ND Times Issue 21 2023 October 19

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The Voice of North Dundas

Vol 4, No 21

October 19, 2023

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by Brandon Mayer Connor Mockett is a self-made household name. Known to tens of thousands of people in the local area, not to mention Ottawa and beyond, the Winchester-based storm chaser and weather forecaster is known to Times readers as our very own weather reporter and storm columnist. On social media, Connor has over 37,000 followers on Facebook alone.

There are many, many people who swear by Connor’s weather forecasts,

refusing to follow mainstream weather forecasts and instead waiting for the wise words of the young man from Winchester. It is not uncommon to hear people living far outside of North Dundas say “Do you follow Connor Mockett?” or “Do you know Connor, the weather guy?”

At a small business exposition earlier this year in which the Times participated, many of the people who visited the Times’ booth asked if they could meet Connor.

What creates this kind of fame? How do tens of thousands of people get

shifted away from big media weather forecasts to instead put their faith in one person? The only possible answer is: “Connor is good at what he does.”

Now, Connor is ready to put his well-demonstrated skills to good use as an entrepreneur.

CM Forecasting is Connor’s new venture, which allows businesses that are affected by the weather – such as snow removal companies and farms – to receive weather forecasts from the most trusted man around. There is a fee for the service, and Connor hopes to make his living

from it.

The Times extends its heartfelt congratulations to one of its own on this new endeavour. He will continue to be a columnist for the Times – in fact, you can read a more personal account of his new business startup in this week’s column. To support Connor in this new endeavour, you can use this link: ko-fi. com/connormockettwx.

Business owners seeking forecasting services can get in touch with Connor via his Facebook page (no introduction needed) or by email at connormockett@ sympatico.ca.

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Annual Poppy Campaign Information

Accident at 31 and Dalmeny Road

A photograph from a passing motorist shows a chaotic scene at the intersection of County Road 31 and Dalmeny Road, north of Winchester in the jurisdiction of Ottawa, shortly after an accident that occurred around 6 pm on October 10. Several police vehicles

were already on scene, with more clearly speeding to the site of the collision to lend assistance.

The collision necessitated the closure of Dalmeny Road. It is unclear if there were any casualties resulting from the collision, or what caused it.

About 100,000 people per year are injured in car accidents in Canada, with the World Health Organization estimating that most countries spend about 3% of their gross domestic product annually on the financial costs of motor vehicle accidents.

Novice artist’s exhibit masterful in ‘Art in the Branches’

submitted by ND Arts Council Amanda Schwabe is a local artist with a very busy life. She and her partner David have five children, two Australian Shepherds and two cats! She is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness - and it was during the challenging COVID lockdown that she found her wings as an accomplished visual Artist.

Amanda grew up in Hallville and graduated from North Dundas District High School in the 90's.

Today, she works from

her home studio in South Mountain, painting, drawing and knitting. Her textile art is part of the permanent collection at the Canadian War Museum, and her paintings and portraits reside in many private collections.

Amanda creates vibrant, expressive portraits that transform familiar faces and scenes into art that breathes with a life all of its own. “I relish the challenge of a new subject, a new puzzle to solve,” she says animatedly. Her smile underscores a true love

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The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 108, Winchester, will hold its Poppy Drive from October 27, 2023 through November 11, 2023.

From October 2021 to December 2022, the Winchester community and surrounding area helped raise a net amount of $12,664.93 for the Poppy Trust Fund. Our costs were $4,636.67 for poppies, wreaths and educational material for our local schools and libraries. The Legion donated $7,948.47 to help Veter-

of being an Artist - and it shows on her canvases. Primarily done in acrylics, her work captures a wide range of colour from soft snow drifts to bright spring flowers. She takes especial joy in commissioned pieces, working with clients to create custom art that can be cherished for generations.

A selection of Amanda Schwabe’s still-life and landscape paintings are on exhibit at Winchester Public Library, located at 547 St. Lawrence Street in Winchester, through to the end of October. To view or purchase prints and available originals, visit https://www.amandaschwabe.ca and sign up for Amanda’s newsletter, or follow her on Instagram and Facebook @amanda. schwabe.artist for behindthe-scenes views of works in progress.

For more information on ‘Art in the Branches’, message North Dundas Arts Council on Facebook or email NDAC at northdundasartscouncil@yahoo. ca.

ans and provided $1,000 in bursaries to aid area children of Veterans’ families.

Poppies will be distributed on Friday, October 27 until November 11.

The Poppy Campaign is looking for volunteers to prepare, distribute and pick up poppy trays and help on

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Poppy Distribution days at local venues (you do not need to be a member of the Legion to volunteer, Veterans and their families are most welcome). If you wish to volunteer for the Poppy Campaign, please send an email to poppy. legion108@gmail.com.

This year, the Winchester Legion is launching its Poppy Campaign on Friday, October 27 at Sweets Corner Park in Winchester. The Remembrance Day Ceremony will be held on Sunday, November 5 at noon and everyone is invited to pay their respects at the Cenotaphs located at Ormond, Inkerman, Van Camp Rd., and Hill 70 on Saturday, November 4 commencing at 9 am. Watch for details on the Winchester Legion Facebook page as plans become finalized.

For Information about laying a wreath or attending any of our events, please contact Shawn Doolan at poppy.legion108@gmail. com.

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Dundas County Players Extreme Fear – Fall Play Hauntings Conor McPherson’s “The Birds” from a story by Daphne Dumaurier submitted by Ami Lynn Johnson The Dundas County Players Theatre Society (DCP) is excited to announce the upcoming production of its 2023 Fall Play, The Birds. Written by Irish playwright Conor McPherson, this psychological thriller was adapted from Daphne Du Maurier's short story, which was also the basis of the classic Alfred Hitchcock film.

Directed by Shannon Murdock, the cast will feature Colette Hutten and Deep Bhakta as Diane and Nat, two strangers who take shelter from the relentless attacking birds and form a bond just trying to survive. They will be joined

by Emily Ramsdale as Julia, a mysterious young woman who brings conflict to the desperate situation, and Clinton St. Louis as the watchful, cryptic neighbour Tierney.

The Birds is a gripping and disturbing look at human relationships in the face of societal collapse. It is a play about fear, community, paranoia, claustrophobia, and survival, all complicated by the steady intrusion of attacking birds.

The artistic team includes Ami Lynn Johnson (Producer), Tony Glen (Set Design), Jean-Pierre Leduc (Set Construction), David Tettmar and Aaron Dellah (Lighting Design), Jim Perkins (Sound Design), Moira Law (Stage Manager), and Rachelle Eves (Assistant Director).

Performances are set to take place in downtown Winchester at the historic Old Town Hall located at 478 Main Street. Evening performances will take place on November 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 7:30 pm.. Matinees are also available on November 19 and 26 at 2:00 pm.

Tickets for the show can be purchased for $20.00 on Eventbrite, or by calling the DCP box office at 613-2970097. Reserve your tickets now to avoid missing out on this thrilling story. Adult content and strong language. Not recommended for children.

We are grateful to our community for the continued support as we look forward to welcoming everyone to this year's Fall Production.

ABOUT DUNDAS COUNTY PLAYERS The Dundas County Players is a dedicated community theatre group based in Winchester, Ontario. We strive to foster a love for performing arts within the community, offering inclusive programs that nurture talent and creativity across all ages.

The Birds is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection (www.dramatists.com).

Are you brave enough to confront your fears? Prepare yourself for one of the most spine-chilling experiences of your lifetime!

After many years of scaring camping guests, the Haunt co-owners Daniel Parent and Sam Cook have brought their haunting talents to Chesterville where they have received a warm welcome from the community. Located in the old elementary school at 12820 Highway 43, between Winchester and Chesterville, and across from the North Dundas District High School, the building is easily recognizable with Joe, the 12 ft skeleton, keeping watch.

Meet Grimoire, the Grave Keeper, who oversees the grounds and sets the stage for your adventure.

Journey through the spooky outdoor cemetery, then travel through the church, swamp, and pumpkin patch. Tour the Haunted Mansion where scary creatures lurk. Enter the terrifying Hospital, Asylum, and Morgue, to witness the more gruesome side of life. Stop by the Clown and Zombie rooms, then find your way through the dark maze.

The Haunt includes costumed actors who jump out of the dark, as well as animatronics, fog, spooky sounds, scents, and unusual lighting. Special attention to the details makes this a one-of-a-kind experience.

Open select dates from Friday the 13th to Oct 31st, 2023. Advanced ticketing is recommended. Tickets can be purchased at the door, but they are subject to availability as time slots are limited. Cost: $33.95 +tax & fees. www. extremefear.ca.

The Haunt is not recommended for younger children as it is very intense. Parental discretion is advised.

There is also plenty of free parking available. Also check out their Facebook page at Extreme Fear Hauntings.

A portion of proceeds go to Camp Quality Eastern Ontario, sending kids with cancer to camp.

We can’t wait to “haunt” you!

October 19, 2023

Township of North Dundas Career Opportunities We’re Hiring!

•

Seasonal Plow Truck Drivers (Day Shifts, Afternoon Shifts & Casual/Call-in)

•

Seasonal Labourers (Day Shift) For full position descriptions and details, visit Career Opportunities on our website: www.northdundas.com Application deadline is October 31, 2023.

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

Food Corner Recipes Publication Project

The North Dundas Times is pleased to announce the publication of The Food Corner Recipes for the enjoyment of its readers. This publication project honours the work done SHOP LOCALLY by the Beth Donovan Hospice; all proceeds from the sale of the recipe book will go to that devoted team of community workers and supporters.

When is a book not a book? When it’s digital, which means it’s on a USB or available through digital download. So, when you purchase the “book” you will be purchasing the entire series of recipes electronically. Gone are the tattered pages of your favourite recipe book and gone also is the increased cost of printing such a lengthy publication.

You can read the recipe directly from your laptop or tablet or simply print out the single win. The Student Council page. As of Thursday, October 12th, 2023, The Food Corner Recipe Book, in its USB appreciates the participation flash drive, will be available at Salamanders of Kemptville and at the Beth Donovan and excitement of the play- Hospice boxed especially for the Festive Season. The digital download option is availers, spectators, and organiz- able by accessing the Beth Donovan Hospice store at https://c5c0e5.myshopify.com/.

There is another advantage to the digital format. Paul Cormier will make any new ers, and the NDDHS student recipes going into the North Dundas Times Food Corner available directly to anyone body is looking forward to defending its title next who ask, by contacting him at his email, always at the bottom of each recipe. All you year. Throughout the next will then need to do is save it to your USB or to your electronic file, so you have a few months, the NDDHS work in progress, including the option of adding your own recipes. The format for the Student Council has many recipes is MS Word and not PDF, so you can play around with them as you wish (and interesting and important maybe make them better).

The digital download option is particularly useful for folks who are out of town, since events, like the Halloween they can get the “Book” by uploading directly to their computer. You can also “gift” Dance, the pumpkin carving someone by simply purchasing the upload and sending it along to your favourite people. contest, and the annual food Because of the electronic format of The Food Corner Recipe Book, the price is a drive. The NDDHS Student very reasonable $25 and there is no tax. We will, of course, trust the buyers to respect Council and the rest of the the need to support the Beth Donovan Hospice and not duplicate the information. The NDDHS student body are return to the Hospice organization will be $20 per USB or per digital upload. so excited for the upcoming We at the North Dundas Times wish to thank those businesses for their ongoing events and fundraisers to support to such projects as the Food Corner Recipe Book, including B&H Grocers (Jim kick off their school year Beveridge), Grahame’s Bakery (Rick and Debbie Grahame) and the Kemptville Home with exhilaration.

Hardware (Blair Hamilton). They and their teams have been community supporters for many years and are the official sponsors of The Food Corner Recipe Book. You will find articles on these supporters in the introduction of the book.

So, all you gourmet and gourmand chefs and cooks, come one, come all to The North Dundas Times Food Corner Recipe Book. It will be available as of October 12 on site at Salamanders of Kemptville and at the Beth Donovan Hospice location or by digital download by accessing the Beth Donovan Hospice store at https://c5c0e5.

3 myshopify.com/. www.ndtimes.ca

NDDHS student update submitted by Shealyn Elliott entertaining event to enjoy North Dundas District with friends. The school High School has been alive raised almost 500 dollars to with new and exciting events donate to local charities fofor the past few weeks. It cusing on teen mental health started this year off with its awareness and teen suicide first event, the Terry Fox prevention. Considering the Walk. In addition to being a number of participants and relaxing walk on a refresh- the level of enjoyment, the ing, sunny day, the event NDDHS Student Council was also important to make intends on having more nonpeople cognizant of the im- competitive events like this pact of Terry Fox and his in the future. In the second Marathon of Hope. As a week of October, the Stuschool, NDDHS raised over dent Council had its annual one thousand dollars to be Student vs. Staff baseball donated to cancer research game. After four long years in memory of Terry Fox and of miserable defeat, the stuhis sacrifices. The NDDHS dents finally won against the Student Council ended Sep- teachers. Both teams showed tember with a blast with great determination and a school-wide volleyball strength, allowing for a close tournament fundraiser. There 4-3 lead for the students in was an impressive amount of the second-to-last inning. participation, both in teams The students managed to and in the audience, and it pull ahead in the last inning was regarded as a fun and and end the game with a 10-3

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Editorial

A bath with a toaster

by Brandon Mayer Curiosity is not a sin.

Humans are curious by nature, and being curious is a driving force behind learning and discovering. There will always be those things, however, that authorities feel they must keep secret for our own good.

Some people may disagree with this. Transparency is everything, after all. When we elect our governments, do we also consent to our elected officials keeping secrets from us? Many will answer this question with a simple “no”. These people may posit that being elected by the people and paid by the people does not mean that a person is “above” everyone else, and it certainly doesn’t give them a right to decide what information that citizens in a free and democratic society deserve to know.

Others would answer the same question with a “yes”.

Sometimes secrets are necessary to keep us safe. I would agree with this when it comes to matters of security. For example, if a design flaw was

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found in a piece of Canadian military equipment, it would be particularly stupid to advertise this fact publicly.

Secrecy in this case makes total sense. This information is “need to know” only.

Governments aside, another organization that tends to view itself as a “keeper of secrets” is the Ontario Provincial Police. I suppose this fact would apply equally to all police forces, and I am not intending to call out the OPP specifically, but it’s the OPP that serves our local area.

A situation last week in Kemptville certainly raised some questions from social media users about whether police secrecy sometimes goes too far. As you’ll read about in this issue of the Times, the situation turned out to be a murder – an extremely rare occurrence in our area. The OPP did release the relevant information to the public, but not before the police already had a strong presence on Rideau River Road, with some social media users reporting seeing officers in SWAT gear

and others claiming that officers had visited them and advised them to stay safely indoors. The general word to the public during all of this was that there was not believed to be any danger to local residents. How confusing and potentially scary for these residents.

There is certainly logic in preventing mass panic, and I am not suggesting that every detail of every ongoing police investigation should be made instantly available to the public. However, with technology as advanced as it has become, is it not perhaps time for each area municipality to have a system in place for alerting residents of emergency information, as needed? It seems ridiculous that we can be woken up in the middle of the night by an alert regarding a missing Toronto child, but that when it comes to a heavy police presence on a quiet Kemptville road, those residents are reduced to writing and reading pure speculation on social media.

When I first started considering this idea, I was

reminded of a different situation – this one in Winchester – a few weeks ago. While out in the yard of Winchester PS for a before-school program, staff noticed a heavy police presence in the area.

Normally, in the course of several hours, it’s rare to see more than one or two police cars leave or enter the station parking lot, and police cars rarely drive by or park on the side streets. On this particular day, however, there seemed to be a police car parked at every corner.

Police vehicles were passing in every direction almost steadily. There was even a car parked right beside the schoolyard fence.

What could this police presence have been for?

Were they looking for a suspect? Was someone missing? Surely the OPP felt there was not enough risk of danger to let anyone know, but what if they’re wrong?

Police officers are experts in policing, but they’re not experts in running a school.

Do they realize how long it can take to move an entire group from one area to the

other? Do they realize the special procedures required in emergency situations for children with unique needs?

If their judgement was off and a “no danger” situation turned into a “much danger” situation, there would be a heavy price to pay. Trusting non-police persons, such as school staff, with relevant information could be a lifesaver in certain situations. Let everyone be the expert in their own field.

Communication is key no matter what your profession happens to be. By coincidence, on the morning of the day I am writing this, there was another strong police presence near the school in Winchester with two cruisers parked beside the school fence.

A public notification system would not have to be just for police situations.

It would also be useful for natural disasters. The ice storm we had earlier this year dealt a significant blow to many people. Power was off for several days in some cases, and not everyone has a device with mobile data

to check for emergency information during an outage.

Let me be clear: I love the police. In fact, the local OPP detachments have some of the friendliest officers imaginable. People in other places all around the world would undoubtedly be jealous of how personable and professional our officers are.

This is not a police officer problem, it’s a policy problem. We can do better when it comes to communication.

“No threat to the public” is a confusing message when facing a potential SWAT team shootout, which sounds about as safe as taking a bath with a toaster. When Emergency Preparedness Week rolls out for its annual appearance in May, perhaps we should mark the occasion by considering a new local emergency alert system. It’s not about curiosity, it’s about safety. The only question is whether we can wait that long.

quality and quantity of Township water. On the table on October 3 were discussions of two new municipal wells and pump tests for these wells, as well as discussions of how water unit allocations are being made. Such allocations are usually in short supply locally, and this was no different on October 3.

After a short break, Council considered a change to its own schedule which would see a majority of Council meetings taking place in the early afternoon, instead of in the evening as is currently usual procedure. This new schedule was passed, with a note from Mayor Fraser that flexibility is possible if any Council members need a schedule change.

Next, a somewhat difficult discussion took place.

It turns out that the “Explore North Dundas” magazine which many readers will be familiar with, having

received it in their mailbox annually for years, is expensive and time consuming to produce. Council had difficulty in deciding whether the magazine should be printed in the spring, or whether a different direction should be considered. The consensus, after much discussion, was that the $17,000+ cost of the magazine could be better spent reaching community members in other ways.

Mayor Fraser pointed out the importance of deciding what should be produced instead of the magazine. “I think those who are looking to change the way need to come up with a way that is agreed upon,” he said. The discussion continued to be a tense one at times with such a symbol of North Dundas pride under the microscope.

There was some confusion about Council members’ opinions, and when Mayor Fraser asked Councillor John Lennox to confirm that he was in favour of

ceasing publication of the magazine, Councillor Lennox remarked “for the third time – yes”.

Mayor Fraser did not share the opinion of fellow Council members. It had been his wish to continue the magazine, but accepted that he was outnumbered and the decision was made to discontinue it. Discussions of what to do instead were put on pause.

Finally, a brief budget update took place, followed by routine items including

a discussion of two Chesterville streets which had previously been slated for resurfacing, but will now require more extensive reconstruction.

The October 3 meeting ended after just under two hours. Another meeting took place earlier this week, on October 17, which will be covered in the next issue of the Times.

Council update

by Brandon Mayer The regularly scheduled October 3 meeting of North Dundas Council opened with consideration of a zoning by-law amendment proposal regarding phase 3 of Wellings of Winchester. A public meeting took place to give members of the public an opportunity to voice concerns or ask questions.

Calvin Pol, the Township’s Director of Planning, Building, and By-law Services, gave a presentation with relevant facts. One highlight of the presentation was the fact that the Provincial Policy Statement requires municipalities to provide a variety of housing options, including high density housing.

No written comments were received regarding the proposal, and when Mayor Tony Fraser asked if there were any questions from members of the public, no one came forward. Council

members subsequently took turns discussing the vibrant and happy atmosphere of Wellings of Winchester, which they had seen firsthand on a recent visit to the site.

Other routine business followed, including a closed session discussion. Such “routine” business related to matters such as municipal drains and the updating of cost figures in existing by-laws to reflect inflation.

These items of housekeeping are a part of nearly every Council meeting.

The meeting then circled back to approvals, and the Wellings of Winchester matter from earlier was approved, moving the zoning for the next step of the project into the “holding” phase.

A familiar discussion took place next – one related to the Township’s municipal water systems. Municipal water in North Dundas is in high demand, and Council frequently discusses the

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Budget conscious grocery shopping, part 2

by Dana Douglas, MScFN, RD, Registered Dietitian and Public Health Nutritionist Best Buys Knowing what the “best buys” are in the grocery store can help with budget conscious shopping. To save money when purchasing produce, look for fruit and vegetables that are in-season which are typically less expensive.

Reduce waste by buying fresh fruit at various stages of ripeness. Choose some fruit that is ripe and ready to eat and some that will ripen in a few days. Frozen and canned produce is just as nutritious as fresh, and less expensive. Look for canned options that are low in sodium and sugar.

Other tips include: use best before and expiry dates, choose store brands, and plan for meatless meals. Choose foods with a best before or expiry date that will give you enough time to eat it all and prevent waste. Store brands are nutritious and often cheaper than brand name products. Consider incorporating meatless meals

once or twice a week. Meatless protein options such as beans, lentils, eggs, nuts and tofu are cheaper than meat options.

It’s also helpful to check out the reduced section of the grocery store. This is where stores sell overripe produce and day old bakery items at substantial cost savings. Reduced vegetables are perfect for soups and stews.

Ripe bananas are great for making muffins or banana bread. Day old bread is fine to eat and could be used for grilled cheese or French toast.

Preventing Waste is Budget Conscious When you return home from the grocery store, store foods that need to be frozen or refrigerated right away.

Perishable items like meats, eggs and dairy products need to be refrigerated within 2 hours to keep them from going bad. The following storage tips will keep produce fresh for longer: Most vegetables, like carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage and celery should be stored in a plastic bag or container in the crisper of the refrigerator.

Arena sign damaged in Winchester Store leafy greens by first rinsing them, wrapping them in a paper or tea towel and refrigerating in a container or bag.

Mushrooms are best stored in a paper bag.

Most fresh fruit will last longer if kept in its original packaging in the crisper.

With the exception of leafy greens, don’t wash vegetables and fruit until it’s time to eat or cook them. It’s not necessary, and washing some items like berries and mushrooms can cause them to spoil quicker.

Fruit and vegetables that are not yet ripe can be stored at room temperature until they ripen. Once ripe, store them in the refrigerator to help them last longer.

Vegetables should be stored in a different part of the refrigerator than fruit.

This will prevent them from ripening too quickly.

Keep potatoes in a cool, dark and dry place, away from onions.

For more information, visit the Health Unit’s website at www.healthunit.org, connect with us on Facebook and follow us on X @LGLHealthUnit.

by Brandon Mayer The large signpost that stands by the road on the property of the Sam Ault Arena – complete with a digital sign to announce Township events – was badly damaged late last week.

One of the legs of the sign was bent wildly out of shape in the incident, causing the towering sign to lean over precariously. Caution tape was placed around the sign after the damage was discovered, likely to deter further tampering and as a precaution in case the sign were to fall over completely.

A Township official contacted by the Times did not have an official cause of the incident, but police investigations can take time to complete, particularly for incidents that occur in the dead of night.

Winchester resident Amanda, who wishes to be identified only by her first name, witnessed the damage being done to the sign.

“Someone in a truck did a burnout, leaving the Arena heading east on Main Street,” she told the Times. “[The truck] lost control and hit the sign… backed up and took off.”

Amanda explained that doing burnouts on the Arena property is not uncommon. “It’s not out of the norm for people to do that, this one just ended up bad,” she said. “He or she hit the pole so hard it felt like they hit our house. It shook our place so bad that even my other half jumped out of bed.”

Any updates shared by the OPP will be communicated in the next issue.

Farmers advocate for federal housing tax exemption as deadline looms

by Crispin Colvin, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture The deadline for Canadians to file their first return under Canada’s new Underused Housing Tax (UHT) is fast approaching. Originally set for April 30, the federal government extended the filing deadline this year to October 31 to give Canadians who own housing other than their main residence enough time to complete the process for the first time.

It is a one percent tax on the value of vacant or underused housing. Under the new legislation, individuals who aren’t Canadian citizens or permanent residents, as well as private corporations and partnerships – which includes farms – who own residential housing must file an Underused Housing Tax return even if they don’t have to pay the tax itself.

At first glance, many may wonder how this affects farmers. After all, the tax was designed to address urban homes, condominiums and apartments October 19, 2023

that have been bought for investment purposes, often by foreign buyers, and are now unused or not used to their full extent.

However, many farmers do in fact own more than one residence but not because they’re keen to be landlords or investors. Rather, they’ve bought additional farmland to expand their businesses, and more often than not, that farmland also includes a farmhouse. This means they’re now required to file a return under the new act regardless of whether those homes are actually subject to the new tax or not.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), along with our national colleagues at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, has been asking the federal government to exempt farmers from having to file a return altogether, and although that first filing deadline is only a few weeks away, this is still something that we’re advocating for when we’re meeting with politicians and other government officials.

So why should agricul-

ture be exempt? Simply put, farmers aren’t in the business of being landlords or residential real estate investors. Rather, our job is to produce food and other agricultural products, and we’re buying farmland to farm it, not for the investment value of a house that may be on it.

The filing paperwork required by the government under this legislation is onerous and time consuming. A separate return must be filed every year for each property a farm corporation owns – and if a farm corporation has more than one partner, each partner in the corporation must file their own UHT return. The penalties for non-filing are substantial: up to $10,000 or more.

We understand that Ontario and Canada are in a housing crisis and that governments at all levels are trying to find solutions, such as freeing up investment housing, that will help ease the shortage. We know how important this is; after all, we also need housing options to support youth, seniors, families, workers,

and newcomers in our communities.

However, we’re now caught in the middle of that push for solutions and the unique realities of unintentionally having multiple dwellings not because we’re housing investors but rather through the purchase of additional farmland to grow our farm businesses.

OFA and our partners are continuing the push for a filing exemption for farmers but are also encouraging all farmers to make sure to file their Underused Housing Tax return to avoid the

5

substantial penalties.

There are resources available on the OFA website to give background on the issue and we encourage farmers to contact their accountants with any questions.

Help Support Your Local Businesses

SHOP LOCAL

Mark Larin

Piano Tuning & Servicing

613.936.3912 marklarin@gmail.com

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Small businesses are anything but small

by Brandon Mayer Did you know that there are well over a million small businesses in Canada? Small businesses are those who employ 99 people or less.

Over half of small businesses employ three people or less.

This may not seem like much, but together, all of Canada’s small businesses employ over 10 million people – more than 88% of Canada’s total workforce! A small size clearly doesn’t translate into a small economic impact.

One of the most wellknown reasons why small businesses are important is that they support strong local economies. Large enterprises tend to focus on a high profit model achieved through the high volume dealing of goods and services. The main ben-

eficiary is often senior management, most of whom do not typically live in the same jurisdiction, possibly not even in the same country!

Supporting small businesses creates a perfect “Newton’s cradle” in the sense that it keeps dollars in the local economy which can then be used to support other local business owners, employees, and their families. In a literal sense, dollars spent in small local businesses end up feeding, clothing, and housing hardworking local families.

There is no limit to how long locally-spent dollars can stretch. That $5 that you spent at a local coffee shop is spent by the coffee shop owner at the local grocery store. The grocery

store owner uses it to pay for a haircut at a local salon.

The salon owner puts it toward dog food at a local pet store. A pet store employee receives it as part of their wages and uses it as a tip for a meal at a local restaurant.

The server at the restaurant puts it toward a clothing purchase at a local shop.

Etc, etc… The possibilities are endless.

The same dollars, when spent locally, can keep a local economy thriving for years. It’s not only business owners who benefit – far from it in fact. Every employee of a small local business makes their living and supports themselves and their families with locally spent dollars. It’s a perfect system that also helps to

sustain the environment with far less travel.

While we celebrate Small Business Week this week, Oct 15-21, remember that we don’t just support small businesses – small businesses are vital in supporting us! A thriving economy depends on them, as do nearly 9/10 of employees across the country. We may only celebrate small businesses for one week per year, but for the other 51 weeks of the year, we rely on them.

Stop by one of our amazing local businesses this week – and every other week as well – for great products and services, and great customer service. You’ll be glad you did!

Small town people have changed

by Angela Dorie Courtesy of Farmers Forum The September 13, 2023 edition of the 131-year-old Glengarry News was its last, a victim of the changing times like so many other community newspapers, not just in Ontario but across Canada.

Expecting a rush for a copy of this final paper, I asked the owner of our local corner store to save me one as I had an appointment in Cornwall. No problem, he replied. When I stopped at about 2:30 pm on my way home, I was surprised to see three copies still lying on the counter. Could the passing of the Glengarry News really mean that little to local people? I guess so.

Small towns are changing, and not necessarily for the better. Populations are expanding in and around them but the businesses they contain are shrinking as everyone heads “to town” for their needs.

When I first moved to Williamstown over 43 years ago one could get what one needed in the Village. There was a gas station, two corner stores, two restaurants, a hardware store, a feed/farm store, a hairdresser, a bank, two churches, a library, tennis courts, a daycare, an elementary school across from a high school, a post office, an arena, a museum, the municipal offices for Charlottenburgh Township, the Township garage, a two-

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bay volunteer fire hall, and the fairgrounds. There were also countless home businesses if one knew who did what. Accounting services, heating and AC, a DJ, a bed and breakfast, handicrafts, woodworking, sewing, as well as the Kraft Cheese plant on the outskirts.

In earlier times, people recall much of the same as well as two banks, tailors, millers, a baker, blacksmiths, a butcher, two machinery dealers (Cockshutt and International I believe), harness makers, a cobbler and a train station. There was also a boarding house and a hotel.

Today’s Village of Williamstown has two restaurants (one relatively new), a corner store, an insurance agent and a furniture refinisher. The fire hall has moved into what was the township garage and now has three bays. The two schools still exist after locals fought with then Premier Wynne. Other communities were not as lucky. The arena, tennis courts, post office, library, museum, churches and fairgrounds also remain.

Townships had to merge so Charlottenburg joined Lancaster and the ever expanding office personnel work in Lancaster. Their old building is now the Celtic Music Hall of Fame.

Without the township business to support it, the bank subsidiary closed. The closest bank is a six-minute drive to Lancaster from Wil-

liamstown. If you deal with a bank other than BMO, you have to drive to Cornwall, about 20 minutes from Williamstown.

The only corner store, although smaller than before, now also sells beer, spirits and wine as well as lottery tickets.

People have changed.

There is no pride in supporting local businesses or papers. We were shocked to find friends, both newcomers, long timers and those born here, agricultural and non-farming who have never read the Glengarry News, never stepped inside the corner store for anything, nor eaten at either of the restaurants. Excuses run from ‘there is nothing in it to interest me’, ‘I don’t know anyone in it’, ‘ I prefer to shop in one place for everything’, ‘It is too expensive’, or they prefer to do all their shopping in Ottawa. The latter gives me the shivers!

Think about what the villages would be if the remaining businesses closed.

What would be left is just an older housing development where residents leave in the morning to go to work and return in the evening to eat and sleep. No one actually “lives” here any more.

Everyone needs to support their local paper or village or nothing will be left.

If everyone made a habit of spending $25 a week on them, it would change things and might even encourage more shops in rural villages. www.ndtimes.ca

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Junior Rockets game summary - October 7th

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team to a 7-2 win moving the team into third place in the NCJHL sporting a perfect 3-0 record.

Starting a season 3-0 is a first for the Rockets in franchise history which certainly gives Head Coach Steve Cameron, the organization, and the local faithful

submitted by Darlene Sherrer The North Dundas Junior Rockets took to the ice Saturday, October 7th in Chesterville in its season opener hosting the Almonte Inferno. The rink was full of anticipation as they cheered on the home

Rockets win home opener 7-3

something to be proud off early in the season.

The Rockets offense was led by local product Cam Sherrer with a 4-point night including 3 goals. Former Ottawa West Golden Knight Russell Jean-Pierre, usually a defenseman, showed some offensive prowess as well playing forward on Saturday night, finding the back of the net 3 times.

Also in on the goal scoring for the Rockets was Timmins native Theo Laforest. Marty Mcleod, Nathan Lister (2), Brady Sinclair, Jaymen Heuff, Aidan Melenhorst, Ryley McClain and Jordan Heuff all contributed offensively as well as with assists throughout the contest.

The Almonte Inferno

was limited to two Powerplay goals on the night while Rockets goaltender, former Alexandria Glen Jason Van Wieren. was absolutely solid in nets making 36 saves on 38 shots.

The Junior Rockets are on the road this up coming weekend to play defending NCJHL champions Gatineau-Hull Volants on Friday, October 13th before returning to Almonte on Saturday, October 14th for a rematch with the Inferno.

The next home game will be on October 21st in Chesterville at 3:30 pm where the team with take on its biggest rival, the South Grenville Rangers in what is sure to be an event!

The match of the neighbouring municipalities

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shots on goal were 57-26 for the Rockets.

Fans in attendance were, as usual, treated to a fast paced physical game but may have noticed a couple of “additions” to this year's home games. The North Dundas Rockets’ executive decided this year that they wanted to give back to their fans and not only produce a great hockey team, but create an experience when coming to the rink. These attractions include: The $25,000 Shootout: At each and every home game, fans can purchase tickets ($5.00 for 1…3 for $10.00) for a chance to shoot for $25,000. At the home opener, Winchester local Matt Mclean’s name was drawn and in the 2nd intermission, he shot for the “big money”. Despite not putting it in the net, Matt was given a $20 gift card to Foodland and a signature Rockets ball cap.

The introduction of Tom Shock: TV and Radio personality Tom Shock has agreed to join the Rockets team and interact with both the fans and the players at each and every home game.

A Chesterville native, you may have seen Tom on Rogers television hosting the Ottawa 67’s show. Tom will

by Murray Link The North Dundas Senior Rockets picked up their second win of the season in their home opener on Saturday Oct. 7 vs. the Cornwall Prowlers. The crowd of approximately 350 were entertained by a fast paced back and forth affair which ultimately was won by the defending EOSHL champs, the North Dundas Rockets.

Despite having one of the best offensive teams in the League, the home opener was a low scoring affair for the Rockets. The first period was scoreless until just under two seconds left on the clock, when Tyren Boots put the prowlers on the board for a 1-0 lead.

The second period started out looking much like the first until Deric Boudreau netted two quick goals to put the home team up halfway through the second period. By the end of the second, both teams added a goal each to make it a 3-2 game with just one period to go. The Rockets broke things open in the third period with 4 straight goals by forwards Mike Macnamee (2), Brett Gustavsen, and Winchester native Nick Pass. Final 7

A tense moment as players from NDDHS and NGDHS struggle for control of the soccer ball at a game on October 3.

by Brandon Mayer On October 3, intermediate athletes from several area schools came together at South Grenville District High School in Prescott for a friendly soccer tournament.

The soccer players came well-prepared and ready for a fierce competition. A start-of-day boys match saw the namesake schools of friendly neighbours North Dundas and North Grenville go head to head in a game that resulted in a victory for the latter. The players from both North Grenville District High School and North Dundas District High School played hard.

The weather was wonderful for an October day – sunny and warm. It was perhaps for this reason that so many parents showed up to watch the competition, as did several classes from the host school, SGDHS. There was a mix of both boys and girls teams competing, and the tournament lasted the whole school day.

Great job, athletes! be wearing his signature #79 jersey and will not only be introducing the lucky shooter but will also be among the fans during the game…..make sure to say “Hi” to Tom.

Next home game is October 28 vs the undefeated Bytown Royals. For more information regarding the North Dundas Rockets, visit our Facebook page.

Nanda Wubs Huizenga Marketing Consultant nanda@ndtimes.ca 613.223.9785 ww.ndtimes.ca

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Baldwin’s Birds

Sparrows return

This morning, as a Blue Jay greedily and hurriedly fed itself from one of my garden feeders, a group of four White Throated Sparrows scuffed around on the ground at the foot of it, showing their distinctive yellow patches near to their eyes. A really great sight to see and not what one tends to think of as very striking, as the more common Sparrows don't have so much colouring. Yesterday, however, I spotted a Song Sparrow and a Chipping Sparrow along with the White Throated variety, so I had quite the treat as far as Sparrows are concerned!

A couple of days earlier I spotted a very odd coloured bird feeding on the ground, with flashes of red in its tail feathers and some in the wing area along with a very black beak. It threw me at first, but then I realized that it was an immature Cardinal! A day later one of its elder siblings appeared with a more fully developed set of brighter red feathers intermingled with grey ones and a lot easier to identify.

This morning, another of our winter dwellers appeared, namely a Dark Eyed Junco, formerly known as a Slate Grey Junco, in our eastern area. Coloured with its dark grey back, brilliant white belly and distinctive dark eye, it made its appearance to keep us company during the upcoming winter months.

Our other more permanent residents are the Woodpeckers, Blue Jays and the Goldfinches, who, very sadly, are not their bright yellow selves, but are sporting a much blander version of plumage, but, whatever their colour, they are still very welcome and will provide us, and I hope you too, with their good company. Stay safe and well, Cheers, John Baldwin

Tid bit musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters, RSSW Choice. Choose. Chose. We ultimately choose what choice we chose even when we try to believe we had no choice to choose. Our choice may be subtle or clearly definitive. As parents, we commence offering choices to toddlers by asking them which outfit do you choose to wear today.

Hindsight demonstrates whether or not our choice stood to be the best choice in the circumstances. At all times, we choose a choice that is best based on the information we have at the time. Life is full of would haves, could haves, should haves, but time does not go backwards. Going forward, you can make different choices.

One does not have to validate your choice. Simply saying "I choose" is significant. Sometimes the options are slim but ultimately you do choose. Being inactive or non-committal is a choice within itself. Never should our choices be to the detriment of someone else's being. You have the right to choose, and the responsibility to ensure that your choice does not harm or hurt someone else.

Start today to make your choice count. Make a choice that will reflect that you choose with integrity, intelligence and compassion. The choice is totally yours.

October 19, 2023

The Voice of North Dundas

Oral probiotics offer another path to wellness

ting too acidic. The saliva in your mouth also contains antimicrobial enzymes and proteins that protect the teeth and gums.

But other microorganisms are “bad”, like Streptococcus mutans, which are cavity causers, converting sugars into acids that attack your teeth. Bacteria love to feast on food that gets stuck between teeth after you eat.

When they break down the food, smelly gases can result, otherwise known as bad breath. When conditions are out of balance, gum disease can set in. Bad oral health can also be an indication of more serious trouble occurring in the cardiovascular system.

What can you do to prevent trouble? Always study history. The importance of a healthy mouth is not a recent discovery. The Chinese were using toothbrushes before the 7th century and ancient Egyptians documented treatments for toothaches many centuries earlier. Today, if you are not using a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss to remove food be-

“The mouth is the door of evil.” So said Euripides, the ancient Greek playwright of tragedy. If he were a modern-day nutritionist, it could be an observation on the very bad stuff people put in their mouths as food.

Mother Teresa, however, acknowledged the mouth’s ability to do good. "Kind words can be short and easy to speak,” she said, “but their echoes are truly endless." So, is your mouth a place of good or evil?

Nourishment and communication are two functions of the mouth. On the outside, a smile is a beautiful signal of happiness. But inside the mouth, there exists a complex ecosystem of friends and enemies.

The mouth is home to an extraordinary community of more than 700 species of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms. Some of them are “good” because they play an important role in maintaining oral health.

Streptococcus salivarius is an example. This bacterium helps metabolize sugar and keeps the mouth from get-

tween teeth after meals, you are out of touch with one of the easiest ways to maintain good general health, not to mention your teeth.

But there’s another tool to consider. Usually associated with gut health, probiotics have long been celebrated for their role in maintaining a harmonious balance in our digestive system. However, what's less known is the potential of oral probiotics in promoting overall health.

Probiotics are made up of those friendly bacteria.

Research has shown that the regular use of oral probiotics can have a positive impact on oral health, and ultimately, our overall wellbeing.

In a randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial, researchers found that regular use of oral probiotics not only reduced bad breath but also improved low selfesteem. It makes sense that more pleasant breath means better social relationships and quality of life.

Several other clinical trials have examined the effects of oral probiotics on individuals with gingivitis, a common gum disease characterized by inflammation and bleeding gums.

Participants who regularly

consumed oral probiotics showed a significant reduction in gum inflammation and bleeding compared to those who did not.

The connection between oral health and heart health is a subject of growing interest among researchers.

A study of the relationship between oral probiotics and the risk of cardiovascular diseases found that individuals who incorporated oral probiotics into their daily routine experienced a reduction in risk factors for heart disease, including inflammation markers.

Should you rush out to buy oral probiotics at your local health food store? For some, it might be just what is needed to establish a “good” healthier mouth. Just as probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics can modify the microbiome of your gut, they can do the same in your mouth.

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The Food Corner

By Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville Jeanne Dams is a mystery writer from Grand Bend Indiana with whom I have been exchanging emails. I’m very grateful for her exceptional writing (and her heroine Dorothy) and for sending me her recipe for Plum Torte. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, so if you do, please let me know how it worked out for you.

Plum Torte

Ingredients • ½ cup butter at room temperature • 1 cup white granulated sugar • 1 cup flour • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 2 eggs • 12 small plums, halved, or 3 large ones, sliced • Topping: lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon Preparation • Preheat your oven to 350F • Cream the butter and sugar together • Stir the baking powder into the flour, add the butter, sugar and eggs and beat well • Grease a 9-inch springform pan and put a circle of parchment or foil on the bottom • Spread the batter evenly in the pan and top with the plums • Mix some lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon together and drizzle on top of the fruit • Sprinkle confectioner’s sugar on top to make it pretty How much sugar you use on the topping depends on the plums. If very tart, be generous with the sugar.

8

If sweet, increase the lemon juice. Use as much cinnamon as you like. Bake for 40-50 minutes till nicely golden brown.

Allow the torte to cool for about 30 minutes before opening the pan and take care; the fruit can stick to the sides and make removal tricky. Serve warm. Jeanne likes to serve it with sweetened sour cream but she says that whipped cream is good too. Also, this freezes well. To freeze, put a 9-inch cardboard round (available in cake-supply stores) covered in foil at the bottom of your pan before spreading the batter. That way you can remove the torte easily and not have the bottom of your spring-form imprisoned in the freezer.

Kindly let me know if you tried this recipe and how it turned out. I’m at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

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The Weather with Connor

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. African sheep 5. Picnic insects 9. Smack 13. Puts on 14. Monetary units of Serbia 16. Soft drink 17. Birdbrain 18. Deadly virus 19. Long, long time 20. Inscribed pillar 22. Without nationality 24. Tatters 26. Tiny 27. Preordain 30. Deeply personal 33. Glue 35. Gush 37. 3 in Roman numerals 38. Above a baritone 41. G

42. Grain stubble 45. Britons' bangers 48. A narrow sea channel 51. Most compassionate 52. Apple-based alcoholic drink 54. Silent assents 55. Type of hormone 59. Chomps 62. Ardent 63. Type of beer 65. Give as an example 66. Bog 67. Breathe noisily while asleep 68. Pitch 69. "Oh dear!"

70. Stepped 71. Break in two DOWN 1. Combines 2. Origin

3. Men's undergarment 4. Set apart 5. Type of primate 6. Catches 7. Moves briskly 8. Sausage 9. Edible shellfish 10. Opera house box 11. Anagram of "Sale" 12. Overtake 15. Devil 21. Sponsorship 23. Shade trees 25. Agitated state 27. Speaker's place 28. Rewrites 29. Night before 31. Hint 32. Woody plants 34. N N N 36. Exam 39. Durable wood 40. Devastation 43. Colonnades 44. Hang around 46. Pretentious person 47. Junkies 49. Graven images 50. Renter 53. Hardship 55. Mother 56. Wicked 57. Former Italian currency 58. Adopted son of Claudius 60. Europe's highest volcano 61. Exude 64. Bloodshot

featuring Connor Mockett Hello, everyone! Welcome back to another week of The Weather with Connor. This week, I have something very important to talk about, and also very exciting for me.

This past week, I decided it was finally time to get everything done and set up for something new I’d be starting in my life. I registered it with Ontario, did a few other things, and I was good to go with it.

I started my very own business called CMForecasting. It’s a business to provide private forecasting to snow removal and lawn care companies, as well as the occasional farmer around the area in Eastern Ontario. The purpose is to give these companies the best and most accurate forecasting

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October 19, 2023

in-depth as before. The long in-depth forecasts will be for the subscribers.

Next I wanted to thank all of the people that have pressed like or follow on my page since I opened the page in December of 2020. What was supposed to be a place to just post my photos, it turned into me doing forecasts that people grew to love. I never imagined it’d turn out this way, never in my wildest dreams. I have 37,000+ people following me now.

A boy that graduated high school without a plan to do anything, without going to school, has his own business now, thanks to everyone that made it anywhere close to being possible. I promise I will not let you down.

If there’s anyone reading this who is interested in private forecasting from me, be sure to reach out to me on Facebook and I’ll respond to you with all of the details on how to get started with the service I provide.

So with all of that said, we’ll see where this new adventure takes me. I’m very excited!

CLASSIFIEDS

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

Easy

for weather events that either mean they’ll be working to clear snow, or have a day off while it’s raining.

This is something that I’ve wanted to try doing for a while now. I’ve had multiple people tell me I should do this as well. It just took a little time for me to convince myself that I’d be able to attempt doing this. I’m sure there will be some growing pains trying to balance my other job and this job together, but I am determined to make both of them work.

I want my business to be what I do for the rest of my life. I want to be in the weather, whether it be forecasting or chasing, for the rest of my life. With enough customers, that is something I can accomplish. Being self employed and doing my favourite thing in this world is what I want to do.

Having my own business will not change the fact that I will be doing these columns bi-weekly. I love to write, and this is a great platform to do that, so that will continue for sure. My forecasts on Facebook will also continue, but will be shorter and not as

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Cornwall teacher charged with child pornography offences

by Brandon Mayer A teacher at St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School in Cornwall has been dismissed after school officials were notified by the OPP that he was charged with child pornography offences. The teacher had been teaching at the school since 2021 before his dismissal earlier this month. It is a policy of the Times not to name alleged offenders due to the irreversible damage to their reputations should they be found not guilty of the crime they are accused of committing, but other news sources have publicly named the accused teacher in question.

The City of Cornwall has its own police force, but since charges were laid by the OPP, it suggests that the alleged offence(s) occurred outside of Cornwall. The OPP is the police force with jurisdiction in the communities served by the Times.

A letter distributed to parents by school officials on October 6 names the accused teacher, and also outlines the steps that the school has taken

in light of the situation. The teacher has been removed from his position, and the Ontario College of Teachers has been notified – this latter step will spur an investigation that will likely ensure a revocation of the teacher’s standing with the College, which will help ensure that he cannot move to another part of the Province to evade his reputation and begin teaching at a new school.

Counselling services have been made available to students at St. Joseph’s, which is the largest school in the broader Eastern Ontario area. There is no indication that any criminal behaviour happened specifically within the school, but students may nevertheless be distressed because of the gravity of the news, particularly if they knew the teacher.

How does the Canadian school landscape look when it comes to staff committing or being accused of offences of a sexual nature against children? Unfortunately, the numbers can come as quite a shock. A report from the Canadian Centre for Child

Protection released last year revealed that 252 current or former school personnel either committed or were accused of offences of a sexual nature against 548 child victims between 2017 and 2021. In addition to these 252 school staff, another 38 were accused or convicted of child pornography offences during the same time period.

Schools are considered some of the safest and most secure institutions in the country. These reports are not meant to incite panic or elicit blind accusations, but rather to draw attention to the fact that schools, by nature of the population served, can unfortunately attract predators.

Talking to children about what constitutes inappropriate behaviour from adults, and what to do if they feel uncomfortable, is one very important step that parents can take. Children should be reminded to trust their instincts, and communicate openly with parents when they feel that something is not right at school or in any other place. Predators will often attempt to slowly gain a victim’s trust before committing criminal acts, so it may not be as easy as parents assume for children to realize they are being victimized. Children should also be reminded that threats, such as a threat of harm to one’s family if they report inappropriate behaviour, are simply a control tactic – telling a trusted adult is always a correct step.

Murder in Kemptville: Here’s what we know

by Brandon Mayer

gree murder, contrary to Section 235(1) of the Criminal Code, and was held for a bail hearing on October 11, at the Ontario Court of Justice,” wrote the OPP in a press release on October 11. Court records show that a subsequent “bail phase” court appearance is scheduled for today, October 19.

The day after the alleged crime, the heavy police presence in the area was noted online by residents of Rideau River Road. Some reported seeing police officers in SWAT gear, before knowing what had actually occurred on their street.

“While the investigation is in its early stages, police do not believe there is a risk to public safety, however, residents should expect to see an increased police presence in the area during this investigation,” the OPP wrote at the time.

Now for the rumours: It has been speculated online by social media users claiming to know the people involved that the alleged crime was gangrelated. There may be some element of truth to

Small towns are known for many things, but murder is certainly not one of them. Early last week, however, the “uncommon” happened in Kemptville, at a residence on Rideau River Road (County Road 19), in the northeast outskirts of town.

The publicly released details about the crime that we have so far are this: A 27 year old from South Dundas was arrested and charged with the second degree murder of 35 year old North Grenville resident, Corey Greenwood.

According to land records research completed by CBC reporters, Corey Greenwood is the co-owner of the home in which the alleged homicide took place. A truck remained parked in the driveway of the home after the incident, bearing the name of a Brinston business which submitted by OPP The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is aware of global online threats of violence re- happens to be owned by garding the situation in the Middle East. We want to assure the people of Ontario that we the person named as the accused perpetrator. continue to focus on public safety.

“The accused was The OPP and our law enforcement partners are closely monitoring for any situation charged with second dewhich could impact public safety in our communities.

While the OPP respects the right of everyone to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, everyone also has a right to a safe environment. All those involved in a demonstration have a responsibility to ensure that the event remains lawful, peaceful and safe.

The OPP understands that members within our communities are deeply affected by this ongoing conflict. We have increased police patrols and presence in areas of cultural and religious significance and will maintain open lines of communication with community leaders.

Public safety remains our top priority. Acts of hate, violence or threats of violence will Nanda Wubs Huizenga Marketing Consultant not be tolerated. Any incidents will be investigated and those responsible will be held acnanda@ndtimes.ca countable.

613.223.9785 Report any allegations of hate-motivated incidents and crime to the OPP or your local police. If there is a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately. All other incidents ww.ndtimes.ca in OPP jurisdiction can be reported by calling the non-emergency number, 1-888-310-1122.

OPP focused on public safety in light of conflict in the Middle East

October 19, 2023

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this. The CBC reports that a Harley Davidson motorcycle was also parked in the driveway of the Rideau River Road house the day after the alleged murder, with a Loners Motorcycle Club helmet sitting on the seat. The Loners Motorcycle Club is an international outlaw motorcycle club founded in 1979. The OPP was unable to provide further comment when asked about the rumours.

The OPP adds in its release: “This investigation is being conducted by the Grenville County OPP Crime Unit under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario and Centre of Forensic Sciences. Anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact the Grenville County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, submit your tip online at Ontario Crime Stoppers where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.”

Send in your letters, stories, events to editor@ndtimes.ca

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The North Dundas Times

OPINION: Grocery tax will backfire

by Patrick Meagher courtesy of Farmers Forum The Canadian federal government’s recent threats against major grocery chains are being seen by many as a political move aimed at appeasing voters.

With voter pressure to lower food prices and Liberal government popularity in the dumpster, the Prime Minister is putting on a show. Don’t expect prices to come down unless the Liberal government objective is empty shelves.

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne held meetings with executives from prominent grocery chains like Loblaw, Metro, Empire, Walmart, and Costco, urging them to stabilize prices. The government has threatened sanctions, including taxation, if grocers and producers fail to comply.

Concordia University Economist Moshe Lander argues that imposing a grocers’ tax and telling businesses how to operate would be counterproductive, like asking a cat to bark. It won’t work. He points out that grocers often have to raise prices in response to supplier price increases, and these are not acts of profiteering. A report by the Competition Bureau found that major grocers’ profit margins had only modestly increased in

recent years, translating to a minimal impact on consumers’ grocery bills.

Imagine government intervention. A grocer buys a product for $1 and sells it for $2, and suddenly the supplier hikes the price to $2 to cover his rising costs.

What’s the grocer supposed to do? Sell it for $2? Nope, they sell it for $3. It’s basic math – and they’ve got shareholders to please, not charity to perform.

The Bank of Canada also stated that retail price spikes are mainly due to global factors like freight and energy costs, along with industrial inputs and labour expenses. A 2022 Statistics Canada study found that food price increases are the result of bottlenecks in the supply chain, linked with the economy-wide shutdown during COVID, but also caused by poor weather in certain agricultural regions, higher fuel and fertilizer prices, the Russia-Ukraine war and higher operating costs for retailers. The Retail Council of Canada pointed out that grocery stores were just passing on higher prices they had to pay to producers.

States the Fraser Institute’s Vice-President Jason Clemens: “Notice what was absent in the analysis – grocery store profiting.”

The total profit last year of the big three grocery chains – Loblaw, Sobeys and Metro – was $3.6 billion

tion costs and interprovincial trade restrictions limiting new players from entering the market.

Any serious challenge to food inflation “would focus on reducing costs to producers and encouraging greater supply, both of which would result in lower prices,” Clemens says. “For instance, the Trudeau government could have delayed the increase in the carbon tax, which increases costs throughout the agricultural supply chain.”

He added that the federal government could encourage more entrepreneurship in all areas of farming, including in milk, eggs and chicken.

Said Clemens: “(The federal government) could have reduced personal and/ or business income tax rates to encourage entrepreneurship and investment, which are both essential to expanding the production of goods and services. Remember, inflation is always about too many dollars chasing too few goods, which means one solution is to expand the amount of goods and services produced.”

In other words, the federal government contributed to the problem and could help by just getting out of the way and letting the market place operate without as much interference.

out of $100 billion in sales.

That’s a small profit margin at 3.6 per cent.

Translation: Trudeau is barking up the wrong tree.

Imposing taxes on the low-margin grocery industry could lead to reduced product variety and innovation as certain items may become unprofitable to carry, Lander told the Epoch Times.

If grocers cap the grocery store prices, they would then have to cap prices they pay suppliers and that includes farmers. But if input costs increase for farmers, then the capped price the grocer pays would be a disincentive to a farmer to supply that market.

If the cap squeezes farm profits, the farmer would be inclined to produce less of a product or none at all and produce something else.

The result would be empty grocery store shelves.

The federal government’s threat to big grocers is just “a dog and pony show,” Lander told Epoch Times, adding that the government likely realizes it can do nothing, but to satisfy voters, it is “going to make a show of this.”

To address these concerns, Lander suggests giving more power to the federal Competition Bureau and removing controls on certain food commodities to promote competition. Lack of competition within the industry is a known issue, with barriers like high transporta-

The Voice of North Dundas

Castleman, Richard Steven Peacefully at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Wednesday October 11, 2023. Richard Castleman age 65 of Mountain. Beloved b r o t h e r o f Wa y n e Castleman. Predeceased by his parents Florence (McEachran) and Ronald Castleman.

Fondly remembered by his many cousins, family and friends.

For those wishing donations in Memory of Richard may be made to Winchester District Memorial Hospital, The Gathering House or the House of Lazarus. Cremation. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Gathering House, 2 Water Street, Chesterville on Saturday November 4, 2023 at 1 p.m.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Byers Funeral Home, South Mountain (613-989-3836). Online condolences may be made at www.byersfuneralhomeinc.com

Government debating euthanasia EOHU releases first of six Regional Mental Health Survey Summaries expansion for mental illness submitted by AARP On October 5, Parliament debated whether to proceed with expanding medical assistance in dying (MAiD) to those whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness. There has been much concern from doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists and the public about offering medically assisted suicide to those with mental illness. Bill C-314, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), introduced by MP Ed Fast, stands against this expansion.

ARPA Canada, through the Care Not Kill campaign, has spent the last few years actively advocating against euthanasia as a solution for mental illness. If the bill does not pass and nothing changes, euthanasia will be offered to people whose sole condition is a mental illness as of March 17, 2024.

MAiD deaths have risen dramatically in Canada since euthanasia was legalized in 2016.

More than 10,000 Canadians had their lives ended by a doctor in 2021, up 34% from 2020, and those numbers are still on the rise. Adding another group of vulnerable people to the list of eligibility will only increase this further.

“Canada has created a euthanasia regime that allows for loose safeguards and increasing accessibility,” said Daniel Zekveld, a policy analyst with ARPA Canada. “What started as an end-of-life measure for a very few who were suffering immensely has become a potential solution to almost any kind of suffering. Bill C-314 gives Parliament an opportunity to improve safeguards, a needed shift from the way euthanasia has been handled ever since its legalization in 2016.”

It is expected that a vote will take place in the week of October 16. If the bill passes, it will move to committee stage for further study.

ARPA Canada has had a presence on Parliament Hill sharing the message that euthanasia should never be considered a solution for mental illness. ARPA Canada stands for suicide prevention, not suicide assistance, in all cases.

October 19, 2023

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submitted by EOHU O n Wo r l d M e n t a l Health Day 2023, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is excited to release the first in a series of six regional mental health summaries from the 2022 EOHU Population Mental Health Survey.

During the fall of 2022, the EOHU used telephone, email and in-person opportunities to survey residents about the state of their mental health and their experiences with accessing and receiving mental health care. In total, 2185 residents aged 18 years and older responded to the survey.

The 2022 survey results present an updated picture of the state of our community’s mental health as well as their needs and the

challenges that they face.

The first survey summary highlights the overall mental health status of our community and key considerations for action by the EOHU and its partners.

The survey results and summaries will help the EOHU and community partners to assess and inform current and future mental health promotion strategies, programs and services.

“There is no health without mental health,” says Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health at the EOHU. “The survey summaries are the first step in ensuring EOHU staff, the public and our partners can easily access and interpret the results and can use them to plan the most effective programs and strategies to meet the needs of our com-

munity.”

Visit the Mental Health in Eastern Ontario page on our website (www.EOHU. ca) regularly for the first summary and future releases: - Overall mental health status - Access to mental health support and services - Individual, community and social determinants - Stress, coping and resilience - Social media and mental health - Mental health disorders If you are interested in additional datasets, please email info@eohu.ca. For more information, please visit our website at www.

EOHU.ca.

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The Voice of North Dundas

The North Dundas Times

We hope you will!

submitted by Erin Kapcala Many people believe that their estate is too small to bother having a will or that whatever they have will be needed by their spouse and other loved ones. Such thinking is common, but it can prove to be a problem for your loved ones. After a lifetime of hard work, most of us have far more assets and wealth than we realize.

Without a will, your family and loved ones can face uncertainty, delays, and stress while settling your estate.

Creating a will is a wise personal investment of time and energy – it is also a wise investment for the family you are leaving behind.

Having a will ensures that your wishes are carried out and spares your loved ones any additional stress at an already difficult time. In fact, a properly prepared will can preserve more of your estate to pass on to your loved ones Sound surprising? Here are some suggestions from experts in estate planning that can help you preserve your assets:

- Put assets into joint ownership if you can. When properly done, jointly owned assets go directly to the other owner(s) and are not considered part of your estate. This can simplify your estate’s administration and may reduce your estate’s taxes.

- Review and update your will regularly. This allows you to keep up with new family situations and any changes in tax rules that occur. It also ensures that your will continues to work to your and your family’s best advantage, while reflecting your wishes.

Of course, there is another good way you can minimize taxes on your estate — you can create a gift in your will (often called a legacy gift) to a registered charity like the WDMH Foundation. When you make this kind of gift, you can ensure that your loved ones are cared for and help reduce your estate taxes. Your professional advisors can help you determine the best way to create a tax-wise gift. In doing so, you can support your loved ones while also

Budgeting – Can you make it work for you?

supporting excellent care delivered right here in our community – close to home.

To learn more about legacy giving to support Winchester District Memorial Hospital and/or Dundas Manor Long-Term Care Home, please contact fellow legacy donor, Erin Kapcala – Manager of Major and Planned Giving for the WDMH Foundation at 613292-7468 or ekapcala@ wdmh.on.ca Community. Care. Close to Home.

The information and opinions are obtained from various sources believed to be reliable, but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

The WDMH Foundation and its employees and agents assume no responsibility for errors or omissions or for damages arising from the use of the published information and opinions. Readers are cautioned to consult their own professional advisors to determine the applicability of information and opinions in any particular circumstances.

Donations from South Mountain Odd Fellows Lodge

by Cynthia Batchelor, Financial Advisor of Assante Capital Management Ltd. As costs go up and we all look to where we can save a little money, the talk about a budget comes up increasingly in conversation. It can often be overwhelming when your payments keep changing and the bills keep piling up. So, what can you do to make sense of it all? Make a budget. A budget is the tally of your income and expenses for a set period. Planning out your budget can help you to understand what you are spending where and how you can cut costs.

One of the first things I remind people of when discussing their budget plan is to “pay yourself first”. What does this mean? Simply put, it means to commit a certain part of your income to savings each paycheque. This will allow you to ensure that you can retire comfortably, have funds set aside for unforeseen expenses, or generally know that you are able to live comfortably.

If you are looking for a budgeting framework, the rule would be 50/30/20.

50% of your income for needs (rent/mortgage, food, utilities), 30% for wants (dining out, the gym, sports and entertainment, trips) and 20% for savings (retirement and emergency funds). Remember to do the following: - pay yourself first (this is the 20%); - map out your spending (know exactly what you are spending each month – create a spreadsheet of the other 80%); - always be prepared to adjust (you might need to reduce or stop the wants); - calculate the actual cost of your debts (know your interest payments); - make budgeting a regular routine (revisit your budget at least 4 times a year to ensure that you are on track).

Let’s now look at the most common budgeting mistakes: - not tracking expenses (it is important you know where all your money is spent down to the last $5 at Tim Hortons); - overspending (if you spend more than you earn, you will end up paying interest charges which will eat up more of your hard-earned money); - not planning for unexpected expenses (let’s go back to that 20% rule); - not adjusting the budget as circumstances change (if you have fixed costs or needs that go up, you will need to adjust your wants part of your budget); - underestimating expenses (sometimes your utilities are lower, like gas in the summer so don’t get caught in thinking that they stay the same all year round, plan ahead); - relying too heavily on credit (high interest rates can eat away at your savings and income); - not prioritizing expenses (pay your high debt and needs first, forgo the wants); - not accounting for irregular income (if you don’t have stable income, don’t count on it).

If you need help creating a budget, see a financial advisor.

Cynthia Batchelor is a Financial Advisor with Assante Capital Management Ltd. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of Assante Capital Management Ltd. Please contact her at 613.258.1997 or visit ofarrellwealth. com to discuss your circumstances prior to acting on the information above. Assante Capital Management Ltd. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.

North Dundas Local Financial Service Professionals

Ron Derraugh (Noble Grand of South Mountain Odd Fellows Lodge) is presenting a cheque of $500 for the Kemptville District Hospital Foundation to Joanne Mavis.

Cynthia Batchelor

Financial Advisor

Assante Capital Management Ltd.

Sarah Chisholm Financial Advisor

Assante Capital Management Ltd.

1-877-989-1997 | OFARRELLWEALTH.COM | OFARRELL@ASSANTE.COM BROCKVILLE CORNWALL KEMPTVILLE RENFREW WINCHESTER

Assante Capital Management Ltd. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada

Ron Derraugh (Noble Grand of South Mountain Odd Fellows Lodge) is presenting a cheque of $500 for Beth Donovan Hospice to Janet Lee. Ron Derraugh (Noble Grand of South Mountain Odd Fellows Lodge) is presenting a cheque of $500 for Rideau Hill Camp to Kim Link.

October 19, 2023

Contact us and start planning today!

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