NDT Issue 1 2020 September 14

Support Small Support L cal

Legion begins Poppy Drive 2020

108

by Shawn Doolan, Poppy Chair, Legion Branch

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 108, Winchester, will hold their Poppy Drive from October 30, 2020 through November 11, 2020.

Last year, the Winchester community and surrounding area helped raise a net of $6,745 for the Poppy Trust Fund. The Legion donated $4,260 to Veterans’ Organizations, provided $1000 in bursa-

ries to help area children of Veterans’ families, and helped a local homeless veteran secure housing.

Poppies will be distributed until November 11. Regrettably, for their health and safety, we cannot involve youth, or our more senior veterans this year, so we are calling on our younger veterans or members of the public to help (you do not need to be a member of the Legion to volunteer). If you

wish to volunteer for the poppy campaign, please send an email to poppy. legion108@gmail.com.

This year, the Legion is holding their Remembrance Day Ceremony, on Sunday, November 8. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will not be a parade, nor will we be conducting the ceremony indoors, and most of the wreaths will be pre-laid. Members of the community are invited to gather for a Ceremony

at the Cenotaph in front of Winchester Memorial Hospital. Please arrive by 11:45 am. All attendees are asked to wear a mask and practice physical distancing, and please do not attend if you are feeling unwell. Unfortunately, we cannot have a reception following the ceremony this year.

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100 Who Care North Dundas Committees team-up for Christmas Fund

by Dan Gasser

North Dundas's 100 Women & Men Who Care committees are proud to announce a joint fundraising campaign in support of the North Dundas Christmas Fund, an annual program that benefits hundreds of the township's residents each year.

For the past two years, each of the four 100 Who Care events have raised $10,000 - $20,000 for local charities within the community. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, neither the women's event (usually held in the Spring) nor the men's event (usually held in the Fall) was able to run. Eager to continue the momentum of generosity that these events established since 2018, organizers are working with the North Dundas Christmas Fund Committee in cooperation with North Dundas's Lion's Clubs and

Legions, House of Lazarus, Community Food Share and Winchester BMR, to encourage those who usually participate in the 100 Who Care event to make any-sized donation to the North Dundas Christmas Fund, in lieu of the regular $100 pledge to a local charity.

The North Dundas Christmas Fund has been a tradition in the township for over 35 years and is comprised of multiple programs. The volunteer committee organizes the Angel Tree toy drive, snowsuit fund and food baskets. Led by the South Mountain, Chesterville, and Winchester Lion's Clubs, and supported by the Winchester and Chesterville Legions, House of Lazurus and Community Food Share, each year it benefits approximately 200 North Dundas families, including hundreds of children, to help them have a better Christmas season.

While the COVID-19 pandemic is not going to prevent these programs from running this season, it is presenting some new hurdles. "Physical distancing regulations and health concerns are requiring us to review our processes to ensure everyone remains safe, and our volunteers are doing an exceptional job at making sure we've covered every angle," explained North Dundas Christmas Fund Chair, Bob Weagant. "Our biggest concern right now is funding. We're usually supported by donations, food drives through our local schools, the Lions Clubs and other community organizations, but because so many events had to be cancelled in the past seven months, fundraising opportunities have been devastatingly limited."

"To say 2020 has been a challenging year would be an understatement and unfortunately, that means more of our

Help Support Your Local Businesses SHOP LOCAL

neighbours are likely to reach out for assistance this year," said Diane Crummy, chair of the 100 Who Care North Dundas Women's Committee and co-founder of the initiative in North Dundas. "We're consistently humbled by the generosity that pours out of each of our events and, since both gatherings were cancelled this year, it seems like the right time to engage past participants. The 100 Who Care initiative has always been about making a giant impact in a small amount of time. Helping hundreds of people with a quick donation does exactly that."

In the coming days, 100 Who Care committees will be sending more information to past event participants with more information on how to help, including a link to easily make a donation. Donations will go to Community Food Share through Canada Helps, meaning a charitable tax re-

SNC awards grants to community groups for Fall Planting Projects

from South Nation Conservation

South Nation Conservation (SNC) has awarded $10,000 to 28 local community groups and municipalities through its Community Environmental Grants Program to help support tree and shrub planting and community garden projects this fall. Grant recipients include the Chesterville Green Gang, the Rotary Club of Chesterville, the Osgoode Township Museum, and the Mountain Agricultural Society.

SNC’s Community Environmental Grants Program has traditionally encouraged and supported community events across the Conservation Authority’s watershed jurisdiction that promote recreational use of our rivers

and the local environment.

SNC’s Communications Committee allocated $10,000 in funding to be distributed through the popular Grants Program this year; but community events were largely cancelled due to the pandemic, and available grant funding could have gone unallocated.

In response, SNC amended the program to temporarily include tree and shrub planting and community garden projects to help local groups and non-profit organizations safely access these funds to plant more trees before the year’s end.

The Conservation Authority’s program amendments were a resounding success: 9 grants were awarded earlier this year, and 19 additional

ceipt will be issued, and 100% of the money received will be added to Community Food Share's regular contribution to the Christmas Fund. Anyone else interested in helping can get more information by visiting www.100northdundas. com.

About the North Dundas Christmas Fund:

The North Dundas Christmas Fund was started 38 years in Mountain Township and quickly grew to involve multiple organizations and support the entire North Dundas region. Teams of volunteers collect food, gifts, snow suits, pajamas and more for the Christmas season, and distribute them to families in need. Each year, the fund helps an astonishing number of families, consisting of approximately 200 children under the age of 13 and 350 adults. For more information, contact northdundaschristmasfund@gmail.com.

About 100 Who Care North Dundas:

The 100 Who Care North Dundas initiative is built of two volunteer committees (Women and Men), each hosting an annual event. It is a deliberately simple fundraising concept that provides busy people of all backgrounds with an opportunity to come together, network, and make a big impact in their local community in just 1 hour. The group commits to donating $100 each so collectively, they have at least $10,000 to donate to a local charity. Since its inception in 2018, the 100 Who North Dundas events have raised over $60,000 for local charities. Neither the Women's nor Men's events took place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.100northdundas.com.

Garden Party at The Planted Arrow

applications were recently approved, allocating all of this year’s funding and helping to support community gardens and plant more than 60 large native trees on public property.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to support our local community partners in their efforts to enhance our local environment and do some environmental good in their communities, especially during these times,” said John Mesman, SNC’s Communications Lead.

SNC has awarded $35,000 through its Community Environmental Grants Program since 2015 and hopes to allocate funding for environmental events or projects in 2021.

The Planted Arrow, located at 535 St. Lawrence St., Winchester, hosted a summer Garden Market Party this October with 12 local artisan vendors. Originally to run from May to October, with food and music to boot, COVID provided some challenges. But the market came out on top, creating a unique shopping experience for Winchester.

"This has been an amazing experience to bring to the flower shop, and I hope to see it grow in 2021" says Kelly Windle, owner of The Planted Arrow. "We can host up to 20 vendors on the property, each of whom offer quality handmade goods." Thank you to all our patrons who came, shopped and supported local".

Established in 2015 by Kelly Windle and Stefan Kohut, the store is open to the public. Masks are mandatory, and a limited number of customers are allowed in at a time.

Kelly Windle at The Planted Arrow.

Editorial: I read the news today....

by David Shanahan

Welcome to the first issue of the North Dundas Times. You probably found this newspaper in your mailbox, or perhaps you picked it up in a store, and you’re wondering where it came from. We are a new, free weekly newspaper delivered to your door by Canada Post, and covering all that is of interest to the people of North Dundas.

You’ll notice that our motto on the front page is “The Voice of North Dundas”. This isn’t a claim on our part to speak for the community; it’s a way of saying that this is your newspaper, one you help to create week by week. We hope that the Times will be a platform for people to talk to each other, let each other know what’s happening in the area, discuss and debate matters of importance, as well as the trivial, and keep each other up to date with local politics, sports, arts and culture.

To that end, these pages are open to the community. Write letters to the Editor. Send in articles on what your service club, church, or voluntary organisation is doing week by week, month by month. The pages are open to all, unless the content is hateful or contravenes good taste, community norms, or the law.

We want to promote local business, and vital groups such as Lions Clubs, the House of Lazarus, the Winchester hospital, theatre and social groups, and everyone who adds to the quality of life in North Dundas.

You may think that the middle of a pandemic is an odd time to start a newspaper; but, in many ways, it is absolutely the right time. Never

has it been more important for a community to stay in touch with itself. Municipal government needs to keep the community informed about what’s happening. Health units have important information they need to share to help keep us all safe and well. Businesses certainly need all the support they can get, and need to let people know if they’re still open, and how to access their services.

These are strange days indeed. I don’t know if any of us have ever lived through such historic events as we are now. Perhaps not since the Second World War has the country had to face such challenges, such dangers and threats. Without local news, supporting local business, the way is open for rumour and gossip to spread misinformation and misleading speculation. We’ve seen how the lockdown restrictions we’ve experienced since March have allowed conspiracy theories to explode on social media platforms, creating confusion, and even hatred, in the void created by a lack of credible communication and information.

The North Dundas Times intends to be part of this community for the future, providing you, the residents, with a place to share what this community represents and believes to be valuable and worth sharing. People want to know what’s happening in and to their community. They want a newspaper that will tell them the facts, straight and plain. There is room in the Times for reporting, for opinion, for analysis, for information, for news and for fun. You don’t have to agree with everything you read in these pages: it has to reflect so many aspects of North

Dundas life that it will be impossible to keep everyone happy all the time. But that is the great potential of a local and independent voice: you can join in. If you don’t like something: write about it. If you love something, if you want to publicise something, write about it. You will be published because you are part of this community and deserve to be heard. We have no party political bias. We want to see all shades of opinion free to speak through these pages, and leave it to the people of this community to make up their own minds.

Because, if there’s one thing I’ve learned as an editor and journalist, it is that people don’t always agree. And that’s fine, so long as we can debate issues and put our point of view in a positive and constructive way. In any democracy, the one vital, essential thing is that we, the people, make informed decisions on the things that concern us. And to make informed decisions, we need to be informed. We have to have the opportunity of hearing all sides before coming to a conclusion. That is the role of the media, most especially of the print media. It’s important that we have various ideas and philosophies available to us in writing, so that we can read and re-read, think about what we’ve read, and then, perhaps, write something in response.

I am an historian by profession, and I believe quite strongly that we need to know where we as a community came from, what we’ve faced in the past, and so learn from that shared story. We hope to share the story of North Dundas, past and present, with you as we move to the future together.

So, here we are, at this fascinating moment in history. What does the result of the US elections mean for us and the world? How will we in Canada, in Ontario, in North Dundas, emerge from covid-19, and when will that happen? Around the country, and around the world, things are changing in ways we haven’t seen in decades. The community is growing

and developing a different identity, without losing the traditional way of seeing the world and ourselves, our friends and our neighbours.

So, again, welcome to the North Dundas Times. To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. We believe this is the time for the Times. It will be available throughout the municipality by mail, as

well as in restaurants and stores. This should be a fascinating journey into the future that we make together.

If there’s one line that seems to sum up the way things are in the world today, it is something said by two of our great philosophers: “I read the news today...oh boy!”

A message from Mayor Tony Fraser

newspapers offering different perspectives being delivered to our mailboxes and to having them ready to be read on our kitchen tables. We will be well-served and aware of the many events, successes, efforts, and items of interest in and around our community. I appreciate being invited to submit articles of municipal interest to the North Dundas Times, as it is another excellent opportunity for me and my fellow Councillors to provide information to the public.

I’m pleased to have the opportunity to congratulate and welcome the staff and ownership group of the North Dundas Times to our community. We in North Dundas, for many years, have appreciated having two community newspapers that kept us abreast

of events that are of a local concern. Local news is so vitally important to all of us, and the recent loss of one of our newspapers has been a source of concern for many.

North Dundas is a large community with varied interests.

I look forward to having two

Despite the restrictions that have been placed upon us because of the pandemic, there have been some projects that have been completed, or are approaching completion. The Chesterville and District Arena dressing rooms and canteen have had few changes in a long time. We are very pleased with the recent dressing room expansions and the upgrades of the canteen.

The canteen has served us

well for many years. I fondly remember enjoying chuckwagons and ‘swamp water’ served by Jean Servage, and I’m sure there are others that remember being served by Nelson Laprade. That’s going way back! The upgrades were needed; new counters, new cupboards and cabinets and new fixtures. A lot of the materials were sourced locally at North Dundas Building Supply and installed by two of our talented Recreation staff members, Mike Sharkey and Todd Elliot. I’m looking forward to the time when we can enjoy watching a game at the arena and enjoying a hot dog between periods.

Sports teams will welcome the news of the expansion of the dressing rooms at the Chesterville arena. This project had been in the works for a couple of years, and the timing was finally right this spring. This project is another example of our community coming together

to meet a challenge. Deputy Mayor Armstrong, with his experience from being the Council lead on the Morewood RA Centre renovation, volunteered to take on that role again. He was fortunate to work with North Dundas Junior C executive members, and Recreation staff. The expansion looks fantastic, and I am sure that the increased space will be appreciated by all of our users.

We have tennis courts in two of our Villages and both sets of courts needed repairs. The courts in South Mountain were resurfaced this summer. The park in South Mountain also needed some other upgrades. The skate changing building was beyond repair and needed to be removed. It was decided that a more suitable building was needed to accommodate people wanting to enjoy the park year round. The cement pad is already in place, and a pavilion will be constructed on the site when

building materials become available. This project will be completed because of help from a community volunteer from the South Mountain area. The tennis courts in Chesterville need repairs, and the hopes are that we are able to get that project included in the 2021 budget.

And, while I have your attention, inclusive communities bring together different perspectives, experiences, and identities. We are part of a broader world, and in no way immune from these issues and challenges. I encourage everyone in our community to contribute to these efforts, and to endeavour to model the world we want to live in by being respectful and inclusive in all of our interactions, especially on social media. Be good, be kind and take care.

Employment Opportunity Public Works Seasonal Laborer

The Township of North Dundas is currently seeking a candidate to fill the position listed above from January 4, 2021 to April 2, 2021 with minimum (40) forty hours per week. Applicants must possess a clean driver’s abstract to drive sidewalk snow machine.

To apply to become part of our team, please submit your resume and cover letter by 11:00 am Thursday, November 12, 2020 to:

Khurram Tunio, Director of Public Works

Township of North Dundas 636 St. Lawrence St., P.O. Box 489

Winchester, ON, K0C 2K0

Fax: 613-774-5699

Email: ktunio@northdundas.com

We appreciate the interest of all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Visit Job Opportunities at www.northdundas.com for a full job description.

If you require this document or any other documents in an alternative format, please contact our office at (613) 774-2105. Should you require any special accommodations in order to apply or interview for the position with the Township of North Dundas, we will endeavour to make such accommodations. All applications will be held in strict confidence. Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used for employment assessment purposes only.

Employment Opportunity Public Works

Seasonal Operator/Laborer

The Township of North Dundas is currently seeking minimum (5) five candidates to fill the positions listed above from January 4, 2021 to April 2, 2021 with minimum (40) forty hours per week. Applicants must possess a valid DZ driver’s license, be able to drive a standard transmission and have a clean driver’s abstract.

To apply to become part of our team, please submit your resume and cover letter by 11:00 am

Thursday, November 12, 2020 to:

Khurram Tunio, Director of Public Works

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

Fax: 613-774-5699

Email: ktunio@northdundas.com

We appreciate the interest of all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Visit Job Opportunities at www.northdundas.com for a full job description.

If you require this document or any other documents in an alternative format, please contact our office at (613) 774-2105. Should you require any special accommodations in order to apply or interview for the position with the Township of North Dundas, we will endeavour to make such accommodations. All applications will be held in strict confidence. Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used for employment assessment purposes only.

NEED A CLURB ON REPORTER???

Helping our patients prepare for surgery at WDMH

Keeping ConnectedReflections on the past eight months at Dundas Manor

by Jennifer Hill, Activity Programs and Services Director, Dundas Manor Long-Term Care

Home

Early in 2020, the Activity/Recreation team met with residents to get ideas and input into what our new year would look like. It was exciting! Plans for Roaring 20 parties, fashion shows, music tributes, Royal events, and guest speakers. Outings to the casino, museums, the Bird sanctuary, picnics in the countryside. Just to name a few... Plans were underway!

Resident connectedness became imperative. Meeting with our Resident’s Council Leadership team regularly to keep them informed, 1-on-1 visits with each resident, individual calls to each family to calm fears and remind them they are never alone.

Our families, community, and our WDMH family rallied around the home in a circle of love, encouragement, and support.

the outdoors, and caring for each other.

COVID-19 has strengthened our care team. The commitment and dedication that has been demonstrated during this terrifying time cannot be put into words.

The Dundas Manor family remains Dundas Manor strong. And we are still inspiring happiness and joy – every day.

Preparing for surgery can be a stressful time for patients. Preparing for surgery during a COVID-19 pandemic can be even more challenging. The Winchester District Memorial Hospital team is helping to make things a little easier.

A new pre-operative surgery video provides details on how to prepare for surgery and what a patient can expect on the day of the procedure.

Dr. Patricia Moussette, Dr.

Michelle Davey, and Registered Nurse Joanne Vankessel review what needs to be done leading up to surgery, take patients on a tour of the operating room, and share details on anesthetic options.

“We wanted to create a video that covers all of the things a patient and their family need to know,” explains Dr. Moussette. “From there, we can answer any questions they may have. Being

prepared helps to ensure the very best surgical outcome.”

In addition, the surgery section of the WDMH website has been updated with additional information. There are sections that talk about what happens before and after surgery, as well as information about various procedures.

To learn more and view the video, visit www.wdmh. on.ca/surgery.

Put the brakes on! Our world has changed. The best laid plans are now a distant memory. What comes next…

A web of safety must go up around our home to keep our residents and staff safe.

Looking back on the early days of the Pandemic, with so much information coming in, the situation changing so quickly and regularly, it became apparent quickly that our team needed to remain calm, informed, and ready for what was to come.

Our grand plans for programs and outings became Skype calls, Facetime visits, window visits, and the good old-fashioned telephone lines were hot. Our residents and families stayed connected.

As Spring arrived, and we could welcome back our families at outdoor visits, and later into the home, our focus could shift back a bit more to modified, safely distanced, recreation programs. Not the grand fun we had planned, but, you know what…. we still are having fun! We have never stopped laughing, teasing, dancing, enjoying delicious food, praying, enjoying

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We’d love to connect.

Our local communities are the very best!

Thank you for your support over the past few months from front porch cheers to donations that support care close to home.

At WDMH and Dundas Manor, we are focused on caring for our patients and residents and keeping them safe. We are also caring for local communities at the COVID -19 Assessment Centre. And the WDMH Foundation is proud to work with our donors to support both WDMH and Dundas Manor.

Thank you for your support during these extraordinary times.

In the video, Dr. Patricia Moussette provides valuable information to patients preparing for surgery.

Ladies Christmas Gala Pivots to Gala 2.0

Home for the Holidays

Divine

The Sisters for Life team has many reasons for being involved. They are: Joy Krol, Monique Rutley, Susan Casselman, Angie Beehler, Kim Casselman, Meghan-Tia Robertson, Kaitlyn Beehler, Natalie Dawson, and Maureen Robertson.

by Jane Adams

Never underestimate what a small team of determined women can do! The Sisters for Life team has been fundraising to fight cancer since 2013. For the second year in a row, the WDMH Foundation is grateful to be one of the beneficiaries – with funds directed to the purchase of a new digital mammography

machine. Other recipients include the Canadian Cancer Society and Dr. John Bell’s cancer research team at The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.

To date, the Sisters for Life team has raised a grand total of $131,632.38. Last year, they presented a cheque for more than $13,000 to the WDMH Foundation. And

they are not done yet!

This year, COVID-19 has forced the team to change their plans, moving from the Ladies Christmas Gala, normally held each year in November in Finch, to Gala

2.0 - Home for the Holidays. This virtual event will be hosted between November 15 and 20 on Facebook, and the grand finale will be live

on Facebook, thanks to Nation Valley News and Storm Internet. It will include a ‘tealight service’ honouring loved ones who are fighting, or have fought cancer.

“Guests can continue the Gala tradition from the comfort of their own homes,” explains organizer Maureen Robertson. “They will connect with a wonderful com-

Winchester COVID-19 Assessment Centre

test if you have the following symptoms:

Have been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus, as informed by your public health unit or exposure notification through the COVID Alert app;

Work or are a resident in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified and informed by your local public health unit; or

munity of cancer fighters; learn about leading edge research; and try their luck at contests, an online auction, and a chance to win an $800 Gift basket filled with treasures – all for a minimum donation of $20 (tax receipt provided).”

Plus, a one-of-a-kind opportunity has been added to this year’s event. A generous donor pledged to match all funds raised for the WDMH Foundation before she passed away. Her family is following through with her wishes, resulting in a chance to double

to go home with no action required at this time; home on self-isolation to await a test result; or onward to the WDMH Emergency Department for further assessment at WDMH. Please bring your health card or one piece of identification. Patients should come alone unless they require support or an interpreter.”

the impact of every gift.

“We are grateful to Sisters of Life and the generous donor who is doubling the impact,” adds Managing Director Kristen Casselman. “It’s going to be a great few days of binge-watching!”

To get involved, visit www.facebook.com/ groups/438918486242509.

As more people display symptoms that may, or may not, be covid-19, the work of the Winchester COVID-19 Assessment Centre becomes ever more important. The Centre has been receiving literally thousands of calls every day, and can test around 175 people daily. It is important that people know who should make an appointment for a test, and the conditions surrounding their visit.

The Assessment Centre is being operated by Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) staff and

physicians, in partnership with the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU). The centre is exclusively for the purpose of COVID-19 assessments.

The Centre is located at the Lions Club Hall, 515 Albert Street, in Winchester, and is open Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from 2:45 p.m. to 6 p.m. Patients should call 613-801-2333 to book their test. They will be given an estimated window of time to go to the Lions Club Hall. There are no age restrictions to get tested at this location.

The Centre staff ask that those who have been unable

to get through to them by phone should keep trying. At times, there are hundreds of people in the phone queue and sometimes the telephone system can have glitches. The lines open at 9:00 am. each day from Monday to Friday.

If you need to cancel an appointment, please email covidappointments@ wdmh.on.ca. The phone system does not take messages and the Centre is unable to accept walk-in or drive-up visits at this time.

If your symptoms are severe, please go to your nearest emergency department.

You should only seek a

Eligible for testing as part of a targeted testing initiative directed by the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Long-Term Care.

Those without symptoms who would like to get a test are asked to do so at one of the pharmacies offering COVID-19 tests. You can find a list of pharmacies here: https://bit.ly/2FPpz65.

The Centre has issued instructions for those arriving for a test. “Once you are called to come into the Assessment Centre, you will sanitize your hands and put on a mask. You will be screened, tested (if deemed appropriate) and provided with further directions. These directions may be

COVID-19 lab test results are available online. If you are unable to access your results online after 7 days, you can call the Winchester COVID-19 Assessment Centre at 613-6083756 between 12 and 2 pm from Monday to Friday for a verbal report. This number is for test results from the Winchester Assessment Centre only.

Visit the EOHU website at www.eohu.ca or the WDMH website at www.wdmh.on.ca. Call the EOHU at 613-9331375 or 1-800-267-7120. For more details, visit the Ministry website: https:// bit.ly/306et3l, or call the Eastern Ontario Health Unit at 1-800-267-7120.

by David Shanahan

Enbridge Gas supporting firefighter training in North Dundas

Enbridge Gas is helping the North Dundas Fire Service purchase firefighting training materials, through Project Assist–a program that supplements existing training for Ontario volunteer and composite fire departments in the communities where Enbridge operates.

“At Enbridge Gas, safety is our priority. We’re proud to support Ontario firefight-

ers who share our commitment to keeping our communities safe,” says Luke Skaarup, Director, Northern Region Operations, Enbridge Gas.

This year’s $100,000 donation from Enbridge Gas will be shared by 20 Ontario fire departments, including North Dundas Fire Service. Funds will be used to purchase educational materials for firefighters to enhance life-saving techniques. Since the launch of Project Assist in 2012, 194 grants have been provided to Ontario fire departments for additional firefighter training.

“Project Assist improves access to training materials for fire departments,” says

Jon Pegg, Ontario Fire Marshal. “Firefighting can be dangerous and unpredictable, and these training materials positively contribute to the health and safety of firefighters and the broader community.”

“The grant received through Project Assist is a great asset to our training and fire prevention libraries. We are lucky to have been selected, as these materials will benefit both our staff and community as a whole,” says Chief Mike Gruich, Fire Department Liaison.

The North Dundas Fire Service is constituted of four fire stations, solely made up of volunteer firefighters within the North Dundas community. The team responds

to not only fires, but medical emergencies, vehicular collisions, gas leaks, and more. All firefighters are on-call 24/7, attend regular training sessions, and make an effort to be a positive community presence. In addition to their duties as firefighters, our volunteers provide outreach through local programs and events, public service announcements online and in print, and offering fire prevention training programs at the local elementary and secondary schools.

Enbridge Gas Inc., formed on January 1, 2019 from the amalgamation of Union Gas Limited and Enbridge Gas Distribution, is Canada's largest natural gas storage,

A harvest tail end reminder to practice road safety

transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with a more than 170-year history of providing safe and reliable service to customers. The distribution business serves about 3.8 million customers, heating over 75 per cent of Ontario homes. The storage and transmission business offers a variety of

storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, the largest integrated underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Enbridge Gas Inc. is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadianbased leader in energy transportation and distribution.

by Rejean Pommainville, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

As we near the tail end of this harvest season, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) wants to ensure that our farming families have the resources and tools they need to stay safe on increasingly busy country roads. Traffic is heavy throughout the province, especially near urban and suburban areas, as rapid development has led to urban sprawl.

Statistically, the average

person is generations removed from the farm. Therefore, it is not common for the majority of motorists to have the knowledge or awareness of how to interact safely when sharing the road with heavy, large agricultural equipment. As a community that cares for each other’s well-being, farmers must be proactive by strictly following road safety rules to accomplish the goal of getting crops off and ensuring everyone returns home safely.

Harvest is an extremely busy time where the stakes

and external stressors are high. Remember to take the time to put safety first on roadways, on the farm and for your family. When drivers are in an impatient rush behind you, be alert for them to pass you at unexpected times. Additionally, watch carefully as you turn onto public roadways and make left-hand turns across traffic.

When driving farm equipment on the highway, be mindful that the best practice is for your machine to be on the paved portion of the road, not the shoulder. Although it is not against the law to drive your equipment on the shoulder, it’s important to be aware of the weight and stability of your load. Shoulders are not built to support heavy vehicles and could result in a dangerous outcome.

Remember to always stay alert and focused. Stay off

your smartphone; the rules for distracted driving also apply when you are driving farm equipment. Operating your equipment is a large responsibility that should not be taken lightly.

For farm equipment, be sure there is a visible slowmoving vehicle sign on all pieces of machinery that travels roadways. This includes tractors, combines, self-propelled vehicles, sprayers and any implement being towed. Furthermore, keep your maximum speed to 40km/h and take the time to check twice and signal well in advance when turning on and off busy roadways for drivers who may be anxious to race past.

Working well into the night and early morning is often unavoidable during harvest. To guarantee that you are visible to drivers, keep your lights on for safety.

Lights must be on farm equipment from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise. However, the best practice to ensure your safety is to keep them on around the clock. Farm equipment on public roads must have two white headlights and one red taillight. All towed implements must have at least one red taillight.

Road safety is important for everyone. With farmers being only 2% of the population, the rules, protocols, safety measures and regulations may seem overwhelming. However, there is an onus on the general public as well to keep farm equipment and roads safe. Consumerbased road safety campaigns continue to be developed, which contain farm safety knowledge for the average motorist.

This year, OFA undertook

a social media campaign spanning from spring to late fall using the hashtag #farmsafe as a means to share facts, reminders and resources with our membership. Additionally, the OFA developed its own road safety video directed at consumers to educate them on slow-moving vehicle signs, equipment blind spots, etc. It is always encouraging to see members sharing these resources to increase awareness and accountability within the community.

Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. It is always worth taking the extra few minutes to double-check signs, lighting and to refresh your farming team of the rules of the road. For more road safety tips, visit ofa.on.ca/ roadsafety. We are wishing you all a safe and bountiful harvest.

Worth the Wait

COVID-19 may have delayed the announcement of the latest Commitment Award honorees – but it has also heightened the important role that each of the recipients play at Winchester District Memorial Hospital. The Commitment Awards shine a light on individuals or teams that demonstrate the values that result in compassionate excellence. Recently, the awards were presented to Dr. Maren Hamilton and Frida Plourde; Ahmed Aly; and the Information Desk volunteers.

COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of safe care and Dr. Maren Hamilton and Registered Nurse and Infection Control Coordinator Frida Plourde have helped to lead the way as one team that ensures the well-being

of all patients, staff, physicians, visitors, and volunteers.

“They have worked diligently behind the scenes to inform and protect all of us. They make a wonderful team,” note their nominators.

Pharmacist Ahmed Aly’s colleagues would like to clone him. He is described as kind, compassionate, humble, and someone who always looks out for his patients and colleagues. “He goes above and beyond. His focus on patient care and his dedication to this hospital is second to none,” say his nominators. “He is the personification of what all health care professionals should strive to be.”

We’ve missed the final group of honorees over the past few months due to COVID-19 and are excited to

You are not alone

by Tammy Zollinger

“1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health problem, or illness in any given year” - The Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit. Chances are high you, or someone you know, is struggling. So please know, you are far from being alone.

My battle with mental illness has raged for years.

I’m 36 years old, and for over half my life I’ve struggled with depression. In 2015, my fight with anxiety started. I don’t have answers; however, I hope sharing some of my story might help someone.

On May 15, 2020, I suffered a massive nervous breakdown. We had finished planting our crops, and our group of 130 dairy goats had finished giving birth. I had been looking forward to a day off; however, some equip-

What’s the best approach to natural supplements?

Readers of this column know, the Gifford-Jones natural health philosophy is built on the premise that the medical establishment should not be your first stop for staying healthy.

Doctors are best as a last resort. Tragic bad luck aside, your first defense should be Mother Nature, in combination with good lifestyle choices. But what does this mean as you age?

example would be vitamin D. Deficiency is common, especially during the winter months for those who live in the north. We know vitamin D fortifies our immune system and the range of advisable dosages is clear. There is little difference, one brand to another.

Other vitamins and minerals are more complex. It’s worth your while to get good advice.

common issue. It’s a fact that aging leads to wear and tear on our bodies. Joint pain is a common complaint, the result of osteoarthritis. Oftentimes, waiting too long to recognize this problem is the bell that tolls for a medical solution.

be slowly welcoming them back. Kudos to the Information Desk volunteers who are the first point of contact for patients and visitors. Their welcoming smiles mean a lot, but their nominators say their contributions are much more than that: “They ensure there is always a wheelchair available. They sometimes play soft to support a more relaxing atmosphere for those waiting in the lobby. They can assist clients with the parking machines. The list goes on. Their knowledge about what is going on in the organization is over and above many, and what they don’t know they will find out to make the patients’ and visitors’ experience more pleasant.”

Congratulations to all the nominees!

Natural supplements are low-cost and widely available, but they are not marketed with the same multimillion-dollar budgets as most pharmaceutical drugs. So a good starting point is to adopt common sense.

Unless your doctor has a strong rationale for putting you on drugs, and a plan to get you off them, you should ask more questions and do more homework. Have you, for example, enquired about the root causes of the ailments that age inevitably brings? Where can you turn for options?

Experts in your local natural health food store can help. There are some natural supplements that are easy to understand, and the choices are simple. A good

Vitamin C is one of them. Vitamin C at very small doses will protect you from scurvy. But at much higher doses, it fortifies your body’s immune response and protects your cardiovascular system from build up of plaque in the arteries. Vitamin C is best when combined with lysine. Why? Because vitamin C is required to manufacture healthy collagen, the glue that holds coronary cells together, just like mortar is needed for bricks. Lysine, like steel rods in cement, makes collagen stronger.

Surgery to fix knees, hips, or shoulders comes with significant risks. The smarter approach is to address these joint problems before they require surgical procedures.

Experts in naturopathic or alternative treatments may have good remedies for you. Keep in mind the fast pace of scientific research on the complex interactions that nutrients have in our guts and metabolism. New findings are published in scientific journals everyday. Fortunately, even natural remedies are gaining more attention in research labs.

ment in the barn had broken, and I was forced to head back up and babysit the wash. I had been relying on alcohol for months to help ease the daily strain of life, so I grabbed a full 1.5L of wine and went to sit in the milk house.

My husband joined me, and what started as a discussion, turned into a disagreement. In that two-hour span, the wine had been finished. I snapped. My husband realized something was not right. He left to get my best friend who lives in our little house on the farm, and she took over trying to calm me down. She told me later on that she had placed her hands on my face and said, “You need to calm down. This is not you.” I have no recollection.

The next few days, my husband and I decided I needed to leave the farm, the barn, and stress of life behind for a

bit. The goal was to find an in-patient treatment program; however, everything was closed because of Covid. I moved out on May 17 and spent the night at a friend’s house. The following day, I found a more permanent place to live. A lovely couple who lived right on the St. Lawrence River took me in. There I spent some days and nights, soaking in the peace, returning almost every day to see my girls, checking in on things, and helping where I could.

I started to realize the extent of my breakdown, but what had happened, I had zero memory of. As my husband told me the details of that night, I was riddled with guilt. Things were being pieced together. I remembered looking for a fight. I had purposely pushed his buttons, hoping he would hit me, I was so

enraged, I wanted a fist fight. I wanted nothing more than to take out years of aggression, rage, and hatred on someone. Unfortunately, he was my easiest target. He said “I knew something had changed in you, you have never been a nasty person, I wasn’t dealing with my wife.” Looking back, I thank him and God for protecting both of us that evening.

This is just part of my story, one story of many. Mental illness can affect anyone at any time. It knows no bounds. I hope, in the months ahead, I can share more of my story, the defeats and victories. I can share help to those who struggle, and those who need more understanding.

I’ll leave you with something my counselor shares with me at every session: “You are good. You are not alone.”

Experts will know the research. Linus Pauling, two-time Nobel laureate, claimed it takes a mere 10 milligrams of vitamin C to prevent scurvy, but several thousand to prevent heart attack. Williams Stehbens, Professor of Anatomy at Wellington University in New Zealand, proved Pauling was right. Stebhens’ research showed that coronary arteries closest to the heart are under the greatest pressure. This causes collagen to fracture, resulting in the formation of a blood clot and death.

But what about other supplements? How should you assess what you need, or should try? Let’s take a

That pain in the knee or other joints may benefit from organic sulfur, an essential mineral and natural component of soil, and in turn, our food. Healing Earth is a supplement that combines this mineral with humic acid. These ingredients act together to alleviate inflammatory conditions and relieve the pain of osteoarthritis. Clinical studies confirm its efficacy.

The bottom line? Think about the roots of your health problems, get advice from experts who focus on prevention of disease, and make daily good choices to keep yourself away from needing medical interventions.

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Phone 613.791.8317

Email: shannonlever@ndtimes.ca

The latest Commitment Award recipients are (l-r): Dr. Maren Hamilton, Family Physician; Frida Plourde, RN, Infection Control Coordinator; Ahmed Aly, Pharmacist; and the Information Desk Volunteers, represented at the presentation by Mary Fairbairn, Brenda Pascoe, Ross Bennett, Paulette Poulin, and Linda Foster.

Canadian publishers seek government action on Google/ Facebook monopoly

by News Media Canada

Canada’s news media publishers today called on all political parties in Parliament to support the adoption of Australia’s approach to combat the monopolistic practices of Google and Facebook.

In Canada, as in democracies around the world, the two American web giants control the lion’s share of online advertising dollars and distribute newspaper content without compensation. The model being implemented in Australia counters these monopolistic practices and levels the digital playing field – at no cost to taxpayers and without the need for user fees or other charges.

The recommendation that Canada adopt the Australian model is contained in Levelling the Digital Playing Field, a report commissioned by News Media Canada and prepared by FTI Consulting, a global advisory firm, who conducted an in-depth analysis of actions taken in democracies around the world to address the same challenge.

News Media Canada represents more than 90% of news media readership in Canada representing daily, regional, community, and ethnocultural news publications.

“A strong, diverse and independent news media is valued by Canadians and crucial to our democracy,” said Jamie Irving, vice-president of Brunswick News Publishing company BNI and Chair of News Media Canada’s working group.

“Publishing real news costs money, and Google and

Facebook – two of the biggest companies in the world – cannot continue to be allowed to free-ride on the backs of Canadian news media publishers who produce news content, without fair compensation. We have heard the global web giants’ hollow commitment to journalism and to token compensation. The time to tackle the global web giants, as the federal government indicated in September, is now.”

Key elements of the Australian model include an effective approach that requires no new government funding, consumer taxes, or user fees. Publishers, with the approval of government, form a collective bargaining unit to negotiate compensation for the use of their content and intellectual property. It is only through this collective approach that the immense monopoly power of the web giants can be countered, and the digital playing field levelled.

A code-of-conduct to ensure that the web monopolies do not use new algorithms and other proprietary technology to expand their market domination and entrench unfair competitive practices.

Under the Australia model, the web giants are subject to fines in the hundreds of millions of dollars for a single infraction. Penalties of this scale are the only effective ways to rein in companies of this unprecedented size and power. Both Canada and Australia publishers are facing significant challenges from the web giants. Canada and Australia share strong

regional identities, and similar parliamentary and legal systems.

In Canada, Google and Facebook control 80% of all online advertising revenues. They use their monopoly control not just to divert advertising from news media publishers, but also to divert millions in advertising revenue that they place on news media sites. Even when advertisers pay specifically to advertise on news media sites, Google and Facebook keep most of that revenue, while gathering and using data on news media site readers and advertisers for their own purposes.

“The unchecked power and market domination of Google and Facebook has impacted news media around the world and Canada faces the same challenge,” said Jamie Irving. “This is above and beyond concerns about their abuse of the privacy of citizens and their role in the spread of disinformation. Canada has a responsibility to demonstrate leadership on these important issues.”

The Government of Canada announced in its Speech from the Throne of September 23 that, “The government will act to ensure their revenue is shared more fairly with our creators and media, and will also require them to contribute to the creation, production, and distribution of our stories, on screen, in lyrics, in music, and in writing.”

News Media Canada is calling on the government to tackle the web giants and adopt the Australian model in Canada.

10 financial literacy tips to mark 10 years of Financial Literacy Month

by ABC Life Literacy Canada

November marks the 10th anniversary of Financial Literacy Month (FLM), an initiative launched by numerous community groups, non-profits, and government bodies to help improve Canadians’ financial literacy levels.

With four in 10 Canadians reporting that money is a daily concern, and a third of low-income Canadians reporting that they worry about money almost constantly, financial literacy is a skill that helps improve confidence around financial decisions.

After a difficult year, many Canadians are finding themselves struggling financially more than ever. Through Financial Literacy Month, Canadians can leverage information and support from various non-profits and government agencies to better understand their finances. When Canadians are better able to understand finances, they become more confident, and ultimately make better decisions about their money.

“Financial literacy is now more important than ever given the economic situation being faced by Canadians,” says Mack Rogers, Executive Director of ABC Life Literacy Canada. “We are pleased to be actively participating in Financial Literacy Month again this year to help adult learners improve their confidence around money, while also providing helpful resources to the literacy community.”

ABC Life Literacy Canada is proud to offer a number of initiatives taking place throughout the month, including a free 5-part webinar series and the introduction of the new Spending Plans course on the ABC Skills Hub online learning platform. Part of the Money Matters program, the webinar series is targeted at adult learners to help them better understand their finances, and will cover topics such as creating a budget, building credit and avoiding online scams.

Money Matters is a free introductory financial literacy program for adult learners, developed with support of founding sponsor TD Bank Group (TD) 10 years ago when Financial Literacy Month was first celebrated. The program is full of learning activities that can be adapted according to the needs of individual groups and delivered across Canada through workshops, which are often led by local TD volunteer tutors.

In honour of the 10th anniversary of Financial Literacy Month, here are 10 financial literacy tips shared by adult learners that have participated in the Money Matters program.

Ask yourself if the item you “need” is actually more of a want than a necessity. If you still think you need it, wait 14 days before purchasing to see if it’s really that important. Invest in stocks or mutual funds to make your money work for you.

A TFSA is one of the best investments a newbie investor can make. The money you make in interest or investment profit is fully tax-free.

Putting just $50 a month away in an RRSP can make you $500,000 if you start before you’re 30.

Always eat before grocery shopping to avoid impulse purchases while hungry.

Try not to spend unnecessarily on convenience.

Open a high-interest savings account.

Borrowing money isn’t always bad, especially if you’re using it to buy something like a house. It can be a good longterm investment.

Talk to people who are more knowledgeable about money. While it might seem daunting to ask people about money, you shouldn’t feel bad about asking simple questions. By asking them why they made their own financial decisions, you’ll become more confident in making your own decisions.

You don’t have to put all of your investments in “highrisk” or “low-risk” stocks or mutual funds. You can diversify your investment portfolio.

For more information about the Money Matters program, to book a workshop, or to access free financial literacy resources, visit www.abcmoneymatters.ca. ABC Life Literacy Canada is a non-profit organization that aims to strengthen organizations that promote adult learning. We develop and support the use of high-quality introductory learning materials and resources written in clear language. We envision a Canada where everyone has the tools and opportunities they need to improve their literacy and essential skills.

Celebrating A Century!

5 great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Holmes now lives at Garden Villa in Chesterville. Shortly after she moved to Winchester, the new Winchester District Memorial Hospital opened just down the road. Mrs. Holmes says she remembers it well. “Everyone was so anxious and thankful to have it. We did everything we could to help out in any way we could.”

Mrs. Holmes remembers washing and cleaning and preparing the rooms. She helped to make curtains and feather tick pillows, noting: “I made them outside, so I didn’t get feathers all over the house!” She recalls that farmers grew extra crops to provide everything from corn to cucumbers to preserves for the patients.

And of course, we had to ask Mrs. Holmes for her secret to a long, healthy life. Her answer is simple: “I was never one to rest, except for reading or quilting,” she says. “In fact, I’ve already knit 30 pairs of mittens for the church for donating to those in need this coming winter. I feel better when I’m doing something and it’s a good feeling to be useful.”

by Jane Adams

Helen Holmes says she never dreamed she’d live to be 100. But she did just that, celebrating her centennial birthday on July 8. Her family wanted to do something unique to mark the occasion, so they asked everyone to make a donation to WDMH in her honour.

And everyone did! Donations are still coming in, but the current tally is $3,000!

“I’m the luckiest woman in the world,” says Mrs. Holmes. “I didn’t really know what they were doing for my birthday, but I knew I didn’t need anything. I just need their love. And I know I’ve got that.”

Mrs. Holmes was raised near Maple Ridge. In 1940, she moved to just outside Winchester with her late husband Bob on what was known as Holmes Road. They had a Holstein farm and raised four children. Her family has continued to grow with 9 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and

“We are so grateful to Mrs. Holmes and her family for these generous donations to celebrate a wonderful milestone. Congratulations to Mrs. Holmes!” says Cindy Peters, Manager of Direct Mail and Events.

Happy Birthday Mrs. Holmes!

Happy 100th Birthday to Helen Holmes!

Stay Healthy and Safe this Fall

by Katie Jackson, Foundational Standards Manager for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit.

The days are getting shorter and the warmth of the summer and early fall is changing. Many people find this change difficult. This is a good time to focus on doing what we can to be physically, mentally and socially healthy and resilient. The foundation is healthy eating, regular physical activity, being outside in nature, building resilience, connecting with others in safe ways, and avoiding problematic substance use. This foundation also builds our immune system which will help us cope with any infection we may encounter, including COVID-19.

During this time of year, people also have many special opportunities to celebrate together. Find creative ways to have fun and honour the meaningful traditions that matter to you. Each of us has a part to play in keeping ourselves and others safe.

All celebrations rest on the basic COVID-19 public health precautions: staying home when sick and getting tested for COVID-19 when it’s recommended, keeping 2 metres apart from others outside the household, avoiding gatherings with close contact, wearing a properly fitting face covering/mask, avoiding touching common surfaces, and performing regular hand washing/sanitizing.

Any symptoms of COVID-19 need to be taken seriously – assuming they are “just a cold” can miss the presence of COVID-19 and spread the virus to others. If you are concerned you were exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms, take the online COVID-19 self-assessment; and get tested if you have symptoms compatible with COVID-19, or if you have been advised of exposure by your local public health unit or through COVID Alert. Find out more about testing and symptoms here: https://healthunit.org/health-information/covid-19/assessmenttesting-results/ or call 1-800-660-5853 x 2222.

Remembrance Day:

Consider alternatives to attending a Remembrance Day event in person, particularly if you have health problems. Watch a live stream Remembrance Day event on TV with your household. Write a message to a veteran you know. Donate to your local Legion.

If you are planning on attending an event in person make sure they are following public health precautions to reduce risk, including that the event is outside with lots of space, people are spaced safely apart to avoid close contact with others, everyone is wearing a properly fitting face covering/mask, and contact with common surfaces or handling common objects is avoided.

Other Fall Activities, including Hunting:

Avoid gatherings with people outside of your household, particularly with people from high transmission areas. Hunting season often gets groups of people together and although it is mostly outdoors there are still some precautions to take. Wear a mask/face covering when around those outside your household – even if outdoors and unable to keep 2 meters away from others. Instead of car-pooling with others – take separate vehicles to the hunt camp.

Think about the hunt camp and try to plan separate areas for different households. This may mean pitching an extra tent or bringing in another RV. Avoid shared food or buffet style eating as well as activities that involve touching common objects (like playing cards).

Check out other ideas about family and other celebrations: https://healthunit.org/healthinformation/covid-19/gatherings-social-circles.

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We invite qualified candidates to send their resume and cover letter to the Director of Care: ursula.lamoureux@dundasmanor.ca

seniors

Time passages

by David Shanahan

So, did you remember to Fall Back, or were you left waiting for an hour until your church service or football game started? At least that’s not as bad as when you forget to Spring Forward, and arrive an hour late. This whole issue of Daylight Savings can be quite confusing, and may have outlasted its usefulness.

One Ottawa area MPP has introduced a Private Members Bill in the legislature to do away with Daylight Savings in Ontario. Called the "Time Amendment Act," which would move Ontario permanently to daylight time, it has received Second Reading already, and Ottawa West-Nepean MPP, Jeremy Roberts, thinks this would be of real benefit to Ontario businesses. However, it would be necessary for Quebec and New York State to make the same move, as they are the adjacent jurisdictions and there would be real confusion if they remained with the current system of time management. It would be particularly awkward for federal public servants who

A Township named for a Bishop

live in Ottawa and work in Gatineau, not to mention the confusion within the public service.

It’s not as if Daylight Savings Time {DST] is a universal practice. Jeremy Roberts pointed out that:

“Saskatchewan and the Yukon have already abandoned the practice, with Alberta and BC publicly musing on the possibility. In the United States, Arizona and Hawaii don’t follow the time-change practice, and no fewer than Alaska, California, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Washington state are all considering the same. Across the pond, the European Union is also considering ending the practice”.

There appear to be good health reasons for making the change. Medical studies around the world have indicated that the change through the Fall Back can provoke depression, while the loss of an hour’s sleep in the Spring Forward shift can lead to a 24% increase in heart attacks amongst higher-risk populations. Similarly, the American Academy of Neurology found an 8% increase in strokes at the same time.

So, why do we put ourselves through this trauma

every six months? Well, it really all started during the First World War, when first Germany in 1916, and soon after both Britain and the United States, introduced DST as a way to increase working hours for war industries. It would also, they believed, decrease the amount of coal that would be consumed in homes, a serious wartime issue.

However, the first jurisdiction in the world to introduce DST was not a country, but a town, a Canadian town, in fact. Port Arthur, Ontario, now part of Thunder Bay, brought in DST as early as July 1, 1908.

What do you think? Is there any benefit to having to change our clocks twice a year? Stoves, watches, clocks, car clocks, everything except most electronic time keepers need to be reset, and I have found that changing the clock in the car, particularly, is a real pain in the neck. Once upon a time, people kept their time by the rising and setting of the Sun. That may not be very practical in our timepressured age, but perhaps having some consistency would be worthwhile. Now we just have to convince Quebec and New York that it’s a good idea.

by David Shanahan

When the Township of Mountain was surveyed in 1798, it was named in honour of Jacob Mountain, a Cambridge University-educated Anglican who had been appointed as the first Anglican Bishop of Quebec in 1793. At that time, the Diocese of Quebec included all of the settled areas of what is now the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario.

Mountain was an impressive figure, over six feet in height, and a powerful preacher. In the thirty years he spent as Bishop, he established 35 missions, built 60 churches, and increased

the number of clergy in his denomination from 9 to 60. He made a number of rather strenuous journeys through the western part of his diocese, but never actually visited the township named after him, the closest he got was Kingston, as he made his way along the St. Lawrence.

Reading through the documents of the time, another familiar name appears, that of Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, and British Home Secretary, and the official after whom Dundas County was named. Dundas and Mountain corresponded regularly about the status of the Anglican Church in Canada.

So many of the townships and counties in Ontario were named in this way after British politicians, though Mountain may be unique in being named after a Bishop. Another of Mountain’s contemporaries, and a man he often clashed with, was Robert Prescott, Governor General of the Canadas, another British official who gave his name to a local town. Jacob Mountain never really settled in Canada, referring to his decades here as “this long expatriation”, an exile from the country which he never really left in his mind. He died in June, 1825 and was buried in the Anglican Cathedral in Quebec that he had built in 1804.

South Mountain Fair buildings

Bishop Jacob Mountain, 1749-1825.