Everyone’s favourite Christmas tree store is once again open for the season! The so-called Kemptville Lions Club Christmas Tree Sale is
very popular annually.
Last year, Lion Robert Sentner explained the history of the Tree Sale: “We started our Christmas Tree Sale project well over 10
Last Sunday the Kemptville Campus, was lined up with cars as far as the eye could see. All these volunteer drivers were were dropping off the bags full of food and items that had been picked up throughout North Grenville from people's doorsteps. It is hard
years ago and only sold trees over the weekend the fi rst few years,” he said. “Around 2013, we added tree sales through the week and continue to do so. Ini-
to imagine the co ordination of so many people. From the ones who tagged the bags, to the drivers who dropped them off and picked them up, to the many volunteers inside the Bell Building receiving and sorting the bags, it just boggles the mind. However to the untrained eye, everything seemed to be running smoothly, and the volunteers all had smiles on their faces, even though facing the mounds of food dropped off
Thank You to all of North Grenville for showing such compasion.
tially, we sourced trees directly from Ferguson Forest, however, after using up all they could offer, we are now bringing in trees from a nursery in Peterborough.”
This year’s price remains the same, at $75 per tree. What perhaps makes the Christmas Tree Sale most special is the fact that it is a fundraiser for some of the most important local, regional, and international causes. Examples include local food banks, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, the Community Services Council, Senior’s Community Services, Kemptville Home Support, Community Living, Kemptville District Hospital and local High School student bursaries. Running such a busy and popular fundraiser is not without its perks. “Seeing familiar faces year after year returning to get their Christmas trees as well as helping the kids find just the right tree makes it fun,” explained Lion Robert.
The Kemptville Lions Club Christmas Tree Sale is located at the Ferguson Forest Centre Main Entrance, inside the chain link lot where all the greenhouses are located - 275 Highway 44 in Kemptville. The hours of operation are from 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 5 pm on weekends.
The November winner of the Lions Trip of the
Lion Wendy
Lion
is
(President),
and Lion
The December draw will be on December 9th, at Catered Affairs, between 6:30 & 7:00 pm. This month we will only have one meeting on December 16th and the winner will be introduced then and presented with the cash draw cheque of $1500.00. Again, Thank you for your continued support
by NG’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee
An article appeared in the October 31, 2024 issue of the NG Times that reported on a horrible incident of racism in our community. The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee is an advisory committee to the Municipal Council of North Grenville that is composed of community members along with Council representatives, and we condemn this act of racism in the strongest possible terms. We are also concerned about how we, as community members, respond when something like this happens.
The language used in the racist graffiti referred to in the article is completely unacceptable in our community and causes harm not only to the people personally impacted, but also to the social fabric of our community. It sows distrust and fear rather
than neighbourly bonds and it can lead some community members among us to feel afraid where we should feel most at home. Our community is stronger when everyone feels welcome and accepted.
The article repeated in great detail the racist language of the graffiti and included a photo of the offensive words. By doing so in such an explicit manner, the Times may have inadvertently caused further harm and re-inflicted pain on community members through added exposure. We fully support the need to report on such incidents in order to inform the residents of North Grenville and continue working toward making this the kind, caring, and inclusive community where we want to live. However, the way in which the NG Times does this matters, and it is important to report the key information without un-
necessarily explicit descriptions, photos and language. It is not just the NG Times that needs to pay attention to this. It is important for all of us to be conscious of the impact of what we say and do. Words are powerful – they can heal and they can harm, they can bring people together and they can push people apart. On the EDI Advisory Committee, we believe that most residents in North Grenville want a warm and welcoming community that includes people of all backgrounds. One way to do this is to consider the impact on others when choosing words to make sure that they align with the message of education and compassion we intend to share.
For more education on this topic, please see the Words Matter campaign at harmony.ca, designed for use in schools, but helpful for everyone.
by Craig Calvert
The veterans living in Equinelle have once again demonstrated their commitment to supporting their fellow veterans through the Poppy Trust Fund. This year, they collected $840 amongst themselves during the Poppy Campaign, a cause deeply personal to them. The funds will directly benefit veterans and their families in need in North Grenville and across Ontario.
The Equinelle veterans and their partners, who meet regularly for camaraderie and support, are actively involved in various community organizations in North Grenville. Their dedication to service continues well beyond their military careers, as they strive to make a positive impact within their community.
Owner, CEO
The Municipality of North Grenville is inviting residents to share their input and priorities as part of the development of the 2025 municipal budget. A public survey is now open, offering community members the opportunity to provide feedback that will help shape the Municipality’s spending and priorities for the upcoming year.
The annual budget is a critical tool in funding the programs, services, and infrastructure that residents depend on, and the Municipality is committed to ensuring that it reflects the needs and values of the
community.
“This is your chance to have a say in how municipal funds are allocated,” said Mayor Nancy Peckford. “We want to hear from as many residents and business leaders as possible about what matters most to them— whether it’s investments in infrastructure, parks and recreation, public safety, or other key services. Your input is invaluable in helping us make decisions that align with the needs of our growing community.”
How to Participate:
The survey is available online at https://www.northgrenville.ca/council-government/municipal-government/budget and will remain open until January 2, 2025.
Hard copies of the survey can also be picked up at
the Municipal Centre during regular business hours.
Feedback collected from the survey will help guide Council and municipal staff in prioritizing resources for 2025. Public input, along with operational needs, legislative requirements, and long-term planning goals, will inform the proposed budget, which will be reviewed and debated by Council in the coming months.
For more information about the budget process or to access the survey, please visit https://www. northgrenville.ca/councilgovernment/municipal-government/budget
Have your say and help shape the future of North Grenville!
by Brandon Mayer
What does it mean for something to be “taboo”?
By definition, it means something that is “considered unacceptable or forbidden by a social group”. It stands to reason that the use of the N-word is taboo. In certain contexts – such as shouting it at a person of colour in the middle of the street, or spray painting it on a wall – it would be considered illegal… a hate crime.
Unfortunately, in October, someone in the North Grenville community broke the taboo. They spray painted the N-word, in its chilling entirety, on the wall of an abandoned building in Kemptville. It even mentioned the name of a local youth of colour. It was the mother of that youth – the victim of the hate crime – who asked the Times to print the photo with the N-word uncensored. She wanted North Grenville to face the raw reality of what happened, believing that there could be no better motivation for community members to take the issue seriously.
We received feedback from a few people who didn’t like that the article about the graffiti incident
showed the photo uncensored, and included the word in the text. As the person who wrote the article, I concede that I probably could have left the full written word out of the text. It was already plain to see in the photo – no need to repeat it. But in terms of censoring the photo, I could not disagree more with that idea. Why? Let’s refer back to one of the most common sayings out there: “Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it”. Regarding the situation at hand, it may be more fitting to say that those who try and exist in a bubble will be unprepared for what’s on the outside if the bubble ever bursts. Hiding from the truth doesn’t change reality. Sometimes, “committee speak”, as I like to call it, can sound just a bit too fluffy, or a bit too political. People tend to tune such things out, and as a result, progress is minimal. I am referring to statements such as “…working toward making this the kind, caring, and inclusive community where we want to live”, which you will read as part of a submission in this issue from NG’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. It’s a nice statement,
Dear Editor,
From the nice lady who brings cookies to Church, to the OPP who check your garage at night after you've called them about a prowler, we are surrounded by people who give of themselves to help others. Some people have jobs that allow them to help others, other people volunteer. I volunteer to ring bells for the Salvation Army Christmas fundraiser, which helps our local food bank and other programs. I don't volunteer just to raise funds. I volunteer because I have extreme social anxiety and the gentle interaction of saying, "Hello" and, "Have a good night" is near to the maximum social interaction that I can tolerate.
Social anxiety is visceral, not cognitive, so bell-ringing is a challenge. I do it because I want to offer genuine friendliness to my fellow humans, along with a candy cane. This is a level of social interaction that I can comfortably offer (I get tongue-tied if more is demanded). I'm not of-
and I respect the entire submission from the Committee, but it sounds like “fluffy speak” to me. If we put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig, not a ballerina.
Consider what would have likely happened had we reported the graffiti hate crime in a more sensitive way. Many likely would have glossed over the article, not even cluing in to what word was spray painted on the wall (if a picture is not interesting, some readers won’t even bother with the article). Others would have felt reassured that the issue had been put to rest, and nothing worthy of their attention. I highly doubt there would have been any dialogue around the issue.
Instead, the photo was printed with only the name of the victim censored, and here we are, still talking about this very important issue as a community. The photo is nothing more than a photo of something spray painted on a wall for anyone to see, right here in North Grenville, and yet it has spurred weeks of discussion, including from NG’s dedicated EDI Advisory Committee.
If I was a person of colour – particularly a youth
fering a greeting to beg for money, I'm genuinely happy to see other humans in a safe interaction. No-one can be expected to donate money at every kettle they see, so giving a friendly greeting to your local bell ringer helps make our time meaningful even when you have no change to offer. If you have some time available to ring a bell, please call the Salvation Army co-ordinator at 613 561 7447.
Shifts are usually two hours long. It's not exciting (it can even be quite boring, sorry, no filter) what makes it worthwhile is the connection with people as well as the fundraising for those in our community who really need help. Service is love in action. The OPP officer or nurse or emergency tech who responds to your call, or the editor who prints a letter they don't necessarily agree with, is offering love to their community in the most meaningful way possible: action. Action can also be as simple as
– and I saw the graffiti on the wall with virtually no community dialogue after, it would make me fearful of the place in which I live. I would feel alone. On the other hand, when the 99.999% (an estimate, of course) of North Grenville residents who are staunchly opposed to racism were confronted with the almost unbelievable nature of the word written on that wall, it gave them a chance to speak up as one massive collective voice, ready to assure any person of colour in NG that they are safe, valued, and equal.
I wouldn’t dare compare the atrocities of the Holocaust to the use of a racist term in one particular instance. However, for the sake of analogy, one could argue that too much “fluffy speak” played a big role in what happened in Nazi German in the 1930s and 1940s. Hitler was democratically elected by telling people what they wanted to hear. It’s safe to say that the majority of those who voted for him did not intend to vote in favour of mass genocide. If enough people had the courage at the time to stand up and “call it as they saw it” when the signs of Hitler’s dark views became appar-
giving a greeting during or at the end of a long day. Bell ringers are not smiling at you in case you have money, we are smiling because we are genuinely happy to meet you. To paraphrase Milton: "They also serve who only stand and greet".
Susan Hunt
Dear Editor,
I think it is a problem of scale. A few thousand years ago, when the Earth's population was only tens of millions, there were bullies and narcissists too, but the pain they caused was limited to a regional level. What happened in Europe had no bearing on the average person in Africa, or Asia.
There are probably no more of those ilk, proportionally speaking, than there were back then, but now, one of them, one person, pushing one "big red button" can destroy all life on this planet. We are, perhaps, a failed product; a race of beings who have not mastered the art of self-control.
There are boom and bust
ent, perhaps it would have been more plain for all to see where the Hitler story was going before it became too late. I suspect many at the time were too wrapped up in the idea that such pure evil could not exist in the world, similar to how many in NG don’t believe that racism could exist here. But putting a black box over it in a newspaper photo doesn’t make it go away. The need for unadulterated truth is one of the lessons to come out of the Holocaust.
I don’t regret my choice
(which was also editor David’s choice, and the choice of the mother of the victim) to print the photo in the October 31 issue with the N-word uncensored. It opened a dialogue, and forced community members to confront a reality: this happened right here in NG. Who knows… perhaps some parents took the article as nudge to discuss racism with their kids. There can be no progress without raw truth, even when sometimes, it hurts.
cycles in nature, wherein populations of animals increase to the point where their habitat can no longer sustain them. Then natural controls come into play -- starvation, predators, disease. Sometimes the population becomes extinct. Sometimes it crawls back from the brink, only to repeat the cycle over and over.
Do we, the Human Race, have the ability not to fall victim to the predators -- the narcissists, the bullies and liars? I would like to think so. Education is the key. We must teach critical thinking. We must call out the liars, drown them in facts. We must shout out when "The Emperor has no clothes." We must insist on accountability and transparency in our own lives, and at all levels of business and government. I think it can be done.
Valerie Kirkwood
Editor David Shanahan editor@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735
Reporter Brandon Mayer brandon@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735
Marketing/Sales Melissa Ottenhof marketing@ngtimes.ca 613 329 0209
Production production@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735
Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) welcomed Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Canada, Dr. Leigh Chapman, on Tuesday, November 19. The visit included a tour of KDH, conversations with nurses and an open forum session with Dr. Chapman.
“KDH was honoured to host Dr. Leigh Chapman,” said the hospital’s CEO, Frank J. Vassallo. “Her visit was as productive as it was pleasant, providing an opportunity to showcase how our hospital continues to
flourish by focusing on patient and family centered care. KDH is a wonderful example of a small hospital doing big things and Dr. Chapman saw that firsthand.”
Dr. Chapman - who’s nursing career has spanned over 20 years - was appointed Canada’s CNO in August of 2022. She provides strategic advice from a nursing perspective to Health Canada on priority policy and program areas, including health workforce
planning and stability, longterm care, home care, palliative care, mental health, alcohol and drug use, models of care, scopes of practice and competencies.
Dr. Chapman is a registered nurse (RN) who received her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto's Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. She was selected as Canada’s CNO due to her breadth of leadership experience in varied nursing environments, such as practice, education, research, administration, policy and advocacy.
“It was a privilege to show Dr. Leigh Chapman what KDH has to offer and the progress that’s happening at our hospital,” said Katie Hogue, KDH’s Vice President of Nursing/ Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive. “Dr. Chapman was impressed by our fantastic nurses, who go above and beyond for our patients on a daily basis.”
Dr. Chapman utilized the visit to talk to KDH nurses
Krista George, broker/owner of Kemptville Homes Real Estate Inc.with Calvin Wong, Pastor/Director of the Salvation Army – Kemptville."
December 7 & 8, 2024 10:00am- 3:00pm Iroquois Legion - 24 Dundas Street, Iroquois Free Admission
Draw each day for a Gift Basket and guess the number of Jelly Beans
about the challenges and opportunities facing their profession. She highlighted the Nursing Retention Toolkit as a way to improve the working lives of nurses in Canada.
“I regularly prioritize meeting with nurses across Canada,” said Dr. Chapman, who added that through engagement efforts it has become clear that nurse retention is a key area of focus for the country. “We need to optimize the work environment of nurses by changing the way we are valuing the essential work that nurses do every single day.”
Dr. Chapman thanked KDH nurses for their candour and comments during her visit.
“It was wonderful to see how committed the nurses at KDH are to patient care,” noted Dr. Chapman. “They put patients first and we know we also have work to do on retention to ensure we are also optimizing the work environment for nurses.”
Thanks to our amazing community, the Annual Spirit of Giving hosted by Canadian Tire and Moose FM, was a huge success. The day was filled with fun, games, special appearances, and, most importantly, raised over $9,000 in cash and toys for The Salvation Army and House of Lazarus.
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and everyone who came out to support this worthy cause.
James Grant of Cardinal can “find his possible” after winning a LOTTO 6/49 second prize worth $217,726.10 in the September 28, 2024 LOTTO 6/49 draw.
LOTTO 6/49 offers players a chance to win two multimillion dollar jackpots every Wednesday and Saturday, for the same $3 per play.
The Classic Draw offers a fixed $5 million jackpot for every draw, while the Gold Ball Draw guarantees a $1 million prize, or the growing jackpot that starts at $10 million and can exceed $60 million.
The winning ticket was purchased at Circle K on Highway 2 in Cardinal.
OLG supports safe play and wants to keep the fun in the game. That’s why OLG is proud to be a leader in promoting responsible gambling with our globally recognized PlaySmart program.
Local fitness studio owner and St. Michael Catholic High School alum, Rebecca Cronk travelled to Toronto on November 9th to compete at the UFE (Ultimate Fitness Events) Elite Division World Championship Qualifier.
After placing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the Wellness Open, Fitness Open and Glamour Open categories in the morning Elite Show, subsequently earning her 3 pro cards, she
qualified and was invited to compete in the UFE Professional Division World Championships that same evening.
Satisfied, proud, and exhausted, Rebecca was content and ready to hang up her heels for the day. Enter Momma Cronk, who had different ideas and who knew Rebecca had a little bit left in the tank, convincing her to stay and give the World Title a go!
By the end of a 22.5-
hour competition day, Rebecca walked away with a 3rd place finish in the Pro Fitness Division as well as a 1st place finish in the Pro Wellness Division, claiming the Pro Wellness World Champion title! Rebecca has been training consistently for body building competitions for over 10 years, having competed in more than 15 shows in 6 different federations. During that time, she has lost far more than she has won but throughout it all has NEVER lost her determination, motivation, and drive to improve. She is over the moon proud of the physique she has built, through 100% natural bodybuilding.
Choose your dancing partner... Kemptville meeting with the Rockland Nationals lived up to the song "Saturday Night's All Right for Fighting" as the rink turned into a ring during a frisky fiasco. Photo courtesy of Ice Level Photography.
by G.J. the sportsguy
Wednesday evening excursion into Ottawa to battle the Junior Senators was a seesaw display as Kemptville hung on for a 4 to 3 result. First frame Mazzotta with Iserhoff to Leo St. Michel to catch Trenren Bennett flatfooted in the first minute at :28 for Ottawa to get on the board. Kemptville countered with extra man when Nicholas Bennett PPG from Gilmour with Stubbings hammered it home past Josh Scully at 9:20 for his 11th of the season. Carter Graves pulled the trigger into the cage with helpers from O’Doherty and Montoni for the tie breaker at 12:58 to finish the first.
Second stanza Ottawa would even it two from Ga-
gnon to Jack Matsukubo just before the session ended at 19:17. S. Canevari combined with Beaulieu for Nicholas Bennett’s second of the battle at :56 for the 73’s tie breaker to initiate the last twenty. Game winner for Kemptville as Carter Graves rattled the cage with helpers from McDonald with Loreto for his second of the game at 9:34 to make a two stroke lead. Ottawa bounced back with Iserhoff and St. Michel to Gabriel Pelchat at 16:32. Junior Senators pulled their stopper for final push at 18:51 and the 73’s dug in to hold them at bay to take a 4 to 3 win.
Kemptville outshot Ottawa 34 to 30 with 1⁄2 PP to 0/4 PP. Into the Hawks Nest in Hawkesbury for a Friday
night challenge only to suffer another 5 to 2 loss after their first meeting. The Hawks came out flying in the first as Breitzke with Besner to Fernand-Olivier Perron past Trenten Bennett to draw first blood at 5:45.
Hawkesbury dominated the second, Besner with Brown unto Alex Trudeau for the two zip lead at 1:57. Bandu with Gelinas to Jacob Skoczylas at 8:48 for the Hawks game winner. Antoine D’Arcy from Besner and Gagne to chase Trenten Bennett to be replaced with Rylan Donovan at 9:46. Dylan McDougall spoiled Jabe Breitzke SO with helper from Gilmour at 11:28 to wrap up the second.
Kemptville made a valiant effort to play catch up
in the last twenty with an extra attacker as Stubbings held the zone and Santino Canevari PPG stuffed in the garbage at 7:53. Hawkesbury capped it off with give and go from Besner with Gagne to William Brown at 18:21 for 5 to 2 victory. Hawkesbury out shot Kemptville 47 to 33 with 0/1 PP to 1⁄2 PP Saturday night for final 73’s road game to face the number one club in the CCHL Rockland Nationals was not pleasant as they fell 4 to 1.
Kemptville struck first with a transition from F. Canevari up to Bennett to find Aidan Stubbings in the slot to launch the one and only missile by Benoit Forget at 4:56. Man extra for Rockland as Baril with Charron caught Danel Myloserdnyy PPG to beat Trenton Bennett at 17:01 to open the flood gates. Middle twenty in the opening two minutes saw the Nationals count their game winner from O’Connor with Kelloway to Aiden Dres at 1:31. Insurance scored by Raphael Tellier assisted from Lalancette and Gosselin at 2:43. Frustration with poor judgement and temperament insured the rest of the frame with the sin bin overflowing.
Last period Rockland added more mud in Kemptville’s eyes with another marker from Gabriel Le Houillier with helpers from Charron and Hall at 6:01. Then a repeat of the second as pine remained warm just before the 10 minute mark
by Brandon Mayer
When Mirco Buth bought his own piece of North Grenville real estate just over a year ago, he didn’t realize the battle he was in for. A minor variance request quickly turned into a battle with the Municipality which will now go before the Ontario Land Tribunal.
When talking with the Times last month, Mirco acknowledged that the property has a history, but that he did all of his due diligence before purchasing it. The property on Monkman Road
in Burritts Rapids is adjacent to a landfill site – the now closed Burritts Rapids Waste Disposal Site, which is owned by the Municipality of North Grenville.
A previous owner of the land built a house on it illegally, some time around 2012. No permits were sought, including for the private well and septic system for the dwelling. The illegal build was discovered in 2022, and Mirco bought the property in 2023. His intention at the time was to retroactively obtain the permits for the dwelling to
make it “legal”, and also to build “at least one if not two” additional dwelling units on the property, as stated by him in a May 2024 Committee of Adjustment meeting.
Landfills in Ontario are governed by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Landfill owners bear the burden of not contaminating neighbouring properties. Mirco believes he was treated unfairly because Council didn’t want to take any risk of having to meet their responsibilities as a landfill owner.
One key issue in the Committee of Adjustment meeting in May was that the house was built closer than 500 metres from the landfill boundary. Mirco argued at the meeting that the house does not sit on the “buffer zone”, per se, but is rather in a “testing zone” which is part of his property. Either way, it violates the Official Plan of the Municipality, but
this was the reason for the minor variance request, as part of the process of fighting for the house to remain standing. Mirco states that the Ministry sent an email to the Municipality stating they had no issue with the property being developed. Meanwhile, staff at the Municipality wanted study results from professionals such as hydrologists before approving any development on the property. Mirco reached out to a Councillor and the issue was escalated to the Municipality’s CAO. From that point, it seemed like there was a lot of back and forth on the issue. Mirco travelled from Ottawa to do water assessments, as requested – the hardness levels were somewhat high, but not unsafe or contaminated – but municipal staff wanted increasing amounts of information and testing.
When Mirco was asked to do even further testing
Nickname: DOUG
Born: Kemptville, ON 2005-11-23
Position: Right Wing
Previous Team: Kemptville 73’s
Hockey Hero: Tyler Whyte
Most Inspiring Person : Carter Vollet & Tyler Melvin
Favourite Movie : American Sniper
Favourite Musician: Dean Brody
Favourite Actor: Adam Sandler
Favourite Sport (beside hockey): Lob Ball
Life as Jr. A player: Hard work.Good times with the boys
One Word that Describes Me: Relentless
as the Nationals walked away with 4 to 1 win. Rockland outgunned Kemptville 38 to 28 with 1/7 PP to 0/7 PP.
Back to home barn on Wednesday night with Ottawa Junior Senators and Friday night to face Navan Grads, then up the valley on Saturday night to meet Renfrew Wolves.
of the water, he followed the exact instructions, and again there were no health concerns with the results, but this is when he says the Municipality raised a new concern – the results couldn’t be trusted because a hydrologist didn’t fill the bottles. The planning staff report to Council recommended either seeking more information, or rejecting the minor variance request entirely, due to not satisfying the four tests to approve a minor variance request, as outlined in the Planning Act.
Mirco’s minor variance request was ultimately rejected, and he feels that it’s because Council had concerns about liability, should contamination ever reach the private well. “We’re chasing ghosts… possibly this, possibly that… I can’t prove impossibility,” he stated in the May meeting. Mirco holds firm that it is the responsibility of the
Hockey with EDGE...see you around the wall.
Municipality to ensure that contamination doesn’t occur. Since opportunities for escalating are very limited once Council makes a decision, Mirco is faced with a potentially costly hearing. Municipal planning staff declined to comment on the issue since it is the subject of a Land Tribunal hearing. The crux of the Municipality’s argument is that thorough information is needed when making such a decision, while Mirco believes it is an example of unnecessary “bureaucratic red tape”. Only the results of the Land Tribunal hearing can settle the matter once and for all.
by David Shanahan
In the middle of a postal strike, it seems a good time to do a history of post offices in North Grenville’s past. These days we call it “snail mail”, but not very long ago the hand-written letter, sent through the mail, was the main mode of communication for individuals, families and commerce. In fact, mailing a letter in the nineteenth century was a much more straightforward thing than it has been more recently. Someone in Kemptville, for example, could send a note to a friend in Ottawa in the morning and get a reply the same afternoon.
Mail delivery had been a government undertaking from before the American Revolution, and for a long time the cost was determined by the weight of the missive. People not only wrote on both sides of the page, they wrote across each page, as well as up and down, crisscrossing the text and making it difficult to read, especially if the handwriting was poor. When the local government in Canada took over the mail in 1851, the postage stamp was introduced, making sending letters a great deal cheaper and easier. The government established local post offices as part of their network, official offices of the government, where letters could be sent and collected.
North Grenville was very well served by the Post Office. It was not a matter of someone from Bishops Mills having to go to Kemptville to mail or collect letters. Places such as Millar’s Corners and Acton’s Corners had their own Post Office, albeit briefly. Acton’s Corners Post Office was opened in October, 1899 and closed in October, 1914. John Morrison acted as Post Master there for that entire time. Millar’s Corners had
a result, many of the facilities in North Grenville were closed around that time.
a Post Office from 1880 to 1913, with the Millar and Tompkins families acting as Post Masters for all but seven years. The Post Office at Oxford Station, an important location on the railway line, was first opened in 1866. James Sanderson and his daughter, Edna May, operated that Office for more than fifty years.
Pelton’s Corners, or South Gower as it was known then, had their own Post Office before anywhere else in North Grenville. Opened before 1838, with J. Hick as Post Master, it carried on business until it closed in 1913. Pelton’s Corners, like Heckston, was on the main coach road from Ottawa to Prescott, and that was the main reason for the Post Office being established in both locations, so close to each other. Heckston started out as Heck’s Corners, and opened in 1845. In 1857 the community was renamed “Heckston”, and the Post Office continued in operation until 1914. In those years, people saw their currency change from pounds, shillings and pence to dollars and cents, and, between 1871 and 1915, letters could be sent to anywhere in Canada for the price of a 1¢ stamp. Between 1877 and 1928, a letter could be sent anywhere in the British Empire for just 2¢.
For decades, the Post office was a social centre, where the community could gather and catch up on local news as they collected their mail. In 1915, free rural delivery of letters was introduced in Ontario, and the need for many of the small Post Offices diminished. As
Stephen Burritt was the first to run a Post Office in Burritt’s Rapids, from as early as 1839. But service was intermittent until after 1853. It was located in Kidd’s General Store where the Kidd family served as Post Masters for nearly a century. The Bishop’s Mills Post Office was located in Chauncey Bishop’s house from 1853 until 1878. In the short time I lived in the house, I can remember the letter box still existing in the wall of the summer kitchen. Sadly, it was demolished soon after. For many years, the Post Office was in the store opened by Moses Waldron at the crossroads: another institution that has only recently closed. The Nottell family acted as Post Masters for forty-one years; Mildred Adams, nee Nottell, being the last in that position when the office was closed in 1970, after serving for a quarter century.
Oxford Mills no longer has its Post Office, a facility it had enjoyed since Rickey Waugh was appointed to the job in 1852. For many years, it was located in the general store that Waugh opened and where the Brigadoon Restaurant is now located. The oldest Post Office in North Grenville, though, is Kemptville’s. William Bottum, or Squire Bottum as he liked to be called, set up the first Post Office around 1831 and served as Post Master until his death in 1867. He was replaced by his Deputy, Robert Leslie, who moved the Post Office to his own building which stood beside the present Hyde’s restaurant until 1915. During that time, future Ontario Premier, G. Howard Ferguson, acted as Post Master for six years before being elected to the Town Council and starting his long and distinguished political career. In 1915, the Office moved to a specially designed building on the corner of Prescott and Reuben. As the picture shows, this was
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Email: melissa@ngtimes.ca
quite a lovely building and brought character to downtown Kemptville for more than fifty years. In 1970, Kemptville Town Council allowed it to be demolished, one of a number of buildings vandalised around that time. The Post Office moved into the new and rather ugly building where it remains today. The two buildings, old and new, are shown in the picture. The rural Post Office may be largely gone and forgotten now, in the age of e-mail, but for decades they were community centres, places where people met and gossiped and shared stories. A traditional aspect of Ontario life removed to the history pages.
A few years ago, the Post Office installation from Bishop’s Mills was presented to the North Grenville Archives by the Adams family, and will be preserved and put on display for future generations to see, and will be a memorial to those people over the decades who ran the local Post Offices, providing a social and business core at the heart of their communities.
At the age of 90 years, passed away peacefully at the Southbridge Care Home in Kemptville on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
Michael was predeceased by his loving wife Anne (Seal) Urslak, his parents John and Eva Urslak, brother-in-law Steve Seal and sister-in-law Mary (Tony) Reiter. Cherished father of Randy (Carey) Urslak and Sonya Vandine. Loving Grandfather of Randilynne, Kayle and Landyn Urslak and Curtis Vandine.Survived by his sister Mary (Michael) Morozuk and sister-in-law Grace Seal.
Special thanks to Southbridge and Bayfield for their support and kindness over the years.
Our Dad/Poppy will be dearly missed.
Family and friends gathered to pay their respects at Irvine Memorial Chapel at Roselawn, 2451 County Road 15, Maitland on Saturday November 30, 2024. A Funeral Service was held in the Chapel following visitation as well as an interment and a reception.
As expressions of sympathy donations made for the Kemptville District Hospital CT Scanner or to the Southbridge Residential Activity Fund will be gratefully acknowledged.
Send a message of condolence or share a special thought of Michael online at www.irvinememorial.com
Travel is often seen as an adventure full of discovery and joy, but for individuals with mobility issues, the idea of traveling can come with a sense of apprehension. Here are some insights on how to shift your perspective and confidently embrace travel, regardless of mobility concerns.
A key aspect of embracing your mobility challenges is adopting a mindset that focuses on possibilities rather than restrictions.
One way to approach travel with mobility issues is to think of it as an opportunity to experience the world differently. While others may focus on fast-paced sightseeing, you can take time to immerse yourself in the details and truly absorb the essence of each place. Slowing down allows for deeper, more meaningful travel experiences, where the quality of engagement outweighs the quantity of destinations covered.
There are numerous online resources, such as blogs, YouTube channels, and social media accounts, dedicated to accessible travel.
Additionally, joining accessible travel forums or groups can help build confidence. Hearing from others who have successfully navigated different parts of the world with mobility challenges can also inspire you to plan your own adventures.
Planning Ahead, Without Fear
While travel requires planning for everyone, it’s even more crucial for those with mobility issues. Planning is not about limiting yourself but about empowering yourself to travel with confidence. Your biggest champion when planning your travels will be your travel professional. They have the knowledge and experience to guide you in making your travel easier and taking away the worry of traveling with mobility issues. Be sure to have clear communication with your travel professional to ensure that all your needs are met.
Flexibility is key, as not every place will meet your expectations in terms of accessibility. However, these moments often turn into opportunities for creativity and problem-solving. Finding Joy in Adaptation
Adapting doesn’t mean compromising on the experience—it means finding new ways
to engage with the world. Many destinations now offer accessible nature trails, adaptive sports like kayaking or skiing, and guided tours designed specifically for travelers with mobility challenges.
Adaptive travel not only allows for participation in activities that were once thought to be offlimits, but it also opens doors to experiences that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
Embracing the Journey
In the end, embracing your mobility issues for travel is about celebrating your resilience and adaptability. Rather than focusing on what might be difficult, recognize the strength that comes from navigating the world with unique challenges. By preparing thoroughly, engaging with your travel professional, and maintaining a flexible, positive mindset, you can embrace the transformative power of travel. Traveling with mobility issues may require extra effort, but the rewards – a deepened sense of independence, meaningful experiences, and a world full of discovery – are worth it.
Visit www.gravitate.travel and click on the “Let’s Talk” icon to schedule a time to talk or drop by our offices to chat about mobility issue travels.
TICO # 50026003 215 SANDERS STREET, UNIT 201A / KEMPTVILLE, ON K0G 1J0
December 6
The Spirit Of Christmas starting at 6:30 pm Tree lighting, carol singing, Hot Chocolate, treats & Santa!
Maplewood Park Oxford Mills
A Christmas Carol From 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
This is a Dramatic Reading of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol interspersed with Carols presented by A Bunch of People Arts and Events All profit goes to House of Lazarus Outreach Mission https://hol.community/about/ Pay What You Can Tickets: abunchofpeopleartsandevents@gmail.com or call 613 346-5064
Old Town Hall - 478 Main St E, Winchester, ON K0C 2K0 wheelchair accessible venue.
Handel’s Messiah December 6 & 7 Starting at 7:30 pm
The North Grenville Concert Choir rejoices in once again bringing you a delightful rendition of Handel’s Messiah just in time to fill you with Christmas spirit!
Tickets for adults will be available at Brewed Awakenings in Kemptville for $25 or online at aftontickets.com/ngcc. Tickets for children 12 and under available for $15 at 613-203-3177.
St. James Anglican Church in Kemptville
December 7
A Christmas Carol. From 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
This is a Dramatic Reading of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol . Pay What You Can - Bring Your Own Chair. Tickets: abunchofpeopleartsandevents@gmail.com or call 613 346-5064
Cannamore Orchard - 1480 County Rd 32, Crysler, ON K0A 1R0wheelchair accessible venue.
Sing Out The News Starting at 2:00 pm with the Kemtville Male Choir $20/person $10 children under 12 tickets available at B&H Grocer & Brewed Awakenings Parish Hall 40 Campus Drive Kemptville
December 8
WIZARD CARD GAME TOURNAMENT
Starting at 12:30 pm. Registration starts at 12:30 and play starts at 1:00 p.m. $5 per player. For information contact debiar@ymail.com. Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. The Spirit Of Christmas from 8:30 am - 11:30 am Pancake breakfast. Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus, Maplewood Hall Oxford Mills
Elf Doors Open at 12:30 pm
Christmas is around the corner and what better way to get into the spirit than with a holiday movie! $5.00 Admission (cash only) Popcorn, chocolate, drinks and more available for purchase! (cash only). Please note that guests 14 years and under must be accompanied by an adult. Kemptville Campus, Parish Hall Auditorium (40 Campus Dr.) December12
Getting in the Holiday Spirit Card-Making
From 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
The Merrickville Lions Club and the Rideau Community Health Services are offering a free card-making workshop, with trivia and goodies for the holidays. The contact to register will be merrickvillelionsprograms@gmailcom. Registration is required as space is limited. at the Merrickville Legion, Main Street West, Merrickville December14
Old Town Christmas From 8 am - 1:00 pm
Breakfast with Santa at the Kemptville Legion 8 AM - 11 AM Meet Santa at Rotary Park: 11:15 AM - 1 PM
Christmas Book Exchange - Bring your gently loved Christmas books to Old Town Christmas and exchange them for new-to-you tales! A Box will be in front of the Library from 10 AM - 1 PM Downtown Kemptville
Monthly Suppers prepared by Knights of Columbus at Holy Cross Church Hall at 503 Clothier St W. Suppers will be held on the last Thursday of the month. Cost $10 per adult, $5 for children under 12 and $25 for families. PROBUS: Fellowship, Fun and inFormed presenters are part of the PROBUS gathering on the third Wednesday of each month at St Paul's Presbyterian Church Hall at 9:30AM. For more information contact at n.g.probus97@gmail.com Kemptville Legion: Fridays 3-9. Free Pool and Darts. Everyone Welcome BINGO, Kemptville Legion, Bingos run from the beginning of September until the end of June on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. NG Duplicate Bridge Club, Masonic Lodge 311 Van Buren Kemptville, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 12:15. All Levels of bridge players are welcome. Info call 613-795-7155 Friendship Lunches are offered to everyone every Friday. Please join us in our lower hall by 11:30 for a free meal, companionship and fellowship at St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. and begin at 11:30. There is no charge. A free will offering is appreciated. Everyone is welcome.
Friendship Café is open to the community Tuesday's from 10 to noon. All are welcome to stop by, enjoy a hot beverage, a sweet treat and some friendly conversation all at no cost. At St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. BID EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road on Tuesday, December 3 and 17. Registration starts at 6:00 p.m., play starts at 6:30 p.m. Contact Debi at debiar@ymail.com EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road on Tuesday, November 26, and December 10. Registration starts at 6:00 p.m., play starts at 6:30 p.m. Contact Debi at debiar@ymail.com St. John’s Drawing Circle is every Friday at 4 pm. This is a 3 hour drawing studio with life drawing models (clothed) for artists of all ages and abilities. Cost is $120 for 12 weeks or $15.00 for drop ins. RSVP please Jennifer @ gowjb@msn. com. At St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. Tuesday Community Hub hosted by the House of Lazarus All are welcome to drop in. Advocacy, “make a meal, take a meal” cooking opportunities, community services assistance are just a few of the weekly programs. Stop by and visit or contact House of Lazarus directly at 613-989-3830 for more details. “Building Community, Sharing Hope”. Upstairs at St. John's United Church at 400 Prescott St. Modern Square Dancing in Kemptville with the Grenville Gremlins Square Dance Club. Monday Evenings 7:30 - 9:30pm. North Grenville Municipal Center County Road 44 For more info call Debbie at 613-795-3032 or Google "Kemptville Square Dancing"
Saturday Art Social every Saturday morning at the NG Public Library! 10 am - 11:30 am at the NG Public Library. Free with basic materials provided NG Pride will be hosting an 2SLGBTQI+ and allies Seniors Meeting up on the first and third Sunday of each month between 2 - 4pm. Join us for games, cards, snacks and conversation at the NG Public Library. KLUB 67 invites all euchre players to join us every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month for a fun social game of euchre.
Location: Kemptville Legion, 100 Reuben St. Registration starts at 12.30, play starts at 1pm. Cost is $5 to play – cash prizes given.
Outdated recommendations from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care on prostate cancer screening negatively affect the health of many Canadians, especially men at higher risk. The Canadian Urological Association (CUA), which represents urologists and urologic-oncologists across Canada, is calling on the federal government to take urgent action to correct course and shift the focus to effective prevention.
“We need to take a practical approach to prostate cancer screening,” said Dr. Ricardo Rendon, President of the CUA. “Men with risk factors for prostate cancer should be screened at an earlier age. Based on some current screening guidelines, we often see men diagnosed with late-stage prostate cancer that could have otherwise been detected and treated at an early stage.”
Urologists, surgeons who diagnose and treat prostate cancer among other conditions, were not adequately consulted in the development of initial recommendations. Urologists need to play a central role in the implementation of new guidelines that focus on prevention, reflect the real health needs of Canadians, and are informed by experts.
“Ultimately, the goal of screening should be the early detection of clinically significant prostate cancer in healthy men,” said Dr. Fred Saad, Advocacy Chair at the CUA. “Improved screening and early detection practices can limit spread, mitigate negative health outcomes, and reduce the morbidity of advanced and metastatic prostate cancer for Canadians at risk.”
Screening using Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing has been shown to reduce prostate cancer mortality rates. In provinces like Ontario, which just lowered the age of mammogram self-referral from 50 to 40, the precedent has been set for modernizing and updating screening guidelines to address health needs. The CUA recommends offering PSA screening to men with a life expectancy greater than 10 years. Patients should always discuss the potential risks and benefits of PSA screening with their healthcare providers.
Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark announced today that applications are now open for the Experience Ontario 2025 program.
Applications will be accepted until December 19, 2024 at 4 p.m. To quality for funding under the 2025 program, events and festivals must take place between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026.
“I’m proud of the festival and event organizers who are developing and delivering exciting experiences in communities across Leeds and Grenville,” said MPP Clark. “These activities attract visitors to explore all that our region has to offer, boosting local economies while celebrating everything that makes our corner of Ontario a special place to live, work and play.”
Experience Ontario is a competitive funding program to support eligible in-person festivals and events that will have an economic impact and generate increased visitor spending.
The program will be launched through a new online portal platform in Transfer Payment Ontario. The portal has been designed to improve the application process with enhanced functionality and streamlined questions for applicants. Information about the program and how to apply is available at Ontario.ca. Please also see the Experience Ontario Application Guide. A video on program applications is available here (EN) and here (FR).
Applicants should read the Experience Ontario 2025 Application Guide, watch the Program overview video and consult with their Regional Advisor to discuss their event proposal or email ExperienceOntario@ontario.ca with questions.
Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be considered for funding.
10% O Interior Projects 613-408-4432 - Will
Ceramic space heater
5200 BTU 1500 watts adjustable thermostat runs good. $20.00 nadfudt@gmail.com
Portable 12 volt vacu-
um wet & dry 3ft. hose
3 attachments can inflate mattresses like new. $18.00. nadfudt@ gmail.com
Brown Aluminum storm door 34x80 inches Good for camp shop everything works. $20.00. nadfudt@gmail .com
Aluminum bolt on truck cap roof racks 64 inches long. $15.00. nadfudt@gmail.com4
Honda Fit Winter Tires on rims 185/R160 15 M+S $440 Kemptille 258-7510
ALL House HUMIDIFIER Cabinet style on wheels $50 in Kemptville 258-7501
Four steel rims 17” fit Hyundai only $90.00 for set only 18000km . 613 258 1058
4 Kelly winter tires with rims for sale 225-60R16, $300.00. 1 winter. 613-258-1167
Chevrolet contoured all weather floor liners set 2015 -2022 Chevy Colorado extra cab $40. contact Dan nadfuct@ gmail.com.
Coil Binding Machine with electric coil inserter (Coil Mac EC1), $500 (OBO). Assorted coils included. email classifieds@ngtimes. ca
Gozone home fitness mini stepper, hardly used. $20. nadfudt@gmail.com
Arborite countertop grey specs round front 22X38X 1.5 inches. $12.00. contact Dan at nadfudt@gmail.com
Looking to rent farmland in North Grenville & surrounding areas. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204.
Looking to harvest cedar trees for cedar hedges from land owner. Joanne (613)799-0958
Home share. Private bedroom, bathroom and office. All utilities and satellite wifi/tv included in the monthly rent $1400. Beautiful country home near Perth ON. 613-2767438
by ODSP Action Coalition
ODSP Action Coalition strongly condemns the federal government's recently announced Working Canadians Rebate and GST vacation plan because it callously overlooks the most economically marginalized Canadians, including seniors, people with disabilities, and social assistance recipients.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's proposal to issue $250 cheques to those with employment income of less than $150,000 in 2023 fails to recognize the critical financial challenges faced by those who cannot work or who rely on social support systems. This narrow targeted approach not only misses the mark by not providing meaningful economic relief, but also perpetuates a discriminatory approach to social support.
"By excluding seniors, people with disabilities, and social assistance recipients from the Working
Canadians Rebate, the government is effectively telling these communities that they are not worthy of basic economic support," said Trevor Manson, co-chair of the ODSP Action Coalition. "These are the very individuals who are experiencing the most financial hardship, struggling with inflation, rising living costs, and systemic barriers to employment.
With the holiday season fast approaching, many individuals on fixed incomes will face impossible choices between buying gifts for loved ones, or covering basic living expenses.
The Working Canadians Rebate offers no help for these communities.
ODSP Action Coalition calls on the federal government to:
- Expand the Working Canadians Rebate to include all low-income individuals
- Provide meaningful, inclusive economic
ACROSS
1. Transgressions
5. Scatter
10. Apollo astronaut Slayton 14. Whispers sweet nothings 15. Type of cetacean
16. X X X X
17. Not cautious or reticent 19. Tins
20. Morsel
21. Move furtively
22. Untrue
23. Accomplish
25. A frequently visited place
27. North northeast
28. Joke writers
31. Earth tremor
34. Bodily cavity
35. Expected
36. Coffee dispensers
37. Condition
- Recognize the inherent dignity and value of all community members, regardless of employment status
ODSP Action Coalition is a volunteer, grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of ODSP recipients, advocating for fair, dignified, and adequate support.
38. Apart from this
39. 3 in Roman numerals
40. Changes direction
41. Stratum
42. Brochure
44. Boozer
45. Similar
46. Artificial
50. Devil
52. Fortuneteller's card
54. Frozen water
55. Any minute
56. Fear of heights
58. Golfer's cry
59. Hesitate
60. Types of dessert
61. Where the sun rises
62. Attempts
63. Empty weight DOWN
1. Diving apparatus
Solutions to last week’s Sudoku
2. Style of building columns
3. Not south
4. South southeast
5. Veer
6. Trio
7. All-night party
8. Pachyderms
9. Anagram of "Dew"
10. Pour
11. In a noble-minded manner
12. Knows (Scottish)
13. Being
18. Vista
22. Bother
24. Writing fluids
26. Chills and fever
28. Colossal
29. Diversion
30. Fortune teller
31. Witticism
32. Murres
33. Cartoon illustrators
34. Trolley
37. Mope around
38. Consumes food
40. Not fat
41. Reluctant
World 44. Hillsides 46. Nonpoetic writing
Leg bone 48. More aloof
Stop 50. Out of harm's way
Dwarf buffalo
African sheep 56. Appropriate 57. Choose
On Thursday, November 28th, the directors of the Downtown Kemptville BIA (Business Improvement Area) welcomed all downtown business owners and the community to the Municipal Centre for their Annual General Meeting (AGM). This was an opportunity for everyone to learn more about what a BIA is, the plans for the upcoming year, and to provide an opportunity to get to know the board. They were also excited to welcome their guest speaker, Annie Hillis, who gave an inspiring speech about how the BIA can grow and improve. Annie is the new Executive Director of the College Campus and a former Executive Director for a BIA. The BIA is looking forward to working closely with Annie in the future and learning from her wealth of experience. Although the turnout wasn’t as large as the BIA had hoped, this was the first year the event was recorded, so it will be shared over the next few weeks through the Community Wide newsletter and, hopefully, the BIA website.
The Board of Directors is made up of a dy-
namic group of volunteers who are deeply passionate about their community and who are dedicated to seeing the downtown core grow and flourish. Led by Shelley Mitchell of To Be Continued, the team also includes John Barclay, Deputy Mayor and Municipal Liaison; Mary-Anne Leang, Vice-Chair; Nina Tachuk, Chair of Marketing and Promotions; and Sierra Jones-Martel, Treasurer. They are also thrilled to welcome Brandy Gould to the board, a new addition they’re excited to work with. Stepping in as Interim Executive Director until March is Talia Hreljac, whom you may recognize from Talia’s Takes in the NG Times. Talia is excited to take on this role for the next few months and is eager to make a positive impact on the community.
One thing the BIA is particularly proud of for this AGM is that they were able to fully support local businesses for the event. For the member packages, they worked with two local companies: Coba Studios & Print Shop and Ladybug Designs. Both companies were fantastic to collabo-
rate with, ensuring smooth communication and meeting tight deadlines. For light refreshments, platters from B&H Grocers were served, along with two different types of donuts from Grahame’s Bakery. As the BIA often encourages the community to support local businesses, they were especially passionate about “walking the walk” for this event. They hope to inspire more business owners in the area to follow suit, as there are fantastic resources right here in North Grenville and the surrounding areas.
Throughout their presentation, it was clear that
the BIA has exciting plans for the year ahead. These include further beautification of the downtown core, as well as expanded marketing and advocacy for local businesses. The BIA will also be offering more networking and training sessions for members. While the BIA is wellknown for hosting wonderful community events, they are equally committed to strengthening the other pillars that support their mission. The team encourages businesses to reach out with any thoughts or suggestions, as the BIA is here to help them grow and succeed.
-Support neighbourhood character -Keep Money in Your Community -Keep Small Communities Intact -Help the Environment
The “Little Guys” are dominating the garden scene at the moment, but in no great numbers, as usual, but at least they are very consistent. They are of course, the White Breasted and Red Breasted Nuthatches. Their chirpy good natured demeanour makes them a firm favourite of mine, as do their competitors, the lively and very active Chickadees. I thought that there might be some sort of relationship between the two breeds, due to their colouring, but the avian Gurus don’t back up that thought, probably due to the fact that one feeds conventionally, whilst the others feed upside down!
The small birds take
second place, at times, to the larger birds like the Rock Pigeons and Crows. These guys though are more ground feeders than ones who use the seed feeders and tend to be on the ground cleaning up what they can from the small bird activity and that of the varied coloured squirrels, who are always here marauding the bird feeders.
Colour is sometimes added to the feeding scene when the male Cardinal puts in his appearance along with a Bluejay or two. More rarely, we get a visit from a female Cardinal, whose fall colouring is very distinctive, even though it is never as striking as the male’s.
I hope that you are still getting sightings of your own garden birds and getting the joy from seeing them. Stay safe and well.
Cheers,
John Baldwin
by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville
Yesterday, our grandson Ayden was going through our family’s file box of recipes, looking for a recipe that might be suitable for celebrating a friend’s birthday. He tripped across several Coffee Cake recipes, one of which I shared with you in November of last year. This one is Buttermilk Coffee Cake and is perfect for your young chefs to practice their cooking skills.
Buttermilk Coffee Cake
Ingredients
½ cup butter at room temperature
½ cup white granulated sugar
2 cups of flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg, well beaten
1 cups of buttermilk
1 teaspoon of vanilla
Cinnamon to taste
Topping, if desired: lemon juice, icing sugar, cinnamon Preparation
Preheat your oven to 400F
Combine your flour, sugar, baking powder and salt
Cut in the butter in inch chunks
Combine the egg, milk and vanilla in a mixing bowl
Stir into the flour mixture and turn into a greased 9 inch cake pan
Melt ¼ cup of additional butter and pour over the top of your mixture
Sprinkle lightly with brown sugar and cinnamon
Bake for about 30 minutes or until your probe comes out clean
Remove and let cool and proceed to the following but only if you’ve a mind to
Combine ¼ cup of brown sugar and cinnamon with enough melted butter get a syrup
Drizzle the cake with the brown sugar, butter and cinnamon mixture
As mentioned previously, the reason it is called a Coffee Cake is that it goes well with a strong, bold java. Mind you, English Breakfast Tea would work fine also. You just need to choose your source of caffeine.
Best from Paul at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers across East Region have charged 23 motorists with impaired driving since the Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) initiative began one week ago.
Officers have conducted over 200 Festive RIDE programs since November 21, 2024, stopping hundreds of drivers to ensure they were not impaired by alcohol or drugs.
In addition to the impaired driving arrests, officers also issued nine warnings, resulting on those drivers being issued licence suspensions and having their vehicles impounded.
"Impaired drivers are a threat everyone on the roads, including themselves, their passengers, other drivers and even pedestrians. If you plan to drink or consume drugs, make sure you have a plan. Have a designated driver, take transit, a ride-share or taxi, or just stay put,” said Chief Superintendent Lisa Wilhelm, OPP East Region Commander. RIDE programs can happen anywhere, anytime - day or night.
If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call 9-1-1. You could be saving lives.
Community Involvement Legacy Homes is celebrating the success of an innovative project, undertaken with dedicated community partners.
Legacy Homes was established in 2005 by a group of families receiving support from Brockville & District Association for Community Involvement (BDACI). Its mission: to provide affordable, accessible housing for people with intellectual disabilities living in Leeds and Grenville. Today, the organization continues to help prospective tenants find homes that fit their lifestyle, needs and budget. Legacy Homes secures the housing, and community agencies like BDACI provide the day-today supports so tenants can live independently.
In 2023, Legacy Homes partnered with tenant Devin Dean to solve a complicated problem. Since moving into his Gananoque home years earlier, Devin has been an active church-goer and a contributing member of the tight-knit community. Born with cerebral palsy, he requires around-the-clock care. The challenge for the Dean family was in providing 24/7 support so Devin could continue to live on his own.
That’s when Legacy Homes, BDACI and the Dean Family started to think creatively. They decided to add a secondary unit at Devin’s house so they could rent it to a tenant at a
reduced rate in exchange for overnight support.
Legacy Homes obtained funding through the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville (UCLG)’s Landlord Secondary Suites Program. It was the first project funded under the UCLG program, and also received support from long-time community partners like BDACI and Northern Cables.
Local builder Songwood Contracting was hired to convert Devin’s unfinished basement into a cozy, onebedroom apartment. The secondary suite provides one more affordable housing unit in the community and it’s been a game-changer for Devin and his family.
"Living on his own is a big deal," says Devin’s brother, Darrell. "Devin is part of his community and that’s what we always wanted for him.”
“Devin’s home is more than a place to live,” says Doug Utting, Legacy Homes Board President. “It shows what’s possible when families, local businesses, nonprofits and government come together with a shared vision.”
This holiday season, please consider making a donation to Legacy Homes. Community support makes it possible for Legacy Homes to support Devin and others to live independently. Donations and sponsorships go towards maintaining tenant properties – from seasonal maintenance to regular upkeep, repairs and renovations.
To make a donation or to get involved, please visit www.cilh.ca/donate or contact Doug Utting, Legacy Homes Board President at: president@cilh.ca.