Issue 01 2023 January 12 NG Times

North Grenville’s coolest weatherman

by

A local 8-year-old is arguably North Grenville’s coolest weatherman, though he could soon gain an even higher honour as Faces Magazine’s Podcaster of the Year. Local boy Finn is the star of Finn’s Friday Forecast, a popular weekly weather podcast that he has been hosting since September of 2019. The podcast plays on Friday mornings at blasttheradio.com.

“It started out by Finn hearing John Mielke do a weather report on his online station and Finn saying he wanted to do a weather report and send it to John,” Finn’s mother, Tara, told the Times. “John thought it was adorable and aired it. It was short

and sweet and just had that Friday’s forecast. The following week he ended up doing it again and the listeners loved it, so we created Finn’s Friday Forecast which quickly became an entire weekend forecast.”

Over the first year, we started adding banter between Finn and John, and Finn developed his own reporting style and signature send off, including a regional acknowledgment saying ‘From the unceded territory of the Algonquin Nation in Kemptville Ontario, THIS IS YOUR BTR weatherman Finn, ONLY on Blasttheradio.com… back to you John … See Yaaaaaaaa’.”

John now jokes that Finn has more fans than him. Finn has done special weather reports, including those ahead of storms

which include important safety tips. Tara explained that her husband, Bram has his own weekly radio show that airs in the Netherlands. This helps with Finn’s show, since they have the equipment available for recording and editing. The segment targets the Ottawa area forecast which is where blasttheradio.com is located. “Finn will turn 9 this March and he loves doing the forecasts,” said Tara. “He is a grade 3 student at Kemptville Public School and he loves his teachers Mrs. Cameron and Mme. Britt who encourage his many pursuits and talents that are rather rare for an 8 year old.”

According to the Faces Magazine website, “The Annual Faces Awards is Ottawa's largest awards event, spanning over 150 categories to recognize professionals and businesses that make Ottawa such a world-class city.” Finn’s name has been put forward for awards in the past, but this year he is one of 15 nominees for the Podcaster of the Year award. “Just making it to the list of nominees is an honour, and Finn was really excited about the news,” Tara explained. “We told him that we are just proud of him for all his hard work and dedication doing a weekly forecast for almost 3.5 years and sticking to it. It’s

always been Finn’s choice to do the forecast and stop at any time. He sometimes will do a 1-3 week break if we are super busy or away, and sometimes he makes a special weather report from Europe when we are regularly in the Netherlands or destinations we happen to be at on the Friday. He has even called in to John’s studio to record it over the phone from the middle of nowhere.”

Despite his gifts, Finn doesn’t necessarily want to be a weatherman when he grows up. His current aspirations are to be a police office, firefighter, pilot, or inventor. “His interests include soccer, swimming, music, airplanes and creating things out of Lego or recycled items, which he calls ‘re ventions’ because they are inventions made from recycled things,” said Tara. “He is kind and energetic and has a big heart and genuinely cares that people know what weather is on the way and how to prepare for it.”

Finn is proud of the work that he does. “It’s cool and fun,” he said. “I like to give the weather forecast to people so they don’t get into accidents. I feel proud to be a weatherman.”

Voting for the Podcaster of the Year award begins on January 15. Don’t forget to cast your vote!

Local weatherman, Finn of Finn’s Friday Forecast

Brandon Mayer

Christmas Dinner another great success

by Brandon Mayer

It was yet another great year for the beloved Community Christmas Dinner which feeds many North Grenville residents every year in the spirit of kindness and goodwill. The free dinner is made possible solely through donations, sponsorship, and volunteers. This year, the countless individuals who made the dinner happen were proud to serve up 200 “meals of Christmas joy”.

“The True Spirit of Christmas shone again through the annual Community Christmas Dinner,” one of the event’s volunteers told the Times. “The volunteer teams went above and beyond to be able to

share Christmas with others, starting with the organizing team, community donations and all those who so happily came together to chop and cook veggies, slice turkey and hams, desserts, and breads. So much food so happily donated.”

In correspondence with the Times, the anonymous volunteer could not stress enough the wide ranging duties that volunteers were asked to perform, all of which were crucial to the success of the Dinner. She went on to provide further examples. “Teams that provided cooler bags and packed them with all that was prepared. Volunteer drivers also delivered prepared meals to those who could not do pickup.”

This year’s event took

place at the First Christian Reformed Church, though the annual event has no affiliation with any particular organization, church, or individual. Part of the annual tradition that makes it so magical is that there is no “spotlight” for those who help out. Those who give their resources and time to make the dinner possible do so in a move that can only be described as true altruism, since it comes without any recognition.

“We all felt blessed to have been a part of this annual outreach,” the anonymous volunteer added. “Volunteers came out so willingly and with a love to serve together so that others could enjoy a Christmas gift of food and a smile as they received their Christmas packages.”

Events like the Community Christmas Dinner go a long way toward showing what a caring and tight-knit community North Grenville is. The Dinner is a tradition going back eight years. The free meal consists of a full turkey dinner and desserts. It was originally conceived of as a way to bring Christmas joy to those who may otherwise be eating alone on Christmas Day, as well as a way for people from the community to have an opportunity for some Christmas conversation. Until next year, friends!

Facebook scam about a criminal on the loose

by Brandon Mayer

There is a new scam in town, appearing not long after the notorious air duct cleaning and car detailing scams have finally begun to disappear from social media. The most recent duping attempt comes in the form of a Facebook post warning residents of a danger posed by a criminal on the loose. The post is in fact false, and the mug shot of the fake local perpetrator is one of an alleged offender south of the border, whose real crimes were not nearly as serious as those described in the scam post.

The post in question is shared widely all over the country, with only a change in the name of the town where the fake criminal is supposedly on the loose. The post seems to have stayed off of the major North Grenville social media pages, for the most part, but it did make it into some local users’ personal pages. Admin moderation may be helping to keep the scam off of the local groups. In nearby Winchester, social media users didn’t appear to be as savvy this time around, with the post being shared widely before being recognized as a scam.

Scams must have a purpose to be worth it for scammers to pursue. A decade

ago, when Facebook was a simpler platform, pages that had high post exposure (through “likes” and the sharing of posts) were said to earn higher ad revenue. This inspired posts that targeted the big-hearted and the naïve, with promises for example that a child in need of life saving surgery would receive it if the post received 1,000 “likes”. Facebook is now more complicated, but it does not stop people from using it to try and part others from their hard-earned money.

The well-known air duct cleaning scam is one that is somewhat more complex in its nature. Typically, though certainly not always, these scammers who post on social media or cold call from a fake number do not ask for money upfront. Instead, they seek to know the size of your house and details about your ductwork, only to offer a “great deal” that costs well below what a reputable company would charge. Only after the totally unqualified scammers show up at your door and put on a show that makes it seem they are doing a good job do they upsell unneeded, expensive extras.

The fake criminal on the loose is a scam with a different kind of twist. When a post is “shared” on social media, it is still the original post which is seen by those

who are friends with the person who shared it to their own page. When the original post is modified, the new version replaces all of the shared versions, which can mean hundreds if not thousands of shares.

In the case of the post about the fake criminal, the post is likely to be widely shared in the spirit of neighbours helping neighbours.

Social media users therefore so the dirty work for the scammers. After the post is widely shared, the original post is modified, typically to a rental property listing.

The wide reach of the post, which is now seen by thousands of people due to the sharing campaign, is bound to reach at least a few naïve individuals willing to etransfer rent up front in order to secure an apartment in the current housing market. And voila – the scam comes full circle.

Stopping the spread of scams starts with ordinary social media users. Don’t be afraid to put a few key words in Google before sharing to check if a post contains legitimate information. Never share personal information with strangers, no matter who they identify themselves as. Never send money for products or services site unseen. And if something is too good to be true, it probably is.

Cheques can be sent toRotary club of kemptville box 274. Kemptville ont K0G 1J0 e-Transfers can be sent to ArnpriorRotary@gmail.com Password hint U**e

Kemptville Youth Centre receives large donation

Business success best served with a great cup of coffee

by Brandon Mayer

Few things are quite as wholesome as a local business success story. Karin Rabuka has accomplished exactly that with her Kemptville coffee company which has been selling locally roasted coffee for over a decade. Coffee from her company – No Go Coffee Co. – can be found in local stores and restaurants, and can be purchased freshly brewed from her very own coffee truck in town.

Like most business success stories, No Go took a lot of work and dedication to develop. Karin began as a coffee roaster, inspired by her dream of opening a café. Years of hard work paid off when Karin was able to open up her own coffee truck in 2021, now with two years of successful operations to boast of. “It’s such a neat thing, because I was able to

show off my coffee,” said Karin. “My whole goal was that I wanted to have a café, and I finally have that café with my coffee truck.” The truck does not operate in the winter, but No Go continues to keep Karin busy in other ways throughout the year, just as it always has done over its years in operation.

No Go has what Karin describes as a “beautiful, big” roasting building that she has always used to roast her coffee. For years, the building was never open to the public, but now Karin feels it is time for that to change. She has decided to open the roasting building for visits from the public one day per week. An open house last month was used to test the idea, and it went very well. “It was an amazing day,” Karin added. “We had a lot of people come and stop by.”

For Karin, a passion for coffee comes from a passion for connecting with others.

What better place for good conversation than a café?

Having three children, Karin has always felt the need to have conversations and a sense of connection with others in the community.

Late last year, Karin was given an honour that acknowledged all of the hard work and dedication she has poured into her business. She was one of two local business owners named as Entrepreneur of the Year. “It was such an amazing honour,” Karin said. “I was so surprised. I guess I worked slowly at my business, and I feel so excited to get the award after finishing all that and completing the truck.”

For those interested in visiting the roastery, this month it will begin opening to the public on Wednesday mornings. For more information on No Go Coffee Co., or to get in touch with Karin, visit https://nogocoffee.com/.

submitted by Bruce Wehlau

KYC received a donation of $10,000 from Oxford Village Inc. The cheque was presented by Amanda Keyes, Administrative Assistant LA Group, who is in the centre of our photo holding the cheque! On the left is Mayor Nancy Peckford who witnessed the donation, standing next to KYC Operations Manager Roxanne Trumble-Elliston, with youth and staff from KYC.

Left: Karin Rabuka of No Go Coffee Co. Right: Karin’s coffee truck

Council passes 168 downtown units despite their own questions

submitted

by Nadia Gray

This is a letter to my fellow North Grenville residents regarding the management of change to our community in light of actions by the Ontario government and by our local Council since the election held in October 2022. There is a seeming rush to initiate projects to meet priorities that are not transparently connected to enhancing the future quality of life for the community of Kemptville? Projects such as the placing of 168 housing units downtown in a space originally agreed for 20 units.

Our Mayor, Council, our MPP and Premier have been re-elected as recently as October 2022. A little over a mere two months ago. At election time, neither level unveiled intentions for significant changes, like Bill 23, in their approach to managing their housing and development portfolios. On our local level, the option being presented for downtown development in Kemptville was unveiled at a public meeting held on December 14, increasing the density to 168 units. This is an 8-fold increase from the 20 units originally approved. Is the approved density of benefit to the quality of life of the future residents who urgently need affordable housing?

Compromise with developers who come to this community, surely is possible? But compromise takes a give and take for both sides, doesn’t it? Isn’t it fair to keep the community somewhat resembling its roots? I became aware from Kemptville Advance and North Grenville Times news articles that of the 168 units approved, only 15% are proposed to be “AFFORDABLE” as defined by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation definition, for a ten year period.

After reading the articles, the concerns of residents seemed substantive. Should they have been addressed by Council in a second public meeting before a vote on this development was taken? During the public meeting, Councillor Doreen O’Sullivan pointed out “the inconsistency with the municipality’s target for affordable housing, which

is 25 per cent.” And Mayor Peckford challenged the developer on the assertion of “affordable” housing, arguing that there are different definitions of “affordable”, and that even the lowest cost units of the proposed development would not be affordable to those who truly need subsidized housing in the current housing market.

It seems two Council members had important questions that warranted more information and discussion?

What about the question: “What would be required if there are any upgrades within the infrastructure that needs to be upgraded? Who would be covering the costs?” The answer from North Grenville Director of Planning and Development was, “Infrastructure needs will be assessed through the site plan control process… Any upgrades will be at the cost of the developer”.

Weren’t plans presented for the infrastructure in the request for this project?

Aren’t infrastructural requirements basic to designing and costing a housing project? Would the developers and the Municipality undertake a project for 168 units without studies to have very accurate information, including costs, before increasing a project from 20 to 168 units?

What decision did Council make to deal with rezoning the property located at 215 Reuben Crescent?

The answer was reported in both papers. In the Kemptville Advance: “Both the rezoning of the property and OP amendment were subsequently passed by council with residents in attendance visibly upset by the decision.” In the NGTimes: “A spokesperson for the Municipality confirmed that Council has adopted an amendment to the Official Plan to allow for an increase in residential density for the property at 215 Reuben, as well as a Zoning By-law Amendment to rezone the property from Institutional to Residential Fourth Density – Exception – Holding.

The Official Plan Amendment requires approval from the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, and the developer will be required to go through site plan control, to satisfy the holding zones that

were implemented through the Zoning By-law Amendment.”

The North Grenville Mayor is now the Warden of our county. Will she be at the meeting for site plan control? Recently, speaking after her appointment as Warden she said: “I give you my commitment today that I will bring my absolute best to the table as your Warden, and work to create the conditions for robust and respectful dialogue, deliberation, and decision making, that is always responsive and responsible to the people we were elected to serve,” added Mayor Peckford. What do these words mean in light of the 168 unit approval?

Why did the Mayor pass such a project for downtown Kemptville? People from other places are looking to relocate to a less pressure loaded and affordable environment. There must be a balance that can be offered by development that is not a carbon copy of crowded neighbourhoods elsewhere?

Mine is not a negative opinion to new development in North Grenville. It is instead a plea for imagination and rigorous planning techniques, and also for a consideration of the appropriate scope/scale, and the aesthetics and quality of life implications, regardless of whether something is for low cost housing or other pocketbook possibilities.

Consider how similar the approach by this re-elected Mayor and Council is to how they handled communication with residents concerning the Prison Project? Also like this project, having big implications for the quality of life in North Greenville’s future.

Development, if well conceptualized, can be a boon. If it is haphazard, it can detract or diminish from the quality of life experienced in a community. If politicians promise caring and listening to constituents, then perhaps they should follow through with effective actions that uphold their words. If they do not, taxpayers and voters become a source of tax revenue only.

••

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-calendar.

UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETINGS

Council meetings will be held in Council Chambers and will be live streamed on YouTube at: youtube.com/user/NorthGrenville/featured and on the Municipality’s website at: northgrenville. ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes.

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: northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes.

• Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. (Open Session)

• Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. (Open Session) Community Grant Presentations

2023 COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM

The Municipality of North Grenville has launched the 2023 Community Grant Program for members of the public and community organizations who wish to make a request for funding. The Community Grant Request Form is available online at: https://www.northgrenville.ca/budget.

The deadline to submit a formal Community Grant Request is Monday, January 16, at 12:00 p.m.

If you have any questions regarding the Community Grant Request process e-mail: vision@northgrenville.on.ca or call 613-258-9569 ext. 177.

VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill volunteer positions on various Advisory Committees of Council. Visit www.northgrenville.ca/careers 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

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor, All I can say is WOW!

The public had been invited to a public meet and greet earlier on to ask questions and to discuss the Zoning By-Law and Official Plan Amendment for 215 Reuben St. The main concern at this public meeting was the size of the development being planned and at that time, according to the North Grenville Times, when Council had been asked about the details from a concerned citizen, Council didn’t have any information on this at the time.

Fast forward to the meeting held on December 14th, at the Municipal Centre. Taxpayers were invited to this meeting to discuss any issues they may have regarding the development being considered for 215 Reuben Street. Residents were also able to submit any concerns to the Planning Division in writing prior to this meeting. The

township received letters of concerns from several North Grenville residents prior to this meeting. Several taxpayers/voters from the area attended this meeting to discuss this development prior to any vote being taken by Council to approve both the zoning bylaw and the Official Plan Amendment being proposed. I attended this meeting as a concerned resident of North Grenville. I have not participated in this area’s Council meetings in the past, but I did have concerns over this issue.

The residents that went into this meeting were hoping to get questions answered regarding the size of the development, the height of the buildings being proposed, the number of units being proposed, the parking problems that may occur, the impact on traffic to the area of both Reuben Street and Prescott Street, and the safety of people living and

walking on that street. The proposed development is requesting for 168 units. When the Planning Officer was speaking about the density to be increased to 110 units per hectare from the normal 60 units per hectare, I and other members of public in attendance were very concerned on why this developer is being allowed to almost double the capacity that is normally allowed. Is this going to become a precedent setting for “any” developer who wants to develop in North Grenville?

When I asked that question, I was told that this has been done before, no further details. But does this mean that that many units need to be added to this one area? I do understand that we need rental units in North Grenville and the BIA is trying to revitalize that downtown area, but is it at the expense of creating chaos in one area?

Back and to the right

by Brandon Mayer

When the municipal election came and went in October, who knew that we would soon be kicking off 2023 with such political drama? I am referring to the new 168-unit apartment complex that is proposed to be built on the former site of Kemptville Public School, and the harsh criticism that many North Grenville residents are throwing at Council over its handling of the matter. Many eyes are currently on Council, since the decisions made regarding this project will certainly show just what kind of local government we can expect to have in the coming years.

By now, some readers have likely noticed that my editorials are always titled with a vague phrase. This phrase has a connection to the subject matter that only becomes clear when explained part way through my musings. I do love a good pun, particularly one that makes use of a (nonsmutty) double entendre.

For fans of the CBC drama series Murdoch Mysteries (anyone?), there is a season 5 episode called “Back and

to the Left”. Besides being a reference to the John F. Kennedy assassination, I see the title as having a double meaning. One is that the victim’s head goes back and to the left as he is shot. The other is that Murdoch is “back” from an excursion to the Klondike in the previous episode, and he is taking a liberally minded (left) stance of trying to find the real killer, rather than blaming the Irish patsy suspect at a time when Catholics were treated very badly by the majority of Protestant citizens of Toronto. I wonder whether this double meaning is the product of my own imagination, or if it was intentional on the part of the show’s writers. Either way, I love such a play on words.

From what I have seen with Council’s handling of the proposed apartment complex on Reuben Crescent, I am inclined to suggest that Council is “back and to the right”. Council is back in the sense that a few short months ago, all five of its existing members were reelected. By “to the right”, I mean the political right in the sense that their apparent disregard for the views of constituents reminds me

of the recent behaviour of Doug Ford’s progressiveconservative government on matters such as healthcare shortages and Bills 28 and 23.

At the December 14 Council meeting, there were quite a number of concerned local residents who showed up to bring concerns forward – about 10 by my count. Ten concerned residents in a population of over 16,000 is certainly not a scientific survey of the opinions of North Grenville residents on its own. However, combined with online concerns, Letters to the Editor published in the Times, and the fact that Council meetings almost never see so many ordinary residents show up to speak, these concerns should have been enough to at least implore Council to stop and think. A reader emailed to criticize me a few weeks ago for mentioning an uncomfortable “buzz” in the community regarding the apartment complex, saying that I was conjuring facts with no evidence. I contend that anyone who listens will hear this so-called “buzz”. We may have no way of knowing exactly what percentage of residents are

for or against the project, but few local issues cause the kind of stink that this one has, and that speaks volumes. At the Council meeting, after the concerns were heard and put on record, it appeared as though Council was ready to move on and let the genuine worries of dozens of residents be ignored and forgotten. Only minutes later, two bylaw amendments were passed which helped the project move forward. It was almost cruel to let the concerned residents speak at the meeting in the first place – such false hope!

The situation with this proposed housing development is not an easy one for Council to navigate, there is no question of that. In the current housing market, a 168-unit development seems foolish to turn down, especially considering that a shortage of available housing is partially responsible for inflated rent prices for reasons of supply and demand. It would also be naïve to think that a company with the financial resources and commitment required to plan such a large project would not also have the means to apply pressure and ensure

everything is done to push the project forward. As such, no matter what happened at the December 14 meeting, residents and financial stakeholders were all on the edge of their seats, and no “quick decision” could have ever hoped to please everyone.

Developers may desire “quick decisions”, but passing bylaw amendments just minutes after residents raised concerns about the project was entirely too quick. It is understandable that a developer may get cold feet and back out of a potentially beneficial project if made to endure months of bureaucracy, but surely one or two weeks of public consultation could be tolerated? Perhaps Council is learning the hard way that there is a difference between “quick” and “too quick”.

What should Council do now? Perhaps the better question is “why should Council care?” Yes, those five Council seats are secure until 2026, but four years of governing can go by quickly, and residents don’t easily forget when they’ve been scorned. Similar to what I often say about provincial and federal politics, it is important for Council to re-

member that we live in a democracy, and they are elected to be representatives of the wishes of the people. The five Council members were re-elected for what I believe to be good reason. They have shown that they care about the community and have consistently worked hard to act on residents’ ideas and concerns. A move toward governing the people instead of governing for the people would be a very bad political move so soon after the community gave Council the biggest gesture of confidence and support possible – re-election.

People usually feel helpless to contest a lack of consultation in federal and provincial politics, but when it comes to local government, people are not so shy. It’s not too late for the newly re-elected North Grenville Council to revisit how it makes decisions, but residents won’t wait forever for accountability. Council has returned by the will of North Grenville residents. These five Council members now have a responsibility to make sure that they deserve it.

People with families who live in the vicinity are worried about the traffic flow and safety. We were told that a traffic report was done in July and the area could handle the increased traffic on Reuben and Prescott St. With the curling rink, the baseball fields, the revitalized Riverside Park, the Kemptville Legion, there is a lot of activity in the area other than the two weeks in July. Also, the foot traffic from both the high school and public school has a lot of students walking that way on Reuben St on their way to and from school. Parking alone with one car per unit is going to be 168 more cars in that small area. They have stated there will be 200 parking spots, but one of the questions was how many units are going to only have one car?

Another thing that came up was the developer is

The North Grenville Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc.

Marketing/Sales

Melissa Ottenhof marketing@ngtimes.ca 613 329 0209

stating that this is “affordable housing”. When questioned, they stated anyone with income from $70,000 to $100,00 would be able to afford these units. Isn’t what we are looking for in our town affordable housing, and for our residents to be able to live there? Unfortunately, that means it will be out of reach for a lot of seniors. Also, the developer has requested only 15% of the units be available for affordable housing, instead of the 25% mandated as per CMHC guidelines. How does our Council reconcile this refusal to meet the minimum mandated guidelines? Also, they are only guaranteeing the affordable rate for 10 years. What happens after that? Also, these units are being sold as walking distance to everything. I know our town is quaint and lovely, but accessible to everything - I am just not sure, as most retail is on the

Highway 43 corridor.

Also requested was that the Zoning By-Law be changed to residential, which I think no one objected to. Again, as previously stated, we do need rental housing in the Kemptville area.

Even with the discussion regarding safety and the grave concerns people were having with the height of the buildings, the Council went right ahead and approved the By-Law and Official Plan amendments. So, no changes to the number of units were requested by Council. My personal opinion was that the decision was made before the Council meeting even took place. For a Council that had no answers at the previous meet and greet that had been brought forward about this project, and suddenly, they seemed to have all the answers this night that they needed, and no concerns for the issues brought

the north grenville

Ashley Sloan Reporter at large 613-215-0735

Accounting Pat Jessop cfo@ngtimes.ca

forward by the residents at the meeting. I know that there are issues that were not addressed from our questions to our satisfaction. I really am not sure why they even invited people to the council meeting as they really did not listen to us. Very disappointed that further discussion could not be had to address the issues. I will admit the Mayor did state that sidewalks should be looked into for that street. But there were more issues than that.

Also, another thing I would like to bring forward is previous Kemptville Councils have been known to rush things along before, an example is the subdivision on Concession Rd with its constant problems, and the unit that was never was built near the Legion. I hope this Council is not creating another fiasco with this area. Bev Arcand

2023 Community Grant Program

The Municipality of North Grenville has launched the 2023 Community Grant Program for members of the public and community organizations who wish to make a request for funding. The application can be accessed at https://form. jotform.com/223125497748263.

Hard copies are also available at the North Grenville Municipal Centre (285 CR44, Kemptville) and the North Grenville Public Library (1 Water St., Kemptville).

The deadline to submit a community grant is Monday, January 16, 2023 at 12 pm (noon). Applicants will present their initiative to Council. Dates for community grant presentations to Council are to be determined, and will fall in late January 2023 as part of the budgeting process.

ISSN 2291-0301 www.ngtimes.ca

OFFICE 613-215-0735

Editor Brandon Mayer editor@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735

Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0

CLASSIFIED

First 10 words FREE Additional words: 50¢ each classifieds@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735

Production production@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735

Health & Wellness

Are your eyes healthy?

submitted by Dr. Carla Eamon, Optometrist

Our world is a visual world. We need to see to enjoy the people and sights around us. How can you protect the precious gift of sight? Routine eye exams, even if you think that your vision is great. Children should have an eye exam by age 3, sooner if there is any family history of eye problems, or any concern about the child’s developmental milestones. Growing children should have an eye exam every year, as they grow and change so much. They are often unable to make comparisons to know that other people see differently from them. Seventy percent of parents felt that they would “know” if their child had a vision problem, but many children have undetected vision problems that could have been detected in an eye exam. Healthy adults without symptoms of eye problems should have an eye exam every two years to monitor their vision and eye health. If you are diabetic or pregnant, and people with a variety of systemic conditions and on certain medications, will need to have their eyes checked more often. If you are a senior, then you need to have your eyes checked yearly, even if your vision seems ”fine”.

What are the most common eye health problems? Cataracts, Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy are the most common problems. There are other eye health issues that are important too, but the list is too long for this article.

Cataracts are a clouding in the lens of your eye which occurs naturally with age and exposure to sunlight. The vision gets blurry and eventually cataract surgery is performed to remove the lens and replace it with a clear artificial implant. Good quality sunglasses can protect your eyes from exposure to ultraviolet rays and delay the onset of cataracts.

Glaucoma is called the “silent thief” of sight. It has that name because most people do not know that they have the disease. There is a loss of side vision, which may be slowed down by early detection and eye drops or surgery.

Diabetic retinopathy is caused when the damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye causes a loss of sight. The best way to decrease the risk of diabetic retinopathy is to make every effort to control the diabetes, with exercise, weight control, medications if required and routine eye care for early detection.

Take care of your eyes - the windows to your world!

Keep expectations realistic for 2023

submitted by Rebecca Cronk

New Year, new you right? Wrong! The reality is, you are the same you that you were on December 31, but that doesn't mean you can't strive to be a little better going forward. It's never the wrong time to make positive changes in your life.

A few of the most common New Year's Resolutions revolve around diet and exercise. It's certainly no secret that a healthy well-balanced diet, lots of water, good sleep, and regular exercise offer immeasurable benefi ts to your physical,

mental, and emotional health, so then we can all agree that exercise is medicine but, did you know that statistically almost 35% of all resolutions fail within the first 6 weeks after making them? That's rather dismal.

Truth is, many people look for 'the quick fix' and fall prey to the countless fad diets and exercise programs that make unrealistic promises.

It's been said many times before, but it bears repeating; PREPARE TO PLAY THE LONG GAME. Think 3 to 5 years; not 3 to 5 months and, be con-

sistent and honest with yourself. Start with a 75/25 rule with your diet and exercise goals and work your way up to 80/20 or higher.

Join a fitness class, a dance class, or a yoga class. Seek advice from a personal trainer, or get a gym membership. Play your favourite sport. Or, if you want to keep things really simple, just go for a walk. A short but brisk 15 minute walk can boost your brain health, improve your mood and, burn up to 70 calories. If you are able, try taking the stairs instead of the escalator once in a while. There are countless

At Pixel Eye Care Centre our doctors are firm believers that prevention is the best medicine.

When it comes to the eyes, prevention starts early in life and hence, it is very good to get in the habit of consuming the right nutrition early in life. However, it is also never too late to start adjusting your diet to help prevent and improve your sight and over all health of the eye.

“Our eyes are constantly working, even when we daydream! And so, they need all the love and care to stay healthy” said Dr. Fady Rizk.

Below are few examples of good food supplement not only for the eyes but for the over all health:

Vitamin A: Although there are many vitamins that helps the eye, Vitamin A is of an immense importance. In particular, Retinol is a form of Vitamin A, it is taken up by the retinal cells to make pigments that are used for vision. Xerophthalmia, is a group of symptoms that describe Vitamin A deficiency in the eyes causing night blindness and dry eyes!

Along with Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Vitamin B just to name few are very importance for the health of the eyes.

Omega-3 Fatty acids is another important supplement to help your eyes stay healthy and improve, it has a strong correlation with dry eyes and retinal diseases as well!

Lutein is another vitamin that is crucial to your eye’s health. Specially in the macula (area of the retina that is responsible for the sharpest detailed vision).

These are just a few that we have time to talk about. When asked, Dr. Youssef Neema said “we can talk all day about the food supplements and healthy food for the eye, but to keep it simple and easy, make sure your diet is full of natural food not processed, eating food in their natural state and in good variety is what we should be after. And please do not forget to exercise daily!”

Knowing all of this, here are some foods that contain good vitamins and supplements: Fish, Nuts, Seeds, Citrus fruits, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, Eggs, legumes and do not forget the star of them all carrots!

When Dr. Ghassan Neema was asked about tips to our community he said “Regular eye exams, proper lighting, blinking frequently, sunglasses wear when outside, distance gazing, eating healthy and definitely no smoking! is among the best practices.”

BOOK YOUR EXAM

Pixeleyecare.ca / (613) 258-7878

3000 County Rd. 43, Kemptville

ways to get your body moving and, they don't have to break the bank.

As for your diet, start with simple changes; substitute your pop with water, take one less sugar in your coffee, use milk instead of cream, replace some processed foods with a few lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Try to make wise choices and remember that small consistent changes over time add up to huge results, and faster than you might think.

So this year, let's promote evolutions instead of resolutions because evolution suggests slow gradual

changes, developments and progress. There is no better time to start so, set reasonable expectations, buckle up, be consistent, and embrace the journey.

Rebecca is a fitness specialist and owner/ operator of Get Cronk'd Fitness Studio. She has an Honours Bachelor of Science with a specialization in human kinetics from the University of Ottawa, is a professional member of the Canadian Society of Physiologists, Exercise is Medicine Canada, Canadian Fitness Professionals, and the Ontario Society for Health and Fitness. Get

Cronk'd Fitness Studio is a member of the North Grenville Chamber of Commerce and the Old Town Kemptvile BIA.

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Silas Huntington: Apostle of the North

a wall, while the little finger of his writing hand was tied to a 56-pound weight. This was a man who was almost 60 at the time.

by David Shanahan

North Grenville has never been short of colourful characters throughout its history, but Silas Huntington must rank as one of the most colourful of them all, which is not something that is often said about a Methodist missionary. Silas had a remarkable background, a full and active career, and a lasting legacy in Huntington University, now a federated university of Laurentian University in Sudbury.

Silas was born in Kemptville on February 19, 1829, son of Dr. Silas and Mary Huntington, and the youngest of their eight children. Dr. Silas was a well-liked physician, originally from Connecticut, and Mary was a descendant of two American Presidents, John Adams and his son, John Quincey Adams. The records state that she was a resident of Kemptville when she met Dr. Silas and they married in 1809; however that was a decade before the Clothiers arrived in the area and began the settlement that would become Kemptville, and it seems they actually lived south of the village on lot 28, concession 4 of Oxfordon-Rideau Township.

The Huntington side of the family also had impressive roots in the United States. One family biography records that: “Samuel Huntington, who lived from 1734-1794, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. In 1779, he was made President of the Continental Congress, which position he held for two years. In 1786, he was elected Governor of Connecticut and was re-elected

regularly until his death. His portrait hangs in Independence Hall, Philadelphia”.

Our Silas, if I can call him that, converted to Methodism as an adolescent during a camp meeting, and this set his course for the rest of his long life. In 1850, he began training for the ministry and followed that path until his death in August, 1905 of typhoid fever. Until 1880, he served in a large number of parishes throughout eastern Ontario, including Smith’s Falls, Belleville and Vankleek Hill, as well as on the Quebec side of the Ottawa, at Aylmer. He seems to have retired temporarily in 1880, but in 1882 he began the work for which he was to become famous.

The Methodists decided to appoint a missionary to follow the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway as it pushed up the Ottawa Valley and on to the Great Lakes. Silas Huntington was given the charge of the region around Mattawa at first, but continued up the tracks to what was to become North Bay, Sudbury, and on to the north shore of Lake Huron. He had, at some point which remains a mystery, become fluent, not only in French, but in two dialects of Anishinabek, and his ministry included indigenous communities as well as the railway camps.

He impressed all those he met with, native and hard-living labourers alike. Standing over six foot in height, and well-built, he had prodigious strength, and one of his exploits was documented in Cobalt. He wrote his name on either the ceiling of a house, or high on

After building up the congregation in North Bay, Silas moved to Sudbury and, in 1887, was given charge of the entire district between Mattawa and past Schreiber, along the north shore of Lake Huron. He was known to be an expert traveller in the wild, travelling by canoe and snow-shoe throughout the vast reaches, even before the railway, much less any roads, had cut through the land. Many of his meetings were held in railway cars, and more stories are told about his adventures there. On one occasion, some men decided to play a joke on Silas and his congregation by releasing the brakes on the rail car they were in while Silas was preaching. It gradually gathered speed as it rolled downhill before coming to a halt on the flat land further on. Silas never stopped preaching and, when the meeting was over, he and his congregation calmly walked back uphill to their camp.

His entry in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography notes that: “His own sermon notes constantly emphasize the dignity of human labour and reflect a concern for the poor and the exploitation of the working man. At the opening in 1899 of a Methodist church at Copper Cliff (now part of Sudbury), he criticized officials of the Canadian Copper Company [see Samuel J. Ritchie] who were present for failing to provide adequate services and facilities for the town. He was also a pioneer environmentalist, a common theme in his sermons being the need for stewardship of the land”. He married three times, outliving all but his last wife, and had a large family, many of whom played a prominent role in the life of North Bay, where Silas is buried. Such was his fame in the region, and the esteem in which he was held, that when a new Methodist College was established in 1960, it was named Huntington University, after the great pioneer known popularly as the Apostle of the North.

Sons and Daughters:

Aging well at home

It’s been said that parents should be nice to their children. “After all, they are going to choose your nursing home.” So it is punishment or reward when children choose to help their parents stay living in their own homes?

Some lifestyle choices are clear as night and day. Don’t smoke. Do exercise. Don’t lose sleep. Do eat a nutritious diet. But there is no clear answer to the question of where it is best to live out the senior years of life, with significant consequences for everyone in the family.

Factors affecting in the decision are plentiful. Healthcare needs and cost of care. Housing suitability and safety considerations. Family location and friend groups. Availability of transportation and other services. And there’s no mistaking that as one gets older, these factors change in unpredictable ways.

As important as these issues are, another factor might be even more crucial. Attitude plays a vital role in happiness, good health and longevity. A positive attitude has been linked in many studies with improved measures of well-being.

A fascinating study conducted 20 years ago by Yale University researchers found that older individuals with

more positive self-perceptions of aging lived 7.5 years longer than those with less positive self-perceptions.

Findings like this offer a strong rationale for a positive mindset. But happy thoughts only go so far when a decision to age at home bumps up against the common, everyday challenges of a world designed for younger people.

In the home, being able to open a tin can or a bottle of wine makes the difference between having a good meal and enduring a frustrating barrier to it. Taking out the trash, doing the laundry, or keeping up with home maintenance are significant challenges for people with precarious mobility.

Technology’s innovations and solutions have worked wonders for society, but not always for seniors seeking to maintain their independence. The failures of technology to serve the interests of seniors are observable, for example, outside urban concert venues that attract young and old alike. When the event is over and crowds emerge onto the streets, the young jump into waiting Ubers while seniors search for rare taxis or struggle in the dark and cold to put on their glasses so that they can puzzle with their phones to arrange a ride. It’s a rare young person

who stops to help, let alone notices the problem.

How will today’s society be judged in the future? On the surface, it appears that our eldest citizens are not always the recipients of the care and respect we claim they deserve.

The influential baby boomer generation has an opportunity to change things for the elderly. The oldest boomers are now pushing into the second half of their 70s. They are goal-oriented and accustomed to getting things their way. It’s reasonable to anticipate that they will demand enhancements in lifestyle options for their senior years, whether at home or in assisted group residences, which no doubt they will rebrand.

But until they do, the realities of senior living are still big challenges for most. For those seeking to stay at home, there are more services today than in the past, from food delivery to in-home healthcare and personal support. The question

remains debated whether institutional settings have learned how to protect health while also promoting it.

Has the COVID pandemic ignited new thinking among children about helping their aging parents stay at home? So it seems. Occupancy rates in assisted living facilities are down and “aging in place” is a top trend in senior housing.

Sign-up at www.docgiff. com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us on Instagram @ docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones

Green and Growing –the slogan that lives on

by Tom Graham

Articles have already been written about 2023 being the 25th anniversary of the origins of the Municipality of North Grenville and its iconic tree logo. But what about the ever-present slogan, ‘Green and Growing’? Where did it come from?

Good community slogans are hard to come by. Communities everywhere invest time and money seeking the perfect catchphrase to sum up what the community stands for or represents. Here’s some background on how ‘Green and Growing’ became such a key part of the North Grenville brand.

In the early 2000s, our marketing and design company, TD Graham + Associates (TDG+A), had been working closely with the Ferguson Forest Centre (FFC). We had helped them refine their logo and brand colours, designed their website, and develop a signage strategy.

Part of the FFC messaging was the tagline ‘Keeping Our Community Green and Growing’ – a reference to the

thousands of tree seedlings they produced and sold around the province every year. The phrase was coined around 2005 by John Wilson, who was then President of the Ferguson Forest Centre Corporation. It appeared on the website, their brochures, and – most visibly – on the new sign on County Road 43.

It became evident that a shortened version of the phrase, or simply ‘Green and Growing’, would make a great web URL, and it was suggested that the FFC purchase www. GreenandGrowing.ca to make sure no one else could use it. But at that time, the FFC was content with their existing web URL, www.seedlingnursery.com and didn’t feel a new one was necessary.

Shortly after this, in 2008, North Grenville was launching its new Economic Development Department, with the goal of attracting business investment and jobs to our growing community. TDG+A was engaged to design and develop the promotional materials necessary to support this effort: website, collateral

Infinity hires new coach from Ukraine

Kemptville Infinity continues to grow their coaching team to meet the needs of our growing community and the increased demands for their programs. They have recently hired a gymnastics coach from the Ukraine, Coach Anna, who has many years of gymnastics experience as an athlete and coach. Coach Anna attended a full time gymnastics school in Kyiv where she spent most of her gymnastics career, training at a high level. Anna was

material and signage.

John Wilson was approached and asked if the FFC would give permission for North Grenville to adopt their ‘Green and Growing’ theme, and he said ‘by all means’. North Grenville staff and Council members loved the idea of being known as a green and growing community. It would be an easy title to defend: no other municipality in eastern Ontario has an 1,100-acre communityowned tree nursery, or a 600+ acre, 100-yearold agriculture campus within its borders. Not to mention over 2,000 acres of Limerick Forest. And, while many townships in the region were stagnant in their populations, North Grenville continued to attract new residents and businesses. It really was green – and growing.

The phrase was then included in all of the municipal messaging aimed at attracting business investment to help create jobs in our community. When the new website dedicated to investment attraction was launched in 2009, North Grenville acquired the web URL www.GreenandGrowing. ca. It’s still in use today.

Over the next ten years – according to Ontario government statistics – more than 1,000 jobs were created in North Grenville. Many of these jobs are in retail, to be sure, but also in high-paying technical jobs, trades, engineering, consulting, education and health services.

Occasionally, someone will point a finger at development and say we’ve gone too far. Much of the residential expansion that is visible today

also a youth member of the Ukrainian national team.

From 2001-2003 she was a bronze medalist, training at the specialist sports schools of the Olympic reserve. Coach Anna recently immigrated from Odessa, Ukraine and is looking forward to sharing her skills with Infinity's athletes.

Infinity has expanded their daytime programming to be coached by Coach Anna to include adult fitness, parent & tot, homeschool

was approved long before the current council was in place. The challenge now is to manage and balance this growth: preserve what’s green and not lose the rural community character that is attractive to so many.

‘Green and Growing’ is still a great slogan. It’s catchy and alliterative, and it’s aspirational – a goal to aim for. If nurtured properly, it could serve as an emblematic slogan for years to come.

classes as well as their current drop in on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Infinity continues to recognize the need for a variety of programs to meet our community's needs. Their current programming for ages 10 months to infinity, includes recreational, advanced & competitive gymnastics,

parkour, recreational cheer, parent and tot classes, kinder classes and babynastics. In addition, they also offer monthly Kids Night Out, monthly lasertag as well as PD day camps, March Break camps, summer camps. More information is available on their website at kemptvilleinfinity.com.

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Baldwin's Birds

into the lee of the house by our basement windows and peaked in! What a lovely surprise, and one that enabled me a much closer view than I normally get of them. In the shelter they both "hunkered down", as they do, for a while and kept themselves warm in their beautifully colored plumage. The pigeons kept their distance and stayed under the garden feeders competing with the Bluejays and squirrels and the occasional Cardinal!

Claude’s Gardening and Landscaping Forum

New Year Birds

A very Happy New Year to you from all your feathered friends and myself who, like you, have stayed here to endure and, maybe enjoy, some of our winter months. The weather has certainly not helped in making us feel like it will be too jolly, especially with today's freezing rain! Anyway enough of that and on to what I am supposed to be doing, and that is to talk about the birds, who set a good example to us and "carry on regardless"! Their's, and the three

variety of squirrels', daily attendance at my feeders are a good indication of that!

The very snowy December days certainly made the feeders more attractive and necessary in the birds' quest for food of some sort, and they certainly attracted them. Our flock of Rock Pigeons were evident as were the Mourning Doves and Juncos, who, being mainly ground feeders, appreciated the sprinklings of bird seed that I made as I restocked the higher ones. A couple of Mourning Doves came right

Besides our ground feeders, my suspended feeders got, and still get, continual usage from the Gold Finches, Chickadees, both sorts of Nuthatches, and the occasional House Finches, the male of whom added some red coloring to the scene. Of course the red spot on the heads of the male woodpeckers also did this too, so the lack of really bright colors is not that complete during our long winter, which is something to be grateful for and enjoyed. I hope you get to see some of them too in this new year,--- enjoy! Stay safe and well, Cheers, John Baldwin

From

The first thing that comes to mind is heat stress. Roses usually bloom in late June, early July and that’s when the temperature starts to

Waste bin woes at Ferguson Forest Dog Park

by Brandon Mayer

Putting together dozens of dogs to socialize in a securely fenced-in space is the purpose of a dog park. The dog park at Ferguson Forest in Kemptville is top notch, offering a large area with a mix of trees and open space. There are few dog parks in the area that come close to its size or layout quality. One reality of putting many dogs in one closed in space, however, is that dogs poop – a lot.

Like most dog parks, waste bags are provided at various stations around the dog park for park users to take and use when their dog goes “number two”. For years, pet owners have been able to put their dog’s waste in a small garbage bin located underneath each bag

dispenser. It was announced last week that this will no longer be the case. The Park contracts out the removal of pet waste, but the contract specifies the removal of pet waste only, not garbage such as coffee cups, which park users have been routinely bringing to the park and disposing of in the dog waste bins for years.

Social media activity as early as 2018 shows that this is not a new problem. What’s the fuss? Dog waste, while plentiful in a dog park, takes up relatively minimal space in trash bins. Coffee cups and other household garbage fill the bins much more quickly by comparison. In one instance in early 2022, an empty dog food cans box was placed in one of the on-site dog waste bins, effectively taking up all of the space in the bin. One

climb. They will need lots of water to get them through the heat of the summer. The best way to check if they’re getting enough water is to push your finger at least three inches into the soil to check for moisture. If the soil is dry, it’s time to water. Make sure you water at the soil level and not overhead.

The loss of leaves could also be caused by insects. Look closely at your plants for signs of soft bodied aphids or webs from spider mites. You can help to control aphids with a jet of water to knock them off, then spraying them with insecticidal soap. It usually takes a few applications to control them. Spider mites like a dry environment, so watering is crucial. Planting chives, marigolds, cilantro around your roses will attract beneficial insects and help reduce the population of the harmful insects.

Other causes for leaf drop could be certain fungi such as black spot, rust or powdery mildew. Cleaning up the dead leaves to suppress the spread is an important step in dealing with fungi. Powdery mildew especially likes humidity, so leaving some space between plants is crucial for good air circulation.

Happy gardening!

other issue noted in a social media post is that the bags are difficult to remove from the bins for disposal in the winter months, particularly after a thaw and freeze.

The announcement on social media was met with mixed feedback. If anything, this issue demonstrates that over-reliance on social media as a means of communication can be problematic. Many Facebook users pointed out that warnings against placing household waste in the dog waste bins have only ever been posted on Facebook. Physical signs placed at each bin would have been guaranteed to reach the right people, but posts on social media only reached those who use Facebook and follow the Park’s page.

What now? Complimentary bags will still be provided to park users to

clean up dog waste, but pet owners will now be expected to carry the waste around with them for the duration of their stay at the park, and dispose of it in a large waste bin in the parking lot before leaving. This is standard practice with dog parks in other areas, such as in Ottawa. Owners with larger dogs, multiple dogs, and dogs who engage in more “business” than others will inevitably find this difficult, particularly if they need use of their hands to help control their dog. An unfortunate possibility is that pet owners will now simply fail to pick up dog waste, or pick it up and leave the bags on the ground. Only time will tell if solving one problem has created a new one.

The main entrance dog waste bag dispenser at the Ferguson Forest Dog Park. A small waste bin which used to sit below the dispenser has now been removed

featuring Claude Smith Dear Claude, My roses lose their leaves after blooming - what am I doing wrong?

Sandy

Classifieds

FOR SALE

Firewood for sale. Cut, split, seasoned, mixed hardwood. $105/face cord. Call Ken 613 323 5503 20230201

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

MISCELLANIOUS

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

Kemptville senior wishes to buy sports cards for collecting #613-215-0835

Looking to rent winter parking near Asa St. Contact 613-545-5420.

Kemptville Area Room.

Mature student, studying automotive repair in Kemptville, needs a quiet room with bathroom facilities from September to November and from February to April. Weekdays only. Has small fridge, Kitchen not required.Needs reliable internet access. Call Chris 613-200-7016.

1000 Island Parkway. No pets. No smoking. Nightly(min 3)@$275.00. Weekly(7nights)@$ 1,855.00. Monthly to be negotiated.Messages 613-258-3807

CROSSWORD

FOR RENT

Rental for winter months. Looking for any truck driver or two who might be looking for accommodations starting the beginning of December. We are located in Kemptville with large drive way.Please call at 613-258-7778 to visit or for more details.

SHORT TERM RENTAL Delightful 3 bedroom house, Weekends/weekly/monthly, Fully furnished. All inclusive. Propane fireplace. New kitchen & bathroom. Balcony and wrap around Porch overlook St Lawrence river. Dock, plenty of parking, large yard, BBQ. Private road off

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

SERVICES

RETIRED CARPENTER

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

HANDYMAN SERVICES

Painting, Demolition, Dry Wall Call Bill 613 774 2922

Hedge Trimming

Small or Tall Call Rob 613-795-1845'

ACROSS

During the festive season, oysters are popular with a lot of folks. Canada has several varieties of them and if you want to learn more about them, you can consult Oysterater. com. Who knows, you might become an Oyster connoisseur and able to distinguish between the subtle flavours. As for me, I just enjoy them, no matter what the variety, from the huge gulf oysters in Florida to the small sweet Malpeques from Prince Edward Island. Costco has a package of a dozen on sale that we tried recently and they were great. So, consider this a starter kit for an Oyster Fest for either having them “au naturel” or lightly pan-fried.

Oyster Fest Preparation

1. You can enjoy oysters in the shell or already “shucked”, i.e., taken out of the shell.

2. If you have shucked oysters, proceed to #6 below.

3. If you have oysters in the shell: a. You will need to shuck the oyster with a kitchen tool designed for that purpose, or: b. You can even use a carpenter’s chisel, if you’re desperate; c. Take a tutorial on-line for oyster shucking so you don’t harm yourself (cause you can).

4. Once the oyster is shucked, you can either eat it raw off the shell, or cook it; 5. If you are eating it raw off the shell you can either: a. Loosen the oyster from its muscle and tip the oyster and juice into your mouth; or b. Squeeze a little lemon onto the oyster before you eat it; or

c. Place a dollop of seafood sauce on it before eating (recipe below).

6. Now usually if you have oysters already shucked, you are planning to cook them, so:

a. Coat each oyster with flour, dip in egg wash and coat again with panko crumbs; b. Fry in a pan on medium heat in salted or unsalted butter (to your taste); c. Only cook enough to turn the outside golden brown (don’t overcook, as with all seafood).

7. For a quick and easy seafood sauce, combine an quarter cup of tomato catsup, a teaspoon of horse radish (or more if you want a bit more bite), a squeeze of lemon, a shake of Tabasco and the same of Worcestershire.

Do enjoy with a nice white Chablis. Please let me know how you made out at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku Solution to last week’s

Christmas blizzard stopped trucks, forces farmers to dump 1.7 million litres of milk

“It’s a bigger problem than not just getting the milk picked up. The townships don’t have enough extra plow truck drivers,” observed Waldroff, who personally serves as a spare plow truck operator for a contractor handling area county roads.

The importance of January self-care

by Brandon Mayer

by Nelson Zandbergen Courtesy of Farmers Forum

Ontario dairy farmers dumped about 1.7 million litres of milk due to the Christmas weekend blizzard that left roads impassable to traffic, including the tanker trucks that pick up milk from dairy farms every other day.

Former Dairy Farmers of Ontario board member Nick Thurler estimated the volume of dumped milk at 1.7 million litres across the province. Thurler said his own farm south of Ottawa didn’t miss a pickup and didn’t have to dump milk.

However, about 40 % of Ontario dairy farms missed at least one scheduled pickup and instead emptied their bulk tanks down the drain during the “once in a generation” storm event, according to the Dairy Farmers of Ontario.

Some farmers missed two scheduled pickups as high winds, whiteout conditions and drifting snow kept milk haulers off the roads for periods of time during the major continental storm that slammed the province Dec. 23-24.

There was no impact on the supply of milk and dairy products for consumers, ac-

cording to DFO.

The organization has informed producers that it will reimburse farmers that dumped milk. All producers will share the pain as DFO temporarily lowers the blend price by 2.5 cents per litre, to fund that payout.

“Our ability to share in the impact of this natural occurrence is among the greatest strengths of our system,” DFO said in a statement.

“While there are several key learnings through this challenging time, we remain thankful for our transporter and processor partners for trying to make the best of an extremely difficult circumstance.”

Berwick dairy farmer Theo Elshof supported the decision to share the cost of dumped milk across the DFO membership, after missing a scheduled pickup on Christmas Eve. He said his own farm dumped about 4,200 litres of more valuable Jersey milk worth about $5,000.

Newington dairy farmer Jeff Waldroff reported having to waste just over 1,800 litres of milk worth about $1,800 on Christmas Day.

“I can’t begrudge them not going to pick up milk,” Waldroff observed.

Waldroff said it was the first time he’s had to dump milk, adding he barely managed to avoid that outcome during the 1998 Ice Storm.

“The trouble is, the trucks are so much bigger now and worth so much more money, if you put one of those upside down in the ditch … it’s not good, and safety for the driver is important,” he noted.

Inverary dairy farmer Gary Gordon said his farm fortunately skipped no pickups, though he knew of two nearby robotic producers that weren’t so lucky and had to empty their bulk tanks. Gordon said that roads were terrible in his neck of the woods during the storm, with 5 tractor trailers ditched just east of the farm. A milk truck also went into the ditch, requiring its cargo to be pumped into another truck, he said.

“For a good 40 hours, we couldn’t see anything,” Gordon said of the blizzard.

While DFO says it has a policy of allowing farmers to store up to three days milk in the event of a missed pickup, Gordon said that producers were told to empty their tanks completely if the milk truck failed to show up.

January 18 deadline for On-Farm Climate Action Fund grants

Ontario farmers have until January 18 to apply for federal environmental money through the Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association. Individual grants range up to $30,000 for nitrogen management projects and up to $20,000 for cover-cropping or rotational grazing projects, through the second round of the On-Farm Climate Action Fund. Grants are also capped at 65% of project cost.

Projects eligible for funding must involve techniques that are new to the involved acreage on the farm.

One example of a nitrogen management project would be adding nitrification inhibitors to a side-dressing regime.

Approved cover crop projects must be planted in 2023. If a cover crop is to be harvested or grazed, a minimum 6 inches of growth must be left undisturbed over winter (November to March.)

The rotational grazing segment is aimed at farmers wanting to set up fencing and livestock watering systems for new rotational grazing areas or to expand existing ones. The project must involve at least 10 pasture acres containing four paddocks.

The federal government selected the OSCIA to administer the Fund’s $25 million Ontario allocation last March. It awarded millions of dollars in first-round funding to applicants last summer.

Apply here: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/ontario-on-farm-climate-action-fund

The holiday season is over. For many, that simple statement of fact can cause real, debilitating feelings of depression. A survey conducted in 2015 reveals that in fact 64% of people experience feelings of depression after the holiday season is over. That means it’s not just a common problem, but something of a norm. There are more people who get depressed after Christmas than those who don’t.

Like most people, I love the holidays. It’s not just Christmas Day or New Years Eve, it’s the entire monthlong season of generosity, good cheer, family gatherings, and magical traditions that makes me excited for the month of December every single year. It’s not about a particular day or particular celebrations so much as it is about the whole atmosphere of the season. It feels warm. Adults become kids again. It feels like the whole world is coming together to be merry all at once.

It's no wonder why January hits so hard. For many, finances are less than ideal after a month of buying gifts and hosting gatherings. Those who had time off are thrust back into the world of long work weeks and weekends that feel too short. Perhaps the worst part is that we are at the longest possible point away from returning to the magic of the Christmas season. And all those New Year’s resolutions – I’m already upset and I agreed to EXERCISE? The horror!

So what can you do to get the January blues out of your head and out of your heart? Firstly, it would be irresponsible of me not to backtrack on my joke about the horrors of exercise. Exercise is actually one of the best natural treatments for depression symptoms. It doesn’t even need to be vigorous. I myself have started walking to the post office to get the mail, rather than grabbing it on the way driving to or from home. I particularly enjoy walking at night – highly recommended if you know the proper safety protocols and feel safe doing so. It’s calm and a great way to clear you head.

Another great thing to do is to look for new things to look forward to. Perhaps you have a family gathering planned in a few weeks time, or a vacation planned in the spring. If nothing that exciting is planned, try looking for a new TV series or a few good movies to look forward to watching. My wife and I have shows that we like to watch before bed. Having such things to look forward to during the workday is very uplifting.

Despite depressed feelings, people also sometimes get renewed energy in the new year. The holiday season is relaxing, enjoyable, and filled with cheer and generosity, but it is not always productive. Work performance can get lax, as can things such as house rules and routines. A new year can mean new beginnings. Tackling things you have been putting off can

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Kemptville Horticultural Society January Meeting Wednesday January 18, 2023 @ 7:00 pm

At the Kemptville Pentecostal Church, 1964 Country R. #43, Kemptville. The meeting will be in person and virtual. Our speaker is Molly Shannon of Canadian Succulents.

Everyone welcome. 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.

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

be a great way to lift your spirits. Productivity brings many positive feelings. An example of this could be finding new, more efficient ways to do chores so that you have more time for yourself during the week. Another example could be hammering out specific days where the whole family is expected to eat dinner together at the table and catch up on life, if you have fallen into the habit of having meals in front of the TV.

Above all, don’t forget about self-care. Some people get into such a rut of sadness that they actually forget what they enjoy. Take a few minutes and figure it out. Ask yourself what you enjoy, what preparation you need to make your self-care activities happen, and what days and times you can dedicate to self-care on a regular basis. These could be things like taking a bubble bath, searching online for new music to listen to, or taking up a hobby such as puzzles or woodworking.

As I write these last few words, I realize that one thing that is sure to brighten my January is continuing to connect with readers and help provide a voice in the community. Maybe reading the newspaper with a good cup of coffee can be one of your self-care activities – it certainly is one of mine. No one knows what 2023 will bring in terms of news and events in North Grenville, but I look forward to finding out together.

Happy New Year!

Courtesy of Farmers Forum

reprinted with permission from Farmers Forum newspaper.

73's open 2023 with one win of back to back battles

by the sportsguy

Well no one could have predicted that the last contest of 2022 with Smiths Falls Bears would be filled with calamity circumstances... two minutes before game time with the Zamboni on the ice with sparks flying and no exit as the second Zamboni with an engine issue blocking the way. Everyone was instructed to vacate the area to the lobby for their own safety and the game put on hold for another date.

First battle of 2023 with some new faces on the roster with two back to back home and away games to face the Rockland Nationals. Both teams had a previous win to create a rubber match on Friday evening in front of 298 fans as the 73's held on to a 2 - 1 win.

End to end action as a 73's D breakdown to give the Nationals Nicolas

White with assists from Crete and Laurent to punch it past Jacob Biron at 6:53. A combination from Trottier with Brazier to find newbie Khaden Henry in the slot to bury the rubber behind Hadyn Gould at 7:44 to knot it at one.

Fast and furious two hundred footer with both stoppers keeping their troops honest to initiate the second. Newbie's Melvyn with Bono slipped it to veteran Hunter Brazier for his 14th goal and game winner for Kemptville at 14:55.

The last twenty closed out scoreless with Rockland launching a final push as they pulled their stopper at 18:07 and 19:50 without results.

Kemptville only outshooting Rockland by 33 to 30 and both with 0/3 PP.

Road trip for Sunday matinee with Rockland seek-

ing redemption on their home ice after Friday night's loss proved successful as they posted a 6 to 4 win.

Swyer with Christian Berini to slip it through Jacob Biron to open the first at 7:51 to draw first blood for Rockland. Bennett held the line onto Trottier's twig to set up Hunter Brazier to rifle it home past Hadyn Gould to tie it at one at 11:57. Kai Stothers assisted by Lanthier and Lombardo-Tullo for the Nationals tiebreaker at 15:22. Kemptville countered with an attack from Vollett with Campeau to find Grady Logue on the doorstep to notch it at two apiece at 17:15 to end the initial frame.

Rockland with extra attacker to start the second stanza as PPG Nicolas White lone effort to break the tie at 5:48. White on

the move with Power to Yanic Crete for Nationals go ahead at 12:43. Yakubowski controlled the wall with a flip to Bennett cycling low onto the tape of Matthew O’Doherty’s stick to dump it in at 17:27 to put the 73's within one. Jonathan Swyer with a helper from Berini at 19:40 for game winner to make it a two point spread for Rockland.

Insurance for the Nationals at :35 as Yanic Crete for his second, from White with Laurent to chase Jacob Biron to the bench and Alex Musielak found himself between the pipes. Kemptville tried to claw back when Merrett dominated the wall with tic-tac-toe to Logue, so Benjamin could pull the trigger at 18:28 to pull them within two. The 73's pulled their stopper with the Nationals down a man at 18:56 without results as the clock kept ticking down and had to accept a 6 to 4 loss. Rockland hammered their opponents by 44 to 34 with ½ PP and the 73's with 0/3 PP without success.

Next home contest will be with the Nepean Raiders on Friday, January 20 at 7:30.

Hockey with EDGE… see you around the wall.

Tanner Fennell

With a new year upon us and the recent election of a new Board of Management for the Old Town Kemptville BIA, the BIA is poised to begin a new era in the revitalization of Downtown Kemptville.

It’s hard not to look forward to 2023 with rosecoloured glasses on. There is a big pile of positive things stacking up for Downtown Kemptville, but as we’ve witnessed over the past four years, it will require a significant team effort from a small but mighty group of passionate volunteers to make it all happen.

The Board of the Old Town Kemptville BIA has long been populated by those passionate volunteers who have generously given their

It Takes A Village

knowledge, experience, time and energy to make Downtown Kemptville the type of place that everyone would want to open a business in.

The BIA wants to express its gratitude to the following community volunteers who were the final directors on the Old Town Kemptville BIA Board of Management for the term ending in 2022: Meagan Cumming, Will Pearl, Sierra Jones-Martel, Omshanti Charlebois, Shelley Mitchell, Anne Walsh and Councillor Debbie Wilson.

The BIA also would like to acknowledge former Board directors: Paul Cormier, Connie Lamble, Stephen Bent, Ken Schliemann, Lee McIlvenna, Jim McManaman, Kim Smalridge and anyone else who we've forgotten to mention. Every one

of these individuals contributed directly to the success and progress of the BIA. One of the primary reasons that the BIA has become such a strong presence in Downtown Kemptville over the past couple of years is due to the generosity of Omshanti and Rob Charlebois. They allowed the BIA to set up an office inside their business at the Bodhi Tree Yoga Centre. B.T. (as it has become known) quickly became the geographical heart of the BIA hosting many activities and community events based out of their unique space. We want to extend a big heartfelt thanks to the Bodhi Tree crew for their support of the BIA. Of course, so much of what the BIA does would simply not be possible without the support of the Municipal-

ity of North Grenville staff and Council. They are true partners in every sense of the word. Economic Development Officer Matt Gilmer deserves special recognition for everything that he does behind the scenes, including working with the Executive Director on an almost daily basis and supporting the Board through regular monthly meetings and correspondence. There are many other partners that should be acknowledged, and we wish that we had the space to highlight them all, but we wanted to make sure that we told our friends at the North Grenville Public Library and the North Grenville Historical Society how much we appreciate their contributions.

submitted by Deron Johnston

THE BIG BETRAYAL:

190 countries sign deal to stifle global development and agriculture

private kitchens. Full stop,” Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Dalhousie University professor of food policy and distribution, tweeted in response to the motion. “Eco-extremists believe when a person eats a steak, it’s everyone’s problem now. Quite scary. We are collectively losing track of what food is all about.”

by Nelson Zandbergen, courtesy of Farmers Forum

More than 190 nations got together in Montreal this month to figure out how to protect nature from people. They came away with a deal for the world that is so vague, it’s difficult to assess what it means.

The United Nations biodiversity conference — dubbed COP15 to avoid the jargonistic tangle of the ‘Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties 15’ — lasted more than a week. It was hosted by the Chinese Minister of Environment, whose own country ironically doesn’t appear to give a dam on the Yangtze about environmental issues. China is the biggest polluter on the planet. On the climate change front, China mined a record amount of coal in 2022, according to Bloomberg News, and also produced a record amount of coal-fired electricity, according to Reuters.

The headline-making deal mandates that each country “conserve,” or not develop, 30% of its land and water by 2030. It’s not clear how this might apply in Canada, where over 80% of the land is uninhabited anyway.

Perhaps more important for Canadian agriculture is the requirement that each country cut the “risk” of pesticides by 50% by 2030, just seven years from now. This is likely more austere than merely cutting “usage” of pesticides by volume. The deal similarly calls for the signatories to cut in half “excess nutrients lost to the environment,” in an appar-

ent blow to fertilizer usage, again by 2030. Canadians stood up and applauded this deal when it was signed.

The deal also cancels $500 billion U.S. in global annual subsidies for agriculture, industrial fishing and oil and gas extraction — subsidies described as a “harm to biodiversity” and orders signatories to agree to redirect those funds to “sustainable practices.”

It’s not clear how Canada might ratchet down its own farm subsidies, to comply with the deal, or if this might necessitate a reworking of the federalprovincial Canadian Agricultural Policy Framework — tellingly renamed the “Sustainable Agricultural Policy Framework” earlier in 2022.

OMAFRA minister Lisa Thompson’s office was still trying to assess what it all means for this province’s farmers, when contacted by Farmers Forum.

“We are currently reviewing the proposals to understand the potential roles and implications for Ontario, set out in the UN agreement signed by the government of Canada,” Jack Sullivan, communications director for Thompson’s office, said in an email.

The environmental movement’s growing antipathy toward agriculture and food production was on full display when delegates actually debated — but defeated — a motion for the EAT-Lancet diet forcibly limiting dairy, meat and seafood to 10% of their diet.

“Governments should stay away from our nation’s

Canadians for Affordable Energy President Dan McTeague has previously told Farmers Forum that he’s “gravely concerned” about policy prescriptions arising from such UN conferences. “I do worry about any type of summit that might be akin to what we heard from the leaders of the World Economic Forum, which is, ‘You’ll eat less meat, you’ll not own property and you’ll be happy,’” McTeague said in July 2021.

He has also weighed in on the COP15 deal, condemning it as a threat to liberty and prosperity and called it “ridiculous.”

He told Lee Harding, of the Frontier Centre for Public Policy: “This has nothing to do with environment. This is about control of society and population. This is also dramatic and significant interference into the sovereign conduct of affairs of any nation.”

Several African nations bitterly opposed the global plan as heavy-handed and impeding their own development.

In a statement, Federal Environment Minister Stephen Guilbeault, a former Greenpeace environmentalist member, said, “Science tells us this is the minimum needed to protect the future of our planet.”

At the conference, Justin Trudeau pledged $350 million to help developing countries with their goals. Combined with previous commitments made by the governing Liberals, Canadian taxpayers are funding $1.5 billion in foreign biodiversity projects.

Vaccination Statistics –

Leeds and Grenville as of January 3

submitted by Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

As of January 2, 2023 a total of 525,583 vaccinations have been administered in the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU) region since Jan 2021.

2062 vaccines were administered over the last 2 weeks.

Vaccination Clinics

We have transitioned our community Covid-19 vaccine clinics into our offices and service sites (Brockville, Smiths Falls, Kemptville, Almonte, Gananoque). Most are during weekdays but there are a few Saturday clinics.

A list of upcoming clinics is available on our website along with the link for booking. This is a new link than in previous reports.

We encourage you to continue to check with a participating pharmacy or your health care provider.

Vaccine appointments for six months to five years of age MUST be made by calling the Vaccine Call Centre at 1-844-369-1234 Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:00pm (NOT through the online booking system or the Provincial system).

Flu Vaccination

The flu shot prevents 40% of hospitalizations due to influenza in people 65+.

If you know someone who has yet to get immunized, offer to support them in booking an appointment by helping them go online or providing them with the phone numbers so they can call and book their appointment, give them a ride, act as translator, provide them with

credible information or let them know they can call us to speak with a public health nurse: Influenza – Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

Flu vaccinations are not available at COVID-19 vaccine clinics – check with your local pharmacy or health care provider

Anyone over 2 years of age can get a flu shot at a participating pharmacy

Parents of children 6 months to 2 years can call the Health Unit for assistance in getting their child vaccinated if they do not have a primary care provider (1-800-660-5853)

Student Vaccination

Parents: School Immu-

nization catch up clinics are continuing for grades 9-12. Students must bring a signed consent form back to school.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, visit the COVID-19 Protection and Vaccines section of our website.

reprinted with permission from Farmers Forum newspaper.