Reconciliation: more than one day a year
by David Shanahan
Last Monday was the official National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, introduced by legislation in 2021 in response “to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s call to action number 80 by creating a holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which seeks to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors and their families and communities and to ensure that public commemoration of their history and the legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process”. Aside from the one day set aside annually for the purpose, the intention of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s [TRC] call to action was to encourage Canadians to learn and understand the history and
legacy of residential schools in the history of Canada and the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island. How far we’ve progressed in learning that history, much less understanding the legacy is not encouraging. Meeting with representatives of the various Anishinabek communities affected by one particular residential school recently, it was pointed out that truth can be hard; not just the terrible facts and the multi-generational impacts of what boys and girls experienced in the schools, but also facing the truth that many children actually enjoyed their school days. The structure and friendships experienced fitted well with their personalities. For many others, school was hell on earth.
What has always impressed me over many years has been the resilience, the strength of so many survivors, as they tried to break
the cycle of trauma that impacted them and their families. Boys and girls caught for as long as a decade or more in an environment that denied them love, warmth, family, went on in time to become parents with their own children. Many found it impossible to express love, provide warmth and support to their own children because they had never known such things themselves. Others found themselves passing on to the children the same negative behaviours they had learned in residential school.
Generations suffered long after the schools themselves closed. There were positive aspects too: education opened doors that would otherwise have remained closed; but at what cost? Children spent time in school, then returned home to find a barrier had been raised: some no longer understood their own
language, and found it hard to communicate with their parents and siblings. They were even unable to join in prayers and ceremonies. Others discovered that a level of education denied to their ancestors was another barrier that they found difficult to overcome.
For non-Indigenous people in this country, there has been an awakening to these truths, and a growing desire to help in the reconciliation that is needed on both sides in order to heal the wounds of the past. That can also be a problem, as well-intentioned people have acted without truly learning the full truth of the past. Misleading media reports are accepted without question, especially if they paint the darkest picture of the past, and produce a simplistic viewpoint that fails to see the details, the variations in the experiences of Indigenous children across time and geography.
There can be no reconciliation without truth: that is a basic fact. How can we be reconciled when we have an incomplete or inaccurate picture of what we need to be reconciled about? This is something that all of us, Indigenous and nonIndigenous, have to do: the “history and the legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process”. People may know nothing of the
Garnier Residential School, Spanish, c. 1930
history beyond the one oftrepeated quote about “killing the Indian in the child”, not the same as killing the Indian, but reflective of a policy which sought to, as D. C. Scott stated in 1920: “I want to get rid of the Indian problem...Our object is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question, and no Indian Department.”
That may, or may not be considered a definition of “cultural genocide”, but it is a far more nuanced approach than what is often understood as the Crown’s assimilisation policy, or, as it was known from 1830, its “Civilisation Policy”. In other words, while the effects of Residential Schools have been generally disas-
trous for Indigenous communities, creating serious and deep-rooted trauma for generations of people, Canadians still don’t “get it”. The general level of knowledge and understanding about Indigenous history overall is still remarkably, and appallingly, vague and confused. So, rather than just marking National Day of Truth and Reconciliation once a year, let’s make it an incentive to learn and inform in a more complete and deeper way.
Canada’s Indigenous peoples are not simply victims of colonisation, though they are that: they are also peoples with varied and rich cultures and traditions. They have proved themselves to be resilient, unbelievably patient and strong; deserving of respect and toleration as much as any other ethnic
communities in Canada, but with deeper roots in the land, perhaps a greater sense of our place in the environment. Mutual respect and understanding is the goal, and the way to get there is through knowing the truth – the real truth. It is said among Indigenous peoples that healing takes seven generations. We all need to find and enable healing, understanding that this will
take much more than marking one day a year and thinking we’ve done our bit. So many false ideas dominate the conversation; so many deep-rooted racist and unconscious assumptions need to be exposed and corrected. But, as someone said, “the Truth will set you free”.
Quack! Quack! Times Two!
Well,
The Rotary Club of Chesterville & District held their annual Duck Derby in August and have provided two generous donations to the WDMH Foundation.
A $1,600 donation to the WDMH Foundation will support the WDMH Family Care Fund. Donations to the Family Care Fund will be used where a gift is needed most: To buy new medical equipment, upgrade existing equipment or meet
other urgent needs at WDMH.
And a $1,600 donation to the Expanding the Circle of Compassionate Care campaign will support the new Dundas Manor. Construction is underway and fundraising continues alongside the trucks and bulldozers.
“Thank you to everyone who bought tickets for our annual fundraiser. We couldn’t do this without you,” noted Rotary President David Baerg. “It was an easy choice to pick the WDMH Foundation, as many of us will need Dundas Manor and all of us need the hospital!”
There can be no reconciliation without truth
“All we can say is Quack! Quack!” notes Campaign Assistant Cindy Ault Peters. “We are so grateful to receive two donations from this fun event. Thank you to the Rotary members and everyone who participated!”
For more details about the WDMH Foundation, please visit www.wdmhfoundation.ca.
For more details about the Dundas Manor campaign, please visit www.dundasmanordream.ca or contact the WDMH Foundation team at 613-774-2422 ext. 6162 or 6169.
Looking good for Dundas Manor!
Usually, a trip to the barber or hair salon is a quiet affair – but not for Dwayne Holmes and Lauree Laing. They chose to get all spiffed up in front of a large crowd at The Grand Parade on September 21st! It was all part of two special fundraisers for the new Dundas Manor.
Dwayne, who has sported a beard since 1972, collected $3,430 in pledges leading up to the big shave. Dwayne surpassed his goal of $3,000.
And Lauree, who works at Dundas Manor, collected $1,230 in pledges leading up to cutting her hair more than a foot, from her waist to her chin. Lauree also surpassed her goal of $1,000.
Dwayne is one of the founders of the WDMH Foundation. He has been raising funds for WDMH for many years, and now also supports the Dundas Manor campaign. Lauree understands the need for a new home and previously raised more than $150 for the new home by selling hollyhock seeds.
“It was ‘A Hair (fund)Raising event for Dundas Manor’ and we are so grateful to Dwayne and Lauree for their creativity,” noted Campaign Assistant Cindy Ault Peters. “And they both looked great!”
Tid bit musings
by Elva Patterson Rutters, RSSW
“Cut the cheese, toot, backfire, foist, farting, break wind, passing gas or flatulence” all indicate a situation that embarrasses us but ultimately makes others chuckle! Where, what or when was the most humiliating situation that you have been in when nature took over in a not so inconspicuous manner? Was it in church, bending over to put your shoes on, during sex, funerals, doctor appointments, shopping, or in the library? You may be chuckling just reading this article! Why do we laugh so hard? You may be disgusted that such a topic is even addressed! Why?
Flatulence is very normal for EVERY human being. “Normal” means it occurs 1520 times a day due to the digestive activity in the lower intestine. It may occur more frequently due to gastro issues such as IBS, food allergies, Crohn's disease, stress, or a diet dominated with foods like beans, cabbage, peas, onions or garlic. Retention of the gas causes pain of varying levels. With infants, we bend the legs up towards the stomach to expel the gas, but with adults that is more challenging to accomplish! The pressure released expounds the sound. Most gas is relieved without a sound and usually without a smell. Painful gas means a medical intervention is needed to help.
Have you ever been "dutch ovened?" That is when someone "cuts one" under the blankets holding your head hostage to the stench. The belief is that the more familiar you are with someone, the more cavalier you are at letting one go. At the hospital/clinics where they fill your abdomen with gas for surgery, they relish the return of said gas to indicate all systems are running.
You will sometimes notice a rat-a-tat-tat, or kaboom in the aisle just beyond your visual range and a scuttle of relocation of the culprit to eliminate association. You chuckle in response to lower the self-imposed concept that elegant folks don't fart! We all do, and are chagrined when it occurs in settings we prefer that it didn't. Naturally, we all try to be discreet. Many a joke exists around that expulsion in what we think is discreet. The surprise is even bigger when your own turns out to be a "wet" one. Meanwhile, its a stinker, but be thankful our human body works!!
Priceless, not worthless
by Brandon Mayer
Is it possible to put a price on the truth? Or more importantly, should we? Last Saturday, September 28 was World News Day. Generally speaking, news is not expensive. That’s one of the things that makes the news industry so great – it’s accessible to all. In publications such as the Times, news is distributed for free, funded by local advertising dollars. Even publications that charge readers, such as the Ottawa Citizen, are generally affordable for almost anyone. The news business can certainly be profitable in the case of some larger news agencies, but quality news focuses on integrity and truth, rather than on profits and wealth.
Why then, is there a distinctive lack of truth in some “news” that is shared, particularly when it’s shared on social media? The reason is money. Truth is solid and unchangeable, and so sometimes, it’s destined to be “boring”. Fiction, on the other hand, can be as interesting and outlandish as the writer’s imagination allows. People crave this type of “hyped” content much more when they are also told it’s true. Think of how excited we get when a feature length movie begins with the words
“based on true events”. There is something exclusive and “raw” about news in the sense that it’s real, and so the prospect of combining the best of both truthful news and “hyped” stories makes scam artists see dollar signs.
How can dishonest reporting translate into money? Many internet users are undoubtedly familiar with so-called “clickbait”, which uses misleading headlines or photos to encourage people to click on an article only to be inundated with ads or pop-ups. But we can’t only blame the internet. Tabloid magazines and papers have been around probably as long as news publications themselves. That said, journalistic integrity has never been a more complex topic than it is today.
It may be wrong to lay partial blame on one specific person, but I dare to be so bold: Donald Trump has caused a lot of undue mistrust in trustworthy news sources. In the days of Trump’s 2016 campaign for the US presidency, he was obsessed with labelling any negative coverage of himself as “fake news”. In much the same way as Trump shows immaturity by openly mocking and insulting people, and by being brazenly self-absorbed, he also has shown himself incapable of understanding the difference between “fake news” and “I
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Mr McKee is correct to state that Trump is racist (“Time to speak out”, Aug 15), but Trump is much worse than simply being racist he is a fascist. Fascism is the murderous ideology of Mussolini and Hitler; it was responsible for World War II and the Holocaust. Fascism cannot be allowed to become normalized as right-wing politics.
If there were any doubts left, Trump dispelled them in his debate with Vice President Harris and in the days that followed. Repeating baseless claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield eating pets during the debate, he then went even further saying “Illegal Haitian migrants have descended upon a town of 58,000 people, destroying their way of life” and promising that “the largest deportation in the history of our country” would “start with Springfield”. Earlier this year when talking about immigrants he said, “they’re not humans, they’re not humans, they’re animals”.
Thanks to Trump’s ex-
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don’t like it”. His followers (and there are far too many of them) eat this up.
We have come to progressively worsening points of division over the years when it comes to trusting news. Many Canadian conservative voters take everything published by the CBC as false. Most American democratic voters won’t trust Fox News. There is some reason for this skepticism on both sides. The CBC is undoubtedly liberal leaning, and Fox News is certainly the opposite. A critical difference exists, however, between biased reporting and “fake news”. We are all human, including those of us who have the privilege of working in the news industry. We all have our own opinions, and topics that facilitate dialogue and critical thought may not always be “neutral”, but they are far from “fake” as Trump would have us believe. Opinion must simply always be labelled as such. Fox News certainly has a reputation for being unreliable or biased, but truly “fake news” is better described as the nonsense spewed by publications such as Druthers. Those who wish to help truth prevail should immediately recycle such trash. With great power comes great responsibility. Reliable news agencies welcome feedback and scrutiny. I frequently
tremely inflammatory rhetoric there were at least 30 bomb threats to schools and other public buildings in Springfield within a few days of the debate with VP Harris. Throughout his political life, Trump has attracted the support of people such as David Duke, the former leader of the Ku Klux Klan, as well as many neo-Nazi groups. Umberto Eco (1932-2016), the Italian author and philosopher, published an essay titled “Eternal Fascism: Fourteen Ways of Looking at a Blackshirt” in 1995 where he outlined the core characteristics of fascist movements, although only one needs be present to allow fascism to coagulate around it. Among them are a cult of tradition, disagreement being viewed as treason, fear of differences, appeal to a frustrated middle class, obsession with a plot, enemies being cast as being both too strong and too weak at the same time, contempt for the weak, and machismo.
Understanding history is essential for seeing parallels with events today and in avoid-
proofread and format opinion articles that I don’t agree with in order to get them ready for publication. We don’t censor at the Times. The only op-eds we refuse to print are those that are overtly insulting or inappropriate, or those that make unprovable accusations or provably false claims. Note that news agencies, in the interest of facilitating important conversations, will always publish opinion pieces that are properly labelled as such. An opinion that does not correlate with our own is not “fake news”.
Have you ever noticed how, following a newsworthy occurrence, several news organizations will present almost the exact same details? This is because news is about integrity, and sometimes there are only a limited number of facts available, with no room for embellishment or speculation when it comes to the truth.
The reality is that most of us in the news business –whether it be large agencies or small publications – adhere to the principles of journalistic integrity. You can stop being paranoid that you are reading “fake news” in the Globe and Mail or hearing “fake news” in a CTV broadcast. I’m proud to say that the Times adheres to the same standards. Above all, we must stick to the rule that the truth is not a commodity to be
bought or sold. The truth – the real, unadulterated truth – is priceless, not worthless. To a scammer looking to make a quick buck, “priceless” means “worthless”. To those of us who wish to do a service by keeping our neighbours informed, “priceless” means “not to be trifled with”.
In the wake of this year’s World News Day, we at the Times encourage you to think critically and to engage in meaningful dialogue about the news you consume. No reputable news agency would ever ask you to do otherwise. Long live truth.
ing repeating the same mistakes. From leading a failed coup to demonizing minority groups to declaring he would be a dictator on day one, Trump is aping the actions of previous fascist leaders. He is such a danger to democracy that even former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney has publicly denounced him.
Our fathers and grandfathers fought heroically to stem the tide of fascism sweeping across Europe with many making the ultimate sacrifice. We cannot let this sacrifice be in vain by allowing Trump and his cheerleaders and sycophants here in Canada to resurrect the horrors of fascism.
Steve Gabell
Rockets home opener postponed
by Murray Link
The month of September has brought some of best weather of the year with sunny and 30 degree days, which makes for some challenges when it comes to making ice in “old barns” like the Chesterville arena. The North Dundas Senior Rockets season opener that was scheduled for Sept 28 vs the Puagan Falls Rapids has been to be postponed due to poor ice conditions in the home team’s rink. While area farmers were harvesting corn silage and soybeans during the latest stretch of warm weather, township employees were turning on the compressors in the arena in expectation of having 2 inches of ice within the week. “The problem wasn’t the ice” stated Todd “Boner” El-
Mayer
liot, chief ice maker for the North Dundas Township. “The main issue was the humidity, which led the wooden beams in the rink to sweat and leave a brown checkerboard stain on the ice surface”. With the forecast looking more seasonable over the next week, the ice surface will be ready to go for the “New” Rockets season opener date of Oct 5 vs the Glengarry Pipers, puck drop at 2:00. When asked about the game being postponed, Rockets owner Rob “Razor” Raistrick replied “I’ve heard from a lot of upset people who just want to watch their beloved Senior Rockets play, but this is a great scenario, the anticipation can build over the next week and the Oct 5 game is going to be outstanding.”
Both the Pipers and Rockets are both 1-0 in the season as each team won their first games of the year. For those who have yet to take in an EOSHL (Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League) game, this is your chance to watch some of the best hockey played by former pros in your own back yard. In addition to great hockey, fans can also enjoy a cold beverage in gossip corner and enter to shoot in the Home Hardware $25,000 shootout. The question is North Dundas: ARE YOU GOING TO THE GAME?! ... see you on Saturday! Go Rockets Go!
UCDSB C4K Golf Tournament sets record
The 17th annual Champions for Kids Foundation (C4K) Golf Tournament, held at the Brockville Country Club this summer, set a new fundraising record.
The annual event drew 120 golfers, more than 50 sponsors and raised $60,898, all in support of Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) students and their families.
“We are incredibly grateful to the golfers, sponsors, and community members who helped us achieve this milestone,” says Laura Oliver, current foundation President. The record-breaking amount raised will make a huge difference in the lives of students across the UCDSB, allowing them to participate in activities and experiences that will enrich their education and personal growth.”
The funds will help ensure that UCDSB students have access to sports and other extra-curricular opportunities, while also providing financial support for essential needs when families require assistance.
Since its founding in 2008, C4K has been dedicated to leveling the playing field for all students.
The continued success of the C4K golf tournament demonstrates the strong support for helping students thrive within the UCDSB community.
This year, C4K has raised approximately $150,500 from various fundraising activities, with the charity's cumulative fundraising total now reaching an impressive $2,601,684. So far in 2024, the foundation has disbursed more than $133,000.
The 18th Annual C4K golf tournament will be held on Friday, July 4, 2025 at the Smiths Falls Golf and Country Club.
OPP focus on preventing railway deaths
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachments across eastern Ontario joined forces with agencies across Canada and North America on Tuesday, September 24 for "Operation Clear Track" – the continent's single largest rail-safety law-enforcement initiative.
Coordinated by Amtrak, Operation Lifesaver Inc. and Operation Lifesaver Canada, Operation Clear Track aims to reduce railway crossing and trespassing incidents in Canada and the U.S. – incidents which seriously injure or kill more than 2,100 people each year. The event is held annually during Rail Safety Week (September 23-29, 2024).
"Ignoring railway signs and signals, being distracted at rail stations or crossings, or using tracks as a shortcut or a recreational path can lead to track tragedies that are entirely preventable," said Chris Day, Interim National Director, Operation Lifesaver Canada. "Operation Clear Track's goal is to encourage people to avoid risky behaviours around tracks and trains so they stay safe and stay alive."
More than 600 locations across Canada are participating in Operation Clear Track this year. Each will promote rail safety by having conversations and sharing tips with drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. They will share railsafety resources and content, and – as ever – they will enforce rail crossing and trespassing laws.
Chris adds: "Track tragedies affect not only the in-
Close to the edge
by David Shanahan
Canada is getting very close to the edge. Anyway following the events around Parliament Hill this week must worry about where this country is going. More and more, it seems to be following the very sad and dangerous example of other nations around the world where political activism and protest is turning increasingly aggressive and violent. The kind of intimidation and racist comments being yelled at Members of Parliament, Hill staff, security personnel and even members of the public visiting the seat of government is completely unacceptable (to use a tired cliche), and out of keeping with what has traditionally been understood as the Canadian character.
black security guard at one of these centres is only too typical of the kind of rhetoric of hate being spewed in other countries: “You’re not welcome here. You’re a different breed!” But it is too easy to simply dismiss this as ignorant and unthinking racism. There is much more behind this unhealthy trend than that, though there is a strong element of the ignorant and uninformed about it.
the obscene wealth of their owners, all joined with the massive disruption of globalisation, all combined to create an atmosphere of grievance, anger, and genuine suffering for many millions of people. Older class divisions evolved into conflict based on elites versus the masses, actually, a return to socio-political separations seen in previous eras and societies.
activities outside Parliament last week, the behaviour inside the House was even more worrying. The Conservatives under Poilievre seem to be taking a lesson from the Republicans in that they’re indulging in populist rhetoric, nasty personal attacks on all opposition party leaders, and appealing to the very people who are attacking people on the Hill.
dividual, but their loved ones and entire communities. Railroaders and first responders, too. Rail safety is a shared responsibility. We all have a role to play."
For more information about Operation Clear Track, Rail Safety Week and other rail-safety initiatives and tips, please visit: operationlifesaver. ca
We have, unfortunately, become accustomed to that kind of behaviour in the United States since the rise of Trump, extreme social media posts, conspiracy theories, and antiimmigration protests. But that behaviour is spreading around the world, with similar deeply concerning activities taking place in European countries in particular. My own homeland, once known as “Ireland of the Welcomes’, and a nation that understands more than most what emigration means, has seen awful examples of mobs attacking and destroying buildings set aside for use by immigrants.
The comment by one woman verbally abusing a
The fact is that this phenomenon is not new, it has been a constant feature of our history, coming to the surface at times of social and political uncertainty and insecurity. The relative peace of the years before the end of the Cold War is the exception, not the rule. The West, as it was known, was in a period of near-complacency, comfortable in its prosperity and strength, with a clear “enemy” in the East against which unity and a shared identity was essential and easy to understand.
But things get very unstable when empires fall apart, and both the Soviet Union and the West as a block fell apart after 1989, when that common enemy disappeared, temporarily, and internal divisions re-emerged within countries and between former allies. Ironically, peace and prosperity has led to a sense of social disintegration, as the infamous 1% grew wealthy at the expense of everyone else. Oligarchs in the former Soviet Union, newlyminted billionaires in the U.S. and Europe, the rising influence of social media companies and
So, the current rise in angry and even violent clashes comes, not just from the extremism encouraged by platforms on-line, where people feel free to be more nasty, racist, and negative than they might be in real life.
But the example of Trump and his MAGA gang have made it acceptable to carry that over into the real world. What has to be remembered is that there are genuine grievances behind much of what has brought all this about. People do feel threatened, poorer than they were, deprived of opportunities they felt they had a right to expect. As long as those inequalities continue, and continue to grow, there will be a strong foundation for this activity. But another danger exists and has already been demonstrated in the States, where the Republican Party has really sold its soul for power and popular support. Knowing the character of Trump and his ilk, they willingly killed their ethics, threw away their integrity and history, and compromised everything they once stood for.
Can it happen here? Most definitely, and it may well have already started. Aside from the
Will they continue down this road of copying the worst traits of the MAGA movement? Will traditional Conservatives stand by them if they do, as Republicans have in the States? Canada is close to the edge, and if we continue in that direction, we’ll go over.
Like it or not, we have to understand that this is how things started in Germany in the 1930's, or Italy in the 1920's, or Russia after 1917. Bullies on the streets, personal attacks on political opponents that are designed to create anger and hatred, political leaders encouraging, openly and without shame, those who are preaching violence and hatred and attacking the rule of law: we’re starting to see these things more and more in Canada. We can’t let party loyalty get in the way of national security. Look at the U.S., the collapse of that great experiment in Democracy. They are closer to that edge than we are, but where do we go from here?
The many facets of fire prevention
by Brandon Mayer
National Fire Prevention Week is fast approaching! The week runs from October 6 – 12, and promises to help make homes safer both locally and beyond. Here in North Dundas, Fire Prevention is taken very seriously and is approached from many different angles.
Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when we think “fire prevention” is smoke alarms. Smoke alarms are required by law in all residences – at least one on every level, and one outside of every sleeping area (such as a bedroom hallway). For added protection, it is recommended to install smoke alarms inside every bedroom. Smoke alarms have a 10 year lifespan. The cost of replacing these invaluable devices once every 10 years is nothing compared to the peace of mind they provide. Smoke alarms literally save lives! Last weekend, September 28 marked Test Your Smoke Alarm Day across the province, with local firefighters available to come to residents’ homes and offer assistance upon request. Visits were available to be scheduled leading up to September 28 as well. Times staff member Nanda Wubs Huizenga was eager to sign up, and received her visit on September 25.
South Nation Conservation (SNC) is encouraging property owners to begin planning their tree planting projects for Spring 2025 this Fall 2024!
SNC has started booking free site visits and accepting orders for locally sourced native trees and shrubs offered at reduced rates through a variety of funding programs.
Residents interested in small planting projects can order a minimum of 100 tree seedlings directly from SNC.
The Conservation Authority maintains an online species list of in-stock trees; however, some species are limited and tend to sell out every year. The price per seedling can be as low as $0.95, making this an excellent opportunity to secure native trees for planting projects.
Property owners can benefit from the considerable cost savings offered by SNC's Tree Planting Programs, with fund-
ing from the Government of Canada and Forests Ontario’s 50 Million Tree Program.
For larger planting projects with at least 1,000 trees, SNC offers full-service planting and can source and deliver seedlings, complete site preparation, and plant trees for $1.08 to $1.62 per seedling, depending on the species. For replanting efforts related to severe storm recovery, fees can be as low as $0.21 per seedling. This makes it more affordable for property owners to reforest their land and contribute to environmentalconservation efforts.
SNC also offers additional subsidies for 1 acre tree plantings along farm fields and watercourses to help reduce erosion, protect water quality, and increase forest cover.
Over-the-counter orders of 100 trees or more can be ordered directly from SNC’s website for pick up in Spring
2025, however, all other planting projects require free site visits by SNC staff this fall to collect soil samples, prepare tree planting plans, and source suitable trees.
“After scheduling site visits with residents, we’re able to suggest tree species and planting options for residents to consider,” explains Caroline Goulet, SNC Forester. Adding “Certain tree species sell out every year, so we want to encourage residents to contact us early to secure their preferred trees for next spring!” Approximately 64,000 tree seedlings have already been reserved for the 2025 spring tree planting season, which will add to the over 4 million trees that SNC has planted since 1990.
“SNC’s tree planting efforts have contributed to the health of the local environment and our communities and provide many benefits, from producing
THANK YOU FIRST RESPONDERS
On May 18th, all three services of First Responders came to our home in response to a 911 call concerning our Granddaughter. Since then, she has been working towards recovery. Thank you for starting her on that journey.
oxygen, storing carbon, creating wildlife habitat, preventing erosion and increasing biodiversity,” Caroline added.
The Conservation Authority also offers Free Woodlot Advisory Services with free visits, advice, maps, and grants for forest management plans. Following the May 2022 Derecho Storm, the program was expanded to include Woodlot Storm Recovery support with funding available from all levels of government to help woodlots recover from damage caused by severe weather.
For more information on SNC’s Forestry Services and available funding, please visit www.nation.on.ca/land/forestry-services/tree-plantingservices or email info@nation. on.ca or call 1-877-984-2948.
It's important to note that not all smoke alarms last 10 years. Some may expire sooner, so it’s important to check the expiration date printed directly on the alarm. For smoke alarms that require batteries, they may need to be replaced more often – often a chime will periodically sound when a replacement is required. Get in the important habit of testing your smoke alarms once per month – it takes just a few seconds to press the test button!
Our local North Dundas firefighters deal with far more than just fires. They attend car accident scenes and other rescues as well, and are often the first on scene. One non-fire emergency that the fire department may be called out for is the sounding of a carbon monoxide alarm in a home or business. Carbon monoxide is an odourless and colourless poison that is the byproduct of combustion. It can make its way into homes that burn fossil fuels or wood for climate heating or water heating, and can also find its way into the inhabited part of the home via an attached garage if a vehicle is inadvertently left running inside. Smoke alarms are often 2 in 1 and include CO detecting capabilities as well, but if not, it’s important to install separate CO alarms in your home. Firefighters responding to a call can test CO levels in your home, but only if you are alerted to the problem before it’s too late! Remember, CO is a colourless and odourless poison that can cause death within minutes!
Yet another task of the North Dundas Fire Prevention department is to efficiently pass on recall information that may be applicable to preventing fires. For example, these recalls may be regarding electrical appliances that have been reportedly catching fire, or products advertised as flame resistant that are found to be defective and flammable. You can do your part by keeping yourself informed by checking for updates on the local fire service’s social media account, or on the Government of Canada website at https:// recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en
Of course, even with the best prevention measures possible, tragedies can still occur. That’s why North Dundas is privileged to have a dedicated “After the Fire” document, which contains 25 pages of guidance for residents who have just been victimized by fire. This just goes to show that our amazing local fire department truly does not quit – they have our backs and will always see their job through, even going above and beyond.
This Fire Prevention Week in North Dundas, take the time to do your part. Plan and review fire procedures with your family, and make a schedule for testing your smoke alarms monthly. And if you get a chance, thank a firefighter for all the hard work they do to keep the community safe.
(l-r) Firefighter Cory Houle, Fire Prevention Chair Ryan Bissonnette, and Winchester Deputy Fire Chief Terry Wagner visit Nanda’s home on September 25.
Ain’t nothing like the real thing
by David Shanahan
A few weeks ago, a regular reader of the Times wrote to us to question an article we had recently published. His concern was that the article may have been the result of Artificial Intelligence [AI]. There was a factual error in the piece, and aspects of the style seemed to indicate an outside influence. He had used an app designed to identify AI-generated text, which appeared to confirm his suspicions.
As it happened, the author of the article in question was known to members of the Times staff, and we could quickly confirm that he was the genuine source of the piece. All was well. But it showed very clearly the problems that face editors and readers trying to discern the real from the artificial. And, as developments with AI programs continue to produce more effective fakes, whether in text, audio, pictures or videos, it may well become impossible to know true from false.
To add to the confusion, the very apps used by our reader to try and identify AI products are themselves AI programs.
Separating truth from falsehood has never been more difficult, but it didn’t begin with recent AI developments. Those have simply fed into a growing atmosphere of distrust with all claims of authority and credibility. Social media has provided a source of conspiracy theories, added a sense of weight and believability to the most outlandish ideas, and undermined peoples’ trust in anything that contradicts their own opinions. In the last years, we’ve seen this phenomenon extend into mainstream media outlets, as they have become polarised, identified with one political point of view and openly taking one side or another.
Even before that, over time, there has been a concerted attack on the idea that truth is even a thing that can be known. Relativism gained acceptance as a valid policy: what is true for you is not necessarily true for me. Do your own
Keep on Reaching
by Brandon Mayer
An area high school is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the story of how one aspect of the reunion celebration came to be organized is anything but ordinary.
Tagwi Secondary School - located between Avonmore and Monkland - officially opened in 1974. It has turned out countless graduates since then, including many that now
thing, it’s just as valid as anyone else’s. People have become confused between what is objectively true, and what is personal preference or opinion. This now has led to the idea that only what I prefer to believe is actually true, and what someone else believes is false. It is a short step from that to believing that “what I believe is good and therefore what they believe is not”. This is, in fact, wrong and dangerous.
Add to all of that confusion the ability to create artificially a photograph or video or audio file that appears to confirm all of your assumptions about the “other”, and any hope of compromise, discussion, sharing of ideas, becomes more and more impossible. Forget about virtual reality, AI goes so much further by creating a “reality” that is impossible to confirm or refute. And it is very obvious already at this stage of AI development that individuals, political parties, anyone with an agenda, are quite willing to spread fake news, images, or “facts” in order to discredit an opponent, create anger and ha-
tred against another, or to destroy peoples standing, credibility and authority. The really worrying thing about all this is the willingness to lie and deceive in order to achieve their aims. That this is true of traditional political parties or otherwise responsible entities is what is particularly dangerous to the health of society in general.
But the genie is out of the bottle now, and there’s no way of going back to a simpler era when you could believe the evidence of your eyes and ears. For those who base their entire belief system on only what their senses tell them, this is a major problem. If you believe that only what you can experience with your physical senses is what is real, what really exists, that there is nothing beyond that, then AI may remove any hope you have of ever knowing what is real or not.
Where do we go from here? Do we continue to wander down the rabbit hole, or is there a way we can control how AI is used? And who has the responsibility to impose
that control, to be the gatekeeper of the true and reliable? But here we come to yet another contemporary dilemma.
Technology, and those who control it, have become more influential than those we depend upon to protect society from these kinds of issues. The general failure of national governments to influence the content on Tik Tok, Facebook, X, or Instagram, was just the beginning of trouble. The role of Elon Musk in actually encouraging negative content on X, including hate speech, racist content, or even personally reposting disinformation, may be a sign of things to come. Social media platforms have claimed to be neutral providers of space, not responsible for
actual content, but that has changed with Musk. Now they are openly allowing, even creating, misinformation, disinformation, and destructive ideas.
The government in Brazil have had a limited success in forcing Musk and X to be more answerable for their influence in that country, but it is only a matter of time before content creators can ignore laws, regulations, government directives, and follow the money. But when it’s not just about the money, when it becomes political and social power and influence, then prospects for responsible and transparent use of the technology we’ve developed are really grim. Where do we go from here? Who knows?
James McCullough Owner/Operator since
call North Dundas home. The school's 50 year anniversary was being anticipated as far back as 2020, but one of the anticipated exhibits was spearheaded not by school officials, but by a former student.
Bart Bilmer graduated from Tagwi in the 1980s. Perhaps the most memorable aspect of his time at the school was his participation in a club called "Reach For The Top". The Reach club participated
in competitive trivia with other area schools. Bart was reminded of his time spent in the Reach club in October of 2020, when a friend from high school came across a Facebook video of one of Bart's Reach games from the early 1980s - almost 40 years prior!
"After watching it, I thought it would be great to get together with these teammates for a coffee or dinner and catch up," said Bart. "Then I thought it would be nice to do this with all my former teammates!"
Considering that Tagwi won a national Reach championship in 1989, Bart decided that it would be worth it to try and get multiple generations of former Tagwi Reach teammates together to catch up.
"I had saved a lot of memorabilia, I had the names of the championship team members, and between my brother and I, we had covered 7 of the 40 years the school had teams," Bart added.
Tagwi SS faculty granted Bart permission to set up a Facebook page to try and get as many former Reach players as possible together for a reunion. This Facebook page has been running since late 2020, and its member base has grown steadily over the years. While many former
players were catching up on social media - and some from different generations getting to know each other for the first time - Bart was busy planning a Reach reunion. He wanted as many videos of former matches as possible. This proved challenging since previous CBC footage had long since been erased, so Bart had to think outside the box, seeking private videos from Tagwi, YouTube, and members of the public (whom he reached out to via newspaper ads).
Through his diligent work, Bart found 3 of the 5 members from Tagwi's national championship team, and was able to have a long chat and ongoing correspondence with one of them. He learned through Internet research that the team never got to take home the Reach For The Top trophy for the year in which they won due to a "legal dispute".
Bart was able to get in touch with most of his own former teammates, but was saddened to learn that one of them had passed away in 2012. Then, life dealt a devastating blow: another teammate passed away after the reunion planning had already started, and this one was Bart's closest friend throughout his time at school. Bart was demotivated,
but he soldiered on.
Finally, Tagwi officials decided to organize a full scale reunion in celebration of 50 years of the school, and the Reach reunion was rolled into the larger event.
Planning has continued for Bart while he attempts to make the Reach part of the reunion as special as possible. He recently discovered that teams in the late 1980s and early 1990s made it to the provincial championships. There are also 3 videos of the 1989 national championships which will be played at the reunion.
"Contacting the Reach For The Top organization for videos led me to the national quizmaster, who is going to come to the reunion with the official RFTT set and host an alumni game," Bart explained. "Part of the trophy that the championship team never got
to bring back to Tagwi will be coming too!"
Bart notes that Tagwi staff have been very helpful in providing any information they can to help in his research and planning. "With all the info and memorabilia I've found, I've started compiling and making exhibits", he added. One helpful source was his former coach's spouse, who provided not only helpful information, but also a "banker's box full of memorabilia".
The Tagwi SS 50th anniversary reunion will take place on October 26. A wine and cheese social will take place at the school from 1-4 p.m., followed by dinner and a dance from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. at The Metcalfe Centre in Maxville. Tickets are on sale until October 15 and can be purchased at tagwi50.eventbrite.com
The “banker’s box full of memorabilia” which Bart received from his former coach’s spouse.
WDMH welcomes new dermatologist to Winchester
Welcome to Dr. Gabrielle Veillet-Lemay who has joined the Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) team to lead a new monthly Dermatology Clinic beginning in October. Services will be available in English and French.
Dr. Veillet-Lemay credits her partner, Dr. Christopher Mykytyshyn, with introducing her to Winchester. Dr. Mykytyshyn is a family physician at WDMH.
“I grew up in Deep River and I love the idea of working in a small town,” says Dr. Veillet-Lemay. “Chris always speaks highly of Winchester and the friendly staff and patients at WDMH. When an opportunity became available for a dermatologist to join the team, he suggested I reach out. I’m so glad I did!”
In the Dermatology Clinic, Dr. Veillet-Lemay will care for patients with concerns such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, skin cancer and other skin conditions. A physician referral is required to make an appointment.
Dr. Veillet-Lemay says she chose to specialize in Dermatology for a number of reasons: “I’ve always admired the opportunity dermatologists have to make a positive impact on a patient’s quality of life. Common conditions that we treat such as eczema, psoriasis or acne can have terrible consequences on a person’s function and self-esteem. It is a joy to see patients living happier lives when they are on the right treatment.”
Dr. Veillet-Lemay completed her medical degree and her Dermatology residency at the University of Ottawa. Welcome Dr. Veillet-Lemay!
When push comes to shove in healthcare
Many factors determine who gets what care when fighting illness. It makes a difference where you live, what kind of insurance you have, and what health problem you face. But the bottom line is that there are only so many healthcare dollars to spend, and people are making decisions on our behalf about where the money goes. It’s time to ask if we have the balance right.
Trade-offs are inevitable. Do we place a priority on reducing wait times for essential surgical treatments? Do we ensure everyone has access to a family doctor? Do we ramp up more support for drug use rehabilitation? These are tough questions with no easy answers.
But when push comes to shove for limited resources, there should be urgency in putting an end to wasted money. We know good people are dying from drug problems, and they need care. But there are extremely nefarious people profiting from pushing illegal drugs, and it’s these criminals who have us spending tens of millions on safe-use and treatment centres.
It’s another problem that otherwise good people make terrible, irresponsible decisions to misuse medications or buy drugs on the street. Let’s add in the doctors who readily prescribe powerful, addictive painkillers to patients without a thought for how to get them off the drugs or manage longer term use for chronic conditions.
There has been enough experimentation in fighting illegal drug use and the evidence is piling up that current approaches are not working. There does come a time when millions of hard-working taxpayers have to say, “Enough is enough.” Law enforcement needs to continue to go after the criminals and put them away. And we must ask ourselves what’s the acceptable allocation to money to keep saving irresponsible people, often time and time again, from their follies. What are the trade-offs we are willing to make?
In assessments of the “war on drugs”, it’s common to find calls to abandon punitive policies and adopt approaches grounded on harm reduction and human rights. But when efforts to uphold the highest standards of human decency are not working, we need to regroup.
Particularly for those who have seen loved ones waiting for delayed cancer operations and other procedures, watching tens of millions spent on substance abuse centres is a bitter reality. It’s tragic for people who develop a cancer through no fault of their own and then need to wait for treatment. It’s a measure of society’s priorities when drug users can walk freely into treatment while cancer patients and their families have no option but to queue for surgical operations, chemotherapy, and other needed treatments.
What do we do about the tragic overdoses of teenagers making bad decisions in using dangerous drugs? What about those falling into circumstances where addiction to illegal drugs leads to other crimes?
We repeat, there are no easy answers. But we do need to observe where the costs of societal problems are spiralling out of control and make changes to how we spend our money. Putting the price of cancer care alongside that of illicit drug programs might be one way to sharpen the issues.
What do you think about this matter? Should we be good Samaritans at all costs, or should we lean into tougher punishments? Should we pay for more drug treatment? Or should we advance funding for cancer care? In your opinion, what is the right way to frame a discussion on the choices we must make? We’d like to hear from you, and we’ll publish your views in a future column.
Send your thoughts to contact-us@docgiff.com. 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.
Pre-construction begins for Kemptville CT Scanner
Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is delighted to announce that construction is underway for their new CT Scanner addition. Pre-construction work started on Monday, September 23, with the removal of the parking island and cement curbs around the new CT Modular Cassette space. The prefabricated addition will be located at the back of the hospital just around the corner from the Emergency Room (ER).
This work is being done in preparation of the CT modular cassette unit, which is expected to arrive before Christmas 2024. The 1,350 square-foot addition will house a state-of-the-art CT Scanner from GE HealthCare and tie into KDH’s Diagnostic Imaging (DI) Department, making it seamless for patients.
“All of us at KDH are very excited to see progress happening with the CT Scanner,” said the hospital’s CEO, Frank J. Vassallo. “We are so grateful to our generous and caring community for supporting the Crossroads Campaign, and our excellent Foundation for getting us to this point. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this critical project over the years because it’s going to benefit countless people.”
Construction contractor delays have pushed the anticipated opening date by a few weeks, to early 2025, but KDH is working with the contractor to see how much time can be made up.
A small portion of the main KDH parking lot, closest to the ER, will be fenced off to accommodate construction. A few parking spaces will be impacted over the coming months, but additional parking is available behind the KDH Health Centre across from the ER, as well as in the upper parking level.
Having a CT Scanner at KDH will improve access to medical care for ER patients and inpatients who need CT, free up local ambulances by decreasing the number of patients being transferred to other facilities, and help reduce CT wait times for the region as a whole.
You can support the Crossroads Campaign by visiting: https://www.kdhfoundation.ca.
Fundamentals: It is written...
by David Shanahan
A pivotal event in the history of both Jews and Christians (and, I think, the whole world) came thousands of years ago, when Abraham was told to sacrifice his son, Isaac. The incident is referred to as God testing Abraham, but when God “tests” people, he is not trying to find out something about them. He already knows everything there is to know. But testing comes so that we can learn something about ourselves, something we would otherwise be ignorant of. For Abraham, it was the fact that his whole focus in life had become centred on the son God had given him when it was impossible for him and Sarah to even have a child. There was a promise attached to this gift: that through him, God would make Abraham into a great nation. Now it seemed that everything that had been promised would be taken away if Abraham sacrificed his son.
It seemed that God was really emphasising the coming loss when he instructed the old man. “Take your son, your only son, whom you love – Isaac – and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” [Genesis 22.2] Imagine the scene as Abraham takes his son to the mountain in the region of Moriah. What was he thinking, and what did he feel? “On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance... Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” [v. 4-8]
Of course, God did not allow the sacrifice, supplying an animal in Isaac’s place. “So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide”. [v. 14] What had this meant to Abraham? We are told in the Letter to the Hebrews that Abraham had come to the conclusion that God could not break his promise, and would therefore raise Isaac from the dead. He trusted God that much. This was a moment in his life he would never forget, and he would never be the same man again. He knew something about himself now, something that a later friend of God would express like this: “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him”. [Job 13.15].
There is so much in this story for us as well. Not just the spiritual lessons, and the insight into faith and trust. The journey to the region of Moriah took place about 2,000 B.C. In the centuries after, Moriah itself would become the location for the Temple that Solomon built, where the glory of God rested in the Holy of Holies. But we are told that Abraham was sent, not to Moriah, but to the area around Moriah, to a specifi c place God showed him. There is a hill near Moriah where, two thousand years after Abraham, another Father laid wood for the sacrifice on his Son’s shoulders, his one and only Son, whom he loved. He went up the hill carrying the wood and was then bound for sacrifice. But this time there was no last-minute substitution. He was the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world [John 1.29], and on that hill, the Lord did indeed provide.
No-one can claim that this was deliberately done to make it look like fulfilled prophesy. But two thousand years before Calvary, God wrote in the life of Abraham and the life of Isaac a promise, a foretelling of what he had already planned to do. Even the details are fascinating. Isaac is referred to in Genesis as Abraham’s “one and only son”; but Abraham had
another son, Ishmael. But Isaac was the son of the promise, the one through whom the blessing would come, the one who was a gift to Abraham and Sarah. Ishmael had been their attempt to bring about the promise on their own. Isaac was the “one and only son whom you love” in that way. And so we read that “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. [John 3.16]
Abraham went through the trial of understanding God’s will for him, and finally decided that God would raise Isaac from the dead. And, in a way, he was indeed restored from death to his father. We are also told that this took place “on the third day” [Genesis 22.4]. The Bible is “God-breathed”, as Paul told Timothy [2 Timothy 3.16] and a thread runs through it from beginning to end. It is the promise God made to Adam and Eve: that the Fall was not the end, that there would be someone sent to restore what had been lost then. More than that, that something greater would be given in its place, something not even they had known. Like Abraham, we can easily lose sight of that promise, or get caught up in the secondary things, the unimportant things, that take the focus of our trust and hope away from its proper place. What we learn today from the events of almost 4,000 years ago is this: God keeps his promises. His Word can be trusted.
Canadians and the Russian Civil War, 1919
Canadian chaplains Harold McClausland and Jacques Oliviere, joined by other Canadian officers, at the dedication of the Canadian Memorial, Marine Cemetery, Vladivostok, Russia, 1 June, 1919. Photo Credit: Stephenson Family Collection, Burlington, Ontario
by David Shanahan
There was a littleknown role played by Canada in Russia 105 years ago that has become less than a footnote in Canadian history. Towards the end of 1918, the First World War was coming to a brutal and bloody end. In March, the new Bolshevik regime in Russia had taken their country out of the war against Germany and Austria-Hungary, and a civil war began between the Red Russians (Bolsheviks) and the White Russians, supporters of the Czar. The Allied governments supported the Whites in order to bring Russia back into the war, although this support did not extend to King George V allowing his cousin, Czar Nicholas, and his family safe sanctuary in Britain.
Canadian Prime Minister, Robert Borden, pledged to send a contingent of Canadian troops to support the Whites and an Order in Council was passed in August, 1918 to that effect. It is believed that his motives were less to aid the Whites than to increase Canada’s role within the British Empire with a view to having a larger role in the post-war world. However, an attempt to raise a volunteer force was unsuccessful, and it was not until October that a contingent composed of conscripts and other soldiers was gathered and sent to Victoria, on route to Siberia. The Canadian Expeditionary Force (Siberia) (CEFS) consisted of 4,209 men, and one woman, a Red Cross nurse, of whom fully one-third were conscripts.
The soldiers involved were not happy to be tra-
in chains, and not allowed showers or a change of clothes. Charges against the men were dropped because of concerns that their continued enlistment after the Armistice was illegal under the terms of the Military Service Act for a mission tangentially connected to the "defence of the realm".
versing Canada from one war zone to another, particularly after the Armistice of November, 1918 ended the war in Europe. To make matters worse, their train carried the Spanish Influenza pandemic across Canada, as well as affecting many of the soldiers on board. Morale was low and the conscripts believed their continued use after the Armistice was illegal. Nor were they alone in this belief. Labour unions, newspapers, the United Farmers of Ontario, and, most significantly, members of Borden’s own Cabinet. The Acting Prime Minister, as Borden headed for the peace talks in France, wrote to him with a warning:
“All our colleagues are of opinion that public opinion here will not sustain us in continuing to send troops, many of whom are draftees under the Military Service Act and Order in Council, now that the war is ended. We are all of opinion that no further troops should be sent and that Canadian forces in Siberia should, as soon as situation will permit, be returned to Canada. Consider matter of serious importance.”
Borden refused to cancel the operation and the troops were scheduled to embark on December 21. But, as they marched through Victoria on their way to the ship, many of the conscripts refused to go any further. Officers fired shots in the air and ordered the obedient troops to use their belts to whip the mutineers into line. They were them marched to the ship, “escorted” by soldiers with fixed bayonets. During the five-week voyage to Siberia, these men were
By the time they reached Vladivostok, attitudes had changed in the Government of Canada, and Borden sent word that the CEFS were not to undertake active service. Instead, most of the men remained in Vladivostok with little to do but visit the town’s sights and organise sports and other entertainment suitable to soldiers far from home.
Others did venture nearer to the war zone, and experienced attacks by Red detachments. But, by May, 1919, it was recognised that the entire expedition had been a dismal failure and the CEFS was returned to Canada by the end of June. But they left behind either fourteen or nineteen men (the exact number seems unclear) who had died in Siberia or on the outward voyage. Five Canadians deserted while in Russia, and another four died on the voyage home. The Canadian command dedicated fourteen wooden crosses and a stone monument at Vladivostok's Marine Cemetery on Monastirskaia Hill, along with soldiers from British, French, Czechoslovak and Japanese detachments which had also been sent to Siberia.
During the Soviet period, this site was largely unmaintained. In 1996, a Canadian squadron of warships visited Vladivostok; during the visit, sailors from HMCS Protecteur, assisted by members of the Russian Navy, replaced headstones and generally repaired the graves of Canadians buried in a local cemetery. The entire enterprise was quietly forgotten in Canada, overshadowed by the Winnipeg General Strike of May and June, 1919, during which police fired on and killed Canadian workers. That is another story.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Winchester Open Mic Cafe, Sundays 2pm to 5pm at the Old Town Hall, 478 Main Street, Winchester. Free, accessible, everyone welcome.
Spencerville Agricultural Society planning general meetings. If you are interested in joining our committee, please email info@spencervillefair.ca to receive all of the meeting details. Oct 21, Nov 11. The Drummond Building, 22 Ryan Street, Spencerville Ontario
GARDEN PARTY MARKET
October 12, 10:00 am - 2:00
pm. Shopping local has never been easier! Hosted at 100 Club Park (Winchester Arena) 577 Main Street, around the local pool, park and baseball diamonds.
Marketing Workshop. October 23, 8:30 am - 2:00 pm
You're invited to join us for Small Business Week! The Cornwall SDG is hosting a special workshop focused on practical marketing strategies to help your business thrive. Cost: $30 (includes breakfast, lunch, refreshments, book and speakers). Cornwall Golf & Country Club
Around Town with Nanda
Have
CHURCH Directory
Solomon’ Porch Nationside Pentecostal
Box 292 Chesterville
Phone: 613-448-2272
Pastor Scott Sayers
Sunday Service: 10:30 am. at The Nelson LaPrade Centre nationsidepentecostalchurch. ca
Southgate Winchester
539 Main Street, Winchester
Phone: 613-258-6123
Sunday Service: 10:00 am.
Kids program for toddlers - Gr 6 The Pulse Youth (Gr 6 -12) biweekly on Fridays at 7pm. Play Group (babies to preschool) Wednesdays at 10am. Ladies Group bi-monthly. Contact the church office for more info. https://southgatechurch.com/
The Gathering House
2 Water St. Chesterville
Phone: 613-448-1758
Sunday Service: 10:00 am. Nursery and Sunday school available for children.
Adult Bible studies throughout the week. STEM program & Youth group Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Playgroup drop in 10:30 am on Fridays. HUB youth drop in 7 -10 pm Fridays. Cafe Mon. & Fri. 9 am - 4 pm and Wed. 12 -4 pm www.thegatheringhouse.ca
Winchester Pastoral Charge
Winchester United/Hope Springs United Church
Sunday Services
9:30 a.m. at Hope Springs
United Church
11:00 a.m. at Winchester United Church www.winchesterunited.ca
Winchester Baptist Church
486 Main St. Winchester Phone: 343-649-2204
Sunday Services: 11:00 am. (hymn sing 10:45) “Snack and chat” (lunch) after service, last Sunday each month. Join us for prayer every Tuesday evening anytime between 6:30pm and 8:00pm. https://m.facebook.com/ groups/WinchesterBaptistOnt/
Inkerman Wesleyan
11486 Queen St. Inkerman Phone: 613-989-5312
Email: antony.kiar@gmail. com
Lay Pastor: Tony Kiar
Sunday Service: 10:30 AM
ACROSS
1. Cobblers' tools
5. Unit of land
9. Paddles
13. Overshoe
14. A very prickly woody
vine
16. Calf's meat
17. Risque
18. Mud volcano
19. Sea eagle
20. Graven images
22. Space rock
24. 5280 feet
26. Satan
27. Resolution
30. Empathize
33. Until now
35. Primitive weapon
37. French for "Friend"
38. Diving apparatus
41. 56 in Roman numerals
42. Turning point
45. Umpires
48. Got uptight
51. Gallivant
52. The business of selling goods
54. Whale
55. Misgivings
59. French for "Our"
62. Concept
63. Rubber wheels
65. Unfreeze
66. Dross
67. Muse of poetry
68. Game piece
69. In this location
70. Nestling hawk
71. Cards with one symbol
DOWN
1. Dugout shelter
2. Blue dye
3. Train engine
4. Fashionable
5. Stomach muscles, for short
6. Pack to capacity
7. Angered
8. Christian holy day
9. Intersection
10. Pertaining to flight
11. Hindu princess
12. Sleigh
15. Female ruff
21. Turn on a pivot
23. Lubricates
25. Makes a mistake
27. Fella
28. Boundary
29. And more
31. Paranormal
32. Roof overhangs
34. Not your
36. Ascend
39. Wager
40. A bushy hairdo
43. Performing
44. Russian emperor
46. Deserve
47. Cheese used in lasagna
49. Wash out with a solvent
50. Craving
53. Drift
55. Plate
56. Inactive
57. Burn the surface of
58. Bristle
60. Rattling breath
61. Flock members
64. Mayday
UCDSB EQAO scores improved
The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) is excited to report it has seen a significant increase in student achievement in all areas of the EQAO provincial assessments. According to EQAO, the UCDSB was the only school board in the province to improve in every area and the only board to see a greater than 5 per cent increase in the Grade 3, 6 and 9 Math assessments.
Each year, these assessments offer insights about how Ontario students are meeting the provincial standard for achievement. The provincial standard is where students achieve a score of Level 3 (or at least 70 per cent or higher) on the assessment.
UCDSB staff have put a significant focus on EQAO and ensuring students have the tools they need to be successful. Since last year’s assessment, the UCDSB has seen a significant jump in Math scores, with increases of 7.6 per cent in Grade 3 Math, 7.7 per cent in Grade 6 Math, and 5.6 per cent in Grade 9 Math.
“These gains are a testament to the work our system and teaching staff are doing, and the hard work our students are putting in. Innovative teaching practices and a focus on fundamentals have paid off for our students. Everyone should be proud of these results. Education isn’t a sprint to the finish, it’s a life-long journey,” says Chair of the Board Jamie Schoular.
Assessment scores are also up in Reading and Writing across the board, with the most significant gain being seen in Grade 3 Writing, with a 5.3 per cent increase.
Although district-level scores are below the provincial standard, the gap is closing. “We acknowledge that we have some work to do, but the progress we’ve seen just since last school year is amazing. We are absolutely committed to continued improvements,” says Director of Education Ron Ferguson.
The UCDSB is the only school board in the province to see such global gains over the last year and it has drawn the attention of EQAO CEO Dan Koenig. On a recent visit to the school district, he congratulated staff on the results, and was interested in learning more about what the UCDSB is doing to see such success.
The UCDSB plans to build on this success by continuing with the implementation of high-impact practices through staff professional learning, the development of new resources to support teachers, the sharing of best practices across the district, and the continued expansion of the use of digital learning tools for students.
Pet of the week
Plaid Shirts and Pie: My Epic Tour of Eastern Ontario’s Fall Festivals
by Robin Kers, 2023
Fall in Eastern Ontario is like a marathon of harvest festivals, pumpkin overload, and more baked goods than one stomach should rightfully handle.
I had decided that that year, I was going to hit as many events as possible—because what else screams “autumn enthusiast” like driving from fair to fair, stuffing my face with cider doughnuts, and running from haunted mill to haunted corn maze.
The adventure started with the Spencerville Fair. Mid-September rolled around, and I pulled on my most festival-appropriate plaid shirt and headed off.
The Spencerville Fair is a big deal around here, with enough livestock to make you question why you ever thought of living in the city. I did my best to act like I knew the difference between a prize-winning cow and... well, a regular cow, while nodding sagely at the farm folk.
“Yep, that’s a fine heifer you’ve got there,” I said to a passing farmer, who immediately knew that I knew nothing about livestock and gave me the stink-eye. Right. Time to hit the food stands.
After surviving the fair, I shifted gears for some more refined fall fun: apple picking at Mountain Orchards, north of South Mountain.
I arrived, picked a few apples, and pretended I was going to make a pie, though the cashiers suspected I was just there for the cider and the excuse to jump on a hayride.
Afterward, I drove over to Cornwall for the Apples & Art Studio Tour, where I spent more time admiring art than I did pretending not to eat an entire caramel apple in one go. There are only so many apples a person can pick before giving up and heading straight for the treats, after all.
By early October, I was in full fall spirit. First up was the Iroquois Apple Harvest Festival, where I tried to maintain some self-control, but let’s be real—it was apple pie season.
I stocked up on apple fritters like I was preparing for an apocalypse where only apple-based goods would be currency. The lady selling cider took one look at my collection of apple-flavored everything and said, “You sure you’ve got enough?”
I nodded. “I’ve trained for this my whole life.”
The next evening, I headed over to Upper Canada Village for Pumpkinferno. I don’t know who carves 7,000 pumpkins or why, but I’m grateful. Walking through a sea of glowing pumpkins, I pretended it was totally normal to get this excited over squash. Every year, I told myself I wasn’t going to take a million photos. Every year, I failed. Is it weird to have a whole camera roll of jack-o-lanterns? Don’t answer. Thanksgiving weekend approached, and my plan was ambitious: Merrickville Artists’ Guild Studio Tour in the morning, Kemptville Farmers' Market in the afternoon.
My wife in tow warned me that the pumpkin spice latte I was chugging for fuel might be overkill, but what did she know? Spoiler: she was right. By noon, I had had three conversations with artists in Merrickville where I’m pretty sure I just nodded energetically and said “beautiful work” over and over. I didn’t even know if they were painters or sculptors.
We made it to the Kemptville Market, where my real goal was to find some Thanksgiving pies. I saw a vendor selling butter tarts, and well, one thing led to another, and suddenly I was buying an entire pie for “later” (a.k.a. the car ride home). My wife looked at me as I tried to balance everything, hands full of pastries and a coffee in one precarious stack.
“You really committed to the fall aesthetic,” she said.
“It’s a lifestyle,” I responded.
Mid-October hit, and the leaves were at their fiery peak. Time to ramp things up with some spooky fun. I headed to Cannamore Orchard for their corn maze, which is delightful during the day, and turns into an actual nightmare at night when they add “haunted” to the title. Naturally, I thought I was prepared. It’s just corn. How scary can it be?
Turns out, pretty terrifying when there’s a guy with a chainsaw popping out of the stalks. I may have screamed a little. Or a lot. But no one has proof, so it didn’t happen. That same week, I made the questionable decision to hit the Spencerville Haunted Mill. There’s something unsettling about historic buildings and fake blood. Halfway through, I was sure I was being followed by a ghost, which turned out to be my own shadow. Classic.
By the end of October, I thought I had done all the fall things there were to do. Then I remembered Cornwall’s Ghost Walks.
It was almost Halloween, so why not embrace my spooky side one more time? The tour guide told us tales of haunted buildings and wandering spirits. I tried to look brave, but when I felt a cold draft, I nearly jumped out of my skin. The guide assured me it was just the wind, but I was not convinced.
Finally, in early November, I wrapped up the fall festival circuit with the Merrickville Lantern Festival. It was peaceful, as everyone gathered with homemade lanterns, lighting up the darkening days of autumn. As the lanterns glowed around us, I realized something: I had successfully attended nearly every fall event in Eastern Ontario, eaten an irresponsible amount of pie, and survived multiple haunted attractions.
My wife turned to me, watching as I tried to balance a lantern, a hot chocolate, and yet another pumpkin doughnut.
“So, what’s next?” she asked.
“Winter festivals,” I said, grinning.
Because there’s no rest for the truly festive.
Penny Lewis , 1-year-old GoldenDoodle!
Moose & Millie Barkley - 2 years old Shit-poos.
Baldwin’s Birds
A period of transition
A relatively slow time for my garden birds, at this time of writing, gave me some time to replace my original two home-
built pedestal feeders in the front garden, ready for the upcoming colder and damper Autumn (Fall) and Winter weather. So
A lottery snag
far, the birds haven’t been rushing to use them, there being still plenty of natural food for them to forage for in the trees and on the ground. Our regulars are here, however, especially the ever-lively Chickadees and our Gold Finches, who favour the hanging feeders rather than my new ones. Of course, the Chipmunks and Squirrels have found them and are busy filling themselves with the “freebies” that they offer, why wouldn’t they!?
I haven’t seen any more of the “Anting” behavior witnessed previously, when watching the Cardinals, so am thinking
myself very lucky at having seen it happen at all. With the weather starting to get a bit cooler and damper, the need for this type of activity is probably not so necessary for the birds’ bodily comfort requirements, so I’ll just have to wait until next year to see if it will happen again.
Soon the sky will be filled with skeins of Canada Geese on their migratory flights, to the warmer climates offered “Down South”. There have been a few already passing this way in their well disciplined “Vee” formation flights, with the odd straggler being seen flying feverishly in pursuit, invariably in the wrong direction, trying to catch up! I know how that feels!
My pictures this week highlight the distinguishing difference between the two Nuthatches, both of which we get at our feeders. Apart from their obvious names being very descriptive, their other notable difference to look for is whether or not it has an eye-bar. The Whitebreasted doesn’t have one, but the Red-breasted one does. Stay safe and well,
Cheers, John Baldwin
The Food Corner
by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville
My grandson Ayden and I are very fond of a tuna melt for lunch. We have perfected our recipe over the years and are very happy with the result. Since coping with the increasing cost of the food basket is a challenge these days, a simple and economical lunch dish is always welcome, particularly for seniors. Here is our recipe for a tasty Tuna Melt.
Tuna Melt
Ingredients
1 X 184 gram can of tuna, drained (1 can of tuna serves two people very nicely)
3 tablespoons of mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
3 tablespoons of sweet relish
Two slices of cheddar or Havarti cheese (not processed cheese, please)
2 Kaiser rolls (Grahame’s are great) sliced in half and lightly buttered
Preparation
Empty the can of tuna in a medium sized bowl
Mix in the mayo and sweet relish; add more if you wish but don’t make the mixture too wet
Spread the mixture over half the buttered Kaiser roll
Place the cheese slice over the mixture
Place the assembled buns, one at a time, in the microwave on high for a minute
Now, there are loads of options for this recipe. If you don’t have the rolls, you can make a sandwich, using a couple of slices of untoasted full-grained bread. We have popped these into one of those spiffy heated sandwich makers with great success. Obviously, if you prefer salmon, you can substitute it for the tuna. You can even use hard-boiled eggs as a substitute or add it to the recipe. If you don’t have cheese slices, you can grate a half cup of any flavourful cheese into the mixture. Ayden and I use Ma Cormier’s great home-made relishes, e.g., her corn or her zucchini relish, but you can use the standard sweet relish you can find anywhere for flavouring hotdogs. So, you can improvise and make this your very own Tuna, or Salmon, and/or Egg Salad melt.
As always, enjoy and let me know how things turned out at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.
Chesterville resident Robert Paquette bought a lottery ticket at the local MacEwen gas station two months ago, and won a massive $405,000 prize in the August 9 Lotto Max draw. A snag has unfortunately kept him from his winnings thus far – one of Robert’s immediate family members works for an Ontario Lotto and Gaming Corporation authorized retailer.
While this falls within the OLG’s definition of an “insider win”, it isn’t as big of a deal as it may sound. The win just requires a more thorough review, as well as a 30 day waiting period to ensure there are no other claims on the ticket.
One reason why this is necessary is that a lottery retail worker, when checking a winning ticket, could pretend a ticket is not a winner and then pocket it to cash later. Other safeguards are in place to prevent this, such as self-check machines for checking lottery tickets which are available in most stores, an OLG app with which lottery players can scan and check tickets, and the visual and auditory alerts that play when a retail worker checks the ticket. Caution must nevertheless prevail, and so extra care is taken for “insider wins” when the claim is more than $10,000.
Robert can expect to receive his windfall payout on October 25 if no additional claims are made on the winning ticket before then.
Photo courtesy: Facebook