A personal travel manager, now more than ever

Gravitate Travel's Scott Waldron explains why more and more travellers are seeking the help of professionals to plan their next vacation.

How many times have you walked by a travel agent's office in your neighbourhood, with sunfaded resort catalogues in the window, and thought, "Who still uses a travel agent?"

It's true that online flight vendors, Airbnb, and other platforms have made it easier than ever to plan your own travel. But the past two and half years have taught us that travel does not always go according to plan. That's where personal travel managers, like those at Kemptville's Gravitate

Travel, come in.

Gravitate founder Scott Waldron and his team have helped their clients navigate a complex new world of travel. Personal travel managers can help you know what to expect, what to avoid, and where to turn when things go wrong. In fact, even The New York Times reported that travel experts were seeing an increase in business, up 35% compared to 2019.

Scott says there are a few reasons why travellers are coming back to experts for help.

"We love travel," he says, "and we also love helping others discover the possibilities out there in the world. But we get it: researching takes time and you're busy doing everything else in your life. This is our full-time job!"

So, while a vacation may be much needed, you can do without all the hassles that go with planning. A personal travel manager will find the best flight options, accommodation to suit your tastes, and excursions that are right for you. In addition, Scott says, "We're constantly visiting new hotels and meeting with travel partners around the world. It helps us keep on top of what's out there so we can recommend the best experiences for our clients."

While COVID seems to be fading away, there are still entry requirements for destinations around the world, which can put you at risk of being turned away when you arrive at your destination.

"Which countries require a negative antigen test versus the ones which only require vaccine records? It's hard to keep track, but we've taken the guesswork out of travel for our clients."

Endless flight cancellations have left many passengers stranded and without a plan to get home. Scott and his team know the ins and outs of the airline industry.

"The average person might not know or understand the terms and conditions, but it's my job to know and to use my expertise to help out clients when they need it most."

Think having a personal travel manager is an extravagance reserved for luxury travellers? Not so, he says. "We can actually end up saving our clients money, by avoiding costly mistakes, finding the best price on your flights, and taking advantage of relationships with partners around the world."

Thinking of traveling in the future? Gravitate will be at the IPM Quilt Show & British High Tea on August 19 and 20, with their partner, Royal Irish Tours.

And Gravitate Travel will be at the IPM & Rural Expo from September 20-24, with their partners AMA Waterways, Rocky Mountaineer, Royal Irish Tours, Hurtigruten Expeditions, and Hyatt Ziva & Zilara All-Inclusive Resorts.

Staying Safe as Rabies found in Local Bat Population

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is reporting that a bat from the area has tested positive for rabies. The bat was tested as part of routine surveillance of rabies in animal populations, and the positive result implies that rabies is present in the region. No human cases have been reported in the area at this time.

The EOHU is reminding residents of the dangers of rabies and to take precautions to keep you and your family safe.

Rabies is a deadly neurological disease in mammals, often found in bats, raccoons, skunks

Career Opportunities

Township of North Dundas 636 St. Lawrence Street, P.O. Box 489, Winchester, ON, K0C 2K0 www.northdundas.com

Truck Driver/LabourerWaste Management

We are seeking a motivated individual to join our team on a one-year contract. Duties will include driving the waste management truck, assisting with curbside pick-up of waste/recyclables and other related duties. Applicants must possess a valid DZ license or be willing to obtain. For a full position description, visit Career Opportunities on our website.

To apply to join our team, please submit your resume and cover letter by 2pm, Tuesday, Sept. 6th to Doug Froats, Director of Waste Management at the address above, or email careers@northdundas.com.

Asset Management Coordinator & Accounting Supervisor

Are you an analytical, solutions oriented individual with a focus on accounting and data analysis? Join our team to help develop and maintain our asset management plan, process payroll and provide data and analysis to the management team. Our ideal candidate will have a diploma/degree in Business or Engineering technology or a combination of education and experience.

To apply to join our team, please submit your resume and cover letter by 2 pm, Monday, September 12th to John Gareau, Director of Finance at the address above, or email careers@northdundas.com.

Director of Public Works and foxes, but can be passed to humans and pets as well. It is most often spread through bites but can also be passed through the saliva of an infected animals getting in your eyes, mouth, or other open wounds. Rabies is almost always fatal if treatment is not given before symptoms start.

We are seeking a dedicated, enterprising and resultsoriented leader for the position of Director of Public Works. With responsibility for an annual budget of approximately four million dollars you will provide strategic leadership and management of a diverse portfolio, including roads, bridges, sidewalks, water, sewers, drainage and fleet.

Experienced individuals with a Civil Engineering Technology Designation, or higher, are encouraged to apply by 2 pm on Monday, September 12. A full position description and details are available on our website. The Township wishes to thank all applicants who apply, however, only those being selected for an interview will be contacted. The Township of North Dundas is an equal opportunity employer. We will endeavour to accommodate qualified candidates in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs know in advance. Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used for employment assessment purposes only.

Staying Safe

While rabies is dangerous, there are steps you can take to limit your exposure to and contact with animals who may carry rabies. The EOHU recommends that you:

- Keep your pets’ and livestock’s rabies vacci- nations up to date.

- Don’t let your pets wander unsupervised.

- Teach children not to touch wild animals or pets they don’t know.

- Avoid contact with wild animals – especially if they look sick or are behaving strangely.

- Bat-proof your home.

- Don’t try to rescue sick or injured wild animals –contact Animal Control or a wildlife rehabilitator.

- Report all animal bites to the EOHU at 613-9331375 or 1-800-267-7120.

Finding Bats in Your Home

If you find a live bat in your home, trap it in a room with the lights off and a window open, so it can escape. Do not try to catch and release the bat yourself, as this may result in a bite. If the bat will not leave on its own, contact a pest management company for assistance.

If a bat is found in a bedroom (alive or dead), please visit your local emergency room immediately to discuss next steps, especially if the bat is found in a child’s room. Bites from bats are particularly dangerous, as they have needle-sharp teeth which may not leave a mark after biting, and

2022 Municipal Election you may not know you have been bit.

If you think you or your family have been bitten by a bat or other animal, contact your doctor, health care provider or local emergency room immediately. Report the bite to the EOHU at 613933-1375 or 1-800-2677120. The EOHU will investigate and determine if you may require postexposure treatment.

More information on bats, rabies and prevention tips can be found at EOHU.ca

Clerk’s Notice of Posting of the Preliminary List of Electors

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ACT, 1996

Townships of North Stormont, South Stormont, North Glengarry, South Glengarry, North Dundas and South Dundas

The Voters’ List for the upcoming Municipal Elections will be available for viewing beginning on September 1, 2022. The Voters’ List is the list of all individuals eligible to vote in the 2022 Municipal Elections. It identifies electors by name, address, school support and residence status.

The Voters’ List is available to the public for viewing beginning on September 1, 2022 during regular business hours at the appropriate municipality (refer to the applicable Municipal information box below or the appropriate Municipal website):

Electors should examine the list to ensure that their name and relevant information is correct. Electors must also ensure the Municipality has their correct date of birth.

Revision period for electors is September 1 to October 24, 2022.

Pursuant to subsection 17(2) of the Municipal Elections Act, “A person is entitled to be an elector at an election held in a local municipality if, on Voting Day, he or she,

(a) Resides in the local municipality or is the owner or tenant of land there, or the spouse of such owner or tenant;

(b) is a Canadian Citizen;

(c) is at least 18 years old; and,

(d) is not prohibited from voting under subsection 17(3) or otherwise by law.”

TOWNSHIP OF NORTH STORMONT

Craig Calder 15 Union Street Berwick ON K0C 1G0 613-984-2821 877-984-2821

TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH STORMONT

Loriann Harbers

2 Mille Roches Rd Long Sault ON K0C 1P0 613-534-8889 Ext 201

TOWNSHIP OF NORTH GLENGARRY

Sarah Huskinson 3720 County Rd 34 Alexandria, ON K0C 1A0 613-525-1110

TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH GLENGARRY

Kelli Campeau

6 Oak Street Lancaster ON K0C 1N0 613-347-1166 Ext 2102

TOWNSHIP OF NORTH DUNDAS

Nancy Johnston 636 St. Lawrence St. Winchester ON K0C 2K0 613-774-2105 Ext 226

TOWNSHIP OF SOUTH DUNDAS

Leslie Drynan

34 Ottawa Street Morrisburg ON K0C 1X0 613-543-2673