Issue 3 2023 January 26 NG Times

Not just a children’s book

an extra $5 per book on top of printing costs allows it to be donated to a good cause. Finding a worthy cause came after Jennifer met Svitlana Kominko of the Maple Hope Foundation. Project Liza is one of the Foundation’s initiatives, named after a young Ukrainian girl who was killed on her way to a routine appointment. Project Liza delivers direct financial assistance to the hardest hit families with children in Ukraine. Funds from the project provide things such as food, evacuation, heating, clothing, and school supplies to these Ukrainian families.

by Brandon Mayer

A new children’s book by North Grenville author Jennifer Gow tells many stories beyond its pages. The book started as an idea about a year ago, when Jennifer wanted an opportunity to connect with her niece, Christianne, with whom she was close when Christianne was a child. The pair realized that a common interest would be creating a children’s book, which had been a backburner goal of Jennifer’s for a number of years.

“It was a little awkward at first,” said Jennifer of learning to work remotely with Christianne, who lives in Calgary. “The story evolved from just talking over video chat.” Young people that Jennifer conferred with encouraged her,

saying that in their experience, it is very possible to have a good connection with someone else remotely.

Christianne has a young son, Jackson, who was not quite a year old at the time. She suggested that her son’s stuffed toy owl could be the main character of their story. Their task then became trying to figure out what kind of “adventures” the owl could find itself in. When it came to illustrations for the book, Jennifer originally assumed she would do them since she loves to paint and draw. Christianne had a different, unique idea. She photographed her son sitting in a laundry basket with a stuffed toy, and then used a mobile phone app to turn the photo into a cartoon-style picture. “I thought it looked kind of good!” said Jennifer. “And I

thought well now what am I going to do?”

Jennifer ended up doing the storyboard for the book, deciding on and sketching the illustrations that would be required for the story. These various “scenes” were then staged, photographed, and turned into cartoons for the book. Jennifer stressed that modern technology makes wonderful things possible, such as collaborating on a project from thousands of kilometres away.

Besides being a project for Christianne’s son, and an exercise in regaining closeness for an aunt and her niece, the book has now also taken on a humanitarian role as a fundraiser for children in Ukraine.

Jennifer knew that printing costs would need to be recuperated, and charging

While the new children’s book may be about Louis and his adventures, the stories created by this project spearheaded by an aunt and her niece are just as exciting. Relationships were built and strengthened, and with each book purchase, the world is one step closer to being a better place. “This story started out as relationship building, and it ended up being relationship building in a broader sense,” said Jennifer.

The children’s book, called “The Adventures of Louis and the Laundry”, is now completed and is available for purchase at the B&H grocery store or the Brewed Awakenings coffee bar, both in Kemptville. Pick up a new story to read to the kids, all while supporting a great cause.

Author Jennifer Gow poses with her inspirational friend, Svitlana Kominko from the Maple Hope Foundation. Photo by Cathy Raina

Young Men, Middle Aged and Old Men Too, the Kemptville Male Choir Needs You, Now!!

submitted by John Baldwin

We are about fifteen, not so young men, who just love to sing, And combine all our voices, Tenors, Baritone and Bass, to do our musical thing! Many of us have done this, quite well, for many a year, And our deep rich harmony has brought joy, to many a listening ear. We go out and we sing at Seniors’ retirement homes, churches and all sorts of events, And have even sung at a Plowing Match under a marquee type tent!

We are not professional singers, most can’t pick out, to sing, individual notes from a scale, But the sound when we listen and then sing, just becomes perfection when we set out, our listeners to regale.

We sing for the love of it and want this pleasure to continue, Which is why we are making this open appeal to you.

We are not a church choir who solely religious songs sing, We have a wide repertoire and sing all different kinds of musical things. Folk, pop and other well-known songs, just show us the score, We practice and sing it until our sound is just right, and when it is, our audiences definitely want more.

So, if you already are a singer, or one who just sings in the bath, Come and join us, for we are also well known for having good fun and a laugh. You too would be welcomed, in answer to our request, This we say and not just in jest!

For our numbers are dwindling drastically and need to be replenished, Which, we hope that you can do, once you have read this and finished.

Don’t be shy, just give us a call, and search us out on our own web-site, We practice in Kemptville 7-9 pm each Tuesday night, From Ottawa we are due south on the of Prince of Wales Drive, or the 416, your choice by car, There are members who travel from Smiths Falls and Russell, who don’t think it too far. If you would like a preview of the things that we do, Then come to one of our practices or one of our upcoming performances, we’d like to meet you.

Thank you from the members of the Kemptville Male Choir.

KMC contacts:

John Baldwin 613-258-0835

Chris Morgan 613-258-7559

The Food Corner

By Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

We just had a family favourite for dinner, Sweet and Sour Beef Stew. Beth substituted deer meat from our freezer and it turned out really good! This recipe will work with beef, pork or venison and may also become one of your family’s favourites. So here is Sweet and Sour Beef Stew. By the way, this dish is adapted from a 1972 cookbook from Better Homes and Gardens entitled All Time Favourite Beef Recipes. Our house and restaurant shelves are filled with cookbooks we have picked up over the years (we’re addicted to them…)

Sweet and Sour Beef Stew

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds of beef stewing meat (or pork of venison) cut into 1 inch cubes

2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

1 cup of shredded raw carrots

1 cup of sliced onions

1

-8 ounce can of tomato sauce

½ cup of water (you can add liquid if you need to, including some red wine)

¼ cup of white vinegar

¼ cup of packed brown sugar

2 good shakes of Worcestershire sauce

Preparation

- In a largish saucepan, brown the meat in hot oil

- In the same saucepan, add all of the other ingredients

- Cover and simmer for a couple of hours till the meat is tender

- For venison (deer meat), add another hour (to get rid of the “gaminess”

- Thicken the stew with a couple of tablespoons of cornstarch and water

You can serve this stew on top of noodles (I’m partial to wide linguine noodles myself) or basmati rice, or some mashed potatoes (add in some cream and shredded sharp cheese to the potatoes for a special treat). This dish will warm your family’s tummy for sure. Don’t forget to place a loaf of your favourite Grahame’s Bakery bread on the table that folks can slice from.

I hope you are enjoying the winter. Take care and stay healthy, from Paul at pcormier@ ranaprocess.com.

WIN WITH THE TIMES

The North Grenville Times has partnered with local businesses owned by women to promote International Women’s Day 2023. The lucky winner will receive an amazing gift basket!

To be eligible you must be a voluntary subscriber. $51 for one year subscription!

Draw will take place March 10th

The winner is selected via random number generator from our subscription list. The winners will be notified , and given 48 hours to respond to claim their prize. Once we have a response, winner shall make arrangements to pick up the prize. Failure to respond or to claim the prize will result in the prize being forfeited and entered back into the prize pool.

OTHER WAYS TO PAY:

BY PHONE: You may also pay over the phone with a credit card by calling us during business hours at 613-215-0735.

BY MAIL: You may subscribe by sending a cheque to: Box 1854, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0. Be sure to include your name, address and e-mail.

IN PERSON: Drop by our office during business hours – 215 Sanders St Suite 106

E-TRANSFER: Send an electronic money transfer to cfo@ngtimes.ca with “SUBSCRIBER” in the comment

If you have questions about subscribing, call us at 613-215-0735 or e-mail christine@ngtimes.ca

2023 Workshops at the Greenhouse

Tuesday, February 7 10 – 11:30

Plant Propagation

Spring is a great time to propagate. Methods include cuttings, mounding, and layering of indoor and outdoor plants.

Claude Smith, Certified Horticulturist and Kemptville Campus Greenhouse Manager

Thursday, February 9

10 – 11:30

Basics of seed starting

Where to source local seeds, when to start your seeds (indoors vs outdoors), common mistakes and challenges and how to overcome them, water, temperature and lighting requirements and preparing your seedlings for life outdoors.

submitted by Kemptville Campus Greenhouse February Workshops

Thursday, February 2

10 – 11:30

To Your Good Health!

Do you know what microbes, garlic and kale have in common? This workshop will help you understand key points that will support the body and ensure a strong Immune System. “Knowledge and action are your best

defense against illness!”

Carol Pillar, R.H.N. Educator

As a Nutrition Consultant and owner of Wholesum approach, Carol believes the foundation for good health is created by understanding how to respect and nurture the human body. She promotes a lifestyle of good nutrition and clean living. https://wholesumapproach. com

Rachel Gill of Facebook page How Does Your Garden Grow. Rachel is a local organic grower who grows to feed her own family of four while also serving the community by educating those who are interested in learning how to grow, harvest and store their own food. Her goal is to help people take control of their food supply and shorten the chain of how food gets to

The NG Photography Club

their table.

Wednesday, February 15

10 – 11:30

Pruning

Pruning techniques, when and how you should prune based on different plant material.

Claude Smith

Thursday February 16

10 – 11:30

Garden to Table, Growing in Small Spaces

Don’t let lack of space stop you from growing edibles! Ideas for containers, vertical and trellis growing, plant selection, followed by some easy recipes to make with your harvest.

Carol Pillar

75 Campus Drive at Curtis, Kemptville, ON

For further information and registration, contact Claude Smith at claude431@ cogeco.ca Please register in advance by e-transfer or cash, $30 per workshop.

Longevity might be as simple as knowing when to rest.” Photo by JJ Blais

Calling all Seniors Groups and Organizations

Steve Clark, MPP is please to inform that the applications are now being accepted for this year’s Seniors Community Grants.

Seniors Community Grants support local, not-for-profit community organizations, Indigenous groups, and municipalities that deliver programs and services to Ontarians 55+.

"Our government is pleased to make investments in our community that have a significant impact for seniors looking to stay active and socially connected. I encourage interested organisations to contact my office if they are interested in applying," said Steve Clark MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes"

Every year, the Ontario government provides hundreds of Seniors Community Grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 – funding that allows community groups across the province to offer a wide variety of activities to promote engagement, reduce isolation and promote healthy living.

"Our government is making these investments to help keep seniors fit, active, healthy and socially connected close to their homes," said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. "We're proud to deliver the Seniors Community Grant Program, which gives so many people the chance to learn new skills, socialize and take part in community life." Activities and services supported by the program include:

• fitness programs to keep adults age 55+ active, healthy, and socially connected to their communities

• nutrition and health classes to foster independent living at home

• community engagement to reduce social isolation and increase volunteerism

• strategies to promote employment and entrepreneurship among adults 55+ Eligible organizations can apply for a Seniors Community Grant by visiting Transfer Payment Ontario. Applications are open now and will be accepted until 5 pm on March 6, 2023

Hiring Immigrants: Free Employer Training

Local labour shortages have proved difficult for businesses across Leeds and Grenville. This has reflected the larger trend of shortages across the country, ones that seem set to continue for the foreseeable future. To help local employers tap into more talent, several local agencies have come together to offer free online training on the why and how of hiring immigrants.

With four sessions starting in January and running through February, the training offers employers insights on why hiring immigrants is beneficial to their business beyond just filling gaps, how to attract and retain immigrants, the different pathways to Canada and visas, and how to create a workplace culture that is welcoming to all. Each session is run independent of the others, allowing the choice of topics to attend depending on individuals’ schedules and interests.

The training is being done by Hire Immigrants Ottawa and Recruit Without Borders, industry professionals who have great insight and experience with the topics. As well, CSE Consulting, The Employment + Education Centre, KEYS Job Centre, the St. Lawrence— Rideau Immigration Partnership, and the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville have all worked together to offer these sessions and add a local perspective to the trainings.

“Immigrants not only help fill labour gaps, but give businesses new perspectives, help create international connections, and can offer different solutions and ideas,” says Melissa Francis, Program Manager for the St. Lawrence-Rideau Immigration Partnership. “Beyond simply business and the economic benefits, attracting more immigrants to the region helps add to the richness of our area’s culture and helps combat the aging population issues we face.”

To register or for more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/hiring-immigrantsfree-employer-training-tickets-510683838107 or email lauren@eecentre.com

Suicide Loss Support Group

submitted by Beth Donovan Hospice

Though death by suicide often hides in the shadows of our society, it is very real and the impact is significant. Every year, approximately 4,500 people in Canada die by suicide, which is equivalent to 12 people dying by suicide every day. The number of lives touched by suicide is considerably higher.

In the wake of death, people often seek to construct a meaningful narrative that helps them find peace and understand what happened. After a suicide death, as with any other type of death, the bereaved may seek to make sense of what happened. However, in this instance, they may find that many of their questions are either unanswerable or lead to distressing conclusions (whether or not these conclusions are true).

Facing the loss of a loved one to suicide can add another level of pain to your grief, resulting in a complicated grief experience. The shock and anguish following a suicide can seem overwhelming. As well as mourning your loved one's passing, you're likely also wrestling with a host of conflicting emotions and struggling to come to terms with the nature of their death.

It's likely you'll always be left with some unanswered questions about your loved one's suicide—and the sadness at losing them in such a tragic way will never completely disappear—but there are ways to deal with the pain.

The Beth Donovan Hospice will be facilitating an eight week Sucide Loss Support Group at the North Grenville Public Library beginning Feb 6 from 2:30-4 pm. The group will run for 8 consecutive weeks. This group will offer participants strategies and coping suggestions, as well as hold space for sharing and supporting. This group is free of charge. Registration is required. For more information please contact Megan Dillenbeck at 613258-9611 or counselling@bethdonovanhospice.ca

Save the Date! Hey Day is Back!

submitted by Jean Gallant

For 59 years, Kemptville has hosted a huge indoor garage sale, one of the largest in eastern Ontario. The annual event was called Hey Day, and after a three year delay due to Covid, we're excited to announce that Hey Day is back!

Save the date: Friday, June 9 and Saturday, June 10.

The Kemptville District Hospital Auxiliary (KDHA), which is a volunteer-only team, is organizing the event. We'll be looking for many more volunteers to help with setup, sorting, sales, etc. As planning moves forward, more information will be available, including drop-off times for donations. Please take a look to see what items you might be able to donate to this important cause. All proceeds will go to the Kemptville District Hospital to go towards the cost of equipment and health care initiatives.

Thank you for your support! For more information, please email the Kemptville Hospital Auxiliary at kdh_volunteer@kdh.on.ca or leave a message at 613-447-4492.

MUNICIPAL OFFICE HOURS

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

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: northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendasand-minutes.

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: northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes.

• Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. – Virtual (Open Session) Community Grant Presentations

• Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. (Open Session)

• Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. - Virtual (Open Session) Community Grant Presentations

• Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. (Open Session) Draft Budget Presentation

VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill volunteer positions on various Advisory Committees of Council.

• Active Transportation Advisory Committee

• Agriculture & Rural Affairs Advisory Committee

• Arts & Culture Advisory Committee

• Community, Economic Development Advisory Committee

• Environmental Action Advisory Committee

• Health, Wellness & Fitness Advisory Committee

• Heritage Advisory Committee

• Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee

Visit www.northgrenville.ca/careers 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.

Deadline Extended - Applications due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 3, 2023.

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:

Shelter from the storm

by David Shanahan

It sometimes seems that the world is about to explode into something bad. Democracy itself seems to be under threat in the very places you wouldn’t expect: the United States, for example. Extremist views appear to be on the increase everywhere, and the values and traditions we often think are fundamental to society are being questioned and abandoned in a remarkably quick process. Are we really in such a bad place? Is there any shelter from the storm?

Maybe, as an historian, I don’t feel as worried as appearances would seem to demand. No matter how bad any given situation is today: politically, socially, environmentally, and otherwise, it is possible to point to times past when things looked equally gloomy. Other times of pandemics far worse than the one we’ve been going through for the past few years. Social and political upheavals which changed

the very structures of society and brought revolution to governments and regimes.

That’s one side of things. The other is less comforting and requires a bit more consideration.

The fact is that nothing stays the same for long; as they say, change is the only constant in life. The reason why such change is seen as a threat, and why so many people are indulging the most outrageous conspiracy theories is, in part, because we have been led to believe that we’d got things just about right. Statistics pointed to higher standards of living in the last half century, better healthcare available to more and more people, longer life spans, and an increasing level of education and employment opportunities.

But there’s a problem with that approach: it isn’t necessarily the full picture. Yes, things generally have been improving since the end of World War II, and, as long as you ignore

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, COMMUNITY MAIL BOXES

17 January 2023

Canada Post

9 Ruben Street, Kemptville, ON K0G1J0

TO WHOM IT MAY

CONCERN:

I would like to bring to your attention the poor condition of the postal boxes on Colonel Drive in North Grenville, Ontario.

These boxes are now more than thirty years old. We moved here in September, 1993 . The current boxes were there when we moved in and have never been replaced or even upgraded. The boxes have deteriorated and are a disgrace to Canada Post. In the winter time, the locks become frozen and we are unable to open them or close them properly. The box where parcels are left by the carrier has become so worn that the lock is unworkable.

less-favoured countries and their challenges, all seemed to be going in the right direction. The myth that a rising tide raises all boats was accepted almost without question. But the 2000's have shown up many cracks in the walls surrounding our complacency, and we are very aware of major changes taking place all around us.

For some, the changes are welcome, seeming to show society becoming more open, tolerant, inclusive of all. But to others, the changes are worrying, causing a sense of being under attack, with deeply-held values threatened by strange and unwelcome ideas. Things seem to be changing too quickly, without any real consideration: values that seemed to be established are now either in peril or completely discredited.

So, how are we, individually and as a society, supposed to deal with all this, and where do we find shelter from the storm? Perhaps we first need to accept that we,

as a society in the 21st Century are not as unique, evolved, or sophisticated as we’d like to think. As one wise man once wrote: “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”. History has recorded times like these over and over again, in many parts of the world, through millennia. Perhaps a few lessons in history might allow us some perspective and a chance to re-evaluate our times.

Empires come and go, and we’ve seen that happen a few times, even since 1945. Such changes can be chaotic, violent, sometimes peaceful, but they always bring the kind of situation we’ve been finding ourselves in recently. Both the U.S. and Russia are experiencing various levels of meltdown, while Europe and China, and perhaps India too, are developing a different kind of imperial status. Things change, it’s as simple as that. But, having been led to believe that we had reached a pla-

teau of social and political stability at one point, it is very disconcerting to see it all unravel. One thing to remember: although all this has happened before throughout history, we are more aware of it taking place in real time now because of technology. Social media, mainstream media, and instantaneous transmission of news in video, print and pictures means that we are aware of all the disturbing events and changes as they happen. Previous generations did not have that blessing, or curse.

The positives? If this all happened before, and will happen again, we know that society survived it all, albeit by

adapting, changing to meet the new realities. How do we adapt in these times? Information and perspective, a willingness to be open and always learning. Reacting blindly to threats to our values and traditions will not help, and will not prevent time, history, doing its thing. As I say every time Air Canada loses my luggage, cancels flights, fails to get me to my connecting flight in time: It’s all part of the Great Adventure!

And, as a famous crooner once sang: “That’s life!” May you live in interesting times? We do.

Phone:613 329 0209

Email:

This winter has been particularly bad and our own box has been frozen shut and impossible to open. It should not be necessary for me to have to bring a de-icer with me whenever I go for my mail. That is unacceptable.

The replacement of these boxes with newer more up-to-date boxes is overdue. I would appreciate your forwarding my letter to whichever Canada Post Department is responsible for the maintenance and replacement of community mail boxes.

Shirley Price Kemptville

Dear Editor, Didn’t mean to insult you or your family Mrs. Price. I wasn’t there during those times and I am sure books and stories don't do it justice compared to your real life experience.

I tell you what I do know

though, because I am living it! I know a first time home buyer that is in the same line of work as myself, he and his partner decided to cap their mortgage at $700,000?

I asked if he was serious, he quickly educated me on the cost of rent. A fellow I met recently pointed at his 23 year old co-worker and said he just came back to work from his second heart attack? Someone just told me that they overheard an old girl talking to her friend at the grocery store and said that she eats every second day due to the high costs. Now none of these compare to those days you speak of, Mrs. Price, maybe a good war will revitalize the economy once these pandemics are all over.

It's not all bleak on the Canadian front however, we do have those climate change rebate cheques to look forward to by our government, “and the peasants

rejoice”! We pay so much in taxes only to get a little back, looks like money laundering to me? Government overspending and stories of their indulgence is hypocritical to what they preach, we all see it and do nothing.

Oh, don’t feel sorry for the boys, that is the last thing they need! To be honest that is the last thing any young person needs, or first time home buyer, or couple just starting out, people with no pension or maybe very little. I guess we can also include the next generation and the generation after that and so on. We Canadians are doing such a great job for the generations to come, so much to look forward to…..paying!

Paul Gleiser

The local shopping quandary

surprising that there is a culture of “looking down upon” those who choose to save money by travelling to Ottawa for shopping, or shopping online at retailers like Amazon. Failing to support local is often perceived as turning one’s back on the community. It is almost something that one must hide to avoid the ridicule.

by Brandon Mayer

Earlier this month, residents in Chesterville, east of North Grenville, engaged in a debate about something that tends to be very important in small towns – shopping local. The debate came after a new resident there asked his neighbours online whether anyone would be available to shuttle him to other towns, including Kemptville, for activities such as grocery shopping. Many simply offered to help drive the man, while others were quite upset that he wouldn’t shop at the local Chesterville grocery store, even though it’s more expensive.

The debate here seems clear, but for so many in small towns, it is not a debate at all. Failing to support local can be the lowest of the low in the eyes of one’s small town neighbours. In

North Grenville, the situation is different than it is in Chesterville, considering how fast the town of Kemptville is growing. Kemptville is filled with local businesses, but some are small and locally owned, and others are franchise locations of larger chains. Some locals, for example, may find it wrong to visit Tim Hortons in town instead of patronizing Brewed Awakenings. Others may find it appalling to go to Walmart for merchandise instead of finding the same item at a local shop. There is no doubt that at least some of this debate stems from money – smaller local shops are usually more expensive than larger chain stores and restaurants.

The quandary for locals therefore becomes a question of supporting local vs. saving money. In the tight knit North Grenville community that we have all come to know, it is not

Something to keep in mind is that for some North Grenville residents, shopping at local stores may not be a choice they get to make. A dollar doesn’t go as far as it used to, and anyone can struggle with having enough money to buy necessities, from a single person struggling to pay bills on their own, to a family with a bunch of kids to support. Failing to buy local is rarely a “statement” or an “argument” against supporting one’s own community. More often, it’s a simple decision required to be able to survive on a limited budget.

My rule of thumb is this: those who can afford to shop local should really consider it. You will support the employment of your own friends and neighbours, you will support the local economy and therefore ensure that local stores and services remain available when we need them, and you’ll even help the environment by travelling less. But just remember – we never really know a stranger’s living situation. Judge less, support more, and (when possible), shop local.

Celebrating Early Childhood Education

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Children’s Services Department is partnering with Ontario’s 47 Early Years and Child Care Service System Managers to launch a provincewide marketing campaign to raise awareness.

The campaign is aimed at generating an increased understanding of, and support for, Ontario’s licensed child care and Early Years sector. The goal of the campaign is to increase public awareness and provide key facts to ensure that our community is able to maintain a stable early education system that is high quality, equitably available, accessible and affordable.

“The licensed child care and early years programs

located across Leeds and Grenville are an important part of our community,” said Shannon Brown, Manager of Children’s Services, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.

“If we are going to sustain these programs and work to increase the number of child care spaces available to families, we need to attract more qualified staff to work in these programs.

Early Childhood Education and the staff that work in licensed child care and early years programs, need to hold a greater value in our community,” Ms. Brown said.

Leeds and Grenville currently has 855 centre-based licensed child care infant, toddler and preschool spaces spread across the region, in-

cluding locations in Kemptville, Johnstown, Maynard, Brockville, Elgin, Westport, Lansdown, and Gananoque.

Quality child care and early years services are important for a child’s development and future success, Ms. Brown said. High-quality licensed child care and early years programs provide Ontario’s children with safe, responsive, and caring interactions that help them develop vital skills and build a strong foundation for their continued development to grow into healthy and productive adults. Early Childhood Educators are essential for quality child care and early years programs. Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) are trained professionals with expertise

in child development who are a key element of quality early learning. These professionals must be recognized, valued, and fairly compensated for the important role they play in the lives of children, families, and communities at large. All communities need qualified and engaged RECEs to perform and deliver child care’s evidence-based early learning and child care benefits. “This campaign will assist the public in learning more about the importance of high-quality licensed child care and early years programs in our community and acknowledge RECEs for the important work they do,” said Ms. Brown.

For more information on local programming and the

province-wide campaign, contact: Shannon Brown, RECE Manager, Children’s Services United Counties of Leeds and Grenville shannon.brown@uclg.on.ca 613342-3840, extension 2461

100 Women Who Care North Grenville Q1 meeting

submitted by Cyndy Batchelor

At our last meeting in November, the 100 Women Who care raised money for the Salvation Army Kemptville. Due to the holiday season and our generous ladies, we decided to delay our cut-off date until the end of December, allowing us to collect additional funds. We raised a total of $4485 for the Salvation Army Kemptville which will go to helping our local families in need.

100 Women Who Care North Grenville is hosting its First quarterly meeting Thursday, February 23 at 6 pm at Catered Affairs on the Kemptville Campus, please go to the website www.100womenwhocareng. com to register for the meet-

ing. There will be a meal (veg or meat Chilli) for under $20. Please pre-order & pay for dinner, via either Catered Affairs or 100 Women Who Care NG websites. The cash bar will be open as well.

Nominations for the first quarter charities will be accepted via our website link up until February 9. Three will be chosen at random to present at the February meeting.

To date the 100 Women Who Care North Grenville has raised more than $95,203 towards local charities. The 100 Women Who Care NG has partnered with the Ottawa Community Foundation to streamline their donation process. Members can log on to the Foundation’s central website and enter “100

New Board for BIA

Submitted by Deron Johnston, Old Town Kemptville BIA

Old Town Kemptville Business Improvement Area

(BIA) is excited to announce the full roster of volunteers that will comprise the Old Town Kemptville BIA Board of Management. Having recently been officially appointed by Council, the Board will begin work immediately on planning and directing the efforts of the BIA for their four-year term.

The new volunteer directors for the Board of Management of the Old Town Kemptville are as follows: Meagan Cumming, Courtney Vezina, Dave Leger, Sierra Jones-Martel, Shelley Mitchell and Deputy Mayor John Barclay. The Board will continue to be

supported by BIA Executive Director Deron Johnston and volunteer financial advisor Andrew Beveridge.

The Board will conduct its meetings on a monthly basis. These meetings are public meetings that anyone can attend including local media, BIA members and members of the public. The date, time and location for each meeting will be posted on the Old Town Kemptville Facebook page usually at least a week in advance.

If you wish to attend a Board meeting or submit a question or comment about an agenda item, please email bia@northgrenville.on.ca by 5pm on the day of the meeting. Typically, meeting agendas are posted on the Old Town Kemptville Facebook page a week in

Women Who Care North Grenville” as the fund to receive their donation. This system automatically generates a tax receipt, making the whole operation that much easier. Please do not choose to be anonymous.

We don’t stop at 100 women: in fact, the more the merrier! We are looking to make the biggest local and immediate charitable impact we can. Reminder that 100% of the proceeds go towards the chosen charities that night. Join us for the North Grenville Chapter of this amazing charity and help bring positive change to your community.

For more information on 100 Women Who Care North Grenville, visit them on Facebook

advance. There is a special section on each meeting’s agenda where submitted questions or comments are discussed by the Board.

If you’d like to learn more about other volunteer opportunities with the BIA including volunteering at one of our many events (Kemptville Buskerfest, Kreepy Kemptville etc.) or joining a BIA sub-committee (such as the Marketing & Programming Committee), just send a quick email to learn more.

For further comment or information regarding the Old Town Kemptville BIA, please contact: Deron Johnston bia@northgrenville.on.ca

https://www.facebook. com/100womenwhocareng/ or on their website ttps://100womenwhocareng. com/.

We look forward to finally seeing you all in person for a fun-filled meeting on Thursday, February 23 at 6 pm for a meal and 7 pm for the meeting.

T h a n k y o u t o t h e m a n y w o n d e r f u l c l i e n t s I h a d t h e p r i v i l e g e o f s e r v i n g i n 2 0 2 2 I c o u l d n ’ t h a v e r e a c h e d t h i s m i l e s t o n e w i t h o u t y o u !

Fraud is on the rise in Canada

by Brandon Mayer

Last week, a social media user felt the need to post in a local property rental group warning others never to pay money up front before seeing a potential rental unit. In the current day and age, such a warning really is necessary and is a sign of a good neighbour. Can anyone imagine the same warning being necessary 10-20 years ago?

It’s easy to assume that people are becoming more naïve, which makes them logical targets for scammers. One popular one-liner joke that circulates online frequently is this: “If you think you are smarter than the previous generation… 50 years ago the owner’s manual of a car showed you how to adjust the valves. Today it warns you not to drink the contents of the battery.” Jokes aside, I don’t think people are becoming more naïve, I think they are just getting more desperate.

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, run by the Government of Canada, Canadians lost

$490 million to fraud in 2022 as of November 30 (meaning the number would have been even higher at the end of the year). In 2021, the total loss to fraud was $383 million. It appears that fraud is on the rise. Imagine what could be done with all that money. The hungry could be fed, the homeless could be housed, and the sick could be treated more efficiently. Instead, this money is buying lavish houses and cars and other unneeded items for those who simply don’t deserve them.

One scam that is relatively new is the basic real estate scam. It is not hard for scammers to obtain genuine photos of rental properties. After all, these photos are usually taken by property owners and posted online whenever a unit goes up for rent, so they can easily be saved by scammers when a unit is available and stored away for future use. These photos are then re-posted at a later date with a false message that the unit is available. The scammer asks for a deposit to be sent before the unit can be seen and of course, that money is

never seen again unless the scammer is caught.

Before judging those who are willing to e-transfer a sight unseen deposit for a rental property, remember that housing is currently in high demand and unattainable for many, and scammers have the luxury of offering great deals on housing since they don’t have to come good for them. Anyone who has ever felt the pressure of competing with others to swoop in and secure a place to live, while multiple others are vying for the same place, knows that a lapse in judgement is understandable.

The most common advice when it comes to avoiding scams is probably also the simplest – when something seems too good to be true, it likely is. Don’t give deposits sight unseen. Don’t provide personal information to someone whose identity can’t be easily and firmly verified. Use common sense when it comes to scammer tactics. Think a scam can’t happen to you? It has already happened to many of those around you – to the tune of $490 million. Let’s lower the 2023 statistic.

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United Way Leeds & Grenville announced last week that the annual campaign goal of $935,000 for 2022 has been exceeded. In fact, the team surpassed the target by close to 10%, raising $1,011,960!

The Community Investment Committee will soon be hard at work to disperse these dollars where they can have the largest and most positive impact. United Way Leeds & Grenville is committed to stewarding the donations entrusted to us to help make a meaningful difference every single day.

“We knew going into this year’s campaign, that the needs in our community had increased with the effects of the pandemic and that there would be downward economic pressures on our donors. As a result, raising funds would be more difficult and we would have to think outside of the box,” said Trish Buote, Executive Director of United Way Leeds & Grenville. “And that we did,” she added. “Our real thanks go out to all the volunteers and donors who, so generously, responded to these increased community needs. They should be proud of themselves for stepping up and for making Leeds & Grenville a better place to live, for all of us. Thank you!”

About United Way Leeds & Grenville

United Way Leeds & Grenville is a non-profit agency that supported many local partner agencies in the community in 2022. Its mission is to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action. UWLG is dedicated to bringing people together to build vibrant and caring communities. For more information, please visit www.uwlg.org.

It has been our honour and privilege to serve the people within our great community since 2008. We have built our reputation on listening to our customers’ needs and working within their budget, all while keeping them safe on the road. It is our mission for 2023 to provide the same great service. Keep us in mind for all your future

24/7 Towing and Autobody needs.

United Way Leeds & Grenville raises an impressive $1 million for those in most need!”

WINTER CAR CARE 2023

How To improve your car's gas mileage

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Here are some of the things you can do to ensure improved gas mileage for your car:

Driving Habits

Consolidate your daily trips and errands. This will also save you the cost of restarting your engine, which uses a lot of gas.

Avoid air conditioning when possible. However, when driving at higher speeds, having your windows open also creates drag.

Don't throttle the gas or brake pedal! Sudden starts or stops use more gas than gradual changes in speed.

Don't idle for too long. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a lengthy wait.

Limit car warm-ups in winter.

Clear out the trunk. More weight equals more drag. Avoid high speeds. We know this is almost impossible to resist but you can improve your gas mileage by up to 15 percent driving at 55 mph rather than 65 mph.

Use overdrive. If your car is equipped with overdrive gearing use it as soon as your speed is high enough.

Use cruise control. Maintaining a constant speed is ideal for improving your gas mileage.

Servicing Your Vehicle

Replace the spark plugs in your engine regularly. This way, the air and fuel mixture will burn cleaner and more efficiently.

Improve the intake/output system. By allowing gas to get in and exhaust to get out of your vehicle you will improve the vehicle's overall performance and gas mileage.

Reduce friction. Use high-quality or synthetic motor oil. Check your oil! Low oil makes your engine work harder. Change your filters. Dirty filters can sometimes increase the amount of fuel your vehicle uses by as much as 10 percent. Keep tires properly inflated and aligned. Check regularly to ensure your tires are fully inflated and your alignment is good.

Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks. A lot can go wrong with a car. Damaged spark plugs or transmission problems can also contribute to poor gas mileage.

Train collides with van near Oxford Mills

Local curling team heading to the nationals

by

A relatively rare type of accident took place near Oxford Mills on Sunday, January 22. Around 7:30 pm, a Canadian Pacific freight train collided with a minivan at the County Road 18 crossing, near Dennison Road. The Ontario Provincial Police and other first responders were on scene, and thankfully no injuries were reported. A spokesperson for the

OPP confirmed that the vehicle had become stuck on the tracks at the crossing, and that the three occupants of the van had managed to escape the vehicle before it was hit by the train. A photo of the damages posted by the OPP on Twitter showed the rear end of the van smashed significantly. The train was left blocking two miles of track after an emergency stop, and the scene took several hours to clean up.

Officers were posted at affected crossings to help direct traffic and ensure safety. There were no reports of crossing signal malfunction. Railway crossing safety has been a topic of discussion locally in recent months. During the October municipal election, candidate Mitch Bloom suggested that “quiet neighborhoods” could be achieved by designating some local crossings as “no train whistle” crossings if enough locals wanted this. The railway crossing at County Road 18 poses a specific danger in that the tracks cross the road at an angle. New level crossings are not supposed to be constructed like this since it restricts visibility and creates a greater risk of a vehicle accidentally turning off onto the tracks. This is a situation that could have ended much worse. Thankfully tragedy did not strike.

A local curling team is getting ready to take on the challenge of competing nationally after a stellar performance at the U-18 Ontario Provincial Championship. After several successful qualifiers over the last several months, Team Padbury earned berth into the Canadian champions at the CurlON event held January 12-15.

Team Padbury consists of Emily Padbury (skip –from Kemptville), Kaitlyn Dumoulin (third – from Kemptville), Megan Zwolak (second – from North Gower), Sydney Anderson (lead – from Greely), and Brooklyn Ideson (fifth – from London, a skip of her own team who is joining Team Padbury just for the nationals). The team’s manager is Sydney’s mom, Heather Anderson. The team’s coaches – Doug Johnston and Kim Cooper – joined the team in the summer after observing the curling performance of the girls in action.

The girls who make up Team Padbury previously knew each other from various youth leagues and events. Each player brought unique past accomplishments and experience to the team. They quickly warmed up to each other’s personalities and curling styles. At the U-18 Ontario Provincial Championship, the team suffered an early loss, but was able to bounce back and end the round robin in a

became the team to watch out for which is something I always wanted,” said Megan. “I feel so privileged to get to curl with these amazing girls who have become so much more than teammates.” “Being a new team, our goal for this season was to make the U-18 provincials which many would say is impossible in your first year together,” added Sydney, who is one of the youngest competitive curlers at just 13 years old. “However, each of us put in the hours and the dedication each week hoping to be successful. Now, I am on my way to the U-18 Canadian Championships with not only my team but my good friends. I can’t wait to see what more we can do together.”

tie-breaker situation. Next, they played four games in 24 hours – a demonstration of their physical and mental stamina both individually, and as a team.

The parents of all the girls on the team are very proud of what they have accomplished. “Their ability to make games interesting to the very last rock has left all of us with more gray hair than we had at the start of the season,” joked Heather. “As parents we are very invested in the girls’ success and ready to step into any support role that is asked of us, be it chauffeur, manager, nutritionist, broadcaster, or substitute coach. We are sometimes a superstitious group, and if the girls start doing well, we don’t change a thing – even if it means watching the livestream from a park bench in the cold.”

Tim Dumoulin, father of Kaitlyn, explained that she has been curling for at least eight years now. “On her part, there’s been a lot of work, a lot of dedication between practice, game situations, and balancing school and home life,” said Tim. “She’s really devoted to the sport and she still maintains high grades.” Tim further explained that Kaitlyn is both nervous and excited about the upcoming nationals, since it will be “uncharted waters” for her.

The players themselves were eager to express their excitement. “As we started to find some success as the season progressed, we

Emily also weighed in. “Going into nationals, we plan to not only play but compete,” she said. “We never thought we would get to nationals, so we want to enjoy every moment. Furthermore, after our performance at provincials, we feel we can accomplish the goals we set by staying focused, but most importantly by having fun.”

“Let’s go compete!” added Kaitlyn. “We played three back-to-back games, two of which were must-wins to get to nationals. And we did that. We did something that no one expected from us as it is our first year together. Let’s keep going and have so much fun doing it!”

Speaking of having fun, Team Padbury has many ways to stay motivated. The front end sings songs as they sweep in order to keep things enjoyable and light. Each pair also has a special high five to show support. Coach Doug showed his commitment to the team by promising to let them dye his hair if they made it to the nationals. Sounds like it may be time to choose a colour!

Anyone interested in helping Team Padbury with the financial aspect of going to the nationals is encouraged to visit the team’s GoFundMe page. It is anticipated that going to the nationals will bring expenses of about $10,000. Please visit https:// gofund.me/30263f61. Good luck at the nationals, girls!

Team Padbury in action. Photo by Mike Martin Photography.

Local curling team – Team Padbury.

by Brandon Mayer

A van awaits clean up on January 22 after it was struck by a freight train on County Road 18

Brandon Mayer

The Weather with Connor

Hello, everyone! It’s nice to meet you. I’m Connor Mockett, a new columnist for the North Grenville Times. My columns will specifically focus on the weather, whether it be talking about events that have happened in the weeks before the paper is released, or talking about potential weather events that could happen in the future. And in the summer months, I’ll talk about my storm chasing adventures, because I do chase a lot in the summer!

Some of you may already know my name. Yes, I am the same Connor from the “Connor Mockett, Storm Chaser & Photographer” page on Facebook. For those of you that don’t know me, let me further introduce myself.

I’m based out of the wonderful town of Winchester in Eastern Ontario, and I’ve lived here for my entire life. I’m an old man at the age of 22. I’m completely self taught in terms of all my knowledge about Meteorology and storm chasing, which I started teaching myself around 2018, when I really started to

get into the weather and storm chasing. My first storm chase was actually in 2015, when a tornado warned supercell came through the Winchester area in July (thank you Dad for being my driver that day). I’ve traveled across the Country of Canada to chase storms, whether it be all the way to Alberta both in 2021 and 2022, or to Nova Scotia last September to chase the historic Hurricane Fiona. Enough about me though, let’s talk about the weather.

As I’m writing this, we just had a minor snowstorm move through the Eastern Ontario region on Friday, January 20. Anywhere from 8cm to 14cm fell across the region, specifically 9cm in Winchester. Most of it fell in the middle of the night, however snow continued throughout most of the day. It was just light and fine snow during the day, and didn’t accumulate too much more.

The next snow opportunity will be Sunday, January 22, where it looks like 4-8cm is expected as the region will get grazed by the northern tip of a Colorado Low. This one will not be the main problem of the week though, as another snowstorm is certain to happen on Wednesday the 25th and Thursday the 26th.

The mid-week storm looks like it’ll be a doozy, with 15-30cm potentially on the way as I type this on the 21st. It also

looks like wind will once again be a factor, with models hinting at wind gusts potentially up to 60-70km/h during the heaviest snowfall, which would create some huge snow drifts and awful travel conditions. By the time you’re reading this, you’ll already know how this storm played out, so I’m excited to see what happens with this one.

Temperature wise, the rest of January will be above normal, with a few opportunities for above 0°C daytime highs. The beginning of February will be a different story, as very cold air from Northern Canada will stream down to Eastern Ontario (and the rest of the province for that matter), making daytime highs very cold, and overnight lows extremely cold, with windchills being even worse.

In my next column, I’ll go over what happened with the upcoming snow storms, temperatures, and anything else that happens weather wise. You’ll hear from me in a couple weeks, but until then, good luck with the snow and cold!

Classifieds

FOR SALE

Firewood for sale. Cut, split, seasoned, mixed hardwood. $105/face cord. Call Ken 613 323 5503 20230201

Dry firewood for sale $110 a cord plus delivery fee. Call or text Jon 613-2273650

For Sale: Never used 1/3 horsepower Emerson motor. $100 firm. Call Reg - 613 258 7606

MISCELLANIOUS

HISTORIC HALL AVAILABLE FOR RENTALS in Beautiful Burritts Rapids!

Start a book club in time for cooler weather in a hamlet near walking trails and parkettes. Our hall is well equipped for any gathering or celebration, and we offer very competitive rates. http://burrittsrapids. com

WANTED

Kemptville senior wishes to buy sports cards for collecting #613-215-0835

Lead Guitar player wanted - Cover band (five members of ‘somewhat older’ vintage) doing rock and country hits from 60s to 2000s – looking for lead guitar player. Call/text 613404-3182

Looking to rent farmland for cash crops. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204. (8 weeks)

FOR RENT

SHORT TERM RENTAL Delightful 3 bedroom house, Weekends/weekly/monthly, Fully furnished. All in Private road off 1000 Island Parkway. No pets. No smoking. Nightly(min 3)@$245.00. Phone 613-258-3807

Rental for winter months. Looking for any truck driver or two who might be looking for accommodations starting the beginning

of December. We are located in Kemptville with large drive way. Please call at 613-2587778 to visit or for more details.

CROSSWORD

SERVICES

RETIRED CARPENTER

Renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, additions, decks, home repair.

Call George at 613 462 7637

HANDYMAN SERVICES

Painting, Demolition, Dry Wall Call Bill 613 774 2922

Hedge Trimming

Small or Tall

Call Rob 613-795-1845'

COMMUNITY EVENTS

KLUB 67 Euchre – Fun, social card playing every 2nd and 4th Wednesday monthly at 1PM, September to May. Location: Kemptville Legion, 100 Reuben Cres, Kemptville. Everyone welcome $5., cash prizes.

BREAKFAST, Kemptville Legion! Every 3rd Saturday from 8-10am - $8 for adults, $6 for children 10 and under. Euchre will be held following breakfast, registration starts at 11:30 am.

BINGO, Kemptville Legion, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, doors open at noon

Rodier, Aida (nee Cardella)

Passed away at the Kemptville Hospital on January

10, 2023 at the age of 91. She was born in Montreal, and was predeceased by all her siblings and her husbands John McIntosh Howey and Ernest Rodier. Aida was mom to Jo-Anne Howey, John Michael Howey (predeceased), Janet Howey and Jennifer Howey and aunt to many nieces and nephews. Chenoa LeBlanc and Simone Howey were beloved granddaughters. Service details will be announced when confirmed. Hulse, Playfair & McGarry

613-258-2435 www.hpmcgarry.ca

ACROSS

1. The central part

5. French for "State"

9. Monetary units of Serbia

14. Not under 15. Timber wolf 16. Banishment 17. Type of award 19.

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

Easy

Medium Hard

Solution to last week’s Crossword

History:

Amateur dramatics in North Grenville

by David Shanahan

In October, 1932, the Governor General of Canada, Viscount Vere Brabazon Ponsonby, 9th Earl of Bessborough, announced to a gathering of theatre representatives in Rideau Hall that he was inaugurating a new initiative to encourage amateur theatre groups in Canada. The project was the Dominion Drama Festival, which ran from 1932 to 1978, with a break during World War II. The national Festival took place annually, with winners of regional amateur festivals being awarded prizes in acting, design, direction, original writing, and production.

Inspired by the Dominion Drama project, a group of Kemptville residents organised their own Drama Festival Association in 1937, “to encourage dramatics primarily and principally by the organization and operation of periodic drama festivals. The Association was further encouraged by local political powerhouse, G. Howard Ferguson, who had served as Ontario Premier between 1923 and 1930, and as Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom until 1935. As someone rather well versed in theatrics and dramatics on the political stage, Ferguson served as patron of the Drama Festival Association. He strongly supported the development of amateur theatrics in his hometown and provided a silver trophy to present to the winners of the annual festival held in Kemptville.

In the first year of the festival, 1937, The Honourable G. Howard Ferguson

Health Matters

Edema is a common problem often ignored

Challenge Trophy was won by the Kemptville Agricultural School’s Literary Society in the face of strong competition from a wide variety of amateur groups, including the St. James’ Anglican Young People's Association [A.Y.P.A.], the Holy Cross Parish Players, St. John’s Young Peoples’ Union [ Y.P.U.], Kemptville High School Literary Society, Oxford Mills Y.P.U., and the South Mountain Players. Clearly, amateur dramatics was a very popular pastime in the area, particularly among church youth groups.

The following year saw even more drama groups taking part in the festival, including some from Oxford Mills, Spencerville, Burritt’s Rapids, and Merrickville, as well as those from the 1937 event. But the onset of the Second World War brought an end to the festival, and it was not until 1946 that amateur theatrics returned to Kemptville. It was the Women’s Institute in the village (as it was then) who established the Drama League, to “stimulate public interest in drama and in the study and advancement of literature generally, to encourage the art of acting, and to entertain the members and the public by dramatic, terpsichorean and choral performances”, quite a lofty ambition for an amateur enterprise.

In the event, it proved too ambitious. Although membership reached a high of 220, and Ferguson continued as patron, the League lasted just three years, and it was not until 1950 that the next attempt to bring theatre to Kemptville was made.

This resulted in the “Play for Fun” Group, which presented its first production of two one-act plays in the Kemptville High School on November 30, 1952, directed by Jim Morton and K. Purvis. Over the next few years, the Play for Fun Group mounted plays at festivals around Ontario, working at times with the Ottawa Little Theatre, and many of the plays were directed by Miss Laura Winford and Mrs. M. Barr.

Kemptville High School was home to the Play for Fun Group during the 1950's, but it, too, ceased operations by the end of the decade.

After a 10-year hiatus, Vida Hopson revived the group in April, 1967, naming it the St. James Players. Its first production was Noel Coward's “I'll Leave It To You,” put on at St. James' Leslie Hall. By 1974, the group had changed its name to the Kemptville Players to reflect the community. The name was incorporated in 1980 and the group became Kemptville Players Inc. (KPI). The late lamented Leslie Hall became the rehearsal and production location for the KPI, where actors and production staff contended with a rather unreliable electrics and a sloped stage. Eventually, the wiring became too dangerous to use, and the Players lost a valuable space, and the community an irreplaceable venue when the Hall was demolished in 2019.

In 2021 the Players changed their brand, becoming the North Grenville Community Theatre (NGCT), although for legal reasons they continue to be the Kemptville Players Inc doing business as North Grenville Community Theatre. Most of the company’s plays are now presented at Urbandale Arts Centre at the Municipal Centre.

After so many false starts, amateur dramatics seem to be here to stay in North Grenville, and an exciting branch of the NGCT has been launched with the creation of the North Grenville Youth Community Theatre (Kemptville Players Inc Kids), which started in 2019 and aims to provide “an opportunity for youth, grades 3 and up, to experience the excitement and fun of theatre”.

by W. Gifford-Jones and Diana Gifford-Jones

What is one of the most common health problems that develops in people as they age, and also one of the least discussed? The answer is chronic swelling of the legs. At best, it’s a natural consequence of aging. But also known as peripheral edema, there can be medical, nutritional, or lifestyle causes and serious health consequences.

Edema is a general term meaning swelling. Peripheral edema occurs in the legs, ankles, feet, as well as arms and hands. Swelling in other parts of the body include pulmonary edema (in the lungs), cerebral edema (in the brain), and macular edema (in the eye). It’s a medical emergency when the lungs or brain are affected, and a life-altering condition when vision is impacted.

But in the legs, while victims must deal with pain, weakness, and limitations on mobility, for many, there is a sense of stigma, when once shapely or muscular legs have become less sightly. That’s at least one reason why there’s not a lot of information about how many people are suffering from the condition. In the minds of sufferers, it doesn’t warrant a visit to the doctor, and clothes can help conceal the issue, if not make it go away.

One research team at the University of Rochester used data from the American Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative longitudinal survey of about 20,000 U.S. adults over the age of 51, to estimate prevalence of the condition, which they found to be 19-20% of survey respondents.

They also found social disparities among those reporting lower limb edema. Blacks/African Americans and other racial minorities, women, and less wealthy individuals were more affected. As is the case with many other health conditions, the researchers reported, “Minority racial status and lower wealth could be associated with peripheral edema for multiple reasons, including higher rates of other chronic health conditions as well as lower access to healthy foods and preventive care services.”

What is causing edema is not always easy to determine. For the individuals involved, it can be hard to know if the swelling is the result of fluid gathering in the tissue. Or is it from the buildup of fat? Known as Lipedema, it is fat, not fluid, that occurs in the limbs, and in the early stage, people do not typically have diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure. But peripheral edema is an accumula-

tion of fluid.

Causes of fluid buildup can be long periods of sitting or standing. Pregnant women can develop the condition, as can people with low levels of protein in the diet.

But more sinister causes are also common, including chronic lung diseases or congestive heart failure, when the heart muscle doesn't pump well. Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when leg veins fail to carry blood back up to the heart. When valves that normally ensure blood flows toward the heart don't work well, gravity takes over, causing blood to pool in the legs.

Depending on the cause, the treatment should be tailored. This is not the time for armchair medicine. An accurate diagnosis depends on a full medical history and potentially a battery of tests to pinpoint the issue.

Keep in mind, it’s better to treat the underlying cause than the symptom. Raising the affected limbs will help. Diuretics can also help but need to be used with care as removing too much fluid too quickly can, among other things, impair kidney function.

Attention to diet, consistent moderate exercise, and maintenance of a healthy weight should be the goal –early in life, and all lifelong.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSION Oxford Village - Phase 2

L.A. DEVELOPMENTS INC. and their consulting team, Arcadis IBI Group, invite you to join them at a community information session for Oxford Village - Phase 2.

PURPOSE

To inform and seek feedback from residents and interested stakeholders on the draft concept plan for Oxford Village - Phase 2. Presentation boards illustrating the vision will be available for viewing with the team present to answer any questions you may have. Also, refreshments will be served.

TIME 3-5 PM and 6-8 PM Tuesday, January 31, 2023

LOCATION North Grenville Municipal Centre Suite A-4, 285 County Road 44 Kemptville, Ontario

Please note this meeting is initiated by the developer for information purposes and does not satisfy the requirements of a Statutory Public Meeting, as per Sec. 17(15) of the Planning Act.

Those green firefighter lights aren’t a decoration

Baldwin's Birds

A mystery bird appears

It’s an all-too-familiar sight – a speeding ambulance or firetruck is approaching, and amidst a long lineup of pulled-over cars is one that keeps driving, oblivious to what’s going on. It’s easy to imagine how much worse the problem is when the first responder is in their personal vehicle, using a single flashing green light instead of the brilliant red and blue flashing lights.

In 2017, Ontario’s Bill 174 made changes to an old law that specified only police vehicles (not firetrucks or ambulances) could use blue flashing lights in addition to red flashing lights to indicate an emergency. This decision was made in part because it was deemed that motorists are more likely to pull over and heed the authority of emergency vehicles if all emergency vehicles use the same light colours as police vehicles. After all, few motorists would dare disobey the police.

It's safe to assume that if changes made by Bill 174 were put in place to acknowledge that fire and ambulance vehicles do not get the respect warranted by the severity of the emergencies to which they respond, then personal vehicles with a small green flashing light surely get less respect. In small communities such as North

Grenville, fires and other emergencies requiring a response from the Fire Department are the responsibility of volunteer firefighters. When they respond to a call, they may be on their way from work, a family gathering, or their own bed. Being able to get to the station or the scene quickly can literally make the difference between life and death for someone experiencing the most tragic day of their life.

A North Grenville resident recently visited the Times office to report that he has observed all too often people ignoring firefighters who are driving with their green lights flashing. Why do people ignore these lights? Logically, it has to be either indifference or ignorance. To combat indifference to the flashing green lights, fire departments have often used the campaign of “it could be your house we are going to”. This message, while likely effective at encouraging motorists to get out of the way when they see a firefighter, can perhaps be seen as a commentary on the selfishness of many people. Motorists should be able to make the right choice and pull over even if it helps someone else, rather than themselves. But we nevertheless must cater to people’s selfcentred natures in order to guarantee a clear path of travel for firefighters.

The other reason motorists may not pull over

We are now well into the New Year and all the questions that it has already posed, in respect to some of our avian friends and who they might be. We have had a bird, about the same size as a Junco, come and visit on a couple of occasions who definitely is not one of them, and whose colors do not give it a clear clue as to what it is. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a really clear well defined picture of it, and despite the help of a couple of more

qualified local people than my own very amateurish self, I/we still do not know what it is. The beak suggests Grosbeak family, a Bunting or even a Finch, but between us it still remains a mystery. I am still awaiting its return to try and get more details from a decent picture, so my fingers are crossed, but not very hopeful!

At one time, my research conversations began to get quite technical regarding the pigmentation of the feath-

ers and all the other scientific factors and theories that could contribute to this odd bird. It is a bit above my head, so I won’t take up your time on the matter, but just thought that I would mention it in passing! You have probably had the same sort of quandary, when spotting birds at your feeders too. Hopefully you have, or

The Kemptville Winter Carnival is coming to town!

submitted by Herb Cloutier, Carnival founder

The volunteer organizing committee for the inaugural Kemptville Winter Carnival is thrilled to announce a brand-new, family-friendly outdoor event February 3-5 at Riverside Park.

We’ll kick-off the event with our opening ceremonies and a ribbon cutting conducted by our Mayor, Nancy Peckford, accompanied by our title sponsor eQ Homes and the ‘Mayor of eQuinelle.’

The goal of the carnival is to gather as a community and celebrate the winter season, while bringing back regular use of the Kemptville Creek. However, due

for a firefighter displaying a flashing green light is ignorance. This could be ignorance of what the flashing green light means, or ignorance of the fact that there is a firefighter behind them in the moment owing to another problem, such as distracted driving.

North Grenville

Fire Chief, John Okum, weighed in on the green lights issue. “The use of a green light does not give a firefighter the same au-

to the mild weather we’ve had, the ice won’t be ready in time for this year’s event, so we are planning our festivities at Riverside Park instead of Curry Park this year and hope to bring the carnival back to the creek in 2024.

But there will be plenty of fun for all ages, even without the ice!

You won’t want to miss the nighttime performances by our fire dancers, the snow sculpture artists, the dinosaur races, or the glowing fairy dancers!

The carnival will also offer a scavenger hunt, snow painting, and a variety of other fun activities for the kids, hosted by NG Pride.

thority as an emergency vehicle,” said Chief Okum. “The green light provides notice to other drivers that an emergency exists, and it is a volunteer firefighter responding to the emergency. The green light is considered a courtesy. Drivers should pull over if safe to do so and allow the responding firefighter to continue.”

Chief Okum explained that in some circumstances, the responding firefight-

will, find the answers by just referring to your own bird books or even the dreaded internet! Which ever one it is, I hope that you enjoy what you discover. Stay safe and well.

Cheers, John Baldwin

Hop on the horse-drawn wagon for a ride through the winter wonderland, roast some marshmallows on the fire, enjoy some free hot chocolate sponsored by Brewed Awakenings, and have your family photo taken under the glow of the twinkle lights.

Did we mention there will be Beavertails?! That’s right, the Beavertail truck will be on-site all carnival long. You’ll also want to grab a smoked beef brisket sandwich or some chili from local Texan chef, Bruce Enloe.

Watch out for the charity barbeque that will be running all weekend by The Rotary Club and Kempt-

ers are notified that their assistance is no longer required, so motorists may suddenly see the use of the green light discontinued.

Given the importance of firefighters reaching the scene of an emergency efficiently, Chief Okum shared a message with North Grenville residents.

“If you observe a vehicle emitting a green flashing light, please pull over if safe to do so and allow the vehicle to continue,”

ville Youth Centre, with the food and drinks generously donated by the B&H: Your Community Grocer.

“A local community carnival like this will continue to grow for many years as families, and residents of all ages, enjoy a wonderful winter event designed to be inclusive and fun!”

We are still accepting volunteer and sponsorship applications. For more information, visit www.kemptvillewintercarnival.ca or email wintercarnivalkemptville@gmail.com

See you at Riverside Park!

he said. “It is a volunteer firefighter responding to a call for help. Please help us to help you!”

Want to help do your part to make sure firefighters can do their jobs? Know the law, pay attention behind the wheel, and have compassion for what someone else is going through. Someone else will almost certainly be glad you cared.

Photo caption: A sign educates motorists on the meaning of flashing green lights in vehicles

by Brandon Mayer

73’s split home contest to count two only

#16

Nickname: Yak

by the sportsguy

The Raiders from Nepean met with the 73’s for Friday evening redemption after suffering two previous losses, only to be handed another deficit of 6 - 1.

Kemptville came out on fire as they controlled the opposition zone for the initial frame with a smooth transition and aggressive forchecking. Nepean was flat without any spark that got them chasing the game, and to compound that, riding the slap didn’t help. The 73’s with a man extra when Henry dropped it back below the line to Merrett to find Hunter Brazier PPG across the blue paint past Luca Sandhu at 8:20. McDougall controlled the trenches, over to Warner to newbie Ryan Rutley in the lane to make it 2 zip at 10:17. Nepean with a man advantage after Owen Hardy PPG with helpers from Posthumus and Ricciardi to spoil Alex Musielak SO at 17:34.

The fans were treated to

a small exhibition from the Tim Horton Tim Bits during the first intermission.

Second stanza opened with Thomas springing Henry, up to Hunter Brazier gliding through the perimeter across the middle with a toe drag to count his second of the evening at 6:35.C. Bennett knocked down a clearance onto the tape of Warner to bounce it off the pillows, so Gavin McDougall could rifle it home for his first of the season at 8:45 for Kemptville’s three goal lead. The 73’s on PP when N. Bennett cycling low to find Logue, reversed to Matt Thomas on point into the seven hole at 12:57. Alex Musielak received a rocket bucket buster at 18:13 that needed to be repaired and Jacob Biron was dropped into the fray for 25 seconds.

Final twenty with Nepean replacing their stopper when Kemptville had a man advantage as Merrett caught N. Bennett up the wall, across to Tyler Melvyn fly-

ing downtown to put it six hole by Joshua Branton for 6 to 1 run at 16:21. Kemptville hammered Nepean 47 to 27 with 3/7 PP and the Raiders 1/5.

Sunday matinee, the 73’s battled the Ottawa Junior Senators and would be seeking redemption after suffering two losses in previous meetings. Unfortunately, the boys came out unprepared as the Junior Senators hammered everything that moved and pinned their opponent’s ears back as they constantly ran the stopper. Kemptville would be slammed with a 7 - 2 beatdown as Ottawa eliminated one of the 73’s top snipers in the first frame. Break down in 73’s coverage gave Sam Grabner with a helper from Gentile first marker through traffic, past Alex Musiielak at 3:31. Kemptville rebounded to knot it at one when C. Bennett found Nicholas Bennett in the circle to flip the rubber top shelf over Connor Shibley

at 12:07.

Second frame with PP for Kemptville as Thomas transitioned over the line with Haughian slamming the pillows and Emile Trottier buried the garbage into the mesh at 2:20 to make it one all. Then the bleeding began as Mickael Hebert assisted from Velocci and Winsor to break the tie at 9:51. Anton Sorenson with a lone effort awarded Ottawa the game winner at 17:53.

Last twenty miler was owned by the Junior Senators as Sorenson with Gentile rammed the net and James Taylor PPG joined in the penetration for the insurance marker during a PP at :38. Another PP at 5:23 when Mickael Hebert PPG with helpers from Beaulne and Villiard to make it a 5 to 2 romp for Ottawa. Kemptville on a PP when their at-

Matthew Yakubowski

Born: Winnipeg, June 28, 2002

Position: Defense

Previous Hockey Club: Powell River Kings

Hockey Hero: Cale Maker

Most Inspiring Persons: My parents

Favourite TV Show: Superstore

Favourite Musician: Justin Bieber

Favourite Food: Fettuccine Alfredo

Favourite Hockey Moment: Winning Championship

Favourite Sport other than Hockey: Football One word that describes me: Passionate

Sales Representative Going All Out For You! 613 867-2508 markstegeman@royallepage.ca

tack failed as Chase Lammi SHG assisted from Bedard and Gentile at 16:51. A 73’s soft defensive play gave Losier with Sorenson an opportunity to direct the puck to Mathis Bedard in the slot at 18:48 to give the Junior Senators the 7 - 2 runaway.

Kemptville 73’s were peppered with a blistering 57 to 23 disadvantage and 1/5 PP, with Ottawa having 2/4 PP.

If all the irons rung and posts being hammered, it could have been a closer contest.

Next home game with the Pembroke Lumber Kings will be on Tuesday, January 24 and then with the Renfrew Wolves on Friday, January 27.

Hockey with EDGE… see you around the wall.

Hole was just too deep…the Bennett Boys came on strong with a combination from Coleman to Nicholas to knot it at one with the Ottawa Junior Senators during Sunday matinee to fall 7 to 2

New Year’s Resolutions

submitted by: Danielle Labonte, RD, MPH, MAN, Public Health Nutritionist

Nutrition

The New Year is here and often with this comes messaging around resolutions focused on changing our eating habits. There are certainly times where changing our eating habits can be helpful and improve our health; for example, increasing our vegetable and fruit intake or drinking more water are excellent goals to set. However, in our society it is often normalized to talk and think about food in a way that can lead to people having a negative relationship with it and with our bodies. It is common for weight and food to be linked together, specifically when we think about “dieting” as a way to change our bodies.

This can lead to disordered eating and eating disorders, among other negative outcomes. Disordered eating is a term that includes a wide range of harmful eating behaviors that may not warrant an eating disorder diagnosis, and eating disorders are illnesses with specific and narrow criteria that health care practitioners would use to diagnose individuals.

Some red flags to keep in mind include messaging around leaving out an entire food group (i.e., vegetables and fruit, whole grains, and protein foods), ignoring hunger cues (e.g., through intermittent fasting, calorie restriction), villainizing certain foods (i.e., labeling them as good or bad, healthy or unhealthy, calling certain foods “junk” food), and feeling guilt around eating certain foods. These are all signs that something might

be leading you down the wrong path.

To combat this, it is helpful to be mindful of these red flags. Consider your language used around food and strive for neutral language; call foods by their names - for example, cookie, apple, chips, broccoli, etc. Check your self-talk related to your own body image and relationship with food, and avoid judging yourself based on what you eat. This can be challenging to get used to, but the more often you are able to reflect on this, the easier it becomes. It is also helpful to be aware of the mindset of those around you and surround yourself with those who will support you through the process. You may need to set boundaries with individuals who might be more triggering – certain topics might be “off limits”, or you might delay seeing

We Want Your Input!

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of rural & farm women particularly hard. We want to hear from rural & farm women 16+ about your experiences over the pandemic & to learn about the services you need to stay connected to family, friends & community!

How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact your life?

PLEASE COMPLETE THE ANONYMOUS SURVEY!

https://rb.gy/vvbkvc

You can scan the QR code & complete the survey on your phone!

please contact Linda at sully.on.the.lake@gmail.com

Funded by the Canadian Women's Foundation

them until you are in a better place.

Physical Activity

Increasing physical activity is another area that people often want to change in the New Year. Similar to eating, this is usually linked to wanting to change how our bodies look. Let’s start off by acknowledging that most people do not get enough physical activity in general, but what we want to avoid is linking physical activity to changing the way our bodies look. Research shows that this can actually demotivate people and create a negative relationship with being active. Instead, think about being active for reasons aside from how we look. For example, our mental health, stress management, blood sugar control, heart and bone health, as well as building and maintaining strength, flexibility, mobility and independence as we age. Creating goals for ourselves to increase our activity is beneficial as it can lead to healthy habits to include more movement throughout our week, and including a variety of activities helps to improve our strength, flexibility, endurance, and mental health. It is recommended that adults get two and a half hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week. This can be in smaller chunks of ten minutes or more throughout the week, or in larger chunks, less often. Whatever works for you! It is also recommended that we do strength activities for our muscles and bones at least twice a week. Some tips to help you make this a habit include:

• Scheduling it into your day - maybe you do

something every morning, or certain days of the week

• Being active with others

- you could join a class or find a workout buddy

• Setting small, achievable goals to work towards; for example

walking longer, further, or faster each week

For more information, visit our Health Unit website at healthunit.org, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, or give us a call at 1-800660-5853.

with the Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark District Health Unit