Issue 38 2023 September 28 NG Times

The Voice of North Grenville

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Reaching by direct mail 8,500 homes and businesses in North Grenville www.ngtimes.ca

September 28, 2023

Vol. 11 No. 38

I read the news today...

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by David Shanahan When it comes to news, ignorance is not bliss. Our world has been changed out of all recognition in the past decades, with a phenomenal growth in access to news and information of all kinds.

Traditional news outlets, such as newspapers, radio and television, have faced increasing competition from new technology, and online platforms such as Facebook, Google, Instagram, Twitter (now X), Tic Tok, and others. On the face of it, this has been a positive thing, a wider array of opinion, and broader scope of news coverage, a break in the monopoly of what has come to be known as the Mainstream Media. So far, so good.

But with this revolution in information availability has come a growing threat to reliability. When everyone

sooner or later, act on it.

News matters. It determines policy, changes attitudes, informs opinions, changes how we see the world and how we act in it. That is why September 28 has been declared World News Day. So, as the Times lands in your mailbox this week, we acknowledge this global initiative to draw public attention to the role that journalists play in providing trustworthy news and information that serves citizens and democracy.

We know how much national and international news matters, how important it is that we have a clear and accurate understanding of what’s happening around us in a globalised society, where issues such as climate change, human rights, war and peace, all affect us locally. Accurate news allows

with a cause, a theory, or a grievance has a platform and an audience, without filters or standards, it becomes very difficult for people to evaluate the truth or accuracy of what is set before them. There need be no source cited, no footnotes, no corroborating evidence for what is written, and that makes it easy for inaccurate, misleading, or just plain false information to be put out alongside fact-based, reliable material.

We’ve all come to recognise this as a fact of modern life. Fake news is a term we are accustomed to hearing.

We can see people in public life lie directly to camera, knowing that what they say is a lie, knowing that we know it’s a lie, and yet lying anyway, because they know their “tribe” will lap it up and pass it on. Worse, they will,

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people around the world to be involved in issues that may not affect them personally: demanding release of prisoners in other countries, protesting human rights abuses in distant places, becoming informed about the impact of climate and societal changes worldwide.

But news matters locally also. As a community, we need to be informed about what’s happening here among us, local politics, local causes, local needs, local opportunities. The recent announcement that Metroland Media Group is ceasing publication of 70 community newspapers shows how tenuous is the life of such papers, even when owned by a major corporation.

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The Voice of North Grenville

The North Grenville Times cont'd from front page the support of other local businesses and supporters, without whom we could not continue for long. Our masthead says “The Voice of North Grenville”, by which we always mean your voice, the voice of a community that can talk to one another, that can stay in touch with each other in a way that is impossible otherwise. Being local, we can be called to task if we print something that is inaccurate or misleading, however unintentional.

That is the value of news media: it can be a clear and unambiguous voice in a cacophony of conspiracy theories, deliberately misleading claims and allegations online, and damaging attempts to disrupt, distort, and destroy what we hold dear.

We can disagree on many things, sometimes strongly and deeply. But the important thing is that our opinions be informed opinions, based on facts and accurate information, not lies or baseless allegations.

The move by Facebook to close the pages of all news outlets in Canada shows how dangerous it is to be dependent on such platforms for your news and information.

On this World News Day, we should remind ourselves that ignorance is not bliss, that civil and human rights and freedoms need protecting, and that we have a responsibility to think, to consider, to support fact-based journalism. In other words, to be citizens.

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Local Optometrist Joins Campaign to Help Ensure Families around the World Have Access to Eye Care Local Optometrist, Dr. Carla Eamon of Dr. C.L. Eamon Optometry, is taking part in the World Sight Day Challenge on October 12th, 2023 to help give the gift of vision to people in underserved communities around the world.

Now in its 17th year, the World Sight Day Challenge is Optometry Giving Sight’s largest annual fundraising campaign to address avoidable blindness caused by uncorrected refractive error – simply the need for an eye exam and glasses. The theme this year is “Giving Together, Seeing Forever,” which celebrates the collective power of the optometry community to give the gift of sight to millions of families and individuals in need.

On World Sight Day (October 12th), Dr. Eamon will make a donation to raise funds to help the more than

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1.1 billion people who are unnecessarily blind or vision impaired simply because they don’t have access to an eye exam and a pair of glasses.

“I have supported Optometry Giving Sight for 17 years,” said Dr. Eamon.

Preventable blindness is a solvable problem and we are proud to help give better vision to those in need.

Everyone can make a difference and we are thrilled to be contributing to universal eye health.”

Participating is easy – simply make a single or monthly donation before the end of October.

This year’s campaign will help raise funds for more people like 16 year old Blessings from Matero, Zambia who dreams of becoming a doctor one day.

Her pursuit of that dream came to a halt last year when she began to lose her vision. She couldn’t see the chalkboard or even read her own study notes and saw her

grades slip rapidly.

Matero is home to nearly 60,000 people living in impoverished conditions.

There, students like Blessings lack access to basic eye care services they need.

To d a y, B l e s s i n g s ’s dream lives on. She was able to get an eye exam and glasses free of charge, thanks to Optometry Giving Sight’s partnership with Operation Eyesight Universal and its school screening program. With simple vision correction, Blessings can once again see clearly from the back of the classroom and is getting ready for national exams.

For more information about Optometry Giving Sight or to make a donation, go to givingsight.org.

Dr. C.L.Eamon Optometry is located at Unit 3, 212 Van Buren St, Kemptville, ON K0G1J0.

Call 613-258-7438 or visit www.drcleamon.com to schedule an appointment.

Time to support local journalism

by Paul Deegan Every week, about 30 million newspapers are delivered across Canada. More than four out of five people in Canada read newspaper content each week. Why do they read print and digital news sources? The answer is simple: trust.

Canadians value and trust fact-based, fact-checked journalism. Journalists hold the powerful to account. They cover city hall, the courts, and the police. They also keep communities connected by reporting on everything from the high school football team to 100th birthdays.

But real journalism, created by real journalists – rather than by artificial intelligence – costs real money. If we want to sustain it, we must support it. One of the best ways for the local community to support local journalism is to take out an ad. When you buy a newspaper ad – whether print or digital – those dollars stay in the community and allow the publisher to employ journalists. Conversely, when you buy an ad from a web giant, those dollars flow south to California to companies that don’t employ a single journalist.

One thing that government can do to keep scarce advertising dollars in Canada is to establish tax measures to incent businesses to advertise with private sector Canadian news outlets and bring fairness to the different tax treatment of advertising purchased from foreign websites.

Governments – municipal, provincial, and federal – also have a role to play when it comes to their own advertising spend. It makes no sense that the federal government was spending almost twice as much on Facebook/Instagram – which are now blocking news in Canada – as they were on all print publications combined. Governments – at all levels – should earmark 25 per cent of their advertising spend toward trusted Canadian news sources. And the federal government should end the ‘double dip’ by eliminating commercial advertising associated with CBC News, the public broadcaster.

National Newspaper Week is a time to reflect on the champions who report the news without fear or favour, and it’s a time to remember that local news needs to be supported by the community.

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Worship Service observing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - October 1, 2023

All are welcome to attend and participate in this special worship service as St John's United Church observes National Day of Truth and Reconciliation which will take place at 400 Prescott Street, Kemptville, beginning at 10:00 am on Sunday, October 1, 2023.

Old or news?

by Brandon Mayer If you’re a particularly eager and avid consumer of local news, there is a good chance that you’re reading this on the very same day it was delivered to you – September 28. This day marks World News Day, a global commemoration of the importance of good quality journalism based on facts, research, and integrity. If you’re one of the probably hundreds of people who read the Times on the weekend, when you have more free time, then happy “belated” World News Day to you!

“News” is a word to which I have never paid much attention, despite my profession. Of course, I pay attention to news and local happenings, but the word itself – “news” – has never really caught my thoughts. I never knew where the word came from.

When I was in school, there was a rumour at one point that it was an acronym for “North East West South”, since NEWS is something that applies to all parts of the globe. I remember researching the etymology of the word “news” at the time, which is how I quickly discovered that the acronym theory was false, but I never bothered looking up the actual origin of the word – until a week ago.

Clean or dirty? Hot or cold? Shiny or dusty? Old or new? Opposites are fun, aren’t they? It turns out that the word “news” is derived from the word “new”. Pretty simple, right?. News, after all, is no good if ev-

eryone already knows the story before it comes out.

We wouldn’t call it “news” if, for example, the Times reported today that John Lennon was murdered. It’s entirely true, nothing but fact, and relevant due to his fame as a musician, but the fact that it happened in 1980 places it squarely in the category of “not news”.

News must be new, and it’s therefore aptly named. This means that just as asking “Old or new?” is a simple example of opposites, asking “Old or news?” would fit the bill as well.

Side note – I’m sure that many readers have known for decades where the word “news” came from, and I don’t mind a bit of well deserved laughter at my expense. It seems so obvious now.

A great organization – of which the Times is a member – is News Media Canada. The association acts as a representative for news publishers all across the country, providing resources and advocacy. Each week, News Media Canada sends out an email to members with the subject line “News on News”. Isn’t that a lovely bit of inception?

News rarely reports on itself. As I write this, I can’t help but wonder how many readers understand the state of the news industry in the modern age.

Earlier this month, right here in North Grenville, the Times lost a friend and fellow print news publication, the Kemptville Advance.

The Advance will still have an online edition as part of its generic website shared with other publications owned by parent company

impacted peoples’ attention spans, and has made it difficult for us to be captivated by something that doesn’t have the “flair” of social media content. The problem is that the “flair” is often more important than the truth. Facts are secondary when held up against exposure and advertising revenue.

“Afternoon talk shows and tabloid TV. They've reduced our attention span to the length of a sound byte.” These are words spoken by a character in a 1996 episode of the television show “The X Files”.

Although the type of media has evolved, and technology has grown and become more pervasive, the sentiment still rings true, perhaps even more so now.

What is the way forward for news? Earlier this year, Reverend Joe Haward wrote an article for the Byline Times, positing that the modern news interview is “absurd” in that it’s scripted and nothing more than a performance.

He suggested that we must break the “fourth wall” in news to help people feel a greater connection between news stories and their own reality. Perhaps this is the way forward – news with a greater personal connection. As a community newspaper published to unite North Grenville, I can only hope that the Times is leading by example in this regard. With the support of readers and advertisers, we can move mountains in the name of community and truth. Happy World News Day!

Metroland, but after well over a century of being able to hold physical copies of the Advance, readers will no longer have that option. Many will argue that the free market speaks for itself, and that if print news cannot sustain itself, that such is the nature of economics – too bad, so sad.

While I may agree with that sentiment in some cases, when it comes to news, I don’t think most people know what they are losing.

Facebook and Google brought in a combined advertising revenue of well over $300 billion last year.

Of course, with Google owning YouTube, and Facebook also making a majority of its advertising dollars from the streaming of creative content, not all of this money relates to the sharing of news, but it’s safe to say that billions of those dollars do. It’s a lucrative industry, but where are the controls on quality?

A post from a reputable news source pays just as much in ad revenue as a full blown hoax, both of which can spread like wildfire in the digital age.

Would you ever ask your children if they want gummy worms for dinner?

Let’s face it – this is an option that some kids would love instead of eating yucky healthy food. Parents override this, knowing what’s best for their children when the children don’t know for themselves. News consumers are not children, but they are becoming more tech-savvy and tech dependent. I have theorized for years now, including in a recent article, that technology has negatively

NG Times recognised in national awards

The North Grenville Times website has been awarded third place in its category in the Canadian Community Newspaper Awards for 2023. Our website has been honoured in past years, and coming third in Canada is an achievement for the Times in general, and for Christine Boyer, our social media and online manager in particular.

Christine take care of the website and other online platforms, as well as managing our office and inquiries from the public, making sure that we are always up to date online, that the Times is posted promptly, and that the rest of staff are kept informed about anything happening on the web that we need to know about.

Her work on the Times website has brought the paper awards and a national profile that is really exceptional for a small local newspaper such as ours. We are very proud of her and her achievements.

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Every day, champions across the country stand up for their communities, raise their hands to ask the tough questions and uncover the truth.

This National Newspaper Week, celebrate the power of words and local homegrown news.

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UPDATE Township of North Dundas Career Opportunities We’re Hiring!

• •

Seasonal Plow Truck Drivers (Day Shifts, Afternoon Shifts & Casual/Call-in) Seasonal Labourers (Day Shift) For full position descriptions and details, visit Career Opportunities on our website: www.northdundas.com Application deadline is October 31, 2023.

Township of North Dundas 636 St. Lawrence St., PO Box 489, Winchester, ON K0C 2K0

CAPP Statement The Coalition Against the Proposed Prison (CAPP) is pleased that Premier Ford recognizes the importance of protecting and conserving the Greenbelt in the Greater Toronto Area which equally applies to prime agricultural farmland and environmentally sensitive lands intended to be protected and conserved elsewhere in accordance with Provincial Policy Statements. One such example is the provincially-owned Kemptville Agriculture College farmlands where Premier Doug Ford, then Solicitor General and current Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones, and former Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs and local MPP Steve Clark proposed to build a provincial prison in an August 2020 announcement.

In a flawed process not dissimilar from the Greenbelt fiasco, the Premier and his ministers set the wheels in motion for the Kemptville prison plan despite internal government records obtained through a Freedom of Information request noting that the property failed to fully meet several of the government’s own selection criteria. The plan was then announced without any consultation with the Municipality or the residents of North Grenville. We are therefore equally pleased that Premier Ford recognizes the importance of having in place processes for development that do not move too fast, as well as taking the time to consult and take into account a municipality’s Official Plan. We completely agree that doing otherwise causes people to question the Province’s political motives and erodes the electorate’s trust. Earning the public’s trust is as important in North Grenville as it is in the Greater Toronto Area. In addition, we ask Premier Ford to continue to demonstrate leadership by putting a moratorium on the proposed Eastern Ontario Correctional Complex, and thereby save the former Kemptville Agricultural College farmland which is located on unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin Anishinaabe Territory and which includes an existing Rideau River watershed creek, floodplain, and wildlife that the government’s own studies show could be harmed by paving over the property and destroying existing farm buildings to build a prison that criminological experts tell us is not needed to achieve community safety.

To learn more, visit www.cappkemptville.ca.

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

Visit our events calendar to find out what’s happening in the community: www.northgrenville.ca/events Sign-up to receive Mayor Peckford’s e-newsletter at: northgrenville.ca/connect.

UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETINGS

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

To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please provide your comments no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting to clerk@northgrenville.on.ca.

Council agendas are available at: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings.

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Tuesday, October 3 at 6:30 p.m. (Open Session) – Council Chambers Wednesday, October 11 at 6:30 p.m. (Open Session) – Council Chambers

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

• • •

Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee – Tuesday, October 3 at 3:30 p.m.

Housing Advisory Committee – Wednesday, October 5 at 5:30 p.m.

Heritage Advisory Committee – Tuesday, October 10 at 4:30 p.m.

VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Municipal By-Law Enforcement Officer The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill the position of Municipal By-Law Enforcement Officer in the Planning and Development Department. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualification in confidence to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023.

Facilities Attendant (Part-Time) The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill part-time positions of Facilities Attendant in the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualification in confidence to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 2, 2023.

Planner I The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill the position of Planner I in the Planning & Development Department. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualification in confidence to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 6, 2023.

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

TAX BILLS

All 2023 final tax bills have been mailed. If you have not received your bill, please contact the Municipal Office at 613-258-9569.

Tax bills are due on September 29, 2023. Payments can be made in person by cash or debit. Credit card payments are only accepted when paying online through the North Grenville website.

NORTH GRENVILLE TRANSIT

North Grenville provides an on-demand accessible transit service for those with disabilities and those 65 years of age and older. Riders can be picked up and dropped off anywhere in North Grenville. For more information and to register visit www. northgrenville.ca/transit or call 613-258-9569 ext. 133

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Financial incentives are available for businesses and property owners to continue the revitalization of Downtown Kemptville.

As part of the Downtown Kemptville Community Improvement Plan, intake is now open for the following financial programs: Façade & Signage Grant, People Make the Place Grant, Building Fees Grant, and Tax-Increment Equivalent Residential Grant.

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

The Municipality of North Grenville 285 County Rd. 44, PO Box 130 , Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca www.NorthGrenville.ca Building: 613-258-9569 x130 Fax: 613-258-1441 Fire Services Info: 613-258-9569 x201 Fax: 613-258-1031 By-Law Services: email: bylawinquiries@northgrenville.on.ca 613-258-9569 x211 Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002

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Editorial

What are those three Merrickville Councillors trying to prove?

by Brandon Mayer Our municipal neighbour to the west is drawing attention – national attention, as it turns out – for its Council’s decision to defeat a motion in a 3-2 vote that would have seen the Pride flag flown in the month of June as a display of support for 2SLGBTQI+ residents.

In my view, the defeat of the motion is much less striking than the dramatic context in which the matter unfolded during a regular meeting of the Council of the Village of Merrickville-Wolford.

Motions come before Council members during meetings in every municipality across the country routinely. There shouldn’t be anything scandalous about Council’s decision to pass or defeat any one particular motion. Council members are employed to do a very important job.

They must make decisions that they feel are in the best interests of the communities they serve.

Motions often have recommendations to either be passed or defeated written

directly within them, based on meticulous research carried out by educated municipal staff. This does not and should not mean that Council cannot decide how it wants. Having five Council members (the legal minimum under provincial law) is an excellent safety net in preventing one or two members’ biases or personal interests from overriding the interests of the community.

I understand the outrage about the vote defeating the Pride flag motion. As you’ll see in this issue of the Times, we received a letter of outrage on the matter from all the way across the country, in British Columbia! In the days after the September 11 Council meeting, I received several “news tips” about the story. For context, I typically only receive a few news tips in total in an average week!

I think people would have been far less outraged, myself included, if not for the manner in which the Pride flag motion was defeated. There are some valid reasons I can think of for not wanting to fly the Pride flag for an entire month every year. One is that, depending

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I keep thinking about the recent article in this newspaper regarding the Ford government’s aboutface on turning over parts of the Greenbelt to developers, and the reference to our MPP as “local hero Steve Clark”.

Local Hero? They say that political memory is short, but that short? Did the writer not remember Mr. MZO, the guy who ran roughshod over municipal plans with his Minister’s Zoning Orders? That was Steve Clark, the same guy who seemed to take delight in being Doug Ford’s hatchet man.

Of more recent vintage is the ongoing battle by members of the public regarding the jail that the Ford government wants to build here in Kemptville.

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We have been trying to get information from this government regarding its plans, and Steve Clark has fought this community every inch of the way for more than two years now. We have got absolutely nothing from him but prevarication.

He promised us a fair and open process. He has yet to deliver either. This community has gone to considerable personal expense to try and get this information, in part because our local municipal council has ducked every request for help in getting this information, information that should be our right. I was involved in this work by submitting a Freedom of Information request regarding one aspect of documentation, that being a topographical map. I was denied it on the grounds that another government depart-

on what statistics you find, only about 4% to 7% of the population identifies as non-heterosexual. While I don’t agree that this makes the 2SLGBTQI+ group a “special interest group”, it would be within a Council’s purview to make this decision and communicate it in a respectful manner.

That said, this reasoning – had it been given during the September 11 M-W Council meeting – would have still made me roll my eyes. We all know that suicide rates are high amongst 2SLGBTQI+ people, especially youth, and that the Pride flag is intended as a symbol to show that a particular place is welcome for all. It is not an “antistraight” symbol, nor does it mean anything more scandalous than “everyone matters here”. Regardless, no reason was given during the September 11 meeting for defeating the motion by any of the three members who opposed it. If three Council members were about to vote to defeat a beautifully written bill about inclusion, didn’t they think they at least owed M-W residents a

reason? It seems very obvious that quashing a motion which speaks of inclusion and the value of all residents of the Village could be taken as extremely hurtful to some residents. Surely the mental health of these people was worth saying a few words, such as “everyone is indeed welcome and valued here, but unfortunately, due to our policy about…”

Instead, what happened was the epitome of unprofessionalism. After the vote took place, with three hands that seemed to be symbolically raised in support of division and hatred, Councillor Gural was understandably upset.

Despite this, she did not attack the three fellow Council members with whom she disagreed. Instead, she asked for a recorded vote, as is her right. I took this as a request intended to show any 2SLGBTQI+ people reading the meeting minutes that there were two members of their local Council standing firmly by their side.

There was no excuse for Mayor Cameron’s arrogant tone in his response, when he was trying to convey

ment had a financial interest in this not being disclosed. I am still trying to figure out how a map that shows only contours of the ground could possibly cause anyone some financial harm.

This is the sort of nonsense that we have been dealing with. How any of the foregoing makes Steve Clark a “local hero” beggars belief.

Colin Creasey, Kemptville

cepting, but the majority are in favour of supporting their child. Withholding this information from parents will only make the situation worse. We look back at our history to see the mistakes made against Indigenous children. Let's not make more mistakes that we will regret 50 years from now.

Until a child is old enough to understand and make their own INFORMED decisions, they are the responsibility of the parents.

Bob Swaren

Dear Editor, A c c o r d i n g t o M r.

Gabell's letter, transgender people face unique stressors and higher rates of discrimination. They are are at greater risk of suicide.

Most of this is coming from peers at school and online.

Don't you think it would be better if the child's parents are made aware of this situation? Yes, there will be parents who are unac-

Send in your letters to the editor to editor@ngtimes.ca

the north grenville

grounds, etc – even a joint statement would do.

“I have been watching with alarm, the increase in the intolerant and, oftentimes, violent rhetoric in our country and around the world aimed at those who identify as a member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community,” Councillor Gural told the Times. “It is important for all levels of government to reassure those who feel vulnerable that we will do what we can to protect them.

By voting for the motion, I believe I demonstrated that willingness and showed my support as an ally. I want to add that the vast number of emails and comments I have read and received from residents and business owners demonstrates that Merrickville-Wolford is a welcoming and inclusive community.”

Councillor Gural emphasized that her comments are her own personal views on the matter. No other members of M-W Council responded to a request for comment by deadline.

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Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854 Kemptville, ON OFFICE 613-215-0735 K0G 1J0 Production Editor production@ngtimes.ca Brandon Mayer 613-215-0735 editor@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735

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incorrectly to Councillor Gural that a recorded vote could not be called since the vote had already taken place. Council members don’t always have to agree, and in fact I have argued many times in the past that sometimes it’s best when they don’t agree, because issues are then debated in a healthy way instead of being rubber stamped. But whether they agree or not, Council members need to speak to each other with respect, and I heard no respect from Mayor Cameron in the September 11 meeting.

For me, the issue wasn’t so much “which” motion was defeated as it was “how” the motion was defeated. If anyone made assumptions about the three male Council members’ attitudes toward 2SLGBTQI+ people after the meeting, I am confident that it was because of the Mayor’s tone, and the looks on all their faces.

Is there a way forward from here? I think that the Mayor and Council should release a statement in support of the rights of people from all races, genders, sexual orientations, back-

Accounting Pat Jessop cfo@ngtimes.ca

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Protests hit schools over sex ed and reporting practices

by Brandon Mayer Protestors have made a presence outside many schools across the country, including some UCDSB schools and schools from other local boards over the way that sex education curriculum is being taught. The protests also relate to the way in which information about sexual and gender identity is communicated – or sometimes not communicated – by school staff to parents.

The so-called “1 Million March 4 Children” drew a crowd of people in Ottawa on September 20.

Present on site were both protestors and counterprotestors. The issue has divided people sharply, as social media has become flooded with examples of diagrams on some school walls showing things such as the huge multitude of sexual orientations that are now recognized.

The issue has caused

some parents to go so far as claiming that schools are attempting to indoctrinate or “groom” students into displaying sexualized behaviours. The UCDSB released a statement to parents that included a sentiment communicated by other boards as well: “The UCDSB does not tell students and staff who they should be, and welcomes them as they are. “ Is there any reason for parents to be alarmed? I can’t speak for all schools across the country, but I can certainly speak for the few schools in the local area in which I have worked over the course of many years. For starters, teachers have no interest in indoctrinating children.

Rare is it that a teacher enters their profession for any reason besides having a true passion for helping children grow and succeed.

To think that thousands upon thousands of teachers are colluding in teaching children inappropriate

things is ridiculous. Every teacher I know would stand up to such a practice and would refuse to teach things they felt were morally wrong.

Next, from my own experience as a parent, any time a sex education lesson is coming up, a notice form is sent out with the exact curriculum, and a hassle free opt-out option is given. Have other parents not received these notices?

Why not simply sign the form instead of storming Parliament Hill? To be honest, in the curriculum we were given last year for our 11 year old, everything seemed age appropriate and we were fine having him attend the lessons.

Finally, in terms of communicating children’s sexual and gender identity revelations to parents, this is where things get tricky.

As a mental health counsellor, I can confirm one thing for certain: when children are in counselling, it is understood that parents

do NOT have an absolute right to know everything in their child’s counselling file. Why? Because counselling would be much less effective, that’s why. I have had my most successful sessions with children whose parents let their kids speak in confidence with me. It can take a lot of courage for children to talk about their problems.

It completely defeats the purpose of having a “system” if the response of the “system” is to break children’s confidences.

That said, there is a different way that I believe we should be approaching this, because if we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. It was less than 30 years ago that the last residential school closed. Indigenous Peoples suffered immense intergenerational trauma – students suffered abuses, cultural genocide, and the removal from their families, and parents were stripped of not only their children,

but their parental rights.

Schools keeping secrets from parents is not a good look in the aftermath of this system.

The way that we should be approaching this is simple: parents deserve to be updated on things concerning their children (up to a certain age and maturity level cut off), but the process must keep in mind both collaboration with the student, and safeguards against parental abuse.

For example, if a student discloses that they are nonbinary to a school staff member, the staff member’s first priority should be explaining to the student the importance of sharing this information with their parents to seek their love and guidance. The school staff member can offer to help in sharing the information with the parents, just as a counsellor is trained to do in cases of necessary disclosures to parents. If the student reveals fears that they may be emotionally

or physically abused as a result of the disclosure, the staff member then has an automatic obligation to report the situation to the Children’s Aid Society.

At no point does the staff member have the right to simply “sit on” the information and become a decision-maker for the student while keeping parents and authorities in the dark.

Supporting students has always been, and must continue to be, a collaboration.

No parents are perfect, but we can’t forget that parents have rights, and that the act of raising a child is open to many different approaches and the passing on of a wide range of beliefs and values. When schools begin deciding what constitutes acceptable beliefs and what does not, a slippery slope is in the making. Collaboration is key in respecting both parental rights, and the rights of LGBT+ students.

Dorothy Goubault endeavours to leave the greatest gift of all

by Brandon Mayer Otter Lake resident Dorothy Goubault was the subject of a Times article last year when she set out on a journey to honour the memory of her late partner Gerald by producing a CD with net profits being donated to the Heart Institute.

The album, called “When Will I See You Again?”, was as much a way for Dorothy to express herself after losing Gerald as it was a fundraising effort. She wrote the title track herself, with the remaining nine tracks on the CD being covers of traditional fiddle tunes.

Now, Dorothy has gained attention through a feature in a Heart Institute magazine. “The Ottawa Heart Institute Donors Annual Magazine has just been released with a heart warming article on our heart journey, my CD, my upcoming book, and why I support the Heart Institute in their research under the header name of “Oracle”, the head/ heart relationship,” said Dorothy. “It is a full last September 28, 2023

page of the magazine.”

One of the ways Dorothy is being recognized in the Heart Institute community is through an incredibly generous and heartwarming commitment she has made to be a “donor” to the Heart Institute when she passes away. She hopes to encourage others to do the same, with the result being as many people as possible leaving the “greatest gift of all” upon their passing.

Dorothy continues to keep busy, and though she acknowledges that she is not a musician, she continues to put herself out into the music world to draw attention to a very worthy cause.

“Hopefully, I will be in a position to take in the World Summit for Women in May 2024 in Madrid, Spain with over a thousand women executives from around the world,” Dorothy added. “I will take CDs with me and hopefully my book will be published to take it along with me.”

A Heart Institute publication sent by Dorothy provides some informa-

tion for those who may be ready to take the first steps in including a legacy gift in their will. “Today, you can decide to help thousands of future cardiac patients by leaving a lasting gift in your will.

Talk to your loved ones.

A conversation around your shared legacy can be a bonding experience and create special memories.” The Heart Institute invites interested people to engage in a confidential conversation with Selva at 613-696-7251 or strebert@ottawaheart.ca.

We’re Here to Help Helping children, youth and families overcome challenges, by providing prevention, early intervention and ongoing support on issues including: • • •

Addictions Mental health Involvement in the justice system

Leeds and Grenville: 1-613-342-4238

www.rnjyouth.com Ad supported by the North Grenville Police Services Board.

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Project Lifesaver arriving in Leeds and Grenville counties submitted by OPP and Alzheimer Society of LLG The Leeds County and Grenville County detachments of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have teamed-up with the Alzheimer Society of Lanark Leeds Grenville to provide “Project Lifesaver” in the counties.

On September 21, 2023, the Alzheimer Society of Lanark Leeds Grenville, in partnership with the OPP, launched its newest collaboration – Project Lifesaver. The program is designed to protect and to quickly locate “at risk” individuals who are prone to the lifethreatening behaviour of wandering. This program is now available to residents living in the Leeds County and Grenville County OPP areas.

Project Lifesaver uses technology to assist in the search-and-rescue efforts for those who wander and become lost. It has been proven to greatly reduce the search time for police; this timely response can protect your loved one from harm.

Those who are at a high risk of becoming lost receive a bracelet transmitter, with a unique frequency. When a client is lost, receivers housed in the Leeds County OPP and Grenville County OPP detachments are used to find that unique frequency.

“The successful launch of Project Lifesaver in Leeds and Grenville is further testament that by working collaboratively as a community, we can positively impact the lives of society’s at-risk members. Community safety is enhanced by creating integrated response models such as Project Lifesaver and the OPP are grateful and honoured to be involved in this partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society,” said Inspector Simon Hardy, Detachment Commander, Leeds County OPP. “The safety of our clients is extremely important to us.

Partnering with the Leeds County and Grenville County OPP detachments to launch Project LifeSaver is the most important step in offering this program to those who may wander. The project is an added tool for the police services’ emergency response to assist in bringing those at risk back home safely. We are excited to offer this program at the Alzheimer Society Lanark Leeds Grenville and we are proud to work in collaboration with both detachments,” added Melinda Coleman, Executive Director, Alzheimer Society Lanark Leeds Grenville.

“Public safety remains the top priority for the OPP. Project Lifesaver is a new tool available to officers that further protects our more vulnerable community members. Its proven track record demonstrates the speed at which we can potentially find and bring to safety a lost loved one,” said Inspector Stephan Neufeld, Detachment Commander, Grenville County OPP. For eligibility, participants must: - be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or another cognitive impairment that places them at risk of wandering, - reside with and be monitored by a Caregiver 24 hours per day, seven days per week, - be a resident in the catchment area serviced by the Alzheimer Society of Lanark Leeds Grenville, Leeds County and Grenville County OPP detachments, - be restricted from operating a motor vehicle.

Project Lifesaver equipment requires daily monitoring by a care partner. Regular checkins with Alzheimer Society staff for equipment maintenance will be included as part of the program.

For all inquiries about Project Lifesaver, call the Alzheimer Society of Lanark Leeds Grenville at 613-345-7392 or toll-free at 1-866-576-8556. You can also visit the office Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Unit 107 – 100 Strowger Boulevard, Brockville, Ontario.

FALL CLEARANCE SALE

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Home of the Art of Dave Dunn

Statement to members on behalf of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture

The North Grenville Indigenous Advisory Circle invites you to attend a community event in honour of the:

National Day for Truth and

submitted by OFA Over the past several months, the protection of Ontario farmland has been a key topic of discussion, both in the media and in the corridors of Queen’s Park.

As debate swirls around the Greenbelt and the provincial government’s plans to build 1.5 million new homes in Ontario by 2031, we wanted to clarify OFA’s stance on the issues.

Preserving agricultural lands for the purposes of food production and processing is a top priority for OFA. The best use — the only acceptable use — of arable farmland is for growing food, fuel, fibre and flowers. In order for future generations of Ontarians to have access to fresh, local food, Ontario’s farmland must be protected. Building on productive farmland jeopardizes Ontario’s agri-food system, threatens the food supply chain and undermines our food security and sovereignty.

Local food production and processing is also extremely vital to the Ontario economy, providing a significant economic impact. Ontario’s agri-food industry contributes more than $47 billion in GDP to Canada’s economy, supporting more than 860,400 jobs on more than 49,600 farms across the Province. Protecting these lands is and remains a main concern for OFA. But that does not mean that OFA is anti-development.

The housing crisis facing Ontario is real, and we understand the government’s need and plan to add more housing stock to the market. We also think that this plan can be achieved by building within existing urban boundaries — utilizing underdeveloped areas, reclaiming abandoned industrial lands and building up instead of out.

To this end, we remain a willing partner with government to find workable solutions that will address the housing crisis without taking farmland out of production.

September 28, 2023

Reconciliation Saturday, September 30, 2023 1:00 pm Ferguson Forest Arboretum 241 Honour Way, Kemptville

This day provides an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools.

For more information visit: www.northgrenville.ca/reconciliation

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More amore for good health

Have you had enough of the daily news about endless epic failures of humankind to get things right? What if everyone just made love a little more? Would we all be in a better place? The fact is, having sex – or more to the point, making love – is downright good for you.

We’ve said it before, and it bears repeating. Good sex is good exercise. Interesting acrobatics between two people involve a little stretching to limber up the muscles. Vigorous aerobic activity consumes calories.

Good exercise, no matter how you get it, will help fight off the demon of obesity. If couch potatoes traded watching TV with chips for a regular romp with their partners, there would be a lot less heart disease too.

A fair question though, is whether having sex could trigger a heart attack. In considering the far more likely ways you will leave this Earth, going out with a bang in the clutches of your loved one doesn’t seem that tragic.

If you can walk up a couple flights of stairs, then you are likely going to be all right with arousal in bed.

Numerous studies have shown that maintaining an active sex life is consistent with living a longer, healthier, and happier life.

A sense of humour is also key. Since when did sex have to be serious? Some people know how to play.

The French, for example, like to “faire une partie des jambes en l’air”, meaning to play a session of legs in the air. They raise the action to a dramatic ending with “le petit mort”, the little death.

Not all couples have the kind of relationship that allows for funny role play. But wouldn’t the world be better off if more people made up daytime tiffs with fun and fanciful night-time dramas in their bedrooms?

Pain relief is another benefit of sex. The hormone oxytocin can reach five times the normal level during sexual activity. This pays off for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Oxytocin releases endorphins, the body’s own morphine. If you have a headache, the better alternative to reaching for a pain killing pill is reaching for your partner. It’s an easy experiment and the results can be pleasurable.

Now for men, take note. Studies have found that greater ejaculation frequency is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. How? During orgasm, the muscles around the prostate gland contract pushing out prostate fluid. This naturally keeps the gland healthy, in keeping with the “use it or lose it” principle.

Researchers have also studied how other problems with the prostate can be treated with prescriptions for more sex, one way or another.

Making love might be a distraction from bigger battles. But it can be like building ramparts against invading armies too. Getting in a regular romantic groove means you are doing good maintenance in charging up the natural antibodies that boost immunity. One study found that people who have sex more than three times a month had lower incidence of viral infections than those having less sex. One wonders how big the difference would be if the research had investigated sex more than three times a week!

Today, too many people are reaching for antidepressants and sleeping pills to treat anxiety and insomnia. But this medication often causes side effects.

They forget the remedy found between the sheets.

Normal sex is the natural way to lessen tension and encourage sleep.

Maybe more amore would be good practice for world leaders too. Make love, not war, right? Alas, history tells us otherwise.

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.

September 28, 2023

The Voice of North Grenville

Health Unit introduces Health Unit issuing new client booking alert about risk of system infection from salon

submitted by Susan Healey Starting September 19, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit has adopted a virtual appointment booking system, Front Desk, for Infant Feeding Clinics, Sexual Health Clinics, Immunization Clinics, and Food Handler Training Courses.

This new user-friendly system allows clients the convenience of booking or cancelling appointments at certain clinics at any Health Unit office and service site across the tri-county 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Once appointments are booked, clients will receive a confirmation of booking and automatic reminders via SMS messages and/or email.

Additional features of Front Desk include the ability to make appointments for multiple people, such as family members or employees, and it is multilingual which improves access to Health Unit services for diverse communities.

“Until now, clients needed to call our offices, during our hours of business, and speak with a staff member to schedule or cancel an appointment,” said Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Linna Li. “Now, clients can book into our clinics and classes on their own time, cancel if needed and make appointments for groups of people easily. We are excited to take this next step in providing better client service and accessibility to our residents.”

To book appointments using Front Desk, visit healthunit.org and select Clinics and Classes from the menu at the top of the page. From there, choose the type of clinic, location and preferred booking date.

Community members are still able to contact the Health Unit via phone during business hours for all services.

For questions or concerns, please call the Health Unit at 1 800 660 5853 and remember to follow LGLHealthunit on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) for important public health updates.

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is issuing an alert to clients of 1000 Nails in Gananoque to consult their healthcare providers and discuss the risk of potential exposure to infections, including blood-borne infections such as Hepatitis B, C and to a lesser extent, HIV. Potential exposures may have occurred for clients who received services including manicures, pedicures and waxing services at the salon between March 2019 and August 18, 2023.

The Health Unit has identified that this operator may have used tools that were not properly cleaned and disinfected. While manicures, pedicures and waxing services are typically low risk for infection when proper infection prevention and control practices are followed, there is a risk that improper practices in this case may have caused skin infections from bacteria, and in rare circumstances may spread blood-borne infections. No infection or illness has been linked to this situation at this time. The Health Unit is taking this added precaution in response to repeated inspections that have identified significant infractions of public health requirements.

“We have worked diligently with the operator to ensure that they can demonstrate an understanding of infection control techniques, and that the necessary corrections have been made so the business can continue to operate” says Dr. Linna Li, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit.

More information about the IPAC Lapse, including more details about the Health Unit’s risk assessment for this situation, can be found on the website below under Infection Control Information. This website also includes an FAQ, a memo for healthcare providers, and a partially-completed laboratory requisition.

Please visit www.healthunit.org and click on the Infection Control Lapse tab for more information on the IPAC Lapse, and/or contact our toll free line at 1-800-660-5853 ext 2222.

Bereavement Support Group being offered at Beth Donovan Hospice man spirit and the capacity to find hope, strength and renewed purpose even amidst profound loss. In the embrace of a spousal loss support group, individuals can navigate the path from darkness to healing, finding a renewed sense of meaning and a network of companions who truly understand their unique journey of grief.

Meetings will take place on the second Wednesday of every month for 8 months at the hospice facility located at 1107 French Settlement Rd. Facilitated by trained bereavement volunteers, the sessions will offer a structured yet flexible format, allowing participants to express themselves and connect with others at their own pace.

If you or someone you know has experienced the

submitted by Sue Walker Losing a life partner can be an incredibly challenging and isolating experience, and the first year of grief can be particularly tough to navigate. The Beth Donovan Hospice is aware of the importance of connection during times of grief, and is offering a Spousal Loss Support Group beginning in October. The group aims to provide a safe and compassionate space for individuals to share their feelings, experiences and memories while finding support from others who are walking a similar path.

Group gathering will offer a platform for learning, offering valuable insights into the grieving process and practical coping strategies. Most importantly, it reaffirms the resilience of the hu8

loss of a spouse in the past year, we encourage you to join us. There is no cost to attend, and all are welcome. Registration is required.

To register or learn more about this support group, please contact Megan Dillenbeck at 613-258-9611 x 4 or via email at counselling@

bethdonovanhospice.ca.

Information can also be found on our website at bethdonovanhospice.ca.

Together, we can find healing, strength, and hope as we navigate the journey of grief and remember the love and joy our spouses brought into our lives.

THOMAS M. BYRNE Barrister and Solicitor

General Practice Corporate / Commercial Family Law Estates Real Estate Wills & Powers of Attorney tom@tmblaw.ca 613.258.1277 222 Prescott St., Kemptville

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73’s have to settle for one in season openers

Grady Logue combined with Matt Thomas and Ty Whyte for his second marker to secure a 2 - 1 victory during OT on Friday evening battle with Nepean Raiders.

by G.J. the sportsguy It has been five decades since the Kemptville 73’s were conceived as the Kemptville Comets in 1969 and then the change in 1973 taking the year “73’s” as their new name with the support from Ken Seymour, John “Doc” Henry, Bruce Cathcart, Forrest Christie, Keith Forbes, Wayne Pratt, Gerald Tallman, Alf Taylor, Don Valcour, and Ted Warren; they are still going strong after moving up a level from Jr. B to Junior A in 2007. A special Friday evening opener puck drop was held to celebrate the 50 year legacy with the alumni of the 73’s, Dave Valcour (1971 - 1975), Doug “Tor-

chy” Barnett (1972 - 1976), Doug Rigby (1979 - 1983) as well as Head Coach (1990 / 1991), and then GM (2001 - 2004), AGM (2013 - 2017), Brent “Slabbie” Evans (1979 - 1984) and Andy Pinhey (1980 - 1984).

After resounding applause from the 475 hockey fans, the Kemptville 73’s challenged the Nepean Raiders to walk away with a 2 to 1 victory.

Initial frame saw end to end fast and furious excitement as the 73’s spend the majority of their time in the opposition zone with results from a PP when Loretto dug it out of the trenches to Fennell to find Grady Logue PPG in the slot to

a bad scene with hungry Bears of Smiths Falls munching on the spoils of the Kemptville 73’s as they prowled and feasted with a 4 to zip slaughter.

It was a stopper clinic as Jacob Biron for Kemptville faced rubber with 18 to 7 to keep the frame scoreless.

The wheels came off for the 73’s in the second as the Bears struck with four unanswered markers as they plummeted their prey with a 19 to 5 shot count and found a way to get behind Kemptville’s D. Martin - Gaudreault with McIntosh to Matthew Dimaline jamming the blue paint at 1:23. Alex McIntosh from Wasmer with Martin - Gaudreault swarmed Jacob Biron at 1:30. At 3:54, Trevor Faucher with assists from Wasmer and Hails. Trevor Faucher posted his second goal with helpers from Stevenson and Lumsden at 4:14.

Final twenty remained scoreless as the punishment continued on Kemptville whenever they touched the puck and the four point

pull the trigger past John Gedraidis at 19:58 close out after twenty minutes.

Second stanza with Kemptville flooding their opposition without success to end the battle scoreless.

Last twenty with Nepean man advantage from Curtiss Sturgeon PPG with helpers by McGurn and Sinani to squeeze it through Jacob Biron at :33 to even it up at one to force OT to determine winner.

Within the first half minute, the magic of Thomas quarterbacking the attack to Whyte gliding across the umbrella to Grady Logue in the rocking chair for his second and the winning goal at :20.

Kemptville outgunned their adversary by 39 to 27 with 1/2 PP and Nepean with ¼ PP. The Coach was extremely pleased with the solid three zone game and confident that as the team buys into it, the system will show continued growth as the lines get comfortable with each other moving forward.

Sunday matinee was

#1

Jacob Biron Nickname: Biro, Birsy Born: Buffalo, NY., USA...July 26/2004 Position: Goalie Previous team: Kemptville 73’s Hockey hero Martin Biron, Hendrik Lunqvist Most inspiring person : My Grandpa Favourite movie : The Dark Knight Favourite TV show: The Office, Breaking Bad Favourite food : Chicken Wings Favourite sport (beside hockey): Baseball Life as Jr. A player : Get mentally, physically prepared to perform at the highest level; then do better One word that describes me : Outgoing

deficit was too much to claw back from as Smiths Falls rifled rubber at Jacob Biron yet again.

Smiths Falls hammered Kemptville 50 to 17 with both squads having 0/2 PP. Hawkesbury Hawks

will land in the 73’s barn on Wednesday for a 7 pm evening battle and then face the Ottawa Junior Senators for another home session at 7:30 pm on Friday.

Hockey with EDGE… see you around the boards.

Don’t Miss Our HOME SHOW & SHINE SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 30 11 - 4pm Maplestone Lakes, Kemptville, just off Hwy 43

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Hot & uch More And M Move in ready? ere!!! h t u o See y Come check out our Model Home’s & all the classic Cars!

September 28, 2023

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The Voice of North Grenville

Debbie Wilson, Judy Beveridge and volunteer face painter Lynx Drozna in background “I enjoy reading the NG Times each week and look forward to the news, opinion articles and letters. It's a wonderful way to keep our community informed and engaged.

Especially happy to get it this week in time to bring along on my camping trip.”

Doreen O'Sullivan

Local News: Food For Life Local news sources have always been part of an essential diet for small businesses and organizations like the Old Town Kemptville BIA. The BIA relies heavily on local news sources to share information about their programming and activities with their members and with the rest of the community.

Local news sources provide small businesses with the opportunity to reach their local market through advertising.

The local market is the demographic that most often provides the largest part of a small businesss revenue. Local news sources also sometimes provide other services like graphic design, printing and editorial services to help businesses create marketing materials.

Additionally, both the BIA and small businesses also rely on local news sources to provide essential information about what’s happening in the community, with municipal government and how larger societal issues may impact our local community. This information is often critical for good decision-making and planning.

A community without local news would be sadly uninformed, and vulnerable to negative outcomes from poor planning and decision-making. Local news is part of an essential diet for a healthy and vibrant community.

I look forward to opening up the NG Times to see what great articles have been submitted each week. I read from front to back and back to front. The positive articles, negatives and mid range. Recipes from Paul Cormier, Op Ed’s, Baldwins Birds, letters to the editor, Heritage articles, stories and opinions. I always come out with a better understanding of the community we live in.

Debbie Wilson

Local students Sydney and Carter Blake, volunteering at the B&H Breakfast Community newspapers play a vital role in promoting local arts and culture.

They cover events, showcase artists, and provide a platform for community members to share their creative work.

This fosters a sense of cultural identity and supports the arts within the community.

Jayne Couch SCA JCouchMolony.ca “Community newspapers are essential to the functioning of local democracy [and “all politics is local”] and the local economy.”

Thomas M. Byrne,Barrister & Solicitor

You might think that our small, local newspaper is just like any other, but it's not. Our small, local newspaper connects us through articles that are relevant and unique to the residents of North Grenville. Nancy Morgan Local newspapers have always been very important to me. Not only as a means to advertise my businesses, but also to glean the happenings of my local community. I’ve especially enjoyed gathering clippings for close to 40 years, of photos and articles of family members. What a thrill to see these familiar faces in print and celebrate our successes as a community.

As more news media switches to digital broadcasting, our community needs to recognize the value of supporting local newspapers. Especially in rural areas where internet can be spotty. As well, local reporters provide a community perspective that uniquely connects us. In my opinion, Digital media can’t compete with the same local focus and presence as print papers. It’s just not the same.

I rely on my local newspaper to stay informed as to what is happening in my community Andre Rancourt September 28, 2023

The North Grenville Times plays a very important role in our community. It informs and updates us on local matters, provides a forum for us to express our opinions, has excellent editorials and articles on a broad range of topics, lists upcoming activities each week, is supportive of local charity organizations, and is a reliable and reputable source of news in this community. The Times has been the recipient of several well deserved awards of excellence. BRAVO!!!

Sincerely, Jude Fader-Levere and Joan Simpson Co-Chairs of Friends of NGPL

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Local sports star making North Grenville proud! Hunter’s Moon Dinner Municipality to host

Jack Chevalier and Team Ontario are now the National champions, being undefeated throughout the recent lacrosse tournament in which they played.

Their next tournament is in October in Baltimore. Team Ontario will compete against Team Haudenosaunee and Team USA. Great job to Zack – a local sports star making North Grenville proud!

submitted by Ken Mews In order to continue to offer the programmes and services that the NGHS provides to the community, we have to conduct frequent fundraising events. THE HUNTER'S MOON DINNER at the W.B. George Centre, Kemptville Campus at 7:00 pm on Saturday, October 21, 2023 promises to be one that all can enjoy. It will feature a full course buffet dinner based on recipes from "Butter the Size of an Egg", our highly successful heritage cookbook, catering by Erick LePors, of Dial a Chef, live music by Mary Moore's jazz quartet, "Four on the Floor," costumes, dancing (if you are so inclined), cash bar, door prize, raffles, and good company supporting a worthy cause.

Tickets are now available at $50 per person. We have a Title Sponsor at $1,000, but we are still looking for Silver $500 and/or Bronze $250 sponsors. Or consider buying a table for eight for $400 and reselling seats to your friends or colleagues.

For further information or to reserve tickets, call 613 258 4401 (Wednesday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm) or email nghshistoryhub@gmail.com.

Beat the Fall rush, call for a quote

Ron's

Small Engine Repair 613.258.9720

ronssmallengines@outlook.com 1 Jayland Drive, Kemptville

Mayor for a Day contest

submitted by Jill Sturdy, Municipality of NG The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee, in collaboration with the Municipality of North Grenville, is proud to host its first Mayor for a Day contest with Mayor Nancy Peckford on October 18, 2023.

Inspired by North Grenville’s 25th Anniversary events, North Grenville’s Mayor for a Day contest is a forward-looking opportunity to engage local youth in municipal politics and civic issues.

Students in Grades 9 to 12 who live in North Grenville are invited to apply by outlining their vision for making North Grenville a better place to live and suggestions for how to make it happen. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to experience a day with Mayor Peckford.

“I am thrilled to be hosting this first Mayor for a Day event in North Grenville. It's a great way for young leaders in our community to not only learn more about municipal politics and get to know their local Council, but to shine the light on issues that youth care about,” highlighted Mayor Nancy Peckford.

The successful applicant will shadow Mayor Peckford, have the chance to meet all members of Council, and attend key meetings where they can share their perspective and ideas. They will also get a tour of the Municipal Centre and key facilities, and will briefly take over the Municipality’s Instagram account.

The deadline to apply is Monday, October 9th.

Diverse and dynamic youth are invited to apply. Details, including how to apply, are available at www. northgrenville.ca/Mayor4aDay.

(across from old Bingo Hall)

The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee invites you to apply to be

Share your ideas for positive change in North Grenville and you could win the title of Mayor for a Day and the opportunity to shadow Mayor Nancy Peckford to gain valuable insights into the workings of local government.

Open to students in grades 9 through 12 who live in North Grenville.

Application deadline is Monday, October 9, 2023

northgrenville.ca/Mayor4aDay

September 28, 2023

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The Voice of North Grenville

The North Grenville Times

CLASSIFIEDS

CROSSWORD

classifieds@ngtimes.ca FOR SALE CR AFSTMAN scnowblower used, runs like new. $400 cash only.

C a l l D o u g 613 - 2 5 8 4573 Cash paid for old fishing lures and tackle.

Contact Albert 613 5524076 H A LLOW EEN B LOW UPS. I am selling all my hall owe e n d e c o rations.There are 8 -9 very unique large blow ups along with more decorations, please call 613-215-0884 Ve r i to n e m a n o d o l i n, $375 or best offer. Call 613-567-8533 TV Stand, walker, exercise bike. Contact Terry @ 613-294-2590 Mens Ten Speed Bike for sale, gently used and in great condition. $50.00 firm. Send email t o f r a s e r r j 6 7 0 410 @ gmail.com Saw mill for Sale.

Heavy duty dimensional sawmill (Southern) for sale. Equipped with two 20 -inch edger blades a n d a 3 2- i n c h m a i n blade, which produces a finished board with each pass. Ideal for quarter sawing hardwood flooring. Max cutting size is 6” X 12” x 20 ft. This mill is in good operating condition and is equipped with a 4-cylinder, 60 hp diesel engine The mill is located near Merrickville, ON. Phone 613-258-3854 Cedar posts and rails for sale. Jon 613-227-3650.

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

Dry firewood for sale $110 a cord plus delivery fee.

Call or text Jon 613-2273650

MISCELLANEOUS HISTORIC HALL AVAILABLE FOR RENTALS in Beautiful Burritts Rapids!

Start a book club in time for cooler weather in a hamlet near walking trails and parkettes. Our hall is well

September 28, 2023

equipped for any gathering or celebration, and we offer very competitive rates. http://burrittsrapids.com Seeking video footage of Reach For The Top/ School Reach games involving Tagwi Secondary School.

From 1974 through 2019. Happy to convert old formats. CBC Ottawa destroyed all their old footage, so I am hoping there may be some in old boxes and basements out there somewhere. Other Reach paraphernalia also welcome. Contact bbilmer01@gmail. com

FOR RENT

Looking to harvest cedar trees for hedges off acreages from landowners. Please call Joanne 613-799-0958 Experienced+local farming family looking to buy a farm. Min. 10ac tillable with a liveable house.

Open to creative solutions. davidrbailie@gmail.com.

Looking to rent farmland for cash crops.

Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204.

GARAGE SALE Sept 28 &29. 9am-3pm.

457 Gladstone St, Winchester.

Household items, collectables, rain barrel, toys and Christmas items

Room for an individual on the second floor of a 2-storey house in Oxford Mills. Includes a private washroom, a small amount of storage, parking and all utilities for $800/month yART Sale , Sunday, Available October 1st. Oct. 15 9am-4pm. Mastoth@ihsa.ca sonic Hall, 311 Van Buren St. Kemptville. Jim Moran & Gary Blake.

WANTED We are purging our inventories.

Offering U s e d l i c e n s e p l a t e s most pieces for $5 to wanted 613 302 6288 $20

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 commencing September 28. 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, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, doors open at noon NG Duplicate Bridge Club, Masonic Lodge 311 Van Buren Kemptville, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 12:15. All Levels of bridge players are welcome. Info call 613-795-7155 EUCHRE on Tuesday, October 3, 17, 31, November 14, 28, and December 12 at Pierce's Corners, also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road.

Registration starts at 1:00 p.m. and play starts at 1:30 p.m. $5 per player. For information, contact debiar@ymail.com BID EUCHRE on Tuesday, October 10, 24, November 7, 21, December 5, and 19 at Pierce's Corners, also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road.

Registration starts at 1:00 p.m. and play starts at 1:30 p.m. $5 per player. For information, contact debiar@ymail.com KLUB 67 EUCHRE Join us for fun, social euchre games taking place every 2nd and 4th Wednesday monthly at 1pm, September to May. Location: Kemptville Legion, 100 Reuben Cres, Kemptville. Everyone welcome, $5. To play, cash prizes.

UPCOMING EVENTS FISH FRY October 21:St. Paul's Presbyterian Church Hall, 319 Prescott Street, Kemptville, 4:30 - 7:30 PM. Eat in or Take Out. Tickets: $20.00 for adults, $15.00 for children 12 and under. For tickets or details: leslie@claxondirect.com or call 613-258-0384.

WIZARD CARD GAME TOURNAMENT on Sunday, October 22 at Pierce's Corners, also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at noon and play starts at 12:30 p.m. $5 per player. For information contact debiar@ymail.com.

Comedy Date Night hosted by NGCF. Saturday October 28 @ 6pm, at WB George Centre Campus Drive. Details at www.NGCF.ca/events

ACROSS 1. Mother 5. Sign of healing 9. A stubborn person 13. French for "State" 14. Bush 16. Diva's solo 17. Custom 18. A piece of flat furniture 19. Fluff 20. Extra 22. Reduced prices 24. An international trade treaty 26. Happen again 27. Rudaceous rock 30. Flourish 33. Tanned skins 35. Forays 37. Abate 38. Dash 41. Small mouthful 42. Postpone

45. Malleable 48. Fable 51. Distended 52. Of a pelvic bone 54. Soft drink 55. Christmas greenery 59. Abatement 62. Bright thought 63. About 65. Egyptian river 66. Level 67. Legislate 68. Pitch 69. Celebration 70. Delight 71. Break in two DOWN 1. Kittens' cries 2. At the peak of 3. Achievable 4. Entice 5. Supersonic transport 6. Blacken

7. Shady retreat 8. Projectile 9. Protozoal infection 10. Acid related to gout 11. Connect 12. Consumes food 15. Burp 21. Carve in stone 23. Prickle 25. Connections 27. Hemorrhaged 28. Insurrectionist 29. Circle fragment 31. Any disaster or catastrophe 32. Ancient Roman magistrate 34. Boozer 36. Didn't dillydally 39. Sphere 40. After-bath powder 43. Stir up 44. Scream 46. Not warm 47. Natural abilities 49. Daughter of a sibling 50. Seeing socially 53. Reef material 55. Annoy 56. Inactive 57. Chair 58. Behold, in old Rome 60. Arm bone 61. Chick's sound 64. Consumed

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

Easy

Hard

12

Medium

Solution to last week’s Crossword

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The Voice of North Grenville

The North Grenville Times

Arts & Culture Advisory Committee is seeking your input submitted by Jill Sturdy, Municipality of NG The Municipality of North Grenville’s Arts and Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC) is excited to announce the launch of North Grenville’s arts and culture survey, open from September 20 to October 9, 2023.

“We invite everyone to take a moment to complete this survey. Feedback will provide insight into how residents view arts and culture opportunities in North Grenville, such as identifying what we are doing well and how we can better support the arts and culture community,” highlighted Mayor Nancy Peckford.

The survey can be found

on the website at

www.northgrenville. ca/arts.

“Culture and the arts are woven into the fabric of our community. They inspire and enrich the lives of residents and boost North Grenville’s appeal to businesses looking to establish themselves in the area. We look forward to hearing how we can continue to foster a strong arts and culture community,” emphasized Deputy Mayor John Barclay and Co-Chair of the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.

Community Consultation – October 21, 2023 In addition to the survey,

residents are invited to attend a community consultation session facilitated by Réseau SPARC Network on Saturday October 21, 2023 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the North Grenville Municipal Centre. This consultation session aims to bring together residents, stakeholders, and creators to help inform how we can better support arts and culture in North Grenville.

If you are interested in attending this free community consultation, please register online at www. northgrenville.ca/arts.

"The ACAC can't wait to hear what residents think about arts and culture in North Grenville. The survey

and community consultation results will act as a crucial guide in the development of the ACAC committee work plan, allowing us to make informed recommendations to Council that will improve the creation of, and access to, arts and culture in NG," said Arts and Culture Advisory Committee Co-Chair Lisa Poushinsky.

If you have any questions about the survey or consultation, or need assistance filling out the survey, please contact Rachel Marks, Executive Director of Réseau SPARC Network at rachel@sparcperformingarts.com.

What makes a champion of the truth?

When you think of a champion, what comes to mind? Perhaps an athlete with a gold medal or a student winning an academic trophy? But what about another type of champion, the people who stand up for and defend our democracy - not with physical prowess, but with their words.

Champions of the truth. These champions are hardworking individuals from the newspaper industry who produce high-quality, local news that cannot be found anywhere else.

In honour of National Newspaper Week (October 1-7, 2023), here are three defining characteristics that make the people behind our presses champions of the truth.

Stands up for the truth Fighting for the truth is integral to being a champion, but what does standing up for the truth mean? It means a commitment to sharing factual news so that people have the tools to make informed decisions.

Standing up for the truth is not always easy, but it's what champions do.

Contributes to their community Champions cover stories and share information that helps to keep people connected. True champions are invested in making their communities better places.

Champions know what September 28, 2023

their communities need - not just because they report on them, but because they are a part of them - and are often the first to raise their hand to help out. They could be volunteering for a local little league, sitting on an industry board, or helping to pave the way for the next generation.

Inspires the next generation Champions are dedicated to their craft; their work speaks for itself and inspires others. They may uncover stories that impact the nation or their local community, but no matter what, they are committed to telling these stories and getting crucial information to the people who need it. Through their work, they show others a path forward to a vibrant career in news media, encouraging the next generation to get

involved. Their work impacts real people and real communities and encourages others to follow in their footsteps.

Does this sound like someone you know? If you read your local news, you might be interacting with a champion of the truth and not even know it.

That's why, each National Newspaper Week, honouring those who contribute to the industry is important. This year, News Media Canada is paying tribute to Canada's champions of the truth by creating a first-ever illustrated book entitled "Champions." This book features the stories of no-

table Canadians from the news media industry who are integral to what keeps our democracy thriving through vibrant, independent and local news media.

Learn more about National Newspaper Week and show your support for the industry by purchasing a copy of the Champions book (starting October 1) and downloading the "Champions" font at www.ChampionsoftheTruth.ca.

Friends of NGPL presents

To the Moon and Back An evening of stories and songs with Ottawa StoryTellers

Silent Auction | Complimentary Refreshments Proceeds go towards a new kids computer

Doors open 6:30pm, Showtime 7pm

October 21, 2023 North Grenville Public Library 1 Water Street, Kemptville, ON

$20. Tickets available for purchase at NGPL MELISSA OTTENHOF

Performances by

Marketing Consultant

Susan Sweeney Hermon

Phone:613 329 0209 Email: melissa@ngtimes.ca

Sponsored by:

Tom Lips

13

Jack Pyl

Gail Anglin

Adam Turner

On August 9th 2023 Adam Turner died in a tragic motorcycle accident in Westland, Michigan, his place of residence. He is survived by his beautiful partner Vanessa Mendez (Turner) and beloved son Casey Turner; loving parents Michael and Imogen Turner; cherished siblings Samantha Turner-Lahey, Russell Turner and Michael Lahey; and adored niece Blake and nephews Carter, Victor and Oshea; precious dog Pito; and countless family members and close friends. Anyone who had the pleasure of having met Adam knows he was truly one of a kind. Truly. His fierce loyalty, quick wit, contagious laugh, zest for life, immense intelligence and deep love for his family shone through everything he did. The world has lost one of its best sparks. Please send your strength as we need to borrow some to help us all wrap our head around his death. To honour him please share your stories of him widely and have a shot of Fireball. We’re not sure where we go from here. For now we will take it one breath at a time.

Gathering with family and friends on Sunday, October 1st from 1-4 PM at the Kemptville Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry 805 Prescott Street Kemptville.

Adam wanted the world for his son Casey. A bank account for Casey’s education has been set up to honour this. American family can use Venmo @ caseyturnersfuture and Canadians can send an etransfer to caseyturnerfund@gmail.com.

Condolences/Tributes/Donations Hulse, Playfair & McGarry www.hpmcgarry.ca

The Food Corner The BLTC Sandwich

Every year, I believe it is an obligation to savour the last of our garden’s tomatoes and lettuce to produce a Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato sandwich. The “C” I have added is for some tasty cheese.

Ingredients (per sandwich) • 2 slices of whole wheat bread • 2 or 3 slices of the best tomato you can pick • 3 slices of a good quality bacon 1 slice of iceberg lettuce or whatever lettuce you grew this year • 3 slices of a flavourful cheese, such as an old cheddar • Mayonnaise Preparation • Fry up your bacon to the point where it is still flat and not too crispy • Remove the bacon, pour out most of the fat • Toast your bread lightly, then toast further in the remaining bacon fat • Coat your bread with mayonnaise • Layer your tomatoes, bacon and cheese • Give your sandwich about 45 seconds in the microwave oven • Cut the sandwich diagonally for serving For more sandwiches, just adjust your ingredients and start a production line. This is where everyone partaking of the sandwiches can help out. Serve with a tankard of your favourite ale or a chilled iced tea. For vegetarians, simply skip the bacon; you still get the goodness of the tomato and lettuce.

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The Voice of North Grenville

KYC annual golf tournament

Baldwin's Birds

Like Geleynse, Nancy Peckford, Daren Givoque, and Bruce Wehlau.

A quiet transition period

submitted by Bruce Wehlau The Kemptville Youth Centre held its 11th Golf Tournament at Rideau Glen on Friday, September 15. There were many generous sponsors led by Geleynse Earthworks and auction prize donations; these included a Salamanders restaurant dinner for two with Mayor Nancy Peckford which, after vigorous bidding conducted by Daren Givoque of O’Farrell Financial, was jointly won by Andre Rancourt and Like Geleynse for $550! All proceeds go to KYC and will go a long way to covering their annual utility and other running costs. KYC thanks all volunteers, golfers, and sponsors – visit KYC facebook for photos.

Birds of Prey show

submitted by Lynne Tyler The annual Birds of Prey show returned to North Grenville this year, after a hiatus during COVID. Over 400 residents came to the arboretum to see the two presentations hosted by Friends of the Ferguson Forest and featuring Matthew Morgan from The Eyrie, a raptor conservancy group based near Peterborough.

Matt introduced the crowds to five wonderful birds of prey: - Harris’s Hawk (often found in the deserts of the southwestern USA and far from home), - Redtail Hawk (very much a local resident and often seen in North Grenville), September 28, 2023

- Kestrel (a beautiful little guy also often seen in our skies or perched on wires), - Great Horned Owl (which flies on silent wings in and around our neighbourhoods, but is rarely seen because of its stillness and great camouflage), - Bald Eagle (a majestic creature which was probably the start of the show).

Matt walked through the audience with each of the birds, to give everyone a close-up view and also enticed the birds to take short flights so all present could witness their full plumage and wingspan in flight.

While showing the audience these impressive birds, Matt delivered a

talk that was both informative and entertaining, drawing in the spectators, especially the younger ones, with questions and fascinating tidbits about each raptor.

Did you know that the kestrel, one of the smallest birds of prey, can be enticed to stay near your house with a kestrel box to live in, and in return will keep your mouse population down? Or that it is all right to return a baby bird to its nest, because birds have no sense of smell and so will not be put off by the smell of humans? And for the same reason, owls are very fond of eating skunks and are unaffected by their powerful scent?

Matt told the audience that twenty years ago, bald eagles were almost extinct because of the pesticide DDT. Public outcry led to banning DDT and bald eagles have made an amazing comeback. It was a reminder that we have responsibilities to protect nature if we want to continue to enjoy the benefits that the wild land brings to us.

The Friends of Ferguson Forest would like to thank our sponsors for the Birds of Prey show, Pet Valu and North Grenville Tourism, for their generous support, and also members of the audience who kindly gave donations. Together, these 14

contributions covered the cost of the show and provided a modest surplus to put towards the work of Friends.

The Friends of Ferguson Forest Centre is a completely volunteer organization committed to protecting Ferguson Forest and maintaining it for the enjoyment of community members.

FFFC holds a number of activities over the year open to the public, including interpretive walks in the Forest, and educational events such as the Birds of Prey show. For more information, please go to the website (https:// www.friendsofthefergusonforest.com)

A couple of Hummingbirds left here the day after I had made my statement to you all that I thought that the Hummingbirds had already gone! Wrong again, John! They appeared as large as life the very next day, just to make me look foolish ( easily done),---which they did, but only for then, because I haven't seen them since! My other prediction, about hearing the Canada Geese transiting through, came through a few days later and I have seen a couple of good sized skeins of them passing by overhead, chattering to each other as they passed. No doubt in the next couple of weeks, we shall see a lot more of them if the weather continues to get colder. The trees will also rapidly change their colours too as fall once more takes its hold as a prelude to the upcoming winter months.

Continuing this article on a cooler but sunny day, my faithful flock of Rock Pigeons, about 15-20 of them, are patiently lined up along our Hydro line waiting for "Farmer John", as my wife calls me on the occasions that they do it, to come and restock my (their) feeders! They then gracefully descend to spend their next few minutes vying for the best spots to feed, sometimes partaking of a drink from the bird bath.

Many regard these birds as a nuisance, particularly farmers, but I find them to be very reassuring. on a daily basis, that life still goes on regardless of the time of the year or what the weather is doing. I hope that you too find some comfort and solace on the occasions that you get to watch the birds and enjoy their presence, and that you find it a calming influence in the daily "rat race" that we have created for ourselves but that doesn't have the same effect on them! Whilst you are enjoying these special moments, remember to stay safe and well.

Cheers, John Baldwin

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Adopt a Book and support your library

submitted by Rachel Brown, NGPL Each fall, the North Grenville Public Library does its biggest book order of the year, bringing in the latest and greatest books for patrons of all ages. We know how much our patrons love their tried-and-true authors, and we are always on the lookout for talented new authors.

This year, we have started a new tradition at the North Grenville Public Library, our Fall Adopt-a-Book Campaign.

Following the great success of a similar campaign by our Friends of the Library group in 2021, we decided to bring it back in style. You’ll find our dazzling display at the front of the Kemptville branch, featuring a variety of genres and something for everyone.

Some books adopted so far include The Exchange: After the Firm by John Grisham, Bittlemores by Jann Arden, and Dork Diaries 15: Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure

by Rachel Renee Russell. And there are plenty more to be adopted, so come into the Library and have a look. You become the first in line to read the book you adopt when it arrives, and a “Donated by” bookplate will be put inside with your name on it. This campaign goes until October 21, 2023. See you soon at your Library!

September 28, 2023

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30 has been designated as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and Canada has issued a special design to mark the occasion. It contains three illustrations: an eagle representing First Nations, a narwhal representing Inuit, and a violin representing Métis. These illustrations are placed around the sun and surrounded by multicoloured smoke that represents Indigenous traditions, spirituality, inclusion and diversity.

Reconciliation needs truth

by David Shanahan Next Saturday, September 30, is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and the main emphasis will be, as it ought to be, on the issue of Indian Residential Schools and their legacy. Every Child really does Matter, but there is a need for a wider perspective on Indigenous history and what Canadians need to know about it. There is a fairly widespread attitude in the country that Indigenous people “get everything for nothing”, that there is, somehow, an unfair advantage that they have over the rest of Canada.

There’s no real grounds for that belief, it’s just there.

And it could not be more unfair and untrue.

Canadians like to think that they’re basically decent people, wanting justice and fair play for all.

I think that if most Canadians knew more about Indigenous history and their current status under the law, there would be widespread outrage, just as there was when the question of Residential School cemeteries became a public concern a couple of years ago.

You may have heard something on the news last week about a court case in Thunder Bay where Indigenous communities in the Robinson Superior Treaty area were looking for billions of dollars in compensation from the Canadian Government.

That might seem to confirm the idea that they always “have their hands out”. But again, the facts are generally unknown to the wider public. Think of the area covered by the two Robinson treaties of

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1850: all the land north of lakes Huron and Superior, almost as far as Hudson’s Bay. Now, think of the value of the trees, fish, gold, copper, uranium and other natural resources that have been taken from that territory since 1850.

Think also of the value of Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, and all the towns and factories included in the region. What is the overall value of that? What do the Indigenous people get in return for “surrendering” that land in 1850. I shall tell you: each and every man, woman and child living under that treaty get the princely sum of $4 per year.

The litigation in Thunder Bay, following similar court action in the Robinson Huron treaty area, is to recover what was promised, but never fulfilled, in those treaties over 170 years. When they signed the treaties, the Indigenous communities believed they would be sharing the wealth with the Canadian government. Instead, they were denied commercial licenses to compete with non-Indigenous companies in exploiting natural resources. Licenses to cut timber on their lands were given to others, and residents on reserves were denied the right to cut wood on their own reserve lands to sell in order to feed their children.

Indigenous communities were, for many years, legally confined to reserves, and not permitted to leave without the permission of the Indian Agent. When they tried to go to court, the Indian Act was amended to make

it illegal for them to hire lawyers to plead their case. They were not allowed to write to the government to seek redress; all communication had to go through the Agent, who was often the one denying them their rights.

But it is not just in the past that injustice is found. Communities have the right to submit claims against the Crown for past grievances; but it is the Crown which decides whether the claim is accepted; it is the Crown which decides the rules under which claims are researched, presented, judged, and settled. It is, to a very large extent, a farce, a sham, window dressing to make it look like the Crown cares and is serious about settling historical grievances.

As someone who has worked with and for Indigenous communities in this field for more than 30 years, I can tell you with confidence that the rules are stacked against claimants, and that the Crown changes the rules whenever we can find a way through them. Year after year, government officials attend conferences and make the same speeches they made the previous year, promising the same new transparent and open relationship. But nothing really changes. A draft Agreement was reached recently between Ontario, Canada, and the 21 communities in the Robinson Huron Treaty area regarding that compensation I mentioned earlier.

Big announcements were made, although neither the provincial nor the federal government have yet to approve the pro-

posed deal. And, right after making a big public relations pitch about this great deal, the Ontario Government appealed it to the Supreme Court!

Canadians are concerned and involved in many human rights issues around the world. They campaign against climate change, the housing crisis, and prejudice of all kinds. But right under their noses is an injustice that has been going on unceasingly for generations, and they know little or nothing about it.

I believe that, if they did, they would be angry and ashamed of how their governments have treated other residents of this land. Surely, we need to educate ourselves on how Indigenous peoples have been treated here. Maybe we can stand on guard for them too.

Send in your letters to the editor to editor@ngtimes.ca

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Farmers support harvest season road safety

by Tracey Arts, Director, OFA As harvest time in Ontario ramps up at this time of year, all of us are likely to see a lot more tractors, combines, and other farmrelated vehicles on our roads and highways. In fact, next to spring planting season, harvest is the busiest time of year for farmers as we travel on roadways between multiple locations.

My family and I farm in Oxford County, an area located approximately between Woodstock and Lon-

don in Southwestern Ontario. It’s where a lot of corn and soybeans are grown, so we know there will be plenty of tractors, wagons and trucks on the road hauling those crops to grain elevators and on-farm storages in the coming weeks.

This makes traffic safety for both farmers and motorists absolutely essential so that we can avoid accidents on our roads and highways.

At the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), we’re always active at this time of year, in particular to encourage drivers to be patient and alert around slow moving vehicles as well as reminding farmers to be cautious and courteous when they’re taking equipment on the road.

OFA is supportive of activities that help promote the importance of road safety;

it’s something we do all year long with billboard, radio, news and social media messaging. We all have families and friends we want to get home to safely.

Operating large farm equipment on the road runs a higher risk than most at any time of the year, but when roadways become busier, traffic gets heavier and the weather begins to impact visibility, it’s imperative that we keep this top of mind throughout harvest season.

According to federal government data, slow moving vehicles are 3.8 to 4.8 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision per kilometre on the road than other motor vehicles.

OPP statistics show that farm slow moving vehicle injuries and fatalities are mostly related to rollovers and these generally occur

while entering, exiting, or crossing roadways, veering off the shoulder and accidents involving a motor.

We recognize the high speed pace of today’s world, whether it’s commuting for work, travelling for school or running around for sports and recreational activities – and it needs to be a priority to take the extra few seconds or minutes to pass farm equipment safely. Passenger vehicles incorrectly passing farm equipment result in serious accidents or death.

Shockingly, eight out of 10 accidents occur during the day and seven out of 10 occur on dry road conditions.

Motorists, here’s what you can do to prevent road accidents this harvest season: • Watch out for orange triangles on the back of farm equipment. These

are slow moving vehicle signs that mean we legally can’t go faster than 40 km/hour.

• Pay attention to indicator lights and remember that a gap between a slow moving vehicle and an oncoming car or truck can close very quickly.

• Be patient and pass only when it’s safe. Farm equipment is much larger than it used to be, and many rural roads have narrow shoulders that often prevent farmers from pulling off to the side safely to let motorists pass.

Farmers have a vital role to play in road safety as well. This includes: • Conduct a daily 360-degree safety check of your equipment before leaving the farm.

•

Ensure your hitches, brakes, tires and PTOs are well-maintained and road ready.

• Make sure your lights are working properly and that your slow moving vehicle sign is visible and secure.

• Don’t be on your mobile device while driving. What applies in a motor vehicle applies while operating farm equipment too – distracted driving is distracted driving.

Together, we can make our roads safer, our communities stronger and support our farmers to continue providing the food, fuel, flowers and fibre we all depend on.

Let’s make sure everyone returns home safe and sound this harvest season.

Live Music Pancake Breakfast Guided Trails Walks Syrup Demonstration Saturday September 30th & Sunday October 1st 10:00 am - 4:00 pm WITH

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FallinLoveNG Presented by: On The Bend Sugar Shack and the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association in partnership with the Kemptville Campus Agroforestry Centre September 28, 2023

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