Issue 29 2023 July 27 NG Times

by David Shanahan

When Oxford-on-Rideau was first surveyed in 1791, a grid pattern was used to divide the land into concessions and lots. That sounds simple, doesn’t it?

Ten concessions, each one mile in depth, running south from the Rideau to the border with Edwardsburgh and Augusta Townships, and each concession divided into thirty lots running from west to east: a simple grid. But time was to show that nothing was that simple, and there were numerous attempts to sort out problems which arose for settlers in the decades after that first survey.

Country roads

One major complication was discovered when new settlers built their homes on their 200-acre lot. In 1821, in response to desperate petitions from settlers in Oxford, an Order-in-Council was passed laying out the main issue for the farmers. It seems that the original survey had stated that the concession road was meant to run along the front of the concession, but settlers had been told to build their homes along the rear instead. As the Order stated:

“It appears from the Quebec Plan of Oxford that the Line of Road was designed to be the front between two Concessions

whereas the Surveyor General has Described the Lots as fronting one way so that the Settlers may have been misled to Settle in the rear of their Lots...”

In other words, the houses were a mile away from the road. This same problem arose in South Gower in the 1840's, and even in 1846, Kemptville resident, Truman Hurd, was asking the Surveyor General’s office: “Are road allowances on the front or base line of concessions in Oxford?”

Roads continued to be a source of confusion through the decades. As the population grew in the late 1820's, land sales were becoming

confused and a proper survey was needed. John West, D.S., produced a map of Oxford, dated 1836, which contains some fascinating details about the road system in Oxford in 1836, though it is oriented to the south, and so is "upside down" compared to normal alignments in later maps.

The hamlet of Kemptville is the only settlement shown, as Oxford Mills had not yet been surveyed, and Burritt's Rapids seems to have been sited entirely on the north side of the Rideau. However, there is no indication of the bridge and Canal

Major to minor. Rideau and Sanders, when Rideau was Highway 16, the main road between Ottawa and Prescott.

continued from front page

works that existed there at the time. The line of Bolton Road and David Road does appear, following an older Indigenous route lining the St. Lawrence with the Ottawa Rivers. It is marked "Road to Prescott".

Kemptville is shown as being sited entirely on the north shore of the South Branch River and is laid out in the typical grid pattern of Upper Canada surveys. It is difficult to know if the street layout follows the same layout as in later surveys, but it is likely that it does, in which case, the street closest to the river, and running parallel with it, is Curry Street, but it runs from Lydia Street east to the river. The most northern street is where Oxford Street is today, and the triangle formed by Rideau and Sanders is visible, created by Sanders

following the grid pattern, and Rideau running along the lot line between lot 26 and 27 in Oxford. The map shows a plan, rather than, perhaps, the actual existence of streets in 1836.

Clothier Street is shown as continuing past Rideau and out towards where the South Branch turns sharply south above where Oxford Mills would develop. There are only three or four buildings shown west of Rideau, one of which would be St. James Anglican Church, which had been built around 1829. There is a crossroads shown where Hurd and Somerville meet now, and Somerville sweeps around to meet the concession line (now County Road 43) in the middle of lot 21, near where Muldoon and Johnson Roads are today. It then follows the concession line to where Ac-

tons Corners is now, where it turns south along the line of Actons Corners Road, as far as the Rideau, where it turns west along what is marked as "River Road", until it passes the junction with Davis and continues out of the Township. River Road, on this map, only begins at Actons Corners Road and is not shown east of that point.

The line of Prescott Street and County Road 44 is shown running south from the Hamlet, with a dam and bridge shown where it meets the South Branch. Barnes Creek is also shown running south from the river.

There would be many further changes to the road layout in Oxford in the subsequent years, especially in the hamlets. Settlement didn’t always follow plans. In Oxford Mills, Main Street is not, in fact, the main

The Kemptville Folk Club at

the Street Piano

street. Instead, Water Street became the location for business and residential development. Other surveyed roads were never opened at all, and remained lines on a survey map. And these changes were continuing until quite recently. Between 1930 and 1936, for example, County

Road 43 between Barnes Street and the Union Cemetery in Kemptville changed from just a telegraph wire route to an actual road. In the same period, the streets north of Maley and east of James Street were laid out.

The story, as with all history, continues. Develop-

ment required new roads, alterations to old roads, all of which we have seen in our own day. And then there are bridges...

submitted by Lisa Poushinsky

Meet the Folk Club at the Street Piano this Saturday, where members will join forces, voices, and instruments in song. With a membership of over 30 ‘folks’, the Club was formed 8 years ago to foster the growth and development of musical talent in North Grenville. From beginners to pros, the Kemptville Folk Club is made up of all levels of players and singers. Members gather regularly to collaborate, grow their talents, and share their skills and their passion for music. Experience the fun on Saturday and who knows, maybe you’ll become one of the folks too!

What? The Kemptville Street Piano presents

Who? The Kemptville Folk Club

When? Saturday, July 29, 2pm

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.)

Oh time, wherefore art thou?

by Brandon Mayer

For those who haven’t watched the video of the July 12 Council meeting, I recommend you do so. For those without access to sufficient technology or patience to listen to what often sounds like mumbo jumbo to lay people – especially when there are almost five hours of it – the most important highlights are summarized in the front page article of last week’s edition of the Times. Hearing the impassioned words of those in the meeting, however, can better drive home the emotions that were running high on that day.

Perhaps the most dramatic part of the meeting was a comment – perhaps better defined as a “speech” – given to Council by a resident named Jesse. The meeting was not designated as a “public meeting” with time allotted for public comments on specific matters. Such meetings are required by legislation to take place regarding matters such as zoning by-law changes, but in the case of proposed by-law changes

discussed on July 12, the public meetings had already taken place. Nevertheless, Mayor Peckford allowed Jesse to speak – and speak, Jesse did.

“Investment in the community is not made solely by developers,” he told Council. “It is made by the people who choose to make the community their home.” This general point formed the basis of Jesse’s thoughts – namely that those who live in the area of the Jack and Joseph Streets subdivision (and by extension, all of those who choose to live in North Grenville), should get a say in what kinds of developments are allowed. Specifically, Jesse was speaking in opposition of a zoning bylaw amendment for that area which was set to be voted on shortly after his comments.

What was most striking about Jesse’s “speech” was the performance within which it was given. He repeatedly turned around and asked audience members for a show of hands in response to survey questions. He used a tone which was a often a mix of both passive aggression and sarcasm. And most significantly, he

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I live in a rural area and let my cat outside. The year that we did not have a cat, we only managed to harvest one third of the vegetables from the garden, the rest had been chewed on by mice, chipmunks and squirrels. We need a cat to keep the rodents under control. The wild animals that like mice don't come to the garden, it is too close to the house and they prefer to be at the neighbours’ who have chickens. It's a lot easier to feed a lot of hungry mouths with a chicken than with a lot of mice.

I always get female cats because they don't wander and when I first take the cat outside, I show it the parameters of the yard. It's amazing how easy it is to train any animal with treats.

spoke as though Council was obligated to listen and obey.

“On April 12, you clarified that it was an information gathering session. Questions were not to be answered – the reasonable conclusion then, is that today on July 12, we as the public get to receive our answers. Questions must be answered before any decision can be made. To do so otherwise, as I’m sure you know, would be an absolute desertion of representation from your constituents. So I for one encourage you to host your healthy debate, as we are eager to hear the positions held by each Councillor on not just this issue, but the turbo boost of development that we can all clearly see taking place across our town and home. It is getting out of hand, and I have not seen or heard from one fellow community member that feels otherwise… Do not vote without debate! It is the lifeblood of our democracy, after all.”

Jesse then offered to host a debate between Council members regarding the housing issues before it, as though that is something that could ever or should

ever be allowed. The irony of the situation was the misrepresentation of the balance of power. Council had no obligation to let Jesse speak at all, and when he was allowed to do so anyway, he believed he was in charge.

In Mayor Peckford’s response, she clarified (for a second time) that the meeting was not a “public meeting” for the purpose of members of the public registering comments on record about the proposed by-law changes, and she also noted that the Planning Act is very complex and a learning curve for all to understand. Deputy Mayor Barclay, who in the past has stated his fondness for the Municipality’s strategic plan since it lays out far more details and reasoning than could ever be covered in a few minutes of debate, also gave a reply, stating that preserving farmland is the reason why residential development must be high density, and why it must be located in Kemptville.

For the purposes of my own commentary, it matters not whether high density development is needed, and where it should be located

if it is. The bigger and more important question is – why does there seem to be an increasing divide lately between residents of North Grenville, and their Council? I have a strong feeling that Jesse knew Council could not be pressured into meeting his demands, nor would he ever have been granted the right to host a debate amongst Council members. Nevertheless, he felt so strongly that he needed his anger to be on record.

The logical reason why Council is approving a huge increase in high density housing lately is because people love North Grenville. This community is a popular place for newcomers and they need to live somewhere. More people means more patrons for local businesses and a booming economy. Council therefore has good intentions but those who have long-held roots here don’t like their community changing so quickly. Who can blame Council for doing what it feels is right, and who can blame community members for wanting Kemptville to forever keep its Kemptville charm?

Unfortunately for the latter group, progress only moves in one direction.

Oh time, wherefore art thou? If only there were more hours in a day for all in the community to sit down and discuss common goals. If only there was time for residents to understand the enormous amount of work that municipal staff put into researching their recommendations for Council. If only there was enough daylight each day for common ground. In truth, there is more common ground than we know, but the clouds of bureaucracy and the verymuch “part time” nature of a Council member’s job often renders this common ground invisible.

Oh time, wherefore art thou? A lack of time and resources will always render it impossible for Council and residents to be as connected as they wish to be. The Jack and Joseph Streets motion was defeated in a 3-2 vote. Residents were heard, but not in one night, and not just one man.

I shake the treat bag to call the cat in for the night. We also have birdhouses on poles in our yard, but we have wrapped the poles with aluminum or hard smooth plastic to keep the cat from climbing the pole. It also deters the weasels, who are probably more efficient at cleaning out a bird nest than a cat.

As to the comment made about disease and vermin a cat can get outside, well, I am a responsible owner and my cat has up to date vaccinations and is treated for vermin. A cat living indoors can also get fleas, worms, etc. when it does its job of catching mice.

North Grenville can expect more mice to invade people's homes because so much clearing is being done for development. The mice

have to live somewhere. We have been through a rat invasion and I don't think we want to go through a mouse invasion as well. We need the cats!

I agree with you, the Editor, that we are too eager to blame our fellow creatures for our environmental issues when we are the culprits.

Lynn Paibomesai

Dear Editor, Reading Graeme Waymark’s letter to the editor last week left me…confused, I guess? Graeme doesn’t want to talk or debate or hear any other opinion unless that opinion rests with his…I think?? Graeme also feels that any alternative “fact” is a “negative alternative fact” because again it doesn’t

align with his… “fact”…I guess?? I believe Graeme is correct in saying that “most of us understand the difference, after the fact!” Wait, is this the “fact” or the “alternative fact” or “Graeme’s fact”??

I vote for Brandon Mayer to filter out all facts as Brandon sees fit! Although I have never met Brandon and I don’t necessarily agree with all of his opinions or views, I think Brandon is a perfect candidate to take on this necessary censorship role. Brandon is one of the most beautiful “people” on the planet, no – universe, and his funny socks and his gorgeous hair (please tell me you have hair!) makes him “PERFECT”! He saved my (cue in the Sarah McLachlan, pause for effect, now weep) life! Not to mention I

need a new job, a high paying job! One where I get a new Denali every 10,000km, and maybe he can throw in a new fishing boat with a 300hp Merc! And driving my big new truck and fishing in my brand new 99mph fishing boat is ok! Do you know why? Because Brandon Mayer says so! I can fetch you lunch Brandon, pick up your dry cleaning, publicly and cowardly shame the alternative ones that don’t agree with you. I am your guy!!

Ridiculous! Toughen up Kemptville, and maybe just listen without the hate! We are so weak!! Brandon, or “mister Brandon” or “sir Brandon” or really trying hard “not to offend Brandon”, please tell me and all the good people of Kemptville what we are

to think and believe. “In Brandon we Trust” [patent pending] bumper stickers coming soon!

Paul Gleiser

Response from the Editor

Dear Paul,

This gave me a chuckle. It’s a great, sarcastic commentary that illustrates the need for media to be neutral, and to allow competing perspectives to be heard. For what it’s worth, I agree with the point that (I think!) you are trying to make.

Brandon

Municipality launches parking study for downtown Kemptville

submitted by Jill Sturdy

The Municipality of North Grenville is conducting a Parking Study for Downtown Kemptville.

“Downtown Kemptville has so much to offer, with its unique local businesses and restaurants, waterfront access and Riverside Park, as well as being host to a number of community events such as Buskerfest and Old Town Christmas Promenade. We want to make it easier for people to keep coming back,” emphasized Mayor Nancy Peckford.

“Parking has been a key topic for residents and businesses, and this parking study will provide evidencebased analysis of parking downtown so residents and visitors feel welcome, and businesses can continue to grow and flourish,” added Deputy Mayor John Barclay.

A parking study for Downtown Kemptville was one of the recommendations from the Downtown Kemptville Community Action Plan (DKCAP).

The Parking Study will include quantitative and qualitative assessment of existing and forecast future conditions. This study will develop an understanding of parking utilization, identify periods of highest parking demands and present options to effectively manage parking such as time restrictions and private/public partnerships.

Consultation and engagement will begin Wednesday, July 26 with local businesses located in Downtown Kemptville, North Grenville Chamber of Commerce and the Old Town Kemptville Business Improvement Area.

Public Open House (Virtual) – Thursday, August 10, 2023

Residents have an opportunity to provide input at the virtual Open House on Thursday, August 10, 2023. Residents are encouraged to attend and provide insight to help identify current parking gaps in Downtown Kemptville.

To register for the August 10th virtual Open House, visit www.northgrenville.ca/projects and click on the Parking Study. A Zoom link will be sent to those who registered for the open house in the week leading up to the meeting.

For more information about the Parking Study in Downtown Kemptville, visit www.northgrenville.ca/ projects.

Downtown Kemptville Community Action Plan (DKCAP)

In 2021, Council approved the Downtown Kemptville Community Action Plan (DKCAP). The DKCAP outlines a set of financial incentives, planning tools, and updated processes and practices to enhance development downtown. The targeted goals focus on connectivity and people, aiming to encourage more development in Downtown Kemptville.

For more information on the Downtown Kemptville Community Action Plan (DKCAP) visit: https://www. northgrenville.ca/doing-business/funding

MUNICIPAL OFFICE HOURS

Visit our events calendar to find out what’s happening in the community: www.northgrenville.ca/events

Sign-up to receive Mayor Peckford’s e-newsletter at: northgrenville.ca/connect.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

COUNCIL MEETINGS

Please see the Council agenda for further details on how to participate in Council meetings. All Council meetings will be live streamed on YouTube at: youtube.com/user/NorthGrenville/featured and on the Municipality’s website at: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings.

To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please provide your comments no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting to clerk@northgrenville.on.ca Council agendas are available at: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings.

• Friday, July 28, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. (Closed Session) – Catered Affairs

• Wednesday, August 9 at 6:30 p.m. (Open Session) – Virtual

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Committees may be meeting in-person or virtually. Please see the Committee agenda for details on how to attend. Agendas can be found on the Municipal website at www.northgrenville.ca/meetings

• Environmental Action Advisory Committee – Monday, July 31, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

• Agriculture and Rural Affairs Advisory Committee – Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 4:15 p.m.

• Housing Advisory Committee – Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.

VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Equipment Operator

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill the position of Equipment Operator in the Public Works Department. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualification in confidence to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 4th, 2023.

Advisory Committees

Join the conversation regarding the community! The Municipality continues to accept applications for members to various advisory committees. Visit northgrenville.ca/committees for more information on how to apply. For questions, please contact the Clerk by email at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca or by telephone at 613-258-9569 ext 171

NORTH GRENVILLE IN BLOOM Garden of the Week Nominations

Congratulations Kaye for being nominated as our second Garden of the Week! We are so thrilled to congratulate the incredible Kaye from Oxford Mills, for her breath-taking gardens. One cannot help but marvel at the meticulous care and attention to detail Kay put into her garden. Every flower seems to have found its perfect place; every leaf perfectly tended to. It’s a sight to behold. Kaye has thoughtfully planted a variety of pollinator-friendly plants, inviting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to their garden. Congratulations again on this well-deserved recognition and thank you for sharing your extraordinary garden with us!

For more information about North Grenville in Bloom, visit our project page at northgrenville.ca/projects.

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Financial incentives are available for businesses and property owners to continue the revitalization of Downtown Kemptville. As part of the Downtown Kemptville Community Improvement Plan, intake is now open for the following financial programs: Façade & Signage Grant, People Make the Place Grant, Building Fees Grant, and Tax-Increment Equivalent Residential Grant.

The Development Charges Exemption is still in place for downtown. Intake is on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. If you have questions or are looking to apply, please email vision@northgrenville.on.ca or call 613-258-9569 ext 177.

NG GREEN

NG Green Gift Card will be expiring on August 23, 2023. Don’t let the remaining value on your NG Green Gift Card go to waste! If you have any questions or require assistance email ecdev@northgrenville.on.ca or call 613-258-9569 ext. 153. Thank you for supporting local.

The Municipal office is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Beth Donovan Hospice springs into fundraising

submitted by Amy Tibben

Through generous community support, and a whole lot of fun, Beth Donovan Hospice was able to raise over $26,000 this spring. We would like to acknowledge the phenomenal support we have received from our community including the many businesses which have sponsored our efforts, the community members who donated, and the volunteers who worked so hard!

Taste for Hospice kicked off the spring fundraising initiative with a bang by raising $8,070 for hospice programs and services like equipment lending, in-home visiting, and day hospice. The evening was a complete taste experience involving local restaurants, bakeries, wineries, breweries, and distilleries which donated both their time and prod-

ucts for the enjoyment of the 160 guests. Local bands Garrison Blues and 33 & 1/3 provided the entertainment for the evening. The festivities culminated in the crowning of Best Savoury to The Crusty Baker, Best Wine to Green Gables Vines, Best Distillery to King’s Lock, Best Brew to The Windmill Brewery, and Best Sweet to Wyngaarden Pastries. Thank you to all the food and drink vendors who shared their best with us!

When the weather warmed up, we hit the trails for Hike for Hospice at the Ferguson Forest Centre on May 28th. With perfect weather and a beautiful breeze to keep the bugs away, we gathered with a large group of hikers to enjoy a beautiful day on the trails. This year’s hike brought in $11,705! Thank you to all our sponsors

Tid bit musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters RSSW

It is often not what you say but the tone in which you communicate that becomes the issue or even the terminology that is questionable. What are you meaning to say? Can you spell it out more concretely? Are you sincere? Do you only hear what you want to hear?

The expression "sorry for your loss" often reflects on the passing of an individual. But in reality, is that person lost? Or would it be more accurate to say "my condolences” or “my sympathy." Loss infers the essence of someone/something valuable missing. You can lose your keys, the ball, the patience required or the

marbles. You have no idea where to find them or how to relocate them. Depending on your faith, the passing of someone clearly defines where they are. Generally, you know they are in heaven or hell depending on their spiritual commitment, or in the case of scientology's beliefs, the individual has returned to the sanctity of the earth. When you say "sorry for your troubles", are you referring to the ingrown toenail, hemorrhoid or the passing of a loved one? Being specific helps identify the issue, and reflects your feelings pertaining to that passage of life. Often, being uncomfortable speaking of death, despite the fact that no one gets out of life alive, results in one being cumber-

3rd Merrickville Festival of the Arts

submitted by Nick Previsich

including Pet Valu, TD, Harvex Agromart, Leader Agriservices, JT Autoparts, Kemptville Fencing and Decks, Kemptville Windows and Kitchens, The Heat Source, Coba Studios, Brooks and Cryderman LTD, North Grenville Dairy Producers, Pink Soap Works, and Fast Eddies.

On Saturday, June 24th , we hosted the Seniors Expo at the North Grenville District High School. Through sponsorship, the sale of vendor tables and generous community donations, we were able to raise $6,345 for hospice programs. We must thank our wonderful sponsors for their generous support: Gravitate Travel, TLC Medical Supply, Alltec Solutions, Tierny Stauffer Lawyers, Hulse, Playfair, and McGarry, McDougall Brown Insurance Brokers. We’d also like to thank the following supporters: North

Grenville Times, Moose FM, Municipality of North Grenville, Upper Canada District School Board, and O’Farrell Financial Services. Finally, we must acknowledge our amazing Kemptville Lions who donated $1,250!

The amazing support we receive from our community means that we can continue to support individuals at end of life, their caregivers, and those who are grieving. Thank You! Please visit our website for a complete list of programs at www.bethdonovanhospice.ca

some in what we say.

As recommended in public speaking and communication techniques, we should think of what we desire to say and practice how we can convey our message without being obscure or insecure. Insincerity at any time is as painful as any physical punch would be. Trust your instincts and remember that the tongue is kept behind two lips and a set of teeth, while a set of ears is on the outside of our head ready to listen. Sometimes saying nothing rather than placating the individual is the best move. Your response may mean the world to someone - whisper gently!

The community of Merrickville-Wolford is delighted to host the 3rd Merrickville Festival of the Arts on July 29-30, 2023 at the beautiful Blockhouse Park on the banks of the Rideau River adjacent to the historic Rideau Canal locks. This is a collaborative effort involving The Merrickville Organization for Culture and the Arts (MOCA), the Merrickville Arts Guild (MAG) and Theatre Night in Merrickville (TNIM). This year, we have added a number of exciting new musical performances by local and area musicians. Of special note will be an evening concert on the 29th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM by Arbour Season. In addition to viewing the beautiful art produced by 30 MAG artists, you will also be able to hear thought-provoking poetry by the Merrickville Rogue Poets and TNIM’s delightful one-act play, “The Green Thumb Gang”.

Merrickville-Wolford has a well-deserved reputation for being a community that supports and appreciates the arts in its many forms. We will be putting our best foot forward to welcome you to the 3rd Merrickville Festival of the Arts. Admission is free to all!

For additional information, please contact Nick Previsich at 613 355-3488 or at: nprevisich@bell.net.

Strike update: Children and Family Services

of Family and Children’s Services of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, a transfer payment agency mandated to deliver child welfare services under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act. She provided the Times with an update.

over time.”

by Brandon Mayer

Workers with the CUPE Local 2577 bargaining unit representing about 93 child protection workers in Lanark, Leeds, and Grenville, were still on strike last week over a labour dispute. The strike began on July 12 after more than a year of negotiations failed to result in a deal agreeable to both sides.

Also taking place last week was a solidarity rally, meant as a way for community members to show support for members of CUPE Local 2577. The solidarity rally

took place on July 19 in Brockville.

“While CUPE members remain focused on securing a deal that invests in services for children and families, they’re utilizing their strike to give back to their communities, hosting a series of free pop-up events for children and fundraising for local causes,” reads a press release. CUPE National President Mark Hancock and Secretary Treasurer Candace Rennick spoke at the rally, which also served to collect donations for the local chapter of Girls Inc.

Erin Lee Marcotte is the Executive Director

“The employer believes we have made a fair and reasonable offer to the union, particularly considering the significant financial constraints facing the agency and the continual decrease in operating funding from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services,” said Erin.

“Our reasonable monetary offer may be less than the employees would desire, but it is in no way a reflection of the value we as an organization place on our employees. We understand the immense challenges our employees face in carrying out the extremely important and complex work of child welfare, and we hope we can come to a resolution

Meanwhile, union members and many third party agencies have decided that enough is enough. The Ontario Federation of Labour posted on its website: “In recent years, there’s been an exodus of staff from Family and Children’s Services of Lanark, Leeds, and Grenville. Dedicated, skilled workers with decades of experience are burning out. And new workers who’ve just entered the field with passion and enthusiasm to help families and communities are being chased out by unreasonable workloads. All of this means fewer people providing the support families need and fewer people checking in and intervening early before a child is hurt. While workers are struggling, management refuses to even acknowledge there is a problem.”

CUPE 2577 President Arlette Carrier gave an example of how the

workers’ compensation has been steadily falling behind – while gas prices increased 51 per cent in the last 17 years, the workers’ reimbursement for mileage expenses rose by just 4 per cent over the same period. “We’re struggling working day and night and weekends just to keep kids safe,” Arlette said. “That’s our primary job and they’re asking us to do stuff that we just don’t have the time for and it’s just not necessary. Houses are on fire and they’re asking us to polish the silver.”

Service delivery was impacted by the strike, but as of last week, essential services were not being impacted, and a contingency plan was put in place to ensure the continued immediate safety of children and youth.

As this is an evolving news story, readers are encouraged to check ngtimes.ca for updates on whether a deal has been reached.

Trafficking in Ontario

South Mountain rider participates in third Great Cycle Challenge Canada

Canadian children are diagnosed with cancer every year,” said Jamie Lamont, Director of Special Events at SickKids Foundation. “Thanks to riders like Ron, we’re fueling groundbreaking research to save lives and give kids the brighter future they deserve.”

submitted by Ron Porteous

When it comes to fighting childhood cancer, Ron Porteous is a familiar face. A resident of South Mountain, Ron is planning to ride 1,250 kilometres and raise $5,000 during the month of August for The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in support of its 8th annual Great Cycle Challenge Canada.

Founded in 2016, Great Cycle Challenge Canada has grown to become one of the biggest cycling events in the

Penny for your Thoughts

Garbage

country. In just seven years, over 115,000 riders from all provinces and territories have ridden 20.1 million kilometres, raising more than $39.4 million for research, care and the development of better treatments and cures for childhood cancer. This year, SickKids Foundation hopes that more than 15,000 riders will take part to support kids’ cancer research.

“Cancer is the largest killer of Canadian children from disease and over 1,400

“This is the third time I have participated in Great Cycle Challenge,” said Ron Porteous. “During those years, I rode 2,520 kilometres and raised $11,055.53. This year, I am aiming to raise $5,000 and ride 1,250 kilometres.”

To learn more about Ron’s Great Cycle Challenge Canada and to make a donation, please visit greatcyclechallenge.ca/Riders/ RonPorteous. To participate in Great Cycle Challenge Canada, visit GreatCycleChallenge.ca.

About Great Cycle Challenge Canada

Great Cycle Challenge Canada encourages cyclists across Canada to challenge themselves and set their own personal riding goal throughout August to fight kids' cancer. Riders fundraise to save lives and give kids the brighter future they deserve. For more information, visit greatcyclechallenge.ca.

About SickKids Foundation

Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and is the largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada. Philanthropy is a critical source of funding for SickKids – one of the world’s foremost paediatric health-care institutions. For more information, please visit sickkidsfoundation. com.

40th Anniversary Celebration

South Nation Archery Supply/Club invites you to join Kathleen and Larry to celebrate 40 years serving the needs of archers and bowhunters in eastern Ontario, western Quebec and northern New York State. On Saturday, August 26, 2023, there will be cake for everyone, national and provincial medal presentations to our indoor target archers, and 5% off in-store items. Drop in any time between 9am and 4pm to help us celebrate.

We look forward to seeing you.

11667 Holmes Road, Winchester

by Mz. Penny

A few years ago, the Post Office took away their recycling bins. One of the reasons given from head office was the risk of personal identification theft. Now to my mind, if a person is foolish enough to drop something personal in a public recycling bin, that’s their problem. But I guess that Canada

Post thinks differently.

Whenever I collect my mail, I see a pile of flyers just dumped on the floor, and I think to myself, what prompts people to dump their so called junk mail on the floor? Are they trying to make a political statement to the post offi ce, to local businesses who send them out (and remember many of these businesses support our community), or are they just uncaring, with no regard for others, including the staff who are left to pick it up? Remember, whatever your aim is to dump this on the floor, it was not the staff’s decision

to eliminate these bins but they are left to clean up after you.

I don’t have the answer to what kind of people do this. Are they the same ones who dump their coffee cups (or whatever) out their car windows? Not my problem? For the past 20 years, I have observed the same couple going up and down Pinehill Road in Kemptville, picking up the garbage left behind by careless people coming out of the fast food places in the Mall at the end of the road. And there is a lot of it.

There are many ways to make a political point,

but when doing so, have some respect for the people who have to clean up after you. For you, it may be a political statement, although throwing your garbage out of a car window has me just gobsmacked. Perhaps it is due to the garbage bins being removed from the fast food stores? For that action, I was told that people were bringing in bags of garbage from their homes and dumping them in their bins.

Let’s try to think about our actions more carefully and who we are hurting the most. And kudos to that couple who take the time to pick up after you, up and down Pinehill Road.

2023 Summer Concert Series

July 23 7:00 pm The Rhinestone Plowboys

July 30 7:00 pm Eddie and The Stingrays

August 6 6:30 pm Hillbilly Highway

August 13 6:30 pm Capital Beatles

August 20 6:30 pm Marlene Fawcett and Mountain Breeze

August 27 6:30 pm Chris Coyea and Alex Fleuriau with The Music Guys

Join us every Sunday evening from June 25 to August 27 at the Kinsmen Amphitheatre on the St. Lawrence River, Prescott, On

WAY Collaborative promotes self-care

Are you making Medication errors

Winston Churchill said, “The only statistics you can trust are those you falsified yourself.” Unreliable statistics make it hard to know how many people die each year due to medication errors. How many more are taking harmful drug combinations or the wrong doses? The numbers are elusive because medical professionals don’t want to showcase errors and consumers may not realize their mistakes.

Yet, errors happen many ways and at different points.

It’s like the telephone game where people take turns whispering a message into the ear of the next person in line. When the last person speaks the message out loud, it has changed along the way. It’s a game that teaches how important details get altered when passed from person to person. The same is true as medication moves through production, packaging, labelling, dispensing, and use. It’s no game, and mistakes happen.

Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists are stretched thin. It used to be dangerous when handwritten notes in patient files were illegible. Now errors can occur from a typo. A shift change by nurses elevates risk.

Some medical tragedies from mixed up medications are impossible to miss. Heartbreaking cases of infants administered the wrong medication are more common than you might imagine. So are situations where an elderly patient dies after being given the wrong drug or the wrong dose.

Naan Instant Flat Bread

Ok, I admit it, I’m on a mission: to convert budget conscious folks to the benefits of leftovers. Another way of using leftovers is to inventory what’s hanging around in your fridge and prepare an instant recipe from a staple we always keep around the house: Naan bread. From the time that we enjoyed Naan bread in Indian restaurants to today when you can get this delectable bread over the counter pretty well anywhere, we have blessed the day we found it. We usually get a stash at Costco and keep ‘em frozen. So today’s recipe involves using Naan bread with whatever you have left around the house.

Naan Instant Flat Bread

Ingredients

However many Naan breads you need to feed your family or guests

Optional coatings, for example:

• Tostitos salsa

• Tomato sauce or pizza sauce

• Tzatziki

• Chipotle mayo

• Your favourite BBQ sauce

Optional fillings:

• Diced chicken

• Thinly sliced ham or salami

• Any other protein you have around, including bacon and back bacon

• Or, go vegetarian with anything you choose (try cooked asparagus spears)

Topping: any firm cheese that you can grate, including:

• Mozzarella

• Cheddar

submitted by Jenny Read North Grenville’s WAY (Wellness Access for Youth) Collaborative wants to spread the word that July 24 is International Self-Care Day, a day to recognize the importance of self-care for our mental and physical health.

“Self-care includes anything that we do to care for our physical, psychological, and emotional health,” said Dan MacKinnon, the Navigator for WAY, a collaborative made up of service providers who provide, refer, and support mental health and addictions services for children and youth aged 12 to 25 years of age in North Grenville.

“Self-care is about taking time to do things you enjoy or that make you feel better, especially when you feel stressed,” MacKinnon added, “like riding a bike, playing music, or connecting with friends.”

7/24 – the day chosen for International Self-care Day – reminds us that we experience the benefits of self-care 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

“Self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy,” said Lorena Crosbie, Executive Director of Children’s Mental Health of Leeds and Grenville, a founding WAY partner. “Self-care is linked to improved mental health, self-esteem, self-worth, and optimism.”

Crosbie noted that while summer brings warm weather and a long break from school, the lack of routine and daily interaction with friends can be stressful. For children and youth experiencing mental health challenges over the summer, help is only a phone call away. Calling 1-866-741-1WAY (1929) provides access to the services of all of the WAY partners.

WAY can help with mental health, substance use health, food insecurity, housing, employment, transportation to appointments, and more. WAY can also connect parents and caregivers to help through PLEO – Parents’ Lifelines of Eastern Ontario.

For more information about WAY, visit http:// www.kdh.on.ca/WAY/

Find out more about how to de-stress with self-care at https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/gcschools-self-care-infographic-pdf.pdf.

Accepting that “to err is human,” most hospitals, pharmacies, and care homes have layers upon layers of seemingly foolproof protocols, protections, and checks. But still, when people get tired, stretched, or sloppy, the best safety measures are not enough.

Medication mistakes are frequently called into poison control centres by consumers at home. What are the common crises? Husbands have taken their wives’ pills. People take their medication twice. Parents can’t tell how much medication they’ve succeeded in getting down the throat of a screaming child. Hundreds of thousands of these situations occur every year.

Labeling and dosage instructions can be confusing, and the print too small to read. Common abbreviations are among the cause of some errors. Micrograms (µg) can be mistaken for milligrams (mg) leading to an overdose. The Latin abbreviation for every day (Q.D.) can be confused with the shortform for every other day (Q.O.D.)

It's challenging enough when dealing with only one medication. When multiple medications are used it gets more complicated. How many readers engage in “polypharmacy”? It can refer to getting medications from more than one pharmacy or using more than one medication to treat a single problem. But most commonly, polypharmacy refers to the use of five or more medications at the same time.

This is not the time for complacency. You are not being rude by asking questions. You should ask for clarification until you understand completely. Take all your medications with you – or an accurate list of them with the doses you are using – to every visit with a healthcare practitioner. Use only one pharmacy. Communicate any effects of changes in medications. Dispose of old medication correctly.

If you or someone you know struggles to manage the timing and dosages of medications, reach out for assistance. A recent survey found that over two-thirds of low-income individuals taking medications daily are not taking them properly. They tend not to tell their doctor or they don’t have someone available to answer their questions. We can do better to help.

The safest way to avoid medication errors is comparatively easy. Do everything you can to avoid getting sick. It was Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, who said, “The greatest medicine of all is teaching people how not to need it.”

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.

• Havarti

• Monterey Jack

• The list goes on but doesn’t include soft cheeses...

• And, some Parmesan when serving to “seal the deal”

Preparation

1. Warm your Naan bread slightly in the MW, particularly if you are starting from frozen

2. Choose a coating and spread it on the surface of the Naan bread

3. Choose a filling and place your choice generously on the coated Naan bread

4. Choose a cheese, grate it and sprinkle on your emerging flat bread

5. Pop in the microwave for about a minute or until the cheese is melted

Bring these to the table with a Parmesan shaker. Serve with a nice cool ale: fast and certainly very tasty. Somehow, I imagine a pool table...Enjoy!

Feedback always welcome. Talk to me at pcormier@ ranaprocess.com.

FOR SALE

Antique Farm Machinery for lawn decoration. Call 613-258-3561 after 6:00pm

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 613-258-3854

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

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

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

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

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

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

CROSSWORD

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

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

Kemptville Legion: Now Open Fridays 3-9. Free Pool and Darts. Everyone Welcome

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, 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, 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.

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

one leg on each side

Solution to last week’s Crossword

Farmers encouraged to reach out for mental health supports

ings in hopes that we can be spared damage from severe summer storms.

by Sara Wood, Director, OFA

Summer is a busy time on the farm. Whether we’re cutting hay or silage to feed our livestock next winter, getting fresh fruits and vegetables to market or harvesting grain crops, there is no shortage of work to keep everyone busy.

Weather is also top of mind at this time of year. Not enough rain keeps crops from growing properly, but too much keeps us from harvesting them – and we’re also always keeping an eye on the latest weather warn-

And like many other Ontarians, farmers also worry about inflation, rising interest rates, and the high cost of living and running a business.

These aren’t new challenges. In fact, the tough financial times of the early 1980s caused many farmers at the time to discourage their children from a career in agriculture and it’s important that we don’t lose another generation of farmers. For too long, stress and mental health in the ag community have been accompanied by the stigma of perceived weakness.

In recent years, research coming out of the University of Guelph has drawn a lot of

attention to the high levels of stress farmers face and the impact it is having on them and their families. It’s traditionally been something that was kept quiet, even in my own family as I grew up on my parents’ dairy and crop farm.

Now, however, the industry is finally talking about it and working together to take action.

Last year, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, with the support of the governments of Canada and Ontario, through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Ontario Division to develop and launch the Farmer Wellness Initiative.

It is the first step of a multi-year, province-wide

The Weather with Connor

Throughout the evening, model runs kept coming in, all giving the signal that July 13th would be a day to remember. I kept reading the models and thinking to myself “is this for Eastern Ontario or Oklahoma?” Obviously, it was for Eastern Ontario and we were getting set for a very dangerous day.

minutes until it was finally time to get out of the parking lot and head towards another section of the storm that had a tornado warning on it.

program that provides free counselling services virtually, in-person or on the phone by professional counsellors with agricultural backgrounds and training.

The confidential helpline is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in English and French, as well as up to 30 other languages, and the FWI website explains how to use the free service.

Counselling is available for any issue, not just farm-related matters, including financial pressures, health concerns, depression, troubles with family, friends, partners or spouses, feelings of stress or burn-out, bullying, trauma, abuse and other issues requiring support.

At OFA, we’ve been working hard to let farmers know that the service exists.

I farm in Perth County and our local federation of agriculture, for example, has met with municipal councillors to let them know about the program, and they’ve been happy to make the information available to their rural constituents.

As awareness increases, so does use of the Farmer Wellness Initiative, and it’s making a difference. I attended various agricultural events and trade shows last fall and winter where I heard from people about how relieved they were that a program like this is available for farmers, especially in rural areas where healthcare and mental health supports and resources can be very limited. This shows that we’re meeting a need and that the farm community is starting

to embrace the help that is available.

Long-standing stigmas and perceptions can be hard to break, but we all need help at some point and recognizing that isn’t a weakness. In fact, I believe it instead shows a person’s strength – and that’s something that should be recognized and supported.

For many of us, it’s not easy to ask for help, as I’ve learned firsthand recently in going through cancer treatments, but that shouldn’t keep us from reaching out.

To access counselling through the Farmer Wellness Initiative, call 1-866-2676255 or visit farmerwellnessinitiative.ca.

featuring Connor Mockett

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to another week of The Weather with Connor. In my last column, I said at the bottom that I’d resume talking about the final 9 days of my Chasecation to Alberta. That will have to wait, as I’d like to talk about the events of last Thursday, July 13th, instead.

July 13th was the day when a couple of tornadoes happened in Barrhaven in Ottawa, and then a tornadowarned storm made its way across the region from Vernon and across the border into Quebec, where it put down another tornado north of Montreal. I want to talk about the day leading up to that day, and my chase day.

So let’s start with July 12th, a Wednesday, the day before things hit the fan. I started to look at models in the afternoon that day and started to see things that I haven’t really seen here much at all, if ever. The model runs were hinting at an environment rarely seen in this area, due to a low pressure system crossing through the region. This system was also responsible for tornadoes in the Chicago area, so going into Thursday, the system already had tornadoes in its DNA.

The next morning, I once again pulled my phone out to look things over before making my morning Facebook post. That is when I began to get a little bit of worried that something bad was going to happen that day. I knew that two major cities, Ottawa and Montreal, as well as everywhere in between, were under the gun in a significant way. So I sounded the proverbial alarm and told everyone to treat the day with respect and to pay attention to warnings and alerts.

Storms actually started very early; it was only around 9:00am when storms started to form into a line over to the west near Peterborough. Those storms would move to the east, into an environment very primed for potent severe weather.

Storms then entered the Ottawa area around 11:30am, and by about 12:30-ish, a couple of tornadoes were reported in Barrhaven.

I started my chase day around that 11:30 time, but was unable to catch those tornadoes, as Ottawa was not my target area for the day. I went further east for my target, which was St. Isidore, and sat in the Esso parking lot with another chasing buddy of mine. We waited there for about 30

We traveled back west slightly before intercepting the storm in St. Albert, where it was incredibly beautiful. Don’t get me wrong, the storm was incredibly beautiful for its entire life cycle. After getting eyes on that storm, I turned back around to go back east again as it entered Casselman. Luckily for Casselman, the very strong rotation on the storm did not put down a tornado, because that rotation went right over top of town.

I then hopped on the 417 in Casselman for a short and quick trip down the highway towards the HWY 138 exit, where I got off and turned to the north for a 30 second drive until my next eastward turn. I turned east on those really nice back roads between Casselman and St. Isidore, which is probably my favourite area to chase in the entire region, and stopped to watch the storm for a couple of minutes. This is where rotation on the storm became even stronger and was very very visible to the naked eye.

I kept going east after a short stop, and then stopped between St. Isidore and Fournier. This is where rotation was at its peak, and the structure of the storm was at its peak too. I’ve never seen a storm that beautiful in this region before, it was unbelievable. I was pretty surprised I didn’t see a tornado near Fournier when I stopped on a gravel road to look at the storm,

because rotation was one of the strongest I’ve seen here too. There could have been a tornado buried in the rain of the storm, but it is still unconfirmed at the time I’m writing this.

Strong rotation and a very windy storm then entered the Town of Vankleek Hill, still thankfully not a tornado though considering it would have gone right through the Town. I had to stop chasing the storm just after Vankleek Hill, mostly because I went down a dirt road and then realized that I didn’t have another east road option, and that it was either go back to where I came from, or sit where I was. Both options involved me getting hit by the storm, carefully not in the path of the rotation. I chose to just sit on that dirt road and let the storm hit me and pass.

After the storm passed, I went to the Timmies in Vankleek Hill (because why wouldn’t you get Timmies after a chase?) and met up with another chasing buddy. We then both hopped back on the 417 south of Vankleek Hill, and headed back west towards Ottawa for round 2, which ended up dying off before we got back to those storms.

Full disclosure, my storm chase on July 13th was probably my best chase ever in my 9 years of chasing. Many of my all time favourite photos were taken that day. Although an unfortunate event in Ottawa with two damaging tornadoes, which thankfully no one died from, this was a day that I will never forget.

Infection control notification issued this week by local Health Unit

submitted by LGLD Health Unit

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit identified an Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) lapse during an inspection on June 8th of Piercings by Melissa in Brockville, who operated in relationship with LUX Tattoo and Piercing, when informed of changes to services performed at the premises that were not disclosed to the Health Unit upon starting.

Initial investigation conducted on site identified concerns regarding reusable tools relating to reprocessing technique, operation of equipment, and documentation. The operator has been required by the Health Unit to use only sterile single-use tools, and not use any jewellery sterilized on site. There have been no infections linked to the premises at this time.

The Health Unit recognizes that this situation can be stressful. Clients who may have been at risk of exposure have been contacted directly by the Health Unit by letter, and we recommend that all clients who received this letter follow recommendations described in the letter, including speaking to a health care provider.

The Ontario Ministry of Health requires that public health units investigate and publicly disclose information about IPAC lapses. The Health Unit works with all operators to ensure safety to the public both to prevent lapses and to ensure provision of services in accordance to public health guidance and provincial requirements.

Please visit www.healthunit.org and click on the infection control information tab for more information on the IPAC Lapse, and/or contact our toll free line at 1-800-6605853 ext 2222. Information about the Health Unit’s role in inspection of personal service settings can be found on our website under: Beauty & Body Art.

Invasive species the target of upcoming community workshop

What are North Grenville’s yard maintenance rules?

that the By-law applies to tenants, not just owners, unless a lease specifies that yard maintenance is the landlord’s responsibility.

submitted by RVCA

In the war on invasive species, knowledge is the most potent weapon – and a free community workshop aims to arm the public with as much invasive species information as possible.

Focusing on identification and how to reduce their spread, the workshop on Saturday, July 29 will feature staff presentations as well as hands-on displays of invasive plants and animals.

“We’re hoping more members of the public will become familiar with these species and their impacts,” said Amanda Lange, RVCA’s Aquatic Habitat Monitoring Co-ordinator.

“The more people know about invasive species, the more we can collectively work to curb their spread. And by reducing the spread, we can give our native species a fighting chance and promote a more balanced and diverse local ecosystem.”

Invasive plants like Himalayan Balsam, garlic mustard, Japanese knotweed and dog-strangling vine can spread rapidly, pushing out native species and leaving gaps in the area’s biodiversity. This can reduce food supplies and resources for other species who rely on the missing native plants. Invasive plants are also often poor substitutes when it comes to erosion and flood mitigation, as their roots generally aren’t as deep or strong.

In the water, invasive aquatic species can have dramatic ecosystem impacts while also measurably changing water quality and characteristics. For example, invasive zebra mussels filter suspended particulates so effectively ththey can cause distinctly weedier lakes, since sunlight can reach further into the water column.

“We’re excited to welcome the public to learn what they can do in their own backyards to make a difference,” Lange said. “It’s a group effort to keep our local environment as natural and functional as possible for everyone’s benefit.”

The workshop will be held at the RVCA’s headquarters in Manotick from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 29. All are welcome, including community associations, environmental groups, property owners, gardeners, students and anyone with an interest in learning about invasive species. Light refreshments will be served. Advance registration is required.

Contact citystreamwatch@rvca.ca for more information.

by Brandon Mayer

A question that is bound to come up more often for homeowners and some renters in the summer, as opposed to the winter, is one regarding the Municipality’s yard maintenance rules. What are the rules? How and when are they enforced? What is the purpose of the rules?

Some residents have expressed concern this year, as they do every year, that North Grenville’s yard maintenance rules are too strict, or that it doesn’t make sense for landowners not to have control over their own property, especially in a rural area. Is this really the case? Or do yard maintenance rules serve a good purpose?

North Grenville’s Yards

By-Law No. 46-07 leaves some of the rules up for interpretation. There is no specified height limit for grass, but one rule does dictate that “no person shall permit any lands under their control to become untidy, unsightly, unsanitary, unhealthy or dangerous”, listing out several things that could be deposited on a property to make it noncompliant. Examples listed are debris, rubble, garbage, excreta, and more.

Other points in the Bylaw are made very clear. For example, the By-law specifies that noxious weeds must be removed by the property owner if they appear between May 1 and October 15. The wording of “any lands under their control” is significant because it means

Baldwin’s Birds

Amy Martin, Director of Planning and Development with the Municipality, added some useful information for North Grenville residents. “The Yards By-law is intended to ensure that properties are maintained in an orderly fashion not just for aesthetics, but to reduce the presence and proliferation of noxious weeds and pests”, she said. “Long grass can attract certain pests that can cause a nuisance to property owners and noxious weeds can be a safety issue.”

If there is no maximum allowable grass height specified, how are property owners and renters expected to know what is acceptable?

Director Martin was able to explain. “The Yards By-Law does not specify a maximum height for grass whereby it must be maintained. Rather, the By-law provides that lawns are to be maintained to locally accepted standards. This is often a judgement call in the field on the part of the by-law officer,” said Director Martin.

Director Martin explained that in regard to

two properties away from his house, where there are most likely some reeds and some water creatures that it could catch, so we figured that that must have been where it had ventured forth from. Hopefully, it will find its way safely back there soon.

The subject of preventing bird window collisions has not gone away, as I have been informed that the UV Liquid is hard to come by locally. However, my informant has furnished me with another supplier who can readily get it in Canada – www.thebirdhouse.ca

Once Bittern Twice Shy

I was just wondering what I was going to talk to you about this week when a friend contacted me with quite the avian surprise and what a beauty it was too. A "Least Bittern" had found its way onto his balcony and was on one of his wooden chairs. He was able to get a couple of good pictures of it and also a bit of a "movie" as it moved away from him.

He then called me to see if I would like to see it which, of course, I did, but by the time I got to his house it had decided that the refuge of the "Hastas" was a better place to be and, for me, making picture-taking a bit more of a challenge! I did get to see it, although not as completely as he had previously done, but it was still an exciting experience. We both wondered where it had come from but there is a water catch basin

A couple of my drinking buddies have told me of their sightings of birds recently. One of them spotted a pair of Scarlet Tanagers in his garden, and the other, who has a lakeside cottage beyond Perth, has got a Coopers Hawk nesting very close to his dwelling and has spotted some of the young ones too. Meanwhile, our everyday garden birds continue to keep us occupied and our interests up, as we try to figure

clean yards and unmaintained lawns, the by-law officer always takes an approach of working with the homeowner to achieve compliance. This means that although violations are subject to officers’ interpretations of “locally acceptable standards”, a first step when a violation is found can be a simple discussion with a property owner or renter, letting them know of the violation and how to fix it before other enforcement action needs to be taken. This could be very important in a case where, for example, a property owner does not know that a certain species of plant growing on their property qualifies as a “noxious weed”.

When asked whether by-law officers routinely drive around looking for violations, Director Martin confirmed that “enforcement of by-laws is mostly complaint driven.”

Municipal by-laws that are enforced by by-law services are available on the Municipality’s website at https://www.northgrenville.ca/council-government/municipal-government/by-laws

out their next moves. "Fascinating" is the only word that I can use at the moment for watching what they all get up to and that also includes the odd roadside spottings that I get of the overhead nesting Ospreys alongside some of our local riverside roads. I hope that your own interest is still being piqued by our avian friends. Stay safe and well.

Cheers, John Baldwin

Wildfires update: Will there be smoke all summer?

of humans becoming more careful are being cancelled out by the dry, hot conditions that make it easier for lightning strikes to ignite forest materials.

by Brandon Mayer

Local residents may have noticed that it has been a while since several consecutive days of thick smoke adversely impacted both visibility and air quality. While the occasional haze can still be seen some days, more recently, the worst of the smoke seems to be gone –for now. What is happening with the wildfires in parts of Quebec, Ontario, and other parts of Canada?

By last week, over 4,400 wildfires had been reported in Canada this year. Smoke has been so intense that it has been blown across the ocean, reaching Europe. Forest fires are certainly not new in Canada or in most other parts of the world, but their intensity is growing. Human-started wildfires are becoming less common, with more than half of all wildfires now being ignited by lightning strikes. Unfortunately, the benefits

Climate change is happening. The magnitude of the impact that human behaviour has on it and the particular human activities that make a difference will always be up for debate, but recorded data shows without a doubt that the world is slowly becoming hotter and drier. These are perfect conditions for large, hard to control fires to ignite and rage on for weeks.

Locally, the consequences of the wildfires have been most significantly felt in air quality. Some outdoor events – including children’s sporting events and even recess time during some school days – had to be cancelled over air quality concerns. The smoke may not noticeably affect some healthy, average people, but others who are more vulnerable can be seriously at risk when air quality is poor, particularly people with asthma. Will there be smoke all summer? Thankfully, the worst of the smoke is likely behind us, at least for this year. To think that smoky fire seasons will not continue into the future, year after year, would be foolish. Specifically, regarding smoke in the Ottawa area, Peter Kimbell, a warning preparedness meteorologist for Environment Canada, told the CBC “We may have an episode or two, but they probably will become more and more spaced-out and less and less frequent.”

In the meantime, local residents will surely not take for granted the days when we can look out and see crystal clear skies.