ND Times Issue 25 2023 December 14

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The Voice of North Dundas

Free Christmas turkey dinner

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by Brandon Mayer Returning again this year on Christmas Day is a tradition of giving that exemplifies the North Dundas spirit of community and giving. The Winchester United Church will once again offer a free Christmas turkey dinner on December 25.

This gesture continues to serve as a reminder of what the Christmas season is all about – love, generosity, and warm traditions. The free

Christmas dinner is an annual tradition that has been going on for over 10 years.

Heather Rose is a member of Winchester United Church who is responsible for coordinating the dinners.

“Anybody and everybody has come in the past such as those who were alone and came with other friends, or individuals who came by themselves and sat at tables where they had the opportunity to share a meal

and some great conversation on Christmas Day,” Heather told the Times when first explaining the dinners several years ago. “So really, our hope is that we can share a lot of joy with people and have the opportunity for anyone and everyone to come and enjoy a nutritious meal and, hopefully, also warm their heart with just the sharing of friendship and good conversation.”

The meal is not neces-

sarily planned as an event for the less fortunate, but is rather a community-minded event. The meal provides the opportunity for community outreach and enjoyable conversation, both of which are what make it worthwhile to put on the free meal every year.

New this year is that a place setting of 50 seats will make dining in an option for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are excited to be able to open our doors to share a Christmas meal together in person,” Heather added. “The last few years, we celebrated Christmas differently with takeout dinners only. We are pleased that we have been able to continue to provide a turkey dinner with all the trimmings to the community during the pandemic. This year, we are excited to offer both dine in and takeout.” The takeout is still an option since seating is limited.

Wi n c h e s t e r U n i t e d Church is located at 519 St. Lawrence Street in Winchester. All are welcome to come pick up a meal. As in previous years, all those who plan on stopping by are asked to reserve their meal by calling 613-7742512. Thank you to all of our readers for another great year of connection with the amazing North Dundas community. Tis the season of joy, generosity, family, friends, love, and good spirits. Merry Christmas!

December 14 2023

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Dan Pettigrew Owner & friendly neighbour T: 613.774.1958 Dan.Pettigrew@sobeys.com foodland.ca 12015 Main Street Winchester, ON

Merry Christmas from our homes to yours!

~ The Oldford Team

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submitted by Ann Brady When local Artist Theresa Warren was a little girl growing up in rural Osgoode, her family was poor and art supplies were a luxury. Her irrepressible spirit still found a way to express itself, using cereal boxes, game boxes - in fact, any kind of box – as her first canvases that she kept in her bedroom-studio where she began drawing.

Theresa’s artistry came naturally; but it was only in her fifties, when a friend inspired her to take her gift seriously, that she began to paint in earnest. Her love of the environment spurred her on, becoming landscapes under her brushes.

Theresa is December’s ‘Art in the Branches’ featured Artist at Winchester Public Library. Her subject matter ranges from Indigenous themes – honouring her Algonquin Ancestors – to landscapes, birds, flowers and animals. Expressive painting is one of her favorite styles. Some of her pieces feature glitter or varnish as a highlight, in vibrant watercolour and acrylic colours – she calls them “happy colours”. The bright yellows, oranges and browns of sunflowers represent life, love and happiness to her. Other pieces are created in her favourite medium. “I prefer working in oils because they allow me to mold and build textures that give the painting a 3D effect,” she explains.

Theresa Warren’s paintings can be found in homes right across Canada – and all through the month of December, a generous selection of her works will brighten Winchester Library! This is a great opportunity to find unique and beautiful pieces for holiday giving. Contact Theresa at tjoan910@yahoo.ca or visit her website at https://tjoan910. wixsite.com/mysite. Winchester Library is located at 547 St. Lawrence Street in Winchester, Ontario. Artists interested in exhibiting their works through this free service can contact Ann at northdundasartscouncil@yahoo.ca or on Facebook at ‘North Dundas Arts Council’.

Stephen Trolly

Marketing Consultant

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December 14, 2023

submitted by Bob Weagant Winter is here and we all need to be bundled up for the cold weather. Many children in the township of North Dundas are not fortunate enough to be properly dressed for the season.

The North Dundas Christmas Fund, in conjunction with the local Lions Clubs, Royal Canadian Legions and local schools and churches, all unite to fill this need. Last Christmas, the North Dundas Christmas Fund gave out 73 new snowsuits to children 13 and under, each costing an average of $45.

The fund also distributed 166 food baskets to families in the area, representing 143 children and 299 adults. Food drives are organized through the schools and churches and financially supported in part by industry, local service clubs and private donations.

If you would like to help in this mission, please make your cheque payable to the North Dundas Christmas Fund and mail it to P.O. Box 27, South Mountain, Ontario, K0E 1W0. We also accept e-transfers at northdundaschristmasfund@gmail.com.

Those in need thank you very much.

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Our Community Needs Dundas Manor.

Please help build a brand new home for ALL our families.

Dundas Manor Long-Term Care Home is here for our community. But it’s crowded and dated, with residents eating in hallways and, in some cases, four residents sharing a bedroom. Together, we can change that!

The new Dundas Manor will have larger spaces to be together, bright windows and a bedroom for each resident. Current and future residents deserve nothing less.

Come Dream with Us … and help build the new Dundas Manor!

Donor Name(s) {person(s) or organization who paid for the gift}:

Our community needs a new Dundas Manor - close to home. It is the only long-term care in North and South Dundas and we need everyone’s help to make this dream a reality.

Name: _______________________________________________

 Mr.

 Dr.

 Ms.

 Miss

Day Phone: ________________________ Evening Phone: _____________________

Address: _____________________________________________________ Prov: _________

Postal Code: _____________

City: ________________________

Email: ____________________________________________

#1 Give a Pledged Gift Over Time

$18,000,000 $17,000,000 $16,000,000 $15,000,000 $14,000,000 $13,000,000 $12,000,000 $11,000,000

(For example, a pledged gift of $10,000 could be

Gift Amount  Yes! I am proud to support the new Dundas Manor with a pledge of $________________  I would like to make an initial payment of $ ____________ , leaving a balance of $ ________________

.

 No, I would prefer not to give an initial payment at this time.  Payment(s) will begin on _________________________ on a

________________________________ basis (Monthly / Quarterly / Annual)

(Date)

for a period of _______________________________ or until _____________________________________(date).

#2 I Would Like to Support the New Dundas Manor Now with a Gift of $1,250

$750

$500

$250 $125

Method of Payment  By cheque or cash

Our Community Cares!

Please join the magic!

Please make payable to WDMH Foundation with ‘new Dundas Manor’ in memo section of cheque.

 By donation of shares or securities Please call Erin Kapcala at 613-774-2422 x 6769 to discuss.

$30 $____________ is the best gift for me  Visa

 MasterCard

 American Express

Name on Card _________________________________ Credit Card No. _________________________________ Expiry Date (MM/YY) ______________________ CVV# ______________________  This is a corporate credit card.

Signature ___________________________________________________

Date __________________________

 Regarding my annual or quarterly pledged gift, please send me an  annual reminder or  quarterly reminders

✁

Our wonderful donors have given over $12 million to help build the new, larger, safe Dundas Manor.

What an amazing community! It’s a lot of money but we’re not there yet.

Help us reach our $18 million goal by giving as generously as you can.

 Mrs.  Mr. & Mrs.

WDMH Foundation wdmhfoundation.ca 566 Louise Street foundation@wdmh.on.ca Winchester, ON K0C 2K0 facebook.com/wdmhfoundation (613) 774-2422 x 6162 Charitable Registration #: 89282 4368 RR0001

For more information about the new Dundas Manor and the Expanding the Circle of Compassionate Care campaign, please visit www.dundasmanordream.ca or contact the WDMH Foundation team at 613-774-2422 ext. 6162 or 6169.

December 14, 2023

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Rockets vs Mustangs rivalry: It doesn’t get any better than this!

by Murray Link When it comes to senior men’s hockey in Eastern Ontario, one doesn’t have to travel far to see it in person. On Saturday Dec 9th, the North Dundas Rockets took on the South Stormont Mustangs in a game that boasted the top two teams in the Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League. The much anticipated “battle of the East” game which had been

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talked about for weeks didn’t disappoint. In front of a full house, the barn in Chesterville was full of excitement hours prior to the event.

“There were people from Long Sault in the stands two hours prior to the puck drop” stated Rob Sadler, Rockets Head Coach. “They came early to make sure they had a good seat”, and a good thing they did because it was standing room only for

the first two shifts……not the way you want to start a game”. Rockets forward #91 Andrew Radjenovic was leveled with an open ice hit and #14 Deric Boudreau took a puck to the face. Both players returned later in the first period; luckily, Radjenovic had the wind knocked out of him but Boudreau was not so fortunate and required four stitches to stop the bleeding.

The latter part of the first saw a momentum swing as Rockets newcomer #17 Jack Nevins potted a short handed goal with 1:07 left in the first period to tie things up. #66 Brett Gustavson beat the horn with two seconds remaining in the first to give the Rockets a 2-1 lead heading into the second period.

The second period saw things turn a little heated as the Mustangs recorded 6 penalties and the Rockets 5. With both teams playing shorthanded at different stages of the second period, it looked like it could be anyone’s game. Fortunately, the home team was able to

anyone who came late to the rink.

Right from the get-go, the game was fast paced and very physical. The first period saw the Mustangs hitting every Rocket in sight, creating early scoring opportunities that were capitalized on by the Mustangs as they went up 1-0 early in the first. “It was a rocky start for sure”, mentioned Sadler, “we lost two guys within

capitalize with power play goals by #27 Mike McNamee at the 7:00 minute mark and #90 Tanner Williams at the 13:30 mark of the second period. The Mustangs made it a 4-2 affair with only 4 seconds remaining in the second period as they capitalized with a power play goal of their own by former Rocket #4 Dillon Clement.

In the 3rd period, the Rockets protected their lead and played smart defensive hockey. The Mustangs came out hard with 14 shots in the final period but were denied

by North Dundas goaltender Matt Jenkins. Jenkins, who leads the league in wins with 10, also has a 2.90 goals against average which is also tops in the league.

“Jenks has been outstanding in goal” stated Sadler. “He is definitely dialled in and I would say is looking the best that I’ve seen him since joining the squad three years ago”. Veteran forward Dean Byvelds capped off the scoring for the Rockets in the middle of the third putting

the nail in the coffin for a 5-2 final score. Byvelds also took home first star of the game and a custom “player of the game” helmet donated by the North Dundas Fire Department.

Once again, off the ice the Rockets were winners as they continued their pledge to give back to the community. All proceeds of the $25,000 shootout will be donated to the North Dundas Christmas Fund. Fans also brought in non-perishable food items and toys that will also be donated to the Fund.

It is safe to say that the rivalry between these two teams is just starting to come to a boil, and luckily both Rockets and Mustangs fans won’t have to wait long for a rematch of this weekend’s fantastic game. The next Rockets home game will be Dec 23rd at 3:30 vs the South Stormont Mustangs.

Be sure to get to the rink early and cheer your home team on. The question is North Dundas: ARE YOU GOING TO THE GAME!

Merry Christmas

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Railroad Recording Company presents: “Christmas at the Old Town Hall” submitted by Laura Greenberg Back by popular demand, Railroad Recording Company presents their second annual Christmas concert at the Old Town Hall this December 21, 22, and 23 in Winchester, Ontario. Songs for the winter and Christmas season will be performed by an all-star band and an incredible line up of special guest singers.

Old favourites, modern hits, and brand new original songs will be performed in a wide variety of musical styles.

The all-star band of musicians features Laura Greenberg on bass, Dylan Roberts on drums, Tom Henbest on keys, Ken Workman on guitar, and Bogdan Gheorghe on guitar. Our special guest singers include Kristine St-Pierre, Lucas Haneman, Megan Laurence, Al Wood, Scott Harvey, Finley June, Matthew Chaffey, Dave Tettmar, and Lauren Casselman.

The entire Old Town Hall is transformed into a wintry holiday wonderland, with a life sized Advent calendar, door prizes, photo

and the concert beginning at 2:30 pm.

Tickets are available at eventbrite.com; $30 general admission, and $15 for kids/ youth under 18. Profit from this event will be donated to the WDMH Foundation in support of building the new Dundas Manor. For more information, please visit www. railroadrecordingcompany. com, or email us at railroadrecordingcompany@ gmail.com.

booth, and more! At the intermission, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and homemade cookies. The show will feature exciting lighting and special effects, and many fun surprises to get you into the holiday spirit. Who knows, maybe Santa will even stop by!

The concerts will take place on the evenings of Thursday, Dec 21, and Friday, Dec 22 with the doors opening at 7:00 pm and the concert beginning at 7:30 pm. The final concert will be on Saturday, Dec 23 with doors opening at 2:00 pm,

by Brandon Mayer North Dundas Fire Station 4 will continue its annual tradition of hosting Santa Claus for a final tour

around the village of Chesterville shortly before he sets off on his long journey to deliver gifts to the world’s children on Christmas Eve. Santa will depart the Chesterville Fire Station on December 24 at 4:30 pm,

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The gift of love. The gift of peace.

The gift of happiness. May all these be yours at Christmas.

Santa Express set to return to Chesterville

The Santa Express in 2020.

The Voice of North Dundas

Firefighters will also be collecting food donations for the Christ Church United Food Pantry during the journey. The truck will journey down every street in Chesterville village limits during its pre-planned route, to ensure that every local child can experience the fun.

“This will be the third year Station 4 has done this,” Sean added. “Our firefighters wanted to do something to help boost the Christmas spirit for our village, and what better way than to help Santa see as many children as possible on Christmas Eve. It also gives us the opportunity to collect food donations for the United Church Food Pantry to help those in need this holiday season.”

Be sure to wait at the end of your driveway on Christmas Eve, kids!

along with firefighters and vehicles to make his journey extra special. “It is our intent to have Santa ride on the '53 Heritage Pump, although that will be a game day decision,” said Chesterville firefighter, Sean Donovan.

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To my loyal customers and the North Dundas community; May the Christmas season fill your homes with joy, your hearts with love, and your life with laughter.

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We would like to thank everyone for your ongoing support.

With sincere best wishes for a Merry Christmas & a Joyous New Year!

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A double donation SNC installs new pollinator meadows from the Rotary Club in North Dundas says Annalisa Mazzoraof Chesterville and to, Regulatory Manager, Syngenta Canada.

District Last year, in partner-

submitted by Jane Adams Quack! Quack! The Rotary Club of Chesterville and District has donated the proceeds from its famous annual Duck Race to the WDMH Foundation – to be divided equally between two worthy causes. $1,700 will go to the Foundation’s Family Care Fund, and $1,700 will go to the Expanding the Circle of Compassionate Care campaign for the new Dundas Manor.

“The Rotary Club of Chesterville and District has proudly supported the Winchester District Memorial Hospital in many ways throughout the years, including the Renewing the Vision campaign, hosting third party events and now our annual Duck Race,” notes Rotary President Martin Derks. “We will continue to support the Winchester District Memorial Hospital and Dundas Manor, as both are important to us and our community.”

“This is just ducky!” says Manager of Major and Planned Giving Erin Kapcala. “The donation to the Family Care Fund will be used where it is needed most: to buy new medical equipment, upgrade existing equipment or meet other urgent needs at WDMH. The donation to the Dundas Manor campaign will help us build a brand-new, larger home - adding more space, privacy and comfort and we will welcome 30 more residents.”

For more details about the WDMH Foundation, please visit www.wdmhfoundation.ca. For more details about the Dundas Manor campaign, please visit www.dundasmanordream.ca or contact the WDMH Foundation team at 613-774-2422 ext. 6162 or 6169.

agricultural fields due to the influx of pollinating insects that will live and thrive in the new habitat.

The sites for the pollinator project are directly adjacent to the South Nation River. The newly planted vegetation along the shoreline will act as buffers to the river to improve water quality while also providing a natural corridor for wildlife to move under cover along the river. The design of the site locations also took into consideration the surrounding landscape and agricultural activities, by squaring off fields that were deemed awkward for farming equipment to maneuver through.

A diverse selection of wildflowers was chosen for the project to enhance the pollinator habitat.

“All species are native to Eastern North America and are pollinator favourites, specifically bees,” said Brent Harbers, SNC’s Watershed Biologist. “They have showy

submitted by Erin Thorne South Nation Conservation (SNC) staff were as busy as bees this fall, completing the installation of over three acres of pollinator habitat in North Dundas. The new pollinator meadows planted

by SNC, in partnership with Syngenta Canada, have created essential habitats and food sources for a range of pollinators, including native bees and pollinating insects. These meadows also enhance the biodiversity of the region and improve the local environment.

Syngenta Canada's Operation Pollinator program provided SNC with native wildflower seeds to establish two pollinator meadows in North Dundas. Wildflower seeds were sowed along the South Nation River at Oak Valley Pioneer Park and near Camp Sheldrick.

The new pollinator meadows are considered a winwin for the environment and for neighbouring

flowers and provide seed for a variety of birds and mammals. The native grasses will also provide cover and habitat for wildlife,” he explained.

Seeds were sourced by Northern Wildflowers, an Ontario-based company, and include gray-headed coneflower, milkweed, oxeye sunflower, purple coneflower, wild bergamot, and switchgrass among 18 others native species.

“We’re pleased to partner with SNC to help support habitat creation to promote the health and well-being of bees and other pollinators given their essential role in agriculture and nature,”

ship with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, SNC successfully created a pollinator meadow at Mill Run Conservation Area, transforming a 1.5-acre field into a biodiverse community pollinator garden. Donated by Augusta Township to the Conservation Authority in 2021, the property will support the growth of a variety of native wildflowers over the next few growing seasons, providing diverse food sources for pollinating insects.

“We are excited to watch this pollinator meadow grow and enhance the habitat along the shoreline over the next few years,” added Harbers. “Partnerships with programs like Operation Pollinator make it possible to complete important projects that improve the health of our local environment.”

About Operation Pollinator Operation Pollinator is a long-standing international biodiversity initiative by Syngenta focused on research and partnerships to promote the health and well-being of bees and other pollinators.

May this Christmas season fill your home with joy, your heart with love, and your life with laughter.

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Investigations into missing people continue submitted by OPP Investigators appeal for tips, not rumours The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Smiths Falls Police Service (SFPS) are urging those with information regarding two missing people to contact investigators.

The investigations into the disappearances of Lawrence BERTRIM and Robbie THOMSON remain active and ongoing. Teams of investigators from the OPP and SFPS, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, continue to follow up on any potential leads that are provided. We cannot speculate on any potential connection between these cases.

Investigators from both services are very concerned about the ru-

Note on Council mours, misinformation something, please call and disinformation be- the tip lines or Crime meetings ing spread. Rumours can cause delays in the investigation.

"We continue to hear stories about disturbing details, but no one has come forward to investigators with any first-hand information. Rumours are not evidence and cannot be used in court." -OPP Detective Inspectors Jennifer Patton and Daniel Levert.

"Public safety is our priority. These are individual investigations, however investigators from each case speak regularly with each other to make sure nothing is missed. Smiths Falls PS investigators continue to work diligently for the families and the community to find answers to these cases. Rumours don't help. If you know

Stoppers." - Smiths Falls PS Deputy Chief Jodi Empey.

Dedicated tip lines will ensure that your information gets directly to detectives assigned to these missing person cases. If you have any first-hand information, even if it seems insignificant, investigators want to hear from you.

- For Robbie THOMSON: 1-855-677-4636 - For Lawrence BERTRIM: 1-844-6779404 If you have first-hand information, but would like to remain anonymous, contact Lanark County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or file an anonymous report on the Crime Stoppers website.

The only meeting of North Dundas Council that has occurred since the last update occurred in the evening hours of December 11, past the print deadline of this, our final Times issue of the year. Council has been hard at work all year, and readers are encouraged to view Council meeting recordings to stay informed, particularly in cases like these when it is not possible for meeting highlights to be provided in the Times.

Visit YouTube.com and search for “Township of North Dundas”. From there, some relevant videos can be found under the “Video” tab, and others can be found under “Live”.

Should Environmental Farm Plan expand into climate change concerns?

Survey now online courtesy of Farmers Forum

An update is in the works for the Environmental Farm Plan — one that incorporates the latest concerns about climate change and sustainability — and Ontario farmers have until December 17 to participate in an online survey about the future scope of this key document that many farms are now effectively compelled to keep on file.

The Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) has been around for 30 years. Today, a lot of farms must complete an EFP to ad-

here to mandated industry standards or local planning regulations. The document typically catalogues a farm’s environmental strengths and weaknesses and lays out action plans for making improvements. In its current form, completing an EFP may involve filling out as many as 23 worksheets at a two-day workshop.

The EFP was last updated in 2013, and the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) — which administers the program — will release a new “modernized” edition in

2025.

The upcoming EFP will include “new areas of focus like biodiversity and climate change,” OSCIA director of operations Barb Caswell confirmed.

Among other questions, the survey asks participants to select their top three environmental concerns from a list that includes: weather volatility, soil health, water quality, water management, biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions reductions and/or carbon sequestration, nutrient management, and waste reduction and management.

The survey opened at the end of November.

Farmers may participate at www.surveymonkey.com/r/ V69QV99 until December 17.

The survey report will be released in the spring. Further deliberations with farm groups will also occur before then, according to Caswell.

The EFP is jointly funded by the provincial and federal governments, to the tune of $4.1 million over the next five years through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership fund.

Those dollars also cover the planned update.

The Voice of North Dundas

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Please accept the KDH Foundation's sincere appreciation for your editorial, “Water to the Soup”, November 30, 2023. It was a wonderful commendation of the generosity of North Grenville and North Dundas residents towards the two big projects in their respective care.

Thank you for your stupendous and ongoing support of the CT Scanner Crossroads Campaign and sharing this “call to action” with your readers.

We are very grateful. To paraphrase what you said, together, we will reap the future benefits of that community spirit.

With best regards, Lynne Clifford-Ward

Dear Editor, Christmas is a time for giving and it is right that we celebrate the generosity of normal people in donating their time, money, or goods to charitable causes at this time of year. There are many charitable organizations that we are fortunate to have in our communities, supporting people when they need it the most.

Christmas is also the time of year when we are bombarded with self-serving photos of politicians supporting food banks, yet they are complicit in creating the conditions which have led to an explosion in food bank usage.

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) payments were increased by 6.5% earlier this year, meaning a single person on ODSP with no dependents receives a maximum of $1,300 a month. Ontario Works recipients receive an even more meagre $733 a month, an amount that hasn’t increased since 2018. This is legislated poverty that our provincial government could deal with immediately if it wanted to. In Ottawa, a private member’s bill is progressing to develop a national framework to establish a school food program, yet our MP voted against this bill.

A recent report revealed that the number of people using food banks across Ontario increased by nearly 40% in the year to March 31, 2023, with nearly 800,000 people across the Province needing their support. The total number of visits saw a similar increase. Canada is a rich country, the tenth largest economy in the world, yet increasing numbers of people are not able to put food on the table or a roof over their head. While we should be very grateful that food banks exist, every case of someone needing to use one should be seen as a policy failure. Every case of someone being homeless should be seen as a policy failure. These failures should make us angry. Neoliberal economics has failed, succeeding only in making the rich ever richer. All three major parties have been complicit in this failure. We need a new political and economic framework, one that puts people and the planet first rather than the interests of a tiny elite.

Steve Gabell

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Editorial

Just Merry Christmas

by Brandon Mayer The Christmas season is upon us! We are now only a week and a half away from what is undoubtedly most people’s favourite holiday. Christmas isn’t just a day – it’s a season, an attitude, and a spirit. It’s a distinct time of year that essentially lasts an entire month (8% of our entire lives!). Christmas is about family, generosity, peace, love, and celebration.

One question that gets asked every year is: “Should we say Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays?” I hate this question, because it relates to a non-existing and highly contrived problem.

It’s one of those debates that has been fuelled by misinformation and pure drama, probably in the name of creating social media hype for the sake of likes and views. The truth is, “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays” are two distinct terms that each

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serve a purpose.

“Merry Christmas” is a pleasant greeting meant to spread good cheer in the name of a beloved, peaceful and family-oriented holiday. In my many experiences with those who do not celebrate Christmas for religious or other reasons, I have noticed that in almost all cases, a person who is wished a “Merry Christmas” when they don’t celebrate, doesn’t care.

They may return the simple gesture with a greeting of their own, such as “Happy Hanukkah”, or if wanting to be more neutral, they may answer with “Happy Holidays”.

Notions that immigrants come to Canada and attempt to “impose” their values on Canadians are completely made up. Has anyone actually ever had an immigrant speak these words to them? Has anyone ever experienced being told off by an immigrant for saying “Merry Christmas”?

No… because it doesn’t happen. Scam stories have been circulating on the in-

ternet since the internet rose to prominence, purporting to share tales of immigrants demanding that Canadians stop celebrating Christmas because it violates their religion. These stories are fiction, have always been fiction, and they were written, popularized and distributed by racists to turn Canadians against immigrants.

The same thing happens in America and other Western countries. The sad part is that in many cases, the scam has worked, and ordinary people become the vehicle of the false information, claiming that immigrants are insisting that we stop celebrating Christmas when that has never been the case.

“Happy Holidays” is a term I use quite frequently.

No one has ever told me I needed to say it, but I say it because I think it adequately captures the fact that this time of year is about more than just one day. Outside the Times office window, I see a true winter wonderland. I know that many kids and adults alike enjoyed the annual parade a couple of

weeks ago. I can turn on the radio and easily tune into a station broadcasting festive music. Kids at my place of work are eagerly anticipating caroling, parties, gift exchanges, and a movie day. I myself am looking forward to hosting a New Year’s Eve party, where I will see family members I haven’t seen in a very long time.

All of the above is about more than just December 25. Christmas may be the central focus of this merry season, but for countless people, this time of year is simply “the holidays”.

Many people take vacation, there are three statutory holidays all within the span of a week, beautiful white Canadian snow decorates the ground and the trees, and generosity oozes from every orifice.

“Happy Holidays” simply means “Isn’t it great to be enjoying the most wonderful time of year?” I use the term interchangeably with “Merry Christmas”, though I do admit that I prefer the sound of “Happy Holidays”

in late November or early December, and often in the days following Christmas or New Years. It’s more allencompassing, and it’s an expression of general celebration. There is no need to muddy the term with politics, or false notions of the evil nature of those who don’t celebrate Christmas.

I personally use the term “Merry Christmas” when Christmas itself is drawing very near, or earlier in the season if I am speaking to someone I likely won’t see again before Christmas. We absolutely have a right to say “Merry Christmas” in this country, and no one will ever take that away from us, nor is anyone trying – stop spreading hate!

As this will be the last edition of the North Dundas Times in 2023, it seemed only natural that I should bid my Christmas well wishes to our readers.

I struggled with what to name this editorial. I typically use a mysterious phrase or analogy to title my editorials. Why? It’s so people actually read them!

When the title betrays nothing of the editorial’s subject matter, it forces the curious reader to read through and find the connection between the idiom or play on words, and the topic being discussed. When I first started writing editorials, I used mysterious titles to get people to read them, thinking I was far too boring for people to read my work when labelled with candid titles. It was a habit that stuck!

This edition, I vowed not to sully the meaning of Christmas with a joke or play on words. This editorial’s title is therefore just “Merry Christmas”. “The title should be just Merry Christmas”, I said to the production team. What could possibly go wrong?

(Okay, so I snuck in one little joke).

Have the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of New Year’s, everyone! Much love from all of us here at the Times.

from direct military conflict, agricultural leaders have declared, “we must feed the world.”

We responded on our home farm in the 1960s by turning the whole farm into one corn field as did others across Ontario.

Now it’s time to rethink the dedication of over 2 million Ontario prime farmland acres per year for number 2, yellow dent corn, grown mostly for feed and fuel.

I understand the sunk costs (financial, cultural, emotional) of the current livestock system in which I grew up. Nevertheless, Dr. William Rees of UBC, who developed the ecological footprint analysis, stated in his recent paper The Human Ecology of Overshoot, “We are consuming and polluting the biophysical basis of our own existence. …

The global economy will inevitably contract and humanity will suffer a major population ‘correction’ in this century.”

Turning away from such warnings propels ecological systems further into overshoot. Governments must develop policies to help livestock farmers break free from sunk costs which prevent them from switching to human edible crop production.

To feed the world and avoid overshoot, we need more human edible food crops and less feed.

Currently, more than 40% of prime farmland in Ontario which is dedicated to grow feed crops for livestock could be used instead to grow food crops for human consumption. In this scenario, there would still be sufficient animal protein for an adequate diet, ac-

cording to the Canada Food Guide.

Many cultures have lived well for centuries with much less animal protein per person than consumed now in North America and Europe. It is becoming increasingly evident that we endanger our capacity to feed the world by over-assigning feed crops to prime farmland. The priority for this heritage is to grow crops for human edible food, while maintaining or improving soil health and overall ecological integrity.

Ralph C. Martin, Ph.D.,Professor (retired), University of Guelph. Information on book “Food Security: From Excess to Enough” at www.ralphmartin.ca.

Op-ed

Use prime farmland effectively

by Ralph C. Martin When crumbs of soil from prime farmland sift through the fingers of my right hand, I conclude that it should be used to grow food crops for human consumption, while maintaining or improving soil health.

Obviously, prime farmland must not be paved over.

When more prime farmland soil trickles a bit faster through the 4.5 digits (I lost half of one on the farm) of my left hand, I ponder the best way to maintain or improve the health of that soil. My research informs me that forages (clover, alfalfa, timothy etc.) are required in rotation or in conjunction with row crops. In addition, animal manure, other organic amendments and crop residues

can be applied to improve soil health.

Livestock play an important role, in particular, ruminants which convert soil-restoring forages to meat and milk.

Livestock also provide the manure mentioned above. In addition, within a food system, livestock can consume and convert human inedible materials such as i) food processing by-products, ii) otherwise wasted food, iii) food crops which inadvertently do not meet specifications for human consumption and iv) crop residues.

Clearly there is an ecological role for livestock.

Today, in a world of 1.4 billion cattle, 0.9 billion pigs and 24 billion chickens, more grain crops for livestock feed are required as well as the concomitant land to grow them. Furthermore,

to maximize litres of milk per cow or kilograms of animal gain per day, human edible food often enhances livestock feed rations. Of all the world’s crops, only 55 percent of crop calories go directly toward people. The rest are allocated to biofuels or animal feed. Unfortunately, global methane emissions from livestock are 131.7 Tg methane per year, about one-third of global anthropogenic methane emissions.

Our ancestors practiced agriculture with due respect for the ecological role of livestock.

The problem now is that with efforts to increase demand for animal protein, the livestock tail is wagging the entire food system.

Since WWII, when 20 million deaths from starvation exceeded those

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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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Community Food Share donation from SD Shuffleboard Club

Baldwin’s Birds

Angels wings?

Members of the South Dundas Shuffleboard Club took time out of their pre-Christmas schedule to present a cheque for $500 to Community Food Share. In this photo, some of the members gather around as the cheque is presented by Club President Cecil McDermott and Secretary Shirley Pulfer to Jim Millard, representing Community Food Share.

The South Dundas Shuffleboard Club meets at Matilda Hall in Dixon's Corners on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

Winter is here, in spirit!

On this crisp winter morning down in a minus degree temperature, the birds are definitely vying for something to eat. The ground and the trees are laden with ice and snow so are not offering much in the way of sustenance to those who rely on such locations as sources for their own individual supplies of food. The smaller birds such as the Chickadees and Gold Finches along with the Woodpeckers head for our hanging feeders, whilst our big flock of Pigeons descend from their overhead wire in search of the ground food that I have scattered or the

seed in our other feeders.

Considering that I cannot provide too much on a daily basis, for them all, they all seem to remain remarkably affable with their fellow birds competing alongside them for the same food. Very few squabbles occur, despite the small confines that they find themselves in at times and such a pleasant sight to behold. Even our one, vastly different coloured, very brown Rock Pigeon feeds quite freely with the rest of the flock without any animosity being shown towards it. A lesson, indeed, for all of us!

As I am writing this, I am watching a Male Cardinal sharing a feeder with a lone Chipping Sparrow and, close by, a female Cardinal is feeding in another spot and a Blue-jay is doing the same. Of course the colours of these two types of birds show up beautifully in the snow, as I hope you too are able to enjoy, but please do it safely. Stay safe and well.

Cheers, John Baldwin

There is no scenery more Canadian and more indicative of Christmas than the sight of snow-covered tree branches.

It’s not winter yet (still autumn, believe it or not!) but a quick look outside lately shows us that winter is here, at least in spirit. This photo shows a wintry South Nation River, just east of South Mountain.

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Highlights from the 2023 North Dundas Parade of Lights. All photos by Mandi Westwell.

ND Times very own Nanda taking a break form shopping to spend time with Santa.

I wonder what she asked him for Christmas?

Thank you to all of our supporters.

Enjoy a safe and Happy Holiday December 14, 2023

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Merry Christmas! We hope you receive one blessing after another this coming year.

Dan Pettigrew, Owner & friendly neighbour

Joy to the world

by David Shanahan I suppose Christmas is most people’s favourite holiday of the year.

It has the reputation of being a time of goodwill and generosity, food and drink and presents and children and all the rest.

Certainly, for Christians, it is so important, one of the most pivotal moments in history, and one of a series of events that resulted in Easter, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. In this secular, post-Christian world in which we live today, Christmas has lost most of that spiritual importance, and the "Spirit of Christmas" for most people has nothing whatsoever to do with Jesus and the Word becoming flesh and living among us, as John put it.

There’s been a lot of naysaying about the fact that Jesus was probably not born on December 25, or that the date was "lifted" from pagan sources and was originally the festival marking the "dies solis invicti nati", or the day of the birth of the unconquered sun, marking the winter solstice. For Christians, that is irrelevant, though the "unconquered sun" seems appropriate! Those who say that Jesus never existed are simply ignorant of the overwhelming amount of evidence for his life, death

and resurrection and should read the detailed historical context provided by Luke in his two-volume history.

All of that aside, Christmas is the point at which the world changed from Old Testament to New, when God took on humanity in order to bring us back to himself. Why? As Gabriel said to Mary when he told her what her child would be called: "because he will save his people from their sins", Jesus being the Greek form of Joshua, meaning God is salvation. For most people these days, I think, that phrase "will save his people from their sins" probably means nothing, something that doesn’t compute in their lives. Sins are often seen as bad things people do, part of being human, and no big deal, unless it means something serious, like murder.

What does it mean to be "saved" from them?

The Christian knows that the "bad things we do" are symptoms, not the disease; that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God", as Paul says in writing to the Christians in Rome. The symptoms may differ from person to person, but the disease is universal because this is a fallen, broken, and often very evil world, as a single news broadcast will show.

And the cause of that fall is a rebellion, a resistance to

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God and his rule. In fact, the New Testament says that this resistance, this rebellion is an expression of humanity’s hatred of God. That’s pretty strong language.

The phrase, "he will save his people from their sins" means that, somehow, Jesus came to restore peace, to provide a way back from rebellion to relationship. That is why Christmas is a time of joy for Believers, but also one which points forward to Easter, the Crucifixion by which Jesus broke the power of sin forever. And that was not the end: the Resurrection is the great event that proved his victory over sin and death, the guarantee that his people would share in that victory.

And there’s another point that has to be made.

There is a common belief that everyone will be forgiven ‘in the end’, that everyone will be restored and go to Heaven, because, after all, God is a God of Love and wouldn’t send anyone to hell. That, sadly, does not agree with what Jesus himself taught, or what the Scriptures teach. That statement by Gabriel says "he will save his people". Who are his people? Jesus told Nicodemus, a leader of the Jewish people in his day: "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again".

Dan.Pettigrew@sobeys.com

There’s that phrase that has been so misused for so long!

The Gospel goes on to state: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

"Whoever believes in him", means whoever trusts in him, believes what he said and is. Not everyone does. In fact, so many react really badly to this, becoming angry and insulted that anyone would call them a sinner in need of saving.

They hate that. For others, this is indeed Good News, and they share in the joy and amazement expressed by that host of angels heard by the shepherds on the first Christmas: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests."

Do you believe it? Joy to the world!

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The Food Corner

By Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville In April of 2021, I gave you our family’s recipe for Baked Brie, wrapped in pastry.

Salamanders has another version that is very popular and a great treat this time of year for entertaining family and friends. You might consider it while decorating the house.

This particular recipe adds a festive season staple, the use of cranberries, a versatile, tasty and healthy addition to any dish.

Onion and Cranberry Baked Brie

Ingredients • 1 large Brie • 2 sweet onions, finely chopped • ½ cup of brown sugar • 2 tablespoons of butter (salted or unsalted, your choice) • ½ cup dry cranberries (Craisins) • A dash of vinegar (white wine is also nice) • ½ cup finely chopped pecans Preparation 1. Bring your Brie to room temperature and pre-heat your oven to 375F 2. Place the Brie on a greased cookie sheet 3. Pop in the oven while you are preparing the topping 4. Sweat your onions in the butter till they start to turn golden 5. Add the sugar, then the cranberries, then the vinegar and caramelize your topping 6. Take the Brie out of the oven and transfer to your favourite serving dish 7. Top with the hot onion-cranberry mixture and sprinkle with the pecans Serve with triangles of Naan bread, warmed briefly in the microwave or half slices of your favourite bread from Grahame’s. Either works just great.

As a wine, consider a cold Chardonnay, unoaked preferably, though a Merlot wouldn’t go amiss, nor would a dark beer, e.g., a St. Ambrose Stout.

Many thanks again for your mails, questions and feedback. Keep ‘em comin’, folks at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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Why some people die The Weather with Connor early and others live on Foothills near Sundre after it We started driving to- softer, so no dents for me.

What’s the most depressing part of a newspaper? It’s the obituary section where you see many people dying too early in life. What causes these untimely deaths? A Gifford-Jones Law states that one bad health problem inevitably leads to another and another, causing people to die early. One of the cardinal sins is not having a healthy and sensible breakfast. Where to lay blame?

It’s the neglectful practices of food companies, governments, schools, and parents, all of whom are commonly ignoring the hazard.

The breakfast sin is found everywhere. Nearly every restaurant serving breakfast is guilty of pushing the wrong foods. We recently found sinful breakfasts in a high-end retirement residence in Toronto. Even upon request for a high fibre cereal, the response was that none was available unless we supplied it ourselves.

Yet high amounts of fibre, as found in Cinderella’s typical meal of beans and lentils in the gruel, are essential to good health. The Cinderella diet at breakfast is, at a minimum, some whole grain toast or high fibre cereal.

High fibre cereal is not what most are eating – children and their parents alike.

Most cereal boxes contain more sugar than fibre. The blunt fact is that sugar tastes better. The best way to make high fibre cereals more palatable is to add a banana or another fruit. It can still be a hard sell, so maybe pictures of diseased inner organs on cereal boxes are needed, like cancerous lungs on cigarette packaging.

Young children won’t care about historical studies, but maybe a few additional illustrations of the medical facts would help. Everyone wants to avoid constipation.

It’s uncomfortable, causes hemorrhoids, and is generally unhealthy. But sailors on British ships suffered so badly from this problem that they couldn’t do their work.

December 14, 2023

Luckily, a wise ship’s doctor insisted on increased fibre in their diet, and they were all cured.

European explorers in Africa found another historical discovery. African societies didn’t suffer from constipation the same way that Europeans did at the time. Why? African diets included more fibre.

What’s the magic of fibre? It holds on to water making bowel movements as soft as toothpaste. Fibre also has a filling effect, decreasing the amount of food consumed. If people ate more fibre, it would help fight the uncontrolled pandemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Few people realize how obesity, type 2 diabetes and their complications are causing heart attacks, kidney failure, blindness, and amputation of legs due to gangrene. This results in a huge medical cost to society and pain and suffering that can last for years.

Remember, the recent viral infection lasted just three years. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are increasing year after year with disastrous consequences.

The time is ripe for food producers and governments to get with it. But we know from experience that regulation alone isn’t going to solve the problem. People need to change what they buy and what they settle for from places serving food.

In the Bible it says, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” The Gifford-Jones version is, “What if hard work produces great wealth, but ill health steals it back early in life?”

The fact is that high fibre products aren’t making the right pitch. Regulatory rules

had been percolating overtop of the Foothills for awhile.

We hopped back on HWY 22 to go north for about 40 minutes to get a closer look at the developing supercell.

We got right up next to it. At this point it was in its early stages, still developing and not all that organized. It was moving slowly as well, so we were able to sit right next to it and watch it slowly try and get its act together. A couple of lightning strikes and a spike in rain activity later on would tell us that it’s trying to get itself going.

We followed that storm as it moved incredibly slowly for probably 2 hours. It was really struggling in the area that it was, which was near Shantz and Didsbury, Alberta, because the wind shear in that area was not strong enough to support it. It always had the shape of wanting to get its act together, but it just couldn’t do it, so we actually left that storm and went to a different storm further south near Crossfield on Trans Canada HWY 2.

This is the storm that made this day really fun.

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

This week I’d like to talk about one of the more fun chases I’ve been on in my chasing career. This column will be the story of that day, from start to finish, and how it went down.

The day is June 30th, 2023. We’re in Alberta along the Foothills for a pretty hyped up Prairies severe weather day. I started the day by going over the weather models that are available out there, and picking my target. My target ended up being one of my favourite gas stations in Alberta, the Shell station just north of Cochrane on HWY 22. That gas station has seen many “sit and wait” games. Incredible snack selection inside the store. Lots of nice property around to play frisbee in while waiting for storms.

Anyways, we waited and waited there, and finally a storm started to come off the

wards it and noticed it really getting itself together as it came into Crossfield and went through town. I knew I would have to do a “core punch” on this storm, meaning driving through all of the precipitation to get to the other side of the storm to have a better view unshrouded by rain and hail. Of course, with storms in that part of the country, hail is oftentimes the main story, which is why I found this so fun.

Listen, alright? I’ve always wanted hail dents in my chasing vehicle. It’s an unexplainable chaser thing.

It’s like a token of success, but instead of a token, it’s dents. So with that in mind, I core punched. Golf ball sized hail was raining down on us. It was loud. I was smiling so hard my cheeks were sore after. It was so much fun, that I actually decided to go back north through the core again, and then back south through it for a 3rd time. It was incredible, I really wanted those dents, guys. Unfortunately, the dents didn’t happen. The hail was big, but also a bit

I’m still searching for those.

After going back south through the core the 3rd time, we stayed south of the storm to actually properly chase it, like a regular storm chaser who isn’t insane would do (oh who am I kidding, I’m insane). This is where this storm got super beautiful.

At this point, there are a ton of other chasers on this storm. We’re seeing a bunch of them parked on the side of the road, watching and loving what they’re seeing, as was I. It was turning into something you’d never see in Ontario, one of those flying saucer supercells, rotating away over beautiful green Alberta fields to the east of Crossfield, Alberta.

This photo of the “flying saucer” supercell made it into my 2024 calendars, which are filled with storm and sunset photos from the 2023 summer chasing season. Speaking of calendars, if you’d like one of my calendars, please email me at forecastingbyconnor@ gmail.com, or message me on my Facebook page.

Thanks for reading!

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rightfully limit what claims can be made. But a healthy fibre cereal should trumpet the benefits of reduced risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes and a host of degenerative diseases having terrible medical complications.

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CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Free-for-all fight 6. Millisecond 10. Rodents 14. Hawaiian veranda 15. Noble 16. Dugout shelter 17. Beside 18. Diva's solo 19. Hard work 20. Paganism 22. Small parasitic arachnid 23. Make lace 24. Young lady 26. Author 30. Stop 32. Consumer of food 33. Vendors 37. Flower stalk 38. Eagle's home 39. Train track 40. Not extreme 42. Noodles

43. Sea swallows 44. Seven performers 45. Not fresh 47. Offer 48. Annoyance 49. Drowsiness 56. African sheep 57. Pieces of information 58. Christmas song 59. Corporate image 60. Broadcast 61. A long narrow passage 62. Aquatic bird 63. Documents 64. Hemorrhage DOWN 1. Dull 2. Rattling breath 3. Dwarf buffalo 4. Desire 5. Cigarette igniter 6. Had in mind

Why I now like Canadian Winters

7. Indian dress 8. Greek goddess of discord 9. Beach cookout 10. Jalopy 11. Agitated 12. Instant 13. Type of fabric 21. Hearing organ 25. East southeast 26. Where the sun sets 27. Assess 28. Detail 29. Enticement 30. Grocery carriers 31. A Great Lake 33. Average 34. Where the sun rises 35. Religious ceremony 36. Thin strip 38. Detained by police 41. Snake-like fish 42. Human-powered taxi 44. Small mouthful 45. Goat antelope 46. Hemlock spruce genus 47. Beats 48. Friends 50. Luxury car 51. Majestic 52. Type of fastener 53. Celtic language 54. One and only 55. Sleigh

by Lena Usovich Before moving to Canada, my knowledge about the country was maple syrup, hockey, beautiful nature, and extremely cold and snowy winters. But now that I have survived one winter of freezing weather, I would like to tell you my impression about Canadian winters, the difference between the Canadian and Ukrainian climate, and my tips to stay warm in winter time.

I grew up in the Ukrainian city of Odessa, where the average temperature in winter reaches +5 to +10C and snow is rare . So naturally, when I told my friends I was moving to Canada, everyone asked me the same question “How are you going to survive the winter?”

To be honest, I had never dreamed of living in Canada and hadn’t thought too much about it. I thought that if there are people who live there, I should be able to survive. What surprised me when I arrived in Canada in April 2022 was finding snow on the ground and feeling the terrible cold. Looking back, I wasn’t ready for winter in

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

Easy

Hard

April and I didn’t even have warm clothes. Fortunately, it wasn’t cold for long, as it was already starting to get warmer in May. I thought that I had enough time to prepare for the freezing cold, but I was wrong. When winter actually arrived, I wasn’t absolutely ready.

I didn’t have the desire to leave the house. No matter how warmly I dressed, I felt frozen down to my bones all the time. Do you know someone who loves winter?

I’m not even sure “winter people” exist. All I know is that I’m definitely not one!

I can definitely say that my first winter in Canada was rough and I hated this season. To me, winter was the most depressing time of the year. It is always cold so you can’t do much outdoor stuff and you spend a lot of time inside, feeling bored and depressed.

Winter weather in Canada starts in November and lasts through late March or early April, a total of approximately five to six months of chilly snowy weather. I realized that I was wasting half of the year hating this inevitable season, so to save myself from six months of depressing thoughts and boredom, I found ways to enjoy this period of the year and would like to share my tips to stay warm during this cold weather season.

The first reason to love winter is Christmas. I don’t know anyone who actively does not celebrate Christ-

mas. It’s a magical time of the year! It feels like people are just more generous, understanding and kind at this time of year. And it’s the snow that makes Christmas magical. Can you imagine celebrating Christmas in the summer? I can’t! In Ukraine, I would dream of having snow on Christmas, but it was very rare. So this is my first reason for loving winter.

Wintertime is absolutely perfect for shopping, ice skating, driving around to look at the winter lights, movies, hot chocolate and forgetting about dieting. I do think that winter is the most beautiful time of the year. Of course cold weather can make life a little tricky, but there is nothing more beautiful than a fresh snowfall. People don’t like cold inclement weather, not winter itself, but you can easily find ways to stay warm and cozy indoors or outside.

Wearing the right clothes and maintaining my home’s temperature keep me warm in such a cold time of the year. Besides wearing warm clothes, it’s also important to warm yourself from the inside. Hot meals are the best way to keep yourself warm. There is a reason why everyone makes soup in the winter. I drink a lot of tea and spend a lot of time at home by the fireplace; it helps me keep warm in the winter time. Just find your way to enjoy winter and stay warm during the cold weather.

Now available

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The Food Corner Recipe Book in USB Flash Drive format at Salamanders of Kemptville and at the Beth Donovan Hospice. You can also download a copy at the The Hospice Shop

Please Support our Community Sponsors: B&H Your Community Grocer, Grahame’s Bakery and Kemptville Home Hardware

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Highlights from the 2023 North Dundas Parade of Lights. All photos by Mandi Westwell.

Merrry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at the North Dundas Times

“We would like to thank our valued customers for your business during the past year and wish you all a Merry Christmas and prosperous 2023” Staff at Neal’s Heating, Cooling and Refrigeration 12095 Baker Road, Winchester nealshcr@xplornet.com 613.774.6446

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Highlights from the 2023 North Dundas Parade of Lights. All photos by Mandi Westwell.

A parade to remember North Dundas Parade of Lights

Thank you to our Sponsors and Volunteers!

The 2023 North Dundas Parade of Lights Committee would like to express our gratitude to everyone who helped make this year’s event a success.

Thank you to all of our volunteers who took the time to help set up, collect donations, and so much more.

Thanks to all the businesses and community organizations who put floats in the parade this year, and to all our vendors and businesses who participated in the Vendor & Trade Show.

Sponsors:

The Township of North Dundas Upper Canada Musicians’ Association The Music Performance Fund Sandfire Design Neal’s Heating, Cooling & Refrigeration McDougall Insurance Brokers Ltd. Summers Physiotherapy Winchester Dental Centre The Oldford Team at Royal LePage Team Realty Seaway Valley Pharmacy Upper Canada Veterinary Services Nation River Health Clinic Inc. D&J Motors Ault & Ault LLP Greg’s Quality Meats Inc. Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd. Baker Tilly REO LLP Fawcettview Farms Simple Pleasures Baskets & More

Special Thanks to:

Volunteers:

Community Food Share Winchester Leos Winchester Legion Branch 108 OPP/OPP Auxiliary Winchester Downtown Revitalization Committee North Dundas Fire Departments Winchester Curling Club Iron Forge Pizza Southgate Church The Bethany Chapel

Bruce Currie Ron Porteous Aaron Dellah Shannon Bouchard Hugh Bouchard Dylan Barkley Heather McAlpine Charlotte Burns Alex Burns Paul Haggart Lise Rochon Dylan Leclair Robert Scott

Local siblings Liam and Lucie enjoying the parade.

by Brandon Mayer

Committee Members: Sandy Burns Matthew Roy Brianne Scott Tony Fraser Cheryl Beasley (Vendor Fair)

On December 2, the streets of Winchester were magically lit up with what has been universally regarded as the most stunning North Dundas Parade of Lights in years. Organizers and float-decorators outdid themselves this year, and the crowds heavily packed along the various streets surely made all of the effort worth it!

There were dozens of floats that followed the pre-

Special thanks to the Township of North Dundas Recreation and Roads Department staff, the OPP, and the North Dundas Fire Services for all of their hard work. We apologize if we have missed anyone.

determined route, putting smiles on countless faces in an annual tradition that goes back decades. True to its name, this year’s Parade of Lights featured many very brightly decorated floats, as well as the usual assortment of participants on foot, and some four-legged friends as well.

Probably the most “North Dundas-y” aspect of our cherished local parade is the presence of beautifully decorated farm tractors. One tractor dazzled many spectators with its attachment that

resembled Santa’s reindeer team, rising and falling to the delight of onlookers.

The Parade began its journey at the Township office and journeyed down to the Sam Ault Arena, with a slight detour onto Albert Street. Beginning at 7 pm, the Parade took approximately 30-40 minutes to pass any given point along the route. The weather was tolerably chilly, and spectators came well dressed for the weather. The usual assortment of candies was handed out along the way, and donations for good causes were sought en route as well.

No Parade of Lights would be complete without the festive sight of Santa Claus himself! Santa took up his usual position on board a fire truck this year, his presence simultaneously signaling the end of the Parade, and the beginning of a Christmas season sure to be filled with joy, generosity, family, love, and peace.

Don’t worry, kids, Santa will be back later this month, although if you’re asleep on Christmas Eve as you should be, you won’t see him the next time he’s in town!

As is tradition, there was a Float Contest this year to honour best efforts and crowd favourites. See a Letter to the Editor in this issue with all of the winning floats named!

A big “thank you” to the organizers and participants for putting on an excellent Parade! We look forward to next year’s event!

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Healthy holiday ideas Emerald Links submitted by Dana Douglas, MScFN, RD 613-822-6353 Mindful Eating www.emeraldlinks.com During the holidays, food is often a focus of events with family, friends and coworkers. The abundance of holiday events, meals and treats can make healthy eating during the holidays challenging. Try practicing mindful eating to help navigate potentially challenging situations.

Cloverdale Links Mindful eating involves listening to and respecting your body’s hunger and fullness 613-774-0076 cues throughout the day. It includes eating when you are hungry and stopping when you are www.cloverdalelinks.com feeling comfortably full and not stuffed. We can eat mindfully by chewing our food well, and taking the time to enjoy the taste and aroma of food. It can also be helpful to create a pleasurable eating environment, which might include playing relaxing music, decorating your eating area in a way that appeals to you, or enjoying the company of family and friends.

Anderson Links When planning to have a special dinner with a variety of choices, it is still important 613-822-9644 to eat your regular meals and snacks during the day. This will keep you from getting too www.andersonlinks.com hungry before dinner. Becoming too hungry can make it difficult to eat mindfully, which might result in overeating and feeling uncomfortable after the meal.

Holiday Beverages The holiday season comes with an abundance of tasty food and tasty drinks, which can make it harder to make healthy choices. Drinks like hot chocolate and apple cider are delicious, but can also have a lot of sugar in them. We can enjoy these holiday favourites and cut back on sugar by making them at home. Hot chocolate can be made by using your favourite recipe, and adding half of the amount of sugar the recipe calls for. If you purchase apple cider, look for an unsweetened variety and heat it up on the stove at home. For even more flavour, add a cinnamon stick or orange zest to the apple cider while it is heating. At potlucks and social gatherings, opt for water as your drink of choice instead of beverages like pop or juice which have a lot of extra sugar. If you are hosting a holiday event, have water available for your guests. Try offering pitchers of water naturally flavoured with fruit, vegetables and herbs. This is a fun way for your guests to try something new. The night before your event, combine in a pitcher: - 2 litres of water - 2 cups of chopped fruit or vegetables of your choice Place the flavoured water in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve so it stays fresh!

Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds We see and hear messages about healthy eating, physical activity and weight everyday, and even more so during the holiday season. Physical activity and healthy eating are often encouraged for weight loss. Words and attitudes about weight are often negativ, and blame personal life choices or lack of willpower. These views can cause discrimination and stigma which can lead to poor body image, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, disordered eating, and avoidance of physical activity and medical care. The Health Unit has adopted a “Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds” approach that shifts the focus from weight to overall health by promoting balanced eating, regular physical activity and mental wellbeing for everyone.

Children are always watching, listening to and learning from the adults around them.

They are also surrounded by unrealistic messages and images in the media and on social media. Because of this, it is important that adults and caregivers model healthy behaviours.

Shift the focus from weight, size and shape to health, wellness and resilience. Focus on strengths, skills, and seeing the positive traits in yourself and others, and acknowledge that healthy bodies come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

For more information, visit www.healthunit.org, connect with us on Facebook and X (@LGLHealthUnit) or call 1-800-660-5853.

We wish you a Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays.

From all of us at Anderson Links, Cloverdale Links and Emerald Links

Visit our online stores to

GIVE THE GIFT OF GOLF THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. We look forward to seeing you on the Links in 2024.

Wishing you and your family a season full of light and laughter.

www.creeksidedentalcentre.ca December 14, 2023

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Farmers pleased to see proposed Farm thefts up, vehicle Underused Housing Tax changes thefts skyrocket but submitted by Rachelle Kerr would have been exempt with the 2023 tax year. The convictions are rare Changes proposed by from paying any actual tax, penalties for failure to file the federal government to its Underused Housing Tax (UHT) Act are welcome news for Ontario’s farmers.

Announced in the recent Fall Economic Statement, the proposed changes would remove onerous filing requirements for farm corporations and farm partnerships who own more than one residence as well as reduce excessively high non-filing penalties.

“We appreciate the federal government listening to the concerns of the farming sector and announcing their intent to make these changes that will ease the UHT burden on farm businesses,” says Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) President Drew Spoelstra.

“Although most farmers

the filing of a UHT return is administratively burdensome. That’s why OFA, together with many other farm organization partners, has worked hard over the past year to raise awareness of the issue and advocate for change,” he adds.

The proposed changes still need to be introduced and passed through legislation in order to come into effect.

Farmers operating their businesses as a sole proprietor were already exempt from filing UHT returns, but if the legislation is passed, farm corporations and partnerships that are deemed to be Canadian owned (90% owned by Canadians) will also be exempt from filing a UHT return starting

a UHT return would also be reduced to $1,000 for an individual and $2,000 for a corporation from their current levels of $5,000 and $10,000 respectively.

UHT returns must still be filed for the 2022 tax year by the April 30, 2024 deadline in order to avoid non-filing fees.

The Underused Housing Tax Act received Royal Assent in June 2022. Intended to help alleviate the high cost of housing, it levies a 1% tax on the value of vacant and underused residential properties directly or indirectly owned by those who are not permanent residents or Canadian citizens.

NDDHS update submitted by Shealyn Elliott After a well-rested November, North Dundas District High School is back with exciting and memorable events for the month of December. To begin this lively month, the Student Council is running our annual Angel Tree. We are running this fundraiser with the help of the Winchester BMR to help give back to our community and aid less fortunate families across North Dundas. We look forward to our student body’s participation. In addition to the Angel Tree fundraiser, North Dundas is also running a clothing donation and food bank program.

This program, run primarily

by Mia Furlotte and Aidan Moreland, is focused on donating clothing, hygiene products, non-perishable items, and school supplies

December 14, 2023

and taking them to a space in the cafeteria for students to take what they need. This space is open all hours of the school day to ensure that anyone can have access to the donations. We hope that this program helps students within our school to have access to supplies and necessities they otherwise wouldn’t have.

The first Christmas event of December is our monthlong door decorating contest. Each of the classes will design their predetermined door and compete with the others. The winning class will win a paid pizza party, along with an individual prize for the teacher. The winner is determined on December 19 by the Student Council.

The next major Christmas event is the annual Christmas Concert. With the help of the Student Council

and helpful volunteers, the Christmas Concert should be a wonderful success.

The concert is predicted to be held on December 20, but, given last year’s abundance of snow days, we can’t be certain. Following the Christmas Concert, the Student Council is scheduling the Student vs Staff Volleyball game. Since our Student vs Staff Baseball game had plenty of engagement and excitement, we decided to hold our volleyball game earlier in the year. The NDDHS Student Council believes it is the perfect way to spend the last day of school before the Christmas vacation. In short, the NDDHS student body is equally excited for the festive upcoming events of December and for the longawaited Christmas vacation.

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by Nelson Zandbergen courtesy of Farmers Forum Earlier this year, a brazen thief drove off with a $350,000 New Holland tractor-and-disc combination in broad daylight from a vegetable farmer’s field in Norfolk County in Western Ontario. The theft of the 560-horsepower, articulating tractor and its 30-footwide attached implement was one of the higher profile rural Ontario crimes in 2023 — amid a wave of thievery that has bedeviled farm country since the pandemic.

Solid numbers on farm theft are hard to come by as are so many stolen tractors and farm implements that are never found. Convictions are also rare. Of 37,041 vehicles stolen last year in Ontario, there were only 2,078 charges laid.

Fortunately for New Holland tractor owner John Chary, police recovered his tractor four days after it was stolen, thanks to some quick investigative work by the farmer himself. Acting on a tip, Chary said his brother and a buddy rented an airplane and, from the air, spotted the tractor on a nearby native reserve.

The cultivator took another month to turn up — also on the reserve, he said — and required $80,000 in repairs after recovery. No suspects have been identified in connection with the theft, according to the Norfolk County OPP. “You know, in the not too distant past, you just wouldn’t have heard of this kind of a thing,” observed Gary Klyn, owner of GJ’s Harvest Centre Inc. who fixed the damaged Chary Produce equipment.

Klyn, a Burgessvillebased Claas dealer, said it appeared that the cultivator was being disassembled to turn into scrap metal. However, John Chary suggested that the criminals involved may have been breaking it down for shipment as a complete unit. Chary said that his insurance covered the hefty repairs.

While Statistics Canada does not track stolen farm machinery, overall theft is on the rise across the country. Thefts of property above $5,000 in value (a category that includes farm equipment but excludes road vehicles) increased 16

% between 2021 and 2022.

Meanwhile, motor vehicle thefts increased 24 % between 2021 and 2022. The number of vehicles stolen has reached “crisis” proportions, according to Équité Association which compiles crime data for the Canadian insurance industry. In Ontario, vehicle thefts jumped 31 % during the first half of 2023 compared to a year earlier. And Ford, GM and RAM pickup trucks — all popular with farmers — were among the top-10 most stolen vehicles in 2021.

The Canadian Finance and Leasing Association reported this year that a vehicle is stolen every six minutes in Canada. That would mean more than 87,000 vehicles are stolen each year. The leasing association concluded that most thefts are the result of organized crime rings who use the profits to finance drug and gun trafficking and even human smuggling. Canada is known as a donor country because thieves believe that stealing here is easy to get away with.

Equipment and tractor thefts appear regularly in the provincial police blotter.

In October, two 1987 John Deere loader-tractors — one a compact unit, the other a larger model — disappeared from a Winchester lumber yard. That same month, a compact John Deere 1025R loader and backhoe unit valued at $30,000 was stolen overnight in Dufferin County. An even more brazen incident occurred at Kitchener-based Connect Equipment, where two men attempted a day-time graband-go robbery in May. The duo and three accomplices sprinted out of the store with chainsaws and cut-off tools and several employees in hot pursuit. The thieves jumped into a vehicle but the hapless crew crashed the car against a skidsteer loader in the dealership yard while attempting to speed away. Police arrested five people in connection with the incident, including one who was caught and held by dealership staff.

Laird Weagant, co-owner of Weagant Farm Supplies in Brockville, said that his Kubota dealership hasn’t been a victim of a recent theft, though “we’ve been hearing of implements being taken off equipment in their fields, that type of thing.”

“The speculation is that the theft takes place and then somewhere down the road, it’s quickly driven into a container or a truck or a van box. I mean that’s the speculation. And then, where it goes from there, God only knows,” Weagant said.

The business last dealt with a serious theft attempt when somebody tried to hotwire an excavator in the company yard in 2018.

The culprit failed to start the machine but caused about $1,000 in damage. In a more bizarre recent incident, Weagant’s phone and alarm system went down, but not because thieves tried to break into the dealership.

They simply wanted the copper telephone line in front of his address and took a half kilometre chunk of it.

The Weagant company augmented existing fence and security systems by adding a series of large concrete blocks around the property perimeter in 2015. But he recalled a time when even a fence was unnecessary.

“Right into the 80s and 90s, (theft) was a small issue. We finally put a fence up just to try to keep people back.”

At Greentech John Deere dealership in Winchester, sales manager Max Aebdziak said stolen equipment and tractors could end up in eastern Europe or Africa, as that was the case with tractors taken in his native country of France.

“It definitely seems like thefts are up just about everywhere,” D&S Downham Equipment owner Mark Downham, a Stratford-area Kubota dealer said. He blamed the justice system.

“These guys get caught and then they’re back out in weeks. There’s not enough repercussions to keep them from doing it again.”

Victims of theft visit the dealership “somewhat regularly,” he said, looking to replace stolen chainsaws and utility vehicles.

About 10 years ago, someone stole a tractor from his dealership, but the onboard GPS allowed him to track the unit as the thief transported it down the highway by truck. The police canine unit caught the culprit within 100 feet of the truck on foot after he ditched it. “Known, scumbag criminal, and three months later, he was back on the street,” Downham said. www.ndtimes.ca

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UCDSB students explore career opportunities at Trades Boot Camp

submitted by UCDSB Late last month, high school students from schools across the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) gathered at the TR Leger School of Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education – Kemptville Campus to participate in the Tools in the Trades Boot Camp, a hands-on event aimed at introducing students to various trades and essential employment skills.

A total of 13 schools, including Carleton Place High School, Char-Lan District High School, Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School, Gananoque Secondary School, Glengarry District High School, North Dundas District High School, Perth District Collegiate Institute, Rideau District High School, Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute, St. Lawrence Secondary School, Tagwi Secondary School and Thousand Islands Secondary School, were represented at the event. The UCDSB was one of only 20 school boards in the Province selected to participate in this unique opportunity hosted by Tools in the Trades.

The day was divided into two sections. The first focused on essential employment skills, where students took part in discussions about resume building, interview preparation and networking. The second section featured hands-on stations with activities such as levelling, drilling and tapping, and bearings and pump inspections, all set up in the TR Leger Kemptville Campus machine shop.

In addition to this event being a hands-on field trip for students, those enrolled in a Specialist High Skills Major related to the Boot Camp activities were able to obtain needed certifications.

“The trades are in high demand right now, and it's where the money is at. When you get students involved in events like this, it encourages us to follow these pathways," explained Hayden Wright, a Grade 12 student from Seaway DHS. Wright has plans to be a millwright, having completed one co-op last year, and is looking for another trades co-op placement next term.

Jordyn Truman, a Grade 11 student from Rideau DHS, said she found the employment talk session incredibly helpful in preparing her for interviews and helping to give her a better understanding of her career path. Truman wants to go into either structural engineering or equipment operator engineering and said, "I'm so glad I got the hands-on learning today and got to explore different types of work."

“We are committed to providing students with valuable experiences that foster skills and knowledge that are essential for future careers, especially in the dynamic field of trades,” says co-organizer and UCDSB Learning Partner Ashley Grant. “Events like this contribute to preparing students for success in their chosen pathways.”

At the end of the day, each participating student got to take home their own toolbox, supplied by Tools in the Trades.

December 14, 2023

Season’s Greetings

by Allison Martin, Financial Advisor of Assante Capital Management Ltd. We are halfway through December, and the holidays and New Year are fast approaching. It is easy to become preoccupied with the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season as we shop for gifts for our loved ones and get together with friends and family.

Let us take the time to reflect on one of the true meanings of the Christmas season: giving.

We tend to get wrapped up in giving to those closest to us - friends, family, colleagues, or teammates. It is important not to forget those in our community, those less fortunate, and those who no longer have family with them or nearby.

Have your neighbour over for coffee or just pop by to say hello. There are often social get togethers, programs, or Christmas meals put on by local groups. This is an easy and meaningful way for our community to come together, enjoy each other’s company, and make new friends in what can be a difficult time for many.

You could also consider donations to local organizations or charities, like food banks or service clubs that help those who may have fallen on hard times. 2023 certainly has been tough for many people in our own communities. High inflation costs and rising interest rates have made it difficult to ensure that there is enough food on the table or presents under the tree. Donations do not have to be monetary; often organizations struggle with finding enough volunteers or help during these busy times. Your time is often just as valuable as financial assistance. It is also a good way for those who want to help but may not necessarily be able to financially.

We are lucky to live in a community that takes care of each other. We can continue to care for and support each other by buying from local businesses. We have such a wide array of small businesses in our area, so take the time to go out and see what they can offer you and your loved ones this holiday season.

Time flies by so quickly. Take the time to slow down, relax, and enjoy spending quality time with your families and friends. We wish you all a very happy holiday season and a healthy and prosperous new year!

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

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Tid bit musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters, RSSW Christmas can be a time of change. It can be instigated by work schedules, economics, family dynamics or geographical relocations. Change for most is usually difficult to navigate. It need not be harmful or detrimental but nevertheless involves evolution. Safety is often dependent on routines.

The key focus is exercising and honouring your core beliefs and intentions.

Every gift for a child need not be from Santa. The more expensive things can come from you, the parent. It’s elementary, but how does one justify one child getting an iPad from Santa while the neighbouring child gets a teddy bear? Relay the story of the first St Nick to your child as they begin to question the validity of Santa. Do hope, love, good works and kindness really exist? Santa may not be consistent in the red suit but the attributes are real. The motto behind some toy mountain drives is that every deserving child gets a toy. Would it not be psychologically better to deem that every child deserves a toy?

Placement of words can alter the meaning drastically. Same philosophy about a "good" or "bad" child. Every child (adult too) is good but chooses intentionally, or unintentionally sometimes, to do bad things. Year after year, society promotes the essence of being good rather than separate the person from the behav-

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iour.

With the excitement of Christmas, it may be difficult to have the little ones consume breakfast, so why not have Santa deliver breakfast in their stocking? The small variety boxes of cereals combined with a juice box and fruit is more easily consumed knowing the source was the elves! Perhaps slightly change the routine, stockings are opened first then the gifts from parents and others under the tree after breakfast is eaten.

Tradition is often steeped in familiar foods which can be topped up, not replaced by a new dish for contemplation.

Bearing in mind that the fellowship out-rates the food, keep within your budget. Replace the pies with a birthday cake to honour the celebration of Jesus' birth long ago. It may not historically be the actual birthdate, but the occasion is worth marking. It keeps the Christ in Christmas.

If you don't believe in

Residents upset about temporary Arena closure Christmas, offer to work a shift for someone who does or wants to be at home with their family.

Geographical relocation often means travel that can't be completed in a short time frame, so offer kindness by doing the extra work hours. Kindness will go a long way in developing humanity.

Sometimes kindness bites but as we stand before the King, our deeds will be recognized.

Many times, we are left to flounder trying to figure things out but keep kindness as the base for your Christmas time. Give of yourself to someone who needs a helping hand.

You have only one life to live, so make this Christmas your memory of a lifetime by being genuine.

Wherever you are, however you are, whenever you celebrate, may the peace, hope and love wrap you in a parcel of optimism and wellbeing.

You deserve that just because you are you!

by Brandon Mayer Winchester’s Sam Ault Arena has been closed this week after ice users were greeted with an unwelcome surprise on December 6. That is when the public was informed that Public Skating and the Stick & Puck activity scheduled for later that same day were cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

Some Arena users have been upset in the wake of the news, and some have pointed out

that these circumstances were anything but “unforeseen”. Many locals are reporting that the ice has been in very poor condition since the Arena was first surfaced in the late summer, possibly owing to the hot and humid outdoor weather conditions making it too tricky to create favourable ice conditions indoors.

The Township’s official notice about the Arena closure reads: “In an effort to provide a better standard of service and to ensure the safety of our patrons, our staff team

Merry

Christmas

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has made the important decision to remove and replace the ice in the Sam Ault Arena effective immediately. The Joel Steele Community Hall is unaffected with this closure.”

The Arena has been in need of routine upgrades and maintenance for some time now. It was recently fitted with a new compressor and water softener system. There are reports that the water softener system may have reduced the ice quality by adding too much salt to the water, and other reports suggest that a bad ice bond has created dangerous chips and holes in the ice and that ice users in Winchester have been getting hurt due to the ice conditions.

The number of residents affected by the ice closure is large, and includes the local Rockets hockey team, minor hockey leagues, the Winchester Skating Club, and countless recreational ice users.

Many parents have expressed anger at the interruption of their children’s recreational activities. A 75th birthday celebration skating event that was planned by the Winchester District Memorial Hospital for December 9 had to be cancelled. The problem affected Chesterville Arena ice users as well, since the ice in Chesterville has been shared during the closure to spread the impact between the two towns, rather than burdening only Winchester ice users.

The Times reached out to two Arena officials for comment, but received no response by deadline.

The 10-day ice closure is expected to last until tomorrow, December 15. Since situations can change quickly, it is recommended that readers check the Township website to verify that the ice has reopened on time prior to making any plans.

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