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The Voice of North Grenville
Vol. 10 No. 21
June 1, 2022
Cenotaph centennial celebration
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L-R: Past Executive Officer Roy Brown, Legion President Julie O’Brien, Mayor Nancy Peckford, Past President Sharon Murray and Legion President (Elect) Jay Tousaw by David Shanahan This coming Saturday, June 4, a re-dedication ceremony will be taking place at the Cenotaph on Prescott Street in Kemptville, in front of the old high school, to mark the hundredth anniversary of the memorial to the war dead of the area. The event is being coordinated by Roy Brown, who has been untiring in his work of maintaining the memory and showing respect to those whose names are inscribed on the monument. The ceremony will feature input from many individuals and organisations in the community, including the Mu-
nicipal Council, Kemptville Branch 212 of the Legion, and the Kemptville Lions Club. Others participating include the Choir of the North Grenville Community Volunteers and the Kemptville Legion Pipes and Drums. The rededication has been the work of a small committee consisting of Roy, Jay Tousaw, and Sharon Murray. The ceremony begins at 2 pm. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in Suite “A” at the North Grenville Municipal Centre. Roy Brown has added a note that Suite “A” has a limited capacity of 140 attendees. A Post Ceremony Recep-
tion for Veterans and their spouses or companions and
invited guests will be held at the Kemptville Legion Hall.
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Ceremonies at the Cenotaph in 1947, when the monument was still at its original location beside the old Post Office on Prescott Street
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North Grenville recognizes Paramedic Services Week
North Grenville’s Municipal Council would like to express its thanks to our local paramedics for their service and dedication. In particular, we would like to recognize members of the Leeds Grenville Paramedic Service. The Service is staffed 24 hours a day and responsible for providing pre-hospital, and emergency medical care to the more than 150,000 residents of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, including Gananoque, Brockville, Westport and North Grenville - covering a geographic area of over 3,350 square kilometres. “On behalf of North Grenville, thank you to each and everyone of our paramedics throughout Leeds and Grenville for their dedication
and service,” said Mayor Peckford. “In addition to their normal duties, paramedics take the pressure off Kemptville District Hospital and area hospitals when they are experiencing high patient volumes. They transport non-emergent patients to surrounding hospitals, and step up to support other regions – including responding to calls within the City of Ottawa - when they have no Ottawa paramedics to send – otherwise known as ‘level zero’”. Paramedics have also supported the response to the pandemic such as, vaccinating residents in long-term care homes and offering popup COVID-19 clinics in rural areas. The Paramedic Profes-
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Event held at eQuinelle in support of Ukraine
sion involves many, many more people to make it successful in delivering out-ofhospital care in both acute and non-acute environments than Paramedics. It is these additional professionals that in addition to the paramedics on the streets that we celebrate this year recognizing the many “Faces of Paramedicine”. From Communications and 9-1-1 dispatchers, critical care specialties, educators and research, mental health and addictions response teams, falls intervention tams, technical rescue teams, support services and community paramedics all make up the many faces that contribute to the critical care paramedic services provide. “Please join Council this week as we recognize the incredibly hard work and expertise paramedics bring 24/7 to keeping members of our community safe and healthy,” added Councillor Kristin Strackerjan and Liaison for Emergency and Protective Services.
by Tim McLoughlin The relative comfort in which they live in the eQuinelle community in Kemptville has not deterred the members of the eQuinelle Resident Club (eQRC) from actively finding a way to support the less fortunate, beleaguered people in Ukraine. eQRC members organized a Trivia Night event on Tuesday, May 18, to raise funds to support the people of Ukraine. A total of $1,564 was raised and will be donated to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (www.cufoundation.ca). The Trivia Night was organized by Brad Latta, assisted by Yvonne Latta, Susanne McLoughlin, and Sharon Crawford. Rick Milks, General Manager of the eQuinelle Golf Club, supported the event by providing a generous donation, the facility, and a meal, served by the ever-helpful staff of the eQuinelle Golf Club Grill restaurant.
North Grenville students win at Championships
Don’t forget to vote on June 2 by Brandon Mayer Tomorrow, June 2, is election day for the province of Ontario. As with any election, it is important to get out and vote. One vote may seem inconsequential in the context of millions of others, but no vote is ever meaningless. The collective task of voting, in which we engage every federal, provincial, and municipal election, is one that has strength in numbers, meaning that each and every vote counts. Voting is meant to be an easy process, with Elections Ontario staff on site and available for guidance at polling stations, but pre-planning is still a good idea. Each eligible voter must go to a specifically assigned voting location, which is determined based on where they live. This voting location is indicated on the voter card sent to each voter by mail prior to the election. If you have not received a voter card, this is likely due to a recent address change or an administrative error. This is no reason to panic – it simply means that when going to your nearest polling station, you will need to bring proof June 1, 2022
of your current address in addition to photo identification. If necessary, you can update your personal information when you go to vote. North Grenville will have several polling stations, which are specifically assigned to voters based on their residential address. The province’s “Voter Information Service” is an online tool which provides voters with useful information, including when and where they can vote based on their address. Voter registration can also be viewed online, allowing voters to check what information is on file, if any. If no information is on file, this is an indication that you are not on the official voter’s list, but you can still vote with the proper identification. It is too late to update this information online, but this can still be done when you go to vote.
These online tools, as well as a complete list of local elec- EOSSAA Track and Field Championships taking place at tion candidates, can be found Thousand Islands Secondary School by clicking the relevant links Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) athletes earned dozens of gold, silver, and on the Elections Ontario web- bronze medals at the 2022 EOSSAA Track and Field Championships, held May 19 and 20 site at https://www.elections. at Thousand Islands Secondary School (TISS). Over 70 schools from across Eastern Ontario on.ca/en.html. competed during the two-day event. And among the winning athletes were three students from Anyone seeking informa- North Grenville District High School. tion on the local candidates in In the Novice Class, Amy Collins won Gold in the Girls 3000 Metre Run, while Jake Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Watkins took the Gold in the Boys 400 Meter Dash. Islands and Rideau Lakes In the Senior Class, Lyndsay Fleming won Gold in the Girls Long Jump, and Girls Triple should start by looking at Jump. the May 25 edition of the For a full list of results, visit www.ottawalions.com. The top five qualifiers from each event North Grenville Times, which will advance to the East Regionals taking place on May 26 and 27 in Ottawa. features interviews between Congratulations to Amy, Jake, and Lyndsay! David Shanahan and local candidates. These interviews the north grenville can also be found online at ngtimes.ca, and focus on some of the key local issues MELISSA OTTENHOF that will be sure to influence Marketing Consultant the decisions of voters in Phone:613 329 0209 North Grenville. For even Email: melissa@ngtimes.ca editor@ngtimes.ca more information, party platwww.ngtimes.ca forms can be found online through a search. Don’t forget to vote – your vote matters!
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The North Grenville Times
Severe storm rattles the region
spared the severe impact of the storm felt in some other regions. However, a clear sign of the chaos in Ottawa on Saturday, and for several days after, was the incredible number of people in Kemptville. With so many Ottawa residents without power, Kemptville became a nearby hub for all basic necessities, including groceries, fuel, and restaurant meals. Several gas stations in Kemptville ran out of fuel temporarily, with cars lined up at those with remaining supply. Grocery story shelves were noticeably more barren than usual in the days after the storm, but supply remained sustainable. Stories flooded social media of local workers handling the unexpected influx of customers in an efficient, friendly, and professional manner. Some internet users lamented the fact that Ottawa residents flock to Kemptville when their power goes out, while others expressed the importance of helping others in need. Many people shared open offers to have those affected by the storm use their kitchens, bathrooms, and showers, as needed. Others set up charging stations for phones and tablets to be charged. Despite the devastation of the storm, the damage caused, and the lost lives, the tragedy showed how those in different communities come together to help their neighbours in times of need.
Photo by Larry Belzac by Brandon Mayer A severe thunderstorm struck Ottawa and surrounding areas hard on May 21, causing significant damage and power outages, and leading to at least 10 reported deaths. The derecho was initially predicted to be a routine severe thunderstorm, but quickly turned into a significant weather event with many lasting consequences. Researchers reportedly measured the strongest wind gusts from the storm at an incredible speed of 190 km/h, which just enters the threshold of wind speeds produced by an EF2 tornado. At the Ottawa airport, the strongest reported gust was measured at 120 km/h, which is the strongest at the airport in 60 years. An estimated 180,000 hydro customers in Ottawa lost power as a result of the
storm, with a significant number still without power days later, and still more days of work anticipated, as of the time of writing, before power is completely restored. An update posted by Hydro Ottawa reported that the majority of customers should be restored a week after the storm. The hardest hit areas of Ottawa were Hunt Club, Merivale, Navan, and Stittsville, according to the city’s website. Other areas, including those served by Hydro One and Hydro Quebec, were affected as well. Countless schools and businesses in Ottawa had to remain closed after the long weekend, as did many outside of Ottawa. The Upper Canada District School Board reported on social media that 12 of its schools had lost power as a result of the storm, nine of which still did not have power
upon the anticipated return to school on May 23, and therefore had to remain closed to staff and students. Other area school boards reported similar problems, with many schools unable to reopen until power is restored. Bryce Conrad, who is the CEO of Hydro Ottawa, is quoted as saying that the storm on May 21 was “as bad as it gets”, even worse than the Ice Storm which hit the region in 1998, and the tornadoes that shook the region in 2018. Photos quickly flooded the internet after the derecho, showing toppled hydro transmission towers, trees lying in tangled disarray, farm buildings flattened, and cars dented beyond repair by falling trees and debris. Residents and businesses in Kemptville and the surrounding area experienced some bad weather, but were
Tennis Club commits to ParticipACTION Kemptville Community Tennis Club planning special events to help with North Grenville’s bid to defend its title as Canada’s most active community. The municipality won the ParticipACTION challenge last year thanks to the efforts of many in the community. The tennis club played its part by encouraging members to log their minutes and running free clinics. As well, club members kept the courts busy for 12 straight hours during a “marathon match” event. ParticipACTION cited that event as one of the unique aspects of North June 1, 2022
Grenville’s winning bid. The club is going to repeat the event this year on June 4th at the courts in Riverside Park. Club members will sign up for slots to make sure the courts are busy for 12 or more hours. All of the minutes from participants will then be entered into the ParticipACTION website on the tennis club’s behalf. To help rack up more minutes, the club’s instructors will be offering up some free clinics to interested players on June 4. Clinics will start at 11:30 a.m. and run for about an hour. They are open
ties. The club will also be running an Adults Camp in the evenings during the week of July 25. Anyone interested in any of these camps can send an email to kctcgeneral@ gmail.com.
for players of all skills and abilities. Anyone interested in the clinics should register by sending an email to kctcgeneral@gmail.com. Registering in advance will help the instructors plan for the clinics. The club has loaner racquets for anybody that wants to try tennis, but does not have a racquet. Later in the summer, the club will host its annual children’s tennis camps. The camps run for an hour a day during the weeks of July 25 and August 15. These morning camps are open to children of all ages and abili-
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Editorial
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The Times they are a-changin’ by David Shanahan I’ve been waiting a long time to use that title... Yes, things are changing, but the Times will be staying around for a while yet. A couple of weeks ago, we reported on the troubles facing newspapers recently because of a shortage of newsprint on which to actually print them. In addition, the printing company we’ve been using for many years has been forced to close because of that and other issues. It is, in many ways, a further effect of Covid, as businesses who managed to survive lockdowns and restrictions, and hoped that things would improve with the end of those limitations on business, faced up to serious problems when they reopened. Both of our newspapers, in North Grenville and North Dundas, have been recovering really well from the pandemic restrictions, but faced genuine existential threats when our printer went under. But we have found a new printing company, and things look to be moving on quite well from here. But delivery of copies
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of the Times were seriously delayed last week because of yet another problem that has been affecting almost everyone - a shortage of drivers. We do apologise for that. It has been depressing, in some cases devastating, for many small and large businesses alike to find that surviving Covid lockdowns may not have been the achievement they thought it would be. Staff shortages throughout the many sectors of the economy have meant that restaurants and retail operations, among others, have been unable to take advantage of the opportunities that milder weather and the eagerness of people to get out of the house again. Nor is this confined to our area, or even the country as a whole. I am writing this in Ireland (I’m back at work, just not back in the office), and this country has been dealing with the same issues, though it is not nearly as bad here as in Britain, where the rising cost of living has led to dramatic increases in energy and food costs even greater than those experienced in
Canada and Europe. The UK defines people suffering from “energy poverty” when more than 10% of their disposable income is spent on energy for heating, cooking, travel, etc. It has been calculated that, by the end of this year, fully half of all UK households will be in that situation. The series of dramatic, almost unprecedented, crises we’ve all experienced over the past three years - from Covid to war in Ukraine have been added to in the UK by the absolute folly that was Brexit. But the overall impact of these various crises has been to seemingly perpetuate the changes in how we live. There seems to be no going back to the lives we had pre2020. As Yeats said: “All is changed, changed utterly”, though we can’t continue with his line: “a terrible beauty is born”. There is nothing beautiful, albeit terrible, about the state of affairs facing us today. The world is dealing with the greatest population shifts since the end of World War II, as literally millions of people, from Syria, Ukraine, Yemen, and other countries, are on
the move, looking for peace and safety and a future for their children. Their movement, coinciding with the decreasing standard of living in the nations to which they are fleeing, is only adding to an upsurge in racism and intolerance, something that had already been extremely worrying even before the pandemic, as social media sites encouraged the dissemination of hatred and xenophobia. On the face of it, then, things are looking rather bleak, aren’t they? But we have to deal with the situations we face, and not look longingly back at how things used to be. Because the reality is that we also grumbled and moaned about the things that used to be before they were “used to be”. In football (soccer for the uninitiated), there is a saying: “you can only beat the team in front of you”, and that is the case for us today. Instead of gnashing our teeth and giving in to the conspiracy crazies (of which there are many, some in governments), we have to rethink the way we do things in a new world. If even British Conservatives
find themselves having to tax energy companies to the tune of £5 billion in order to keep their people warm and businesses functioning, then we know the world is facing new realities. Which brings me to the provincial election. Elections are always important because they decide the men and women, and more importantly, the ideology, that will decide much of how we live together. This is particularly important this time around. Old ways of doing things are having to give way to new, especially new ideas, new visions of how society should or can work for the good of its citizens. This is certainly not the time to fall back on old habits and family traditions. It is more certainly not the time to vote without thought, or, much, much worse, not to vote at all. The pandemic showed us how suddenly things can change, and how vital it is that we have leaders at all levels who are capable of reacting to those crises effectively, efficiently, and humanely. Millions of people around
been debunked by historians, and is now promoted only by fundamentalists of either a theist or atheist bent. Any fair look at the history of science after the Renaissance makes it clear that for centuries, science was largely the product of devout Christians doing scientific research. It is true that in the past, certain naturalistic findings have occasionally challenged some traditional understandings of religious doctrines, but I would argue that at present, the opposite is true. As published previously in these pages, the findings of cosmology, biology, quantum physics, and palaeontology, among other sciences, are now challenging the tenets of materialism or naturalism, and are more supportive of the need for a Creator to provide the information on which reality is constructed. Lachance claims that revelation cannot be falsified, even though many have tried to do so over the past two millennia. Like a good scientific theory, Christianity
has stood the test of time and met every counter argument with evidence and reason, as described in many of David Shanahan's columns. In contrast, some long-standing scientific theories have later been disproved with new evidence. And some of the things passing as science these days are accepted with little or no real evidence; the Multiverse, origin of life theories, and dark energy come to mind. I cannot address all of Victor Lachance's points in a short letter, but perhaps readers can see that his recent columns provide only part of the science and faith picture. Rather than supposing they are in conflict, many people find that embracing natural science together with a well-founded faith provides a richer perspective and a better foundation on which to live life to the fullest. Ed Norman, Kemptville.
Dear Editor, After reading the conversations with the local provincial candidates, it’s clear that a vote for the PC party = a vote for the Kemptville prison. That means this community has a difficult decision to make. This riding has long been a provincial stronghold for the PCs, and Mr. Clark has supported this community in the past. However, as a minister he must toe the party line; which means a Conservative government is a guarantee the prison will be pushed through, regardless of community opposition. So you’re a PC supporter but you don’t want the prison; what a conundrum! I agree with the article “Voting Rights and Turnout”, so simply not voting is a cop-out. So what are your alternatives? Mr. Del Duca had many years as part of the Wynne government to take action on items he says he will now, so it’s hard to believe he’ll do what he promises. I’ve been a longtime PC supporter myself, but I also have to keep an open mind. An election is your op-
portunity to send a message, and perhaps this time around the message should be that Kemptville will not be bullied into hosting a prison and that we don’t want $10 billion of our taxpayer money wasted on a highway that benefits a tiny portion of the province and destroys valuable farmland. That’s simply not sound management. Every now and then we have to leave our comfort zone to do what’s right, and perhaps this is one of those times. Vote with your conscience—but DO vote. Jim Luty Merrickville
the world died unnecessarily because people in government moved too slowly. There was a singular lack of vision on the part of many individuals in places of power around the world, and so people died. The images that have been emerging in the UK of Boris Johnson and his cohorts having drinks parties and celebrations in groups at the very time ordinary people were refused access to dying family members, or had to miss out on funerals, has underlined how divorced politicians can be from those who elected them and made the very rules they flouted. So, as you think about the upcoming election, it is important that we put our vote in context. It is not so much a matter of which political party you vote for, but much more who the person is that you can trust to remain true to their word, act on behalf of all where possible, and have the vision to guide us into the new world we’re facing. Time for a revolution, I think.
Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, I applaud Victor Lachance's discussion of science and faith in the NG Times and I look forward to the rest of the series. In his May 25 piece, however, he sets up a false dilemma between Naturalism and Supernaturalism and then polarizes the relationship between them, unfairly in my opinion. Lachance says naturalism is "adequate to figure out" all of physical reality, but surely he knows that science has many mysteries it cannot adequately explain; how the universe began, the origin of life, and human consciousness, for example. Similarly, stating that supernaturalism "dictates the way things are" goes too far. Religious believers usually accept most of the results of naturalistic science as far as they go, so the two are rarely in conflict when examined fairly. Indeed, the "conflict thesis", begun in the late 19th century and claiming that science and faith have always been at war, has long since The North Grenville Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc.
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submitted by Roy Brown The following is from the Brockville Recorder and Times, dated February 17, 1906: Wm. McIntosh, of Kemptville, has been granted by the council of that village $276 a year for acting as constable, caretaker of town hall, truant officer, sanitary and fire inspector, repairer of sidewalks and bridges, collector, assistant engineer, inspector of dog licenses and performer of any other work required by the council. William’s hands, if not in his pockets, should be kept full.
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Governments must act when it comes to fuel prices by Brandon Mayer It should come as no surprise that as gas prices continue to skyrocket across the country, instances of fuel theft are increasing as well. A local social media user posted last week that fuel had been siphoned directly from the tank of his truck. Nearby gas stations have been posting an increased number of surveillance tapes showing fuel thefts, hoping for help from the public in catching the thieves. One CTV News report confirms anecdotally through gas station owner reports that fuel theft is indeed on the rise in Ontario. Prices crept over the $2.00 per litre mark, on average, this month. Can we blame these thieves? Well, yes. Theft is theft. But high gas and diesel prices affect people much differently than other cost
increases, especially in rural areas. Food costs are rising, and that hurts individuals and families; but food banks are open and ready to serve. Not having enough money for food does not automatically mean that one must starve. When hydro and gas customers fall on hard times and can’t pay their bills, Ontario has a ban in place preventing these services from being cut off in the winter months, so that those experiencing financial hardship won’t freeze. Fuel is different. For a person living outside city limits, not having enough money to put gas in the car simply has no solution and no alternative, and it means not getting to work, which hits hard. Being short $100 (yes, $100) for a tank of gas can quickly turn into an entire week of lost wages, or job loss. That kind of pressure
••
can make people do otherwise unimaginable things. It is also important to remember the sheer size of the fuel price increase. Many local residents are surely feeling the impact of an inflationdriven rise in food prices, which has seen the cost of groceries rise by 3-10% since last year. In comparison, fuel prices have risen about 60% in the same time period. For a person driving a compact car with a 50 litre tank, needing to fill up just once per week to get to work, the increase in cost since last year amounts to a difference of about $160 per month. Imagine having a larger, less fuel efficient vehicle, and a longer commute, with two commuters in one household. The increase in cost could run several hundred dollars per month. Fuel cost inflation has, quite literally, become the
equivalent of an extra bill for anyone who commutes. When it comes to fuel cost inflation, the federal and provincial governments need to act. This is not a political issue, it’s an emergency. Carbon taxes need to be removed from the cost of fuel, and regular HST needs to be removed as well, even if just temporarily, to provide relief until the situation improves. As much as many Ontarians may be wishing they could afford an electric car right now, the reality is that most can’t. Oh, the irony, that one must first be well-off to purchase a car the fuel source of which won’t cause financial ruin! It is time for governments to wake up and realize that in this chicken or egg story, an affordable economy must precede the purchasing of cars that run more affordably.
OPP charge individuals in Brockville and Cardinal in Child Sexual Exploitation case
Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Child Sexual Exploitation Unit (CSEU), Digital Forensics Unit and Brockville Police Service have arrested and charged two men, one in Brockville and one in Cardinal, following a child sexual exploitation investigation. On May 25, 2022, police executed search warrants at a business and home in the City of Brockville, Ontario, and seized several electronic devices. As a result of this investigation, a male, 61 years of age, was arrested and charged with: One count of Possession of Child Pornography, as per section 163.1(4) of the Criminal Code. The accused was held for a bail hearing. On May 30, 2022, police executed a search warrant at a home in the Town of Cardinal and seized several electronic devices. As a result of this investigation, a male, 23 years-of-age, was arrested and charged with: June 1, 2022
Three counts of Possession of Child Pornography, as per section 163.1(4) of the Criminal Code. Two counts of Making Available Child Pornography, as per section 163.1(3) of the Criminal Code. The accused was released from custody following a bail hearing and is scheduled to
appear in court on June 24, 2022, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville. Children are our most valuable and precious members of society. Many victims of child sexual abuse are so young that they cannot tell their story. Every time an image or video depicting that abuse is shared, that child is re-victimized. Members of the OPP CSEU will continue to pursue individuals who exploit children on the Internet. Anyone wanting to make a difference is encouraged to go to protectchildren.ca and download the "Child Sexual Abuse - It Is Your Business" brochure from the Canadian Center for Child Protection.
This is an important first step that can save a child. Parents are reminded to take a proactive approach to help protect their children from online sexual exploitation by speaking with their children regarding internet safety. Parents and anyone interested in protecting children can find resources to assist them at cybertip.ca. Police are asking anyone who has information regarding this investigation, or if you have information regarding any internet child exploitation, to please contact the OPP at . If wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at (TIPS) or 1-800-222-8477.
International Plowing Match & Rural Expo – Get Creative! Get creative and be involved with IPM 2022! The IPM 2022 Beautification contest is your chance to visually demonstrate your community spirit and to welcome visitors to the United Counties by decorating the entrance to your home or business! The theme for this year's beautification is ‘United We Grow’ with the IPM theme being ‘A Community Showcase of Agriculture and Rural Living – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.’ There will be five catego-
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ries: residential, commercial, farm, barn quilt and other and each of these include different elements. These elements are: flowers, beautification theme, IPM theme and the overall appeal and impact. Prizes will be awarded to the top three for each of the categories. This is an opportunity for residents and businesses in the United Counties of Leeds Grenville to showcase the rich abundance of agricultural farmland and quaint towns and villages.
The deadline for entries will be Monday, August 15, 2022. If you are interested in participating in the community beautification contest, download the entry form and find more information here: www.plowingmatch. org/ipm2022/get-involved/ beautification-contest. For more information on the 2022 IPM, visit www. plowingmatch.org/ipm2022.
5
UPDATE
MUNICIPAL OFFICE HOURS
The Municipal office is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please note: Renovations at the North Grenville Municipal Centre reception area are underway. Access to the facility will continue to be through the main entrance doors located on the North side of the building. Customer service will be moved upstairs for the duration of the renovation project. Access to the 2nd floor stairs and elevator will be available during this time. Sign-up to Mayor Peckford’s e-newsletter at: northgrenville.ca/connect.
2022 MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION
The nomination period is now open for the 2022 Municipal and School Board Election. Please visit NGvotes.ca for nomination information, announcements, and updates. Notices setting out the positions and details concerning school board elections can be found at: NGvotes.ca/ election-news. Are you on the voters list for the 2022 Municipal and School Board Election? Visit voterlookup.ca or simply scan the QRCode using the camera on your smart phone or by downloading a QR reader.
UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETINGS Council will continue to meet virtually during the Municipal Centre renovation project. Please pre-register with the Clerk at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca. If you require accommodation, please advise the Clerk when pre-registering so that we may best assist you. To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please provide your comments no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting to clerk@northgrenville.on.ca Council meetings will be live streamed on YouTube at: youtube.com/user/NorthGrenville/featured and on the Municipality’s website at: northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes. Council agendas are available at: northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes. • Council Meeting (Closed) - June 7, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. • Council Meeting (Open) -Virtual - June 7, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. • Council Meeting (Open) -Virtual - June 15, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Committees may be meeting in-person or virtually. Please see the Committee agenda for details on how to attend. • Heritage Advisory Committee – June 2, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. • Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee – June 6, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. • Health Wellness and Fitness Advisory Committee – June 13, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Looking for an exciting career in municipal government? Visit northgrenville.ca/careers to stay up to date on career opportunities with the Municipality.
The Municipality of North Grenville 285 County Rd. 44, PO Box 130, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca www.NorthGrenville.ca Building: 613-258-9569 x130 Fax: 613-258-1441
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The Voice of North Grenville
Indigenous matters
Shiikenh: ‘Act Indian, not Indian Act!’
This is part of a series of articles on Indigenous issues and history to promote awareness of our shared history among the general population. of Ontario – to adopt the for Sheguiandah – the home traditional “stand-up” • Brakes he liked to call • Vehicle repairsformat community to•select their Grand Chiefs. centre of the universe.” • Suspension Class “A” Mechanic “the Having the courage to Prestand It• is remarkably Tire Salesfitting that the • Sale of Quality in open assembly behind ceremonial item at the very • Air Conditioning Owned Vehicles one’s political choice for a heart of the Anishinabek Na• Flat Bed Tow Truck • Alignments leader was a major departure tion is the Eagle Staff, which 613-989-3839 from using the secret-ballot he himself carved. elections C imposed by Canao u n t y R d 1 , M o u nHe t a ilived n O nhis t a rteachings, io dian colonizers on First Na- never lecturing, preaching, tions through the repressive admonishing, or criticizing Indian Act. others. He would console a When Anishinabek Chiefs conference organizer devasThe late former Anishinabek Nation Head Getzit Gordon began the process of creat- tated by a poor turnout by Waindubence (Shiikenh). – Photo by Laura Barrios ing a Chi-Naaknigewin – a saying, “Everyone who is written constitution to en- supposed to be here is here”, by Maurice Switzer ernance would never come in shrine their inherent rights a philosophy he undoubtedly Anishinabek Nation poli- the form of what he liked to in a template for member accepted when his Sunrise tics was only meaningful to call “drive-by spirituality”. communities as an important Ceremonies or sweats might the late former Anishinabek When asked to open a step to moving away from not get the attendance he Nation Getzit Gordon Wain- meeting, participants learned the imposition of Canadian would have liked to have dubence (Shiikenh) if it was to be prepared for much more statutes and laws – Shiikenh- seen. grounded in Anishinabek than a perfunctory “prayer” baa played a major role in The importance of includculture. or predictable smudge; they the Nation-wide process of ing ceremony in all major For over 200 moons, knew they were in for a teach- seeking input for the words political deliberations was Shiikenh-baa – he loved to ing. that would embody grassroots fundamental to him. The see the reaction of hotel clerks That was how many elect- aspirations for Anishinabek concept of personal sacrifice when he checked in by draw- ed leaders first learned about sovereignty. – often referred to in this era ing a little turtle symbol – the role that the Dodemaag He played a key role in of Reconciliation as “reciwas the “eminence grise” of (Clan) System had played for the creation of Ngo Dwe procity” – was second nature Anishinabek politics. Chiefs the Anishinabek since time Waangizid (One Anishinaabe to him. and Grand Chiefs – even immemorial. He understood Family) – the Chi-Naaknige“How are you going to member communities – came that First Nations had used win’s preamble expressed in pay for that?” he would chaland went, but Gordon-baa this model of community Anishinaabemowin – defined lenge those who proposed was a constant presence at governance for thousands of in the Chi-Naaknigewin as the grand courses of action. the assemblies and confer- generations before Europe- Nation’s official language. He didn’t write the ences convened to conduct ans came to understand the He saw to it that those guiding speeches, policy papers, or the Nation’s business, from importance of grooming lead- Anishinabek principles were briefing notes essential to the Lake Nipigon in the north, to ers to understand their true burned into a stretched deer political advocacy exercised Golden Lake in the east, and purpose in life. hide on prominent display in by political organizations, to the southern shores of Lake He encouraged everyone the Anishinabek Nation Head but his simple mantra “Act Huron. with whom he came into Office in Nipissing First Na- Indian, not Indian Act” encapFrom the time he decided contact to explore their fam- tion, infusing the words with sulated the spirit behind those to accept the role as Getzit ily tree and find their Clan more permanence than if they thousands of words. for the Nation’s Leadership affiliation, understanding how had been written on paper and His countless hours of Council, he made his vision important it is to know where smothered behind a glassed- political contributions were clear about the importance we come from to help us get in frame. secondary in his heart to of providing strong cultural to where we need to go. Spirituality was much those he dedicated to his wife underpinning to Indigenous His teaching and encour- more than words for Shiikenh- Pearl and his family, includpolitical activism. His con- agement led to the landmark baa, whose handiwork can be ing many winter nights spent tributions to the immense task decision of Anishinabek Na- seen in the ethereal skylit driving a grandson to hockey of restoring Anishinaabe gov- tion chiefs – and later Chiefs roundhouse he fashioned games and tournaments all over the province. Dbaadendiziwin (humility) is not always a trait associated with those who devote their lives to political objectives. His actions exemplified that teaching – he admired the plucky little chickadee as much as the majestic Eagle – as well as the other six Grandfathers included in the preamble: Zaagidwin (Love), Debwewin (Truth), Mnaadendmowin (Respect), Nbwaakaawin (Wisdom), Gwekwaadziwin (Honesty), and Aakedhewin (Bravery). May his Spirit be in a better place, and shine in the night sky with all the other stars. Maurice Switzer is a citizen of the Mississaugas of Alderville First Nation. He is fortunate to have been one of Image by Kelly Maloney. A forest of Tulips. Shiikenh’s pupils.
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The Real Dirt on Farmer Lisa by Victor Lachance, CAPP Reviews I must admit I’ve not seen many films about farmlands and agriculture, but this story about not-so-angelic organics saddened me. I thought I might see a classic story of overcoming challenges as a community tries to save a heritage farm in a small place called Kempttown. But it is more of a documentary about a fallen agricultural angel that will make audiences feel betrayed, confused and sad. The dirt in this story is political, and the fallen agricultural angel is a farmer named Lisa. The Real Dirt on Farmer Lisa is a slow-paced but gripping Ontario-made documentary that demonstrates the many ways that Lisa has agriculture and farming in her blood. We follow her path from graduation from an agricultural university that used to own a Kempttown Agricultural College to being a powerful politician responsible for agriculture, food and rural affairs. Her dream job is to ensure the sustainability of agriculture and provide business opportunities for farmers as well as economic growth and opportunities in rural communities. But as all farmers know, there’s also some dirty
work to be dealt with. Lisa is no pushover. Her impressive accomplishments are varied and plentiful. For example, we see how she once was at the helm of a government body responsible for ensuring that farmers have access to information, including information about the government’s efforts to protect farmland and prevent any transfers of land that would add to the increasing loss of Ontario farmland. She fought for the environment and green energy. She’s an alumnus of an advanced agricultural leadership program and was a general manager of a provincial dairy goat cooperative. This is a farmer with a long history of being an active and engaged citizen, working with many community organizations such as a 4-H Foundation and being vice-chair of an agri-food education organization that celebrates all things food and farming. Not only that, she lives on a 120-year-old farm with a small herd of goats. Here we have a true blue champion of farmers and agriculture. The documentary also covers some of Farmer Lisa’s promises made in the media about how she wants to continue to champion agricultural interests and ensure
that farmer’s voices are heard. We hear her say things like: “This particular [agricultural] industry had been ignored for far too long, and it’s time that [farmers] can have confidence that they have a government that is listening and acting now.” She even introduces legislation to support agricultural experts in their field of work. Farmer Lisa is obviously outstanding in her own field. But the documentary is no field of dreams, even though it can sometimes touch places in the heart. Audiences will be well-fed on platitudes, but it’s a bitter harvest. That’s because Farmer Lisa suddenly has an opportunity to support farming and to save farmland and heritage farm buildings in Kempttown. Will she dig down deep into her rural roots and her responsibility to protect farmland or will she sow the grapes of wrath? All I can say is that audiences will be shocked at her response to a flurry of letters and requests from concerned citizens, a farmers’ union, agricultural co-operatives, an ecological farmers association, Canadian organic growers and food scholars among others. If anyone can assist them, it’s Farmer Lisa. Spoiler alert: after the
many months of appeals for her to save the Kempttown farmland and support local green initiatives, Farmer Lisa simply says over and over again that “I can’t assist you”. No more commitment to farmers’ access to information; no more fighting for the environment or green energy; no more celebrating all things food and farming. Her rural roots don’t seem to run very deep at all and her commitment to agriculture, farmers and rural communities even less so. And yet Farmer Lisa then decides to travel all the way to Kempttown to announce financial support for the creation of an AgriFood Youth Entrepreneurship Program to teach youth some skills in agri-food entrepreneurship. These young entrepreneurs will also be able to learn how politicians work when they look out their agri-food classroom windows and watch as Lisa paves over prime agricultural land and bulldozes heritage farm buildings to build a prison no one asked for and many do not want. The irony will build the kind of skepticism, distrust and disappointment that farmers need when faced with certain Ontario politicians.
Time to take long-term care off the backburner by Brandon Mayer Earlier this month, a local consulting firm contacted the Times about the issue of long-term care. They had been hired by two area longterm care homes to lobby for better provincial funding, and wanted to make sure that voters are thinking about long-term care ahead of the provincial election. With that election now sneaking up tomorrow, voters are faced with the heavy task of weighing candidates’ stances on many different issues, and processing all of the pros and cons of each candidate into one suitable person for whom to cast a vote. June 1, 2022
It may be time to stop worrying solely about funding long-term care, and move toward thinking about it differently. I have visited two long-term care homes in my life. The first was when I was a youth, and I was visiting an elderly relative. What I saw that day was not something I was expecting. Even as a teenager, it bothered me to see how my relative’s room was set up. The walls were grey and bare. The room was shared with another resident, had very little natural lighting, and not much room for personal effects. It was a bed and a small TV, which reminded me of a hospital. This was only one experience,
at least a decade ago, but that one visit forever shaped my view of long-term care. It is not an assumption that all long-term care homes are the same as the one I visited which shaped my view, but rather the realization that this one particular home met standards, and that the living environment was considered acceptable. The other long-term care home I visited made me feel somewhat better, though I only visited the common areas, not the residents’ rooms. I work in an elementary school, and I created a program (prepandemic) wherein small groups of children would visit this long-term care home
once per week to play board games with the residents. Of course, the residents loved the opportunity to socialize, particularly with the young children, but sadly, such recreational programs were the only socialization many of the residents got. Absolutely none of the blame for this falls to the system or to staff, and all of it falls to the families of these once respected and loved family members. My mom was a PSW for decades before retiring. She did mostly home visiting, but would occasionally have long-term care homes to visit on her daily routes. One particularly haunting story she told me was the situation in 7
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long-term care homes in the years when she would have to work on Christmas Day. Residents would ask her to bathe them and dress them in their nicest clothes in anticipation of Christmas visits from family. These visits almost always didn’t occur, and excitement would turn to sorrow for these residents by the end of the day. Do we need better funding for long-term care in Ontario? Absolutely! Education and childcare receive far more attention than long-term care, and that must change. However, if we are ever to truly take long-term care off the backburner, we first need to find a way to engage families
once again. Social events and smiling staff are wonderful, but will never be a match for the hug of a grandchild or a discussion of “old times” with family. Promoting the simple idea that a valuable life doesn’t end after age 65 is thus the challenge that lies ahead. All hands on deck – caring is free.
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UCDSB Board of Trustees Meeting
Op-ed Section
SIGNS
by Peter Johnson, Upper Oxford Mills 'And the sign said, 'Longhaired, freaky people, need not apply.'(Les Emmerson) A long time ago, shortly after the disappearance of dinosaurs, during my toolengthy tenure in high school in Ottawa, Les Emmerson's group, 'The Five Man Electrical Band', was very big... as were The Staccatos & The Townsmen. There was a plethora of good groups back then, in the late 60's--lots. It was 'a sign of the times' (the second song mentioned so far in this effort). On the topic of signs: There are some signs that are most pleasant to the eyes... like church signs. They are meant to help us reflect: 'CH_ _ CH: What's missing? U R' 'This too shall pass. It might pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.' 'Acting perfect in church is like dressing up for an x-ray'. Some signs are merely meant to make us think: 'Sometimes you're the dog, sometimes you're the hydrant.' 'Cremation is my last hope for a smokin' hot body.' 'We will continue to have meetings until we find out why no work is getting done.' And then there are the signs that people put up on their lawns - the biggest one around here, lately, has been short and to the point: 'No Prison'. And then there are the ones that pop up magically, any time an election looms. They are neither humorous nor thoughtful. For me, they are simply puzzling. Are they an advertisement? Do you have to buy one? Are there designated people in each of the political parties, who go around door to door asking, 'Would you like to have a sign for my political party? We're having a 2 for 1 deal this week.' Why do people put them out there, for all the world to see? In this country, it is mandatory that your vote be confidential and private: Elections Canada sees to that. Great steps are taken to make sure
EQUINELLE
June 1, 2022
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that no one can know for whom you are voting. So why would anyone go out of their way to advertise that which has been made private and secret? Are they looking for patronage? Are they trying to be influencers? Are they bragging? Are they just being oppositional? It's puzzling. But even more puzzling is the over-abundance of blue signs, at least in our small community. We have had a lengthy debate, in this publication and elsewhere, about the imposition of a prison in our small community. People were, and still are, understandably upset about the manner in which it was imposed. We have been dumped upon from a very great height, and we have not enjoyed it. I have not seen a single letter or opinion that said, 'Calm down people. This is a good idea. They--the government--know what's best. Settle down!' (side note: Never, in the history of 'settle down', has anyone ever settled down after being told to settle down). The opposition has been quite strong and clear (a shout out here to a former student... good job Kirk Albert). So, where do these people with the blue signs on their lawns fit into this situation? Where do they fit into the whole election scenario? Are they so anti-every-other-party that they will never change their vote? Fine. Do you need to take out an advertisement on your lawn to show your obstinacy? Were you silent while everyone else was vociferously protesting? Do you feel so superior that you feel that it is your duty and obligation to demonstrate to the peons supporting the other Parties, the errors of their ways---as a purely educational/helpful gesture? I understand the demographic. This is an agricultural area--this is Eastern Ontario. The Party sporting the blue signs has had a tenacious grip on the riding, Provincially and Federally, since 'Moses wore cowboy boots'--(an expression my mother used...I never understood it). But what does it
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Trustees with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) met on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Some of the items discussed in the public session are as follows. Board Action Plan for Indigenous Education: Executive Superintendent of Innovation and Student Achievement Eric Hardie, along with Kelty Grant, K-12 System Principal for Indigenous Education, presented to Trustees the district’s Board Action Plan for Indigenous Education. To address a lower-thanaverage student success factors for Indigenous students, the UCDSB offers several new culturally relevant course opportunities for Indigenous students. One is an afterschool credit option available at Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School in lacrosse, led by a cultural advisor and retired professional player. Students receive a rich experience all while learning about their culture and more. A second after-school culinary credit option is available to students at St. Lawrence Secondary School. Indigenous guest chefs, both locally and across the country, show students different foods all while adding in important teachings. Other course offerings and experiences specific to Indigenous students are: Mohawk language, Indigenous leadership course, IDC30/40 and Thompson Island Cultural Camp. The UCDSB is also offering reach-ahead opportunities for students transitioning to UCDSB from AMBE for Grade 9. Eric Hardie noted that the UCDSB’s self-identified Indigenous student enrolment has increased 9.3 per cent from the end of the 2021 school year. Indigenous students represent 3.23 per cent
take to shake the unswerving support of these hard-working rural residents? In my (somewhat) humble opinion, one of the reasons why they, the Queen's Park Power Brokerage Firm, went ahead with their plan in the manner that they did, was because they knew that it was a 'safe riding'. They had no concerns about any opposition. There would always be a vast majority who would stand firm and 'toe the Party line'. Well, look what it got you. We have been treated as if we had no right to any consultation prior to the decision, and there has certainly not been any sincere or meaningful consultation since. And so, Mr. Clark, without batting an eye, assembles the loyal minions, and up go the signs. You'd think he'd be ashamed to show his face. Apparently not. His name/face is on almost every corner. If we get the government that we deserve, then this has been a harsh lesson verifying that point. And what will be the outcome of this election? I don't think I could ask a more silly, more redundant question. The faithful will do their duty. As for me? There will be NO political signs on my property. My vote will be my own secret, to keep or to share. No Party deserves my vote unless they earn it. No Party can be assured of my support, election after election, neither Provincially nor Federally. For me, the only thing worse than hanging up a blue sign, like clockwork, every election, at least for this area and for this election, is to not vote at all. That is just lazy and stupid...sorry...'un-smart'. (language is important) Vote! Vote early, vote wisely, and vote often(?)... VOTE!
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of the UCDSB student population. Kelty Grant added that the district has made the Indigenous graduation coach position permanent and the UCDSB received funding to hire intermediate and summer Indigenous graduation coaches. Student Senate Fundraiser Surpasses Goal: Student Trustees Eshal Ali and Bradford Ward provided an update to the Board regarding their Green Iglu fundraiser. The fundraiser, which ran from April 1 to May 1, was part of the Student Senate’s focus on change and improvement both in and out of the school board. Each UCDSB school raised funds for the charity that works with Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario to help address food security and food sovereignty. The original fundraising goal was $5,000 and, in the end, they nearly doubled it to $9,100. District-Wide Timetable Update: Superintendent of Schools Susan Rutters presented an update to the Board on the district-wide timetable. All UCDSB secondary schools have common bell times of 8 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. daily. This is in part to provide students equal opportunities to take eLearning courses. Superintendent Rutters noted for the 2022-2023 school year, the UCDSB is piloting a mini-consortium opportunity to offer specific course needs that are common to several schools. This will enable students to have
equal opportunities and an established structure in UCDSB that provides greater choice and access to courses that interest them. Director’s Work Plan Approved: Director of Education Ron Ferguson reported to Trustees his work plan for the 2022-2023 school year. In his report, Ron noted that the key priorities for the UCDSB will focus on graduation rates and student success, student culture, real-world learning, and staff culture. For graduation rates and student success, the objective for the UCDSB is to improve student success and maintain a 90 per cent graduation rate. Student culture is another priority to enhance student mental and physical health, along with a sense of belonging. Real-world learning to engage students, staff, and community partners in handson experiential learning. The final key priority is to ensure all staff feel supported by the district and have the resources to be successful. Trustees were excited and pleased with the work plan and unanimously approved it for implementation.
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Notice of Annual General Meeting Take notice that the Annual General Meeting of KDHSI O/A Seniors’ Community Services will be held as follows: DATE: Tuesday, June 21st TIME: 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. LOCATION: Seniors’ Community Services 215 Sanders Street, Suite 101, Kemptville The purpose of the meeting is to: 1. Approve the minutes of the 2021 Annual General Meeting 2. Receive the Audited Financial Statements for the year ending March 31st, 2022 3. Appoint the Auditors for 2022 4. Elect Directors
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Information for those recovering from the effects of the storm by the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit Food - Now that power has been restored it is important to remember that if your power came back on overnight your food temperatures may be satisfactory however this does not mean that perishable food is safe to eat. Be sure to discard perishable food that has been sitting in the temperature danger zone (above 4oC/40oF) for more than 2 hours. When in doubt, throw it out! What_Do_I_ Save_What_Do_I_Throw_ Away_When_Power_Is_Out. pdf (healthunit.org) For more information on food safety please visit Food Safety Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit Discarding Food - Be sure to discard food in manner that will not attract pests to your home. Food should be contained until either picked up by a waste disposal company or taken a to municipal waste disposal location. Contact your local municipality to enquire about waste disposal times and locations. Cleaning Appliances -
After discarding food it is important to clean and sanitize surfaces that spoiled food has come into contact with including inside of your freezer, refrigerators and even counter tops. Surfaces should be cleaned with warm water and soap prior to sanitizing. Sanitizers should be used following the manufacture’s instruction found on the label. Well Water - Wells that rely on treatment systems may not be working so use an alternate source of water or boil water before consuming (boil for one minute then cool). Now that the power is being restored, ensure the treatment system is working properly. Flush the lines and take a sample to make sure your well water is safe to drink. Drinking Water Precautions - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit Basements - Do not enter a flooded basement unless you are sure the power is disconnected. Flooded appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes or fuse-breaker panels should not be used
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Patricia Ann Seely
December 31, 1940 – February 16, 2022 our fact sheet at carbon_monoxide.pdf (healthunit.org) If you are a resident of Lanark County, living on a low income, and would like support to cope with the power outage, contact Lanark Social Services at 1-888-9526275 - ext 2190.
until they have been checked and cleaned by a qualified electrician. If you have had flooding in your basement because your sump pump wasn’t working during the power outage it is important to dry and clean the area to prevent mould growth. For more information about cleaning up after a flood please visit Flood Cleanup and Mould Prevention | CMHC (cmhcschl.gc.ca) Septic Systems - If your septic system has electrical components such as a holding tank alarm or a pump chamber ensure that electricity has been properly restored to these devices to prevent sewage overflows and back-ups. Generators - If you are still using a generator ensure that it is located in a wellventilated area to prevent Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas that affects the red blood cells ability to carry oxygen and blocks the absorption of oxygen to the bloodstream. For more information about Carbon Monoxide please see
Funeral Service on June 11, 2022 at 11:00 am Kemptville Public Cemetery 111 King St, Kemptville Luncheon to follow at Catered Affairs 820 Heritage Drive, Kemptville
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The Rotary Club of Kemptville will host North Grenville Mayor Nancy Peckford for a presentation and public discussion about the future use of surplus agricultural lands from the former Kemptville College. Use of Surplus Provincial Agricultural Lands
What: The Municipality of North Grenville is reviewing options for community benefit initiatives on these lands and has been gathering input from the community on how best to use these lands and establish community- driven agricultural and related projects. Much of what remains is well suited to potential community uses, such as Agri-education, community gardens, social activities, arts and culture. North Grenville seeks to create new sustainable opportunities for residents and enrich the community. Who: Mayor Nancy Peckford, North Grenville, guest speaker
No.1
Nadia Diakun-Thibault, incoming President of the Rotary Club of Kemptville, moderator. When: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. June 9, 2022.
EN ONTARIO
Where: First Christian Reformed Church Hall, 2457 County Rd 18, Kemptville, ON Contacts:
Rotary Club of Kemptville: Anna Van Adrichem Rochon Email: anna.varochon@gmail.com Tel: 613-258-2706
Municipality of North Grenville: Jill Sturdy Email: jsturdy@northgrenville.on.ca Tel: 613-258-9569 ext. 168 About Rotary: Rotary service projects are focused on seven areas: M Peace and Conflict Prevention / Resolution M Disease Prevention and Treatment M Water and Sanitation M Maternal and Child Health M Basic Education and Literacy M Economic and Community Development.
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Library Plant Sale raises funds
Rideau Canal saga
Looking for security by David Shanahan As the War of 1812 was coming to an end in late-1814, the British authorities began to turn their minds to potential future conflicts and to learn what lessons they could from the events of the previous two years. The vulnerability of the St. Lawrence corridor to enemy attack had been recognised, and the Government realised how easily the United States could have isolated and conquered Upper Canada simply by blockading the river. The solution arrived at was that an alternate supply route between Lower Canada and Lake Ontario had to be found. This, it was hoped, would be far enough away from the frontier to be safe from American raids, or even another full-scale invasion. The next step in the plan was to ensure the safety of the new route. To guarantee this, the Government decided to offer free land along the route of the proposed defensive line to discharged soldiers who had served in Canada during the war. Later, the plan was extended to include Canadian Militia who had served in various capacities during the hostilities. The third point of the Government’s plan was one which recognised the fact that, while discharged soldiers would be good defenders of the new supply route in time of conflict, there was also an urgent need for civilian settlers to fill in the empty land of Upper Canada. These would not only add to the social and economic life of the province, but would also provide experienced farmers and tradespeople, something discharged soldiers could not. However, the large Americanborn population of 1812 was not something that the Government wished to maintain, so the new settlers would be found in Britain and Ireland. The balance between Americans and British would be adjusted in favour of those deemed more loyal and less “democratically tainted” than June 1, 2022
Americans. To get the plan started, the British Government decreed that Americans would be banned from immigrating into the British territory. This was to be accomplished by making all new settlers take an oath of loyalty to the Crown. In case any American was prepared to take the oath, Canadian officials were given authority to deny individuals the opportunity, forcing some to leave the province and return to the United States. This initiative did not survive for long, and American settlers continued to arrive, but never in great numbers compared to the influx that was expected from Britain and Ireland. On December 6, 1814, a General Order was issued proclaiming the Crown’s intention of settling discharged soldiers on lands in Upper Canada. The difficulty was knowing where these soldiers could be placed. On February 9, 1815 Surveyor General Thomas Ridout was informed of the proposed scheme and ordered to launch an investigation to identify possible locations for settlements. The original idea was to find a location where the soldiers could be settled in close proximity to each other. A Military Depot would be established at a central site, from which provisions, tools, and other necessities could be issued to the settlers for the first year of the project. Ridout’s report was not very welcome to the Government. Their intention was to locate the soldiers close to the new route, which they had already tentatively sited along the Rideau and down
to Gananoque. Ridout had been instructed to look at the eastern end of the province, but by 1814, the lands bordering either side of the Rideau had been surveyed into townships and lands granted there to Loyalists after 1802. Not all of this land had been settled, but it was taken and patented, leaving only the Crown and Clergy Reserves vacant in many townships. These were lots, amounting to two-sevenths of all the lots in a township, which had been set aside for the benefit of the Crown and the Anglican Church. They were almost all still vacant by the end of the War, owing to the plentiful free or cheap land remaining elsewhere in the province. But the Upper Canadian authorities, dominated by Loyalists, did not accept that the Crown Reserves should be used for discharged soldiers, or poor immigrants, as long as many Loyalists had still not been granted their full allowance of free land. This led to serious complications in the allocation of lands to the soldiers and arriving immigrants. The problem in the interior townships was access: until the Rideau Canal was finished, access to the interior townships depended on the very few roads that existed, and whatever navigable waters went through the townships. And these same factors were to have an enormous impact on the future direction of settlement after the end of the War of 1812.
The Friends of the Library Plant Sale Fundraiser, at the RBC, took place last Saturday. It was quite a short event, starting at 9 am and finishing at noon. But the very fact that it happened was wonderful news to the Friends, as It has been two years since they last held the plant sale, another positive sign of life regaining some sense of balance. The Friends noted that: “Your friends and neighbours have donated plants, as well as nurseries and businesses. This means all the funds go directly into our children's programs and other programs that provide seamless continuity to ensure our community continues to access in person and on-line for the following year.”
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OPP Enforcement during Canada Road Safety Week
Between May 17 and May 23, 2022, members from the Grenville County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) laid 219 traffic-related charges during enforcement activities for Canada Road Safety Week. The majority of the charges were for speeding infractions, which continue to be one of the leading factors in fatal collisions on OPP-patrolled roads. Driving without insurance, driving while under suspension, careless driving, using a handheld communication device (mobile phone) and seat belt
charges were also laid. One driver was charged with stunt driving. Officers conducted multiple R.I.D.E. programs throughout Grenville County each day and a Commercial Motor Vehicle enforcement initiative was also completed on May 18, with assistance from an OPP East Region Traffic Incident Management Enforcement (TIME) team. On May 22, 2022, just after 8:00 p.m., officers were called to attend St. Lawrence Street, in the Township of Merrickville-Wolford, for a vehicle that had collided with a parked car. The 27-year-
old driver was located at the scene and arrested and charged for the following CC offences: Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs - Section 320.14(1)(a); Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus) - Section 320.14(1) (b); Operation while prohibited - Section 320.18(1)(a). Grenville County OPP is always committed to keeping our roadways safe, and have the training, tools and resources to detect roadside impairment. Grenville County OPP values the public's contribution to road safety as well, and actively responds to complaints of suspected impaired driving. If you suspect an impaired driver, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. If deemed to be an emergency, call 9-1-1. To report information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-(TIPS) 8477 or submit your tip online at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
Add your voice to a new Regional Tourism Strategy If you have a vision on how to position the region’s 1000 Islands, Rideau Canal, inland lakes, unique heritage and attractions for future growth - the time to add your voice is now. The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is calling on residents and stakeholders to help develop the first regional tourism destination strategy and action plan for future growth and development. Public input is essential to its success. “The goal is to build on our existing strengths, assets and partnerships while strategically repositioning this region to help it rebound and grow,” said Ann Weir, Manager of the Counties Economic Development Office. “Our tourism and hospitality sectors were the hardest hit by the pandemic and a new action plan will help these sectors in recovery and future development,” Ms. Weir said. You can help by participating in a survey and / or joining a virtual session. The survey will take you 5-7 minutes to complete, with your responses only analyzed in aggregate by the Counties project partner, Twenty31 Consulting. Responses will be kept strictly confidential and June 1, 2022
no personal information will be made public. The Interactive Virtual Consultation Session will be held Wednesday, June 8, from 7-9 p.m. Complete the survey or register for the session by visiting invest.leedsgrenville. com/tourism. Your views on the challenges and opportunities facing the region’s tourism industry, your vision for tourism in the Counties over the next few years, and the programs and policies the region needs in place to help realize that vision are encouraged. The Counties started the process in April. To date, consultants have held sessions to gather the views of elected
officials, municipal staff, key tourism and hospitality stakeholders, industry leaders and regional organizations. An extensive review of the existing tourism landscape and surrounding regions is also underway. Attention is being paid to environmental stewardship, diversity and inclusion principles, community lifestyle and wellbeing. Once public consultation is complete, consultants will recommend a regional tourism strategy, a destination management and development plan, a destination marketing plan as well as detailed action plans. Add your voice!
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CROSSWORD
Classifieds eds Classifi WANTED
FOR SALE
Generac generator 7500E only has 2 hours on it, complete with Gener Link and cord. All you have to do is plug it into the hydro meter and away you go, 613-215-0884 2 Brand New Wedding Dresses, never been worn, Tags Still On, LULUS (XL) ordered online. $300 each (phone number: 613-2032724 No. 6/4 wire cabtire 18 meters; No, 6/4 wire liquidtight 15 meters; $175.00 each or both for $300.00. Bill 613-850-1584 Two brand new wedding dresses, tags still attached, bought online LULUS (XL) $300 each Walker with seat; electric active cycle, manual exercise cycle. Call 613-5678533 Hearing aid with charger, hardly used. Call 613-5678533
Looking to rent farmland for cash crops. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204 HELP WANTED Occasional muscle required part time for landscaping and waterfront maintenance on Boyd Landing , Merrickville. Heavy work. Pays $100 for five-hour day. Must have transportation. Phone 613 2847780. Summer Job for Student: help with yard work & odd jobs in Pelton's Corners. Call 613-866-0445. Flexible hours.
The Eric Gutknecht Memorial Bursary Charity is seeking 250ml jars (new or used) for 2022 jam/ jelly sales. Drop off at 529 George St. E or call Billy at 613-796-0941
Firewood for sale $110 a cord delivered, min 2 cord for delivery. Call Jon 613227-3650 Hay and straw for sale 4x4 round bales, stored inside. Call Jon 613-227-3650 Cedar posts and rails for sale, various sizes available. Call Jon 613-227-3650
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HISTORIC HALL AVAILABLE FOR RENTALS in Beautiful Burritts Rapids! Gather your loved ones for a celebration of life or a life well lived. Start an art, musical, travel, or book club in a hamlet near walking trails and parkettes. Our hall is well equipped for any gathering or celebration, and we offer very competitive rates. http://burrittsrapids.com/
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ACROSS 1. Didn't dillydally 5. Rear end 9. Appraise 14. Assistant 15. Marine mammal 16. Musical instrument 17. Specify 19. Meadow 20. Lustrous fabric 21. Zealots 23. Lifeguard 25. Pilot 28. Right after nine 29. Sri Lanka export 32. Club list 33. Not him 34. Gangster's gal 35. Anger 36. Cast out
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SERVICES SERVICES RETIRED CARPENTER Renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, additions, decks, home repair. Call George at 613 462 7637
HANDYMAN SERVICES Call Bill 613 774 2922
38. French for "State" 39. Cards with one symbol 40. Our star 41. Inform 43. At a future time 44. Writing implement 45. Movie promo 46. Having foresight 48. Brakeman 50. Ballroom dance 54. Lower part of the abdomen 55. Consumption 57. Sea eagles 58. Fee 59. Beige 60. Reverent 61. Stiletto or wedge 62. D D D
DOWN 1. Back talk 2. Falafel bread 3. Rewrite 4. Removes body hair 5. American Sign Language 6. Anthology 7. Satisfies 8. Boosts 9. Make less hard 10. Colonial reporter 11. Curved molding 12. Buddies 13. Finish 18. Come together 22. Musical opening 24. Anticipated 25. Impressive display 26. Express 27. A small island 29. Complete 30. Fill with joy 31. Change 33. Female chicken 34. Pondered 37. Arms maker 42. Trousers 44. Excessively prim and proper 45. Get goose bumps 46. Committee 47. Small and light boat 48. Fat cut of tuna (Japanese) 49. Peel 51. Pleasant 52. Pierce 53. Burden 54. Lower limb 56. Addition
Solutions to last week’s Sudoku
Hedge Trimming Small or Tall Call Rob 613-795-1845'
Easy
Medium
Send in your letters to the editor toeditor @ngtimes.ca VA L L E Y A I R WAY MECHANICAL • HVAC • CUSTOM SHEET METAL• VENTILATION Jack Lalonde, RSE, President, Operator Serving The Ottawa, Dundas and Cornwall Areas Residential, Commercial
Valleyairwaymechanical @gmail.com 613- 915- 5820
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Science and Faith: Another response
OFA identifies opportunities for economic growth
by Paul Maurice, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture We’re now into the final weeks of the provincial election, and Election Day will soon be upon us. Many Ontarians have already had a chance to engage with candidates to talk about the key issues and how their parties would address them. That’s what the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has been actively doing. Even before the election began, we’d been taking time to meet with candidates from all the major parties to talk about the election priorities of Ontario’s farmers and rural communities. It provided us with an opportunity to voice our concerns and thoughts on agriculture and create increased awareness about the economic benefits that we bring to the province. We made a particular effort to connect with candidates in urban ridings because it’s our belief that building prosperity in rural Ontario brings prosperity to all regions of the province. That’s the perspective I brought to the table when I, along with some of my fellow farmers, was able to sit down with candidates from various urban ridings in the months leading up to the election and have valuable conversations about the issues that matter most. Investing in rural communities: Those of us who live in rural Ontario have long known about the disparities in infrastructure and services across the province, and the pandemic has only served to magnify those differences. From farmers to our diverse food processing industry, the agri-food sector is a vital contributor to the provincial economy, supporting over 860,400 jobs and more than $47 billion in GDP annually. And throughout the pandemic, this sector worked tirelessly to ensure our domestic food supply chain remained viable with fully stocked shelves in grocery stores, at farmers’ markets and with wholesale providers. We know that agriculture June 1, 2022
will be a leading driver of Ontario’s economic recovery, but to keep the sector profitable and productive, we need strong and vibrant communities with the infrastructure to support growth. Ontario’s rural economy relies on properly constructed and maintained roads, bridges, and proper drainage to support the growth and transportation of goods and services. That’s why we need investments into the critical infrastructure that will attract new families and businesses to rural communities: roads, bridges, affordable energy, high-speed internet, schools, hospitals, and community supports like childcare. Many rural regions of the province don’t have access to natural gas, a service most urban Ontarians take for granted. This translates into energy costs that are from 30 to 100% higher in rural, remote and northern communities – and if natural gas were available across the province, farmers, local businesses, and rural residents would save over $1 billion a year in energy costs. It took a pandemic to bring deficiencies in highspeed internet coverage into the spotlight. High prices and unreliable service put everyone at a disadvantage when schools, offices, services and even a lot of our regular shopping were forced to move online. Fast, reliable broadband is a necessity in today’s world, and without it, rural Ontario can’t keep up with the rest of the province. Two other key elements in attracting people to rural communities – and keeping
them there – are schools and hospitals. Quality education and health care as part of community hubs provide reasons for families and businesses to look to rural Ontario as an affordable, ideal place to work, live and invest. Creating opportunities for youth: A topic that we heard about a lot in our meetings with candidates was creating opportunities for youth so they can build lives and careers in their communities. We know there are employment opportunities in the agriculture sector and in rural Ontario – in fact, there is currently a shortage of 29,000 workers and growing – so more needs to be done to promote agricultural programs and careers to our young people. That means prioritizing skills development and training throughout the value chain to help make it easier for employers to find, train and retain the workers they need, as well as improved policies and strategies to draw attention to the opportunities in the agri-food sector. Labour is a key part of what we call supply chain resilience – the ability of the agri-food industry to keep Ontarians fed even during challenging circumstances. Without enough workers, that resilience becomes increasingly precarious and leaves us dependent on others to produce our food. So, it’s critical that Ontario’s policies and regulations ensure stability and prosperity in all aspects of the agri-food supply chain, from field-to-fork.
by David Shanahan In his article we published last week, Victor Lachance added to his attempt to define the terms we use in discussing Science and Faith, including the words Natural and Supernatural. He asks the central questions he is trying to answer: “How do we answer big questions like where the universe came from, or how humans came to exist? What methods does each one use to figure out why things are the way they are? And eventually we might discover if one of them is a more reliable path to knowledge and truth.” In this week’s piece, Victor begins somewhere in the middle of things by assuming certain things and making assertions about what the “supernaturalists” believe and how they reason. I’m not sure he would agree with that statement, but look at his arguments. He says, for example, that “we can normally agree that it’s a good thing for humans to flourish. Many will agree that animals should also flourish, and possibly even plant life, as well as the eco-system and the planet itself.” And then claims that the important thing is what our sense of morality is, not where it comes from. But surely, any logical and reasonable discussion has to begin with asking why there is a generally shared idea of what is good and bad, right and wrong? If life is the result of random chance, without purpose or ultimate meaning, which is the only logical alternative to a Christian view, then we
Tid Bit Musings By Elva Patterson Rutters RSSW Life is busy and gets busier as each season approaches. We need to take time to enjoy the colors that surround us as they pass ever so quickly. Even the pristine white snow glistens when ice on trees, and the seasonal progression of spring/summer flowers change colors before our eyes soon metamorphose into the next season. Sometimes we need to provide opportunities for others just because we have the capabilities. This is beyond someone with visual impairments but folks who have not had opportunities. My 80-some brother had the
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recent opportunity to fish on Lake Ontario compliments of a neighbour who learned he had never gone fishing. You should have seen his eyes light up as he related the experience! You can do similar kind acts for others on your own accord. Together we, you and I can make this a happier world by just thinking outside the box! Go for it!
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have to ask how that common moral reality came about. What do we mean by “good”, or “evil”, to what are you comparing it too, and why do we value one higher than the other? It is also a fact that there is another, darker side to our character which comes out in times of stress, such as a war. Are Russian troops in Ukraine really adhering to normal moral codes? Is Putin? Victor says: “If we share the same goal of healthy, happy, flourishing lives, with the minimum amount of suffering while sustaining the planet and all it contains (the moral goal), we simply have to take that goal and work backwards to develop a shared moral code.” That’s a big “if” he uses, without any scientific basis for it. The very existence of morality, of concepts of beauty, integrity, love, honour, sacrifice, or art are not open to explanation by the scientific method that Victor values. His suggestion that Naturalism and Supernaturlism be separated into two areas of life with their own sphere of influence, never connecting or interfering with the other, is simply impossible, even non-human. For more than two centuries now, people have been trying to achieve that separation, and it has only led to despair and a certain hypocrisy. It takes a mechanistic view of humans, brilliant machines that can be taken apart and analysed, understood as walking brains and parts without what was traditionally called souls. We can remove all real meaning from words like God, spirituality, science, or faith and make them mean what we want them to for our own purposes. But we cannot live as human beings in this world without an aspect of life which may be called “supernatural”, because it is not found in those mechanical views of humans. The fact is that we are all naturalists and supernaturalists as long as we can hold to ideals of truth and beauty and those other aspects of our lives that cannot be put down to mere electrical impulses. None of us live in reality as if only those things that can be addressed by the scientific method, as generally understood, were valid and true. Our very individuality is an argument against that. Our insistence that life must have meaning, purpose, value, is essential, otherwise we have to agree with those who would kill off the unde-
sirables, the weak and infirm, the ones who cannot survive alone. Individual rights would trump all others, and the verse from the Greek poem quoted by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians would be a truth to live by: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. We may adopt a shared view of morality, what is right and wrong, good and bad, etc., but without a foundation in truth, it is merely an arbitrary consensus to keep things from falling into anarchy. If there is no real meaning to life, if we are the result of random and meaningless combinations of elements without direction or purpose, then why are we moral beings at our core? Victor lumps all religions together, seemingly believing that they all have the same views, provide the same analysis of human life and origins. This is deeply misguided. Instead of treating all religious beliefs all faith claims of all forms of religion as being the same, Victor needs to examine what they are individually saying, to make a proper analysis of their claims and see whether or not they make any sense in the world in which we live. My claim is that Christianity, alone and uniquely, gives an overall context and provide a reasonable, evidentiary, historically-based account of origins, current position, and ultimate destiny of the human race and the universe as a whole. Victor says that: “faith is often described as believing without evidence. An important aspect of revelation (and supernaturalism) is that it cannot be changed or falsified based on new information or evidence.” None of this is true of Christianity. If there is one thing that separates Christianity from any other religion, it is found in two things Jesus said. The first is an invitation to examine, to question, to explore: ““Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”. And he said that the greatest commandment of all is to use your mind: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” That is not blind faith, not a divorce between reason and faith, and certainly not what Victor claims it is.
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South Gower Business Park
We ’r e H e r e To S e r v e Yo u
PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT T: 613 258 3282 F: 613 285 4391
CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT
Robert Walker, CPA, CA, LPA Bradley Mehlman CPA Dinah Boal Clare Deans Crystal Lang T: 613.258.3282 F: 613.258.4391 2 - 4 Industrial Rd, Kemptville, South Gower Business Park
Ron's
Small Engine Repair 613.258.9720
ronssmallengines@outlook.com 1 Jayland Drive, Kemptville (across from old Bingo Hall)
Walker & Associates is a trusted and professional accounting firm that has operated out of Kemptville since 2010, founded in Prescott 2006. Our goal is to be effective, efficient, and attentive to each one of our clients. We know and love the local area we serve and strive to support local businesses and individuals in their livelihoods. What sets us apart is our attention to detail while balancing the big picture for our clients, regardless of the stage you or your business are in. We are here to help you achieve your goals by building on a trusting relationship that will turn into a longterm partnership. OURSERVICESINCLUDE Taxes • Preparation and planning for personal, corporate, and estate tax needs Assurance • Audits, review engagements, and other regulatory reports Financial Statements • Period-end financial reporting for corporations, non-profit organizations, and small businesses Bookkeeping and Payroll • Organized and timely reporting for GST/HST, payroll, WSIB, etc. Other • Assistance with tax problems and resolve disputes with CRA. • Providing CRA audit assistance should it be required. THANK YOU to all our clients throughout Kemptville and eastern Ontario. It has been our pleasure to assist with your business and financial goals here at 4 Industrial Road in the South Gower Business Park. Robert S. Walker CPA CA Brad Mehlman CPA Clare Deans Dinah Boal Crystal Lang
The Food Corner by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville In March of 2020, I shared my mother’s Pouding Chômeur recipe with you as a simple but delicious dessert. Then, in November 2021, we took a crack at Bread Pudding, which I like with a warm rum sauce. Today, let’s work together on another simple but tasty recipe: Butterscotch Pie. This one benefits from a scoop of the most popular flavour of ice cream in the world (according to the experts who have the time to study these things), that is: vanilla. Ingredients: - 1 pie crust (either pick one up at your favourite store or follow an online recipe) ½ cup evaporated milk; June 1, 2022
¾ cup warm water; 2 cups of brown sugar; 2 eggs; ½ cup all-purpose flour; 3 tablespoons of softened butter; 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Preparation: 1. Preheat your oven to 375F degrees 2. If working from scratch, roll out your pie crust and place on a pie plate 3. Heat the evaporated milk with the water in a saucepan 4. Add the brown sugar and melt it while stirring constantly 5. In a separate bowl, use a beater to whip the eggs until stiff
6. Fold in the flour, soft butter and vanilla a bit at a time 7. Add the milk, water and sugar mixture to the egg, flour, vanilla and butter mixture 8. Pour into your pie crust 9. Pop in the oven and cook for about 35-40 minutes or until firm 10. Take out and let cool (you can refrigerate it if you wish) As for the Bread Pudding recipe, you can serve Butterscotch Pie with a warm rum sauce. Just cook up another cup of brown sugar, ¾ cup of water, ¼ cup of white or dark rum and 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan. You simply
pour a bit of the warm sauce over your individual servings of the pie (and the Vanilla ice cream, of course). As always, kindly let me know how this worked for you at pcormier@ ranaprocess.com.
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Getting older takes a toll. Weakening bones, increasing aches and pains, and failing balance, flexibility and strength can make the body feel like worn-out baggage. But there’s a curious truth in an ancient Hindu text that states, “Everyone else is conquered by the body, but the body is conquered by yogis.” For centuries, yoga has been practiced by people all over the world for religious, spiritual rehabilitation, or fitness reasons. The older set may see the neighbourhood yoga studio as a place for the young and nimble, but there is ample evidence that aging seniors benefit physically and mentally from instruction in the “sun salutation”, “tree pose”, or amusingly named positions like the “chair pigeon”, or “cat-cow pose”. Yoga combines movement (asana) and breathwork (pranayama). The beneficial effects of yoga include relief from back pain, eased arthritis symptoms, better sleep, and improved mood. Regular yoga practice also promotes social connectivity and improved self-care. Yoga stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system – the “rest and digest” mechanism of the body – reducing heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. Studies show decreases in blood glucose, cholesterol and sodium and increases in oxytocin. Yoga is effective in building strength, mobility and flexibility and aids in weight management and posture. Improved balance and functional movement are major benefits for seniors at risk of falling. These physiological benefits have led to the incorporation of yoga into the treatment of many chronic health conditions including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and chronic pain. While many people initially look to yoga for physical health benefits, there are important psycho-spiritual perks as well. As a mindful practice, yoga increases concentration, memory, and attention. Hostility, anxiety, and depression are reduced. Instead, improvements in outlook and general self-acceptance arise. Breathwork patterns common to yoga practice are energizing and often used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
Dr. Kirsten Blokland, a developmental psychologist and certified yoga teacher, states, “Synchronizing movement with breath can impart a feeling of coherence and integration – something that is so needed in our society, where many people report feeling fragmented and unsettled because of the hectic pace of our lives.” Dr. Blokland is part of a growing community of yoga specialists focusing on restorative yoga to assist with the healing process in response to significant medical challenges. Where do you start if you can’t touch your toes? It’s unfortunate if yoga conjures ideas of pretzel-like contortions. To the contrary, yoga can be enjoyed by even those with limited mobility. Chair yoga, a style of yoga performed in a seated position is a suitable starting point for people having difficulties getting from standing to seated on the floor repeatedly. Sitting down lowers the centre of gravity, protects hip and knee joints from weightbearing and eliminates the need to rely on the shoulders and wrists for support. With the added stability of a chair, participants can concentrate more deeply on breathing and poses. There is also added accessibility of seated yoga. Everybody has access to a chair. Chair yoga can be done in the kitchen, in the office, or anywhere there is a place to sit. Chair yoga can be just as beneficial as other forms of practice, such as on a traditional yoga mat. “Chair/modified poses are in many ways just as beneficial as traditional asana poses – particularly when we consider that the benefits exist not just in the physical domain, but also in the psychological and spiritual domains,” says Dr. Blokland. As the body ages, take this advice to “bend so you don’t break.” Give it a try under the guidance of a trained instructor. Sign-up at www.docgiff. com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contactus@docgiff.com. Follow us on Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones
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Baldwin's Birds
Latest addition to our garden Spring Songbirds
Local resident urges support for PSW Champions
by Brandon Mayer
A Warbling Vireo, seen on a neighbour’s tree The other morning, still clad in my PJ's, and sitting out on a very sunny warm deck, I was able to get some pictures of Bluebirds checking out my nesting boxes, and a new comer, singing its heart out at the top of a neighbor's tree, a Warbling Vireo. What a lovely bird, but quite hard to see without a zoom lens, or binoculars. It was the song that first drew my attention to it, or them, as it appeared that there were at least two or three initially. At first I thought it was the House Wren, who sings away at the top of the garden trying to attract a mate to one of my nesting boxes, but there was a different tone to the song this time and it had a different body shape and a whitish blip of coloring to it, as it flew. Once sighted on its tree top perch, my camera lens did the rest for me, and a look into my bird guide books allowed me to identify who this new visitor was. A new one for me, and a very satisfying spot, as was the one of an overflying Heron this morning too. June 1, 2022
The Cardinals and Robins are singing away, as the days start to warm up and the familiar whirring of the Hummingbirds wings can be heard as they compete with each other for their right to get a drink from the feeder. Of course, now that the flowers are starting to bloom, they have more choice as to where and when they can feed without interruption! They do seem to like a last evening drink at the feeder before calling it quits and retiring for the night, which is probably something you like to do too! Stay safe and well, Cheers, John Baldwin
The Voice of North Grenville
May 19 marked Personal Support Worker Day, a day to shed light on the important but often unsung work of PSWs, both locally and across the province. Several stakeholders in the PSW field have begun a PSW Champions campaign to spread the word on just how important PSWs are in the healthcare community. The campaign is complete with its own YouTube channel, with several videos posted which aim to shed light on healthcare’s unsung heroes. Local resident, Tina Ouellette, wants to make sure that PSWs in our region get a fair share of the recognition. “We all know what nurses do, DSWs, Social Workers,” said Tina. “We know they have forces behind them fighting for fair compensation for their time, skill, experience, and dedication. The PSW workers in our lives are less understood, less formally organized, and this puts them at a disadvantage.” Tina argues, as do many others on social media, that many tasks commonly performed by PSWs are the same, or similar, to those performed by nurses and nurse’s
aids, which are positions that receive far greater recognition, and come with more equitable pay and benefits. “They deserve to have fair compensation for the work they are doing,” said Tina, referring to PSWs. “They're driving their vehicles all over the county. They're going into unpredictable homes, sometimes privately, caring for people who need so much more than a sponge bath and hot meal, but dignity and dire assistance for their serious medical needs.” Tina also talked about current well-known issues with the long term care situation. “If your folks are anything like mine, they want to grow old and spend their final few months of life comfortably in their own homes,” she said. “In order to make that happen, as opposed to being destined for an overburdened long-term care facility, the answer is PSWs. People are opting for long waitlists to get into long term care, because there aren’t enough PSWs to go around.” PSWs provide assistance with life tasks for those with limited ability to perform such tasks on their own. These tasks can include preparing meals and feeding, bathing,
dressing, helping with exercise, and much more. Many PSWs work in hospitals and long term care homes, while others are employed with agencies that provide home visits. Having a PSW available is often a necessary condition if a medical patient or elderly individual is going to be able to remain in their own home. Compared to those in related professions, such as nursing, many argue that PSW’s are not wellcompensated. Tina is calling on members of the public to contact their government represen-
tatives and ask some tough questions. “Ask them what they are doing to make sure we have enough PSWs to meet our present and future needs,” she said. “What is being done to ensure they aren't finding their way to careers with better incentives? We desperately need to care for our caregivers now, so we can all thrive later.” The PSW Champions YouTube channel can be found at www.youtube.com/ channel/UCjQvjBo2P80HG5hpQCFKxLA.
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