ND Times Issue 23 2022 November 17

Local artist’s lawn poppies a huge hit

by Brandon Mayer

When local artist Julie Bissell created a sample wooden “lawn poppy” and posted the photo online, she could not have imagined just how popular her creation would become. The initiative was started earlier this month in advance of Remembrance Day, giving local residents a chance to give support for veterans in a beautiful way.

The so-called “lawn poppies” are approximately four feet tall, and they stick conveniently into the grass to show colourful support for Canada’s veterans. The idea for the initiative came

when another local resident posted online, asking if anyone could create lawn poppies similar to ones created by a business in Arthur, a community northwest of Toronto. Julie created her own version of the decoration, and posted a sample. An outpouring of community positivity quickly followed.

The lawn poppies were sold for a cost of $20 each, with $5 from every sale being donated directly to the Winchester Legion. It took only a few short days leading up to Remembrance Day for the stunning lawn poppies to light up Winchester lawns in a sea of supportive red.

Of course, there is a story behind every artist,

and every initiative, and Julie is no different. Her local business, Chalk it up to Julie, focuses on sustainable living, and reusing and beautifying what is already available. This mindset comes in part from Julie’s childhood, as she grew up with little money, raised by her late single mother who always instilled the importance of giving back. “If I can raise money on behalf of a mother taken too early, that will help heal my broken soul,” Julie said.

Julie remembers being six years old and seeing her mother digging through garbage, saying that one person’s trash can be another’s treasure. “I didn't understand

then and I'm not even sure what she was looking for that day, but I used those words and my passion for art to create, to inspire others, and to make others feel happy when they look at my art,” said Julie. “It's those words I hear and she is in every paint stroke.”

Julie has been off work for several years from her career in the youth criminal justice system. She is making the most of this opportunity to spread the spirit of her mother’s love and wisdom by helping out those in need. One of Julie’s specialities is restoring old furniture using

cont'd on page 2

Winchester artist Julie Bissell poses with two of her “lawn poppies” that decorated the Winchester area last week.

Photo by Kevin & Kelly Photography.

cont'd from front page

chalk painting techniques.

Overall, 61 lawn poppies were sold, amassing a donation of $305 for the Winchester Legion. Next year’s goal is for a $2,000 donation. Next stop on the fundraising train? Christmas! “I'm currently making some wood decorations for Christmas,” said Julie. “I try for every holiday and would

absolutely love to connect to see how I can continue to contribute to the community with donations from any sales from what I create and build.”

To get in touch with Julie or see more of her creations, visit her Facebook page called “Chalk it up to Julie”.

County celebrates successful Regional Incentives Program project

and hopefully people from far away will hear these stories and learn a little bit more about our region.”

Baldwin's Birds:

Remembrance Day 11th November

Classifieds

The grand opening of the newest craft brewery in SDG Counties was celebrated with plenty of suds, smiles and satisfaction in South Stormont.

Lost Villages Brewery, which made a successful application to the SDG Regional Incentives Program for $45,000 in funding for building conversion and expansion, marked its grand opening with wall-to-wall customers.

The brewery, which gets its namesake from the nearby Lost Villages (lostvillagesbrewery.com)

that were flooded out during the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway and power project, offers craft beer on tap, and in cans, and also provides patrons with plenty of room to sip their suds indoors, or out on the patio.

“Lost Villages Brewery accessed grant money provided by SDG through its Regional Incentives Program. The Regional Incentives Program provides funding to eligible businesses and tourism amenities in our region to help with improvements to existing

amenities, or to build new ones,” said SDG Counties Warden Carma Williams. “The end result is a state-ofthe-art brewery that provides a popular local product to consumers while also paying homage to our past.”

“This has been two years of a lot of hard work and seeing it all come together with all the people here it is really special for us,” said John Wright, who along with Kevin Baker and Matt Kamm, own Lost Villages Brewery. “There’s a whole piece of history in this area that we wanted to build on,

The Lost Villages were 10 communities in South Stormont with names like Moulinette, Santa Cruz, Wales and Maple Grove that were inundated following the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway and power project in the 1950s. The Lost Villages Museum, located on County Road 2 east of Long Sault, pays homage to these communities.

“The Regional Incentives Program is an excellent avenue for local businesses and entrepreneurs to explore when they are considering making changes to an existing business or tourism amenity – or opening something new,” said Tara Kirkpatrick, SDG Counties Manager of Economic Development. “We are looking forward to the 2023 Regional Incentives Program intake, where more businesses can access this popular initiative.”

For more information on the Regional Incentive Program, visit sdgcounties. ca/economic-development/ grants-and-financing/sdgregional-tourism-grant.

Gathered at the Kemptville Cenotaph on a beautiful, sunny and windless November 11th day,

The representatives of all the various religions encouraged us, to remember our Lord and to pray,

The marchers had stopped their marching and the musicians had put their instruments to rest,

When a flock of pigeons rose up into the sky, as if, on their own peaceful quest.

Their wings flapped in unison, and, above the scene below, hardly made a sound,

As the trumpeter blew “The Last Post” loudly, and it echoed all around!

Heads were bowed in silence, as we remembered those who, in all the wars, had died,

And for many it was a short time to think about what had taken place, - their own thoughts deep inside.

These were soon dispersed, as “The Reveille” roused them and they awoke,

But not, as many of those, who they were remembering did; to guns, noise and smoke!

For us the sun was still shining, for the laying of the wreathes and right until the last,

When the bands re-formed, and the parade made its final salute and “March-Past”,

It was only when the crowd had almost departed and dispersed,

That the flock of pigeons re-appeared, as if they had rehearsed!

And, as one, came in to land, with wings outstretched, down on to the ground,

To their own little part of Kemptville, where, now, thanks to the sacrifice of others, peace does abound.

We will remember them!

John Baldwin

From left at the Lost Villages Brewery grand opening are South Stormont Councillors Jennifer MacIsaac and Andrew Guindon, Mayor Bryan McGillis, LVB owners Kevin Baker, Matt Kamm and John Wright, MP Eric Duncan, SDG Counties Warden Carma Williams and South Stormont Deputy Mayor David Smith

The party we’re not invited to

by Brandon Mayer

If I am not mistaken, somewhere in the time frame of grades 5-7, school students in Ontario begin to learn about the systems of government we use in this country. Students learn about the different levels of government – federal, provincial, and municipal –and what their roles are and some basics of how they operate. I would wager that students this young, when asked what the role of an MP or an MPP is, would state that these individuals are there to serve and represent us. In other words, a person does not have to be old and wise to know that the very foundation of the democracy in which we live is having representatives to share our wants, needs, and concerns with the leaders who make the decisions.

A democratic system is ideal in concept, but recent events have shown that sometimes, party politics can turn our beloved political system into what feels like a party we were not invited to. We (generally) elect candidates from certain

parties as a show of support for particular values and ways of thinking. This is an efficient system, but is prone to error when it comes to the critical end goal of having a country that is governed by the people.

The recent situation with the CUPE education workers’ labour dispute and Bill 28 (yes, I am bringing this up again!) is the specific example to which I will refer. At the risk of letting my personal feelings be known – though my opinion should come as no surprise since I am a CUPE member – Doug Ford and Stephen Lecce made an unacceptable and dare-I-say, tyrannical blunder. When faced with the prospect of not getting their way in labour negotiations with CUPE, Premier Ford and Education Minister Lecce pushed Bill 28 to make strike action by CUPE illegal, and imposed a contract without fair bargaining. These actions were openly unconstitutional, but Ford and Lecce didn’t care. They even proudly shared their intention to use the Notwithstanding Clause of the Constitution to quash any legal challenge to their

Bill. Their actions are reminiscent of a stressed parent who creates a strict rule and enforces it with quips of “because I said so!” Should Premiers and Ministers really act in such a crass and undemocratic way? Sorry Ford and Lecce, but stress comes with the job, and the only thing you proved was that you can’t handle it.

Bill 28 was, of course, repealed in its entirety by the very government who passed it, just four days after it came into effect. Why? Oh my, where to begin! I’ll begin with the humorous fact that CUPE members ignored Bill 28 entirely and walked off the job anyway, which had to embarrass Ford and Lecce! Approximately 3 million union members were set to hold a press conference on the same day that Bill 28 was quashed. Was there going to be a general strike called? It certainly was not out of the question. The Notwithstanding Clause exists for emergencies, not to help lazy government officials get out of doing their jobs. Ford and Lecce using it to quash fundamental labour rights did not sit well with any union, because what

the government imposes on one union could be imposed on all. Even putting the law and union business aside, support for CUPE members from the public has been astounding. Not everyone agrees with education worker strikes and I respect that, but an independent poll conducted earlier this month showed that over 70% of people blame the government and not the union for what happened, and approximately the same number felt the use of the Notwithstanding Clause was wrong. Remember that this is not about greed. As of the time of writing, frontline school support staff make less than what many factory general labourers make. Let me clarify why this is important – such factory jobs that offer more hours and better pay are becoming very high in demand, and school support staff are leaving their positions for better pay in a difficult economy! The pay for support staff positions has not kept up with inflation in the slightest, and in the current economy, there are simply too many higher paying options out there. Schools can no longer hire

and retain the support staff they need at wage levels that made sense 10 years ago.

So how does representation fit into this? Simply put, we weren’t represented the way we should have been by our newly elected MPP, Nolan Quinn. Quinn is a Progressive Conservative, belonging to the same party as Ford and Lecce which holds a majority in the Ontario legislature. Being new to his role, he is not likely to oppose his leader any time soon. A local resident emailed me last week to tell me that after emailing Quinn hoping he would do something about Bill 28, she found out he was one of the ones that voted to pass it. Of course he was – that is how party politics works. Few MPPs or MPs are willing to oppose their own party, for all the usual reasons. Such opposition burns bridges for things such as Minister appointments and other distinguishing career highlights. The problem is that when 70% of Ontarians disagree with a Bill, voting for it because Ford and Lecce said so is not representation at all. We need representatives who have the backbone to

Province’s response to CUPE labour dispute is shameful

by Brandon Mayer

“If you are arrested, your first call should be to your local president who will in turn contact your National Representative.” These words hit hard. These words were included in an email sent to all members of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) local 5678, in anticipation of strike action beginning on November 4. Strike action went ahead on November 4 and 7 anyway, with CUPE members returning to work and schools reopening on November 8 under the promise of a full repeal of Bill 28, and a return to fair bargaining. I am one of those CUPE 5678 members, and I still struggle to process what Doug Ford and Stephen Lecce did. This is shameful.

I am glad Bill 28 was repealed, but it never should have passed in the first place.

I shouldn’t even have to discuss the things that the union is fighting for, or the merit of these things, in order to express why it was wrong to legislate against fair collective bargaining, or to try and force ordinary low paid workers to go to work against their will under threat of being issued a fine or being arrested. Nevertheless, I will.

I am going to throw out some numbers, and I can only hope that by the time you are reading this, a better deal has been reached, and these numbers will no longer be relevant. By now, most people ought to know that it is not teachers who are members of CUPE, but rather school support staff. Contrary to popular belief, these are not well-paid workers. A starting custodian makes just $19.79 hourly.

An Educational Assistant (EA) makes just $21.72

hourly, and a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) can expect a starting pay of just $22.34 per hour. These wages increase yearly in very small increments until a CUPE employee’s fifth year, when they cap out at an average of about $2 above the starting wage. Keep in mind that many of these positions have working hours that are below what would be considered full time employment.

Why does it matter?

Why don’t CUPE workers simply get a different job if they don’t like the pay? Surely there are others who would appreciate these jobs? Wrong! So very wrong! What happens when too many of these CUPE workers call your bluff? I know many who already have, in our area alone. A typical RECE position at a childcare centre will pay a starting wage of at least $23

hourly, often more. I know this because, well, I run one. We all know with the current economy, that we can work at McDonalds for $16.50 per hour, and I just came across a local warehouse worker job with full time hours posted for $17 per hour. Few employers can get away with paying minimum wage anymore, and the gap between minimum wage workers and the professionals who care for and help educate your kids is closing very quickly. Area factories pay much more than what CUPE members make. The Lactalis plant in Winchester has paid much more generous wages for years. A factory in Cornwall has just increased its labourers’ wages to an average of $23 hourly. I worked at that same factory less than a decade ago for $12.55 per hour. That is nearly double. Even the minimum wage itself is 50%

say “no” when proposed legislation simply does not make sense, especially when almost three quarters of constituents are asserting as much. A party system makes sense to organize values so that every decision does not have to be informed by a referendum, but listening to one’s constituents over one’s party should not be taboo. We expect Ford to run a provincial government, not a chapter of the Freemasons.

I have to wonder how Quinn explained to his wife, who is a teacher, that he would be voting to impose illegal and shameful legislation on her CUPE colleagues. Teachers have shown overwhelming support of the CUPE job action. Quinn was even the butt of many online jokes last week, as he appeared to be “missing in action” and was neglecting to answer constituents’ calls and emails. Not the kind of representation we should expect. Welcome to the party! Oh wait, we weren’t invited.

higher than it was back then. You know what hasn’t kept up at all? CUPE wages. The world is clearly changing, and school support staff are being left behind.

This matters for the simple reason that workers are leaving school support staff positions in droves. Who are these mystical workers who are waiting to swoop in and take these positions if CUPE members don’t appreciate them? There are none. If CUPE workers keep leaving for better paying jobs, it won’t be a strike that keeps your kids out of school, it will a permanent lack of staff that necessitates switching everything online for the foreseeable future. That is when the nay-sayers will have no one left to complain about. That is when they will see that you need to pay people what they are worth. We can get angry with workers for striking, but we wouldn’t

dare be angry with them for quitting.

Imagine holding onto your job out of dedication, out of a love for children who aren’t your own, and a commitment to making their learning experience as amazing as possible. Then imagine, that not only are you totally disrespected when asking for a fair wage, but you also get threatened with criminal punishment if you exercise your constitutionally protected right to strike. Maybe Minister Lecce, who didn’t even attend public school as a child and won’t put his own children in the public education system he oversees for $165,000 per year, should find a new job. After all, the government that was supposed to protect the average worker is now a long way off from doing its job.

Soccer Club scores for WDMH!

Claude’s Gardening and Landscaping Forum

Dear Claude, When is the best time to cut back hydrangeas (Annabelle), now or in spring? Or do you just cut back the old flower heads? Looking forward to your answers.

From Erika

having this fall and what effect it would have on my gardens over the coming winter. Well first, I need to check if my evergreens have had enough water to get through the winter. Evergreens still transpire through their leaves when the winter sun warms them up, so it’s important for them to have sufficient water to get them through.

the upcoming cold weather! I’m sure I’ll think of other suggestions before the winter really settles in!

To seek advice from Gardening and Landscaping expert Claude Smith, email your question to editor@ ndimes.ca.

Presenting the cheque from the North Dundas United Soccer Club are (l-r): President Julian Whittam and fellow member Brianne Scott.

submitted by Jane Adams, WDMH Foundation

A day of fun, fresh air and teamwork has resulted in a $847.65 donation for the WDMH Foundation’s General Equipment Fund.

Thank you to the North Dundas United Soccer Club!

The local club organized an all-day soccer fun day as a wrap-up at the end of soccer season. More than 250 children participate in the North Dundas United Soccer Club’s volunteer-run programs each year.

President Julian Whittam explains why they chose

Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) as the beneficiary: “We wanted to find a way to give back to the community and over the years I have come to the hospital for soccer related injuries. So we thought what better way to give back than to support the hospital. We have used the facility over the years for reasons related to soccer.”

The money will be directed toward the Foundation’s General Equipment Fund to support projects such as Epic, WDMH’s new digital health information

system. Epic provides patients with better access to their own health information and more seamless care from their providers.

“Thank you to some of our youngest donors!” says Justine Plummer, Manager, Direct Mail & Events. “We appreciate you combining fun and fundraising to support health care close to home.”

I usually cut my Annabelle hydrangeas in the spring, the reason being the stems act as a snow catcher which in turn will insulate your tender perennials that you might have around them. I also leave any perennials that have a strong stem and cut them back in the spring. It also makes for a good habitat for overwintering insects.

Some other thoughts…

I was thinking about the mild weather we’ve been

Then there are tender perennials that may need some insulation to protect them from the cold, but that has to wait until the ground freezes. Mice and moles are looking for a comfy spot to live over the winter right now and mulching and covering your tender plants before the ground freezes is an open invitation for them to settle in and munch on the stems, sometimes causing irreparable damage.

It’s also a good idea to wrap the trunk of fruit trees to avoid these little critters chewing on the tasty bark under the snow.

Hope this helps you with

The right people

How farmers can strengthen their business amidst economic uncertainty

disruptions over the past two years, farmers are increasingly shifting their focus and investments on proactive priorities to strengthen their operations and cultivate growth,” says Ryan Riese, national director of agriculture, RBC.

Here are three tips for producers looking to advance these priorities:

3 traits defining the modern Canadian farmer

(NC) The face of Canadian agriculture is rapidly changing as new technologies and skills, a fresh management mindset and a more holistic outlook are needed in the industry.

“Agriculture may be one of the world’s oldest industries, but the sector’s ability to evolve with the changing times shouldn’t be underestimated,” says Ryan Riese national director of agriculture, Royal Bank of Canada. “The roles and skills required of our agriculture workers today are undergoing a vast shift – and as a recent survey reveals, the food producer of the future is already here.”

(NC) From labour shortages and fluctuating commodities prices to evolving environmental risks, Canadian farmers continue to operate amid highly disruptive conditions. When looking to 2023 and beyond, how can agricultural producers continue to adapt and grow within this environment?

According to a recent RBC Agriculture poll, the majority of owners and op-

erators are prioritizing:

1. The cultivation of a strong agricultural network to tap into for advice,

2. the recruitment of skilled workers,

3. building up their farm’s leadership team,

4. investing in technology and data-driven decisions

5. and focusing on risk management planning.

“After weathering significant and unpredictable

ND Times Photo Contest Winner

1. Make risk management part of your everyday decision-making. Some activities may include regularly scheduled risk assessments, creating contingency cash flow projections and staying updated on the latest industry disruptions, trends and farming solutions.

2. Expand your knowledge with education and training opportunities. Owners and operators will need a broader understanding of business fundamentals than ever before. Explore courses from credible institutions and experienced instructors that focus on managing a modern farm operation, such as the free Foundations in Agriculture Management program offered by the University of Guelph.

3. Don’t go it alone. To navigate an increasingly dynamic and interconnected sector, producers will need to rely on a wide range of employees, partners, suppliers and non-industry collaborators. Don’t hesitate to turn to your advisor, lawyer, mentor or other trusted members of your professional network for proactive feedback and support.

Find more information at rbc.com/agriculture.

What does the modern farmer look like today? Here are three traits that are defining the people in the agricultural sector:

Canadian farmers are data-driven decision-makers. According to a recent RBC Agriculture survey, more than 90 per cent of Canadian farmers report that they already regularly use technology and data insights to inform their decisions.

They’re making strides to become more sustainable. Of the Canadian producers surveyed, more than 95 per cent report they are actively working to make their operations more sustainable. Two in three have also implemented changes to address climate change and its impacts.

The industry is moving the needle on diverse leadership. The survey revealed that female leadership is becoming a common practice in farm operations, according to six in ten producers who already report female owner/operators or senior management on their farm. Another seven in ten said that they're making progress around recruiting and promoting a more diverse workforce.

The agriculture industry plays a crucial role in the national and global economy – and encouragingly, new data reveals that the sector’s strides towards improved sustainability, inclusivity and data-driven decision-making serve only to strengthen it for the Canadians from coast-to-coast who rely on it.

Find more information at rbc.com/agriculture.

Submitted by Tanya Vidal, who writes, “Winchester is such a farming community. When taking this photo, I was trying to capture that part of the community and the beautiful sunset, together I thought it made a nice shot. Just perfectly sums up Winchester rural life.”

New Board Members bring new skills to the table

submitted by Jane Adams

Yvonne Latta, Michael O’Shaughnessy and David Weger have one thing in common – they believe in giving back to their community. They are doing just that as the newest volunteer Board members at Lanark Leeds and Grenville Addiction and Mental Health (LLGAMH).

Yvonne Latta spent 26 years with the Correctional Service of Canada, starting as a parole officer and serving as Warden at two federal penitentiaries. She also brought invaluable human resources and strategic planning expertise in senior positions at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Transport Canada. Retired since 2003, Yvonne is now an Executive Coach, helping to develop the next generation of leaders.

Yvonne saw an ad in the local paper about the LLGAMH Board and decided she wanted to learn more: “I moved to Kemptville seven years ago and I hadn’t heard of the agency before. Dur-

ing my career, I’ve gained a lot of experience in mental health and addictions support, and I hope I can share that with the team.”

Michael O’Shaughnessy is no stranger to LLGAMH. He served on the Board for four years and says he is happy to be back: “It’s an excellent agency and I think we can do even more.” Mike is a criminal defence lawyer in Brockville and sees the need for local support of those with mental health and addiction challenges.

“I was involved in creating the Mental Health Court and Clinic, supported by LLGAMH,” he explains. “It’s an example of providing excellent support and we’ve had some great successes.”

David Weger is a retired Canadian Armed Forces executive level leader and governance consultant with over 32 years of progressive experience in the health services sector. He has a proven track record for creative thinking, planning and problem solving. David has lived and worked around the

Celebrating our team

world and is happy to now call Leeds and Grenville home. "I'm excited to bring together my governance experience and my desire to contribute to our community. Good governance strengthens accountability and enables an organization to meet the needs of its clients well into the future."

Welcome to Yvonne, Michael and David!

LLGAMH offers services and programs to people who are experiencing substance use and/or mental health concerns. Mental health services are provided for those 16 years and older and substance use services to persons of any age. We also recognize that family members and caregivers play a significant role within our client’s circle of care. We support family members and caregivers through counselling and group activities. Our “one door – one number - one click” philosophy ensures easy and simple access to the tools and support you need. Call 1-866-499-8445 or visit www.llgamh.ca.

submitted by Jane Adams, WDMH Foundation

Every year, the Morrisburg & District Arts & Crafts Association kicks off the festive season with their annual craft show. The show has been around for more than 40 years, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the WDMH Foundation since 1998. This year, $300 was raised, bringing the grand total to just over $10,000!

The money will be directed toward the Foundation’s General Equipment Fund to support projects such as Epic, WDMH’s new digital health information system. Epic provides patients with better access to their own health information and more seamless care from their providers.

“We are so grateful to these amazing artisans for always remembering the patients at Winchester District Memorial Hospital and including the WDMH Foundation as a beneficiary of their successful event,” notes Justine Plummer, Manager, Direct Mail & Events. “Thank you to the organizers, vendors and everyone who supports this wonderful show.”

Eastern Ontario Health Unit launching survey to understand Community Mental Health Status

During the months of October and November, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is using telephone, email and in-person surveys to understand the state of our population’s mental health. The anonymous surveys will help the EOHU to assess its current and future programs and services.

Starting in November, if you live in the EOHU area, you may receive a telephone call from the research firm the EOHU has partnered with, regarding the survey. EOHU staff are also out at various locations around the community, collecting in-person survey responses.

Topics covered by the survey include satisfaction with current mental health care access and offerings, stress levels, coping and management, mental illness and general satisfaction with life. All responses collected by telephone, and in-person surveys are anonymous, with no personal information attached.

Every year, we take time to celebrate Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) staff and physicians who have reached milestone work anniversaries, as well as those who have retired in the past year. We can’t have a big party right now, but we do want to say thank you and salute these committed team members.

In fact, 66 staff members and physicians, as well as 12 retirees, were honoured in October - in smaller gatherings at the hospital. And everyone was treated to a special meal.

“Each person being celebrated is part of the wonderful fabric of WDMH and contributes to our Compassionate Excellence,” noted Cholly Boland, CEO. “They make us #WDMHProud.”

“The EOHU is committed to supporting not only our community’s physical health, but also its mental health, especially after the additional stresses of the past few years,” shares Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health at the EOHU. “This survey will tell us how our community is doing and pinpoint the areas they may need more support in. From there, we can plan and provide the most effective programs possible.”

Results from the survey will be used to update the EOHU’s health indicators and mental health report, as well as in the updating and creation of its programming. The findings will also be shared with the EOHU’s community partners to help in their program planning and offerings.

For more information on mental health, health indicators, and programs offered by the EOHU, please visit our website at EOHU.ca.

LLGAMH Board Member : Yvonne Latta Cutline, Michael O’Shaughnessy, David Weger

Shown at the event are Justine Plummer, Manager of Direct Mail & Events, WDMH Foundation and Morrisburg & District Arts & Crafts Association President Linda Schenck.

Armstrong and Thompson honoured at retirement celebration

Warden Frank Prevost, who was a member of Counties Council by virtue of being the Mayor of South Glengarry, was arrested and charged with three counts of child luring and one count of sexual assault against an adult. Upon Prevost’s resignation, Deputy Mayor Armstrong’s colleagues at the Counties Council table put their faith in him to take over as Warden.

by Brandon Mayer

There can perhaps be no greater evidence of a politician’s contributions to their community than being honoured at a retirement celebration. Earlier this month, nowretired Council members Allan Armstrong and John Thompson received such an honour. The pair were the guests of honour at a retirement celebration in Morewood on November 4 – a dinner event which was open to all wishing to attend at a cost of $25 per person.

Allan (Al) Armstrong most recently served as

the Deputy Mayor of North Dundas, though he was first elected to Council in 2003 as a Councillor. He served continuously through all the years since, being a firsthand witness and contributor to decades of change and growth in the community.

The 2018-2022 term of Council was Armstrong’s first as Deputy Mayor, and therefore his first term as a sitting member of the upper tier Counties Council for the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry. In 2021, The United Counties were in for quite a shock when

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

I confess to a real love of fish and seafood. At Salamanders, we have some Coconut Shrimp that folks are raving over. As the weather gets colder, a nice seafood and fish pasta really hits the spot.There’s just a bit of preparation work involved in today’s dish, but I’m sure you are up to it and will love the results.

Creamy Shrimp, Scallops and Fish Pasta

Ingredients

12 large shrimp, shelled and cut into four pieces

12 large scallops cut in half

½ pound of white fish (e.g. haddock) cut into chunks

¼ pound of smoked salmon cut into small strips

3 tablespoons of butter

1 chopped medium sized onion1 cup of white wine

1 cup of water

¼ cup of 35% cream (at room temperature)

1 tablespoon of dried parsley (and a bit for topping)

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

1 package of linguini noodles cooked al dente

Preparation

1. Sauté the onion in the butter, add the wine and water and bring to a boil

2. Add the shrimp, scallops, salmon and fish; simmer till just tender (don’t overcook)

3. Remove the fish from the pan and boil the liquid down by a third

4.Lower the heat, cool the mixture a bit and slowly incorporate the cream

5. Place the fish right back in the pan, along with the parsley and lemon juice

Once warmed up a bit, serve right away over your linguini pasta that has been cooking all along. You might also wish to top with a bit more parsley. Accompany with some of your favourite Grahame’s Bakery bread.

Enjoy! From Paul at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

“I am humbled that my colleagues around the Counties Council table saw fit to bestow this honour upon me,” Armstrong said after being elected Warden. The Warden of the United Counties changes yearly. Following Armstrong’s decision to retire, many of the candidates running for North Dundas Council in the municipal election last month noted that he was leaving very big shoes to fill.

Also retiring from the Council table is John Thompson, owner of a local Chesterville business, John Thompson Electric. Thompson’s tenure is just as impressive as Armstrong’s – he completed four terms on Council. During his most recent election campaign in 2018, Thompson told reporters that he wanted a chance to finish what he started, and voters certainly gave him one.

In a Q&A with the Times in early October, Councillor Gary Annable pointed out that one good reason for voters to support his bid for re-election was the fact that with Armstrong and Thompson retiring, he would be the only member of Council remaining with any significant experience to boast of, besides Mayor Tony Fraser. Annable was re-elected with more votes than any other candidate. We may never know if this was because of his comments, but it seems clear that North Dundas voters value wisdom and experience.

Neither Al Armstrong nor John Thompson could be reached for comment. Happy retirement, gentlemen! You’ve earned it.

Labour dispute at Naomi’s Family Resource Centre

The Raisin-South Nation Source Protection Committee has announced that retired farmer and active community member, Ray Beauregard, was recently re-appointed by the Ontario Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks for this important role under Ontario’s Clean Water Act, 2006.

The Clean Water Act, 2006 ensures that communities are able to protect their drinking water sources through the development of collaborative, locally driven, science-based source protection plans for watersheds across the province. The Conservation Authorities manage the program, and the local Source Protection Committees guide the development of the source protection plan. There are 19 Source Protection Committees in Ontario.

The Raisin-South Nation Source Protection Committee consists of 15 members plus a chairperson. The Committee represents the interests of the local municipalities, agricultural sector, commercial and industrial sectors, and the general public. The Committee also consists of liaisons from the Raisin and South Nation Source Protection Authorities, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and the local Health Unit.

Ray Beauregard continues to bring broad experience from various sectors and many years of service to the position as Chair. Ray served as an elected Cornwall Township Councillor, South Stormont Deputy Mayor, and United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Councillor. He is the past chair of the Eastern Ontario Water Resources Committee, past president of the Cattlemen Association, and a long-time member of the Clean Water Committee. He has worked for various manufacturing companies, engineering firms, and the federal government.

“I am honoured to be re-appointed as Chair of the Source Protection Committee. I have been on the Committee since 2008 and am proud of all our accomplishments to date to protect local municipal drinking water,” says Ray Beauregard.

More information on the Drinking Water Source Protection Program can be found here: www.yourdrinkingwater.ca

Retired Deputy Mayor of North Dundas, Allan Armstrong, who also served for a short time as the Warden of the United Counties of SD&G

Help Support Your Local Businesses

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHERS

All claims against the Estate of the late George Arthur David Christie, of the Municipality of South Dundas, County of Dundas, who died on the 6th day of October, 2022 must be filed with the undersigned representative on or before the 30th day of November, 2022, after which date the estate will be distributed having regard only to the claims of which the Estate Trustee then shall have notice.

DATED: at Morrisburg, Ontario this 27th day of October, 2022.

By: Gordon Fairbairn

202 - 12446 County Rd. 2, Morrisburg, Ontario, K0C 1X0 613-294-0194 Estate Truste

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

Classified to classified@ndtimes.ca

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Chair of the Raisin-South Nation Source Protection Committee announced

by Brandon Mayer

Earlier this month, a labour dispute began for workers at Naomi’s Family Resource Centre, an emergency shelter for women and children located in Winchester. Staff at the Centre were reportedly at risk of being locked out by their employer.

The staff at Naomi’s are members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which held a rally on November 1 in front of the Winchester branch of the SD&G County Library. A poster was distributed on social media in advance of the rally to help garner support from the public.

A plea on the poster reads: “Members of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 434, who staff the emergency shelter for women and children in Winchester, could be locked out of their workplace as soon as Sunday, November 6. These workers just want respect from their employer and a say in their schedule. Help spread the word and let’s encourage residents and businesses in their community to support these dedicated women and their fight for respect!”

but strong group of workers could be observed rallying peacefully on St. Lawrence Street on November 1.

“Their employer filed a no board with the Ministry of Labour after being unwilling to follow through on attending any more dates set for bargaining,” an anonymous supporter told the Times. “The employer wanted to make the staff sign off in their contract to work 16 hour shifts without needing individual written approval.”

The source revealed that the latest information from the employer suggests that they were willing to return to the bargaining table after a vigil on November 5. This would have come as good news to the staff, since a lockout – if it were to occur – would necessitate the women housed at Naomi’s being temporarily relocated.

“They agreed to no wage increase,” the source added. “It wasn’t monetary that they were fighting for, even though 9 out of the last 11 years they have not had an increase. They are one of the lowest paid of all the shelter workers. The women work alone supporting nine people and must be awake through the night.”

The Times contacted OPSEU for some clarification on the nature of the dispute. A spokesperson for the Union vowed to have a member of their communications team reach out, but no response was received by deadline.

As of the time of writing, it is unclear whether the dispute is still ongoing.

ACROSS

Poor Sleep Can Lead to Inflammatory Problems

An old Irish proverb says, “A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.” But research suggests it would be wiser to think of good sleep as an ingredient of wellbeing – a starting point for health, not a fixer-upper.

Sleep is an essential building block of good health, along with quality nutrition, moderate exercise, socioeconomic connectivity, mindfulness, and ample good luck.

Guidelines recommend “7 to 9 hours of good-quality sleep for adults aged 18 to 64, on a regular basis, with consistent sleep and wake times for health benefits.” For adults aged 65 and older, a slightly modified “7 to 8 hours of sleep” is advised.

But sleep is too often neglected – insufficient in both quantity and quality.

According to a global sleep survey, 62% of adults worldwide feel they don’t sleep well when they go to bed. Surveys show that North Americans, on average, sleep just under 7 hours a night. Some are getting more – and good for them. Some are getting less – with serious consequences.

Poor quality sleep has harmful implications for insomniacs. The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute reports, “Sleep deficiency is linked to many chronic health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression.”

But drowsy people have negative implications for other people too. Lack of sleep is a major factor in deadly car accidents and other transportation tragedies. Both the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster and the Exxon Valdez oil spill involved workers affected by sleep deprivation.

Although people commonly try to “catch up” on sleep during the weekend, studies have found this to be a losing strategy. For one thing, less weekday sleep equates to later nights, awake and snacking, which leads to weight gain and involves challenges in managing diabetes, for example.

It may be disappointing to learn more bad news. Research now shows that even long periods of sufficient sleep don’t make up for sleep deficits. Not getting good sleep? The damage is done.

Scientists are starting to unpack exactly what kind of problems develop from lack of good sleep. One study founds that consistently losing an hour and a half of sleep a night can increase the risk of inflammatory disorders and cardiovascular disease. The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, showed that sleep disruptions in both humans and mice led to the same loss in the protective effects of their immune systems “actually making infections worse”. In effect, poor sleep causes trouble in blood cell production, leading to overproduction of white blood cells that normally fight infections, but the overabundance instead results in inflammation.

Another study involving more than 7,000 men and women at the ages of 50, 60 and 70, found that people at age 50 getting five hours of sleep or less were “20% more likely to have been diagnosed with a chronic disease and 40% more likely to be diagnosed with two or more chronic diseases over 25 years, compared to people who slept for up to seven hours.”

Those are big differences! Those two more hours of sleep gives the body enough time to complete one full sleep cycle, allowing brain and body to recuperate and immune systems to function effectively.

What are some tips for healthy sleep? Get natural daylight exposure. Limit alcohol before bed. Eliminate noise and light disruptions. And at bedtime, allow into the mind those things that sooth the soul. These days, that means turning off the evening news and turning instead to a good book.

Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly enewsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us on Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones

Flu Season is Here... It’s More Important than Ever to Get Your Flu Shot!

Submitted by Eastern Ontario Health Unit

As the fall and cooler weather arrive, they bring with them the start of flu season. The flu shot is the best protection against the flu, and with the presence of COVID-19 in the community, getting your flu vaccine is more important now than ever. The flu shot has been approved for use alongside COVID-19 vaccines and is a key step in keeping healthy this season. The flu vaccine is available and recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older.

“Now that people have increased their interactions with others, and that cold and flu viruses are once again circulating in the community, it’s especially important that everyone get their flu shot in the fall,” says Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health at the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU). “Both COVID and the flu share symptoms, and despite their similarities, being fully vaccinated for COVID won’t protect you from the flu. Getting the flu shot can help you stay healthy and reduce the pressure on our already strained healthcare system.”

The flu shot is available at various locations across the five Eastern Counties and Cornwall through healthcare providers, community health centres, and participating pharmacies. The vaccine is also available by appointment at the EOHU for children aged 6 months to under 5 years and their immediate family. Visit EOHU.ca to learn how you can book an appointment.

Certain groups of people are at higher risk of complications from the flu and are strongly encouraged to get immunized. These include:

- children 6 months to less than 5 years of age

- people aged 65 and older

- people with chronic medical conditions

If you live with or provide care to someone who falls under one of the groups listed above, or care for newborn infants and children under 6 months of age, it is also highly recommended that you get immunized. This simple step will help protect you and those around you.

For more information about the flu shot, visit EOHU. ca or call the EOHU at 613-933-1375 or 1 800 267-7120. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

Belway, June

September 29, 2018

Belway, Lyle

October 21, 2017

God, grant me the Serenity

To accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can, And Wisdom to know the di erence. Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it.

Trusting that He will make all things right If I surrender to His will.

That I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Dianne, Shannon, and Eileen

New clinical trials launched at Winchester District Memorial Hospital

Two new clinical trials at Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) will help to advance medical knowledge and patient care. “Clinical trials can provide positive impacts for many patients in the future, offering benefits such as new treatments or better drug options,” explains Chief Research Officer Dr. Mohamed Gazarin. “Through rigorous testing, evidence-based trials ensure the solutions are safe and effective before they are used in clinical practice.”

COVID-19 and Immunocompromised Patients

One of the trials focuses on COVID-19 and immunocompromised patients. In a healthy individual, your immune system works to clear the body of any viral or bacterial infections. However, certain conditions, medications, or diseases can cause the immune system to become compromised or suppressed. Immunocompromised patients with COVID-19 are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms due to a decreased immune response, a higher viral load within the body, and the increased potential for treatment-resistant strains to develop. This increased potential for the emergence of new variants puts the general population at risk.

Paxlovid is an approved treatment for mild-moderate COVID-19 symptoms in adults and pediatric (12+) patients. For immunocompromised patients, the current five-day treatment protocol may not be long enough to fully clear the virus from the body. This study will explore the efficacy and safety of various treatment lengths to determine the most effective protocol for these populations.

Urinary Tract Infections in Patients Over 65

E-Coli is a very common bacteria and is the number one cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Left untreated, especially in older adults, this bacteria can progress further into the internal organs and blood stream, leading to systemic bacterial infection. Once this happens, it requires the use of complex IV antibiotics to treat.E-Coli bacteria is becoming highly resistant to many antibiotics and this antibiotic resistance can lead to treatment failure, as well as increased hospitalization, mortality rates, and healthcare costs.

This study will focus on patients 65+ with UTIs, who will receive either an E-Coli vaccine or a placebo. The goal is to determine the effectiveness of the vaccine in protecting from UTIs caused by the E-Coli bacteria and preventing the systemic bacterial infections that can follow. The development of an E-Coli vaccine will prevent over-use of antibiotics, which in turn will minimize the development of antibiotic resistance.

To learn more about WDMH’s clinical trials, visit www. wdmh.on.ca/clinicaltrials or email research@wdmh.on.ca.

If you would like to provide comments or suggestions about WDMH, please contact Cholly Boland, President and CEO, at 613-774-1049 or cboland@wdmh.on.ca.

by Brandon Mayer

Does anyone need their air ducts cleaned? Seriously, anyone? Homeowners in our local area are exceedingly lucky in that we have somewhere in the neighborhood of 300-400 high quality local businesses dedicated solely to air duct cleaning. Wow! I jest of course. One of the many flaws of social media is that it is a free and easy platform for scammers to use, and nearly all of the local social media groups have been seeing fake posts regarding air duct cleaning services lately. By my own estimate, I would say there is an average of at least one post per day per group, and those are only the ones that are not quashed by group admins before publication. Yikes!

I am not going to pretend that I am not a social media user. I have a Facebook account as do most people, but I am by no means a social media addict, and I do have many qualms about the state of things online. Besides the obvious issues with social media toxicity (An environment where everyone can be anonymously nasty while hiding away at home? What could go wrong!), the quality of the online environment has been declining recently in my opinion. What used to be a space to catch up on world happenings in “raw” format has been plagued with videos and photos that are so painfully fake, that they are embarrassing to watch. It is no surprise that people are taking advantage of the financial benefits of so-called “viral” content, but at what cost when a significant portion of the content is fake and untrustworthy?

META, which is the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, has recently made headlines for laying off employees. META is not the only tech company axing jobs recently – Microsoft, Netflix and others have been doing the same. While I’m sure there are countless valid financial reasons for these job cuts, including a looming recession, I can’t help but wonder if people are simply starting to notice the significant recent decline in online content quality. Social media sites such as Facebook are financially powered by advertising revenue. When fewer people watch videos (and thus ads) out of a recognition that the content is low quality or fake, revenue will naturally go down. It would appear that fake news and fake content both have significant financial downsides in addition to the obvious harm that comes from the spread of false information.

For the sake of protecting locals from one of the more prominent scams, I feel the need to share some tips. Taking the air duct cleaning scam as an example, there are some common sense signs that you can look for when deciding if a post such as this is real or fake. First, if you recognize text that is more or less a perfect match to wording you have seen in a previous post about air duct cleaning (or whatever service is being offered), there is a good chance it is a scam – our community is hardly big enough to sustain dozens of air duct cleaning businesses! Second, if you are unsure about the wording of a post, check out the profile of the user who posted it. If the profile was created recently, has little to no friends, or just joined the social media group a few days ago, there is a good change that the profile is fake and the post is a scam. Finally, if you are truly interested in a service which you suspect is being offered by a legitimate business, proceed with caution and use common sense. Never send or give money before a good or service is rendered to your satisfaction, and never do business solely online. If something is too good to be true, it probably is!

Boyne Road Landfill Winter Saturday Hours

New for this year, the landfill will be open every Saturday in November from 8:00-11:30 am. After November, the landfill will be open on the following Saturdays: Dec.10th, Jan.14th and Apr.8th from 8:0011:30 am.Weekly summer Saturday hours will resume in May.

SNC offers free Woodlot Advisory Service to Local Landowners

Outreach.

Free woodlot visits are still available in SDG in 2022, requests for UCPR will be scheduled in 2023. SNC is encouraging anyone interested in woodlot visits or management grants to call the SNC Office or email info@nation.on.ca.

“We hope people will continue to take advantage of our programs that protect the local environment and enhance forest cover in the region.”

Are you a landowner with at least 10 acres of woodlot property?

Thanks to support from the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG), South Nation Conservation (SNC) offers its Woodlot Advisory Service (WAS) to residents who own at least 10 acres of forest.

“Through our Woodlot Advisory Service, a Forestry Technician will visit your property and suggest management options based on a preliminary site evaluation,” said Cheyene Brunet, SNC’s Forestry Technician. “The free program can also assist landowners looking to learn more about their woodlot and tree identification.”

“Property owners will also receive information about programs, such as the Ontario Managed Forest Tax Program, which can provide a tax reduction of up to 75% on privatelyowned residential land in Ontario,” added Brunet. Landowners may also be eligible to receive up to a $500 grant towards the

creation of a Forest Management Plan for property tax benefits.

“Forests provide many important ecological, economic, social and cul-

tural benefits to humans and the environment,” explains John Mesman, SNC’s Managing Director of Property, Conservation Lands and Community

What is happening with social media? CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE

To learn more about SNC’s Woodlot Advisory Service visit: www.nation. on.ca/land/forestry-services/woodlot-advisoryservice

“Loss of Local Decision-Making”

Conservation Authorities respond to Province’s Housing Bill 23 “More Homes Built Faster Act”

In a bid to address the housing supply, the Ontario government released a series of proposed legislative changes, many of which impact Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities.

Among them, the Province proposes to prevent municipalities from entering into agreements with Conservation Authorities (CAs) to review planning applications on their behalf, proposes exemptions from natural hazard permits for select municipalities, removes ‘conservation of lands’ and ‘pollution’ as considerations in permit decisions, freezes development fees, changes the evaluation and protection criteria for Provincially Significant Wetlands and requires CAs to identify conservation lands suitable for development.

Earlier this year, the Province published a “Housing Affordability Task Force Report” that introduced 55 recommendations to increase house supply in Ontario. CAs were not named within the report, demonstrating they are already proactively working with the development industry and all levels of government to ensure safe and sustainable development can occur while balancing the needs of people and the environment, the economy and ecology.

“Conservation Authorities are not a barrier to growth and CAs in highgrowth areas of the province are already participating in a Timely Review Task Force with service level commitments of 14, 21, and 28 day reviews, compared to the Province’s 30 and 90 day timelines,” explains George Darouze, Deputy Mayor and Councillor, Osgoode Ward, City of Ottawa.

Bill 23 is a departure from recent amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act that directed CAs to focus their work on natural

hazard related programs but allows municipalities to choose whether CAs provide technical advice based on their local needs and deliver programs in their municipalities through funding agreements.

“Our Conservation Authority works as our municipality’s environmental partner,” explains Mario Zanth, Mayor of the City of Clarence-Rockland, “CA staff have rolled out the red carpet to help provide timely development approvals to projects in environmentally significant areas. After the Ottawa River floods of 2017 and 2019, people understand the value and impact of the services they provide.”

While CAs are created through provincial legislation, they are largely funded and work for municipalities within their watersheds. South Nation Conservation (SNC) is one of the oldest environmental agencies in Ontario and has continued to expand its jurisdiction at the request of municipalities, first along the St. Lawrence River, and more recently, along the Ottawa River.

In Clarence-Rockland, an obvious step after the historic Ottawa River floods was to partner with the CA to complete updated natural hazard maps and to contract SNC to review development proposals on their behalf. The result has been a clear win-win for both organizations and the development community to help design sustainable communities, away from natural hazards, while protecting key natural heritage areas.

In Eastern Ontario, SNC has agreements with neighbouring agencies to streamline development review processes and deliver planning services to help municipalities short on resources meet their provincial requirements. Recently, SNC also expanded its septic system program into LeedsGrenville to help municipalities meet their requirements under the Ontario Building Code after the local Health

Unit stopped delivering this service.

These arrangements provide a watershed-based approach to land use planning decisions and coordinate resources to save taxpayer costs. SNC provides shared expertise instead of each of its 16 municipalities having their own hydrogeologist, biologist, and engineers.

“We have a long-standing and positive working relationship with SNC and we appreciate their feedback and expertise in helping us make good planning decisions,” added Pierre Leroux, Mayor of Russell Township, “the CA is a valued partner in providing valuable services to our community.”

Bill 23 also proposes changes to the classification and protection of Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSWs), areas where development activities require permission from CAs. SNC, unlike other CAs, only regulates development within PSWs and Locally Significant Wetlands (LSWs) that are studied and zoned locally by municipalities for protection. Wetlands minimize the risk of drought, reduce flooding by absorbing and storing excess water and help control erosion. The proposed changes will reduce the area of protected wetlands on the local landscape which means more potential for impacts to communities from flood and drought.

“SNC’s approach of supporting the municipality’s decisions regarding the required environmental protections and studies allows for local decision-making,” explains Steve Densham, Deputy Mayor Elect of the Township of North Stormont, “additionally, given the economies of scale with our CA, we benefit from lower cost and expertise that can efficiently and effectively meet our needs.”

Local innovation with new insect based skincare line

A local Mechanical Engineer is showing the world just what Kemptville people are capable of with his company’s new insect based skincare line, Insekt. Thomas Clark is the owner of Altrene, which has been responsible for developing the Insekt line of products. Thomas’ wife Michelle has also been by his side throughout the journey, and the couple have a baby son, Hendrik.

Originally from the city, Thomas and Michelle moved to Kemptville to enjoy a small town lifestyle. A few years ago, Thomas heard of a company taking food waste from grocery stores and farmers and using it to raise black soldier flies, in order to create a product of high-protein, high-fat biomass. These insects are primarily used as feed for poultry and fish, though other uses are possible as well. Thomas quickly became interested in an oil by-product that has a fatty acid profile similar to many plant-based ingredients used in skincare applications.

Last year, Thomas and Michelle began preparing to create their own soldier fly farm, partnered with

local coffee shop Brewed Awakenings. Using leftover coffee grinds, fruits, and vegetables from the coffee shop, they had a “proof of concept” farm set up in their garage, but they were unable to secure investors to help expand the idea.

The couple quickly moved on to developing skincare products using the oil by-product, beginning with a hand cream and moving onto a face cream. In true entrepreneurial fashion, these products were first designed and tested right in the couple’s kitchen!

As anyone in business knows, these endeavors take a lot of time and patience. Thomas and Michelle worked hard over an extended period of time to continue developing and perfecting products. Finally, they are beginning to see their hard work pay off as they are expecting the first official production batches of their products to be ready for sale early next month. They are expecting to receive their first shipment of product

from the Pickering-based manufacturing facility in the coming days, giving them some time to focus on marketing before online sales open up.

“It’s funny… without any sales I feel like I have put all this effort into this and there is nothing to show for it,” Thomas joked. “But these things take time. Patience and perseverance are important for a business to be successful.”

Thomas is hopeful that his innovations when it comes to insect based skincare will end up changing the industry for the better. Plant based skincare products often require a lot of water, energy, and land to produce, while likewise, insect based products are driven by agricultural waste. The goal is for Altrene to be a trendsetter during the years ahead.

Thomas and Melissa of Altrene, along with their baby, Hendrik.

by Brandon Mayer