Eric Gutknecht Memorial Bursary Charity presents awards to local grads
The St. Michael Catholic High School held their commencement exercises on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 at 1:00, with 105 students receiving their Ontario Secondary School Diplomas. Executive members of the Eric Gutknecht Memorial Bursary Charity (EGMB) were on hand to present to this year’s winner a plaque and a cheque for $1,000. The bursary is awarded to a student continuing post secondary education who has faced and persevered through
personal or family challenges, and is involved in the community of North Grenville.
This year’s proud winner was Aleiah Vandine, who is planning for a program in behavioural science at Canadore College in North Bay, with plans to seek a degree in psychology in future years.
The following morning, across town, at North Grenville District High School (NGDHS), 139 students received their Ontario Secondary School
Diplomas, certificates and special awards. The EGMB Charity winner was Alyssa Thompson, who received $2,000 to put towards her studies in psychology at Carleton University. Alyssa also has a passion for photography which she plans to pursue outside of school.
The EGMB Charity was created shortly after the passing of Eric in 2010, and has now awarded $43,000 to graduating students at both high schools in the community of North Grenville. Con-
gratulations not only to Aleiah and Alyssa, but to all graduates within North Grenville and those that are perhaps taking a year off, or those entering the world of work and those that are still undecided.
This group of students that we refer to has demonstrated great resilience, clawing through the pandemic, defeating the challenges of social distancing and online learning. They dealt with stress, uncertainty, and isolation like no other group before them. Now is the time to celebrate this remarkable achievement! Sometimes (maybe many times) your world will be harsh and unforgiving, and kindness sometimes (maybe many times) will be in short supply. It is through acts of kindness that we can connect with others and make this world a better and healthier place to live. The act of kindness has no cost and doesn’t take any specific skill set. “Make kindness be your lighthouse!”
Hats off to the class of 2024!
Alyssa Thompson
Aleiah Vandine The secret is simple... keep moving!
Life with Connor the Weatherman
featuring Connor Mockett
Hello, everyone! Welcome back to another week of Life with Connor the Weatherman. This week, I’m continuing the stories from my storm chasing adventure in Tornado Alley in the United States. This week I will continue on the journey and talk about May 20th.
After arriving at our hotel in Goodland, Kansas very early in the morning on the 20th, we were able to sleep for about 7 hours and have a little bit of time to edit photos and videos from the tornadoes we’d seen the day before. We wanted to be on the road by 10:00am in order to get to our target storm area with plenty of
time to spare, just in case we had to go somewhere else. We had our Super 8 hotel breakfast (the sausages were fantastic), packed up, and hit the road.
We hopped onto I-70, westbound into Colorado towards the Denver area, ended up stopping for lunch with the chase team about an hour away from Denver, in Limon, Colorado, and watched storms start to develop along the Foothills from the comfort of our restaurant booth while stuffing our faces with a really tasty burger. Doesn’t get much better than that! We then hit the road and headed north to a little area called Last Chance, Colorado, a little abandoned area at an intersection of two highways.
During those few hours, an unbelievable amount of other storm chasers all converged on this one intersection to wait for the same storm. At one point, there were 40 storm chasers sitting in the same pull-off by this little intersection. I knew I’d see that many chasers eventually, but it’s a different experience when you actually see it with your own eyes versus seeing it online in photos. After a couple hours of waiting, the storm we wanted was in sight, so we hit the road to go further north to get a closer visual of it.
Almost immediately upon arrival to the storm, it really started to take off, strength wise and photogenic-ness wise. A gorgeous supercell
was developing over beautiful green Colorado fields near Akron, Colorado. Shortly after its development, the rotation started and also picked up quickly. We got back in the vehicles and headed north and then east to keep up with the storm on some dirt roads. At this point, there were chasers absolutely everywhere, parked on the side of the roads or just in a really long line of traffic. Thankfully we were leading the line of vehicles, so we didn’t get stuck in it and were able to keep up with the storm.
At this point, the storm was crazy gorgeous. It had a shape on the backside that I’d never seen before. The colour was such a vibrant blue that you couldn’t miss what was happening. This is also when rotation was strongest. After stopping for some photos really quickly and to watch the rotation, which was almost right above us, we kept on going east on a dirt road when I looked out my left passenger window and said “on the ground!”. A brief tornado had just dropped to the ground, and its vortices were dancing in the tornado for a super short amount of time. Not many people even saw the tornado happen because it was so quick, and the funnel never fully came down to the ground.
Notes from the North Grenville Men’s Shed
The North Grenville Men’s Shed was organized in February, 2024, with weekly meetings dedicated to building an executive leadership team, designing and selecting a logo, and exploring options for projects to be undertaken by the membership. With the cooperation of the Municipality of North Grenville, we have been meeting at Maplewood Hall in Oxford Mills on Tuesday mornings during the past four months.
Monday to Friday 8:00am to 7:00pm
8:00am to 6:00pm
9:00am to 6:00pm
After that tornado, the storm started to get interactions with other storms around, and went extremely high in precipitation to where you couldn’t see the circulation inside the storm anymore without having to be inside the storm blasting out your windshield from the hail. It was also getting dark out now, so it was very hard to see. During this portion of the storm’s lifespan, the hail core on the storm was so drastic, it dropped 15 centimeters of hail (yes, 15 centimeters) on a town called Yuma, Colorado, and severely damaged a lot of buildings from the golf ball or higher sized hailstones.
We ended up leaving the storm late at night, around 11:00pm, because it was too dangerous to keep chasing at night with the wind and the amount of hail it was throwing around. After we left the storm, we started the drive to our target for the next day on May 21st… Iowa!
The story of Iowa and the drive leading up to it will be told in the next Life with Connor the Weatherman column in a couple of weeks. Thanks for reading and I’ll talk to you all soon!
So far, we have signed up about 25 members (mostly retired men) with many of them enjoying working with wood in their home workshops. We are now moving to several home workshops to actually make things that will be offered for sale, or constructed for the benefit of the community. By establishing these “Satellite Sheds” we can offer more options for small group work parties, and more meeting times other than Tuesday mornings. For example, several men have wood lathes in their home workshop and are hosting “wood turning 101" sessions to share their knowledge and provide instruction to those of us who have expressed interest in learning the art of creating bowls, candlesticks, and much more.
Other projects that we would enjoy building include garden benches, flower boxes, wooden mailboxes, bird houses or bird feeders. What would you like us to build for your home or garden? We are open for custom orders or “commissions” with the cost based primarily on the materials required plus a modest mark-up for the benefit of the Men’s Shed.
Another idea we’ve been entertaining is to offer a furniture repair service. For example, do your wooden kitchen or dining room chairs have spindles that need reglueing or tight-
ening? Perhaps you have dresser drawers that need fixing in order to prolong the life and usefulness of the furniture. This service would let you retain ownership of furniture that may have sentimental value or become an antique to be passed on the next generation. We would also welcome the opportunity to assemble furniture purchased and boxed with only rudimentary instructions enclosed. We would be soliciting donations in exchange for the time required, for the benefit of supplementing the Men’s Shed account. While we are a community service organization, we need adequate funds to cover the cost of our insurance policies, and come fall, pay rent for a heated workshop to be our meeting place for the future. Incidentally, do you have a building that you could make available to us for use as a workshop? If you are a man with some flexible time and would enjoy meeting with other men to build things for the benefit of our community, we invite you to join us in the North Grenville Men’s Shed. For more information about our group contact any of the following: Peter Ivay, President, Dan Callaghan, Vice President, Stuart Leyenaar, Treasurer, or Roger Stark who monitors our email address: northgrenvillemensshed @gmail.com
Not dark yet
by David Shanahan
It is hard these days to think about anything other than the state of the world in which we live. I know, it may not be relevant in a local community newspaper to be so concerned with events that are taking place, not only outside North Grenville, but outside the country. But we live in a global village, where things happening elsewhere have their impact here. The apparent death of American democracy is definitely something that should make us pause, because the decline in levels of decency, integrity, honour, and social discourse which we’ve experienced in this country over the past decade and more had their origin in the rise of Trump and his MAGA movement.
Not that Canadians were so perfectly behaved before Trump, but he gave permission to people to expose their most negative, destructive and selfish
side. I remember, when I first came to Canada, being so impressed (and a little amused too, I admit) by Canadians’ self-image as being "nice, polite, wellmannered". The issues that dominated politics in Ireland and the UK were deeply serious: political violence, state collusion in murders and bombings, and corruption at the highest levels of government. And that was before Thatcher!
But in Canada, and definitely in Ontario, there was a very different political climate. I have repeated many time the response of Premier Bill Davis way back then when he was accused of being boring, being bland. "Bland works", he replied. Brilliant, really. We could do with a little more bland these days, instead of the over-heated, bombastic, and confrontational atmosphere which pervades society in general and politics in particular. Of course, there was always an element of
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
I feel compelled to write, this time with a good news story! It is a long story but I will precis it.
Having put a ‘Hold Mail’ order in for later in the summer, I was shocked to find my mail was to be stopped on 3rd July instead of a later date.
I used my computer to try and resolve the issue and encountered the s***** AI (not sure if I can use that word) – suffice to say it is the opposite of intelligent. When it was asked if I may communicate with a human, it agreed, but the human claimed it was impossible due to some technical problem.
By now I was fuming, I needed to speak to someone, the phone number for the local post office is no longer in service.
Thus I got in the car and drove to the post office where I poured out my tale of woe, explaining all the while that I was not mad at the staff.
The postmistress (postperson?) came to my rescue and resolved the problem just like that.
To say I was pleased is an understatement. Thank you very much to the person in charge of the local Kemptville post office, the service I received was timely, to the
competition in days gone by, of deep disagreements over issues, sometimes leading to passionate words and feelings of anger and even disgust.
I have a folder of articles which I wrote over the years in which I entered into somewhat heated argument with previous municipal figures, and "enjoyed" their interactions with me. But, no matter how deep and heated those confrontations became, they never descended into the kind of abuse that has characterised politics recently. Let me give an example, a somewhat crass one, I’m afraid. How did we get to the point where people can have lawn signs and car bumper stickers saying: "F... Trudeau"?
When did we in this country reach the stage when people will not only call for Trudeau’s resignation, but call for his imprisonment and that he be charged with treason? But this is the kind of thing that is now all too
common in our social media exchanges. Really? Treason? Where did this come from? I think it’s only too obvious. There have always been those Canadians who wish they were Americans, who ape what they see and hear from south of the border. And in case you may think that this doesn’t reflect the way things are going here in North Grenville, let me remind you that some really nasty and libelous things were said and posted during the last municipal election: libelous because untrue, nasty because personal and vindictive. The saddest, and more disturbing, aspect of it all was that people were prepared to believe what was being said, and even eager to join the outrage and indignation it was designed to cultivate. There is a clear thread linking what developed in the States to what was seen locally.
There has been a tendency among politicians of all stripes to claim to speak
for all Canadians: in fact, they continually says things like: "Canadians want...". "Canadians demand...", etc., indicating that they only represent "Canadians", and that, therefore, the other side are somehow working against the best interests of "Canadians", as though we are a homogenous, monolithic bunch who all believe and want the same things.
All part of an "Us versus Them" approach to life, one in which there’s no middle ground, that if "They" win, then "We" lose, and vice versa, a zero sum game which harms everyone.
We are witnessing the end of the social consensus that marked the past decades. What we had come to think of as unquestioning standards and behaviour in public and private life are being, not just eroded at this point, but blown apart. There was, and is, nothing inevitable about this trend. Although Supreme Courts may throw out centuries of
constitutional verities, although anti democratic forces seem to be winning more and more public support and votes, and although people appear to be powerless, or unwilling, to oppose all of this, there are signs of hope too. In the UK, a man widely considered to be completely lacking in charisma, personality, and "colour" will be the new Prime Minister. Maybe bland is starting to work again? Perhaps we will become tired of nasty and disrespectful behaviour and insults in public life. It is up to us, in the end, in how we vote, how we write posts on social media platforms, how we show decency and toleration instead of anger and hate. We are far down the road that leads away from these things, and it may be we have to travel further in that direction before we wake up and change our way of thinking. As the great philosopher said: "It's not dark yet, but it's getting there".
point and achieved calmly. I am now continuing with my day, happy.
Sincerely Tricia Habberjam
Dear Editor, RE: Fireworks on Sunday, June 30, 2024
On the above date, there was a major detonation of fireworks throughout North Grenville starting at 11:30pm. According to the Noise Bylaw, this is not permissible – fireworks can only be detonated on private property on New Year's, Victoria Day and Canada Day, or with special permission complete with a 10 day notification to surrounding neighbours. Links to the applicable Bylaw can be found on the Municipality’s website.
This was definitely not adhered to, so anyone who had difficulty with the fireworks on display and knows the address of the individual(s) can report it to Bylaw using the form supplied in the below link:
Also, any livestock owners who are interested in an amendment to the ByLaw banning Fireworks within 5km of their establishment
should send an email to all the North Grenville Council members. Links to the Council can be found on the Municipality’s website. Name withheld on request
Dear Editor, Re: Steve Gabell's letter in the July 4, 2024 issue of NG Times
Mr. Gabell is incorrect to compare air conditioner chemical refrigerants as more climate wrecking than for heat pump chemical refrigerants; the same type of chemical refrigerant is used in both systems.
Residential type air conditioners and residential type heat pumps both use the same type of chemical refrigerant as coolants. The refrigerant types have changed over the years as more environmentally friendly refrigerants have become available. HCFC R-22 has been phased out and HFC-410A is currently used in air conditioners and heat pumps. HFC-410A is scheduled to be phased out, starting in 2025 for Canada. R-454B is anticipated to be the new chemical refrigerant for both residential type heat pumps and for air conditioners, having much lower global warming potential and zero ozone depletion potential compared to older refrigerants. David Eastwood Kemptville
Dear Editor,
The following are some quotes from a very interesting book I am reading, “My Name is Barbara” by Barbara Streisand.
“Everyone needs to be told they are loved. I believe in a universal spirituality that crosses over all religions… Christian, Muslin, Jewish, whatever… it doesn’t matter because it all comes down to love.”
“Love thy neighbour as thy self.”
“The religion of kindness.”
“We want to be happy, we want to be loved, we want to be respected, no matter what our sexual orientation. No one should have to live a lie.”
“Education is the enemy of bigotry and hate. It’s hard to hate someone you truly understand.”
“The Republicans were eager to invoke God, but was God really against gun control and food stamps for poor children? I found it very revealing that people who claimed to be pro-life did not believe in supporting children once they were born. Hypocrisy. If they were so concerned about law and order, why were they for putting more guns on the street?”
“President Kennedy once said he valued artists because they ‘Know the midnight as well as high noon and un-
derstood the ordeal as well as the triumph of the human spirit. Art is the enemy of tyrants and dictators. Until women are treated equally with men, until gays and minorities are not discriminated against, and until children have their full rights, artists must speak out’.”
This is taken from a speech she made at Harvard University. Awesome!!
Kathy Piché
Dear Editor, I am a casual employee at the LCBO. No, I do not make $22-30/hr. I make MINIMUM WAGE. I have NO benefits. What you have seen reported in the media is only applicable to the very few full-time employees of the Board. The LCBO operates on a model of hiring as few full-time employees as possible. Stores operate with 70% casual employees who are entitled to no benefits, severance, or guaranteed hours.
DID YOU KNOW? – The LCBO generates $2.5 billion annually, funding healthcare, education, infrastructure, public transit and more.
DID YOU KNOW? –It's costing us Ontario Taxpayers $225M to end the agreement with The Beer Store, in order to expand sales to private companies like convenience stores and grocery stores.
THINK ABOUT IT
– Handing over the alcohol market to grocery and
convenience store chains like Loblaws and Circle K, diverts public revenue into corporate profits, while also cutting jobs and driving down wages and working conditions for LCBO employees.
It also means decent jobs in the LCBO for folks like my colleagues – and maybe your 19 year old looking for a summer job – won't be there. And seriously!? Are the Circle K, Loblaws and box store CEOs going to hand over the money they make selling alcohol? Of course not! As a result, we will have less money for those other public services.
Doug Ford wants to make life better for his wealthy buddies. It’s why he plans to fast-track privatized alcohol sales and hand more of the public revenues generated by the LCBO over to the CEOs and big box grocery and convenience chains like Loblaws and Circle K. Doug Ford can’t be trusted.
“Buck a Beer” Doug is looking to call a snap election this fall, riding high (so he thinks) on his “wins”. Are Ontarians dumb? No. Are they dumb enough to fall for the “convenience” of buying alcohol in convenience stores, etc? None of my customers think so.
Frontline LCBO workers are proud that the revenues we help to generate give back to our communities. We won’t back down in our fight for a strong future for continued on page 4
KDH announces a new barrier-free parking system
Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is pleased to announce that its parking system is transitioning to a gateless entry system to improve the flow of traffic and simplify parking for all users.
The new ‘Scan to Pay’ format, which launched on July 8, will ensure seamless entry and exit for all users and allow emergency vehicles direct, unobstructed access to the Emergency Department (ED).
The cost to park will be a $6 flat rate for up
the LCBO and the public services funded by LCBO revenues.
We have a better plan and we're ready to strike for it: Grow the LCBO to meet demand and increase convenience. Open more stores, including LCBO Express locations, increase the hours of operation, and increase warehousing, logistics and e-commerce capacity in-house! Expand public revenues by growing the LCBO. Let's grow with Ontario!
Having more permanent part-time and permanent full-time job opportunities means greater product knowledge and even better customer service. Workers deserve job security and fair severance provisions too! Community allies can join the fight for the future of the LCBO by taking action at KeepItPublic.ca.
So when you hear we are walking the picket lines this month, while the LCBO closes ALL its stores for two weeks, don't get angry at the staff. Get angry at YOUR provincial government. LCBO employees want to keep the revenue they work hard to earn in our communities. For roads. For schools. For hospitals. NOT for private store CEO's. Lynn Kennedy
Dear Editor,
A number of recent articles and letters in the NG Times have been critical of the carbon tax. Indeed, I received a flyer from our
to 24 hours, one of the lowest daily rates in the region. There will be no charge for drop-offs and pick-ups using designated spaces.
“The most important benefit of this new parking system is that it will enable direct access for emergency vehicles to our ED,” explained Frank Vassallo, CEO. “With the previous system, there were occasional malfunctions resulting in ambulances stuck at the gates, waiting to get in or out of the parking lot. Patients and families
MP with the headline of "Ax the Tax".
It can not be business as usual; all of us have to take ownership of the problems which seem to be associated with climate change, and that means we all have to pay (hence a carbon tax paid by all). The Leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition states that he would use "technology" to address this. I have yet to hear what "technology" he proposes, but I'm sure there is some which can be used and I look forward to hearing which would be suitable! Does anyone out there really think addressing climate issues will not cost us anything? No company is going to invest in "technology" without passing on those costs: all companies are beholden to their shareholders, not society at large. Government subsidies/grants are just another way of paying to solve the problem. After all, governments spend the money we give them. (We are all shareholders in Volkswagon, having put up a load of subsidies to help them build a battery plant in Ontario!)
None of us likes to pay any sort of tax, but if we want to maintain the society we have all come to expect, then taxes and fees are a necessary evil. However, vigilance is required to ensure that taxes are spent fitfully, and that folks, requires us all to be engaged in the political
also got stuck sometimes, and it understandably caused a huge amount of frustration. With the new gateless system, that will never happen again.”
“As with our previous system, the proceeds from the new parking system will be reinvested into patient care,” Vassallo added. “Parking revenues help us maintain programs and services for our local communities.”
How to use the new Scan to Pay system:
- Enter the parking lot and park in an open space.
- Note your license plate number.
- Locate a Parking sign and use your cell
process.
Let's stop throwing vitriol about, start engaging, and find solutions that benefit all of us.
Andrew M. Thriscutt Dear Editor,
RE: Steve Gabell's letter regarding heat pumps, it was interesting to read. In 1991, we installed a groundwatersource heat pump with a grant from Ontario Hydro.
I think people ought to be a bit wary of installing a heat pump. Our system works brilliantly for cooling, but struggles when it comes to heating our entire house. Supplementary heating is required.
However, now one cannot install a groundwatersource heat pump in North Grenville because "they use too much water": a quote we received from our building regs department. Yes, they "use water": water is taken from a supply well, it runs through the system to take the heat/cool out of the water, and then 100% of the water is returned, within minutes, to the ground via a sump well. Water is "used", but almost immediately returned, so I’m not quite sure of the reasoning behind their ban in our Municipality.
I would like to think that the best technology will be used to provide the heat and cool that we very much need here in Eastern Ontario, that it is affordable, and that it meets climate change targets.
Andrew M. Thriscutt
phone camera to scan the QR code or send a text as indicated on the sign; follow instructions to pay the $6 flat rate, good for up to 24 hours
- Click on the link that pops up and a screen will appear to enable you to choose your length of stay and make a secure payment by debit/credit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay — no need to download an app or create an account.
- You will be prompted to add your license plate number and email address.
- Complete payment and proceed into the hospital.
Or, for those who prefer to pay by cash, a cash payment meter will be available in the ER entrance. Please note: the cash payment meter will only accept coins – exact change. An ATM will be located nearby along with a machine that changes paper bills into coins.
The previous longerterm rates will still be available: a 7-day/weekly rate ($25) and 30-day/ monthly rate ($50).
A parking attendant will do hourly rounds to confirm by license plate number that parking has been paid.
We are grateful to our friendly and helpful
KDH Auxiliary Volunteer Greeters who have signed up for extra shifts during the first week of the new parking system to provide support to patients, caregivers, friends and family with any questions or issues during the transition. We also have a dedicated parking attendant who will be able to help with parking on an ongoing basis. Thank you for your patience as we implement this change. We value your feedback. If you have any comments or concerns, please contact kdh_parking@kdh.on.ca
Municipality welcomes Carly Wheeler as Director of Finance
The Municipality of North Grenville is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Carly Wheeler as the new Director of Finance. Ms. Wheeler brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise in municipal finance, having most recently served as Treasurer at the Township of North Stormont.
Ms. Wheeler has dedicated over 10 years to municipal finance, demonstrating a deep understanding of the financial landscapes that rural municipalities in Ontario navigate. Her multifaceted roles within various municipal financial operations have equipped her with invaluable skills in budgeting, financial planning, and stakeholder management.
"We are delighted to welcome Ms. Wheeler to our team," said Mayor Peckford. "Her extensive background and commitment to building strong relationships with stakeholders will be instrumental in navigating opportunities and challenges in our community."
Ms. Wheeler holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Laurentian University,
where she graduated from the Honours Program. She is currently pursuing her CPA designation, further enriching her qualifications and ensuring she remains at the forefront of best practices in municipal finance.
In her new role, Ms. Wheeler will oversee the financial strategy and operations of North Grenville, working closely with Council, external auditing firms, and community stakeholders to foster fiscal responsibility and transparency.
"I am confident that
Ms. Wheeler's leadership will enhance our municipality's financial management," added Karen Dunlop, Chief Administrative Officer of North Grenville. "Her expertise will be invaluable in maintaining our commitment to sound financial practices while meeting the needs of our growing community."
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Wheeler to the Municipality of North Grenville.
Scavenger Hunt by Car in support of House of Lazarus
A Bunch of People Arts and Events (ABOP) is at it again! This time they are inviting everyone to join a fantastic Scavenger Hunt by Car!
“Grab a friend, name your team, get in your car and find the answers to the clues! First Team wins $100 and the profit from this event goes to House of Lazarus!”, said event lead, Suzanne Millaire.
“As a board of directors, we had to decide what we would do in 2024 for events. Amanda Burger, founder and President of the Board, explained: “Sue, as vicepresident, always runs the Car Rally / Scavenger Hunt, and we had decided
not to do it this year; however Sue ran into a supporter who always does the Car Rally, and he told her how he intended to win this year! So we changed our minds and it is happening!”
The event on Saturday, July 27, 2024, starts at the North Dundas Business Centre in Winchester. Participants are expected to check in at 10:30 am at 457 Main St. E, Winchester. Participants will need to sign a liability waiver and complete the registration information before they are given the list of items to hunt for starting at 11 am. Everyone must be back before 2 pm. The hunt is focussed on the North
& South Dundas areas.
Pre-Registration has already begun and will continue until July 22, 2024. To pre-register, email: abunchofpeopleartsandevents@gmail.com
“It’s so fun! Amanda and I have already tested it out to see how long it would take and how hard it is. We had such a blast and all profits go to a local charity,” Sue stated. “House of Lazarus strives to be a first-stop community hub that coordinates support and provides resources to those in need. Let’s help them Build Community, and Share Hope!”
A Bunch of People Arts and Events’ philosophy is: What is better
than having a good time? Knowing the profits from what you enjoyed are going to help the community! That is the Art of Giving! That is A Bunch of People Arts and Events.
For more information, email: abunchofpeopleartsandevents@ gmail.com
St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church supports local school food programs
Preston (Principal of South Branch Elementary School), Ian Morris (Principal of Kemptville Public School), Nancy Messenger, Ed McBride, David Carmichael
On Sunday, June 23, St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Kemptville was honoured to host the Principals of South Branch Elementary School and Kemptville Public School during the regular Sunday service. The purpose of the visit was to present each of the Principals with a donation for the food programs offered in their respective schools.
Throughout the year, the Mission and Outreach Committee at St. Paul’s church chooses a local, national, or international program or group to support through its fundraising efforts. Past recipients have included Ryan’s Well Foundation, Femme International, and the Kemptville District Hospital CT Scanner fund. The Committee was pleased to contribute to local school food programs through their latest fundraiser, raising $1386.25 for each elementary school. Both schools provide access to meals and/or snacks to all students and the donations were gratefully accepted.Top of Form
Pictured, left to right: Jim Armour, Rev. Samer Kandalaft, Ruth Bond, Tanya
Rowland Leather celebrates 50 years in business
ers at his shop, he not only contributed to the artisan community but also attracted customers with an appreciation for timeless design and quality craftsmanship.
Rowland paid tribute to notable Canadian women by naming many of his bag styles after them, such as Silken Lauman, Avril Lavigne, and Joni Mitchell. This gesture reflects his admiration for their impact and serves as a unique storytelling element behind his creations.
with a unique and aesthetically pleasing accommodation option that reflects Rowland's design sensibilities and his desire to create a memorable experience for guests.
Despite the passage of time, Michael Rowland remains unwavering in his passion for creating leather goods. His ability to draw inspiration from diverse sources and his commitment to innovation have allowed him to sustain his legacy and evolve with the changing times.
Celebrating 50 years in business is a remarkable milestone for Rowland Leather, a creative studio founded by Michael Rowland in Merrickville, Ontario. Over the years, Rowland has established a reputation for crafting elegant and durable leather goods, garnering a loyal following both locally in Canada and internationally.
Rowland, a self-taught artisan who delved into leatherwork from a young
age, has honed his craft over the years. His dedication and skill have resulted in the production of over 300,000 handbags, along with innovative backpacks and designer cross body bags.
Rowland played a pivotal role in the cultural landscape of Merrickville by being one of the first artisans to establish a presence in the town. By showcasing his work and gradually introducing products from other Canadian and global produc-
In 2011, Rowland had a transformative experience when he shared his expertise in leatherwork with seamstresses in Nunavut, demonstrating his commitment to knowledge exchange and cultural enrichment. His journey was captured in the book “Iqaluit 2011”, which offers a glimpse into this cultural exchange and learning opportunity.
Demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and creativity, Rowland ventured into the hospitality sector by opening luxurious guest suites above his store in 2013. The Merrickville Guest Suites provide visitors
Rowland Leather’s enduring success is a testament to Michael Rowland’s vision, artistry, and dedication to his craft, and it serves as an inspiration to aspiring artisans and entrepreneurs in the creative industry.
We invite you to join us July 13th in Merrickville to help us celebrate our 50th anniversary. Bring your Rowland Leather bags for free polishing, there is a 10% off sale store wide, also meet Michael. There will be a draw for a free leather bag. Details in store.
Rowland Leather 159 St. Lawrence St in Merrickville, 10am-6pm July 13th.
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As early as 1925, it was recognised that larger tree nurseries were needed to bring about the reforestation of devastated areas of Ontario, and the success of the Limerick Forest project in the 1930's and early 40's led to the establishment of a new tree nursery on lands in Oxford-on-Rideau Township between the border of Kemptville and the Rideau River in 1945. The land was chosen primarily because of its sandy character: young trees could be more easily harvested without damaging the roots systems. Back in 1845, a report on the land had noted the sandy loam soil, and this was a consideration a century later when the Ontario Government wanted a tree nursery.
The land would not be cheap: local farmers were unwilling to sell of part of their holdings, it was all or nothing. One parcel of land was expropriated, but there were sugar bushes and cultivated land in the other tracts and entire farms had to be bought, even when not needed.
The G. Howard Ferguson Forest Station was established on 1,500 acres by
the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests in 1945, and was named in honour of the Kemptville native who had served as Minister of Lands and Forests, as well as Premier of Ontario, and who had worked closely with Edmund Zavitz in promoting reforestation and the study of forestry in the province.
Bob Mullen, a forest scientist, laid out the Station in 1945-46, dividing the land into three compartments in which different species of trees were grown. There was an emphasis on research, as it was vital to know which trees would be suitable for the region serviced by the Station. In those first years, the horsepower for the work was provided by horses, and there was an experimental aspect to operations.
Facilities were basic, to say the least. Irrigation was initially provided by an artesian well, and later a small pump house with a single pump was built where the dock at Anniversary Park is now located. Only one compartment could be watered at a time, and this restricted operations until the late 1950's, when an expanded irrigation system was put in. Things were
expanding rapidly by then.
A new Superintendent had arrived who would become something of a legend at the FFC. Alf Campbell was hired in 1956, taking over an operation that had 16 full- time employees and 300 casual seasonal workers growing around 9 million trees annually. The main clients for the trees were the federal and Ontario governments, and large numbers of the harvested trees went to reforestation projects. The technology was still basic, with potato harvesters being adapted to harvest the saplings, and teams of women spending all summer pulling weeds.
Under Alf Campbell’s direction, serious analysis of irrigation and fertiliser needs for the FFC was undertaken, bringing a more stringent scientific method to both areas. A re-evaluation of procedures was undertaken, as it was found that the choice of species grown and sold had not been properly researched beforehand, and the pressure to produce trees had forced the Station to continue using the same land year after year. The inability to allow land to lie fallow for periods had resulted in a loss of soil
fertility, and an alternative to expensive fertilisers was needed.
This was found locally in what was known as the Winchester Swamp, an area of bog land lying between Kemptville and Winchester. Thousands of dollars was spent carting the peat to the FFC by truck, in spite of angry complaints by women in Hallville. When it dried, the top soil turned into a blackish powder which flew off the trucks and ruined washing hanging on the lines as they passed. But it worked at replacing the soil fertility at the Station.
In addition to the research which was a central aspect of operations at the Station, education of young people in the importance of forestry and trees was something Alf Campbell emphasised. From the time he first arrived, Alf conducted school tours on a regular basis. Up to 400 children a year, mostly from Grade 5, visited the Station and were treated to Alf’s guided tours. These tours took place as often as three times a week during the school year, and, as Alf pointed out, the children went home and told their parents all about trees and the importance of reforestation.
By the 1990's, government policy regarding forest stations and tree nurseries was changing, and budgets were being cut, retiring staff were not being replaced, and it became clear that the future of the FFC was becoming increasingly uncertain. The arrival of the government’s Common Sense Revolution would bring about a crisis in the story of the FFC.
Update from the Kemptville Sports Hall of Fame
The Kemptville & District Sports Hall of Fame is excited to announce that nominations are now open for 2024. We invite the community to recognize and celebrate local athletes, builders, and teams who have made significant contributions to the sporting landscape in the Kemptville region. Nominations will be accepted until July 26, 2024. To submit a nomination, please visit our website at Kemptville & District Sports Hall of Fame.
In addition to the call for nominations, we are pleased to announce the return of our main fundraiser – our
Annual Golf Tournament, which will be held on August 9, 2024, at Rideau Glen Golf Club. This event promises a day of fun, friendly competition, and community spirit. All proceeds from the tournament will go towards supporting the Sports Hall of Fame's initiatives, including the induction ceremony and our community bursary program. Golfers of all skill levels are encouraged to participate. Registration details and sponsorship opportunities can be found on our website.
Furthermore, the Kemptville Sports Hall of Fame is proud to continue our
tradition of awarding bursaries to young athletes in the community. These bursaries aim to support the development and growth of aspiring sports talents in Kemptville. Applications for the bursaries are now open. Eligible candidates can apply through our website.
For more information about the Kemptville & District Sports Hall of Fame, the nomination process, the Annual Golf Tournament, or the bursary program, please visit kemptvillesportshalloffame.ca or contact us at kemptvilleshof@gmail.com.
About Kemptville & District Sports Hall of Fame
A call to care for parents
On the growing list of health pandemics – COVID-19, obesity, diabetes, liver disease, dementia, heart disease, and stroke – there is another one. It’s called benign neglect, and it is a product of our times. It happens when children don’t make sufficient effort to help aging parents understand and manage their medications.
There’s a lot of guilt to go around. But that’s not to say this is easy work.
Ask your parents what medications they are taking and why. Better yet, have a close look at the medications in their possession and assess how well they are adhering to prescribed treatments.
Congratulations to those who find all is well. For others, it may be a wake-up call.
Over the past several decades, detrimental trends have punished an aging society. Number one, the pharmaceutical industry has ballooned into a juggernaut of profiteering dealmakers with other powerful industries, not least of which are media platforms that depend on advertising dollars. Unsuspecting consumers are too willing to absorb everything they hear about pills to address problems that are often caused by lifestyle, not bad luck. Easier to pop a pill and enjoy life, like on the commercials, than work on the root issues.
Number two, we are living longer – and not always in the best of health. Furthermore, there is a large cohort of the population in North America, the baby boomers, now moving into their senior years. Just watch the costs escalate!
Number three, we have a shortage of healthcare workers. Number four, we take pride in being able to age, independently, without a lot of oversight.
These and other factors mean that a huge number of older people are growing old, living alone, dealing with multiple health problems, and taking all sorts of pills. The great shame is this last point, that many people are making their lives worse, or at risk of doing so, because they are taking too much medication, or the wrong medication, or not adhering to drug protocols.
Take statins as an example. These are complex medications designed to treat high cholesterol. As one website simplifies the explanation, “they work by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver and helping the liver remove cholesterol that is already in the blood.” But statins have potentially serious side and long-term effects that researchers are starting to expose.
Studies show statins increase the risk of developing diabetes. This risk differs between commonly prescribed drugs. Cognitive problems, muscle cramps, and other negative effects result from long-term use.
Even if the medical establishment were to do a better job of weighing the pros and cons of statins versus natural approaches such as high-dose vitamin C, a great many elderly citizens would not benefit. The pandemic of benign neglect is getting in the way.
Since 2010, the Kemptville & District Sports Hall of Fame has been dedicated to recognizing and honouring the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals, builders, and teams in the sports community in and around Kemptville. Through our various programs and events, we aim to inspire future generations and foster a spirit of sportsmanship and community pride.
The so-called silent generation, born between 1928 and 1945, now mostly in their 80s and 90s, need our care. It’s upon younger people to ensure that the quality of the remainder of their lives is not being jeopardized by chronic misuse of powerful drugs.
The boomers are moving into their senior years. Their large numbers can be a force for change in the way we care for the elderly.
What can we do here and now? One of the best things would be to ensure elderly parents are not falling victim to “pillitis”. Find out what they are taking and do your research. Just as there is a lot of misinformation online, there are also trusted sources. If you have questions, take those questions, and your parents, to a doctor’s appointment for a fully informed discussion.
Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly enewsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us on Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones.
Teams of women weeding red pine beds at the FFC in 1950
Baldwin's Birds
A Level Headed Nuthatch and a Finch Feed!
What a boon my common type hanging feeders and also the Birdie Block ones are, for actually getting clear views of all the birds that use and enjoy them. They are able to feed out in the open, with a clear view around themselves, which is essential to them all, as protection against would-be predators, such as Hawks, and other such birds that prey on them! Of course, whilst they are comfortably feeding safely, they become the focus of not just the eye of the beholder, but also that of your cameras! Many of you already know this fact and are probably enjoying the results of your own patient observations of our avian friends. I have taken the liberty of including some of our regular visitors, hence the cryptic title to my article.
The Level Headed Nuthatch refers to the un-natural pose this particular one was making, as it fed using a "normal" posture instead of its usual upside down one. Whichever posture that it cares to use, it is still a very striking bird to look at and its distinctive little call that it makes when negotiating the trunks and branches of the trees makes it a very outstanding and exciting bird to see.
The picture of the Finches shows how the birds cohabitate with each other, in a non adversary fashion, whilst feeding together, and the two House Finches get on well with the Goldfinch. They are so used to each other that they almost look bored!
Well I don't want to be tarred with that same brush, so I'll bring my article to a close. Until the next time, stay safe and well.
Cheers,
John Baldwin
Price, Harold Ernest
PRICE, Harold Ernest in his 102nd year passed away at his home with his wife and some of his family members at his side. Beloved husband for 74 years of Shirley Price nee McKim. Devoted father of daughters Deborah Leader (Harvey Leader) and Wendy Kim Holland Perrier (Michel Perrier) and predeceased by son Stephen Kenneth Price (Yvette Price). Loving Grampie to grandchildren Jennifer Lajeunesse (Robert), James Holland (Maryse), Adair Harvie (Stacey Rogoski), Laura Parsons (Harvey), Camille Arscott (Robert), and Andre Perrier. Special Great Grandfather to Asia Harvie, Aaliyah Harvie, Isabella Lajeunesse, Danica Lajeunesse, Keira Arscott, Emmerson Rogoski, Juliette Arscott, Caden Rogoski, Xavier Holland, LoÏc Holland, and Lincoln Rogoski. Great Great Grandfather to Winslow Fralick. Predeceased by his siblings and parents. Brother-in-law to William McKim (Ursula Rapp) and Matthew McKim (Jessie Roberts). Survived and loved by many nieces and nephews.
Harold was a WW2 and Korean War Veteran with 25 years’ service in the Royal Canadian Navy. His wartime service and military decorations were the 1939 to 1945 Star, Atlantic Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp, War Medal 1939 to 1945, Korean Medal, United Nations Service Star, and Canadian Forces Long Service Award. Upon completion of his active naval service, he worked for the Department of National Defense.
Harold will be remembered as a kind devoted husband, father and grandfather who thought of his family before himself. He was an intelligent, hardworking, humble man of few needs and countless talents. Special thanks to Dr. M. Smith, Respirologist with TOH, Dr. P McGregor, his family Dr., and Richard Roy with Motion Cares. The family are especially thankful to Veterans Affairs through the assistance of Valerie Egner for assisting in supporting Harold to be able to remain at home. Many thanks to Mark and Katherine Murphy for their ongoing support and companionship. In lieu of flowers donations to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation www.cpff.ca would be appreciated.
OPP looking for public assistance with theft investigation
The Grenville County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is looking for public assistance in identifying a person and vehicle of interest, regarding a theft investigation.
The reported theft occurred on July 4, 2024, just before 2:00 p.m. The theft was from a gas station on Prescott Centre Drive, in the Town of Prescott. Police obtained pictures and a description of a person and vehicle of interest.
The person of interest is described as:
- white female
- medium build
- brown hair in a ponytail
- black shorts
- grey tank top with white shoulder straps
- dark sunglasses
- flip flops
- tattoo on back left calf
The vehicle of interest is described as:
Clint Coleman’s 90th Birthday Party
Come Celebrate with Us July 13th 1-5 pm
South Mountain Ag Hall, 2967 Lough Rd
McCulloch, Thelma Rose (nee Declare)
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our dear Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Great-Great Grandmother on Saturday June 22, 2024 at the age of 85.
Thelma was the beloved mother to Tammy (Jason) of Brockville, Patsy (Rodney) of Bishops Mills and John (Jenifer) of Brockville. Grandmother to Robert ”BJ”, Jennifer (Ryan), Cody, Jesse (Brittany), Kaitlyn, Brandon, Jacob, Olivia, Frannie and Abby. Great grandmother to Haillie, Lydia, Layla, Tyson, Aaron, Keira and Kopelan and Great-great Grandmother to Sterling.
Thelma is predeceased by her husband Donald “Mack” McCulloch, her parents Stewart and Cecil Declaire and her 13 siblings.
Thelma’s family would like to thank the Leeds and Grenville paramedics, Kingston General Hospital ER and Stroke team and a special thank you to the Brockville General Hospital Stroke unit and Palliative care unit.
A private family interment will take place at Roselawn Memorial Gardens at a later date. Donations in memory to Thelma can be made to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation or to your local Palliative Care unit.
Send condolences or make a donation online at www.irvinememorial.com.
Boyd, Dean James
MELISSA OTTENHOF Marketing Consultant
Phone:613 329 0209
Email: melissa@ngtimes.ca
- white 2007-2011 Suzuki SX4 hatchback
- pealing paint along rear trunk window and front windshield
- black front and rear bumper, no licence plates
- large, tall roof rack system
Anyone with information is being asked to call the Grenville County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can leave your tip online at Crime Stoppers or call 1-800-222-8477.
If you’re looking for a caretaker of the earth, look no further than a farmer. Our community has lost a great farmer, family man and friend with the sudden passing of Dean Boyd, 63, on Monday July 1, 2024. Beloved husband of Terry (Cassell). Loving Dad of Brekyn (Ryan) Ashforth, Parker Boyd and the late Kayleigh Boyd. Very special Grandpa to Dean and Blayke Ashforth. Cherished son of Joyce and Lynn Boyd and son-in-law of Shirley (the late Charlie) Cassell. Brother of David (Lynda), Lori (Blair), Brent (Diana), and Lisa (Doug). Special nephew of Kevin and Dale Boyd. Fondly remembered by both the Boyd and Cassell families. The family will receive friends at the South Mountain Agricultural Hall, 2967 Lough Road on Sunday July 7, 2024 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. where a Celebration of Life will also be held on Monday July 8, 2024 at 11 a.m. Lunch to follow; everyone welcome. Interment at the South Gower Cemetery afterwards. In lieu of flowers, donations in Memory of Dean may be made to the Ontario Dairy Youth Trust Fund, Holstein Ontario. Arrangements entrusted to the Byers Funeral Home, South Mountain (613-989-3836). Online condolences may be made at www.byersfuneralhomeinc.ca.
RECURRING EVENTS
Monthly Suppers prepared by Knights of Columbus at Holy Cross Church Hall at 503 Clothier St W. Suppers will be held on the last Thursday of the month. Cost $10 per adult, $5 for children under 12 and $25 for families.
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
Kemptville Legion: Fridays 3-9. Free Pool and Darts. Everyone Welcome
BINGO, Kemptville Legion, Bingos run from the beginning of September until the end of June on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays.
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
KLUB 67 EUCHRE Join us for fun, social euchre games taking place every 2nd and 4th Wednesday monthly at 1pm, September to May. Location: Kemptville Legion, 100 Reuben Cres, Kemptville. Everyone welcome, $5. To play, cash prizes Friendship Lunch has shifted into summer mode. A lunch will be served on JULY 5TH , JULY 19TH, AUGUST 2ND and AUGUST 16TH. Regular weekly lunches will resume on SEPTEMBER 6TH. Lunches are served at St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. and begin at 11:30. There is no charge. A free will offering is appreciated. Everyone is welcome. Drawing from Life - Portrait and figure drawing clothed models. Fridays, 4pm to 7pm, St. John's United Church 400 Prescott Street. Artists at all levels are welcome. Drop in fee $15. For information contact gowjb5@gmail.com
Spencerville Agricultural Society planning general meetings. If you are interested in joining our committee, please email info@spencervillefair.ca to receive all of the meeting details. Jul 8, Aug 12, Oct 21, Nov 11. The Drummond Building, 22 Ryan Street, Spencerville Ontario
BID EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road on Tuesday, July 16, 30, August 13, 27, September 10, 24. Registration from 6:30 p.m., play from 7:00 p.m. Contact Debi at debiar@ymail.com
EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road on Tuesday, July 9, 23, August 6, 20, September 3, 17. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m., play starts at 7:00 p.m. Contact Debi at debiar@ymail.com
Kemptville Farmers' Market: Many local farmers, producers and makers. Every Sunday from noon til 4pm, May 12 - October 27. Located at 301 Rideau St, Kemptville, across the lot from B&H Grocers
UPCOMING EVENTS
South Gower Cemetery Service Sunday July 7 2:30 pm guest speaker Rev. Samer Kandalaft, music by the Gallagher Family Nights Cemetery Memorial Day Service. July 14, 2024 2 PM . In case of rain; Inkerman United Church, Van Camp Road Mountain. Speaker Reverend Melody Trolly, Special Music Trolly Brothers. 613-915-1604
FOR SALE
Mixed hardwood firewood. $120 per face cord. Call or text Jon 613-227-3650.
4X4 round bales and small squares of hay, suitable for horses. Call or text Jon 613227-3650.
Thule 4 bike rack with 2" receiver for 2 hole hitch. Plus two bike cross bars. $200. 613 258 3512
8500 BTU window air conditioner. 3/4 hp shallow well jet pump. 613-282-1836
TASCO 675x60 mm power refractor telescope. Bounty Hunter metal detector. 613282-1836
Firewood - soft- $60 per cord. Call Reg at 613 258 7606
Nexus 4 wheel Walker $160 21" wide with seat, 31"max. height, with removable basket. 613-223-6705
2 rims with tires 235/65 R-17 for Kia Sorento. Call 613-989-5211
Pegasus mobility scooter, like new. Asking $1600 or best offer. Call 613-258-7020
MISCELANEOUS
Lonely Gay Male, 60's. Seeks other for friendship, companionship. Spend sometime together, outings, meals & playing cards. Just to keep each other company. E-mail only dwight_gifford@hotmail.com.WAN
ACROSS
1. "Wise birds"
5. After-bath powder
9. Turn over
13. He writes in stanzas
14. Illicit sexual relationship
16. A Great Lake
17. Desire 18. Category
19. T T T
20. Derisive smile
22. Extremely wicked
24. Earth
26. Happen again
27. Territorial reserve
30. There are 4 on a car
33. Scholarly
35. Chairs
37. Dog command
38. Promotional statement
41. Used in baseball
Solutions to last week’s
42. Was aware of
45. Geometric curve
48. Lubricant
51. Mosque turret
52. Alter
54. European volcano
55. Foreshadowed
59. Aromatic compound
62. Asian nurse
63. Sofa
65. Tube
66. Alcoholic beverage
67. Malicious
68. Celtic language
69. Arouse
70. Phosphoresce
71. Got a good look at
DOWN
1. Creative work
2. Contemptible person
3. Lawmaker 4. Progestin or androgen
5. Label 6. Ends a prayer
7. Hermit
8. Deadline 9. Pensioner
10. Black-and-white cookie
11. In place of
12. Not more 15. Range
21. Toy with a tail
23. Regrets
25. Arm or leg
27. Facial disguise
28. Sugarcoating
29. Be bedridden
31. Scientist's workshop
32. Not fresh
34. Container
36. Immediately
39. Male sheep
40. French cheese
43. Atmospheric conditions
44. What we're called
46. Anagram of "Neat"
47. Wailer
49. Dispatches
50. Conclusion
53. Satan
55. Bears' hands 56. Leave out 57. Hindu princess
58. Woodworking groove 60. Being 61. Marsh plant 64. Without precedent
Between The Woven Spaces
Kim Drake lives in Kemptville with her husband, Brad, and their Mini-Labradoodle, Callie. In addition to raising two children, Kim has been immersed in creating, writing, and storytelling for over three decades. She is the creator
of A Story Just For You, which features one-ofa-kind and personalized books for children and adults.
She has crafted a diverse body of work, including the poetry anthology Winter Solstice, the novels Cross and In the Absence of Ants, and a child's grief book called It's Not Your Fault. She is currently working on a novella entitled Eclipse.
She proudly embraces her Canadian-UkrainianPolish ancestry, and loves Ukrainian folk and liturgical music, anything Star Trek, classic cinema, and musicals. In her spare
Chamber Folk Trio Musk Ox at the Kemptville Street Piano July 13!
Ottawa-based cellist Raphael WeinrothBrowne is a busy man, with the Street Piano
show this Saturday falling between concerts at both Ottawa’s Bluesfest and Chamberfest. When
he isn’t guesting on Juno award-winning albums, touring and performing around the world, making viral YouTube covers, and working closely with contemporary dancers on multidisciplinary collaborations, you can find him composing and performing with chamber folk trio Musk Ox.
Known for their acclaimed albums and captivating live performances, Musk Ox has toured with dark metal masters Agalloch and shared the stage with the Norwegian folk ensemble Wardruna at the legendary WaveGotik Treffen Festival in Leipzig, Germany. The band’s work, blending “nature folk intimacy, classical precision, postblack metal atmosphere, and progressive metal
time, she loves karaoke, spends time in her garden, and shares her gifts with her St. John's United Church family.
More than a writer and author, Kim is a storyteller at heart. She loves to share her work through dynamic readings. For a sample, here is a link
to the reading of her latest novel, Between the Woven Spaces. https:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=fkdjhVvINu8
If your book club or group would like a reading and book signing, you can contact her on Facebook or by email at kld@compuaid.com.
intensity,” has appeared on Exclaim, Pitchfork, The Strombo Show, and made Sputnik Music’s and The Needle Drop’s year-end lists.
If you’ve never been to a live performance featuring strings, don’t let this FREE opportunity pass you by – you’ll be amazed to discover how the “vibes” created by bowed instruments go straight to your guts and heart. Expect exquisitely
lush swelling harmonies and emotional intensity at a Musk Ox performance; for lovers of strings and storytelling without words, this is a rare, intimate performance by a local legend you don’t want to miss.
What? The Kemptville Street Piano Concert Series presents Who? Musk Ox
When? Saturday July 13, 1pm Where? North Gren-
ville 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 Musk Ox here: https:// www.facebook.com/ MuskOxOfficial
Learn more about Raphael Weinroth-Browne here: https://raphaelweinrothbrowne.com/
Shakespeare coming to a theatre near you!
by Brandon Mayer
Having high quality live theatre close to home is a luxury not often enjoyed in rural communities, but thanks to the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival, it’s a reality in our local area! Performances of “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare are beginning July 13, with a second production – the comedy “She Stoops to Conquer” by Oliver Goldsmith taking the entertainment into mid-August. The performances will take place at the Kinsmen Amphitheatre in Prescott, a short drive to the south along the St. Lawrence River. A group of 8 actors is putting on both plays, showing the artistic prowess of those involved.
Julia Nish-Lapidus and James Wallis are co-artistic directors of the Festival, and they also happen to be married. They hail from Toronto where they own a Shakespeare-based
production company, but are spending their summer in Prescott, making themselves at home and eager to share their love of theatre with locals.
Also in August, the theatre group will open a 1-week run of “Play On”, a Shakespeare inspired mixtape. “It’s essentially a 4-person cabaret with a 4-person band,” James explained. “It will be Shakespeare’s text mixed with pop songs throughout the history, and all of the songs were inspired by Shakespeare in some way.” He pointed out that some songs are from Taylor Swift, Elton John, The Beatles, and other wellknown artists.
One of the most exciting things about the upcoming performances is the venue. “It’s probably, in my opinion at least, the most beautiful place to see theatre in this country, but I guess I’m a little biased,” James joked. He commented that it’s a perfect setting for “The Tempest”,
given that the play takes place on an island.
Explaining how the productions are chosen, James said: “The goal is always to give a nice repertory, so something funny, something interesting, something compelling and curious.” The crew of the non-profit theatre organization simply hopes to bring great theatre to as many people as possible. Children under 14 are admitted for free, and there is a “pay what you can” night on Mondays. The performances are all suitable for the whole family.
“Any time you put on theatre, it’s a bit of a leap of faith… but the rewards of seeing a play, to me, are beyond comprehension,” said James. “It’s the idea of being live with people. It’s exciting because it will never be the same. It’s a completely ethereal artform – every night will be different.”
James explained that one of the challenges of Shakespeare is that centuries-old
MELISSA OTTENHOF Marketing Consultant
language is sometimes offensive, so although the group’s philosophy is to keep the plays as original as possible, sometimes they need to be interpreted through a “modern lens”. James added: “You’re always trying to allow for an accessible, fun, intense experience that really hits the person and hopefully reignites a love of theatre or Shakespeare.”
Come out and support the productions this summer! As a non-profit organization, all profits made by the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival go toward funding the season budget to bring more quality performances to the area. These plays are part of a timeless artform that has brought joy to people for centuries, and will surely continue to do so for more centuries to come. For more information, visit http://stlawrenceshakespeare.ca/
www.prioritypumpservice.ca
The Food Corner
We once shared the making of Rhubarb-Strawberry Short Cake. Today’s recipe is for just the strawberries. When Liane was a child and we were visiting Orlando, Florida in winter, we used to drop down to Plant City. There was a roadside stand there where we used to get delicious and humongous servings of Strawberry Short Cake. We remember the experience to this day. So, since ‘tis the season for strawberries from our own fields, let’s enjoy!
Strawberry Short Cake
Ingredients
6 cups of strawberries in halves (or quarters, if overly large)
¼ cup of granulated sugar for the strawberries and another ¼ cup for the shortcake
4 teaspoons of baking soda and ½ teaspoon of baking powder
¾ cup of cold butter (preferably unsalted), cut into cubes
1 cup of buttermilk
1 ½ cup of 35% (whipping) cream
2 tablespoons of additional sugar (for the whipped cream)
1 teaspoon of vanilla
3 or 4 tablespoons of icing or confectioner’s sugar for sprinkling
Preparation
Preheat your oven to 400F
Mix the strawberries and the sugar together in a bowl, cover and refrigerate
Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and soda together in another bowl
Add the butter and cut it into the dry ingredients (get yourself a pastry cutter)
Pour in the buttermilk and fold it into the dry ingredients and butter mixture
Get the dough to the point where you can place it on a surface dusted with flour
With your hands and a rolling pin dusted with flour, flatten into a 1 inch slab
Turn it over and flatten it again till you get to about ¾ of an inch thick
Use a biscuit cutter or a handy glass that is about 3 inches across to cut rounds
Place the rounds on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
Brush the tops with some buttermilk and sprinkle lightly with sugar
Bake for 15 or 20 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown
Make up some whipped cream (cream, vanilla and 2 tablespoons of sugar)
Now comes the fun part. Once the biscuits have cooled just a bit, slice them in half. Pull out your strawberries and heap them on the biscuit halves. Slather with whipped cream and sprinkle with icing sugar. Serve right away with dark coffee or Earl Gray Tea or perhaps an impertinent little cold rosé. All the best from pcormier@ranaprocess.com.
