Issue 42 2022 October 27 NG Times

NG Council re-elected

by David Shanahan

The Municipal election in North

return

votes. The remaining candidates were Andre Rancourt with 1,985, Chelsea McIntyre with 1,675, Chris Wilson with 1,671, and Robert Bowden with 835.

in 2018, when 5,930 votes were cast for a slate of four candidates.

previous Mayor

Council in a convincing display of approval by residents. At the time of writing,

results were still unofficial, but still clear and unlikely to change. In the contest for Mayor, Nancy Peckford won 4,410 votes, while challenger Colleen Lynas received 1,446.

There was a similarly emphatic win for the four members of Council. John Barclay topped the poll with 3,438 votes, followed by Doreen O’Sullivan with 3,201, Deb Wilson with 3,032, and Kristin Strackerjan with 2,592.

The closest challenger, Mitch Bloom was indeed very close behind at 2,556

In the only contested position for Trustee for the English Public School Board, Lisa Swan retained her seat with 3,558 votes, with Heidi Piper-Ward getting 1,905 votes and John Palmer with 1,383.

Given North Grenville’s population growth since the last municipal election in 2018, it will be interesting to see what the voter turnout was this time around.

With the votes for Councillor spread over nine candidates in this election, it is hard to calculate the number of voters, as each individual could vote for up to four candidates. But the total number of votes cast for Mayor, 5,856, is a little lower than

In that election, an entirely new Council was elected to replace the previous one. The re-elected Council this time actually has only three of the six members from 2018, as one Councillor voted in then resigned very shortly afterwards, to be replaced by Kristin Strackerjan. Jim McManaman resigned earlier this year and Deb Wilson was appointed in his place after a series of candidate interviews.

This election campaign was often unpleasant, but the success of the incumbents reflects at least a general satisfaction with the way in which they managed the affairs of the Municipality through the challenges of the past four years. North Grenville made it through

the pandemic in remarkably good shape financially, and the uproar that has been ongoing for the past two years over the proposed prison in Kemptville was expected to take a heavy toll on the support incumbents would receive in the matter of votes.

In a surprise upset in Merrickville-Wolford, Doug Struthers failed to get reelected as Mayor, coming last in a field of three. The new Mayor is Mike Cameron, Deputy Mayor in the last Council, who won with 680 votes. Anne Barr, another experienced candidate, was second with 621 votes, while Doug Struthers received 235. The two Councillors elected for Merrickville Ward are Margaret Gural (388) and Mark Oldfield (324), while Wolford Ward will be represented by Ronnie Maitland (567) and Stephen Ireland (424).

She Shall Make Music Wherever She Goes…

A Musical Afternoon in Memory of Louise Atchison

Anyone who knew Louise Atchison knew she was a special treasure. The town of Kemptville was fortunate to have been blessed by her musical talents and selfless community involvement for so many decades. Louise lived and breathed music. While she had many other artistic talents, you could say that music was Louise’s raison d’être. This community has benefitted greatly from her love of music and her flair for teaching music and encouraging others to share their musical talents.

Louise was the organist at St. James Anglican Church in the 1960s and studied under Godfrey Hewitt at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa. In the late 60’s, she received her associateship from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

When Louise retired from being a classroom teacher, where she encouraged the musical ability of many students, she spent many years endowing Kemptville with her musical talents. She accompanied the North Grenville Concert Choir from 1998 until 2016. During those many years, she was the choir’s accompanist for rehearsals and programs. She also assisted with the many musicals they performed as producer, set designer, costume designer, stage man-

ager – wherever she could help and was needed. This included a variety of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat”, “Guys and Dolls” and “Spirit.”

At the same time, Louise began accompanying and later also directing the “Swinging Singing Seniors” (now the Singing Seniors) sponsored by the Kemptville Seniors’ Community Services (formerly Kemptville and District Home Support). This group of women and men rehearsed weekly to entertain at senior’s residences and nursing homes several times a month. In addition, for the purpose of raising funds for the Seniors, she worked with the Singing Seniors to produce a series of on-stage musicals to sellout crowds, including “We’ll Meet Again” (three different prooductions), with the latest program being presented in 2017), “Gentle Voices”, “Dancing Chic to Shiek”, and most recently, “Shake, Rattle and Roll” (2019).

Louise also accompanied the choir at St. Michael High School in Kemptville and played keyboards in The Original Trillium Dixieland Jazz Band in Ottawa. She created and directed the “Humming Birds” a quartet of women’s voices. Later, she became the director of the then Ottawa Valley Men’s Choir (now the Kemptville Men’s Choir),

who also presented musical programs for nursing homes and senior’s residences. In addition, she was Musical Director for the Kemptville Players (North Grenville Community Theatre) productions of “We’ll Meet Again”, “Lafferty’s Wake”, and “The Man with Bogart’s Face” (presented as a radio play). Kemptville Youth Musical Theatre Company was also blessed with her accompaniment in productions of “Oklahoma” and “Oliver!” Louise also was the accompanist for the Kemptville Youth Musical Theatre Company for many years.

Whether it was teaching music in the schools, directing choirs, accompanying singers and other instrumentalists, designing costumes for the many productions she wrote and managed, urging singers who loved music to explore beyond their psychological boundaries by encouraging them to perform on-stage, or just bringing her joy of life and music into the lives of so many professional and amateur musicians, the memory of Louise will be entwined throughout the lives of those who met her, whether they sang, danced, played an instrument, or just enjoyed her music.

The Covid Pandemic hit everyone about the same time that cancer hit Louise, and many did not realize that the reason she had disappeared from the music scene in the Spring of 2020 was because she had to abandon all her musical activities to focus on her health. When Louise passed away late this summer (August 29, 2022), all of us felt for a while that music had left our lives.

On Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 2:00 p.m., many of the above the abovementioned groups have decided to gather at the North Grenville Municipal Centre Theater to share “A Musical Afternoon” with each other

and with the community at large. The program is a celebration of Louise and the great pleasure she brought to one and all. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $10 at B&H Your Community Grocer in Kemptville but will also be available at the door. Money collected will be used to pay for the theatre rental (unless we find a sponsor) and the remainder will be donated equally to Canadian Blood Services and the Seniors’ Community Services in Kemptville. Please, buy a ticket and come and join in the celebration of Louise Atchison’s contribution to music in this community.

We are sure Louise is now “making music” with the angels, wherever she is, and perhaps even throwing them candies when they lock in on those beautiful harmonies.

AUCTION SALE

Thurs Nov 3, 2022

Viewing 4:30PM / Sale 6:15PM

319 Prescott St. Kemptville (St Paul's Church)

Antiques, Collectibles, Artwork, Homegoods, Antique Tools and many articles too numerous to mention. See full listing or call our office for more information.

Rideau Retro Antiques & Collectibles

C.J. Emmerson Rooney - Auctioneer 692-4036

Girls Inc. of Upper Canada Hosts Champions for Girls Breakfast on International Day of the Girl

On October 11th, 2022, Girls Inc. of Upper Canada hosted its annual Champions for Girls Breakfast at the Brockville Convention Centre after a few years’ pause for the pandemic. Eighty guests from the community including Girls Inc. families, corporate sponsors, and community partners were in attendance to hear about the realities of girls’ lives and the impact Girls Inc. programming has for local girls and communities. Executive Director Lesley Hubbard was on hand to acknowledge the Champions for Girls in the audience including Board Chair JoAnne Sytsma and real estate broker Debra Currier. Visiting girls’ studies scholar from Glasgow Louise Coucerio, based out of York University in Toronto, presented a keynote address about the various ways that girls are constructed in popular media as both endlessly happy and carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Calls to action from the keynote included acknowledging girls and their power – listening to them and accepting and elevating their contributions to society – while also helping to alleviate some of the pressure they feel to always be happy and to keep everyone else happy as well. Girls are a powerful force in our society but we cannot expect them to be able to navigate the conflicting messages they receive about girlhood alone.

Girls Inc. of Upper Canada is emerging from the pandemic as a stronger than ever organization according to Lesley Hubbard, with a new program team, innovative approaches to program delivery, and a project coordinator who has been hired to analyze and elevate program excellence and impact as well as evaluate and ensure organizational sustainability.

Hubbard noted, “As the leader of Girls Inc. of Upper Canada, I can tell you that I am excited about the future – of our organization, for girls and their families, and for our communities – because of the ways we are contributing to youth development in this region.”

Girls Incorporated of Upper Canada (Girls Inc.) is a community youth development charity committed to inspiring girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Through researchbased programming, girls aged 6-18 gain the skills, knowledge, and self-esteem to help them reach their full potential. Girls Inc. is committed to inclusive, non-stigmatizing program delivery provided through collaborative in-school and after school formats. For more information about Girls Inc. of Upper Canada, visit http://test.girlsincuppercanada.org/

CONTACT : Lesley Hubbard, Executive Director, Girls Inc. of Upper Canada lesley@girlsinc-uppercanada.org, 613-345-3295

UCDSB provides more support for tech shops in secondary schools

The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) recognizes the importance of providing students with the tools they need to be successful in the classroom and is doing just that with continued investments in our technology shops.

Providing students with real-world learning opportunities and empowering staff to experiment with creating innovative learning experiences in their classrooms is part of the UCDSB’s overall strategic plan. As part of that, the Director’s Work Plan for the 20222023 school year has made enhancing school technology shops through the purchase of new equipment a priority.

To deliver on those commitments, all 22 UCDSB secondary schools will receive an additional $1,000 for the purchase of tools and materials for their school shop classrooms.

“The Board of Trustees, administration and school staff are unquestionably focused on improving our shop classes and providing students with programming and opportunities that will mimic what they will see in the workforce and in life outside of school,” explains Director of Education Ron Ferguson. “Even if students have no desire to go into a trade, knowing how to do basic repairs and use tools properly is a life skill.”

These funds will be added to school budgets, and are additional to funds already provided, so that schools can determine how to best spend the money within their technology shops. This funding is also in addition to the $5 million that was invested in technology, equipment and furniture earlier this school year.

“It’s decisions and investments like this that have made our school board a leader in the Province in Specialist High Skills Major programming,” adds Chair of the Board John McAllister.

More information about the UCDSB Strategic Plan and the Director’s Work Plan, including priority areas and goals for the 2022-2023 school year can be found on the UCDSB website.

MyView Youth Film Festival Update – Extended to 2023

After careful consultation with our partners, the MyView Youth Film Festival committee has decided to extend the 2022 festival to the spring of 2023. We wholeheartedly thank all the youth who have submitted films and they will be automatically entered into the 2023 festival. We have received some very thoughtful and creative submissions already and look forward to sharing them. There was a lot

of enthusiasm around MyView and we listened to valuable feedback from schools and youth organizations that extending the contest to include more of the school year will give more youth a chance to participate. Encouraging young people to express their opinions and ideas by being active creators of media instead of passive consumers is an exciting way to hear youth perspectives and improve communities. We would

like to thank our generous sponsors who will continue to support us as well as all the people who have helped to promote MyView and we hope they keep spreading the word so the 2023 festival will be bursting with youth voices. For all the contest details and answers to your questions about MyView 2023, visit www.myviewfilmfest.ca or email info@myviewfilmfest.ca

Career Opportunities

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

www.northdundas.com

The North Dundas Times!

Contact Melissa!

Marketing Consultant Email: melissa@ ndtimes.ca

We’re Hiring!

• Seasonal Plow Truck Drivers (Day Shifts & Afternoon Shifts)

• Seasonal Labourers (Day Shift)

For full position descriptions and details, visit Career Opportunities on our website.

Application deadline is September 30, 2022.Application deadline is October 31, 2022

MUNICIPAL OFFICE HOURS

VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The

Transfer Station Attendant (part-time/Casual)

of North Grenville is seeking to

a casual position of Waste

Station

Building Inspector

The

for this position currently pays $16.83 to $18.92 per hour. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualifications in confidence to Human Resources at hr@northgrenville.on.ca by 4:00 p.m., October 28, 2022.

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill the full-time position of Building Inspector. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualifications in confidence to Human Resources at hr@northgrenville.on.ca. Please note that this posting will remain open until a suitable pool of applicants have been received.

Please visit northgrenville.ca/careers for information and updates on volunteer and employment opportunities.

Photo caption: Students from South Grenville District High School show some of the tools that have already been purchased this school year for their school tech shop.

Does your business go further than North Grenville? Advertise in our sister paper

Let it be

Editorial by David Shanahan

Now the election is over and we, as good democrats, will learn to live with the results for the next term. After the passion and turmoil that characterised this campaign like no other, I wanted to address a couple of issues that arose during the melee. The Times was accused, in the most angry tones, of bias against some candidates, or in favour of others. That was certainly the case, particularly by the end of the campaign, after we had been subjected to innuendo, outright lies, and character assassination. The real question is: was it wrong for us to have such a bias?

Let me ask you: did you vote? If so, you chose one or a few candidates over others. Were you biased? Of course you were; you decided that some individuals deserved your support while others did not. Was it wrong for you to favour some over the others? No, that is not only your right

in a democratic society, it is your responsibility to choose for the benefit, as you see it, of all. The argument will be made that local media, such as ourselves, should not show such bias. Is that true? Is there a law, a regulation, a text that says so? No, there isn’t.

Quite the contrary: surely, if the Times knows things about candidates, they should report it? The ones who demand equality and transparency would surely have it no other way. As for equality, each candidate was given the same amount of space in this newspaper to make their case to the voters. Each was free to have their say without editing or censoring. Even then, online comments were saying we had excluded some candidates, which was obviously untrue: there they were in the paper! But the nature and content of much of the social media postings was incredibly vile and personal, not just against other candidates, but against the Times.

I have noticed this strange quirk before:

there are those who think that pointing out a flaw, a problem, or objectionable behaviour in someone is somehow worse than the problem being pointed out. Instead of asking: is this true?, or why would they print it if it isn’t true?, people react angrily to the very fact that it is being pointed out in the first place. But that is the role of media: to tell people what’s going on, and if that involves accusations of bias, then what do people think we should have done? Stayed silent when we knew the truth, and allow the issue to go unaddressed? Is that responsible journalism? I don’t think so.

And what is responsible behaviour for voters?

It ought to be, surely, to ask the questions posed above: is what they’re saying true? Why are they saying it, what is their motivation? What is their evidence? As an historian, I believe in the essential nature of footnotes, of being able to provide sources, evidence, and that is something I think is demanded by journal-

Curling Season opens with successful Men’s Bonspiel at North Grenville Curling Club

After a three year pandemic hiatus, the North Grenville Curling Club was happy to host the Denn Ice Men’s Invitational Bonspiel this past weekend. Sixteen of the best men’s teams from the Ottawa region and other parts of Ontario participated in the event. This was the first official bonspiel of the men’s curling season.

The winning A Flight rink (team) was skipped by Brian Lewis from the Ottawa Hunt Club, with vice Dave Stanley, second Rob Kanasy and lead Ken Sullivan. The B Flight winning team was skipped by J.P. Lachance from Rideau Curling Club. The C Flight winning team was skipped by Mike Lynch from Carleton Heights Curling Club. Finally, the D

Flight winning team was skipped by John O’Neill from our very own North Grenville Curling Club. The curling was of high calibre and the teams are already looking forward to coming back for next year’s event.

The North Grenville Curling Club ice is heralded as one of the best curling surfaces in the region. Club member Dave Brown and his committee did a wonderful job putting on this event and our membership was tremendous with their volunteer efforts to facilitate its success.

Many thanks to Cee Jay Microsystems, Jonssons Independent Grocer, Plum Realty, Motortrendz, Burnt Rock Curling, Denn Ice, The Print Guy, Ashton Brewing Company, AC Mechanical,

Goldline Curling, Carter Foods – McDonalds, Superdome at Ben Franklin Park and Equinelle Golf Club.

Starting on October 27th, the NGCC will be hosting the Women’s Fall Classic Bonspiel with 24 of the best teams in Canada, the USA and Switzerland participating. This is a ranking event for the Women’s World Curling Tour so the curling will be first rate. We encourage everyone to come out and see these world-class curlers play right in our own community. Hope to see you there.

Interested in Curling? There are still a few spots open in the Learn-to Curl and Youth Programs at NGCC. For more, contact info@ngcurling.ca

the north grenville

ism also.

There was another issue raised during the past few months that was used against the Times, and me in particular, that I think needs addressing. My attitude, and that of the paper, to the LBGTQ community has been seen as somehow negative, that we do not support them against discrimination as we should. Naturally, I don’t think that’s true, but it has been suggested that I have not made myself clear and have left myself open to misinterpretation. So let’s clarify.

The point I would make is that we have a common humanity, and that humanity is flawed. We all know that we do not always act, think, or speak the way we would want to at our best. None of us live up to what we want to be, and that is often a source of grief and confusion. But that flaw does not attach to whether we are male, female, trans, Christian, Moslem, Jewish, Atheist, LGBTQ or straight, Black, White, Brown, Indigenous, Settler, or any other distinc-

tion we make between us all. It is an aspect of our humanity, which means that none of us is in a position to condemn others for what they are, or what they believe, or any other difference we may perceive in them. Unfortunately, there are too many of us who do judge in the negative sense of convicting or condemning. People have different reasons for discrimination and prejudice: often it’s simply ignorance, not knowing the facts, or misinterpreting teachings and received wisdom. It is very easy to let this develop into grievance, victimisation, and we all, at some point, and in some way, feel we have been misunderstood, victimised, made feel unwelcome, at the very least.

As for this newspaper: we try to provide a voice to every section of our community, but that has to be used, has to be a forum for all. These pages have to be open to all shades of opinion, even those we personally find distasteful and discriminatory. Why? Because communication, education, simply talk-

ing to each other, is how we overcome prejudice, ignorance, and hatred. I have always believed that everything needs to be “on the table”, there to be addressed, discussed, and even argued over. We will never completely agree with everyone, but even knowing where they come from, who they are, what they feel and believe, will allow barriers to drop.

Is this naive? Sometimes, I think it is, especially when we are accused of endorsing views we really do not. I have a suggestion: instead of shouting into the echo chamber that is social media, addressing only those who already agree with you in saying that I’m the pawn of evil, or whatever, why not use these pages to state your case? It does mean, of course, that others will disagree with you, and that may be uncomfortable. But it is real and genuine communication. That is what will change hearts and minds. That is the whole point, and isn’t that a consummation devoutly to be wished? Let it be.

eQ Artisan and Vendors' Market

The residents of eQuinelle are excited to introduce the inaugural eQ Artisan and Vendors’ Market to be held at the eQuinelle Residents’ Club, 140 eQuinelle Dr. Kemptville, on Saturday, November 26 from 10am until 4pm.

Free Admission. A voluntary, monetary donation to the local Salvation Army Food Bank is appreciated.

Browse a collection of unique, one of a kind, hand crafted Artisan items including but not limited to: hand woven and hand felted items in wool, silk and alpaca, acrylic art - Manotick Art Association, quality cork handbags and wallets, paint pouring art, sign boards from reclaimed wood and barn wood, knitted shawls and scarves, quilted and hand sewn household items,24” square barn quilt boards (made to order), wood carvings, children’s clothing, memory quilts, pillow cases, and scrunchies, and vendors including Thirty-one and Epicure. This event comes just before the Holiday Season and is an opportunity to purchase gifts, stocking stuffers, and hostess gifts.

Come and see the outstanding products and crafts created by eQuinelle residents and families. The eQ Artisans acknowledge the support and encouragement of the eQ Board of Directors, Clubhouse staff as well as Board Members and Management.

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Rotary Club plants tulips to help eradicate polio

new variety of tulip during a 2013 charity auction, has blossomed into a continuing and internationally successful fundraiser. In the first few years from the launching of this initiative, over 1.5 million tulips were sold, generating approximately $2,000,000 US to fight polio. Thanks to the breeding and cultivation of these beautiful tulips by Dutch grower Jan Lichthart, this Rotary initiative is now in its fourth year in Canada.

THOMAS M. BYRNE

Rotary International has been working to eradicate polio for more than 30 years, and the goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever. As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary has reduced polio cases by 99.9% since the first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979. Rotarians around the world have helped immunize more

than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries and so far, Rotary has contributed more than $1.8 billion toward eradicating this disease. As of last year, polio was endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan and in those countries, there were only 4 cases in total. But it’s crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10

years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year. Evidence of this is that in July 2022, a case of polio was discovered in a 20 year old individual in New York who had never been vaccinated.

Dutch Rotarians have led the world in using tulips to benefit this critical polio eradication project. What began as the purchase of rights to name and sell a

The Rotary Club of Kemptville ordered some of these tulips and arranged to donate them to the local Horticultural Society to be planted at the Rotary Park, commemorating Rotary World Polio Day which is October 24. Earlier this month, the Municipality of North Grenville proclaimed October 24 as World Polio Day in North Grenville. The Rotary Club of Kemptville is pleased to do our part in helping rid the world of this disease.

Vic Pudz President Elect Rotary Club of Kemptville

A

the way back to his childhood. “I have been cutting grass since I was 12, then started to get asked to build simple gardens for some elderly clients,” said Keith. “I decided to go to school for landscape design and then landscape architecture after that. I love working outside and creating custom landscape spaces for our clients to spend time with their families.”

Ardron Landscapes opened in 2015 and has now grown to be an operation with 4-7 seasonal staff. The business stands out because of Keith’s devotion to providing quality work. “We stand out because of our attention to design and how a space will feel to spend time in,” said Keith. “We design in 3D so we can really help clients understand how their new space will look in their back yard.”

Like any business, success is not easy and requires hard work, commitment and plenty of forethought. “We, like most businesses, struggle to find labourers, so we have invested in the latest technologies like vacuum lifters for heavy stones, precision lasers and many other tools to make the hard work easier on all of our valued team members,” Keith said. “We are constantly learning from our clients how best to serve their landscape needs as well as learning from industry leaders and manufacturers how best to install the latest products. Today’s landscape products are very high tech and need specialized equipment like roller compactors and specially designed gravel and synthetic base systems to properly support them for long lasting installations.”

Having a good reputation is also key in business, particularly when it comes to landscaping work, and particularly in small communities like ours. “I feel we are known for our technical expertise in building quality landscapes and now fibreglass pools that really suit our client’s taste and style,” said Keith. “I am very fortunate to work with a team of some of the most talented individuals in the industry and have fun doing it! It is also a perk to work in a seasonal industry that allows me the flexibility to spend more time at home in the winter and be an active part of my children’s lives.”

Speaking to others hoping to one day achieve the same success, Keith provided some humorous advice: “Get ready for a roller coaster ride!” In the end, it’s worth it. “It can be the most rewarding experience to create a business from scratch and tailor it to fit the lifestyle you want to live,” Keith added. “It is great to work locally and support other small business operators just like us!”

Not everyone loves roundabouts

by Brandon Mayer

There is no doubt that Kemptville is a roundabout-heavy town, with three roundabouts having already been in place for years in the relatively short section of County Road 43 that runs through town. As announced earlier this month, a new roundabout will soon be built just east of town, at the intersection of County Roads 43 and 22. While this project has been planned for years and its announcement was a source of great joy for many, not everyone is excited.

Ron Smith lives right next to the intersection poised to get the new roundabout. He has been fighting for years for a set of traffic lights to be installed at the intersection instead. Living so close to the intersection, he is often one of the first people on the scene helping whenever an accident does occur there. The final decision for the roundabout project came as an unpleasant shock.

One sticking point for Ron is that he claims he was told by Bill Guy –who is the Manager of Engineering and Operations for the Leeds and Grenville United Counties – that if traffic lights were planned instead, they could have been installed as early as 2020. Ron has attended meetings since 2019, hoping to convince the Municipality and the Counties that lights are a better option. He feels a roundabout is inappropriate for such a busy highway. “Heavy truck traffic runs through here,” said Ron. “This is not an optimum place to put one

of those things. Putting in lights would not have required possibly expropriating land to fit it in. Also, the type of traffic isn’t being considered if they stay with a roundabout since they are trying to put the smallest one possible in. The decision was made without any traffic volume data to support it, only the comparison of which is safer.”

Noise is already a problem at the intersection, but Ron is worried that the noise level will rise even more after the roundabout is installed. Noise concerns were one sticking point in the planning of the specific upgrades for the intersection of County Roads 43 and 22. One traffic calming measure that has been proposed for the area is rumble strips. However, Counties Director of Public Works Rick Kester pointed out at a virtual meeting on October 4 that while these are effective at getting drivers’ attention, they also produce a lot of noise. Feedback will therefore be sought from local residents regarding such measures, but Ron is worried that just the roundabout itself will increase noise.

Ron has talked to other area residents who also agree that a roundabout is not the ideal solution for the intersection at County Roads 43 and 22. “If they’re going to do something I would rather see a set of lights put up here,” Ron said. He wishes he had known about the meeting on October 4, as he would have asked if he could participate. Along the section of County Road 43 that passes through North Grenville, he is one of the only residential prop-

erty owners who lives at a roundabout intersection (or in this case, what is soon to be a roundabout intersection), and so he feels he should have more of a say.

Ron believes that the previous Council has severely mishandled issues related to upgrades to County Road 43, particularly when it comes to the use of roundabouts.

“[That] Council screwed it all up,” he said. He added that not enough consideration has been given to proposed alternate truck routes during construction.

“The 43 is the only truck route from Kemptville to Winchester. The alternative route is Boundary Road (by Eastern Memorials) to French Settlement or Kennedy to County Road 20 – all of which are residential, trucks are actually not allowed on those roads and the residents on those roads should be forewarned.”

Proponents of roundabouts often point to research suggesting that they are safer than other types of intersections because they nearly eliminate the possibility of head on collisions, and accidents that do occur at roundabouts are almost always low in speed and therefore low in injures and deaths. Roundabouts have become more common in recent decades. Recently, an existing set of traffic lights at the intersection of two county roads in Long Sault was replaced by a roundabout. Unfortunately for those who dislike them, the trend toward using roundabouts as a traffic control measure at busy intersections is not likely to change anytime soon

That chill in the air can mean only one thing; Winter is on its way! It is predicted that home heating costs could rise at least 30% this year. Old, inefficient windows and doors can account for up to 25% of heating loss. That's like throwing money out your window! Clear Cut Installations offers many stylish and efficient options in windows and doors.

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A newly installed 60 km/h speed limit sign at the intersection of County Roads 43 and 22.

A roundabout will soon be built here.

Claire Larabie: Heart of gold

year and turn it into Santa’s workshop organizing toys for less fortunate kids in North Grenville. She didn’t just give a toy, but found out personally what was on each child’s wish list and made sure the child got what they asked Santa for. Claire knew where to find donors in our great community, and if she couldn’t find donors, she was known to reach into her own pocket and purchase the gift. She had the biggest most generous heart of anyone I knew. She will be greatly missed.”

assistance. She would even offer money out of her own pocket, so no one would be left behind!

Frank continued. “Claire would also help any family or individual who needed help by calling the Rotary Club, the Lion's Club, Knights of Columbus, or any other groups, and she would not let this idle until a solution was found! Having such an individual living in North Grenville with the willingness to help others

was really heart warming! It was an honour knowing her!

She will be sorely missed and I know she was greeted with open arms by all the Angels above, since she became one herself!

I am glad your pain is gone, may you rest in peace my friend! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication in helping others!”

And there were so many other causes to which Claire

gave her time, her energy, her money and her love. Think of her when you see the Duck Race on the South Branch. There are, as yet, no arrangements for a funeral service for Claire: it was not something she wanted. But remember and honour her, perhaps, in supporting those causes she championed so well and for so long. That would be a great and lasting tribute.

by David Shanahan

The recent death of Claire Larabie leaves a huge gap in the caring community of North Grenville. Claire was a dynamic personality who had an effect on more people in this area than anyone might have imagined. It seemed that no matter what the emergency situation, Claire was the first to know about it and organise a helping hand in response. Individuals in need, families left homeless after a house fire, or the everyday ups and downs that left people in need - whatever it was, Claire was to be found working to put things right.

Her main focus was through a partnership she helped put together, the North Grenville Community Service Council (NGCSC), a Board made up of representatives from the Kemptville Lions Club, the Kemptville Kinsmen, the Rotary Club of Kemptville, the Knights of Columbus 5333, and Legion 212. The Board’s mandate is to look into emergency requests that are sent to member groups. Any local organization or individual can send in a request to the members to be assessed by the Board.

Every year, for example, Claire organised the NGCSC Christmas Food Hampers and Gifts which are delivered to families and seniors.

The Special Need Program provides help to families coping with illness in the home. Community merchants and private residents sponsor those who are dealing with health issues, or for children with a disability.

Claire’s involvement in all of these projects put her in touch with people across the community, and she was always there ready to do whatever was needed. She was also extremely good at getting other people, businesses, and groups involved - a real gift she enjoyed.

Jim Beveridge of the B&H learned that early on. “In the transition between the B&H being operated by my father, and Judy and I taking over, there were many questions to ask about why things were the way they were.

When I asked Harry Pratt about Claire, he responded with a chuckle and what I found to be great advice. ‘When Claire asks you to do something, just say yes. It's a lot easier than trying to explain why you can't, only to find yourself doing it anyway’".

Judy Littau of Royal LePage is one of the organisers of the Mountain of Toys drive every Christmas, and knew Claire very well indeed.

“Claire was Kemptville’s Mrs Claus. Christmas was one of her favourite times of year. She would open up her basement every

Another fan of Claire’s, and one who knew the extent of her contribution to the community, is Frank Hoffman, owner of Kemptville’s Canadian Tire store. He worked with Claire on the JumpStart program over the years, gathering funds to help children get involved in sports they might otherwise not have been able to afford.

“I have known and worked with Claire for over 15 years now. She was the Canadian Tire JumpStart Ambassador for most of those years, looking after all the children who applied for financial help to play sports. She had such a big heart that she would approve 90% of them and then call me to see how we can get the other 10% some monetary

The NGDHS intermediate girls soccer team celebrating their win of the Upper Canada Cup. They wish to send a special Thank you to Coaches Hunter and Bradley for a great season.

The North Grenville Photography Club

On a canoe trip recently in northern Algonquin, the leaves had not quite peaked, however, the weather cooperated, chilly at night but warm and sunny in the day with no crowds and no wind, gotta love the fall season. Photo by Dave Percy.

Introducing Claude Smith

Claude's Gardening and Landscaping Forum

house Forum, with the aim of answering readers’ pre-emailed questions related to the world of landscaping and gardening.

by Brandon Mayer

Coming next month to the North Grenville Times, readers who have questions related to gar-

dening and landscaping will have the opportunity to get advice from a local who truly knows her stuff. Claude Smith will preside over her own advice column, Claude’s Green-

Claude attended Kemptville College as a mature student in the Horticulture Diploma program. After graduating, she soon started her own landscaping company called “The Village Gardener”, and she successfully ran her own business for 20 years. That kind of experience is clearly valued by educational institutions, and in 2010, Claude started teaching in the Horticulture program at the University of Guelph during the winter months. She became the Program Coordinator for the Horticultural Diploma and Apprenticeship programs in 2012 until the closure of the College in 2016.

Claude has since com-

73’s ignite a spark for success

mitted to remaining active in the world of horticulture. She re-opened the Campus greenhouse after the school closure for adult workshops, plant sitting during the winter, space rental for various groups, yoga classes, and growing and selling vegetables and plants to local merchants and the general public. The greenhouse also hosts visits from local schools.

Have a gardening or landscaping question? Don’t be shy! Questions can be emailed to editor@ ngtimes.ca with a note stating that it is a question for Claude. Depending on the volume of questions received, you can expect an answer in Claude’s column in a subsequent issue of the Times. Happy gardening, everyone!

by the sports guy

Friday evening was end-to-end action as the Kemptville 73’s hosted the Rockland Nationals to steal a 5 to 2 victory.

Trottier with Lammi penetrated the line onto the tape of Hunter Brazier to flip it over Ben Grahame to draw first blood for Kemptville 73’s at 8:39. Whyte combined with Campeau to find Devin Savignac in the lane to bang it home to put the 73’s on the board by two at 8:57. Kemptville with an extra man as Trottier reverses to Yakubowski on the

point and Chase Lammi PPG pulls the trigger to chase Grahame to the bench after the third goal at 11:32. A terrible decision by the D cost Jacob Biron a SO as Patrick Lanthier PPG with helpers from Prepszl with Crete took advantage of the failed block at 19:51. Kemptville outgunned their opponent by 14 to 12 and spent most of the initial frame in their zone.

See saw battle to open second stanza as Campeau feathered it to Savignac, back to Nathan Merrett pinching the line to launch

a missile past Hadyn Gould at 7:29 to give Kemptville a 4 to 1 advantage. Kemptville still ahead of Rockland with 15 SOG to 12.

Another D miscue gave Kyle Leonard a doorstep marker with helper from White at 3:15 to pull the Nationals within two. Rockland yanked Gould at 17:26 for extra attacker that was unsuccessful as Matthew O’Doherty ENG solo effort to pull the trigger at 18:54 for his first of the season. Kemptville outshot Rockland by 14 to 9 with both teams recording 1 PPG on

2 attempts.

Coach Shawn Fensel summed it up best when he stated, “this was a must needed win and we played a complete game with executing our systems, a great example of we want to play as a team this season. Jacob Biron as stellar in net and it was great to almost have our veterans off IL to help settle things down”.

Saturday evening the 73’s invaded the Hawks Nest in Hawkesbury to settle for one point as they were handed a 3 to 2 loss in OT.

Kemptville with man advantage as Yakubowski rifles it from the line and Hunter Brazier PPG finds the rebound to put it behind Dekon Randell-Snow at 3:07. A solo effort as Noah Leithman beats Jacob Biron at 6:46 to knot it up at one. Hawkesbury hammered 15 SOG to Kemptville 10.

Kemptville on PP when Merrett held the line to Vollett, onto Grady Logue stick for PPG at 16:06 for the tiebreaker. Hawks still in charge as they outshoot the 73’s 16 to 12.

Kemptville gets caught flat-footed early in the final frame and pays for it when Sauve springs Alex Fournier free at 1:55 to close the twenty and force OT. Hawks on the roost to post a 16 to 8 shot advantage.

Sauve with Kirk for Alex Fournier second of the game at 2:47 and award Hawkesbury a hard earned 3 to 2 win. The Hawks managed 4 SOG to 1 from the 73’s and failed on three PP, with Kemptville two PPG on four tries.

Next Friday the Nepean Raiders will invade the 73’s

barn for second time as they will be seeking redemption after being spanked 5 to 3 during their last meeting. Hockey with EDGE… see you around the wall…. remember “Beer on Tap in the Barn”.

Matthew O’Doherty

Smooth, and savvy sparks success…Hunter Brazier flips it over a sprawling stopper to mash the mesh after Emile Trottier with Chase Lammi penetrated the line to draw first blood for the Kemptville 73’s during a Friday evening excursion and walk away with a 5 to 2 victory over the Rockland Nationals in front of approximately 300 fans.

Loneliness Among Men

Getting older inevitably means losing the hard-earned friends made over a lifetime. It’s a sad irony that the older one gets, the fewer friends remain who share the same memories and interests.

FOOD CORNER ARTICLE

By Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

Ok, so it’s back to the ubiquitous pumpkin. They are all around us just now and last week, I thought it would be a good idea for you to roast the seeds. This week, it’s time for Pumpkin Bread (Beth’s annotation on the recipe at home is “excellent” and it sure is. So here goes.

Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

3 cups of sugar

1 cup of vegetable oil

Loneliness is worse for health than obesity – as bad as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It can increase the risk of death by 26 percent and of cognitive decline on the way. But a recent story on the Good News Network offered a heart-warming take on loneliness among older men.

A story reads that at 67 years of age, “Phillip Jackson moved back to England from Australia, and immediately felt like a stray dog in his native town.” He may have felt out of place, but he should not have felt alone. There is an abundance of people who feel isolated, even when they are living in vibrant communities.

Age UK’s report All the Lonely People forecast the number of people over 50 in England experiencing loneliness to reach 2 million people by 2026. How terribly sad that the same organization found “half a million people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all.”

According to a global survey, about 33 percent of adults experienced feelings of loneliness worldwide. Brazil, the seventh most populous country in the world, has the loneliest adults, with 50 percent of the survey’s respondents declaring that they felt lonely some of the time, often or always.

Less than a third of Australian adults feel that way. It might be because they’ve found an interesting solution. Phillip Jackson learned about the Australian Men’s Shed Association, a rapidly expanding network of mostly men but some women too who appreciate getting together to do woodworking.

These Men’s Sheds, now numbering over 1,200 groups in Australia, are basically a social club in disguise. On the surface, members get together and make things out of wood. But the role these groups play in helping otherwise lonely people connect with peers for a common purpose is not to be underestimated.

Other similar groups exist. MensGroup, for example, has podcasts, a YouTube channel, selfimprovement courses, and even adventure retreats.

Makings new friends at any point in life can be challenging. A study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships estimated it takes about 90 hours with someone to make them a real friend, and 200 to become “close”.

For some men, making friends can be tough. Josh Glancy, a British journalist, wrote in Men’s Health, “Many of us find it easier to talk about football or politics than to admit to suffering from a low sex drive or feeling undervalued at work. We don’t know who to tell these things, or how to say them.”

He made the apt comparison of loneliness to hunger. “It’s a lack of emotional sustenance, the physical pleasure of being in the company of someone who cares about you.”

A study in the American Journal of Men’s Health offers good advice: have a purpose in life. In this regard, researchers have good news. People can, they say, develop a sense of purpose even when faced with significant adversity. And more good news, one’s life purpose can change. It doesn’t have to be the same purpose from start to finish.

Grandfathers have been known to counsel their grandchildren, “Go sit on the beach until you know what you want to do with your life.” Maybe it’s time for the old fellows to take their own advice.

If the beach is distant, then there might be a Men’s Shed around. Better still, start up another one.

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.

1 and 2/3 cup of canned pumpkin

4 eggs, well beaten

3 ½ cups of flour

2 teaspoons of baking soda

2 teaspoons of salt

1 and ½ teaspoon each of: baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg

1 teaspoon of allspice

½ teaspoon of ground cloves

2/3 cups of water

Preparation

1. Heat your oven to 350F

2. Combine the sugar, oil, pumpkin and eggs and beat till light and fluffy

3. Sift together the flour, soda, salt, baking powder and spices

4. Add to the pumpkin, alternating with the water

5. Mix until well blended

6. Turn into two greased (with vegetable oil spray) and dusted (with flour) loaf pans

7. Bake for 45 minutes.

As usual, you can test for doneness by inserting a toothpick to see if it comes out clean. Once done, you should cool these in the pan for 10 minutes and then turn them out on racks to continue cooling. Mind you, this loaf is hard to resist hot with some room temperature butter and/or honey and goes great with a good cup of Earl Gray or your favourite blend of coffee. It also freezes nicely for a treat mid-winter.

This is sure a great season for enjoying comfort food. Stay well and keep those emails coming to Paul at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

Annual Butterfly Run was a colourful success

down the rail trail to Bedell Road and back again.

Anne-Marie with her son Colt, in front of the sign in memory of Charlotte, Anne-Marie’s daughter. This Run is one of the many ways that she and her husband feel they can stay connected with her.

by Ashley Sloan

It was a beautiful weekend for the 6th Annual Butterfly Run. One branch of the event took place in North Grenville on October 9. Over 20 participants walked or ran the course that started on Hagen Street,

The Butterfly Run aims to raise awareness and support around pregnancy and infant loss in Ottawa and the surrounding areas. This year the event raised over $60,000, brining the total amount raised to over $400,000 for Roger Neilson House. All proceeds from the Run and fundraising events are donated to Roger Neilson House to support families while their children are in pediatric palliative care.

Local resident and CoChair for this event, AnneMarie Warren is one of the many women that has gone through a loss. Anne-Marie started co-chairing the organization and brought a branch of the Run to North Grenville after her daughter gained her wings at 44 days old.

The support her family received at Roger Neilson House during their stay made their precious time with Charlotte as comfortable as possible. This is Anne-Marie’s 5th year as Co-Chair of the Run.

Anne-Marie hopes to keep Charlotte's memory alive by supporting others who have suffered pregnancy and/or infant loss and by giving back to RNH for their continued love and support. Anne-Marie was happy to be a part of the first Pregnancy After Loss support group which she attended through her pregnancy with her son, Colt.

If anyone would like to donate to the Roger Neilson House please visit their website at https://rogerneilsonhouse.ca/.

Classifieds 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

NEW – Artisan and Vendors’ Market

Admission Free .Monetary donation to Kemptville Salvation Army Food Bank is appreciated. eQuinelle Residents’ Club, 140 eQuinelle Dr. Kemptville, Ont. Saturday, November 26, 10am – 4 pm

Double Feature Movie Night!

OCTOBER 29th

Merrickville Lions Club is hosting two halloween movies at the Merrickville United Church. The first is for kids, Ghostbusters, starting at 2pm with a special visit by the Capital Ghostbusters just before the movie! The second is for adults, Rocky Horror Picture Show, starting at 7pm. Both movies will have

for costumes. There is no admission fee but we are asking for donations, cash or food, for

Classifieds

FOR SALE

WHEELCHAIR FOR SALE, LIKE NEW ONLY SIX MONTH OLD. PAID OVER 4000.00, ASKING 2,000.00 BUT WILLING TO NEGOTIATE. PLEASE CALL 613-296-8778

WALKER WITH SEAT; ELECTRIC ACTIVE CYCLE (PEDAL ONLY TYPE), MANUAL EXERCISE CYCLE. CALL 613-5678533

2 SOLID WOOD ADIRONDACK CHAIRS, 36" HIGH, GOOD CONDITION. $40 EACH OR 2 FOR $75. NADFUDT@GMAIL.COM

BALCK&DECKER RICE COOKER PLUS, LIKE NEW. $12. CONTACT NADFUDT@GMAIL.COM

RED PICNIC TABLE , CUSTOM BUILT, 4 SEATER. 4'8" X 4'X10". $45. CONTACT NADFUDT@GMAIL. COM

BLACK WALNUT PLANKS AND DISKS MERRICKVILLE JGHARRIS@SYMPATICO.CA

SETS OF WINTER TIRES 195-60R 15"; 1 SET ON GM 4 BOLT RIMS; $120 PER SET. CALL 613-282-1836, LEAVE A MESSAGE

DRY FIREWOOD FOR SALE $110 A CORD PLUS DELIVERY FEE. CALL OR TEXT JON 613-227-3650

SMALL SQUARE BALES OF HAY AND STRAW FOR SALE. CALL OR TEXT JON 613227-3650

STEALTH 300 MOTORGUIDE ELECTRIC BOAT MOTOR, 30LBS, THRUST 2 POPS. $75. CONTACT NADFUDT@GMAIL.COM

HAY AND STRAW FOR SALE 4X4 ROUND BALES, STORED INSIDE. CALL JON 613-2273650

HELP

HISTORIC HALL AVAILABLE FOR RENTALS IN BEAUTIFUL BURRITTS RAPIDS! START A BOOK CLUB IN TIME FOR COOLER WEATHER IN A HAMLET NEAR WALKING TRAILS AND PARKETTES. OUR HALL IS WELL EQUIPPED FOR ANY GATHERING OR CELEBRATION, AND WE OFFER VERY COMPETITIVE RATES. HTTP://BURRITTSRAPIDS.COM/

WANTED

Looking to rent winter parking near Asa St. Contact 613-545-5420.

KEMPTVILLE AREA ROOM. MATURE STUDENT, STUDYING AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR IN KEMPTVILLE, NEEDS A QUIET ROOM WITH BATHROOM FACILITIES FROM SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER AND FROM FEBRUARY TO APRIL. WEEKDAYS

ONLY. HAS SMALL FRIDGE, KITCHEN NOT REQUIRED. NEEDS RELIABLE INTERNET ACCESS. CALL CHRIS 613200-7016.

SERVICES

RETIRED CARPENTER

Renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, additions, decks, home repair. Call George at 613 462 7637

HANDYMAN SERVICES

Call Bill 613 774 2922

Hedge Trimming Small or Tall Call Rob 613-795-1845'

#DonateForDustin Golf Tournament raises $8,600 for Kemptville District Hospital Foundation

Remembering Dustin Littau, Judy Littau, representing both the Littau and Virgin families, presented the Kemptville District Hospital Foundation with a donation of $8,600 on October 18th, 2022. These funds were raised through the #DonateForDustin Golf Tournament held on June 17th, 2022, in Dustin’s memory.

The annual golf tournament is bringing awareness to the lifesaving act of donating blood and the importance of stem cell registry.

As requested by the families, the funds will be designated for the acquisition of a CT scan at KDH.

Margret Norenberg, Chair KDH Foundation, and Joanne Mavis, Executive Director, gratefully accepted the donation.

Baldwin's Birds

their presence there. But I did have time to witness three Rock Pigeons fly down to join them, so I left them to it.

Smile Cookies were a hit! The money raised at the two Kemptville Tim Hortons locations during September’s Smile Cookie campaign will be used to support Children’s Mental Health Programs in North Grenville.

Kemptville District Hospital Foundation Board Chair, Margret Norenberg (second from right), and KDH Foundation Executive Director Joanne Mavis (far right), were thrilled to accept a cheque for over $12,000 from Kemptville Tim Hortons owners Ingrid Kohling and Jose Salvador.

Baldwin's Birds Keeping abreast of things

Tuesday morning, following my weekly breakfast date with friends, I was almost home when I spotted some dark figures moving in a field adjacent to the road. At first, I drove past but quickly realised that I was probably seeing some Wild Turkeys, so I did a rapid but safe turnaround and confirmed my suspicion. My camera was with me, so my telephoto lens soon had "said Turkeys" in its frame, as they nonchalantly browsed the surrounding grasses. My pictures later revealed that most of them, although female, had beards! Yes! "Bearded La-

dies" in Kemptville! Check it out for yourselves, https:// www.turkeyandturkeyhunting.com/turkey-scratchings/turkey-hunting-blog/ turkeys-365-all-about-turkey-beards It is something that I have never really noted before, but each had quite a long narrow hanging appendage of hair at the lower end of its neck, nearer to its body than its face. The bright red feature just below the chin is the "wattle" and a different part of the turkey's facial features. That's something else I have learned today after always assuming that the wattle was its only outstanding feature! Duh! I'd seen plenty of turkeys before, so didn't spend a great deal of time dwelling on

On arriving home, the weather still wasn't too bad and I caught a glimpse of one of our "Upside-down" birds, though this one was not our usual White Breasted Nuthatch, it was its close relative – a Red Breasted Nuthatch! I plonked myself down on our front steps, kept as still as possible, and just watched all the bird activity on and around our feeders for the better part of an hour, getting outdoor photo-shots of them as they popped back and forth. It sounds easy but those little fellas and their Chickadee buddies don't dwell too long on a feeder at all! They are in and out in an instant blur of colour and feathers before you have time to register their pres-

ence, let alone time to press the camera shutter switch to capture the moment. Even anticipating them is very hit and miss because they aren't going to land momentarily exactly on the spot that you have your eyes and camera "trained on!" Sometimes you get a lucky shot which makes it all worth it, but like fishing, you sometimes are out of luck! Maybe you yourself have had better success at it than some of us others!

On a slower note, I also saw a White Throated Sparrow with its distinctive yellow markings just above its eyes still visible, although it was not in its full summer plumage.

Remember, whatever you capture on camera or see, just enjoy the experience and remember to always stay safe and well. Cheers, John Baldwin

Margret Norenberg (center), Joanne Mavis (far left), Judy Littau (far right).

Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie Campaign supports Children’s Mental Health Programs in our community

North Grenville’s Local Financial Service Professionals

by Brandon Mayer

Blue Moon Live concert series in Burritts Rapids

feature a very special band at the upcoming concert on October 29. Toronto-based band So Long Seven will play a

the local concert as part of a tour promoting their new album at several locations in Ontario and Quebec.

So Long Seven is a band featuring a blend of jazz, classical, blues, and folk music from around the world. A biography on the band’s website tells

part of the story. “Nestled in the rhythmic drive of tabla player Ravi Naimpally, Neil Hendry (guitar), William Lamoureux (violin), and Tim Posgate (banjo) create an aural space beyond boundaries,” it reads. This highly skilled quartet references several global traditions including traditional musical forms of India, Europe, Africa and the many musical traditions of the Americas in a unique and cohesive cultural bridge.”

So Long Seven is described as “a national force”, having played shows at notable venues all across Canada. The band has also performed internationally in Europe. “The album Kala Kalo was recorded at the

historic Grant Avenue studio founded by music legend Daniel Lanois and used by the likes of Gordon Lightfoot, Johnny Cash and U2,” the band’s website reads. “This environment along with the attentive recording process of producer Anthony Michelli resulted in the sophisticated and textured album. Kala Kalo was nominated for best Instrumental album in 2019 at the Canadian Folk Music Awards.”

The Blue Moon Live concert series is the brainchild of local musician John Sobol, who launched it in May of this year with the hope of featuring talented artists in local concerts so that North Grenville resi-

dents could take in quality entertainment without leaving the Municipality. The tickets to the concert are “excessively cheap”, with the aim of encouraging people of all ages to come out and enjoy great music. The concerts have thus far featured very notable musicians, including Alan Gerber, and Megan Jerome and the Together Ensemble.

Tickets will be avail-

able at the door. More information about the Blue Moon Live concert series can be found on a dedicated website at https://bluemoonlive.ca/.

Kutebah

Toronto-based band So Long Seven who will perform in Burritts Rapids on October 29.