Local Youth Film Festival offers over $2000 in prizes

submitted by Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit

MyView Youth Film Festival is ready to launch for 2023! Kemptville’s own McGahey Insurance and Grenville Mutual Insurance have again teamed up to provide the $1000 Grand Prize, and there is a new $750 prize sponsored by Exit Realty for the best “I love my community” film. This creative film-making contest is open to all youth ages 10-24 that live, work or play in Eastern Ontario (see www.myviewfilmfest.ca for list of eligible counties).

Young people are encouraged to pick up their phones or cameras and make a short video that celebrates something in their life or community; shows a solution to a problem or showcases their opinion! Thanks to McGahey Insurance, Grenville Mutual Insurance, Exit Realty and YourTV for donating great prizes to the winners in the following categories:

1. Best Overall Video –$1000

2. I Love My Community

– $750

3. Age Category Prizes (10-13; 14-17; 18-24)

The deadline for video submission is May 1, and youth can submit multiple films individually or as a group. Encourage young people you know to get out into their communities to look for inspiration. There is no shortage of interesting topics to explore. Past win-

The Chief Fire Officers Association of Leeds and Grenville is undertaking a new initiative this year, inspired by past work by individual fire departments. The association is hosting a food drive, which began on February 1 and will run until February 11. The aim of the food drive is to combat hunger this winter in Leeds and Grenville.

John R. Okum is the North Grenville Fire Chief and president of the Chief Fire Officers Association of Leeds and Grenville. He explained why the Association has taken on this important initiative. “Emergency responders often bear witness to some of the endured struggles in our community,” he said. “The need to support food banks has become increasingly apparent, as a commonly reported condition.” Chief Okum explained that the current initiative is being run as a partnership in conjunction with local food banks, calling it a “united approach”. Chief Okum credited local food banks for the work they do in coordinating food drives, and added that this partnership between the Chief Fire Officers Association and the food banks is just the Association’s way of offering a helping hand. “The credit goes to the community,” said Chief Okum. “They are the ones who are gracious in their donations to help out fellow citizens.”

Many communities have residents who are currently experiencing food insecurity, and Chief Okum noted that the Leeds and Grenville area is not immune to this problem. Winter months can be more financially difficult for many families, and it has recently been reported that food banks are seeing upwards of a 40% increase in usage. Many of those accessing food banks, including locally, are first time users who are new to the plight of not having enough to eat.

While individual fire departments have aided in local food bank programs in the past, Chief Okum explained that the Chief Fire Officers Association of Leeds and Grenville is a rebranded group of senior fire officials with a goal to work together on key projects in the local communities, including the greater protection of life, property, and the environment. The current food drive is a first for the Association. “We are taking united steps together to fight hunger in Leeds and Grenville,” added Chief Okum. Anyone can join the effort to help combat hunger in Leeds and Grenville by stopping by your local fire department to drop off nonperishable food items or a monetary donation. Let’s fight hunger together! ners have addressed a variety of topics, from mental well-being and body image to the cost of post-secondary education and everything in between. “This generation of young people have all kinds of new issues to tackle; like climate change, pandemics and social media. Youth are extremely well informed and I look forward to seeing what they have to say!” says Rebecca Shams, Health Promoter and MyView committee member.

Judging criteria heavily favours the content of the videos over the production elements, in hopes of encouraging all eligible youth, regardless of their level of experience in film making and production, to participate and share their sto- ries. John Barclay, MyView founder and Producer with Triune Productions, shared his excitement for this year’s festival: “I’m looking forward again to seeing the creativity and imagination of young film-makers as they communicate what’s important to them,” he said. “This year I’m especially eager to see entrants from more Eastern Ontario communities.”

For more information on contest rules or judging criteria, or to see past year’s submissions and winners, visit us on Facebook @myviewfilmfest, check out www.myviewfilmfest. ca or email info@myviewfilmfest.ca

Safety around snow plows

A Road Safety message from the North Grenville Police Services Board submitted by the Municipality of North Grenville

Snow plow operators make our roads safer for everyone. The Municipality of North Grenville is responsible for plowing over 630 km of municipal roadways, 3.7 km of multiuse pathways and 20 km of residential sidewalks. The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is responsible for plowing the County Roads within the municipality (such as CR44 and CR43).

“Snow plow drivers need more room to do their job and make the roads safer. Please exercise extra caution when approaching a snow plow. We want everyone to get home safely,” said Mayor Nancy Peckford.

“Plowing roads and sidewalks takes time. When you see the blue flashing lights of a snow plow, remember to slow down, stay back and be patient,” emphasized Deputy Mayor John Barclay and Chair of the North Grenville Police Services Board.

Stay safe this winter and follow these safety tips when approaching a snow plow: Stay Back - Be sure to leave enough space between you and the snow plow.

Slow Down – Snow plows travel at a slower speed; the most common crashes are motorists hitting the rear end of the plow. Slow down and stay back.

Be Patient - Crowding, tailgating or passing a snow plow can be very dangerous. A plow truck cannot maneuver easily or stop quickly and has many blind spots.

Be Seen – Pedestrians should not assume the snow plow driver can see them and may need to move to allow move space between them and the plow.

Children should be reminded not to play or build forts in the ditch or roadside snowbanks. Snow plows may not be able to see them, making it extremely dangerous.

Please check road conditions before venturing out and avoid non-essential travel when bad weather is expected.

Led by the North Grenville Police Services Board, the Road Safety public awareness campaign aims to promote safe driving behaviours and make roads in North Grenville safer for all users.

For more information on Road Safety in North Grenville visit: www. northgrenville.ca/roadsafety.

THOMAS M. BYRNE

Barrister and Solicitor

General Practice

Corporate / Commercial Family Law

Estates

Real Estate

Wills & Powers of Attorney tom@tmblaw.ca

613.258.1277

222 Prescott St., Kemptville

Tid Bit Musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters RSSW

Who is judging who? now? and why? Being the one who judges and being the judged seems to vacillate as the hours/days go by. Judging for competitions is worthy of a grand prize, and simply means at that moment in time you performed the best of those competing. The key component is to have fun, and the trophy is a bonus. We progress in life by constantly being judged in a productive manner and all to often in a negative context. Scripturally the Bible says to let God be the judge. Judging also creates change. The final day of judgement will be shocking for some self-righteous people who truly believe they do no wrong.

Judging is often a defense mechanism that allows oneself to feel more superior or more in tune with what is happening. Change is hard, and when we, the older generation, see ripped jeans, green/blue/purple hair, we tend to recoil and think what is the world coming too. The ethics that held society together seems to have disintegrated to the degree no-one accepts accountability or responsibility. Take those young teens in Toronto beating the homeless man to death at 2:15 am!!- where were the parents? To say you can't keep youth inside may take some ingenuity- lock all shoes in a closet for the night, change the security code so you hear them go out- consequences for going out like no cell phone for a week. You worry about not getting in touch with them, but they simply don't answer the phone if they see you calling.

In all circumstances, try to understand what is transpiring and ask yourself, is it morally or life threatening? If not, then it can go with the flow. Try real hard to connect with the person. Validate their feelings and thinking if it is different from yours. When discussing, we are not judging, just seeking a clearer understanding. Ask questions to comprehend their line of thinking. Anyone who becomes hostile and rude to questions has ulterior motives. Run away from such troubled, devious, scamming souls. Your life is too valuable to be manipulated!!! God put our tongue behind a set of teeth, a set of lips, and ears on the outside of our head- use accordingly.