ND Times Issue 23 2023 November 16

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The Voice of North Dundas

Vol 4, No 23

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New Dundas Manor will break ground before the new year

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Now a messy looking rural property, but soon to be the home of the new Dundas Manor! Photo by Jaclyn Paddison.

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November 16, 2023

by Brandon Mayer It was announced earlier this month that the ceremonial ground-breaking ceremony for the new and improved Dundas Manor will take place before the end of the year.

“Thanks to a generous community and a lot of dedicated volunteers, we have big news!” wrote hospital communications lead Jane Adams in a press release.

“Our wonderful donors have given over $12 million

to help build the new, larger, safe Dundas Manor LongTerm Care Home!”

“This is another exciting milestone in the Expanding the Circle of Compassionate Care campaign – $12 million is a lot of money and our small but mighty community deserves all the credit,” says Managing Director, Kristen Casselman. “We are so grateful for everyone’s support.”

It was announced on November 2 that the general contractor who will build the new Long Term Care Home

has been confirmed, as has the construction schedule.

“We have been working at this for ten years now and we are really closing in on some major milestones of the project,” said Dundas Manor Board Chair Lisa Little. “It is so rewarding to start to see the fruits of our labour - and that of many other volunteers - pay off.”

While the ground-breaking ceremony is only a symbolic gesture for new construction projects, it signifies much more in the sense that the proper approvals and

funding are in place for the project to proceed. With so much hard work already completed and much more to come, this most recent milestone – one of many in the past few months – is certainly a reason to celebrate.

“We will have our ceremonial ground-breaking ceremony by the end of this year. We may have to trade our spades for snow shovels, but we are determined to dig into the ground, even if it’s frozen!” Lisa joked. “Please keep an eye out in the local papers and social media for the date as our entire community is invited to celebrate with us.”

Dundas Manor CEO Cholly Boland added his thoughts: “Thank you so much to our community for your generosity thus far, and for your patience as we navigate our way through the many necessary steps and processes involved in such a large scale and essential project – the new Dundas Manor,” she said.

“We look forward to sharing and celebrating many more milestones with you in the coming months.”

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Spirit of Giving - Reverse Advent Calendar & Toy Drive Help us refill the foodbank & make someone’s Christmas!

Each day, put a needed item in a box/bag and drop your donation off to us by December 20th.

Suggestions: Nov. 15 - Can of Carrots Nov. 16 - Mac & Cheese Nov. 17 - Can of Fruit Nov. 18 - Bag of Pasta Nov. 19 - Spaghetti Sauce Nov. 20 - Cereal Nov. 21 - Jar of Jam Nov. 22 - Can of Tomatoes Nov. 23 - Can of Meat Nov. 24 - Bag of Soup Nov. 25 - Can of Veggies Nov. 26 - Granola Bars Nov. 27 - Baby Food Nov. 28 - Can of Soup/Stew Nov. 29 - Juice Boxes Nov. 30 - Can of Beans/Peas Dec. 1 - Jar of Peanut Butter Dec. 2 - Jar of Apple Sauce Dec. 3 - Box of Rice Dec. 4 - Bag of White Sugar Dec. 5 - School Snacks Dec. 6 - Container of Juice Dec. 7 - Box of Oatmeal Dec. 8 - Can of Corn Dec. 9 - Small Bag of Flour Dec. 10 - Box of Dessert Dec. 11 - Can of Tuna Dec. 12 - Bag of Brown Sugar Dec. 13 - Box of Crackers Dec. 14 - Children's Toy We will match every item with a $1 donation to a local food bank

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The Voice of North Dundas

The North Dundas Times

Baldwin's Birds

Bomb threats shake up some Ontario schools

could be a risk to public safety.”

Reports suggest that the brunt of the threats were levelled against schools in northern Ontario, though the impact of the threats was certainly felt in schools in the North Grenville area as well.

Local French Catholic schools all went into a “Hold and Secure” procedure upon hearing the news, though some reports suggest that in some schools, it may have been treated more as a “lockdown” situation, with students being pulled from hallways into random classrooms to shelter.

Some of these schools in the area were evacuated and closed for the day, including École secondaire catholique Embrun.

Students in that school reported being quietly asked to evacuate and proceed to an offsite shelter location without being told why.

The students in evacuated schools were kept at the shelter locations until end-of-day dismissal, when they returned to

by Brandon Mayer

Surprise Sparrow visitor!

One of our avian friends has not let me down this week, so that I have something to write about once again! A brief glance out of my front window just to survey the general scene became more than that when I spotted a slightly bigger Sparrow-like bird scratching enthusiastically in the grass in front of my garden feeders. I grabbed my trusty camera and focused it on the said bird and could immediately see that it was different. Its feathers had a reddish rufous colour to them, so I knew straight away that it wasn't one of our usual variety of bird, but which one? Quite a few pictures later I was able to determine more accurately that it was, in fact, a Fox Sparrow. What a treat to see one of these in the garden, even if it was for only a short while.

Its distinguishing features were easily recognizable when consulting my bird books to determine which one it was. The rusty brown in the tail feathers was the first major hint, as it was the colour in the wings.

The grey eye markings weren't so easily explained, but the books put me right and reassured me on that score! The other significant identifying features were the two colours of its beak,- the top being black and the bottom yellow, and its very dark brown spotted belly markings. It was difficult to get a really good complete picture of them all, as the bird, very nervously, was on the move all the time and not always on the ground where it obviously prefers to feed, busily scratching away at the bottom of the grass stems. What a treat to see and be able to write about and, as I do, also get to hear some of the transiting geese outside as they pass by our house. What a wonderful setting to be able to put my thoughts down. I hope that you too are having some lovely experiences as you look out of your own windows. Stay safe and well.

Cheers, John Baldwin

Parents and educators across the Province got an unusual scare last week when some schools in northern and eastern Ontario were the subject of one of the most heinous crimes imaginable – a series of bomb threats.

“Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are investigating multiple bomb threats across parts of Northern and Eastern Ontario,” reads an OPP statement.

“The threats targeted multiple schools under multiple school boards and other facilities, demanding payment. As a precaution, many targeted schools and facilities have been closed while the investigation continues.

Parents are encouraged to contact their schools or school boards for more information. In addition to local officers, the OPP Cybercrime Investigations Team is engaged.

The public is always encouraged to report any suspicious activity that

directed not to let their students out for recess, and increased attention was paid to identifying visitors.

Making a bomb threat is a crime, even without intending to act on it or having the means to act on it. Making such a threat against schools certainly adds a level of severity.

Schools remain incredibly safe places, and the investigation into the source of the threats is ongoing, with no arrests yet made as of the time of writing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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Trivia Night St. Clare’s Anglican Church, Friday, Nov. 24. 2530 Falcone Rd. Winchester $10 per person with up to eight persons per team You can join a team if you don’t have one Game time 7 p.m.

Call to register 613 989-2823 or just come Any questions please call 613 989-2823

Winchester Lions Club donates $10,000 to the new Dundas Manor

Winchester Lions President Tammy Cinnamon (left) and Campaign Co-Chair Nancy Farley-Holmes. neighbours who share a core belief – community is what you make it.

And they’ve done it again with a donation of $10,000 to the Expanding the Circle of Compassionate Care campaign to build

submitted by Jane Adams Since 1968, the Winchester Lions Club has been helping out in our community. Its motto is ‘We Serve’ and where there’s a need, there’s a Lion. Lions are friends, family and November 16, 2023

school property to board buses or be picked up.

Parents wishing to pick up their children earlier needed to make arrangements. Several Toronto schools were fully evacuated as well.

While not specifically named or targeted, the English public schools run by the Upper Canada District School Board were also put on high alert by the threats. Secondary schools had their doors locked, which is uncommon (doors are normally left open since students are permitted to be outside freely during break periods). Elementary schools – which always have their doors locked – were

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the new Dundas Manor.

And even better – they’ve pledged an additional $10,000 to the campaign!

Lions Club President Tammy Cinnamon says this project is important to the Club: “Dundas Manor is the only long-term care home in North and South Dundas and neighbours and friends are well cared for there every day. With a new building, the Dundas Manor team can do even more for our community. We are happy to help.”

“Our local Lions Club believes in supporting health care close to home and this is another example of its generous spirit,” says Campaign Co-Chair Nancy Farley Holmes. “We are so grateful for this generous gift that will have an impact

on our community for many years to come.”

The estimated cost of the new building is $63 million.

The provincial government is providing approximately $45 million. Our campaign goal is $18 million. To date, close to $12 million has been given by our generous community. Thank you!

For more details about the Expanding the Circle of Compassionate Care campaign and how you can donate, please visit www. dundasmanordream.ca or contact the WDMH Foundation team at 613-774-2422 ext. 6162 or 6169.

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Editorial

The Voice of North Dundas

The North Dundas Times

Oxy literal morons

by Brandon Mayer What a great time to be an employee right now. So much leverage, so many options, and still too few employers who have a clue when it comes to how to treat employees.

I remember being in the “limbo” period between finishing high school and starting my first university degree. I was 17, and did the old “drop off a bunch of resumes and do a bunch of online job applications” trick, hoping to earn at least something in those two months to help pay for my ridiculously expensive post-secondary education ($60,000 over 7 years, for those who like math).

I was quite unsuccessful. I don’t even remember being called for an interview. Fast food places and retail stores were fully staffed. Those jobs didn’t pay well – about $10/hour back then – but in many cases they were the only jobs around, so

those who worked in such places stayed put.

Now, it’s hard to find a fast food place or retailer who isn’t hiring.

Most now offer above minimum wage, paying $17-18 per hour to start. I would not have believed it possible if someone had told me a decade ago that such a pay scale would exist for these jobs in the future. Factories are paying in the mid $23-25 per hour range to start in general labour positions. I’ve had internal employees at some fast food chains tell me that if you go in willing to work, you can demand $20 per hour and also make demands on preferred hours in some places.

Pay really is everything in this economy.

Nothing speaks louder than salary rate, but I can’t help but think of the number of employers who lose good employees simply because they can’t treat them like decent human beings. For one, a vacation should be a “fun trip”, not a cause for

a “guilt trip”. Many of us have heard of employers who grant generous vacation on paper to attract new hires, but make a fuss when an employee tries to use it.

I’ve even recently heard from someone who was told she can’t take sick days because she is “a crucial part of the business”. That sounds a lot like “we need you so much that we won’t let you take care of yourself”.

What a complete oxymoron of a statement, which could only be contrived by employers who I must label as “oxy-literal-morons”. It’s so satisfying when a technical term that describes someone’s illogical decision making also happens to have an insulting word embedded within it!

Where do these attitudes toward employees come from? Where does this line of thinking begin? I’ve been giving this a lot of thought lately, particularly because the cold and flu season has started. My younger son is

home from school today with a cold. Still being in elementary school, I know that whatever subject is taught during the combined 4-ish hours of instructional time today will simply be seen as a “write off” for him. There are plenty of school days in a year, and plenty of school years in an educational career. He doesn’t miss many days. Missing a lot of school is not advisable, but a missed day here and there for a valid reason should not be any more of a problem for students than it is for employees.

For high schoolers – based on my experience in high school – the attitude is much different. I don’t think I missed a single day of high school due to illness. I was in clubs and of course had field trips and such that took me away from class sometimes, but I was never absent due to an illness, no matter how sick I was. Why? Because in high school we were expected to make up for any missed lessons.

of the NG Times was dedicated to an individual who had received an award for his decades of volunteering. A society is not simply a series of monetary transactions.

Support for UBI comes from a wide range of politicians, economists, and business leaders. It is not isolated to one particular ideological viewpoint. UBI may seem like a fanciful, unrealistic idea, but we do things every day that were only depicted in works of fiction a few decades ago.

Steve Gabell

these things.

However, recently my son, with his university degree, and his partner looked at buying a place to live (and forget about rentals). Both have decent above-minimum-wage jobs: they work 40+ hours per week, pay their income and social taxes (which go towards making Canada a safe and decent place to live), yet there is absolutely no way they can even contemplate buying a place without a massive injection of cash from his parents. Using the banks’ payment formulae (and including his parents' contribution), almost all of his net income would be spent on paying for his mortgage and taxes. His partner’s income would pay their living expenses. One small expense – like visiting a dentist, for instance – would mean that they would go into debt. They get no other income from any government programme: they work hard, pay their dues but struggle to advance.

There are very simple solutions to providing younger

We would have to find a classmate willing to let us copy their notes, and we would be expected to take on any missed classwork as homework. In other words, you could either go to class with a cold, get your classmates sick, and absolutely suffer for the day, or you could take the day off to get yourself better, only to have a mountain of extra work to do in the days that followed, all the while struggling with the brain fog that so often accompanies a nasty virus.

In many old-fashioned circles, this policy would be applauded. “Teach youth a strong work ethic from an early age”, right?

I disagree. Mental health is important, too. We already have a generation of people who, thanks to a horrific economy, must often work two or more jobs just to eat. Let’s not also teach them that to be sick is to be lazy, or needing a personal day is not for team players, or that promised vacation is only available for the dis-

pensable employees. This last point is yet another oxymoron – who came up with the idea that only employees whose work is NOT valuable can take sick leave or vacation?

We are so obsessed with instilling a great work ethic, but simultaneously reward slacking-off while punishing hard work and dedication.

I am one of many people with two jobs, and I am extremely lucky to love both of my jobs. I am even luckier to have two employers who treat employees like humans.

If I am sick, I am sick.

If I need a vacation, I need a vacation. There is evidence that the feelings of mutual respect produced by having such a human-centred attitude tends to increase productivity rather than reduce it. Hopefully, some of the oxy-literal-morons of the world will soon get some common sense and treat their employees better.

Failing to do so, would be a proverbial “shot to their own foot”, indeed.

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor,

The idea of a Universal Basic Income may seem utopian (and one of the earliest mentions of UBI was over 500 years ago in Thomas More’s Utopia), but the idea that artificial intelligences will be able to do much of our work is also utopian.

With the rapid advances in AI and automation, we are approaching an inflection point for society. AI and automation threaten to do to many white-collar jobs in the coming decades what previous technological advances did to blue-collar jobs. Previous shifts have created new jobs and opportunities, but how many jobs will there be in the future when AI can perform complex cognitive tasks as well as humans can?

The benefits from previous technological advances have largely accrued to those who have the capital to own the technology. How society should respond to the opportunities and threats that AI and automation poses is one of the most pressing questions we

face today. Should the benefits from these technologies be shared widely by society, or should they be hoarded by an elite few who already have more money than they can spend in multiple lifetimes? A UBI is one way of answering this question, attempting to ensure that everyone can meet their basic needs. Mr. Mayer is viewing a 21st century challenge through a 20th century lens.

One argument Mr. Mayer raises for opposing UBI is the idea that those who are not in paid employment do not contribute to society. This narrow view of equating someone’s social value as being tied to their economic value is fundamentally wrong and can be used to justify some dangerous positions. The start of the pandemic showed everyone just how vital some of the lowest paid workers are to society, and many people generously volunteer their time to a wide range of causes generating immense social benefits. Just a few weeks ago, the front page

Dear Editor, Re: Universal Basic Income (UBI) It’s really sad to read how some people equate a basic standard of living with ‘communism’. I am a post-war baby boomer who has benefitted really quite well from this boom.

I was brought up to expect to go to university, get a decent job, for which I would be paid decently so I could buy a house, have a family and retire in comfort. I have achieved all of

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people with some hope: we all have to pay more for what we consume or property prices have to fall to reflect people’s incomes or incomes have to rise. Perhaps things have been too cheap for too long? (I can hear the groans!) And, none of us baby boomers want to see property prices fall, do we, as most of our equity is in our property? So what is wrong with letting people have a decent income so that they can feel secure and enjoy life, not Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0

just exist through it…..enjoy life like so many of us have done. Is this not what UBI is about?

I read so often that Canada is a caring society – really, when one sees the vitriol bandied about so frequently? Those old expectations have gone and if we are not careful, we will have (already have?) a generation of livid people who

cont'd on page 4

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The North Dundas Times cont'd from page 3 do not engage with others because why should they? They see little benefit from joining in when they spend all their income on existing (not living) and trying to get further ahead is met by roadblocks (put in place to protect those of us who are OK, thank you very much). Our valiant Premier is going to build 600,000 homes (they’re houses and become homes when people move in!) but who’s going to be able to afford to buy any of them?

All levels of government and our society as a whole need to make sure that those who are 16 – 35/40 years old feel they belong, because, sadly, more and more of them don’t feel they do and that is a recipe for civil unrest. We all have to live in our communities and we all have to ensure that all feel they belong, so please let’s work to find solutions not just whinge when an idea for the betterment of us all is mooted.

Andrew M. Thriscutt

Dear Editor, There is no shortage of articles containing, opinions, stats, profit denials, excuses etc. from the government, the farmers, and the big grocers regarding the cost of eating. It is definitely a sad situation we are all in… we have to eat, we have to buy groceries, we are at the mercy of the big chains… they set the prices.

A few questions that never seem to be answered: We are seniors who do not need to have a “grocery inventory”. Why are we forced to buy multiples of an item to get the discount price? For example ,why do I have to buy 3 x 4 yogurts to get the $3.33 price, 2 loaves of bread, 4 cans of soup, and even produce! Why are we penalized for purchasing only one? We do not need twelve yogurts, they expire

before we consume them. If a grocery store has 30 units of yogurt, and 10 people buy the three at the $3.33 per price, why would the store not offer the same price to 30 people for one unit; wouldn’t the revenues be the same?

If a grocery chain is able to offer a multi-buy discount, why is it not obligated to offer the same pricing to seniors at the very least?

I assume that a multi-buy discount price is based on selling all the inventory at the sale price, so why not just have a set price?

Why isn’t the Consumer Council of Canada or the Canadian food Council policing “shrinkflation”. Do the big chains have to report profits tied to products that have been “downsized” by weight or units?

It is equivalent to a reverse price gouge. Why aren’t there restrictions on “shrinkflation”, the percentage a product can be reduced by? It is only a matter of time before we open a carton of eggs and there are only 11.

The government has so many restrictions, laws etc. in place to protect increases in rent, gasoline prices, bank charges, credit card interest etc. Why the blind eye to this growing issue?

Frustrated, Jolene Stover Dear Editor, I don't know if you publish a "police blotter" in the Times. If you don't, I would like to suggest that you do.

A regular topic of conversation among the citizens of North Dundas, both at the coffee shops and on social media, is the speed with which many people drive through our small towns and villages.

There was a lot of talk

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about this particular topic in the last few days as word got around about a driver who was caught doing approximately 140 km/h somewhere between Morewood and Winchester on Sunday morning. Apparently, the driver lost their licence, had their car impounded and was charged with stunt driving. Was there alcohol involved? The public has a right to know.

This ridiculous behaviour is going to get somebody killed... probably already has gotten local people killed... and it HAS TO STOP. One way of helping to curb this kind of lunacy is to publicize it. This person does not deserve to hide behind a curtain of anonymity. I'm sure that if you check with the local OPP, they will confirm that this has happened and provide some detail.

Other stunt driving incidents are regularly reported in the Ottawa news media. I don't see why we should be any different just because we're a rural community.

Gideon Jessup Winchester Response from Editor: Hi Gideon, We do occasionally receive reports from the OPP which we print, but not enough for a full "police blotter". When we do print updates, we leave the names of the accused out because we believe that the idea of "innocent until proven guilty" is sacrificed when the "court of public opinion" is given the names of accused criminals before the allegations are proven.

Thanks for reaching out, we always value feedback.

Brandon

by Stuart Wilkinson Individuals and families are well aware of the high cost of living these days.

Every time you buy groceries, fill your car with gas or get new shoes, you are left with less and less in your wallet as prices continue to go up.

In this highly volatile economy, it’s more important than ever to spend and invest smarter. That’s not always easy with all sorts of demands pulling on each of us every day.

The good news is that there are resources out there to help you. As the Chief Consumer Officer at the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), I’m asking Ontarians to take some time to learn as much as possible about their personal finances and the choices available to them.

As we kick off Financial Literacy in November, I’m reminded of a recent FSRA study that found that Ontarians may not be considering all of their options when it comes to financial advice. Specifically, we found that “word of mouth” was the most common source of financial advice for Ontarians.

The next most common source was the internet.

Do-it-yourself is a great approach for some of us, but in cases where your life savings could be at stake, it’s important to understand your options.

It’s not the first time we’ve heard this.

Our research has also

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found nearly 40 percent of Ontarians spend more time planning their vacation than understanding their mortgage, and 50 percent spend more time researching their last cell phone purchase than they did their financial services professional. Only 30 percent of Ontarians actively shop around for the best auto insurance rates.

For what it’s worth, I look forward to planning a vacation, I love getting a good deal on my phone, and it takes a lot of energy to convince myself to take the time to shop for auto insurance. That said, researching the financial options available to you is important and shouldn’t be overlooked.

You don’t need to make potentially life altering financial decisions on your own. FSRA is here to help you through the process.

To begin with, here are four actions you can take that can possibly save you money or prevent a financial headache down the road.

1) Learn about your pension options: a pension pays you an income when you retire, for as long as you live. Most Canadians are contributing to the Canadian Pension Plan with each paycheck, but it’s also important to ask your employer if they offer a workplace pension plan. Your future self will thank you.

2) Create an exit strategy for your private mortgage: high interest rates and a rigorous stress test mean that more consumers are opting for private mortgages as opposed to traditional mortgages. Consumers should be aware that private mortgages are a

temporary option for one or two years and they have very different terms. It is integral that you ask the right questions and have an exit strategy in place.

3) Verify the credentials of your financial professional: it’s important to be informed when trusting someone with your hardearned savings. People using the titles Financial Planner and Financial Advisor are required to be approved by a FSRA credentialing body. This means that the individual will have a minimum standard of education and be held accountable for their conduct. You can verify credentials on FSRA’s website: https://www. fsrao.ca/industry/financial-planners-and-financial-advisors/approvedcredentialing-bodies-andcredentials 4) Shop around for auto insurance: if you’re in the process of purchasing or renewing your auto insurance, be sure to understand how your driving habits impact your rate. Commit to shopping around and getting a minimum of three quotes from different insurers. Did you know that you have a right to ask insurance companies for the lowest rate possible for the coverage that is best for you?

This Financial Literacy Month; please take the time to research, prepare, and thoughtfully plan your financial decisions. An informed consumer is an empowered consumer.

Stuart Wilkinson is the Chief Consumer Officer at the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario.

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CORRECTION NOTICE

RE: “Council update” Nov 2, 2023 The Times wishes to correct an error printed in the last edition’s “Council update”. The article incorrectly identified ZanderPlan as the owner of two Chesterville properties that have recently been the subject of zoning by-law amendment requests. This was incorrect. The properties are in fact owned by a numbered company, and ZanderPlan is the planning company hired to file the zoning amendment requests. The Times apologizes for this error.

Brief update on Council meetings

by Brandon Mayer A regular Council meeting update will not be possible in this week’s issue, because the only open session meeting that has taken place since the last update occurred on November 14, after our printing deadline. That meeting will be covered in the next issue of the Times.

There was a special closed session meeting on the afternoon of November 9 to appoint an interim CAO while Angela Rutley is on extended medical leave. The closed session meeting took place to “deal with human resources matters about an identifiable individual”, meaning that members of the public and media were not privy to the discussions in that portion of the meeting.

The opening and closing of the brief meeting – which lasted under 30 minutes – was open to the public, and in his closing remarks, Mayor Tony Fraser announced the appointment of Ben de Haan as acting CAO. An emergency agenda item to grant the Clerk to carry over vacation time to the new year was then quickly passed before the short meeting was adjourned.

Tid bit musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters RSSW Thank you to each of you who took time to REMEMBER on November 11th. It was refreshing to hear advertisements on radio encouraging people to take a moment to thank a veteran. War is not pretty nor is it to be celebrated as fickle. Each person who served completed vital tasks to ensure the freedom that we enjoy today without a second thought. The freedom of speech (responsibility not to hurt others), the freedom to worship (without degrading others), the freedom of mobility (no mandatory occupancy), the freedom of achieving academic accreditation (where and area of expertise is yours), the freedom to have access to medical services (your choice), the freedom of occupation/ career, the right to elect a government and the list goes on.

The poppy is not without sorrow and loss. Wearing one acknowledges those who fought for us. It does not glorify war!

With the freedom convoy, the identification of what freedoms were being fought for was obscure. Everyone had the freedom of vaccinations with related consequences. You don't travel if you don't have the vaccines. That concept is not new. Babies are vaccinated to prevent diseases and they need to be inoculated to attend school. Medical personnel have additional requirements to minimize spread of disease.

To travel out of the country, various vaccines are required.

When parties disregard basic vaccines, illnesses begin to permeate society again. With every action there is a corresponding reaction - positive or negative. Our veterans were very clear on their motives for defending our country despite the unknown realities of war overseas. Kudos to all for their bravery. Imagine as a parent, having all your kids off to fight.

When emphasis is on degrading Trudeau, do you reflect on your high school history class on parliamentary procedures? These leaders are ELECTED by you and the top person is only the spokesperson for the party. If you don't feel there is anyone worthwhile to vote for, have you considered running for the position? Did you even go out to vote?

Let remembrance bring feelings and acknowledgement to the forefront. Educate our youth on the sacrifices made while we celebrate our acquired freedoms. The choice is yours for how you proceed in life. You have this moment.

Let your actions leave a positive footprint like so many did before us. Remember choose, choice, chose and that for every right there is a corresponding responsibility

UBI revisited: someone explain the fairytale

by Brandon Mayer Two issues ago, I wrote an op-ed arguing that a Universal Basic Income (UBI) program would not work. My opinion was unpopular with all but one of the readers who responded. A lot of harsh words were levelled in the responses, which were all printed, so I’ve granted myself one more crack at the subject to respond in kind. Let me begin by saying that I’m still not convinced.

When I went through each response, I couldn’t help but believe that the technical jargon and emotional commentary were doing nothing more than hiding the dollar signs in their authors’ eyes.

Here is why I still don’t believe in a UBI program: because getting something for nothing is a fairytale.

Money is a standardNovember 16, 2023

ized barter system that helps us keep track of contributions to society.

If a farmer, a lumberjack, and a musician all live on a remote island, they would all rely on each other.

Assuming they already had shelter, the farmer would supply food, the lumberjack would supply wood for heating, and the musician would supply entertainment to pass the time. It wouldn’t be fair for the farmer to supply bushel after bushel of produce only to have the lumberjack cut him only one piece of wood. It similarly wouldn’t be fair for the farmer or lumberjack to generously supply the musician with the necessities of life while she professes to be too tired to play them songs night after night.

Putting a monetary value on things helps decide what type of contribution is fair. In the fictitious

island example, a day’s worth of food should cost the same as a day’s worth of firewood or entertainment – say $5 for example.

When both the lumberjack and the musician purchase a day’s worth of food, the farmer has $10 – enough to buy both a day’s worth of wood, and a day’s worth of music. And so on. All must contribute for others in order to get what they need, which is the balance and function of society.

I am fully aware that this example is over simplified. Canadian society doesn’t consist of three people with basic needs inhabiting a single island. It consists of over 38 million people and thousands upon thousands of goods and services, some “needs” and some “wants”, some people who are able to work and others who can’t, children and elderly people who don’t work but must be edu-

cated or cared for, etc. The point however, remains the same: giving everyone an income boost for no additional contribution to society is akin to the farmer, lumberjack, and musician saying “I know a solution to our problems! Why don’t we just have more food, wood, and music?” It makes no sense – goods and services don’t appear out of thin air.

If they wanted more, they would need to produce it.

With a Canadian UBI program, which fairy would be called upon to magically ramp up the production of goods and the provision of services?

Let’s say we suddenly had millions of people with an extra $20,000 per year sitting around. Many would go from eating the bare minimum to eating like royalty – who is making that extra food? Many would buy things that qualify as “wants”, such

5

Christmas Craft Sale

Iroquois Legion, 24 Dundas Street, Iroquois November 25 - 26, 2023 10:00 - 3:00 both days Free Admission Lunch being offered at a reasonable price by the Ladies Auxilary Ballot offered with each purchase - ballot to be placed into a box for the draw for Gift Basket of handmade goodies donated by the vendors - 1 Gift Basket per day.

30 tables of fine quality homemade products being offered.

Lasagna Dinner

St. Paul's Presbyterian Thurs, Nov 23 from 5 - 7pm. Dinner includes lasagna, caesar salad, garlic bread and dessert. $20 - adults, $10 - kids (5-10), preschoolers free.

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a huge TVs, boats, and luxury cars – who would produce them? Many still would suddenly find a desire to visit a spa on a regular basis, or to get a haircut once a week – who would provide these services? Businesses have a hard time hiring staff as it is.

More dollars chasing fewer goods drives prices through the roof. Putting billions of dollars annually toward a UBI program would mean pulling that money from one of two places: higher taxes, or the increased printing of money. One method ends up producing a net zero program that disincentivizes employment, the other produces a net zero program in which everyone has more money but now must pay out of control prices for everything.

The worst part is that since so much money has passed through government cof-

fers, and the government must take its slice of the pie, no one comes out ahead in the end. Those who support a UBI program are likely the same people who believe that the precious metals found in the 16 Psyche asteroid would solve all the world’s problems by making everyone “rich”.

My conclusion, similar to last time, is this: lower taxes and less government involvement in personal finances would provide far more assistance to Canadians than a UBI program.

Keep government credits and programs for those who are low income and struggling (particularly parents, seniors, and the disabled population), but otherwise, keep the government out of personal finances.

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The Voice of North Dundas

The North Dundas Times

What about “After the Bell”?

Subway sponsors program to feed hungry kids What a wonderful world we live in. Despite rising costs of living, including food prices that seem to be creeping up more and more every day, it is a fact that no child ever has to go hungry in this great country. Programs and services exist to ensure that kids get the food they need, even when their parents struggle financially, and regardless of whether they’re at home or at school.

Locally, the House of Lazarus is a well-known charity that exemplifies the spirit of giving and helping others. House of Lazarus runs general food banks that provide families in need with zero-cost food.

For families who may only need a little “boost” to their existing food supply, other programs exist as well. One such initiative is the socalled “Operation Backpack” program. House of Lazarus runs this program in some area schools to help supplement government programs for feeding hungry kids.

The federal government provides ample dollars to feed kids in public schools during the school day. Kids who run out of snacks during the day or come to school with no lunch are fed using these grant dollars.

One small problem looms, however: school is only in

session five out of seven days per week. Operation Backpack sends home a bag of food (cereals, packaged snacks, fruit, etc) every Friday to kids who are identified by the school as being in need of a helping hand.

Operation Backpack aptly acknowledges that nutrition needs don’t end when kids are away from school.

Another well-named program – After the Bell – was also adopted by House of Lazarus recently. “The Food Banks Canada After the Bell program is dedicated to ending child hunger,” HOL Director Cathy Ashby relayed to the Times from the initiative’s website.

“With school nutrition programs ending for the summer months, After the Bell aims to fill that gap. [Their] goal is to provide childfriendly, healthy food packs to food banks to distribute to kids experiencing hunger throughout Canada.”

House of Lazarus took part in the After the Bell program this past summer.

Subway is a major sponsor of the After the Bell Program. Children were given healthy food packs throughout the summer, with Food Banks Canada providing the packs of non-perishable food and giving House of Lazarus funding to add fresh fruits and vegetables as well as dairy products like yogurt

and cheese. Dollars from donors such as Subway help make this possible.

"House of Lazarus was excited to be a recipient of the After the Bell program,” added Cathy. “The number of children accessing our food bank has grown to 37%. This program allowed HOL to offer more food to families with children. We extend our thanks to corporations like Subway who contribute to the program nationally.

“The After the Bell program is generously supported by our corporate partners who help us in our mission to put an end to child hunger. Once the healthy food packs arrive at their local food banks, fresh fruits and vegetables are added.

They are then delivered into the hands of children experiencing hunger. Healthy food packs contain varied nutritious food items such as shelf stable milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, hummus and oatmeal, to name few.”

To all those who work hard and make donations to ensure that no child in our area and beyond ever has to go hungry – thank you!

North Dundas Local Financial Service Professionals

Cynthia Batchelor

Financial Advisor

Assante Capital Management Ltd.

Contact us and start planning today!

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Mark Larin

Piano Tuning & Servicing

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A view of the Summerstown fire taken from nearby Roger’s Marina. Photo by Roger’s Marina staff.

A donation to the WDMH Foundation. From left: Brother Victor Hughes, Kristie Brewer (Donor Services), and Brother Richard Pickard. submitted by Richard Pickard On October 27, two Brothers from the South Mountain Odd Fellows Lodge donated cheques of $500.00 each to the Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Dundas County November 16, 2023

Hospice.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is an organization based on three fundamentals principles of Friendship, Love, and Truth. It exists for the purpose of character building, with members helping each other, their families, and the community.

Part of the help provided is funding support for local community charities. The Odd Fellows have made several generous donations throughout the local area in the last few months and the community is certainly grateful. Keep up the great work!

6

Assante Capital Management Ltd.

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

Odd Fellows make another generous donation

A quaint little town east of Cornwall suffered a devastating blow last week when a house fire turned deadly, and consumed not one, but several homes.

Two of the three homes that caught fire on the morning of November 9 in Summerstown were “completely destroyed” while the other sustained “significant damage”. Many neighbouring residents were also displaced as a precaution and to escape the heavy smoke.

“It’s a densely populated residential area, and

Financial Advisor

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Major fire devastates Summerstown

by Brandon Mayer

Sarah Chisholm

with the first residence completely engulfed there was a serious risk the fire would spread – and a serious risk to public safety,” said detachment commander Inspector Marc Hemmerick of the SDG OPP. “(OPP and South Glengarry firefighters) went door-to-door, they were waking people up, banging doors, screaming – just getting people out.”

Human remains were found at one of the fire scenes following the blaze, suggesting that the fire took at least one life. However, this could not be confirmed with certainty at the time of writing, since the cause

of death had not yet been released (it’s possible, however unlikely, that the person was deceased prior to the fire).

County Road 2 – a major thoroughfare that runs mostly parallel to Highway 401 throughout Eastern Ontario – was closed in Summerstown for most of the day on Thursday. The area immediately surrounding the fire scene was closed for days as fire officials checked building structures to ensure they were still safe for habitation.

A resident of the affected neighbourhood told the CBC News that he saw a “huge ball of fire” and then heard a “blast”. He also explained that the houses near the St. Lawrence River in Summerstown are very close together, making them susceptible to a neighbouring home’s fire.

A reunification centre for families impacted by the Summerstown fires was set up by the Township of South Glengarry at Paul Rozon Memorial Park in Williamstown. www.ndtimes.ca

The Voice of North Dundas

The North Dundas Times

List your home

Flies!

SNOW

Realty Executives Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage

BEFORE THE

Cathy Hay ** 613-851-0954 *

REALTOR® Broker

Winter preparedness tips for Guy Fuels & Propane Inc.

5 Reasons to List Your Home before the Snow Flies: 1. Curb Appeal: Selling your home before the snow flies allows you to showcase your property in its best light. The exterior of your home will look more appealing without snow, ice, and dead vegetation, making it more attractive to potential buyers.

2. Better Photos: Snow-covered or winter landscapes can sometimes make it challenging to capture high-quality photos of your property. Listing your home before winter ensures that your online listings feature beautiful, clear images that can attract more interest.

3. Faster Sales Process: Homes tend to sell faster in the spring and summer months. By listing your home earlier in the year, you may attract more motivated buyers and potentially close the deal more quickly.

4. Competitive Advantage: With fewer homes on the market in the winter, your property may stand out more, and you might face less competition from other sellers.

5. Flexibility: By selling your home before winter, you can choose your moving date and have more flexibility in finding your next home without the pressure of impending cold weather.

Cathy Hay, REALTOR® Broker, Realty Executives Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage offers effective marketing, has a strong network of contacts, and as a Registered Interior Designer understands the latest trends and can get your home show ready to get the best value for it. Cathy’s local expertise and use of technology to market your home is invaluable.

Do you heat with propane? If so, Martine Thurler-Guy from Guy Fuels and Propane would surely say, “you are doing the right thing for the environment”. She explains that propane is a highly efficient, readily available and popular heating source with a lower environmental impact than other fossil fuels, since it produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions. But what can you do as a propane user to prepare for the upcoming winter?

One tip that appears in a Canadian Propane Association (CPA) handout shared with the Times suggests installing a programmable thermostat that can lower your home’s temperature at key parts of the day when you’re unlikely to notice.

What is the ideal indoor temperature? While Martine insists that personal preferences vary, she suggests that a good guideline is 17 Celsius when you are sleeping or not at home, and 20 Celcius when you are awake and home.

Martine also provided some reasons to consider installing a propane generator to supply electricity to your home in the event of a power outage: - Power Continuity: A backup propane generator ensures that you have a reliable source of electricity during power outages, whether they result from severe weather, grid failures, or other unforeseen events.

- Safety and Comfort: A backup generator powered by propane can keep your HVAC systems operational, maintaining a comfortable and safe indoor environment.

- Preserve Food and Medications: A backup generator can prevent the spoilage of food and medications stored in refrigerators and freezers during extended power outages.

- Security: A backup generator can power security systems, lighting, and surveillance cameras, helping to deter intruders and maintain a secure environment during power outages.

- Sump Pump Operation: If you have a sump pump in your basement to prevent flooding, a backup generator can keep it running to prevent water damage.

With previous propane supply access issues, many homeowners ask, what is being done to limit the risk for homeowners? Propane supply is secure and stable and like any product can be impacted by weather or other major events. We make it our top priority to secure supply with significant investment in our bulk plant storage facility, excellent relationships with multiple suppliers and planning and securing our annual supply in the spring, early summer months. Tank monitoring is the best investment a homeowner can make in securing supply, a direct communication from your tank to your supplier is a stress free and guarantees, you will never run out. The homeowner can access their tank levels from anywhere on their app and their propane supplier will be notified when the tank reaches a preset level. Paired with a budget, it’s truly a win win solution.

Loralee Carruthers

Realtor, Independently owned and operated

List or sell before the snow flies

Why choose Guy Fuels & Propane?

November 16, 2023

490 Main Street Winchester Broker

Looking to buy a home or sell your home this winter? Having someone with experience on your side is your best asset!

I’m Loralee Carruthers. Real Estate has always been my dream job. I love meeting new people, exploring different properties and being able to help my new friends move into their Dream Home.

2020 was a great year for the office and me personally, with me winning the Outstanding Achievement Award with Century 21 despite all that 2020 put us through.

I take pride in guiding my Buyers and Sellers to achieve their goals, by either buying their Dream home or selling, making way for a new adventure. Being a Realtor requires knowledge on various things from how Septics/Wells work, home inspections to filling out the Forms to Buy or Sell a property. I work hard to make sure you, as a Seller, will get the value for your home by marketing your property so everyone can see it, get the best value possible and ensure you are Happy with the end results. As a Buyer, I want you to look around at different properties to see what you are really looking for. Sometimes you have an idea in mind, then that perfect place shows up and it was not totally what you thought you were looking for, but the Home Feeling is there! This gives me Great Pleasure to see my clients who become Friends and then Family move into the place that was meant for them. I endeavor to make your Selling/Buying experience the Best You Can Get! My Clients are part of my Family, whether Buying or Selling a home, I want to help you get into the home of your Dreams. My Pledge to you is to Help through the Selling or Buying process as easily as possible and with the Least amount of STRESS! I will be by Your aide all the Way!

We are fully insured and have experience in all kinds of situations! We are happy to help you with any task, big or small. The safety and respect of our customers is our #1 priority.

Need a tow? Lock your keys in your car? Flat tire? Need a boost, some gas, a hand getting out of the snowy This winter season, we ditch? Have a scrap car you would be happy to help you would like us to pick up or enjoy the snowy weather a vehicle that needs moved to another city? safely.

You can depend on Glauer’s for fast and friendly service WE’RE HERE FOR YOU and clean, well-maintained vehicles and equipment. 24/7!

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loralee.carruthers @century21.ca

Guy Fuels and Propane is a family owned and operated business, open for over 35 years. Guy Fuels truly cares about its customers. “Our customers tell us that we are not just local, that we are better,” added Martine. “The owners and their team make every effort to do what’s right for the customer, to be accessible and answer questions and concerns in person. Our personal guarantee is that in an emergency situation, we answer after-hours calls within 10 minutes and can be onsite within the hour. We believe in putting people first – our customers, our team and our community.”

Finch

* cathyhaysells@gmail.com *

7

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The North Dundas Times

The Voice of North Dundas

SNC offers winter recreation at select conservation areas

With winter weather approaching, South Nation Conservation (SNC) has begun closing its seasonal conservation areas and is removing safety booms and shoreline docks along rivers within the region.

SNC maintains seasonal conservation areas and municipal partner sites with river access officially between May and October each year and extends access into April and November when the weather and

water conditions are safe for public use.

In preparation for the closure of the parks in November, water levels were adjusted on the South Nation River at the Chesterville Dam to prepare for winter operations and several safety and debris booms have already been removed ahead of water control structures.

Remaining booms and public docks will be removed from all sites in the coming weeks.

While the closing of seasonal river-access sites in November is a sign that winter is on its way, SNC is reminding residents that it maintains 9 public parks with recreational trails all year round, making them the perfect destination for winter activities.

The following conservation areas and municipal parks and trails offer a 25 km network of winter groomed trails and recreation opportunities for residents during the snowy season: - Two Creeks Forest Conservation Area, Morrisburg, ON - 4k - Robert Graham Forest Conservation Area, Glen Stewart, ON - 2km - Warwick Forest Conservation Area, Berwick,ON - 6km - Nokomis Park - 464 Limoges Road, Limoges, ON - 1km - J. Henry Tweed Conser-

vation Area, Russell, ON - 0.8km - W. E. Burton Conservation Area, Russell, ON - 1.2km - Russell Recreational Trail, Russell, ON - 7km - Oschmann Forest Conservation Area, Ormond, ON - 1.2km - Reveler Conservation Area, Crysler, ON - 3.2km “We are proud to offer winter recreation in our year-round conservation areas,” said John Mesman, Managing Director of SNC’s Properties, Conservation Lands and Community Outreach, “trails are groomed after every major snowfall, making the trails accessible through winter for hiking, snowshoeing and crosscountry skiing.”

SNC reminds residents to wear proper footwear and warm clothing while using SNC trails this winter and to also be cautious when the trails are slippery and wet.

For fall visitors during

Remembering our veterans

hunting season, SNC is reminding people that hunting and trapping is not permitted in SNC conservation areas with active trail networks and encourages hunters with valid SNC permits to access the over 8,500 acres of land the Authority makes available for hunting. Park visitors are encouraged to wear orange, high-visibility and reflective clothing during fall.

“We know that these trails are loved and used by many residents in the watershed and 200,000 visitors are recorded using our trails every year,” explained Mesman. “We try to keep them open as long as Mother Nature lets us, which usually leads to seasonal closures mid to late November.”

SNC helps manage over 20,000 acres of conservation land in Eastern Ontario and many Conservation Areas have been donated through SNC’s Land Securement

Program to help maintain natural legacies for donors and to provide people a place to step outdoors and into nature.

SNC is a not-for-profit, community-based environmental agency that relies on donations and self-generated revenue to protect and enhance the local environment across its 4,480 squarekilometer jurisdiction on behalf of its 16 partner municipalities.

For a complete list of conservation areas managed

by SNC, please visit: www. nation.on.ca/recreation/ about-recreation.

Send your letters and articles to editor@ndtimes.ca

Travel Specialist & Registered Ontario Officiant

ANNOUNCEMENT! WE ARE MOVING!

We are extremely EXCITED to announce that as of december we will be officially moved into our new space located at: 91 main St., Morrisburg We will be sharing space with South Dundas Chamber of Commerce

Direct: 613.340.5351 Toll Free: 866.950.5791 x2442 www.justsayyesdestinations.ca

:Anita Milne of Just Say Yes Destinations

NDDHS update

submitted by Vince Zandbelt A special North Dundas Remembrance Day project saw both the Chesterville Rotary clock and the Sweet Corner Park fountain decorated with poppies on November 1.

Two crocheting groups along with numerous local crocheters created a stockpile of approximately 10,000 poppies, a portion of which were attached to camouflage netting which adorned both the clock and the fountain to honour veterans for Remembrance Day. Future display additions in following years will be created with the surplus poppies.

The participating North Dundas service groups equally shared the material costs for this project. The participating groups were: - Chesterville Legion - Winchester Legion - Chesterville Lions - Winchester Lions - Chesterville Rotary - Winchester Downtown Committee.

Many local residents participated in the creation of these poppies along with two crocheting groups: “The Chesterville Gathering Stitchers” and the “Wild & Woolies”, based in Finch.

Lest We Forget.

November 16, 2023

8

submitted by Shealyn Elliott As the autumn months slowly fizzle into our longdreaded Canadian winter, North Dundas District High School has been celebrating the final events of October, as well as appreciating and recognizing important days in November. To excitingly conclude October, our NDDHS Student Council ran our yearly Pumpkin Carving Contest.

From a disarray of pumpkin guts and dirtied spoons, we ended up with thirty amazingly carved pumpkins. We had so many creative and imaginative ideas, and it was a very difficult decision to choose our top three. Our first-place winners for the intermediate students were Holden Portueus, Sam Clark, Brayson, and Austin. Our first-place winners for the secondary students were Matthew Enstien, Joel Enstien, and Addison Hicks. We congratulate our winners for their ingenuity and creativity. To begin November, our Minister of Communications, Jeffery Vandruff, has organized an Act of Kindness campaign for the entire month. This campaign has been created to promote kindness and generosity among the student body. We have been announcing daily acts to complete, alongside weekly prizes for the student with the most acts of kindness. We look forward to seeing the thoughtfulness and compassion of our student body during this campaign. In November, we are also acknowledging Cyber Awareness Month, Native Heritage Month, and Movember. Our student council plans on creating informative and educational incentives for all of these commemorations. On November 10, we held our Remembrance Day ceremony. The Royal Canadian Legion Colour Party was gracious enough to attend and perform at our ceremony.

We were also honoured to have Chief Warrant Officer John Barnes speak about his experiences and thoughts to spread recognition about the importance of Remembrance Day. Our North Dundas District High School band played several recognitional songs during the ceremony, and we express our gratitude for their performance. To conclude, November has been a very important month for recognition and gratitude, and we look forward to the exciting events of December. www.ndtimes.ca

The Voice of North Dundas

The North Dundas Times

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Largest continent 5. Winglike 9. Nil 13. On top of 14. Flowing garments 16. Beasts of burden 17. Warm-hearted 18. Muse of poetry 19. Thin strip 20. Brown ermine 22. Illegal street racers 24. Kiss and cuddle 26. Striped wild cat 27. Lizard 30. Words to a song 33. Ranks 35. A wind does this 37. Consumed 38. Kind of nut 41. Born, in bios

42. Monetary units of Serbia 45. Trucker 48. Pertaining to teeth 51.

Give forth 52. Fables 54. Self-satisfied 55. Bargain 59. Ardent 62. Weightlifters pump this 63. Go-between 65. One more than three 66. Small 67. Soft leather 68. Hauls 69. Appear to be 70. Otherwise 71. Being DOWN 1. Arctic birds 2. Expectorate

UCDSB seeking input on bell time changes

3. Atmosphere layer 4. Moderate in tempo 5. Air hero 6. Animal fat 7. Not together 8. Sell in stores 9. Nose hole 10. Spindle 11. Darling 12. Picnic insects 15. Damp 21. Hard work 23. Belgrade native 25. Amorphous shape 27. Harvest 28. Outward 29. East northeast 31. Communicable 32. Sugary 34. Band performance 36. Arid 39. C 40. Gammons 43. Opposite word 44. Statistic (abbrev.)

46. Mother 47. Snivel 49. Assumed name 50. Alliance 53. An alloy of iron 55. Pesky insects 56. A Great Lake 57. Departed 58. Terminates 60. Carpets 61. Celtic language 64. Golf ball support

by Brandon Mayer It has been over 7 months since the Upper Canada District School Board first announced potential plans to swap its elementary and secondary school bell times, and the “parent consultation” portion of the possible change is finally here.

In mid April of this year, the UCDSB announced that it was considering having elementary school students start school at 8am (giving an end time of about 2:20pm), while intermediate and secondary students would be switched to a 9-9:30am start with an end time of between 3:10-3:40pm.

These bell times are essentially the opposite of the ones currently in place, which have high school students starting more than a full hour before elementary school students. The UCDSB did not consider implementing the change for the 2023-2024 school year, since schedules were already set.

The proposed change is not “change for change sake”. There is ample evidence from the science and psychology disciplines that elementary-age children function perfectly fine when woken up early, but that high school students need to sleep later to be at their educational and developmental best.

Many years ago, elemen-

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

Easy

Hard

Medium

tary bell times used to be earlier and secondary bell times later, before the switch to the current bell times was implemented.

Are there merits to the current bell times? Many parents are emphatically saying “yes”. One theoretical reason to have earlier start and end times for intermediate and secondary students – particularly in the largely rural area serviced by the UCDSB – is to provide more free afternoon hours for these older youth to work on a family farm.

There have been other reasons that parents have expressed on social media for wanting the current bell times to stay the same. One stated reason is that part time job opportunities for high school students will be more limited if they have fewer available hours in the afternoon. For those who already have jobs, their change in availability could impact their ability to stay employed.

Another reason relates to child care arrangements, since some parents rely on their older children and teens to get younger siblings off a bus, walk them home from school, or be waiting for them when they arrive home.

This would not be possible with older students finishing later than younger ones.

However, this argument works both ways – for parents with earlier work shifts, a bell time swap would allow older children and teens to watch their younger siblings

before school.

Some social media users stated a much simpler reason for opposing the proposed change: An early start to the day prepares teens for the real world, and encourages responsible sleeping habits.

As is always the case with important topics, there were just as many supporters of the change on social media as there were dissenters.

Many parents welcome the possibility of sharper brain function and better school performance in their older children and teens, assuming the science behind the proposal is accurate.

For some parents, the bell time swap would eliminate the reliance on before school programming, possibly resulting in lower child care costs (unless the price of after school programming was increased to reflect the longer opening hours).

Regardless of individual opinions, everyone deserves to have their say. Two inperson information sessions are planned later this month, where experts will discuss the links between sleep and learning. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend, though it is not clear the extent to which parents will be able to ask questions or register opinions. The sessions will take place November 27 at 6:30 pm at Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute, and November 29 at 6:30 pm at Tagwi Secondary School.

For more information, visit https://ow.ly/ ymH150Q6wX5.

The Spencerville Community Choir presents On This Winter Night. A celebration of seasonal music Sunday, December 3, 2:00 pm and Monday, December 4, 7:30 pm.

Tickets available at the door. Spencerville United Church, Centre St.Spencerville

Solution to last week’s Crossword

Send in your letters, stories, events to editor@ndtimes.ca Classified to classified@ndtimes.ca November 16, 2023

9

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The Voice of North Dundas

The North Dundas Times

Ontario’s farmers get set to gather for annual convention

It’s that time of year again – Place your 2024 tree orders!

submitted by Erin Thorne After a few recordbreaking tree planting seasons across its 4,480 squarekilometre watershed jurisdiction in Eastern Ontario, South Nation Conservation (SNC) is calling out to property owners this fall to start planning for their spring 2024 tree planting projects!

SNC is currently booking site visits and accepting orders for locally sourced native trees and shrubs offered at reduced rates through a variety of planting programs administered by the Conservation Authority.

Residents interested in small planting projects can order a minimum of 100 tree seedlings over the counter from SNC. The Authority maintains a species list of in-stock trees online but notes that quantities are limited, and some species have already been sold out.

The price per seedling can be as low as $0.85 per seedling.

Property owners with larger open areas of at least 1 acre can benefit from considerable cost savings by purchasing trees through SNC’s Tree Planting Programs funded by the Gov-

ernment of Canada and Forests Ontario’s 50 Million Tree Program. When working with sites where over 1,000 trees can be planted, SNC can provide seedlings, planting, site preparation or tending for $1.05 per tree for coniferous seedlings and $1.58 per tree for hardwoods, making it affordable to reforest land.

SNC also offers additional subsidies for 1 acre tree plantings along farm fields and watercourses to help reduce erosion, protect water quality, and increase forest cover.

Over-the-counter orders of 100 trees or more can be ordered directly from SNC’s website, however, all other projects require free site visits by SNC staff this fall to sample and prepare planting sites, prepare tree planting plans, and source suitable trees.

“We’re encouraging residents to contact us early to schedule their free site visit,” explains Cheyene Brunet, one of SNC’s Foresters.

“People are often disappointed when they find out that their preferred species are already sold out in the spring. Depending on the

nursery stock, we need to confirm tree orders in the fall before the spring planting season!”

Approximately 50,000 tree seedlings have already been reserved for the 2024 spring tree planting season which will add to the 4 million trees that SNC has planted since 1990.

“Planting trees has so many benefits for the environment and our communities. They clean our air, stabilize our shorelines, create homes for wildlife and increase biodiversity and carbon storage,” added Brunet.

In addition to tree planting programs, SNC also offers a free Woodlot Advisory Service to private forest owners and a Woodlot Storm Recovery Program that was launched this year to help recover woodlots damaged by the May 2022 Derecho Storm.

For more information on ordering trees, planting programs and subsidies, please visit www.nation. on.ca/land/forestry-services/ tree-planting-services or call 1-877-984-2948.

by Larry Davis, Director, OFA Every year in November, members of Ontario’s largest general farm organization, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), come together for their annual convention.

I farm near Burford and I’ve represented farmers from Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk counties on the OFA’s provincial board of directors for more than 30 years.

As directors and as an organization, our job is making sure that the voices, concerns and needs of farmers and rural communities are heard by decision-makers – a job we do through direct advocacy with elected officials, political staff and bureaucrats from all three levels of government, as well as others with similar interests or common goals.

The convention, which will be in Toronto this year, is our opportunity to showcase what the OFA has done

throughout the past year on behalf of its members. It’s here where our delegates from all over Ontario have the opportunity to raise issues and debate resolutions as they set policy and shape the direction of the OFA’s activities for the year ahead.

The convention is also about education. Along with dealing with the business of the organization, the event always offers a good line up of interesting and topical speakers, as well as the opportunity to participate in seminars that delve more deeply into the issues of the day.

This year, we’ll be hearing from Senator Rob Black, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson, and MPP John Vanthof who is the critic for agriculture, food and rural affairs for Ontario’s official opposition. Kelly Dobson from LeaderShift Inc. will talk about how farmers can unleash the untapped potential of their farm operation, and comedian Derek Edwards will look at the lighter side of life.

Workshops will focus on deadstock management, ro-

Wednesday…the best day of the trip! We finally went to Magic Kingdom. We got there right at opening, took the ferry across to the entrance gate, and away we went. We walked through the front area where all the stores are, took some pictures, and went a little bit closer to the Kingdom. There, we saw one of the Disney photographers.

We tapped on her shoulder to get her attention, and she started snapping some photos of Zoé and I in front of the castle.

That’s when I looked at Zoé, started crying, and got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. For those who don’t know, she said yes! We’re engaged! Months of planning paid off, it was everything she and I wanted

it to be. It couldn’t have happened at a more magical place! Zoé, I love you to the moon and back, always!

Thursday was a day where we all slept in. It was time to finally sleep in after a very busy vacation. We ended up going to Disney Springs to do some shopping and have lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. Trips through Pandora, the Lego Store, and many, many other big stores were had. We headed back to the resort late in the afternoon to go enjoy the pool one last time before flying back into Montreal to go home the next morning.

All in all, it was a hectic vacation with lots of twists and turns, but one that we’ll have stories about for the rest of our lives!

The Weather with Connor

featuring Connor Mockett Hello, everyone! Welcome back to another week of The Weather with Connor.

This time my column will have a bit of a spin to it. Not too much weather being talked about in this one, that’s for sure. Instead, I’ll talk about a very special vacation that I went on recently, which is why you didn’t see a column of mine in the last paper.

Zoé and I went to Florida! Disney specifically. It was an amazing trip and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

The vacation started very early on a Sunday morning… like 2:00 am early. We woke up and jumped out of bed, November 16, 2023

knowing that we’d have to be out the door at 3:00 am so that we could drive to the airport in Montreal to catch our flight. The drive in the morning was easy, we actually didn’t see a single vehicle on the Eastbound 417 from Casselman until we got to Montreal. Completely deserted.

We got to the airport around 4:30 am, got our stuff out of the car, and made our way inside. Everything was super easy in the airport, it also wasn’t busy and everything with security and US Customs went very smoothly. We sat down at our gate to wait for boarding time, which was at 7:30 am, and then got up to go get breakfast.

Speaking of breakfast, can you believe the Tim Hortons in the airport was closed in the morning at the airport? I was beside myself.

I couldn’t figure out what to eat (I’m picky), so I found a bagel place and bought myself a breakfast sandwich on a bagel for, get this, almost $13. For my first time in an airport, I was astounded at

the price of things.

Anyways, we hopped on the plane and flew our way to Orlando. We landed late in the morning. It was a beautiful and hot 30 degrees when we landed. We headed to the rental car spot after a quick shuttle bus ride to get us there, picked up the car, and headed to the resort.

That’s where things started to go haywire.

That Monday was supposed to be the day where we all go to Disney World, Magic Kingdom specifically. We were all dressed, backpacks on, ready to go, until…… Zoé got stomach sick. So, Monday’s a write off. We didn’t do much. She ended up being sick for the entire trip, but we did salvage the vacation and had a great time.

Tuesday was a Disney Resort hopping day. We checked out a bunch of different resorts on Disney property. The Grand Floridian was my favourite, super beautiful. We had a tasty steak supper there, and after a busy day, went back to the resort for bed.

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botics in agriculture, working with land use planners and engaging with government and media. We’ll also be electing the final member of our board of directors for the coming year as delegates vote for the position of Director-at-Large and recognizing the future of our industry by presenting the five winners of the annual OFA bursary program.

In addition to business and education, the convention is also a wonderful networking opportunity. It’s a chance to meet and chat with fellow farmers, as well as other industry organizations that OFA works closely with, and even representatives from OFA’s benefit program partners.

I’ve been attending annual OFA conventions since the late 1980s and over the years, there has definitely been a trend towards including more educational opportunities. We’ve also added the Ontario Young Farmers’ Forum to give people aged 18 to 40 who are interested or involved in agriculture a chance to learn more about the industry.

There has also been a change in the demographic of OFA convention delegates. We’re not just seeing younger people come forward to take on leadership opportunities, but the role of women has also changed significantly.

As the number of female farm operators has grown – according to the latest Canadian census data, 31% of Ontario’s farmers are women – we’ve also seen more women become involved with the OFA as delegates, local leaders, and directors at the provincial level. In fact, our organization has been led for the last three years

by Peggy Brekveld, a dairy farmer from Thunder Bay who has had a long involvement with the OFA in many different capacities.

Agriculture is a major contributor to the provincial economy, but farmers make up only a small percentage of Ontario’s population.

Organizations like the OFA give farmers an opportunity to come together, lend strength to their individual voices and help the industry shape a future that will ensure “Farms and Food Forever”.

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The Voice of North Dundas

The North Dundas Times

Rockets season one third over: so far so good!

by Murray Link The Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League has been in full swing since mid September and the North Dundas Rockets are in first place in the Eastern division

has played so far this season, head coach Rob Sadler replied “7-0 is a great way to start but it’s not so much how our team has played, but how the rest of the league has played. Games are faster this year and our 7-0 record could just as easily be 5-2 or 4-3.

We’ve been on the right side of some great hockey games.

The league is growing and has taken another step forward this year in terms of competition”. While there are still 13 games remaining in their 20 game regular season, the Rockets have already created a buzz in the community. Residents of North Dundas now know that the Chesterville Rink is the place to be to watch fast paced, hard hitting competiwith 14 points…...with a per- tive men’s hockey.

LEAGUE LEADERS: fect 7-0 record. The Bytown Royals also have 14 points The EOSHL is a very comwith a 7-1 record, their only petitive league made up of loss coming at the hands of 15 teams from as far west the Rockets on October 28th. as Deseronto (Deseronto When asked how his team Bulldogs) to as far east as

Alexandria (Glengarry Pipers). With a record of 7-0, the North Dundas Rockets are the only unbeaten team in the league. The Rockets also have a few individuals who are tops in the league in the stats column. Leading the way is #66 forward Brett Gustavsen. “Gus” as he is commonly referred to, is leading the league in both points (23 points in 6 games) and assists (15 assists in 6 games). When asked how the season was going so far, Gustavsen replied “We are having fun and playing the right way. Goaltending and our back end have been our strong point, and from an offensive perspective, we’re getting scoring from all 4 lines. The commitment from the community has also been amazing and has certainly added a little pep in everyone’s step come game time.

Just so that you know in the community, we always have and will value your support

at games, you are the fuel last shooter just missed by inches and the crowd went that keeps us trucking” Also leading the way wild”. Link also noted that is goaltender Matt Jenkins. “we wanted Rockets games Jenkins leads all goaltenders to be not just about hockey in the league in wins with 6 but a whole entertainment and also recorded his first experience and so far the ever shutout on November crowds have been fantas4th versus the Cornwall tic”. Another great addition Prowlers. When asked about to home games has been his goaltender, head coach radio and TV personality Rob Sadler stated that “Jen- Tom Shock. Shock can be kins has been a stand out seen around the rink with this season so far. He’s been his cordless microphone exceptional in net back stop- interviewing players during ping our record right now.” warm up, accompanying the E X C I T I N G H O M E $25,000 shooter on the ice GAMES: Amazing hockey and asking what they would is once again the major draw do if they won the cash prize.

Don’t miss the next home for the Senior Rockets but this year, fans have seen game in Chesterville on Nosome additions to home vember 18th as the Rockets games which adds more take on the South Grenbang for your buck. The ville Rangers….puck drop $25,000 shootout has been at 3:30. Also, keep up and a great success. Fans buy follow the Rockets Facebook tickets for a chance to shoot page. To follow standings, in the second intermission scores and league leaders go for a big cash prize. Murray to eoshl.hockeyshift.com for Link (Rockets VP of media a very user friendly website. relations) stated that “Our

Beware of falling, it may kill you

What a sad way to lose a friend.

Not from a heart attack or cancer.

Rather, a slip and backwards fall caused a strike of the head on a hard unforgiving surface. The traumatic injury resulted in death a few days later.

As Aristotle wrote centuries ago, “To have a good friend you must partake a peck of salt together.” Losing such friends as you get older is very disturbing, often leaving a void in life never refilled.

Recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the immense costs of falls. In North America there are over five and half million incidents yearly costing more than $45 billion! The average cost of a fall that results in injury is about $10,000 dollars.

Humans in the course of evolution ended up with one major drawback. Most animals have four legs. For us, Newton’s Law of gravity means standing upright which inevitably leads to a huge number of falls.

They happen quickly with little or no time to protect yourself. Getting up in the morning is the first hazard. So move with great caution and think ahead of the potential pitfalls.

The bathroom is the most dangerous room in any household.

Shower stalls should have grab bars and non-slip matts both in and outside the stall. Remember, if you lose your balance, a shower curtain won’t help. Falling in the shower or getting out of it can result in a fractured bone, bad cuts, or head November 16, 2023

injuries. Sturdy shower doors with handles can help to decrease the chance of a fall.

Having enough strength to get up from the toilet is also paramount.

Getting older means a gradual loss of bone mass. Up to the age of 35 is the best time to act as banker, building up a store of healthy bones. After 35, each year we all have less and less bone mass.

A loss of muscle is another problem. Thomas Jefferson, an early US president, noted the importance of regular walks to ensure two strong legs for good health. He could have added that isometric exercise builds up arm muscles. No equipment is needed. Just make two fists and repeatedly push them together for 10 seconds over and over. You will be surprised at how your bicep muscles become stronger.

What other precautions can prevent falls? A visitor to London, England once asked, “Where are the statues of the architects?” The guide replied, “Just look around you!” This is what you must do in your own home. You will find there are dangers everywhere.

Floor rugs are very attractive. But it takes only one bad step to trip on an edge. Stairs are always high risk, so make sure you have adequate railings and hold onto them.

Most people will lose their balance with age. Often it happens when standing up after prolonged sitting.

This is a time to go slow. Don’t rush to start moving around. Above all, do not turn suddenly as this is when you lose your balance and end up on BRAND

the floor.

Be careful of alcohol as well.

Moderate drinking can be healthy in aging. A drink before dinner expands arteries, a benefit few scientists acknowledge. But too much alcohol, despite the levity, can make you tipsy. If you have a few drinks, pay extra attention to safe mobility. Like alcohol, medication can trigger falls too, so always check with your doctor

on this matter.

Never drink and drive. Remember, trees have a great way of defending themselves.

And watch out for those treacherous icy days that take their toll.

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Follow us on Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones.

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The Voice of North Dundas

The North Dundas Times

Limerick Forest Poker Ride raises $5,000 for House of Lazarus

Top from left: Tina Zersch (House of Lazarus), Cathy Ashby (House of Lazarus Executive Director,) Tammy SwinwoodHowes (President of Eastern Ontario Horses Of Course Club,) Monica Treidlinger (Past President,) Sandy Gummeson. Bottom from left: Ann Hedburg (VP of Club/Deputy of Committee,) Stacey Janssen. Photo by Dorothea Larson.

by Monica Treidlinger We’ve done it again.

Back in 2019, the Eastern Ontario Horses of Course Club hosted the Limerick Forest Poker Ride and raised $4,000 for local food banks. Riders also donated 46 kilograms of non-perishable food at that event. This charity ride was inspired by Audrey Rooney’s annual fall Poker Ride, the proceeds of which went to Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Then in 2020, with COVID anxiety, our horse club was hesitant to host another ride. Three members from the Club decided to forge ahead and sought a new host. They felt that the food bank needed extra help in a difficult year with shutdowns and economic

pressure. They found an unlikely but totally willing partner in the Johnstown ATV Club whose members agreed wholeheartedly not only to host, but to help with their equipment and volunteers. And the Limerick Forest Pandemic Ride that year raised $2,000 for the food bank and donated 25 kgs of non-perishable food from generous riders.

Life ticked along through 2021 and 2022. In 2023, the question arose again and the Eastern Ontario Horses of Course Club voted to host another such ride. The Limerick Forest Poker Ride 2023 was held on Saturday, September 23 at The Pit, also known as Area 1 of Limerick Forest South (located at 8773 Forsythe Road,

Oxford Station). This charity ride event again offered safe well-marked trails, a quality t-shirt, a delicious smoked ham lunch hot off the BBQ, and a chance to win a prize. There was also a silent auction to help raise funds for the food bank.

The Johnstown ATV Club again gave its full support to the ride this year with equipment and volunteers.

They worked together with horse riders to get behind this worthwhile cause. This year, we also had on-site support from the Rideau Mounted Search and Rescue (RSAR) who manned radios at checkpoints and monitored the trails on horseback.

We were so thrilled to have surpassed our 2019 donation to House of Lazarus with an amount of $5,000 this year! Riders also donated 4 full tubs of nonperishable food items.

The generosity of the community has been amaz-

ing this year! Our horse club started things off with a $500 cash donation. A large number of local businesses quickly stepped up with cash donations and prizes. We are so very grateful for this amazing generosity!

Volunteers came forward. Riders went out to trim branches from the trails with help from members of the Bytown Motorcycle Association who help to keep the trails safe. Horse Club volunteers marked the trails for the ride, set up the site for the day, prepared a hearty lunch, and baked desserts for a sweet finish. Geoff McVey, Forest Manager at Limerick Forest, and his staff have always been supportive of this event, and through the Friends of Limerick Forest, the groups who share the trails have come together to ensure that everyone can enjoy the forest. It truly is a community effort.

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Stuff a Cruiser food drive returns submitted by Community Food Share On November 18, 2023, members of the SD&G OPP Auxiliary Unit, with the assistance of the U15 Morrisburg Rep hockey team, will hold their annual "Stuff the Cruiser Food Drive" for the local community food banks.

The Food Corner In September 2022 I gave you the recipe for Mincemeat using green tomatoes. Today’s

The SD&G Auxiliary unit is excited to be part of another generous day in the communities of SD&G as they pull together to help people in need.

From all the members of the OPP Auxiliary Unit and the OPP, we thank everyone in advance as the Food Drive is sure to be a great success.

The following venues are hosting the event from 9

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am - 2 pm on November 18: - Community Food Share serving Dundas & Stormont - Winchester - Foodland - Morrisburg - Laura's Valu-mart - ChestervilleMike Dean's - Iroquois Foodland CFS food bank most needed nonperishable foods list for the upcoming

OPP Stuff-a-Cruiser food drive: - peanut butter - pasta sauce - canned diced or crushed tomatoes - canned fruit (no sugar added) canned brown beans - condiments (ketchup, mustard, relish) - sugar - flour - coffee - tea - canned corn, peas (18oz and 14oz) - soda crackers

recipe is a bit more traditional and just as tasty. Our British friends use it during the festive season in particular to create Mincemeat Tarts and other such delectable stuff.

Traditional Mincemeat

Ingredients • ¾ cup of raisins • ½ cup of dried currants • ½ cup of glace mixed peel (candied) • 1 large cooking apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped • ½ teaspoon each of ground cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg, ginger and cloves • 1 teaspoon allspice • 1 cup of brown sugar • The grated zest and juice of one lemon • The grated zest and juice of one orange • 1 cup of chilled white beef suet, finely chopped • ¼ cup of brandy Preparation • In a large ovenproof dish, mix all of the ingredients except the brandy • Cover with a dish towel and leave out overnight for the flavours to blend • Replace the plastic with foil and warm the mixture for 3 hours at 250F • Remove, stir and set aside; stir every 15 minutes or so till cool • Once the mincemeat is completely cool, stir in the brandy • Sterilize some jars, fill with cold mincemeat and install the lids Mincemeat stores well in a cool pantry; however, I recommend using it as soon as you can.

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12 November 16, 2023

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