardiac surgeons remarked that many of his heart attack patients had normal blood cholesterol levels. We know that if we consume too much cholesterol, the liver makes less of it. If we fail to eat enough, the liver makes more of it, operating just like thermostats that keep our homes the right temperature. We’ve also been told that there’s good cholesterol, highdensity lipoproteins (HDL). It’s good because it travels in the body to the liver. Bad cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), builds up plaque in coronary arteries, triggering heart attack. Dr. Alice H. Lichtenstein, an international authority on nutrition, says, “Dietary cholesterol is no longer a nutrient of public health concern.” She points to research showing that “dietary cholesterol at the levels currently consumed does not have a big influence on cholesterol levels in the blood.” But the headline is tricky. Dr. Lichtenstein and the American Heart Association haven’t given us carte blanche permission to disregard dietary cholesterol. Rather, they’re saying that other dietary factors can affect cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease. What’s the real culprit? Dr. Lichtenstein labels it dietary fat. She points out that most foods contributing to cholesterol levels are meat and full-fat dairy products which are high in saturated fats or consumed with foods high in saturated fats. For instance, cholesterol-rich eggs are not a problem. In fact, there has been a lot of research conducted on eggs and egg substitutes. Plenty of studies show that although eggs are a significant source of dietary cholesterol, they are not associated with an elevated risk of heart disease. Rather, the concern is that eggs are often eaten with saturated-fat-rich butter, bacon and sausage. This fat increases bad cholesterol buildup in coronary arteries. Nutrition experts changing their guidance about dietary cholesterol is the result of good research, not whimsy. Recall the words of John Maynard Keynes, the famous economist, who was criticized for reversing his position on an important economic matter. He replied, “When circumstances change, I change my mind. What do you do?” The take home message is that we should establish and stick to healthy eating patterns that promote cardiovascular health. This means eating nutritious foods, such as whole grains, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and healthy proteins like fish, nuts, and seeds, all low in cholesterol. And cut down on foods high in saturated fats, such as meat and high-fat dairy products. Always limit sugar and salt. It’s good advice to stop labelling cholesterol as an arch enemy. But there are still unsolved questions about cholesterol. For instance, why is it that men living in Stockholm, Sweden, and Edinburgh, Scotland, share the same blood level of cholesterol. Yet the Scots have three times the death rate of coronary artery disease. Perhaps they are enjoying too much of their own scotch! Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of England, wrote, “To almost every question there is an answer that is clear, concise, coherent and wrong.” What will experts say about cholesterol years from now. We wish we knew. Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly enewsletter. Comments: contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us on Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones

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OFA highlights collaborative projects and initiatives by Louis Roesch, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Ontario’s agriculture industry faces various challenges as our farmers work to create a stronger, more resilient sector that will sustain Ontario for generations to come. We depend on ongoing research, innovation and proactive initiatives to help find the solutions to meet these challenges. Collaboration across all facets of our sector is the key to achieving progress on evolving issues linked to the environment, rural economic development, labour and mental wellness. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) was proud show off the successful collaboration of our members, staff, board members and industry partners at our second annual Research Day. The event, which took place virtually on March 31, consisted of eight sessions and attracted over 70 participants. It provided an opportunity to educate, inform and engage attendees on current research projects OFA is involved with and supports. The virtual platform allowed members from across the province to engage with presenters during a question and answer period at the end of each session. OFA supports each of the projects that was highlighted through active partnership or financial contributions. Ben Lefort, Senior Farm Policy Analyst with the organization, kicked off the day with an update on the Township of Mapleton Cost of Community Services (COCS) study. These types of studies offer a “snapshot in time” of each land use’s financial impact on a municipality in a particular year. They highlight the cost imposed on a municipality’s community services by farmland compared to residential land. Ultimately, COCS studies can be used by municiplaities to support their strategic land-use planning. They also illusApril 20, 2022

trate the economic benefit of farmland and why it must be protected. Mapleton is one of the many municipalities who have partnered with OFA to conduct COCS studies. Producing prosperity in Ontario through the protection of farmland has always been a top priority for OFA. Farm Policy Analyst Emily Sousa and PhD candidate Pam Duesling discussed their research project Best Practices for On-Farm Diversified Uses, which focussed on the balance between farmland preservation, agricultural viability and economic development. Case studies showed that both farmers and planners see the benefit of farmland preservation and onfarm diversification. Also in support of economic development, Tom Bowers and Megan Sipos from Ontario Greenbelt, gave a presentation to attendees on the Economic Impact of the Agri-Food Value Chain in the Greenbelt & Farm Case Studies. OFA strongly supports the Greenbelt’s work with aligning priorities of preserving valuable farmland in the Greater Golden Horseshoe region. The purpose of this study was to highlight agriculture’s significant contributions to the economy and show the complex economic relationships within the sector. Consistent challenges faced by farmers in the region include farmland loss, climate change, and loss of local service providers to support the sector. Sarah Stadnyk from the Canadian Biogas Association presented highlights from the Agricultural Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Resource Clustering Study. This project provides farmers, developers and policymakers an understanding of how changing key factors impact the development of economically viable agricultural RNG projects. RNG clustering pools feedstock from multiple farms to sup-

port larger scale anaerobic digestion projects than an individual farm could on its own. The research found that under the right conditions, agricultural RNG clusters can make a large contribution to the generation of renewable natural gas, as well as give value to food and organic waste. Environmental contributions also came into play through Andrew Graham’s presentation on soil health initiatives in Ontario. The Executive Director of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association outlined work concentrated in applied research, educational tools, cost-share incentive programs, advocacy and collaborative ventures. This session highlighted how we’re involved in improving soil health and creating awareness of the various initiatives available to Ontario farmers. Dr. Amy Lemay from the Niagara Community Observatory gave a presentation on Growing Innovation – investigating the barriers and drivers to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of automation, robotics and technologies. This study is set to improve general understanding of how innovation is being adopted into the agriculture sector to increase eﬃciency. The day concluded with updates about ongoing regional and organizational initiatives we’re involved

with. OFA staﬀ and partners highlighted projects that included county/regional federation Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) sign initiatives, the Resilient Fields project, 4R Nutrient Stewardship with Fertilizer Canada, Farm Plastics Recycling with Northern Ontario federations and the Farmer Wellness Initiative presented by the Canadian Mental Health Association – Ontario. These sessions demonstrated the level of teamwork and collaboration OFA relies on from our local federations and industry partners to implement these successful and impactful initiatives. A final session showcased actions OFA is taking on its priority of attracting and retaining skilled labour for farm businesses across Ontario through the Feeding Your Future initiative. OFA staﬀ members Michelle deNijs and Janice Janiec shared metrics from the two year old program that highlighted the impacts each of its services have had on our farming members, and acknowledged the strong partnerships that have been leveraged to help this project succeed

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Tid Bit Musings by Elva Patterson Rutters RSSW Spring is seen as the time of new growth. We easily envision the green grass, trees leafing out, new livestock (especially lambs), and the earliest of flowers like crocus, tulip, and forsythia. However, do we take stock of our selfgrowth? If we stop learning, life becomes monotonous, repetitive, and stale. How do we continue to grow, outside of height and girth? Covid took the brunt of excuses for physical changes! What prevents us from more self-discovery? Why is it so scary to change? Unfortunately, trauma, abuse, manipulation, coersion/control, and disparaging words curtail our desire to be vulnerable. Those actions hurt deeply, but are more reflective of the perpetrator’s inadequacies than our own self-worth. Being vulnerable is a scary process for most folks. Sometimes people, in their automatic protectiveness of family and friends, make rash erroneous decisions while not examining the entire picture. Many then have a fear of saying, "I'm sorry', causing the recipient to withdraw. Change is simply difficult for most people.

As a child, we learn stability means safety. Those with an adventurist spirit embrace change more easily. The ability to step out of our comfort zone to embrace new ideology, perceptions, technology, procedures, and traditions develops our selfgrowth. That growth enriches our lives, regardless of age. Adaptation to those changes requires faith, perseverance, practice, and time. We are encouraged to be engaged in self-exploration whenever, wherever, and however (legally) that opportunity presents itself. Professionally, there are workshops, courses, mandates and obligations to continue career self growth, but too many times we neglect the awareness of our personal self-growth. Bear in mind, those opportunities may have ﬁnancial, legal, social and spiritual limitations. Trust your gut and go for it. You got this!

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