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The Voice of North Grenville
Vol 8, NO 25
June 24 , 2020
Canada Day on the air
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by David Shanahan Given the (hopefully) unique and never-to-be-repeated nature of this Canada Day, 2020, we will be celebrating together apart, and the main focus of the day this year will be a 12-hour marathon on local radio station, JuiceFM. As you will have read in this and other issues of the Times, this year’s celebrations have been organised by the Kemptville District Community Association [KDCA]
and the Oxford Mills Community Association [OMCA], in conjunction with the Times and JuiceFM, along with the Municipality of North Grenville. Aside from the competitions hosted in the Times, JuiceFM will take centre stage on July 1, as a way to reach the whole community at one time. Chris Walker of JuiceFM will be hosting the day’s programming, and the station has also sponsored the children’s colouring competition, which appeared in last
week’s newspaper. I asked Chris how the radio station got involved in the Canada Day’s events: “When this all started, and my first meeting with the KDCA was coming up, Wendy Embleton of the Association suggested that it might be great if I had a few ideas. I came up with a list of 19 different options that we could do during the day, from a radio perspective. As well as the usual local music, interviews with politicians like the Mayor, the MP, and
the MPP, the usual things you’d get on Canada Day, except funneled through the radio station. I thought that, now we can use social media, there are other options for us as well. We can produce the visual art, we can do the Canada Day thing. If we have contests, we can run that. And the whole Board were happy to get kids involved.” I pointed out that JuiceFM usually had a music format that didn’t include longer interviews and shows, and Chris indicated that a lot of thought had gone into the format for Canada Day: “At the time, there was an idea of doing a request show; but now that we’ve got a solid - and I mean a solid - 12 hours of programming, I didn’t think we could make the request show work. So, instead, we’ve gone with more local music than we had originally planned.” It was important, Chris felt, to go the extra mile (or hours) to honour the extra work being done by essential workers in the community: Most music shows on the station are 4-5 hours long, but “I wanted to go the full 12 hours in solidarity with all the first responders and everybody
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The North Grenville Times continued from front page that’s been working through covid-19. If these people are putting their lives on the line for us, if they’re putting in the work so that we all stay safe, the least we can do is put in 12 hours to, hopefully, entertain people on what’s going to be a mid-week day off. That’s
where the idea of the full 12 hours came from.” The station will be featuring 100% Canadian music from 6am until 12 pm, and will be live on air from 9am until 9pm. In between, there’s going to be some 4 or 5 minute interviews with the usual suspects: Mayor Peckford, Steve Clark, M.P.P., and Mi-
chael Barrett, M.P.. There’s going to be interviews with local bands and local musicians, as well as local musicians making it to air. “We have something musical set up for almost every half an hour in the second half of the day. I’ve spent ten years in radio, this is my fifth community I’ve lived in, and there’s
no place like North Grenville. It’s a beautiful community, filled with beautiful people who are always willing to throw their hats into the ring and do a bit of extra work for the betterment of the community.” For Chris, as for all of those involved in organising the Canada Day celebrations
Happy Canada Day from North Grenville Council
The Voice of North Grenville this year, there is genuine pleasure and fun in being able to bring this alternative celebration to the community. Chris puts it very well: “It’s a genuine honour and a privilege to wake up and, hopefully, educate and entertain this community, and to be able to work directly with
the community in this way for Canada Day just makes it so much more special. It’s going to be something that radio hasn’t seen in a very long time, and I am very happy indeed to be a part of it.”
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General Practice Corporate / Commercial Family Law/ Criminal law Estates Real Estate Wills & Powers of Attorney tom@tmblaw.ca 613.258.1277 222 Prescott St., Kemptville While Canada Day festivities will look different this year, we hope you will enjoy this wonderful holiday with family and friends, as we collectively celebrate our country and this incredible community we call home. Join us online at www. facebook.com/NorthGrenvilleCanadaDay to celebrate together (virtually)!
The Wishing Tree of Maplewood Park preciate the gracious old trees in our very own Maplewood Park. Our project is intended to celebrate these trees and our special park, as well as to lift our communal hearts and minds during these tumultuous and uncertain times. How to Participate Come to the park to write your wish (please bring a pen or other writing instrument). Paper and pegs will be provided in the gazebo to write and hang your wish. You can also write or draw or colour your wish at home and bring it to the park. You can show your wish to the world, or you can choose to fold it up – it’s your wish! You can put your name on it, or not. Examples will be hung to help guide you. Please be careful not to harm the tree when hanging
by Susanne Larner, Oxford Mills Community Association (OMCA) Make a wish. Write it down on a piece of paper. Fold it and peg it to a string found on the Wishing Tree. Ask your friends to do the same. Keep wishing - until the tree is covered with wishes. From June 27 to July 4, the OMCA is creating a project of hope in Maplewood Park. It’s called the Wishing Tree. Wishing trees are an old tradition found throughout history in many cultures and countries. Simply explained, they are specific, often revered, trees where people hang notes expressing their hopes or wishes. Trees are natural sanctuaries and have inspired humans since we have inhabited this earth. In Oxford Mills, we apJune 24, 2020
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THOMAS M. BYRNE Barrister and Solicitor
your wish. As an exciting bonus, we are also encouraging people to contribute uplifting public messages and artwork to our gazebo. Create a lightweight artwork on paper or cardboard and clip it to the strings hung about the gazebo. Follow the lead of the examples already hung up, but use your own individuality and creativity! Be kind and appropriate in your choices. Please use household supplies available to you. We ask that you follow current safety guidelines. Wash or sanitize your hands before participating, wear masks when necessary, and be mindful of distancing when you encounter your neighbours. May your hearts be light, your minds be clear, and may all your wishes come TRUE!
GUTKNECHT, Eric Leslie William Sepember 6, 1992 June 25,2010
Eric, son, Those weour love don’t we need to confess go away, We love youbeside more than they walk us youevery couldday. guess It painsunheard, us so Unseen, that you arenear; gone but always Our shining star that’s still loved, still missed always shone and very dear. Love Mom & Dad Visit
http://www.ericgutknechtbursary.ca/
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UNITED WE STAND
Happy Canada Day!
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Potentially Harmful Algal Blooms
Using face coverings
to health. Each property by the the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU) As the province is reopening, the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams, is will have a different water flow pattern, so a local as- recommending that “individuals wear a face covering where physical distancing is not possible, sessment is useful to further such as on public transit or in a small grocery store or pharmacy”. Check out the Province’s May 20, 2020 media release for more details. The province also created a poster for use in assess risk. Skin irritation is the first public settings. When choosing a mask, it is important to use one made of cloth; we need to reserve medisign that the level of toxin is significant in the water, so if cal masks for frontline health care workers, first responders and people who are ill and must this occurs, it is important leave their home. When you do need to go out in public, take a cloth face covering/mask with you so you not to go in the water. A few more days will help to clear can put it on when you are potentially in close contact with other people. the water if it is moving well, To Mask or Not to Mask There is guidance above that you can use to decide if you will wear a mask. As health ofunless another bloom has ficials have not made wearing a mask mandatory, it is important not to judge others for their occurred. The water in lakes and decisions. As always, we never know someone else’s whole story, so we all need to try our best rivers always has the po- to extend kindness and recognize how our words and actions can affect others. tential to be infected with Things to consider when making or obtaining a cloth face covering: bacteria, viruses, and other • It is made of at least two layers of tightly woven material. You can test out the fabric by trying to blow out a candle with it on. If you can, then it is too thin. microbes that can affect health. So it is important not • It can be cleaned multiple times without losing its shape. to swallow the water. Young • Fits securely with ties or ear loops. children are more likely to • Allows for easy breathing. Make sure it is not made of plastic or other non-breathable materials. swallow water, so it is critical to observe them carefully • Includes a pocket to accommodate a paper towel or disposable coffee filter for increased benefit. when in the water. Be cautious about eating • Has a different fabric on each side to easily identify which side faces your mouth and which side is out. fish caught in water where a harmful algae bloom has How to properly use face coverings: occurred. Toxins are concen- • When worn properly, a cloth face covering can reduce the spread of your own infectious respiratory droplets. trated in the liver. So avoid consuming the liver, kid- • Wash your hands before putting it on and taking it off. neys, and other organs of fish • Make sure it fits to cover your nose and mouth, without any gaps. caught in an area affected by • Don’t touch your face or face covering while wearing it. • Use your own face covering and don’t share it with others. potentially harmful algae. Algae exist in nature; • Clean surfaces that a dirty face covering touches. however, they rely on certain • Wash your face covering when slightly wet or dirty. conditions to grow. While • Put it directly into the washing machine or a bag that can be emptied into the washing machine. we cannot control many of • Wash with other items using a hot cycle with laundry detergent and dry thoroughly. Usthese conditions, we can ing Shared Laundry Facilities Factsheet. influence one of the factors that affect their growth: that • Wash your hands afterwards DS - colour + b/w Who should not use face coverings: is, the nutrients available to ADS - colour + b/w Children under the age of two them. You can help reduce Anyone who has trouble breathing nutrient levels entering the sociates Anyone who is unable to remove it without assistance. lake by reducing the use of ssociates Happy Canada Day household fertilizers, agricultural runoff, and ensuring Over 30 UNITED your septic system is in good Years of working order. Cabinet Residents are encourMaking aged to contact the Spills Experience Action Center at 1-800268-6060 to report any new 613.258.7851 potentially harmful algae 2464 River Rd. Kemptville WE STAND www.pineridgecabinets.com blooms. If possible, take pictures of an active bloom, as this may help identify the type of algae. This way the location and number of blooms can be monitored. For more information Real Estate • Wills & Estates • Corporate • Family Law Real Estate • Wills & Estates • Corporate • Family Law about harmful algal blooms, including blue green algae, PAUL A. JANSEN, B.A., LL.B. PAUL A. JANSEN, B.A., LL.B.Law Real Estate & Estates • Corporate • Family Law Law Real Estate • Wills & Estates • Corporate visit our Recreational Water Real Estate• Wills • Wills & Estates • Corporate • Family Real Estate • Wills & Estates• Family • Corporate • Family Law RACHEL S. JANSEN, B.Comm., J.D. RACHEL S. JANSEN, B.Comm., J.D. page or call 1-800-660-5853. PAUL A. JANSEN, JANSEN, B.A., LLB. LL.B. PAUL A. JANSEN, B.A., LL.B. Open Monday to Friday 8 am to 5:30 pm PAUL A. JANSEN, B.A., LL.B. PAUL A. JANSEN, B.A., LL.B. info@jansenlaw.com | TelJ.D. 613-258-7462 | Fax 613-258-7761 | Tel 613-258-7462 | Fax 613-258-7761 You can also RACHEL connect with us info@jansenlaw.com RACHEL S. JANSEN, JANSEN, B.Comm., B.Comm., J.D. S. JANSEN, B.Comm., J.D. RACHEL S. RACHEL S. JANSEN, B.Comm., J.D. RACHEL S. JANSEN, B.Comm., J.D. 714 Kilmarnock Road, Jasper, Ontario info@jansenlaw.com | Tel 613-258-7462 | Fax 613-258-7761 | Tel 613-258-7462 | Fax 613-258-7761 on Facebookinfo@jansenlaw.com and Twitter @ info@jansenlaw.com Tel |613-258-7462 / Fax 613-258-7761 info@jansenlaw.com Tel | Fax 613-258-7761 info@jansenlaw.com | Tel 613-258-7462 | FaxKemptville, 613-258-7761 215 Van Buren Street, P.O.613-258-7462 Box 820, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 215 Van Buren Street, P.O. Box 820, ON K0G 1J0 613-283-7444 LGLHealthUnit for impor215 Van Buren Street, P.O. Box 820, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 215 Van Buren Street, P.O. Box 820, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 215 Van Van Buren P.O. Box 820, Kemptville, ON K0G 215 BurenStreet, Street, P.O. Box 820, Kemptville, ON 1J0 K0G 1J0 215 Van Buren Street, P.O. Box 820, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 www.ogilviesauto.com tant public health updates. by the the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit Potentially harmful algal blooms, including blue green algae, are a natural seasonal phenomenon that may appear in our lakes, rivers, and ponds. Many of these blooms are relatively harmless; however, some species have the potential to produce toxins which may be harmful to people and animals. The presence of a harmful algal bloom and its toxins can only be confirmed through a laboratory test, so we recommend taking a cautious approach when you suspect a potentially harmful algal bloom. Toxins that can cause skin irritation, nausea and vomiting, and, in higher concentrations, liver problems, are released when the cells break down. The Health Unit advises people using surface water for recreation and drinking, to become familiar with potentially harmful algae so they can make informed decisions on when to avoid contact with the water. Algae blooms do degrade with time; however, it is not possible to say whether the toxins have completely left the area. Once the toxin
S - colour + b/w
ociates
is released from the cell, where it goes depends on the local characteristics of water movement in the area. The toxin will eventually be diluted into the body of water as any other soluble compound. Drinking Water: Surface water is never a safe source of drinking water without effective treatment. The toxins released by harmful algae are not removed by commonly used treatment methods such as boiling, chlorination, or ultraviolet light treatment. Surface water requires specialized treatment. Consult a water treatment specialist if your drinking water comes from the lake. You may want to choose another source of water for drinking. Recreational Water Use: Avoid activities that increase your exposure to toxins in the water during an active algae bloom. When deciding whether to resume recreational use of the water after a harmful algae bloom (swimming and water sports), consider the following factors: Faster moving water will dilute and move the toxins out of an area more quickly, further decreasing the risk
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Mayors Economic Recovery Alliance
In this unprecedented time, collaboration amongst municipalities is paramount. Mayors of the region’s 13 municipalities within the geographical boundaries of Leeds Grenville have formed the Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes Economic Recovery Alliance to minimize the adverse effect COVID-19 has had on business and redefine the needs to support economic recovery, sustainability and growth. Economic Task Teams will be working through the recovery phases on the following regional recovery priorities: Support for Business Re-openings Small Business Support and Transformation Local Business Marketing and Promotion Tourism Agriculture Manufacturing / Transportation and Logistics / Warehousing Workforce New Economy Needs, Trends and Opportunities Support for Business Re-openings: The Task Team focusing on Support for Business Reopenings has now developed signage templates that can be used in your store front to help build consumer awareness of what you doing to protect them. The Re-opening Checklist Sign is a fillable Adobe form that you can check off the boxes, add the number of customers and your phone number. This signage was developed along with the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit to comply with provincial guidelines. In addition a sign for Hours of Operation has also been developed for your use as well. It can be found at: https://files.constantcontact.com/786b46a2401/99de948ed791-47c1-92d5-3eb52ea80e93.pdf Additional health and safety information along with the local PPE supplier list is available on the Counties dedicated COVID-19 webpage: https://invest.leedsgrenville.com/en/ contacts-news-events/covid-19.aspx. Small Business Support and Transformation: The Task Team will be coming together to focus on support for Small Business in their recovery from this crisis and their transformation into the new economy. The Ontario government, in partnership with the federal government, has invested $57-million to help businesses create and enhance their online presence. The Digital Main Street platform has three new programs to support business digital transformation – shopHERE powered by Google, Digital Main Street Grant and Future-Proofing Main Street. Regional Relief and Recovery Funding (RRRF) Still Available! If you were thinking of applying for the RRRF, don’t wait and apply today - remaining funds now available are limited! This program provides up to a $40,000 conditionally repayable loan (interest free, 25% forgiveness available provided 75% of original loan amount is paid by December 31, 2022). Visit 1000 Islands CDC and Grenville CFDC for more information.
The Voice of North Grenville
Thank you from Michael Barrett, M.P.
During these trying times the residents of Leeds-GrenvilleThousand Islands and Rideau Lakes have risen to the challenge. They have made sacrifices and gone above and beyond to make the lives of their neighbours better and to keep our community safe. It would be impossible to list everyone who has emerged as a community hero, but I would like to highlight a few. Like Lily, an eight-year-old from Elgin who raised money for her local food bank by building and selling squirrel picnic tables. Or Louise Boardman from Spencerville who is making masks for long term care facilities and selling others to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Action Association. The Knights of Columbus in Prescott raised funds and are distributing some $27,000 to charitable groups throughout the region. And the Knights of Columbus in Kemptville are working overtime operating the local food bank. And who can forget our top-notch healthcare workers like Hannah and Mary at the Brockville COVID-19 testing site. It is the people that make Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes great. To everyone working to make a difference, and all our essential workers, thank you.
Site plan for Comfort Inn presented to council
by Hilary Thomson The site plan for the new Comfort Inn in Kemptville was presented to council at the meeting on June 16. The hotel, which has been in the works for some time, is planned for 320 Ryan’s Well Drive, right across the street from the Canadian Tire in the Colonnade retail centre. The lot is currently empty, with no mature vegetation, so there will be no need to clear the area for construction. The four-story hotel will have 74 suites and a meeting room for up to 55 people. There will be 87 parking spots, with three accessible units, and a bike rack for cyclists. The site plan also includes 1.8m of sidewalk along Ryan’s Well Drive. Council was unanimous in saying that the Comfort Inn will be a great addition to the community. However, concern was expressed about pedestrian and cyclist safety in the centre. “It’s not safe right now,” Mayor Nancy Peckford said. “It seems imperative that there would need to be some safety provisions.” Director of Public Works, Karen Dunlop, said that connectivity in Colonnade is something that they continue to discuss. They are looking at making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists through controlled intersections, crosswalks, sidewalks, and even a PXO system. Karen also noted that the County is also looking at putting lights at Ryan’s Well Drive and County Road 19, but is waiting until the number of cars at the intersection meet a certain threshold before investing in traffic signals. “We will see if a hotel will bring it up to that trigger point,” Karen said. Council also agreed that safe access to the Rail Trail and Old Town Kemptville from the new hotel is extremely important, especially if Comfort Inn is planning on advertising themselves as a bike friendly destination. “We would really want to promote access to Old Town Kemptville, the Rail Trail and Waterfront Trail,” Councillor Doreen O’Sullivan said. “It’s definitely a priority.” North Grenville Planner, David Nanton, said they will be bringing all of council’s comments back to the applicant to fine tune the site plan. There is still lots of time for changes, as construction is not projected to start until late Fall 2021. “We will leave it up to staff to see if they can find some creative solutions,” Mayor Nancy Peckford said.
UPDATE UPDATE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
The Municipality has created a dedicated webpage for updates related to COVID-19 (www.northgrenville. ca/coronavirus)
GARAGE SALES
Garage sales are now permitted under strict guidelines. Please visit www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus for more information. Signage is NOT permitted in traffic circles or attached to traffic signs. Please ensure signage is removed after your sale.
NORTH GRENVILLE MUNICIPAL OFFICE REOPENS
The Municipal Office is now open to the public with new hours (9:00 am - 4:00 pm). This decision is in response to the latest announcement by Premier Ford giving our region the green light to move into Stage 2 of the Province’s reopening plan. Residents and businesses can continue to access Municipal services by phone, email and online. For more information visit www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus
SWIMMING POOL ENCLOSURES
Swimming pool enclosures in North Grenville are regulated by By-Law 32-98, as amended. This includes all above-ground and in-ground pools. Copies of this by-law are available from the Building Department or the Municipal website. For further information please contact the Building Department at kpulfer@ northgrenville.on.ca or 613-258-9569 Ext. 130.
NORTH GRENVILLE TRANSFER STATION
699 Crozier Rd., Oxford Mills HOURS OF OPERATION Tuesday 9 am – 4 pm Friday 9 am – 4 pm Saturday 9 am – 4 pm * North Grenville Residents ONLY- Please have ID ready * Maximum 5 vehicles in the site at a time * Please use your debit card & TAP if possible
The Municipality of North Grenville
285 County Rd. 44, PO Box 130, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca Building: 613-258-9569 x130 Fax: 613-258-1441 Fire Services Info: 613-258-9569 x201 Fax: 613-258-1031 By-Law Services: 613-258-9569 x204 Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002
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Local Food Infrastructure Fund initiative
The Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF) is a five-year, $50 million initiative ending March 31, 2024. The program is part of the Government of Canada’s Food Policy which is Canada’s roadmap for a healthier and more sustainable food system in Canada. The LFIF objective is to strengthen food systems and to facilitate access to safe and nutritious food for at-risk populations. The LFIF's objectives are to: improve access to safe, healthy and culturally-diverse food while promoting community development support local economies improve health outcomes for Canadians most at-risk promote environmentally sustainable food systems The fund supports community-based, not-for-profit organizations to improve their food systems through investments in infrastructure that are directly related to addressing food insecurities and increasing the accessibility of healthy, nutritious, and ideally, local foods within their community. Applications for Phase 2 of the program are now being accepted. For more information, or to apply, go to the Local Food Infrastructure Fund: Step 3 link at: www.agr.gc.ca/eng/ agricultural-programs-and-services.
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Editorial
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The Voice of North Grenville
We’ll meet again by David Shanahan As we approach what may be the strangest Canada Day of our lives, there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel we’ve been going through the last few months. Life appears to be returning to something closer to normal, and there’s a sense that the worst may be past. There’s an interesting paradox involved here, though. We want everything to return to what we find comforting and familiar, yet a few weeks ago we were saying that things would never be the same again: that we wouldn’t take things for granted anymore, we’d be better, protect the environment, continue to be aware of others and their needs, etc. In my work as an historian, I’ve come across similar situations in the past. Times of crisis bring out the
best (and worst) in people and societies, and there’s a hope that, once the crisis is past, the world will be a better place because of all we’ve learned. “There’ll be bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover, tomorrow, just you wait and see”, as the lately departed Vera Lynn sang during WWII. The bluebirds came back, but the rationing remained, along with the Cold War, the atomic bomb, and the rest of that bloody century. Am I trying to be depressing? No, but society has developed a very shallow character over the past decades, one in which people are never really honest for very long. We emphasise the phenomenon that Joseph Conrad wrote about in Heart of Darkness, and which was later adapted as the theme of the film “Apocalypse Now”: there is a thin veneer of “civilisation” we place over a deep well of anger, hatreds,
Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, Interesting to read Steve Clark’s explanations regarding the disingenuousness of this provincial government. Let me begin with Hydro rates. He says they haven’t gone up, and that all they are doing is being honest. Fair enough. You may not be paying directly for this subsidy, but they have done nothing about bringing down the high cost of hydro, and have added $231 million to the bill by cancelling wind and solar contracts. So just where do you think this money is coming from to pay for this subsidy? This is a Conservative government, so it obviously is going to come from service cuts. That’s all they know how to do. As for the suspension of our Environmental Bill of Rights so that this govern-
ment can cut “red tape,” the “red tape” is there for a reason, to prevent the unbridled destruction of things that many of us care about. This latest cutting of “red tape” has meant the paving over of 3 wetlands in Vaughan, (wetlands are needed for flood control, but then, Ford cut the Conservation Authorities flood control budgets, so obviously, wetlands, and the flooding that they help control, don’t matter to this government), and of farmland in Markham, and those are just what I know of. This is why our democracy has been suspended, because the “red tape” could have prevented the construction industry from paving over wildlife habit, and land where we grow the food that feeds us. I have to ask just why other, less sensitive areas, couldn’t
competitiveness, that never really goes away for long. Society depends on us channelling that side of things in a positive way. And we’ve seen that most recently in the anti-racist protests that broke out all around the world, a wonderful uprising of righteous anger against the systemic racism that murders, physically and spiritually, and apparently without remorse or consequences. Now, can we regular citizens manage to direct that to our own country? Instead of directing it solely against violence in the police forces, can we finally focus our righteous anger against the systemic racism of Canada in its relations with the indigenous people who have lived under legalised oppression for so long? Will we stop blaming the victims of our neglect and uncaring ignorance, and begin the long and difficult road to
justice and, perhaps, institute a policy of civilisation of Canadian society? There’s another injustice and crime against our people that demands a more immediate response, not only in Canada, it seems, but in many countries hit by this pandemic. In the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark region, Covid-19 has taken the lives, at recent count, of 52 men and women. Each week, we’ve been publishing a Local Covid-19 update in this paper, and the statistics have been troubling in one major respect. Of those 52 deaths, 49 took place in long-term care homes. We in North Grenville and Merrickville-Wolford have been saved from this terrible experience, and genuine credit and thanks goes to the care homes and retirement homes in our communities. But this devastation which has taken place among seniors in these facilities, not just in
Ontario, but around the world, demands an accounting. The report of the military on Ontario long-term care facilities was staggering in its findings, and no government can legitimately claim not to be responsible to some extent. This needs to be looked into as soon as is practical, and steps taken to end the abuses and maladministration that has caused such a dreadful toll on the most vulnerable. How long has this been going on, why was it allowed to continue? In Britain, for example, inquiries revealed that thousands of patients in hospitals were sent back to care homes to make beds available for the expected rush of covid cases. But they were sent back without being tested, and just brought the disease back with them. A lack of PPE and trained medical staff added to the disaster. This needs to be looked into. Every country
have been used. Could it be that the construction industry is a big financial supporter of the Conservative Party, so this is all about money? Theirs. I have just noticed a report that Canadian businesses, on average, stopped paying taxes for the year on the morning of January 7, 2020. Absurd, particularly as we keep electing governments that allow them to get away with this. And please don’t trot off that tired adage that we have to give corporations tax breaks for them to create jobs. It has never happened. For the most part, their tax breaks go straight into offshore tax havens. I couldn’t help but notice that Steve Clark’s response to my letter left out any comments on his government’s attempts to hide the cost of
repairing the nuclear reactors at the Bruce Power station. Why we are still looking at nuclear when we can buy cheap hydro power from Quebec, and when the cost of solar and wind options has dropped dramatically, defies logic. There is also a plan to increase the use of gas fired electricity by 300% by 2025, meaning that the destructive practice of fracking will only get worse. This is why we need the watchdogs that we have, and why the Ford government is doing its best to get rid of them, so that the public doesn’t know what this government is doing behind their backs. For all the rhetoric that comes from the Ford government, their policies are nothing more than giving free reign to the wealthy, at the expense of the rest of us. It never has been a government for the people, because it has never included the poor, the disabled, or the disadvantaged, or, for that matter, the rest of us who don’t qualify as “wealthy”. It beats me why Ford currently has a 69% approval rating. It is amazing how many people think that he is doing a good job, just because they see him on TV almost every day. It just goes to prove that you can fool most of the people most of the time. When you consider that he cut health care budgets and nursing home inspections, told everyone, on March 12th, at the start of the pandemic, to
“go and have fun” on March break, had insufficient PPE to protect our frontline workers, insufficient ventilators, testing, and contact tracing, it proves that people simply aren’t paying attention. Then on top of all this, Ford adds insult to injury by suspending our right to challenge his policies. We have also seen similar actions in Alberta with Ford’s buddy Jason Kenney doing the same thing. I guess that it is a Conservative thing. Current political wisdom says that only 5% of the people are paying attention at any given time, and it isn’t always the same 5%. Small wonder that politicians get away with the things they do. Of course, if we had proportional representation as a way to elect governments, then we wouldn’t have the abuse that we are currently seeing. You can see something similar to that going on in Ottawa right now with a minority government, where no one party can do whatever they want. Then again, that’s why the two main parties in this country don’t want proportional representation. Colin Creasey, Kemptville.
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TIMES
Editor Staff Reporter Accounting David Shanahan cfo@ngtimes.ca Hilary Thomson david@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735 hilary@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735 June 24, 2020
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Dear Editor, Thanks to Steve Clark for his informative response to Colin Creasey’s typical overheated, fact-free tirade of three weeks ago. If it was not apparent to readers before, it must surely be clear by now that Mr. Creasey’s political
will have to examine the steps taken, and not taken, and the timing of decisions too, to see what can be learned. It is not just a matter of dealing with an unprecedented situation, because there were warnings, there were programs in place that were dismantled before they could be used. It would be easy to not talk about this just before Canada Day. It will be far too easy to go back to blissful ignorance at some point. But that is a trap and a delusion. Learn from the past. Vera Lynn sang: “There'll be love and laughter, and peace ever after, tomorrow, when the world is free”. Hardly describes what really happened since 1945, does it? We’ve seen what people can do when they stand up for justice. But it doesn’t stop with protests and anger and demands: it requires action and commitment as we go forward. So, to add to what has been the usual sign-off here, we’ll quote another song and see what it means: because this, too, shall pass, We shall overcome. Oh, Canada! We stand on guard for thee. That means the people of Canada, without whom Canada means very little. We stand on guard to ensure that this is a land that takes care of its most vulnerable. Let’s not forget them once all this is past.
allegiance clouds his vision to a great degree. One can certainly make the facts up if one so chooses in a weak attempt at fiction. But in the real world one needs facts. Mr. Creasey’s article could have been so much better. He was certainly right to underline the temptation troubling times pose for politicians to enhance their power and to engage in over-reach for more power. That is, unfortunately, what so many politicians do when opportunity presents itself. I commend Mr. Creasey for his interest in warning citizens about this at the particular time of challenge posed by the Covid-19 crisis. He is correct in this basic approach. At least, I believe he is. But one must get the examples right. Keep your eyes on the government of Ontario, Mr. Creasey, for real examples. At the same time, you and other alert and watchful citizens may wish to extend continued on next page www.ngtimes.ca
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Letters continued your field of oversight to the actions of the federal government as well – to its attempts to extend its spending without parliamentary supervision and control until the end of 2021; to its successful attempts to sideline the federal parliament and ensure that the PM’s daily commentaries represent the entirety of federal politics for some time to come. And so on. Finally, government overreach is a real and growing problem. It is not limited to one party or level of government. If we can’t rid ourselves of petty party affiliations in assessing such problems, we will not be able to adequately deal with it. Can we do that? Jim Bertram Dear Editor, I’m writing in response to the piece entitled “Fundamentals of Journalism” by Victor Lachance in the June 10, 2020 edition of the North Grenville Times. I agree with Victor Lachance that the North Grenville Times is an asset to our community. With the demise of many small local newspapers, the paper plays a crucial role in keeping the residents of North Grenville informed about what’s going on in the community. I therefore hesitate to be critical. Now that the subject has been raised, however, I have to say that I have always been annoyed and disturbed and by David Shanahan’s “articles” proclaiming his religious beliefs. I feel that these articles take away from the paper’s credibility and are not in keeping with the rest of the paper’s content. I think I can safely say that Victor Lachance and myself are not the only readers who find them distasteful. As far as the question:
“Can an Editor not express an opinion in his or her own paper?”, I agree with Victor Lachance that he or she certainly can (perhaps not so frequently or at such length), provided that it’s identified as an opinion. Perhaps a column could be started for a discussion of matters of personal religious or spiritual beliefs. It could be called something like “What I Believe” and readers could be invited to submit their opinions on the subject. This would acknowledge that there are many different beliefs and that we are all entitled to them. David Shanahan’s faith is obviously strong, but his views are not shared by all readers of the North Grenville Times, myself included. Personally, I don’t think that any religious beliefs can be proven and that a newspaper is not the place to sermonize. We need to keep an open mind and respect the faith and beliefs of others. Jennifer Charles Oxford Mills To the honourable Steve Clark, I hope you are well during these challenging times. As you know, high school graduations throughout the province are postponed until further notice. This year is a special year in Kemptville regardless of the restrictions. This year is the year that our French catholic high school proudly celebrates our first graduates from l’Académie catholique Notre-Dame! I am writing you today as a parent who solicited your help in making this dream come true. As a past school board trustee, I know that you have always supported our children and our families. I have no right speaking on behalf of any parent today,
but I’m certain they would concur when I say thank you. Thank you for believing that our kids could grow and learn in our community. Thank you for listening to every parent and presenting our petition to Queen’s Park. Thank you for continuing to support our community as it grows on the Kemptville Campus. Merci d’être là pour nous. Best regards, Anouk Dear Editor, Thank you for “Who won the War of 1812". Very important, in my opinion, to underdstand just how that went down. Laura Secord was a hero. Also, it appears, that the Britidsh Commander, James Fitzgibbon, was a very wise Irishman and a hero. We should be paying homage to Techumseh, of course. It is definitely a blight on us that have British heritage to turn on those people who saved us, stealing their lands, and we still have no respect for what little they do have left. Think pipelines. Not in my back yard. Think residential schools and how Sir John A, and others, destroyed their lives for the most part. They are still struggling with horrible social injustices. A very close relative of mine once referred to a young woman in Ottawa, who the police “very roughly” took down in the Byward Market, and handcuffed and was treated very badly, which, in my opinion, appeared unjustified. The person referred to her as the “garbage of society”. I think she was indigenous. We have a lot to learn. Thank you, David, for teaching us. It’s difficult. Some of us do not learn so well. Kath Piché
Dear Editor, You requested comments regarding the Fundamentals of Journalism articles in the June 10 edition of the NG Times. I will write a brief message in support of your articles on the Fundamentals of Christianity. I have followed these articles for many years and have enjoyed your perspectives on the details of Christianity as you have shared them with us. I find your willingness to share your faith publicly is inspirational, rather than lacking in integrity. I am a Christian (Catholic) and that may give me a biased opinion toward favouring these articles over one who professes to belong to a different faith tradition, or one who identifies as agnostic, or atheist. I am not an expert on journalistic integrity, but I see no harm in these articles. No one is being forced to read the articles and one certainly does not have to agree with them. I hope you continue to write these articles. I hope too, that individuals who disagree may be given the freedom to share their ideas with us, as Mr. Lachance did. Thanks, Tony Camillone
A Thank You song
Thank You All
by David Shanahan Arthur McGregor is a well-known and respected musician in these parts, and the founder of the late lamented Ottawa Folklore Centre. Like so many others, he has been affected by covid-19 in a very personal way. His mother, aged 91, is living in an assisted living home in Mississauga. Because of lockdown restrictions, Arthur has not been able to visit her in person for some time, but he and partner, Wendy Moore, have been using Zoom to keep in touch. A request from his mother inspired Arthur and Wendy to write a special thank you song for frontline workers. As Arthur explains: “For her birthday, we Zoomed her a performance of our songs that she loves. The show lasted about a half hour. At the end, she asked if I could write a song about the people who have been helping her through this tough, lonely time. So I did. It’s called ’Thank You All’ and it’s dedicated to all the front line workers.” You can listen to the song here: https://youtu.be/IijuuMYo4Ys
We’ve got to thank you all For answering the call Keeping covid to a crawl You’re keeping us safe We all think you’re fine You’re standing at the front line Not trying to get a headline Just giving folks their breathing space Doctors, nurses and corner store clerks Care staff, cooks and postal workers Paramedics, police, folks who stock the shelves, The people helping those who can’t help themselves. Fire fighters, mental health and addiction counsellors Grocery staff, cleaners and food servers Folks who drive the buses and deliver our goods Custodians, shelter staff, in our neighbourhoods…..
June 24, 2020
words: Arthur McGregor and Wendy Moore, Music: Arthur McGregor
TO EVERY ESSENTIAL WORKER… 8
The Voice of North Grenville
Lieutenant Governor’s Canada Day message
Happy Canada Day, Ontario! Today is a day worthy of celebration, even as, in common with citizens around the globe, we continue to face a crisis virtually unknown to living generations. The world has been turned on its head. My first thoughts are with those who have succumbed to COVID-19, and their families. The stories of the last few months tell of hardship and inequality. They have exposed weaknesses in the economic and social systems upon which we rely, and have confirmed our interdependence with those beyond our neighbourhoods and our country. We grieve collectively. But in equal measure, we are witnessing empathy, collaboration, creativity, and courage. Deserving of special gratitude are the many frontline workers who are bravely leading us through this crisis, and also the millions of people across Ontario, especially seniors, who are, at great personal cost, doing the right thing and staying home to prevent the spread of the virus. We see all orders of government working in common cause, making evidence-based decisions; businesses and industries demonstrating ingenuity as they retool; civil society empowered by digital tools to nurture cohesive communities; scientists and researchers racing with single focus to develop a vaccine; and arts and cultural organizations, in solidarity and kindness, bringing moments of awe and wonder into our homes. There is an unmistakable hunger for normalcy. As we all do our part in the coming months to envision what a “better normal” could be, let us dare to dream of a world that works for everyone. Perhaps the first step is to listen to those who are hurting and to engage in thoughtful and respectful conversations about what we have learned and what needs to change. As Her Majesty The Queen’s representative in Ontario, I pay tribute to Indigenous people who have stewarded these lands for thousands of years and countless generations. There is inspiration in the special relationship between First Peoples and the Crown. May we also pay attention to people from all walks of life, including those marginalized and impoverished, who continue to raise their voices in support of social and economic justice. We all deserve to live with dignity. Throughout this journey, I have been reassured and inspired by you, the people of Ontario. Together you have demonstrated uncommon generosity of spirit and an exceptional drive for resilience. Ours is a caring nation. It is together that we will save lives and livelihoods. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. And that is why, in the midst of adversity, we celebrate the promise of Canada.
Due to the Ontario government’s COVID19 restrictions, the annual cemetery service at St. Mathew Presbyterian Cemetery at East Oxford is cancelled for June 28th, 2020. The cemetery remains open for visitation of family and friends. www.ngtimes.ca
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COVID-19
Information for North Grenville Residents A State of Emergency in North Grenville has been extended to June 30 Reopening Ontario – Stage 2
If you have questions or concerns related to COVID-19:
Our region was given the green light to move into Stage 2 of the Province’s reopening plan, which allows more businesses and outdoor recreational amenities to become more available to the public. Learn more at:www.ontario/covid.
Please contact the Health Unit at 1-800-660-5853 or online at www.healthunit.org.
Dog Licences
North Grenville Municipal Office is Open (9:00 am - 4:00 pm)
Renew your annual dog license before the scheduled rate increase goes into effect in July, 2020. You can renew online at: ng.licensing.pet.
In an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19, residents are encouraged to make payments online, by mail or locked mailbox, and call ahead to make an appointment for services.
Local Business Support #LoveNG More businesses continue to re-open. For an up-to-date list and to show your support visit: www.LoveNG.ca.
Please note the new guidelines as we welcome you into the building: 1. Temporary kiosks have been set up in the downstairs lobby. 2. There is a limit of 1 person at the kiosk at a time. 3. Follow the markers to maintain a 2-metre (6-foot) distance. We appreciate your patience and co-operation during this transition.
The Municipality’s priority is the health and safety of our residents. Visit www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus. Contact us at: 285 County Road 44, Kemptville ~ Telephone: 613-258-9569 ~ Email: general@northgrenville.on.ca ~ www.northgrenville.ca
Thank you for doing your part to help stop the spread of COVID-19: 2m (6’)
Maintain 2m distance.
Wear a mask if 2m distance is difficult.
Do not gather in groups of more than 10.
Continue to wash your hands often.
Stay home whenever possible.
HAPPY CANADA DAY
NORTH GRENVILLE! June 24, 2020
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HISTORICAL TOUR COMPETITION 1
Prizes awarded, identify these locations in North Grenville and WIN. Send in your answers to david@ngtimes.ca all prizes awarded will be from local businesses. Three prizes will be drawn from successful submissions
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Nestle Down B&B
Dr. C.L. Eamon
Happy Canada Day
Happy Canada Day North Grenville! Ellen & Allison Miller 613-258-7778
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Optometrist
NOW Re-opened!
ellen.allison_miller@xplornet.ca www.bbcanada.com/nestledown 4101 Highway 43 E Kemptville, Ont.K0G
y p p a H y a D a d Cana
NOW more than ever, respiratory wellness is imperative! Come see us today! 2727 County Rd. 43, Kemptville info@saltastic.ca www.saltastic.ca
613.215.0644
A Message to the Grads of 2020 from Mayor Peckford
Dear Class of 2020,
On behalf of my Council colleagues, I would like to congratulate all of our 2020 North Grenville graduates. This is not likely the graduation that you had imagined. Some of you may be quietly relieved to be freed from the angst of prom night and other formalities. Many others of you are, no doubt, deeply disappointed to lose out on the celebrations and the closure that come with an important graduation such as this one. But the reality is that this pandemic will offer you invaluable learnings – in how to be resilient, in adapting
to change, in adjusting your expectations and, equally important, using technology for the good of our communities, the country and the world. As you embark upon your next adventure in life, I humbly offer you three pieces of advice during these unprecedented times: 1. Be Nimble - As many of you already know, life doesn’t always work out as you had hoped. Sometimes, there are as many disappointments as thetr are delights. But the truth is - as one door closes, another opens. Always remember this. There is a
way forward. Learn to think outside the box, stay focused on your goals, and do what makes you feel alive and hopeful about the world. 2. Be Collaborative - As Mayor, I have learned that collaboration is key. You simply cannot get stuff done alone. The team you join or the team you build up will be crucial to your success. True teamwork requires honesty, self-awareness, flexibility and the capacity to see what makes others tick. These are often learned skills and they are worth the time and investment.
212 Van Buren St.
3. Be Kind – Quite simply, it pays to be kind. Power and wealth have their limits. Kindness does not. I have seen time and time again that when we treat others like we wish to be treated, good things happen. Of course, boundaries are critically important. You must start by being kind to yourself - but if you can act from a place of compassion, for yourself, others, and particularly those you may not like or understand, it will make the world of difference. And the world will be better as a consequence. Congratulations Grads of 2020! You are more powerful than you may realize right now. Each and every one of you will shape how this century will turn out. As individuals, you deserve a life free of prejudice and fear, and the opportunity to be your best self. While this has been a most unexpected year, I fully expect that you will take your place in the world - and succeed. We are counting on you! I can’t wait to see what you accomplish next. Sincerely, Mayor Nancy Peckford, North Grenville
613.258.7438
Grahame's Bakery CELEBRATING 60 YEARS IN BUSINESS
115 Clothier St. E., Kemptville
613.258.2317
www.grahamesbakery.com
y Happda Cana y! Da
Happy Canada Day
275 County Rd. 44, Kemptville 613-258-0110 info@seedlingnursery.com info@fergusontreenursery.ca www.seedlingnursery.com www. FergusonTreeNursery.ca
Happy Canada Day! Day!
Stay Safe
Stay Strong
PHONE: (613) 258-1262 EMAIL: Info@rbheating.com June 24, 2020
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Canada Day greetings from the Merrickville-Wolford Council
Sustainable Merrickville-Wolford focus on local food sustainability
Although Canada Day may look a little different this year, the Mayor and Council of the Village of Merrickville-Wolford wishes everyone a safe and happy Canada Day and encourages one and all to show their national pride for this great country we are fortunate enough to call home.
Beth Donovan Hospice continues to serve Clients by Sue Walker, Executive Director, Beth Donovan Hospice On March 12, the Beth Donovan Hospice held its last in-person day of the Day Hospice program, and the next day locked its doors to the public due to COVID19. However, this did not mean that programs and services came to a halt, quite the contrary in fact. The next week, plans were in place to have the bereavement counsellor do phone sessions and video counselling online via Zoom, the volunteers that were doing In-Home visiting were all converted to calling clients a minimum of once per week to ensure their safety and combat isolation, and medical equipment continued to be lent to those in need via outdoor pick up. Perhaps most impressive of all, was that the staff behind the locked doors shifted to preparing hot meals, once per week, for all of the Day Hospice clients, and having volunteers deliver them June 24, 2020
to clients’ doors. Many of these clients live alone or with an elderly spouse/ caregiver, and do not always get a hot meal, so they were truly grateful to know that, each week, they would receive one. Also included in the weekly deliveries are activities for the clients to do to combat boredom and to keep them engaged with the other clients and volunteers. The volunteers delivering the meals were also doing wellness checks on clients living alone to ensure their safety. This will continue until the clients can return to the in person program later in the year. The hospice also worked with the Knights of Columbus to identify clients in need of grocery deliveries. It was so inspiring to see so many people work together to help others. Two volunteers contacted the hospice and began making masks for the staff, clients, and the volunteers to wear, and they continue to make more to ensure an adequate supply. The Outcare Foundation
funded an industrial steamer to clean returned medical equipment to ensure supplies remained intact, and also to ensure the safety of anyone borrowing. Ongoing training for volunteers has continued via Zoom for the past six weeks, including coping techniques, safety measures, art therapy, and body mechanics. The community of North Grenville has, once again, shown how amazing and giving it is, and, especially during these trying times, to support those who need it the most.
Help Support Your Local Businesses
SHOP
LOCAL
by Hilary Thomson Sustainable Merrickville-Wolford is focusing their efforts on sustainable food production during the summer months. Group leader, Michèle Andrews, says they have continued to support the Merrickville Emergency Food Cupboard at the Health Centre by rallying volunteers and donors. In the last two months, the community has raised thousands of dollars, nearly 5,000 pounds of food, and created a list of volunteers to help Community Health Worker, Joanne McIntyre, who coordinates the Food Cupboard. In May, Sustainable MerrickvilleWolford was also able to procure a collection of plant starts, seeds, soil, and pots, which they donated to Food Cupboard clients. “That went over really well too,” Michèle says. Sustainable Merrickville-Wolford has also fully launched their Grow-A-Row campaign, which is a national initiative that encourages people to grow fresh produce in their gardens and donate a portion of the harvest to assist in feeding the hungry in their community. Several other local community groups have already committed to participating in the campaign, including the Merrickville Artists Guild (MAG), Theatre Night in Merrickville, the Merrickville and District Chamber of Commerce, and the MAD Gardeners. MAG has arranged to plant one of the Lions Club garden plots, with all the harvest going to the Merrickville Food Cupboard, and Mayor Doug Struthers has committed to participating in the campaign with his own home garden. “I am hoping we will get some people to do some fun things on Facebook, sharing photos and stories of what they are doing to grow a row,” Michèle says. Michele works for Maitland Tower, just south of Merrickville, who has also signed on to the campaign. They just finished planting over 2,000 square feet of new garden beds, and will be donating all the harvest to local food banks and other organizations supporting those who are experiencing food insecurity. Sustainable Merrickville-Woflord’s hope is that the Grow-a-Row campaign will get people talking about food security, local food, and food sustainability. “I would love to think that we could define our ‘new normal’ to include people helping each other have access to local healthy food,” Michèle says. “I am hoping to get a little attention on this at the county level.” For more information about Sustainable Merrickville-Wolford and how you can help the community move towards a sustainable future, visit their new website www.sustainablemw.org.
STANDING TOGETHER Happy Canada Day
Kemptville Eye Exam Clinic
Kemptville Mall
613.258.2700 12
FAMILY LAW CIVIL LITIGATION WILLS & ESTATES 613 713 3371
info@pburgerlaw.com
pburgerlaw.com
216B PRESCOTT ST PO BOX 423 KEMPTVILLE, ON K0G 1J0
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Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much
Hello
Merrickville-Wolford
Happy Canada Day 2020! Here we are on the cusp of Canada Day – July 1st, 2020. Traditionally a time when we as a community gather to celebrate and share our sense of pride, that sense of greatness that Canada is – that we as residents of Merrickville-Wolford are! Traditions: the Night Shirt Parade; Canada Day Parade, noon hour ceremonies at the Blockhouse Park, afternoon Music in the Park, BBQ and bicycle parade in Easton’s Corners, evening Music at the Fairgrounds – 10:00 pm fireworks! Yes, we do know how to celebrate Canada Day. This year will be different. And yet we can celebrate – safely with a wee bit of thought and creativity. Whether it be a family gathering, an appropriate social distancing gathering – we can celebrate together…. by not being together.
Happy Canada Day!
South Gower Business Park
#2 Industrial Rd., 3km East of Hwy 16
613.258.7464 kwandk@bellnet.ca
Shane Koyczan’s epic poem – “We are More” – surely will motivate us to celebrate and be proud:
“Define Canada!
You might say the home of the Rocket Or the Great One Who inspired little No. 9s and little No. 99s But we’re more than just hockey and fishing lines Off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes And some say what defines us Is something as simple as ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ And as for ‘your welcome’, well, we say that, too But we are more than genteel or civilized We are an idea in the process of being realized We are young, we are cultures strung together then woven into a tapestry And the design is what makes us more than the sum totals of our history We are an experiment going right for a change With influences that range from A to Zed And yes, we say ‘Zed’ instead of ‘Zee’ We are the brightness of Chinatown and the laughter of Little Italy We dream so big that there are those Who would call our ambition an industry We reforest what we clear Because we believe in generations beyond our own Knowing now that so many of us Have grown past what we used to be We can stand here today Filled with all the hope people have
When they say things like ‘someday’ Because we are more Than a laundry list of things to do and places to see More than hills to ski Or countryside ponds to skate We are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can’t wait We are the first-rate greasy spoon diners and healthy living cafes A country that is all the ways you choose to live A nation that can give you variety Because we are choices We are millions upon millions of voices Shouting, keep exploring We are more We are the surprise the world has in store for you, it’s true Canada is the ‘what’ in ‘what’s new’ So don’t let your luggage define your travels Each life unravels differently And experiences are what make up The colours of our tapestry We are the true North Strong and free And what’s more Is that we didn’t just say it We made it be”
G N I D R E N H STA GET TO THOMAS M. BYRNE Barrister and Solicitor
tom@tmblaw.ca
613.258.1277
222 Prescott St., Kemptville
Canada Day 2020 – our 153rd Birthday Let us all embrace this special occasion and celebrate – be thankful for what we as a community and as a country do individually and collectively, what we mean so much to one another. Happy Canada Day! -Mayor Struthers
STAYING STRONG
Happy Canada Day
TOGETHER KEMPTVILLE DIVISION
4054 County Road 43, Kemptville
613.258.3612
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ign s o t et g r o f Don't up for this s pecial event
GooseChase Scavenger Hunt
North Grenville Trivia for Canada Day 2020 1. How many mayors has North Grenville had? Name them. 2. How many municipalities joined to make North Grenville? 3. When did Kemptville celebrate its centenary? 4. Which Kemptville native became Premier of Ontario? 5. What year did the Bytown and Prescott Railway arrive in Kemptville? 6. There were two railway stations serving Kemptville before 1970. Where were they? 7. What once stood on the green space at Clothier Street East and James Street? 8. How many Concessions are there in North Grenville? 9. What is the oldest church building in North Grenville, though perhaps no longer used as a church? 10. One family founded both Kemptville and Oxford Mills. Who were they? 11. Wilson’s Inn was an overnight stop for the stagecoach between Ottawa and Prescott. Where is it? 12. Where was the Oxford Snie and what happened to it? (Yes, Snie!) 13. When did the first newspaper open in what is now North Grenville and what was its name? 14. What was the original name of Beckett’s Landing and why? Prizes awarded, if you can answer these questions. Send in your answers to david@ngtimes.ca all prizes awarded will be from local businesses. Three prizes will be drawn from successful submissions
June 24, 2020
WHO: You, your family or a team of friends WHAT: Canada Day 2020 Scavenger Hunt using GooseChase app (Game code: QMG1ZG) WHEN: Canada Day 2020, July 1, anytime between 10am – 3pm WHERE: At home or in the community! HOW: More details below Social distancing has never been easier, or so much fun! Download the free GooseChase app on any device. You can even do that now to get set up. You don't have to share any personal information. You just need an e-mail to sign up. Enter the game code: QMG1ZG and pick a username as your team name. Then just wait for the game to start. When the game begins, complete as many missions as you can to get as many points as possible. To complete a mission, select it from the list and follow the instructions to receive the allotted points. Sometimes you’ll be submitting a photo or video, while other times you’ll be checking-in at a specific location or solving a puzzle or riddle. Remember that, while you receive the points right away, all submissions are subject to review by the organizer. Sometimes you’ll even get bonus points if your submission is extra impressive! Here are a few sample missions: • Brilliant! Snap a shot of you or a teammate standing under a lightbulb, as if coming up with a brilliant idea. • Who was the first Prime Minister of Canada? • Take a video of yourself or team member singing O Canada. • GPS the location that has used a wood burning oven for 135 years. You’ll have the ability to track opponents and see everything as it happens. Whenever someone completes a mission, it’s added to the activity feed and the rankings are automatically updated. At any given moment, you know exactly how you’re doing and what needs to be done to win. The game is completely private and no e-mail information will be shared. You just have to agree to share your camera with the app. There are over 100 prizes from local businesses to be won, including 1st, 2nd and 3rd place grand prize winners and individual mission prizes! The game opens at 10am on Canada Day, July 1, and closes at 3 pm. You’ll have 5 hours to get missions submitted! We’ll share some highlights throughout the day!
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The Voice of North Grenville
CANADA DAY 2020
Tune in to Juice FM, July 1st and keep up to date with events
9:00 AM
Greetings from JuiceFM + KDCA
9:15 AM
Greetings From Mayor Peckford
2:00 PM 2:30 PM
Aby Robbins Short Story From Diana Fisher
9:30 AM
Greetings from MP
3:00 PM
John Wilburforce
9:45 AM
Greetings from MPP, Chris will be joined through out the day by members of the KDCA
3:30 PM
Fiddlehead Soup
4:00 PM
Keifer Layne
4:30 PM
Arthur McGregor
5:00 PM
Cory Coons
5:30 PM
John Wilburforce
6:00 PM
House Decorating Contest Winners announced
6:30 PM
Front Porch Sitters
7:00 PM
Andre Courtemanche
7:30 PM
Heirs of the Dog
8:00 PM
Mighty Harmonix
8:30 PM
Roxy Proxy
10:00 AM GooseChase Scavenger hunt begins 10:30 AM Coloring Contest Rules/invite 11:00 AM
Interview with Library Sue Reading a kids book will be posted to facebook
11:30 AM
Interview with Johanna Jansen about Pottery Throwing
12:00 PM GooseChase Update 12:30 PM Cory Coons 1:00 PM 1:30 PM
Interview with Mike Martin (Local Author) will also read from the first paragraph of his book, posted online Keifer Layne
All Prizes will be bought from Local Businesses listed below Home and Beyond Paul's Bistro Canadian Tire Su Gold Jewellery & Giftware Grahame's Bakery B&H Grocery To Be Continued Consignment Brewing Oasis Crusty Baker Mr. Mozzarella South Branch Bistro O'heaphys Salamanders Boss Thai Boxing Get Cronk'd Fitness Studio Kemptville Suites Healthy Pets Albert's Meat Shop Nature's Way Natural Food Pantry Nakhon Thai Five Star Restaurant Kemptville Family Restaurant The Station Chip Wagon Fat Les's Chip Stand Sam's Benici Pizza Susie M's Hidden Treasures Kemptville Fabric Shop The Rideau Restaurant Brigadoon First Stop Tool Rentals RONA Building Centre Long Reach Restaurant Shoeless Joes
June 24, 2020
Pet Valu Catered Affairs Dial-a-chef Catering Moose Mart Fast Eddie's Diner Douvris Martial Arts Saltastic Jac's Boutique Bodhi Tree Yoga Centre Home Hardware Kemptville Hardstones Grill Capilano's Pizza Giant Tiger CrossFit Kemptville Brewed Awakenings Jonsson's Independent Grocer Willow & Rose Kemptville Training Centre Geronimo Coffee House M&M Meat Shop Kemptville Academy of Martial Arts Bulk Barn Weiner's Chip Stand The Workshop Dance Studio JJs Shawarma Gabriel's Pizza Milano's Pizza Mythic Martial Arts Kemptville Bowling Centre The Flower Shop
Celebrate Canada Day 2020 • Virtual Goose Chase Scavenger Hunt • Canada Day Home and Business Decorating Contest! • Colouring Book Contests for the Young and Old(er) • Juice FM – Arts & Culture programming all day • Living Art Patchwork Quilt Mural • Historical Tour Competition
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Open For Business
The Voice of North Grenville
Support Local, now more than ever! Dial A Chef on wheels
PATIO NOW OPEN!
TAKE OUT ORDERS AVAILABLE
Erick Le Pors
Monday to Friday two main courses will be offered, (one meatless option)
Salamanders Restaurant and Patio 28 Clothier St E, Kemptville
613-258-2630
Monday June 29
1- Crispy paprika chicken with tomatoes & lentils 2- Roman style gnocchi, cheese and spinach sauce, summer mix
Tuesday June 30
1- Brined and grilled pork chop, spice fried potatoes and green beans 2- Summer zucchini and peas risotto (vegan), fig and radicchio salad
Wednesday July 1st
CANADA DAY SPECIAL
HAPPY Complete Family Meals For Family Of 4 or 2 Curbside Menu #15 Tuesday June 23th FridayJune 26th. Please preorder the day before! We understand that you are all sick of cooking! Call or email us info@cateredaffairs.ca 613-324-3136. Wine, Craft Beer & Bagged Ice Available Meals for 4 $65 + HST Meals for 2 $35 + HST All meals include Chef’s choice of Dessert & Garden salad
Chicken Tikka Masala
Tender boneless chicken in curry coconut sauce, Basmati rice, Vegetable Samosas & tamarind sauce 1 per person, Flatbread, salad & chefs choice of veggies.
Italian Pesto Pork Chop
With Orzo pilaf, housemade garlic bread & Caesar salad
Asian Surf ‘n’ Turf
Beef & vegetable Stir fry, Crispy Coconut Shrimp, Asian Garlic Noodles & Rice
Gourmet Salad Assortment
Caribbean chicken salad - tender chunks of chicken with creamy mango chutney dressing, hearts of palm, celery & grapes. Bloody Mary Tomato Salad - with heirloom tomatoes, tabasco, worcestershire & EVOO Asian Noodle Salad - sesame soy noodles with asian vegetables
Chicken Fajitas
Soft flour tortillas, Pico de Gallo (chunky salsa), Sour cream, cheddar, rice & beans, pineapple salsa, House fried Corn Tortilla Chips, Greenhouse greens & cabbage salad with vinaigrette.
CANADA DAY NEW STORE HOURS Monday to Friday 8:00am to 7:00pm Saturday 8:00am to 6:00pm Sunday 9:00am to 6:00pm
301 Rideau Street, Kemptville
613.258.3014
BBQ Kits for a Family of 4 $70.00 are fully prepared and ready for you to grill & reheat sides on the BBQ… It’s that easy! All BBQ boxes include: Mexican Street Corn, potato wedges, Chef’s Veggie Medley, Green House Salad with, Chef’s Choice of Additional salad & Dessert. Beef Medallions (4oz pp) with Chimichurri sauce Spatchcock Piri Piri Chicken (Portugese BBQ) House made Bacon Bourbon Cheddar Burgers
June 24, 2020
Lobster roll Canadian beef tenderloin, Ontario red wine reduction. Maple glazed salmon fillet Nanaimo bar $32.50 per person, plus HST
Thursday July 2
1- Bouillabaisse style fish ragout 2- Warm niçoise salad (optional tuna and anchovies)
Friday July 3
1- Greek spices slow roast lamb shoulder and Orzo 2- Brown rice with lentils and caramelized onions Monday to Friday, the cost is $22.50 per person. Children 12 and under $14.00. There is $5.00 fee per delivery. Payment can be done by cash, credit card, or e-transfer. We need one day advance notice in order to organize the meals and the delivery route. HST extra. Ordering for the week : 10% off Reservation by phone at 613-860-2539 or email : erick@dialachef.ca
Geronimo Coffee House CLOSED MONDAYS
Our current hours are Tuesday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm Sat. & Sun 9:00am to 2:00pm. Orders can also be placed ahead by phone at 613-258-2782. 46 Prescott St, Kemptville the north grenville
TIMES Gord Logan
Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca
Happy Canada Day
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The North Grenville Times
Council approves $95,000 for business support programs
Kemptville Farmers Market open for business
by Hilary Thomson
by Hilary Thomson The Kemptville Farmers Market (KFM) is back in action after an uncertain start to the season. KFM Manager, Stacey Johnson, says that, up until about a month ago, they didn’t think they would be able to have an open-air market at all this summer. “We were looking at online options,” she says. The KFM team were in constant contact with the Health Unit and were surprised and delighted when they said they could go ahead with a market in the B&H parking lot. They started planning in the third week of May, and they held their first market of the year on June 14, a month later than they would have usually started. Stacey says that they were happy to be able to welcome not only produce vendors, but other producers as well to the first market. The market saw 19 vendors, which included everything from honey and maple syrup, to eggs, meat, baked goods and, of course, lots of fresh local produce. The market is running at a reduced capacity to allow for at least six feet between each station, and can host around 25 vendors every Sunday. KFM board members worked hard in the weeks leading up to the market to make sure it would be a safe and pleasant place to shop. A directional flow has been implemented at the market to make sure people don’t wander randomly between the tables. They also put a limit of around 30 people at a time in the market area, to allow for physical distancing. Vendors were told to ensure June 24, 2020
they can keep their distance from their customers, and each table has either hand sanitizer, or a wash station. No food can be prepared or eaten in the market footprint, and everything must be sold pre-packaged this year. “Our slogan is shop, don’t stop,” Stacey says. “We’re not allowing people to linger, or pop in and out.” Stacey was pleasantly surprised at the turn out for the first market. By 11:30 am, they had a line up of people eager to start shopping, and the line didn’t let up until after 3:00 pm. “Some vendors said it rivaled some of their busiest days in other seasons,” she says. “They are all very grateful to be back.” She is glad to have the market up and running for the rest of the season to help the local farmers and producers who work so hard all year round. The KFM is always looking for volunteers to help with set up and tear down and to support vendors throughout the market, especially with the added sanitizing practices needed for their COVID-19 protocol. Stacey says it is a great way for students to get their volunteer hours. “We had one kid [at the first market] in Grade 11 who was fantastic.” Chair Joanne Krock says they are encouraging advance orders with all vendors listed on their website. Joanne feels pre-ordering may continue post-pandemic. "It's a good thing and planning ahead helps vendors too. It will be the best of both worlds. You have to reach out and try every way to contact your customers," says Joanne. More information can be found on their Facebook page.
The Voice of North Grenville
The North Grenville Economic Development Department provided Council with an update regarding the COVID-19 Business Support Programs at the council meeting of June 16, and recommended that they approve $95,000 out of the $150,000 already earmarked for COVID-19 business support for these programs. The Business Support Programs are the result of the hard work of the North Grenville Economic Development team, as well as the Business Support Group which has representation from Old Town Kemptville BIA, North Grenville Business Builders, Leeds Grenville Small Business Enterprise Centre, Grenville Community Futures Development Corporation, Eastern Ontario Women in Business, and CSE Consulting. The Municipality has also been working closely with the Economic Development department of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The largest ticket item outlined is the creation of the Municipality’s Marketing Plan, which will focus on promoting spending in North Grenville as businesses re-open. The request for proposal has been advertised and the $50,000 contract was awarded on June 19. The Business Support Group came up with a number of other initiatives meant
Helping customers get in touch with Farmers' Market vendors has led Darlene Collin, of Kemptville, to start an online shopping service mylocalmarkets.ca to help small operations who may otherwise not be online. "It started as a passion project," says Darlene, adding the number of vendors has grown from 13 to 40 over the past weeks. Her site includes a large number of products from farms and shops, including Merrickville locations. "The customers have been so happy with the food and products. We will keep doing it as long as people want the service," she says. "Hopefully it will continue on and keep people shopping local". The market will be running, rain or shine, every Sunday from 12 pm-4 pm until the end of October.
to help the business community during and after this period of local and provincial emergency, some of which have already been put into action. The Love NG website was launched on March 30 with the aim of encouraging North Grenville residents to support local businesses. This website will play an integral role in the Marketing Plan. The Municipality has also begun to host a series of webinars, meant to educate business owners on topics related to the pandemic. The first three webinars covered business planning, re-opening safely, and available government programs. They are currently working on the next webinar, which will focus on mental health. The Business Support Group also came up with the idea of creating a co-op ad initiative, where they will buy ad space with local advertisers and allow local businesses to purchase the space at a discounted rate. A local currency program called “NG Bucks” will allow people to purchase gift certificates that can be used at North Grenville businesses only. The Group is currently working on the details regarding this program, and the success of the initiative will be measured once it comes into play. The Group will be working at encouraging industry partners, like the Kemptville District Hospital and the School Boards, to engage in local procurement. This will be an initiative that will come into play when most
businesses have reopened. They are also focused on helping businesses with managing the cost and procurement of PPE, and ensuring they have the proper safety protocols in place. “It’s great to see the results of the collegiality and collaboration between the business groups that came together,” Mayor Nancy Peckford said at the council meeting. “It seems like everyone had their hand in making sure that their ideas and perspectives were shared, and that it was reflected in the good work that our economic development team is doing.” Councillor John Barclay echoed Mayor Peckford’s comments and mentioned that he would love to see the Group continue to meet on a regular basis, even after the Marketing Plan and other initiatives have been put into play. “It’s unfortunate that it took a pandemic to bring the groups together; but I think it’s really important,” he said. “We’re too small a community to have some of the many business groups not working together.” Council was unanimous in their decision to allocate the $95,000 to these programs. The other $55,000 budgeted for business support in the COVID-19 Response Reserve will be used to develop future support programs as the needs of businesses change over the next six months.
Rideau Woodland Ramble Art, Jazz & the Garden Garden Centre Rd to June7210 16Burritts 2018Rapids9am 5pm 613-258-3797 June 27-July 1 Canada Day Sale
The Ramble at
20
20% OFF Hosta & Hydrangea
Celebrating 20 years! 17
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The Voice of North Grenville
CLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE Heavy duty treadmill kemptville $125. 613-258-2992 For Sale - 1997 Mustang Cobra Convertible mint. Pro appraisal $17,500.00 firm. Many images. Call Doug, 613 258-4573. Mixed seasoned firewood for sale, all hardwood, $110/3 3 cord minimum delivered, Jon 613-227-3650
Two green Coleman folding camp chairs c/w carrying cases Excellent condition $40.00 613269-3301 Free Fish: Six pond dwelling Comet goldfish, 2 at 2 inches and 4 at about 5 inches free to good home. Moulded plastic pond liner approx. 7.5ft x 4ft, 1000 GPH Aquaforce pump and Aquascape UltraKlean filter and aerator also available. Call Bill at 613 258 6544
HELP WANTED First Stop rentals in Kemptville is looking for a •
truck driver
•
counter person who can do servicing of our equipment in the first phase and then work their way into the second phase on the front counter. Please email resume to alexis@firststoprentals.com
Handyman assorted tools all sorts, socket sets, axe, levels, screw drivers,etc best offer, Andy 215-0665
Wheelchair Fuse5.0 with a tilt/Roho cushion. Call 613-567-8533 or leave message. 04
SUMMER PORCH FURNITURE – bamboo sofa with seat/back cushions, bamboo/ glass side table and coffee table. Cedar-strip rocking chair. $250 move@adhawk.ca
Quaker State 5W30 5L $12.00. Castrol 10W30
Help Support Your Local Businesses
SHOP
LOCAL
FoodcoreLGL hopes interest in local food is here to stay
from foodcoreLGL The Covid-19 pandemic has had a variety of impacts on our food system. Shortages of some products created a new appreciation for and concern about supply chains that many of us take for granted. foodcoreLGL is a regional network working to bring to life to the LGL Food Charter drafted by our communities in 2012. While recognizing the many challenges and hardships the pandemic has created, foodcoreLGL members are hopeful that the boom in interest in the food system and demand for locally sourced food will be a lasting, positive shift in our communities. Local farmers and producers are adapting to the new realities of physical distancing and an increase in consumer demand by pivoting to online sales. Local options for sourcing food are promoted through Transition Brockville which built a local food directories section on its website and Lanark Local Flavour which significantly updated theirs. Social media conversations about local food abound. The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (a foodcoreLGL member) reports that collectively, posts from the Health Unit’s Facebook and Twitter page mentioning local food had reached close to 10,000 social media users by early June. The volume of sales, the numbers of ‘direct from farm’ boxes of produce and products have skyrocketed. Shannon Miller, from Miller’s Bay Farm says, “In this time of unprecedented uncertainty, people want to do all that they can to ensure that their family’s food supply is stable. For many, that means connecting directly with the producer – someone they can see, speak with, and trust.” Many are addressing their concerns about the food chain by taking up gardening or expanding their gardens. At the start of the growing season, people’s attention turned to community gardens and thousands across Ontario successfully advocated to the government to reopen community gardens with certain restrictions. Hopefully this move to closer relationships with our food will bring with it renewed attention to food system challenges and actions to address the negative effects of climate change, the decrease in smaller farms and processing facilities, the issue of food waste management and the need to maintain safe and fair working conditions for all food system workers. foodcoreLGL’s Food Inventory contains a wealth of links to information about how to source and grow your own food. Check out foodcoreLGL’s series of toolkits for ideas about advancing the goals of the Food Charter in your municipality, schools, and home. June 24, 2020
1L $2.50. Contact VE3MHM@SYMPATICO.CA
BEDROOM. PINE HOOP BED WITH LIGHTLY USED MATTRESS (QUEEN). PINE SIDE TABLE WITH DRAWER AND CUBBY. BIRCH DOUBLE DRESSER. ALL SOLID WOOD. $300. MOVE@ADHAWK.CA
FOR RENT
N Accepting clean fill. Oxford Mills. Call/text Mitch 613-8085888
Commercial Property in Kemptville, corner of Prescott & Clothier. Call Mark at 613.620.3868O
Looking to Rent Farmland for cash crops. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204.
PREMIUM FURNISHED OFFICE SPACE IN OLD TOWN KEMPTVILLE, 222 PRESCOTT ST. 178 SQ. FT. AVAILABLE JUNE 1 FOR $460.00/MO. CALL TOM 613 218 1277 U
Salons and spas adapt to new normal by Hilary Thomson Salons and spas in North Grenville are figuring out how to adapt their business to the new realities of operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stephanie Richardson, of Richardson Hair Design in Kemptville, says they never thought they would be closed for months when they shut down in March. “None of us have ever been through anything like this before,” she says. “I thought we would be closed for a few weeks.” The past few months have been a rollercoaster for Stephanie and the rest of the owners of spas and salons in the area. Rumours were circulating about when they would be allowed to reopen. One day, they would hear that it wouldn’t be until the end of the summer, and the next they heard it was immanent. Premier Doug Ford’s announcement last week that salons and spas would be included in phase two of reopening created a whirlwind for business owners, excited to get back to work, but also overwhelmed by the preparation needed to make sure they kept their staff and clients safe. While the timeline of a few days may have been doable for someone with a one man show, Stephanie says that for spa and salon owners who have a staff to consider, it is going to take a bit longer to make sure they have all the proper policies and procedures in place. This includes juggling schedules to make sure they only have 2-3 18
stylists in at once, providing proper PPE like face masks and shields, and putting even more extensive cleaning and sanitization practices into place. Stephanie says they will also be limiting the number of clients they see at a time, and doing their best to eliminate overlap. Instead of six stations, they will only be using three to four of them, to make sure to maintain physical distancing while serving clients. “It’s going to be a lot more challenging,” she says. “We’re going to have to work twice as hard for half the money.” Clients will only be allowed to bring in a few personal items to their appointment, and they will not be offered any beverages or magazines for people waiting. It is likely that they will also have to remove any decorative pillows and furniture and take products for sale off the shelves. “People should expect a sterile clinic environment, rather than a salon with funky uptown flair,” Stephanie says. This is an overwhelming time for many business owners who are trying to adapt to the new realities of COVID-19, but it is especially difficult for those who depend on human interaction for their livelihood. Stephanie pointed out that hairstyling is often secondary to the experience of socializing with her clients at the salon, something that will be difficult with all the new regulations. Having experimented with cleaning her house in a mask, Stephanie says that it will feel like
her stylists are working in an oven, and that it may be difficult for them to interact with clients in the way that they are used to. “We are at a time that challenges this,” Stephanie writes in her blog, accordingtoyourstylist.com. “We are in a time of pause, panic, and uncertainty. A time that is a true struggle for those of us who survived from our social connections. Monetary concerns aside (if you didn’t have them before, you likely do now), social interactions with our clients is the fuel for our souls. It’s why your stylist keeps coming to work.” Stephanie says that, as a business owner, she is having to find the right balance between appeasing the authorities and making sure clients feel that due diligence is being taken to keep them safe. She is also concerned about her own staff, who don’t want to bring anything home to their families. She says things have been crazy ever since the government announced that salons were allowed to reopen. “I have received 175 emails since yesterday and the phone has been going nonstop,” she said on Tuesday last week. They are currently working on re-booking their regular and elderly clients first, with a soft opening planned for June 22. “I would like to remind clients to be patient with their hairdresser,” she says. “We need patience from clients as we navigate this new way of doing things.”
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The North Grenville Times
Thanks to all for Canada Day
CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1. Govern 5. Prostitute 9. Pledge 13. A Freudian stage 14. Electronic letters 16. Urine component 17. 3 times 3 18. Add up 19. Russian emperor 20. Avoid 22. Earnest 24. Not pre-recorded 26. Pilfer 27. Offensive 30. Accompany to a party 33. Without financial obligation 35. Dweeb 37. Pat
Answer to last weeks crossword
38. Prepared 41. Charge 42. Hard fats 45. Skeptical 48. Pact 51. Tracts of land 52. Broom 54. Hefty volume 55. Call number (libraries) 59. Makes insensitive 62. Unusual 63. Wrinkled fruit 65. Loyal (archaic) 66. Food thickener 67. Bygone 68. Annul 69. Plateau 70. Evergreens 71. Goulash
by Wendy Embleton, KDCA On behalf of the Kemptville District Community Association I would like to say THANK YOU to our community members and leaders who have spent endless hours these past few months bringing forth a celebration for Canada Day community wide. Many will never understand the effort that has been put forth by this amazing crew. While the KDCA board may not have been prepared for 2020, we pushed forward and asked for help. It was granted! Please remember as you read forward that all residents and business owners within North Grenville are considered members of the Kemptville District Community Association. It has been an absolute pleasure to collaborate with the Oxford Mills Community Association on this event. The partnership with the OMCA has been very rewarding for us all! At the onset of planning, a call was placed to Chris Walker - our very energetic broadcaster at Juice FM. Immediately, Chris jumped on board! Beyond his position
DOWN 1. South African monetary unit 2. Pearly-shelled mussel 3. A non-sailor 4. Author of a mournful poem 5. Wager 6. Nursemaid 7. An area of Great Britain 8. Enlarge 9. Effluence 10. Backside 11. Blue-green 12. Male deer 15. Harps 21. Wicked 23. Diplomacy 25. Always 27. Contributes 28. Doozie 29. East southeast 31. Purification 32. Inclination 34. Unhappy 36. Pins 39. Man's best friend 40. Mongol hut 43. Mosaic tile 44. Wood-cutting tools 46. Godsend 47. Burial mound 49. Pace 50. Annually 53. A very proper person 55. Baby buggy 56. Anger 57. Historical periods 58. Was cognizant 60. Invited 61. Not fast 64. N N N N
at the station, he took part on the subcommittees, attending many late evening meetings, and got involved. Maggie and David, our beloved NG Times owners, worked with us tirelessly for weeks, putting together our pages, allowing us to edit freely, and occasionally (most often) allowed us to bow out gracefully when we realized the first draft was better than we knew. They developed their own games and incentives, and were always available to discuss and grow our original ideas. Mayor Peckford and council have watched over all proceedings. They have offered advice, support, guidance, and ideas. They have all participated in our ground work for this event and made themselves available for conversations throughout. With fear of leaving anyone out, a special shout out to Tammy Hurlbert, Carolyn Lundy, Chief Okum, Jill Sturdy - who have all assisted without hesitation! Our municipal staff is simply amazing! The Kemptville District
Community Association asks you to blast your radio on July 1, set to 97.5 FM. We ask you to pull out anything red and white and decorate your homes. We ask you to download the Goose Chase application and participate. Grab the colouring pencils and give us your works of art. We ask you to thank your neighbors for participating and, more importantly ... We ask that you create memories, have fun, and show us! Connect with us on Facebook and via email. Slap the schedule from NG Times on the fridge and be sure you listen for some of our amazing local musicians, watch your Facebook feed for posts regarding some of our wonderful local visual artists, participate in the events to win prizes from our wide assortment of businesses within the community. In true Canadian fashion - we have shown we are stronger together even when we have to be apart. Again - Thank you all!
FOOD CORNER
Help Support Your Local Businesses
SHOP LOCAL
by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville Hot sunny days, finally! We see a lot of folks out walking, cycling, and tending their flowerbeds and gardens. Yes, we have Covid, but we also have life starting up again. Warm weather always makes us think of those finger foods we mentioned in a previous article, the Smoked Salmon rolls. This recipe is even easier and is quite a treat. It is Ceviche, which reads like it’s raw fish, but it’s not. The seafood “cooks” in the acid base of lime juice with the addition of some booze, um, alcohol…If you haven’t tried it, please do. You may get converted. Enjoy!
Local Covid-19 update
Creole Ceviche Salamanders Ingredients: 375 grams of halibut fillet, thinly sliced 375 grams of scallops, thinly sliced 375 grams of shrimp, thinly sliced (on the length) ½ (or more) cup of lime juice The zest of one lime ½ oz Blood Orange Brandy 4 tablespoons of olive oil 2 teaspoons of sugar ¼ cup red bell pepper, diced finely 1 tablespoon of jalapeno pepper, diced finely 2 cloves of garlic, chopped finely (or prepared garlic) Fresh ground pepper
by David Shanahan There have been some very encouraging statistics being reported this week by the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unite [LGLDHU], but the sad fact is that there were two deaths in the region over the weekend of June 12 and 15, bringing the total number of deaths since the first outbreak to 52, of which 49 took place in long-term care facilities. There have been 3 deaths in the wider community, a number that has not increased since early April. However, on the positive side of the table, there have been no new confirmed cases in the region since June 16, and the latest chart from the LGLDHU, dated June 18, shows only one active case of covid-19 in the entire area. One long-term care facility, in Mississippi Mills, is reporting an outbreak, but the number of tests that have been confirmed as positive has declined from 11% in March/April, to less than 1% in May/June. The numbers are certainly heading in the right direction, and that is due in large part to the manner in which the community has abided by the regulations on social distancing that have been set out by the Provincial and municipal authorities. One source of confusion has been on the issue of face coverings. It seems that different advice is being given, not only in different countries and provinces, but in every jurisdiction. The situation is, of course, very different from place to place, so it is probably best to stick to the local Health Unit’s recommendations. These can be found elsewhere in this issue of the Times. June 24, 2020
The Voice of North Grenville
Preparation: Place fish and seafood and other dry ingredients in a shallow dish. Cover with the liquid ingredients. Refrigerate for a couple of hours to cook in the brandy and lime juice. Serve with a nice crusty bread and a dish of olive oil drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Best to all as you start to enjoy the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer! 19
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The Voice of North Grenville
Local poet announces new collection of poetry It’s Good to See You!
by Hilary Thomson Local poet Jagjeet Sharma’s new collection of poetry is another poignant reflection on the human experience. “Raindrops” is Jagjeet’s third volume of poetry. It was supposed to launch in May; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration has been pushed to October. Jagjeet’s poetic style is accessible and reflective. As a freelance journalist, she is a constant observer and she uses poetry to reflect everything from social injustices
across the world to the changing of the seasons. “I observe, I feel and I write,” she says in the preface to the collection. The poems are timely in that they cover Jagjeet’s musings on the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the Black Lives Matter movement. She is also passionate about portraying the horrific abuses many women suffer at the hands of men all over the world, but particularly in India. She has written about this in previous collections, but one poem titled “Survivor”, expresses the deep sadness and despair of a woman who
has been the victim of an acid attack. “Acid attacks against women have been a common occurrence around the world, with India having the highest number of incidence,” she writes just below the poem. The book of poetry is unique, in that many of the poems that talk about current events or topics that the general public may not be aware of have little notes at the bottom of the page giving a short explanation. For example, in her poem called “A Cyclical Trap”, which features the Hindu god Shiva, she explains the word tandav as his divine dance. Her poetry about mental health is accompanied by the explanation that one in five Canadians will experience some form of mental illness in their lifetime. Jagjeet’s poems are not only beautifully written, but they have the unique ability to draw even the most inexperienced consumer of poetry into a world of reflection. Her journalistic style makes her poems relatable, easy to read, and she draws on some important topics that
have shaped, and continue to shape, human history. “I want to connect with my readers and ask – do you feel the same way I do?” She says about her book. “It’s something I am very passionate about, and I feel I can make more of an impact with my poems.” Like her other collections, Jagjeet is donating all the proceeds of “Raindrops” to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. She has already donated over $3,000 to the organization and hopes to raise even more money with the sale of this collection of poetry. To purchase a copy of “Raindrops”, you can email Jagjeet at asiansounds1@hotmail.com, and watch out for the announcement of her book launch in the Fall, where you can meet Jagjeet and learn more about her as a journalist and poet. GUTKNECHT, Eric Leslie William Sepember 6, 1992 June 25,2010
Eric, son, Those weour love don’t we need to confess go away, We love youbeside more than they walk us youevery couldday. guess It painsunheard, us so Unseen, that you are gone but always near; Our shining star that’s still loved, still missed always and veryshone dear. Love Mom & Dad Visit
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for more information.
Happy Canada Day!
Like everyone at Winchester District Memorial Hospital [WDMH], Kimberly Paterson’s job has changed a bit over the last few weeks, due to COVID-19. Kimberly is WDMH’s Social Worker, but she has also taken on the additional role of “event planner”, arranging virtual visits for patients and their families. And she couldn’t be happier. As part of the regional COVID-19 plan, WDMH has welcomed patients from hospitals in Ottawa and surrounding areas. Some of these patients are far from home and their families. To provide a new way to connect during this unusual time, WDMH purchased several computer tablets to do just that. “It’s nice to be able to support our patients, especially when they are unable to have visitors due to the pandemic,” says Kimberly. “And it’s nice for families to be able to see how everyone is doing. Knowing they are OK is a big relief.” Kimberly has also arranged some window visits, using cell phones. Families can gather outside, keeping patients safe inside. “There’s something about seeing someone in person that really made the family’s day,” she says. Social Worker Kimberly Paterson can be reached at 613774-2422 ext. 6125.
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The Voice of North Grenville
Retirement 2.0
Mr. Mozzarella donates pizza lunches to frontline workers
by Hilary Thomson The council meeting of June 16 was officially Cahl Pominville’s last meeting as clerk for North Grenville (again). Cahl’s last day will be June 30, after staying on for seven months beyond his first retirement date in the Fall of 2019. “I call it retirement 2.0,” Cahl said at the meeting. Cahl has been with the
Katrina Kassis with staff from the LCBO, Peggy Mahoney and Claire Lebrun by Hilary Thomson Over the past 12 weeks, Mr. Mozzarella has been delivering free pizza lunches to frontline workers all over North Grenville. Katrina Kassis says it all started with the COVID-19 lockdown. She and her family, who own the restaurant, decided to stay open for delivery and take-out, but found that ensuring the safety of their staff and customers during the uncertainty of a pandemic to be extremely challenging and stressful. “We were all pretty scared of what might happen,” she remembers. The longer they worked, the more they realized that there were so many other people in the community who were in the same boat. At first, they decided to send lunches to the Kemptville District
Hospital (KDH) to support their frontline workers, but soon they expanded their reach to include other local organizations and businesses who were continuing to serve customers during the shut down. “So many businesses also deserve praise,” Katrina says. “They needed that recognition too.” Every week for the past three months, Mr. Mozzarella has been contacting local frontline organizations and businesses to supply them with a free pizza lunch. Katrina says they have delivered pizzas to about 30 local businesses and organizations, including KDH twice, all the local banks, grocery stores, vet clinics, and seniors residences, Community Living North Grenville, Beth Donovan Hospice, OPP, LCBO, Geronimo, Brewed Awakenings, and more. “Who-
happy
canada day
ever was working, got a full lunch,” Katrina said, adding that they delivered anywhere from 10-15 to 1-2 pizzas per workplace. Mr. Mozzarella still has a few more places they would like to support on their list. They have been in Kemptville for over ten years, and they have always been an advocate for supporting local. Katrina says that, after moving to Kemptville from Ottawa a couple years ago, she really appreciates the giving and supportive spirit that lives in North Grenville. “The community has been very supportive of us,” she says. “Seeing everybody band together the way we have has been very inspiring.”
Municipality for almost 30 years – with some of those being spent on the other side of the council table. “The dark side, as I call it,” he said, chuckling. “It’s been quite a time, and I met lots of people. I hope I helped councillors over the decades through their meetings. I had a great time.” Mayor Nancy Peckford
thanked Cahl for sticking with the Municipality as they went through a period of transition earlier this year. “Much, much appreciation to you, Cahl,” she said. “You are an institution.” The process of hiring a new clerk is well under way, but, while Mayor Peckford is confident that they will find a replacement for Cahl, she says he will never really be replaced. “Not certainly someone of your tenure and commitment to this community,” she said. With council’s approval, Cahl hopes to continue to perform marriages in the community. Almost symbolically, it was Cahl who ended the council meeting last week with the reading of their confirmatory bylaw. Closure on a long career, in which he has touched so many in this community.
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Nature still doing her thing
Community steps up to support resident in need
by John Baldwin Earlier this Spring I managed to get 4 new bird house boxes, on 12 foot poles, finished and installed in the garden. They have drawn the attention of some Bluebirds and we are hoping that at least one of the boxes will be used by them. They do build false nests, so we are just keeping our fingers crossed that we are successful. Despite my lawn mowing they are still returning and perching on the bird houses, so things look good. The other day we had another treat, when an Indigo Bunting dropped in, to feed at one of my feeders. In our other nesting sites we have Robins and House Wrens. Despite what we are all going through, "Nature" is still doing her "thing", much to the delight of all of us who still like to see what she has to offer.
Thankfully, Fiona finally found an RMT and chronic pain specialist in Cornwall who had a different approach. After just three treatments, she has already seen an improvement in her pain. He also referred her to a naturopath in Toronto, who will hopefully be able to address the underlying reasons that she was having so much trouble losing weight, which is still important for her recovery. “The naturopath related it to an underlying issue in the gut fauna,” she says. Although this new treatment plan was giving Fiona a lot of hope, there was also the underlying stress of how she was going to pay for it. None of her treatments are covered by OHIP, and with everything she needed, from custom orthotics, to special boots to stimulate blood flow in her legs, and trips to Toronto to see the naturopath, she was looking at a bill of $10,000 to $15,000. In order to pay for her medical expenses, her husband started working long hours seven days a week at their automotive shop, and her daughter even offered to use her college fund to help
by Hilary Thomson The North Grenville community stepped up to the plate in the past weeks to support a fellow resident in a big way. Fiona McKenney has been in severe chronic pain for the last eighteen months. Over the past few months, it was getting progressively worse, to the point that she couldn’t stand up for more than 15 minutes at a time. “Some days, my husband had to carry me out to the car,” she says. Fiona has gone to many doctors and specialists to try and address her pain. She has been to the chiropractor, done physio, and tried desperately to lose weight, which many healthcare professionals have said is essential for her to heal. Fiona felt dismissed by many doctors who told her that there was nothing wrong with her and shamed her for not being able to lose weight. “They just said it’s because you are fat,” she says. “It got to the point that I was thinking how many pills would it take to not wake up tomorrow.”
June 24, 2020
The Voice of North Grenville
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pay her medical bills. “There was definitely the fear of how we were going to pay,” Fiona says. Despite her health issues, Fiona is an active community member and is on the board of Kemptville Pride. Before one of their zoom meetings a couple weeks ago, Fiona was telling fellow board members Devon Warren and Malina Dockendorff about her new treatment plan, and when they asked how much it was going to cost, she told them. “I started messaging Malina privately, saying - what can we do?” Devon says. Malina and Devon decided to set up a bank account and a Facebook group called Fundraiser for Fabulous Fiona to try and raise as much money as they could to help Fiona pay her medical expenses. “Fiona has been suffering from undiagnosed pain for years,” Devon wrote in the Facebook group. “No matter how much pain she is in, she would be the first person to come to anyone’s rescue if they asked her to, or even if you didn’t specifically ask. You tell Fiona something is wrong, and her first response is “how can I help?” Now it’s our turn to return the favour.” Devon found that as soon as they set up the group it spread like wildfire. “My email was blowing up every two seconds with e-transfer after e-transfer,” she says. Many local businesses either committed to matching dollars up to a certain amount, or donated items to be raffled off once they hit a different donation goals. They were also able to put together an online auction with items donated. Devon was hoping to be able to raise $10,000 by Fiona’s birthday in August, but the community was able
to hit that goal in only six days. “I’m still shocked that it happened,” she says. On Wednesday, June 10, Devon and Malina told Fiona they were coming to decorate her house for Pride, but instead they handed her a bank card, giving her access to the $10,000. They also organized a parade of cars which drove by Fiona’s house to show their support. “It’s called karma, and it’s paying you back ten-fold for all of the stuff that you do for everybody else,” Devon said when she handed Fiona the card. Fiona was in shock when she heard how much money the community had raised for her. “They floored me with an obscene amount of money,” she says, adding that she still doesn’t believe she deserves it. Fiona has since been included in her fundraiser Facebook group, and is touched by all the beautiful messages people left about her on the page. “It took me hours to read the page, and it had me in tears,” she says. “I’m not surprised that the community did this, but I am surprised they did it for me.” Devon says that, just because the cat is out of the bag, it doesn’t mean the fundraiser is over. She would love to see even more donations come in to make sure all of Fiona’s medical expenses are covered, and maybe a little extra so Fiona can do something fun with her family. “Even if we raise more than she needs, she could go on a vacation,” she says. “We see that as therapy as well.” All donations can be sent via e-transfer to kvillelovesfiona@gmail.com.
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Local restaurants adapt to COVID-19 as patios open
by Hilary Thomson Many restaurants in North Grenville opened their patios on Friday, June 12, in response to Premier Doug Ford’s announcement that they were included in the province’s phase two of re-opening. Paul Cormier of Salamanders Restaurant in Kemptville was ready and waiting for the announcement that they could open their patio a couple weeks ago. The family-owned restaurant decided to remain closed throughout the government shut down. “We were not set up for take out,” Paul says. “All of our dishes require a lot of ingredients, as they are all done from scratch.” The news that they could reopen their patio has allowed Salamanders to both welcome people to their restaurant, and also offer their full menu for take out. At first, they were only open from Thursday to Sunday, but Paul says they should be back to their regular hours (Tuesday-Sunday) within a month. It was extremely busy getting their patio ready to reopen and putting proper sanitization practices in place that go along with operating a business during a pandemic. They have space for about 32 people on their patio, taking physical distancing into consideration. Paul says they have been very busy since their patio opened, and reservations are recommended. “That way, we can make arrangements so no one is disappointed.” Paul says they are glad to be up and running again, especially since there was a point during the closure that they considered closing permanently. He says it was their loyal customers, and Salamander’s role as a community hub, that pushed them to reopen. “Our return business is strong, and we’ve got a lot of loyal customers,” he says. “When you consider the quality of our guests, it’s worth it.” The Brigadoon Restaurant in Oxford Mills also opened their patio on June 12 to accommodate sit-down customers once again. Owner, Cheryl Mackie, says they have been offering take-out, delivery, and some grocery items throughout the pandemic, from Thursday to Sunday every week. That being said, she says the last few months have been difficult, as the Spring is typically their busiest season. Cheryl has been in the restaurant business for over 30 years and she has never seen anything hit the industry as hard as COVID-19. “I have lost thousands of dollars in sales,” she says. “It’s been nowhere near as good as usual.” Cheryl is very thankful for her regular customers who have continued to order take out, and even offered monetary support with no expectation of anything in return. “A man from Kemptville came in and handed me a cheque for $200,” Cheryl says in total disbelief. “People have been really supportive.” The patio at The Brigadoon opened on Friday, and they will be taking reservations or walk ins for lunch and dinner from Thursday to Sunday. They have been working hard at ensuring they have the proper cleaning and sanitization practices in place and PPE for their staff. Cheryl will see how it goes and adjust accordingly, as the use of the patio is largely weather-dependent. Hard Stones Grill in Kemptville was also closed for most of the COVID-19 pandemic. Owner, Katia Charbel, says they made the decision to shut down a couple of hours before the government-mandated closure. They had to lay off most of their staff and were in a holding pattern for months, waiting for the government to tell them it was safe to invite guests back into their restaurant. Katia says they are lucky, in that they decided to open for take-out a couple weeks before they opened the patio, so most things were in place to be able to serve guests in-house. They decided to reduce their menu to make sure they could operate with about half the staff, and have enough space for them to stay at least six feet from each other, even in the kitchen. There are signs up reminding people to physically distance and maintain proper sanitization protocols, and they have also printed their menu on paper, so that they are single-use only, to avoid cross contamination. Gloves and masks are available for all staff to wear, depending on their comfort level, and they have been instructed to stay at least two feet away from customers wherever possible. “We will have a dedicated health and safety person on each shift,” says Katia. The patio is now open, and they will be taking both reservations and walk ins from 8am to 10pm daily. “I miss my customers and staff,” Katia says. “It was long enough.” June 24, 2020
The Voice of North Grenville
A New Commitment
by Jane Adams In the middle of a pandemic, it might not seem like there is a lot to celebrate. But at the WDMH Foundation, that’s not the case. At its first-ever Annual General Meeting via Zoom on June 16, Board members and supporters came together to share some good news on the last year of fundraising. “I want to start with the incredible impact of our donors,” began Board Chair Peter Krajcovic. “In the last year, there have been 4,442 gifts to the WDMH Foundation. As a result, we were able to purchase 43 pieces of medical equipment for the hospital, totaling $1,187,112.71! Yes, that’s 1.187 million dollars!” As part of his remarks, Peter also outlined the significant changes that have taken place over the past year at the Foundation. It has evolved from the Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation to the WDMH Foundation – recognizing a new relationship with Dundas Manor and the RHI Board of Directors who oversees the home. “The Foundation already works alongside donors in support of compassionate care in our community from babies to seniors. Now we will build upon that commitment as the fundraising partner for the new Dundas Manor. We are excited to take on this challenge, and as always, we are confident that local communities will once again step up to help make the dream of a new Dundas Manor a reality,” Peter said. Another highlight of the evening was the introduction of the WDMH Foundation’s new Commitment Statement. It was developed by a team of donors, Board members and staff to reflect the new vision for the Foundation: Together with current and future donors who - like us - value excellence in local health care, we work to inspire and support their investments of time and financial gifts. We work hard to ensure that our donors trust us, feel our gratitude, are well-informed, and enjoy positive giving experiences. In all things, our donors are #1. We value accountability, transparency, integrity - and celebrating our donors’ achievements and successes along the way. “The new Commitment Statement really speaks to the best part of my job,” noted Managing Director Kristen Casselman. “I love working with, inspiring, and supporting our donors. And now, I look forward to building more relationships as we welcome Dundas Manor into our family.” “The WDMH Foundation is especially grateful to our donors. The need will always be here – but we know that our donors will be there too,” summed up Peter. “They have proven that over the past few weeks, during this past year, and for many years before that. We want to thank them for the trust they have placed in us and for their ongoing commitment and generosity.”
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The Indian Act by David Shanahan The Times is publishing a series of articles on Indigenous History as part of Indigenous History Month. The infamous Indian Act has been used by the Canadian Government to dictate much of the daily lives of indigenous people in this country since 1876. But it had its origins in legislation passed in 1839, which was designed to protect indigenous lands from trespass and exploitation by white settlers and land speculators. Special experimental settlements had been established to educate native people in farming methods, in a bid to find an alternative to traditional lifestyles based on hunting and fishing. Those pursuits required very large tracts of land for each family, where wildlife and fisheries were maintained. But, with the spread of European settlement, forests were cut down, fences were built, farms were established, all of which became barriers to traditional ways of life. The problem was that close contact with white settlements proved to be detrimental to indigenous culture and health, and so legislation was passed to “protect” them from such negative influences until indigenous people could complete the transition to farmers on the Canadian model. But, how could they adapt and blend with the wider society if their settlements were deliberately separated and located in out of the way locations? Ottawa bureaucrats soon decided that the reason there was no progress being made in “civilising” the natives was because they were temperamentally incapable of
such progress. The Indian Act was introduced as a means of giving control over indigenous people to agents of the government, in theory until the people could reach a level where they could make decisions for themselves. Of course, being under such close legal control, it was increasingly impossible for the native bands to accomplish what government had demanded of them. Unable, by law, to establish commercial businesses, to even leave the reserve lands which were often of poor quality and remote from centres of commerce, it was apparent to the bureaucrats that “progress” was beyond the abilities of indigenous people. This was, in fact, in spite of the clear and obvious examples of those few indigenous leaders and individuals who managed to overcome the obstacles and succeed in a particular field. Those successes were usually squashed by Indian Agents, or competing white business interests who used the Indian Act to end the competition. It was a vicious circle: the Indian Act prevented indigenous people from becoming independent and successful in the eyes of the wider society, which then blamed the Indians for not succeeding and becoming independent. Which led to stricter regulations being introduced into legislation: outlawing traditional spirituality, social customs, and interaction between bands. And then, when legal remedies were sought by indigenous organisation, the Indian Act was amended to make it illegal for them to hire legal representation to plead their case in court. Chiefs were not permitted to contact the Minister or Prime
Minister directly: everything had to go through the local Indian Agent, someone who was quite unwilling to forward letters to Ottawa which complained about his actions and attitudes. Indian Affairs was a backwater department in the Canadian Government, and complaints against the Indian Act were ignored. Bureaucrats became impatient with what they saw as the failure of indigenous people to develop into non-indigenous people, but there was no attempt to understand why things were as they were. It was not until the 1940's that a Parliamentary Commission was established to look into Canada’s relations with indigenous people, and this was, believe it or not, the very first time that native people were invited to be part of the discussion. Before that, decisions about the future of indigenous people, and amendments to the Indian Act, were made by bureaucrats and politicians without any reference or consultation with the very people the Act was governing, restricting and culturally maiming. Much has changed since then, but indigenous people in Canada today remain the only ethnic or cultural group in Canadian society that are governed by their own Act of Parliament, still legally considered minors in the eyes of the law. This is simply an overview: the actual effects of the Indian Act are numerous, long-lasting, and almost unbelievably negative in their impact of indigenous societies. Canadians have remained ignorant of most of this history for too long. It is past time that changed.
UCDSB and Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) is putting increased focus on Indigenous Education this week to bring attention to Indigenous culture, history and to aid in relationship building between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous communities. Traditionally, each spring the UCDSB hosts a multischool, four-day Truth and Reconciliation gathering as a cumulative activity for work that has been done throughout June 24, 2020
the year and to foster relationships between students and Indigenous elders. However, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s gathering was not possible so the UCDSB has taken the opportunity to provide additional resources and put extra focus on Indigenous education to celebrate Indigenous History Month and Indigenous People’s Day. “Within the UCDSB there is a strong focus on Indigenous education. We worked with a variety of cultural advisors to put together resources for our staff, students
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and broader communities that support increased understanding and awareness of Indigenous ways of knowing and being, while building on the learning that’s happened throughout the year,” says Gail Brant-Terry, Principal of Indigenous Education. Here is a sample of some of the resources available about UCDSB Gatherings: · Bill Montgomery, Indigenous Education Lead: Overview of TRC Gathering and 2020 Honouring Relationships: https://safeyoutube.net/w/ h6BK. David Jock, Knowledge
Keeper, Akwesasne Mohawk Territory: Insights about TRC Gatherings Highlights of past UCDSB TRC Gatherings: https://safeyoutube.net/w/ J9BK. “I hope our staff, students and their families take time this week to use these resources and reflect on their relationships with Indigenous peoples. It’s really important for us to talk about reconciliation and renewal, which is about building respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples so that we can build the de24
sired future for our children,” says Stephen Sliwa, Director of Education. More learning resources can be found on the UCDSB Indigenous Learning YouTube Channel (https://www. youtube.com/playlist?list=P Lwwqq79yV4CEVrDTWw
mNy-N4w7KiXcxSD) and in our Learn at Home section of the UCDSB website: http://www.ucdsb.on.ca/ for_students/UCDSB_learn_ at_home.
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