ND Times Issue 20 2022 October 06

Bridge work ruffles feathers

by Brandon Mayer

Many residents of the town of Winchester – particularly those who make the daily commute into Ottawa via County Road 31 – have been frustrated lately with ongoing bridge work that is causing delays just north of the village. The work will rehabilitate a bridge on County Road 31 over the North Castor River, between Liscumb Road and Cloverdale Road.

Work on the relatively short bridge was contracted to Dalcon Constructors Ltd, and has been ongoing for several months. Social media users have raised concerns lately about the length of time the work is taking, with one user joking that it won’t be completed until 2026. Locals are divided on the issue, with many pointing out that labour shortages abound across almost all industries.

The Times reached out to officials from the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry, who were responsible for awarding the contract for the bridge work as the road is a Counties responsibility. The response suggests that there is still more waiting to do.

“The last schedule received detailed project completion in the second week of November,” said Todd Lihou of the SD&G United Counties.

“Since then, there has been a material delay preventing the project from proceeding, the impact is expected to bring the project closer to December. The contractor plans to implement strategies to increase site production (additional labour and Saturdays).”

It was also learned that the bridge work is critically important. “The existing bridge was at a crucial point

in its service life where work had to be completed before a rehabilitation was not practical,” Todd added. “The existing structure had a leaking expansion joint causing damage to the underside of the structure. Other components of the bridge required repair (deck, barrier wall and wingwall) making it a prioritized project for 2022. With the current rehabilitation, the counties expect to see 20-25 years of service life prior to more work taking place at this location.”

While there has been some speculation that the delays have been caused by a labour shortage, there is a different issue at play. “As the supply chain continues to be impacted, this project has seen its share of supply delays since construction began,” said Todd. “The most recent being anchoring rods to mount hardware to

the structure in order to lift the bridge and replace the existing bearing pads.”

Bridge work must meet certain minimum safety standards for obvious reasons, including submissions and reviews to make sure that infrastructure is safe. Fabricated material drawings are reviewed, and concrete is tested and poured under strictly controlled conditions. Since no work or vibrations can take place near newly poured concrete for at least four days after pouring, often only one concrete placement per week can be completed.

The bridge remains open to traffic but is reduced to one lane. Drivers will likely need to deal with the resulting slow downs for at least a couple months longer, though safety will always be the number one priority.

A traffic light protects the construction zone at the bridge over the North Castor River, allowing only one lane of traffic to flow at a time.

Calling all artists!

by

In recognition of the importance of the Arts, the North Dundas Times would like to begin featuring the talent of local artists in print. First, we need artists to come forward and show their talent! Each “Arts Profile” would feature an example work by a local artist, as well as a short biography of the artist.

There is no doubt that North Dundas is rich in the arts. An organization that already exists is the North Dundas Arts Council (NDAC), which was founded in 2012 by Ann Brady, Gail Storring, and Derrick Reeve. “Over the years, it has seen members come and

go, and when COVID hit, we went into hibernation,” Ann told the Times. “Now, with our Winchester Open Mic Night program up and running and doing extremely well, we are revitalizing our Board with some very dynamic and committed new members, and excited about the plans we are developing.” NDAC is also set to announce, shortly, a program showcasing local visual artists' works in select public spaces.

The support of the local community is critical in supporting the arts. “Back in around 2012-13, SD&G produced an economic development report that identified Arts and Culture as the ‘fourth pillar of economic

development’, something we hope our new Councillors will pursue after this upcoming election,” said Ann.

While North Dundas has no shortage of artists who are bold in expressing their talent, many more are bound to be keeping their skills a secret for fear of judgement. The quality of art is in the eye of the beholder, and art is meant to be shared and appreciated. There is truly no such thing as “good” or “bad” art, and sharing with other artists is important.

“It is important to connect with other artists to share our experiences of being artists and get helpful advice on a piece we are working on or to gain new

techniques and share our goals,” said area portrait artist Laura Mayer. “Having a connection with other artists gives us valuable support and encouragement.”

Artists looking to explore more of what North Dundas has to offer can visit the website of the North Dundas Arts Council at https://www.facebook.com/ NorthDundasArtsCouncil. Any artists looking to be featured in an Arts Profile in the North Dundas Times should get in touch by emailing brandon@ndtimes.ca. All types of art are welcome, and you may get to see your art in print!

TRUE STORIES –an Evening of Live Storytelling and Live Music

Looking at the scheduled events coming up, there are more entertainment options now than there were last year, and the community is living life again!

October and it is starting to get cold. What a great time to sit in a cozy theatre and listen to true stories of peoples' lives enhanced by musical accompaniment?

On October 15, 2022 two shows - 2 pm and 7:30 pm –a performance of people telling TRUE STORIES from their lives, accompanied by

live music, will be held in Winchester. The brain child of Harmony Koiter, this evening is also directed by her. "This is the 2nd time we have put out a call for people's life stories and the response was wonderful!", Harmony said. These stories will fill an evening of entertainment and will feature True Stories from Murray Barkley, Patrick Burger, Syviane Duval, Harmony Koiter, Gabrielle Thomas, Chantal Tranchemontagne and Tom Schoch. These seven local authors

have teamed up with six local musicians to deliver a captivating evening of storytelling and instrumental music. This evening of TRUE STORIES is filled with downhill fun, police investigations, road trips, and international voyaging, hotels, general stores and flying high!!!!. Come listen to strong, life changing, and sometimes dangerous life events from people you just might know, while also giving to charity. All profit goes to House of Lazarus.

The TRUE STORIES evening tickets are $15 for adults, $10 dollars for youth between the ages of 13-18 years. The event will take place at the Winchester Old Town Hall, 478 Main St., Winchester, ON.

All profit from this event will go to a local charity (House of Lazarus). ABOP's motto is: What is better than having a good time? Knowing the profits from what you enjoyed are going to help the

community. That is the Art of Giving. That is A Bunch of People Arts and Events!

To book call: 613 3465064 or email: abunchofpeopleartsandevents@gmail. com

A Bunch of People Arts and Events is a not-for-profit corporation headquartered in rural Ontario (Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, in Eastern Ontario). Working with experienced & amateur physical, musical & visual artists we help organize artistic and/or entertaining events to help raise money for charity

A collection of works by artist Laura Mayer (https://www.facebook.com/laurasartandportraits).

Brandon Mayer

North Dundas Arts Council founders Ann Brady, Gail Storring, and Derrick Reeve.

100 Men Who Care returns to North Dundas

The popular 100 Men Who Care fundraising event is returning to North Dundas to raise another $10,000 in under an hour for a local charity’s project. The event will take place at the Chesterville Legion on Thursday, November 17 and registration is now open at www.100northdundas.com.

The fundraising pitch is simple: 100 men bring $100 each to a quick event to raise $10,000, all of which will go to local harities voted on by the participants. Men interested in more information and wanting to reserve a spot can do so at www.100northdundas.com. Regular email pdates will be provided to the enrolled men.

"100 Who Care North Dundas is an incredibly easy way to raise a significant amount of money in almost no time," said 100 Men Who Care North Dundas co-chair Dan Gasser. "Our community is packed with generous people and amazing charities, and this is the perfect way to bring them all together for a simple evening of networking and fundraising."

The $100 donation is not required at the time of online registration, but rather participants bring a blank cheque or cash with them on November 17 . All participants will receive a $100 tax receipt for their donation.

"We’re already hearing a lot of excitement about this year’s event, from both new and returning participants and we fully expect momentum to continue to build," stated Eric Duncan, co-founder of the 100 Men Who Care events in North Dundas. "Our goal is to exceed 100 men and raise above and beyond our target of $10,000 and I’m certain we will get there."

There are thousands of chapters of the "100 Who Care" movements, including both Men’s and Women’s chapters in North Dundas which were established in 2018. Each group held exceptionally successful events in 2018 and 2019, raising more than $60,000 combined for local charities, including the House of Lazarus’ Handyman Heroes Program, Community Food Share, the Winchester Hospital and more.

Any charity or organization who supports North Dundas and is able to issue a charitable tax receipt is invited to present at the 100 Men Who Care event. Information on how to apply can be found on the website.

Tid-Bit Musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters RSSW

As you enter a store, Christmas is on one side and Halloween on the other. Where is Thanksgiving for Canadians? Is it indicative of the times or do too many feel being thankful is negligible. Today's society isn't one where folks say please and thank you on a regular basis. What do we do about the declining social mannerisms?

It is quite interesting to say thank you to a clerk while maintaining eye contact, to see their face light up. Others smile and retort "no worries". Two small words "thank you" makes a million dollar difference in someone's life!!! It really can turn a bad day into a pleasant day.

That begins with those closest to you, saying thank you. Be it with our spouse, children, grandparents, neighbours, or service providers, taking that few seconds to say thank you is vital role modeling and an indication of appreciation.

With Thanksgiving narrowing in on us, what are you truly thankful for? Can you go around the dinner table and name one thing you are truly thankful for? Family, health, employment, the meal, and friends top the list. God used to be included, but so many abuse His name that I suspect few know who God really is anymore. Dig a step deeper and ask what about a certain friend do you truly appreciate?

I am truly thankful for the NDTimes, which despite printing troubles is able to keep in circulation updating us on community events. I am thankful it is a free paper, plus proud to contribute the Tid-Bit Musings column. A special thanks to all who let me know how much they enjoy the column.

Now you begin the role-modeling trend by expressing everything you appreciate or are thankful for!

North Dundas votes on October 24 Rake up the leaves this Fall

What’s the most absurd image of healthy living? It’s a picture of a young woman using a leaf blower to clean up leaves in her yard while wearing ear protection, eye protection, and a mask covering her nose and mouth. The only thing that makes good sense is the mask. It’s the leaf blower that is most offensive.

starving, frightened orphan boys: it was not yet illegal.”

In fact, leaf blowers are banned in some cities and subject to increasing regulation across North America. But the pace of lawmaking is slow.

Removing the leaf blower from the scene, what about the mask worn by the woman in the picture? There may be good reason for this.

After a busy provincial election in June, municipalities across Ontario are gearing up to elect the local governments that will represent some of their most important interests for the next four years. Here in North Dundas, voters have an easier job than in some other municipalities. With nobody running against current Mayor Tony Fraser, his seat is acclaimed for another four years. Councillor Theresa Bergeron will take over as Deputy Mayor with another acclaimed seat, as current Deputy Mayor Allan Armstrong is not seeking re-election. All four school trustees are also acclaimed. The result? North Dundas residents will vote only to fill the Councillor positions, with six candidates vying for three positions.

Gary Annable is the only current Councillor seeking re-election to the same position. Coucillor Thompson is not seeking re-election, and Councillor Bergeron will switch to the Deputy’s Mayor’s seat. Newcomers hoping for a chance at representing their fellow residents are William Healey, Stefan Kohut, John Lennox, Joselyn Morley, and Matthew Uhrig.

Issues that are bound to come up as part of the campaign include things such as road conditions, population growth, recreation, and of course, municipal water. The issue of water quality and quantity in the villages of Winchester and Chesterville was one addressed by every candidate in recent interviews, particularly because

water supply issues are thought to be holding back sustainable development locally. While candidates for the recent provincial election engaged in live interviews, with transcripts published in the Times, this required meticulous editing and made it difficult to give each candidate an equal amount of room to share their thoughts. For the current municipal election, candidates are being asked to provide a written response of a set length to four key questions. The questions are:

1) What are your top three priorities for the coming four years of Council? How have municipal priorities changed since the last term of Council?

2) What would you bring to Council this term that hasn’t been there previously?

3) Do you think more can be done to involve the community in the affairs of Council and being part of the decision-making process? 4) How do you think future development in North Dundas - infrastructure, economic, environmental - should be directed? What new initiatives need to be undertaken in those areas?

Municipal elections are perhaps more important than provincial and federal elections because local governments make the decisions that are most impactful to our day-to-day lives. Candidates who choose to answer the questions above will have their answers published in the October 20 issue of the Times. Stay tuned!

The first offense is the condoning of laziness. A leaf blower nearly eliminates the physical effort needed to clean up the leaves. In the past, we may have looked upon this as a good thing. Less work equals better life. False!

Raking up those leaves offers a wonderful cardio workout, in the lovely outdoors, resulting in the satisfaction of a job well done. It’s exercise that can be self-paced. The twisting and bending are nothing but good!

The second is environmental. Gas-powered leaf blowers spew pollutants at astounding rates. A remarkable study in 2011 compared a consumer-grade leaf blower to a 6,200-pound Ford F-150. The tests found that a 4-stroke leaf blower emitted “almost seven times more oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 13.5 times more carbon monoxide (CO)" and a 2-stroke leaf blower emitted “23 times CO and nearly 300 times more non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC)” than the pick-up truck.

One reporter calculated that the “hydrocarbon emissions from a half-hour of yard work with the twostroke leaf blower are about the same as a 3,900-mile drive from Texas to Alaska.” Gulp.

How about noise pollution? These machines can produce levels between 8092 decibels (dB), and sometimes over 100 dB for the operators. At a distance of the length of a semi-truck trailer, the noise can still measure over 70 dB. No wonder neighbours get annoyed.

Why do dangerously noisy leaf blowers exist? One wisecrack observer noted we allow it “for the same reason that builders made chimneys to be cleaned by

Fallen autumn leaves can be a haven for molds, pollen, and weeds that cause allergies. The plentiful fall pollen of ragweed, for example, travels far and can settle on all those leaves. Leaves dampened by rain or morning dew become a haven for mold. Raking up the leaves can send pollen and mold spores into the air, causing aggravation for asthma sufferers.

Dr. Purvi Parikh is an allergist and spokesperson with the Allergy and Asthma Network. “Most people associate allergies with spring, and often fall allergies get mistaken for viruses and other infections due to weather getting cold,” she notes. The distinguishing feature of an allergy is that it does not cause a fever. However, if an allergy leads to a sinus infection, a fever can result.

One more thought about those leaves. They are full of nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. These are the ingredients for healthy soil needed by productive gardens, beautiful landscapes, and all the grasses that are home and sources of food to diverse wildlife.

To see the picture of good health, look at those falling leaves with anticipation and admiration, not dread. The rake, a pair of gloves, and maybe a mask are the items to use this fall when tidying up the yard.

Remember moderation too. Raking leaves can be just as strenuous as shoveling snow. And that’s the next thing!

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by Brandon Mayer

The right direction

by Brandon Mayer way of life, whatever that means.

Canada’s second annual Truth and Reconciliation Day has now come and gone. It is just one of many days in Canada intended to celebrate diversity and work toward an equal cultural mosaic that is the dream of so many. Another that passed just days before Truth and Reconciliation Day was Franco-Ontarian day on September 26. These types of days are meant to keep us moving forward. We cannot change the past, but we can certainly learn from it.

The idea of a cultural “mosaic” is that people with different beliefs and value systems can live together peacefully and happily. This is something that Canadians can be proud of, because not all countries approach diversity this way. Many readers are probably familiar with the term “melting pot”, which refers to the traditionally American style of expecting immigrants to assimilate to an “American”

It is interesting to think of how our ideas of inclusivity have changed over the years. In fact, just the word “inclusive” is a step forward from using the word “tolerant” to describe welcoming those from cultures other than our own. Decades ago, those seen as the most culturally forward-thinking were anthropologists and research professors who were interested in studying and documenting practices and customs in other cultures.

The keyword here is “other”, as the basis for such research was usually in making a comparison between “us” (the in-group) and the “other” culture (the out-group).

Of course, considering that a century ago half the population was openly racist, and just a few decades ago the level of discrimination was far worse than it is today, it is easy to see why researchers who actually cared enough to document diverse cultural practices were considered the liberal heroes of their

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, re: WPS incident

We are parents of a (just graduated) student from WPS.

We reported another similar incident (during this past summer vacation), that occurred within the village to our child’s friend as they were travelling on their scooter to our home for a play date: an unknown adult male approached and asked if they wanted ice cream. The child knew what to do, kept their head down, answered no and kept travelling as fast as possible. Once arrived and very shaky, they immediately reported the incident to us. We informed the other parents and asked permission, and received it,-to seek out the individual or at least try to see if we could spot them based on the description, report the incident to the police and maybe post a calm alert to a well-known local social media group-mentioning no names, no personal details

day. No one questioned the euro-centric way of doing things because it was at least a step in the right direction.

We now know that in order to facilitate true cultural diversity, people must be able to share their own stories and teach their own values. Why have a Caucasian university professor study a particular ethnic group and then teach a group of students about this “outside” culture, when it makes so much more sense to let diverse groups do their own teaching? When studying music in undergraduate university, I took one of my two seminar courses on the music of Canadian Indigenous peoples. Yes, the professor was a Caucasian woman, but she understood that she was not in a position to have the greatest expertise on Indigenous practices, despite being a professor of such. Our teachers for the course were mostly Indigenous musicians and Indigenous elders. Oh what an enriching experience that was!

When we think back to

the mistakes we have made in this country, including with Indigenous people, it can be daunting to even begin to imagine how we are going to fix it. We acknowledge that we live, work, and raise our families on unceded Indigenous territory, but of course that does not mean we are planning to give it back anytime soon. I recall listening to a radio talk show years ago during a discussion on how our land is unceded territory, wherein the host of the show quipped “well, I own my piece”. Yes, I own my property as well, but I think the host missed the point. No one is asking us to give up our homes and our properties – to do so would not be the Indigenous way. The best way forward from any situation of such immense wrongdoing is to begin listening – truly listening – to the affected group. A group of Euro-Canadian policymakers sitting in a boardroom have no right to come up with ways to make amends with Indigenous peoples. Only Indigenous

peoples can tell us how to truly make things right, and the process is gradual.

Of course, it is not only Indigenous people who have been marginalized throughout the years. For example, LGBTQ2S+ individuals have had a rough go for centuries. Progress has been made, but there is much more to do. One thing society still seems to struggle with is not acting like we are doing marginalized groups a favour when we treat them fairly. Fair treatment of all is an imperative, and is something we can be proud of not because we are going above and beyond, but because we are fundamentally doing the right thing – nothing more, and nothing less.

Of course, there will always be groups and individuals who continue to spread hate and division. Some religious groups have a bad reputation for this, including locally. Why don’t we shut them down? Why don’t we limit our tolerance to only the most forward-thinking of ideas? Irony, that’s why. It

is ironic to think that imposing our beliefs and shutting down entire religions that disagree with us is forward thinking, when the shutting down of an entire set of cultural beliefs was the goal of the now infamous Residential School System. We must be careful that in our quest to shut out hate, we don’t end up creating more division and hostility. Speaking out against specific acts of hatred is one thing, but painting entire groups with one brush and moving to eliminate them because of their beliefs is hypocritical when done under the guise of inclusivity.

As days like Truth and Reconciliation Day pass, it can be disheartening to know that there is still hurt to fix, and still progress to make. The important thing to remember is that we don’t always have to get to our destination quickly – we only have to keep moving in the right direction.

of the child and just a gentle suggestion to go over ‘what to do’ as children are maybe out in the village playing with friends etc. We thought people, parents need to go over this again…

The post was initially accepted but then removed. (The other parents noticed this)..we shrugged it off thinking that perhaps they (the group moderator) didn’t like ‘negative news’ and in the end, we (most importantly) had made an official report to local police.

Before reading the article, as parents still on the

school email list-we were already aware of the incident.

Nevertheless, thinking about it again brings it back. We have not breathed a sigh of relief-this person wasn’t ultimately identified or cautioned that we know of. We (both sets of parents) drive the children to each other’s houses nowadays.

This is a sad reminder of the importance of keeping our children alert and safe no matter where we live-it doesn’t just happen to kids in cities.

Kind regards

A concerned parent

Dear Brandon, I was compelled to response by your incredibly well written and thoroughly relatable editorial from the September 22 NG & ND times. Thank you so much for a very enjoyable and thought provoking read.

I’ve often thought all of those same things! How writers and futurists that created science fiction back in the day gave us future humans so much credit for being far more advanced than we have been able to keep up with! (while still keeping women in the lesser roles??) Except of course Star Trek which inspired cell phones, tasers and equality and diversity in the work place.

And the newspaper!

The love of the newspaper. Friends and I were just discussing this recently. My husband has the record store Vinyl Destination in Merrickville and he had an email sent to him from a reporter from the Toronto Star who

gave him an advance view of an article that was to be printed in the Saturday edition about their visit to the Village that his store was mentioned in.

We reached out to friends in Toronto to see if they could find a hard copy of the newspaper for him, and one friend went to seven stores until he was able to find a newspaper! He lamented that no one carries them anymore. We reminisced how when we were school kids in the 1960s, we looked forward to coming home at the end of the school day and opening up not one but two separate newspapers that our family got delivered to the door; the morning Montreal Gazette and the evening Montreal Star. They had you covered, no matter what happened in the city, we’d find out, eventually.

It seems every generation has to reinvent itself as we continue to strive for the better, the quicker, the faster

than what came before. It always has me thinking (never mind the potential of how the next inevitable world war will be fought – simply remove all the technology and people would certainly be at a loss since we rely on it now for virtually everything) of what skills, craftsmanship and creativity we are sacrificing and leaving behind to history with this constant need to ‘improve’ . Anyway my real intent was just to say thank you for that AND many other articles of yours that I have enjoyed reading since you started writing for our local paper!

I think you just keep getting better and better! dawn

Community Volunteers support local Health Care

September means the first day of school – and it also means the first Board meeting for five new community volunteers. They are ready to get to work on the Hospital and Foundation Boards of Directors.

The Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) Board is welcoming Louise Arsenault, Tyson Roffey, Brenda Toonders, and Bill Woods to the team. Trish Elliott is joining the WDMH Foundation Board.

“Thank you to all of the Board members who share their time and expertise and bring diverse skills to the table,” notes WDMH CEO Cholly Boland. “They help us fulfill our commitment to compassionate excellence.”

The new WDMH Board members are:

Louise Arsenault has been coming to WDMH

since 1970 when she worked as a public health nurse visiting new Moms at the hospital. She also taught prenatal classes. Five years ago, Louise started volunteering with the WDMH Auxiliary and now serves as Co-Chair. She will represent the Auxiliary on the Board. “I had four of my five children at WDMH, including a set of twins,” says Louise. “I’ve always loved the hospital and I’m happy to give back.” Louise lives in Winchester.

Tyson Roffey has a long history with local hospitals. One of his first jobs was as a dishwasher at a Cornwall hospital. He served as a hospital executive at both CHEO and Sick Kids, with expertise in information technology. Being on the WDMH Board is a logical next step. “I put my hand up because I believe WDMH is

a cornerstone of the community and I want to see rural hospitals grow and flourish. I want to help influence and guide that.” Tyson currently works at Nova Networks and lives in Greely.

Brenda Toonders brings a wealth of expertise in business, quality and performance management from both private business and homecare health settings. She currently works with the local Great River Ontario Health Team. She has lived in Winchester for 40 years and has always been a supporter of having excellent care close to home. She says: “I’m excited to contribute to WDMH and hope that my experiences complement the team.”

Bill Woods was born and raised in Metcalfe. With six kids and eight grandchildren, he says his family has

seen first-hand how well-run WDMH is. “I played every sport and the WDMH team saved my life a few times,” he remembers. “Having the hospital so close by gives everyone peace of mind.” Bill worked at IBM for 33 years and now works at Kyndryl Canada (an IBM spin-off). He brings advanced skills and experience in business management, strategic planning and quality.

The WDMH Foundation Board is also welcoming a new member. “Our Board provides oversight and ac-

countability and connects the Foundation to our local communities. We are very grateful for their support,” adds WDMH Foundation Managing Director Kristen Casselman.

Trisha Elliott says she likes to raise money for good causes. Her interest in WDMH was heightened by the wonderful care that her brother received. “We knew there was something wrong and I was so grateful that Winchester took it seriously and got us the help he needed,” she explains.

Baldwin's Birds

Why I shouldn't make assumptions!

“When things settled down, I contacted the Foundation office to ask how I could help.” Trish is an ordained United Church minister and fundraiser. She has worked with The Ottawa Mission and the United Church of Canada, raising funds to support the community. Her whole family hails from the Seaway area. Trisha now divides her time between Ottawa and the Seaway. Welcome and thank you to these community volunteers!

An interesting week for some rather unusual bird activity, both in the garden and away from home, but still fairly local. One of our NGTimes readers, living near the Rideau River, had the good fortune to see and photograph a Great Egret, a rarity in this neck of the woods. They also got a great view of a Turkey Vulture when it landed on their property. I myself spotted a couple of them locally and a half dozen of them when having to drive between Winchester and Chesterville passing within the proximity of the town dump!

Garden-wise, the usual crowd is here, but I did take a second look at what I had wrongly assumed was either

a Chipping Sparrow or a Tree Sparrow, and I'm glad I did. On getting a reasonable picture of it and consulting my bird books, I realised that my first assumption was wrong and that it was in fact, a Field Sparrow that I was looking at. Its major distinguishing feature was its pinkish colored bill, which differs from the bills of the other two birds. Of course there are other very slight differences in the head and wing markings when in compared with the others, but the bill color seems to be the main one. The realization that I was taking things for granted when looking at the everyday birds was a bit of an eye-opener, so I'll have to be more careful in the future.

With the weather getting a lot cooler than earlier in the season, I was also very surprised to witness a Robin taking a bath, but it did, and very deliberately so too. It wasn't just a quick hop in and a quick rinse and out, but quite a prolonged session of in and out several times, with lots of fluffing of feathers and a lot of water flying around. It was very entertaining while it lasted, and I'm glad I didn't miss it. Perhaps you have also seen some of these strange but not abnormal things occurring, but if you haven't, then make sure you keep an eye out to enjoy them too. Stay safe and well.

Cheers, John Baldwin

Bill Woods Brenda Toonders

Louise Arseneault

Trisha Elliott Tyson Roffey

At Dundas Manor, we are listening to our residents!

What a special week to celebrate our favorite people! Dundas Manor celebrated Resident Council Week in September, taking time to learn, reflect, and celebrate our home’s Resident Council.

Each year, Dundas Manor residents elect a Leadership Team to lead the Residents Council. These members chair meetings, meet with Leadership to give input, and offer ideas to help make their home a better place. All residents can participate - some attend meeting and some send

their input along with other residents or staff.

“Our residents, staff, families, and volunteers enjoyed a morning learning about the key role our residents play in operations, how their input is sought and acted on, and how we all work together to make our home the very best it can be,” explained organizer and Activity Programs and Services Director Jennifer Hill.

At the event, there were displays highlighting every part of the Residents Council involvement in the home, including what they must approve, dining and meal

input, the Resident Bill of Rights, meeting formats, and the professional association that our home belongs to - the Ontario Association of Residents Council.

Administrator Susan Poirier presented all Resident Council Leadership team members with a certificate of appreciation: “Our home is very proud of the engagement and support our residents offer at their meetings and when we meet to discuss operations.”

“I found the morning event very informative and interesting,” noted resident Mike. “I appreciate learning about new things. And fi nding out how we can give input is very important and makes me feel comforted that my voice matters. “

“That sums up exactly what we set out to do!” said Jennifer Hill.

Carefor Social Programs

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Adults 55+ are invited to join our October social programs at our Carefor Nor-Dun Support Centre in Winchester. Call 613-774-6109 to RSVP to any of the programs below.

All clients and guests must provide proof of vaccination to register.

Carefor Nor-Dun Support Centre

517A Albert St., Winchester | 613-774-6109

Intergenerational Halloween Costume Parade

Carefor Nor-Dun has collaborated with the Winchester EarlyON center to host a Halloween Costume Parade for the young and old.

Thursday, October 27 9:30AM | Free

Craft & Chat

Card Making with Julie - Create your own unique greeting cards or bring your own craft and enjoy an afternoon of socializing and crafting.

Thursday, October 20 1:30PM | Free

Coffee Group

Group meets for coffee, tea and conversation.

Mondays, Fridays 9:00AM | $2

Exercise Class

Various warm up exercises on a chair or standing by the chair with the use of various strength training equipment supplied (bands, balls & weights). Balance exercises also incorporated. Based on your own strength.

Wednesdays 10:30AM, Fridays 9:30AM | Free

Gentle Chair Yoga

Chair yoga is a gentle class adapting yoga poses with a chair. The class cultivates awareness and relaxation through meditation, breath work, and gentle stretches all without the stress of getting up and down off the floor.

Tuesdays 10:00AM | $40 per four-week session

Other Activities

Ladies Tea, Cooking for One in the Microwave, Weekly Themed Diners Meals, “Birthdays of the Month” Diners Meal, and more! Pick up your newsletter for more information!

To the many seniors we have the pleasure of working with every day, Happy National Seniors Day! October 1st, 2022

submitted by Jane Adams, Communications Lead, Dundas Manor

CEO Cholly Boland with residents Elaine and Joan

Resident Diana with Activity staff member Jen Van Bridger.

Resident Rejeanne is one of the Resident Council member who received a certificate of appreciation during the special week.

health information system at three Eastern Ontario hospitals ready to launch on November 5

On November 5th, the new Epic health information system will be launched at Deep River & District Hospital (DRDH), Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) and Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH). Training is now underway as staff and physicians prepare for a new way of caring for our patients.

“November 5th is just over a month away and we will be ready,” said Frank J. Vassallo, KDH’s CEO. “Our teams have been working tirelessly to train and prepare for Epic. They see the benefits first-hand.”

Epic is a powerful digital health information system that uses the latest technology to securely store, organize, and access patient records. “The new Epic system will support both patients and their care providers,” noted Janna Hotson, the CEO of DRDH. “Simply put, patients will get better access to their own health information and more seamless care from their providers.”

The three hospitals will now become part of a digital network of nine hospitals in the Ottawa region using the world-class health

information system. “Epic replaces the current hospital information systems made up of multiple electronic and paper-based systems containing different parts of a patient’s health record,” added Cholly Boland, CEO of WDMH. “Epic gives the patient’s care team the information they need at their fingertips and is proven to reduce wait times, length of stay in the hospital, and readmission.”

Another benefit of Epic is the private MyChart portal. Patients will have their health story at their fingertips, anytime, anywhere.

MyChart subscribers can see their medical history, diagnostic test results, upcoming appointments, lists of allergies and medications, and even educational materials.

As part of the planning process, each hospital will be reducing some services at the time of launch to ensure that staff have time to care for each patient while learning to use of the new system. More details will be provided on the hospital websites and social media channels leading up to November 5th. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

‘Epic’

Clinical Manager Michael Paglia and Jennifer Sanger, RAI Coordinator at Winchester District Memorial Hospital, check out the new portable Workstations on Wheels

chuck_doran @cooperators.ca

Main St W, Winchester 613-774-1980

October 9 to 15 is Fire Prevention Week

by Brandon Mayer

An annual event intended to help remind us of the importance of fire safety is upon us once again. This year’s Fire Prevention Week will take place next week from October 9 to 15. It’s a special year this time around – the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week.

The now century-old Fire Prevention Week was created in 1922 as an expansion of an annual Fire Prevention Day that had been started three years prior. These steps were taken at the urge of the National Fire Protection Association, which hopes for a common annual fire prevention event with cooperation from the governments of both the USA and Canada. The Fire Prevention Week tradition has been going strong ever since, with the not-for-profit NFPA choosing the theme each year.

The theme this year is “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape.” House fires can escalate quickly, and probably much more quickly than most people anticipate. The NFPA estimates that in a house fire, occupants may

have two minutes or less to escape after hearing the smoke alarm. This means that the escape itself is all the occupants are likely to have time for, not figuring out how and where to escape. It is therefore prudent to plan an escape route and alternate route ahead of time.

Making a fire escape plan takes time, but is well worth it. First, figure out two escape routes for every room, in case the primary exit is blocked. For rooms on upper floors, this may mean installing extra safety equipment, such as escape ladders. Second, practice staying low while moving toward exits, in order to avoid the smoke. Finally, plan a meeting spot a safe distance away from your home. It is best to practice fire evacuation at home regularly – about twice per year is a good benchmark.

Families with children should take extra steps when it comes to fire safety. A house fire is a scary event, so knowing what to expect and having a plan in place can help children get out safely. For young children (around age six or younger), part of your escape plan

Key home fire escape planning tips:

should include designating adults to help these children escape, as they may be too frightened or confused to move on their own. For older children, practicing how to escape could very well save their lives one day. Children should be taught never to re-enter a burning building under any circumstances. It is also a good idea to remind children that if they become trapped in a burning building, a firefighter dressed in full gear may come to rescue them. A fully equipped firefighter can look like a monster to a child who is already frightened in a building filled with smoke and flames, so it is wise to get them used to what a firefighter looks like when wearing safety gear, including a respirator.

Other important safety tips are beneficial to run through as a family as well. These include using the back of one’s hand to check if a door is hot before opening it, and the familiar “stop, drop, and roll” technique if clothing is on fire. Families should also get in the habit of leaving the house any time a smoke detector sounds. Bad habits form quickly, so fail-

ing to exit when the cause of the alarm is assumed to be false could end up being deadly in the future.

This year’s important Fire Prevention Week theme of planning your escape is particularly important because it has been proven that newer homes tend to burn

faster than older homes. This is because of the lower quality materials used in modern homes, the often synthetic material with which furniture is constructed, and the open concept design of many homes, which allows excess air flow.

For more information on fire

prevention and Fire Prevention Week, visit the website of the National Fire Protection Association at https://www. nfpa.org/.

• Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.

• Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every levelof your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.

• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.

• Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.

• Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.

Classifieds Classifieds classified@ndtimes.ca

FOR SALE

WHEELCHAIR FOR SALE, LIKE NEW ONLY SIX MONTH OLD. PAID OVER 4000.00, ASKING 2,000.00 BUT WILLING TO NEGOTIATE. PLEASE CALL 613-296-8778

WALKER WITH SEAT; ELECTRIC ACTIVE CYCLE (PEDAL ONLY TYPE), MANUAL EXERCISE CYCLE. CALL 613-567-8533

BLACK WALNUT PLANKS AND DISKS MERRICKVILLE JGHARRIS@SYMPATICO.CA

BARBER CHAIR, OLD STYLE, CHROME & LEATHER, $235. NADFUDT@GMAIL.COM

ADULT SNOW SUIT, LIKE NEW, 42 XL TALL, $110. NADFUDT@GMAIL.COM

SETS OF WINTER TIRES 195-60R 15"; 1 SET ON GM

4 BOLT RIMS; $120 PER SET. CALL 613-282-1836, LEAVE

A MESSAGE

HAY AND STRAW FOR SALE

4X4 ROUND BALES, STORED INSIDE. CALL JON 613-2273650

NORCO CITY COMMUTER

BIKE. MINT CONDITION

$300. NICK 613 890 3512

40" DYNAMAX TV. IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION. $75.

NICK 613 890 3512

COMMUNITY EVENTS

HELP WANTED

MOUNTAIN DAIRY FARM REQUIRES MALE/FEMALE OR STUDENT FOR CHORE DUTIES DURING MILKING

TIMES, 5-8 AM/4-7 PM. SCHEDULE NEGOTIABLE. CALL 613 989 5204 OR 613 227 6026.

PERSON WITH GENERAL LANDSCAPING AND HORTICULTURE KNOWLEDGE. NOT AFRAID TO GET HANDS DIRTY. CONTACT ANDRELSIMARD@GMAIL.COM

MISCELLANIOUS

HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE ON SEPTEMBER17TH AND CANADIAN FIREARMS COURSE ON OCTOBER 22 AND 23 IN BURRITTS RAPIDS. PLEASE CONTACT KERRY COLEMAN AT 613-791-7515 OR KERRYCOLEMAN@XPLORNET. COM

WANTED

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

KEMPTVILLE AREA ROOM. MATURE STUDENT, STUDYING AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR IN KEMPTVILLE, NEEDS A QUIET ROOM WITH BATHROOM FACILITIES FROM SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER AND FROM FEBRU-

CROSSWORD

ARY TO APRIL. WEEKDAYS ONLY. HAS SMALL FRIDGE, KITCHEN NOT REQUIRED. NEEDS RELIABLE INTERNET ACCESS. CALL CHRIS 613200-7016.

GARAGE SALE

LARGE Yard Sale on Saturday, October 8th, from 9 - 2, no earlier! (Rain date - 22nd.) 105 Bridge St. S, Kemptville.

HELP WANTED

MOUNTAIN DAIRY FARM REQUIRES MALE/FEMALE OR STUDENT FOR CHORE DUTIES DURING MILKING TIMES, 5-8 AM/4-7 PM. SCHEDULE NEGOTIABLE. CALL 613 989 5204 OR 613 227 6026. RETIRED CARPENTER Renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, additions, decks, home repair. Call George at 613 462 7637

SERVICES

HANDYMAN SERVICES Call Bill 613 774 2922

Hedge Trimming Small or Tall Call Rob 613-795-1845'

Career Opportunities

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

We’re Hiring!

• Seasonal Plow Truck Drivers (Day Shifts & Afternoon Shifts)

• Seasonal Labourers (Day Shift)

For full position descriptions and details, visit Career Opportunities on our website. Application deadline is September 30, 2022. Application deadline is October 31, 2022

Local storm chaser heads to NS to experience Hurricane Fiona

After the eye passed, the backside of the storm at the Canso Causeway and Mulgrave wasn’t as strong. Winds from about 5:30 am onwards were about 50-80km/h, with a whole bunch of rain again coming through the area. An Environment Canada weather station on the Causeway recorded 156mm of rain from this storm.

Poll shows increasing money struggles for Canadians

by Brandon Mayer

A new poll released by the Angus Reid Institute late last month shows that financial struggles are once again on the rise for a majority of the Canadian population.

Hello! I’m Connor Mockett, a storm chaser and photographer based out of Winchester, Ontario, and I went to Nova Scotia to get hit by Hurricane Fiona. On purpose.

My storm chasing partner, Tom Smetana, picked me up in Winchester late in the afternoon of Thursday, September 22 to start Day 1 of traveling towards our destination province of Nova Scotia. After a 7.5 hour drive on Day 1, we stopped in Edmunston, New Brunswick, and got a hotel for the night. Due to the excitement we were both feeling and ideas of where our final destination would be for the chase, we only got about 4 hours of sleep.

The next morning, Friday, September 23, after a quick stop at the grocery store for some food in case we were to get stranded somewhere, we got back on the road at around 8:45 am. Throughout the drive towards Nova Scotia, we contemplated back and forth about if we wanted to risk crossing the Canso Causeway, which is the only road that connects the mainland to Cape Breton. We ultimately decided to stay on the mainland side, as we weren’t sure if the Causeway would get closed for numerous days, which we personally couldn’t risk. With that in mind, we started to scout out areas on Google Maps to get an idea for where on the mainland we were going to ride the storm out.

In the afternoon of Friday, we decided that we were going to get hit by Hurricane Fiona right at

the Canso Causeway, and in a little town nearby called Mulgrave. But first, we needed to find a hotel to sleep in before our chase started on Saturday morning. After having a tough time finding a hotel with available rooms, we found a spot in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, about a 40 minute drive from our chasing target at the Canso Causeway. With a forecasted landfall of 9 am, our plan was simple: get another 4 or 5 hours of sleep, hit the road at 2 am, and chase the rest of the night and through the morning. That’s not at all what happened.

As I’m sleeping, my chasing partner, Tom, knocks a couple times on my bedroom door and says “we’ve gotta go”! Confused, I ask “why?”, and then look at radar on my phone. The storm’s landfall was going to be about 5 hours early due to an upper trough in the atmosphere slingshotting the storm super fast, straight at Nova Scotia. And after 2 hours of sleep for myself and 0 hours for Tom, we were out the door to chase Hurricane Fiona at 10:30 pm on Friday night.

Once we got on the Highway to get to the Canso Causeway, the wind was at about 100km/h, and the rain was like someone was standing on top of our truck, dumping buckets of water on us. Trees were being shredded around us. Wind was rocking the truck. Visibility was very low. It was an intense drive, but the adrenaline was flowing and both Tom and I were loving it.

Once we got to the Causeway and Mulgrave, winds were sustained at about 70km/h, with gusts up to 110km/h for most of the night. Storm surge wasn’t much of a problem where we were in Mulgrave and around the Causeway, as the water only came up 3 to 5 feet. Unfortunately, combined with rain waters causing the storm drains to not be able to keep up, water did surround a home in Mulgrave and put a couple streets under about 4 feet of water. Tom and I talked to a local around 1:30 am on Saturday morning and asked if they needed help, as their pumps ran to get water out of their basement.

Wind calmed down around 4:30 am for about 45 minutes. Right at that same time, in the early morning hours in Mulgrave, Nova Scotia on our first ever Hurricane chase, Tom and I managed to get right into the center of the eye of Hurricane Fiona, and also during that time, the all-time Canadian record was broken for lowest pressure in a storm, at 932.6mb, which means the storm was the strongest ever to make landfall in Canada. Ever. And we were there for it!

Later in the morning on Saturday, around 7 am, considering we had to be back home in short order, we decided to leave the storm to come back home, even though it was still actually on-going. Once we started driving back west on the Trans Canada Highway and back to Antigonish, for the next 3 hours of driving, the amount of fallen trees was absolutely indescribable. The forest blowdown in that area, and much of the province of Nova Scotia (and PEI and Newfoundland for that matter), will be something that is not forgotten for many, many years. Forests will take a lifetime to recover from that storm.

We ended our chase around 7 am Saturday, as I said, and we were home in Winchester by 10 pm on Saturday. A wild weekend of weather for both of us, and 3 provinces.

Unfortunately, some places saw catastrophic damage from this storm, specifically in Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, where many homes were completely swept away and the short line was utterly decimated, and because of that, someone lost their life. No matter how fun it was for Tom and I, it wasn’t fun for others, and we knew that. May that person Rest in Peace, and may every family affected find the help they need during this difficult time.

“What began at the beginning of the year with a slight twinge for many Canadians over rising prices has led to a place where nearly every adult in this country is spending less and bracing for more financial pain as inflation maintains a tight grip on the nation,” reads the Angus Reid report released on September 29. The Institute had released a report in February of this year that suggested Canadians were beginning to struggle with the realities of inflation, particularly when it comes to food security.

“The latest data… finds nine-in-ten Canadians (88%) now reporting belt-tightening measures, an eight-point increase from August,” the report continues. “They are most likely to be cutting back on discretionary spending (66% report this) and delaying major purchases (50%) in the face of continued financial uncertainty. Troublingly, fully one-quarter (26%) now say they are deferring contributions to their retirement or savings, up from 19 per cent who said the same six weeks ago.”

The report goes on to discuss the impact of increasing interest rates, including a very large increase of 3.25% in early September.

In terms of food security, the latest poll finds that slightly over half of all Canadians struggle to buy groceries. This does not necessarily mean that this proportion of the population is starving, but does indicate serious financial issues given that food is such a basic necessity and one of the first purchasing priorities of most households.

Early in September, reports indicated that inflation may have been settling, but it is now believed that this as an impression falsely created by falling gasoline prices. The price of gasoline hit an all time record cost of over $2 per litre at some area gas stations this summer, leaving many people struggling to choose between eating or putting fuel in their vehicle to get to work. Average gas prices have since fallen significantly to around the $1.40 per litre mark – still expensive, but more manageable.

The February 2022 Angus Reid report indicated that instances of food theft are likely to be on the rise this year as prices climb, although no reports could be found specifically addressing whether this has been the case. One report published by Yahoo News indicates one possible side benefit of high food prices – it is likely to decrease consumers’ tendency to waste food. While this may provide some small aid to the supply of food globally, it is sure to be small comfort to those in the local area who are struggling most to eat.

Area food banks are ready to help. For more information or to get help with food insecurity, a good place to start is the House of Lazarus Food Bank in South Mountain, located in the old Scotiabank building at 10619 Main Street. The House of Lazarus can be reached by phone at 613-989-3830.

Mysterious oil spill causes driving chaos

Rain puts damper on IPM Quilt Tent

by Brandon Mayer by Brandon Mayer

On September 27, motorists using County Road 43 between Kemptville and Winchester had to take alternative routes, owing to a mysterious oil or hydraulic fluid spill on the roadway. The spill was causing the roadway to be slick, with the resulting safety concerns leading to emergency road closures in some spots.

Officials from the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry identified the problem on social media, but gave little details as to the cause. Motorists were advised to avoid both County Road 43 and County Road 1, though in the case of the ladder road, it was not clear whether it was the Reids

Mills Road section or the Mountain Road section affected, or both.

It is unclear exactly where the spill came from, but the scope of the spill suggests that the fluid was leaking from a moving vehicle. Motorists within the village of Kemptville reported experiencing slippery road conditions on that stretch of County Road 43, possibly originating near a gas station at the intersection of County Roads 43 and 44. Slippery conditions were also reported closer to Winchester, with reports of cars in the ditch along that stretch of County Road 43 after encountering the slick road conditions.

“I was turning into [St. Michael Catholic High School] and was wondering

what the heck was going on with my brakes. It felt like ice,” wrote one social media user. “As I was braking, I noticed I was sliding a bit and I was like it’s too warm to be icy. The road had a bit of a rainbowy glisten to it,” another user wrote. Yet another chimed in with a harrowing story, writing “I came close to clipping 3 cars after fishtailing back and forth between my lane and oncoming traffic twice. The guy in front of me slammed his brakes and when I hit mine, I was going to smash right into him, so I swerved left into oncoming traffic, then back into my lane fishtailing then left again, into oncoming traffic again, came 2 inches from a head on collision with a 5 ton truck, swerved back into my lane... It was nuts! I did this all in front of the firetruck, too, that was pulled off onto a side road so they saw firsthand how slippery it is. Close call. I feel very lucky to have made it!”

Roads were open again within a day as crews worked to make the roadway safe again by spreading sand to absorb the spill. Environmental spills can often be met with heavy penalties, but as of the time of writing, there is no word on who is responsible or what exactly happened.

Positivity shouldn’t hurt

submitted by Elaine MacNaughtan

The 2022 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo, which was held in North Grenville September 20 -24, has come and gone. It was five very busy days showcasing agriculture and Rural living.

Unfortunately, the rain put a damper on the Quilt Tent and the IPM Quilt Committee had to make the difficult decision to not display the majority of the quilts. Using the entry area of the tent, it was possible to display the smaller items on wire frame racks along with the three quilts made from the 2022 IPM Quilt Block Challenge. The barn quilts were also displayed on fence railing. Inside and outside the tent, there were beautiful displays of autumn flow-

and Teresa were ers, pumpkins and corn stalks. Planters, which were made with barn quilts on all four sides, were filled with marigolds and strategically placed. Kudos to the volunteers who made this happen.

The Kemptville District Hospital Auxiliary and Victoria’s Quilts Canada, Kemptville Branch, each had a display where they were able to promote their cause. These two groups along with The Kemptville Quilters Guild, The Thousand Island Quilters Guild and The Upper Canada Quilters Guild came together to plan, organize and execute both the August Show and IPM Quilt Tent. They were under the leadership of cochairs Teresa Harrison and Nancy Grundy.

During the week, there was a running photo slide

show of the quilts that were in the August IPM Quilt Show and should have been hung in the tent. Also shown was a video of the August quilt show which was produced by Betty Cooper. The quilts not hung were kept in a safe dry place offsite.

The raffle quilt, which was one of the three quilts made from the quilt block challenge blocks, was won by Margaret Ruppel. The other two made from these blocks were given to the 2019 Queen of the Furrow and the 2022 host family, Charles, Rosemary, Zachary and Kirsten Bennett.

Stitch by Stitch Quilt Shop from Kingston had a display and a draw for a Brother SE600 Sewing, Quilting and Embroidery Machine. Anyone entering the quilt tent could fill out a ballot for a chance to win.

The winner of this machine at the IPM was Yvonne Lindfield. The quilt shop also held a draw at the August Quilt Show for the same make and model of sewing machine, this one was won by Bernadine Lavers.

Many good memories were made at the Home on the Farm Quilt Show & British Tea and at the IPM Quilt Tent. The IPM Quilt Committee would like to thank everyone involved for contributing to those good memories with your creative talents and fellowship.

by Brandon Mayer

The simple idea that “positivity shouldn’t hurt” could apply to many, many situations. Is it ironically negative for me to point out in an argument about positivity that people are often unnecessarily negative? Well they are, particularly when it comes to municipal affairs. I have my reasons to both like and dislike the way Council represented our municipal interests over the last four

years, but I won’t get into it here, just to give us all a break.

Several months ago, I wrote about just how expensive it is to repair roads.

I was surprised myself when doing the research, and feedback from readers indicated much surprise as well, in addition to a newfound understanding of why sometimes roads are badly patched or left in disrepair for a while before being properly cared

for. Around that same time, I had a phone conversation with a gentleman who was raising valid concerns about the state of the roads in his area of the Township. Not being on municipal water or sewer services, or having a public recreation facility anywhere near his home, this gentleman was thoroughly annoyed that the relatively high property taxes he pays seem to only fund waste pick up and quite frankly nothing more, since his road has been left in total disrepair for some time. I felt for this gentleman. I pay property taxes too, and sometimes I question why some seem to get more than others. We got along great and vented our frustrations over the phone.

Now, I must admit that in the past month or two, I have been impressed by the Township taking on the proj-

ect of paving Development Road in the Mountain/South Mountain neck of the woods. I’m sure the work had been planned for months or even years, but seeing such a large project be undertaken is great. This comes soon after Clark Road and two other Township roads were paved, and in recent years, Levere Road and Cameron Road were both beautifully paved as well. These things clearly take time, but I don’t want to be one of those people who looks the other way when they do happen.

Did that note of positivity hurt coming out? Actually, kind of. But alas, I shall march on feeling like a decent human being!

A County Road 43 sign marker in Hallville, roughly in the centre of the area motorists were cautioned to avoid. Cars reportedly slipped off the road here around the sharp curves

2022 IPM Raffle Quilt WinnerShown, left to right are Nancy Grundy, Margaret Ruppel, winner of the 2022 IPM Raffle Quilt, and Teresa Harrison. Nancy