“Turbo” McGowan representing Canada in Youth Commonwealth Games

been training as much as three times each week at the Club’s Mooney’s Bay facility during the spring and summer. In the winter, the 16-year-old trains twice each week inside in Blackburn Hamlet.

found out, but I’m stoked,” he added. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime for me -- to compete on the international stage and I can’t wait to wear the maple leaf and make Canada proud.”

Youth Games can be a valuable springboard for the stars and leaders of tomorrow, contributing to the further development of youth sport throughout Canada and the Commonwealth submitted by Jeff

Brownlee

John McGowan can’t believe that darting away from a science test 12 months ago has led to running for his country as a member of Team Canada, competing at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago this August.

“It was a total fluke,” said the Grade 11, St. Mike’s student, who will compete in the 100-metre sprint event at the game to be held August 4-11th in the West Indies nation. “Running had never crossed my mind, but I didn’t want to write that test last year, so at the last minute,

I decided to compete at the track meet instead.”

The result? While he eventually wrote the test, he aced the 100-metre event earning a berth in the regional LGSSAA competition where he improved his time to qualify for the Eastern Ontario (EOSSAA) sectionals.

“I was in shock,” added the Kemptville resident. “I had no idea that I could run at a competitive level -- and enjoy it.”

His initial success and innate talent led him to the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club where he has

This rigorous schedule has enabled McGowan to shave .80 seconds off his personal best in just 12 months, which has earned the teen the nickname “Turbo.” Entering 2023, the speedster’s best time was 11.55 seconds over 100 metres. This year, he qualified for Team Canada by posting a quick 10.75 at the Eastern Regionals in Ottawa and earned a berth at the provincials OFSAA where he finished 5th.

“We’re so proud of John. What he has accomplished in a short period of time is pretty amazing,” said his mother, Natalie Carriere. “His dedication and hard work are paying off -- it’s an absolute honour to wear the maple leaf and represent your country.”

McGowan said he was surprised to learn that he was one of just 17 athletes in Canada named to the Youth Commonwealth Team.

“I was in shock when I

Team Head Coach Christine Laverty believes that the event is both a learning experience and an immense opportunity for the athletes. “The competition itself is something of a learning experience, but a definite opportunity for our athletes to be successful and to medal,” she said.

Laverty expects the 17-member contingent to quickly come together as one team.

“The bonding starts right from the day they get on the plane and head off in their Team Canada gear. They tend to come out and cheer for their teammates,” she added. “What's always nice is that the first time you hear that Canadian anthem, it kind of motivates everybody else to want to do that too.”

More than 1,000 athletes and para-athletes between the ages of 14 and 18 will participate in seven sports managed by 500-plus officials. The Commonwealth

Street Piano Jam with Bradley Smith, July 15

submitted by Lisa Poushinsky

Know how to play an instrument and looking for a place to play it? When the library is a rockin’, don’t bother knocking. Join host Bradley Smith at the Street Piano for the 2023 Street

Piano Jam series. Whether you’re a new performer or a pro looking for a place to make music on a Saturday afternoon, this jam’s for you. Come to listen and/or to play, all levels/ genres/ instruments welcome.

This is the second of the Street Piano Jam series, with one more jam taking place on August 12. Bradley Smith, host with the most, will entertain you with his favourite tunes between musical get togethers (such as his delightful rendition of “Poisoning Pigeons in the

Park” by Tom Lehrer). No stranger to the stage, Bradley has been playing piano, singing, and running jams and open mics for over 50 years. When not performing solo, Bradley plays Southern Rock, 80’s Rock, and Country music with several bands.

What? The Kemptville Street Piano Concert Series presents

Who? Street Piano Jam with Bradley Smith

When? Saturday July 15 and Saturday August 12

Where? North Grenville Public Library terrace

How much? Free! (Cash donations welcome, or see the featured section on our FB page for the link to our GoFundMe campaign.)

Learn more about Bradley Smith at www.suckerforaballad.com

Smyth, Barbara (Seymour )

October 25, 1940 - July 1, 2023

Passed away suddenly at the Kemptville District Hospital on Monday, June 26, 2023, Phyllis Petersen (nee Durant) of Merrickville, age 79. Beloved wife of the late Ole Petersen. Loving mother of Mike Petersen (Lisa) of Kemptville. Dear motherin-law of Donna Petersen of Ottawa. Dear sister of Betty Jean Mark (Bill) of Winchester, Wesley Durant (Brenda Hutt) of Winchester and Donald Durant (Ellen) of Winchester. Phyllis will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren Shelby, Kyle (Chelsea), Brooke and 4 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sons James and Douglas Petersen, her parents James and Pauline Durant (nee McIntosh) and her sister Sandra Lee Durant. She is also survived by nieces and nephews. A celebration of Phyllis’s life will be held at a later date.

Donations to the Ottawa Heart Institute would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. If you are making your donation online or by cheque directly to the charity, please include the following note with your gift “please notify the family”. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com

Baldwin's Birds

Barbara Smyth passed away peacefully with family by her side at Southbridge Kemptville on July 1, 2023, at the age of 82 years. Beloved wife of John (Jack), married 61 years on June 30, 2023. Loving and proud mother of Michael (Marla) Toronto, Kieren (Claudia) Cramahe, Annaliese (Paul) New Brunswick, Jacqueline (Tim) Caledon. Wonderful Nannie to David, Emma, Brent, Greta, Evan, Lauren, Abby, Ailish, Sadie, and Hannah. Great Nannie to Cleo and Freya. Dear daughter of the late Hugh and Agnes Seymour. Dear sister of Betty, Anna, Samuel, Hubert, Raymond, Tommy, David and her twin Bobby, and sister-in-law to Mavis and Dennis. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Born and raised in Larne, Northern Ireland; Barbara met Jack at a dance in Larne, where they began their lifelong love of jive dancing and one another. They were married at Carincastle NI and immigrated to Canada in 1968. Settling originally in Osgoode, they later built a house on French Settlement Road, Kemptville. Barbara worked at the Scotiabank in Kemptville. Barbara will be remembered for her love of her family, her sense of humour and flashing smile, her knitting talents and her love of fashion. There will be a private celebration of life with a tree planted in her memory at a family farm. A special thank you to all the PSW’s and nurses for the wonderful care given to Barbara. Donations to Alzheimer’s Society, or Kemptville Hospital gratefully accepted.

Condolences/Tributes/Donations

Hulse, Playfair & McGarry www.hpmcgarry.ca

613-258-2435

Ma ineau, Winston Robe

February 9, 1942-June 30, 2023

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Winston (Hab) peacefully at home on June 30, 2023. Survived by his wife Vivian, son Robert (Brenda), grandchildren Megan (Justin), Chelsea (Kyle), greatgrandchildren Chase, Cooper, Collin, Cash Heron; Walter, Winston Petersen; many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Delia & Leo Martineau, his in-laws Willis Chambers, Muriel Cooper (Ralph) and by his brothers Herbie (Louella), Lawrence (Noreen), Allie (Nora), Donald, Raymond and by his sisters Dora Beaman (Bill), Annette Martineau, Mary Workman (Lloyd), Beatrice Anderson (Jack), Eileen Patrick (Bernard), Jaqueline Martineau and Jean Arcand (Ray). Following Winston’s wishes Cremation has taken place. Interment South Gower Cemetery 501 South Gower Drive, Kemptville, Ont. on Saturday July 15, 2023 at 11:45 a.m. with a Celebration of Life to follow at the Mountain Township Agricultural Hall, 2967 Lough Road, South Mountain from 1 to 3 p.m.

Donations may be made to the Kemptville District Hospital Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to the Byers Funeral Home, South Mountain (613989-3836).Online condolences may be made at www.byersfuneralhomeinc.com

Community Events

Recurring Event

PROBUS: Fellowship, Fun and inFormed presenters are part of the PROBUS gathering on the third Wednesday of each month at St Paul's Presbyterian Church Hall at 9:30AM. For more information contact at n.g.probus97@gmail.com

Whilst much of the nesting activity has ceased in our garden, some feeding of infants is still evident, such as the young Grackle being demanding of Mum in one of my pictures, whilst Dad happily "fills his face", in the feeder above them! Good old Dad,-- nothing changes does it!?

I hope you all have had a great Canada Day holiday weekend,that your birds have kept you occupied as well, and that they have managed to avoid what the Wren did in one of my past articles, have a window strike! My article garnered some response and one of my readers gave me some very good information which I thought that I would pass on to you all.

(a) Regarding window strike prevention, there is a UV Liquid product available locally (Bank St, Ottawa) that is applied to the window and appears clear to us, but not to the birds.

(b) This concerns injured, or orphaned, birds that you might come across and are not sure where to take them. A good relatively local option, that is open 365 days of the year, is the Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre, 613-854-2849, 822 Cedarview Rd. Unit C Nepean, ON. K2R 1J1 ( call for directions).

The Bluebirds put in momentary appearances in their old nesting box, but I am not sure if one is an adult bird or just one of the young visiting his old home! They pop in and then soon pop out and don't return until another day even. Their behaviour is very much like our House Wren's which we can hear at the top of the back garden and see occasionally on one of the nesting boxes, but there seems to be no real intent on starting another family and who could blame them in this heat!?

Evening time in our back garden, especially around our water feature, attracts a number of different types of bird who are seeking a cooler area just before going to roost, or appearing to, in a Mungo Pine and a Domed Cedar bush close by. I have spotted Goldfinches, Chickadees and Nuthatches in that area just before dusk. A Hummingbird has also taken to perching for very long periods of time, very high in a Pine tree near to the ones already mentioned at this time. It is also at this time of day that it will regularly appear at the feeder at the front of the house, so I suspect when it disappears for a while and then returns to the tree that it has just popped away for a pre-roosting stock up drink.

I hope that you too are able to enjoy the birds as they start to drift away from your feeders and disappear for the night and hopefully return the next morning. Stay safe and well.

Cheers, John Baldwin

NG Duplicate Bridge Club, Masonic Lodge 311 Van Buren Kemptville, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 12:15. All Levels of bridge players are welcome. Info call 613-795-7155

EUCHRE on Tuesday, July 25, August 8, 22, September 5 and 19 at Pierce's Corners also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m. and play starts at 7:00 p.m. $5 per player. For information contact debiar@ ymail.com.

BID EUCHRE on Tuesday, July 18, August 1, 15, 29, September 12 and 26 at Pierce's Corners also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m. and play starts at 7:00 p.m. $5 per player. For information contact debiar@ymail.com.

Upcoming Events

Kemptville Snowmobile Klub BBQ and entertainment Sunday July 16. Pulled chicken on a bun with salads and dessert $25. Entertainment by the band 'Hillbilly Highway'. Show starts at 2:30 pm and meal served at 5:00pm. Takeouts available. Call Bruce at 613-258-3648 or Penny at 613-285-4069. BYOB and lawn chairs.

For Sale

Sawmill for Sale

Heavy duty dimensional sawmill (Southern) for sale. Equipped with two 20-inch edger blades and a 32-inch main blade, which produces a finished board with each pass. Ideal for quarter sawing hardwood flooring. Max cutting size is 6” X 12” x 20 ft. This mill is in good operating condition and is equipped with a 4-cylinder, 60 hp diesel engine The mill is located near Merrickville, ON. Phone

613-258-385

1.5 ton York Central A/C unit. 3 years old. Perfect condition. Asking $1500. 613-222-9452

Solid oak desk, five feet wide by two feet deep, very good condition, $225. 613-258-5831

Enclosed small utility trailer, $1500 negotiable. Call 613-282-1836

Green, corduroy couch approx 7 feet wide. Two end sections recline. Clean and in excellent condition. $300.00 613-258-5831

Upright Weber piano, $200.00. 613-258-5831

Free, two industrial electric motors and a free jointer planer. Call Doug 613 258-4573 (Kemptville)

Now booking orders for new crop small square bales of hay. Call or text Jon. 613-227-3650

2016 JAYCO RV, JAY FLIGHT SLX. 21'6". In good condition. Email nadfudt@gmail.com for details and picture

Dollhouse , Foxhall Manor by Real Good Toys, with side extensions. Currently under refurbishment. $1500. tineboyer@gmail.com

Harmonica Phe 64 Chromonica, 4 Octaves, professional model, M Hohner, Germany. Contact 613-567-8533 email classifieds@ngtimes.ca or leave a message at (613)215-0735

Cedar posts and rails for sale. Jon 613-227-3650.

4X4 round bales of hay and straw for sale. Jon 613-227-3650.

Cedars for hedging, 2' tp 10', Tamarac & Spruce. Call Jim after 6pm 613258-3561

Dry firewood for sale $110 a cord plus delivery fee. Call or text Jon 613-2273650

Miscellaneous

HISTORIC HALL AVAILABLE FOR RENTALS in Beautiful Burritts Rapids!

Start a book club in time for cooler weather in a hamlet near walking trails and parkettes. Our hall is well equipped for any gathering or celebration, and we offer very competitive rates. http://burrittsrapids.com

WANTED

Looking to harvest cedar trees for hedges off acreages from landowners. Please call Joanne 613-799-0958

Experienced+local farming family looking to buy a farm. Min. 10ac tillable with a liveable house. Open to creative solutions. davidrbailie@gmail.com.

Looking to rent farmland for cash crops. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204.

For Rent

2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment. Laundry, appliances included. 1 block proximity to all amenities. Immediate occupancy, $1975/ month. Call Jeff at 613978-4700

Property for rent for spring & fall deer & turkey hunting. Call Jim after 6pm 613-258-3561

GARAGE SALE

July 15th 8 am to 2 pm - 2439 County Road 18, Tools, furniture, household goods, china, antiques. Everything must be sold and what is not sold by 2 pm will be put at the road for free

• 613 295 0300