Issue 50 2022 December 22 NG Times

Few things exemplify the spirit of the Christmas season quite like the free Community Christmas Dinner offered every year. The Dinner is back this year with one notable change – it will be held in a different location. The annual tradition goes back eight years, originally held in Leslie Hall. The unavailability of Leslie Hall meant a location change to the St. John’s United Church. With St. John’s now unavailable this year, the event will be held at the First Christian Reformed Church,

located at 2457 County Road 18, just west of Kemptville town limits. The location change has been a source of confusion for some, but rest assured that it is the same annual Community Christmas Dinner that has been known to North Grenville residents for years.

The annual free dinner is not affiliated with any particular church or organization. It is a community effort, run by local volunteers and made possible by donations of food. One of the unwritten “rules” of the yearly event is that credit for making it happen should not go to specific individuals,

but rather to the community as a whole. Anyone who orders a dinner for takeout or delivery will get one. In the true spirit of Christmas, there are no qualifying criteria, and no questions asked. The fact that the meals are provided for free is only made possible by the contributions of local residents and businesses, which shows without a doubt what kind of community North Grenville really is.

The free meal consists of a full turkey dinner and desserts. It was originally conceived of as a way to bring Christmas joy to those who may otherwise be eat-

ing alone on Christmas Day. Another motivation behind starting the tradition was to allow people from the community an opportunity for some Christmas conversation. Pandemic concerns have kept the event as a takeout and delivery meal for another year, but the spirit of giving and community is not diminished.

Those interested in sharing in the free meal should call or email ahead to order. About 250 meals were served last year. It is not too late to order! Call 613-2233979 or email communitychristmasdinner613@ gmail.com. Merry Christmas!

Coaches Rebecca, Alex, Neil, Connor, Luc and Becky (missing from picture) wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year

Start 2023 off right. Give yourself or someone you love the gift that keeps on giving. We've got you covered for all your fitness needs.

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Email: admin@getcronkd.ca

Bottom Left to right; Alixe Hysert, Doug Southcott, Linda Antoniak Top left to right; Nancy Morgan, Colleen Kelso, Heather Clarke

From left to right; Anny Bourguignon, Maxime Berthelot, Jason Turmaine, Adelle Bourguignon, Jillian Simpson, Mike West.

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GFA food donation project still going strong

vex, Summitt Seeds, Porter Agri Services,Stonehedge Farms, Rideauside Farms, Vetnor Excavating, Heusser Farm Service, Thomson Trucking, plus many more individual Farmers who have donated their time.

Adrian Wynands expressed the feelings of the GFA: “Grenville Federation would like to take this opportunity to personally THANK all of our County

Farmers and sponsors who are involved with this Important Project, and a special thank you to all the hard working volunteers and staff of your local Food Banks. Merry Christmas to all and wishing you a Happy and Safe New Year!”

Adrian Wynands, President of Grenville Federation of Agriculture, came up with the idea for Farmers to feed Food Banks. “With the backing of the GFA, we started the project in 2013 with nine acres of soybeans on land the Township of Augusta donated. All inputs were donated and local farmers supplied their time and equipment.”

The project has grown over the years and now use 175 acres to grow a range

of crops for the project, including wheat, corn, and soybeans. The crops raised are sold and the profits are donated to local area Food Banks. The area covered has grown over the years, with the following Food Banks benefitting from the initiative: Merrickville Food Cupboard, Knights of Columbus, Kemptville, Salvation Army, Kemptville, House of Lazarus, Mountain, Kings Kitchen, Prescott Connect Youth, and the Prescott South Grenville

Food Bank, which includes Prescott, Spencerville and Cardinal.

The project has been a real success story, and, as shown in the photograph above, a cheque for $8,000 was presented to the Knights of Columbus in Kemptville, and the other recipients received similar donations.

Everything needed for the growing and marketing the crops grown is donated and supported by these major sponsors: Invista for land donation, Pioneer Seed, Har-

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Grahame's Bakery

submitted by Grenville Federation of Agriculture

L-R: Knight Mike Blais, Adrian Wynands, President and Knight David Habberjam

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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Connor McKee. Grade 6, Holy Cross School Cloaked in Snow

You step outside, the sun arise, yet shrouded by clouds, Through the air, white and fair, snowflakes toss and tumble, A shiny blank sheet, like ice and sleet, a blizzard slams and pounds,

The crisp cold breeze, to make you freeze, to slip, trip, and stumble, Snowbanks tracing the curb.

Yet jingle bells, a sound quite swell, ring above your roof, A slick, quick sleigh, and goats with no bray, shoots through the air, St. Nicholas, on the eve of Christmas, working hand and hoof, Toys and treats, and sweet, tasty eats, are dropped from everywhere, Strait to your tree.

Then morning comes, the day of fun, good ol’ Christmas Day, The tree stands and gleams, right above a team, of your new gifts, They all awake, and you still quake, excitement in your veins,

You tear right in, with a huge grin, wrapping taking hits, Presents are today.

Once you’re done, incomes the fun, of one huge feast, Chicken, turkey, no beef jerky, with extra potatoes, The eggnog, hot chocolate, candy canes in it, to your toasty drink, Gingerbread, icing, sleepiness fighting, you decide to doze. Snow falls right outside, and you are cloaked in snow.

Snowball Cake

From the handwritten cook book of Mrs. Ada Brooks (1929).

Contributed by her granddaughter Mrs. Pamela Brooks of Kemptville, Ontario.

During the Great Depression, housewives became very ingenious at stretching the “grocery money.” As a cost saving measure, a snowball from freshly fallen snow was used in this recipe to replace the expensive egg.

1/2 cup butter 1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup sugar 2 cups flour

1/2 cup milk 2 tsp baking powder

1 snowball, a bit larger than an egg.

1. In a large bowl, cream butter, add sugar gradually and beat until light and fluffy.

2. Combine milk and vanilla.

3. Combine and sift flour and baking powder together.

4. From some freshly fallen snow make a snowball a bit larger than an egg.

5. The next steps need to be done quickly, before the snowball melts. Stir snowball into sugar mixture. Blend in milk mixture and then stir in dry ingredients. Mix until just smooth. If batter is not smooth add another teaspoon of milk. Place in a well greased 8 inch square pan.

6. Bake at 400⁰F for 35 to 40 minutes.

Note: May be served with a warm maple syrup sauce. Children love making this recipe.

Support local this Christmas

The NG Green Gift Card program is absolutely perfect for gift giving for Christmas. Want to buy a gift for your employees but don't have the time to shop for each person? Want to support local businesses this Christmas? Not sure what to buy that hard-to-buy-for person?

Not only do you save 10% when you buy the cards, but you ensure that the money spent stays in the community and supports local businesses. Now that's a win/win situation!

$50 card and pay only $45!

$25 cards only cost $22.50!

It works like any other pre-paid Visa card, but only at participating North Grenville businesses. To see a full listing of all of the businesses that accept NG Green, click https:// loveng.ca/. To buy your NG Green Gift Cards, drop by the North Grenville Municipal Centre.

Maple Syrup Sauce

Five Roses Cook Book (1915)

2 tbsp melted butter 1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup brown sugar 2 cups boiling water

1 tbsp flour

1. Melt butter in heavy sauce pan. Gradually whisk in brown sugar, flour, maple syrup and boiling water.

2. Bring to a boil and then simmer for approximately 5 minutes, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens slightly. Yield: 2-1/2 cups sauce.

In Butter The Size Of An Egg, a title inspired by a common measurement found in nineteenth century cook books, we invite you to rediscover how our ancestors cooked long ago, using simple ingredients that often came from their farms, kitchen gardens and small stores and markets. Following is a sampling of recipes commonly prepared by cooks and bakers from the Kemptville area and elsewhere, for the festive season of Christmas.

Joan Yeaton and Donna Gould, compilers of Butter

The Size Of An Egg.

A publication of the North Grenville Historical Society.

Melting Moments

From the recipe collection of Mrs. Lou Gaw. Contributed by her daughter Mrs. Rachel Tennant of Kemptville, Ontario.

A light, attractive butter cookie with a sparkle of jelly in the center. Perfect for afternoon tea or a Christmas cookie platter.

“We loved these cookies when we were kids.”

1 cup softened butter 2 cups flour 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 tsp cream of tartar 1 beaten egg 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp vanilla extract

1. In a large bowl, blend together softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.

2. Stir in combined and sifted flour, cream of tartar and baking powder. Chill for 1/2 hour in fridge. Drop by teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto an ungreased baking sheet.

3. Bake at 350⁰F for 12 to 15 minutes. Place cookie sheet on rack. Make a dent in each cookie and drop in jam or jelly while still warm. Remove from pan and let cool on wire rack.

Yield: approximately 3 dozen cookies.

Shortbread

From the recipe collection of Mrs. Fannie Garn Wright.

Contributed by her granddaughter Mrs. Lois Armstrong of Kemptville, Ontario.

“My Scottish grandmother was horrified when my mother cut trees and angels out of the shortbread. ‘It must be made in a pan and cut in bars two inches long and one inch wide.’ It’s just not the same.”

1 cup butter 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup sifted icing sugar 1-1/2 cups flour 1/4 cup cornstarch

1. In a large bowl, cream butter. Add icing sugar gradually. Blend well.

2. Combine and sift together the flour and cornstarch. Gradually work into the butter mixture.

Knead lightly with hands. Divide the dough into 2 balls.

3. Lightly flour the board and rolling pin with equal amounts of blended icing sugar and flour. Roll out dough to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut out into small rounds or use

Christmas cookie cutters. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet.

4. Bake at 325⁰F for 12 to 15 minutes. Remove cookies from pan and place on wire rack.

Yield: approximately 3 dozen cookies.

Tis the season to be normalish

by Brandon Mayer

Christmas is on the horizon. Such a wonderful time of year! The holiday season brings joy for many reasons, but first and foremost is that it involves a certain sense of indulgence that would simply not be practical year round. For the span of a few joyous weeks, we eat grandiose meals, see family we may not have seen in a while, buy gifts for others and receive gifts ourselves, and 60% of our calories come from chocolate (don’t quote me on the stats!). For those lucky enough to have at least some time off from the daily grind during the holiday season, Christmas is a much-needed vacation from work and stress, and reminds us of what makes life so wonderful. Even for those who don’t get any real time off, Christmas is still a time filled with a certain magic that comes from knowing that the whole world is celebrating life, family, and generosity at the same time.

After two “pandemic Christmases”, I can’t help but wonder if this year, we are all looking forward to having the ability to be “normalish”. For those wondering, no, normalish is not a word, but I think my intended meaning is clear. To say “normal” would not be fair to those who have valid COVID-19 concerns stemming from chronic illnesses and the like, and “normal” does not adequately represent the current state of things. Who can honestly say they wore a mask during Christmas shopping in 2019? Well, some people are still wearing them during shopping excursions in 2022, and these lingering effects of pandemic life are not likely to go away for many years. To say “a normal Christmas” is therefore not as accurate as labelling it “normalish”.

Important to note is that a person wearing a mask does not harm you, whether you choose to mask or not. I don’t mask, and neither do my wife or kids. Through anecdotal observation, I

Letters to the Editor

Dear Santa, Please bring me and my family some joy and comfort this Christmas. I have stopped consuming such evil substances as fossil fuels. However, the solar panels on the roof are covered in snow, and so I hope you will have a soft landing. Just now our wind turbine is encrusted with ice and snow, so it shall not be a danger to you. If you can find our obsolete chimney, it would be wonderful. That’s all for now, and I don’t know what Christmases will look like in the future. Thank Baby Jesus for showing us how to be comfortable in a manger.

Alan Sadowski

a partisan view of his opinions? His self proclaimed position as a spokesperson for a previously unheard of climate alarmist group is ridiculous. The previous #Sorry/Not Sorry government led our province into a policy of selling off Hydro. Moving a gas plant and costing 1.2 billion dollars only to buy a few votes. That and all of the windmill and turbine contracts have cost us tax payers much unneeded hardships and expenses, and added very little to the electrical grid that is depended upon for us to survive. There is a need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, but this is a marathon not a sprint. Thank you.

Alan Sadowski Dear Editor,

It has been bothering me for quite some time. How does Mr. Gabell manage to soak up so much Oxygen in our/your publication? As a community forum for things that are of public interest in our community, how has he been allowed to create such

The North Grenville Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc.

Marketing/Sales

Melissa Ottenhof marketing@ngtimes.ca 613 329 0209

Dear Editor, I have been hesitant to respond to Paul Geiser’s responses to all letters to the editor last week, but his lack of understanding or historical knowledge of the impact of the Great Depression, (see “The Ten Lost

would say that about 75% of people don’t bother masking in stores anymore. The idea of wearing a mask to protect others is therefore dead and gone – with so many unmasked, one more won’t make a difference. People mask now to protect themselves, and that’s fair. For my family, it’s a cost benefit analysis. The cost of wearing a hot, itchy, smelly mask does not justify the benefit of being less likely to get sick. We can handle getting sick, but we can’t handle giving up life like it used to be, filled with smiling faces. The return to unmasked life has been amazing, as I’m sure many can attest. That being said, people who do mask have their reasons. A colleague of mine recently told me that he masks because he is the only child of an elderly father who doesn’t drive. If my colleague got sick, there would be no one to take his father to medical appointments. Another common reason is travel plans. No one wants to lose thousands of dollars

on plane tickets and hotel bookings simply because a member of the family caught a cold, and masking in the weeks before a trip is one way to add peace of mind. Some who mask may be immunocompromised, or may be genuinely trying to protect you since they have a mild cold but needed to step out to get a few essentials.

The reason masking in on my mind is because of a recent social media post, in which a local woman reported that a grown man was harassing her 9-yearold child in a Kemptville grocery store for wearing a mask, and calling the woman a child abuser for masking her child. I could get into all of the reasons why this is so totally unacceptable, but instead I will invite readers to “see above” for the many valid reasons people choose to mask. We don’t know the mother’s and child’s reasons for masking, but we sure as heck know these reasons are none of our business. I have met, in my professional life, children who choose to

mask. Their parents don’t force them, and their siblings choose not to mask, but one child in the family simply prefers to have it on. Some kids may even choose to mask because they prefer masks as a way to keep their face warm instead of wearing a scarf. The point is… who cares! The mask issue is deep in the realm of “none of your business”, so stay out of it. Don’t assume a parent violently crammed a mask on their child’s face just because the child is wearing one. And even if the parent is making them wear it, is it not their right to do so? I don’t suppose anyone thinks it’s abuse when a child is made to wear a jacket in the winter. I boldly declare that the only person abusing that poor child in the grocery store was the belligerent stranger.

This year, we have something truly special to look forward to. In a few short days, we will have Christmas with no gathering limits to worry about, likely far less debate going on regarding vaccines, and a triumphant

sigh of relief knowing the worst of the pandemic is far behind us thanks to progressively weakening mutations. Nothing could ever kill or cancel Christmas, but for the first time in three years, Christmas is actually going to feel like Christmas for a lot of families.

As this will be the last issue of the Times until the new year, I would like to take the time to extend my well wishes. Thanks for another great year of allowing us to serve the community. This Christmas, eat more than you should, relax more than you think you deserve, hug and kiss more than you did all year, and don’t be afraid to get into the spirit of giving. It’s true what they say – Christmas is fun as a kid, but it’s even more fun to make it magical for your own kids. Tis the season! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Years by Barry Broadfoot”)” was a sad commentary. His reference to my parents was somewhat insulting. In fact, not only did my parents feed these transients as they travelled across the country to seek employment, hitching rides on the top of and in empty boxcars, but so did our neighbours help as much as they could afford. There was no employment insurance. There was no welfare. There was no Old Age Pension or Disability program. The unemployment rate was 30%, and out of work men were sent to camps to work in the woods for pennies a day. There were places called “Poor Houses” where the indigent and the old who had no families to help were sent to live. The Prairies were a dust bowl and farms and businesses failed. People were hungry and there were no “food banks”, only begging. Mr. Gleiser does not know what he is talking about when he compares today’s inflation with the Great Depression,

the north grenville

TIMES

Ashley Sloan Reporter at large 613-215-0735

Accounting Pat Jessop cfo@ngtimes.ca

which ended only because we went to war.

Although I was only a child, I remember the “hoboes”. I remember the stories told by my parents and their friends. I had uncles with subsistence dairy farms who lived exactly as Mary Cook describes in her stories of life during the “dirty Thirties”.

I am sad that you think that your kids can never achieve what you did as a young man. Who knows? They might, as did most in my generation, achieve more than their parents.

Shirley Price

NGAG stages a very special exhibition

The North Grenville Arts Guild will be mounting a Memorial Exhibition at the North Grenville Public Library in memory of three local artists who are missed by the arts community.

This exhibit will display selected works by the three incredibly talented artists: Doug Lang, late of Winchester, Judy Valliant of Kemptville and Randy Simpson, also from Kemptville.

Recent events have taught us all the uncertainty of the future and the transience of all states of being. Luckily, all three artists have left behind bodies of work that compel the viewer to contemplate visions frozen in time. The works consist of various mediums and subjects, and give us a chance to appreciate their efforts at attempting to communicate through visual art.

Whether members of the community knew personally the artists involved or are merely keen to see such a retrospective of three lives lived artfully, please drop into the library, take a break from routine, and enjoy the experience.

Exhibition runs from November 15 to mid-February.

2023 Community Grant Program

The Municipality of North Grenville has launched the 2023 Community Grant Program for members of the public and community organizations who wish to make a request for funding. The application can be accessed at https://form.jotform.com/223125497748263.

Hard copies are also available at the North Grenville Municipal Centre (285 CR44, Kemptville) and the North Grenville Public Library (1 Water St., Kemptville).

The deadline to submit a community grant is Monday, January 16, 2023 at 12 pm (noon). Applicants will present their initiative to Council. Dates for community grant presentations to Council are to be determined, and will fall in late January 2023 as part of the budgeting process.

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Editor Brandon Mayer editor@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735

Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0

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Municipality of North Grenville Notice of Public Meeting Concerning a Proposed Zoning By-Law Amendment

Take notice that the Corporation of the Municipality of North Grenville will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, January 18, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Grenville Municipal Centre (285 County Road 44) to consider the following item:

A proposed Zoning By-law Amendment, File # ZBA-19-22 , under Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, as amended, will be considered at that time. The purpose and effect of this application is to make a series of changes to Comprehensive Zoning By-law 50-12, correcting oversights and errors and clarifying the intent of certain wording. The main change being proposed is a general increase in lot coverage for certain residential zones to reflect more modern development standards. There are several changes being proposed to the text and land use schedules of By-law 50-12.

A key map is not included because this amendment is deemed to be a general amendment which applies to all lands throughout the Municipality.

Additional information regarding the application will be made available to members of the public when requested. For more information about this matter, contact the Planner in one of the following manners during regular business hours from Monday to Friday:

For more Information about this matter, including information about preserving your appeal rights contact the Planning and Building Department’s Office during regular business hours from Monday to Friday by telephone (613-258-9659 x 116), e-mail (planning@northgrenville. on.ca), in writing (285 County Road 44, PO BOX 130, Kemptville, ON, K0G 1J0) or in person.

Dated at the Municipality of

Phil Mosher RPP MCIP Deputy Director Of Planning and Development

letters cont'd

Dear Editor,

Thank you for the introductory article about the proposed housing development at the old KPS site making the front page of the Times. (Dec 15th edition).

It is a pressing issue that approximately 22 surrounding households are now faced with, and many resent the timing of it. The fact that we are having to write submissions to Council, or prepare notes for oral presentations in the midst of holiday preparations, does not sit well.

The homes bordering this site have already lost the summer of 2022.

Two excavators spent June to September inclusive, demolishing the school. Noise, dust and creaking machinery was the oppressive nature of life from 8 am - 4:30 daily for months. The evening was hardly enough time for the dust to settle, before it all started again the next morning.

Many days, because of wind direction, we were unable to use our backyards due to the dust and fine particles coming from the demo site.

We all worried about what it was doing to our lungs.

All in all, it was a wasted summer for many of us as our routines were stifled, and we were left with an uncomfortable simmering annoyance.

Although the Municipality stated that the paperwork to householders was sent out with the mandatory 20 days notice prior to the

Dec 14th Council meeting, many were late. We go to the post office daily. Our notice arrived on Dec 1st. Now with only 13 days left to meet 22 plus unknown neighbours from various streets, discuss views, and prepare for a meeting, a daunting task at this time of year.

Once at the meeting, it was not helpful that the hand outs gave a description of the land location, using street names that haven't been used since the 1860's.

This as stated by David Shanahan's article, Sept 1, 2021 in the Times newspaper.

These street names initially generated a lot of confusion since no one knew where they were. Park St and Ottawa St, although shown on my survey, no longer exist and haven't for decades. Many residents notified on Dr. Gordon Dr, Blossom Ave and Prescott St had no idea that Reuben Cres South was once called South Victoria St Extension.

It's unclear why a little more "clarity'' from the Planning Board wasn't the order of the day. A diagram, enclosed with our notice of public meeting, showing the location of these former streets, would have been helpful to residents to know what the planning board was talking about.

Frankly, I knew at the beginning of the meeting that the day was lost. When the land at George St and Pinehill was granted the same re-zoning for an apartment building, it was almost a given that the old KPS

would follow suit. This all on the Planning Board's recommendation since, apparently, "it ticks all the boxes."

I wonder if they would feel the same way if a 4 storey wall of apartment windows was looking down into their backyard and into their living room windows? Consider one "box" unticked.

No one is against development, but 168 units in three 4-storey buildings on 3.5 acres is excessive, and is not compatible and respectful of the neighbours surrounding the development. Considering a likely double occupancy, and so possibly an extra 300 plus cars to the area, I don't even want to think about the traffic and parking issues on Reuben Cres.

Privacy is a huge issue to those of us who border this property. It remains to be seen how this formidable task will be achieved. Neighbouring residents should not be prohibited from the enjoyment of their own homes and properties.

In my opinion, to build a friendly and workable neighbourhood takes much more than "ticking boxes."

Elaine McGreavy

the north grenville TIMES ••

MUNICIPAL OFFICE HOURS

UPDATE

The Municipal office is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

HOLIDAY CLOSURE

The Municipal office will be closed as of Friday, December 23, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. and will re-open on January 3, 2023 at 8:30 a.m.

Visit our events calendar to find out what’s happening in the community: www.northgrenville.ca/events-calendar.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

COUNCIL MEETINGS

Council meetings will be held in Council Chambers and will be live streamed on YouTube at: youtube.com/user/NorthGrenville/featured and on the Municipality’s website at: northgrenville. ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes.

To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please provide your comments no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting to clerk@northgrenville.on.ca. Council agendas are available at: northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes.

• Council Meeting (Open) – Council Chambers – Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.

2023 COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM

The Municipality of North Grenville has launched the 2023 Community Grant Program for members of the public and community organizations who wish to make a request for funding. The Community Grant Request Form is available online at: https://www.northgrenville.ca/ budget.

The deadline to submit a formal Community Grant Request is Monday, January 16, at 12:00 p.m.

If you have any questions regarding the Community Grant Request process e-mail: vision@northgrenville.on.ca or call 613-258-9569 ext. 177.

VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Waste Transfer Station Attendant

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill a casual position of Waste Transfer Station Attendant. The salary for this position currently pays $16.83 to $18.92 per hour. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualifications in confidence to Human Resources. Visit www.northgrenville.ca for details and to apply.

WASTE MANAGEMENT SCHEDULE

Solid waste, organics and recycling pick-up, including the Oxford Mills Waste Transfer Station, will continue regularly scheduled operations over the holiday season. For more information, please visit NGrecycles.ca.

HOLIDAY SKATING

Additional public skate times are being offered over the holiday season:

Wednesday, December 28, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. Thursday, December 29, 2022 3:30 p.m. - 4:50 p.m. Monday, January 2, 2023 1:00 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.

Wednesday, January 4, 2023 1:00 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. Thursday, January 5, 2023 1:00 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.

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 www.NorthGrenville.ca Building: 613-258-9569 x130 Fax: 613-258-1441

Fire Services Info: 613-258-9569 x201 Fax: 613-258-1031

By-Law Services: email: bylawinquiries@northgrenville.on.ca 613-258-9569 x211

Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002

MELISSA OTTENHOF Marketing Consultant

North Grenville this 22nd day of December 2022

Apple Crisp Topping

From the recipe collection of Mrs. Christina Earle. Contributed by her daughter Mrs. Jean Knapp of Kemptville, Ontario.

Jean Knapp remembers that her mother, Christina Earle, was a “good cook” with a wonderful sense of humour but she had little time for baking. Since Jean’s father, Harry Earle, was not always well her mother had to manage Kemptville Dairy, the family’s dairy business, as well as their apple orchard, bee hives and the day to day chores on their busy farm.

2 cups flour 1 tsp salt

1-1/2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup margarine or butter crushed nuts if desired

1. In a bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar and salt. Add margarine and blend using 2 knives or pasty blender. Add chopped nuts. Sprinkle over prepared fruit. Note: This is an excellent topping for any fruit crisp. Jean divides this topping between three lidded containers for future use.

Ginge bread Houses

Photos submitted by Merrick Preparatory School

Photo submitted by Nick Brooks

Christmas om all of

at the Kemptville Legion

Mock Cherry Pie

“Victory” Cook Book (1919)

Contributed to the “Victory” cook book by Mrs. Stanley Anderson of Kemptville, Ontario. Mock cherry pie was a favourite recipe during the early 1900s. Real cherries were expensive and not always available, as opposed to cranberries which were inexpensive and could be stored in a barrel of water in a cool place, for use during the winter.

Pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie.

Filling:

2-1/2 cups cranberries 1 cup warm water

2 cups sugar 1 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour 1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 to 1 tsp almond extract to taste

1. Cut cranberries in half.

2. In a medium size heavy pot, stir together cranberries, sugar and flour. Add warm water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until cranberries are cooked and mixture has thickened.

3. Remove from heat and add butter. Cool, add vanilla and almond to taste. Pour into pie shell and cover with pastry. Cut slits in top crust to allow steam to escape.

4. Bake at 450⁰F for 15 minutes. Then bake at 350⁰F for 30 to 35 minutes. Place on wire rack to cool completely.

Note: This recipe makes a lovely, slightly tart, fruit pie. It really does taste a bit like a cherry pie!

Yield: 6 servings

Cranberry Jelly

“Victory” Cook Book (1919)

Contributed to the “Victory” cook book by Mrs. Bert Dangerfield of Kemptville, Ontario.

4 cups cranberries

1 cup water

2 cups sugar

1. Wash cranberries and put them in a heavy sauce pan. Add water and boil for 10 minutes until soft. Stir constantly.

2. Remove from heat and pass through sieve.

3. Return to pan. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Bring to a boil. Boil 3 minutes. Let cool slightly and turn out into a mould.

4. Place in refrigerator to gel for 3 hours. Serve with fowl or roast.

Note: You may also pour into sterilized jars. Leave 1/4 inch head space. Seal with prepared discs and bands.

A Jelly Bag Tale

An ingenious male dentist friend, having no jelly bag to strain his home-grown grapes through, decided that his wife’s new pantyhose would ideally serve the purpose. This rather unorthodox method produced perfectly clear grape juice!

Gingerbread Men

cup shortening

cup granulated sugar

eggs, lightly beaten

cup fancy molasses*

cup blackstrap or cooking molasses*

1⁄2 cups all purpose flour

tsp ginger 1 tsp each baking soda, salt, cloves and cinnamon

* You may use 1 1⁄4 cup of one type of molasses

In large bowl and using electric mixer, beat shortening with sugar until light; beat in eggs and fancy and blackstrap molasses. Stir together flour, ginger, baking soda, salt, cloves and cinnamon; using wooden spoon, gradually stir into molasses mixture. Mix well, working with hands if necessary. Divide dough into four discs; wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm, or for up to 1 week. Preheat oven to 325o

F. Roll out dough to a 1/4” thickness, cut out desired shapes and place on a lightly greased sheets, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes Be sure you refrigerate

submitted by staff, Ashley Sloan

North Grenville Road Safety Committee wins Provincial Award

Transportation for its yearlong public awareness campaign. Each month, the Road Safety campaign focused on a different road safety theme, such as winter driving, speeding, impaired driving, share the road, distracted driving, roundabouts, school safety and active travel.

Wilson, Kim

The Ministry of Transportation has awarded the North Grenville Road Safety Committee the 2021 Road Safety Achievement Award (category: Collaboration in Road Safety). The award was presented to the Committee on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.

The North Grenville Road Safety Committee was established in 2019, with the goal of raising public awareness of key road safety concerns identified in the community and consists of the following partners,

North Grenville Police Services Board (Lead), Municipality of North Grenville, Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Public Health Unit, OPP Grenville Detachment, and the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.

“Thank you to the Ministry of Transportation for recognizing the hard work of the North Grenville Road Safety Committee. The Committee has been solely focused on providing education and awareness to key road safety issues in our community,” said Mayor

“As a high growth community, we recognize that there are increasing challenges to road safety throughout the Municipality no matter where you live. As a driver, pedestrian, or cyclist, it is crucial to be prepared and be aware. The Committee did a great job designing various ad campaigns to share important educational tips and information,” added Mayor Peckford.

In 2021, the North Grenville Road Safety Committee received funding from the Ministry of

“The award recognized the value of collaborative efforts between many public organizations and agencies, and also provided an opportunity for residents to engage in the conversation,” added Councillor John Barclay, Chair of the Police Services Board.

The Road Safety Committee, under the leadership of the North Grenville Police Services Board, continues its public education campaign to promote important road safety themes.

Established in 1996, the MTO Road Safety Achievement Awards aim to recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals, groups and organizations who work to improve the safety of Ontario’s roads.

For more information visit: www.northgrenville. ca/roadsafety

Our hearts are heavy as we announce the death of Kimberly Margaret Wilson, age 56. Kim passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 14th, 2022 surrounded by family, reminiscing over photographs and memories of a life that’s been loved. Kim is survived by her husband, Dennis Wilson, and eight children: Cory (Adrienne), Krystal (Tim), Jonathan, Jessica (Mathieu), Dennis (Candice), Michelle, Wayne (Jamie), and Lillie (Justin). She will be deeply missed by her grandson, Tieg.

Kim was the matriarch of a large family, leaving behind six younger sisters and a sister-in-law: Peggy, Laurie (Chris), Tammy (Kevin), Tina, Julie (Kyle), Vicki (Jordan), and Val (Kevin). Loving aunt of 28 nieces and nephews: Brett, Sam, Matt, Zack, Will, Doug, Maggie, Tori, Terry, Morgan, Mason, Cole, Riley, Blake, Alyssa, Brandon, Justin, Marley, Tiffany, Dylan, Brittany, Courtney, Josh, Greg, Cody, Chelsea, Travis, and Trent. Predeceased by her parents, Wayne and Carol Watters, and siblings Doug and Wendy Watters. Kim was a beloved member of the Kemptville community who made many lasting relationships throughout her small town. Kim’s love for people will be missed by many, she was so great at forming connections and making people feel special. We will miss her infectious personality, beautiful heart, and knowing eyes. A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Cross Church, 503 Clothier Street West, Kemptville on Tuesday December 20, 2022 at 1 pm. We invite everyone who was touched by her magnetic personality to attend her celebration of life and Reception at the North Grenville Municipal Centre, 285 County Road 44, Kemptville, following the service, from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm.

Condolences/Tributes/Donations

Hulse, Playfair & McGarry www.hpmcgarry.ca 613-258-2435

Clovis J. Desmarais

December 26 1926 – December 3 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Clovis Desmarais on December 3 2022 at the age of 95. Loving husband of the late Elizabeth “Betty” Grummisch. Dear father of Stacia Escalante (Marco), Arpa Robert (Ed) and Aaron Desmarais. He will be sadly missed by his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his brother James, and his many nieces and nephews. Clovis was predeceased by his children Clovia Desroches, Jim Desmarais and Don Desmarais; his parents James Desmarais and Blanche Côté; his sisters Caroline McGrayne, Lea MacDonald, Jackie Beckerton, Adele Beckerton, Carmel Diotte, and by his brother Guy Desmarais.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you for the loving care he received from the staff at Marochel Manor.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 14 2023 at 1pm in the Chapel of Racine, Robert & Gauthier Funeral Home, 180 Montreal Road, Ottawa. Memorial donations to the Kidney Foundation or the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #462 would be appreciated by the family.

Condolences and tributes may be made at www.racinerobertgauthier.com

Nancy Peckford.

MaryAnn’s Pink Things and Dave’s Buns

submitted by Melissa Ottenhof Christmas with the in-laws.

That singular phrase instills dread into the hearts of many, but not me. I was so fortunate to have in-laws who welcomed me into their family right away. They always made me feel welcome and loved. I remember the first Christmas I spent with them. Ashamedly, I remember feeling a little resentful that I wasn’t waking up at my own parent's house for Christmas morning. I was so worried that it wouldn’t be the same as spending Christmas with my family. And you know what, it didn’t feel the same, but that was ok. It was different but it was wonderful; getting to experience different family traditions and share some of my own.

My mother-in-law was a NICU nurse. She grew up with three brothers and went on to have three sons. She was a petite and feminine woman amongst a sea of burly Dutch men. I remember her asking me when I was pregnant with our first child, that even though she knew I didn’t have control over it, she would really like a “pink one”, as she called it. Our first child was a girl, as was our second. She was in girl heaven and loved to shop for matching outfits for them. Every time we would visit there would be a new outfit ready for them to wear. I had to remind her on more than one occasion that yes, they are girls, but they are still kids, as she had a penchant for white clothes.

She and I would often get together for baking weekends before the holidays. Below is her recipe for “Pink Things” as we called them. I’m sure they have an official name, but that’s what we always called them. These were always the first ones I would reach for on the dessert tray, I’m a sucker for that coconut, condensed milk, and graham cracker combo.

Pink Things

Ingredients

1 ¼ cup graham cracker crumbs

½ cup butter

½ cup brown sugar

1/3 cup flour

2 cups coconut

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 cups icing sugar

4 tbsp butter

3 tbsp maraschino cherry juice

Bottom layer: Combine the first 4 ingredients and press into a 9x9 greased pan. Bake at 350F for 10 minutes.

Second layer: combine coconut and condensed milk. Spread over the bottom layer and bake for 20 minutes or until the edges are slightly brown. Cool before frosting.

Frosting: Beat the 4 tbsp of butter with icing sugar. Add in cherry juice until the frosting is spreadable. Spread over cooled bars. Cut and enjoy!

My father-in-law had a commanding presence. He was a large man in both stature and personality. He was also one of the biggest softies I knew, especially with his grandchildren. He was a mason, so would often be off work in the winter. My mother-in-law worked shift work, so he would do a lot of the cooking. On Boxing Day every year, he would make turkey croquettes from the leftover turkey, and serve them with fresh bread or buns he would buy from the store. One year he started making them himself and “Dave’s Buns” were born. It wasn’t Christmas without Dave’s Buns. Friends and family would put in their orders ahead of Christmas. There were some years that there were multiple bread makers going, with a backup one sitting in its box in case one broke. And sometimes there would be two ovens going as well; he would not get rid of their old oven when they got a new one, for fear that was the secret to the perfect buns. A steady stream of visitors would come by over the holidays to wish the family a Merry Christmas and collect their “Dave’s Buns” order. Everyone loved them and would ask for the recipe. It wasn’t a secret recipe by any means, it was the recipe that came in the book with the breadmaker. He just somehow made them perfect. These buns are great to serve with dinner and for leftover turkey sandwiches or croquettes.

Dave’s Buns

Ingredients

tbsp butter

teaspoon salt

tbsp sugar 1 2/3 c warm milk (heat for 60 seconds in the microwave) 4 1/3 c bread flour - all-purpose doesn’t work as well

Place the first four ingredients in the breadmaker. Add the flour and then the yeast at the very top. Set the breadmaker to a dough cycle. Once the cycle is complete, punch the dough down and divide it into 15 balls. I use a scale to measure so they are all pretty much equal. Place the dough balls into a 9x13 greased pan and cover. Place them in a warm spot until they double in size. Combine 1 egg with 2 tbsp of water and brush on top before baking. Bake in a 325F oven for 18-21 minutes until lightly golden brown on top.

My mother-in-law, MaryAnn, passed November 14, 2018, and my father-in-law, Dave, December 28, 2020. Before their passing, I had naively never really understood how people could be sad at Christmas. I miss those Christmasses with them. Sitting by the woodstove, hearing the same stories I had heard 100 times before from my father-in-law, watching my mother-in-law playing with the kids. I am so grateful for all those memories, but am always a little wistful we couldn't have more. We try and keep some of the family traditions and happy memories alive by making some of their favourite recipes. I have become the new bun baker, winning the bun bake-off at Thanksgiving. I may make them for the family now, but they will always be called “Dave’s Buns”.

Merry Christmas

from the staff at the NGTimes

by David Shanahan

Much is made by some critics of the fact that Jesus was almost certainly not born on December 25, implying that the story was another religious “fairy-tale” concocted in later years to support Christianity. But it is an irrelevant point: the historic fact underlying the entire Christmas story stands, whether people like to change B.C. and A.D. to B.C.E. and C.E. (Before the Common Era and Common Era respectively). The reality of the birth of Jesus, and everything that it has meant for the human race, has been acknowledged for two millennia, and latter day critics find it hard to argue that all previous generations got it wrong, or were not as intelligent and discerning as these same critics.

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth turned the world upside down, revolutionised the status of women, gave dignity and social position to the individual, and led to the development of schools, hospitals, trade unions, healthcare, and the recognition of human and civil rights. That may sound like a wild claim to make, but history confirms it. One statement by Paul in his letter to the Galatian Christians states it clearly: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”. The astonishing nature of these words can be easily missed now because we take what they say for granted. Of course, all are equal under the law, of course human and civil rights apply to all, regardless. But that was not the case when Paul wrote what he did.

Christianity was the major force which changed society from a strictly hierarchical system where everyone “knew their place”, to one which we all recognise as being more just and equal, at least in theory. There is no doubt that there were those who called themselves Christians who fought that revolution: who held on to slaves, who treated women as non-persons, who waged war against those they considered inferior, or even sub-human. That is a tragic fact of history too. But what needs to be remembered is that those people in their actions were not following the clear teaching of Jesus, they were disobeying him. This is not my opinion: the written record of the New Testament states it in very clear terms.

The fact that time itself is measured in terms of the birth of Jesus, before and after, is a testament to the importance of that unique event in history. That a baby born in a stable to poor parents from a small village in the Middle East, a man who never left his homeland aside from a short period of exile as a baby, who was executed as a heretic and a traitor, whose closest followers fled in fear for their lives, but who later emerged to preach his Resurrection throughout the known world, could have had the impact on history that he has had, is something that needs explanation.

And what Christians have provided as an explanation for the past two thousand years is that this baby, this man, was God incarnate: that he died to restore our relationship with God, taking our place in death to provide forgiveness and

justice, and that he rose from the dead and lives still. Yes, it’s a difficult, and often an apparently ridiculous sounding claim to many: but to those who have come to know the reality of it, whose lives have been changed, “born again”, as Jesus described it, to us it is the very reason for all we do and how we live. Not always keeping in step with him, but always knowing that we are his, forgiven and restored as a gift, not because we’re better than others, or more spiritual, but because we know we’re not.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.”

I’ve always thought it a wonderful thing that we give gifts to mark the birth of Jesus. Usually, the gifts are for the one whose birthday it is: but at Christmas, everyone else gets the presents. That seems only right. Non-Christians can celebrate the season as they wish, with no reference to Jesus. Christians know that every day is Christmas, and Easter, and Pentecost, because “Once in Royal David’s city” in a stable, the human race was given a gift that has never ceased giving. So, whether you find this simple nonsense, or understand exactly what I mean, have a Merry Christmas, it’s a Gift.

Merry Christmas

Molasses Cookies

From the handwritten cook book of Mrs. Ada Whaley (1907).

Contributed by her great-granddaughter Dr. Jennifer Squire of Kemptville, Ontario.

1/2 cup sugar 6 -1/2cups flour

1 cup shortening 2 tsp ginger

1 cup Blackstrap molasses 1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup maple syrup 1/2 tsp cloves

1 beaten egg 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup sour milk

2 tsp baking soda

1. In a large bowl, cream sugar and shortening until light and fluffy. Stir in molasses and maple syrup. Beat egg and add to molasses mixture. Add sour milk and soda.

2. Sift together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Gradually add to batter.

3. The dough will be a bit sticky. With floured hands on a well floured surface divide the dough into 4 and mould pieces into balls.

4. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness on a well floured board. Cut with a floured 2-1/2 inch cookie cutter. Place on a greased cookie sheet.

5. Bake at 375⁰F for 12 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack. Yield: 4 dozen cookies.

©

Bryonie Baxter* Advisor

Tel: 613-878 1367

bryonie.baxter@sunlife.com advisor.sunlife.ca/bryonie.baxter

Always something new in history

written in pen and ink (or even pencil), and were used to keep financial and official records, but also allowed the owner to add the occasional piece of information that had nothing to do with the real purpose of the ledger.

This document was a business ledger kept by George A. McCaughey between 1885 and 1914.

by David Shanahan

It may seem an odd thing, but there’s always something new in history. Now and then, a document may be found, a diary, letter, or other record, that introduces us to someone in the past that was not previously known, or which sheds light on an individual, business, or event that provides insight into how our community was decades ago. A perfect example of this was brought to light recently, when a ledger was discovered in a box of miscellaneous documents in a cupboard in St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Kemptville. Roger Shantz sent it to

me and explained how it had been found.

“I am the Chair of the Trustee Board at St John's United. We were looking through some boxes that had been in storage for many years when we came across this bookwhich obviously did not have anything to do with church business. Other books were sent to church archives in Ottawa. No one knows how this one book ended up in the bottom of one of the boxes in the back of a little used closet.”

The ledger is a wonderful glimpse into a time when account books, registers, and other important documents were

George ran a furniture making business along with an undertaker’s service in Kemptville. That wasn’t actually an unusual combination of businesses at the time; after all, who else had access to wood for coffins! George had grown up on the family farm, lot 21 in the 10th Concession of Oxford, on land settled by his grandfather, David, who had arrived from Ireland with his wife and young son, George’s father.

In March, 1885, George, aged 25, married Nancy Elizabeth Graham, 26, who had been born in South Mountain. This was the same year the entries in the ledger began, and George is described in his

marriage certificate as a “Merchant”. He had set up his business and residence on Prescott Street in Kemptville, where he and Nancy raised their family. As was so common in those days, two of their children died young. Their son, George, was born in 1888, but lived less than a month. John Vivien McCaughey, was less than 20 when he died in 1912. But their third son, S. J. McCaughey, survived and became a doctor in Ottawa.

The value of George’s ledger lies in the lists of customers who used his furniture business, but most especially the various records of deaths in the community for which he supplied undertaking services between 1914 and 1921. Here we have a comprehensive list consisting of names, date of death, age, where born, residence, cause of death, occupation, and other useful biographical information. A copy of these entries will be a valuable addition to the genealogical and social

history of the region for those years straddling the First World War.

The McCaughey’s were Presbyterian, and George was involved in fundraising for the new church hall, choir loft, and vestry on Prescott Street from 1904. The history of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church notes that the cost of the new additions was roughly $5,000, which it is calculated would be the equivalent of $500,000 today, though much depends on how that result is achieved. George’s accounts for the Building Fund between 1905 and 1913 are included in the ledger.

There are many other fascinating entries in the ledger, which will repay further analysis over the coming months. But the overall impact of the document is about George Adams McCaughey and his life and times in Kemptville between 1885 and 1928, when he and Nancy sold the business to Samuel Eldon Kidd and Clarence Lemuel Dickenson, who set up

their own undertaking business, and who took care of George when he died on March 27, 1929.

Nancy outlived him by almost a decade, and when she died on February 3, 1938, she joined him and many of their McCaughey relatives in the South Gower Cemetery.

It is remarkable how an entire family’s history can be recovered with the discovery of a single business ledger. At first sight, it may seem to be a rather dry and distant document; but, as often happens, a little further digging opens up an entirely new insight into those who came before us.

It is a magical time of year! Mer�� Christ�as and stay safe

Christmas can’t all be about fun and games. Sometimes we need to use the scientific method to really get to the bottom of what makes this joyous holiday tick. Leave it to the Times to make sure all of your important Christmas questions get answered! For this important task, we had some local North Grenville teachers poll their smart, eager students. Enjoy!

My Favourite thing about Christmas is?

• To see Elves and decorate the Christmas Tree

• Sharing with your family

• Seeing my family see the presents I bought for them

• Having dinner with my family

• Presents!

• To write Christmas cards to older people that I love

• Making cookies with my mom for Santa

• Putting ornaments on the tree

• Going to my Grandparent’s house in the morning

• Being with my family

• Everyone is together and gifts

• Getting presents

• Making Christmas cookies

• Spending time with my family, loved ones

• Opening presents with my family

• Seeing Santa Claus

• Presents

• When your elves come to your house

• Thinking about others before thinking of yourself

How old is Santa?

• 400,000,000 years old

• He is 68

• He is 1000 years old

• As old as Christmas

• 9 thousand years old

• 2022

• 1234 years old

• 101302991099 years

• He is 1 billion years old

• As old as the beginning of time.

• 82

• 80

• 86

• 100

• 1000

• 200

• 205

• Infinity and beyond

• 5000

• 6000

• 90

• 60

• 2022

• 1557

What's the best gift you ever gave someone?

• My dad’s teacup

• A trophy and hockey sticks

• Made a necklace for my sister once

• Fake coal that was gum

• A surfboard

• Another dog given to my older dog

• Painted a Christmas tree for Mom and Dad

• Me!!!

• My love to my parents

• A monster truck

• Hunting clothes because they love hunting

• A nerf gun

• A Paw keychain that you can put a picture in

• Kindness and respect to the indigenous people and everyone

• What's your favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

• Cheese sticks, waffles and bacon

• Cookies and cotton candy

• Pancakes, eggs and bacon

• Jelly

• Christmas Cookies

• Gingerbread houses

• Gingerbread cookies

• Charcuterie

• Sweets

• Chicken

• Mashed potatoes

• Pie

• Turkey

• Cookies

• Christmas cake

• Hersey’s chocolate

• Christmas cooking

• Hot chocolate

• Candy canes

• Eggnog

• Christmas candy

Grahame’s Bakery Dark Fruit Cake

“I can confirm that this is a traditional dark fruit cake recipe that was used 100 years ago. We sell hundreds of pounds every year, all through the year. This is a large batch that makes about 30 lbs.”

Deborah Wilson, Kemptville, Ontario

2 lbs shortening

2 lbs brown sugar 20 eggs

Rum flavour as much as you want (bakers rum) or a very dark rum (have a drink while mixing the cake!)

pinch (large) of allspice

1-1/2 cups of molasses

8 cups of bread flour

6 lbs raisins

5 lbs of deluxe mix (glazed whole red and green cherries, pineapple)

7 lbs special fruit mix (small pieces of fruit)

1 lb chopped walnuts

4 lbs chopped dates

Mix all ingredients together and press firmly into long, lined wooden boxes, bake on low heat (our wood fired brick oven cools down to lower heat so we bake the fruit cake for about 4 to 5 hours). In a modern oven bake at 350⁰ 2 to 3 hours.

Local COVID-19 Vaccine Status Report –

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

Vaccination Statistics

• As of December 12, 2022 a total of 521,846 vaccinations have been administered in the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU) region.

• 2,145 vaccines were administered last week

• Our vaccination dashboard, available on our website, has all the details

Vaccination Reminders

• You only need one Fall COVID Booster and the immunity lasts up to 6 months so it will not be required to have a second booster during the fall/winter season.

• NACI is now recommending that for 6 months to 4 years, COVID vaccine may be given at the same time or any time before or after non-COVID vaccines. We are no longer required to wait 14 days before or after other vaccines.

• If your children have not been immunized with covid or flu vaccinations, we encourage you to consider getting this done as soon as possible as cases of flu and RSV in children have been higher than normal.

Vaccination Booking

• A list of upcoming clinics is available on our website. Clinic dates and locations are posted through to December.

• Walk-in appointments will be accepted at Health Unit clinics dependent on capacity; clinics tend to be busier during the first 2 hours – Walks-in will be accepted for ages 5+

• After January, when we move to smaller in-house clinics, walk-in appointments will no longer be available. Appointments will continue to be booked through our online booking portal or through our Vaccine Call Centre.

• As is the case with many health care agencies, we are experiencing a lower capacity in staff due to illness. As a result, clinics capacity may be affected.

• We encourage you to continue to check with a participating pharmacy or your health care provider.

• Vaccine appointments for six months to five years of age MUST be made by calling the Vaccine Call Centre at 1-844-369-1234 Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:00pm (NOT through the online booking system or the Provincial system).

• Flu Vaccination

• The flu shot prevents 40% of hospitalizations due to influenza in people 65+. If you know someone who has yet to get immunized, offer to support them in booking an appointment by helping them go online or providing them with the phone numbers so they can call and book their appointment, give them a ride, act as translator, provide them with credible information or let them know they can call us to speak with a public health nurse: Influenza – Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

• Flu vaccinations are not available at COVID-19 vaccine clinics – check with your local pharmacy or health care provider

• Anyone over 2 years of age can get a flu shot at a participating pharmacy

Parents of children 6 months to 2 years can call the Health Unit for assistance in getting their child vaccinated if they do not have a primary care provider (1-800-660-5853)

Student Vaccination

Parents: School Immunization catch up clinics are continuing for grades 9-12. Students must bring a signed consent form back to school. You can get more information and the form here.

Other Information for Respiratory Illness prevention

There are other measures we should be using at this time to protect ourselves and others from the triple threat viruses of COVID-19, Flu and RSV and how they can lead to serious illness and hospitalization:

• Stay home when you are sick

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (rub hands together under water for 15-20 seconds), or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Wear a well fitted mask when indoors, in crowded public places, and around those most vulnerable (many of them may not be able to wear or tolerate masks). A lot of the spread of respiratory viruses happens in homes when people gather (especially in the season coming up). Consider bringing a mask with you wherever you go!

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

• It is important to clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched a lot, like desks, door handles, toys and computer keyboards.

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sneeze into your arm, not your hand.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines, visit the COVID-19 Protection and Vaccines section of our website.

In a year filled with challenges, we’re grateful for your support. Wishing you happiness & health in 2022

Classifieds

FOR SALE

Firewood for sale. Cut, split, seasoned, mixed hardwood. $105/face cord. Call Ken 613 323 5503 20230201

Dry firewood for sale $110 a cord plus delivery fee. Call or text Jon 613-2273650

MISCELLANIOUS

HISTORIC HALL AVAILABLE FOR RENTALS in Beautiful Burritts Rapids! Start a book club in time for cooler weather in a hamlet near walking trails and parkettes. Our hall is well equipped for any gathering or celebration, and we offer very competitive rates. http://burrittsrapids. com

WANTED

Kemptville senior wishes to buy sports cards for collecting #613-215-0835

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

Kemptville Area Room. Mature student, studying automotive repair in Kemptville, needs a quiet room with bathroom facilities from September to November and from February to April. Weekdays only. Has small fridge, Kitchen not required.Needs reliable internet access. Call Chris 613-200-7016.

FOR RENT

Rental for winter months. Looking for any truck driver or two who might be looking for accommodations starting the beginning of December. We are located in Kemptville with large drive way.Please call at 613-258-7778 to visit or for more details.

SHORT TERM RENTAL Delightful 3 bedroom house, Weekends/weekly/monthly, Fully furnished. All inclusive. Propane fireplace. New kitchen & bathroom. Balcony and wrap around Porch overlook St Lawrence river. Dock, plenty of parking, large yard,

BBQ. Private road off 1000 Island Parkway. No pets. No smoking. Nightly(min 3)@$275.00. Weekly(7nights)@$ 1,855.00. Monthly to be negotiated.Messages 613-258-3807

SERVICES

RETIRED CARPENTER

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

HANDYMAN SERVICES

Painting, Demolition, Dry Wall Call Bill 613 774 2922

Hedge Trimming

Small or Tall Call Rob 613-795-1845'

The Food Corner

by

Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

Our neighbour and friend Greg MacDonald performs a devastating rendition of a classical Eggnog every festive season and it’s soooo good! This week’s recipe is a bit more down to earth and follows the principle that you can pretty well bake a coffee cake or tea bread out of just about anything, including Eggnog. So, here we go with a very simple recipe for Festive Eggnog Loaf.

Festive Eggnog Loaf

Ingredients

1 ½ cup of flour

1 cup of white granulated sugar

1 teaspoon of baking powder

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

¾ cup of Eggnog (the one you get in the store in a milk container)

½ cup Canola oil

2 extra large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon of rum

Preparation

1. Heat your oven to the usual 350F

2. Combine the dry ingredients in a largish bowl

3. Combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl

4. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until well mixed

5. Pour into a greased 9X5 loaf pan or dish (preferably glass)

6. Bake for an hour or so and do the toothpick test for doneness

7. Cool the loaf before turning out gently, using a knife to loosen the sides

While this loaf goes great with maple syrup while warm, you can also serve it cold with a glaze. Just mix up ½ cup of icing sugar, 3 tablespoons more of the Eggnog, a bit of vanilla and rum, and if you wish, a dash of nutmeg. The glaze should go on as a wash, rather than as a coating, but if you want it thicker, just use more icing sugar. Hot or cold, this loaf goes great with a nice cup of English Breakfast tea or your favourite blend of coffee. As with any other loaf, it freezes nicely for a treat mid-winter. To freeze, wrap in half loaf portions first in saran wrap, then again with aluminium foil (that’s how Beth does it).

All the best for this special time of year and blessings for 2023: may it be healthy and peaceful for all of us, world-wide! And, keep those mails coming to Paul at pcormier@ ranaprocess.com.

Council needs to act: Kemptville tax dollars at risk if wastewater plant expansion goes ahead despite uncertainties around prison plan

submitted by Kirk Albert and Victor Lachance

Local taxpayers could be on the hook for millions of dollars unless North Grenville Council hits pause on a costly $40 million expansion of the town’s wastewater plant, a third of which is tied to a planned provincial prison that now faces increasing uncertainty.

Perhaps due to a court challenge, the timeline for the controversial prison project has been delayed by at least 18 months as Infrastructure Ontario recently revealed. The court case, if successful, will halt the whole project, while the new construction timeline increases the likelihood that a new provincial government could stop the whole prison project, as the Ontario Liberal and other parties have promised.

The danger for Council and North Grenville taxpayers is tied to the need to increase the previously planned $30M dollar wastewater plant expansion by a third more to accommodate the prison, at a new cost of $40M. In other words, the town and we taxpayers could be on the hook for an extra $10 million if the prison-related part of the expansion is not needed after all.

Provincial officials have tried to reassure North Grenville residents that we wouldn’t foot the bill for expenses associated with the proposed prison. Our mayor and councillors –who’ve claimed there is little they can do to stop the prison – have stated that if the province does not pay these or any other expenses, they will oppose the project. And yet in the absence of any firm financial commitments from the province for the extra wastewater capacity, and in the face of other significant costs associated with the proposed prison, such as policing costs, they still do not oppose the province’s plan.

Meanwhile, the two of us turned to lawyer Stéphane Émard-Chabot of Sicotte Guilbault, a leading municipal planning law firm, who advised us

that the province may have acted illegally by ignoring its own Provincial Policy Statement and the local Official Plan, as it is obliged to do under the Planning Act. In August of 2022, we filed an application for judicial review of the legality of the province’s decision, and thereby seek to obtain a prohibition order to prevent the ill-conceived construction of the prison complex.

The Municipality of North Grenville is at a crossroads. The province has yet to say exactly how much money it will pay for its part of the planned expansion of the wastewater treatment capacity. Now that the timeline for the prison has been pushed back by nearly two years, and that this prison may never get built in our town, it would not be financially prudent for Mayor Peckford and councillors to sign us up for something that may not happen. Instead, it would be financially responsible and prudent for our Mayor and Council to pause the multimillion dollar wastewater plant expansion. Otherwise, they risk sticking the town’s taxpayers with the additional costs of a bigger than necessary wastewater plant, with additional ongoing costs that the province will likely leave us with if the court agrees that the Ford government’s Kemptville prison plan is illegal and subsequently isn’t built.

After speaking with North Grenville Council recently to express our concern that local taxpayers will be left with this huge bill, we believe that the municipality can no longer adopt a wait-andsee approach towards the provincial prison and hope for the best. Unless they get a cheque from the province for its share of the expanded wastewater capacity, North Grenville needs to press pause on the extra prison capacity until such time that the future of the proposed Kemptville prison is settled.

Kirk Albert is a member of the Jail Opposition Group, and Victor Lachance is a member of the Coalition Against the Proposed Prison.

Residents express concerns to Council over proposed KPS apartments

by Brandon Mayer

Evidence is mounting regarding public concern over the large apartment complex proposed to be built on the former site of Kemptville Public School at 215 Rueben Street. During the regularly scheduled Council meeting on December 14, several residents addressed Council with strong and specific concerns about the proposed development. This shows mounting public opposition to the project, since it is rare for large numbers of residents to address Council regarding the same issue. Overall, 10 residents raised their concerns directly to Council on December 15, with many others submitting written concerns which were distributed to all members of Council for review.

Prior to the floor being opened for public commentary, Council heard a presentation from the developer. Mayor Peckford challenged the developer on the assertion of “affordable housing”, arguing that there are different definitions of “affordable”, and that even the low-

est cost units of the proposed development would not be affordable to those who truly need subsidized housing in the current housing market.

Mayor Peckford also pointed out public concern over the type of tenants these new housing units could attract to a family-oriented area.

One woman who spoke at the meeting had a small child with her. Whether intentional or not, this seemed to be a symbol of the familyoriented characteristics of the neighborhood in which the development is proposed to be built. Many residents’ concerns relate to the inevitable increase in traffic that will come about from the addition of approximately 168 residential units, which, in the case of several of the people who spoke to Council, will be built directly across from their homes.

Another woman who addressed Council placed blame on Council itself, asking how they could have considered such a project, given the number of residents who have stated their opposition to it, either verbally or with written letters. A common theme amongst those who addressed Coun-

COMMUNITY EVENTS

KLUB 67 Euchre – Fun, social card playing every 2nd and 4th Wednesday monthly at 1PM, September to May. Location: Kemptville Legion, 100 Reuben Cres, Kemptville. Everyone welcome $5., cash prizes.

BREAKFAST, Kemptville Legion! Every 3rd Saturday from 8-10am - $8 for adults, $6 for children 10 and under. Euchre will be held following breakfast, registration starts at 11:30 am.

BINGO, Kemptville Legion, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, doors open at noon

PART TIME CUSTODIAN WANTED

cil was related to traffic and parking availability. The other concerns raised by residents are too many to list exhaustively, but include such wide-ranging issues as rodent control, flooding potential, construction site dangers for local children, and infrastructure concerns relating to the density of units.

A representative of the developer attempted to address the residents’ concerns about which they spoke, though it is unlikely many minds were changed. In addition to concerns about the developer not meeting the Municipality’s requirement for a commitment of 25% affordable housing (the commitment in this case is only for 15%), Mayor Peckford also stressed that it will be important for the Municipality to see more detailed plans. She did, however, point out that there is an urgent need for additional housing locally, suggesting support for the project and, perhaps, a preference for compromise.

The meeting took a brief dramatic turn after the motion for the official plan amendment was passed. At

least two audience members could be heard becoming angry and shouting concerns from the back of the room. One firmly stated, “this is a disgrace”, before being asked to stop since the period for public commentary was over. The meeting then proceeded unphased. A spokesperson for the Municipality confirmed that Council has adopted an amendment to the Official Plan to allow for an increase in residential density for the property at 215 Reuben, as well as a Zoning By-law Amendment to rezone the property from Institutional to Residential Fourth Density – Exception – Holding. The Official Plan Amendment requires approval from the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, and the developer will be required to go through site plan control, to satisfy the holding zones that were implemented through the Zoning By-law Amendment.

Chesterville Legion is looking for a part time custodian for the Legion, starting in January 2023. The position is responsible for general cleaning duties inside the Legion, including vacuuming and mopping weekly, setting up/taking down tables and chairs for functions, and other custodial duties as required. The work requires an average of 10 hours per week and the starting salary will be dependent upon experience. Please drop off resumes at the Legion (Wednesday through Saturday afternoons) or email to legion434@ eastlink.ca

fall short by one in two battles

launch at 18:30 for the 73’s two marker lead. Renfrew answered with Elvis Slack assisted by Phare and Vom Scheidt at 18:54 to spoil Jacob Birons SO attempt.

by the sportsguy

Road trip into Navan for a Friday evening meet with the Grads for redemption after suffering two previous loses. Unfortunately, unsuccessful as Navan claws back from 2 zip after one period to force OT and then cap it off with a shootout win.

Kemptville struck first as Logue combined with Benjamin Campeau to put it past Braedyn McIntosh at 2:36. Extra man for the 73’s with Merrett holding the line as Trottier to Hunter Brazier PPG to knock it home at 12:29.

Colin MacDougall with helpers from Crete and Savignac rifled it behind Alex Musielak at 4:50 to scratch the sheet for the Grads to open the second. Navan in control as Hall with Butler

finds Cayden Faust to knot it up at 9:43. An aggressive attack from Vollett onto the tape of Hunter Brazier for his second of the stanza for the tiebreaker at 10:47.

Kemptville was still under siege into the last twenty as Max Donohoe assisted from D’Addario with Paone to even it up at 10:24 for OT.

The OT closed out scoreless to commence the dreaded shootout that the three snipers Benjamin Campeau, Nicholas Bennett and Hunter from Kemptville were robbed. Navan answered the call with Owen Parsons' attempt successful and Gabriel Crete not finding the mark, and the Grads stole the contest for a 4 - 3 victory.

Navan peppered their opponent by 55 to 26 without results on 3 PP and

North Grenville receives infrastructure grant

critical infrastructure needs, including road, bridge, water and wastewater projects.

Kemptville counted only one on four attempts. Kemptville had to settle for one point as they blew their two goal lead before the wheels fell off.

Up the valley to battle the Renfrew Wolves for a Saturday evening excursion looking for traction after being blanked out twice to face yet another disappointing 4 - 3 loss during OT.

The first frame remained scoreless with both teams on the game sheet for infractions, and Kemptville taking an extra sin bin visit.

The combination of Vollett back to Merrett on the point so Grady Logue on the doorstep could slam it by Nolan McDowell at 12:03 for the Kemptville icebreaker. Lammi with Henry to Ty Whyte in the rocking chair for a peanut butter in the jar

Last twenty miler with the Wolves on the hunt so Joey Kennely with helpers from Slack and Tomasini to tie it at two at 9:51. Combination of Renfrew Tomasini with Slack to Jace Letourneau to break the tie at 16:34. With Jacob Biron on the bench at 18:54 to give the 73’s an advantage for the final push. Kemptville with extra attacker when Trottier reversed to Yakubowski to dish it off to Hunter Brazier PPG in the lane for a 3 all tie at 19:03 and force an OT to decide the games outcome.

The results were determined when Slack sprung Noah Vom Scheidt at 1:16 to give Renfrew a 4 - 3 win.

Renfrew Wolves hammered their opponents 48 to 26 with 4 unsuccessful PP and Kemptville 73’s with two resulting in one.

Smiths Falls Bears venture into Kemptville’s barn for an evening challenge on Tuesday, December 20 for their final meeting of the month.

Hockey with EDGE… see you around the wall…. Merry Christmas to All.

The Municipality of North Grenville is one of a number of rural municipalities to receive grants under the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF), part of the Ontario government’s overall investment of $400 million in 2023. More than $9 million is allocatted to help renew and rehabilitate local infrastructure in Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.

Under the scheme, the Municipality of North Grenville is getting $769,981, the Village of Merrickville-Wolford is receiving $121,865, while the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville will get $4,049,816.

“The allocations announced by the provincial government today will provide welcome and critical support to rural communities across Leeds and Grenville,”

said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “I am encouraged to see our government once more demonstrate its support for rural areas and recognize the importance of renewing and expanding the infrastructure that undergirds Ontario’s economic success.”

OCIF provides funding to eligible communities every year to help them address

“Ontario’s small, rural and northern communities, including those in LeedsGrenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, are essential to the growth and prosperity of the province,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Our government is continuing to provide stable funding to meet local infrastructure needs and provide support in response to pressures from inflation. By supporting key community infrastructure projects, we are helping to grow and build safer, more resilient communities for generations to come.”

The photo above was taken near the intersection of Colonnade Drive and County Road 43, where a portion of the funding will be used to enhance pedestrian safety and active transportation network.

Up by two and then the wheels fell off...Emile Trottier in the trenches to find Hunter Brazier to force OT against the Wolves during Saturday evening challenge.

MPP Steve Clark is pictured with North Grenville Mayor and United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Warden Nancy Peckford, and Councillors Kristin Strackerjan and Deb Wilson.

An Early December Surprise!

December didn't fail to surprise me, as I took advantage of an early, very cool but sunny morning in the garden, and offered up what to me was a real bonus,-- a male Bluebird!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it,- but low and behold, there it was in all its beautiful plumage. At first

I just watched through the window, but then was able to get out onto our back deck, with my camera, to get some clearer shots of it and the many other birds taking advantage of the occasion.

The Bluebird may have been one from the previous nesting season, as it settled a couple of times on my elevated nesting boxes that

the Bluebirds have occupied and used before. It didn't dwell for very long on any of them, and I managed to get a picture of it on top of a pine tree in which a House Finch was perching too, so their red colors complemented each other.

Believing its appearance this late in the year to be a rather unique one, I did a double check with some experts, Bill Read with The Eastern Ontario Birds Society. https://oebs. ca/about-bluebirds/ being one of them. He replied to my enquiry with the information that this wasn't an uncommon occurrence at all, and many Bluebirds winter over in southern Ontario. Some of the birds might be on a late migration, hence

my sighting of it, which was still a good one to witness.

The Bluebird took my initial interest, but then I realised that there were, in fact, many more birds in the garden taking advantage of the sun too! These included a pair of Mourning Doves, so well camouflaged in the rocks that they were almost indistinguishable from the rocks they were on. Super to see, and then further movement caught my eye and I watched as a small male Downy Woodpecker made its way up a tree, in the sunshine, searching for food. Later I was to see a female Downy doing the same, but not in the same spot.

Other birds enjoying the lovely sunlit day too were a small group of House Finches, a Bluejay, a Crow, and a Slate Grey Junco, so what was initially a lone Bluebird sighting very rapidly became a lot more interesting and exciting. A couple of Black Squirrels even joined in, on the rocks previously occupied by the Doves, so in the short time before the cold crept into my bones and I crept back in-doors, I had quite a number of pictures to look at. Hopefully you are also able to experience some of the birds in your own garden and maybe even get some pictures of them, for yourself, too. Have fun and remember to stay safe and well. Cheers, John Baldwin

Holiday hours for LGL Health Unit Programs and Services

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit will be closed for the holidays on the following days:

• Friday, December 23, 2022

• Monday, December 26, 2022

• Tuesday, December 27, 2022

• Friday, December 30, 2022

• Monday, January, 2, 2023

Like many residents of LGL, our staff and their families are also affected by the respiratory season. At times this may have an impact on our ability to offer scheduled programs and services. Please be assured that we will continue to provide the best service we can.

COVID-19 Services available over the

holidays: Phone Lines: Outbreak Case and Contact services: Ext. 2222 will be staffed Dec 28 and 29 for CD calls from highest risk settings/ institutions.

General public calls will be redirected to the Provincial Testing and Isolation Information line at 1-888-777-0730, open 7 days a week from 8:00am-6:00pm

Call Centre Booking Lines open December 28, 29 - 830am –430pm 1-844-369-1234

Public Health Emergency 613-345-5685 open 24/7

Assessment Centres: For holiday hours, check our website before heading out: Assessment, Testing and ResultsLeeds, Grenville and La-

nark District Health Unit

A reminder of the services available at Testing and Assessment Centres:

Brockville: In addition to COVID-19 testing for high risk clients, Medical Assessment is also available – including clinical assessments and prescriptions for anti-viral treatment (Paxlovid) if eligible

Smiths Falls: (Smiths Falls Testing Centre is no longer offering COVID-19 testing to the general public. Testing is for hospital patients only)

Kemptville: Includes DIY/self-collection testing and clinical medical assessments and prescriptions for anti-viral treatment (Paxlovid) if eligible

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The Harp and the Maple Leaf

troduced new Resolutions in Ottawa supporting the British legislation. Once more, Macdonald attempted to refuse to have a vote on the resolutions, and when they passed in spite of more watered-down words, he even tried to prevent them being sent to Gladstone.

by David Shanahan

The impact of the Irish on Canada goes well beyond the immigrants who arrived here in droves throughout the Nineteenth Century. Most of those immigrants had arrived before the Great Hunger of the 1840's, but they continued to settle in Canada in the decades afterwards also. In North Grenville, many of the business and political leaders were immigrants from Ireland, or children of immigrants. Men like Robert Bell, who was a founder of the Bytown and Prescott Railway Company and owner of the Ottawa Citizen newspaper. Elected politicians at both federal and provincial levels, such as Dr. Charles Ferguson and his son, G. Howard, or Francis Jones. But the impact of the Irish, and Ireland, on Canadian constitutional development was enormously important.

By the 1880's, no Canadian Government could do without an Irish Catholic representative in Cabinet, such was the power of the Irish Catholic vote, especially in the older Provinces east of Manitoba. Irish Protestant influence was equally powerful, particularly through the Orange Order, which could list most leading politicians, including, it is said, Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald, among its members. And it was the influence of the Irish Members of Parliament that led to Resolutions being passed in the House of Commons in favour of Home Rule for Ireland in 1882.

Home Rule meant that Ireland would have the equivalent of a Provincial Government, located in Dublin, rather like Ontario’s in Toronto. The old Irish Parliament had been dissolved in 1881 and Ireland had been ruled directly from London ever since. The original Resolutions, introduced by John Costigan, had been fairly strong, but Macdonald managed to water them down before being voted on, partly because he feared the response of the Imperial Government in London, and partly because he was no supporter of Home Rule. In fact, he once declared that “[T]he Celtic races have never taken to self or Representative Government”, a strange attitude for a Prime Minister born in Scotland.

The Resolutions passed in the House were transmitted to London, and Macdonald’s fears were realised when Prime Minister William Gladstone responded with a polite version of “Mind your own business!”. The colonies, it was made clear, had no right to offer advice to the Empire and should mind their place in the hierarchy of things. Macdonald was humiliated and furious, and was determined never to make that mistake again.

Imagine his confusion, then, when, just a few years later, in 1886, Gladstone “converted” to Home Rule, introduced legislation in Westminister to bring Home Rule into being. The leader of the Liberal Party in Canada, Edward Blake, in-

But something far more significant had happened. By welcoming Canadian resolutions in support of Imperial legislation, and accepting the right, if not the duty, of colonial governments to comment on Imperial legislation, Gladstone had transformed Canada’s constitutional position. It was a tentative first step towards what would become the Commonwealth, the Empire as a Family of Nations, rather than a collection of colonies. And it was in the context of Irish Home Rule, and through the activism of the Irish in Canada, generally, and in Parliament in particular, that this change came about. The definition of a Dominion would continue to develop from there.

In an interesting postscript, when Ireland achieved the freedom of most of its people in 1921, after years of war and agitation, the Treaty which resulted from the negotiations, and which defined the new Irish Free State in its relations with the British Empire, specifically gave it the same status as Canada. Ireland would have Dominion status within the Empire, a status which the events surrounding the Irish Home Rule Resolutions in 1882 and 1886 had done much to define. Following Independence, Irish officials worked closely with Canadian representatives in drawing up the Statute of Westminister in 1931, ending Britain’s right to legislate for the Dominions, and effectively establishing the Commonwealth. The Irish Free State changed its name to just Ireland in 1937 and left the Commonwealth, as it was believed a Republic could not be a member.

The events in the House of Commons in Ottawa in 1886, explicitly, and for the first time, saw Canadians state their right to speak and act as members of the Empire, rather than subjects of Westminister.

Edward Blake who expressed Canada’s right to be heard by the Empire. He later moved to Ireland to be an M.P. at Westminister.

Juliana Hossie receives Canada Cord

she told her Mom that she had so much fun she forgot to miss her".

Guiding offers a lot of hands on learning, from the time you register as a Spark to when you move up to the Ranger program: hiking on local trails or rafting down the Ottawa river; cooking contests, pitch-athons for new inventions and other confidence-building challenges; making DIY Eco-friendly products and learning about new ways to protect the planet; exploring the world on a local, national or international trip; and so much more.

The perfect chocolate chip cookie

by Brandon Mayer

by Ashley Sloan

The Oxford Mills Sisterhood of Guiding held an enrolment and awards ceremony at their Clubhouse on December 13 to recognize years of service for Guiding members and volunteer Guiders. A ceremonial entrance, followed by O’Canada and the Guiding Promise, brought back many memories for Guiding Alumni as they watched these young Guiding members pledge their promise: To do their best, To be true to themselves, their beliefs, and to Canada, to promise to take action for a better world and respect the Guiding Law.

Juliana Hossie was acknowledged for having achieved her Canadian Citizenship award, completing a First Aid Challenge and over 25 hours of community service. There was also recognition for the Pitch In program that she initiated

and was able to get her community involved with. All of this was achieved during 2 years of online Guiding, and this last year of meeting in person.

Juliana was awarded the Canada Cord. This is the highest award that a Pathfinder can achieve. The requirements include completing the Pathfinder Program, as well as extra initiatives in the areas of Community Service, Volunteering, and specific hours spent in developing Leadership or Camping skills. The Canada Cord was presented, along with a letter of recognition by Mayor Peckford and congratulations from MPP Micheal Barrett (who was not able to attend) for her achievement. Ann Lalonde recalled one of Juliana's first overnight camping trips at Limerick Forrest as a Spark. "As Juliana was being picked up the next day,

The Pathfinder program offers an opportunity to mentor younger girls in skills and trade. This Leadership training could allow them to one day take on a leadership role on a local committee or a provincial youth forum. The program allows the girls to try it all and learn how to always be prepared. The Oxford Mills Sisterhood of Guiding are presently in the midst of fundraising for a trip to Alberta in 2023.

Many thanks to the volunteers who make this program happen: Charlotte Maxwell (4 yrs of service), Heather Hossie (6 yrs of Service), Lisa Wilberforce (7 yrs of service), Kristen Lonergan (10 yrs of service), Mary Anne Leang (15 yrs of service), Mary Furber (15 years of service) and Ann Lalonde with her 30 years of Service and many, many stories of Girl Guide camping.

For more information on how to join or support the Oxford Mills Sisterhood of Guiding, you can email oxfordmillsguides@gmail.com

Growing up, I had an uncle who always made the best chocolate chip cookies, and he would bring a huge bowl of them to our annual Christmas gathering. I dare say he wouldn’t divulge his recipe if I asked, but a few years ago I went in search online of a recipe for the best chocolate chip cookies to try and recreate the tasty treat. I found one I like and have fine tuned it over the years. It is my pleasure to share it. The recipe only makes about a dozen decent sized cookies, so feel free to double it (or more). Multiplying the recipe by four will usually make enough cookies for an average family gathering. This is a recipe I don’t have written down – it comes exclusively from my head!

Ingredients:

1- 1/3 cups of all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

1 large egg

1/2 cup unsalted butter (tip: if you buy a standard “block”, it’s 1/4 of the block)

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup yellow sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla

Half a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sift the flour, salt, and baking soda together in one bowl and set aside.

Combine the egg, butter (no margarine substitute and must be UNSALTED butter), white sugar, yellow sugar, and vanilla (real vanilla is expensive but worth it) in another bowl and mix until the ingredients are blended.

Slowly fold the flour mix into the ingredients in the second bowl. The mixture will be firm but that is normal. No blender needed, just mix until the flour mix is absorbed.

Add the chocolate chips (they must be semi-sweet for a good flavour balance, milk chocolate makes a strange taste). Fold the chocolate chips in evenly. Secret – half a bag per batch is twice what the original recipe calls for. You’re welcome!

Bake for about 10-12 minutes. The secret to cookies that remain soft after cooling is to undercook them a little. As soon as you see ANY light browning along the edges, they are done, even if the middle still looks white and undercooked.

Let them cool and enjoy!

I’m no Betty Crocker, but I hope you’ll enjoy these! Happy snacking!

All Stuffed Up for the Holidays

There’s a lot of “stuff” this time of year – the stuffing in the turkey, for example, or all the meaningless commercial stuff we buy for the holidays that ends up in landfills. The holidays are a good time to look around and assess what is good stuff and what is bad. It might disappoint some readers to learn that this week the “stuff” we are choosing to look at is the mucus in your nose.

There can be quite a volume of this sticky, or runny, or plugged up stuff at this time of year. A very stuffed up nose can be symptom of trouble. Our thoughts are with the many anxious families dealing with young children battling respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

“The hallmark of RSV is that it causes a lot of mucus production that causes you to blow your nose more frequently,” says Dr. Magna Dias, a pediatric physician with Yale Medicine. Fortunately, that’s the worst of it for most children, while for those with weak immune systems, hospitalization is necessary, as we are witnessing now.

An ounce of prevention? There is no downside to taking higher doses of vitamin C than typically recommended. And when infection strikes, why not have an immune system primed with extra C, plus fueled 2-3 times a day with high doses?

But don’t be alarmed

by some of that mucus in your nose. It’s normal. It might not be apparent when you are coughing it up or sneezing it out, but mucus is good for you.

In fact, mucus is a functional component of the mouth, sinuses, throat, lungs, and gastrointestinal system. It’s mostly water, but also contains antibodies that attack viruses, bacteria, and allergens. Without enough mucus, infections have the advantage.

The sticky quality of mucus helps it trap dust before it gets in the lungs. The slimy element helps slide food down the esophagus and protects the stomach lining from acid. There’s a sexy element of mucus found in cervical secretions too.

The average person produces an astounding 4 cups of mucus a day! Most of it gets swallowed without notice.

The colour is an indication of whether mucus is “normal” or the harbinger of an unwanted visitor. Clear mucus means good health. Yellow or green suggests a viral infection. Brown or red means the presence of blood, caused by inflammation or the trauma of a finger, perhaps.

Not you picking your nose? It’s rare person who doesn’t. Studies show that nearly all people pick their nose about four times a day. But it is not a clean habit. Mixed with dead skin cells and dirt

under the fingernails, its possible to find nasty stuff like the bacteria that cause pneumonia and urinary tract infections, and even salmonella and E. coli.

To the extent possible, leave that healthy mucus alone.

A better pastime is to admire the innovative uses of mucus in the animal kingdom. Snail slime helps with protection and propulsion. Some snails use mucus to suspend themselves in midair for a remarkable mating performance. Not surprisingly, there is a robust market for snail mucus in Chinese and Korean medicine and cosmetics.

There has also been research suggesting dolphins take advantage of the mucus in their nasal passages beneath their blowholes to produce their highest frequency clicks.

Dolphins, snails and fish live in wet places. We humans, however, need to survive through the dry winter air. The lack of humidity can make our noses drier than in other seasons. Drinking more water will help.

And when the nose tickles, reach for a tissue.

Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@ docgiff.com. Follow us on Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_ jones

Christmas Giving

By Sarah Chisholm, BA Financial Advisor, O’Farrell Wealth & Estate Planning | Assante Capital Management Ltd.

The Christmas Season is a time for family gatherings and celebrations, good food and presents. We all get joy from giving to our loved ones and those in need. Let’s grab your favourite cup of tea or coffee and discuss ways to give in 2022.

As parents and grandparents, we often find it challenging to come up with ideas for gifts for our children or grandchildren. Do they really need more clothing or toys? Consider making an investment into their Registered Education Savings Plan. RESP contributions up to $2,500 per year (subject to CRA guidelines) are eligible for a 20% Canada Education Savings Grant. Giving your grandchild $100 for their RESP account could earn them an additional $20 in government grant.

What about gifts for our adult children or our siblings? Our adult children or our siblings are often named the executors of our estates. While they are often willing, being an executor can prove to be quite complicated for our loves ones when we eventually pass. One major hurdle of estates can be the presence of physical share certificates. A loved one may have passed away while still holding those shares and the executor is then faced with

a mountain of paperwork to have the shares re-issued in the name of the estate. This includes working with a brokerage to deposit the shares before being able to sell or distribute those shares to the beneficiaries and file the realized capital gains or losses with the CRA. If you have physical share certificates filed away in a safe or lock box, take the time to pull them out and get them deposited into an investment account that is easier to manage. Dealing with stock certificates now will save your executors a major headache down the road – a truly wonderful gift.

We all have family and friends who truly need nothing. Consider making a charitable donation in their name. Take the time to consider what charity or foundation they truly value and then send in your donation. Many charities will then send a notification to your loved one to let them know a donation has been made in their honor. For tax purposes, make sure your

donation is made before December 31, 2022 so you can claim the tax credit on your 2022 tax return.

Finally, as you cross the final items off your list for this holiday season, consider making those purchases from locally owned businesses. Our community has an amazing wealth of products and services – spread some cheer and support the local community.

We welcome questions so please reach out! See our ad in this week’s North Grenville Times and follow us on Facebook @OFarrellWealth.

Sarah Chisholm is a Financial Advisor with Assante Capital Management Ltd. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of Assante Capital Management Ltd. Please contact her at 613.258.1997 or visit ofarrellwealth.com to discuss your circumstances prior to acting on the information above. Assante Capital Management Ltd. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.