Issue 16 2023 April 27 NG Times

by Marguerite Boyer

Last week, ten people became homeless overnight due to their apartments on Clothier Street being condemned. After receiving a complaint by an unknown source, the Municipality’s Inspector was sent over to inspect the building. His report declared it an unsafe place to live.

The Times was able to connect with one of the tenants to get more details on what happened. Not one of the ten tenants were aware of the complaint until Thursday, when they were told the place was condemned and they had less than 24 hours to pack up some belongings before the place was locked up, prevent-

Eviction

ing anyone from entering the premises.

At the time of writing, Sunday, these tenants have heard nothing from the property owners, Adjele Wilson and Patrice Badji of Orleans, despite their many messages to them and the Property Management company, Filament Realty.

They have no clue as to what to do and have found temporary shelter with family or in motels, just waiting to hear back on the future of their homes, some having lived there for over seven years. All tenants were aware of the state of disrepair of the building, but had no recourse to complain, fearing eviction by the landlord. With rents being

so out of reach for many here in North Grenville, theirs was at least something they could afford.

Repairs on the building, one of the oldest structures in North Grenville, have long been overdue. Last year an unused brick chimney had fallen and hit a car parked outside the place. The tenant had never been recompensed for damages to their car by the landlords, whose reason for not paying was, after talking to their lawyer, that she was not obliged to cover the expense.

One just has to look at the back of the building to see even more neglect, from fallen eaves troughs still lying on the ground from last year, to a rotting

roof top, and a questionable fire escape. Now, after the complaint , we have 10 more people that are homeless. With all the discussions on affordable rent here and in other parts of the country, this has become even more of a reality for the community. These ten people are known to some of us. They are our neighbours and deserve better than what happened to them last week.

We contacted the Municipality and they confirmed that, as yet, they have been unable to reach the owners since the eviction and have no idea about what is to become of the tenants.

Tripoly playing in Osgoode Kemptville Horticultural Society

Spring Plant Sale.May 13, 2023

Well-known North Grenville musicians, Tripoly, will be bringing their unique sound to the stage at Vibration Studios in Osgoode on Saturday, April 29. Fresh from a sold-out show in Merrickville with the Grenville Troubadours to celebrate St Patrick's Day, this upcoming show will be a chance for audiences to hear the wide variety of music in the band's repertoire. From traditional songs, to their unique arrangements of popular music, Tripoly's

lush harmonies are a delight to hear.

When you listen to Elizabeth McNally's rich but silken voice, you'd never believe that before she joined Tripoly, the four walls of the shower were her only audience! With Glenna Hunter on violin and cello, and Doug Hendry on 12 string and cittern, Tripoly is a power-house of acoustic music, and Vibration Studios and Cafe is a perfect, accessible venue to enjoy their performance.

Opening the show will be the duo Libby and Cal. Libby Hortop writes intimate and honest music on her autoharp and Cal Tranner's harmonies blend perfectly with her thoughtprovoking and sometimes funny lyrics.

The doors open at 7pm and, best of all, this is a paywhat-you-can show.

Vibration Studios is on Osgoode Main Street, right beside the multi-use pathway.

Friends of the Library AGM

FRIENDS of

The Kemptville Horticultural Society will hold its annual spring plant sale on Saturday, May 13, from 9 to 12 at 75 Campus Drive on the Kemptville Campus. There will be, as always,

a good selection of perennials that will be looking to find that special place in your garden. So, if you are eager to get an early jump on gardening, join us for some excellent deals. Anyone wishing to donate potted-up perennials (bagged tubers and bulbs), may drop them off at the sale location on Friday, May 12 from 9 to 12.

To get there, come in off of County Road 44 onto Curtis Ave at the former rail tracks. Parking is available at the

greenhouses and access to the plant sale will be at the back entrance of the greenhouses.

If you have any questions, call Linda at 613258-2115.

Thanks to a good turn out, and an engaging presentation by author, journalist and musician, Phil Jenkins, the Friends of North Grenville Public Library had a very successful annual general meeting on April 2, 2023. Phil shared entertaining stories of his interviews with established Canadian authors. He not only reminded us of the value of storytelling, but had us recalling stories that we have enjoyed over the years. He concluded his presentation with two of his own lovely ballads.

Thanks to Jane Rocchio, Barbara Rousseau, and Jude Fader Levere, there were a variety of delicious refreshments to enjoy during intermission before the business meeting.

After the annual re-

ports, which can be read on the website, were accepted, the Friends executive for the up-coming year was elected. Until a new secretary volunteers, Jude Fader Levere and Joan Simpson will act as both Co-Chairs and Secretary. Barbara Rousseau will continue as Treasurer and Barb McDerby, Jeffrey Murray, and Jane Rocchio will continue as membersat-large.

Another highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of the Star of the Library

Award to Mary Carlson. Mary has been involved with Kemptville/ North Grenville Public Library since she started going to the library with her mother as a youngster. She began giving back during her high school years by volunteering at the Oxford Mills Branch. Many years later she became a member of both the Friends and the Library Board of North Grenville Public Library. She remains an active participant in both groups.

NORTH GRENVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

LAND TITLES ACT NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR ABSOLUTE TITLE (Subsection 46(2) of the Act) RE: PIN 68117-0102

To: Anyone with an interest in the lands known as PIN 68117-0102 on County Road No. 18, Oxford Mills

Re: PIN 68117-0102, being Part of Lot 17, Concession 4 Oxford, in the Municipality of North Grenville, Geographic Township of Oxford, being designated as Parts 1 and 2 on the draft Reference Plan attached signed by Emmett Ketchum, O.L.S and dated 7th day of March, 2023. Subject to an easement over Part 2 on the draft Reference Plan, as in OF10069

The said plan is available for inspection at the office of the Solicitor for the Applicant:

SPITERI & URSULAK LLP

Attn: Christopher Spiteri

1010 – 141 Laurier Avenue W., Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5J3

TAKE NOTICE THAT ARCHSTONE CONSTRUCTION INC., herein called the applicant(s), intends to apply to be registered as the owner(s) with an absolute title to the above described land. And take notice that any person claiming to have any title to or interest in the said land or any part of it is required on or before the 1st day of May, 2023 to file a statement of objection, which sets out the nature and extent of the interest claimed in the objection, together with all evidence, documents or legal provisions and precedents relied upon in support of the objection, directed to the land registrar at the address of the solicitor for the Applicant set out above.

If no such statement of objection is filed by May 1, 2023, I will proceed with the application and any interest you may claim in the subject property will be thereby extinguished and you will not be entitled to receive any further notice with respect to the proceedings.

DATED at Ottawa this 30th day of March, 2023

Christopher Spiteri Solicitor for the Applicant

30 for 30 Campaign reaches its goal

Beth Donovan Hospice is happy to announce that they have raised $30,000 through their 30 for 30 campaign. In honour of the hospice’s 30th Anniversary, donations were collected through the sale of paper butterflies, craft and bake sales, third-party fundraising events, as well as through private donations.

We must thank the many businesses, community partners, and private donors who helped us reached our goal. Many thanks to B&H Grocer who was our top retail fundraiser.

All funds raised will go directly to the continued

operation of our many services including In-Home visiting, Equipment Lending, Day Hospice, and the Grief and Bereavement programs.

Beth Donovan Hospice serves individuals and their families as they navigate the challenges of life-limiting illnesses and end-oflife transitions. Founded through the compassion and vision of generous volunteers, Beth Donovan Hospice has been providing services for over 30 years.

We serve the communities of North Grenville, Merrickville-Wolford, Spencerville, North Gower, and

beyond. All members of the community who have any life-limiting illness or are recently bereaved can access our services free of charge.

Ongoing fundraising is necessary for Beth Donovan Hospice to continue providing compassionate support and professional care to those in our community at end-of-life, their caregivers, and the bereaved. For more information on how you can help, please visit our website at www.bethdonovanhospice. ca, or email us at bdh@ bethdonovanhospice.ca.

NG Poetry Guild winds up for the Summer

by Ashley Sloan

The North Grenville Poetry Guild hosted their final meeting last Thursday, April 20, before taking a break for the summer months. As April is National Poetry month, the group is looking forward to celebrating and recognizing the event. The National League of Poets has chosen ‘Joy' as this year's theme.

Another important date to remember is April 28. It will be recognized as ‘Poem in Your Pocket Day', where you carry a poem with you and are encouraged to share with others.

Here are some ways that you can celebrate: share a poem that you loved as a child with your family and friends; bring back the fun memories of writing poems when you were in grade school; challenge your friends to an improv Haiku, and share on social media using the tag #NPM23.

For more information you can send an email to ngpoetry@yahoo.com.

MUNICIPAL OFFICE HOURS

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

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

Sign-up to receive Mayor Peckford’s e-newsletter at: northgrenville.ca/connect.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

COUNCIL MEETINGS

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

To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please provide your comments no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting to clerk@northgrenville.on.ca. Council agendas are available at: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings.

• Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. (Open Session) – Council Chambers

• Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. (Open Session) – Council Chambers

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

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

• Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee – Monday, May 1 at 3:00 p.m.

• Agriculture and Rural Affairs Advisory Committee – Wednesday, May 3 at 4:15 p.m.

• Health, Wellness and Fitness Advisory Committee – Monday, May 8, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Advisory Committees

The Municipality continues to accept applications for members to various advisory committees. Join the conversation regarding the community!

Visit northgrenville.ca/committees for more information on how to apply. For questions, please contact the Clerk by email at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca or by telephone at 613-258-9569 ext 171.

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

OPP News

On April 18, at around 4:00 p.m., officers from Grenville County OPP responded to a call of shoplifting in progress at a nearby store located on Colonnade Drive, Kemptville. Officers located and arrested the male and seized the unpaid items in his possession.

A man, aged 41, from Brossard QC, was charged under the Criminal Code (CC) with:

Theft over $5,000- shoplifting

Possession property obtained by crime over $5,000

The accused was held for a bail hearing the following day at the Brockville Ontario Court of Justice.

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

OPP charge male with sexual assault

(MERRICKVILLE-WOLFORD, ON) - The Grenville County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged a male following a sexual assault complaint. On March 3, 2023, the OPP received a complaint from a female regarding a sexual assault that occurred during the daytime in the village of Merrickville-Wolford. As a result of the investigation, a 59 year old, from North Grenville, Ontario, has been charged with the following Criminal Code offences:

· Sexual assault - two counts

· Harassing communications

The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville at a later date.

It is never too late to report a sexual assault to police. If you have any information about this incident or any other sexual assault, please call the Grenville County OPP at 1-888310-1122.

Another brick in the wall

by David Shanahan

One of the big words of the century, so far, has been “silo”, the idea that things are separated into categories or departments, effectively cutting people off from each other and denying them the chance to interact and learn from shared experiences. The prevailing thought is that silos are bad and should be broken down, as much as possible. Communication, it is believed, is the key to peace and joy and togetherness, happiness and a better world. So far, so good.

The problem is that we, as people in society, are moving further and further away from this. Technology has, instead, been gradually isolating us from one another. Everyone can relate to the situation where people gather for a meeting, or a meal, or some other activity, and immediately take out their cell phones and stop talking to each other. We have our own “friends” on social media, people we really never have to con-

Dear Editor

It’s not the fertilizer that causes GHG emissions it’s the nitrogen in it.

I picked up your paper while at the “NG Sustainability Fair”. I read the article “ANALYSIS: Fertilizer-emissions won’t work, isn’t scientific and farmers don’t like it”. The article has been written out of context. That is not the author’s fault, because it all started with Justin Trudeau, who made the statement recently: “We need to reduce fertilizer by 30% to reduce harmful emissions”. Someone in NG pointed that statement out to me, saying: ”Obviously Justin doesn’t know anything about agriculture!”

So, what is in this article that we need to know, even as a home-gardener? We need to reduce Nitrogen Emissions by 30%. So, if we apply N, which is Nitrogen (ammonium nitrate or potassium nitrate) in the form of ORGANIC or SYNTHETIC fertilizer, we need to reduce the N by 30%. That means: even if you apply pig, cow, goat or chicken manure we need to analyze how much we spread on the fields to

nect with, because we can simply post something to them, email them, text them, tweet, send to Instagram, and a whole host of other hosts. It is a situation that has been acknowledged, but no effective solution to our sleepwalking into isolation has been found as yet.

But there is a far more insidious danger to society as a working part of life, and it is, if anything, far more dangerous to our collective and individual well-being.

People a few decades ago used to imagine what the world would be like in the future, and would imagine science fiction scenarios of flying cars, or robots that would do all our work for us. Others saw the future as a dark place, the kind of autocratic society envisioned by Orwell in his novel “1984", or Arthur C. Clark’s cold and remorseless computer “HAL”. But now we have the rise of Artificial Intelligence, AI, which is creating possible scenarios far beyond the imagination

reduce nitrogen application. In general, we are allowed to spread 130 kg /ha, which is now reduced by 30% to 100 kg/ha. In the Netherlands they introduced a law last week, which allows farmers to apply a maximum 30 kg of N/ha.

Nitrogen has a high Global Warming Potential (GWP). CO2 has a GWP of 1; Nitrogen in the form of N2O has a GWP of 273. The higher the GWP to faster the earth warms up. Even urban housing expansion contributes to nitrogen release (“Changes in land use driven by urbanization impact nitrogen cycling and the microbial community composition in soils”, https:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ articles/PMC5345093/) But that’s another story.

Farmers can easily compensate their reduced nitrogen application by growing legumes in their crop rotation plan. Actually, western farmers grow lots of legumes: soybeans, beans and pulse crop for which the western provinces are famous. Each of those Nfixing crops will provide the

of previous science fiction writers.

In fact, Darrell West, senior fellow at the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution, has said that he doesn’t need to read sci-fi, as he feels as if he’s already living it. Increasingly, in the coming years, AI will be used to develop government policies, watch over national finances, healthcare systems, and other vital programs. Computer programs are already being used as instruments of surveillance. The Israel-based NSO Group are marketing their Pegasus software which allows users to access the computers and phones of others without their knowledge. A recent article by Ronald J. Deibert, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Citizens Lab at the University of Toronto's Monk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, described what programs such as Pegasus can do:

“a spyware operator

farm soils with 60 kg of N/ ha. If farmers apply 30 kg of N/ha (as a synthetic or natural fertilizer) and grow a legume crop they are applying 90 kg of N/ha. Farmers should not complain as they are looking into an economic windfall in the next few years. The Dutch food industry is looking for farmers in this country to grow soybeans, beans, pulse crops and other legumes for the plant-based meat industry in Europe. Actually, a Dutch delegation spent some time in this country looking for farmers to grow proteinbased crops. As these Dutch people were saying when they came here: “You got the land, we got the technology, let’s work together”.

William J. Langenberg

Dear Editor

Subject: Earth Day April 22, 2023

My husband and I mostly use the Pharmacy at the Kemptville Walmart. Now that the winter is over, we have observed that there is a lot of paper and plastic garbage caught in the grass beside the store. I realize that

can surreptitiously intercept texts and phone calls, including those encrypted by apps such as Signal or WahtApp; turn on the user's microphone and camera; track movements through a device's gps; and gather photos, notes, contacts, emails, and documents. The operator can do almost everything a user can do and more, including reconfigure the device's security settings and acquire the digital token that are used to securely access cloud accounts so that surveillance on a target can continue even after the exploit has been rmoved from a device - all without the target's awareness.”

Perhaps your Smart Phone is smarter than you imagine? Pegasus might be confined largely to government and corporate use at the moment, but there are other, cheaper apps available already. Other text and image generative models such as ChatGPT-4 and Midjourney can create what we’ve come to know as Deep Fakes,

over the winter, with storms and high winds, it is easy for garbage that has been disposed of in the garbage cans near the store to blow around. We very much doubt that this adjacent grassy property is owned by the Walmart store. However, a person can understand that most of the garbage must be coming from Walmart.

I am wondering if the management of the Kemptville Walmart would consider hiring individuals to clean the area. That gives a person the impression that the Kemptville Walmart is not being a "good steward of the environment". It also reflects poorly on the slogan "Green and Growing" that people see on the road coming into North Grenville. Disappointed; Josephine

Herman

where videos, audio, and text files can seem to show individuals saying and doing things they never actually did, just by rendering genuine photos, video, or audio files in a way that Photoshop only hinted at. Books, newspapers, and all media formats will be affected by this development.

In a recent Guardian article on AI, the potential dangers of such technology were laid out: “Fake articles circulating on the web, or citations of non-existent articles, are the tip of the misinformation iceberg. AI's incorrect claims may end up in court. Faulty, harmful, invisible and unaccountable decision-making is likely to entrench discrimination and inequality. Creative workers may lose their living thanks to technology that has scraped their past work without acknowledgment or repayment”.

Don’t forget, no matter how sophisticated computer programs may be, they still rely in the first instance on

human programming. These are not neutral systems, and the algorithms will reflect the ideology and philosophy of those who write the programs. This has the immediate implications for society as a whole, on how we relate to each other, how we see reality itself. If we can’t tell reality from simulation, the genuine from the counterfeit, we will effectively surrender ourselves to the Big Brothers Orwell predicted. Only who the Big Brothers (there will be many) may be, we can’t know.

This is not speculation or conspiracy theorising. It is happening already. As the Guardian put it: “The horse has not merely bolted; it is halfway down the road and picking up speed – and no one is sure where it's heading”. We should talk again.....

B&H Community Grocer continues to support local

B&H Community Grocer helps local Grenville 4H sheep club. Jim Beveridge of B&H Grocer supported 2 local 4H members by purchasing their market lambs in October 2022. Isabella Williams from Kemptville and Nicole Ouimet of Algonquin had shown their market lambs throughout the 2022 show season at local fairs. At the Regional fair in Metcalfe in October Nicole had Grand Champion Market lamb and Isabella placed fourth. Thank you to Jim and Judy Beveridge of B&H Community Grocer for continuing to support local.

The need goes on

Wherever in the world there is conflict, war, or natural disaster, families with children need support. Over 13 million Ukrainians have been displaced and many children lost their parents, homes, financial stability, access to education. Many are suffering from PTSD and trauma.

Proceeds from the sale of The Adventures of Louis and the Laundry go to Project Liza, an initiative by the Maple Hope Foundation (www.maplehopefoundation. org).

Named for Liza Dmitrieva, a 4-year-old girl with Down syndrome, who was killed by the Russian missile attack in Vinnytsia on July 15, 2022, Project Liza provides emergency financial assistance to the hardest hit families with children in the Ukraine, including: food, evacuation, transportation, heating, clothing, and school supplies. To date, your generous support has provided food for one child for a year.

Books are available at B&H grocery store and Brewed Awakenings for $15.

Musically Speaking:

Notes on Live Music in and around North Grenville

by Jamming Aroundman Productions

Here is a list of musical 'events and locations, in our area in the upcoming weeks and months.

Kemptville Folk Club: meets at Maplewood School in Oxford Mills, twice a month. There is more information on the North Grenville Municipality website www.northgrenville.ca/ community-and-culture/ resources/communityevents/2043/kemptvillefolk-club.

Open Mic: Goose & Gridiron, Merrickville, 3rd Friday of each month. More information available at its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ events/756805212484842.

Vibration Studios: Located on the main street in Osgoode. Vibration Studios is a live music hot spot and Café to take in many local performances. Performances can be found on their Facebook page. Tunes at Noon are always entertaining, and Osgoode Porchfest & Block

Party is always something to take in, June 10 www.facebook.com/VIBE613.

Buskerfest 2023 May 20: Hosted by the Old Town Kemptville BIA, and in its second year, this year's event is bigger and better. There will once again be great professional buskers, along with many talented local musicians joining in to entertain the crowds along the route. They are also looking for local talent to participate in a fun "North Grenville's Got Talent" Contest. Check out their Page for more details: www.facebook.com/ KemptvilleBuskerfest

Kemptville Legion: Music with The Mighty Harmonics – May 5.

Kemptville Pride: June 3 at the Kemptville Campus following the parade party. www.facebook.com/NorthGrenvillepride

Rainbow Youth Alliance: Musical Drag Show, June 17 the North Grenville Municipal Centre www. facebook.com/North-Grenville-Rainbow-Youth-Alli-

ance-106573462259616

The HYDE Smokehouse & Bar: The Hyde has added Live music every Saturday night, they have a great mix of local and regional musicians, April 29 is Jarek Anderson, May 7 is the 3rd appearance of ROSEWOOD. Keep checking their Facebook page for upcoming shows. www. facebook.com/hydesmokehouse

Smokie Ridge Winery: If you haven't had a chance to visit Smokie Ridge Winery, now's your chance. The May 27 Comedy and Live music show is a must see. This family event has a bit of everything and is sure to be a laugh a minute, with good food and entertainment. www.facebook.com/ smokieridge

Kemptville Youth Centre: Pancake Breakfast, May13, will include live music performance. From 8:30 -11:30 pm. www.facebook. com/KemptvilleYouth

Spencer City Bar and Grill: Hosts Live Bands

regularly, so check them out. This week is Eastbound of Bytown, April 22, and Southbound, April 29. www. facebook.com/spencercitybarandgrill/events

Kemptville Youth Musical Theatre Company: Performing "Matilda", April 15-30 at the Urbandale Arts Centre. www.facebook.com/ search/top/?q=matilda%20 show

Windmill Brewery: This Local Craft Brewery in Johnstown is a beautiful spot to host live music, with food and beverages available. Check out these amazing artists: Mary Moore, April21, or Ryan James, April 28. www.facebook. com/windmillbrewery

Please help Merrickville Public School raise funds for an outdoor shade structure with rain barrels. Barrels are repurposed food grade plastic barrels, starting at $60, up to 75% off retail price! For details and to place your order go to www.RainBarrel.ca/merrickvilleps

Hartley, Christine (Barszczewski)

August 10, 1962 - April 17, 2023

It is with deep sorrow to share that Christine Hartley, aged 60 years, passed away on April 17th, 2023 at the Ottawa General Hospital with family and friends by her side. Christine was a beautiful soul who was sadly and unfairly diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer in December of 2019. After multiple rounds of treatment, the cancer took control of her mind and body despite all her efforts and never giving up on life.

Born into a family with two brothers, Mark and Peter, to her parents Muriel and Andrej, Christine lived a full and happy life. She raised four beautiful children, Sebastien, Vanessa, Marie and Jessica (along with her fur babies Elvis and Gracie) with her beloved husband Normand Pepin at her side. She also had her heart filled with joy by being graced with her grandchildren Noémie and Alexandra and extended her love to her children partners, Max, James and Franz.

Christine can be remembered by many as a beautiful, strong, resilient, caring and inviting soul. She never passed judgment, made all feel immediately loved and welcomed, and always had a smile on her face. She took pride in her work in the IT Account Management sector which allowed her to do some of her favourite things including travel, interacting and supporting individuals and setting lifelong friendships. Outside of work, you would find her spending time with her family, walking Elvis and Gracie with her friends and neighbours, cooking and cracking jokes with anyone who had the pleasure of having her in their lives. She loved going camping, walking trails and enjoying the scenery.

Christine is already and will be missed dearly. For any friends and family seeking to find a method to commemorate her, please consider donations to the Canadian Breast Cancer group to continue the fight against this devastating disease.

A Celebration of Christine’s Life will be held at the Kemptville Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 805 Prescott Street, Kemptville on Friday April 28, 2023 from 11 am to 2 pm.

Condolences/Tributes/Donations

Hulse, Playfair & McGarry

www.hpmcgarry.ca

613-258-2435

KEMPTVILLE ROTARY BURSARY ANNOUNCEMENT

(Apply by June 1)

Up to FOUR awards ($1000 each) will be presented annually to students who are graduating from any High School in North Grenville or who reside in North Grenville but are graduating from any alternative program (i.e.- T.R. Leger, Home Schooling or Distance Learning). For full information and how to apply, go to:

Student Bursaries Available | Rotary Club of Kemptville (kemptvillerotary.ca)

North Grenville Environmental Action Advisory Committee

John Palmer on behalf of the EACC

There is an almost perfect alignment that the first meeting of the North Grenville Environmental Action Advisory Committee (EAAC) was held just a few weeks before we celebrate Earth Day.

Appointed by Council, the EAAC exists “to provide information to local residents on environmentally sustainable practices, offer advice to the North Grenville Municipal Council on initiatives to promote a green economy, and to identify near- and long-term funding opportunities as suggestions for inclusion in the yearly budget and business planning cycles of the Municipality.” Composed of a combination of members of Council and the community, it brings together not only the knowledge and concerns of the residents, but also the elected representatives with the legislative power to invoke change.

In a lot of ways, the committee is about “Earth Day, Every Day” for the people of North Grenville

The previous term of the EAAC helped to bring our community a wide range of environmentally-related elements including the largescale organics collection program, the designation of North Grenville as a “blue community” (the formal recognition that water and sanitation are a human right, the promotion public water and wastewater services, and beginning the phase out the sale of bottled water at municipal events), to recommending funding for the smaller scale yet vital “turtle crossing” signs that you may soon see across the Township in areas where turtle species are at risk.

For the next term, the Committee intends to focus on leading policy and providing education in three main areas: eliminating our

sets its direction

harm to the environment, the climate crisis, and biodiversity

Eliminating Our Harm

– For centuries, humans have often neglected to recognize the damage we have done to plants, animals, and the Earth as a whole. Nowhere is this more obvious than when we think about one key part of our environment: water. As we all know, water is essential to supporting life; no creature or plant can survive without it. In theory our planet has a large supply of it in various forms – liquid, gas and solid. Although this supply of water has remained constant over time, as the population of our planet increases so does the demand for clean and accessible water. Unfortunately, our actions as humankind have significantly reduced the drinkable amount of water and have increased the frequency of drought in many locations. Industry, agriculture, building new communities, and even our day-to-day use of water as families all can lead to damage to not only local, but global water supplies. As individuals, businesses, and governments we have a duty to preserve and protect the water resources from contamination not only for us and for future generations. Our challenge as a community is to change our actions and behaviours towards water and all other resources, not only on Earth Day, but every day.

A Climate in Crisis –

Science has shown us that Earth has a natural heating and cooling cycle that lasts thousands of years. That cycle is what leads to a local climate – or what we think of as the specific pattern of weather that happen in an area over a long period of time. Our climate in North Grenville has a consistent set of seasons for the most part, and we generally see the same pattern of tempera-

ture changes on a seasonal basis. But as recent history has shown, we are seeing more hazardous weather events – from excessive heat and melting of polar ice on a global basis, to more local events such as unexpected periods of freezing rain, and large lakes and rivers that no longer freeze in January and February like they used to, which therefore lead to more snowfall. These are merely symptoms of climate change. Just as many of these changes are natural, we also know that many of these changes have been “kickstarted” by the actions of humankind on the planet. We often consider the mass industrialization in the 1800’s as the beginning of the first set of human-induced changes to the natural cycle of climate change on the planet. Since then, we have accelerated industrialization to meet our demands as a growing population, but at the same time making unanticipated changes to the climate cycle. Our challenge as a local community is to recognize that each of us makes negative impacts that add together to become larger global impacts. At the same time, however we need to recognize our personal ability to have positive impacts as well, and to make those changes – no matter how small – that can slow the process of humancreated climate change.

Biodiversity – at first glace, North Grenville may appear to have little obvious unique differences in geography, plant life, or even animal residents when compared to neighbouring municipalities in Eastern Ontario. What we consider to be “local” species of plants and animals either moved into the region from the warmer south after the glaciers retreated or were brought in by human beings. As part of our agricultural heritage, the settlers cleared

forests for agriculture and used the wood for building and heating homes – in many cases destroying whatever native plants and animals remained at the time. However, threats to biodiversity continue today. The unfortunate reality is that humaninduced climate change is disrupting many species and their ability to survive. As we have developed more intensive agriculture practices, our fields now support fewer varieties of plants. Although we have begun to stop shooting many native mammals and birds, only some of those species have returned, and not always to the levels expected. We also are all very aware that invasive species such as Wild Parsnip are taking over large areas Our challenge as a community is to not only maintain biodiversity, but to improve it through protecting our distinctive habitats, and reintroducing lost plant and animal species into regenerating habitats where possible.

The EAAC will work with Council and the Community on developing a Green Plan which provides ideas, solutions and proposed policies and legislation to implement change in support of these three areas – but more importantly recognizing their links to poverty, food, housing and energy insecurity, and other related local issues. The goal is to provide functional solutions that the local community and North Grenville council can support and implement. Building on the work of the previous committee, the Green Plan will include quick wins and longer term goals/projects that will keep our community moving forward beyond the committee's four-year mandate.

Have an HVAC Question? Ask an expert!

With the warmer weather coming, what maintenance should I be doing as I switch from using my furnace to my air conditioner?

Great question! You should start with removing the AC cover or tarp if you did cover it up last year, let that unit get some air. Turn your breaker on at the panel to start warming the unit up so it is ready to start when you are. The breaker should be shut in the fall as most units do consume a bit of power even in the off cycle. Clean up any debris, leaves or grown over bushes 3 feet around the unit. Inside the house, replace your furnace air filter, this should be done every 1-3 months for best

indoor air quality and furnace efficiency, but for sure it should be changed as we switch over into our cooling season. Ideally your AC unit should be part of an annual maintenance plan to be checked over by a licensed professional every year. The benefits are maximizing unit efficiency, meaning you pay the least amount of hydro to run your unit for the year, a low system charge or excessive dirt can make the unit work twice as hard and cost you extra money. Hydro is not getting any cheaper! Plus it adds longevity to the unit. Best advice: get it on a maintenance plan.

I can't remember the last time I had my ducts cleaned. Is this something I really need to do? How often should this be done?

Yes this is something that really should be done in any home with ductwork. The amount of dust, bacteria and other nasty things that can live in your ductwork are NOT good for anyone. I recommend every 5 years

Baldwin's Birds

this should get done or after any renovation work. Anyone with allergies or asthma should even get it done every 2-3 years for best results. These are the lungs of your home, they need attention. Doing the job right with the right equipment usually takes about a half a day.

I don't have duct work in my house. Are there any options besides an ugly and loud window unit for cooling my house this summer?

Yes there are far better options. There are ductless ac units available that even provide heating. No windows required, a very small inside unit mounts on the wall up high and runs to an outside unit below. Very, very efficient units, and very quiet. I have them installed right over top of many customers' bedroom headboards with no complaints. Plus these units are 3x as efficient in heating mode as your electric baseboards, saving you money all winter too. The federal government is also offering rebates on

these systems up to 5K if you convert your whole home to heat pump ductless heating and cooling units.

Only room for one

Confusion still remains as we try to sort out in our own minds what on earth is happening on a day-to-day basis with our weather. No wonder I am getting to see more Canada Geese flying south than the other way round! The other day we were being entertained by birds enjoying the sun's warmth in a small water dish, and today we are watching some snowflakes pass the window! Let's hope that the birds aren't affected too much and they keep on arriving.

Each day, different ones appear, providing us with a continual change of variety, and also of colours, on which to feast our eyes and test our memories as to which one is which. The many

different Sparrows can do this, as they appear and tease us with their very similar features, like eye stripes and head coloring. The particular ones that I am talking about are the Chipping Sparrow and the Tree Sparrow, which are easy to confuse. Not quite so is the White Throated Sparrow, which has yellow eye markings and white stripes on its head, not too dissimilar to a white Crowned Sparrow. The yellow is lacking on the latter, but a casual glance can lead to the wrong conclusion sometimes, as you probably know yourself!

Some of our birds are "all year" inhabitants, who tend to look a bit dowdy during the winter months, but are now transforming them-

selves into their beautiful and bright Spring and Summer outfits. I am, of course, talking about the Goldfinches, who, seemingly overnight, can change their color, which is just amazing! Hopefully you are getting to see and notice some of these changes for yourselves, and also get some views of birds that you might not be too familiar with. Stay safe and well, Cheers,

John Baldwin

"God is Great, Beer is Good, People are Crazy"

by Peter Johnson

This is the third, and perhaps the last in a series of opinions/editorials featuring one person's view of the human condition; specifically how this condition controls how we go about our daily lives and interact with others in our communities. I came across a piece titled: ‘The 10 Non-Commandments'. These are my thoughts on those thoughts.

1. Be open-minded and be willing to alter your beliefs with new evidence.

Is it becoming more the case that too many people judge a particular 'truth' or ‘fact' as valid and unquestionable because of the number of 'likes' that it has received? Critical thinking is a skill, it is something that has to be taught, to be learned. It has to be exercised, taken out for a walk frequently, to be developed. If I state that this skill is rarely seen these days, is that true? Is it a fact, just because I have stated that it is so?

2. Strive to understand what is most likely to be true, rather than what you wish to be true.

Coming into an argument or discussion with preconceived notions or

wishes will only cloud your thinking. It will not give you clarity. What if your daily news source was exclusively Fox News? They have just admitted that they have lied, repeatedly, to their viewers to the tune of $787,000,000---that U.S. dollars. The loyal followers of this network will be loath to accept that they have been played the fool. Despite mounting evidence, they will insist that the courts are corrupt, judges have been compromised, and only they possess the truth. They make lack evidence, but they have their own ‘truth'. It seems they skipped school the day the lesson on, "Maybe you're the one who is wrong if everyone else sees things differently', was being taught. Maybe they skipped a lot of school.

3. The scientific method is the most reliable way of understanding the natural world.

This, in the opinion of many academics and pedagogists, is one of the most important things to teach to ALL children. It is the root of scientific discovery, and knowledge. It is the cause of the advancement of mankind into the Industrial Age, and

then, into this modern erathe Atomic Age? The Space Age? Something is not true just because someone has said it over and over. It is only theory. It is only true if it can be verified by scientific analysis, i.e. testing. The test is to have others repeat the process and get the same results. The same with opinions: they have to be verifiable. One's opinion is merely that, nothing more.. as is the case for all of this.

4. Every person has the right to the absolute control of their own body.

The most infamous 'old boys club' in North America, is the Republican Party, in the U.S. And this body passed legislation affecting women's access to birth control and abortion? What's wrong with this picture? Everything.Perhaps those who wrap themselves up in patriotism, tightly clenching a bible, should spend more time reading the words of The Teacher in the New Testament, rather than some of the words in the Old(e). I prefer the Canadian preference that features a healthy separation of Church and State.

5. God is not necessary to be a good person or to live

The Windows of St. James

ity created, in the ateliers of Luxfer Studio, Toronto; N.T. Lyon Co., Ottawa and Colonial Art Glass Co., Toronto. Glass of luminosity and intensity of colour: ruby red, sapphire blue, emerald green, turquoise and amber. Glass translucent, opalescent, sand blasted and painted, depicting scenes and themes from the Bible.

Each window a testament to the love of those remembered: paper hanger, Rector, carriage maker, merchant, innkeeper, miller, school teacher, distiller – their names part of the story of the community – Lewis, Guy, Barnes, Harris, Poole, Perry, Bower, Anderson, Stephenson.

a full and meaningful life.

Parenting is a huge responsibility. It takes a back seat to nothing else. It's critically important. What is a parent's most important responsibility,.after keeping their children healthy and safe? Teaching, modeling how to be a good person? In addition to being a life-long learner, showing their children why the rules and laws of society should be not only examined, but followed.

6. Be mindful of the consequences of all your actions and recognize that you must take responsibility for them.

Young children think that by saying, 'I didn't mean it', they get a 'Get Out of Jail Free' card. Nope, Nope, Nope. What they have to be taught is responsibility. 'You did it, the results are yours.' Many adults never get this lesson learned properly (another day of school skipped, perhaps?). So, before one acts, one should consider the possible outcomes, right?

7. Treat others as you would want them to treat you. Think about their perspective.

The good ol' Golden Rule, right? It's still 'golden'. Ah, but the second part:

Member of Parliament. Andrew John Kerr, a Captain of the Kemptville Fire Brigade, and James Raymond Eager, farmer and choir member. Both died from Spanish Influenza in the epidemic of 1918/1919.

All memorial stained glass windows, no matter how beautiful, are infused with sadness; none more so than the small window to the north of the altar, which remembers the heartbreak and tragedy of the deaths of high school student Freda Jones to typhoid in 1909 and of her brother, McGill medical student Norman Jones, who drowned in 1910.

there's the fly in the ointment. I think we are talking about 'compassion and empathy' here. Along with honesty, these are two of the most important personality traits/characteristics that we should be impressing upon our children, according to my saintly mother. Adults that have these in great measure make wonderful friends, those without them... well, perhaps they join sketchy political organizations and generate conspiracy theories....yes? No?

8. We have the responsibility to consider others, including future generations.

Imagine for a minute, those people who drive around in their enormous motor-homes, towing a car, as they head off to 'Inflict themselves' upon the North American continent. They might as well have written in huge letters on the side of their house-on-wheels their philosophy about sharing, compassion, empathy: ‘After me, all the rest of you can come first. See ya, suckers!'

9. There is no one right way to live.

As I just pointed out, there is certainly a wrong way to live; or a multitude of wrong ways to live. And

bol of the Holy Spirit, and Man, Lion, Bull and Eagle – symbols of the four evangelists, a gift in 1882 from the teachers and scholars of Robert Leslie’s St. James Sunday School.

yes, surely, there are many right ways to live. For some, perhaps, the difficulty arises when they can't differentiate between the two.

10. Leave the world a better place than you found it.

Number 10 pretty much summarizes the previous 3 points. Eleanor Roosevelt said: 'Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people.' Making those around you better by influencing them with your thoughts on ideas... on possibilities... possibilities about how to make things better, will make the world and your small community a better place than it was before. I think the 10 non-commandments are as worthy of consideration as the better know 10....keeping in mind that, God is Great, Beer is Good, and People are Crazy. Thank you for the song and the title, Billy Cunningham.

by Doug Macdonald

On July 25, 1880, St.

James the Archdeacon Patton Memorial Church, designed by distinguished Canadian Architect William Tutin Thomas, was officially opened. On that Sunday, the nave and sanctuary were flooded with sunlight from 28

windows of clear glass set in deep window wells.

(Two of those original windows are stored in the church basement.)

Gradually, over the following decades, the clear glass windows were replaced by memorial windows of stained glass.

Glass of the highest qual-

People like Squire William H. Bottum, heir to Crown Land Grants, Kemptville’s first Post Master and the man who donated land for the 1827 St. James Church and cemetery. Elizabeth (Bell) Ferguson, mother of G. Howard Ferguson, a Premier of Ontario, and her husband, Dr. Charles Frederick Ferguson,

The largest window, the magnificent Stannage Triptych, three windows above the Altar, depicts the birth, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. It is a memorial to John Stannage the sixth Rector of St. James, the man credited with the building of his “little cathedral”, the current St. James.

High on the west wall, the glorious circular “rose” window, with the white dove – sym-

As most of the stained glass windows are nearly 100 years old, and some more than 130 years, they were in serious need of conservation work. Led by Robert Porter, a team of volunteers: Tim Aubin, David Brent, Jim Chapman, David Finney, Kate McLean, Dan Spring and John Tilbury, did the majority of the work. On scaffold and ladder, the team began restoration of the window frames;

first removing protective grills, scraping layers of old paint, repairing damaged wood, sanding, priming, painting and caulking. Weakened areas of stained glass was stabilized. The exterior surface of the glass delicately cleaned to removed decades of grime. Finally, precisely cut ¼ inch clear plexiglass covers were fixed to the wood frame. In all, a daunting and,

despite the labour of the volunteers, an expensive project.

2026 will be the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Pioneer Mission Parish of St. James. 2027, the 200th anniversary of the building of the original St. James in Clothier’s Mill/Kemptville; and, in 2030, the heritage building that is St. James will celebrate 150 years since its official opening on July 25, 1880. Maintenance deferred puts heritage at risk, for time and the elements are not friends of architectural masterworks. The completed windows now glow as they did decades ago. Let the success of this initiative be the inspiration for work required on roof and limestone walls of St. James.

Classifieds

FOR SALE

Delta 10" Table Saw (Model 36-325C) $400. (613)258-2604

Websters Library of World Greatest Music Composers VOL16, includes 16 classical albums. Best offer. 613567-8533

Electric Wheel Chair

Asking $1500.00 dollars or best offer, it was used for two years it is in good shape. Phone number 613-258-7703

Cedar posts and rails for sale. Jon 613-227-3650.

4X4 round bales of hay and straw for sale. Jon 613-227-3650.

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

Dry firewood for sale $110 a cord plus delivery fee. Call or text Jon 613-2273650

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

MISCELLANEOUS

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

WANTED

Senior male of 67 looking for 1 bedroom, in the Kemptville, Smiths Falls or Perth area. Required for June, August at the latest. Willing to pay up to $1,000 a month. Contact Dwight at dwight_gifford@hotmail.com

Looking to harvest cedar trees for hedges off acreages from landowners. Please call Joanne 613-799-0958

CROSSWORD

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

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

FOR RENT

Property for rent for spring & fall deer & turkey hunting. Call Jim after 6pm 613-258-3561

COMMUNITY EVENTS

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

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

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

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

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

BID EUCHRE on Monday, March 27 and every two weeks after until May 22 at Pierce's Corners, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at 1:00 p.m. and play starts at 1:30 p.m. $5 per player. For information contact debiar@ymail.com.

EUCHRE on Tuesday, April 4 and every two weeks after until May 30 at Pierce's Corners, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at 1:00 p.m. and play starts at 1:30 p.m. $5 per player. For information contact debiar@ymail.com.

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

I can remember as a kid coming home from École Assomption in Kirkland Lake and being called: “Pea Soup”. That’s because the Catholic Irish School was exactly one block away and there was fairly intense rivalry between the two institutions. We retaliated with “Tête de bois”. Soupe aux pois was a staple in Maman Cormier’s home, particularly a couple of days after we’d had a feed of ham. She served it with bread from Émile’s Bakery, now long regretted and gone. Fortunately, in Kemptville, we have Grahame’s to provide us with a good old fashioned unsliced and scrumptious loaf of bread to have with our pea soup. So let’s go for Soupe aux pois, a French Canadian favourite.

Soupe aux pois

Ingredients

• 1 pound of dried yellow peas

• Enough water to cover and soak the peas

• 12 cups of additional water for the soup itself

• ½ pound of ham, cut into small cubes

• ½ cup of carrots, diced

• 1 can of potatoes, mashed with the juice

• 1 large chopped onion

• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped or one teaspoon of crushed garlic

• 1 teaspoon (or more to taste) of black pepper

• ½ cup sour cream or natural Greek yoghurt

Preparation

• Wash and soak your peas for at least 12 hours (no need to refrigerate)

• Place the 12 cups of water in a soup pot and add the peas

• Bring to a boil, then add the carrots, onions, potatoes and garlic

• Simmer for a good 3 to 4 hours, adding black pepper to your taste

• In the last hour of simmering, add the ham

• Taste for level of saltiness: usually the ham is salty enough so you don’t need any more

• However, if you are cooking vegetarian without the ham, then you may need to add a bit of salt

• You can add water if the soup gets too thick

To serve, ladle into soup bowls, top with a dollop of sour cream or the Greek yoghurt. You can also garnish with some parsley, if you like. Accompany with a thick slice of the bread of your choice warmed up for the occasion and slathered with room temperature butter.

This soup keeps well in the fridge and just begs to go to work or school in a Thermos.

You can reach me, as always, at pcormier@ranaprocess.com. All the best for spring 2023!

Statement by Mayor Nancy Peckford on the National Day of Mourning

North Grenville joins with communities across Canada and around the world to mark the National Day of Mourning, also known as Workers’ Mourning Day, a day dedicated to remembering men and women who have lost their lives or suffered injury due to work-related tragedy. We also honour the many families and friends who have been deeply affected by these tragedies.

Canada was the first nation to recognize the day, and in 1991 the Day of

Mourning became a national observance in Canada. Acknowledgement of the day has spread to many countries and is now observed throughout the world.

To honour the memory of those we have lost, Canadians will renew our commitment to improving health and safety in workplaces in our community and across the country, and by dedicating ourselves to preventing further injuries, illnesses, and deaths. We all long for a day when no Canadian worker leaves for work only

to never return.

In North Grenville, in addition to remembering lives lost and injured, this day is an opportunity to remind employees and employers - across all sectors – to work together to ensure safe workplaces. Whether in government or business, we must all absolutely commit to keeping our workers safe.

On April 28th, the Municipality of North Grenville will join other communities across Canada in lowering our flags to half-mast in observance of this somber

occasion. We also encourage all who can to observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. to honour those lives lost or those devastated by injury at work. Please join and let this moment serve as a reminder to work towards our shared goal of protecting workers and preventing further workplace tragedies.

Canadian Health Care Workers Want Out: New Health Human Resources (HHR) Survey Reveals Alarming Retention Concerns

Organizations for Health Action, released a new health human resources survey today that revealed that 40% of healthcare providers who responded to the survey are considering leaving the field, citing mental health and well-being as well as working conditions and resource shortages as their main points of concern. The concerns shown in these results align with surveys conducted by other health organizations, for example the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) 2022 National Survey.

Of the 5,000 Canadian healthcare providers across all provinces and territories who responded, 30% indicated they are considering leaving their profession for reasons other than retirement. The results reveal alarming retention concerns, with almost 80% stating the need more workplace support and resources, better leadership, better compensation and benefits, and adequate staffing, to remain in their field.

“We launched this survey to understand why our healthcare system is in crisis and why more and more healthcare providers are leaving,” said Hélène Sabourin, Co-Chair of HEAL. “We now know what we need to do – we must act now to provide the necessary support and resources to retain our healthcare workforce and ensure that they can continue to provide the high-quality services that Canadians rely on.”

The results of this survey highlight the urgent need for action to address the concerns of our healthcare providers,” concluded Fred Phelps, Co-Chair of HEAL. “Failure to do so will result in a significant loss of highly skilled and experienced professionals from the workforce, exacerbating the current health care crisis.”

Getting to know Councillor Kristin Strackerjan

we wanted to understand it. And then when we came together, Jim McManaman had the idea of doing the discussion forums that we had early on. They were great (up until COVID hit)! It was an opportunity for discussion in the community. That was all born from wanting to see more engagement, more transparency, more conversations; not seeing that previously and wanting to do things differently.”

Next Curbside order May 4 & 5

Please Preorder the day before or sooner for next day Curbside pick up 2 - 5pm. For Full Menu, to Order & Pay ONLINE visit www.cateredaffairs.ca 613-324-3136

by Marguerite Boyer

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to sit down with Kristin Strackerjan over breakfast. I do not know her personally, only through her work on Council. It was an informal meeting, an opportunity to get to know her as a person, not so much her political views or her Council work. It was one of those mysteries one just needed to solve.

It was one of the most fascinating breakfasts I have had. I knew that she served in the Military, but I had no clue as to what she did there. In the latter part of her military career, she travelled a lot as part of her role in the Open Skies Treaty, effectively trying to keep things honest between the West and Russia. As she said to me, she was away more than she was home. However, she loved that part of her work, and is thankful that her partner was there to encourage and support her. In fact, he did most of the heavy lifting when it came to their young family. Kristin has degrees in Physics, a diploma in Meteorology, and a Masters in Remote Sensing.

Since her retirement from the Forces, she has stuck to her scientific and technical roots working for the Federal government as an IT manager. Due to Covid, she was able to work from home and she continues to be at home more than not. Many folks have come to realise that employees can be just as effective, if not more so, working from home. She now greatly enjoys walking with her three teen/tween children to the bus stop in

the mornings and greeting them at the end of the school day. Things that many of us take for granted.

So my question to her, why take on Council, a very thankless job at times and open to much criticism? For her, it was a natural transition, having lived here since 2010 and being involved with school councils, sports teams, community groups, and so on. Like many, she had frustrations with the lack of communication between council and the public.

With the 2018 elections nearing, she asked herself, if I can't run, who can? "I'm capable of doing this. I understand how to work with community groups. I understand so many things just by my experience. And I sort of stopped and went, if I don't think I'm qualified, who is qualified? This was not to say that I was better than anyone else, but just that I had the qualifications. As soon as I got to that point and thought, I could do this, I then thought, why wouldn't I try?”

So, after deliberating over it, it seems like she made the right move.

“John, Deron, Nancy and I knew each other going into the election. So we had conversations about what we wanted to see done differently, what we felt was missing. I think it was really odd that there wasn't much transparency in how decisions were made by the previous council. And really, each one of us found that frustrating, because we wanted people to understand, because

She felt she could make a difference in a community she has come to call home. Although she did not initially get in, a vacancy soon after the elections meant that she was the next in line. She accepted the position and then ran again in the most recent election.

I asked Kristin what makes this council so different. I have often wondered why someone would take on these kinds of jobs, but have come to realise that this present council is the best I have seen for over 30 years, despite the criticism they have received over the Jail and certain other projects. As Kristin said, they work as a team. Under Nancy Peckford's leadership, they are doing more than any council has ever done before in this community.

In fact, having talked to other municipalities, we have become the envy of many. Mind you, they are not perfect. I don't always agree with what they do, but they will always make themselves available to discuss disagreements. You will see them weekly, either out on the streets, talking to people, or promoting special events (and there are many of them). Rarely is there not one or more Councillor attending an event.

Kristin and her council colleagues may have started out as newbies, but they have grown into an experienced and able team. Having someone as capable and qualified as Kristin on council is a real asset to this community.

$44.95 Complete Meal for 2 + HST $89.95 Complete Meal for 4 + HST All Family meals are picked up cold. Included are Chef's choice of Soup or Salad or Appetizer, Appropriate Side Dishes & Dessert and gentle heating instructions.

Chicken Parmesan or Eggplant Parmesan

Crisp Breaded Chicken Cutlets or Eggplant with Parmesan, Mozzarella & Marinara Sauce|

Creamy Pasta Alfredo | Chef's choice of veggies | Caesar Salad | Garlic Bread | Dessert

Baja Fish Tacos or Tofu Tacos (Vegetarian)

Battered Fish or Tofu | Flour Tortillas | Pickled Red Onions & Jalapenos | Cabbage Slaw | Smoky Chipotle aioli | Lime Wedges | Dirty Rice | Cheese | Pico de Gallo | Taco Salad Kit | Dessert

Mother’s Day Brunch

treat mom to a fantastic feast

Sunday, May 14, 2023, 9:00am - 1:00pm

RSVP 613-324-3136 or info@cateredaffirs.ca

-Beef carving station - Eggs Benedict - Salmon Wellington - Applewood Smoked Bacon- Sausages- -Scrambled Eggs - Petite Quiches & Savory Pies -Tofu scramble - Home fries - Soups - Selection of Salads - Grilled Halloumi and Vegetables - Cheese and Charcuterie Boards - Mac and Cheese - Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots- Waffle station with Maple Butter Board - Fresh fruit

- selection of House Made Breakfast Sweets & DessertsCoffee, Tea, and Juice included

-Mimosas, House Concocted Cocktails & Specialty Coffees $12 each $44.95 per person, plus tax & grat $15.00 for children 10 yrs. and under ; 2 yrs and under are free. A gratuity of 18% will be added to groups of 6 or more RSVP: 613-324-3136 info@cateredaffairs.ca www.cateredaffairs.ca

820 Heritage Dr. Kemptville Campus, Kemptville, ON, K0G 1J0

Are Canadians better at preventing Lyme Disease?

is a common feature.

It’s tick season and the little pests are out with a vengeance. Tiny as they are, ticks are a huge nuisance and a hazardous vector of disease. Their ability to latch onto unsuspecting hosts has made them one of the most successful blood-sucking parasites on the planet.

Ticks are the primary carriers of Lyme disease, infecting people with their bite. But do ticks or people account for the sizable difference in the number of reported cases in the US and Canada? Every year, in the United States, about half a million people are diagnosed with Lyme disease. Based on population, all other things equal, one would expect about 50,000 cases annually in Canada. Other things, however, must not be equal. Because according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, only 3,147 cases were reported in Canada in 2021, up from 144 in 2009. Is geography behind this huge difference? Ticks that

transmit Lyme are found in most parts of the US and have expanded into the areas of Canada where most people live over the past two decades.

Challenges with diagnosis of Lyme disease might help explain the gap. When diagnosed early, a course of antibiotics is an effective treatment. If untreated, the bacteria causing infection can linger in the body for months or years before presenting symptoms ranging, for example, from shortterm fevers, rashes, and fatigue to more devastating conditions.

An attack on the central nervous system could be one manifestation. This can cause numbness, pain, stiff neck, headache, and many other symptoms, including psychiatric problems.

Another concern is the cardiovascular system, where Lyme disease can disrupt electrical signals that coordinate heart beats.

Painful swelling of joints

Celebrities have shared their experience with long lists of problems. Among them are musicians Avril Lavigne, Shania Twain, and Darryl Hall, actors Alec Baldwin and Ben Stiller, writer Amy Tan, and even President George W. Bush.

How can these stars, and even a president, fall victim? Ticks are stealthy. They can bite people and feed for a day or more before dropping off undetected.

Tick saliva is amazing stuff, containing antimicrobials, analgesics, blood thinners, and immune suppressors in cocktails that change according to the situation. It’s this saliva that enables ticks to bite and feast without notice. What’s more, unlike female ticks which become engorged, male ticks don’t eat such a big meal, making them very hard to notice.

Take a walk outdoors when good weather beckons but know how to avoid trouble. Ticks can’t jump to catch a ride. They “quest” by perching on the tips of grasses, leaves, and branches, then use their forward

Lanark County Council debate Andrewsville Bridge closure

legs to grab hold when a host brushes up. So stay out of long grasses in areas home to deer, rabbits and field mice. Be wary of other places where ticks might catch a human host. For instance, ticks are commonly found in grasses, bushes and treed areas of golf courses. Any pet dog stepping into long grass or jumping in and out of ditches could pick up ticks, then bring them in the home where close contact with owners can easily occur.

Why do Canadians record so few cases of Lyme disease as compared to Americans? Lack of awareness of the disease among healthcare providers and low sensitivity of diagnostic tests are part of the answer. Additionally, one study found that Canadians tend to seek medical care less frequently for tick bites and are less likely to be tested for Lyme disease, leading to a 40% lower detection rate.

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port suggested that closing the bridge would not have a major impact on local residents.

CDSBEO Strategic Plan Update

The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario Board held a meeting on April 18 to hear an update on the CDSBEO Strategic Plan.

Superintendents of School Effectiveness Brent Bovaird, Dawn Finnegan, Heather Gerber, and Norma McDonald presented an update on the CDSBEO Multi-Year Strategic Plan to highlight how the Board is realizing its strategic priorities. Anchored by four tenets: believing, protecting, learning, and nurturing, the plan guides the work that is done each day in CDSBEO schools and administrative offices.

Examples of the Board’s many engaging and robust opportunities for student learning were discussed along with examples of activities, events, professional development opportunities, faith-based celebrations, and other program and curriculum delivery achievements. This work aligns and fulfills the priorities outlined in the plan and provides tangible evidence of how CDSBEO schools are safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments where faith, equity, and the Catholic Social Teachings are embedded in all that we do.

“Tonight’s presentation was absolutely outstanding. You have brought our Board to life through these examples of the work being done by our students and staff in the school communities that each of us represent. Thank you so much for preparing this amazing presentation. We are extremely proud to see our strategic priorities come to life,” concluded Chair Wilson.

by David Shanahan

At their meeting last night, the Lanark County Council discussed a report by Sean Derouin, Public Works Manager for the County, recommend-

ing that the Andrewsville Bridge remain closed until a geotechnical assessment is completed on the causeway. Council received a report from Keystone Bridge Management Corp., who

had preformed assessment tests on the bridge, resulting in a recommendation that the bridge be reopened with the existing speed and weight limits remaining in force. However, a staff re-

“... the only motorists that would be affected by the bridge closure would either reside on either side of the bridge or are visiting the bridge/ residents. The residual motorists would be intentionally crossing the bridge out of desire and not necessity. About 20 residents live on either side of the bridge, so it can be assumed that only 10% of the daily traffic would be affected by the bridge closing.”

The estimated cost of replacing the heritage bridge with a modular one is $3.8 million.

Two delegations addressed Council at the meet-

To view the presentation video, please visit: https:// youtu.be/5bDgDdo2MOQ

ing, The Ontario Federation of All Terrain Vehicles noted that the bridge is the only legal route for their members to cross the Rideau River, and asked that: “the County consider other options than just closing the bridge, as this will have a negative impact on the clubs in this area and the ability to access trails.”

Rory Blaisdell, of the Friends of Andrewsville Bridge, which has lobbied long and hard for preserving the bridge, also made a presentation to Council.

The delegation provided a very detailed analysis of the situation with regard to the bridge, including many other factors than heritage and history. The presentation cited traffic flow patterns on the bridges at Merrickville and Burritt’s Raoids, as well as Andrewsville. A detailed costing of alternative solutions to the bridge’s renovation requirements was an important part of the delegation’s recommendations. Council’s decision on the issue will be forthcoming.

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