Work continues on Chesterville water tower

by Brandon Mayer

by Brandon Mayer

Working next to a hospital can have its downsides, one of which is instantly recognizing the signs of a car accident as emergency vehicles rolls in, and not knowing where exactly it occurred or who may be hurt, or worse. Instances of car accidents in the Winchester area have appeared to be on the rise lately, and there are a few spots where accidents seem to be the most common and problematic. There have been reports of many accidents (though most minor) near the Foodland location at County Roads 43 and 31. In one case, there were also two accidents in the span of two days at the stop sign where County Road 38 meets County Road 31.

In the case of one of the accidents at the stop sign, a local woman contacted the Times, reporting what she heard allegedly occurred.

“A large truck somehow lost control or lost brakes and apparently pushed two cars in front of it into oncoming highway traffic,” the woman said. “In my opinion only, distracted driving is all too frequent as shown by how many cars are drifting the centre lane oncoming and the driver seems to be looking down, I assume at a device unless there is something really fascinating in their lap.”

In the cases of at least three, perhaps four accidents in the last month that I can recall, I experienced the unwelcome signs of volunteer firefighter vehicles rushing to the fire station, fire trucks pulling out in an understandable frenzy, and ambulances rolling in to the hospital soon after.

A more recent accident occurred on Brinston Road (County Road 16) near South Mountain. A motorcycle was reportedly

Live Auction Sale

Sunday, September 18th at 12:00 pm

To be held on site at civic #2245 Simms St in the Village of Mountain

Antique & Modern Furnishings, Antiques &; Collectibles, Jewellery, Tools, Electronics, Antique Sewing Machines, Game Systems, Houseware, Quilts, Records, Bed Frames, Car Ramps, Vintage Linens and Clothing, Bikes, Framed Pictures, Coca Cola Memorabilia, Wedding Dresses, Wool and Much Much More

Note: The staff and volunteers at the house of Lazarus have been planning and preparing for this event and therefore have been collecting and setting aside the better items they have been receiving for quite some time. Be sure to attend for this is a perfect opportunity for collectors, people setting up homes and college students setting up dorms for the first time. All items will be sold with no taxes applied and all proceeds will be going to the food bank and to their outreach programs including their community meal program.

Owner & Auctioneer Not Responsible for Loss or Accident

Washroom & BBQ Supper on Site

Terms: COVID Protocols & Social Distancing to Be followed Auction Services Donated By Peter Ross Auction Services Ltd. Ingleside On (613) 537-8862 www.peterrossauction.ca

The Winchester District Memorial Hospital happens to be the recipient of many patients in need in the wake of accidents on the nearest stretch of Highway 401. At least two such accidents occurred in the last month alone, and one was particularly bad. The helicopter came to the hospital that day, as well as three ambulances, two police vehicles, and even a fire department pickup truck which I can only imagine was transporting someone with non lifethreatening injuries because there simply weren’t enough ambulances available. First responders have an awful job, and we all owe them some thanks.

Granted that not all of these accidents are occurring in Winchester or even in North Dundas, I am still anecdotally observing more of them lately. Are we developing a driving problem? Are we pushing the speed a little too high, and letting the attention drop a little too low? Whatever the case, safe driving is the responsibility of every driver, and we will all be better off for it.

A major landmark in the town of Chesterville – the water tower – is undergoing significant maintenance, including receiving a fresh coat of paint. The Township of North Dundas notified users of the Chesterville drinking water system several months ago that “major maintenance” would be occurring on the water tower between May and October of 2022.

The water tower was drained as part of the maintenance project, which has left the drinking water system fed entirely by the high lift pumps. Normally, treated water from source wells is pumped into the water tower, where it then feeds into the distribution system by gravity – the height of the tower provides the water pressure. With the tower offline for maintenance, water users in Chesterville have been warned to avoid drawing large quantities of water from their taps, since the system is not designed to handle peak flow demands without the help of the tower.

Last year, major complaints surfaced from many Chesterville residents about the aesthetic quality of the water provided by the town’s drinking water system. While there have not been any indications that the water is unsafe for human consumption, and the Ontario Clean Water Agency (who runs the system) has reassured residents that the water is safe, the same reassurances could not be made about the water’s appearance. For the complainants, the water was appearing from their taps with a yellow or brown colour so pronounced that it was staining laundry. Despite the concerns, a representative from the Ontario Clean Water Agency seemed to suggest that the current maintenance is not connected to the aesthetic water quality complaints. “The wa-

The Chesterville water tower, wrapped for sandblasting and painting in late August. The sound of the sandblasting process was quite loud ter tower maintenance that is taking place is routine maintenance along with some required safety upgrades,” said the spokesperson, when asked if there is a connection between the maintenance and the complaints.

The complaints last year were not the beginning of the Chesterville water system’s woes. In July of 2020, the Township notified residents of Chesterville that it was aware of high instances of coloured water throughout the system, and that a full system flush was planned for later that month to help address the issue. At that time, the coloured water was blamed on sediment buildup within the system which had become loosened, with a hope that a system flush would get rid of the sediment.

Residents of Chesterville must be on alert during the duration of the maintenance since water pressure can fluctuate when the water tower is offline. Sufficient water pressure is critical for keeping bacteria out of a municipal water system, so in instances of low pres- sure, residents are advised to treat the situation as though a “boil water” advisory has been issued.

The issue of water quality and capacity from the Chesterville and Winchester drinking water systems is likely to become an issue of discussion and debate between candidates as October’s municipal election draws closer.

Open Wedding Reception

Lee Ann & Derrick VanDelst and Marilyn & Pete Stewart welcome family and friends to an Open Wedding reception in honour of their children, Kellie VanDelst and Ben Stewart Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Chesterville Legion from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

IPM Western Style Horse Riding & Performances

The 2022 International Plowing Match (IPM) and Rural Expo are excited to announce that western horse riding will be on display throughout the September event at Kemptville Campus in North Grenville. Both the Canadian Cowgirls and the Ram Rodeo are scheduled to showcase their captivating talents.

Event goers will witness the thundering sound of hooves and the proudly flying flags of the CANADIAN COWGIRLS. The cowgirls are known for their extreme performance within the horse ring, from musical performances to dazzling costumes, and maneuvers that will have onlookers on the edge of the seat.

The RAM RODEO Tour will also appear at the match. Bareback riding, bronc riding, barrel racing, bull riding, and pole bending will excite those in attendance. The Rodeo will be held on September 22, 23 and 24.

IPM organizers are thrilled to provide a platform that brings opportunities such as the Canadian Cowgirls and Ram Rodeo to North Grenville. These types of entertainers give a perfect opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy the magic of the agriculture world and the many bonding attributes it provides our local communities.

Tickets available online at: https://www.plowingmatch.org/ipm2022/visitor-info/tickets

For more information on the 2022 IPM, visit https:// www.plowingmatch.org/ipm2022/

Entertainment

Monday Sept 19

RV Park- Mud Men 8-10pm

Tuesday Sept 20

Main Stage

Mud Men- 2pm-3pm

Daisy Train- 3:30pm-4:30pm

Lounge Stage

Country Roads- 12:301:30pm

HOJORO Trio – 2pm-3pm

Mud Men- 4pm- 5pm

Grenville Mutual Stage

Rosewood- 1pm- 3pm

Eastern Ontario Square

Dance and Round Dance

Association- 3:30pm- 5pm

RV Park

Freddy Vette and the Rhinestone Cowboys- 8pm-10pm

Wednesday Sept 21 st

Main Stage

Ukulele Workshop- 10-11am

The Grateful Kids- 11:30am12:30pm

Ron Gallinger and Helen

Parson’s – 1pm-2pm

Marleen Fawcett and Moun- tain Breeze- 2:30pm-3:30pm

Nayana- 4pm-5pm

Lounge

Cat Murphy Band- 12:30pm1:30pm

Naomi Bristow – 2pm-3pm

Wayne Rostad- 3:30pm- 5pm

Mutuals

Cat Murphy Band – 10:30am-

11:30am

Naomi Bristow- 12pm- 1pm

Glenn Silverson Band-

1:30pm- 3pm

Marleen Fawcett and Moun- tain Breeze - 4pm- 5pm

RV Park

Wayne Rostad – 7pm-9pm

The Posse- 9pm-11:30pm

Thursday Sept 22 nd

Main Stage

The Mighty Harmonics10am-11am

Kieran Robinson- 11:30am12:30pm

Stewarts Glen – 1pm-2pm

Hillbilly Highway – 2:20pm3:30pm

Cory Coons- 4pm- 5pm

Lounge Tent

CR5- 12pm-1pm

Cornflower Blue- 1:30pm2:30pm

Mighty Harmonics- 3pm4:30pm

Mutuals

Hillbilly Highway- 12pm-1pm

Kieran Robinson- 1:30pm-

2:30pm

Stewarts Glen- 3:30pm4:30pm

RV Park

Eddie and the Stingrays-

7pm-8:30pm

DW James- 9pm- 11pm

Friday Sept 23 rd

Mainstage

Queen of the Furrow

Speeches- 10am-12pm

Eastern Ontario Square

Dancing and Round Dancing- 12:30pm- 1:30pm

The Riverstones- 2pm3:30pm

Doubleback- 4pm-5pm

Lounge

Odd Man Out- 12pm-1pm

Kyle Felhaver and Brandy Creek- 1:30pm- 2:30pm

Steel Grey Band – 3:30pm-

5pm

Mutuals

Kyle Felhaver- 11am-12pm

The Riverstones- 12:30pm-

1:30pm

Mike Shaw- 2pm- 3pm

Nelson Colt- 3:30pm- 5pm

RV Park

Buckledown- 7pm-8:30pm

Nelson Colt Band- 9- 11pm

Saturday Sept 24 th

Mainstage

The Gallaghers- 10am-11am

VIP Awards- 11:30am-1pm

Lounge

Heirs of the Dog- 12pm-1pm

White Brothers Country Music Band – 1:30pm-2:30pm

Peter and Mally- 3:30pm5pm

Mutuals

Friends and Family Ceilidh hosted by the Gallagher Family- 1pm- 4pm

RV Park

Ambush (presented by 1000 island RVs) – 7pm-10pm

Highlights of the Match

Ram Rodeo -

Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Sept 22-24)

SkyHawksWednesday, September 21

Canadian CowgirlsAll five days

Amber MarshallSaturday, September 24

*Still waiting on Saturday entertainment

IPM and Rural Expo welcomes the Hunter Brothers

The Canadian grown musician group from Shaunavon, Saskatchewan the HUNTER BROTHERS will appear at the 2022 International Plowing Match (IPM) & Rural Expo inKemptville in the third week of September.

With over 61 million video & audio streams to date, Hunter Brothers have amassed a large volume of industry credibility in a record amount of time, including multiple CCMA Award nominations, JUNO Award nominations and SCMA Award wins. The brothers first signed with Open Road recordings and released their debut “El Dorado” in 2016. This year, the Hunter brothers are making their debut at the IPM on September 24.

In addition to the Hunter Brothers, the IPM schedule boosts entertainers and music of all kinds throughout the four day event running from September 20 to 24.

For Tickets visit: https://www.plowingmatch.org/ ipm2022/visitor-info/tickets

For more information on the 2022 IPM, visit: https:// www.plowingmatch.org/ipm2022/