ND Times Issue 6 2022 March 23

Meet the candidates seeking the local PC party nomination

With the announcement that current SDSG MPP, Jim McDonnell will not seek re-election in the provincial election this June, two candidates are fighting to win the Progressive Conservative party’s nomination. Both candidates are campaigning on a similar promise of making life better and more affordable for Ontario families.

Candidate and Long Sault resident, Andrew Guidon, is currently a municipal Councillor for the Township of South Dundas. Working as a

businesses lawyer for a local firm, and sitting on the board for a few local charities, Andrew is certain he has the experience necessary to fill the MPP role. He is campaigning on priorities such as increasing housing availability and affordability, attracting doctors and mental health providers to the area, improving rural education, and investing in infrastructure such as broadband internet.

“Our community needs a representative who can cut through the political theatre and deliver results in Queen’s Park on day one,” said Andrew.

Candidate Nolan Quinn resides in St. Andrews West. He is the owner of the Dairy Queen franchise location in Cornwall, and is proud to be a husband and father of three. Nolan’s platform focuses on family, arguing that daycare is expensive and often inaccessible, and that rural education needs to be prioritized better, just like urban education.

“It is increasingly difficult to raise our families in the same fashion as the generations before,” said Nolan. He emphasizes the importance of his charitable work, as well as small businesses in general,

which he describes as the backbone of the economy. “We live in the greatest province in Canada, but there is much more to do to make sure our children and grandchildren can boast in the same manner,” he said.

More about Andrew’s platform can be learned at http://www.andrewguidon.ca/ (though the link appeared to be dead at the time of writing). More about Nolan’s platform can be learned at www. nolanquinn.ca. Voting requires a PC party membership, and will take place at in-person voting locations on March 26.

Andrew Guindon

Nolan Quinn

Thanks for Bidding!

By Jane Adams

You didn’t get to solve the murder mystery, but you did get to shop! And you sure did! Thank you to everyone who logged on and placed their bids at the WDMH Foundation - 1920's Murder Mystery Auction in February. There was something for everyone and once the final bids were in, $4,517.50 was raised – surpassing our goal by more than 200%!

The funds will be directed to the Foundation’s Family

Gnomes for Rick

Care Fund – ‘to support families just like yours’.

“Thank you to our wonderful community for joining us online, thank you to our ambitious volunteers, and thank you to everyone who donated an item,” says Justine Plummer, Manager of Direct Mail and Events. “We can’t wait to see everyone in person at the future 1920s Murder Mystery Night. We hope to be able to announce a new date soon.”

by Jane Adams

Big ones. Small ones. Funny ones. Sweet ones. There’s a gnome for everyone, thanks to the creative talents of Jennifer Cauvier. And even better – Jennifer

has raised $2,000 selling her gnomes on Facebook in support of the WDMH Foundation’s General Equipment Fund.

Jennifer launched Gnomes for Rick to honour

her dad, Rick Cauvier. He owned Rick’s Gas Bar in South Mountain and was a great community supporter. Rick passed away in June of 2020.

“Before my father passed

away, he had wanted to do a fundraiser for Winchester District Memorial Hospital,” Jennifer explains. “I came up with Gnomes for Rick to ensure he is not forgotten.”

On her Facebook page, Jennifer thanked everyone who supported her project: “I just wanted to post a HUGE thank you to each and every one of you that supported me with my "Gnomes for Rick" fundraiser for WDMH Foundation. It means SO much to me to be able to do this for my dad, and it was very surprising just HOW MANY people we reached!”

“Thank you again to Jennifer for bringing these joyful gnomes into so many homes,” notes Justine Plummer, Manager of Direct Mail & Events at the WDMH Foundation.

Although the fundraiser has ended, Jennifer says she will continue to take orders and donations and add them to next year’s event. Check out the gnomes on Jennifer’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GnomesforRick.

130th annual South Mountain Fair is a go

by Brandon Mayer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On March 10, the organizers of the South Mountain Fair announced what many loyal fair-goers have undoubtedly been waiting to hear – this year’s event will go ahead in full swing! Run by the Mountain Township Agricultural Society, the Fair has been an important annual event for the South Mountain community since 1892, and is one of only two traditional annual fairs in North Dundas, the other being the Chesterville Fair.

Social media users expressed much excitement in reaction to the announcement, but there are also many questions about what the 2022 Fair will look like after two years of significantly scaled-down events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As is to be expected five months prior to the event, the Fair’s website provides few details about the activities planned, with most pages simply displaying the message “Planning for the 2022 fair has begun. Please stay tuned for more details closer to fair

Tid Bit Musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters RSSW

Linguistics or terminology creates a message we wish to convey. It varies upon perception and past experience. Terminology can elicit many emotions and actions. Sometimes we just don't have the right words to express ourselves in a comprehensive manner relative to what we feel. Finding the words sometimes is just not

possible. A horrific incident or immense sadness is often beyond words. Trying to gauge the depth of feeling is challenging.

Most emotions possess a scale of intensity. Anger can be anything from upset, peeved, aggravated, to frustrated to acrimonious. Sadness ranges from upset to despair. If at all possible, try to determine the degree of feeling you are experiencing

time. We hope to see you there!” However, a spokesperson for the Fair was able to confirm that a midway is currently planned, which will be provided by All Canadian Entertainment.

The last “full” South Mountain Fair occurred in 2019. Smaller scale events occurred in 2020 and 2021. While these events were deemed to be the 128th and 129th South Mountain Fairs, respectively, this year’s 130th annual event will be the first full Fair event post-COVID. Current regulations would

when relating your reaction to some event. Linguistics helps the listener evaluate whether to have a "fight or flight" response! Help teach young children (actually all of us) to differentiate their feelings.

Questioning "How angry are You?" assists in sharpening awareness and consequently formulates an action plan. Resorting to foul language simply indicates your limited intellect in word selection.

allow the Fair to proceed without the burden of COVID-19 restrictions, but the Fair planning group will follow all health regulations should any get introduced in the preceding five months. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, it is difficult to predict changes in the regulations with any certainty, but the planning group is hopeful for a fair with no limitations or restrictions.

The 30th Annual South Mountain Fair will take place August 18, 19, 20, and 21 in the South Mounatin Fairgrounds.

Many happenings in our daily life shape our linguistic development. Never negate what you feel, or why you feel that way. Feelings are genuine. They are yours, and yours alone. At no time is it okay to resort to harmful actions, verbally or physically, to a person or animal to express your feelings. Use your words as the experts say!

Jennifer Cauvier (right) presents a cheque for $2,000 to Justine Plummer, Manager of Direct Mail & Events at the Foundation

Counties Council meetings now open to

the public

Members of the public will be welcomed back to inperson Counties Council meetings, starting this month, the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry have announced.

In addition, as COVID protocols across the province begin to ease, many of the requirements for entering the Counties Administration Building in Cornwall are likewise being relaxed. Beginning March 21, those entering the administration building will no longer have to complete active screening measures to guard against the spread of COVID-19. Passive screening (posters) will be displayed at the administration building and all worksites reminding staff and visitors to self-screen and stay home if exhibiting illness.

Masks will not be required at the Counties Administration Building as of March 21. Staff and visitors are being encouraged to conduct their own personal risk assessment to determine if they should continue masking.

Most provincially mandated masking protocols end on March 21. Masks will continue to be mandated while using public transit, visiting long-term care and retirement homes, as well as health care, congregate living and shelter facilities.

By April 27 all remaining masking protocols in Ontario will be lifted.

“It has been a long two years,” said Warden Carma Williams. “But because of the sacrifice of so many people in Ontario, including residents of SDG, we are now able to welcome members of the public back to our Council Chambers. COVID is not over, and individuals who are not yet vaccinated should do so.”

Half-load season in

North Dundas passes 2022 Municipal Budget

On March 8, 2022, Council for the Township of North Dundas officially adopted the 2022 Municipal budget. This year’s budget has some major infrastructure upgrades including:

- $3.145 million for roadways, bridges and culverts. Replacing the Cayer Road bridge and reconstructing sections of Clark Road and Development Road are planned projects.

- $1 million for roof repairs on the Joel Steele arena.

- $84K for upgrades to various municipal parks (including ball diamonds and tennis courts) and $445K for the first stage of the development of a new park and outdoor rink in Hallville.

The approved 2022 Municipal Budget includes a taxation levy of $7.2 million - a 5.3% increase to the residential tax rate over the previous year. This follows a 1.1% decrease in 2021.

How will this impact homeowners? A home valued at $300K will have a tax increase of $5.32/month, and a $400k home will see an increase of $7.09/month.

To view the full agenda package from the last Regular Council Meeting, visit: www.northdundas. com/eScribe.

If you have questions regarding the 2022 Municipal Budget, contact the Township office directly by calling 613-774-2105.

the Counties

Spring is almost here –that means half-load season in the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry begins. The Counties and its partners among local municipalities and the City of Cornwall designated March 10 as the start of halfload season. The Counties are limiting the weight of materials to five tonnes per axle on the weaker roads located throughout the region.

Roads that are subject to seasonal weight restrictions are identified with a sign. Half-loads will be enforced once signs are posted and will likely run into the early part of May.

Except the following locations, most roads within SDG are subject to half-load restrictions:

- South of Highway 401 on County Road Nos. 1, 14, 33 and 35.

- County Road 1 from French Settlement Road to Belmeade Road

- County Road 15 from County Road 2 to the southwest leg of County Road 36.

- County Road 44 from Highway No. 138 to 840m East of County Road 42

- County Road Nos. 31, 34, 43, 46

- County Road No. 2 from Leeds & Grenville boundary to the City of Cornwall boundary and from the City of Cornwall boundary to the Ontario/Quebec boundary.

Benjamin de-Haan, Counties’ director of transportation, said half-load season is integral to the long-term sustainability of the road infrastructure – the largest municipal roads system in the entire province.

“These measures are important to the bottom line of the Counties, as well as the effective use of taxpayer dollars,” said Director de Haan. “We allow for the transportation of goods across the Counties, while at the same time putting measures in place to protect the investment taxpayers have made in our infrastructure.”

Why are these measures so important? Try to think of a road like a giant sandwich buried in the ground with layers that are important to the overall flavour of the road. When you add an extra ingredient – like water – your sandwich can become a mess.

The base of the road begins at its deepest point with the sub-grade material, which is typically native material or imported fill. On top of this layer is aggregate material of varying sizes of crushed stone and other granulars that are packed into place. Finally, the whole thing is topped with asphalt.

The problem comes in the late winter and early spring when the heat of the sun can warm the asphalt base to several degrees above freezing, while the ambient air temperature can often be well below zero. As snow and ice melts, it can permeate the asphalt in areas. When that water refreezes, say after sunset or during an especially cold day, the ice and trapped water will weaken the strength of the road.

By restricting the amount of weight a vehicle carries, the damage to weakened roads can be mitigated.

“Half-load season is an effective means to protect our roads,” said de-Haan. “It won’t be long before the weather warms even more, and we will remove the restrictions.”

Applicants must be enthusiastic, energetic, possess strong communication skills along with exceptional organization and managerial skills, and be Smart Serve Certified. Job includes general upkeep, client communication, managing all events, contracts, banking, inventory reports, working closely with AGCO and EOHU, and janitorial duties for the Mountain Township Agricultural Hall in South Mountain.

All resumes or questions should be forwarded to secretary@southmountainfair.ca

Deadline is 4 p.m. on Thursday March 31, 2022

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING PROPOSED CHANGES TO BUILDING PERMIT FEES

TAKE NOTICE that the Department of Planning, Building and Enforcement will hold a public meeting on April 19th, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 636 St. Lawrence St, Winchester, in order to consider proposed changes to the building permit fees imposed under Section 7 of the Building Code Act

PURPOSE AND EFFECT – The Township of North Dundas has conducted a review of the building permit fees under Section 7(b) of the Building Code Act

The purpose is to ensure that the permit fees better reflect the services provided. The effect is to increase select existing fees and to introduce new fees for permits and services that have traditionally not had fees. Information will be provided at the meeting on the amount of the proposed fees and the rationale for changing and imposing the fees.

ANY PERSON may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either in support of or in opposition to the proposed fees. Any written comments are to be submitted prior to April 14th, 2022 and addressed to the following person:

Nancy Johnston Director of Corporate Services/Clerk 636 St. Lawrence Street, P.O. Box 489 Winchester, ON, K0C 2K0 njohnston@northdundas.com

Such written submissions will be circulated to Council in advance of the public meeting. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION will be provided at the meeting on the estimated costs of enforcing and administering the Building Code Act, the amount of the proposed fees and the rationale for changing and imposing the fees. More information regarding the current fee schedule and the proposed changes to the Building Permit Fee schedule can be found on our website www.northdundas.com.

The Township of North Dundas’ Chief Building Official will be available at the meeting to discuss the proposed fee changes and answer questions and receive comments. For further information, please contact Jacob Forget, Chief Building Official at 613-774-2105 x243 or by emailing jforget@northdundas.com

Dated at the Township of North Dundas this 16th day of March, 2022.

Nancy Johnston, MBA

Director of Corporate Services/Clerk

Township of North Dundas 636 St. Lawrence Street, P.O. Box 489 Winchester, ON, K0C 2K0

P: 613-774-2105 x226

F: 613-774-5699

It’s my party

by David Shanahan

In the midst of the horrible atrocities being perpetrated by Russian forces against the people of Ukraine, it may be hard to find anything to smile about in the conflict. But Vladimir Putin has managed to raise a small chuckle nevertheless by issuing sanctions against Western politicians. These usually consists of declaring that the individuals in question are banned from visiting Russia, since there’s not much more Putin can actually do to impact on their affairs.

Well, thinking over that last sentence, I must remember that he has managed to murder critics of his regime, even in places like London and Salisbury in the UK, so let’s not be too smug about it. But, aside from death threats (aside from?), the sanctions imposed on politicians in a number of European and North American countries will probably not force anyone to change their travel plans.

I suppose the ones we

should feel sorry for are those poor Russian billionaires who are losing their expensive toys and homes around the free world, no longer able to fly off to Paris for dinner, or to the Mediterranean for a brief holiday on their million dollar superyachts. Their bank accounts in the West are frozen, and their children will find it hard to pay their school fees at the very expensive places they are learning their lessons. Yes, the heart bleeds...

But, as I say, it is the sanctions against the politicians in the West that can raise a smile. It seems that every time president Zelenskyy spoke to a national Parliament or Congress, the members of that body were sanctioned by Putin. How dare they applaud the Ukrainian President and give standing ovations wherever he appeared on video link! You can imagine him shouting in anger: “It’s my Party and I’ll cry if I want to”, as, in a sulk, he denies parliamentarians access to his country. “That’ll teach them”, he laughs across the room at his closest advi-

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

For awhile I have been watching much more tv and streaming programs, both inside and outside my usual choices. With the news so full of the terrible aggressive war being waged by Russia in Ukraine; turmoil and violence in disparate places in the world; I needed entertainment as perhaps a respite for mind and heart. So: I surfed and discovered how many programs are about murder, mayhem and violence; and outer space snarling aliens wanting to subjugate or destroy our world.

By chance in my search, two programs I came across on the documentary channel were the respite I needed. The documentary of “Come From Away” was again presented. The wonderful story of the response by the people of Gander Newfoundland welcoming and caring for the passengers of international flights diverted to Gander on 9/11. A caring story of heart, smiles and generosity. Despite the

sors sitting eighty feet away.

The state of his mind these days must be something. Does he believe his own words? Does he understand how much he has destroyed his own reputation, not to mention the once-fearsome reputation of his military? Does he really understand that he can never again find respect or friendship outside his own deluded supporters? When the Russian people discover the truth of his “special military operation”, as one day they most certainly will, which will be their greatest reaction: shame or fury?

So far, he has failed to force NATO into direct confrontation over Ukrainian airspace, something that must have been one of his war aims. He has been claiming that this is a war.. sorry, a special military operation... against NATO and the US and the Nazis under Zelenskyy. The fact that his invasion has run into such serious opposition from the Ukrainian forces on their own must be galling to him. We can only hope so, anyway.

Putin has shown himself to be what he always wanted

to become: a new Stalin, a new Czar, implacable in his lust for power and for extending that power as far as he can. He has no morality, no humanity, when it comes to the cost of his ambitions. But it is also important to remember that he is not alone in his responsibility for what he has unleashed. There are those around him who enable the horror, who have thrown in their lot with him, and who know they will stand or fall with him too. Of course, they also know they can fall anyway, especially if they don’t say the right things, the things he has scripted for them to say.

It is times like these when even the most atheistic people must hope that there really is a Hell after this life. Otherwise, where is the justice for people like Putin and his heroes?

There is another positive we can take from this horrible history: doesn’t it make our Canadian politicians look so much better? Or, at least, so more boring and harmless? Even Poilievre doesn’t look quite as weasel-like compared to Sergei Lavrov, for example. Then again, swings

and roundabouts: they don’t look nearly as impressive as Volodymyr Zelenskyy, do they?

There’s something else that may bring a smile to our faces as we examine the list of sanctioned politicians Putin has complimented by being their enemy. According to news reports, after Zelenskyy spoke to the Canadian Parliament, Russia sanctioned 300 Canadian politicians and some Canada-Ukrainian organisations. Now that raises a fascinating question. You see, there are 338 members of the Canadian House of Commons, but only 300 names were sanctioned. Does this mean there are M.P.’s who are not on the list? I have no time to find out by going through the lists, but I’m sure others have done so. And I’m sure many of those who have trawled through the lists are Members of Parliament.

Now, while it should be taken as a sign of great approbation to have your name among the 300, how would it feel to have your name omitted? Either Putin doesn’t know or care about you that

way, or you didn’t seem worth sanctioning. Wouldn’t that be soul-destroying for anyone with the ego of a politician! These are times of incredible evil let loose, of tragedy and barbarism which the world rightly condemns. The fact that the same thing has been going on in Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, and so many other places, without the same level of condemnation and publicity is also disturbing. Maybe it’s just too much to deal with in its entirety, and we need to confine our focus to one tragedy at a time. There is, sadly, nothing new about what we’re seeing, it has happened before, it will happen again, it is happening elsewhere now. But let’s keep our eye on at least one tragedy, speak out against it, and take at least one step to condemn it everywhere. People are people and will always have that capacity for hatred and war in them. We need to ensure that it is fought everywhere, especially within ourselves. Love is all you need.

terrorists that caused this tragedy, and this intersection of people “From Away” and the people of Gander; the story tells of courage, selfless kindness and deep enduring friendships that blossomed. Both my heart and mind were lifted as I watched once more.

Of all the trips we have taken over the years, our trip to Newfoundland is unique. Its majesty in its land is made extra special by the hospitable hearts of the people. That generosity of spirit, is the backbone of Newfoundland. It is also in Canada, and our community!

Then I watched a biography of Pope Francis. It is about a unique humble person and interesting to learn about the man behind the great office he occupies. The message from this man, at the pinnacle of his church hierarchy, is anchored in his humanity. For him, among the most important treasures in life that need nurturing, are a sincere smile and a sense of humour. His mes-

sage resonates regardless of religion. Kindness of heart and empathy are engaging. I would ask that a striving for, and practice of, creativity and appreciation of beauty be added to the treasures.

What a contrast these two presentations made to the techno brilliant images of snarling, enormously menacing and ugly outer space aliens destroying everything in their path, with earth’s atmosphere and resources their aim. And, in movie after movie, life on earth is to be destroyed. Then!

The images of the war in Ukraine! Images of an invasion by Russia, whose aim is to flatten everything with no regard for who or how many people are killed, maimed or wounded. Why? What will the nations of the world do to aid Ukraine to “win”? What will the nations of the world do if Ukraine “loses”?

There is also Afghanistan, another nation of hunger, pain and destruction. What will the nations of the world do to aid the Afghan

people? The pallet around the world is violence, war, killing, kidnapping, refugee suffering! This is unfolding and ongoing in many spots. Images of crying children abound.

Then a return to the optics of TV national and international news. A running visual kaleidoscope to the corruption, upheaval, invasions, wars, cruelty, grasping for power, disrespect for the rule of law and killing one of the other? How to stop is the question to ask? Can the present crop of “World Leaders” find the courage and wisdom to chart a course to resolution? What can “we the people” do?

Can the people of the world channel their prodigious talents to invent a new world hobby to replace the prevailing one of violence and war? With a heart that is heavy with worry, I hope that courage can triumph and kindness change the world.

Best wishes

Nadia Gray

Pop-Up Markets at Osgoode Township Museum

by Caitlyn McDougall

The Osgoode Township Museum is very excited to announce Pop-Up Markets at the museum in the Summer of 2022. The museum intends to showcase local producers, makers and growers at the market. The markets will be taking place the second Sunday of June, July & August at the Osgoode Museum in front of the agricultural barn. Community members can come and get the chance to buy local products, chat with local producers and wander around the museum’s large 3 acre site, including an orchard and 10,000 square foot heritage garden. The museum buildings will be open for tours by staff and there will be a lantern craft table run by local volunteers where visitors will get the chance to participate in this family friendly activity. A true community event you won’t want to miss! The museum is currently accepting applications for vendors on the events page of their website.

The Osgoode Township Museum traces its founding back to 1972, when the first meeting to organize “The New Horizons Historical Group” was held. Their purpose in establishing this group was to do research, create interest, collect data, preserve and publish the history of Osgoode Township and the genealogy of its residents.

The Museum tells the story of Ottawa’s rural and agricultural heritage.

For more information on Rooted in Rural, please check out our website, or contact the Osgoode Township Museum at education@osgoodemuseum.ca, or visit our Facebook page.

Financial Planning: It all starts with great advice

A financial plan is about more than just saving and investing. It's a plan that helps you navigate your short, medium, and long-term financial goals towards a vision of your future. Understanding all of the elements that go into your plan will help you stay on track.

The right advice at the right time can help you:

- make better decisions,

- make the most of your money,

- financially protect yourself and your loved ones, - reduce money-related stress and anxiety, and, - reach your financial goals.

When it comes to money, is your energy focused mostly on your day-to-day finances?

That’s fine. But it helps if you can also build a customized plan that can take you further and help you save for today and the future, reach your short-term goals, and achieve your long-term goals.

Why is it important to build a customized plan?

Building a customized plan starts simply by making a list of the things that are important to you now and the things you want to work towards. It’s also an opportunity to outline how you’re going to use your money to achieve your goals.

An advisor can look at your specific needs to help you develop a solid and customized plan. They’ll work with you to understand your goals and needs.

Remember, a financial plan can help you:

• save to meet your short- and long-term goals, manage and reduce your debt

• protect yourself and your loved ones,plan for retirement,

• maximize your estate, and leave a legacy for your family.

Having these goals in place and a plan for how to get there will ultimately help you worry less and save more.

North Dundas’ Financial Services Professionals

Cynthia Batchelor Financial Advisor

Sarah Chisholm Financial Advisor

CORNWALL KEMPTVILLE RENFREW WINCHESTER

Financial Cup of Tea

Easing the Transition by Sarah Chisholm

Have you noticed older relatives cleaning out their basements, or sorting through old files? It may be part of a Christmas clean, or it could be that they are preparing their affairs in case they die or become incapacitated unexpectedly. As morbid as this may sound, anyone preparing their affairs should be applauded for their efforts, as they are making it much easier for their loved ones down the road.

Grab your favourite cup of tea or coffee and let’s consider a few ways to ease the transition for your executor and loved ones.

How can I prepare my investments for a smooth transition?

Take advantage of beneficiary designations. On your Tax-Free Savings Account, name your spouse as successor holder and your children, friends, or charity as the beneficiary. For your Registered Retirement Income Fund, ensure your spouse is designated as the successor annuitant or that your beneficiaries are up to date.

Non-Registered investments are accounts where

growth such as interest income, dividends or realized capital gains/losses need to be reported on your annual taxes. The proceeds of your non-registered investment will be paid to your estate and go through the process of probate. Making sure your will is up to date will help ease the process. Holding your non-registered funds in a segregated fund account through a life insurance company may allow you to name beneficiaries directly on the account and by-pass the probate process.

If you hold digital assets such as crypto currencies, it is important to make sure your executor has access to your login information.

Still have some old stock certificates lying around? Bring them to your investment advisor or brokerage to get the stocks converted to the direct registration systems so that they are easier to manage.

How can I prepare my insurance policies for a smooth transition?

Depending on your stage in life you may hold a mixture of term life insurance policies, permanent whole life policies, or universal life insurance policies. The first step

is to confirm which policies are still in-force and which policies have been cancelled, surrendered, or lapsed. This step will save your executor hours on the phone trying to track down old life insurance policies which may no longer exist. Once you have tracked down all your current policies, speak with your Advisor to confirm the coverage amount and the beneficiaries listed on the policy. Take the time to consider who should receive the death benefit and then work with your advisor to make those changes.

A few final tips to ensure a smooth transition: make sure your taxes are filed, update your will, and prepare a summary of your investments and insurance. It may be morbid to start thinking about it, but your loved ones will thank you for all the advance planning you did.

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

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

Assante Capital Management Ltd. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. Insurance products and services are provided through Assante Estate and Insurance Services Inc.

Tomorrow"

BROCKVILLE

Berube Poultry celebrating 50 years in business

chose their current location on McIntyre Road, nestled between the towns of Mountain and South Mountain. At this point, the business was still an informal operation. This changed in 1991, when government regulations were introduced that covered poultry processing standards.

processed birds at a safe temperature. When operations are running, a government inspector is on site to ensure the quality and safety of each and every bird.

by

A local poultry business is celebrating a significant milestone this year. Berube Poultry is a family-run business situated on a rural property between Mountain and South Mountain. The business has a rich history that began in 1971, when Richard Berube was a student at Kemptville

College. He raised a few hundred chickens as a school project, and then was faced with the problem of what to do with them. He turned the problem into another project and learned how to clean and process the birds. Realizing the potential of his new knowledge and skill, Richard officially opened Berube Poultry in South Mountain in 1972, operating solely from

word-of-mouth, as friends and acquaintances spread the word that he could process their birds into homegrown food.

By 1977, the operation was becoming too big for the town of South Mountain, as it was located within the town limits. Richard and his wife, Anne, needed a rural property to allow their business to continue to grow, and they

Richard and Anne spent the time and money necessary to turn their informal operation into a licensed poultry processing business, which meant the purchasing of automated equipment. Richard’s daughter, Angela Wylie, has been an important part of the business since 1991, and, several years ago, she purchased it from her parents and is proud to keep the business in the family. She gave the Times a tour of the processing barn, which has a series of conveyor belts, an inspection station, and automated equipment to perform functions such as plucking the birds and removing internal organs. There is also a large refrigerator to keep the

A Year of Fun from A Bunch of People

What a year it is going to be for everyone who attends the 2022 events and shows put on by A Bunch of People Arts and Events (ABOP). They have a stack of fun things to do at affordable prices for this year.

“The key for us are fun, charity, low-cost and fun again!” Amanda Burger, founder of ABOP said, smiling widely. “Given how inflation is rising, low-cost events will be a major need locally, and now, with our three sponsors, it is even more possible!”

This has been the first year ABOP, which was founded in 2018, has sought sponsorship to offset costs so that their Christmas donation to House of Lazarus (HOL) could be increased. Last Christmas, ABOP gave $1,600 to HOL, the profit from their four events in 2021. HOL then found three local families needing help with overwhelming debt. “This is the one of the raison d'êtres of ABOP. It is an outcome of having fun, what is better than that?”added Harmony Koiter, one of the Directors of the Board and the lead on their upcoming October True Stories event.

ABOP has been adding more writing and theatrical

events for their 2022 season, establishing a need to find a home-base out of which to work. They approached John and Sarah Meharg of Armour Development who offered them free use of a rehearsal hall on the second floor of the North Dundas Business Centre (NDBC) on Main Street in Winchester.

“This is so perfect for us. Armour Development said yes as soon as we asked. All our shows will be across the street at the Old Town Hall, so it is perfect”, said Suzanne Millaire, VP of the Board of Directors and lead on the Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Car Rally/Scavenger Hunt which will be held in August, for the 2nd year.

The Old Town Hall in Winchester is managed by the Township of North Dundas, which has just granted ABOP’s free use of the stage space for their performances and technical and dress rehearsals for the year; removing one of their major expenses.

“We are so pleased with this sponsorship. Our major expense, other than insurance and printing, has been the rental of the Old Town Hall. It is such a great little

theatre, and is perfect for our shows, including our new Sketch Comedy Show the last weekend in May, which we are presently writing in a writer’s room format with five writers at the NDBC. We will then perform it all across the street at the Old Town Hall,” said Marie-Thérèse, lead on the Sketch Comedy writing and show and Board Director.

This year ABOP is reinstating Sing It! A day where people come together to learn a song in three or four part harmony and perform it for online presentation- all within just a few hours. Sing it! is based on Toronto’s Choir, Choir, Choir, only smaller and local. The first Sing it! was held in 2019 and within three hours participants (about 30 people) learned and performed Queen’s We are the Champions and We will Rock You in four part harmony. This event will be held in May, so sign up early! Cost to participate is $10.

One of ABOP’s major events is their Writing in 150 writing competition, which will be held again in March, 2022. This major event has never missed a year, even during the pandemic. The first year it was held, everyone participated and wrote alongside each other while at McCloskey’s. During the pandemic, they moved the competition to online, and this year you can write from your home, or join others at

The conveyors and machines were quiet when the Times visited, and will be until May. Such is the case in the winter and early spring season every year, when operations at Berube Poultry wind down for a much-needed break. In talking with the Times, Angela said that she appreciates the time off, because she joked that she is accustomed to saying “See you in January!” to her children when seasonal operations begin each May. Once the season begins, Angela and her team work four days a week – consistent with the available days of the government inspector – and the end of their day doesn’t come until the work is done.

Being one of only two family-owned poultry processors in Eastern Ontario, Berube Poultry has customers coming out from far and

wide. When asked how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their operations, Angela revealed that it actually helped the business, since people stuck at home wanted to try their hand at raising their own birds, but needed someone who could process them. The thrill of such self-sufficiency has remained for many people, even as the pandemic is winding down, and so business has been consistently good, even though the family has never done any advertising, and has only ever relied on word-of-mouth.

Over the years, aunts, uncles, and grandparents have helped turn the business into what it is today. With Angela’s own children now helping out, it is clear that Berube Poultry is a true family operation which will stay that way for many years to come.

their new space at the NDBC. The Writing in 150 event is when the writers have 2 ½ hours (150 minutes) to write a fiction, non-fiction, poem (or spoken word), or song based on a prompt word, on which each writer must base their work. 1st and 2nd place winners are published in a book by Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. 1st place winners will also be featured on Perch magazines website. For the Song Writing (and Spoken Word, if a poem is meant to be presented as spoken) the 1st place winners will professionally record their piece with Railroad Recording Company.

“Railroad Recording Company offered this to us and, of course, we are ecstatic that they would offer such a costly prize! The wealth of experience David and Laura have over at Railroad Recording is amazing, and for them to offer to work with us is a real compliment, said Patrick Burger – the Board Director who leads the financial and written accounting needed for a not-profit organization to function.

Writing in 150 will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022 starting at 11:00 am. Writers can work from home, or join together to write in the ABOP new space. If you join in writing onsite, the writers get together after they submit their work to share with each other and the public can

come and hear them being presented for free. To join the writing competition the entry fee is $25 from your home, or $30 onsite at the NDBC. Winners will be announced publicly two weeks later.

To enter: or to request information on any of their events, email: abunchofpeopleartsandevents@gmail. com.

Angela Wylie continues the family business at Berube Poultry

Brandon Mayer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Next Habitat for Humanity home to be built in Winchester Springs

“Cornwall and the Counties” chapter, whose area includes North and South Dundas.

by Brandon Mayer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With the current ongoing housing crisis, the work of Habitat for Humanity is more important now than ever. Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity is an International not-for-profit organization that helps families in need work toward building their own, affordable home. The organization is made up of local chapters, such as the

On March 3, it was announced that the next “partner family” for this year’s build will be the Rumohr-Boisvert family, consisting of parents Zachary and Taylor, and children Marrisa, Zoe, Octavia, and Lincoln. The build will take place on the South Dundas side of Winchester Springs, on land donated by the Township of South Dundas, beginning this spring. This will mark the 17th build undertaken by the Cornwall and the Counties chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which began its work in 1998.

Contrary to what some might believe, Habitat for Humanity does not give away free homes. Those who

benefit from a Habitat for Humanity home must be willing both to work for it, and to pay for it. The upfront cost of the home is covered by the organization. In lieu of a down payment, partner families agree to provide the organization with 500 volunteer hours. When the home is complete, they take on an interest free mortgage (provided by the organization itself) to fully pay for their own home in installments that never exceed 30% of their household income. The organization therefore provides relief from the pressures of saving up thousands of dollars for a down payment, and extra costs associated with interest, but the family has still earned and worked for their home.

Where does Habitat for

Humanity receive its funding? The simple answer is, “the community.” The organization does not receive government funding, and instead relies on donations, fundraisers, and sponsors. The organization also operates locations of a discounted hardware store – the Habitat ReStore. The ReStore stocks only donated items, which exempts the store from having to charge customers tax. Proceeds from all sales are put toward the day-to-day operations of the organization, and these funds also contribute to the costs of home builds.

More about the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity can be learned at habitatcornwall.org.

Free art class at Kemptville ReStore next month

by Brandon Mayer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On April 16, the Habitat for Humanity’s Kemptville ReStore will be marking its 6th year in business, and will be celebrating the occasion with some special activities. One such activity will be run by Winchester artist Julie Bissell, who will be teaming up with the Kemptville ReStore to provide free art classes on that day, every half hour on the hour, from 9am until 5pm. Julie specializes in chalk painting, and through her business “Chalk it up to Julie,” she saves and restores old furniture by giving it a

“country chic” look. Julie approached the Kemptville ReStore about the idea after realizing that her focus on saving and restoring furniture, rather than discarding it, ties in nicely with the work of the ReStore, which is a not-forprofit home renovation thrift store whose proceeds support Habitat for Humanity.

In preparing for the classes, Julie has familiarized herself with the donated furniture items which are for sale in the ReStore, and, as part of the classes, she will be teaching people to think outside the box by considering the many different uses for items which most people believe only have one purpose. “A kitchen cabinet door can be made into a million different things,” Julie said, as an example of the type of things she will be teaching.

While Julie will provide the knowledge for free, those who want to put the knowledge into practice will have the opportunity to purchase materials from the ReStore, as well as paint and other supplies from Julie, to get started. These materials will be provided at discounted prices, in celebration of the ReStore’s 6th anniversary.

This will be a trial run for the chalk painting classes, with future classes possible if the response is positive. A portion of proceeds from future classes would be donated directly to the ReStore.

Julie stressed that chalk painting is not just about the art or the cost savings – it is also great for mental health.

One of Julie’s strengths is helping people to overcome their anxieties and find their

Dundas Manor looks to the future

confidence in order to produce work they can be proud of. To help people see the potential of restoring furniture, rather than discarding it, Julie picked a dresser at the ReStore, which was in such bad condition that “probably 99% of people walk by it,” and she will be restoring it as a before-and-after example at the front of the store to show the potential of furniture restoration.

“Reuse, repurpose, recycle, rethink,” is Julie’s motto. As more information on the April 16 classes becomes available, it will be made available on Julie’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Chalkituptojulie, and the ReStore’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ restorekemptville73.

Two years ago, Dundas Manor resident, Joan Dunlop, stood beside Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care, as she announced that a new Dundas Manor would be built in Winchester. Today, Joan is one of the many Dundas Manor residents who are providing input on the final architectural plans for her new home.

“The pandemic has slowed down our planning, but it hasn’t dampened our enthusiasm for a new home,” says Joan.

On the same day that the announcement was made,

the first set of COVID-19 pandemic protocols were put in place. Over the next 24 months, the Dundas Manor team’s sole focus was to keep residents safe and keep COVID-19 out of their home. “It is an understatement to say that our team has gone above and beyond. I am so proud of how they have cared for our residents and each other,” says Administrator Susan Poirier.

“While some COVID-19 protocols will remain in place for some time, it is exciting to turn some of our focus back to planning for the new home,” notes Cholly Boland, CEO.

“The good news is that we are incorporating some of the things we’ve learned during the pandemic, particularly related to infection control.”

The planning team is working closely with the Ministry of Health and LongTerm Care. Joan Dunlop says she can’t wait to see the shovels in the ground. “On the first day, I’m going to lay down on my new bed, read, and eat candy!”

For more information about the new Dundas Manor, visit www.dundasmanor.ca/ ourredevelopment.

On March 13, 2020, Minister Fullerton accepted a Dundas Manor jacket from Resident Joan Dunlop (middle) and Administrator Susan Poirer (right)

Baldwin's Birds

they had bothered coming back! Oddly enough, I think they know best about the weather, because within a couple of days of that incident the sunshine is out and the temperatures are on the rise. Next week, everyone will be complaining that it is too hot!! Ooh did I say that, eh!?

The Cathy Burns Peanut Butter Ball Fundraiser is back for the month of March – thanks to Simply Baked Catering owner Cheryl Beasley. Proceeds will support Winchester District Memorial Hospital’s Dialysis Unit.

Cathy Burns was a long-time community volunteer in South Mountain. She was also known for her baking skills and her famous peanut butter balls. Sadly, Cathy passed away in July 2019 after a long illness. Her family wanted to give back to the hospital as thanks for the care she received, so they shared her special recipe with the Simply Baked team.

Caught In The Snow!

by John Baldwin

Signs of warmth are slowly returning, as Spring emerges from the murk and cold and a number of our resident summer birds arrived back, in the flurries of snow! Some of them, a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds, had been spotted by my hairdresser, also a Times reader, who enthusiastically told me about them. She lives near the Limerick Forest and described seeing a flock of them, and she was very emphatic that they were Red-winged Blackbirds,

being a bit of a bird enthusiast herself. How could I argue when she hadn't got around to using the open bladed razor to clean up my sideburns, yet!

However, any of my "Doubting Thomas" thoughts were quickly dismissed, in shame I might add, because, on arriving back to my home, what did I see on my bird-feeder and in a nearby tree, but two of them. I suspect they had very puzzled looks on their faces, because I was seeing them through quite a strong flurry of snow, and they must have been wondering why

Not only have the Redwinged Blackbirds returned, but the Robins have too, and are trying out their Spring voices, along with those of the Canada Geese who were standing on the snow banks by the river at the end of the road. I expect that in the next few days we shall be seeing skeins of them flying in, or just passing overhead, on their way North. A wonderful sight for us all to witness and behold, and I hope that you all get to see and feel the elation too, of all the birds looking forward to building their nests and bringing into the world the Spring broods of their next generation.

Stay safe and well and enjoy them all out in your own garden, and not just through a window!

Cheers, John Baldwin

“We wanted to continue to honour Cathy Burns, a wonderful lady, who gave so much for the community,” says Cheryl Beasley. In fact, it’s now an annual event! Order your dozen peanut butter balls during the month of March and $5.00 will be donated to the WDMH Foundation. And good news – they freeze well too.

“Thank you to Cathy’s family, the Simply Baked team, and everyone who is enjoying these wonderful treats,” sums up Justine Plummer, Manager of Direct Mail & Events at the WDMH Foundation. “Get yours before the end of the month!”

New Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund

The Ontario government is investing up to $25 million over two years to build up the province’s food processing capacity. The new Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund Program, which was announced in the 2021 Fall Economic Statement, to increase the province’s food processing capacity, strengthen its food security and position the agri-food sector for economic growth, will launch on April 1, 2022.

Ontario’s food processing sector faces challenges to their ability to process more of the food that is grown in the province, including aging technology and facilities. Many aging food processing plants are limited in their capacities to expand and compete by outdated equipment and inadequate operational space to add new, efficient production lines.

The Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund will support industry investment in projects that address the processing capacity shortage and increase the sector’s competitiveness and resilience against future disruptions. Agri-food businesses are eligible for up to $3 million in cost-share funding to either build new processing facilities, expand or modernize existing facilities and adopt new innovative technologies to improve cur-

“This strategic investment will boost competitiveness and create new opportunities for the Ontario food processing sector and the entire supply chain,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “By enabling more private-sector investments that increase local food production, we’re ensuring Ontario has a safe and stable food supply made right here at home while driving economic growth and creating good local jobs.”

In an effort to increase

local food production across Ontario, rural, northern and Indigenous businesses will receive an additional five per cent in cost-share funding to build critical processing capacity in underserviced areas.

“This funding program is a great opportunity for local agri-food businesses to grow as they contribute even more to enhancing Ontario’s food supply chain,” said Jim McDonell, MPP for StormontDundas-South Glengarry. “I encourage everyone to prepare an application after the April 1 launch.”

Have you picked up your copy yet? Available at Foodland at the reasonable price of just $15. Proceeds will go to the Naomi Shelter

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Lisa Thompson, launching the new $25 million Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund Program with fellow MPPs Jim McDonell, Lisa MacLeod, and Goldie Ghamari and agriculture representatives. rent operations.

Written & Illustrated by Maggie Boyer

EOHU’s Medical Officer of Health on Masking

As the provincial government lifts the remaining public health and workplace safety measures on March 21, masks will no longer be required in public places, including schools.

“We are in a place where masking and other restrictions can be removed in most circumstances due to a significant decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and outbreaks as well as high levels of vaccination among people older than 12 years old and increasing vaccine uptake in students aged 5 to 11 years old,” says Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health at the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU). “For this, I am grateful to the community.”

However, individuals will still be required to wear masks in the following circumstances and settings:

- When taking public transit

- Health care settings

- Long-term care homes

- Congregate care settings

Masks remain an effec-

tive tool to prevent COVID-19 infections:

While we’re now in a transition phase towards more normalcy, we’re still in a pandemic and masks remain an effective tool at curbing the number of COVID-19 infections in the community.

Dr. Roumeliotis therefore recommends the continued use of masks in situations where the risk of transmission is higher, such as crowded indoor and poorly ventilated places, or when in close contact with unvaccinated or ill people. The decision to wear a mask should be based on an individual’s risk tolerance based on any underlying health conditions or their age, as well as their comfort levels.

“For the time being, I will personally continue wearing a mask when I find myself in crowded indoor spaces or poorly ventilated places,” says Dr. Roumeliotis. “As we transition into this new stage of the pandemic, I want to remind everyone to be kind and respectful of each other. We truly are all in this together, and the transition to

living alongside COVID-19 will be much smoother if everyone respects each other’s choices.”

Masks no longer mandatory in schools:

The lifting of public health and workplace safety measures will also apply to schools. Students as well as education and school transportation staff will no longer be required to wear masks as of the return to school on March 21.

Students and school staff will still be required to wear masks in the following circumstances:

- When exposed to a case of COVID-19 at home or in the community

- When taking public transportation to and from school (excluding school buses)

- When returning from international travel

“I want to reassure the public that the EOHU will continue working with school partners in the weeks and months ahead to ensure everyone’s safety throughout the school year.”

While no longer mandatory in schools, students, parents, and staff may continue to wear masks based on their own personal risk assessment/ situation, and they should not be bullied or intimated in any way for choosing to do so.

Finally, as we enter this next phase of restriction and mandate removals, the public, including students and school personnel, is reminded that the following measures still need to be taken:

Get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, if eligible. Screen for symptoms and stay home when sick. Use Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) as necessary. Wash your hands frequently. Cough and sneeze into your arm. Wear a mask when required or based on your individual risk or situation.

For more information about the provincial government’s lifting of the remaining public health and workplace safety measures, visit EOHU.ca.

CHARGE! Electric vehicles and more on April 23

by Sustainable NG

The 13th Annual Sustainability Fair and Market will take place at the North Grenville Municipal Centre on Saturday, April 23, from 10am to 3pm. The Fair will have the usual “Kids’ Area”. But more on that another time – this article is about the toys for the big kids!

Our humble SNG show in Kemptville has included an electric vehicle show that has grown over the years to what we think is the largest one between Toronto and Montreal. Once again this year, we will have many

Building Up Bones for a Lifetime

What’s one of the worst errors that young people make early in life? It’s the failure to practice preventive medicine. So, let’s have a talk with young people about how to protect their bones for a lifetime.

We know that kids of all ages break bones playing sports. It’s annoying when this happens, leaving them sidelined from sports and play with friends for a few weeks. But breaking a bone becomes more than an inconvenience for adults, as full recovery becomes less likely. The older one is, the more breaking a bone may have life-changing consequences, including being forever consigned to a wheelchair. But why do bones become brittle with age, and can it be avoided?

Many people think bones are hard and unchanging, like cement. It’s a misconception. On the contrary, bones are constantly undergoing microscopic changes. One group of cells is slowly destroying bone while another group is building up bone. During the early years, more bone is produced. But later on, more bone is destroyed.

models on display with their owners. Exact models are still being confirmed, but cover most manufacturers and some exciting new models just recently launched.

All cars are privately owned, and that’s what makes this show special.

Visitors have the opportunity to interact with owners who have driven them in our climate, through winters, on long trips, and for hundreds of thousands of kilometres. Who better to learn from about the strengths of these cars? Hear about the lower costs of driving, the emis-

sions savings, the maintenance, and how these compare to combustion-powered cars. If you’re wondering whether driving an electric or plug-in hybrid car can work for your needs, this is the place to find out. And if you’ve seen gas prices lately, there can be no better time.

As in the past, local dealerships will be present and able to speak to the electric vehicles they offer. Myers Kemptville Chevrolet Buick GMC will return to support the show again this year.

Barrhaven Ford will bring their Escape plug-in hybrid

Increase staffing in local Long Term Care homes

As part of its plan to fix long-term care, the Ontario government will provide up to $673 million this year to long-term care homes across the province to increase staffing levels, leading to more direct care for residents. This includes $2,671,625 for long-term care homes in Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry. This is part of the province’s commitment to ensure long-term care residents receive—on average—four hours of direct care per day by 2024-25.

These funds will increase care for residents at Dundas Manor Nursing Home, in Winchester, which will receive up to $723,876 for additional staffing this year to increase the hours of direct care for residents.

“This funding will allow homes in our community to hire and retain more staff so they can provide more care to residents, every day,” said Jim McDonell, MPP for Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry. “This is part of our government’s plan to hire thousands of new staff over the next four years to ensure those living in long-term care get the high-quality care they need and deserve.”

Seniors entering long-term care today are older and have more complex medical needs than they did just a decade ago. The level of care residents need has increased dramatically, but the amount of care they receive each day has not. In the nine years, between 2009 and 2018, the amount of care each resident received, by all providers, per day increased by only 22 minutes. Our government, over the span of four years, will increase direct hours of care by 1 hour and 21 minutes.

and their exciting Mustang Mach E. We’re also happy to be partnering with Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa this year, who will bring a display on charging and also some vehicles for test drive. Conditions will apply, and models are yet to be confirmed, but be sure to arrive early, because those opportunities will book up quickly. As always, we will arrange some exciting presentations related to EVs. This, and other aspects, are still in the planning phases.

Further, and by popular demand, we will be showcasing some privately owned yard power equipment. Many have asked for this opportunity to speak with people who already use battery electric chainsaws, blowers, snowblowers, trimmers, lawnmowers, lawn tractors, robotic lawn mowers (Really! Robotic ones!). This will see the arena space shared with a new “Greening Your Home” section, to bring it all together in one big showcase.

SNG would like to express its gratitude to the community for the support that grew this show from modest beginnings to a key attraction that competes with shows in large cities. Come join us, and bring the big kids!

Look on bones like a bank. A habit of saving money in the bank will mean more to spend later. It’s a comfort to know the investment is guaranteed to pay off. When the inevitable withdrawals begin, there will be no dependency on others for mobility. Weak bones are the cause of a lot of medical problems. Studies show that over 10 million North Americans have weak bones and an increased risk of bone fracture. But what’s more worrying is that another 40 million have a condition called “osteopenia”, increased weakness of bones from loss of calcium, and a much greater risk of a broken bone. If this happens, the result may be deadly.

Broken bones send more people to hospital than heart attacks, breast cancer, and strokes among women 55 and older. Dr. E. Michael Lewiecki, Director of the New Mexico Clinical Research and Osteoporosis Center in Albuquerque, says, “We’ve reached a global crisis.”

How do you keep out of a wheelchair? Diet will always be vital. But there’s a problem, starting with the breakfast young people eat. Many breakfast cereals are loaded with sugar and calories. But they’re dietary disasters, increasing the risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The producers of these products should be ashamed, and consumers should make smarter choices. Children should insist their parents buy whole wheat cereals. And these healthier cereals should be eaten with a banana or another fruit and calcium-rich milk. This is the start for stronger bones and a longer life.

Throughout life, diet continues to be of vital importance. Fish provides generous amounts of magnesium and potassium, which add strength to bone. And don’t neglect daily sources of calcium that preserve bone.

Vitamin D is important as it helps the absorption of calcium. Vitamin K2 directs calcium to the bone and inhibits blood vessel calcification. And pay attention to protein, which makes up a hefty proportion of bone.

Weight bearing exercise such as walking, as well as balance and flexibility exercises, keep muscles and bones stronger. There’s no better proof of the benefits of exercise than this discovery. A young man lost one arm in a tragic accident. This meant he had to use his other arm more frequently. Later, when this other arm was X-rayed, the bones were twice their original size.

So, children, save your money and your bones by eating well and by a lifetime of physical activity. After all, who wants to be in a wheelchair later in life?

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

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

In November of 2020 (and my, how the world has changed since then), I introduced you to Pork Normandie, that tasteful dish flavoured with apples and Calvados. However, there are very simple everyday dishes to make with pork tenderloin, a cut of meat that is usually quite reasonably priced. This past week, my grandson Ayden and I cooked up Pork Tenderloin Medallions and accompanied it with some Basmati rice and cauliflower (spruced up with a nice cheese sauce) So, here is how you can put it together in record time.

Pork Tenderloin Medallions

Ingredients:

1 whole pork tenderloin (or two if you are serving more than 2 or 3 people)

2 tablespoons butter (salted or unsalted)

1 cup of Panko

Garlic powder

Black pepper

2 eggs

A splash of milk

Cauliflower florets, cheese soup, Parmesan and Basmati rice (if this is what you wish).

Preparation:

Pre-heat your oven to 375F.

Beat the eggs with the milk in a bowl and set aside as an egg wash.

Spread the Panko crumbs on a plate and sprinkle with garlic powder and black pepper.

Coat a flat baking pan (preferably glass) with oil (spray Canola works just fine).

Roll the tenderloin into a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Cut 1 inch thick medallions, dip in the egg wash and coat with the Panko mixture.

Place in a baking pan coated with oil (spray Canola works just fine).

Bake till the meat has browned and is just done (don’t overcook the pork).

If you want to accompany the pork with cauliflower and a cheese sauce, simply cook the florets as you usually would. Heat up a can of cheese soup and sprinkle with 2 or 3 teaspoons of Parmesan. Also, make up your Basmati. A nice way to serve is to simply place your glass baking dish on a heat pad, and a serving dish each for the rice and cauliflower. You can keep the cheese sauce separate in a gravy boat. However, you can accompany Pork Tenderloin Medallions with just about any vegetable or starch, including noodles.

Many thanks from pcormier@ranaprocess.com. Best to all and stay well as we welcome daylight saving time and spring!

North Dundas District High School report

CROSSWORD

Sport’s News and Maple Syrup

by Savannah Coleman, Minister of Communications

March is finally here, and we have officially started our March Break; lots of excited students and staff on Friday as we all went off for a welldeserved break!

We had a spirit week

leading up to March Break to get some spirit in the school!

Monday was Iconic Movie or TV Character Day; Tuesday was Wear Plaid for Jole; Wednesday was Vacation Day; Thursday was Throwback Thursday; Friday was Green Day. As usual ND had filled the halls with our outstanding participation and

spirit!

Some sports went on over the past two weeks for the boys' hockey team and girls' volleyball. The boys' hockey team travelled to Cornwall and Long Sault to play; they played many games, and unfortunately lost most, but tied one, and all games were tight in scoring. ND hosted the girls’ volleyball and both, Junior and Senior teams, played Tagwi and Seaway. The junior team won against Tagwi, while the senior’s lost against them, but won against Seaway.

ND has two groups participating in the first ever maple syrup project! The Agricultural SHSM and Mrs. Hall's Leadership class are using the sugar shack that Mr. Bougie's construction class built to boil sap and turn it into maple syrup. It is going to be a new learning experience for everyone, but everyone is excited to take on the project!

IPM Barn Quilt workshop held

represent a quilt block.

The workshop was offered to encourage people to make and enter a barn quilt in the Home on the Farm Quilt Show and Tea Room quilt competition. An online zoom presentation was given prior to the workshop to give people an idea of what to expect. Thirty people applied to take the workshop but under COVID rules, 15 participants worked in the morning and 15 in the afternoon. Each participant completed a Barn Quilt.

Desjardin, Hugh Arthur “Butch”

coats of primer on the back. These were all ready for the participants to work on.

by Elaine MacNaughtan

The 2022 International Plowing Match Quilt Committee held a Barn Quilt Workshop March 7, 8, and 9 at Pierce’s Corners Hall. One of the categories in the IPM

quilt competition is for Barn Quilts. A Barn Quilt is made on a large piece of wood and painted with solid colours in a design of simple geometric shapes such as squares, triangles and rectangles to

The Upsides of High Oil and Food Prices

by Ralph C. Martin

“Can you even squeeze $10 of gas into that thing?”

He might have said ‘tin can’, instead of ‘thing.’ The wind was driving snow into my face, and my vision and hearing were challenged. He was in the shadow of his vehicle, about three or four times the size of mine. “Nowadays I can,” I said, with a smile.

One upside of high oil prices is that vehicle size may decrease. Now, excess material cocoons one or two occupants in many vehicles, without cargo, along highways and urban roads.

I recall a farmer who sold firewood by the pickup load, from a large pile on his farm. He claimed to be doing the town boys a favour by providing them with an excuse to own their trucks. In 2021, four of the five top selling vehicles in Canada were pickups. How much wood could those trucks chuck?

Electric vehicles (EV) make more sense as oil prices rise, although I’ve heard that EV sales are sputtering because they are still too small. Whether powered by internal combustion engines or batteries, more energy is needed as vehicle size increases. Smaller, rather than larger, EVs will reduce the need to mine lithium, cobalt and nickel for batteries and they are cheaper than most pickups.

Other upsides of high oil prices are faster adoption

Karyne Besso, Teresa Harrison and Nancy Gundy organized and ran the workshop over the course of the three days. Each day a new layer of paint was added and left overnight to dry. There were over 30 colours of paint provided for the participants to use. The boards had been prepared with three coats of primer on the front and two

The Barn Quilts will be on display at the Home on the Farm Quilt Show and Tea Room to be held on August 19 and 20 at the WB George Centre in Kemptville. Area residents may also have Barn Quilts on display at their homes for the IPM Beautification. Watch for more details. Some Barn Quilts may be displayed in the Quilt Tent at the North Grenville IPM and Rural Expo on the Kemptville Campus September 20 - 24. For more information on the quilt show go to www. plowingmatch.org/ipm2022/ getinvolved/ quilt-competition. The 2022 IPM website is www.plowingmatch.org/ ipm2022.

Suddenly at home on Tuesday March 8, 2022. Hugh Desjardin age 64 of Winchester. Predeceased by his parents Hugh and Alice Desjardin. Loving brother of Dorothy (Brian) Seeley of Prescott, Shirley (Earl) Hogan of Kingston and the late Alex (Susan) of Kemptville. Cherished uncle of Bonnie, Connie, Vickie and great uncle of Brandi, Ricky, Dylan, Barbara, Niki, Joshua and Jessica. By Hugh’s request Cremation has taken place. A Private Graveside Service will be held at South Gower Cemetery in the Spring 2022. By family request donations may be made in Memory of Hugh to the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to the Byers Funeral Home, South Mountain (613-989-3836). Online condolences may be made at www.byersfuneralhomeinc.com

of heat pumps, geothermal energy, passive houses, and public transportation. While high oil prices may justify redistribution of current oil and gas supplies, they could tip us toward more drilling, a definitive downside given IPCC’s ‘bleakest warning yet’ on impacts of climate breakdown. However, with determination, we could have more energy sovereignty in Canada by accelerating clean energy production. Related to the size of vehicles, there is an opportunity to reduce the size of living space per person and to transform housing availability.

An upside of higher food prices is that we might nibble less, thus reducing health costs and reduce wasted food. In Canada, the value of wasted food per year is $49.5 billion (with associated costs it is 2.5 times higher), and the total of avoidable and unavoidable wasted food is tallied at 58% of all food.

Canadians spent 10.7% of their disposable income on food in 2021. In my opinion, food is still too cheap, and if our system is structured for consumers to avoid paying the real costs of growing, processing, and distributing food, then food will continue to be treated like a convenient commodity.

Unfortunately, high oil prices are gut punches to those who must travel to work, or haul supplies in rural areas with poor or non-

existent public transportation. As oil and natural gas prices increase, so will the cost of food production, especially as nitrogen fertilizer costs rise in lock step with energy prices.

I am not convinced that poverty will be solved indirectly with lower food and oil prices. In my opinion, poverty must be addressed directly. A guaranteed liveable income is probably the most effective solution.

In Canada, we have the luxury of tackling the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with higher prices and living more efficiently. In countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, and Sudan, food shortages will be exacerbated and risks of famine are increasing. A global economic system of acquisition and marginalization results in more casualties during a crisis. Why does it take a war to make us recalibrate the rankings of humanity’s wants and needs?

In Europe and North America, high oil and food prices may be the jab in the ribs that will make us grumble until we see the benefits of wasting less, consuming less, and focusing on higher values.

Ralph C. Martin, Ph.D., Professor (retired), Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph. Information on book, “Food Security: From Excess to Enough”, at www. ralphmartin.ca.

Local young farming family looking to buy a farm. Min. 10ac tillable with a liveable house. If you are looking to sell your farm to a farming family please reach out. Open to creative solutions. davidrbailie@gmail.com.

The Pet of North Dundas

Meet Precious, the Long haired Chihuahua. Her favourite food is whatever people are eating! She likes to boss Rocky (doggy friend) around, and chooses the best pet-bed for herself. She enjoys riding in the bike basket too!

One of the workshop participants working on her barn quilt block

Youth Climate Action Summit coming in May

by Julie Servant, Executive Director, Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network

The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network will present the second annual Youth Climate Action Summit (YCAS) on May 9-10, 2022. The YCAS at its core aims to empower youth to take concrete action towards climate change adaptation in their community. Featuring 11 experts in climate change and climate solutions. The two-day summit seeks to improve the climate literacy of the younger generation and prepare them to be future leaders in a more sustainable world.

Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network (FABN) is a non-political organization

that strives to bring global convention to a local level, offering tangible actions that can increase everyday local sustainability. The programs and events offered by the FABN seek to conserve biodiversity, contribute to building sustainable communities, facilitate biodiversity and sustainability science, as well as educate and support mitigation and adaptation to climate change. The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region covers an area between Brockville and Kingston and north to the Rideau World Heritage site and Frontenac Provincial Park. www.frontenacarchbiosphere.ca.

Youth teams from the greater Frontenac Arch Region will gather virtually to

CO2 Down to Earth

learn from experts and to work towards developing their own climate action plans. Teams will include students, educators, administrators, and facilities staff. Each team will be able to take their climate action plan back to their school or community for implementation. The summit presents a unique opportunity for youth to connect with youth from other schools, collaborate and grow their networks.

Session topics include sustainable agriculture, composting, Indigenous climate action, reflections on COP26, and more. Speakers at the summit include Dr. Andrew Weaver, Professor in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of

Working to Enhance Our Habitat

region, and are still home to species that once flourished here. Of intrinsic value in themselves, these locations are also an index of what might be achieved in ecologically degraded sites.

Victoria and Dr. Christopher Burn, Professor of Geography at Carleton University. Other speakers include Troy Dunlop, Kevin Matthew Wong, Matthew Graveline, Christian Artuso, Riley-Ann Schmidt, Emma Vernarde, Jayce Chiblow, Craig Johnson, and Peter Soroye.

Read more about the speakers here: https://youthclimateactionsummit.ca/ speakers.

Teams of five youth from grades 9 to 12 can register until April 31. More info, including the Summit schedule and registration form, is available at https://youthclimateactionsummit.ca.

CECCE expands on Kemptville Campus

The Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE) and the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre have finalized an agreement to lease Purvis Hall. Among other things, the agreement will enable the CECCE to expand the Académie catholique Notre-Dame (ACND), which currently occupies the campus's Gibson Hall and Fraser Hall.

Kemptville’s francophone population is growing, so additional space at Purvis Hall will make it possible for ACND to continue growing in step with its vibrant school community and offer more services and activities to students and families in and around Kemptville.

Purvis Hall will provide elementary students with a wonderfully inspiring learning environment. The CECCE will soon be configuring the hall to meet its needs while preserving its unique architectural character and historical appearance, thereby bringing the board’s total number of buildings on campus to three.

The new premises will also be used to: offer language classes to residents of North Grenville; create an agricultural entrepreneurship centre that will give the ACND school community access to the hall outside of school hours for activities such as selling honey from the beehives that were set up on campus in June 2021; provide space for local community organizations and groups; and develop various activities and initiatives that highlight the history, natural environment and biodiversity of the land on which the campus is located.

by Philip Fry

Not long after my last contribution to this column, I received an email message questioning my purposes. I was asked: “What is it you are trying to achieve, if you know yourself? Your inputs ramble on, ever seeking a landing place. At times you wax on about the lack of governance, little respect for plant species, green energy, wetland values, etc. You conclude with the...'need to get going on this'. Get going on what, specifically? Much needs to be done? On what, specifically?”

For a moment I was taken aback, then realized that the author was, in a sense, right, for I have avoided proposing any coherent plan of action that others should follow. What I have attempted is to contribute to an open discussion about what we can do to respond to the impact of climate change and the loss of biodiversity, here, in our region.

Consequently, I have been pointing at various

aspects of our habitat, using the metaphor of a landscape quilt and the workings of its elements. People have indeed responded to me about their concerns, and I have tried to echo them in the column. That doesn't make for a systematic overview, but it does signal strategic points for debate.

With this openness in mind, I am now going to begin focusing my remarks on an approach to habitat enhancement based on my personal experience in wildflower gardening and landscape restoration. The idea is to assess the capability of our habitat for resilience and adaptation, then take agreed upon steps to work with that capacity using native plants – trees, shrubs, and non-woody flowering plants – as mediums of positive change.

An important project could be, for example, to identify and protect relict woodlands and wetlands, where that has not already been done. Such sites are dispersed throughout the

There are other sites, both public and privateroadsides, ditches, hydro easements, abandoned fields, fence lines, windbreaks - that are ecologically damaged and in need of restoration. They could eventually be connected to create safe wildlife corridors. But before that, all the stakeholders in the sites will need to understand the value of remediation and negotiate the terms of its execution.

The scale of potential restoration projects, whether they involve private or public lands, requires the development of significant inputs of materials and labour: reliable seed of indigenous plants (sourced by collection or from seed banks); finding people and acquiring equipment for the germination and potting of the plants; delivering and planting appropriate species in the target sites; and post-planting monitoring of the plants' introduction to the site.

Take, for example, Hepatica acutiloba, a delightful, spring-blooming woodland plant. Its flowers can be pure white, rose, sky blue, or mauve. Its seeds must be collected at exactly the right moment; they are hydrophilic, that

is, they must not dry out, and therefore need to be planted immediately, or kept in refrigerated, damp conditions. They also need to pass through warm and cold periods to germinate, which sometimes takes two years. When growing seedlings, one is never sure of what colours they will be. When they finally bloom after three to five years of care, that is exciting. But not cost effective. The public institutions and organizations dedicated to environmental concerns - The Ferguson Forestry Centre, the Conservation Authorities, for example - have been helpful with restoration projects in the past. But the work I am suggesting is too extensive and time consuming to be done directly by their staff. This means we need to muster up a lot of volunteer help, which calls for strong personal motivation on the part all concerned, the recognition of each volunteer's abilities, and a willingness to learn appropriate methods of plant care. In my next column, I will write about the Ferguson Forestry Centre and how it could, perhaps, frame and enable such volunteer activity.

Please contact me with your ideas at wildflowerguy@gmail.com.

On signing the lease, Karen Cooper, Board Chair for the Kemptville Campus, said, “This contract represents a major milestone for the Campus’s partnership with the CECCE. Last year, we contracted a third party to run the public tendering process to ensure transparency and fairness. We were delighted to see the CECCE’s vision for transforming Purvis Hall, especially the board’s commitment to making it available to the community outside of school hours. We are excited to be working with the CECCE and look forward to future collaborations.”

Kemptville Campus Executive Director Liz Sutherland added, “Purvis Hall is a century-old historic gem that has fulfilled many different educational missions over the years. The CECCE’s proposal to expand its educational services on campus by leasing Purvis Hall marks the beginning of a wonderful era of optimizing education and training on our magnificent campus. We are eager to deepen our partnership with the school board.”

“The CECCE is proud of this agreement with the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre to lease Purvis Hall. Many community members participated in public consultations to express their ideas about potential uses for buildings on campus, and I am sure they will be very happy with this arrangement,” said CECCE Chair Johanne Lacombe.

Trustee Diane Burns said, “The CECCE heard from residents who want Purvis Hall to be used in a way that respects its historic purpose. They also want it to be available to community associations and groups outside of school hours. We are focused on achieving both of those objectives.”

For his part, Director of Education Marc Bertrand said, “This agreement will augment the Académie catholique NotreDame’s ability to deliver on its educational mission to provide quality instruction in French and to do so in a truly inspiring environment. I am also very pleased that the ACND will have opportunities to develop initiatives showcasing the locale’s history and natural environment, which will help make the campus a destination of choice. Given the campus’s agricultural vocation and the importance of economic development, the administration is excited about the idea of setting up an agricultural entrepreneurship centre. This project will enrich the preconcentration and concentration in Human and Planetary Health, which focus on climate change, as well as the Environment Specialist High Skills Major, both of which are well established at ACND.”

Photo: Hepatica acutiloba