Creative fundraising for Oxford Mills Guiding Unit's trip to Swizerland
by Ann Lalonde
The Oxford Mills Units are always busy! You may have already seen that youth (born 2010-2015) will be fundraising for the next 4 years to visit a Guiding World Centre in Switzerland. There are plenty of ways you can help make their dreams come true… the easiest way to support the Trip Unit is to follow the “Guiding Fundraisers” page on Facebook, and share all the great fundraisers with your own friends and followers.
Currently the Trip Unit has the following approved
fundraisers ongoing: Birthday parties and events – from set-up to tear-down, or just supplying loot bags, or entertainment, the youth members are willing to do it all (or just a little) to make parent’s lives easier when it comes to hosting a birthday party. For a reasonable rate they offer: Face painting, Henna, hair wraps, nails, obstacle courses, traditional games (and are looking into costumes for special guest appearances).
Catering – from sitdown meals fully serviced, to charcuterie, vegetable
and fruit trays or sandwich luncheons, the Trip Unit is willing to cater to your next event.
BBQs – we provide full menu BBQ services for your event.
Monetary donations (charitable receipts issued for $20 or more) at https:// www.canadahelps.org/ en/dn/7640, Select Fund: "Ontario Units", Type in Subject: "069397 - 61st Switzerland 2028 ITU"
FlipGive – download the app or go online to www.flipgive.com, add our code: HMX2N6, purchase gift cards on the app (they download right away) or purchase online through the link, and the Trip Unit gets a commission while you spend the full amount you’ve paid at hundreds of stores (at least 20 Kemptville stores and restaurants are participating). Perhaps you have a team or organization that is fundraising. If you sign up your team to try Flip Give, please use our referral ink: https://shop.flipgive. com/refer?code=2015392 - Both our teams will earn $50 (once your team makes a qualifying purchase).
Mabels Labels – purchase high quality labels (return address stamps, medic alert tags, etc) from campaigns.mabelslabels. com, select to support
“Oxford Mills Trip Unit (Girl Guides of Canada)” and the Trip Unit earns 20% commission on your purchases.
Tru-Earth – purchase amazing cleaning products, laundry detergent, save lugging those heavy jugs! Using our link https://tru-earth.sjv. io/oxfordmillstripunit and the Trip Unit earns 20% commission.
Little Caesar’s – purchase kits at www.pizzakit.ca before August 30th, enter our code: 444105 and the Trip Unit earns $6 for every pizza or cookie dough kit purchased. Delivery will be September 18.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to support the Oxford Mills –Switzerland Trip Unit, now and in the future, so stay tuned for more, like our plant and seeds sale and rain barrels coming Spring 2025.
Oh and did we mention cookies? The unit currently has chocolate and vanilla (mixed box) of Girl Guide cookies for sale, and you can expect to see us with the chocolatey mint soon, come the fall.
For more info, please contact us at oxfordmillstripunit@gmail.com or call Guider Annie at 613229-1575.
March 2024 – OMSG hosts fundraiser BBQ lunch at B&H
Discover connection through the BDH Bereavement Support Walking Group
In times of loss, finding solace and understanding can make all the difference in the journey of healing. At the Beth Donovan Hospice, we are excited to introduce our upcoming fall Bereavement Support Walking Group, offering a gentle and comforting space for those navigating the path of grief.
pants can:
- Share and Connect: Engage in open conversations with others who have experienced loss, sharing memories and stories without judgment.
Grief can be an isolating experience, but it doesn't have to be faced alone. Our walking group provides a safe haven for individuals who have lost loved ones, where they can share their stories, connect with others who understand their pain, and take steps toward healing together.
The benefits of our Bereavement Support Walking Group are manifold. Partici-
- Cultivate Healing: Physical activity and fresh air can help in reducing stress and anxiety, aiding in the emotional healing process.
- Build a Support Network: Forge meaningful relationships with individuals who understand the complexities of grief, providing a network of support beyond the walking sessions.
- Rediscover Joy: While honoring the memories of their loved ones, participants can also find moments of joy in the present.
We invite anyone in need of companionship and understanding during their bereavement journey to join our walking group. Together, we can take steps towards healing, creating a space where memories are cherished and hearts find comfort. This group will be offered weekly for 8 weeks beginning Thursday, September 12th. Participants can expect a mid-morning walk through some of the forest nature trails, followed by a time of gathering with light refreshments and conversation.
To join or learn more, or register please contact Megan Dillenbeck at counselling@bethdonovnahospice. ca or 613-258-9611 x4.
History hidden in plain sight
CORRECTION NOTICE
Please note that in the Aug 15 edition of the Times, in the article titled “An experience of a lifetime: Rotary's short term exchange program”, the photo caption contains an incorrect surname. The name of the person on the right of the photo is Gavin Cloutier. The Times apologizes for the error.
by Michael Whittaker
Hidden in plain sight is The History Hub of the North Grenville Historical Society at 148 Prescott Street in Kemptville. The History Hub is not a museum, but a large curiosity shop exhibiting artifacts and displays revealing North Grenville’s history from pre-contact into the 20th century.
Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm, The Hub is the historical society’s public face energizing interest and promoting education about our past.
“We are always pleased to welcome local visitors and tourists who drop in to see what the History Hub offers,” said Karen Nickleson, society president. “Some come with specific questions related to families or social history, or to have objects identified. Occasionally, objects are offered as donations.”
Donations may be accepted in one of two categories. Objects for educational purposes can be accepted for the didactics collection housed in the Hub. Materials offered for the archives are more rigorously reviewed for their pertinence to the history of North Grenville. Archival storage at the Kemptville Campus
is limited. Donors are required to complete a donation form at The Hub or online. Not all will be accepted. Those not accepted will be returned.
“The North Grenville Historical Society depends upon volunteers to staff The Hub and to attend to tasks at the archives,” said Ms. Nickleson. “New members contribute to the lifeblood of the society. Their interests and skills help keep the historical society vital and relevant to North Grenville.”
The society is seeking a volunteer to take on the responsibility of bookkeeper.
Monthly talks on historical topics recommence at The Hub the second Wednesday of September.
Consider The Hub as a venue for small gatherings. The Downtown BIA meets here, as does the crochet club. The founding meetings of the North Grenville Friends of Indigenous Trails were held here.
Visit https://www. northgrenvillehistoricalsociety.ca
Celebrating 10 years in business
Fire victims appreciate community support
by David Shanahan
The occupants of two apartments destroyed in a fire on August 13 have been deeply moved by the support their community has provided through two GoFundMe pages. The fire happened in the early morning, around 4.30am, apparently starting around the front porch area of the house at Barnes and Oxford Street East in Kemptville, with thick smoke and flames spreading quickly up the front of the house.
Jacob Duberville and Melinda Boucher managed to save their two dogs. However, their two cats and a puppy didn’t escape. Melinda and Jacob were left with only the clothes on their backs, and are now staying at the SureStay, temporarily, until they locate a rental – not an easy task in the current housing market. Fortunately, Jacob’s son was staying with his mother overnight, but he has lost all his things.
The other residents of the house, Stacey Van Sto-
ken and Jesse Boudreau, also got out without injury, saving their dog and two of their three cats. Everything else they owned was lost to the flames. They are staying with Stacey’s sister in South Mountain.
But these people have lost everything to the fire, and are in urgent need of support. They are searching for storage units for both families to allow them to collect larger household items for when they can find new places to live.
As of last Monday, the
GoFundMe page set up for Jacob and Melissa had raised $4,252 of the $5,000 target, while over $5,000 had been reached on Stacey and Jesse’s GoFundMe page. But that won’t go far when absolutely everything they owned has to be replaced, and new accommodation has to be found and paid for. But they are extremely thankful to the North Grenville community for what’s been done to help them so far.
“Our Kemptville community have been over the top generous and support-
ive, small businesses too!
We’ve received lots of messages from people for both necessity items and larger items for when they get more permanently situated.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Firefighters, Victim Services, By-Law, Kemptville Animal Hospital, neighbors, and everyone who has offered their condolences. While material possessions can be replaced, we are thankful that everyone made it out safely.”
The pressing need is for storage space so they begin
Expect increased military traffic in late August
Members of the public may see increased military traffic with Canadian Army vehicles travelling on various area roads including Ontario Highways 401, 416, and 417 this month. This military traffic will follow preplanned routes between The Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Peterborough, Brockville, Kingston, Belleville, Sudbury, North Bay, Cornwall and Ottawa and will transit Barrie, Orillia, Huntsville, Collingwood, Parry Sound, Bancroft, and other locations on the way to Meaford.
Participating personnel will conduct planned, short stops and longer halts throughout the duration of the road moves, stopping for rest, fuel,
scheduled maintenance and other training.
Residents and motorists may see uniformed Canadian Army personnel with unloaded weapons traveling on area roads and highways. Participating soldiers will not carry any ammunition.
This important training supports year-round preparations for international operations and maintains 4 Cdn Div readiness to support our partners and allies overseas with trained and professional soldiers.
Canadian Army exercises also help maintain readiness to respond to emergencies in Canadian communities, including natural disasters like flooding and wildfires, as our members always prepare to deploy in response to Requests for Assistance and to serve alongside community members and other first responders.
4 Cdn Div is one of the five major formations that report to Army headquarters in Ottawa, and is responsible for providing combat-ready land forces, conducting
general purpose training in preparation for various land operations, and providing support services to other organizations. It includes all Regular and Reserve Force army units in Ontario, with the exception of a portion of Northwestern Ontario.
All Canadian Army Reserve vehicle operators train regularly and maintain specialized qualifications and proficiency in safe and effective convoy and vehicle operations, and constantly practice discipline, safety, and effectiveness on various vehicles.
All measures are being taken to ensure minimum inconvenience in these areas during the exercise dates, and members of the public are asked to take extra caution when approaching military vehicles and are thanked in advance for their understanding and co-operation.
gathering what they need to start again, and whatever donations people can make to help them in their campaign to get back to normal again. No immediate cause of the fire was available from the North Grenville Fire Service, which was aided by units from Merrickville in fighting the fire. The house was essentially destroyed and will probably have to be demolished completely.
Dr. C.L. Eamon Optometrist
Jacob Duberville and Melinda Boucher with Jacob’s son
Stacey Van Stoken and firefighters dealing with the blaze at the home [Photos supplied by Brooke Barkley]
Carry that weight
by David Shanahan
Maybe it’s because I’m Irish, or Christian, or just a thinking human being, but I really don’t like being told what to think. I don’t want someone to try and decide what I believe or think is important, or worthy of my time and energy. As an historian, I look at as many different sources as possible, with as many different approaches and viewpoints as I can find, and then I can decide what I think about a given issue or situation. But that is getting harder and harder to do in our social media-dominated age.
I have made no secret of the fact that I don’t like “platforms” like Facebook or Twitter/X, or whatever. Too often, they are just that: platforms for disseminating information, information that some algorithm decides I should see, and information I should not see. Yes, these apps have their uses, and it’s nice to be able to keep in touch
with people with whom you otherwise wouldn’t take the trouble. But the downsides are far more insidious and dangerous. When individuals like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg control access to information, false or true, there is a genuine threat to democracy and freedom. When Google holds a virtual monopoly on news dissemination for most people, it is an invitation for abuse and misdirection. The very fact that a few individuals have that much power and control is just wrong. There have been times in the past when something similar happened, and governments finally had to take measures to break up monopolies in media, industry, and banking.
People like Henry Ford, J. P. Morgan, and John D. Rockefeller amassed huge wealth and political influence and didn’t have to answer to any other authority. The fact that Musk is working so closely with Trump does not bode well for the future.
The problem for many,
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
RE: A recent Toronto Star article about correctional officers exacting revenge against inmates, here's an idea for Premier Doug Ford: How about focusing on the prisons and the antiquated facilities and treatment, instead of making sure that alcohol is readily available throughout the province, thus increasing your yearly tax income?
Here's another idea: How about working with mayors and municipalities in the province (there are important ones that are not spelled, T-O-R-O-N-T-O), instead of being confrontational and granting their requests only when you get inundated with letters of complaint from fed-up citizenry?
We know how this works, in North Grenville. We know how it feels to
The North Grenville Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc.
Marketing/Sales Melissa Ottenhof
marketing@ngtimes.ca
613 329 0209
aside from the obvious, is that the influence and presence of these people is pervasive in our daily lives. We, as a society, have come to the point where we recognise that we have a responsibility to make ethical choices in much of what we do. I mean, we don’t want to do, buy, or support anything that would further damage our environment, our democracy, our freedom, or that of our friends and neighbours. But, more and more, what we are doing is adding to the wealth and influence of those dangerous actors.
We buy from Amazon, a company that refuses to permit employees to unionise, which has caused a worldwide shortage of paper, as they have a stranglehold on the industry to make their never-ending cardboard boxes. This drives up the price of paper for newspapers (like the Times), and adds to mailing costs as Canada Post loses business to Amazon.
Aside from his liaison with autocratic entities, Elon Musk controls
Twitter/X and seems to be quite happy to allow misinformation and racist, hateful speech on his platform. He has been accused of inciting the recent riots in the UK by reposting misleading and deliberately false information on his own account. He has now stated that he will cease operations in Brazil, for example, because the government there has insisted that his company abide by court rulings that such hate speech be removed from Twitter/X. And, of course, he has ruthlessly fired much of the workforce that built up Twitter before he bought out the company, particularly that department responsible for monitoring hate speech, misleading posts, and ensuring transparency.
If you want to be environmentally responsible, you can always buy one of Musk’s Teslas, or maybe the cheaper electric cars coming out of China, that bastion of open and free discourse. It’s hard to make ethical choices with actors like this dominat-
ing the marketplace.
Google has been forced to share the proceeds from the advertising revenue it has taken from traditional media, and faces possible punishment after anti-trust litigation found it guilty of the continuing monopoly of online searches – punishment that could include breaking off parts of its operations, such as its Chrome browser or Android smartphone operating system.
The manner in which Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and other platforms have been used to spread disinformation, hate speech, racist conspiracy theories, and to organise violent activities, is too well known to need arguing. In spite of repeated demands by governments around the world, effectively monitoring and policing such posts is proving almost impossible.
It has been shown that Russia and China have been using the system to effect democratic elections in many countries, including Canada, and
that this interference is ongoing. And just wait for the fun and games they’ll provide in the Excited States over the coming months.
A few people are getting incredibly rich with all of this, richer than most countries. So, when you buy a book or something online from Amazon, or get a subscription to Amazon Prime, or use Google’s search engine, or post on Facebook or Twitter, it is only adding to the problem. But here’s the thing: what choice do we have anymore? Can we reverse the situation and go back to a pre-Facebook era, a time when bookstores existed all over the place, when people wrote letters, put stamps on envelopes, and dropped them in a mailbox?
Probably not, because, for most of us, convenience trumps ethical behaviour in a society that is no longer given a choice. That is how far we have come. There’s no going back. We need to carry that weight. We need to find solutions, fast.
have your own government give you the shaft and ignore all of your requests for due process.
Not a Big Fan of Doug Ford.
Signed, Peter Johnson Upper Oxford Mills, ON
Dear Editor,
As a concerned resident of North Grenville, I am compelled to address the alarming lack of transparency and accountability surrounding the proposed land disposition by the Ferguson Forest Centre (FFC) and the North Grenville Council. Despite repeated requests, the FFC executive board has failed to provide evidence of grant submissions, loan applications, or the rationale behind their refusal to pursue charitable status.
Adding to these concerns, several private citi-
zens have approached me, offering to fund an independent financial audit of the FFC. This raises the question: if all the i's were dotted and t's crossed, why is the FFC unable to provide this critical information?
On June 27, I submitted an investigative report to the NG Council that included these pressing questions, yet no response has been provided to date:
1) Are there any legal or council ramifications for the non-disclosure of information regarding the active land acquisition?
2) Has the FFC genuinely pursued all possible funding avenues, including grants, donations, sponsorships, and volunteer programs?
3) Why has the FFC not applied for charitable organization status despite recognizing its benefits?
the north grenville
4) How is the Vice President actively pursuing a crown land purchase when the FFC he represents is running a $2 million shortfall and not returning a profit this fiscal year?
5) Why was there no requirement for the FFC to seek a professional organization to complete an organizational audit before asking our Municipal staff to complete a Staff Report on the feasibility of the land disposition request?
6) Why are there no FFC Annual General Meeting minutes or financials available to the public? The Mayor and Doreen O’Sullivan both sit on the Board as representatives of North Grenville, yet none of this information is accessible nor questioned.
7) Why did the Executive Directors not disclose to their Board that they were
meeting with me?
Additionally, there is a lack of clear timelines and dates provided for these actions, as well as no evidence of any denied grant or loan submissions – information that should be readily available if the FFC had genuinely pursued these options.
Given these unanswered questions and the lack of transparency, I urge the North Grenville Council to halt the FFC land disposition process and conduct a thorough, independent investigation. Our community deserves clear answers and responsible stewardship of our public resources.
Heather Popazzi
Dear Editor,
The combination of rolling news coverage and social media has resulted in an utterly toxic environ-
ment where every event demands immediate analysis and opinions even before the most basic details are known, as David Shanahan previously discussed (“Do you want to know a secret?”, August 1, 2024). The pressure to maintain viewing figures, followers, views, and reactions drives outlets and individuals to more extreme positions, as does the echo chambers found on social media. The feedback loop between news companies and social media leads to opinions expressed on social media turning into news stories if enough people see them. Even if people disagree, outrage can be monetised by the simple equation of “more eyeballs on something equals more advertising income”.
The immediate reactions to some recent events has letters cont'd on page 5
CLASSIFIEDS classifieds@ngtimes.ca
Accounting Pat Jessop cfo@ngtimes.ca
TIMES
Supportive housing cabins get final approval
The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is pleased to announce the final approval of a long-awaited and critically needed supportive housing project aimed at addressing homelessness in the region. Having received $3.1 million in annual funding from the Government of Ontario's Homelessness Prevention Program, the United Counties directed a $1.6 million investment towards 25 cabins that will be established in the City of Brockville for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, providing them with short-term stabilization as they transition to longerterm supportive housing.
At a special meeting of the Joint Services Committee (JSC) earlier this week, the remaining details of the project were given the green light.
“On behalf of our colleagues, we would like to extend our thanks to MPP Clark and the Government of Ontario, who increased the funds available to Municipalities and upper-tier governments to support innovative proj-
been utterly wrong. Time is needed to collect and verify facts, to analyse them, to place them in context, yet many talking heads and other commentators jump straight in with both feet. In the immediate aftermath of Trump's shooting, many commentators claimed the shooter was a Democrat, when he actually turned out to be a Republican. The perpetrator of the stabbing attack in Southport, UK was not a Muslim asylum seeker as was falsely claimed, but was born and grew up in the UK. The Olympics' opening ceremony was not an attack on Christians as some claimed, but was celebrating the Greek origins of the Olympics and the Greek god Dionysus/Bacchus. The female boxer Imane Khelif was previously disqualified by one of boxing's governing bodies, the IBA, but a little investigation reveals that she was disqualified by the Russian president of the IBA after defeating a Russian boxer in a tournament on the basis of tests which have never been publicly released. The IBA is so corrupt that the IOC (hardly para-
ects like this one. Since the identification of this project, United Counties staff have worked tirelessly with City staff and stakeholders to put plans into motion to establish this supervised housing initiative in Brockville. A lot of hard work and persistence has been required from all parties, but we are one step closer to seeing this project come to fruition,” said Warden Nancy Peckford and JSC Chair Mayor Brant Burrow in a Joint statement.
“I want to commend the Joint Services Committee for utilizing funds from our government to take this important step forward in addressing the issue of chronic homelessness in our community,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our partners at the provincial and federal levels to make further progress to support the most vulnerable in our community.”
The United Counties has entered into a longterm lease arrangement
gons of virtue themselves) have barred the IBA from having any involvement in Olympic boxing. There is zero evidence that Khelif is anything other than a female, she has a reasonable but not stellar record, and has been fighting in other tournaments without issue.
What to do? Public service broadcasting, independent of advertising income, is more important than ever in today's media ecosystem, and efforts to defund them must be resisted. Personally, I've been trying to spend less time on social media and on news sites, and more time reading weekly, monthly, or quarterly periodicals such as Private Eye for UK news, The Walrus for Canadian issues, and Delayed Gratification for international news, and I try to take just the facts from breaking news stories. Steve Gabell
Dear Editor,
Have they seen the error in their ways, offering water conservation tips under the guise of saving a few cents on a water bill while a study is being completed?
Residents are being
with the City of Brockville for the lands surrounding 1805 County Road 2 East, a former City of Brockville administrative building.
Brockville’s Mayor, Matt Wren, said “The City of Brockville welcomes this greatly needed supportive living cabin initiative that will provide a safe and secure place for unhoused individuals in our community who currently have had no other options. We are very pleased to work cooperatively with the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville on this initiative. The result has been an expanded use of this City of Brockville property to serve the needs of some of our most vulnerable citizens.”
The John Howard Society will oversee the cabin neighborhood, providing 24/7 supervision and engaging residents in various essential services and programs. This comprehensive support system is designed to help residents stabilize and prepare for the next steps in their housing journey. They shared the fol-
asked to use a cup of water when brushing their teeth instead of letting the water run. You will use more water to clean the spit and toothpaste from the sink if you don't let it run. Do this too many times and you will have a clogged drain.
“Consider reducing the length of showers”. Many of us have low flow shower heads and with reduced water flow, it takes longer to rinse off soap and shampoo out of our hair.
“Turn off the faucet when lathering hands”. You will need to run extra water to clean the faucet after touching it with soapy hands.
“Water plants or lawn during the coolest part of the day”. The coolest part of the day is usually evening. This only encourages molds and mildew to develop when foliage is unable to dry in dark moist conditions.
“Run a full load washing machine or dishwasher instead of half loads”. Most machines have a sensor that monitors load levels and adjusts water as needed.
I guess a study is a start, but with climate change, there is no way to accurately
lowing statement: “This endeavour builds upon our commitment to providing services which are responsive to our community’s unique needs. We look forward to embarking on this initiative of continued service to our community’s most barriered individuals in collaboration with our valued partners. We are excited for the future, and for the opportunities this project will provide not only for the cabin residents, but our community as a whole.”
The JSC, comprised of the Mayors of the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville, the City of Brockville, the Town of Gananoque, and the Town of Prescott, have expressed unanimous support for this initiative.
The cabin project is anticipated to be ready for occupancy by November 2024, offering much-needed relief to the community's limited resources.
assess the aquifer’s ability to replenish with ever changing weather patterns. Combined with less snow and rain, even if they have a crystal ball, it is going to be a best guess scenario. No one can predict the future, but we can protect what we have today.
D Lewis
Baldwin's Birds
THOMAS M. BYRNE Barrister and Solicitor
Fire Chief John Okum
retiring: Municipality seeks new leadership
The Municipality of North Grenville is announcing that the retirement of Fire Chief John Okum will take effect on December 2, 2024, with his last day in the office being October 9, 2024. Chief Okum has served our community with dedication and professionalism, ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents for many years. We extend our deepest gratitude for his service and leadership.
“Chief Okum has led our fire department during a period of unparalleled growth for our Municipality, and his commitment to the safety of our community has been steadfast,” said Mayor Nancy Peckford. “We are incredibly grateful for his years of service and many contributions. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”
During his tenure, Chief Okum has been instrumental in modernizing the department, enhancing fire safety protocols, and ensuring North Grenville’s firefighters are well-equipped to respond to the myriad of calls they receive. His steadfast efforts have left a lasting impact on the Municipality of North Grenville, and he will be missed.
In the interim, Deputy Chief Randy Urslak will step into the role of Acting Fire Chief, ensuring a seamless transition and continued excellence in fire services. Deputy Chief Urslak brings extensive experience and a deep commitment to the community, and we have full confidence in his ability to lead the department during this time.
The Municipality of North Grenville is now seeking a full-time Fire Chief to join our dedicated team. Interested candidates can find the job posting and application details here: https://www.northgrenville.ca/council-government/ municipal-government/careers
Birds on the go!
The recent changeable weather has altered some of our birds’ regular patterns of activity, as their young have finally fledged and are now making their own way in the avian world, of which they are such an important part. They are no longer the unruly teenagers they once were, but are now slightly older and wiser birds, competing to establish their own "pecking order" in the hierarchy of their particular society! Of course, the usual center of attention is whatever food they can find and compete for, so with their increased numbers, things can get a bit more tense on that account! Obviously,
many of the juveniles have to move away to a new territory in order to be able to fend for themselves and not have to compete with their own parents, as they too seek food.
Food, of course, is not the only concern for the birds, as we ourselves know of the necessity to find water, especially on these very hot days that we have been experiencing. Our birdbaths and other water-containing vessels become very important to them and us, as you well know, when these days are upon us and we all seek some sort of relief from the heat and subsequent dryness that ensues! Bird baths
become very busy all of a sudden and birds we don't normally associate with bathing or drinking from them either "take the plunge ", or take a drink, which is what I have witnessed quite a lot of recently.
Grackles gather as families on the side of the birdbath and one of them might be brave enough to get in and, in its exuberance, splash the others! Great fun!
Another less adventurous bird to land on the bath was a Downy Woodpecker, who nervously sipped the water to slake its thirst, after eating some very dry peanuts at one of my feeders! Of course, to do this it had to stand, in an
Low-cost rabies vaccination clinics return Sep 11
Rabies is a deadly disease that can be prevented. Help prevent the spread of rabies by vaccinating your furry companions who add so much to your lives.
Together with partner veterinarians, municipalities and local partners, the Health Unit is offering low-cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics throughout the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Counties. These Rabies Vaccination Clinics will be held on September 11. Not all area vets have the capacity to participate in the low cost clinics since the pandemic, so some areas where clinics operated previously may still not have a clinic. To find the locations where clinics will be held, call 1-800-660-5853 or visit the Health Unit’s low-cost rabies vaccination clinic page. Vaccinations are $25 cash only. Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier.
Clinics will be held on September 11 at the following times and locations:
- Brockville Shopping Centre (Stingers), 125 Stewart Blvd, 1:00-5:00pm
- Ferguson Forest Centre, County Road 44 Kemptville, 2:00-6:00pm
- Merrickville Fire Hall, 317 Brock Street West, 2:00-6:00pm
- Augusta Township Public Works Garage, 5328 Algonquin Road, 4:006:00pm
- Ed Yandeau Operation Centre, 950 Sophia Street North, Prescott, 2:00-6:00pm
- Blueberry Creek Veterinary Hospital, 50 Lanark Rd. (Hwy 511), 2:006:00pm
- Carleton Place Veterinary Hospital, 120 Coleman St. Carleton Place, 2:00-6:00pm
- Carleton Veterinary Services & Lanark Veterinary Clinic, 88 D Cornelia St. W Smiths Falls, 2:006:00pm
- Perth Veterinary Clinic, 118 Christie Lake Road, 2:00-6:00pm
“On behalf of the Health Unit, I would like to extend our gratitude to our municipalities and our local veterinary services for assisting and supporting the coordination of these
clinics over the years,” said Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Linna Li.
The goal of hosting these clinics is to help provide rabies vaccinations to as many cats and dogs as possible. It is important that pet cats or dogs remain up-to-date with their rabies vaccination as they could be at risk of getting rabies. By increasing the vaccination coverage in pets, we will help to minimize the potential transmission of rabies to humans.
In addition, hunters preparing for the hunting season are reminded to get their dogs vaccinated against rabies. While running in the bush, hunting dogs have the potential of interacting with wildlife that may have rabies. To help protect some wild animals against rabies, the Ministry of Natural Resources releases bait in certain areas in August.
You can protect yourself and your family from animal bites by staying away from unknown or
upright position (or as near as it could be) to do this, which is quite an unusual physical body attitude for it to be in! Well, it succeeded and took a long drink from the bath before flying off. A lovely unusual sight to behold, for the short period of time which had elapsed, from its landing to its departure.
Maybe you too have seen some unusual bird behaviour, in this respect, during the abnormal heatwave. I hope so, but stay safe and well, whilst doing so. Stay cool and enjoy!
Cheers, John Baldwin
wild animals. If you or any member of your family has been bitten, scratched or in contact with a potentially rabid animal, seek medical attention from your health care provider, or go to your local hospital emergency department immediately. The Health Unit follows up on all reports of bites. If you are the owner of a pet involved in a biting incident, regain control over your pet, provide assistance to the person bitten, and provide your contact information to the person so the Health Unit can reach out to you to conduct a risk assessment. Be sure to keep a copy of your pet’s vaccination certificate. For more information on rabies, visit healthunit. org. For rabies or animal bite related questions, call 1-800-660-5853 or 613345-5685. You can also connect with LGLHealthUnit on Facebook, X or Instagram @lglhealthunit.z for important public health updates.
Wrinkled Black Galls
Mordwilkoja vagabunda (Vagabond Poplar Galls), Colonnade Mall, near Mark’s Work Warehouse, August 7, 2024, on Populus deltoides (Cottonwood) – many fewer than last year, this is the densest cluster seen.
by Fred Schueler –Fragile Inheritance Natural History
Mordwilkoja vagabunda – I’d never heard of such a thing, even under the equally implausiblesounding English name of “Vagabond Poplar Gall Aphid” until November 22, 2023, when I was checking things out on the sandy field beside the paved lot
of Mark’s Work Warehouse in the Colonnade Mall. The small Cottonwood saplings around the lot were generously decked out with shiny wrinkled black lumps. I’d never seen anything like these, but on Facebook, Oliver Reichl provided a link to a poster of tree galls, which allowed me to identify these as a product of this species of Woolly Aphid in the tribe
Pemphigini of the subfamily Eriosomatinae.
Since then, we’ve seen these galls nearby along Ryans Well Drive, and in similarly disturbed habitats along Centennial Road north of Brockville, and behind Jonsson’s Your Independent Grocer in the Kemptville Mall. They’re said to be on both Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and Aspen (P. tremuloides), and we’ve seen them on both species, but not on nearby Balsam Poplars (P. balsamifera).
The Aphids hatch from eggs in last year’s galls, and as they feed on the expanding tips of the twigs, they induce the large irregularly shaped galls, and feed and reproduce asexually inside them. The galls are pale at first, and then darken to black. Several generations occur within the folds of the gall, and as many as 1,600 individual aphids have been reported from
Life with Connor the Weatherman
featuring Connor Mockett
Hello, everyone! Welcome back to Life with Connor the Weatherman. This column will be yet another chase day story from my Chasecation to Tornado Alley this past May. Last column I talked about the best chase I’ve ever had on May 23rd, where we saw an amazing tornado and amazing storm structure. This next story comes from May 25th!
After our amazing day on May 23rd in Southwestern Oklahoma, we actually drove to Texas to try and chase on the 24th. It wasn’t a guaranteed chase day, but we decided to try it out anyway because we were close to the target area, only 2 hours from where we stayed the night in Vernon, Texas. Nothing much ended up happening, just a few tornado warned storms, but none of them came close to producing anything. So, we drove back into Western Oklahoma for our May 25th target.
We stayed the night in Elk City, Oklahoma, in anticipation that May 25th could be the biggest day we’ve had yet on this trip. The Storm Prediction Centre in the US issued a Moderate Risk for severe
weather (level 4 out of 5), with a 15% chance for strong to violent tornadoes in Western and Central Oklahoma. All signs were pointing to a crazy day.
The team woke up at 9:00am on the 25th to have a meeting as a team as to how we wanted to play the day out, considering this was the biggest risk for tornadoes of the trip, and we wanted to stay safe. We talked, looked at models, and decided that we actually didn’t even need to leave Elk City where we had slept the night. So we hung around, went and had lunch at a burger joint, got filled up with gas, and played the waiting game. Eventually, storms started to fire in the Texas Panhandle and moved towards the Oklahoma border. Our target storm ended up being a bit further north than we were, so we drove to a small town called Vici, Oklahoma and waited for the storm to come right at us. It was showing signs of rotation as it came at us, as we could see it on the radar. It looked good initially, until the storm started to kind of split in half.
We drove further to the east of Vici, near Mutual, Oklahoma, and the storm started to get its act back
a single gall. The Aphids are called “vagabonds” because, in early summer, a winged generation leaves the galls and flies to a summer host. These hosts are not well known, but one that occurs locally is Lysimachia nummularia, Moneywort or Creeping Jenny. After a couple or few asexual generations on the summer host, a sexual generation of the Aphids flies back to the galls, and mates and lays overwintering eggs. The galls remain on the twigs, and are more conspicuous after the leaves have fallen.
The basic life history work on this species was done in Colorado in 1914. Since then, most of the studies have been about which species or hybrids of Poplars have the galls. There’s lots of potential for study here – perhaps the Ferguson Forest Centre could plant a grove of diverse Poplars, and a student could do a quite satisfactory PhD working out which kinds of Poplars are favoured for galling, and which plants are the summer hosts.
together very fast. We saw the rotating occlusion from afar start to ramp up quickly, and soon thereafter, a weak elephant trunk tornado touched down right near Mutual, Oklahoma (elephant trunk meaning a small and long tornado). We were a few miles away from the tornado, but close enough to see the circulation on the ground and snap a few photos of it.
That tornado would be the only tornado that storm would produce. The storm struggled for its entire life cycle afterwards, due to so many other storms being around, and interactions between them and our storm hindered it from developing further and dropping more tornadoes.
As a whole, the day did not go as planned for every storm. There were more storms than models predicted, so the environment was not as clean as it should have been. There were only a few tornadoes in Oklahoma, and about 10 in Texas, so in hindsight, Texas actually ended up being the better target.
After our chase, we stayed the night in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was supposed to be our final night of the trip. We ended up extending the trip another day, but that will be another story in itself (that day actually contributes to multiple stories, some funny, some painful). I will talk to you all in a couple weeks. Thanks for reading!
Leeds & Grenville Genealogical Society
Join us on Monday, September 2 at 7:00 pm via Zoom for our presentation, “How to Develop Online Newspaper Research Skills” with Kenneth R. Marks. This webinar is intended to build newspaper research skills for genealogy and history researchers. Online newspaper research can be a frustrating endeavor for several reasons. The goal is for the audience to understand why it can be difficult, and to learn some skills that will drastically improve search results.
The webinar will cover why to search old newspapers and the challenges in searching old newspapers online, provide several skills and techniques to successfully search newspapers online, and include a demonstration of these skills and techniques.
Kenneth Marks is the founder of the popular website The Ancestor Hunt, a site which now includes over 270,000 curated links to free online resources in 24 common genealogy categories. Kenneth began his genealogy journey in 2002, and has, over the years, become an expert in newspaper research, which helped to uncover the stories of his ancestors’ lives.
To register for this presentation, visit our Branch website https://leedsandgrenville.ogs.on.ca for more details.
Oxford Mills Sisterhood of Guiding plans another fun year
ride and cookout at MacIntosh Farms, Inkerman
by Ann Lalonde
It is that time of year again! Summer is coming to an end as the excitement for fall programs fills the air.
If your daughter is looking to meet with girls their own age in a safe, inclusive space to explore what matters to them, Guiding could be the group they are looking for! The Oxford Mills Sisterhood of Guiding (OMSG) offers a variety of fun meeting activities and outings. Girls in Sr. Kindergarten to Grade 12 are invited to join as youth members, and there is always more room for adult leaders too!
The OMSG has three units that meet Tuesday nights: Sparks and Embers meet together at 6:30-7:30pm. Guides meet from 6:30-8pm at the Kemptville Snowmobile clubhouse, and the Pathfinders and Rangers now meet from 7-8:30pm at the Limerick Forest Interpretive Centre. There are units in Kemptville, Merrickville, Spencerville, and North Gower too! Check it out and register at: www.girlguides.ca/ register
Guiding empowers girls and women to face challenges with confidence. Girls are empowered to reach their poten-
tial and be independent, confident and caring as they learn to develop decision-making and life skills. With guiding, girls enjoy fun, adventure, and make life-long friends. They go to their first ever sleepover, canoe on rivers and lakes, learn about body confidence, and try new things. Guides is where girls take the lead, put their ideas into action, and jump into awesome activities – all with the support of engaged Guiders who are committed to positively impacting their lives.
But wait! Before you put your swimsuit away, the Oxford Mills Sisterhood of Guiding would like to invite registered and potential members and families to our annual Pool Party and Movie in the Park. Public Swimming is from 6-8pm at the Kemptville Pool (29 Reuben Crescent) followed by a peanut free snack during the showing of “Matilda” on the big screen in Riverside Park. Bring your lawn chair or blanket to get comfy. All fees and licences are paid by OMSG. This is a great opportunity to meet the leaders and other members of the unit. We look forward to seeing you there! Please contact us at oxfordmillstripunit@ gmail.com or call Guider Annie at 613-229-1575.
The Food Corner
by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville
We are coming up on new fresh potatoes right out of the ground. When we were kids (some years ago, I admit) there would be an annual event where we would light a small bonfire and place some potatoes in the ashes. We would then wait around, pull them out and eat them while burning our fingers. A salt shaker was in attendance as well. Gratin Dauphinois is a far cry from half burnt potatoes cooked all fresco. It goes back to the 18th century and originated in the Dauphiné region of France. It is creamy and sinful and brings out all the flavour of “la belle patate”.
Gratin Dauphinois
Ingredients
4 medium to large potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly
2 cups of grated Gruyère cheese
2 eggs, beaten ½ cup of natural yoghurt ¾ cup of milk
Spices: 1 garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of nutmeg
2 tablespoons of softened butter (salted or unsalted, your choice)
Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350F
Rub a baking dish with your garlic clove and slather with butter
Place one third of your potatoes in overlapping rows in the bottom of the dish
Sprinkle with one third of the cheese and some of the nutmeg
Repeat the process ending up with a final row of potatoes
Mix the beaten eggs, yoghurt and milk and pour over the potatoes
Cover with the remaining cheese
Bake until the potatoes are tender and the top is browned
This is a great vegetarian dish. It can also accompany some grilled or baked meat or fish. It is best served piping hot.
Thanks again for your emails and please be in touch at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.
AL'S CLEAN UP SERVICES
613-215-0735 Property - HomeClean Up (Interior - Exterior) & MAINTENANCE PRESSURE WASH Tree/Brush trim -removal DUMP RUNS: everything goes
Kemptville Campus Executive Director transition
The Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of Liz Sutherland as Executive Director, as she is moving on to a new role with YMCA National Capital Region. Her last day at Campus will be August 21. The board has named Bruce Jackson as Interim Executive Director, and applications for the role are now being accepted. Please see https:// www.kemptvillecampus. ca/opportunities for the job description and how to apply.
We want to take a moment to thank Liz Sutherland for the great work she has done for Kemptville Campus. We wish her all the best on her future endeavors and will miss her dearly.
Learn to Curl this Season
ADULT
Learn to Curl
Interested in curling, but don’t know where to start?
Designed for new curlers and curlers who are out of practice.
YOUTH
Little Rocks Instructional Program
programs!
North Grenville Curling Club offers both adult and youth learn-to-curl programs!
YOUTH
U15/U18 Instructional Program
Instruction every Sunday from October 27 to December 22, 2024
Time: 2-4 pm
League curling January 3 to April 11, 2025
Cost*: $500 all in
For young and new curlers aged 8 to 12.
Every Sunday from October 27, 2024 – April 6, 2025
Time: 9–11 am
Cost: $150 all in
For new and experienced curlers 13-17 years of age.
Every Sunday from October 27, 2024 – April 6, 2025
Time: 11:30– 1:30 pm
Cost: $150 all in *instruction plus winter 2025 league play ($200 refund if you don’t curl in winter session). Required equipment: head protection (youth); clean shoes, warm clothing (adult/youth); other equipment is provided. Visit ngcurling.org for more information or email ngcurlingclub@gmail.com
Registration is open now until October 4 – drop by our Open House on Thursday, September 12 from 7-9 pm!
Feb 2024 – OMSG Horse-drawn sleigh
North Grenville Curling Club 200 Reuben Crescent, Kemptville
Driving near school buses
When you’re driving and a school bus approaches, watch if the bus slows and flashes its overhead amber lights, which means that the bus is coming to a stop to pick up or drop off passengers. When you see a school bus with its overhead amber lights flashing, slow down and prepare to stop, whether you are behind it, or approaching a bus coming toward you.
If you are on a road with a median strip, only vehicles coming from behind the bus
must prepare to stop.
Watch if the bus stops and flashes its overhead red-lights or activates its stop arm. This means that the bus has stopped to pick up or drop off passengers. It is dangerous and illegal to fail to stop for a stopped school bus that has its overhead red lights flashing or its stop arm activated.
For roads without a median (raised barrier between lanes), vehicles in both directions must stop when the bus is stopped and flashing
its overhead red lights, or its stop arm is activated:
- If you are driving behind the bus, stop at least 20 metres away
- If the school bus is facing you, stop at a safe distance to let children get on and off the bus and cross the road
For roads with a median, you must stop if you are driving in the same direction as the school bus when the bus is stopped and flashing its overhead red lights or its stop arm is activated.
Vehicles coming from the opposite direction are not required to stop.
Before continuing on your way, you must wait for the bus to start moving, for the overhead red lights to stop flashing, and the stop arm to no longer be activated.
Penalties
If you drive past a stopped
school bus with its overhead red lights flashing or its stop arm activated, you can face the following.
First offence:
- Fines ranging from $400 to $2,000 - 6 demerit points
Each following offence:
- Fines ranging from $1,000 to $4,000
- 6 demerit points
- Possible jail time of up to 6 months
The registered owner of a vehicle illegally passing a school bus that is caught by camera technology may be charged and fined. You can report a vehicle that doesn't stop properly for a school bus by contacting your local police department.
by Brandon Mayer
Help keep your child on track with their school routine with book learning at school is hard work for our young, developing friends. And it’s also extremely important and healthy for them!
School isn’t just about book learning. It’s healthy for kids in ways that are too many to count. Much like adults, children and youth need vacation, and the summer provides exactly that. It’s a mental and physical break from the stresses of everyday life. For working parents who put in 8+ hours a day in a high stress job, we may be inclined to ask –what stresses?
We may get envious of our kids who have a 6 hour day that includes at least 90 minutes of rest or play time. However, it’s important for us to remember that kids are kids! As psychologist Jean Piaget put it: “Play is the work of children”. All of the experiential learning (motor skills, social skills, healthy active time, etc) that takes place in conjunction
While the 3 major school breaks each year – summer, Christmas, and March break – are all very important for self-care in much the same way as adults must take vacations, we can’t underestimate how valuable it is for kids to get back into the school routine in September. School provides:
- Social experiences and the continued development of social skills
- A reason for stricter and better enforced bedtimes
- Experience in the art of sitting still and paying attention
- A set schedule
- Individual responsibilities, such as completing homework and getting to
class on time
- A guaranteed lengthy period away from screen time
Some kids may not be excited about the return to school, but they’re probably not excited when being told that ice cream is not an appropriate breakfast option, either! It’s the job of parents to guide our kids in what is best for them, and regular school attendance certainly makes the cut.
School refusal due to anxiety is common, especially in kindergarten. Separation Anxiety Disorder can often onset in middle childhood as well. A basic tenet of psychology is that the only effective treatment for anxiety is exposure. That is to say: don’t reassure your child that you can pick them up any time they are feel anxious, and don’t fall into the trap of taking a “reset
SCHOOL! WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!
day” at home, thinking your child will want to attend school tomorrow. It can be hard, but the best approach is to push through, and ensure your child attends school every day. The anxiety will subside.
For any stay-at-home parents or those paying high summer childcare costs, don’t worry – you’ve made it this far, and it’s almost time to breathe!
Blues with Jesse Greene and more
It’s a weekend full of fun and inspiration with great music, a workshop, and an art happening, brought to you by the Kemptville Street Piano.
Guitarist and singer Jesse Greene is coming to rock the place with her “no-nonsense blues mix of originals and creative
covers." Singing with the "smoky timbre of Bonnie Raitt" and "the wonderful raspiness of Janis Joplin," the Jesse Greene Band won the Ottawa Road to Memphis competition and were finalists at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Jesse brings monster bassist
Dave Schroeder and pianist Jesse Whiteley. Showtime at 1pm, Saturday August 24, North Grenville Public Library, free.
There’s still time to register for an Introduction to Sound Engineering workshop with sound technician/D.J. Mikayla Gordon, taking place on Saturday morning and during Jesse’s concert. For youth only (35 and under), registration required, free! Email kemptville.street.piano@ gmail.com for details.
Did you hear about the Secret Art Picnic on Sunday August 25? It’s an all-ages Art Happening with local artists, writers, and creatives of all stripes. Bring your lunch and join us in a beautiful outdoor location for two hours of improvised art, audience participation encouraged! Including live music, theatre improv, wilderness inspired all-ages art activities,
and more. Check out the FB event page for posts about featured artists and how to register (secret North Grenville location revealed on Saturday).
Visit the Kemptville Street Piano FB page for details and see you at the Street Piano!
Learn about Mikayla Gordon here: https:// www.instagram.com/sei iizi?igsh=MTBldXd2M 3c4ODk0NA== (AKA Seiizi Symphonic)
And Jesse Greene here: https://www. thejessegreeneband.com/
And the Secret Art Happening Picnic here: https://www.facebook. com/KemptvilleStreetPiano
KYC Book Faira treasure for book lovers
by David Shanahan
There was something wonderful about seeing so many people browse through so many books at the Kemptville Youth Centre Annual Book Fair at the Ferguson Forest Centre last weekend. At a time when printed books seemed to be more and more outdated, replaced by screens of various sizes and types, seeing the thousands of books being lovingly and eagerly scanned by eager readers was refreshing, and somehow encouraging. The Fair produced a total of $26,000 for the Kemptville Youth Centre, an increase of $4,000 over last year and a major achievement over just a weekend.
But it has to be noted how many volunteers made it all possible. As with so many events in North Grenville, volunteers made it happen, from gathering and sorting the huge volume of books, to laying out the treasures on tables sorted by subject, to overseeing the event itself, the entire community can be proud of this annual reminder of just how marvelous it is to be given the opportunity of finding great deals, gathering armfuls of books, and meeting others experiencing the same joy.
Congratulations and many thanks to all those who made this event happen once again.
Left to right, front: J.P. Laporte, William Peckford, Claude Smith; and back: A. J., Bruce Wehlau, Michelle Laporte, Jason Blakey.
OXFORD VILLAGE
Now se ing IN KEMPTVILLE
SPECIAL PRICING ON SELECT HOMES
Find fulfillment in Oxford Village, a new neighbourhood from Mattamy Homes where the countryside, urban amenities and a sense of community are woven into your everyday in Kemptville. Live surrounded by nature escapes, stay connected with social hubs and enjoy easy access to everything you need. Visit us today to explore a variety of Townhomes and Detached Homes with special pricing!
LIMITED HOMES AVAILABLE!
Single Car Garage Townhome The Equinox | 2,120 sq. ft. STARTING FROM THE MID $500 s
Visit Our Sales Centres
Single Car Garage Detached Home The Renew | 2,381 sq. ft. STARTING FROM THE HIGH $600s
Contact: 613-215-1522 | sls_oxfordvillage@mattamycorp.com
Location 1: 2600 County Road 43, Unit #32A, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Hours: Monday – 10 am to 4 pm, Tuesday – Friday: Closed Saturday – Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm
Location 2: 3454 Greenbank Rd, Barrhaven, ON K2J 4H7
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 10 am to 8 pm
mattamyhomes.com/ ontario/ottawa/kemptville/oxford-village Follow us: @mattamyhomes
Craftsman (CR)
Craftsman (CR)
OPP crack down on motorcycle speeders
The East Region Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is calling on all motor vehicle operators to take steps to avoid more tragedies on the roads. More motorcycle collisions again this week brings this year's fatalities to 39, setting the stage for a possible 10-year high in motorcyclist deaths on OPP-patrolled roads. Three motorcyclists under the age of 19 and two passengers are among the riders who have lost their lives this year. Fatal collisions, or ones resulting in serious injuries, are not solely the responsibility of the motorcycle riders. In many cases, the drivers of cars or trucks are at fault.
The primary causes of motorcycle collisions have included excessive speed, failing to yield the right of way/ unsafe passing or riders losing control of their motorcycles. Most happen on the highway and not at intersections.
Superintendent Darryl Sigouin, OPP East Region Headquarters, notes that: "Everyone wants to get to their destination safely, but everyone operating a vehicle on roads and highways, whether it has two wheels or more, must
take responsibility for their driving behavior."
Motorcyclists must do their part by staying within the speed limit and complying with all traffic laws. All other drivers must be pay attention to the road and watch for motorcycles.
The OPP will have aircraft enforcement in eastern Ontario this week, focusing on speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving and occupant restraints. Officers across OPP East Region will also be out, working to ensure safety on our highways and roads.
The 56% increase in motorcyclist fatalities - almost all preventable - has the OPP expanding its vantage point to the sky with its Cessna airplane.
Through the OPP's Aerial Enforcement Program (AEP), the Cessna 206 is an effective tool for spotting and tracking motorcyclists (and other drivers) who think traveling at high speeds is worth the risk, be it for the thrill or as a means of evading police officers who spot them from the ground. The OPP Cessna pilot is accompanied by a police observer who uses specialized equipment to calculate
the distance a vehicle travels between highway markings to accurately determine a driver's speed.
The AEP airplane is also effective for detecting other aggressive drivers, such as those who follow too closely or make unsafe lane changes, which are among the behaviours attributed to fatalities every year.
The OPP reminds riders
as well as motorists who share roadways with them that motorcyclists are the most vulnerable drivers on our roads - even when they drive safely.
The OPP is counting on all motorcyclists and drivers to do their part to prevent further loss of life on our roads. All it takes is safe, responsible driving and complying with traffic laws which are designed to keep the motoring public safe.
Roderick (Rod) Angus MacLennan
February 6, 1940 - August 22, 2018
Every day, in some small way, memories of you come my way. Though absent, you are ever near, still missed, still loved, and ever dear. Your Angela
Come, let us reason together What makes sense?
by David Shanahan
I have this far out theory that will, no doubt, provoke reactions of various kinds from across the community. I am increasingly convinced that atheism is a completely irrational position for any intelligent person to hold. Yes, I know, that is what is usually said about Christians, or anyone who is at all “religious”. (I put religious in quotes for a reason, but more of that anon). Back to the theory: why is atheism irrational? The main reason I think so is that there is absolutely no evidence to show that God does not exist. You can’t prove there’s no God, but all of the circumstantial evidence points to there being something greater, beyond, transcendent, and outside our ability to comprehend in its fulness.
Everywhere you look, from the macro perspective of the universe and its structure (dare I say, “design”?), to the internal workings of the human mind and spirit, and into the micro world of DNA, peptides, molecules, proteins, and all the other things that most of us find too complex to think about very much; everywhere, I say, there is reason to think that there is more to the whole Life thing than
atheists are often prepared to admit.
So much has been written and said about the apparent design of the universe; how it only works because it is so mathematically precise in its structure, in the very fine balance of elements such as distance, gravity, heat, motion, and others. Some of this has been discussed in these very pages, but atheists come down in the end to simply declaring that it “only looks designed, but it isn’t because it can’t be, because there’s no Designer, because there’s no God, because you can’t prove it scientifically”. As if all the statistics and mathematics aren’t, in fact, themselves scientific evidence.
Then there’s the argument about irreducible complexity: that the basic building blocks of life could not have evolved gradually because the complete “block” is necessary for it to operate as it does. This covers everything from the flagella found in DNA, to blood control vessels in the neck of a giraffe that allows it to bend down to drink, for example, without losing consciousness when the blood rushes to its head! There are almost endless examples of irreducible complexity in all areas of natural life. Atheists claim
that this just happened spontaneously, or, even better, that they were self-created.
The idea of self-creation, or spontaneous generation of some kind, extends to the universe itself, as well as human life. The question atheists struggle with is why anything exists at all. It was once thought that the universe was eternal, no beginning, no change. Now all accept that there was a beginning, because we can see the universe continuing to expand. The answer provided is that there was a “singularity” that exploded (Big Bang Theory) and everything came from that. But where did the singularity come from, and why did it go bang?
If it simply popped out of nothing, that is irrational, as nothing comes from nothing, it’s simply not scientific or rational. (Incidentally, the Christian explanation of Creation does not posit something coming from nothing: it says that an eternally existing God created it out of nothing. Not the same thing.) If, at some point, there was nothing, then, without a God, nothing could ever come into existence. The fact that the universe, not to mention ourselves, does exist is an argument for something outside
Donoghue, Lawrence (“Larry”) Austin
Passed away peacefully at the Kemptville Hospital on the early morning of Aug. 12, 2024, in his 96th year. Beloved husband of Florence Donoghue his wife in their 37th year of marriage and his late wife (Jean Pinel Donoghue) in their 21st year of marriage. Loving father of {Shelane Donoghue (Cosmo Vecchiarelli & fur grandchildren Niijii & Kuru) from Toronto, ON & Bowen Island BC and John Pinel Donoghue of Toronto, ON. Dear sister of Eileen Chambers (Brother in-law Frank Chambers – predeceased). Survived by nieces Kathy Chambers (Dan), Donna Moyer (Brent) and Colleen Chambers. Many great: nieces and nephews and their growing families. Dear son of THE LATE Austin & Emma Donoghue of Kemptville.
Step father for Patricia Clark (Bob Smith) of Mississauga and Dawn Louise Clark (Donald Hillier) from Haileybury. Step Grandfather to: Aaron Smith (Angela) from Georgetown; Alison Smith (Ben) of Mississauga; Kyra Mathews (Reuben) of Sudbury; Ariana Hillier (Ed) from New Liskeard; John Hillier (Jessica) from Sudbury. Step-great grandchildren: Jarod, Sophia, Lyra, Owen, Violet and Charlotte.
the boundaries of creation bringing it into being. Or, as Genesis puts it: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”. Look inside yourself. Why do you have a clear idea of morality, of what is right and wrong? This is much more than simply society’s preference for what it deems worthy or not. We can all agree that genocide is evil, that abuse of children and the vulnerable is wrong, that beating up old people is an abhorrent behaviour. But where does that universally accepted idea of right and wrong come from? What is it we compare good and evil to, in order to judge where actions lie on that spectrum? Why do we appreciate beauty, and honour bravery and self-sacrifice, if all we come from is belief in the survival of the fittest? If that really was the mainspring of our development as a species, why do we praise those who lay down their lives for their friends and neighbours?
No, atheism doesn’t stand up to intelligent scrutiny. It seems to be simply a not very successful way of avoiding facing the evidence all around us. It is neither logical nor convincing to just deny something we don’t want to accept.
Special Friend to Leslie & Sandy Campbell. Larry was a well respected and upstanding citizen; a contributing member of the Anglican church and community. He dearly loved his wife, children, sister, extended family, colleagues, and friends. In school, Larry graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Agriculture from MacDonald College: Faculty of Agriculture McGill University Class of ‘52. He graduated with a Masters of Science in Agriculture from Guelph – University of Toronto (1954). He became a proud member of the Association of Professional Engineers in 1963. He taught at the Kemptville College (1961-63) & Western Ontario Agricultural School in Ridgetown (1963). He then worked and did extensive travel across Canada; designing; maintaining; and inspecting government agriculture buildings for Public Works of Canada from 1966 - 1994. This included federal penitentiaries and quarantine stations at Canada’s borders, including Mirabel airport. He designed many of the agricultural buildings at the Ottawa Experimental Farm. After he retired from years of public service, Larry did periodic freelance engineering work with Larry Argue and Associates into his eighties. He held a private pilots license; being a member of the Ontario Flying Club and the Flying Farmers group. He married Jean Heath Pinel in 1961. They gave birth to their son John (1963) and adopted their daughter Shelane in early in 1969. After Jean’s untimely death, he later married Florence (Landon) Clark (1987). They cared for one another as their respective families grew with growing admiration and gratitude for Larry’s unwavering love, support, care and generosity. Over the years Larry worked alongside many community people where he did extensive volunteer work with the Rotary Club (President 1995-96) & faithful member of the Masonic Lodge. For 40 years he cared for the Christ Church Cemetery. Friends are invited to visit the Kemptville Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 805 Prescott Street, Kemptville on Thursday from 7 to 9 pm and Friday at Christ Church, 4419 Donnelly Drive, Burritt’s Rapids from 1 to 2pm. A Funeral Service will be held immediately following at 2 pm. Interment at Christ Church Cemetery. A special thanks to the Kemptville & Ottawa Hospitals & Diabetes Clinic: Physicians, Nursing and hospital care staff. Donations to: Kemptville Hospital CT Scan project and Christ Church, Burritt’s Rapids are gratefully accepted.
Condolences/Tributes/Donations Hulse, Playfair & McGarry www.hpmcgarry.ca 613-258-2435
OASIS PAINTING
Free Quotes! INTERIOR / EXTERIOR 613-408-4432 - William
RECURRING EVENTS
Monthly Suppers prepared by Knights of Columbus at Holy Cross Church Hall at 503 Clothier St W. Suppers will be held on the last Thursday of the month. Cost $10 per adult, $5 for children under 12 and $25 for families.
PROBUS: Fellowship, Fun and inFormed presenters are part of the PROBUS gathering on the third Wednesday of each month at St Paul's Presbyterian Church Hall at 9:30AM. For more information contact at n.g.probus97@ gmail.com
Kemptville Legion: Fridays 3-9. Free Pool and Darts. Everyone Welcome BINGO, Kemptville Legion, Bingos run from the beginning of September until the end of June on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays.
NG Duplicate Bridge Club, Masonic Lodge 311 Van Buren Kemptville, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 12:15. All Levels of bridge players are welcome. Info call 613-795-7155
Friendship Lunch Regular weekly lunches will resume on SEPTEMBER 6TH. Lunches are served at St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. and begin at 11:30. There is no charge. A free will offering is appreciated. Everyone is welcome.
Spencerville Agricultural Society planning general meetings. If you are interested in joining our committee, please email info@spencervillefair.ca to receive all of the meeting details. Oct 21, Nov 11. The Drummond Building, 22 Ryan Street, Spencerville Ontario BID EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road on Tuesday, August 27, September 10, 24. Registration from 6:30 p.m., play from 7:00 p.m. Contact Debi at debiar@ymail.com EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road on Tuesday, August 20, September 3, 17. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m., play starts at 7:00 p.m. Contact Debi at debiar@ymail.com
Kemptville Farmers' Market: Many local farmers, producers and makers. Every Sunday from noon til 4pm, May 12 - October 27. Located at 301 Rideau St, Kemptville, across the lot from B&H Grocers
Kemptville Street Piano Concert, Saturday afternoons at 1pm to mid-September at the North Grenville Public Library. https://www.facebook.com/KemptvilleStreetPiano/ South Branch Serenade at Rotary Park, every Thursday night throughout July and August, between 5:30 – 7:00pm.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kemptville Horticultural Society. Wednesday September 18, at 7:00 pm at the Kemptville Pentecostal Church, 1964 County Rd #43, Kemptville
This evening we will be holding our Fall Flower Show, plus Becky Campbell will be speaking about gardens of Denmark and Sweden.
Stash It! A Fibre & Textile Event AUGUST 24 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. 48 Shearer St, Kemptville Campus Harvest Days Demonstrations. AUGUST 24 & 25 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. 5877 County Rd 18 Roebuck, ON Sundance Artisan Show The event will be open all 3 days of the Labour Day long weekend (Aug 31, Sept 1,2). Hours: Sat. & Sun. 10am-5pm; Mon. 10am-2pm. Sundance is located at 126 Maberly Elphin Rd, Maberly, ON (at the intersection of HWY 7 and beautiful County Rd 36). WIZARD CARD GAME TOURNAMENT on Sunday, September 8 at Pierce's Corners, also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at 12:30 and play starts at 1:00 p.m. $5 per player. For information contact debiar@ymail.com.
FOR SALE
Electric fully-enclosed 4-wheeled scooter, lightly used, good price, 613-269-2432.
Mixed hardwood firewood. $120 per face cord. Call or text Jon 613-227-3650.
4X4 round bales and small squares of hay, suitable for horses. Call or text Jon 613227-3650.
MISCELANEOUS
Looking to rent farmland in North Grenville & surrounding areas. Call or text Mitch @ 613-2621204.
GARAGE SALES
502 Clothier West, Sat Aug 24. Antique lamps, household items, 50" TV complete with stand & surrounding, bar with solid marble top, dinning set and many out door items,much much more
FOR RENT
Beautiful 1400 sq.ft. Apartment for Rent in Chesterville. 2+1 bedrooms in a triplex. Bright kitchen with Laurysen cabinets, fridge, stove, laundry on site. Tenant controls energy efficient utilities. Lots of parking with snow removal. Large backyard with lawn mowed. References. First and last. $2000.00 monthly. 613-448-2350
ACROSS
1. An abandoned calf or lamb
5. Garbage 10. Brute 14. Cain's brother 15. Hawaiian greeting 16. Bucket
17. Undersea sailor
19. Cans
20. Estimated (abbrev.)
21. Lawn covering 22. Door pivot
23. Cravings
25. Any factual evidence
27. Lair
28. Every 2 years
31. Landslide detritus
34. Starting handle
35. Falsehood
36. Fertilizer component
37. Accomplishing
38. L L L L
39. Carpet
40. Monetary units of Serbia
41. Secret meeting 42. Teacher 44. 18-wheeler
45. Neighborhood 46. Leg artery
50. Bias
52. Rent 54. Whichever 55. Unit of power
56. Air-intake device
58. Affirm
59. Coral reef
60. Assistant
61. Plateau
62. Assail
63. Foot digits
DOWN
1. Enclosed
2. Bad treatment
3. Arrears
4. Type of tree
5. Colony of rabbits
6. Assumed name
7. Male offspring
8. Actors
9. Hearing organ
10. Choice
11. Profitably
12. Finger jewelry
13. Apart from this 18. Acquiesce
22. Blow a car horn
24. Bright thought
26. Sounded a bell
28. A very prickly woody vine
29. Afflicts
30. For fear that
31. Certain
32. Gunk
33. Governs
34. Having a corolla
37. Information
38. Therefore
40. Agreement
41. Countdown clock
43. Against
44. Answer
46. Legend
47. Relative magnitudes
48. Battery terminal
49. Harps
50. Propelled through the water
51. Wash
53. "Aeneid" figure
56. Taxi
57. Consume food
What is the difference between vitamins D, D2, and D3?
How many times have we seen people in a pharmacy looking at the D vitamins. They’re standing on one foot and then the other and wondering which one to purchase. They are not alone. Let’s start with D.
Vitamin D is very important for human health. One of its primary purposes is the absorption of calcium and phosphorus to keep bones healthy and strong. If we develop a deficiency in these two minerals as we age, our bones lose their strength year after year, and we develop a disease called osteoporosis, meaning week bones. This can result in bone fractures, and it may lead to spending time in a wheelchair.
Vitamin D is called the “sunshine vitamin” because it’s the sun’s ultraviolet rays on the skin that trigger the production of vitamin D in the body. The best way to get D is to get out in the sunlight. Exposing your skin to the sun, without sunscreen, for 15 minutes a few times a week, to generate vitamin D is an effective way to maintain bones. You also get D from eating fish, egg yolks, meats and fortified cereals, and from drinking milk and orange juice. If
you are on a vegan diet, it’s harder to get D from foods. Vegans need vitamin D supplements.
The next question is, what is the difference between D2 and D3? They have different molecular structures. But here is the surprise. They are metabolized by your liver and kidneys into the same active form of vitamin D! So they also support good health through the absorption of calcium and phosphorus to increase bone and muscle strength.
There are other benefits. These vitamins support the immune system to fight bacteria and viruses. Remember we have told you again and again that high doses of C increase immunity. Now we can add that D2 and D3, by becoming D, also fight immunity. This is an important point as today an increasing number of people are developing diseases due to a lack of immunity.
Vitamin D also helps to regulate blood sugar, support brain function, increase cardiovascular health, and lower the risk of certain cancers.
The sun is so vital a source. Those who live in northern climates won’t
get much D from the sun during the winter, even if standing out naked and freezing! The problem for indoor elderly people is compounded by aging skin and organs that don’t function as effectively.
Does it matter which vitamin D supplement you purchase? It’s not one of the great decisions we have to make in life. There is some research that shows that D3 is more easily absorbed by the body and is therefore more effective.
What’s more important is that you talk with your doctor about this vitamin, as some medications, such as steroids and statins, can involve interactions.
In general, what is the recommended dosage? The first thing to remember is that vitamin D is fat soluble, unlike vitamin C which is water soluble. This means that vitamin D is stored in the body. This also means that it can build up in the body and lead to vitamin D toxicity, which can harm your health. For children 1 to 18 and for adults, the dosage is 600 IU (15 micrograms). If you are 70 or over, it increases to 800 IU (20 microgram).
Many people are afraid of the sun due to the potential development of malignant melanomas. But researchers have also shown a relationship between skin cancers and low vitamin D levels. So over abstinence, moderation is the answer.
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.
OFA’s cultivating local survey
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is conducting a survey as part of the new “Cultivating Local: Seizing Opportunities to Grow Ontario’s Local Agri-Products Sector” project. The OFA developed this project in response to demand and growing interest in seizing local selling opportunities (e.g., direct-to-consumer sales, value-added agriculture, and agritourism).
The OFA needs to hear from you to better understand the needs of current and prospective Ontario farmers interested in, or already engaged in, local selling opportunities. Findings from the survey will be used to inform the workshops and resources we are developing.
Your responses will be kept confidential and will only be reported in aggregate form. The survey should only take 10 minutes to complete. Please complete this survey by the end of day on September 16, 2024. Your feedback is appreciated. For more information, please visit: ofa.on.ca/cultivating-local https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cultivating-local
Healthcare worker morale plummets
from CommunityWire
A new peer-reviewed study released today in Kingston warns that Ontario’s hospital workers, most of whom are women, are in deep turmoil as they labour through an intensifying staffing crisis that is harming their wellbeing and compromising patient care.
Running on Empty, published in New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy, is co-authored by Dr. Margaret Keith and Dr. James Brophy, who since 2017 have spearheaded three previous studies on working conditions in Ontario’s health care sector. Dr. Craig Slatin, a U.S. health researcher, is a co-investigator.
“Health care workers are warning us about the future of our public system,” said Dr. Keith. “They expressed a profound sense of dissatisfaction, despair, sorrow, anger, and frustration about their working conditions and the quality of patient care. There was an overarching sense of being unsupported, overworked, and disrespected, which is being driven by chronic underfunding and understaffing.”
Ontario ranks at or near the bottom of the country in key healthcare funding measures and has the lowest per-person hospital spending of any province, with 18 per cent less hospital staff compared to the rest of Canada, noted Dr. Keith.
The study says that although staffing concerns predate the pandemic, working conditions have worsened since 2020 as patient volumes have surged without a sufficient increase in staffing. Consequently, workers are perpetually asked to take care of more patients and work overtime, causing exhaustion and burnout.
A worker quoted in the study said, “Our phones never stop ringing being asked if we can come in and cover a shift. You can be leaving work and get a call before you even get to the parking lot asking, ‘Can you stay?’ You can do that once in
a while, but it’s literally every day.’”
As staffing shortages cause unprecedented emergency room closures, long wait-times, and higher number of patients per staff, workers witness a marked decline in quality of care. An operating room nurse told the researchers:
“We see individuals who have been sitting in their beds for a day or two, sometimes three or four, because the operating rooms get so clogged. And when that individual gets to us, they’re so filthy, they reek of their own feces. The beds haven’t been changed or the individual has not been properly turned and positioned. They’re getting pressure ulcers, which a patient should never get in the hospital.”
The research was done in collaboration with the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions-Canadian Union of Public Employees (OCHU-CUPE), based on extensive interviews with 26 hospital workers including nurses, personal support workers, housekeepers and clerical staff.
The findings of the qualitative study complemented recent polling of 775 OCHU-CUPE members. Survey results for Kingston hospital workers showed that 70 per cent have anxiety, 43 per cent dread going to work, and 50 per cent have trouble sleeping.
“The sharp decline in their working conditions is harming their mental and physical well-being. But what is particularly jarring is the feeling of being abandoned by the government and often their own employers,” said Dr. Brophy. “It’s like your house is on fire, and everyone can see it, but no one’s coming to help. It makes you lose faith in the system.”
The sense of hopelessness and despair among workers is captured in numerous quotes peppered
throughout the study. A trauma department nurse said, “You think it can’t get any worse - and it just got worse. I was going through increasing panic attacks before work, crying before I got out of the car. I loved going to work when I first started. Now I dread it.”
Michael Hurley, coauthor and president of OCHU-CUPE, said that he was “stricken by the government’s relaxed attitude towards the staffing crisis”, noting that a leaked document from earlier this year showed Ontario would face a shortfall of 20,700 nurses and nearly 50,000 personal support workers by 2027.
“The impact of the staffing shortages is felt every day by hospital patients and their families, and these problems will only get worse if they remain unaddressed,” Hurley said. “You’d think that the government would be acting on a war footing and taking bold steps to ramp up recruitment and retention. That they would legislate nurse-topatient ratios to protect morale and give nurses confidence that they can provide quality care; that they would ensure wages keep up with inflation, rather than continue real cuts to income, and that they would offer free tuition, pay while training, and [support] a massive expansion in nursing and allied training programs.”
Instead, he said, Ontario continues to “witness real dollar funding cuts that are strangling the health care system” and causing staff to leave in despair by the thousands.
“We have seen some tinkering from the province, but nothing commensurate with the severity of the crisis. We had an astounding 870 emergency room closures last year, and we cannot allow that to become acceptable,” he said. “The government must act now.”
Summer tour highlights diversity of Ontario’s agriculture
by Louis Roesch, Director, OFA
Ontario is a large province, and its geography is as diverse as its people. That diversity is also evident when it comes to agriculture. Ontario’s farmers produce more than 200 different agricultural commodities, from milk, eggs and meat, to fruits, vegetables, flowers, crops for feed and fuel, and more.
My family and I farm in southwestern Ontario, and I also represent farmers from Essex and Chatham-Kent on the board of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). We’re an advocacy organization that speaks on behalf of Ontario farmers, bringing agricultural and rural issues to the attention of policymakers.
I am joined at the board table by 17 fellow directors who come from all regions of the province, and we are each most knowledgeable about our own local areas. However, as directors, we collectively make decisions about the priorities and policies of our organization on local, provincial and federal issues.
That means we must also know about the issues, challenges and opportunities happening in other parts of Ontario, and although we can do that by reading, talking and listening, nothing beats the impact of a firsthand experience.
That’s why the OFA hosts a summer meeting and tour for its directors in a different region of the province every year –and this year, I’m pleased and proud to welcome my fellow board members to Southwestern Ontario for a tour of farms and agricultural businesses in our area.
There are many things that set our region apart, but one of the biggest is
our climate. Because of our southern location, our growing season is about two months longer than that of our fellow farmers in Northern Ontario. We can start planting potatoes and sugar beets as early as March for example, if the soil is ready.
As well, we can grow a second field crop after green peas, winter canola or winter wheat once the first one is harvested, and the climate is warm and sunny enough that we can grow crops here that aren’t found in other parts of the province, like sugar beets.
We’re known for our field-processing vegetable production, from tomatoes, cucumbers and peas, to sweet corn, green beans and more. In fact, more than 90 per cent of processing tomatoes grown in Canada come from Chatham-Kent and Essex – that’s about 400,000 tons of tomatoes with a farm gate value estimated at $360 million.
We also produce most of Canada’s processing peas, green beans, sweet corn and pickling cucumbers, and we are the only region in the country that grows seed corn.
In addition to fresh vegetables like brussels sprouts and carrots, the Lake Erie shore is ideal for growing fruit like apples and peaches, and is the site of one of Ontario’s designated wine regions.
And of course, the Leamington area is home to one of North America’s largest greenhouse clusters, growing mainly peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers indoors, but also increasingly strawberries and other crops. More than 70 percent of that greenhouse vegetable production is exported, feeding people down the U.S. eastern seaboard and beyond.
The land in this part of Ontario is very flat and you’ll find a significant number of the province’s man-made drains, dikes, water pumping schemes and bridges down here.
This diversity of farming spells opportunity, and our proximity to the U.S. border means farmers in this area have both unique potential and unique challenges not all other regions share.
At the same time, getting to know other parts of the province lets us discover that we share some commonalities we didn’t know existed.
Last year, we visited Eastern Ontario, where farmers deal with railway crossing problems not unlike in my region, and also face decreasing availability of farm business services like veterinary care and meat processing.
The year before, we were hosted in the Niagara Region, home to most of our edible horticulture production, as well as the Welland Canal and a major exporting port in nearby Hamilton.
These are important issues and dynamics to know about and understand when you’re faced with making decisions that can impact the entire agriculture sector in the province.
The Essex Federation of Agriculture, the host of this year’s event, organized the very first tour for OFA board members and since then, it’s become an anticipated and interesting part of our annual event calendar.
Legion donates to CT Scanner Crossroads Campaign
An extremely successful Bingo held on Canada Day at the Kemptville Legion, Branch 212, resulted in an $1,800 donation to the Kemptville District Hospital Foundation’s CT Scanner Crossroads Campaign. A capacity crowd of 110 happy bingo players attended the afternoon Bingo.
Mike Amirault, Lottery Chair, along with his wife, Debbie, organized the well received event. He said: “The support and strong turnout was all because of the cause: the
CT Scanner. It just shows the enormous community support for this project.”
Mike and Debra, along with Legion President and Veteran, Jay Tousaw, recently presented the $1,800 cheque to Joanne Mavis, KDH Foundation Executive Director. She expressed her appreciation for the Bingo donation which also includes a contribution from Kemptville Legion Branch 212. “We are so grateful for this gift to the Crossroads Campaign and the long-standing
support from the Legion and the community. We are now closer to our goal and the finish line of $2.2 million. We know that the CT Scanner will bring quality service closer to home, and peace of mind to patients and families.”
Mike and Debbie said the Legion intends to do this Canada Day Bingo annually in support of the hospital foundation. For more information and stories about the Campaign and how you can donate, please visit: kdhfoundation.ca
Attending a cheque presentation from the Canada Day Bingo at the Kemptville Legion (l-r): Jay Tousaw (Legion President), Debbie Amirault (co-organizer), Joanne Mavis (ED - KDH Foundation) and Mike Amirault, Lottery Chair and co-organizer.
Oxford-on-Rideau: The early years
by David Shanahan
When Jesse Pennoyer surveyed the boundaries of the Township of Oxfordon-Rideau in 1791, it was primarily in order to provide land for Loyalist refugees who had fled the 13 Colonies when they chose the losing side in the American Revolution. Discharged militia officers, especially, were granted huge areas of the newly surveyed lands north of the St. Lawrence, and it was expected that the lots in Oxford would be quickly filled up with these men and their families.
But it didn’t happen. These people had already settled in the older townships closer to the river, so Oxford remained empty of settlers for many years. The first permanent residents were the Harris family from Ireland, and by 1804, the entire population of the township was just 30, made up of two families, the Harris and Bullis clans. There was a lot of movement between Oxford, Wolford, Montague and Marlborough Townships in the early years, but Oxford remained hard to reach, and by 1813 the entire township had just 45 residents, some of whom didn’t stay very long.
After the War of 1812,
the British Government paid immigrants from Ireland and Scotland, in particular, as well as discharged soldiers who had fought in the war, to cross the seas and take up land around the planned canal to be built through the Rideau River system. By 1821, the population had jumped to 235 men, women, and children. Oxford-on-Rideau was still largely empty land.
It was the building of the Rideau Canal that really opened Oxford up for settlement. Waterways were the highways through the bush, roads were basically just tracks through the forests, and other parts of Upper Canada were far more easily accessed than Oxford. South Gower, for example, was settled much sooner than Oxford, and the main stagecoach route between the Ottawa and Saint Lawrence rivers ran through Heckston.
Work on the Canal began in 1826 and was fully completed in 1832, a 202 km waterway with 47 masonry locks and 52 dams. The work was done by manual labour, with no machinery other than wheelbarrows and shovels. Most of the workforce were recent Irish immigrants, along with French Canadian workers from lumber
camps. It is thought that about 1,000 people died during the construction, mostly from disease.
The main construction work in the Oxford area was at Burritts Rapids, where huge quantities of earth were moved to create a route for the canal. Because the banks were too low for normal construction methods, a long dry channel, the Oxford Snie, was used. A dam was built to redirect the waters down the Snie, as the work records noted:
"The River is to be raised at this place by a Dam of 10 feet high and 240 feet long or thereabouts with wing walls extending into the banks on each side.
A lock of 10 feet lift to be constructed at the lower end of the natural ravine called "Oxford Snie" this is to be made and constructed according to the other locks on the Rideau Canal."
A high span bridge was built over the river a little upstream from the current swing bridge, as is seen in the illustration. Quite a lot of riverside land downstream was flooded in building the Canal, but it certainly brought more settlement to the area. In 1825, the population of Oxford-on-Rideau Township was 456. By 1840,
the population had risen to 2,212. Many of the stonemasons who had built the locks along the Rideau route remained as settlers and helped build some of the stone houses still seen in the region today. But it was the opening of the land that really made a difference. Whereas in the early days, settlement centred mostly close to the boundary with Wolford, and Merrickville was the main hamlet and centre of administration, the canal allowed for movement into the interior of Oxford, along the canal and river, and then up the South Branch. It remained the major transportation route in and out of the Township until the coming of the railway in 1854.
The role of the Rideau Canal in the history of Oxford was vital. It remains today as a potential tourist asset, a World Heritage Site on the northern boundary of North Grenville.
Section of a map by Col. By dated 1829, showing the Oxford Snie
Burritt's Rapids c. 1840, Archives of Ontario, William T. Clegg fonds