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SU FEB NDAY RUA , RY 9
The Voice of North Grenville
Vol 8, NO 4
% 0 3 E V A S
2540 cnty rd 43 • Kemptville, ON
613-258-9333
January 29, 2020
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The 22nd Annual North Grenville Community Sweetheart Brunch is taking place at the North Grenville Municipal Centre, Kemptville, on February 9. Here is the big heart of North Grenville in action! Celebrating its twenty
second consecutive year, the Sweetheart Brunch runs from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm., and is presented by the Knights of Columbus Council 5333. This year we will be honouring the memory of Pat Maloney, who left us last year after a lifetime of service to his friends and
neighbours. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 6–11 years, and under 6 are free! Admission includes a delicious smorgasbord of hot food or continental choices; exciting live musical entertainment; a draw for cash prizes; and
a fabulous opportunity to support numerous local charities, including Kemptville District Hospital, Beth Donovan Hospice, Ryan’s Well Foundation, Kemptville District Home Support, Scouts continued on page 2
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The North Grenville Times continued from front page Canada, Jumpstart, Victory Time Therapeutic Riding, and more. Funds will also be used as needed, whenever the need is known. Advance tickets are available at the Scotiabank, 300 Colonnade Drive, and they will match ticket sales dollar for dollar, a very generous gesture on the part of Scotiabank.
Involving well over one hundred volunteers, the Sweetheart Brunch is all about the community helping the community. It is made possible by the many local generous sponsors and supporters. Come join us at the North Grenville Community Sweetheart Brunch on February 9.
The Voice of North Grenville
Bayfield wins Southbridge Service Excellence Award
Kemptville Legion invites you to Join Us
Half Time Party February 2
5pm until Close Be early if you want to watch the commercials during the game
Bayfield staff recently celebrated being presented with the Southbridge “Striving for Excellence” award for 2019. The award is given to the home (there are 39 Southbridge residences in Ontario) which achieves the most success on a number of measures, including resident satisfaction, Ministry of Health inspection results, quality indicators, and operations management. This is recognition, once again, of the exceptional staff we have in both our long term care home and retirement residence. Thanks to them for ensuring that Bayfield has such an excellent reputation.
Leeds Horse Club gets added to ‘Cancer Champions Circle’
Kemptville Legion 100 Reuben Crescent
Kemptville Legion, Branch 212 presents
Sunday Bingo
Bingo is now the first Sunday of every month!
February 2
Doors Open at 6pm Bonanza at 6:30 - First 50 Numbers Regular games start at 7pm Jackpot Guaranteed To Go Refreshments will be available 100 Reuben Crescent, Kemptville
The Leeds County Draft Horse Club (LCDHC) name will be added to Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation’s
‘Cancer Champions Circle’ donor wall amongst other special groups who have given over $1,000 in a single
Kemptville Pride invites public to celebrate love with first fundraiser of 2020 by Hilary Thomson
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year. In a letter to the club, Paula Muldoon, Director of Development for the Foundation, states: “The generosity
of Leeds County Draft Horse Club through the Thresher event towards families facing cancer in our community signals you as a true Cancer Champion”. LCDHC members, Pam & Roy Sherrer, co-ordinated the fundraising initiative and raised $5,000 for Breast Cancer Research by attending numerous events in 2019, including the Ottawa Farm Show, Threshing event for the Guinness Book of World Records, and Brockville’sTall Ships Festival. The Leeds County Draft Horse Club promotes the proper use and care of draft horses and holds numerous club events throughout the year. For more information on the club go to: leedscountydrafthorseclub.com.
T h e o rg a n i z e r s o f Kemptville Pride 2020 are inviting you to celebrate love with an upcoming fundraiser in support of this year’s event. Last year, the first Kemptville Pride Parade took the downtown by storm, drawing over 1,000 people to the event. Kemptville Pride, held on June 1, 2019 included a parade as well as an after party at Riverside Park. Kemptville Pride Queen of Communications, Fiona McKenney, hopes to make this year’s pride event even larger with a week-long celebration. She says a “So you think you can drag” event,
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yoga in the park, and lawn signs and window decals are all in the works for Kemptville Pride 2020. The organizing committee hopes to capitalize on the success of last years pride and double the attendance for this year’s event. “I thought it was going to be 15 people walking down the street waiving flags,” she says about Kemptville Pride 2019. “It turned out to be way bigger than that.” Kemptville Pride is now a not-for-profit organization, and the event is funded entirely through sponsorship and fundraising dollars. Their first fundraiser this year will be photography sessions
at Geronimo on February 2, from 9 am-2 pm. Anyone can book a 15-minute photography session with a professional photographer for a minimum donation of $5. “You can bring your partner, pet, kids, even your house plant,” Fiona says. The photographer is donating her time and Geronimo is offering the space for free, so all proceeds will go directly towards Kemptville Pride. “We hope people will stick around for a beverage and a treat as well,” Fiona says. The Kemptville Pride organizing committee came up with the idea for a photoshoot fundraiser around Valentines Day, because they wanted to
capitalize on the theme of love, which is at the heart of pride. “Our theme is love, and what better day than Valentines Day to go along with that?” says Fiona. The organizing committee meets regularly, and welcomes anyone interested in helping out with this year’s event to contact them through the Kemptville Pride Facebook page. To book your 15-minute photo session, email kemptvillepride2020@ gmail.com.
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The North Grenville Times
Giving blood in 2020? This young recipient thanks you
months at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario undergoing chemotherapy, with blood transfusions every second day. “I’m incredibly thankful and proud of people who are taking time from their busy lives to donate,” said Sam Loan, Wyatt’s mother. “I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.” Wyatt and his mother have attended two blood donation events to personally thank donors, most recently on Christmas Eve in Orleans. “For Wyatt to come up to you and say, ‘thank you for donating!’ is a really exceptional experience,” said Jan Grant, a territory manager in donor relations at Canadian Blood Services. The next blood donation event in Kemptville is happening February 2 at the W.B. George Centre at 48 Shearer St. Appointments are still available from 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. To book an appointment, simply download the GiveBlood app, call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or book now at blood.ca. Walk-in appointments are also available. With your donation, you could be helping children like Wyatt.
IOOF & REBEKAH HALL BOARD PRESENTS
Wyatt Lafontaine, who is now three years old, received many blood products after being diagnosed with cancer as an infant. The family of a young upcoming clinics, including diagnosed in June 2017 at blood recipient in eastern the next one in Kemptville on only 10 months old with Ontario is encouraging do- February 2. infant acute lymphoblastic nors to book appointments at Wyatt Lafontaine was leukemia. He spent several
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Editorial
The North Grenville Times
It’s all too much by David Shanahan Here’s an interesting question: can you have too much democracy? Looking at different countries around the world, and all the variations on democratic structures that exist, I sometimes wonder about it all. On the one hand, there can be no doubt that the widening of the franchise over the past couple of centuries has been a just and righteous move. Regular people now have a say in how they are governed, and by whom. This is surely more preferable than old monarchical or oligarchical systems, where the wealthy and powerful few make all the decisions. On the other hand, how much can you trust your fellow citizens to make rational and intelligent decisions about who to vote for, or which party policies are most beneficial to the
society? I think we have all been faced with these questions, particularly in the decades just past. Looking at the kind of decisions people have been making at the ballot box really makes me wonder about the basis for modern democratic elections. Populism is at a level of popularity not seen since the 1930's, when the rise of fascist and communist dictators created an anti-democratic crisis in Europe. Now we see again the rise of “strong men” around the world, individuals who are happy to make use of the democratic system to gain power, so that they can then destroy the same system from the inside. The most puzzling and irrational coalitions are forming, such as that between American Evangelicals and the Trump regime, which would make no sense in any other historical context. Short-term
and any intelligent capacity they have. This is not an attack on the grounds of party affiliation: it is simply an attempt to understand why the political world has been turned upside down, where traditional party platforms, not to say morality, has been totally undermined and reversed. Senior Republicans are making arguments during the impeachment trial of Trump that flatly contradict positions they held a few years ago. In spite of video and documentary records of their previous statements, they blithely state the reverse today, apparently without blinking an eyelid, or blushing with shame. The really unsettling point in all this is that they may well get re-elected, in spite of, or perhaps because of, their willingness to abandon their personal integrity and honour.
gains are grasped in spite of the long-term implications. Boris Johnson has gained power in spite of his reputation as an unreliable, womanising, Etoneducated elitist by appealing to working people and portraying himself as the champion of the underdogs and neglected parts of the United Kingdom. He can make clear promises one day, and break them the next, without, it seems, alienating his base support. And don’t get me started on Trump! The man is a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction (ok, mostly fiction). The number of clear and documented lies he has told is in the thousands, yet his core support, especially among those Evangelicals, remains constant. Why? How? He has ripped the spine and conscience out of the Republican Party, a group of men and women (mostly men) who have turned a blind eye, deaf ear
to employment circumstances beyond our control. In the Preschool Environment, the children were prepared to enter the school system, had opportunity to have their "horizons broadened" and develop friendships, so that the following September was not such a big scary experience. There were only a very few times over the years when we encountered a child who was not emotionally or socially mature enough to handle the environment. I remember one little boy in particular who, quite frankly, was so socially delayed that he could not sit and play during the children's free time, would not or could not sit down at the table with five other children to follow any instructions, and totally disrupted the class. The other children were afraid of him. It didn’t take long before the owner of the Preschool began documenting particular behavioural issues. This was back in the 1980s and early 90s, so the word “Autism” was not even talked about and “ADD (Attention Defect Disorder) and ADHA (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) were just being identified and diagnosed. I have been retired as
The North Grenville Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc. Marketing Gord J. Logan gord@ngtimes.ca 613-258-6402 January 29, 2020
Marketing Consultant Peter Peers peter@ngtimes.ca
Snowmobilers will hit the trails on Sunday, February 2, 2020 for the Kemptville Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids. The annual event takes place on Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) groomed trails, and encourages winter enthusiasts to raise funds for children and youth with physical disabilities. Now in its 46th year, Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids combines a passion for winter activities with community participation for a worthy cause. This year, snowmobilers from ten communities across Ontario will take part in this enjoyable family-friendly affair, including those from Morrisburg, Sudbury and Kemptville. Everyone, snowmobiler or not, is welcome to come out and enjoy this year’s Kemptville Snowarama, which will take place at the Kemptville Fire Hall located at 259 County Road #44 in Kemptville. The Girl Guides and Pathfinders will be running the charity breakfast that will begin at 8:00 a.m. from which all proceeds will go to Easter Seals Ontario. Following the breakfast and a quick photo opportunity, snowmobilers will hit the trails. All snowmobilers are requested to collect pledges to participate, and
an Early Childhood Educator for many years, but I have observed how the issue of child discipline and social interaction have changed drastically. Teachers no longer have the option of placing a child in a "timeout" space, allowing the child a few moments to think about their behaviour and the consequences of that behaviour toward others. It seems that each parent believes, "my child can do no wrong, it's the other child who is at fault, or it must be the teacher's fault". As social media has taken over our lives, people have no filters, because we are anonymous. We don't have to stare another human being in the eye and repeat what we just told the world what we said about him/her. As for public education, I think every person who is elected to the Provincial Legislature, and government bureaucrats associated with Public Education, should have to spend a few days in the public school system. Teacher strikes or walkouts are NOT always about salary. Social issues, discipline, and respect can be much larger issues. Josephine Herman
the north grenville
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TIMES Editor David Shanahan david@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735
Copy Editor Pat Jessop editor@ngtimes.ca 613-258-4671
People will vote for them again, just as Johnson won an overwhelming victory in the recent election. These are strange times, indeed. We may be thankful that Canadian politics has not reached such a low ebb, although the election of the Ford character in Ontario did raise some questions in that regard. No, it seems that the main question in Canadian politics right now is: did Justin “he’ll never be his father” Trudeau grow a beard in order to appear more mature? Will it work? Does anyone really care? So, in our time of dwindling voter participation, increasingly outrageous tweets, talks and attitudes, and as we see the traditional basis of popular democracy being used and undermined by anti-democratic forces, we have to ask the question. Can you have too much democracy? Has our system
allowed these would-be dictators, chancers, scoundrels and con artists the freedom to succeed? Even more fundamental, in a way, is the question as to whether our sadly defective educational system has produced such a rise in, to put it bluntly, deeply stupid people who will vote for someone, regardless of the negative impact it might have on their families. Johnson won over most of the traditionally strong Labour ridings in the north of England. Today, it was announced that most of them will have their local government budgets slashed, while the traditionally Conservative ridings in the south will see an increase in theirs. Will that affect Johnson’s popularity? Probably not. And that is the current state of affairs. It’s all too much.
SNOWARAMA FOR EASTER SEALS KIDS
Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, Re: Teacher’s Work to Rule Issue I feel compelled to voice my opinion to the Premier, elected members of the Ontario Provincial Government, and the bureaucrats appointed to the public education system of Ontario, on the teacher’s Work to Rule issue plaguing the public school system at this time. I was a Preschool teacher in Nova Scotia many years ago. I received my training from the “Froebel Institute for Early Childhood Education”, in Nova Scotia. At that time, Nova Scotia did not offer the Junior and Senior Kindergarten model that is presently offered in Ontario, and perhaps that hasn’t changed since my husband and I have lived in Ontario for 22 years now. In Nova Scotia, at that time, a child had to turn 5 years of age by the end of the calendar year in order to enter into the public school system. For the children who did not meet those criteria, there was the option of enrolling them into privately run registered Early Childhood Education Preschools. That is the environment I worked in before having to move to Ontario due
The Voice of North Grenville
OFFICE 613-215-0735 Production Manager Marguerite Boyer production@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735
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pledge forms can be found at the Kemptville Snowmobile Klub, or online at www. snowarama.org. “For over 45 years the OFSC has enjoyed a successful partnership with Easter Seals Ontario,” said Paul Murray, President of OFSC. “Each year participants look forward to the Snowarama events across Ontario, because they are safe snowmobiling experiences, where funds raised help kids with physical disabilities receive essential programs and services within their communities.” Funds raised at Snowarama play an important role in providing support for children with physical disabilities, and their families. Easter Seals Ontario was founded in 1922 as a vision to create a better life for children and youth with physical disabilities. Thanks to generous donors, Easter Seals continues to offer programs and services that allow kids to experience freedom, independence and a sense of accomplishment. Together, we help kids BE KIDS. “For over four decades Easter Seals has benefited from the support of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs,” says Kevin Collins,
President & CEO, Easter Seals Ontario. “We have a deep sense of gratitude for the participation of local sponsors and riders who contribute to the success of Snowarama events across the province year after year.” Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids is locally sponsored and endorsed by the OFSC. To participate or donate to the event, call Kelly MacLaren at 613-296-6824, or visit snowarama.org. For the past 98 years, Easter Seals has played an important role in providing support for children and youth with physical disabilities from all ethnic and religious backgrounds. Thanks to its generous donors, Easter Seals kids are able to live with greater dignity and independence and focus on what they can do rather than on their limitations. Easter Seals helps by providing funding for essential mobility and accessibility equipment as well as opportunities for fun and friendship at its two fully accessibility camps, Camp Merrywood and Camp Woodeden. For more information, visit EasterSeals.org.
Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Accounting cfo@ngtimes.ca 613-258-4671
Staff Reporter Hilary Thomson hilary@ngtimes.ca
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Municipality Matters
The North Grenville Times
The Voice of North Grenville
Funding to help municipalities deliver smarter government services
Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, announced 27 joint projects to be funded through the Municipal Modernization Program at the 2020 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference which wrapped up in Toronto last week. "Our government is working with our municipal partners to make life more affordable, deliver smarter government services, create a more competitive business climate and build rural Ontario together," said Minister Clark. "I'm pleased so many municipalities are working together on these joint projects that will help deliver more efficient services for local people and businesses in Ontario's small and rural communities." The application-based Municipal Modernization Program is open to Ontario's 405 small and rural municipalities to help them find better, more efficient ways to operate and serve their residents. More than 300 projects were submitted in the first intake of the program and proposals are currently being reviewed. The initial government investment will support 27 joint projects involving over 130 munici-
palities to conduct service delivery reviews aimed at finding efficiencies and lowering costs in the longer term. These reviews will help municipalities work together to identify opportunities for shared services and other ways to modernize local services to ensure taxpayers dollars are being used effectively and efficiently. For example, the Municipality of Charlton and Dack and the Township of Chamberlain used previous modernization funding to consolidate their offices. They now share space, equipment and an IT server and rent out the unused Chamberlain office to create revenue. Premier Doug Ford, ministers and parliamentary assistants joined hundreds of municipal officials at the annual ROMA conference to discuss shared priorities, including health care, infrastructure, and improving internet access and cell connectivity in rural communities. This year, government officials met with more than 350 delegations. At the conference, Premier Ford also announced a new intake of the Rural Economic Development program to help create jobs and support economic growth in rural Ontario.
The province also hosted a roundtable discussion with rural stakeholders on economic development in their regions - the first in a series to be held across rural Ontario. "Ontario's rural communities are an integral part of our province and make incredible contributions to our economy," said Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "I'm proud our government is constantly striving to help rural Ontario succeed, including protecting farmland, improving broadband access and encouraging economic development." The government is also supporting small and rural municipalities by: Maintaining the funding envelope for the 2021 Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund at $500 million. Investing $200 million through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund to repair local roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure. Releasing Connecting the Southwest: A Transportation Plan for Southwestern Ontario - our government's plan to deliver an integrated transportation system for the region. Providing up to $130 million for new projects under
the Natural Gas Expansion Program. Investing $175 million through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund to help repair and upgrade 131 hospitals across the province. "Rural and northern municipal governments welcome additional provincial funding to invest in joint modernization efforts," said Allan Thompson, ROMA Chair. "With limited staff and resources, these funds will go a long way to help make municipal services better and more efficient." Ontario is providing up to $125 million through 2022/23 through the Municipal Modernization Program to help small and rural municipalities lower costs and improve services. Ontario is investing more than $480 million in rural, northern and public transit infrastructure projects under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The province also nominated 350 rural, northern and public transit infrastructure projects to the federal government for funding.
North Grenville newbie planning innovative renovation for old barn
by Hilary Thomson A North Grenville newcomer is planning on turning a century-old building in Bishops Mills into his dream home. When Kevin Willey retired from the federal government in 2018, he went looking for a new challenge. A life-long artist, he had always dreamed about living somewhere unique where he could have the space to do his metal art. “I was tired of living in a traditional house,” he says, talking about his home in Barrhaven. “It was too big for me and my dog.” January 29, 2020
Kevin had his heart set on finding an old property that he could make his own. He came across the barn in Bishops Mills early on in his search and says he just kept coming back to it. “As soon as my house sold, I put in an offer,” he says. His new home on St. Lawrence Street began as a church in the 1890s; but, when the church moved, it was converted into a barn and a carriage house, sometime in the 1920s. Kevin believes that when the horse and wagon gave way to the car, the building stopped being used. He says the owner tried to put in an apartment in
UPDATE UPDATE UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL Tuesday, February 18 at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Centre COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Tuesday, February 4 at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Centre. **NOTE: Council and Committee of the Whole meetings are live streamed and archived on the Municipal website. Agendas for upcoming meetings are published on the Friday prior to the meeting and minutes are posted after they are approved. Visit www.northgrenville.ca and click on Agendas, Minutes & Video in the Govern tab. COMMITTEE & PUBLIC MEETINGS Community & Economic Development Advisory Committee – Monday, February 3 at 3:00 pm at the Municipal Centre Special Committee of the Whole – Wednesday, February 5 at 2:30 pm at the Municipal Centre Public Meeting - Proposed Zoning Amendment - Wednesday, February 5 at 6:30 pm at the Municipal Centre Public Meeting - Proposed Minor Variance - Wednesday, February 5 at 7:00 pm at the Municipal Centre
BUDGET MEETINGS
February 6 – Public Open House,Community Hall, Bishops Mills, 6-8 pm February 11 - Committee of the Whole, Council Chambers, 6:30 pm
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Planning & Building Clerk Full-Time
The Municipality of North Grenville is accepting resumes from interested and qualified candidates for the position of Planning & Building Clerk. The closing date to receive applications is 4:00 pm on Wednesday, February 5, 2020. Additional information is available at www.northgrenville.ca/careers.
The Municipality of North Grenville
285 County Rd. 44, PO Box 130, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca Building: 613-258-9569 x130 Fax: 613-258-1441 Fire Services Info: 613-258-9569 x201 Fax: 613-258-1031 By-Law Services: 613-258-9569 x204 Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002
www.NorthGrenville.ca says he will also be adding an addition to the barn to accommodate his workshop where he will be building these large metal sculptures. “The pieces will be like totems on the property,” he says. Kevin plans on reusing as much as possible from the property in the construction of his new home. This includes the casing around the old church windows, an old bathtub that was left on the property, as well as a few mature trees. “Recycle, reused, repurpose,” he says. “There is so much waste in construction.” He is planning on doing all the construction himself, noting that he renovated many houses in the Glebe in the 1990s and has been surrounded by the trades his whole life. “My dad was in the heating business, and I learned a lot from him.” The plan is to start construction as soon as the frost is out of the ground, and Kevin expects the project to take about two years. He has been in touch with the Municipality’s Heritage Advi-
the 1970s, but the project fell through. Kevin’s plans for the barn are as extensive as they are unique. He is planning on building 15-inch thick walls on the inside of the structure to accommodate insulation, while still keeping the look of the old barn intact. The 1,500 square foot main floor of the barn will include a kitchen, living room and laundry area, as well as a space for a studio. His bedroom will be in the loft and accessed by a spiral staircase. “There is 26 feet up to the roof from the first floor,” he says. Perhaps the most unique part of Kevin’s new home will be the 30-foot medievalstyle tower that he will be constructing on the south side of the building. He says the idea for the tower came from his ex-wife. “She said I needed somewhere to put my dragon,” he says. Yes, you heard it. Dragon. As a metal artist, Kevin will be creating one large project a year, and his first one will be a 15-foot dragon that he will be installing on the tower. He 5
sory Committee and Building Department, both of which are supportive of the project. “Once I start construction, it will be a full-time thing,” he says. “I am hoping to have it enclosed and be living in it by next winter.” Kevin is planning on joining the North Grenville Artists Guild and hopes to have the property included in the local artists tour. Once the project is complete, it will be a unique home that could draw a lot of people to the area. “It’s a labour of love and it’s going to be done my way,” he says. “I can see it all clear as day.”
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The North Grenville Times
The Voice of North Grenville
Ceilidh Girls raise $10,000 to bring a refugee family to Merrickville
by Jenny Read On Saturday, January 18, Merrickville’s Ceilidh Girls fundraising collective hosted a special Main Street Family Restaurant ‘Chef Night’ to benefit Rideau Bridge to Canada Refugee Support Group. The event was successful beyond the Ceilidhs’ wildest dreams, raising a grand total of $10,000 from a silent auction, sponsorships, donations, and a cheque for
$810 from Main Street Family Restaurant. The Ceilidh Girls Chef Night featured a unique menu developed by Janet Campbell, owner of Merrickville’s renowned gourmet food shop, Mrs. McGarrigle’s. The event’s ‘Middle East Feast’ featured braised chicken with lemon and olives, Mejadra (basmati rice and lentils with caramelized onions), Ma’amul (date-filled
Tracks and Trees, and the Ties that Bind
by Craig I. Stevenson The designation of the Kemptville Campus woodland area as a Forest Stewardship Council-certified forest is very welcome news. The certification adds “brand” value to the Campus and is a concrete example of the type of environmental measure that is of demonstrable ecological benefit. The individuals who worked to achieve the FSC designation are to be commended for their vision. The designation presents another opportunity to add value to the Campus forest as a community asset. At the event announcing the certification, Mr. Peter Wensink made note of the forest’s long history—including its use by homeless transients during the Great Depression of the 1930s. This was no accident. The site of a “hobo camp” at the forest was the direct consequence of the area’s importance as a railway January 29, 2020
crossroads at the time. Today, Bedell Road stands as the nominal reminder of what was once called “Bedell Crossing” by the Canadian Pacific Railway. The crossing was an intersection of rail lines—the doubled CPR mainline and siding tracks running east and west, and the single line of the former Bytown and Prescott Railway running north to south. A range of facilities at Bedell Crossing served this busy location—a station and platform, a tower to govern train movements through this intersection, and a water tank to service locomotives during the steam age. All of this is gone now. The station site is used as a maintenance yard by the CPR, the sidings have been severed from the mainline, and only a fading outline remains where the single track to Ottawa curved westward toward Smiths
community. “In order to sponsor a refugee family to come to Canada, we need to raise about $40,000 to pay for the family’s living expenses in their first year,” explained Chair Audrey Bridge. “The money raised tonight brings us up to more than half of that goal. It means that, if our new refugee family gets the nod to come to Merrickville tomorrow, we have enough money in the bank to pay for their first six months,” she added, noting that Holy Trinity Anglican Church (Merrickville) is a co-sponsor in this effort. The Ceilidh Girls would like to thank the event’s sponsors for contributing greatly to the success of the event: Anita deVries-Bonneau Royal LePage Team Realty, Doef Studios, Fleurish Floral Design, Gypsy Rose Wedding & Event Services, Laura's Shop, Mejan Graphics Design, Miricks Landing Country Store, Nana B’s Bakery, Ren’s Renos & Home Improvements, Rowland Leather, Spa Sans Souci,
cookies), and more. 100 percent of the funds raised will be used to support Rideau Bridge to Canada’s efforts to bring a second Syrian refugee family to Merrickville – their first family, the Erhayels, arrived in June of 2017 and are flourishing in the community. Representatives from Rideau Bridge to Canada were overwhelmed by the show of support from the
Summa Strategies Canada, SweetLegs Merrickville with Heather, Tea by G, Juliann Whitney Wellness Coach, and Wick Witch Apothecary. Donations are still being accepted: please send your cheque, payable to ‘Ceilidh Girls Fundraising’, to J. Graham, 1091 Highway 43 East, Merrickville, Ontario, K0G 1N0. This was the third fundraiser held by the Ceilidh Girls, who formed in 2013 to help their friend Karen Brûlé defray the devastating cost of terminal illness; the ‘Ceilidh for Karen’ raised more than $70,000. In 2014,
both Karen Brûlé and Ceilidh Chairperson Michelle Williams lost their battles with cancer, inspiring the Ceilidh Girls to hold a second fundraiser; held in 2016 to benefit Beth Donovan Hospice, the “Hospice Hoedown” raised more than $37,000. Follow the Ceilidh Girls on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/theCeilidhGirls For more information about the Rideau Bridge to Canada Refugee Support Group, please visit www. merrickville-bridge.ca.
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Dinner for two at Salamanders and a night at the Kemptville Suites piece of the local ecological landscape, by branding the Campus woodlands with a name that reflects its connection to the nearby rail junction. A name like “Bedell Forest”, or another of similar historical connotation, would anchor these lands to their adjoining historical past and shake a bit of historical spice over the Campus at large. That label would also be a public acknowledgement of a place and time when the train mattered here, and a symbolic nod to those who worked and travelled the rails. The gesture would, at little expense, add an intangible sense of depth to a place and time all but forgotten.
Falls. The line south toward Prescott is a shortened industrial spur, and an inactive signal mast broods over the mainline, relieved of its guiding responsibilities. Along the junction’s northern edge remain the Campus woodlands—the very spot where Depression-era hobos camped and decamped, drifting across Canada during a desperate age. Which brings us back to the certification of this same forest. The FSC certification raises it above the level of an ordinary bush lot, recognizing that it has been, and remains, important to the Campus as a whole. What it lacks is a name. The certification presents an opportunity to weave together past and the present, all through one key
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The North Grenville Times 49 STONEWALK ROAD Kemptville MLS®:1177886 $559,000
GERRY VAN GURP
Welcome home to this stunning stone front bungalow with 3 plus 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, Natural gas heating. Situated on a treed flat 1.85 acre lot, lawn was hydro seeded and irrigation water sprinkler system installed, spacious rear deck and an inviting front covered porch. Open concept living, dining and kitchen areas. Main floor features three bedrooms, the master bedroom is a generous size with en suite bathroom. Over sized two car garage with remotes for the insulated garage doors, access to the home through the mudroom. The finished basement offers a great space to enjoy movies or game night with friends or family, a built in bar, full bathroom, along with two generous sized bedrooms. Great home in a great location minutes from Kemptville and 416 Highway. Please give me a call to book an appointment you will not be disappointed.
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Open house showcases Kemptville College greenhouses as community space
L-R: Councillor Doreen O'Sullivan, Carol Pillar, Claude Smith, Mayor Nancy Peckford, Councillor Kristin Strackerjan
by Hilary Thomson The greenhouse on the Kemptville Campus came alive on Saturday at an open house designed to showcase the asset to the community. The event was organized by community volunteers lead by local resident, Claude Smith. Claude is a former student of the Kemptville College who subsequently became the coordinator of the horticulture program at the school until the Campus closed in 2015. “It always bothered me that the greenhouses weren’t being used,” she said. Claude made a presentation to council last Fall, suggesting that the three green-
houses in the A.J. Logsdail Centre on the Campus be opened for public use. About a month ago, she also made a presentation to the Kemptville Campus Board, which was very supportive of the idea. The result is that they have decided to open the greenhouse to the public as an “oasis” on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10am-2pm. They are requesting a small donation to use the facility during these hours to help with the upkeep of the building. “The main idea is seeing activity and movement [in the facility],” says volunteer, Carol Pillar. “People can come and relax and get out of the cold weather.” Having the greenhouse
open to the public twice a week is just the beginning. The goal is to transform it into a vibrant community space, offering a variety of horticultural and educational programming to the public. Claude hopes to offer lots of workshops, and to rent the greenhouse out as event space for people in the community. There is also the option of renting space per square foot to house plants over the winter and have them looked after by greenhouse volunteers. They are in the process of talking with the schools on the campus to have the greenhouse used as part of their curriculum. “We really just want to rejuvenate it,” Claude says. Mayor Nancy Peckford is excited about this new opportunity to capitalize on yet another asset the Kemptville Campus has to offer. “The Municipality and the Campus have been working hard to think about the next hundred years,” she said at the open house. “This initiative is very important to the future of this place.” She went on to thank Claude, Carol and all the other volunteers for bringing this opportunity to
life. “We need lots of champions to make this work,” she said. “We really appreciated how much you care about the greenhouses, and I really think we are going to do something great together.” The greenhouse is a component in the Kemptville Campus master planning process that is currently underway. Mayor Peckford says the facility is definitely on the radar of other parties in Eastern Ontario. “The master plan will distill what the opportunity is,” she said. “The greenhouse, and other campus assets, are definitely something we want to leverage.” The draft master plan is set to be out at the end of March. The Municipality will be holding an open house to gather public input on February 10, at 5:30pm at the Municipal Centre. The first workshop being offered at the greenhouse will be “Kick start your garden season”, run by Carol and Claude. The 5-week series will run on Wednesdays, from March 11 to April 8, and on Saturdays from March 7 to April 4. To register, or learn more, you can contact Claude at claude431@cogeco.ca.
The North Grenville Photography Club
E L A S S END 1 FEB
Winter Sale
10% off All regular price
FIREPLACES, STOVES, FURNACES, HOT WATER TANKS, AC AND WATER SOFTENERS 845 Prescott Street, Kemptville Photographer Justin Derocher captured this image of ice coated grass earlier this winter. January 29, 2020
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Cow grass beneficial to the environment
by William J. Langenberg, M.Sc. Env. Biol. Over the past 25 years, I have been studying pasture grass (cow grass) as an alternative to lawn grass. During the mid-nineties, I set up a display of a variety of grasses, cut at various heights for dandelion control, at Ottawa City Hall on Earth Day. This grass display received a lot of media attention. Since the nineties, I have received numerous calls about control of European Chafers (larvae of the June bugs) in lawns, because they cause a lot of destruction. Tall Fescue grass controls the European Chafer: I discovered that the European Chafer is practically non-existent in cow pastures. I also noticed that the higher the grass is cut, the less chance there is for invasion by these nasty chafers. In addition, I figured that chafers love to nibble on the roots of Kentucky bluegrass, and they probably would not like
the taste of Tall Fescue grass. Well, sure enough, Tall Fescue grass is being researched and marketed in Europe today for control of the infamous European Chafers. Tall Fescue removes CO2 out of the atmosphere: Since Tall Fescue became a major research project in Europe, scientists started to look at carbon sequestration by certain cow grasses. Four different pasture grasses were compared in France. After a 3-year study, French scientists found that Red Fescue grass sequesters 17.22 tons of CO2/ha/yr, followed by English Ryegrass at 13.29, and, thirdly, by Tall Fescue grass at 10.00. Kentucky bluegrass was a distant fourth at 6.55 tons of CO2/ha/yr. Since Tall Fescue grass controls the European Chafer, it became the Lawn and Golf Course darling throughout Europe. On a livestock farm, a pasture consisting of Tall Fescue grass sequesters more C02 from the atmosphere
WDMH Cancer patient gives back Debra Maclean has been on a journey, and says the team at Winchester District Memorial Hospital has been with her every step of the way. Now she wants to give back and is organizing ‘A Night of Entertainment’ to show her appreciation. The event takes place on Saturday, February 15, beginning at 6:30 pm at The Old Town Hall in Winchester. The headliner for the evening is Andrew Chapman - winner of the Top Canadian Comedy Album Award. Andrew will MC the show, as well as provide one of his stand-up routines suitable for all ages. In addition, well known magician David Jans and 60's Rock Band "The Lads" will be performing. There will be a door prize, light refreshments, as well as silent and live auctions. “For the duration of my treatment, I am very happy to say I received excellent care from nurses, physicians, technicians and additional personnel at Winchester District Memorial Hospital. They all helped to make my journey January 29, 2020
as easy as possible,” explains Debra. The ‘A Night of Entertainment’ fundraiser is our way of saying "Thank You" to the wonderful staff at this incredible teaching hospital.” “It’s going to be a special night, and the money will be directed to the Foundation’s Cancer Care Fund to support equipment purchases and other needs. I’m very much looking forward to the evening,” adds Kristen Casselman, the Foundation’s Managing Director. “It will definitely be a Night of Entertainment, and I hope everyone can join us!” sums up Debra. “Registered Nurses Callie and Penny in the WDMH chemotherapy department are my angels. I was overwhelmed by their care and am so grateful.” Tickets are $50.00 each, with three performances for the price of one. This wonderful event is nearly sold out! To order tickets, call 613806-0690. Tickets can also be picked up at the Foundation office in the front lobby of the hospital.
The Voice of North Grenville
Take Home Valentine’s Day Menu “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
than the cows are releasing. Therefore, a livestock farm has a positive effect on the environment. A consortium of European plant breeders discovered recently that certain varieties of Tall Fescue change the cow’s digestion in the rumen and, consequently, the cow releases 10 percent less methane. By the way, methane gas is an unstable atmospheric gas, which breaks down within 8 years. Most methane gas is actually released from wet lands that are drained. Tall Fescue and Micro-Clover the new lawn blend: For this year’s North Grenville Sustainability Fair, the plan is to grow Tall Fescue grass and Micro-Clover as a new lawn blend, which will be displayed. This will allow the visitor to make his or her own decision in starting an environmental-friendly lawn “one carbon footstep at-atime”.
February 14th
Hot and ready for pick up 3:30 - 6:30pm. $70.00 per couple
House-made Kid’s Mac n Cheese $7.00 per portion.
Romantic 4 course take home dinner for couples & Families SOUP: Roasted Beet & Carrot Soup with Hearts of Brie SALAD: Bluegrass Farm’s Greens with Bacon Roses, Crostini, Romano & Lemon Dressing MAIN EVENT: Choice of Pan Seared Herb Beef Tenderloin With Roasted Shallot Whipped Potatoes, Vegetable Bouquet & Dark Chocolate Port Reduction $90 per person Or (taxes & grat inc.) Herb Butter Roasted Chicken With a Wild Mushroom Potato Gratin, Vegetable Bouquet & a Red Currant Marsala Wine Sauce Dinner Rolls & Butter DESSERT: Choice of - Triple Chocolate tart Or Cheesecake
820 Heritage Dr. Kemptville Campus & Educational Hub Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries included info@cateredaffairs.ca
613.324.3136
Kelvin's top tips for a regenerative society by Kelvin Hodges Building takes work. Here are some tips to build a regenerative society. First, stop all pesticide and herbicide use. This will greatly reduce the level of poison in your ecosystem. Buy organic. I will always remind folks, the best way to build a better society is to vote with your dollars every day. Every organic meal you buy, every bottle of poison you don't buy, is a vote that actually and truly changes the world. Use electric appliances. We fix the CO2 problem by cutting its creation and by storing its excess. We are particularly lucky in Ontario to be able to cut CO2 simply by switching to electric appliances. Like cars, now trucks, chainsaws
(not everyone can do this yet), lawn mowers, etc. Empower your family by producing your own solar electricity. This is a tremendous step in improving your family’s finances, as well as saving the world. I urge the governments, local, regional, national: improve the code, implement support systems, pass regenerative bylaws. There is no better action for adding jobs, rebuilding an improved world. Ask your councillor, MPP, MP to improve food security and safety. Ask for better codes to make installing solar easier. Ask why our own highly paid with our taxpayer dollars scientists are being ignored. Ask that all dubious (can you say “road side spraying”?) uses of poison
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Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca
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be stopped to protect our children. A stitch in time saves nine. Call your insurance company about putting solar on your roof. Call your bank about a home improvement loan for solar. Remember, it’s a journey. Stop and smell the non-toxic roses. By continuing to put one foot in front of the other, we will triumph and a better world will appear. P.S. And think of the money you will save. Since adopting EV transportation, my kms driven has increased slightly (new car effect) but my cost has fall-
P: 613.774.1672 F: 613.774.6612 12205 Gypsy Lane Winchester, ON, K0C 2K0
en. I now pay on average $44/mo for charging the electric car. I used to pay $150 for the same kms in the Prius. I'm saving $106 a month. That's over $1,200 a year. I'm good with that.
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WARM UP TO WINTER
The Voice of North Grenville
2020
Do's and don’ts for driving in snowy conditions
Avoid the stress and the problems of a COLD Winter... Book your Winter check up today!
(NC) With the “polar coaster” bringing icy arctic weather across Canada this winter, preparing your vehicle for harsh conditions can save the headache of surprise expenses and ensure your car is the safest possible. Michael Bettencourt, managing editor at Autotrader.ca, knows firsthand the impact vehicle preparation has on road safety. Here are his expert do’s and don’ts to help you stay safe in snowy conditions. Do: Consider winter tires. All-season tires won’t provide the same level of traction once snow, ice and freezing rain cover the roads. If you already use winter tires, beat delays and unnecessary safety risks by booking your appointment with a trusted mechanic. New to buying winter tires? Make sure you know the size and compatibility of a tire with your vehicle prior to purchasing. Some drivers might be tempted to save money by only purchasing two winter tires, but a vehicle should have a set of four matching tires for optimal performance. Don’t: Ignore your service light. Staying safe in harsh winter driving conditions begins before you leave the driveway. If your service light is on, it’s time to stop by your local mechanic for a check-up. While you’re there, tune up your vehicle with a fresh oil change, de-icer wiper fluid and a brakes check. Do: Check your emergency kit. Remember that emergency kit you threw in the trunk of your car when you first bought it? It’s time to take it out and make sure it still meets your winter needs. Some things you’ll need to include to winterize your kit are gloves, salt, a flashlight and de-icing equipment. Don’t: Forget to clear snow off your vehicle. Now that your vehicle is ready to brace the brunt of winter storms, don’t forget to clear all debris off your vehicle before hitting the roads. You can be fined if snow covers your headlights or windows, so it’s worth the extra time to make sure your vehicle is free and clear of any debris.
Let your local Bosch Car Service check your tires and brakes
Pot holes causing you problems? Book your alignment today!
January 29, 2020
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The North Grenville Times
WARM UP TO WINTER 4 tips to get you through winter driving season
The Voice of North Grenville
2020
Make sure your car has enough fluids. With winter comes slush and unpredict-
(NC) We try as hard as we can to forget everything winter brings, but when the windchill and -20°C temperatures return, it’s important to be prepared and remember proper driving techniques as roads get slick with ice. Here are four tips to keep you safe on the road: Winter tires are the support you need. When the temperature drops below 7°C, the grip and function of your all-season tires diminish. Winter tires are essential because they are specially designed for freezing temperatures and the challenging weather conditions winter brings.
able traffic conditions. As a driver, be prepared by ensuring your gas and windshield fluids are always topped up. Keep your gas tank at least half full for the duration of winter, because you never know when you’ll need to keep your engine running out in the cold. We also know that when the snow melts, gross grey slush can splash up and dirty our windshield, so it’s a great idea to keep a container (or two) of windshield washer fluid in your trunk at all times. Find calm while driving. Driving on icy roads, in blowing snow or through whiteout conditions can make drivers very tense. To help avoid even more dangerous situations, drivers should try to remain calm and remember key tips: Keep a light grip on your steering wheel – a tight grip can give you hand cramps and make you even more tense Reduce your speed to a safe and comfortable one to give you greater control – this will help prevent accidents Maintain a good distance from the vehicle in front of you and keep your hands at 9 and 3 o’clock Make sure your car is clear of snow before you set off and that your wipers are functioning correctly. Know what to do in a slide-y situation. One of the scariest situations parts of winter driving is when you hit an icy patch. It’s important not to panic or make any sudden manoeuvres. In an oversteer or fish-tail situation, keep your eyes focused on where you want your car to go – not where it’s taking you – and turn your wheel in that direction. If you do find yourself in a ditch or on the side of the road waiting for help, stay with your car (if it’s safe), stay warm, stay visible (put a bright cloth on the antenna and raise the hood), and run the engine and heater only 10 minutes every hour, keeping a downwind window open. Find more tips on winter preparedness at belairdirect.com.
Rekmans Automotive has been established in Kemptville since 2004 By providing good, old-fashioned customer service over the years, proprietor Gerry Rekmans has gained a loyal following in the community. Many hundreds of area residents have come to depend on him, and to rely on the technical expertise of his friendly staff to keep their family vehicles in peak running condition.
Call us to Book your Winter Tune-Up Tune Ups include: • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Battery and Charging System Battery Cables and Terminals Drive Belts Engine Hoses Tire Type and Tread Tire Pressure Air Filter Coolant Levels Lights Wiper Blades Washer Fluid Brakes Transmission, Brake and Power Steering Fluids
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OPEN MONDAY TO FRIDAY: 8:00 A.M. UNTIL 5:30 P.M. January 29, 2020
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The Voice of North Grenville
The Voice of Merrickville/Wolford
Riders bid Farewell to Rural Bus Route 509
Mayor Doug Struthers (second front right in front) joined with many of Ron Brown’s bus riders to mark the end of a long career. Ron is centre front. by George Yap OC Transpo Route 509, the rural commuter bus service to Ottawa that has served Merrickville-Wolford, North Grenville, and surrounding communities since the mid1970s, sadly ceased operations last December. The
route’s yellow school bus, operated by Howard Bus Service since the late 1990s, carried home its final riders on Christmas Eve. The route was previously operated by Seeley’s Bus Lines. With the demise of the bus service, many local resi-
dents now lack access to a convenient and affordable way to get to and from Ottawa for work, school, medical appointments and other activities. To bid farewell to Route 509, riders past and present came together on January 12
at the Royal Canadian Legion in Merrickville to share memories and thank Ron Brown who skilfully piloted the bus for the past 20 years. Ron always showed up, even on the worst winter days. During Ron’s tenure, it is estimated that he drove more
than one million kilometres equivalent to 25 times around the world! Garth Wallace, a local author, humourist, and former bus rider, was the event’s guest speaker. He fondly shared some of his favourite Ron-isms – funny things that Ron would say while driving the bus. Merrickville-Wolford Mayor Doug Struthers presented Ron with a Certificate of Appreciation to recognize his long commitment and dedication to providing the important bus service to local residents. Mayor Struthers and Kemptville Mayor Nancy Peckford have met with bus riders and it is hoped that another service provider will fill the large void left by the closure of Route 509. In any event, former riders will miss the familiar rumble of the old yellow school bus and chance to chuckle over Ron’s latest Ron-ism.
Mayor Struthers reports on ROMA conference
by Hilary Thomson Mayor Doug Struthers attended the annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference (ROMA) in Toronto at the beginning of last week. He believes that the true value of the conference is networking with other heads of council and meeting with ministers, both in a formal and informal setting. After hearing both Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark speak, he noted a significant change in the Province’s approach to managing debt and supporting small municipalities. Budget cuts have become synonymous with January 29, 2020
the current provincial government. More of the funding for services provided by the Lanark Leeds and Grenville Health Unit has been downloaded onto the local taxpayer. Cuts at the county level have also put licensed child care in the area in jeopardy. “Changes to the funding formula will require the Counties, the City of Brockville, and the Towns of Prescott and Gananoque to pass those costs on to the taxpayers and/or significantly reduce services and/or be unable to meet the standards and expectations set by the Ministry,” says a report presented to Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, at the 2020 ROMA Conference by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. At the Conference, the Premier talked about job creation and how his government is focused on putting more money into people’s pockets. He also mentioned the provincial debt, and how he is going to address this by investing
in municipalities. Mayor Struthers says this is great, but he is unsure how the two coincide. He acknowledges that addressing the provincial debt is a priority for the provincial government, but he is still concerned about what this might mean for small, rural municipalities like Merrickville-Wolford. “I don’t know the end game,” he says. So far, the provincial government has started putting its money where its mouth is. MerrickvilleWolford has benefited from the Municipal Modernization Program and, more recently, the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund announced earlier this month. The municipality will also receive the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) dollars for 2020, and the province has committed the funding into 2021 to promote “stability” as they review the program. “It’s not unreasonable to review the OMPF,” Mayor Struthers says. “We just
don’t know what the outcome will be.” Mayor Struthers says that, at the municipal level, they need to take advantage of the funding they are receiving from the province and engage in long-term financial planning to ensure the stability of the Municipality, should the funding change in the future. “We need to keep in mind that some of the funding may not be there long term,” he says. The Mayor is focused on sending the message to the province that rural Ontario is an important engine that supports the province, and making sure that the financial burden of potential future budget cuts is not downloaded on to the local taxpayer. “[The government] needs
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to balance the responsibility of the provincial debt with the sustainability of municipalities,” he says. The funding that the Village has received from the province will be included as revenue in this year’s budget. The focus right now is on building up the municipality’s infrastructure reserve, so that they can continue to look after the Municipality’s assets into the future, no matter what happens with funding from the Province. For now at least, Mayor Struthers reports that the Premier assured municipal leaders at the ROMA conference that things should remain status quo for this year. “He said there would not be any surprises for municipalities in the 2020 budget.”
Green Party supports farmers’ call for carbon tax exemption by Hilary Thomson The Green Party is supporting a call by prairie farmers to exempt 2019 grain drying operations from the carbon tax. Last year’s wet fall harvest forced many producers to dry their grain to prevent spoilage. This was a costly process, made even more so by the carbon tax. While most fuel used in agricultural operations is exempt from the carbon tax, grain drying and fuel to heat buildings is not. The Green Party’s agriculture critic, Kate Storey, says that, while farmers have the ability to insulate buildings to cut down on heating costs, they have no choice when it comes to grain drying. “The grain has to be dried, or that food will spoil,” she wrote in a statement to the NG Times. “It just makes no sense that the fuel for a critical piece of food production equipment was left out of the exemption when all other farm equipment is exempt.” If an exemption is made, it should affect farmers across the country, not just those making noise in the prairies. Local grain farmer, Jason Byvelds, owns a grain dryer and says he would definitely benefit from the proposed relief. “I am happy to see the Green Party supporting farmers,” he says. Jason is generally unhappy with how the carbon tax relief has been used thus far, referring specifically to the $12 million the government gave Loblaw Companies Ltd. in 2019 to install lower-emission refrigeration systems. “I do hope that if the current minority government does provide some relief to Canadian farmers, that it’s well defined who is eligible and that it is inclusive as opposed to selective,” he says.
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The North Grenville Times
Ronald Edwin Uloth September 5, 1930 – January 19, 2020
CLASSIFIEDS
Passed away peacefully at the Kemptville District Hospital in his 89th year in the morning of January 19, 2020, one month shy of his 23rd wedding anniversary with his loving wife, Mary Diana Uloth (nee Currie). Born to Milton G. Uloth and Alice Uloth (nee O'Hara) in New Harbour, Nova Scotia, Ronald spent his youth helping out at the town's only store, which his father managed, and fishing the many rivers and ponds nearby. In 1948, Ron moved to live with his sister, Irma, and her husband in Orillia, Ontario, where he attended Orillia and District Collegiate Institute. Growing up during World War II, young Ron was in awe of the war-planes and caught the aviation bug early. As a teen, he was a keen airplane model-builder and a prize-winning U-Control competitor. Later, he became a private pilot after colour-blindness kept him from flying for the Air Force. His passion for aviation led to some of his most enduring friendships, most importantly with the Shaw family, who became his “second family.” Ron graduated from the University of Detroit in 1959 and worked as an Aeronautical Engineer in Montréal, first at Canadair and later at Air Canada, overseeing their 747 and 767 airliners. Often, dates with first wife-to-be, Sonya O'Brien, involved the two working on his prized Beechcraft Staggerwing airplane (CF-EKA) in one of the Canadair hangars. Many will remember Ronald for his intense love of aviation, as well as for his roles as a Past President of the Montreal Chapter 266 of the Experimental Aircraft Association and Treasurer of the Ottawa/Rideau Chapter 4928 of the Recreational Aircraft Association. He loved sharing his passion with other pilots, and his garage and basement continually housed airplane parts waiting to be repaired or rebuilt. Always curious and ready for adventure, Ronald's passion for knowledge was infectious. Interruptions mid-dinner to consult encyclopedias were common during the Uloth's lively supper-time discussions, and Ron taught his children to always search for answers and to find wonder in everything. Also common were family trips abroad to explore other countries and cultures. An avid downhill skier, Ronald took his family skiing every weekend in the winter and traveled to British Columbia and Austria in search of fresh snow (and good bratwurst sausages). Ron cherished his Nova Scotian roots, and his family enjoyed yearly summer vacations at his childhood home in New Harbour (despite the two-day drive). Years later, after cancer took Sonya, it was under the evening moon on Tor Bay beach that Ronald proposed to his second wife, Diana. They lived happily at their Kemptville farm with their beloved dogs and travelled the world together until the end. Much-loved for his gentle, caring nature and ever-present sense of humour, Ronald was a role-model and inspiration to everyone who knew him. Ron will be deeply missed by his three children, David (Chloé), Geoffrey and Holly; his grandchildren, Sacha and Lila; and his step-children, Donald (Clare) and Douglas (Ann) Bowles. Predeceased by his parents, his sister Irma J. Hatch (Uloth), brother Milton M. Uloth, his “chosen brother” Lawrence Shaw, “second mother” Maggie Shaw, and late wife, Sonya Elaine Uloth (O'Brien). Survived by his much-loved “chosen brothers” Martin (Antoinette) and Gerald (Barbara) Shaw, “chosen sister” June (Bill Phelps), and “chosen sister-in-law” Eleanor. He will be sorely missed by many nieces and nephews. We treasure the final weeks we had with him and our family would like to thank the dedicated staff at the Ottawa General Hospital and Kemptville District Hospital who cared for him during this time. A Celebration Of Life will be held at the ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION, Branch 212, at 100 Reuben Crescent, Kemptville, on Sunday, January 26th, at 2PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, World Vision Canada or Kemptville District Hospital palliative care unit (via donations to 'KDH Foundation').
First 10 words are FREE for North Grenville and Merrickville/Wolford Residents. All service ads will be charged. Extra Words: 50 cents a word. Email classifieds@ngtimes.ca
FOR SALE For Sale 98 Harrowsmith magazines in pristine condition, 1977 to 1995, $100 call 613 269-3567. 2 BABY GATES, 1 BATH TUB, PLAYPEN IN CARRYING CASE EXCELLENT CONDITION 613 859 4644 Firewood, hardwood, 3 cords/load, $110/cord. Call Peter 613 913 0810
Yamaha Snowmobile $400. 613.258.6562 ask for Harry
Brand new patio door - opens left to right, comes with foot lock and brick mold. ordered wrong opening. $950 or best offer - retails for $1600. 613-912-4006 Mixed seasoned firewood for sale, all hardwood, $110/3 3 cord minimum delivered, Jon 613-227-3650 Wheelchair Fuse2.0 with a tilt/Roho cushion. Call 613-
567-8533 or leave message. 04 CRIBS: 1 BROWN 1 WHITE WITH MATTRESSES AND SHEETS PERFECT CONDITION$100 EACH 613 859 4644 All Christmas decorations must go, tree, decorations, Nut Crackers and Noma inside and outside lites, 613215-0884, asking $200 for all
Looking to Rent Farmland for cash crops. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204.
Gallagher, Francis “Frank” I regret to announce the passing of Francis “Frank” Gallagher on January 22, 2020 at the age of 84 years. He leaves Joan, his beloved wife of 55 years. Frank was born and raised in Montreal, moved to Ottawa in 1968 and moved to Kemptville in 1989. Frank spent a long career in High-Tech, principally with Control Data and Oracle. He also enjoyed participation in music (guitar/vocals) and skiing. Friends are invited to visit the Kemptville Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 805 Prescott Street, Kemptville, on Friday, January 31, 2020 from 6 pm to 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kemptville District Hospital Foundation. Condolences/Tributes/Donations Hulse, Playfair & McGarry www.hpmcgarry.ca 613-258-2435
FOR RENT Commercial Property in Kemptville, corner of Prescott & Clothier. Call Mark at 613.620.3868
RIDE REQUIRED Ride required from French Settlement Road to Hallville , 7am to 1pm five days a week. 613.258.5870
More Ease, Less Stress: Body Liberation Has your body changed over the years through childbearing or ageing? Have you struggled with your weight? Would you like to feel OK about your body--or at least stop hating it? In this workshop, you will learn about the invisible influences that generate body hatred, and learn skills to overcome them so we can liberate ourselves and our bodies from these oppressive influences. Shulamit Ber Levtov will be facilitating. Kemptville Stress Relief Centre Date January 30, 2020. 7 pm Location: Kemptville Stress Relief Centre, 2505 County Rd 43, Kemptville. Registration is required but there is no cost to attend.
AGM in Oxford Mills
The Oxford Mills Community Association will hold its Annual General Meeting at Maplewood Hall on February 5 at 7 pm. Community members will receive a report of the achievements of 2019 and be presented with the plan and a vision for the coming year and beyond. Light refreshments will be served.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1. Farm equipment 5. Not smooth in texture 10. Smack 14. Winglike 15. Habituate 16. Tropical tuber 17. Sore throat 19. Backside 20. An uncle 21. Consumed 22. Feel 23. They love to inflict pain 25. Batman = The _____ Crusader 27. Consumed food 28. Scar 31. Stalks 34. Pontiffs 35. Mistake 36. Grave
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37. Wood nymph 38. Largest continent 39. Sphere 40. Fairy tale character 41. Impudent girl 42. Prognostication 44. Point 45. Feudal lord 46. European wild oxen 50. Close-knit group 52. Seminal fluid 54. Point 55. Region 56. Apparent 58. Pepper____ 59. Discovered 60. Mobile phone 61. Lack of difficulty 62. Hackneyed 63. At one time (archaic)
Lower Ottawa Valley Woodlot Owners – Winter Workshop,Grenville Mutual Insurance Office Building, 360 Colonnade Dr. Kemptville. Learn how tree marking can enhance the value of your woodlot (Martin Streit – Forester). Learn about birds and how you can contribute to Citizen Science (Ellen Jakubowski – Birds Canada). Also, Fur Harvesting and Problem Wildlife Control (Matt Alkerton – Nuisance Wildlife Control) Everyone welcome. Non-members $5.00. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. until noon. Refreshments available. Feb 2 Kemptville Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids, Kemptville Fire Hall, 8 am. To participate or donate to the event, call Kelly MacLaren at 613-296-6824, or visit snowarama.org. Feb 5 Monthly supper, Holy Cross Church, 505 Clothier St W. Full supper with salad, desert, coffee and tea. Adults $8, Child $4. All are welcomed. Serving from 5:30 to 7 pm. Take out available. Feb 9 Sweetheart Brunch, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, NG Municipal Centre. Tickets $10 for adults, $5 for children 6–11 years, and under 6 are free! Mar 14 Bonfire/skating party/4 wheeler day to honour Dale Armstrong Jr. He had wanted to do this for years & and everyone is invited to attend. We will start the day at 10am at Camp on Land O' Nod Rd.
DOWN 1. Loses color 2. Andean animal 3. Rowed 4. Ironic 5. Emissary 6. Pieces 7. Speechless 8. School administrator 9. Aye 10. Avenue 11. Washerwoman 12. Not legs 13. Bishop of Rome 18. Homes for birds 22. Resorts 24. Poetic foot 26. Breezed through 28. Demurely 29. Colored part of an eye 30. Roentgen ray 31. Cease 32. Unit of pressure 33. Heartens 34. Computing device 37. Remnant 38. Car 40. You (archaic) 41. Brass musical instruments 43. Buccaneer 44. Charisma 46. Catkin 47. A heavy wooden pole 48. Small mountains 49. Refine metal 50. Arrived 51. Operatic solo 53. Decorative case 56. Frequently, in poetry 57. Frozen water
Weekly and recurring events Mon Kemptville Quilters Guild, 2nd Mon./mth at the Kemptville Pentecostal Church, 1964 County Road 43, 7 pm. New members welcome. Kemptville Cancer Support Group, 3rd Mon/mth, St. John’s United Church, 2 pm. For info call Ellen Vibert-Miller at 613-258-7778. Arts Guild, 2nd Mon/mth, 7pm at the Masonic Hall on Van Buren St. Newcomer Bridge-St John's United Church 12:15pm. Cost $5.00. All levels welcome. Info 613-806-4495 or 613-795-7155. Gremlins Square Dance Club, NG Municipal Centre, 7:30-9:30 pm. Sept-April. Details at: www.grenvillegremlins09 or email : kemptvillesquaredance@gmail.com
Tues Rotary Club meeting, Kemptville Legion, 6:30 pm. BNI Networking Group Breakfast, Grenville Mutual Insurance Building, 380 Colonnade Dr, 7- 8:30 am. Info: 613-918-0430. Bridge St. John’s United Church, 12:15 pm. Cost $5. All levels of bridge players welcome. Info, call. 613-806-4495 to 613-795-7155. The Branch Artisans Guild, NG Community Church, 2659 Concession St. every 3rd Tue/mth, 7pm. New members welcomed Wed NG Photography Club - 1st Wed./mth, 7-9 pm, at the Grenville Mutual Insurance, 380 Colonnade Drive. See ngphotoclub.ca for info. Klub 67 Euchre every 2nd &4th Wed/mth, 1 pm, Kemptville Retirement Living, 2950 Cty Rd 43.Everyone welcome. $5.00. (No euchre July & August) Bingo- 1st & 3rd Wed/mth., Kemptville Legion, 1 pm. All welcome. New Horizon Club, Burritt`s Rapids Community Hall. Adults 55 plus welcome. For info re programs and membership, call Golida Tym 258-3894. Probus Club of North Grenville, 3rd Wed./mth. Everyone is welcome to join us at 9:30 am at St Paul's Presbyterian Church Hall for fellowship. NGPL Science and Technology Group meetings, 1st/Wed/mth, 7-9 pm in the program room at the Library. Euchre, Rideau Glen Golf Course, 6:30 sharp, $5, share the wealth tickets sold, all proceeds go back to the players. May 1-Oct 9. Thu Bridge - St. John’s United Church, 6:15- pm. Cost $5. All levels of bridge players welcome. For more info, call 613-806-4495 or 613-795-7155. North Grenville Toastmasters - Meeting 1st & 3rd Thurs/mth., 7 pm at O’Farrell’s Financial Services, Cty Rd 44. Info, call 790 7665. Fri Friendship Lunch, 11:30-1 pm, St. John’s United Church. Free, everyone welcome. Sat Kemptville Legion breakfast, 8 - 10 am 3rd Sat/mth, 100 Reuben Crescent. Adults $6, Children 6 and under $3. All welcome. Euchre, Kemptville Legion, last Sat/mth. Noon-5 pm. Sun Bingo, Kemptville Legion – 1st Sun/mth, Doors open 6 pm, guaranteed $400 jackpot. Refreshments available. M,W,F Kemptville and Area Walking Group meet at Municipal Centre at 8 am.
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Student Volunteer Hours
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We are looking for help from Students at the Legion to take down chairs and tables for our monthly Bingos. Our Bingos run the 1st and 3rd Wednesday's of the month. Leave a message at the Branch 613-258-5734
Solution to last week’s Crossword
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Kemptville 73's only gain one point
standings. Summation from Head Coach Peters: "We were playing well for the first two periods, up 3-1 at intermission, and came out flat for the third with a goal against within first minute. From there, we got away from our game and overall approach to being successful. With three or four key mental mistakes that cost us opportunities and ultimately allowed Navan to get back in the game. Infraction called in OT was a weak call, putting us down 4 men to 3, but we lost control of the game at the beginning of the 3rd, and not OT. We have to be committed to playing the right way for 60+ minutes and we failed to do that today". Kanata Lasers were in town for a Friday evening battle that the Kemptville 73's failed to show up for at game time, as they were hammered 6 to 1. 73's came on strong in the initial period, as they spent most of it in Lasers’ end, without results. Luca Nocita, assisted by Larabie, to drive it in open side to beat Riley McCabe at 10:03 and put Kanata on the board. Lasers counted again when 73's defender crumpled to the ice after blocking a heavy shot
Sliding down a slippery slope for playoff contention ........Cole Dennison tried to turn up the heat as he rifles the rubber top shelf to spoil Vincent Bujold-Roux during Friday evenings 6-1 beatdown by the Kanata Lasers. by the posrtsguy 73's were on the road to battle the Grads in Navan for a matinee. Kemptville opened the first as Merrett caught Jefferies through the neutral zone and Hunter Brazier beat Alex Aslanidis at 8:01. Second goal came as Brazier combined with Luke Jefferies when he went top shelf to give 73's a two point lead. Kemptville outshot Navan by 13 to 10 with Grads one
unsuccessful PP. Kemptville struck at 3:43, when Taylor with Pawlikowski, back to the point so Jared Patterson hammered it between the posts. Navan answered back with Wil Murray, with helpers from Butler and Goldie, finding the back of net to spoil William Anderson’s SO at 7:38. 73's maintained the SOG by 17 to 13 with both clubs one PP without results. Last twenty, Kemptville
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took their foot off the gas and allowed Navan to drag the speed down to put them on the rebound. Ryan Park scored his first of the third after Pavey cycled low at :47. Second came when Arcan, with Orpana, combined to Ryan Park who sent it home at 13:37 to tie it up and force OT. Kemptville only one SOG, 12 to 11 with Navan unsuccessful PP. Kemptville found themselves in the sin-bin at 2:24 in the middle of OT, and Devyn Orpana, assisted by Arcan with Francis, to give Navan a 4-3 win. Kemptville had to settle for a one pointer in the
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and Matthews found Dylan McMahon at 13:57. Kanata outshot Kemptville 8-6 with one unsuccessful PP. Patterson combined with Taylor, back to Cole Dennison from above the circle to launch it top shelf by Vincent Bujold-Roux at 1:24 to spoil his SO. Then, at 1:52, Derek St. Jean countered with helpers from Conley and McMahon to make it a 3-1 romp for the Lazers. Ex-73's, Yancy Whitaker, found the back of the net with assist from Johnson and Derraugh at 15:30. 73's outgunned Lasers 14-12, with two PP attempts and Kanata one attempt to close out the second. Last twenty, Kemptville finally started getting physical, but couldn't find their mark, as the bouncing rubber remained elusive for the 73's as the time clicked down. Kanata continued their on-
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Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca
Wayne Pitt’s NGCC Team wins NGCC Senior Men’s Invitational Bonspiel Chase BRODA
Nickname: “Brode” Born: 2002-09-28 Home Town: New Hamburg, ON. Position: Left Wing Previous Hockey Club: Victus Inspiration: Jonathan Toews Favourite TV Show: The Office Favourite Actor: Adam Sandler Favourite Musician: Preak Favourite Food: Chicken Favourite Hockey Memory: Signing with 73’s Life as a JR “A” player: Lots of hockey
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L-R: Bill White, David Roy, Wayne Pitt, Laverne Fleck, Lynden Hillier. Club team, skipped by Wayne Pitt, got to hoist the Royal LePage Associates Championship Shield. Wayne’s teammates were vice – David Roy, second – Laverne Fleck, and lead – Lynden Hillier. Royal LePage Team Realty’s Chris Drozda is the proud sponsor of this event. Tw e n t y t e a m s f r o m Manotick (3), Smiths Falls (3), Perth (1), Brockville (1), Navy (4), Royal Kingston (2), Carleton Place (1), Richmond (1) and NGCC (4) participated in a two-game total points bonspiel. The teams were divided
by Jim Dolan The 15th annual Senior Men’s Invitational Bonspiel was held Friday, January 17, at the North Grenville Curling Club in Kemptville. For the first time in the event’s history, a North Grenville Curling
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slaught, when Paul Larabie with assists from Bolduc and Larsen at 5:57. Charlie Johnson, with helpers from Whitaker and Larsen at 9:48, to give Kanata a 6-1 victory. Lasers controlled SOG with 11-8 without PP, and Kemptville couldn't capitalize on one attempt. Some of our key players were afflicted with a bug and had to be part of the audience. 73's had a brain freeze and had to play catch up for 60 minutes, but they could not manage to turn things around. Coaches Digger Award goes to Cole Dennison for his continuous contribution on and off the ice every week. Kemptville 73' s will host the Smiths Falls Bears on Thursday, January 30 at 7:30. Hockey with edge... a cut above the rest... show you care... see you there.
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into two ten-team Pools. Monetary prizes in each Pool were awarded to the first, second and third place finishers. A cash consolation prize was also given to the high one game winner in the Pool. Wayne Pitt’s team placed first in Pool B with 36 points, while Manotick’s Ron Grieg topped Pool A with 34 points. Other winning teams in Pool A were – Second Place North Grenville’s Steve Dunne 32 points, Third Place – Brockville’s Al Kennedy 27.5 points. The one game high winner was Perth’s Ivan Hodgins with 19 points.
Other winning teams in Pool B were – Second Place - Smiths Falls’ Ken Campbell 34.5 points, Third Place – Royal Kingston’s Steve Quinn 27 points. The one game high winner was Manotick’s Ron Barker 20 points. When you play in senior men’s spiels throughout the Ottawa and Seaway Valleys, what makes each event memorable is the opportunity to play in other clubs, and a fine meal prepared and served by many club volunteers. However, for us silver haired or follically-challenged lads, what we enjoy most are the laughs and a few “soda pops” shared with fellow curlers after the brooms are stacked. Bill White and his organizing team, Steve Vokey our ice-man for the day, and all the club volunteers, especially Sandy Hobbs and Sue Roeterink who coordinated the kitchen crew, deserve a big hand for putting on another successful bonspiel, which allows us to showcase to curlers and fans from outside our community and our wonderful North Grenville Curling Club facility. www.ngtimes.ca
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The Voice of North Grenville
New book tells of Canada’s role in the Chinese Labour Corps during WW1
Photo credit: The David Livingstone Collection by Hilary Thomson A local author has released a new book telling the littleknown story of Canada’s role supplying Chinese labourers to Northern France during the First World War. Dan Black’s book, “Harry Livingstone’s Forgotten Men”, follows a small town doctor from Listowel, Ontario, Captain Harry Livingstone, as he embarks on a journey to help recruit men from China into the war effort: what would later be known as the Chinese Labour Corps (CLC). In 1917, the British were in desperate need of labourers who would perform support work and manual labour on the front line, digging trenches, hauling supplies, repairing vehicles and cleaning up wartorn battlefields. Looking for a well-paying job, Chinese men signed up to help in the war effort as a way to support their families in China. Many were migrant labourers and were used to being away from their families for months at a time. As a doctor with the Canadian Army Medical Corps, Harry Livingstone was sent to a recruitment camp in North Eastern China, where he was tasked with inspecting the men who signed up for the Corps, to make sure they were in good enough health to travel and carry out hard manual labour. He then accompanied them on the long trans-Pacific journey to Canada, across the country by train, and on to steam ships that took them to France. It was a gruelling trip for the Chinese men, and many died on the journey. Bringing Chinese men to Canada, and then transporting them across the country, was both a massive undertaking and a covert operation, with the government fearing the backlash January 29, 2020
of Canadian citizens, who didn’t think highly of Chinese immigration at the time. The men were not allowed to get off the trains and were tightly guarded throughout the journey. Of the 95,000 Chinese labourers recruited by the British, roughly 85,000 arrived on Canada’s West Coast and nearly 82,000 of them crossed Canada by rail on special trains bound for the East Coast. The French also recruited labourers from China, and thousands more were enrolled by the Russians. Dan, the former Editor of Legion Magazine and author of two previous books, spent over two years researching the book, travelling from Ottawa to Southern Ontario, to London, England, and all the way to China to find out everything he could about the story of these men who played an important role in the war, specifically during the CLC’s time in France between 1917 and 1920. The book centres primarily on Harry Livingstone, but also touches on several other Canadians who played a role in getting the Chinese labourers across Canada and to France. While his main characters are Canadian, Dan also shines a light on the difficulties the Chinese men faced, largely at the hands of Canadians and their British counterparts. “I chose to tell the story from Harry’s point of view, but also very much taking into account the Chinese and what they were going through,” Dan says. “It was not a happy ending for many of the Chinese labourers.” Touched by their story, Dan chose to dedicate the book to three Chinese men who died on the long journey to France. One of whom, Chou Ming Shan, was buried in Petawawa, which was used as a holding point for men on
their way across the country. One of the highlights for Dan in working on the book was that he was invited to a ceremony in October, 2019, at Garrison Petawawa, organized by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to honour Chou Ming Shan and establish a headstone for this man who died more than a hundred years ago of malaria and was buried in an unmarked grave. “I was totally blown away by that, and how this young man was remembered,” Dan says. Dan is very grateful to the many people who helped him conduct the research that allowed him to write a very detailed account of this overlooked piece of Canadian wartime history. This includes Harry Livingstone’s son, David, of Waterloo, who gave him complete access to his father’s diaries, letters, and photographs from the time. “I was blessed to have some marvellous people across the country and in the U.K. and the Far East who helped with the research,” he says. The book came out in the Fall and was published by James Lorimer & Company Ltd. of Toronto. Dan will be giving a talk about the book to the Merrickville and District Historical Society at the Legion on Tuesday, February 25, at 7:00 pm. He will be giving a portion of the proceeds of each book sale to local refugee sponsorship group, Rideau Bridge to Canada. He will also be speaking at the Brockville Museum on February 18, as part of its popular lecture series. Dan will be happy to sign copies of the book at both events. Books can also be purchased at Indigo/Chapters, and online through Amazon and the Lorimer publishing website.
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Early days in Wolford by David Shanahan Life in the early nineteenth century was hard, dangerous, and often without the little luxuries taken for granted by later generations. The population was slow to grow, and everyone depended on the help and support of their neighbours in everyday struggles, from building a home, to gathering supplies from far-off Prescott. For the first decades of the century, the four townships of Wolford, Oxford, Montague and Marlborough were administered as a unit, with a single council meeting in Merrickville, which, though small in size, was yet the central urban hub of the four townships. In 1804, the total population of the four townships was just 209. One of these, Thomas McCrae of Montague, has left an account of life at that time, and it shows both the dependence each resident had on their neighbours, and the state of the countryside through which they travelled.
“The whole of the inhabitants, for miles around, had gathered to raise a log house; at that time it took three or four days to complete the undertaking, men being very scarce. On the third day, after the last log to be placed in position, a council was held, and, after due deliberation in much discussion, it was decided that the settlement had so far advanced in civilization that some of the luxuries of life should be procured. Our grist mill consisted of the primitive stump and pestle, the meal when ground being eaten from wooden bowls with wooden spoons. It was decided by the council that I should take one and a half bushels of wheat, carried from the site of Merrickville to Brockville, exchange it for one dozen bowls, one dozen iron spoons, the balance to be expended in groceries. With the bag in my back I started for Brockville, before the sun was up, the road consisting of a winding path through the woods, with marks on the trees to
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experience such a feeling of utter desolation. How to go home and meet the expected people, without the bowls, was an ordeal my soul shrank from, but there was no help for it. I spent a sleepless night on my bed of hemlock boughs, and in the morning proceeded on my way with a sad heart. I found a few of the neighbours at my shanty waiting for me, and was greatly relieved when I saw that the loss was endured with Christian fortitude.” Joshua Rose wrote of those early years, himself one of the pioneer settlers around 1802: “For many years, clothing was very scarce, and hemp was raised in considerable quantities, to supply the place of cotton and woollen goods. Men and women were frequently dressed entirely in deer skin. Wolves were so plentiful that they would enter farmyards, and destroy sheep and calves in the daytime. Several fatal accidents occurred in Wolford at a
show the direction. During my journey I was buoyed with the thought of the great surprise which was in store for our good wives, as the matter had been kept a profound secret from them. Never did the Minister go out to preach the gospel feeling a greater responsibility than I felt resting upon myself I arrived at Brockville on the evening of the second day, pretty tired, and the next day I exchanged my wheat for a dozen white bowls with a blue edge and one dozen iron spoons bright as silver, half a pound of cheap tea and the balance in fine combs and little things for the children. Early next morning, with a light heart, and carefully guarded my precious load, I started for home. I arrived at North Augusta in the evening, and when crossing the stream at that place, on a log, the bark gave away and down I fell, some ten feet on the stones below, and horror of horrors, broke every one of my bowls. Never, never in all my life, did I
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very early date, which cast a gloom over the entire settlement. In 1801, John Hutton was drowned Rideau River, near Grass Island; and Nicholas Haskins was killed, while assisting in raising Merrick’s Mills. A child, the son of Jacob and Mary Vandusen, wandered into the woods, on the farm occupied by J. Louckes, and was never seen after, the only trace being the discovery of his little sunbonnet. The child, three years of age, the daughter
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of a soldier, strayed into the woods one Saturday night. The little wanderer was found by Asa and Blanchard, who returned her safe and sound to the arms of her mother.” No roads, two days to walk to Prescott, and two days back, just to trade wheat for the luxury of white bowls with a blue edge. Primitive conditions, primitive technology, but these men and women were the founders of our communities.
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