Issue 4 2025 February 6 NG Times by The North Grenville & North Dundas Times

Sweetheart Brunch: 25 Years of Kindness

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A beloved community tradition is marking a major milestone this year. The 25th North Grenville Sweetheart Brunch, proudly presented by the Knights of Columbus, Holy Cross Council, will bring the North Grenville community together once again on Sunday, February 9, at the North Grenville Municipal Centre, from 8:30am to 12:30pm.

Services, North Grenville Community Living and Ryan’s Well Foundation.

Thanks to the unwavering commitment of local sponsors, volunteers, and attendees, the Sweetheart Brunch continues to make a lasting impact on the community.

attendees will have the chance to participate in cash prize draws.

donations, or donated food in kind, ensuring that vital funding reaches the local charities that rely on community support. The Sweetheart Brunch committee extends its deepest gratitude to all sponsors and donors for their kindness and commitment to making a diﬀerence.

Tickets are available for purchase at Brewed Awakenings and B&H Grocer. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 11, and free for children under 6 years.

For a quarter of a century, this heartwarming event has been a symbol of generosity, unity, and support, raising essential funds for local charities, including Kemptville District Hospital Foundation, Beth Donovan Hospice, Leeds & Grenville Interval House, Kemptville Seniors' Community

With over 100 dedicated volunteers, the Sweetheart Brunch embodies the spirit of community helping community. Guests will enjoy a delicious brunch, featuring an assortment of hot and continental breakfast options, all while being entertained by live musical performances. For added convenience, take-out meals will be available again this year. Adding to the excitement,

New this year, an online auction is being held, allowing everyone to participate and support the cause. Items have been generously donated by local businesses and individuals, with all proceeds going toward the supported charities. Bidding is open to everyone, and auction items can be viewed and bid on by visiting: https://new.biddingowl.com/SHB2025.

The success of the North Grenville Sweetheart Brunch would not be possible without the incredible generosity of local businesses, organizations, and individuals who have made ﬁnancial

Those unable to attend, but wishing to contribute, can make donations through the Ottawa Community Foundation, with receipts provided for tax purposes. Donations can be made at www.canadahelps.org/ en/pages/25th-annualnorth-grenville-community-sweetheart-b.

Don’t miss this milestone celebration of kindness, community, and delicious food. Mark your calendars, place your bids, and join us in making the 25th Sweetheart Brunch the most successful yet!

Josh and Tayler Kingsbury with daughter Eloise

Heritage Open House at The History Hub

Historians and heritage presenters invited by the North Grenville Historical Society will share their interests with the public Saturday, February 15 at The History Hub, 148 Prescott St. Kemptville.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. visitors can examine the local Tweedsmuir Histories presented by the Bishop’s Mills Women’s Institute, explore Algonquin Culture with Marc Forgette, chat with history author and genealogist Jennifer Debruin, discover local natural history with Dr. Fred Scheuler, investigate aviation technology and safety with Ron Gould, and get a glimpse of considerations for a local museum.

“The children, for whom we’ll have tabletop games and activities, are not forgotten,” said Karen Nickleson, president of the historical society. “While we’ve packed as much as we dare into The History Hub’s limited space, we trust there’ll be enough range and variety to satisfy curiosities.”

The History Hub is open to the public Wednesday to Saturday. Our volunteers enjoy conversing with visitors, discussing our history, and taking inquiries. There are rotating displays about important North Grenville events, and a stock of local publications and local handmade gifts.

Contact The History Hub at 613-258-4401 or nghshistoryhub@gmail.com.

Urbandale Construction sponsors Kemptville Buskerfest

by Jessica Deaken

The Kemptville Buskerfest Organizing Committee and the Old Town Kemptville BIA are thrilled to announce that Urbandale Construction has renewed its commitment as the title sponsor of the Kemptville Buskerfest, continuing its generous annual support. This partnership ensures the festival remains a vibrant and cherished event for the community, bringing joy, creativity, and connection to the streets of downtown Kemptville.

Kemptville Buskerfest is a free, typically one-day community festival- a celebration of street performance, artistry, and community spirit. Hosted in beautiful downtown Kemptville, amongst a diverse business community of personal service providers, foodservice businesses, boutique retail shops and more. This community event features local and professional street performers, unique vendors, delicious food options, family-friendly activities and much more.

Since day one, Urbandale Construction has been a cornerstone of the festival’s success, helping to transform Kemptville into a hub of world-class entertainment and community spirit. Their unwavering support enables the festival to bring in incredible performers, create a welcoming space for local vendors, and ensure the event remains accessible to all.

“Urbandale Construction’s dedication to Kemptville Buskerfest has been remarkable,” said Sierra Jones-Martel, Chair of the Kemptville Buskerfest Organizing Committee and a director on the Old Town Kemptville BIA Board. “Their generosity allows us to continue hosting an event that truly celebrates the heart of our community while supporting local businesses and artists.”

Urbandale’s representative, Scott Azulay,

echoed this sentiment:

“We are proud to continue our partnership with the Kemptville Buskerfest. We love small-town grassroots events like this because they bring people together and create a sense of unity. But really, the credit goes to the Buskerfest committee. It’s about the people who make this event so special, and we at Urbandale are honored to support it.”

The 2025 Kemptville Buskerfest promises to be even bigger and better than ever, with extraordinary performers, familyfriendly activities, and an atmosphere ﬁlled with excitement and wonder. Mark your calendars for Saturday May 17, 2025, and stay tuned for more details as we reveal this year’s incredible lineup.

For more information about Kemptville Buskerfest, visit our website at https://kemptvillebusk-

erfest.ca, or follow us on social media at www. facebook.com/KemptvilleBuskerfest and www. instagram.com/kemptvillebuskerfest . Would you like to be a sponsor too? There are four tiers of sponsorship - check out how you can participate here https:// kemptvillebuskerfest.ca/ become-a-sponsor.

Some Buskerfest members and Scott from Urbandale. left to right: Herb Cloutier, Kara Gilbey, Scott Azulay, Sierra Jones-Martel, Mary-Anne Leang.

Kemptville, ca. 1870, primarily located on the north side of the river, then known as the South Branch of the Rideau River.

Human Rights - Non-Negotiable

by Diane Dewing, NG Pride

The past few years have been a roller coaster ride for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. On one level, people have become more aware and more welcoming of gender and sexual diversity. On another level, there persists a level of anger directed toward anyone who presents diﬀerently from what is perceived as a societal norm. There are many answers to the why of this. Some point to how the isolation of the pandemic allowed people to live without the restrictions of sexual and genders “norms”, and instead find ways of being more suitable to them. Others found that isolation supported an ability to feed their inner rage at society by trolling. As a society, we need to acknowledge these things and address them through a lens of social justice, kindness and caring.

Recent pronouncements by Trump and his administration have escalated fear within the gay and queer

community well beyond the United States. Despite facts to the contrary, the US has stated that they will recognize two genders only – male and female - and anyone with identiﬁcation listing X as their gender fear to travel. Fear is not an emotion that can move us toward justice and a better life. Fear is also a contagion that drifts beyond a single country’s borders.

Across the United States, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committees (DEI) are being disbanded at the behest of the government. These Committees have never been more needed. Xenophobia, misogyny and racism are on the rise and their proponents are emboldened to express their hate. Organizations need their DEI Committees to ensure the safety and dignity of a diverse modern workforce. Shockingly, last Friday, the United States ordered a stop of all global health funding, including PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). Some

20 million people rely on these programs for the medication they need to remain working and productive and to protect HIV negative people from infection. The potential loss of lives will be disastrous for us all.

As Canadians, and particularly as members of this community, we need to guard against rising hate. Anti 2SLGBTQI+ actions are rising here in rural Ontario and across Canada. Police-reported hate-motivated violence toward queer and trans people increased 69% in 2023, rising for the third consecutive year. Alberta and Saskatchewan have overridden the charter-protected human rights of trans youth and their families. Federal Conservatives have been signaling that they will embrace an anti- 2SLGBTQ stance.

Sadly, hard won rights can be rolled back if good people do nothing. How can you help? Be aware, speak out, and act when you can. What actions can you take? Visit momentumcanada.

North Grenville announces upcoming Budget Deliberations for 2025

by Kyna Boyce, Director of Communications

The Municipality of North Grenville is pleased to announce the schedule for the upcoming Budget 2025 deliberations and encourages residents to stay engaged throughout the process.

We extend our sincere thanks to all residents who participated in the recent budget survey. Your input is invaluable, and we look forward to sharing the survey results as part of the discussions.

“Our annual budget process is one of the most important opportunities to plan for the future of our community,” said Mayor Peckford. “We are grateful to all residents who provided their feedback through the survey. Your voice matters, and your input will help guide us in making informed and balanced decisions that reﬂect our shared priorities.”

The key dates for Budget 2025 are as follows:

• Water and Sewer Budget Presentation: February 4, 2025

• First Draft of the Budget: February 25, 2025

• February 26, 2025 – In-Person Session at North Grenville Municipal Council Chambers / Urbandale Theatre, 285 CR44, Kemptville

• March 5, 2025 – Virtual Session. To register for the virtual meeting, please contact the Clerk’s Department at clerks@northgrenville.on.ca.

• Final Budget Approval: March 19, 2025

We invite all residents to participate in the public consultation sessions to provide feedback and help shape the future of North Grenville. For more information on the budget process, meeting details, and how you can get involved, please visit our website at: http://northgrenville.ca/budget.

Thank you for your continued involvement and commitment to our community. Together, we are building vibrant and sustainable North Grenville.

net for ideas and to connect with allies. Locally, you can visit NG Pride’s oﬃce in the Parish Building of the College for a safe space to talk. Together, we MUST ﬁnd a way forward that includes everyone.

A Cozy New Nest for Health and Healing

by Talia Hreljac

Last Friday, North Grenville warmly welcomed The Nest Wellness with a Grand Opening that captured the spirit of the business and its founders. The celebration featured a charming ribbon cutting, with none other than a “Princess” taking the honors. When asked about her royal status, she humbly claimed it was just a dress, but I’m convinced she was just being modest—royalty vibes were deﬁnitely in the air!

The day also included a lovely Mama and Me yoga class, light refreshments, and a chance to tour the space, giving everyone a sneak peek into all the wonderful things this new business is set to oﬀer.

Mayor Peckford, members of Council, and the BIA were all present to help welcome Sarah Nestor, a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, registered physiotherapist, and certiﬁed yoga instructor, as well as Dr. Kaitlyn Jacklin, a Doctor of Chiropractic, to the heart of Downtown. Both women shared their excitement about bringing a holistic approach to health, where the focus is on how all aspects of the body work together, instead of just targeting isolated issues. It’s about ﬁnding solutions that support the body as a whole.

The serene and welcoming space at The Nest Wellness will host a variety of events, including yoga sessions (with more Mama and Me classes!), pelvic ﬂoor strengthening workshops, and much more. This is sure to be an invaluable resource for women in the community, oﬀering both support and a space to recharge.

A huge congratulations to Sarah and Kaitlyn on this exciting new chapter! The community is thrilled to have you here.

The Nest Wellness is located at 28 Clothier Street East, Kemptville.

culverts

Come together

by David Shanahan

“But a long threatening comes at last”, is a saying I heard a lot growing up in Ireland, and here we are today. The long threatening of Trump turns out not to be a bluﬀ or a boast, and we’re facing a serious economic crisis in Canada thanks to that ignorant bully that Americans elected King. The sense of shock which pervaded the country last weekend will fade over time, but it may be that the anger will take a bit longer to dissipate.

There’s been a lot of discussion about the steps taken by the federal and provincial governments to respond to the tariﬀ imposed by Trump. In general, there has been a very positive agreement between all levels of government, regardless of party or regional interests, and that,

I think, will be the secret of any success Canada will have in reversing the insult and injury. And, rather than panic or kneejerk response, it will be just as important to keep a sense of perspective. In a separate article in this issue, I’ve reviewed the history of Canadian-American relations over time, pointing out that we have not always, or even often, been great friends and allies, as portrayed by Trudeau and others recently. Quite the opposite, in fact, has been the norm. But, how do we keep our position strong and clear? It is unfortunate, in a way, that Ontario is in the middle of an election, as the American trade measures will probably overshadow whatever the domestic Ontario issues would have been at the centre of any campaign debate. This will probably be of advantage to Doug Ford and his party, as he plays

the patriotic card which will be hard for opponents to counter. This is not to question Ford’s sincerity, by any means, as he is obviously passionate about what has happened and the need to deal with it as a nation.

The real diﬃculty may arise on the federal level, the one on which the battle will be joined, as it were. The federal Liberals are having a leadership election, and the Conservatives, Bloc and NDP were lying in wait for the new leader (most likely to be Mark Carney) to restore Parliament so they could force a general election. But is a national election what is best for Canada right now? Would it not open divisions between us at a time when unity is the most important thing?

I can’t see Poilievre agreeing to step back and allow Carney, or whoever, to carry on until the crisis is

The U.S. - our best friend?

by David Shanahan

Canada has clearly entered a new stage of our relations with the United States, and not one that promises anything but stress and trouble. Much has been made of the fact that the move by Trump to impose tariﬀs on Canadian exports to the States is out of character, that Canada has always been a friend and ally, always “there”, as Trudeau said, whenever the Americans needed us. But is that a true reﬂection of our shared history? Is the talk of “the longest undefended border” a fair view of relations between the two countries? History provides valuable perspective, as always.

In fact, Canada has been under pressure by the U.S. throughout almost its entire history. Americans have usually eyed this country with a greedy eye. Take a look at history and see that Canada has been in situations that were just as serious and threatening as where we find ourselves today, and Canada has not only survived, but prospered.

When Canadians refused to join in the American War of Independence in the 1770's, the American reaction was to invade and attempt to take Quebec in

1775. It resulted in the ﬁrst major defeat for the Americans in their revolutionary war.

The foundation for the long-lasting division between the countries came with the inﬂux of American Loyalist refugees fleeing the new United States after Independence. Americans resented this and belief in the “Manifest Destiny” of the States to eventually rule over all of North America, plus their continuing belief in their natural superiority over “decadent British” society led them to declare war again in 1812 and assume victory against what they saw as an almost defenseless Canada. The war saw major warships being built on Lake Ontario by both sides. Not then an undefended border! Once again, the Americans found their ideas about Canada were misplaced, and Canada again emerged “strong and free”. On the Canadian side of the border, the local government banned Americans from settling here, suspicious of “democratic mob rule” being introduced by aliens. The Rebellions in Canada in 1837 were, in part, caused by Canadians with American republican sympathies, but after the defeat of the rebels, it was Americans who continued to plan, and launch, armed

over. I just don’t think he’s that selﬂess, but he is that ambitious. Equally, would it be right to allow the Liberals oﬀ the hook? Is there an alternative available to us? There may be, but it would take a major change of outlook and vision for everyone involved.

This situation is being described as a trade war, as it is certainly seems to be. In previous wars, party politics have taken a back seat, and unity has become the great need. So, what about a National Government for Canada, a temporary arrangement to deal with what we hope is a temporary crisis. Would any of the parties be willing to consider such a radical concept? It can’t be seen as a Liberal administration, and the Conservatives can’t use it to impose their pet policies on the Liberals.

Poilievre is demanding an immediate tax cut, for

example, as if that would make any difference immediately. But, as he well knows, it also would require that Parliament be recalled to legislate such a cut, and then he could call a vote of conﬁdence and force an election. But that could be a disaster at this point in time, allowing Trump and his supporters, there and in Canada, to stir up trouble and create dissension in the country.

So far, the Premiers have shown a commendably united front in the face of American aggression, although Danielle Smith has been tempted to take credit for the lower energy tariﬀ, and that will not please her provincial colleagues. There has been many suggestions that this is an opportunity for Canada to reshape its economic structure - to develop new markets for its products and new sources for what it needs. Do we have the

energy and confidence to take such a revolutionary step and lesson our dependence on a single trading partner, especially one who has shown themselves to be unreliable?

As Trudeau has said, we didn’t ask for this, but we won’t back down. We can take this time to redefine what we are as a people, as a nation. We can ﬁnd a renewed identity for the twenty-first century, and stop being merely “hewers of wood and drawers of water” for others to proﬁt by. The future for Canada has just opened up in an unexpected, and unwelcome manner. But it has opened, and we are in a new place. We can create something great, if we dare.

incursions into Canada, convinced, once again, that Canadians were only waiting to be freed from British rule. The Battle of the Windmill near Prescott was another defeat for this illusion.

A Free Trade Agreement was negotiated between the two countries in the 1850's, setting a tradition of Canadian raw materials being exported to the U.S. to be turned into ﬁnished products before being resold back into Canada. The cancellation of this agreement by the Americans in the 1860's caused serious economic disruption for Canadians. Sound familiar? But Canada’s reputation as “hewers of wood and drawers of water” began there, a source of natural products from which Americans would proﬁt.

During the American Civil War, Canada was used as a base for Confederate raiders and spies, and Canadian sympathies were with the South, leading to songs being sung by Union soldiers promising to turn their attentions to Canada once the Confederates were defeated. Instead, the administration of President Johnson stood back while Irish war veterans invaded Canada in 1866 and 1870, the last time Canadians died defending Canada from invaders.

American aggression was one of the factors lead-

ing to move towards Confederation in 1867, and the expansion of Canada to the West was inspired by fear of American attempts to take over the territory for itself. The building of the transcontinental railway, the Canadian Paciﬁc, in the 1880's was another step undertaken to protect the West from American domination.

It was not all one-way traﬃc, however. The Nineteenth Century also saw a

strong Annexationist Movement in Canada, as many in business and politics campaigned to have Canada become an American State. Again, sound familiar? It was only the two World Wars that created the current sense of Canada’s warm friendship and alliance with the U.S.. But even in recent years, there have been strong undercurrents. President Kennedy and Prime Minister John Diefenbaker disliked

each other intensely. Richard Nixon and Pierre Trudeau had an even deeper disklike of each other.

But, through it all, crisis and alliance, war and peace, agreement and conﬂict, no matter how the Americans underestimated Canadians and their deep sense of nationhood and identity, Canada remained, through diﬃculties and challenges, and it will again remain the True North, strong and free”.

Ontario farmers meet with rural municipal leaders

the provincial economy, contributing more than $50 billion in economic activity and supporting 871,000 jobs – that’s about 11 percent of the provincial workforce.

by Vanessa Renaud, Director, OFA

Strengthening ties between rural municipal leaders and the farm community was on the agenda last week as representatives from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture took part in the annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference. Rural infrastructure investments, land-use planning, affordable housing and

economic development were top-of-mind as issues that are priorities for Ontario’s farmers and rural municipalities alike.

OFA has been attending this conference for many years to build relationships with rural leaders and help raise awareness of the issues faced by our sector and how we can work together to ﬁnd common solutions. After all, Ontario’s agri-food sector is a major driver of

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I am in receipt of that blatant bribery attempt by Doug Ford to buy my vote in the upcoming election. I cannot help but wonder where he got the $10's of millions to pay for this, but suspect that it is probably from our Health Care, Social Services, and Environmental programs. I notice that he managed to trot out that old right-wing mantra about the cost of the federal carbon tax, ignoring the fact that the federal government sends us cheques to oﬀset the increase in things like gas prices. Still, we wouldn't want to be honest with the voters now, would we? We know they see gas price increases every day they leave their homes; that's why it is such an easy target to get people riled up about.

I know of people who think that bribing us with our own money is OK. If we are going to function properly as a society, then we must think beyond self interest. We need to look after each other, and not just the wealthy in our society, the latter of which is what the Ford government is doing by building highways to save commuters 30 seconds of commute time, (Highway

I’m part of my family’s farm business in Eastern Ontario, work as a Certiﬁed Crop Advisor for a local agricultural business and sit on the OFA’s board as a director. This was my ﬁrst year participating at ROMA, and it was a wonderful experience to learn more about municipal affairs and the challenges and opportunities faced by rural communities.

The workshops and panels focused on topics like healthcare, schools and transportation infrastructure, all issues that are also important to the farm community. Agriculture, however, was also an important part of discussions, including how municipalities can support and plan for economic development such as agritourism and on-farm agri-food business opportunities.

413), building jails when a cheaper way of going is to ﬁx a completely unworkable bail system, and subsidising LNG companies so that they can expand their business, when they are already making eye-watering proﬁts. And that's just to name a few.

As for my $200, my first act was to send a donation to an opposition Party. The rest of the money is going to help the homeless, to hospitals, to youth services, and to environmental groups protecting our fragile natural systems.

I am totally disgusted with this provincial government. The election that it is forcing upon us is not about getting a better mandate to deal with problems created by the new US President, it is about getting another 4-year mandate ahead of the RCMP report into the Ford government's corruption over the Greenbelt scandal.

We need to let this Premier know that we are fed up with cuts to our social and environmental programs so that he can give plum contracts to his wealthy buddies. His homey, for the people, approach is just smoke and mirrors. We need a government that is actu-

As a ﬁrst-time participant at the event, I was encouraged by the number of municipal leaders I met who are keen to learn more about agriculture and what they can do to better support the farm businesses in their communities.

What also struck me were the strong parallels between municipal priorities and what matters to farmers. Improving rural infrastructure and services such as transportation, affordable energy, and highspeed internet, as well as access to social services such as schools, health care and community centres are vital to attracting and keeping businesses, families and jobs in rural Ontario.

Growing our agri-food sector means protecting the agricultural and environmental lands we depend on for local food production while also looking for affordable housing solutions by committing to responsible long-term land-use

ally for the people, and not just the rich ones. Under Ford's watch, housing costs, from 2021 to 2024, have increased 23%, and food 24%. He has prioritised tax cuts and subsidies for corporations of nearly $10 billion annually, while the cost of living in Ontario has left 45% of Ontarians spending 30% or more on shelter. As for our health care system, Ontario has the lowest funding for hospitals of any province in Canada.

This is currently Ontario's version of Margaret Thatcher's proclamation that "there is no such thing as society, but there is always business".

So, all you out there who "don't do politics", please consider, just this once, getting out there and exercising your right to vote. How else is government going to know what matters to you? We allow ourselves to be ruled by a rich elite, and you only have to look south of the border to see what an extreme version of that does, and how easily it happened. This is a path we do not want to follow.

Colin Creasey, Kemptville

planning and smart growth in our urban centres. And ﬁnally, increasing local food and agritourism opportunities help build economic development, support jobs and contribute to healthy communities.

Some of my fellow OFA board members participated in the consultations and roundtables that led to this new strategy, and the OFA also provided written comments to the process, including priorities around infrastructure investment, farmland preservation, economic and business development, growing the rural workforce, and diversifying rural economies.

We appreciate that the government has included many of these priorities in its new strategy. In particular, one of our key asks was for increased funding for the Rural Economic Development program, and it was terrific to see the government announce it will be doubling funding for the

Christ Church United in Chesterville is seeking a talented Church Musician to lead and enhance our music ministry. This is a part-time position (5 hours per week) and there is ﬂexibility of when they are worked. Salary will be in accordance with experience and qualiﬁcations with the RCCO (Royal Canadian College of Organists) salary scale as a guideline. The start date is on or before July 1, 2025.

For a copy of the full position description, please email ccuhrjobs@gmail.com. Initial applications should not include recordings; shortlisted candidates will be provided with the opportunity to submit recordings if required.

program – which is being renamed Rural Ontario Development Program – from $5 million to $10 million a year for the next two years. The government also announced $18 million of new funding for the Agricultural Drainage Infrastructure Program for municipalities which will help keep our farmland productive, and that municipalities are now able to apply for funding for projects related to improving outdated water, wastewater and stormwater facilities. Rural communities and the agri-food sector are strongly inter-connected, and what is good for rural Ontario is good for agriculture. Events like ROMA are a valuable opportunity for us to share our messages. They also, however, give us a better understanding of the municipal perspective and identify new ways of how we can work together towards a common goal of Farms and Food Forever.

going on? See our events calendar: www.northgrenville.ca/events Stay informed! Council Meetings: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings

Need to see us? Municipal office hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 285 County Road 44, Kemptville

Need to reach us? Contact us: Call 613-258-9569 or email: general@northgrenville.on.ca

Need additional information? Visit us: www.northgrenville.ca

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Rural Aﬀairs Minister Lisa Thompson (centre) meets with OFA directors (l to r): Vanessa Renaud, Drew Spoelstra, Clint Cameron and Steve Brackenridge at ROMA.

Imaginary play

isn’t for everyone— and that’s okay

by Talia Hreljac

This week, I came across a really interesting anonymous post in the Facebook group “Moms in Kemptville.”

A mom asked if she was the only one who didn’t enjoy “imaginary play” with her kids, and if others felt the same way. The support she received was overwhelming. What struck me, though, was that she felt the need to post anonymously. I really hope she doesn’t feel alone in this, because, honestly, we’re all just doing our best, and she shouldn’t feel ashamed for feeling this way. Motherhood is tough, and if you’re going through something, the chances are high that another mom is, or has been, through the exact same thing. Don’t be afraid to reach out—we need to be each other’s village.

So many moms don’t enjoy playing make-believe with their kids, and you know what? I totally get it. I can barely make it ﬁve minutes into a Barbie session before I’m ready to claw my eyes out. Does that make us bad moms? Absolutely not. We’re simply not in that stage of life anymore. We love our kids dearly, but we don’t have to love everything they do. We don’t have to ruin our backs crouching over Lego pieces, or spend hours making car noises. What we do need to do is ﬁnd common ground.

To avoid playing make-believe as much as possible (don’t get me wrong, I encourage my kids to use their imaginations on their own as it's one of the most important things we can teach them), I focus on activities I genuinely enjoy doing with them. We do crafts together, even if I’m working on a separate craft I love, at least we’re all sitting around the kitchen table. We bake together, play board games, play video games, watch movies, and read together. The key word here is ‘together’. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, as long as you're doing it together. Your kids won’t remember whether you played dolls with them, but they will remember the memories you created as a family.

The Economist recently pointed out that parents today spend twice as much time with their kids as parents did 50 years ago. And all of this is happening while both parents are often working full-time, there’s less outside support, and kids are involved in more organized activities. We’re busier than ever, yet, somehow, we’re spending more time with our children—and still, we feel guilty about it. How is that even possible? Why are we so hard on ourselves? It’s because we’re constantly comparing ourselves to the picture-perfect families we see everywhere. We’re chasing after something that’s almost impossible to achieve - perfection.

Let it go. Do your best. Be present for your kids and show them love. In the end, that’s the secret to being a good parent.

Spring preparations underway at Kemptville Campus Greenhouse

by Amanda Loughlin

As winter reaches its peak, the Kemptville Campus Greenhouse is buzzing with activity in anticipation of spring. Volunteers are diligently tending to a variety of plants and gearing up for upcoming seasonal events.

The greenhouse has begun propagating cuttings of popular flowers such as geraniums, while some native species including Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) have already been seeded. Plans are also underway to sow an assortment of other plants that will be featured in this year’s spring plant sales.

Recently, a dedicated group of volunteers gathered at the greenhouse to continue preparations for the highly anticipated Seedy Sunday event scheduled for March 2nd. I was fortunate to be able to sit in on their meeting as they discussed ways to deliver a top-notch experience for the community. The knowledge and dedication this team brings to the table for this event is truly inspiring.

With spring fever likely making its way into homes in the coming weeks, local gardening enthusiasts are reminded to consider some key tips when starting their seeds:

Read Seed Packages: Each package contains valuable information on how and when to sow seeds.

Start Gradually: Avoid the temptation to plant everything at once; some seeds germinate quickly while others - such as hot peppers, petunias, and pansies - require more time.

Choose Quality Mixes: Using a good-quality seed starting mix can help prevent common growing issues.

Seek Advice: Don’t hesitate to ask seasoned gardeners for their insights; they’re often eager to share their expertise.

Stay Positive: Remember that gardening is a learn-

ing process ﬁlled with trial and error - even experienced growers have setbacks.

The Kemptville Campus Greenhouse team looks forward to welcoming visitors throughout the season and encourages everyone to join them on Seedy Sunday, March 2, for an event that promises education and inspiration for all green thumbs in the community.

People are strange, when you're a stranger

by Peter Johnson, Upper Oxford Mills

Greetings North Gremlins. As we trudge through the ﬁrst few weeks of the insanity called #47's Presidency, I am here to provide relief... relief in the form of refusing to reference either he or his country again...at least in this eﬀort.

A very scary event happened locally, the same weekend as the local Winter Carnival. Shortly after the mastermind behind the Carnival came out to 'Upper Oxford Mills' to pick up a load of benches for the river rink, a detour was set up on Beach Road. In my nearly 3-decade stint here, this had never happened before.

The drivers were very confused. Now, of course, they already were. As they drove along Beach Road on a normal day, they were disappointed to ﬁnd that there is no beach... and no water... just farm land. 'Where's the beach?', they were heard to yell out their windows, as they headed for Oxford Mills and beyond.

Now they were being rerouted up Irishtown Road. Again, confusion. There

are no longer Irish people on that road, and there certainly isn't a 'town'. Only two scars on the landscape - two ugly quarries. But the worst was yet to come. At the end of this nicely paved surface there was... nothing! No pavement, just an ancient stone wall, labouriously constructed by Mr. McGovern, the ﬁrst farmer, and a dirt 'road' with rocks mixed in. And, of course, a stop sign. Now, stop signs are the most ignored item throughout North Grenville. People used to deal with them as a suggestion; now, they merely pay no attention them. But, the corner where this stop sign was yielded only one option: turn right up what looked like a footpath left over from the days of William Mirrick and the settling of the area.

Our wonderful Department of Snow Pushing had been told of the impending detour, so they had taken extra precautions: they had plowed the entire width of the road -for a change - from ditch to deep/dastardly ditch. But still, many of these highways and bi-ways drivers were very scared. Some,

My Cancer Experience

by Paul H. J. Cormier

Introduction

This series of four articles is a personal account of the kindness, care and treatment I received as a result of being diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is in 4 Parts: Part 1 – Diagnosis; Part 2 – Preparation for Radiation Therapy; Part 3 –The Radiation Therapy Process; and Part 4 – Recovery from Radiation Treatment. If these articles help anyone deal with their diagnosis and treatment, I will be well pleased. However, I fully understand and appreciate that every person’s experience will vary according to the severity of their illness; I certainly don’t wish to downplay how serious cancer is in our day and age. Part 1 – Diagnosis

This article deals with Diagnosis, Part 1 of My Cancer Experience. My diagnosis of prostate cancer came in October 2024. This came as no surprise as I had been taking Finasteride, a drug to treat an enlarged prostate, for more than 10 years. An enlarged prostate, along with Prostate

when seeing an approaching vehicle, stopped, and waited to see if they would have to back up and hide in a lane way. Others, likely the same savants who ignore stop signs, sped up and down the road as if they were on the 416. They were a joy to encounter if you were hoping to be able to get your windshield replaced due to stones ﬂying everywhere.

As of this writing, with the promise of freezing rain, ice pellets, and heavy wet snow in the forecast, The Hand of God can be seen. The buses have been cancelled thanks to a weather advisory from Environment Canada.

Once the work causing the need for a detour has been completed, 'The Society of North (Grenville) Terrible Travelling Yahoos' ('Snotty' for short), will be back on paved roads, away from the challenges of one of the few remaining United Empire Loyalist Era roads, and the Dept. of Snow Pushing can go back to only partially dealing with McGovern's on-going Innately sad Sorry predicamenT (M.O.I.S.T.)).

OP-ED: No One is an Island

by Matthew Smith

Donald Trump has now made good on his promise to exert economic force on Canada, and we find ourselves staring down the barrel of a trade war with our southern neighbour, one that will have mutually destructive consequences. Many people will be frightened by these actions during what are already uncertain and precarious economic times. That fear is not simply a byproduct of political machinations – it is the intended eﬀect. We are seeing the pitiless face of an individualistic ideology assert itself with brutal, uncaring cruelty. It is an ideology that prioritizes the voracious accumulation of astronomical wealth over mutual aid, nationalism over cooperation, and self-interest over kind regard. This ideology is not an American phenomenon, nor is it in any way unique to Trump. It exists right here in this country, and it must be opposed. As soon as this next provincial election, it must be opposed.

endemic. This is because, as the ecologist Robin Wall Kimmerer has written, ‘all ﬂourishing is mutual.’

Humans, of course, are social creatures. It is not political propaganda to say that we rely on communities, interconnectivity, and cooperation to thrive. It is an observable biological fact. Our success as a species depends on how well we work together. In the immortal words of the poet WH Auden, ‘we must love one another or die.’

If we instill the values of social cooperation in our children, why do we then turn away and vote for political parties that present direct and mortal threats to these fundamentally human concerns? The thieving children have forced their way into the halls of government, they have done it through lies, disinformation, and brute force. They brazenly snatch our belongings from our hands and then blame the theft on migrants, the LGBTQ community, the vulnerable, the voiceless.

paramount to mutual thriving. These are political acts that favour the thieving child over the one with empty hands.

And now, with this trade war set to wreak havoc on working-class and middleclass folks on both sides of the border, we can see where such selﬁshness, such individualism, leads. It is a war of attrition in which the only winners will be the ultrarich. While Trump’s actions may be a typically bullish example of his speciﬁc style of politics, the ideology that underpins it is one that is currently at work within our own government.

Specific Antigen (PSA) tests that were variable, didn’t bode well for staying cancer free over time. Dr. Jeremy Setterﬁeld, a urologist who took over from Dr. Peter Roney fairly recently, decided that we should investigate and deal with what appeared to be an ongoing issue.

First, I underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This was completed in the comfort of the Smiths Falls Hospital, a mere 15 minutes away from our family’s farm. The MRI results showed a spot on the prostate and Dr. Setterfield then performed a biopsy as a next step towards a diagnosis. The good doctor’s biopsy procedure was quick, easy and painless. A couple of weeks later, Dr. Setterfield convened me to his office at the Smiths Falls Hospital to fill me in on the results of the biopsy. The first obvious fact was that there was, in fact, a cancer, at a Level 2, designated as “non-life-threatening”. Still and all, when you hear the word “cancer” addressed to some part of

your body for the ﬁrst time, it’s normal to feel some level of anxiety. Cancer is what we call a “fear” word, even though modern medicine has made great strides in controlling it.

Dr. Setterﬁeld gave me two options to consider. Since he and I were both under the impression that this growth had been there for some time, we could simply continue to “observe” it; if there was any radical change, we could still act. The alternative was to treat it now. My decision was instantaneous: I didn’t want this thing growing on or in me and I chose to get rid of it as soon as possible. Dr. Setterfield’s opinion reinforced my decision, so radiation treatment was likely going to be the best route to follow.

This meant being introduced to Part 2 of the overall treatment process, getting prepared for radiation therapy. I was referred me to an Oncologist and since there wasn’t a cancer specialist in Smiths Falls, I would need to go to Ottawa. I was offered the choice

As children, we are taught – above all else – the importance of sharing, of cooperation. We do not tell our children that if someone has a toy they desire, the best course of action is to use relentless force to acquire it – to gather all the toys in sight and sit on them in triumph while other children cry empty-handed.

A child raised thus would be roundly excluded from the society of other children. We teach these values because they are necessary to our survival as a species. A child who steals from everyone else and sits alone on their mound of plunder is not a Great Child, but a thief. No species could ever flourish if such behaviour was

between the QueenswayCarleton and The Ottawa Hospital. Since the Queensway Carleton is a mere 35-minute drive from our

Right here in our own community – in North Grenville – we have elected, and will likely elect again, a political party in thrall to this same ideology. A political party which has denied this country and this community the much-needed beneﬁts of a national school food program, a political party who prevented this community from accessing a federal housing fund, a political party who has been systematically dismantling our vital public health care system for years in the name of proﬁt. These are not actions carried out in the spirit of cooperation and sharing, but in staunch opposition to it. These are policy decisions that say individual success is

The proverbs we cling to remain relevant throughout the ages because of the inherent truths within them. No one is an island. We are all in this together. We must not lend our support to political parties whose values are at odds with those core values we learn as children. We must oppose these pernicious ideologies of individualism and, like the social creatures we are, find flourishing in community. The previous provincial election was won, not by a majority, but by voter apathy - not by a community but by a minority. But now is no time for self-interest at the ballot box, no time to be encouraging the types of isolationist, profit-driven policies that are pressing their heels on our necks from across the southern border. When we cast our votes in these upcoming elections, let us see beyond hollow sloganeering and towards a politics reflective of those fundamental human values of cooperation, kindness and mutual thriving.

farm, the choice was obvious. Dr. Gordon Locke, an oncologist at the Irving Greenberg Family Cancer Centre, would pick up my case from there. So, I was set for Part 2 of my cancer adventure: Preparation for Radiation Therapy.

Kemptville’s Winter Carnival: A taste of Canadian winter

by Talia Hreljac

If you thought the only way to experience the magic of Winterlude was by heading straight to the Rideau Canal, think again! This year, Kemptville’s Winter Carnival proved that you don't have to go far to immerse yourself in the true spirit of a Canadian winter. With a wide range of activities spread across two vibrant locations, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

From skating and hockey to curling, tobogganing, and even horse-drawn carriage rides, the event embraced the essence of winter fun. Kids had the chance to hop aboard a real fire truck, while the sound of laughter filled the air as families gathered for games, entertainment, and the warmth of the community. The presence of local firefighters added to the excitement and made the event even more special.

No Canadian winter experience would be complete without indulging in some iconic treats. Delicious Beavertails and piping-hot poutine were on hand to keep everyone fueled and happy. As the scent of warm food mingled with the crisp winter air, it was hard not to smile at the sight of rosy-cheeked locals enjoying a skate on the frozen river, the bright blue skies above making it all feel like something out of a winter postcard.

Despite Mother Nature’s attempt to test everyone’s Canadian endurance with a bite of cold weather, the event was nothing short of a success. The chilly temperatures couldn’t keep people from coming out to embrace the beauty of the season.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of Herb and Deborah Cloutier, along with a team of passionate community volunteers. It was a true labour of love—one born from the desire to create something special for the community. And, judging by the smiles and laughter that echoed through the event, they succeeded in doing just that.

Kemptville’s Winter Carnival proved that you don’t have to be in the heart of the city to feel the magic of winter. It’s right here in our own backyard, bringing people together and making memories that will last a lifetime.

Winter Carnival

Photos courtesy of local resident Chris Simpson

Senior Times

Step out and Step into Seniors’ Community Services this February

by Jill Woodley, SCS

February is the perfect month to enhance your winter mood by getting involved. Whether you enjoy a good game of cards, creating some art, or looking to join a group for a movie afternoon, we have you covered.

Scribbling Seniors:

If you are looking to add some creative flair in 2025 look no further! The Scribbling Seniors started in 2024 and has been a HUGE success! We have a couple of spots left for our January/ February session. A welcoming, fun space to write, create, socialize and learn.

Wednesdays - January 8 to March 6 ($20) 1:30 – 3:30 pm. SCS Activity Room (lower level).

For more info contact jill.woodley@seniorscs.ca or call 613-258-3203.

Therapeutic Art for Seniors:

This art group is about enjoying the process of making art for the therapeutic beneﬁts such as relaxation, stress reduction, fun and connection. An eight-week art therapy group with the same group each week. Facilitated by Painted Key Art Therapy art therapist Patricia.

Fridays - February 7 to March 14 ($35) 1:00 to 2:30 pm SCS Activity Room (lower level). For more info contact Antonia.reynolds@ seniorscs.ca or call 613258-3203.

Afternoon Tea Party:

Join us and our amazing guest speaker, Rebecca Graves—a certified hypnotherapist and registered herbalist from Dancing Willow Wellness here in Kemptville—for a cozy tea party where we’ll sip on delicious teas and chat about 'Easy and Effective Herbal Teas for Winter Wellness. Tuesday, February 11 2:00 – 3:00 pm. For more info or to RSVP, contact Mackenzie at mackenzie.blair@seniorscs.ca.

WICKED (the movie):

Ever wondered how the Wicked Witch became wicked? Wicked reveals the untold story of friendship, rivalry, and the surprising truths behind The Wizard of Oz. Join us for a magical two-day event where we'll explore the world of Glinda and Elphaba, complete with games, refreshments, and lively discussions.

Tuesday, February 18 and Tuesday, February 25, 1:30 – 3:30 pm. For more info or to RSVP, contact Mackenzie at mackenzie.

blair@seniorscs.ca.

Seniors Centre Without Walls: Guest Speaker Series: Sarah Green Well Being –Join us from the comfort of your own home. SCWW is the ultimate Party Line! We have guest speakers, games, podcasts, trivia and more. A wonderful way to socialize. Join us on February 27 from 1:30 to 2:30 to hear from guest speaker Sarah Green, a registered Holistic Nutritionist, Mindfulness & Meditation Educator and Personal Trainer. We will be discussing the importance of sleep and the challenges getting enough (or too much) as we age.

For more info contact jill. woodley@seniorscs.ca or call 613-258-3203. Embrace all the choices and join us this February at Seniors’ Community Services. www.seniorscs.ca.

215 Van Buren Street, Kemptville 613.258.7462 jansenlaw.com

Rachel S. Jansen, B.Comm., J.D.

Paul A. Jansen, BA, LLB.

Fall in love with Downtown Kemptville this February

As we enter February, love is in the air, and there’s no better place to celebrate the season of romance than Downtown Kemptville. Whether you’re planning a cozy date night or a fun day out, this charming downtown has plenty to oﬀer. From intimate dining experiences to relaxing spa visits and unique shopping adventures and activities, Downtown Kemptville has all the ingredients for a perfect Valentine's Day.

Romantic Dining Options

For those who love a great meal, Downtown Kemptville boasts an array of restaurants perfect for a romantic evening out. Whether you're in the mood for a gourmet dinner or a more casual but delightful meal, there’s something to suit every taste and create the perfect atmosphere for you and

your partner. Indulge in Relaxation

What could be more romantic than treating your partner (or yourself!) to a bit of pampering? Downtown Kemptville has fantastic spas oﬀering a wide range of services to help you both unwind, relax, and rejuvenate during this special time of year.

Unique Shopping Experience

Looking for a special gift for your sweetheart or perhaps a little something for yourself? Downtown Kemptville is home to a variety of shops oﬀering unique and thoughtful gifts that will make your Valentine's Day extra special.

Scavenger Hunt Fun

In addition to the great dining, shopping, and pampering, Downtown Kemptville is also hosting a fun and festive Scavenger Hunt, which runs until February 15th. Take part in this excit-

ing activity by following clues around town to discover hidden gems and charming spots. Once you’ve completed the hunt, be sure to bring your completed list to To Be Continued to enter a draw for a chance to win $100 to a Downtown Business of your choice!

Support Local This Valentine’s Day

While you’re exploring Downtown Kemptville this month, remember the importance of supporting local businesses. Shopping and dining locally helps sustain the heart of our community, and it keeps Downtown Kemptville vibrant and thriving. Every purchase you make supports hard-working small business owners and local employees.

This February, make it a point to explore all that Downtown Kemptville has to offer and make lasting memories with the ones you love. Whether you’re indulging in delicious food, ﬁnding the perfect gift, or enjoying some much-needed relaxation, there’s no shortage of ways to show love for your partner – and for your local community.

Be sure to check out the attached Downtown Kemptville Dates Checklist to help plan your next outing! And don’t forget to enjoy the Scavenger Hunt while you're at it!

UCDSB celebrates Black History Month

Throughout February, staff and students within the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) will be celebrating Black History Month with a wide range of lessons, activities, ﬁeld trips, and events that emphasize ongoing learning about the history, culture, and contributions of the Black Community.

This month-long celebration aims to engage all staﬀ and students in meaningful classroom activities that honour the history, culture, perspectives, and lived experiences of Black Canadians.

“The UCDSB is committed to ensuring that our students have the knowledge and skills to identify and address prejudice, discrimination, and racism,” explains Principal of Equity and Inclusion Dan McRae.

“While this work happens all year round, February provides an opportunity to center the voices and experiences of Black Canadians and emphasize the learning for our students. It’s inspiring to see our schools fully embrace Black History Month, integrating rich cultural and historical content into everyday lessons, and

learning more about Black Canadian History,” Principal McRae said.

As part of the celebrations, schools have been provided with resources to deepen their engagement with Black Canadian History and culture, including:

School Posters: Several Black History Month posters have been sent to schools and are proudly displayed in our schools to create conversations and teachable moments about Black Canadians in our schools and communities.

Classroom Resources: Guidance on books and literature that spark meaningful classroom discussions about Black history, identity, and social justice.

Real-World Learning Projects: Innovative projects, such as exploring diversity in hockey and sharing ﬁndings with the wider community, provide students with hands-on learning experiences that foster awareness and understanding.

Each school will celebrate Black History Month in its own unique way. For example, a standout project at Perth & District Collegiate Institute has Grade 7 French Immersion students

showcasing life-size cutouts of Black Canadian heroes at the Perth Museum and OPP East Region Headquarters in Smiths Falls. The displays, which are part of a RealWorld Learning initiative, include QR codes linking to student-produced podcasts about each hero’s inspiring story.

The UCDSB’s approach to Black History Month

reflects its dedication to creating inclusive schools, ensuring that students and staﬀ alike continue to grow in their understanding of the diverse contributions of all Canadians. These initiatives not only celebrate the rich heritage of Black Canadians but also inspire meaningful conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools.

Under 15 Triplets Bonspiel at North Grenville Curling Club

by Pat Stewart

On Saturday, January 25, the Ontario Curling Council hosted a U15 Triplets Bonspiel at the North Grenville Curling Club. The Bonspiel, organized to have fun while promoting youth curling development in Ontario, consisted of two 6-end games and a skills contest. Eight teams from the Ottawa-Eastern Ontario area participated. The North Grenville Curling Club, represented by Alex Forbes, Evangeline Infelice, and Mirabella Infelice, won silver. Congratulations team NGCC.

COMMUNITY EVENTS events@ngtimes.ca

613-215-0735

RECURRING EVENTS

Monthly Suppers prepared by Knights of Columbus at Holy Cross Church Hall at 503 Clothier St W. Suppers will be held on the last Thursday of the month. Cost $10 per adult, $5 for children under 12 and $25 for families. NO MONTHLY SUPPER THIS MONTH. The ﬁrst supper of 2025 will be on Thursday 23 January.

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. St. John’s Drawing Circle is every Friday at 4 pm (jan 10 - mar 28). 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 at gowjb5@gmail.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 7:309:30pm. 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.

EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners at 3048 Pierce Road on Tuesday, February 18, March 4, 18, April 1, 15, 29, May 13 and 27. Registration starts at 6:00 p.m., play starts at 6:30 p.m. Contact Debi at debiar@ymail.com

BID EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners at 3048 Pierce Road on Tuesday, February 11, 25, March 11, 25, April 8, 22, May 6 and 20. Registration starts at 6:00 p.m., play starts at 6:30 p.m. Contact Debi at debiar@ymail.com North Grenville Men’s Shed

A men’s shed provides a safe and friendly environment for men to socialize and/or do projects.

Contact: Peter Ivay 343 598-1174 or website ngmensshed. com for scheduled meetings on the calendar and additional information.

Malala Women’s Choir

Invites you to explore uplifting music for treble voices.

Rehearsals: Wednesday evenings 7:00 – 9:00 pm, March 5– May 28, 2025. At St. Andrew’s Knox Presbyterian Church, 23 Bennett St., Spencerville. To register: contact Sheila at 613-658-5290 or sheilafawcett92@gmail.com

No previous choral experience required.

Membership fee: $35

KSK Euchre Night. 3rd Wednesday of every month. Doors open at 6:30, games start at 7 pm, $5 to play. Kemptville Snowmobile Klub, 1505 O'Neil Rd

Come let

us

reason together Christendom or Christianity?

by David Shanahan

In the recent past, Christians have become accustomed to hearing criticism from the New Atheists, secularists generally, and sectors of society who believe that they are dismissed or judged by the Christian belief system. Many articles in the Times have been written, not, as some think, to preach or try to convert - something that is not my business - but to inform and to explain where there is misunderstanding about what Christianity is about. Information, not proselytization, was the intention. That’s all well and good, and questioning and discussion is always healthy and welcome.

The strangest development recently, though, has been the threat to Christians from a new and rather unexpected source - other Christians. And this new threat could place New Testament Christians in the middle of a societal conﬂict where they are attacked from all sides.

One of the biggest mysteries for many Christians has been the support provided by evangelical Christians in the United States to Donald Trump and his MAGA movement. On the face of it, there is absolutely nothing about Trump that should garner such support: a misogynist lover of dictators, convicted abuser of women, someone who couldn’t name a single book or verse of the Bible when asked, etc. His record

is all too well known. So why the fervent fanbase among socalled evangelical Christians?

The answer is that he is seen by a movement within that religious sector as the man who will help them bring about God’s Kingdom on Earth. Really, that is the view they hold, and there is a genuine belief that these Christians have a duty and authority to impose Christian morality on not just the United States, but the world. Think of a Biblical Taliban imposing a Christian form of Sharia law on society. The idea is not at all as far-fetched as it might have seemed before 2016.

This movement of Christian Nationalism, or Christian Zionism, or the New Apostolic Reformation, as it also known, holds to a 7 Mountains concept: that Christians will take over control of the 7 Mountains of society: government, education, media, business, family, arts, and religion, and destroy secular society. The implications of all of this for the wider community should frighten all New Testament Christians, not to mention the rest of society. This is, in fact, a repeat of some of the oldest and most dangerous heresies of Christendom: the idea that political power is needed to bring about God’s Kingdom, an idea that is completely rejected in the New Testament, most especially in the teaching and sayings of Jesus

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 9

Sweetheart Brunch

Time: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Himself.

Whenever religious groups have tried to impose morality on the general population, it has become a tyranny, a theocracy that expects people to conform to standards of behaviour that Christianity says are impossible without God’s grace.

Jesus explicitly said: “My kingdom is not of this world”, and “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s”. He rejected the idea that Christians should exercise political power in that way: “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world..” [John 15.19]. The approach of the 7 Mountains concept contradicts Christ’s clear statement, and, when attempted in history, has led to Inquisitions, persecutions, and judicial murders. It imposes Christendom, not Christianity, a political movement and society that is inimical to true Christianity.

Why is this a dangerous concept for New Testament Christians? Because, as this movement continues to dominate American politics (and a recent survey says that about 42% of Christians in the States believe in it), the wider society will come to believe that they represent genuine New Testament Christianity, and not Christendom, and all Christians will be labelled as anti-everything and everyone,

bigotted, hate-filled, threats to freedom of speech and thought. Let’s face it, as I’ve argued many times in this newspaper, Christians are already judged in this way, regardless of the facts and the truth. Misunderstandings, what I have called mythunderstandings, have muddied the waters and caused serious conflict for all, conflict which will only get worse as Christians have lumped in with the MAGA-supporting Christian Nationalists. Christians are not mandated to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth: they are mandated to pray that God will do that, not by political action on our part. Christians are expected to play a part in making life better for all, which is why they began hospitals, schools, run food banks, and take part as citizens in so many other areas of life. The 7 Mountains movement is, to say the least, misguided and a different Gospel. And as Paul says to the Galatians: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!”

The 25th North Grenville Community Sweetheart Brunch Tickets will be available at the door, or in advance at Brewed Awakenings and B & H Grocer.

The North Grenville Municipal Centre.

February 10

Spencerville Agricultural Society. From 7:00 pm

February Meeting If you are interested in joining our committee, please email info@spencervillefair.ca to receive all of the meeting details. www.spencervillefair.ca

Drummond Building, 22 Ryan Street, Spencerville Ontario

February 12

NG Historical Society. From 7:00 pm

Guest speaker: Jill Heinerth, underwater explorer All are welcome to attend.

At the History Hub, 148 Prescott Street, Kemptville.

February 15

Friends of North Grenville Public Library

Time: 10:00 am

Kim Kilpatrick (blind since birth) will speak at the Library Come and listen to this enchanting storyteller talk about her experiences and the incredible importance of guide dogs in her life.

February 19

Kemptville Horticultural Society February Meeting

Starting at 7:00 pm. At the Kemptville Pentecostal Church, 1964 County Rd. #43, Kemptville

This evening our speaker with be Rececca Last-Guenette, MG on the topic of "The Edible Garden (Communities in Bloom 2025 theme)"

February 25

Merrickville and District Historical Society

Starting at 7:00 pm

The Merrickville and District Historical Society invites you to the ﬁrst lecture of the 2025 Lecture Series . “The Rideau Correctional Treatment Centre 1947-2004” with Jim Empey.. At the Merrickville Legion.

5. Pauses

FOR SALE

Corner lot, Kemptville, 83.5 ft by 84.5 ft, natural gas, water and sewer on site. Contact Kemptvillelot@outlook. com.

Frigidaire Gallery

Range. Top of line. Five burners. Convection oven. Warming drawer. Meat probe. $500. Talk/ Text. 613 325 0845.

Futon bed/couch, blue & white, very good condition. 100$. call 613-258=6108

2 NEW hearing aid

batteries Premium

ONE R312 Lithium Rechargeable in Kemptville HALF PRICE $25.

Call 613-258-7501 or hrvpwll@gmail.com

Honda Fit Winter Tires on rims 185/R160 15 M+S $300 Kemptille 613-258-7501

ALL House HUMIDIFIER Cabinet style on wheels FREE in Kemptville 613-258-7501

4 Kelly winter tires with rims for sale 225-60R16, $300.00. 1 winter. 613-258-1167

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

MISCELANEOUS

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

ACROSS

1. Aromatic solvent

6. Egg-shaped

10. Skin irritation

14. Fondle

15. Digestive juice

16. Not a one

17. Haven

18. Drunkards

19. Obscene term for feces

20. Eyeglasses 22. Amble 23. Direct 24. Discourage 25. Perished 29. Went in 31. Nonﬁctional prose 33. Diverge 37. Horticultural art

38. Protein responsible for clotting

39. Red ﬁsh

REPAIRS RENOVATIONS

41. Picked on

42. Past-due debts

44. Poi source

45. Drama set to classical music

48. Stupendous

50. Certain something

51. Classifying

56. Dross

57. Anagram of "Sale"

58. Cowboy sport

59. Being 60. Filth

61. Pungent edible leaves

62. Sow

63. Declares

64. Moor DOWN 1. Freudian topics

2. Snare 3. Tube 4. Majestic

6. Lewd

7. Purple

8. Changed

9. Not more

10. Unbelievable

11. Fortuneteller's card

12. Desire

13. Abnormally active

21. Painter's studio

24. Satan

25. Applies lightly

26. Metal used in steel

27. Europe's highest volcano

28. Put down

30. Declination

32. Genus of goats

34. Dry

35. Bound

36. Preﬁx meaning "Within"

40. Emblems of royalty

41. Bosoms

43. Blood vessel

45. Desert watering holes

46. Throb

47. Delete

49. Set ablaze

51. Scoundrels 52. Pierce 53. Notion 54. Bird home

55. Golly

How clutter causes problems

Have you ever walked into a home, or even a single room, and wondered, "How do these people live in such a mess?" Collecting and holding onto too much stuﬀ causes many problems – economic, social, and emotional. It is not a common way to assess your health. But having a look at your home is an interesting diagnostic tool.

“Cluttering” can be expensive. About 11% of American households rent a storage unit at an average monthly cost of $85. Nearly half of self-storage customers rent for a year or more, costing over a thousand dollars!

Some nationalities are more compulsive about clutter. For instance, Germans and Swedes seem less inclined to pile up unused things. The Swedes have a saying stressing that you should not leave a mess for others to clean up. They call it "death cleaning".

Studies show that clutter breeds emotional chaos for some people. A study at Princeton University showed that with too much stuﬀ around, the brain is unable to process information well. Another study from the University of California revealed that clutter can have an adverse effect on hormones. For instance, women who live with a mess did not show the normal decrease in the stress hormone, cortisol, that usually occurs during the course of a day. Moreover, they experienced an increase in depressed mood. In some cases, living in a mess means social isolation stemming from the embarrassment of friends not being able to get in the door for all the mess.

A messy home can also lead to falls. Getting older is a dangerous process. Seniors are less agile, and vision deteriorates. Tripping over a mess can cause a fractured hip or other serious injuries.

For messy households, there is nothing like the workload that comes when parents move into retirement homes. This topic doesn’t feature in my new book about Healthy Retirement Residence Living, but that’s my oversight. Fortunately, my own family does not have this problem, but the tales are legendary of families who must sort through room after room of “stuﬀ” collected over a lifetime.

If you’ve decided it's time to get rid of clutter, there’s good news. Decluttering does make people feel psychologically better. It provides a sense of accomplishment and well-being. Equally important, decluttering gives people a sense of personal control, lowering stress.

If getting rid of clutter is good for you, why don't more people do it? There are lots of reasons. Are people too busy? Is there just too much stuﬀ? Does procrastination win?

Just as a voyage of a thousand miles begins with the ﬁrst step, the best thing is to just get started. Set small goals, so you don't become overwhelmed before you even begin.

Experts in decluttering oﬀer sage advice. Sort your things into three broad categories, “Keep, Discard, and Maybe”. Then repeat with the "Maybe" stuﬀ as many times as needed.

Break the work into small chunks of time. Spending 30 minutes on one task is enough, so you don't get overtired or bored and say, "What's the use?"

Remember that deciding to clean up a mess means the clutter has to go somewhere. This is a time when you can make less fortunate people happy. Donate clothing, electronics, books, furniture, and other items to The Salvation Army, Huse of Lazarus, and other charitable organizations.

Hmm. I can just hear my wife saying, "So Giﬀ, when are you going to toss out those old shoes?" But like old wine, I ﬁnd it hard to say goodbye to old shoes. They remain on my "Maybe" list.

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.

KDH Foundation gifts $2.3 million for CT Scanner

February is Heart Month

by Dana Douglas, MScFN, RD South East Health Unit

February is a time to raise awareness about the importance of cardiovascular health, and an opportunity to focus on what we can do to improve our health. In Canada, heart disease is the second leading cause of death, and it will affect most of us at some point in our lives, either directly on indirectly. Common signs and symptoms of heart disease can include fainting, chest pain and shortness of breath. Heart disease also aﬀects men and women diﬀerently.

Risk factors for heart disease can include diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, stress, inactivity and unhealthy eating behaviours. Biological factors like family history, age and gender also aﬀect our risk for heart disease, as do environmental and socio-economic factors like air-pollution and income. These factors pose not just a passive threat to cardiovascular health but are also a barrier to engaging in preventative behaviours like physical activity and healthy eating.

by Jenn Westendorp, Communications Oﬃcer, KDH

The Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) Foundation is pleased to announce that it has made a gift of $2.3 million to the hospital to purchase a new CT Scanner. The cheque presentation was held on Friday, January 31, following a very successful 18-month fundraising campaign.

The Foundation’s Crossroads Campaign, led by Honorary Chair Louise Tallman, exceeded its goal of $2.2 million to bring a CT Scanner to KDH.

“Our wonderful community rallied around this campaign to help us surpass our goal,” said Margret Norenberg, Chair of the KDH Foundation Board. “None of this would be possible without steadfast support from our donors; the Foundation is so grateful to all the individuals, service groups, and local businesses throughout North Grenville and beyond who contributed to the campaign.”

The CT Scanner is anticipated to see its ﬁrst patient in early 2025. The state-ofthe art diagnostic imaging tool will enable care teams to diagnose patients more quickly, thereby managing and treating their conditions faster. Having a CT Scanner at KDH will also help reduce CT wait times regionally and enhance quality of care for patients.

The funds over and above the campaign goal will be used to support CT operations and other diagnostic imaging upgrades at KDH.

“Our community is so generous and we had an excellent campaign leader in Louise Tallman,” noted Margret Norenberg. “On behalf of the Foundation, I’d like to

extend a special thank you to Louise for her commitment to our hospital.”

The Tallman family, including the late Gerald Tallman who led the Emergency Room (ER) expansion campaign completed in 2010, has been supporting KDH for decades, and continued to do so when a call went out for critical capital improvements. In recognition of the family’s contribution to the Crossroads Campaign, the Foundation is naming the CT suite in its honour: ‘Tallman Family CT Scanner Suite.’

For more information, visit the Health Unit’s website at healthunit.org, connect with us on Facebook or X @ LGLHealthUnit, or call 1-800-660-5853.

“We would not be getting ready to welcome our ﬁrst CT patient without the phenomenal support of our community and the fantastic leadership of the KDH Foundation in planning and executing the CT capital campaign,” said the hospital’s CEO, Frank J. Vassallo. “A CT scan is considered the gold standard in emergency medical care and enables us to enhance the delivery of acute care in North Gren-

ville, which aligns with the hospital’s strategic directions of patient and family centered care; service excellence and innovation; sustainability and growth.”

KDH is planning an oﬃcial grand opening ceremony for the Tallman Family CT Scanner Suite in the spring - stay tuned for details. To learn more about the KDH Foundation, visit: www. kdhfoundation.ca.

Join us to celebrate local business achievements, milestones, and contributions to North Grenville. Hear Mayor Nancy Peckford’s keynote on key community issues and connect with business leaders, municipal staff, and Council members.

This free event requires registration. Light refreshments will be provided.

We look forward to seeing you!

Pictured, from left: Frank J. Vassallo, the hospital’s CEO, Jeﬀ Nolan, Chair of the KDH Board of Directors, Louise Tallman, Honorary Chair of the Crossroads Campaign, Margret Norenberg, Chair of the KDH Foundation Board, and Joanne Mavis, KDH Foundation Executive Director.

73’s can only garnish four pointer during three game homestand

by G.J. the sportsguy

First contest of a three game homestand of the New Year saw Hawkesbury Hawks swoop into the Kemptville barn to have their wings clipped with 5 to 3 deficiency. Sunday matinee was in homage of the passing of beloved friend, volunteer, public address announcer Brian Wilson with his grandchildren and wife Sharon performing the initial puck drop. First frame remained scoreless with end to end action from either side. Hawkesbury broke open the egg when Maxime Charbonneau with assists from Perron and Medriros put it behind Rylan Donnovan at 1:24 to open the second. The menacing Matthew Montoni fought his target by Brett Ruddy after G. McDougall hustled the rubber of the half wall to knot it at one. Kemptville with extra man when Shaw from under the line reversed to Loreto pinching the point to the high flyer Emile Trottier PPG on the doorstep to diminish the tie at 5:38. Gabriel Pelchat from Brown with Trudeau for the Hawks to even it up again at 6:02. Jacob Skoczylas with helpers from Perron and Brown gave Hawkesbury the lead at 8:06 of the final twenty. Magical finesse from Montoni with Beaulieu to set up Avry Shaw in the rocking chair for the 73 comeback tie at 10:39. Give and go from O’Doherty with Sweetapple on the point unto D. McDougall in the lane to knock down the door with Kemptville’s game winner at 14:49. The Hawks pulled their stopper at 19:18 and combina-

tion of Sweetapple with McDonald sprung Owen Redmond ENG free for the insurance empty netter at 19:26 to award 5 to 3 Kemptville win and put a smile on North Grenville Santa. Kemptville outshot their opponent 38 to 28.

Kemptville held off the Renfrew Wolves on Wednesday evening with a comeback battle to squeeze a 3 to 2 victory. Coach was pleased with the good effort displayed as they pushed forward the next two weeks to a playoff berth. The 73’s drew first blood when Alexis Beaulieu found himself alone in front of down and out Nick Kurtiak who fumbled the loose rubber at 10:14. A defensive miscue with Renfrew on power play when Matthew Verspeeten PPG with assists from Stevenson and Glover flipped it past Rylan Donovan for the tie at 18:23. Wolve’s Menard with Protopapas for Jesse Lefebvre to put a squeaker in just before the buzzer at 19:57.

To and fro action as per ﬁrst with Kemptville having a man advantage goal from G.McDougall combined with Bennett to Aidan Stubbings PPG from the slot to even it at two. High intensity to initiate the last frame as Kemptville gained another extra attacker and D.McDougall with Bennett found Eric Sweetapple PPG in the weeds to launch a game winner howitzer at 4:29. Both squads utilized the 200 feet without success and Renfrew removed their stopper without results at 18:39 to give the 73’s their second win of 3 to 2. Kemptville hammered Renfrew 41 to 23

with 2/4 PP to ½ PP.

Coach thought it was a slow start, but as they settled in and played their game they generated a huge amount of puck possession with success when moving the puck and skating. Another two points we need in a tight playoﬀ race before the big game on Friday.

Pembroke Lumber Kings riding high faced the Kemptville 73’s on Friday night for their last of three game home stands to suﬀer a disappointing 4 to 2 loss. Lumber Kings counted ﬁrst when Aiden Dres with helpers from Jamfa with Alegria undressed his opposition and Rylan Donaovan failed to squeeze the launch at 18:29.

Pembroke was still on the move from Hayes with Barnard to find Jayson Algeria on the dot in the second stanza at 12:04. A confuffled blind pass through the middle from the 73 power play and Liam Cardiﬀ SHG was oﬀ to the races at 14:28 for a shortie and 3 zip lead for Pembroke. A really big hole for Kemptville when they received another man advantage and Canevari with Shaw held the zone to Emile Trottier PPG with a double barrel blast on the doorstep to destroy Michael Modeski SO at 15:54. Kemptville came within one with a combination from Trottier with Carter Graves driving hard to the blue paint at 17:02.

Jayson Alegria marked his second with helpers from Penna and Dres at 18:23 for Lumber Kings insurance of the third. Kemptville’s ﬁnal push as they traded their backstop for an extra attacker with-

out a response to fall 4 to 2 to Pembroke. Kemptville outshot Pembroke by 28 to 26.

Kemptville hits the road for a Sunday matinee with the Navan Grads, then returns home Friday evening to meet the Ottawa Junior Senators and on the bus up the valley to meet with the Pembroke Lumber Kings Saturday night.

Hockey with EDGE….. see you around the wall.

Montoni

Special day for Brian.....Sharon with grandchildren launched the game oﬀ with an opening puck drop.

Regular Winter Birds

Having just got back into the house after clearing the freshly fallen snow from my paths to my garden bird feeders, I am still a little warm! I do the job by hand, using a farm-type “barn broom” to clear the light snow off and, that way, I just expose what seeds that might have been covered, without blowing them out of sight to be buried again. It’s quite rewarding to see some of the birds descend and start pecking away once I have ﬁnished, so well worth the eﬀort.

The very common “ground feeders”, such as the Juncos, Cardinals, Mourning Doves, Crows, Tree Sparrows, and Rock Pigeons, take advantage of

this opportunity to be able to feed without too much eﬀort having to be put in.

Of course, whilst they are busy, their fellow feathered friends, such as the Chickadees, Nuthatches, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Starlings and Goldfinches take the more easily accessible food sources provided by my “Birdie Block” and other types of hanging feeders in front of our front room window.

These are what give my wife and I a constant source of entertainment and a constant changing picture, as the birds ﬂit to and fro and back and forth, in their food eating quests. They never disappoint, and if you get your timing right, you can

get to see more of them when doing it at the certain times of the day that they tend to appear in their bigger numbers for a while.

Yes, I reckon we get them coming at 8 in the morning, then midday around 12 o’clock, and then ﬁnally at about 4pm. Maybe you’ve spotted this behavior yourselves, whilst keeping an eye on them?

Some of the more individualistic ones linger longer than the main groups do, so that we are never completely devoid of any birds at all, fortunately, but there are quite distinctive quiet periods during the daytime. Stay safe and well, Cheers, John Baldwin

OFA welcomes funding for Cultivating Local project

Funding from the provincial government is supporting a new project dedicated to growing the province’s agri-food sector by helping farmers seize local selling opportunities. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness is providing an investment into the Cultivating Local: Seizing Opportunities to Grow Ontario’s Local Agri-Products Sector project.

“Increasing the production and consumption of local Ontario food will strengthen long-term food supply chain resilience and agri-food economic competitiveness,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “The OFA is a perfect partner to collaborate with us in supporting Ontario farmers to sell more of their world-class products to Ontario families and local consumers.”

“We are thrilled to have the provincial government’s support for this initiative that encourages farm diversiﬁcation, improves market channel opportunities for farmers, and also provides more fresh, local produce to Ontarians,” says OFA President Drew Spoelstra. “We know there are many passionate farmers and future farmers who want to explore new products and new markets, and these workshops will help ensure they have the expert advice and resources to take that next step.”

With the funding, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and partner organizations are hosting a series of nine free online workshops featuring key experts and resources for producers and prospective producers to learn more about the opportunities to sell in-demand products directly to Ontario consumers. The workshop topics include selling value-added agriculture products, marketing and selling your product online, selling at farmers’ markets, restaurants, and institutions, selling in rural and remote Ontario, getting into agritourism, and more.

The two-hour online workshops are held Thursday mornings from November 2024 to February 2025. For those who aren’t able to participate in the live events, all workshop recordings will also be posted on OFA’s website. Many agricultural and commodity organizations are partnering on the project alongside OFA, including Agritourism Ontario and Farmers’ Markets Ontario. More information, including how to register, is available at ofa.on.ca/cultivating-local.

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville Curry is such a lovely spice to use. A staple in cooking from India, it has lots of everyday uses as well. For example, when you are frying onions, you can add a bit of sugar and some curry and you add great ﬂavour to the everyday onion. Today’s recipe is a curry prepared with cashew nuts. So, presenting: Cashew Curry for 4.

Cashew Curry

Ingredients

2 tablespoons of butter

1 medium size onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, chopped or two teaspoons of crushed or minced garlic

2 pounds of pork or lamb cut into cubes

1 ½ teaspoon of curry powder

` tablespoon of ﬂour

2 cups of milk

1 teaspoon of Cayenne pepper

½ cup of chopped cashews

2 good sized tomatoes, skin oﬀ and chopped

Preparation

1. In a large pan, sauté the onion and garlic in the butter

2. Add the meat and cook till browned and cooked through, then remove

3. Stir the curry, ﬂour and pepper into what juices are left in the pan

4. Add the milk and stir till your resulting mixture is smooth

5. Cook until thickened and put your meat back in the sauce

6. Add the cashews and tomatoes

7. Heat all the ingredients through so the meat picks up the ﬂavours

Serve directly from the pan onto your favourite rice, such as basmati or jasmine. You can also use egg noodles as an alternative. This is another recipe where a nice dipping bread from Grahame’s works really well. If you’d like a glass of wine to accompany, try a bold red Zinfandel.

From me to you, compliments of pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

Bucket List Travel Adventures Await!

As we step into 2025, the world continues to oﬀer breathtaking destinations for every type of traveler. From serene landscapes to bustling urban centers, here are some of the best places to explore this year.

Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto remains a perennial favourite for travelers seeking a mix of tradition and modernity. Famous for its ancient temples, tranquil gardens, and iconic geisha districts, Kyoto oﬀers a glimpse into Japan’s rich cultural heritage. Don’t miss the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and the Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of torii gates. Visit in spring to witness the city’s cherry blossoms in full bloom or in autumn for vibrant foliage.

Bhutan

Nestled in the Himalayas, Bhutan is a haven for those seeking peace and spirituality. Known for its Gross National Happiness philosophy, the country oﬀers pristine landscapes, ancient monasteries, and a deep connection to Buddhist traditions. The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is a highlight for any visitor.

Patagonia, Chile and Argentina

For adventure enthusiasts, Patagonia is an unparalleled destination. Spanning the southern regions of Chile and Argentina, this remote wilderness boasts towering peaks, expansive glaciers, and stunning lakes. Torres del Paine National Park in Chile and Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina are must-see spots for hiking, wildlife spotting, and photography.

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech enchants visitors with its vibrant markets, intricate architecture, and rich cultural tapestry. The city’s medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a maze of narrow alleyways ﬁlled with bustling souks, oﬀering everything from spices to handcrafted goods. Be sure to visit the Jardin Majorelle and the opulent Bahia Palace.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland’s capital is a gateway to otherworldly landscapes, from volcanic ﬁelds to cascading waterfalls and geothermal lagoons. In Reykjavik, enjoy a thriving art scene and cozy café culture. A short drive from the city, you can witness the Northern Lights or relax in the Blue Lagoon’s warm, mineral-rich waters.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," Dubrovnik is a seaside gem. Its well-preserved medieval walls, stunning architecture, and azure waters make it a must-visit. Stroll along the Stradun, the city’s main street, and explore the historic Old Town. Summer visitors can enjoy island-hopping adventures to nearby Elaphiti Islands.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town oﬀers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural diversity. Table Mountain provides panoramic views of the city, while the Cape Winelands feature some of the world’s ﬁnest vineyards. Don’t miss a trip to Robben Island to learn about South Africa’s history. In 2025, these destinations promise unforgettable experiences. Whether you crave adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, the world is yours to explore.

Ready to ﬁll up your travel bucket list this year?

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 your 2025 travel plans.TICO # 50026003 215 SANDERS STREET, UNIT 201A / KEMPTVILLE, ON K0G 1J0

Tree Sparrow

Blue Jay

Female Goldﬁnch