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Vol. 9 No. 6
The Voice of North Grenville
February 17, 2021
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Recreation is a huge part of the fabric of North Grenville. Throughout this second shut down, Council has been encouraging people to get outside and enjoy the amenities that are available in the
municipality. This includes cross country skiing trails, a new toboggan hill, and now skating in Curry Park. Although these are all great options for winter activities, they don’t do much to help the many studios and gyms that were closed for a month and a half after Christmas
due to COVID-19. Many have pivoted their businesses online, but the pandemic has still been a very stressful time for the recreation-based business owners in the municipality. Boss Thai Boxing in Kemptville officially opened their doors on Maley Street
in January, 2020. Thai Boxing is Thailand’s national sport, and it is often called the art of eight limbs, as you use your hands, elbows, legs and knees on both sides of the body. Co-owner, Yuki Yamanaka, says they were cont'd on page 2
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The North Grenville Times cont'd from front page just starting to hit their stride with new clients when they were forced to shut down in March. Thankfully, they had some savings that helped keep them afloat through the first shut down and they were able to move online to offer two virtual classes a day, plus other online content. When they were able to open back up in July, they signed new members and sold quite a bit of merchandise, even though they were only able to operate at a reduced capacity. “We were able to build our war chest again, our small war chest,” Yuki says. When the second shut down hit, Boss Thai Boxing went back online with the goal of trying to keep their members engaged and motivated. “Just keeping everyone active, and trying to keep everyone engaged with our other content, like technique videos on Tuesdays, work out of the day video on Wednesdays, and motivation Monday videos” was the aim. They even have a free community class on Saturday mornings. “Our last few classes have been a great success. A huge turnout and a lot of names I’m not even familiar with. It’s fantastic. It’s good to see that people are taking advantage, getting active and joining us to try something new.” Although Yuki and his partners, Khris Collins and Milena Hrebacka, have been trying to keep positive, Yuki admits that running a new business in a pandemic has been a challenge. “We know the potential is there, yet we just can’t establish ourselves. We can’t grow and flourish like we want to. It’s almost like seeing the goal in front of you, but it’s just out of reach.” Even though it has been a struggle to keep Boss Thai Boxing afloat, they are very thankful for the grants and loans they have been able to access from the Ontario government and the Municipality of North Grenville. Yuki and the Boss Thai Boxing team are determined to make it through. “Thai Boxing is a combat sport and, much like combat, we have to pivot, we have to adjust. We have to find different ways to solve the problem, because that’s what it is, it’s human problem solving. We could just roll over and deal with the lockdown and just accept it, or we can take the lockdown and find ways to pivot and work around it.” Nancy Morgan of the Workshop Dance Studio, in the same building as Boss Thai Boxing, has also been working hard at adapting T:15"
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The Voice of North Grenville her business to make ends meet. During the first shut down, she transferred most of her classes online and offered a membership program through a website called Patreon. When she was able to welcome students back into the studio in August, she had to limit the number of people in the class and make sure she had time to clean and sanitize between sessions. Masks were also required during all classes, and a screening and temperature check was done before a student could enter the studio. “People were awesome,” Nancy remembers. “I didn’t get any grief about the masks. People really wanted to come back. Often I heard that they felt this was very safe.” Nancy was also proactive in searching out grants that would help her run her business during COVID-times. In November, she was successful in receiving a technology grant from Grenville Community Futures Development Corporation that she used to upgrade her technology to provide better quality for her students at home. For the month of January, Nancy offered her classes for free, to help the community beat the winter blues. She called it Let’s Keep Moving and it was very successful, with lots of people taking part in both her live and recorded classes. “A huge chunk of them migrated to now being paid clients. Not all of them, but it was not my intention. That wasn’t my goal. My goal was just to keep people moving, but it was really nice to see that they appreciated it and wanted to continue.” Although Nancy hasn’t been able to turn a profit for months, she is managing to cover her bills. Her main concern is the impact that the pandemic is having on the wider business community. As a very active member, she feels that many businesses have lost the connection with each other that they had prepandemic. “At least I found that there was a ra-ra kind of feeling in Kemptville. These lockdowns are killing that spirit, and we are not the big problem.” Kevin Eamon of Rock My House Music Centre on South Gower Drive has definitely had his business and spirits crushed by the government-mandated lockdowns. “It’s been a nightmare,” he says. During the first shut down, Kevin was able to get deferrals from the bank, and his landlord received the rent subsidy, which helped keep the lights on. How-
ever, he didn’t qualify for any other relief, because all of his teachers are self employed. He definitely felt that his business was in danger during the first shut down, with all the debt he was having to incur. Kevin was somewhat prepared for this second lockdown, and expects there to be a third. He has applied for funding from the government, but is still waiting to hear whether he qualifies. He is ready to open his doors as soon as the government allows, as he has all the safety protocols in place to keep his students and teachers safe, including screens, mandatory masks, and hand sanitizer at the door. Running a music business during a pandemic has placed a huge strain on Kevin’s mental health. He says the most frustrating part is that the government doesn’t believe music is essential, when he sees its immense benefit every day. “Music therapy is essential. People are so stressed, they come to things like this and the gym and stuff like that. Those are more essential than a lot of the stuff that’s open.” J-Glow Fitness is another studio in Kemptville that has been forced to shut their doors during both lockdowns. Like other fitness studios, owner Jessica Goodhue was able to move all her classes online. During the first shut down, they were offering all their classes live, but Jessica found that a lot of people couldn’t make them work for their schedules. For the second lockdown, she built a content library of classes that clients could use on their own time. With over 100 videos and 17 class types, J-Glow offers everything from strength and mobility focused classes, to glowsticks drumming, cardio kickboxing, and Pilates. “Literally any kind of class you can think of, we have it,” Jessica says. Despite the fact that Jessica has tried to remain positive through the pandemic, it has definitely been a challenge. A big part of her business was running glow in the dark birthday parties and events, all of which have had to be cancelled. “We had 52 events pre-booked, and deposits down for our events, when we first shut down, which are still not able to open up. I think the hardest part for me was trying to deal with the emails and customers, when all I wanted to do was just give them refunds. I’m really big on giving more than you cont'd on page 3 www.ngtimes.ca
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cont'd from page 2 get, and I couldn’t. I felt like I was taking from people what I didn’t deserve.” Financially, J-Glow has taken a big hit, which has also been very stressful for Jessica, with revenues down 70%. “We’ve lost everything. All the money that we had saved. And we’re into our loans, so for that part it’s a little bit stressful, because I don’t know what the future brings. I take it day by day, and just try to keep motivated
and keep everybody else motivated, and looking at the positive stuff and hoping for the best.” Jessica is currently competing in a competition to be on the cover of Jetset Magazine. It is a worldwide competition, and she is up against models, actresses, and influencers with thousands of followers. That being said, she has made it to the quarter finals and, if she is voted Miss Jetset, she will not only be on
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the cover of the magazine, but she will also win $50,000. “When I saw it, I thought I had to try, because it was the exact amount that I lost.” To vote for Jessica, you can visit their website – www.j-glow. com. With the government announcement last week, many of these businesses may now be ready to welcome clients back into their spaces. According to the health unit, we are currently in Greenprevent, which allows these businesses to reopen with restrictions. Check out their websites and social media to see if/when they will be re-opening and the protocols they have in place to keep everyone safe. Boss Thai Boxing and Fitness, 104 Maley Street. www.bossthaiboxing.com. The Workshop Dance Studio, 215 Sanders Street.
6 1 3 - 8 6 8 - 9 0 6 2 . w w w. theworkshopdancestudio. com. Rock My House Music Centre, 669 South Gower Drive. 613-258-5656. www. rockmyhousmc.com. J-Glow Fitness, 29 Clothier Street E. 613-415-7591. www.j-glow.com Book online at www.Pixeleyecare.ca OR by phone
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Kemptville
Sir James Kempt. Library and Archives Canada, ID number 2935395 Most of the accounts of the renaming of Kemptville in 1829 say that it was named after Sir James Kempt who was Governor General of the Canadas at the time, and who had camped on the Rideau Canal nearby at some point. Some of that appears to be true. Kempt had a distinguished military career during the Napoleonic Wars, seriously wounded in the assault on Badajoz in Spain in 1812, and later taking part in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. He had links with Canada
before this, having served as Quartermaster General in British North America between 1807 and 1811, and commanded a brigade despatched to Canada to reinforce British forces during the War of 1812. After Waterloo, Kempt found employment in the Colonial Service and was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia in 1819. There is another Kemptville in that province today, also named after Sir James. His connection with our Kemptville is much more tenuous.
He reluctantly accepted the position of governor-general of Canada on 10 July, 1828. It was before this appointment that he made the trip that would forever link him to North Grenville. In early 1828, he was put in charge of a commission of inquiry into the building of the Rideau Canal. His superiors in London were concerned at the increasing cost of the project, and Kempt was assigned the job of looking into Col. John By’s supervision of the work. He was quite unwilling to undertake the long and arduous journey from Halifax to the Rideau, especially since his war wounds had caused serious problems with his legs. He had, apparently, been confined to Government House in Halifax for most of the previous winter, and he complained that: “my legs are by no means in Campaigning Order”. But he was obliged to make the trip, spending as many as seventeen hours a day pushing through difficult terrain between Bytown and Kingston. On one of
The first use of “Kemptville”, 1836. those days, he and his party camped on the river near the junction with the South Branch. His experiences in this region were not pleasant, and his comments on reaching Kingston speak volumes: “I
am at last again in a Christian Country and out of the land of Swamps and Mosquitoes.” So, in spite of this, the worthies of the village at Clothier’s Mills chose to rename their settlement after
the prestigious figure of decorated war hero and colonial governor Sir James Kempt. The name first appeared on a map of the village dated 1836.
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Heritage is in the names
by David Shanahan For many people, the idea of heritage is something that seems confined to books, special occasions, even just for Heritage Week. But, in fact, we are surrounded by our heritage every day, in the names of the places we live and the streets we walk on. The article on Sir James Kempt illustrates where the town of Kemptville got its name. Merrickville is named after William Mirick and his family, who, it is believed, founded the Village around 1794. Burritt’s Rapids and Bishop’s Mills, likewise, were named for the families who first settled in those locations. The same can be said for places like Millar’s
Corners, Christie Corners, and so on. In the names of other areas, the origins of our predecessors is marked: Irishtown, French Settlement Road, Scotchline Road, and so on. Street names also are remembrances of individuals and families of our shared past. Clothier Street Kemptville has a number of streets named after members of the Clothier family, which is not surprising, since Lyman Clothier was the official founder of the town back in 1819. Lydia, Asa, Henry, Reuben and others were all children and grandchildren of Lyman. Some of their stories are sad: Lydia died aged just 31. Asa died of consumption aged 47.
Thomas and Maley Streets Thomas Maley has two streets named after him, Thomas and Maley. He was a major figure in the business life of Kemptville and Oxford-on-Rideau. His home, on Thomas Street, still stands. At one time, Thomas owned the entire block bounded by Thomas, Asa, Joseph and Mary Streets, and his house stood alone in splendid isolation. It was only after his death that his family began selling off lots and the block developed into the residential area it is today. Sanders Street used to be called West Street, after the surveyor, James West, who laid out the first map of the village. It was also, perhaps coincidentally, the west end of the village for a number of years. It was changed to Sanders, in memory of John Sanders, an important producer in the eggs and poultry business, with connections in Chesterville and as far as England.
had a Main Street, though they did not always live up to their name. Main Street in Oxford Mills is not the main street. That would be Water Street. Main Street in Merrickville was taken over as the main street by St. Lawrence Street. Main Street in Kemptville, officially North Main Street, is now Clothier Street West. Main Street in Bishop’s Mills is the least developed one in the village. Water Street Like Main Street, most settlements had a Water Street, usually running near or parallel to a river. Kemptville’s Water Street runs from Prescott to Thomas Street, and used to have wharves and warehouses along the riverfront. There used to be a North Water Street also, now renamed Curry Street, which is much shorter than the original line. General and governors The names found in some villages and towns can reveal something of their origins. Merrickville, for example, has a number of streets named
Main Street Almost every settlement
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Kemptville Town Hall It was not until 1968 that the Fire Department moved out of the Town Hall and into the Armoury in Riverside Park. The Department maintained a fire dock behind the Town Hall, and, around 1881, a hose tower was erected attached to the Town Hall. This was a high, wooden tower in which the old fabric fire hoses could be hung up to dry after being used at a fire. Around 1898, a bell was installed in a special decorative canopy at the top of the tower, and it was used to warn of fires until the tower was badly damaged in, ironically, a fire in 1935. The tower was demolished in 1957. There is an unusual vibe in that upper room. Perhaps it is the memory of the trials and inquests that took place there, or the historic meetings of council over so many decades. Personalities who stood in that room included G. Howard Ferguson when he was on Council, more recent mayors, reeves and councillors, too, argued and governed Kemptville there. I can remember interviewing people like Ralph Raina, or Sam Gaw, who could point to a spot in the room and say: “That’s where I sat when I
The Fire Station 1920's. This shows the original stonework that is now covered over with very unflattering and flaking stucco. Also known as the Court House, the old Town Hall in Kemptville is a building with real ties to our past, both as built heritage, and in terms of the people who passed through its doors over almost 150 years. The land was bought from local residents in 1873 for the large sum of $350, as the Village of Kemptville, which separated from Oxford-on-Rideau Township in 1857, needed a Town Hall. It was the Municipal Centre for Kemptville until 1998, when
Kemptville rejoined Oxford and amalgamated with South Gower to form the new North Grenville. For another seven years, it remained in use by the municipality, until the new Municipal Centre opened. But it was not just a century of Council meetings that took place there. The stone building also housed the offices of the Kemptville police, and the Council chamber on the upper floor doubled as a Court Room for inquests, hearings, and trials. Judges
and juries decided cases ranging from drunken behaviour to murder, and Councillors, Mayors and Reeves debated and decided on the issues which affected the development of the village into the town it became in the 1960's. While the political and legal minds worked away upstairs, the ground floor of the Town Hall was given over to the Fire Department, and generations of firemen (as they always were then) and fire trucks were stationed in the space now used by the courts.
was on council”. It remains one of the most atmospheric places in North Grenville. The ground floor has been extensively renovated over the years, and nothing really remains there of the Fire Station that once housed frontline workers of their day, who fought fires that destroyed the original High School on Prescott Street, or the 1910 fire that levelled most of Asa Street. After the municipality moved out of the building, the Ontario Provincial Courts and the Provincial Offences
Court began to hold their sessions downstairs. One of the original jail cells is still in use also, a remarkable link to the history of the building. It seems only appropriate that the upstairs room of the original Town Hall, where so many council meetings and court cases were played out, should today house the North Grenville Archives. Operated by the North Grenville Historical Society, the Archives are where our common history is preserved, in documents, photographs, maps, and so many other ways.
Kemptville Town Hall In this photo you can see where a window and the large door into the Fire Station have been bricked up and covered with stucco. The chimney in the picture has been removed since.
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Guest Editorial
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Has Capitalism killed Journalism? by Lorraine Rekmans When I was a young reporter working at a small town newspaper in 1989, the challenges to cover local news effectively and efficiently were evident early on. As a young journalism student, I was hired on for a summer position because I had my own car, and my own camera, and I could write as well as develop my own black and white film, and print my own black and white photos. I had no misgivings about why the paper hired me. I knew it wasn’t because I was such a terrific writer, but because I had various skills, including digital type-setting, when desktop publishing was relatively new. These were considered assets to a paper that was focused on cost efficiencies. I emerged from the educational system, which had all the bells and whistles of the newest technologies, into the working world of a real newspaper that was dealing with the day to day reality of cost saving. The small-town paper afforded me the opportunity to cover municipal politics, labour and union issues, environmental issues, school board issues, and even take pictures of the hopeful adoptable pets at the
pet shelter. It provided me with a broad lens in which to view my own hometown community. This was a time when Conrad Black’s Holinger Inc. was buying up all of Canada’s media. At one time, Hollinger Inc. owned more than half of Canada’s daily newspapers, including the former Southam chain and the National Post. It quickly became clear to me that cost saving was the focus of this little twice weekly publication. I never met Conrad Black, but at that time he was a highly influential figure in my dayto-day work. Reports about Mr. Black cast him as a ruthless boss, whose focus was on the bottom line. When Hollinger bought the Regina Leader-Post and Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, one of the first moves was to sack staff to reduce costs and increase profits. I am here to attest that our little newspaper in a town of 20,000 in northern Ontario, miles away from Bay Street and Wall Street, felt the ruthless impacts of cost cutting to an extent that I will never forget. We typed our news stories on manual typewriters in 1989. I can still remember, decades later now, that my typewriter was missing the
“K” and “D” keys. We used sheets of thin newsprint to write on. You can imagine the shock I had when my editor told me that it was now policy to type on both sides of this thin paper in order to save money. Typing on the other side of the page made the first side illegible. My editor seemed more focused on how much paper I was using, rather than on what I was writing about. When we could no longer buy ribbons for my typewriter, my editor caved in and agreed we could buy a new manual typewriter. He was shocked when the owner of the local stationary supply store said that manual typewriters weren’t even sold any more. After using a computer at school, I was so pleased to finally get an electric typewriter. Cost saving mania was so rampant, our little newspaper even had to report to corporate headquarters on how much toilet paper our office used. And, of course, there was the ever- looming spectre of layoffs guiding us daily. Unlike the reporters then at the Timmins Daily Press, we were non-unionized and there was no way we could strike for better pay or shorter working hours. I was essentially on call 7 days a
week for minimal pay. The point of the story is that I was brought into a world where journalism was already a victim of capitalism, asset acquisition, consolidation, and liquidation. By way of contrast, I was educated by journalists who told me stories of a more exciting time in media history. A time when reporters would rush out to get the first scoop. When reporters had to write the most exciting leads to capture readers, when they would race each other to the nearest phone booth to call in breaking news. When newspapers would compete against each other to get the best stories. Maybe it’s just nostalgia, but I believe reading the old newspapers from 1940, 1930, and 1920, I get a true sense of what was happening, because the reporters did such an excellent job of covering issues. The columns were long and descriptive and created a wonderful historical record. That is the value of excellent journalism. It is precisely the point of why we tell stories. We are leaving a record for the next generation, as we are trying to understand the world we currently live in. Here we are today in a Metroland and Postmedia world. Where we get to read
the same stories in multiple publications, whether they are relevant to our region or not. According to a Google search, Postmedia is currently 66% owned by an American media conglomerate (Chatham Asset Management), known for its close ties to the Republican Party (United States). Incidentally, Postmedia now owns the little small town paper I used to work at, as well as dozens of others including the Cornwall Standard Freeholder, Montreal Gazette, Timmins, Brockville Recorder and Times, Kingston This Week, Owen Sound Sun Times, Espanola’s MidNorth Monitor, etc.. Postmedia Canada's revenue from print advertising amounted to $190,697 million in 2020. That is a lot of cost efficiency. I am personally troubled by such a massive consolidation in media, especially that the consolidated ownership is foreign, with ties to the U.S. Republican Party. I am troubled when major daily newspaper in Canada specifically endorses the Conservative Party, like they did in 2011 and 2015. Some papers even ran ads from the Conservative Party as their entire front page. As a person living in
Canada, I grew up in a time when Canadian ownership and Canadian content were mandated by law. When I was young, I grew up in a political household, and we talked about the Combines Investigations Act, and no, it isn’t a farming term. It was an Act created in 1923 that prohibited the creation of monopolies. It was an act designed to encourage competition and stop mergers or monopolies that may “operate to the detriment of the public.” It’s strange that the Postmedia acquisition of so many Canadian newspapers wasn’t subject to an investigation under the Canada Investment Act, and that this purchase did not trigger an investigation under the Competition Act. How could government have let this happen to our media? My personal view is that the creation of an Americancentric, Republican backed media monopoly will operate to the detriment of news readers across Canada. The stories that we generate and tell each other on this side of the border should belong to us. Remember, whomever pays the piper, calls the tune. PS. Thank you North Grenville Times for being independent.
Dear Editor, Three weeks ago my kids shoveled the snow off a small section of the Kemptville Creek at Curry Street. Next a neighbour came down with a snow blower. Today a tractor ploughed the Creek and a North Grenville Fire truck came and flooded the area. The ice is shining. There is little better than skating under the sun and stars as we did in the old days. Way to go North Grenville! Pamela Gordon
lives, by allowing people to share, pictorially, my joy of what is very close to us all, nature. Those brief splashes of color and frantic flapping of wings, to assert a "pecking order", on our feeders, is a joy to behold and I just want to make people aware that they are there to see, - for free! The very positive complimentary remarks I have received, are greatly appreciated, but, what is far more gratifying is that more of your readers are enjoying making their own discoveries of what is there to be seen, both in their own gardens, as well as by seeing them, in the NG Times, as "Baldwin's Birds". My best wishes to all, Stay safe and well. John Baldwin
Dear Editor, A letter of response to Mr. Creasy regarding his letter to the Editor in the NGT Feb 10/21 edition. Ms. Rekmans, in her article in the Jan 20/21 NGT, stated three times in regards to taxing millionaires at some higher level than the present amount. At no time did the article indicate that such taxing would be only for the “ultra rich”. I merely pointed out that the “millionaire class” includes the “garden variety millionaires”, estimated to be 764,033 in number across Canada. If Mr. Creasy would tax only the “ultra rich”, (the .5% of families as he states that the Greens are primarily talking about) how many persons would that be? How much would the extra tax be and the gross amount those taxes would raise? In my article it was indicated that there
are estimated to be 10,395 individuals having more than $30 million. How much more would he tax those persons? Are they “ultra rich”? Mr. Creasy indicates that taxing such “ultra rich” would reduce the debt “by a considerable amount”. Any specifics? Twice, Mr. Creasy speaks of the “wealthy hoarders” that should be taxed and yet creating an environment where it is attractive to invest in Canada. That sounds like an oxymoron to me. In the USA at this time, many individuals and companies are leaving Democrat states for Republican states primarily to benefit from the lower tax burden and “law and order” governments. Ms. Rekmans made some astute statements in her article. (1) debt today means
Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, Remembering Christopher Plummer: (or when I raided my bank account to pay Christopher Plummer) More than 30 years ago, Studio A of the National Film Board in Montreal was completing a short film profile of painter James Wilson Morrice (1865-1924), one of Canada’s foremost modernist artists. Christopher Plummer happened to be in Montreal. The director of the film, an acquaintance of Plummer, convinced the actor to do the ‘voice over’ for the project. Plummer was a perfectionist, achieving a superb result, but the session ran very late. We were aware that an international star of theatre, television, and motion pictures does not work for scale, but to the surprise of the
director and producer, he politely and firmly requested his fee as a cash payment. The Director and Producer looked at me, as the Executive Producer, for a solution. So, (dealing eventually with the studio administrator) I raided my bank account and returned with an envelope of cash. Soon, Christopher Plummer, his lovely wife, and my cash, were on their way to the Ritz Carleton Hotel. Until now, I had shared this story with very few, but the details came back when I learned last Friday of Christopher Plummer’s passing. I will remember him as a Canadian icon and an elegant and gifted actor, who made every project better for his being part of it. Doug MacDonald
The North Grenville Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc. Marketing Gord J. Logan gord@ngtimes.ca 613-258-6402 February 17, 2021
Dear Editor, I wish to convey my thanks to both Janice Atkey Videto and the North Grenville Times, for supporting and encouraging my submissions, about the birds in my life and those of many other readers. I have tried to relieve the present monotony in our
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Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Staff Reporter Hilary Thomson hilary@ngtimes.ca
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Letters cont'd taxes tomorrow (2) Everyone expects fiscal prudence. Don’t live beyond your means is an excellent mantra. Perhaps Ms. Rekman read the book I recommended, “The Millionaire Next Door”, for she proclaims “don’t live beyond your means”, exactly what the aforementioned book recommends as a time proven method to gain in wealth. Mr. Creasy claims the book is an outdated “economic policy”. It is not an “economic policy” book at all, but a book that indicates the living and spending habits of the “garden variety millionaire”, their habits of “financial prudence” in “saving for their and their children’s future.” I realize the outdated book may not be “Modern Monetary Theory”, whatever that is, but it is a tried and proven method, and fairly simple to understand and act upon. This book exhorts being responsible for yourself and family, being self-reliant, developing your personal skills to benefit your family, and being generous beyond the home. It seems Mr. Creasy might like to punish such behaviour with Dear Editor, There was an interesting article by the Editor in this newspaper a short while ago regarding vaccines, and how Canada had ordered almost 10 times the amount it needs, thereby depriving countries in the global south from getting what they need. As was pointed out, you can’t do that. This pandemic is global, and denying vaccines to other countries means that mutations will surface in these countries that will eventually spread to us all. Regarding actually receiving vaccines, I don’t know about you, but I am getting tired of hearing Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole go on and on about us not getting vaccines when we need them. The problem could have been at least partly solved if we still had Connaught Laboratories, a publically owned Canadian company that played a major role in the eradication of smallpox, as well as developing polio vaccines and penicillin. As a publically owned facility, it was able to take on risks that the private sector wouldn’t. The problem is that O’Toole’s predecessor, Brian Mulroney, went on a free market privatization frenzy in the 80’s, and sold off Connaught Laboratories to the private sector. What remains of it now is owned by a French February 17, 2021
conglomerate. Keeping Connaught Laboratories in the public realm would have avoided many of the problems with buying what we need from overseas, and being subject to long supply chains and supply companies that find that they suddenly have other priorities. You can’t help but wonder where we would be now if his government hadn’t done that, but then, Mulroney was just following the Conservative Party mantra of privatization, because, in their opinion, the private sector can do it better and cheaper. I’m still waiting for examples of where that has actually worked. Speaking of Conservatives, I see in an article in the same newspaper edition where Jim Bertram, having eschewed voting for Conservatives, at least provincially, still clings to his view of those of us on the Left, as shown in his article “The Cost of Magical Thinking”. Just like Mr. Van Dam before him, he perpetrates the myth that the Left would tax what he calls “the rich”, like doctors, lawyers, and home builders. Where do they get this stuff? I can’t say what the NDP will do, as I’m not aware of their policies, but I can definitely tell you that the Greens have set their sights higher than that, as pointed out in my previous letter. It is counterproductive to apply extra taxes to this level of earning. That would stifle innovation. The parties on the “Left” cannot be characterised as being the same. You just have to watch what is happening with the NDP government in British Columbia. A lot of what they are doing would make Conservatives proud, yet they are still viewed as being on the Left. Possibly on policy, but certainly not on implementation. You only have to look at their support of the massively anti-environment Site “C” dam, the giving of huge tax breaks and subsidies to the like of LNG Canada, (who are fracking areas larger than the Tar Sands), supporting the building of the TMX pipeline, (trampling over Indigenous rights in the process), and allowing the logging of old growth forests. None of this sounds much like the “Left” to me. A while ago, I had a Conservative friend of mine looking for another party to support, as he was unhappy with the choice of the Conservative Party leader. We chatted off and on about the Greens for several weeks, and almost every time we discussed things,
I would get from him, “you remember that I am a Conservative.” The discussions were amicable, but he couldn’t get around that that was how he saw himself. We gave up in the end, mostly because he couldn’t visualize that another way was possible. I suspect that the problem was that I was taking him out of his comfort zone, but we aren’t going to be able to move forward if we cling to outmoded thoughts and processes. We have to reimagine society and our relationship to nature and this planet. We owe that to our grandchildren. Colin Creasey, Kemptville
UPDATE For updates related to COVID-19 and the North Grenville Municipal Centre visit: www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus
UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETINGS
Council meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. Council meetings will be live streamed on YouTube commencing at 6:30 pm. To view the live stream visit: https://www.youtube.com/user/ NorthGrenville/featured. For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting virtually, pre-registration is required by e-mailing clerk@northgrenville.on.ca. To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please pre-register with the Clerk’s Office at the same e-mail address. Please provide your comments no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting. • Council Meeting – Tuesday, March 2, 2021
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS Committee meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting virtually, pre-registration is required by e-mailing Jessica Workman at jworkman@northgrenville.on.ca
Dear Editor, Following on from the very readable submission in the recent NG Times which referenced questionable grammatical usages, I want to highlight my pet peeve the use of 'less' when 'fewer' would be more correct. Doug Ford has been known to hope for less hospital admissions when I'm sure he wants fewer people rather than individuals with missing body parts. Regards, Pam Marriott, Merrickville Dear Editor, I listened to the impeachment trial, the first segment, of Donald J. Trump, on North Country Public Radio, and heard the ‘house managers’ describing what happened to them that day of the inauguration. They described how a police officer was stabbed, pierced with the pole with the American flag still on it. Police officers with multiple injuries, brain damage, eyes gouged and more. And meanwhile, Donald Trump was reported watching this from safety in the White House and obviously taking pleasure in all of it. One of the ‘house managers’ described taking his wife and children to the inauguration and they had to run for their lives and hide under a desk in his office and thought they were going to die. He described the sound of the ramming of the doors to the chamber as one of the most horrible sounds he had ever heard. Surely politics should not be in question here. Donald Trump has never shown remorse for the people who died during the insurrection or the horror those who witnessed it suffered. I could never have any patience for anyone who could sympathize with this evil man. Trump’s most ardent supporters are criminals. Kath Piche Letters cont'd on page 13
Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee – Monday, March 1, 2021 at 3 pm Agriculture and Rural Affairs Advisory Committee – Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 4:15 pm Heritage Advisory Committee – Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 4:30 pm
POLICE SERVICES BOARD MEETINGS
Police Services Board meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting virtually, pre-registration is required by e-mailing pmehta@northgrenville.on.ca •
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 1:30 pm
NEW WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
FEBRUARY 2021
30-day grace period for use of old bag tags. NO bag tags required for weekly organics collection (green bin). For more information visit www.NGrecycles.ca.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Visit www.northgrenville.ca/careers for more details: Senior Planner – Housing Policy: Closing Date – February 19, 2021 at 4 pm Engineering Summer Students: Closing Date – February 19, 2021 at 4 pm Spring/Summer Student Positions 2021: Closing Date – February 26, 2021 at 4 pm Call for Volunteers – Advisory Committees The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking applications from individuals interested in being appointed as a volunteer member of the following Advisory Committees for the remaining term of Council (November 2022): •
Active Transportation Advisory Committee – two vacancies (evening meetings – last Thursday of every other month at 5 pm)
•
Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee – one vacancy (monthly meetings – first Monday of every month at 3 pm)
•
Health, Wellness and Fitness Advisory Committee – one vacancy (monthly meetings – second Monday of every month from 4 pm)
•
Heritage Advisory Committee – three vacancies (monthly meetings – first Thursday of every month from 4:30 pm)
Candidates must be 18 years old, a Canadian citizen and a resident of North Grenville. Further information is available by contacting the Deputy Clerk at jworkman@northgrenville. on.ca or 613-258-9569 ext. 171. Application forms are available at www.northgrenville.ca/ careers. Please submit applications by 4:30 pm on Friday, March 5, 2021 to the Deputy Clerk by email at jworkman@northgrenville.on.ca or by using the online application tool. Should you require a paper application, please contact the Deputy Clerk.
The Municipality of North Grenville
285 County Rd. 44, PO Box 130, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca Building: 613-258-9569 x130 Fax: 613-258-1441 Fire Services Info: 613-258-9569 x201 Fax: 613-258-1031 By-Law Services: email: bylawinquiries@northgrenville.on.ca 613-258-9569 x211 Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002
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Winners to last weeks draw will be announced on facebook and in our next issue. We apologise for the delay. 8
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Anniversary of the official opening of KAS, February 18, 1921
by William J. Langenberg, M.Sc. Agr. (former Lecturer, Kemptville College) This Thursday, February 18, exactly 100 years ago, Kemptville Agricultural School was officially opened by the Ontario Deputy Min-
ister of Agriculture, the Hon. Bert W. Roadhouse. Addressing the 1000 + audience, Roadhouse said: “Kemptville Agricultural School has become an important institution in Eastern Ontario”. The Principal, William James Bell,
In his address, Minister Roadhouse strongly advocated the need for an agricultural education. He went on to say that public funds spent on this endeavour were well justified. The School’s 80-acre Alex Armstrong farm east of County Rd. 44 was not intended to be a luxurious operation. This farm’s main purpose was to serve as a demonstration farm in the production and distribution of high quality crop seeds, plus to provide agricultural extension services by the original staff to the farmers in Eastern Ontario. It was at this farm where Professor Bell pioneered and introduced the growing of Yellow Sweet Clover as a forage and green manure crop. When the College opened in 1921 there were no buildings between site of the current hospital on Concession Road and the present day greenhouses, but an 8-acre McIntosh Apple Orchard. The grey building, on center campus, was the apple storage and processing building of the 8-acre orchard. The familiar red-brick buildings across from Bell Hall (The Regional Veterinary Laboratory and the two Provincial buildings, which houses Service Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources [MNR], and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
and his Staff (E.K. Hampson, A.J. Logsdail, P.M. Dewan, W.J. Johnston and D. M. Morrison) were highly complimented for the excellent work carried out at the School since the first courses were offered in 1918.
Thomas McCargar House, 1916 and 2021
[OMAFRA]) were constructed 41 years later in 1962. During the opening ceremony, the Honourable George Howard Ferguson, local MPP and member of the Ontario Conservative Government, was given credit for pioneering the establishment of the Agricultural School in Kemptville. Mr. Ferguson, soon to be the Premier of Ontario, said that he was pleased to see the realization of an idea that he had conceived during an evening walk down Prescott Street to the outskirts of the town in early 1916. Ferguson was of the opinion that agricultural training should be carried out in a practical training environment, so that the full benefits of the education might be obtained. Ferguson’s Concern: “Kemptville Agricultural School could become too academic”. Ferguson was a man with foresight. He was worried. He had this fear that the School could become too academic down the road. He wanted to have an Agricultural School in Kemptville that helped to achieve some of his goals: First, to cement the School within the Kemptville Community. This community relationship became extraordinary close. Many Kemptville residents provided accommodation to the students over the years. The students participated in the
The McCargar brothers emigrated from Ireland around 1800, settling in South Gower. He and his family moved to the land that is now the University of Guelph, Kemptville campus, around 1820 and built this fine stone home around 1840. It is thought to be the oldest stone building in Kemptville. It was bought by the Kemptville Agricultural School in 1916 and renovated for use as the President’s House for many years. Today it is home to the North Grenville Co-operative Preschool and Learning Centre.
various Kemptville local social activities: church, sports, plays, dances, and parades. Secondly, the School was to provide hands-on training. His worry, that the School would become too academic, was well founded. When OMAFRA divorced from the Agricultural School in 1997, the School became a satellite Campus of the University of Guelph. The School lost its ‘identity’, and slowly lost its historical agricultural significance over time. Terry Meagher, former teacher of English at Kemptville College, and an Agricultural journalist wrote, as a Foreword in “Those Were The Days”, Stories of Kemptville College, 1917-2015", by Janet Stark: “The research and education at Kemptville College was redefined since 1997 to conform to Guelph’s view”. The direction that the College Management took between 1997 and 2010 was to move away from Kemptville Agricultural School’s original motto: “PRO BONOAGRI COLAE” (FOR THE GOOD OF Eastern Ontario AGRICULTURE).
Prescott street 1969
Celebrating North Grenville’s Rich Heritage
Salamanders Restaurant 613-258-2630 28 Clothier St E, Kemptville
Heritage Week 2021 Prescott St. 1905
Paul A. Jansen, BA, LLB. Rachel S. Jansen, B.Comm., J.D. Tel: 613.258.7462 Fax: 613.258.7761 info@jansenlaw.com
February 17, 2021
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Merrickville - 1865
The City Hotel, St. Lawrence Street, Merrickville, c. 1905, and the building today.
Merrickville: “An incorporated village, situated on the Rideau Canal. It does a large trade in lumber and has good water power, extensive sole leather tannery and woolen factories, flour, grist and saw mills. It has also one grammar, one separate and two common schools. Population about 1,200.” More than 200 businesses were operating there, and the reference to the good water power accounts for many of these. There were at least fourteen mills, tanneries and factories in Merrickville in 1865, as well as four hotels and a “private boarding house”. One location, the City Hotel on St. Lawrence Street, remains in business as the Goose & Gridiron restaurant. The Mirick family (that is how they still spelled the name in 1865) owned a number of important busiFebruary 17, 2021
ness ventures, including A. and T. H. Mirick, the proprietors of the Merrickville flour and saw mills, dealers in grain and lumber; and S. H. Mirick & Sons, proprietors of the Merrickville Woolen Mills. George Mirick worked for the same company as a “manufacturer of woolen cloth, etc.” The South Merrickville Foundry was owned by H. D. Smith, on Elgin. There were two newspapers publishing in Merrickville. Hall & Wright published the Mirickville Chronicle, while J. H. Parnell was Editor, and T. A. Parnell, Anglican minister, was the proprietor of the weekly Canadian Churchman, on Main Street. A man named S. Cayler, described as an ambrotype artist, had a business on Rideau St. Ambrotype was a relatively new photographic process which, like the da-
guerreotype, which it replaced, and like the prints produced by a Polaroid camera, produced a unique original that could only be duplicated by using a camera to copy it. On the Rideau Canal, A. Johnston was the Lockmaster, and John Johnston, probably related, was a locksman, as were Charles and P. O’Hara One unusual profession was followed by Dr. E. J. Kelly, who is described as a physician, surgeon and accoucheur, in his premises on St. Lawrence. An accoucheur was a mid-wife. In this snapshot of Merrickville in 1865, we find a town that is larger than Kemptville, with almost twice as many businesses operating in a very busy village. In 1861, Merrickville’s population had been 908, and that of Wolford, 3,000.
Looking at St. Lawrence Street from the bridge over the canal around 1900. The building on the corner with Main Street was, in 1865, the premises of Aaron Mirick, General Merchant. The same view today, and the building now houses a number of businesses, in The Aaron Merrick Building.
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Council donates $4500 to Merrickville Emergency Food Cupboard nary year and, after speaking with Food Cupboard administrator Joanne McIntyre, the need was clear. He suggested that council donate $4500 to cover about three months of the food vouchers for the Merrickville Food Market that are given out to Food Cupboard clients to buy perishable items like milk and eggs. “The money is spent in the community, so there are a lot of pluses involved. That would allow us to still put some of the money back into a reserve, which we have to be mindful of.” Mayor Struthers agreed that the municipality giving away tax dollars is uncharted territory. However, with the drop in donations over the Christmas period due to the cancellation of the CP Holiday train, the need is there. Joanne confirmed that, while they were blown away by the support of the community over the Christmas season with their reverse advent calendar, they still received less than half of the donations they usually would have expected with the arrival of the Holiday train in Merrickville. “People really responded well to it, and engaged in the idea of it, and came through with 650 pounds of food. However, it’s not our couple thousand pounds of food we would normally get.”
Mayor Doug Struthers (right) presents RCHS CEO Michele Bellows (middle) and RCHS Board member Terry Gilhen (left) with $4,500 cheque from the Village. by Hilary Thomson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Merrickville-Wolford Council made a significant donation to the Merrickville Emergency Food Cupboard last week to help those struggling with food insecurity in the community. The $4,500 donation to the Food Cupboard came out of last year’s Community Grants line item, much of which was not distributed due to COVID-19. It was Deputy Mayor Michael Cameron who first brought the idea of using the excess funds to support the Food Cupboard to council at the end of last year. “I would like to put forward a motion that
we donate the grant money,” the Deputy Mayor suggested at the December 14 meeting. “Maybe not all the money, but a good portion of it would go a long way for some people in our community.” All of council seemed to agree that it was a good idea, although both Councillor Timothy Molloy and Councillor Bob Foster suggested they wait until the new year, so they could get a report on the financials from staff. “The needs of the Food Cupboard will go well into next year,” Councillor Foster said. The idea was brought back to council at the meeting of February 8, when staff confirmed that there was $11,000
left in the Community Grants budget from last year. While Deputy Mayor Michael Cameron suggested they donate the entire sum to the Food Cupboard, Councillor Foster was hesitant to commit that much taxpayer money to one cause. Council doesn’t look favourably on community groups who receive municipal funding having flow through financing to other organizations, and he felt that this was a bit of a contravention of that policy. “What we are doing is, we are donating taxpayer’s dollars to this, and we really have to be careful there,” Councillor Foster said. That being said, he did admit that this is an extraordi-
Joanne has definitely seen an increase in the number of people using the Food Cupboard due to COVID-19. Although she says the increase is hard to measure, she believes that the need has increased by 30- 40%, which is consistent with other food banks in the area. “The anticipation is that the numbers are only going to increase.” She is thrilled with the donation from the municipality, as it will allow them to provide fresh food to their clients. “Just to give people more of a balance. They’ll get protein and dairy, along with the non-perishable stuff.” Rideau Community Health Services (RCHS) CEO, Michele Bellows, also said this donation from the municipality is extremely welcome, especially with the impact the pandemic has had on local residents. “Given the impact of COVID-19 on our communities, and the increased need, honestly, this will enable us to continue providing some of the fresh foods and fresh vegetables that we’d started , and we’d enhanced,” she says. “We’ll be able to continue that, and continue to support the community in a meaningful way.” The Merrickville-Wolford community is already very supportive of the Food Cupboard, with lots of local businesses and residents
showing their support in different ways. Nana B’s Bakery donates their leftover bread regularly. Main Street Family Restaurant teamed up with them to give away take-out meals to those in need; and Healthily Ever After has been serving as a drop-off point for the Food Cupboard when the RCHS building is not open. “I can’t say enough how grateful, not just me, but the people who use the services are, that this is coming from the community,” Joanne says. Council hopes that this one-time donation from the municipality will not only help support residents in need, but also encourage the community to continue to show their support for the cause. The Food Cupboard is always looking for monetary donations, or non-perishable food items like tuna, cereal, diced tomatoes, peanut butter, stews, and pea soups. They would also really appreciate hygiene products such as shampoo, conditioner, and toilet paper. Donations can be dropped off at the RCHS building in Merrickville, where there is a cart for food donations at the front door. You can also contact Joanne directly at 613-283-1952 ext. 136.
Water rates to increase 5% in Village for 2021 by Hilary Thomson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Merrickville Town Hall and Fire Tower, 1912. This building is now the home of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 245.
February 17, 2021
Merrickville-Wolford council has approved a 5% increase in water rates for the Village in 2021. In 2016, the former council adopted the Water and Wastewater Financial Plan 2016-2021, which adopted a 10% increase in water rates every year until the municipality was able to get to full cost recovery of water and wastewater costs, on a user pay basis. CAO Doug Robertson confirmed that the water treatment facility is now at full cost recovery, meaning that user fees are paying the costs of operating the system. Even so, staff recommended a 7.5% increase in water/wastewater rates this year to help build up reserves. At present, the reserves sit at only $164,794, which means they cannot afford to undertake any wa-
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ter/wastewater capital infrastructure projects, even if infrastructure grants are made available by upper levels of government. The staff report noted that the underground infrastructure is increasing in age, as many of the Village’s sanitary and water pipes were installed in the 1950’s-1970’s. “Given the costs of capital work, just on underground infrastructure alone, the amount of reserves should be between $750,000-$1,000,000,” the report states. The sewage treatment plant is also close to capacity, and the Village will have to have some funds set aside to apply for any grants available for upgrades and repairs. This is important, as there continues to be more and more interest in development in the Village that would need to hook up to the water/wastewater system.
Mayor Struthers noted that, while there was sound reasoning behind the 7.5% increase, this has been a difficult year for many Merrickville-Wolford residents. “Yes, it’s important to build reserves. Yes, it’s important to pay down debt. But it’s also important not to increase taxes or, in this case, rates for water/sewer,” he said at the meeting. Councillor Bob Foster suggested that they lower the increase to 5%, which would allow them to put away some reserves while still giving Merrickville ratepayers a break. “It’s hard to say you’re offering your residents relief when you’re tagging them with a 5% increase, but it’s better than the 10% that was proposed previously,” he said. The staff report also indicated that the municipality’s net debt indicator has dropped from moderate to low, so Councillor Foster
suggested that, should they need funds to help with a potential grant, they could borrow. Treasurer Kirsten Rahm confirmed that this may be a possibility, but it would depend on the terms of the grant application. Councillor Cameron agreed with Councillor Foster that a 5% increase would benefit the municipal reserves, as well as residents. “It’s a minimal drop, and it could be a substantial savings for some residents in our community,” he said. The 5% increase that was approved by council means that residential rates will increase by $6.96 a month, and the commercial rate by $10.68 a month. It will allow the municipality to put an additional $125,000 into waster/wastewater reserves in 2021, for a balance of $289,794.
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Squire Bottum’s House , Clothier Street west
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Riverside Park, c. 1908
On the far right is the old High School (burned in 1936), while in the background, centre, St. James Anglican Church on Clothier can be seen. At one time there was a good horse race-track, which had a large grandstand on the south-west side of the race-track, seen on the left of the photo, and the starter’s stand is facing it across the track.North of the grandstand were stables for race horses and barns and pens for livestock brought in for the fairs.
Once upon a time, this was the estate house for Elijah Bottum, whose land stretched from Pine Hill Road east to Rideau Street, and from highway 43 to Concession Road. The land had been granted to Elijah’s father, but this was the son’s land, and he took to calling himself Squire Bottum. The land was slowly sold off, but the house remained in the family until 1928. It was reported that Elijah had built it himself, some time around 1810.
Presbyterian Church Manse, 1873 and 2021
The Trustees of the Presbyterian Church purchased this property at 5 Mary Street, Kemptville, in 1873, for use as a home for the Minister.
Acton's Corners School, 1904
Oxford Mills - 1865
This settlement was described in 1865 as: “a small post village”, with a population of 120. Nevertheless, it had two hotels, William DeWinter’s Oxford Inn, and Magee’s Hotel. Archibald Magee was Innkeeper, the Coroner, a shopkeeper, and tavern owner. In 1856 he built a large wooden structure which served as a hotel and local meeting place for many years. The Township Council met here between 1857 and 1875, when the new Town hall was built, and the local Anglican congregation met here until their church was erected in 1869. In 1900, Ormand Barnard bought the property and used it as his workshop, and it was here he invented his curd cutting machine, patented in 1907. However, in November, 1939 it burned to the ground. It was never rebuilt. Oxford Mills in 1865 had the usual complement of blacksmiths, carriage, saddle and harness makers, and three boot and shoe makers. John Foley ran a tailoring business, and William Rose was a brick maker. Two merchants served the inhabitants, John McPherson, and the real power in the hamlet, Richey Waugh. Waugh was the postmaster, owned the flour and saw mills, and ran his store from the premises now occupied by the Brigadoon Restaurant. Waugh had built the store, and later moved into another of his building across the street, the fine stone structure he used as his family residence. When this entry in the Gazetteer was being written, Waugh was actually starting a slow and sad decline in his fortunes. By that time, he was negotiating to sell his store, and by 1871 he had left the hamlet under a cloud.
This was, in fact, the third school in the area, but the other two log buildings were located to the east and west of the crossroads, one near Johnston and Muldoon Roads, the other on lot 12, Con. 2, about a mile to the west of the crossroads. The school in the picture was built in 1858 to replace both of those log buildings, and was in operation until 1905. It was on the same site as the current building, between it and Acton’s Corners Road. The children in the photograph were probably the last to attend this school before the new building opened in 1905. They are: Front row: L. Barnett; W. Hillis; F. Hillis; F. Cassidy; D. Mclennan; A. Kelso; W. Weidmark; H. Beggs; A. Thompson; G. Payne; ? Payne; ? Mclennan; E. Kelso. Back row: A. Cassidy; I. Howey; J. Thompson; B. Weidmark; M. Kelso; W. Stewart; J. Payne; M. Crozier. February 17, 2021
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CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1. Trainee 6. If not 10. Evil 14. Winged 15. Twosome 16. Weightlifters pump this 17. Radiolocation 18. Moving within 19. Identical 20. Prolonged 22. By mouth 23. Chills and fever 24. Straying 26. Hindu princess 30. Arrive (abbrev.) 31. Unhappy 32. Ends a prayer 33. Brass component 35. Boscs 39. Fetes
Letters cont'd
41. Estrogenic hormone 43. Wearing footgear 44. List of options 46. Cocoyam 47. Record (abbrev.) 49. French for "Summer" 50. Very intense 51. Agency 54. Adriatic resort 56. Functions 57. A type of mint flavor 63. A set of garments 64. Double-reed woodwind 65. Restaurant 66. Sea eagle 67. Blaring 68. Master of ceremonies 69. Hurried 70. Blind (poker) 71. Prepared
Dear Editor, In his recent column, Mr Shanahan takes aim at self service checkouts, but he misses the bigger questions. Technology advances over time makes some occupations or even industries obsolete: how many people are employed as bowyers, coopers, fletchers, smiths, secretaries, or weavers? Technology enables humans to stop doing jobs that are mundane, monotonous, or dangerous. The Luddites destroyed machinery that they believed was threatening their jobs. The issue is not the advance of technology, it's how the benefits of those advances are shared and how the people negatively affected by those advances are supported. With the advances in AI, robotics, and automation, we are approaching an era in the next few decades when many current jobs will be able to be done without humans. The questions we need to address as a society are firstly, do we allow a small number of people to reap the profits from AI and robotics, or do we ensure these profits are shared equitably across society? And secondly, in an
DOWN 1. Grumble 2. Winglike 3. Rabbet 4. French for "State" 5. Latin name for our planet 6. Gormandism 7. Type of lamp 8. Location 9. Wears away 10. Disarrayed 11. A kind of macaw 12. Ancient empire 13. Genuflected 21. Staring intently 25. Awestruck 26. Whacks 27. Nanny 28. Roman emperor 29. Fascinated 34. Multi-legged insect 36. Assistant 37. Was a passenger 38. Swill 40. Notion 42. Soft leather 45. Burbot 48. Domed roof 51. Public transit vehicles 52. Take forcibly 53. French for "Queen" 55. Law and _____ 58. Black, in poetry 59. Marcel Marceau was one 60. Ancient Peruvian 61. Require 62. 3
Hard
February 17, 2021
era of significantly reduced employment, how will we ensure that everyone has an adequate standard of living? A universal basic income as proposed by the Greens may be part of the answer, and I'm sure there will be many other suggestions. Yours sincerely, Steve Gabell Dear Editor, Re: Just when you think it is safe I have read the above mentioned article by David Shanahan, and I have looked it over many times and I cannot overlook the facts. This initiative is all to do with assisting Correctional Officers and Correctional Administration to ensure a safer and controllable facility for all inmates and staff. I commend the Government of Ontario for adding this tool to assist Correctional Officers to perform and carry out their duties of confinement and control in an orderly and effective fashion. This initiative, and I might stand corrected, has zero impact on the external issue of public safety of a Provincial Facility anywhere. This is an internal
issue for care, control and safety of inmates and staff. The last paragraph of the article is Mr. Shanahan's own musings, as I do not see it attributed to any Ministry spokesperson. Now, not to be long winded and go on with facts, and I do know of what I speak, I have questions which should be sought out. I would like to see a site plan and bricks and mortar design of this new facility, if it exists. The Government should provide this via Freedom of Information and we will see this in your next edition or a reasonable explanation of why this is not being released. If not, it is only a conceptional idea as many in the past, i.e., 700 bed facility in Kanata, 350 bed Phase 2 in Brockville as part of the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre which was to be built to fill the bed shortage created by the closure of Rideau Correctional and Treatment Centre in Burritt's Rapids. The Government of Ontario still owns the land in Brockville and I have seen the blueprints if they still exist. Who knows?! Dr. W.J. Young, C.O.E. Ottawa
The Food Corner
Solutions to last week’s Sudoku
Easy
The Voice of North Grenville
by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville I am definitely old fashioned. All that means is that I remember many of the treats we had in yesteryear and enjoy recreating that special flavour. One of the most enjoyable treats in my memory’s repertoire is the traditional Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail: please, not with 4 jumbo shrimp, but with 6, white-pink and beautiful and laid out on a bed of sliced lettuce in a Shrimp Cocktail dish (if you have one) or a large wine glass, if you don’t. Also, another blast from the past involves pairing your Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail with an ice-cold Chardonnay, oaked or unoaked according to your taste. Mind you, a Singapore Sling ain’t bad either. Cocktail Sauce: Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail (for 2) ¼ cup catsup Main Ingredients: 6 tablespoons horseradish 12 jumbo shrimp (you can buy 6 tablespoons HP sauce them frozen quite safely) Several vigorous dashes of Worcestershire Sauce ½ cup of finely sliced lettuce A half a dozen drops of Tabasco Sauce 2 lemon wedges A couple of tablespoons of lime or lemon juice Some capers, if you wish (whatever you have in stock) Preparation: Boil and peel the shrimp till they turn pinkish white (please do not overcook) Chill for at least an hour Mix all of the Cocktail Sauce ingredients together with a fork and chill (also for at least an hour) When ready and just before serving, line the bottom of your 2 cocktail dishes with the sliced lettuce Gently pour some of your cocktail sauce over the lettuce and place some capers over top Place the shrimp in your dishes, heads in, in a circle with the tails forming a fan (make it look pretty, please…) Garnish with piece of lemon for each dish Place any leftover cocktail sauce in a separate dish for extra dipping Do all of the final preparation from 4 above onward in front of the person who is going to share with you, maybe have them open and decant the wine. You may want to turn on some background music; Vivaldi’s 4 Seasons is nice, but so is some Ella Fitzgerald. How to eat: This dish is meant to be savoured, not devoured. It is also best eaten as a finger food, which means, only use your fork to capture some sauce-laden lettuce. This may sound terrible to some of you but I eat the whole shebang, finishing with the lettuce “tarted up” with the cocktail sauce as a salad. Now, for those who insist on modernizing this traditional dish, you can also use Tzatziki instead of cocktail sauce. Oh, and don’t forget the wine and such, eh… Meanwhile, I greatly appreciate receiving your mails at pcormier@ranaprocess.com, so kindly keep sending them along.
Medium
Solution to last week’s Crossword
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SERVICES
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HANDYMAN RETIRED CARPENTER Renovations, kitchens, SERVICES bathrooms, additions, Painting, Demolition, decks, home repair. Drywall, Call George at Carpentry, etc 613 462 7637 Bill at 613-774-2922
BUY AND SELL LOCALLY FIRST TEN WORDS FREE
FOR SALE
Winter tires 225 / 70 R 16, on rims, very good condition, altimax arctic $ 500, 613 258 4457
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Cedar, Spruce and Pine Posts for sale. Call Jim 613.258.3561
JAYCO 5th wheel..fully loaded.. beautiful shape call James 613.258.3561.
Yorkie pup male 14 wks vet checked 613-258 0445.
Indoor and outdoor storage for vehicles, boats and RVs. Call Jon at 613-227-3650
EMPLOYEES WANTED The Rideau Glen Golf Club is looking for outdoor workers to commence in April. Experience operating equipment preferred . Send resumes to therideaglen@gmail.com
MISCELLANEOUS Looking to rent farmland for cash crops. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204.
Room to Rent.Low Price, Close to Kemptville. Amazing roommate. Call 613258-3537 Anytime for Details.
Income Tax Service in Merrickville - John Harris,CMC - jgharris@sympatico.ca 613297-7553
Heart Month
All about cholesterol and saturated fat
by Danielle Labonté, MAN, RD, Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit Despite the reputation that cholesterol has had in the past, we now know that dietary cholesterol, which is found in meat, eggs, and dairy, has less of an impact on our cholesterol levels than we once thought. The saturated fat in the foods we eat can raise our cholesterol levels much more than dietary cholesterol does. Some ways that we can make healthy food choices to keep our hearts healthy is by choosing foods that are lower in saturated fat. For dairy products, skim or 1% milk, low-fat yogurt, and cheese with less than 20% milk fat are all great choices; look for the % M.F. on the label. Choosing lean cuts of meat such as beef or pork tenderloin, lean ground beef or poultry also lowers the amount of saturated fat in our diet. Consider swapping out animal proteins with vegetarian proteins some of the time; chickpeas, lentils, and tofu are all good choices. Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and whole grains like oatmeal, whole grain pasta, quinoa and brown rice increases the soluble fibre in your diet too, which helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels. For more information, visit our website at www.healthunit.org, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter, or give us a call at 1-800-660-5853.
Steve Clark announces grant to expand Community Paramedicine
NEXT WEEKS GIFT BASKET DRAW Feb 22 - 27 SOUTH BRANCH BISTRO
Order a meal from the South Branch Bistro and your name will be placed in a hat for the chance to win a $250 gift basket.
SPONSORED BY letters cont'd on page 9
February 17, 2021
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The Ontario government is investing $3,250,000 to expand the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program in Leeds-Grenville. This initiative will help more seniors on long-term care waitlists stay safe while living in the comfort of their own homes for longer. “Our long-term care focused Community Paramedicine program leverages the skills of community paramedic providers to help end hallway health care and provide additional care for seniors”, said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-GrenvilleThousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “This program is all about keeping seniors safe at home, while delaying the need for long-term care by providing enhanced at-home supports”. “The Community Paramedicine program provides our seniors, their families and caregivers peace of mind while waiting for a long-term care space,” said Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of LongTerm Care. “Expanding the program across the province means that more of our loved
ones can access services from their own homes, potentially even delaying the need for long-term care, while still providing the quality care and service they need and deserve.” “This funding is incredibly important to promote the Community Paramedicine program”, added Warden Roger Haley. “One of the great aspects of this service is that specially trained paramedics can support seniors staying in their homes longer”. Jeffrey Carss, Chief of the Leeds Grenville Paramedic Service said, “The program is structured to keep individuals who are on the long-term care wait list, or who are soon to be eligible for longterm care, stabilized in their illness trajectory and in their own home for as long as possible, through preventative and responsive care, such as home visits and remote patient monitoring. Our aim is to work with our health system partners to coordinate existing health services, through established networks for providing home and com-
munity care, emergency care, primary care, public health and other community and social services. The program will be delivered through local communities, providing: Access to health services 24-7, through in-home and remote methods, such as online or virtual supports; Non-emergency home visits and in-home testing procedures; Ongoing monitoring of changing or escalating conditions to prevent or reduce emergency incidents; Additional education about healthy living and managing chronic diseases; and Connections for participants and their families to home care and community supports.
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POSITION AVAILABLE We are looking for a mature salesperson. Sales and Optical experience preferred. Must work well with others in a busy environment. Part-time hours: 20-30 hrs per week Job Types: Part-time, Permanent Salary: From $15.00 per hour Email resume: info@laurieropticalkemptville.com
The Voice of North Grenville
February, 1852. Lectures delivered to Mechanics Institute in Toronto by Adam Lillie, CoE minister Burritt’s Rapids in Oxford, population about 300. Situated on the Rideau Canal, has great water power, which at present drives a flouring and saw mill, shingle and other machinery’ has its churches, school houses, post office, merchants’ stores and mechanics’ shops. This is an improving village, and is romantically located. Easton’s Corners, in Wolford. Has a post office, steam saw and flouring-mill, merchants’ stores and mechanics’ shops. The farms on either side of the street running from the Corners have a perfect garden-like appearance. Hick’s Corners, in South Gower. Has a post office, school house, merchants’ stores, mechanics’ shops, and pearl ashery.
Marcel Jean Bernard Lalonde Marcel Jean Bernard Lalonde passed away peacefully in Wakefield, Quebec on February 6, 2021. He was born in Ottawa, Ontario on September 24, 1944 and married Françoise Patenaude on September 3, 1961. Loving father of Sylvie (Pedro) and Andre (Sandra) and grandfather of Alexia and Bianca. Marcel was the Ontario Manager for Voyageur Bus Lines based in Ottawa. After being widowed he married Lynda Sharpe on January 7, 1997 and they started their own business which operated for 20 years. Marcel was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 212 Kemptville for quite a few years and made many friends there. His Urn will be placed in the family cemetery plot at Notre-Dame Cemetery later this year. Due to Covid-19 no services will be held. Marcel will be missed greatly by his family and friends. Donations made to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.
OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE
222 Prescott St. Kemptville
The space is 1247sq. ft. suitable for office space not an apartment. It features a large office/board room in the front and plenty of space for cubicles. Access to kitchen and bathroom/shower facilities, limited parking. It is on the third floor and we are asking $800/month+HST. Please call Ross at 613-601-0968
the north grenville
TIMES Gord Logan
Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca
February 17, 2021
Kemptville in Oxford, situate about 4 miles from the Rideau Canal communicating thereto by a navigable stream, and also on the route of the proposed Bytown and Prescott Railroad. Population about 1,000. Has good water power, on which are erected flouring and saw mills, with various other machinery. Has post office, churches, school houses, merchants’ stores and mechanics’ shops; lumbering to some extent is also carried on in the neighbourhood. The country around abounds with highly cultivated and valuable farms. Merrickville, in Wolford and Montague, on the Rideau River Canal; population about 700, distant from Brockville over plank and macadamized road about 29 miles; the River offers most valuable water power, second only to Gananoque, and which has been improved by the erection of saw and flouring-mills, cloth manufactory, shingle and other useful and profitable machinery. It has its post office, churches, school houses, merchants’ stores and mechanics’ shops in great number and variety; an agency of the Provincial Insurance Company is also established here. This is an improving Town, and a good point for capitalists to invest in. The country about is very good for farming purposes, more particularly on the east side of the River.
OPP OFFICERS INTERCEPT PHONE SCAM will never request that you pay any outstanding fees via gift cards such as Google Play cards. Grenville County OPP is committed to serving our province by protecting its citizens, upholding the law and preserving public safety. If you have shared personal information or banking details with scammers, contact your financial institution immediately to place alerts on your account. If you have been defrauded, report it to the police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. For further information or to report a fraud online, visit: www.antifraudcentrecentreantifraude.ca/ OPP OFFICERS SAVE OVER 200 LIVES BY ADMINISTERING NALOXONE The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has saved 210 lives by administering naloxone since frontline officers were equipped in September 2017. The opioid crisis continues to affect people from communities across Ontario, which is evident from the continued increase in opioid-related overdoses as well as the number of occurrences where officers have had to administer naloxone to save a life. Key statistical information on opioid-related overdoses and naloxone administration from September 2017 to February 2021* includes: The majority, 68%, of naloxone recipients were male and 32% were female. The average age of nal-
On February 9, 2021, at approximately 12:22 p.m., members of the Grenville County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a call for assistance from a complainant in Kemptville, who stated her daughter left the residence in a hurry believing she would be arrested. An officer located the female outside of a retail store in Kemptville. The officer quickly discovered the female had been the subject of a phone scam where the suspect demanded gift cards be purchased in order for the female to avoid arrest. The phone scam was intercepted before a transaction was made. Grenville County OPP want the public to be aware that there are dishonest people out there who want to take your money. Persons receiving a call from an officer or enforcement agency can request a faceto-face meeting or tell the caller that they will contact their local detachment or service to continue the conversation. Do not provide your Social Insurance Number, bank account number or other personal information over the phone. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) 15
oxone recipients was 34.8 for females and 35.5 for males. Most incidences occurred inside a residence. The majority of opioidrelated overdoses occurred in OPP's Central and West Regions. There was a 38% increase in overdose occurrences attended by the OPP from 2019 to 2020. The OPP continues to provide victims with referrals to community specific resources and advising the public about harmful substances. See www.opp.ca/ opioids for more information. Additional details as well as an officer's experience with administering naloxone can be found at www.opp.ca/news. The OPP has created a framework to support those individuals suffering from substance use disorder, while holding drug traffickers who cause these overdoses accountable. Since 2016, the OPP has investigated 23 occurrences where charges have been laid for Manslaughter and/or Criminal Negligence Caus-
ing Death in relation to fatal overdoses. "People from every age group and every socioeconomic background continue to be affected by opioids in Ontario. Since 2017, the OPP has saved more than 200 lives by administering naloxone. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act can protect you - if you see an overdose, please call 9-1-1. You can help save a life too." - Commissioner Thomas Carrique, Ontario Provincial Police "At the core of our response to the opioid crisis is the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act. If you witness someone experiencing an overdose, please dial 9-1-1 and if you can, stay with the victim to provide support. You could make a difference and save a life." -Superintendent Bryan MacKillop, Director, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Ontario Provincial Police *These numbers are a reflection of the OPP Niche Records Management database only, as of February 3, 2021.
FAMILY LAW CIVIL LITIGATION WILLS & ESTATES 613 713 3371
info@pburgerlaw.com
pburgerlaw.com
216B PRESCOTT ST PO BOX 423 KEMPTVILLE, ON K0G 1J0
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The Voice of North Grenville
North Grenville transitions to GREEN-Prevent Zone
The province announced that on Tuesday, February 16, the Stay-at-Home order will be lifted in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Health Unit, of which North Grenville is a part, and will transition to the GREEN-Prevent Zone under the provincial colour-coded response framework. Businesses are encouraged to consult the province’s COVID-19 Framework at covid-19.ontario.ca, to better understand what public measures are in place for this zone. “This is great news for our community and local economy,” said Mayor Peckford. “Now, more than ever, we are imploring residents to do everything they can to support all the businesses who have stepped up for North Grenville, particularly in these past 10 months.” Residents are encouraged to consult www.LoveNG.ca for the full list of local businesses in North Grenville. “While our numbers remain low, we all have a responsibility to protect ourselves and our community from COVID-19. We want
to keep our schools and businesses open, and as such, I strongly urge you to continue following public health protocols,” emphasized Mayor Peckford. The North Grenville Administrative Offices will open to the public on Monday, February 22. Office hours are 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday to Friday. Both arenas will be available for rental beginning Tuesday, February 16, with COVID-19 protocols in place. Public skating will resume March 1. Municipal Council Meetings will continue to be held virtually, as will all Municipal Advisory Committee meetings. Council meetings can be livestreamed, and Advisory meetings will continue using Zoom as their platform. The North Grenville Public Library will open to the public on Tuesday, February 16, and continue to offer curbside pickup by demand. Inperson programming will be offered in a phased approach when it is safe to do so, and according to health and safety regulations.
Outdoor recreational amenities remain open to the public, including the crosscountry ski trails and toboggan hill in the Ferguson Forest, nature trails throughout the Municipality, and three outdoor skating rinks: Bishop’s Mills, eQuinelle, and the new rink on the South Branch at Curry Park. Masks are highly recommended at all outdoor facilities, including rinks and toboggan hill, and are required when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Residents and businesses are encouraged to visit the dedicated Municipal COVID-19 webpage for updates: www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus. For more information on the provincial framework visit: covid-19.ontario.ca/ zones-and-restrictions Business support programs are available at: www. investnorthgrenville.ca/covid19. For more information related to COVID-19 visit: www.healthunit.org.
Beautiful day on the Rideau River, Photo by Colin Brooks
Baldwin’s Birds
KDH and partners creating a Health Team for region
the best value for healthcare Local Journalism Initiative Reporter dollars. To try and improve Ontario’s healthcare system, the The Kemptville District government developed the Hospital (KDH) is one of 70 OHT project and the People’s local health organizations Healthcare Act passed in who have been given the 2019. OHTs bring together green light to submit a full primary care, hospitals, pubOntario Health Team (OHT) lic health, and community application to the provincial and social services under government. According to the one umbrella to help people Ministry of Health and Long- receive the right care, in the Term Care, Ontario’s health right place, at the right time. care system is complex, and Core to the OHT mandate is patients, families, caregivers, strengthening relationships and providers find it confus- with patients, families, and ing, inconvenient, and chal- caregivers, and supporting lenging to navigate. Patients providers to work better tooften experience fragmented gether. There are currently care as they transition from 42 approved OHTs in Ontario one provider to the next, and that will cover 86% of Onthey wait too long for care, tario at maturity. In 2019, healthcare prohaving to repeat their health history and fill out duplicate viders across the province forms when transitioning were asked to submit apbetween different levels of plications to create OHTs in service. Many health care their area. KDH and other organizations operate beyond local healthcare organizatheir capacity, due to ever in- tions came together to create creasing healthcare demands, the North Rideau Health Aland some are operating below liance OHT, with the focus capacity. Overall, although on improving mental health many health organizations and addictions services for provide excellent care, the children and youth, and home whole system is not coor- and community care for older dinated and not providing adults managing complex illby Hilary Thomson
February 17, 2021
by John Baldwin I hope you are all safe and well and keeping in good spirits. No Owls the other day, but got some more Snow Buntings and a real surprise bird, that I've never seen before, a Horned Lark. I was driving along very slowly and spotted a bird on the side of the road, which didn't quite look like a Snow Bunting, so I stopped and looked at it through my camera lens. Wow! What a surprise to see such a colorful bird, of which I wasn't sure what it was. The fellow who had been following me stopped and had his binoculars out and he too couldn't identify it. There were three of them only, not a flock similar to the Buntings, at this stage, but they quickly flitted from the road-side, landed in the field and then ran, not hopped, away from us. They soon got out of camera range, and, not having spotted anything else and the day drawing to a close, I left for home to delve into my bird books to identify them. It was well worth it and a lovely surprise too. Stay safe and well, Cheers, John Baldwin.
nesses. Unfortunately, their application was not accepted by the provincial government, as their geographical footprint was too small. They then found the Three Rivers OHT, which stretched from the Queensway Carleton Hospital to Arnprior, which had similar target populations, similar values, and a similar vision. “We said, look, let’s partner to form a bigger OHT, because that is what ailed both of our OHTs, we were too small,” says KDH CEO, Frank Vassalo. The two groups merged to form the Four Rivers OHT, and submitted an update report to the ministry which resulted in them being asked to submit a formal application, due March 31. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’re up to the challenge,” Frank says. “We think it’s going to be a good thing for the people in our communities.” Frank believes that OHTs have the capacity to fundamentally change the healthcare system in Ontario. With everyone at the table, including patients and families, as well as healthcare providers at all levels of care, it will
help them create a system that better serves the entire population. “I think the potential for us to really re-imagine and design a more effective healthcare system is in our grasp, and we have to seize the day and continue to work with our providers, including patients and family members, to really tackle this challenge and get something that really works.” The Four Rivers OHT covers a vast geography, heading west from Woodroffe Avenue in Ottawa into the Arnprior region, North Grenville, Carleton Place, and Almonte. It will now work on preparing a formal application to the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care. 16
Once accepted, the Ontario government will conduct an in-person assessment to determine if the Four Rivers is fully ready to become an Ontario Health Team. The process will likely take a few months. “We’re looking at this opportunity almost like with a blank piece of paper,” Frank says. “There’s very few givens. Everything is up for observation and study, and improvement and re-imagination. I look forward to reimagining what a healthcare system would be.”
Winners to last weeks draw will be announced on facebook and in our next issue. We apologise for the delay.
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That’s Amore…
At the heart of Kemptville
by Marguerite Boyer In the heart of Kemptville, the old triangle, sits a small little diner. It has been there for as long as I have lived here, over 30 years. It has changed names three times since then, but its reputation has always been the same. A small diner, with a heart of gold. It is now called Fast Eddie’s, owned by Eddie Como but run by Lauraine Menier. Since Covid struck, they have had their share of struggles, like almost every other small business in town. They have always relied on their regulars, who come in for a coffee, breakfast, or lunch, for a chat and a feeling of old fashioned service. That’s all gone now.
They are struggling to keep it going, having had to lay off some of the staff. As it has been take-out, not many tips, something that has always been a supplement to a server’s wages. Now they are trying to reinvent themselves once again by serving frozen meals for their clients. They are offering shepherd’s pie, mac and cheese, garlic chicken with fried rice, individual meat pies, etc...(I had a sample of their meat pies, delicious.) If not for these frozen meals, they would not survive. They still have their take-out, but their sales have dropped dramatically. A business that survived on its reputation, and known for its gen-
The Voice of North Grenville
The COVID 19 pandemic has impacted every demographic imaginable, especially our community’s most vulnerable. Seniors’ Community Services, in conjunction with area partners, delivered some love to its Diner’s Club clients who have been unable to meet weekly for the past year. SCS staff delivered special gift baskets for their clients, in conjunction with volunteers who were thrilled to manage the deliveries. Each box, filled with various cheeses, fruits, cured meats, mustard, desserts, and crackers was made possible through the support of the Ontario Community Support Program. Catered Affairs spearheaded the opportunity to curate these beautiful boxes, with contributions from Graham’s Bakery, Mrs. MacGarrigles Fine Food Shop, Creel & Gambrel, and J. Quattrocchi’s & Co. Maggie Boyer of the North Grenville Times created beautiful handmade Valentines for each delivery, a detail that many felt was extra special. Some clients couldn’t remember the last time they had received a Valentine. Sara Paquette, SCS Volunteer, expressed the feelings of the volunteers: “This activity was yet another great example of the care that is taken to make Kemptville's seniors know they are a valued part of the community - especially important in these times of limited activities and great isolation. It was also a very nice way to allow volunteers to start getting involved again. Our sincere thanks to each and every volunteer who supported the event with contributions of time through deliveries and photographs. To contribute financially to the meaningful work Seniors’ Community Services offers, please visit www.seniorscs.ca. All donations are receipted immediately.
erosity, friendly demeanor, etc.. They also ran seniors menus in the evening. That’s all gone now also. Lauraine is grateful to the owner, Eddie, who decided not to close it down. He is a great boss, and leaves the daily decisions to her. “I could not ask for a better boss. He keeps the dinner open, in order to keep work for his staff.” Fast Eddie’s is part of our heritage. It’s part of the old small-town identity that has been lost in so many other communities. Perhaps the end of the worst restrictions this week will help. You can too. Drop in and say hello. And buy something!
Love is in the air!
Come to Kemptville Hearing Clinic where we always provide straightforward and honest hearing healthcare. Karen will test your hearing for free and determine if hearing aids are appropriate. If they are, she will detail your options from a wide selection of manufacturers… not just one. Karen will recommend what is best suited for you, your lifestyle and your hearing loss.
Karen McCallion, Hearing Instrument Specialist Brooke Barkley, Hearing Instrument Dispenser
NOW OPEN
Jean Kilfoyle and Fran Thompson spent last weekend delivering almost 50 lovely hand made Valentine Pop Up Boxes to seniors that are isolated and living alone. They spent weeks working on this project. A special thanks to both of them and to Judy Beveridge at the B&H for making all this happen. If you know of a senior, living alone, contact us here at NGTimes, and we will ensure they get put on our list for special occassions. Email production@ngtimes.ca, leave a name and address that it can be delivered to. February 17, 2021
613-215-1501
2674 County Road 43 www.hearme.ca (Co-Located with Kemptville Optometric)
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Karen and Brooke will exhaust all efforts to get you the maximum funding towards your hearing aids. At our clinic, our everyday prices are the same as some companies “limited time” discounts. We believe your hearing needs should be managed by professionals who will openly listen to your concerns and create a plan to maximize your comfort, care and success with hearing aids. www.ngtimes.ca
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Meet Dilan Yildirim
My name is Dilan Yildirim, I am 15 years old and my rank is Petty Officer Second Class. I have been a cadet for almost three years now. I started off as an Air Cadet at the age of 13 and signed up a year later to become a member of RCSCC Defiant after moving to Kemptville. My goals in the future are to study abroad, and travel as much as I can. I joined the program for the marksmanship training and the summer courses, but I have learned it offers much more than that. Although I have only attended one cadet summer camp, it is definitely one of the most memorable experiences I have had as a cadet so far. It was a two week long General Training course in Bagotville, QC. There, I made many long-lasting friendships. I got the chance to do things I had never done before. My favourite memories from camp include spending time outdoors with my friends after a long day, practising drill with them, getting our barracks ready, and gliding for the first time. Marksmanship is one of the aspects of this program that interested me the most. I was so excited when I took part in the trials and found out I made the team. It is my favourite sport. Although I tend to do better in practises than in competitions, I look back and cherish those moments spent with my teammates, and the excitement. What I now love the
February 17, 2021
most about cadets is getting to meet new people and having so many oneof-a-kind opportunities. The words I would use to describe my experience as a cadet would be: “fun, unique experiences, and adventure”. What I would say as a word of advice to new cadets, is to keep your eyes open for all the opportunities offered by the corps and by the program. Note: This is Petty Officer Yildirim’s fourth Navy League article. It underscores the value of the Cadet Program in Canada as she relates her experiences as an Air Cadet with 706 Snowy Owl, where she truly enjoyed the program, just as she now does with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps DEFIANT program here in Kemptville. Dilan has been studying on a Cadet Correspondents Course to learn new skills and, it must be remembered, she is 15 years old and is writing in her second language! This a cadet with a great future.
The Voice of North Grenville
Skating on South Branch open at Curry Park
Herb Cloutier and Dwain Taylor getting ready to flood the rink last Wednesday evening munity grant to get it going. Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Council was extremely supportive and not only approved An outdoor rink at Curry the grant, but instructed staff Park opened last week, just to work with Herb and his in time for the Family Day small team of volunteers to weekend. The initiative was get the rink open for this spearheaded by local resident season. “I think our message Herb Cloutier, who remem- this evening in COVID times bers skating on the South is, if the weather is conducive, Branch all the time when he we’d like to see it happen,” was a child. “The last 15 or 20 Mayor Peckford said at their years or more, nothing’s been February 2 budget meeting. Once the Community done with our waterfront in the wintertime,” he says. “It Grants budget was passed, was my idea to bring it back.” municipal staff and volunteers Herb brought the idea to mobilized quite quickly to council at the end of last year, get the rink open this year. asking for the municipality’s A 60ft by 200ft patch of ice support and a $8,962 com- was cleared last Monday at by Hilary Thomson
the boat launch in Curry Park, and they were able to measure an ice thickness of 13 inches last week. Director of Parks and Recreation, Mark Guy, says they are comfortable with this measurement, and that staff will be performing periodic ice thickness inspections. “When we feel the ice is unsafe to use, we will post a closed sign at the location and use our social media platforms to spread the message.” All last week, Herb and a few other dedicated volunteers were out flooding the ice to make the best possible surface for skaters. Herb has also organized a port-a-potty, a shack for putting on skates, and lighting at the park, so that people can still skate at night. “I’m so impressed with the way this came together,” he says, adding that he really
appreciated the enthusiasm from council and the support of municipal staff. While there are no special events planned for this year due to COVID-19, Herb has big plans to make the rink even larger and bring a winter carnival to the South Branch next year. For now, the rink will be open for as long as the weather holds and it is safe to be on the river. “It’s just a very casual go down and have some exercise, have some fun, and enjoy what we can for the remainder of this window that we have,” he says. Helmets are mandatory on the ice surface, and masks must be worn in the shack while putting on skates and when physical distancing is not a possibility.
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The North Grenville Times
The Voice of North Grenville
Small group braves cold to raise money for homeless and at-risk youth supports homeless and at-risk youth ages 16-24 in Leeds and Grenville. Last year, a much larger group of around 100 North Grenville residents gathered at Equinelle Golf Club to support Connect Youth through the CNOY walk. Due to COVID-19, a large gathering was not possible, but Andrea felt it was still important to participate in the CNOY virtual event this year to support Connect Youth’s efforts in the community, especially since fundraising has been a challenge for them because of the pandemic. “It’s really important that we keep it going, because they need money.” The small group of eight participants, representing the Academy of Expressive Dance and Kemptville Players, were able to raise over $1,500 for Connect Youth. The walk also represented the official kick-off of the CNOY fundraiser in Leeds and Grenville, as they were the first
Representatives from the Academy of Expressive Dance and Kemptville Players come together to support Connect You through this year’s virtual Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser. for homeless and at-risk youth (CNOY) fundraiser which by Hilary Thomson raises money for charities Local Journalism Initiative Reporter in the community. Organized by Andrea Gaw-Prekob of serving people experiencing the Academy of Expressive homelessness, hurt, and hunA small, but dedicated, Dance, the 2km walk in Lim- ger across the country. The group braved the cold on Sat- erick Forest was part the local walk was raising money urday morning to raise money Coldest Night of the Year for Connect Youth Inc., which
group out of 48 registered to participate. “There are so many kids that are desperate,” said Kemptville Players member, Lee Gaw. “It’s such a worthwhile cause.” According the Connect Youth’s Executive Director, Robyn Holmes, all funds raised through CNOY will go towards their youth housing program, which runs five transitional units for youth throughout Leeds and Grenville. The need is definitely there, as Connect Youth has received 77 referrals to their youth housing program since April 1, 2020. Robyn says it is phenomenal that this small group in
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Coalition Against Proposed Prison: Information Session by Joselyn Morley Coalition Against Proposed Prison (CAPP) is a group of residents questioning the Ontario's plan to build a prison for 235 inmates in North Grenville. The Public Information Session on February 2 heard from six speakers outlining their concerns with the prison. Victor Lachance of CAPP moderated this second session held by CAPP. Both can be accessed on CAPP's website, coalitionagainstproposedprison.ca. Colleen Lynas introduced CAPP's reasons for opposing the EOCC: failure to consult and lack of transparency, losing unique farmland, jeopardising North Grenville's future vision, environmental impacts, failure to demonstrate economic benefits, lack of local infrastructure, a broken bail and remand system, and the fact that the Ontario government is using North Grenville to expand a failed correctional system. The province argues that the prison must go somewhere. CAPP challenges that argument, explaining that our prisons do not support rehabilitation, and that our corrections system, including the current systems of bail and remand, do not work. We do not need another prison, we need to reduce
February 17, 2021
the number of prisoners on remand. The province made decisions without consulting residents, or our mayor and council. CAPP calls on the mayor and council to take a clear and public position on this. Colleen Lynas maintains that, "in words and deeds, it pains me to say, our council has said, without saying, that they are not opposed, and are not going to challenge the province's plan in any way. Trying to get the best deal possible is not challenging the province's plan." Local resident Lisa Gallant has submitted a request for access to records regarding site selection for the facility. The province claims that they looked at over 100 possible sites, but has not provided any details. Laura Beach, a Kemptville native, is a PhD candidate studying criminalisation, incarceration, and mental health and illness. Her research shows that prisoners are extremely isolated from the community, and face intense separation from family and community support. This drastically hinders rehabilitation and meaningful reintegration. Isolation is compounded by the lack of public transportation. Video calls and visits are not the same, particularly for children of the incarcerated. Medical neglect ultimately
leads to more serious illness. Laura cites a prison in Saskatchewan where two nurses oversee 400 inmates. There is inadequate support for mental health and addiction issues, which are exacerbated in prison, and increasingly criminalised in society. Drugs are available, and medications such as anti-psychotics are overprescribed as sleep aids. We need alternatives to incarceration, such as mental health and addiction support in the community. Ontario has the highest rate of criminal charges being withdrawn prior to trial. We need programs where charges get vetted through the Crown Prosecutor, drastically reducing the remand population. Cathy Robinson and Lydia Dobson of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa, spoke of "the foolishness and the mistake of investing in a solution that does not match the problems that we have. The Elizabeth Fry Society of Ottawa provides support and advocacy to women who have been criminalised, provides a bail house, and surety for bail. A transition house offers addictions counselling and housing support. 82% of federally incarcerated women became criminalised through fleeing abuse. Many have experienced physical or emotional abuse, suffered
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inter-generational trauma, have addictions or mental health issues, are poor and face precarious housing. The majority are mothers, and 90% of them were primary caregivers prior to incarceration. Cathy says "nothing that we see, as a staff of 40, volunteer of 80, tells us that a single client has, does, or will benefit from incarceration." They face "horrific abuse" in jails. Black, Indigenous, and racialised people are vastly over represented. They face conditions of confinement that violate human rights and international conventions on human rights against torture, specifically the Mandela Rules, a UN Convention.
North Grenville was able to raise so much money to support them. “It’s amazing that people are not only willing to support Connect Youth, but to get out here on a day as cold as this and to do an event like this. We’re just thrilled.” The group was happy to get moving on Saturday morning, and even happier to come back to the parking lot to enjoy some hot chocolate and baked goods donated by Kika Smith of Brewed Awakenings. More information about Connect Youth can be found on their website www.connectyouth.ca, and they can be reached at 613-918-0173.
Aaron Doyle, PhD, and Nicole Meyers, PhD, have studied pretrial conditions, the remand system, and bail. 71% of people in Ontario prisons are on remand. These are people waiting for trial, often people who do not have someone to act as surety for bail. Many spend longer in jail waiting for trial than they do for their sentence. Janjala Chirakijja, PhD, studies the local impacts of prisons, and addressed the province's failure to demonstrate economic benefits. Most positions will be filled by existing staff from the corrections system. These are unionised, secure jobs, but they will not be hiring from
the local population. This was emphasised at the Public Engagement Session held by the office of the Minster of the Solicitor General on November 26, 2020. Sourcing for contractors, labour, and materials will go through usual and established tender processes for institutions. There is little chance of a local company being granted any of these contracts. Her research has found a decrease in housing values and a change in socio-economic status nearby prisons. People who can move away often do, leaving those with lower socio-economic status.
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