Issue 33 2023 August 24 NG Times

Communities in Bloom visits North Grenville

seeing and hearing, asked about how they many cultural and municipal bodies work together to create a vibrant community with a strong identity, one based on a strong historical foundation. They were particularly pleased to see how all parties interacted and the their overall community involvement. Paul Ronan, who has experience in integrating communities after amalgamation, asked about how that experience has been handled in North Grenville since 1998, and the way in which a rapidly growing municipality like ours has managed to maintain an identity in the three amalgamated historical communities.

North Grenville was under the microscope last week when Communities in Bloom judges dropped by for three days of touring local cultural and community hotspots. Communities in Bloom is a nonprofit charitable organization that aims to improve the aesthetic appeal of communities and promote friendly competition between Canadian communities to beautify their civic spaces. Far more than just about gardens and flowers, the judges evaluate communities based on such

criteria as Environmental Action, Heritage Conservation, Tidiness, and Urban Forestry & Trails: a wider perspective on a community.

The two judges, Paul Ronan and Linda Robertson, made a wide-ranging tour of the community between Monday and Wednesday of last week, enjoying visits to the Ferguson Forest Centre, the Kemptville Campus, the North Grenville Giving Garden, and Rotary Park. There were also visits to a variety of local busi-

nesses, some residential gardens, and they enjoyed breakfast at the History Hub on Prescott Street on Tuesday morning. The Hub, which is the public face of the North Grenville Historical Society, hosted the judges and two members of the municipal staff, Hilary Geneau and Ashley Cuthbertson, who were guiding the Communities in Bloom project for the Municipality.

Paul and Linda, both very impressive individuals and showing genuine interest in what they were

Communities in Bloom is very focused on more than gardens and appearance, though that is key to their mandate. But the overall health and vibrancy of the places they visit is as important. Based on their evaluation, communities may be awarded ratings from one to five blooms, five blooms being the highest rating. As a result of their ranking, communities can move on to national and international competitions, or be eligible for special awards based on specific criteria, such as sustainability, biodiversity, or community involvement.

Communities in Bloom visit the History Hub last Tuesday. From left: Michael Edward McFee, IT NGHS, Karen Nicholson, President NGHS, Ken Mews, Past President NGHS, Linda Robertson, Communities in Bloom, Donna Gould, Hub Manager NGHS, Dr. David Shanahan, Historian NGHS. In front: Paul Roman, Communities in Bloom.

Fall fairs bring urban and rural Ontario together

by Drew Spoelstra, Vice President, OFA

A sure sign that the end of summer is approaching has always been the opening of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto. This year’s kick-off at the Exhibition grounds alongside Lakeshore Boulevard is only a few days away – and although it’s in a thoroughly urban location, the CNE is actually one of North America’s top agricultural fairs.

Across Ontario, fall fairs are an important part of the community fabric. In the early days of many communities, the fall fair was the first event they hosted regularly and for many, it’s still one of, if

not the biggest community event on the yearly calendar.

The role of the fair is one of both celebration and education. Historically, it was at the fall fairs that farmers brought their best livestock, crops, baking, preserves and other items to enter into competitions as a way to both celebrate the bounty of another season and honour those with excellent production.

And that’s still the case at fall fairs across Ontario. My family and I farm within the city limits of Hamilton near the community of Binbrook, for example, and we’re active participants at our local fair every year, showing

horses and taking part in the grain competition.

I’m a strong believer in the ongoing value that fall fairs bring to not just our communities but also to farmers and to Ontarians province wide. That’s what has been a driving force behind my own volunteer involvement with my local fairs in Binbrook and Ancaster for many years.

The agricultural societies that run fall fairs have an official mandate through Ontario’s Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act to promote agriculture and agri-food in our province. Many farmers and farm organizations volunteer their time every year to run demonstrations, staff displays and talk about all sorts of agricultural topics from how farm animals are raised to the importance of farm safety.

For agriculture, it’s a valuable outreach tool that can help build public trust in our food supply and for consumers, it’s a great opportunity to meet and speak with real farmers, see farm animals and

crops up close, and learn about where food comes from.

That unique ability to bring together farmers and non-farmers also means that many agricultural societies are involved in outreach efforts all year long, not just at fair time. It’s an important role that was recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs recently with the announcement of a three-year program to promote careers in agriculture through agricultural societies.

Through the Promoting Agri-Food Careers Initiative, $1.7 million will be available to Ontario’s 213 agricultural societies for projects and program-

ming that will increase awareness and promote jobs in the agri-food industry.

The chronic labour shortage in agriculture and the high average age of Canadian farmers are well known, so we welcome support like this that will help our sector attract the next generation of workers and leaders.

In addition to education, many agricultural societies also make their grounds available to host other community events or rent facilities to community groups and organizations as a way of generating revenue to help support their operations.

The COVID-19 pandemic cancelled fairs across Ontario for several

years and they’re only now just starting to rebound. Throughout the pandemic, the provincial government recognized the challenges those cancellations caused and provided support to help these organizations survive.

So, starting with the CNE over the next couple of weeks and ending with the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in November, I encourage all of you to take an opportunity to visit a local fair in your area. Check out the displays, speak to exhibitors, taste the food and enjoy the rides and special performances that make up that special fall fair atmosphere. We look forward to seeing you there.

We Are Neighbours 2023 campaign

submitted by Melissa Francis

We Are Neighbours is back for its sixth year. The annual story-sharing campaign run by the St. Lawrence-Rideau Immigration Partnership features Leeds and Grenville residents sharing their words and experiences through stories and interviews. The campaign will run until October and is accepting new stories and participants.

Designed to showcase the diversity of the people, experiences, and ways of life in Leeds and Grenville, We Are Neighbours has featured individuals from every municipality and over thirty different countries to date. This year has also included a travelling display with stories from

the past six years, an interactive map, a welcoming community word cloud, and more! This display has visited the Brockville Library, Brockville YMCA, Brockville Museum, and will be moving on to libraries in Augusta, Leeds and the 1000 Islands, Rideau Lakes, and Merrickville-Wolford.

Changing yearly with new themes and stories, We Are Neighbours has become one of the flagship initiatives run by the St. LawrenceRideau Immigration Partnership. “We receive a lot of positive feedback about We Are Neighbours,” says Melissa Francis, Program Manager. “Both from our partners and the community in general. It’s a way to showcase the welcoming aspects of the region, allow

others to see themselves in those already here, and help the community learn about itself and its members. It’s always exciting to find new people and new stories to share.”

Stories shared have included those from immigrants and born-Canadian alike, with ages that have ranged from one year old to over eighty, and have included a wide range of topics such as their journey to the region, their gardens, their grandmother’s recipes, and their businesses. These stories are shared on the We Are Neighbours website as well as the St. Lawrence-Rideau Immigration Partnership’s Facebook page.

To participate, find out more, or ask questions, people can visit www. weareneighbours.ca, where all previous stories are also available to read, or contact Lauren Smith at lauren@eecentre.com/613-213-4455.

Driveway paving scams

submitted by OPP

Door-to-door driveway paving and repair related frauds are popping up across the East Region and throughout the Province of Ontario.

Despite rules banning certain door-to-door sales in Ontario, criminals have not stopped. Those involved in these frauds are persuasive and persistent. Many of the individuals involved in these scams are working without a work permit, have no permanent business address and operate in a fly-bynight manner. Often, the victim will agree to have work completed, with the suspects using poor quality products. Following the completed work, the victim will be unable to reach the company to repair the shoddy work that was done.

How to protect yourself - Be wary of unsolicited contractors who knock on your door offering services, especially if they only accept cash and/ or require a large down payment.

- Do not make onthe-spot decisions about hiring a contractor.

- Select a reputable company and do your research.

- Obtain a detailed,

written contract.

- Consider shopping around and obtaining detailed estimates.

- Never feel pressured to commit on the spot and don't provide full payment for work that has not begun.

The OPP is reminding people that there is no obligation to speak to a salesperson who attends your residence. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

If you have decided to use a company's services, check with your local Better Business Bureau or business association to see if there have been any complaints filed against them.

Anyone who suspects that they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.

MUNICIPAL OFFICE HOURS

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

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.

• Tuesday, September 5 at 7:00 p.m. (Open Session) – South Gower Pavilion

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, August 28, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

• Arts and Culture Advisory Committee – Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Engineering Technologist – Water Wastewater

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill the position of Engineering Technologist in the Public Works Department with Water Wastewater. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualification in confidence to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 1, 2023.

Facilities Attendant (Part-Time)

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill part-time positions of Facilities Attendant in the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualification in confidence to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 2, 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

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.

Did I pass, dear?

by Brandon Mayer

The Times is lucky to have so many well-informed, intelligent readers. A few of these readers submitted letters last week regarding what can be succinctly termed “the Greenbelt scandal”. There is no point in regurgitating all of the information contained in those wellwritten submissions, but a quick summary may be prudent.

Ontario’s “Greenbelt” is a protected area of millions of acres that has countless environmental benefits. Under Doug Ford’s provincial government, it has suddenly become… well… less protected. The government has chosen large portions of the land to sell to housing developers who can expect to make billions of dollars in profit.

An Auditor General’s report has found that impacts to the environment were not considered by the government in its decision making. More significantly, the report found that the developers them-

selves had an influence in choosing which parts of the land would be slated for development. Experts have spoken and generally agree that it is not a shortage of land driving Ontario’s shortage of housing. The development of the Greenbelt is unnecessary.

Why would developers, who stand to make a fortune, have such an influence in a government decision? Imaginations and speculation run wild in cases like these. “Scandal” is a term often applied any time a government makes an objectively bad decision. A significant portion of Ontario’s population seems to think this was a bad decision, so “objectively bad” is an appropriate term. Even those who may agree with the development of the Greenbelt must surely be questioning how the decision was made. Consultation is a key part of governing. Consultation should never involve those who stand to make a profit if the “right” decision is made.

Why are governments so disappointing? In a June

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

The letter from Steve Gabell was brilliant. He managed to bring attention to the issue that I had attempted to address, in one third of the words I used. Steve asked:

“How do we resolve (the) conflict between what science is telling us and what some wealthy, powerful individuals and companies would have us believe? Ultimately, we need a much higher standard of scientific literacy within the media and within the general public”.

Yes, here in North Grenville we could be a leader in this resolution. What starts here could become generally accepted elsewhere.

We are fortunate to have the North Grenville Times serve us fairly and as consistently comprehensive. I have noticed this consis-

2023 poll, out of nine provinces surveyed, only two provinces (Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia) had citizens who held more than 50% approval for their Premier, and even then, it was only JUST over 50%.

Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford was sitting on an approval rating of just 33% in that same poll. Why does a government with only 33% approval, in a democracy, get to make universally hated, “scandalous” decisions, and just keep on governing like nothing happened? It will likely hurt their chances of re-election, but once every four years is not a good timeline for citizens to be able to express their displeasure in poor decision making.

Significant in Doug Ford’s case is this – his approval at its highest point was once 69%. As recently as December of last year, he had an approval rating of 45%. The June 2023 rating of 33% is predicted to drop as a result of the Greenbelt scandal. Am I the only one who gets a mental image of a sinking ship? And yet, we have nearly three more

years to go. If my math is right, approval ratings cannot go any lower than zero.

In a traditional grading system, a 69% would be a strong C+. This is still below what schools call “the provincial standard” (pun intended). In contrast, 45% is an F, and 33% is a much bigger F. Similarly at the federal level, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was elected with just 32.6% of the popular vote, while his runner up, Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, had 33.7% of the popular vote. This is because our system of political ridings is meant to ensure that certain areas of Canada don’t dominate when it comes to electing a leader. How is it possible that Conservatives got more votes, but Liberals won? Because on average, there were more strong Conservative ridings (like ours), and more “on the fence” Liberal ridings that swung slightly in the Liberals’ favour. Seats in the House of Commons are all that matters.

To be perfectly and blatantly clear, I am not suggesting that govern-

ments should be achieving near 100% approval ratings to be allowed to govern. Disagreement is healthy and is actually what drives democracy. A government with a 100% approval rating would and should be suspected of brainwashing and propaganda. Disagreement is what gives voters something to vote for. Pick a side – the side that best aligns with your views. But disagreement should never take the form of a vast majority of citizens disagreeing with a government that was questionably influenced and didn’t bother following expert advice or seeking proper consultation.

I dream of a system where constituents get to grade their politicians. Maybe their pay rate can even be attached to these ratings. I am filled with happiness thinking of Doug Ford waking up on the morning after a citizens’ approval vote, groggily asking his wife, “Did I pass, dear? Do I get to keep my job? Did my pay go up or down?” Politicians love to give themselves

raises while raising taxes, giving pitiful increases to government pensions, and generally making life unaffordable. I wonder how quickly things would change if the people being governed were in charge of the payroll department.

I have no specific hatred of the Ford provincial government. I am just slowly learning to hate all provincial and federal governments. The accountability is lacking, and the apparent inability of the parties to find policies and leaders that Canadians can trust, and whose policies make sense and provide help and good value for tax dollars, is disheartening.

Why can’t we find someone who meets the “provincial standard”? Why can’t we push the “next” button and fire those who let us down? Why can’t we, the citizenry, reward good choices with pay raises, and punish bad ones with pay cuts? It’s all a dream of course. I guess the only time we can be proud of our leadership is during REM sleep.

tency for over ten years. Today, how can we readers now serve the NG Times?

Accordingly, is there in North Grenville a way that each of us readers can assist with the publication of articles, editorials, and letters to the editor that may incrementally ameliorate the cogently described “conflict” issue, as described by Mr. Gabell?

One idea could be to accept the ‘Gabell’ issue as say, one of ‘competing facts and opinions’.

Given that premise, Is there an initiative that can be put forth by the NG Times or by its readers? Is there a latent initiative waiting to be attempted that may improve how we absorb data? Can data be more readily understood as in what is an expert opinion? Or conversely, what is a scientific fact?

There will always be

biased, or marketed data; however, can data be differentiated? Will an identification of its provenance help or hinder?

Graeme Waymark

Dear Editor,

A thorn in the Mayor's side... that is what I believe myself to be.

On June 5, I noticed as I drove through downtown Kemptville, that the white stop lines and the yellow crosswalk lines were all faded, barely noticeable after the winter’s snow and salt/sand, thinking the rains of spring must have washed away most of the salt and remaining paint.

It actually caught my eye because the rainbow crosswalk in downtown Kemptville was done and stuck out and I thought to myself “why didn`t they do the rest of the lines, they

have the paint machine out anyways.”

Having never questioned my city councillors before, I sent out an email and was told by Mayor Peckford "It definitely will be happening in the next several weeks, from what I understand."

My response from our Public works staff: "Crosswalk was done by a “specialized” company. The Municipality contracts the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville for all stop bars and centerlines and a local contractor for the yellow ladder and municipal white lines for crosswalks. The painting cannot take place until the weather reaches a specific constant temperature, the areas have been swept of winter sand and debris and there is no wet weather in the forecast. This typically is completed by the end of May and then we proceed

with the painting.”

Confused with this response, I questioned the “specific constant temperature”, response… only to be left hanging.

Mayor Peckford responded on June 6: “Definitely looking to get it done sooner vs later.”

Days and maybe even weeks ensued with no other response. I have since then sent four other emails questioning with not one response.

I work on the road and I go to Arnprior, Carlton Place, Renfrew, Pembroke, Cassleman, and all have freshly painted lines, making the towns look attractive, clean and cared for.

I guess making Downtown Kemptville look clean isn't a priority. This is also a safety concern for pedestrians and vehicles.

The Kemptville music

festival brought in almost 20,0000 people from different sectors of Ontario, Quebec and even some USA states. This should have been done, so our visitors for that weekend could return home and say how nice and clean Kemptville is, a proud community.

I left Montreal to move to Kemptville years ago. Montreal is forever under construction. You can smell the corruption. I moved to Kemptville and it was much cleaner and organized. I felt that I was home.

For all we pay in taxes, is it too much to ask that we have a nice clean town to present? Or perhaps a city council that will respond to citizens’ emails?

We are now in mid August. I’m assuming that the crosswalks/stop lines are just

Kayaking for cancer

The Weather with Connor

storm was completely, and I mean completely, gone by 2:45pm. Evaporated into dust, basically. Never seen anything like that, a storm evaporating so fast.

Wales Road. However, that one also quickly died off, and the storm then cycled again. The next cycle of the storm is when it would finally produce.

Featuring Connor Mockett

Once again, the fearless kayaking team were out on the Rideau. This year, they managed to raise $20,000 which has them at approximately $880,000. Their goal continues to be $1 million to support cancer research in honour of those we have lost, those who are battling right now and those who may have to battle in the future.

A large thank you to all the donors, sponsors and volunteers who made this event possible. And of course to our own locals, Jim and Judy Beveridge who supplied the hot meals to these kayakers at Hurst Marina..

They couldn't do it without the support of family and friends – they paddle because they care.

Back to School –for Genealogists!

submitted by UCLG

After a summer of research, visiting cemeteries and villages where our ancestors lived, or just relaxing, it’s time to get back to “family history”. Learn how to use Google Maps to track your family as they moved across town or around the world!

Well-known Canadian genealogist Lianne Krüger will take us through finding locations from letters and documents, using addresses and clicking on a map! We’ll explore Google Maps using its many tools to help us navigate latitudes and longitudes, use views from satellites to discover the properties owned by our ancestors, and create our own maps!

Hosted by the Leeds and Grenville Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society, join us on Labour Day (September 4th) at 7:00 pm on Zoom and kick ‘back to school’ into high gear! To register for this presentation, visit our Branch website leedsandgrenville@ogs.on.ca for more details.

Letters cont'd

as important as the finalizing of the new splash park at Riverside park.

Lines will be filled when snow falls, just as the splash park will open when school starts.

It was an observation one sunny June morning. One that I felt the need to share with my town’s mayor and councillors. I did not know it would drag on this long. Now I guess I`m “a pain in the ass” within the municipal centre.

My eldest daughter, yesterday (August16), told me that the yellow crosswalk

lines were done. I drove by this morning going to work, and it was done but just one part. The city did just one part to shut me up. It should all be done.

The paint machine again was out.

Do I mow half my lawn and put my lawnmower away?

Matthew Lonergan

Dear Editor, Mr. Ford and Mr. Clark –thank you for representing me.

I am 100% in favour of developing one part of the

greenbelt as you add to it in another location. Also, thank you for rezoning lands from agriculture to housing, especially in the middle of the city. We need more housing. This land represents less than 1% of available area and is totally useless as greenspace.

As for dropping the prison in Kemptville, thank you again. I am sure you realize only a few vocal groups oppose having well paying jobs in the area.

Bob Swaren

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to another The Weather with Connor column. This week I’d like to catch up on a chase that happened the day after I wrote my last column. I’ll be writing about the storms of August 3rd, the day a tornado went through the Findlay Creek, part of Ottawa South.

I’ll start with the day before, August 2nd. Models were showing parameters around the Eastern Ontario region that would be capable of producing large hail, strong winds, and a tornado or two. I knew that there’d be a couple rounds of storms in the early afternoon, later in the afternoon, and then evening. The late afternoon and evening storms would then combine. With the parameters in place, any supercell would have a chance to produce a tornado. With all that in mind, I knew August 3rd would be a day to remember. I ended my night on August 2nd thinking that my target of Ottawa’s west end would likely be okay. And with that, I went to bed.

And now here we are. August 3rd, the day of the tornado. I started my day early, leaving at noon for the early afternoon storms. The first storms of the day were closer to the St. Lawrence Seaway, with one storm catching my eye near Prescott and Spencerville. This storm was very slow moving right from the start, as it was latched onto an outflow boundary from the overnight thunderstorms. It quickly became a supercell, and I gained eyes on it shortly after 2:00pm. The supercell was near Spencerville at this point, and was a beautiful low precipitation storm, with the wall cloud and mesocyclone very visible without rain blocking it. It tried to produce a tornado around 2:25pm, with the wall cloud quickly rotating above a forested area northwest of Spencerville. However, this storm was even cooler for something else. After 2:30pm, the

After that storm died, I went back to Kemptville and met up with my chase partner for the day, who was Mike Higgins (Michael Higgins Photographic on Facebook). Our plan that day was to do something we’ve both never done before. We filmed a video focused on me about the entire chase. We left Kemptville after setting up, and went to my target area of Carp, in Ottawa’s west end. After waiting for the right storm to blow up, finally we had a storm absolutely explode right over Arnprior, and very quickly become a supercell that would also very quickly go tornado-warned.

We hopped on the 417 and went towards the storm, getting off the highway at Kinburn. Immediately, we saw the first part of the storm that caused the tornado warning, which was the rotating funnel cloud over open fields. With all the fields around, that would have been a nice place for the tornado to form. Unfortunately it didn’t happen there, and waited a couple hours more to produce.

It tried hard again to produce not far after Kinburn. Rotation was strong in the wall cloud that was basically directly over top of Dunrobin, which would’ve been the absolute worst case scenario after what happened to them in 2018. After Dunrobin, it cycled a few times, but it seemed to me like it was dying as it entered Kanata. During this time, the 3rd round of storms was quickly catching up to the 2nd round of storms, which was the supercell in Ottawa.

As the supercell passed Bells Corners and went into Barrhaven, it ramped back up quickly again, as the wall cloud was rotating quickly right overtop of Woodroofe, Merivale, and Prince of

We crossed over the Strandherd Bridge, looked out my window, and the storm had already completed its next cycle and had a rapidly rotating wall cloud already, right next to Earl Armstrong Road. At this time, the other storm was catching up fully, and colliding with the supercell. When that happens, extra vorticity from the other storm feeds into the storm ahead of it. The wall cloud was very, very rapidly rotating as it went over Albion Road as the storms collided.

After it crossed Albion Road, it finally produced the tornado. We were on Rideau Road looking to my north as it went through Findlay Creek, producing some minor damage as it went through the community. It was on the ground from Albion Road to Bank Street, a couple kilometers. Thankfully, damage was relatively minor, other than a house that had part of its roof ripped off.

No injuries, no deaths, minor damage. That’s about as good as it can get when a tornado goes through a populated area. This was also my first tornado as a storm chaser, and it was for Mike as well!

After we paralleled the tornado on Rideau Road to Bank Street, we went over to Ramsayville Road, where we drove south to get out of the main part of the storm because we weren’t sure if the tornado was still on the ground, so we wanted to get out of there. We drove back to Findlay Creek after that to assess damage, which as I mentioned, was minor. We stuck around talking to people in the community about the event, and then eventually headed home to end our crazy day.

A day that we’ll both never forget.

BACK TO SCHOOL 2023

Back to School Road Safety –Slow

Down and be Prepared to Stop

As families prepare for students to go back to school, the North Grenville Police Services Board is reminding everyone to be safe as they travel to and from school – whether it be by active travel (walk or bike), car or by bus.

“Let’s ensure our kids get to and from school safely,” emphasized Mayor Nancy Peckford. “Motorists should be vigilant in watching for children who may be waiting for the bus on road shoulders, or walking or riding their bikes to school, particularly at road crossings.”

“Be prepared to stop for school buses when lights are flashing, and never pass a school bus,” added Deputy Mayor John Barclay and Chair of the Police Services Board.

Safe Walking Route Maps: Walking or wheeling to school is a great way for kids to be active. It can also help reduce congestion in school parking lots.

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Public Health Unit along with their active school travel partners developed safe walking route maps families can use. If it isn’t

feasible to walk the entire way, consider parking a block or two away from the school and walk the rest of the way.

A crossing guard is also located on the corner of Concession and Prescott Street before and after school.

Safe Route School

Maps are available on our website for the following schools:

- South Branch/Notre

Dame / Rivière-Rideau

- Holy Cross Catholic School

- Kemptville Public School

Community Safety Zone and School Zones

School Zone – A School Zone is an area within 150 metres on either side of a school which has a lower speed limit during school hours.

Community Safety

Zone -

A Community Safety Zone is an area where public safety is of special concern, such as areas around schools. Community Safety Zones are clearly marked with road signs and are located along Country Road 44, Concession Road and Clothier Street. Fines are doubled if caught speeding in the area.

Schools in North Grenville and the safety zone designation:

- Oxford on the Rideau

Public School (50 Water St.) – School Zone with speed limit of 50 km/hr.

- Kemptville Public School (County Road 44) – Community Safety Zone with speed limit of 60 km/hr.

- South Branch Public School/ Rivière-Rideau/ Académie Notre Dame (Concession Road) –Community Safety Zone with speed limit of 40 km/hr.

- North Grenville District High School (Concession Road) – Community Safety Zone with speed limit of 40 km/hr.

- Holy Cross Catholic School (Clothier Street) –Community Safety Zone with speed limit of 40 km/hr.

- St. Mike’s High School (County Road 43) – School zone with speed limit that changes during school hours from 60 km/hr to 40 km/hr.

Led by the North Grenville Police Services Board, the Road Safety public awareness campaign aims to promote safe driving behaviours and make roads in North Grenville safer for all users.

For more information on Road Safety in North Grenville visit: www. northgrenville.ca/roadsafety.

A Message from the North Grenville Police Services Board

The Little Rock

This program is offered to young curlers and new curlers aged 8 to 12. Focus will be on learning the basics of curling including delivery, sweeping, etiquette and strategy in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere. Use of lighter rocks (20 pounds versus 40 pounds) is encourage for our youngest curlers so that strong fundamentals can be developed at a young age.

Required Equipment: Head protection, clean shoes and warm clothing.

Optional Equipment: Broom, Curling Shoes (Club can provide brooms and step on sliders for new curlers)

If you have any questions, please contact the Youth Program Coordinator at: ngcc.youthcurlingclub@gmail.com

Breaking up is hard to do

by David Shanahan

When we last heard from the Oxford-on-Rideau Council, it was 1852 and they had just borrowed £6,000 from the government of the United Canadas to invest in the Bytown and Prescott Railway Company. This investment had been strongly opposed by two of the councillors, Rickey Waugh and T. A. Kidd, but pushed through by the other councillors, Ambrose Clothier and William Bottum, supported by the Reeve, Robert Kernahan. This money would have to be recouped through local taxes on property. Almost immediately after paying over the money to the Company in October, 1852, worrying rumours about the state of the railway company’s finances began to circulate.

The taxpayers of Oxford had been assured that the £6,000 would probably never have to be paid out, that the railway stock would only be a source of revenue and profit, but calling in the money from the township was only the beginning. Almost as much had been invested by private individuals in Oxford, mostly by Kemptville businessmen, and the company was losing money throughout 1853. Even after the line opened to Bytown in 1854, profits were not forthcoming; in fact, the company needed more and more investment to keep going.

To add to the financial pressures, many of the same individuals who had invested in the Bytown and Prescott Railway had incorporated another company in 1853, the Perth and Kemptville Railway Company. This was meant to build a track linking “Perth to a point on the Bytown & Prescott Ry. near Kemptville, and from Perth to Belleville or Peterborough”. In the event, this railway was never built: the expected boom in business for the new railways did not materialise and this investment was lost.

The precise details of what happened next are still shrouded in some mystery. But it seems that the leading businessmen of Kemptville, among them the Reeve and two councillors who had

so eagerly pushed through the investment of taxpayers’ money in the Bytown and Prescott Railway Company, now began to look for ways of escaping the trap they had set for themselves. Their initial plan was to have Kemptville separate from the Township of Oxford-onRideau, and establish it as a separate municipality. This, they apparently believed, would relieve the village of having to repay the £6,000 loan, which was, after all, in the name of the Township. The plan almost failed when it was discovered that Kemptville did not have the required population of 1,000 to qualify as an incorporated village; but the Act of the Assembly, passed in July, 1856 contained what may have been a compromise.

In spite of not having the required population, Kemptville was incorporated but agreed that it would “remain liable jointly with the said Township of Oxford for any debt or debts created by the Municipality of the said Township before the passing of this Act”. It was left to the two councils, Oxford’s and Kemptville’s, to sort out their respective share of the debt. Kemptville became a separate village on January 1, 1857, and the Bytown and Prescott Railway Company was placed in Receivership that same year.

But the story did not end there. By the end of January, 1857, it had been agreed that Kemptville would take on a quarter of the railway debt, £1,500, but the new Reeve of Oxford, Rickey Waugh, had to insist on Kemptville’s Reeve, Ambrose Clothier, keeping to the terms laid down by the Assembly. The share of the debt was based on property assessment in

Beverly M. Vander Velde

Roderick (Rod) Angus MacLennan

both municipalities, and the value of village property was clearly assessed at a higher valuation than in the rural areas of Oxford. This irritated William Bottum. He had pressed for the railway stock investment and the separation from Oxford as a way of avoiding paying that debt. But now he found that his property, which was extensive, was being assessed at a higher rate than it had been as part of Oxford. His land covered most of lot 25, stretching from Rideau Street west to what is now Pine Hill Road, and from CR 43 south to Concession Road.

The 1857 Act had the east half of lot 24, and all of lots 25 to 28 in the third concession of Oxford included in the new Village of Kemptville, but Bottum now wanted his lands removed and restored to the lower tax brackets of Oxford Township. So, on July 24, 1858, another Act was passed to change the boundaries of Kemptville. The new boundary line on the west wove in and out around land that Bottum had previously sold to the Anglican Church. All of Bottum’s land south of the river (what is now Riverside Park, the site of the hospital, etc.), was now removed from Kemptville.

Oxford-on-Rideau was divided. The new centre for the Township was Oxford Mills, while Kemptville started its independent existence as a fruitless way of avoiding taxes spent on infrastructure. The separation only ended in 1998 with the arrival of a new municipality with a new name: North Grenville.

July 29, 1958 - August 25, 2019

February 6, 1940 - August 22, 2018

There will always be heartache And many a silent tear, But always precious memories Of days when you were here. Lovingly remembered and Sadly missed Wiebe

I thought of you with love today but that is nothing new I thought about you yesterday and days before that too, I think of you in silence I often speak your name All I have are memories and your picture in a frame Your memory is my keepsake with which I’ll never part God has you in His keeping I have you in my heart.

Your Angela

Gerald Albert Osborne was born at the Grace Hospital in St. John’s, Newfoundland. His father (Albert Walter Osborne) was from East Anglia, England, and was a United Church minister. His mother (Millicent Mae Osborne) was from Elliott’s Cove, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. She was the church organist.

Even though Jerry was born a “townie” he was a Bay-boy at heart. Only girls in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, where they lived, spelled their name with a ‘G’. So, it’s Jerry, not Gerry.

They eventually made it to Lakefield, Ontario, where Jerry went to high school. After graduating from Queen’s University (B.A.) he took a job as a high school English teacher in Ottawa. In 1968 he started this teaching career at Champlain High School. There he met his first wife, Jean McLean Hunter, who taught in the next classroom, and Gail Nesrallah was in his grade 10 English class. Jerry and Jean married and had two children: Larry and Sue. Jean Osborne passed away in 1981. Jerry was a wonderful grandfather to Tyler, Chelsea, Matthew, and Lindsay. Jerry was an avid amateur radio operator (his call sign was VE3JCV) and a true lover of music. He spent countless hours in the basement playing his button accordion. He re-met Gail Nesrallah and they were married in 1985. Jerry earned his Masters of English at Ottawa U. He was interested in painting, taking Polish lessons, gardening, travelling, and making Newfoundland ugly sticks. In 1995 Jerry retired after 32 years of teaching and he and Gail moved to Elliott’s Cove, NL. There he became V01G0 and spent time ‘talking’ to the world. Jerry and Gail both became Lions at the Random Lions Club in Elliott’s Cove. They both entertained the Lions and seniors, with Jerry on the accordion or harmonica and Gail on the guitar. They moved to Kemptville, Ontario, 6 years later, and then back to Newfoundland and then back to Kemptville.

Jerry passed away at the Dundas Manor in Winchester, Ontario, on July 26, 2023. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and was at Dundas Manor since February 8, 2023. He was much loved by the people at the Manor and, of course, his friends and family. He was cremated and was buried in the family plot at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa. His music and his humour will be very much missed

Gerald Albert Osborne

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

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

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

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

CROSSWORD

GARAGE SALE

Huge Yard Sale, great prices, cool stuff, good junk. Saturday August 26th & Sunday August 27th. 9.00am - 4.00pm. 10409 Cameron Road, Mountain

Aug. 25 & 26 from 9 - 3 at 755 County Rd 44. Home decor, antiques, tools, collectibles.

RECURRING EVENTS

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: Open Fridays 3-9. Free Pool and Darts. Everyone Welcome BINGO, Kemptville Legion, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, doors open at noon NG Duplicate Bridge Club Bridge, 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, 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 29, September 12 and 26 at Pierce's Corners also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m. and play starts at 7:00 p.m. $5 per player. For information contact debiar@ymail.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

WIZARD CARD GAME TOURNAMENT on Sunday, September 10 at Pierce's Corners, also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at 12:15 p.m. and play starts at 12:30 p.m. $5 per player. For information contact debiar@ymail.com.

Spencerville Community Choir rehearsals start Monday, September 4, 7:00 pm at Spencerville United Church in preparation for Christmas concerts. Open to men and women who love to sing. No audition required. For registration information contact maryharding96@gmail.com

Starving the Gut Feeds the Brain

tivity”, “oxidative damage”, “impaired molecular waste disposal”, and “mitochondrial dysfunction”, to name a few.

ing are required.

If our bodies could speak to our brains, many would hear this: “Dear brain, please know the difference between being hungry and bored. Sincerely, I’m getting fat!” Who doesn’t turn to food when the doldrums set in?

The smart brains would offer their hosts three pieces of advice. One, eat nutritional food. Two, limit portion sizes. And three, now and again, engage in fasting. Why fasting? Because studies show that for obese and skinny people alike, after prolonged reduction of food intake, the body’s defences improve against stresses. Cardiovascular risks decline. And the brain functions better.

Temporary cessation of eating provokes chemical changes throughout the body. Ketones are a type of chemical the liver produces when it breaks down fats. The body puts ketones to work as a source of energy when food sources are absent. Ketones are also active during extended exercise or when carbohydrates are not available. Production kicks

into gear during a fast.

One of the consequences is an increase in the activity of helper molecules that ease the work of neurons to connect with neighbouring neurons. Brains and the nervous system depend on these cells connecting with each other to function and reproduce effectively.

Interestingly, an increase in the production of ketones also reduces appetite, a helpful effect in maintaining a fast. This is why people who make it past an initial bout of hunger without eating will find that the sensation of hunger diminishes.

Need more motivation?

Research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has demonstrated that sedentary lifestyles involving easy access to food indulgences accelerate the aging of the brain. In such people, scientists have identified telltale signs of problems that leave the brain vulnerable to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and stroke. The labels describing these markers tell the story: “stem cell exhaustion”, “aberrant neuronal network ac-

The Food Corner

By Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

Studies have also started to explore how the timing of food intake affects obesity and measures to achieve weight loss. Normal eating patterns involve striking a balance between the rewards of food intake and the regulation of energy. Our bodies are well adapted to modest, regular meals. But modern lifestyles make eating frequent calorie-rich foods easy. This launches the brain-gut microbiome into reward overdrive, depriving the system of the opportunity to shift into time for regulation of energy. Weight gain is among the consequences.

This helps explain the success of diets involving time-restricted eating, the practice of consuming no calories outside of established hours.

What qualifies as fasting? The answer ranges widely. Most people will be familiar with the doctor’s orders for a 12 or 24 hour fast before certain medical tests or procedures. But for weight loss, and to gain the benefits for brain and cardiovascular health, longer periods of intermittent fast-

The key to success is moderation. Fasting need not be an unpleasant pursuit. To the contrary, implementing a habit of reduced food consumption can have its own rewards. Extra body fat will be reduced. The brain will age more slowly. The heart will be healthier. And researchers have found mood improvements, even euphoria, associated with fasting.

The next time your stomach hollers “feed me”, let your brain do the work. “Listen to me,” it will say. “I need a few hours to think this over.” Have a glass of refreshing water, then focus on other activities. Step on your bathroom scale every morning to see the results and keep this article in your pocket to remind yourself of the benefits of intermittent fasting.

Sign-up at www.docgiff. com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us on Instagram @ docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones.

FOR SALE SOON

Right in Kemptville on Somerville Rd., half a block from the Creek.

If you need parking YUP this is the place where you can park your motor home, race car trailer, backhoe, dump trailer, boats, 4 wheelers and still have room for a jag of visitors to the pool. AND a 24 X 30 garage 10 foot ceiling insulated and heated. OH it also comes with a high ranch bungalow

Street Piano Finale with the Kemptville Folk Club

Last year, I mentioned that our family loves breakfast. This morning was cool and bright and it’s the kind of day when having a tasty twist on breakfast is in order. We’ve already reviewed the Breakfast Frittata. This recipe is just as good and it’s simply a Breggfast Casserole. I recommend it for family meals on Saturday or Sunday morning before venturing out to do things together.

Breggfast Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 bag of frozen hashbrowns

• 1 chopped onion

• ¼ cup ricotta cheese

• ½ cup grated Swiss cheese (or a bit more, if you wish)

• 6 eggs

• ½ teaspoon of baking powder

• 8 slices of bacon

• Spice it up with; some black pepper, oregano, sage, chives, all to your choice

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F

2. Cook the bacon over medium heat until moderately crisp

3. Stir in the onions and sweat

4. Stir in the potatoes and cook until golden brown

5. Beat the eggs in a large bowl

6. Blend in the ricotta, ¼ cup of the Swiss Cheese, the baking soda and your chosen spices

7. Stir in the bacon, onion and potato mixture

Pour into an oven-proof casserole dish and bake for a half hour or so. This is another dish that begs for substitutions. Vegetarians can skip the bacon and sweat the onions in olive oil. Ricotta can be replaced with cottage cheese. Swiss Cheese can be replaced with any flavourful cheese you have in the fridge, such as cheddar, gouda, Monterey Jack, etc. For a topping, you can crumble some Feta cheese, or sprinkle with parsley, chives or Parmesan. A pile of toast, a dark roast coffee or English Breakfast tea are good companions to this casserole. Please drop me a line and let me know what your take was on this great breakfast dish by mailing me at: pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

End your August with music at the Street Piano Finale, hosted by the Kemptville Folk Club, and say adieu to the Street Piano at our final concert of the season. Join us this Saturday for Club renditions of folk favourites. With over 30 members, the Kemptville Folk Club is made up of all levels of players and singers and gathers regularly to collaborate and 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, August 26, 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.)

Street Piano concerts are family friendly, accessible, and take place rain or shine (in case of inclement weather, concerts move indoors). Dogs on leashes welcome! Learn more about the Kemptville Folk Club at https://www.facebook.com/p/Kemptville-Folk-Club-100070180846463/.

submitted by Lisa Poushinsky

Photo by Boris Pross

Reasons to explore Europe by Coach Tour

hidden gems, and iconic cities. Itineraries ensure a good balance between guided tours and free time, allowing travelers to explore on their own.

4. Cost-effective: Coach tours often provide excellent value for money. The overall cost of a coach tour includes transportation, accommodation, some meals, and guided sightseeing, which can be more budget-friendly compared to booking everything separately.

by Scott Waldron & Diane Wilson

Trying to arrange European travel can be overwhelming, time consuming and costly when you’re doing it by yourself. Booking a coach tour will help take the stress out of planning and will allow you to just show up and really enjoy your adventure. Check out all the pros to booking a coach tour.

1. Convenience and Comfort: One of the biggest advantages of coach touring is the convenience it offers. Travelers can sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey without the stress of driving, navigating, or dealing with public transportation. Coaches are equipped

with comfortable seating, air conditioning, and often have onboard facilities such as restrooms and Wi-Fi.

2. Expert Guidance: Coach tours are led by experienced tour guides who are knowledgeable about the destinations, history, and local culture. They provide valuable insights and commentary, enhancing the overall experience and ensuring that travelers make the most of their time in each location.

3. Itinerary and Logistics: With a multitude of countries and attractions to visit, coach tours take care of the logistics, providing carefully crafted itineraries that include popular landmarks,

Baldwin’s Birds

5. Safety and Security: Safety is a top priority for coach tour operators. Traveling in a group offers a sense of security, especially for solo travelers or those concerned about their safety in unfamiliar destinations. Coaches are well-maintained, drivers are experienced, and the tour operators ensure that all necessary safety measures are in place.

6. Social Interaction and Networking: Coach tours provide an excellent opportunity to meet fellow travelers from around the world. Sharing the journey with like-minded individuals creates a sense of camaraderie and can lead to lasting friendships.

7. Time Efficiency: Coach tours are designed to maximize the time spent in each destination, ensuring that travelers can see and experience the highlights efficiently. By eliminating the need to plan transportation, accommodation, and sightseeing individually, travelers can make the most of their time and cover a larger area within a limited period. This is especially beneficial for those who want to see multiple countries or cities in a short time.

Whether you are a solo traveler or part of a group, coach tours provide an enriching and hassle-free experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of Europe. So, sit back, relax, and let the coach take you on an unforgettable journey through this mesmerizing continent.

Want to learn more about European Coach Tours? Visit www.gravitate.travel and click on the “Let’s Talk” icon to schedule a time to talk or drop by our offices to chat.

TICO # 50026003 709 RIDEAU STREET, UNIT 2 / KEMPTVILLE, ON K0G1J0

Nature indeed can be cruel in the many ways that its creatures are treated at times, either by themselves, their predators, or by the influence of "Man"! Most of us are fortunate enough not to actually witness any of these happenings, so are not really aware of them even happening. Unfortunately, sometimes our attention is violently

faced with the fact that such things do occur! A friend of mine, who lives down by one of the local rivers, sent me a picture of a tragedy that occurred very close to his home involving a nesting Osprey.

What a terrible tragedy to have happened! Let's hope that the bird didn't suffer too long before it died,--not a nice way to go! I guess these

accidents are bound to happen with the sort of materials that they are obviously using in their nests. The proximity of a few farms in that particular neighbourhood, where they use all sorts of baler twine etc. on a day-to-day basis gives the birds lots of opportunity to get hold of some of their off-cuts to use for nesting. It's a wonder we don't see more of these types of incidents. My picture of the Bluebird (Second Batch Blues article in the NGT 10 Aug edition) showed the bird with a piece of electrical/ telephone hook-up wire caught in its feathers, at least I hope that it was only in the feathers and not in its flesh! Man has a way of having an impact, in all sorts of predictable and unexpected ways, doesn't he, and not all of them are good!?

Despite the bad news, the birds in our garden still continue to thrive, although their nesting activities seem to have ceased once more. How-

ever a "breakfast friend" of mine told me that he is sure that a resident Robin of theirs is now raising its third brood of the season! Hopefully, you are still witnessing such events and are enjoying them. Stay safe and well, Cheers,

John Baldwin

A "Man"-Influenced Avian Tragedy

‘Which Way Does the River Run?’ (Lennie Gallant)

by Peter Johnson

Bryan Adams wrote

‘The Summer of 69’, back in 1984. Well, how about a song about the summer of 2023? It would be a different tune from the one he wrote about teenage angst and trying to get a bunch of teenagers to stick to the plan of starting a band.

Recently, as the story goes, a bunch of Canadian scouters were greeted upon arriving in S. Korea for the 2023 world jamboree with, ‘You must be the Canadians...you smell like smoke.’ This summer doesn’t highlight teenage angst, it screams, ‘Climate Change’, according to a recent article in the Toronto Star.

It looks like the Northern Hemisphere, and Canada in particular are on fire. Maui, of all places has been torched this past week. Smoke from fires in northern Quebec and Ontario have made life miserable for those of us who have to breathe. The smoke has drifted as far away as Scotland and Europe, changing

sunsets and affecting those breathers too.

Ordinarily, we watch others getting flooded on our evening news telecasts. Ottawa had areas underwater that have never been so wet before. I remember Billings Bridge in Ottawa, before there was a shopping mall there. It has never seen flooding like it had last week. 75 to 100 mm of rain fell in a few brief but wet hours. Barrhaven and Findlay Creek were hit with tornadoes in the past month. Tornadoes? In Ottawa? In August? Can we blame it on the LRT? It might be a gateway to this dimension from another, and evil forces are making their presence felt... via a train? Well, maybe not. I don’t think we can even blame this on Mr. Poilievre who, some say, just might also be similar to the LRT in many ways. I don’t think that is a very nice comparison. I don’t care how much you hate the LRT.

And hot! How hot has it been? Again, citing The Toronto Star, who in turn cited Environment Canada’s

lead climatologist, David Phillips, ‘If the climate was balanced, you’d have as many cold records as warm records.’ But so far this year, there have been 372 hot temperature records set, compared to 55 cold ones. Hudson Bay is warmer, as is the Arctic, Pacific and Atlantic coastal waters surrounding our lovely, but charred nation. Charred?

‘With more than 13 million blackened hectares, it has been the worst wildfire season in North American history. All 13 provinces and territories have been affected, often at the same time. Tens of thousands of people were forced from their homes, hundreds of houses were destroyed and four firefighters have been killed.’ (TorStar)

So, what is all of this saying? It is screaming Climate Change and Global Warming. An acquaintance once described Scotland as a place where, ‘the weather is lousy, but the climate is great.’ Weather is what we are experiencing right now, climate is what we have

been and will be experiencing over the course of our lifetime. We are a long way away from the end of this summer’s weather. We will continue to have extremes: torrential downpours instead of the usual heavy showers, record high temperatures, tornadoes, power outages caused by high winds and uprooted trees...and hail ‘the size of limes’, as Environment Canada advised, just a week ago.

This is not a once-in-alifetime summer. This is the new normal. Only, there is nothing normal about it. Humans have had a profound affect on the planet. It is time to realize this. Canada, along with some of the other legendary polluters, like China and the U.S.A., needs to sit up and take notice. Now would be nice.

Wind phone at Beth Donovan Hospice

submitted

Have you heard of a wind phone? The original wind phone inspiration and creation was done by Japanese garden designer Itaru Sasaki in 2010 to help him cope with his cousin’s death. This wind phone was moved in 2011 to open

to the public following the tsunami that killed 15,000 people. That wind phone has since received over 30,000 visitors.

Lucky for you, you will not have to travel to Japan to see and experience a wind phone. Earlier this year, following a video conference

talk on palliative care where one of the Beth Donovan Hospice (BDH) volunteer heard about the merits of a wind phone the suggestion was made to install a wind phone at the Hospice. The Hospice embraced the idea, an antique black rotary phone was obtained as a donation from a volunteer, Sharri Martin, and the phone was installed. The installation in the backyard gazebo at the Hospice makes it accessible and available for use by clients and by the overall community.

The wind phone is an unconnected tool that allows individuals that are grieving a lost family member, or friend, to externalize their grief which in itself can be

powerful in healing. Words spoken into the wind phone are meant to flow and be carried by the wind. The wind phone offers solace for those that have unsaid messages or those that just want to transmit routine messages to the loved ones that they have lost. It makes no logical sense to dial an unconnected phone, but it provides an opportunity to speak your grief to the wind and for some, offers a certain kind of connection.

The wind phone at BDH overlooks the forested back yard where one can sit quietly alone, not feeling judged while listening to the wind, the rustling of the leaves and the birds. Western culture tends to shy away from grief

because it is messy and uncomfortable. It does not have to be that way.

The wind phone awaits. If you do not remember the telephone number of your loved one, just dial their name! The Beth Donovan Hospice offers, free of charge, full grief and bereavement counselling and the wind phone is a tool that can help some in that process. To find out more about the numerous services offered by the Beth Donovan Hospice we encourage you to reach out. Information can also be found on the website: www.bethdonovanhospice.ca

by Sue Walker