ND Times Issue 8 2020 December 23

A most special Festive Gift of one million dollars

by

Jane Adams Lois and Dale Keyes don’t look at all like Santa and Mrs. Claus. But they’ve just delivered the most wonderful present to Winchester District Memorial Hospital –andthepatientswecarefor.

On December 11, Lois and Dale visited the WDMH Foundation to present a chequeforonemilliondollars

($1,000,000) This incredible gift will be directed toward the purchase of a new CT Scanner for WDMH.

In a letter to the WDMH Foundation, Lois and Dale shared why they are making this incredible gift: “We are very thankful and feel very blessed to be able to do this for our community at this time in our lives. We have

given this a great deal of thought and decided to make WinchesterDistrictMemorial Hospitalourcharityofchoice. Thisnotonlytouchesmanyin our close local community, but reaches out a long way. We are so fortunate to have this great facility in our rural community. It is important that everyone understands that special equipment is not

supplied by our

Government, but is done through fundraising by our very dedicated and capable people here at WDMH.”

Both Lois and Dale have a strong connection to the community. Dale’s family has farmed in the Hulbert area since 1830. And when

Lois and Dale Keyes and their generous cheque.

Gift of one million dollars

cared for by the doctors and nurses–especiallyMrs.Malloy. Those memories last.”

At the outdoor presentation were (l-r):

“This donation provides an amazing kick-off to our fundraisingeffortsforthenew CT Scanner,” noted Foundation Managing Director, Kristen Casselman. “We are so grateful to Lois and Dale for their incredible support.”

“This milestone gift is incredible. I want to thank LoisandDaleonbehalfofour current and future patients,” added Cholly Boland, CEO.

Loisstandsintheirbackyard, shecanstillseeherchildhood home. Their rural roots are deep – and so is their support of health care close to home.

They are also longstandingsupportersoftheWDMH Foundation. Last year, they servedastheHonoraryChairs for Boots & Bling. At the event, they talked about the importance of health care

close to home: “We are all very fortunate to have the hospital nearby, with all of the great people who work there.Andweneedtosupport them.”

At the presentation, Dale recalled his stay at WDMH whenhewasjustsevenyears old: “I broke my leg, and I stayedforamonthandahalf. I still remember being well

Santa on a Fire Truck!

“We can’t wait to welcome them back for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new CT Scanner!”

“By giving this donation, help may be available for someoneinyourfamilywhen the need is there,” summed up Lois and Dale. “It could be critical for one’s health. We are very happy to be able to do this, and are doing it in the most humble and modest way. God bless.”

by Joselyn Morley

by Joselyn Morley

On Thursday, December 17, Premier Ford declared Santa to be an essential service provider, and asked the Lieutenant Governor to issue a proclamation to that effect. Ford declared that as

Santa got a ride through Hallville, Mountain and South Mountain, on a fire truck, with the North Dundas Fire Department Station 2 (Hallville).

Fire trucks with lights and sirens, followed by vehicles outfitted with the Green Volunteer Fire Fighter Light, headed through the towns' streets to help spread a little holiday cheer. Santa rode up on top of the biggest truck waving to kids and adults who had gathered. Kids and adults alike loved it!!

an essential service provider, Santais"authorizedtodeliver toys,treats,andgoodcheerto the children of Ontario." He reassured Ontario's children that"Santaisstillcomingthis year despite the COVID-19 Pandemic." The Elves' Toy Workshop has been granted

thestatusof"essentialmanufacturing business" and as such has been "authorized to supply Santa Claus with toys and gifts." The reindeer are considered "essential transportation service providers," and as such are allowed free and unfettered access to all partsofOntario.ThePremier listed the reindeer by name, and did indeed include Rudolf!Finally,Fordthankedall of the essential workers, including nurses, grocery store clerks, construction workers, as well as Santa, the Elves, and the Reindeer.

Weassumethatthisdesignationwillremaininplace,irregardlessofanyincreasedor continuedrestrictionsthatthe Premierisexpectedtodiscuss on Monday, December 21.

Watch

Cindy Peters, Manager of Direct Mail & Events, WDMH Foundation; Cholly Boland, CEO, WDMH; Nathalie Boudreau, Vice President, Clinical Services, WDMH; Lois Keyes; Bruce Tessier, BMO Nesbitt Burns; Denis Arseneau, Team Leader, WDMH CT Suite; Dale Keyes; Chelsea McIntyre, Manager of Major & Planned Giving, WDMH Foundation; and Kristen Casselman, Managing Director, WDMH Foundation.

Santa, the Elves, & Reindeer declared essential!

Happy Holiday wishing you a

Light Up North Dundas Tour & Contest

by Joselyn Morley

Houses, businesses, and organisations registered in the Light Up North Dundas TourwillbelitupeverynightuntilJanuary 1, between 5:30 and 9:30 pm. Drive by. VoteontheNorthDundasFacebookpage. Maps and addresses can be found on the Township of North Dundas web site. The photo with the most "likes" on the North DundasFacebookpagewillwintheCommunity Choice Award. Other categories will be judged by a panel. There are two categories: House, and Business & CommunityOrganisation.Threeprizesforeach category are: 1st place is a $150 gift card; 2nd place is a $100 gift card; 3rd place is a$50giftcard.CommunityChoiceAward willreceiveagiftbasketofdonationsfrom local businesses. Gift cards will be for a local business of the winner's choosing fromNorthDundas.Itismyunderstanding thatsomepeoplewhowantedtoregister,or werenominatedbyneighbourstoregister, didn't get their names in on time. So there maybeapictureherethatisnotregistered, but is bringing a bit of cheer on this crazy holiday season anyway!

And so this is Christmas...

by David

Editorial Everyone has a favourite Christmascarolortwo.Some are older, religious ones, like “Away in a Manger”, or “Joy to the World”. Others are secular and more recent, like “Silver Bells”, or “White Christmas”. For me, every year, when I think of songs fortheseason,JohnLennon’s “Happy Christmas (War is Over)” is what comes to my mind.Ithinkit’sthequestion he asks that really speaks to me:“AndsothisisChristmas, and what have you done?”

Shanahan ever more relevant. Each of us have to answer it for ourselves,butthereissomething about this issue of the Times thatissoencouragingforme, and, I hope, for you too.

Idon’ttakethisasathreat, or a guilt thing: it just makes me think about the year that has passed and wonder what Ihavedonewithit.Theyears are passing more and more quickly now, and there are notasmanylefttomeasthere were,sothequestionbecomes

In this strange and challenging year of Covid, the world has learned just how vulnerable we are, and how quickly and easily things can fall apart. In the world in which we live, good news is sometimes hard to find. Cynicism and pessimism often seem the predominant attitudes, and there are too many times when such negativity seems justified.

Whether you are a Christian or not, Christmas is one time of the year when the negativitycanbeputasidefor a few days or weeks. If you canignorethecommercialism andgreed,notalwayseasyto do,thereissomuchpositivity

around. People smile more, take pleasure in finding the rightgiftsforlovedones,and look forward to relax away from the day-to-day stresses of life, even in socially-distanced and keeping-to-yourbubble ways. And that can’t be a bad thing, can it?

People like to talk and write about “the true spirit of Christmas”, but I find that notmanyseemtoknowwhat that is. For Christians, it is easier to define, I suppose. It means that God showed his love for us by being born intohumannatureandsharing our humanity in order to tell us about himself. More than that, he provided a way for each of us to know him and to discover why we are here, and what the meaning of life really is. That is quite a gift. It always amuses me to think that the birthday of Jesus

is celebrated every year by other people receiving gifts. But that is God for you: wise men still seek him.

Thisisourlastissueofthe Times before the end of the year.Nopapernextweek,I’m afraid,we’retakingaweekor twooff.Thenextcopywillbe on January 13, marking the startofanotherunpredictable year. To continue the John Lennonquote:“Anotheryear over, and a new one just begun”. What will 2021 bring? Who could possibly guess, given what we’ve already been through?

But, for now, let’s take some time to breathe, to relax and enjoy a well-earned holiday. There is not one of us who hasn’t deserved it, given the year we’ve had. “Andwhathavewedone?”A goodquestion.Wehavebeen through tumultuous times.

Ontario helps Municipalities respond to COVID-19

The Ontario government is allocating an additional $120 million to help municipalities and Indigenous community partners protect the health and safety of vulnerable people during COVID-19. This investment builds upon the second phase of social services relief funding announced this fall and brings the government's total allocation to $510 million.

"Our government is respondingtotheongoingchallenges of the pandemic by targeting $120 million of the Social Services Relief Fund to where it is needed most," said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "This additional funding willhelpourcommunitypartners respond to local housing pressuresandhelpvulnerable Ontariansfind-andkeep-the housing they need."

Municipalities and Indigenous community partners can use the discretionary funding to improve the delivery of critical services, protect homeless shelter staff and residents, renovate and purchase facilities to create longer-term housing solutions, add to rent banks and support plans to prepare for potential future outbreaks and/or emergencies.

The Social Services Relief Fund is part of the up to $4 billion being provided to Ontario municipalities under the federal-provincial Safe RestartAgreement. The Agreement will help municipalities protect the health and well-being of the people of Ontario while delivering critical public services, such as public transit and shelters, as the province continues down the path of economic recovery.

Jim McDonell, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry announced that seven municipalities in his riding will receive an additional total of $1.185 million in Safe Restart Agreement funding. The discretionary funding will be used to offset operating costs for critical services and help ensure that these municipalities do not carry an operating deficit into 2021.

“This funding will provide our community with the support it needs to continue delivering critical services thatweallrelyoneveryday,” said MPP McDonell. “Today’sannouncementwillhelp thesemunicipalitiesdevelopa 2021 budget that reflects the realityofCOVID-19andgive themtheconfidencetheyneed to proceed with capital proj-

ects that will drive economic growth.”

The funding per municipalities is:

North Dundas: $59,000

City of Cornwall: $538,000

United Counties of Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry: $353,000

South Glengarry: $72,000

South Stormont: $68,000

South Dundas: $60,000

North Stormont: $35,000

The Ontario government is allocating an additional $695millionacrosstheprovincetoprovidefinancialrelief for municipalities and help ensure they do not carry operating deficits into 2021. This investment builds upon the first phase of the federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement announced this summer.

“This joint funding will help Ontario’s municipalities recover from the impacts of

COVID-19faster,byhelping them to enter into 2021 without operating deficits from this year,” said Steve Clark, MinisterofMunicipalAffairs and Housing. “By ensuring our municipal partners are in a sound financial position to begin the new year, they can better focus on keeping their capital projects on track while continuing to provide the critical services their residents rely on.”

Of the $695 million announced today, $299 million is being allocated across all 444 municipalities to help providemorefinancialrelief, as 2021 operating budgets are finalized. An additional $396 million is also being allocatedto48municipalities that have been hardest hit by COVID-19 and who have demonstrated a need for additionalassistanceincovering their 2020 operating deficits.

Fake news. Mad times in the Excited States. Businesses opening and closing, and hopefully, reopening. Buildings built and demolished. All the normal life of a small community going about its daily life. We have fought overissues,grievedoverlosses, rejoiced over successes, and celebrated festivals and accomplishments. It has ever beenthus,andwill,nodoubt, continue to be so in the year ahead.

I hope and pray that we can continue to do so as a community, caring and compassionate usually, but angry and divided on other things. Because that is what life is, the little, day-by-day triumphs and failures. We sometimes take ourselves too seriously, and take others not seriously enough. Or viceversa,even!But,asyear

after year, Christmas after Christmas,goesby,maybewe can get some perspective on all of that. One day, we will have forgotten much of what we now find so important. One day, we, too, may be forgotten. So let’s not get too worked up over things and try and relax, at least for a fewdaysoverChristmas.You may not believe it, but God loves you, and time passes. So, on behalf of all of us at the Times, may I wish you all the best and leave you for 2020 with John and Yoko’s words: “And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun. The near and the dear one, the old and the young. A very Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Let's hope it's a good one, without any fear”. [lyrics © Peermusic Publishing]

Pilot project offers virtual COVID-19 support in North Dundas and Merrickville

by Hilary Thomson

A study being conducted by the Bruyère Research Institute is offering virtual pandemic support to the MerrickvilleWolford and North Dundas communities.

The Access to Resources in the Community (ARC) program is a patient-centred navigation model developed to help individualsaccessresourcestoaddresstheirhealthandsocial needs. TheARC project has been in progress since 2015 and afterseveralyearsofresearchanddemonstratingthattheprogram is highly valued by participants, they are now studying how this navigation model can be rolled out in the context of the pandemic. In August 2020, they randomly selected the Merrickville-Wolford and North Dundas regions as the study focus areas.

The project is focused on addressing needs that may have comeupasaresultofstressanddisruptionscausebytheCOVID-19 pandemic. “We address any need that the individual has because of the pandemic,” says ARC team member Carolynn Warnet. “There is a big mental health portion because there have been increased levels of anxiety and depression amongst the population.”

Once contact is made with the ARC team through a primary care provider, self-referral through their website, or by contacting the team by telephone or email, the individual is putintouchwithanARCNavigatorwhoisskilledatidentifying services in the community, including virtual services and government programs that address the person’s needs, and helping them overcome barriers to care. TheARC Navigator will assess the person’s needs through video chat and suggest supportslikementalhealthservices,socialsupports,financial support services, food security and personal safety.

The purpose of the study is to assess the feasibility and potentialefficacyoftheARCprogramwhenitcomestohelping people access services related to the pandemic. The pilot projectwillberunninguntilApril2021.Formoreinformation or to get in contact with anARC Navigator, visit the website at www.arcnavigatorproject.com or call Nicholas Kathen at (613) 227-6704.

Year in Review

by Jim McDonell, M.P.P.

Afterayearofchallenges like no other in the past 100 years, conditions are finally lining up to allow 2021 to be one of renewalandrecovery.Bythis time next year, I am optimisticthatwewillbewellonour waytoremakingourregionto beoneofthebestplacesinthe worldtolive,work,andraise a family.

Any reflection of 2020 should start with our frontline workers' tremendous sacrifice and tireless hard work, especially early on when so little was known about the virus and its health impacts. Without them, it is hard to imagine how any of our communities could have coped with the demands of trying to protect everyone while slowing the spread of COVID-19. There were so many selfless acts of kindness, from the simple checking in on the well-being of others, to picking up their groceries, and more.

The most shocking realization of this past year was how little of our country's emergency supplies were manufacturedhereinCanada. Everything from facemasks to ventilators and other critical medical supplies were no longer produced here, creating severe obstacles as we navigated through the earlystagesofthispandemic. Premier Ford committed to changing this critical shortfall, stating that we would never again be forced to rely

on foreign manufacturers and their governments for our vital supplies. Through our Ontario Together program, funding was provided to encourage the re-tooling required to produce these urgently needed products.

Asaresult,wearealready receivingpersonalprotection equipment(PPE),ventilators, sanitizingsupplies,andmore, from Ontario manufacturers.

Dr. David Williams, Ontario'sChiefMedicalOfficer, has been guiding Premier DougFordandhisCabinetto protectallOntarians.Specific guidelines and funding continue to safeguard vulnerable populations,allowemployees tocontinueworking,students to continue their education, and to assist businesses in maintaining their operations. With our recent budget passage, the next phase in our government's response to COVID-19 has begun. Bill 229, Ontario's Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover, is a $45 billion plan with three pillars. The plan includes $15.2 billion for increased health investments to protect peoplefromthisdeadlyvirus.

It also included $13.5 billion in total direct support for families, workers, and employers, in addition to $11.3 billion in cash flow support. We worked hard to removebarrierstoourrecovery through initiatives such as our Red Tape Reduction Ministry and by providing $4.8 billion to protect and create jobs.

Over the year, there have been many controversial issues, but there was little disagreementovertheneedtoget our children back to school this September. Our Minister ofEducation,StephenLecce, was tasked with this challenging job of addressing the needsanddemandsofthestudents,parents,staff,andother stakeholders. He worked with ministry and school board officials to develop a systemofvirtualandin-class education.Thesuccessfuland safe return of our children, teachers and staff to school was our number one priority. Our government committed an additional $1.3 billion to school boards to hire more teachers and support staff, provide remote and alternativelearning,andsupplyPPE andsanitationequipment.The greatestchallengewasthehiringofqualifiedteachers,asall available resources had been exhausted. After months of negotiationswiththeteachers' unionstoreachanagreement for a one-year suspension of regulations restricting the hiring of retired teachers, last month, an agreement to employretiredteachersfor95 days was reached. The situation was so dire that some school boards were forced to hire parents to supervise students in the classroom.

Canadians are known worldwide for their ability to respond to emergencies with determination and generosity, and this pandemic's response serves to reinforce that reputation. There is apparent optimism, as the first vaccines start to arrive in the country and the promise it brings of our former way of life. To ensure an efficient and safe rollout, we have assembled a Vaccine DistributionTaskforceunderGeneral Rick Hillier (Rtd). Logistic and medical experts have developed a priority list to protect the most vulnerable and achieve the greatest success.Itisahealthundertaking unlike any ever conducted

in this county, and we need everyone's patience and cooperation.

This year's pandemic changed everyone's lives in this country, and I often was asked about the changes at Queen's Park and my role in Toronto. There was the obvious difference of the summer session required to debate and push through legislation to address Ontarians' needs. Our government debated and passed ten private members' bills and twenty-six government bills, of which six had unanimous consent. The accelerated legislative agenda required many additional hours of committee time whenwehadtofindplacesto setupourcomputersbecause attending in person did not allow for social distancing. LifeinTorontowasalsoquite different, with air and rail transportationandrestaurants unavailableforagoodportion of the time.The government andtheoppositionreachedan agreement on some temporarychangesthatallowedthe Legislaturetocontinuesafely. The pandemic also generated a considerable increase in the number of enquiries and requests for service that my constituency staff and I had to handle remotely. This new method of remote service presented challenges for the public as well as for ourselves.Iwanttothankyou for your cooperation.

This Christmas holiday season will be different this yearaswecontinuetofollow health guidelines and take the precautions necessary to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. By planning ahead and using alternative waystogathervirtually,Iam sure we will be able to share in the joy of wishing each otheraveryMerryChristmas and the very best in 2021.As always, remember to stay safe and please don't drink and drive.

Long Haulers - Covid-19 Support Group

Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to everyone in North Dundas from your Mayor, Council, and Township Staff.

New funding for RIDE program

TheOntariogovernmentisinvesting$4.8millionthrough the Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) grant program to help 171 police services across the province keep impaired drivers off streets and highways. Police services will receive funding to carry out important year-round road safety initiatives such as education campaigns and roadside spot checks.

"Driving impaired, whether from drugs or alcohol is not onlyillegal,itcanbefatal.Makingalternateplanstogethome safely only takes a minute, and it can save your life and the livesofothers,"saidSolicitorGeneralSylviaJones."Withthe holidayseasonuponus,educationcampaignsandroadsidespot checks are vital tools in the police arsenal to inform people about the dangers of driving impaired and the ways to keep our roads and highways safe."

OPPStormont,DundasandGlengarrywillreceive$15,593 for 2020-21, and $15,562 for 2021-22.

“It’s important that local Cornwall police and StormontDundas-Glengarry OPP receive provincial support as they undertake the regular roadside spot-checks and education campaignsthatarerequiredtogetimpaireddriversofftheroad and keep our roads even safer,” said Jim McDonell, MPPfor Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry.

RIDE grant funding will be used to cover the overtime of sworn officers and paid duty RIDE activities over 2020-21 and 2021-22.All municipal and First Nations police services andOPPmunicipalcontractlocationsareeligibleforfunding under the RIDE grant program.

"OntariohasamongthesafestroadsinNorthAmericaand we are committed to making them even safer," said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. "There is no reason anyoneshouldbedrivingavehicleaftertheyhavebeendrinking. There are plenty of alternative ways for people to avoid drinkinganddriving,includingtheuseofourexcellentpublic transit systems."

AsOntarianspreparetocelebratetheholidayseason,they are reminded to make plans to get home safely. They can arrangeforadesignateddriver,orderataxiorrideshare,ortake public transit.They should also take immediate action if they see someone who may be impaired by arranging a ride for them or even calling 911 if someone is a risk to themselves and others.

One Covid-19 Long Haulers Support Group in Canada on Facebook currently has 10 500 members. Similar to the plight of many suffering around the world, Canada too has its share of people who have been diagnosed with Covid-19, suffered with it upon initial diagnosis, but then have faced debilitating conditions

by Joselyn Morley as time passes, even after theylatertestnegativeforthe virus.Themedicalandscientificcommunitiesareonlybeginningtoseeandunderstand howlong-lasting,varied,and insidious the symptoms of this virus are. Sufferers are havingtoseekoutotherswho have similar symptoms, and are using social media, and platforms such as Reddit, to connect with others. These groups are begun by "Long

Haulers," those who suffer a wide variety of symptoms long after initial diagnosis. They share information and support, and draw attention tothelatestinformationabout their condition. Above all, these groups let others know they are not alone. Polio survivors and their medical teams are reminding people that we only found out about the effects of polio on a body as it aged, when the children

who survived polio in the 1940s and 50s began to age. New discoveries about the long-lasting effects came to lightonlywhenthesurvivors experiencedthem.Longhaulers with lasting long-term Covid-19symptomsarefinding out what the virus has in store for them in the same way as polio survivors have. For further information, see www.longcovid.org

Accordingtoprovincialdata,morethan1,700peoplehave died and over 25,000 people have been injured in collisions involving an impaired driver in the last decade in Ontario. Driversfoundtobedrivingwhileimpairedwillfacepenalties immediately. They will also face additional consequences if convictedincourt.Impaireddrivingpenaltiescanvarydepending on the driver’s age, licence type, the amount of alcohol or drugsintheirsystem,andhowmanytimestheyhaveoffended.

the north grenville TIMES

Peter Peers

Marketing Consultant

Phone 613 989 2850

Email: peterpeers@ndtimes.ca

An Open Letter to the Community From the Medical Officer of Health

With the holidays upon us and 2020 winding down, I would like to take a moment to reflect on this past year.

There is no doubt that it has been a challenging year for all of us. The COVID-19 pandemic has required us to change the way we do things andinteractwithoneanother. From inconveniences such as wearing masks, to waiting in lines to enter buildings, to havingtokeepadistancefrom others, it’s been stressful and frustrating. It has been especiallyhardonourfamiliesand relationships as we’ve had to find other ways to juggle family, school and work, and to stay connected with those we care about. For too many, the year has also brought hardship and tragedy, from lost financial stability to lost lovedoneswhohaveperished from the coronavirus. In our community, and across the globe, COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll.

In spite of the challenges we’ve faced, our community has largely come together to help protect one another from the spread of the virus, following public health precautions such as masking and social distancing when out in public, and finding alternative ways to connect with loved ones and to look out for each other. Many of our local businesses, schools

and healthcare workers have made extraordinary efforts to prevent spread of the virus. Collectively, our efforts have helped avoid uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in our community, and for this I am extremely grateful.

However, we are at a critical point in the second wave of this pandemic. The EOHU region has experienced a significant increase in COVID-19 cases over recent weeks. As we have seen with other areas of the province, community spread can accelerate rapidly and threaten healthcare capacity in hospitals and other services that we all rely on. Uncontrolled spread can also threaten the local economy by forcing the shutdown of businesses as a last resort to stop the spread of the virus. And as we know too well in our own region, it can have devastatingconsequencesfor ourmostvulnerableresidents.

While we are all experiencing pandemic fatigue and yearning for a return to better days, it is imperative to continue following public health precautions if we hope to keep COVID cases at a manageable level in our community.

For this reason, I am urgingresidentstoconsiderways tocelebratetheholidayssafely this season. In the holiday

spirit of kindness, compassion and generosity towards our community – and in the hopes for a better 2021 – following public health guidelineswillbeextremelyimportant over the coming weeks so that we don’t experience a post-holidaysurgeofCOVID casesthatputspeople’slives, health and livelihood at risk.

We can celebrate safely while protecting our loved ones and our community by limiting in-person celebrations to the people we live with, or with one other household if you live alone. There are also many creative waystocelebratetheholidays safelywithfamilyandfriends who we don’t live with, such as having virtual gatherings, and sharing meals or opening gifts together online. We can also help keep everyone safe by limiting trips into the community to essential errands only and staying home when we aren’t feeling well. When we are out in public, we should continue to avoid crowds,wearourmasks,keep 2metresdistancefromothers andcleanourhandsregularly.

Inspiteoftheyear’shardships, 2020 is drawing to an endwithreasonforoptimism – vaccines are on the horizon which will help reduce the impact of COVID-19 on our lives and allow for the gradualreturntomorenormal activities. In the meantime, let’s continue to follow public health precautions and keep our loved ones and our community safe so that we can look forward together to better times in 2021.

For more on how to celebrate safely, and how to prevent the spread of COVID-19, visit the Eastern Ontario Health Unit’s website at www. EOHU.ca.

Wishing everyone health and happiness this holiday season.

Dr. Paul Roumeliotis Medical Officer of Health. Eastern Ontario Health Unit

Township of North Dundas Council Meeting

by Joselyn Morley

The North Dundas Council met for the final time in 2020onDecember15.Much of the business surrounded roads and water. The Council accepted the Road Needs Study,commissionedfromD.

M. Willis &Associates. This report submitted is all tolled, over 85 pages. All roads were studied: gravel, surface treated, and hot mix, asphalt. Itismoreefficienttomaintain roadsinatimelyfashion.Itis cheaper to maintain existing roads than repair or replace them. The study ranked the roads from those in immediate need of repair or replacement, to those that can wait five or ten years, providing regularmaintenanceiscarried out.ThePublicWorksdepartment and Council will use this report to develop a Road Improvements Plan intended to cover the next ten years.

Council hired J. L. Richards&Associatestocarryout aScheduleCMunicipalClass Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for the Township water capacity expansion. The Township needs to plan for acquiring more water. NorthDundasisgrowingfaster than expected, and with it, an increased need for water. Going forward, the Council will be updated on the water situation every six months. It wasexpectedthatdemandfor water would increase by 100 residentialunitsoverthenext fiveyears.Nowitisexpected that the demand will be for 350 residential units over the next three years. That's a big increase. The township has identifiedacoupleofpossible solutions, and are working towards them. Currently the wellsinWinchesterandChestervillearerunningat76%of

maximumcapacity.Ifgrowth continues at the current expected rate, the wells could be at capacity by 2023. The Township supplies water to Chesterville and Winchester, which includes the Lactalis plant. Currently there are eight active wells, five pump houseswithchlorinedisinfection, two storage reservoirs, one in each Chesterville and Winchester, two elevated storage tanks, one in each Chesterville and Winchester, and 41.5 km of distribution pipes.TheTownshipispursuingtwoavenuesforaccessing more water: purchasing land in order to drill more wells, and investigating the option of bringing water from the St Lawrence. Should the latter prove possible, it will represent the largest such investment in theTownship's history. Council has initiated discussion and investigation regarding both these options.

Council approved allowing Storm Internet use the WinchesterTowerforthenext three years. They also approvedanagreementbetween the Township and Service Line Warranties of Canada Inc (SLWC) to offer warrantiestoresidentsofWinchester and Chesterville to cover the pipes that connect the plumbing to the main lines. This connection is on private property.Itisnotamunicipality responsibility, and most

insurance companies will not cover it. Water remained ontheagendaasCouncildiscussed various issues around new developments, and the balance between keeping development costs low enough to encourage more growth in the area, while not overburdening the existing tax base. It was noted that the existing tax base outside of Winchester and Chesterville aremostlyonprivatewelland septic,andCouncilnotedthat itisnotfairtooverburdenthe ruraltaxpayers.PublicWorks updated their projected budget for 2021, and costs were reviewed.

The Meeting Package for December 15 was 238 pages.Ifanythingmentioned here peaks your interest, you can access all the information online. The package for the council meetings can be found on the Township of NorthDundaswebsite,under "Local Government & By Laws: Council." There you willfindacompletelistofall 2020 Council Reports and Minutes. The entire meeting packages can be accessed easily online prior to the meetings, and the minutes of themeetingsarepostedinthe meeting package of the following meeting. Remember, this is your council. Have a look on the website and find out what's going on.

Ontario expands "Support Local" Campaign after complaints

by

David Shanahan

A new marketing campaignbytheOntariogovernment,designedto"showyour love for local by exploring new and creative ways to reconnect with the unique small businesses and places that make the province's communities special”, has run into some rather angry sectors of the community. Local print media, such as the Times, found it rather annoyingthatLisaMacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, was claiming to “recognize the importance of supporting Ontario's entrepreneurs during this very difficult period”, while, at the same time, bypassing local newspapers. The plan setforthbyMinisterMcLeod envisaged the “new campaign will launch on TV, radio, digital and social media starting mid-December and run until mid-January 2021. Advertisements will focus ontheclose-knitrelationship betweenlocalbusinessesand the communities they serve.

The cry went up from community newspapers and larger print media sources: “What about us? Of course, everyone in print media recognises the urgent need for such a marketing campaign. LisaMcLeodcannotbefaulted for her diagnosis of the crisis which affects so many small, local businesses in a time of Covid.

"COVID-19 has been a challenge for many local businesses that make up the fabric of our communitieswe've all seen the anxiety in their eyes when we visit our favouriterestaurantorartisan shop.Weneedlocal,asmuch as local needs us," said Minister MacLeod. "That's why thisnewmarketingcampaign is so important - it reminds us that there is an incredible community right outside our doorstep that we can safely explore and reconnect with.

Helping Hands Commitment Award honorees announced

we need to support ourlocallyownedbusinesses now, when they need us the most."

As a member of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association [OCNA], the Times joined with our colleagues to point out to the Minister that she had neglected a major platform throughwhichshecouldcarry on the campaign. There was also a sense of irony that she had expected newspapers to print her press release about the campaign free of charge, when she was ignoring the same effective means of carrying on the campaign.After hearing the complaints, her officials contacted OCNA to say that they would be in touch this week with a “constructivesolution”.Itishoped that,bythetimeyoureadthis, something has been done to fix the problem.

Community newspapers have been at the forefront of promoting and supporting local businesses right through this pandemic, and understand only too well the challenges faced in trying to surviveinthisuniquetimeof crisis.Encouragingpeopleto shoplocallyandsupportlocal restaurants, stores and other retail outlets is what is at the core of this new "show your love for local” campaign.

"Local community businesses are the heart of what makes a destination special," said Lisa LaVecchia, President and CEO, Destination Ontario."Werecognizethese businesses need Ontarians' support right now to ensure the charm and wonderful experiences of these communitiesaretheretowelcome visitors back long after the pandemic."

For more information on the campaign, or Destination Ontario's efforts to promote tourism in Ontario, please visit their website: https:// www.tourismpartners.com/ en/home.

The latest Commitment Award recipients are (l-r): Volunteers Faye McCurdy, Judy Little, and Marilyn McCurdy; Physiotherapy Aide Suzie Brown; and Dr. Crystal Doyle, Chief of Emergency. (Missing are Volunteers Dave Black, Feras Balbous, Chris Spring, Bill Pollock, Madeline Bourbonnais, Chris Hudson, Marg Merkley, Anita McGuire, Joan Farlinger, Marie Steele, and Nancy Farley-Holmes.

by Jane Adams

Every morning at Winchester District Memorial Hospital [WDMH], Physiotherapy Aide Suzie Brown arrives early at work to preparecoffee.Shealsoregularly brings in treats from home, including home grown produce. Then she gets to work supportingthreePhysiotherapists and the patients we serve.“Fromherencouraging words during patient interactionsonthephone,tothetime she takes to actively listen and engage with in-patient concerns, Suzie’s presence is truly uplifting, and she em-

bodies the team player role,” say her colleagues.

At the heart of the pandemic operations and planninggroup,Dr.CrystalDoyle continues to work tirelessly to protect her department and all WDMH staff from COVID-19. As Chief of Emergency, she has shown leadershiptoensurethesafety ofpatients,staff,andthecommunity. “Her collaborative approach and out-of-the-box thinkinghaveresultedinnew ideasforeverythingfrompersonal protective equipment to ER follow-up clinics,” explain her teammates.

It’s one of the most-high traffic areas of the hospital, but our volunteers didn’t hesitate to step up to serve asscreenersatthefrontdoor. Othervolunteershavehelped tosupportadministrativestaff behind the scenes. We have beenthrilledtowelcomeback a few of our amazing volunteersfortheseimportantroles at WDMH.

“All of the volunteers have always gone above and beyond living our Commitment Statement. But during the pandemic, they have really lived the one team approach to care,” confirm WDMH staff. Thank you to

Dave Black, Feras Balbous, Chris Spring, Bill Pollock, MadelineBourbonnais,Chris Hudson,MargMerkley,Anita McGuire, Joan Farlinger, Judy Little, Marilyn McCurdy, Fay McCurdy, Marie Steele, and Nancy FarleyHolmes.

Recently, Suzie Brown, Dr. Doyle, and our pandemic volunteers were presented with The WDMH CommitmentAward. It shines a light on individuals or teams that demonstrate the values that result in compassionate excellence.

Congratulations to all the nominees!

Clearly,

Christmas 2020

by Laurie Hicks

For the night before Christmas it was awfully dead, Nothing to do so we’d just gone to bed. The stockings were hung, of course they were clean, Nobody wanted to risk Covid-19.

The children were nestled 2 meters apart, Hoping Santa would get a head start.

The adults were a little bit down in the dump, For once their woes weren’t caused by Trump.

Christmas is almost here, would you believe?

How we’ll celebrate I can’t conceive.

This year the yule will be far from the norm, Since corona virus took us by storm.

It’s impossible to feel festively merry, When the news is all so morbid and scary. And my jolly bells can’t possibly jingle, If we’re not allowed to mix and mingle. No carolling, that takes a crowd, And larger gatherings aren’t allowed.

No Stitch party to give the things that we made , There wasn’t even a Santa parade. The symphony’s quiet there’s no Christmas shows, When they’ll resume, nobody knows. The Nutcracker Suite won’t be danced, Contamination just can’t be chanced.

No hugs of greeting to those you know, No kissing ‘neath the mistletoe. And there’s always the threat of quarantine, Please Lord, we need a good vaccine! But somehow this Christmas must occur, I’m sure that everyone would concur, That Santa, your duties can’t be neglected, Unless you’ve somehow got infected.

But Santa I know that you’ll be wise, And before you touch, you’ll hand sanitize. Don’t come in if you have a sniffle or wheeze, And cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze. And I know that you’ll keep social distance, It seems to help with germ resistance.

But there’s one more thing I need to ask, Santa, please just wear a mask.

We don’t know when this will be finished, But Christmas should not be diminished. We must find a way to keep traditions, Though these are very tough conditions.

So fill the stockings, especially mine, With all the things you bought online. Thanks so much, Santa dear, We’ll see you in another year. As for friends and family,

We send you hugs virtually.

Our warmest thoughts could fill a room, Even though they’re sent on email or Zoom!

Municipal Buildings All Lit Up

by Joselyn Morley

Some Township Elves havebeenbusy.ManyTownship buildings and facilities have been decked out with lights.Therearelightsonthe Hallville Recreation Centre, and the main Township Offices on St Lawrence Street in Winchester. The Township Elves have spelled out a verylargeHappyHolidaysin Chestervillepark.Winchester pool has been decked in lights, as has the municipal building in Mountain, next to the Battle of Hill 70. The South Mountain Library and tenniscourtshavebeenstrung withlights.Thetenniscourts were redone in the summer.

Chesterville Park

Winchester Pool

South Mountain tennis courts

Hallville Recreation Centre

Mountain Recreation Building

South Mountain Library

Stay with the happy people

This year, the holidays aren’t what they should be. Atleastthevaccine’sroll-out brings anticipation that 2021 will see a return to normal. Until then, what would be our health advice to cooped up readers in this unusual holiday season? Here are a few suggestions:

Say hello: Connecting with extended family by phone is our best option for now. It’s a great time to reach out to old friends too. Behavioural scientists at the University of Chicago and UC Berkeley report that we underestimate the positive impact of connecting with others, for both our own and others' well-being. Their research shows that we tend to abhor a conversation with a perfect stranger until we have it. So, when the pandemic subsides, say hello to whomever sits beside you on a park bench.

Try social media: There are important cautions about social media. Health promotion is not always the norm, for instance for children accessing adult content. But having a strong social network is associated with positive mental health and wellbeing. Harvard researchers have shown that using social media as part of everyday routine, and responding to content that others share, is positively associated with social well-being, positive mental health, and self-rated health.(Weinviteyoutoconnect with us on Instagram!)

Visit a museum: UniversityofMelbourneresearchers

Blood donations are essential during COVID-19

by Canadian Blood Services

Immediate need for blood donors to help patients this holiday season.

have investigated the experiences,motivationsandneeds ofoldermuseumvisitors,and found these spaces can play an important role in building social and inter-generational connectedness, and in supporting general health. Research by the University of Leicester in the UK shows thatmuseumsprovideasense of optimism and hope, selfesteem and resilience, rest andsanctuary,andasafe,rich environment to access arts and culture. If you haven’t experiencedavirtualexhibit, or an online performance, during the pandemic, it’s not toolate.Giveitatryoverthe holidays.

Read a book: Reading fires up neural pathways. Studies show it improves memory and empathy. Immersing yourself in books helps fight depression, cuts stress,andreducestheriskof developingAlzheimer’s.

Share a recipe: Connecting online this holiday to share a recipe, or even cook together, creates bonds, supports self care, and creates a space for conversation. Even baking tasty treats can boost self-esteem. Donna Pincus, professor of psychological and brain sciences at Boston University, says, “Whether it’s painting or it’s making music [or baking], there is a stress relief that people get from having some kind of an outlet and a way to express themselves.”

Go for a walk in the woods: “Forest bathing” is good for the soul. But even a walk around the block is

worthy. Get outside daily.

Try a natural remedy: Read the archive of columns on our website to learn why you should consider natural approaches as your first line of defence against common health problems.

Hug somebody: Within your household this season, we hope you have somebody tohug.Mutuallyreciprocated embraces relax muscles, increasecirculation,andrelease endorphins in your body that elevate your mood. One study exposed 400 people to the common cold, and found thatthosewhoreportedmore hugging in their lives fared better, a tribute to social connectedness.

Be happy: The research is overwhelming: happiness is good for your health.Your heart, immune system, stress response, and pain management all improve in performance when you are happy, and the effects are lasting. So,asDorisDaysings,“Stay with the happy people”!

Healthy holidays to all our readers.

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

Canadian Blood Services iscallingonalleligibleblood donors to support lifesaving care for patients over the holidays by responding to the immediate need to fill more than 15,000 open appointmentsacrossCanadaby December 31.

Blood donors are needed tofilleveryappointment.Collection opportunities will be lostoverseveraldaysbecause ofthetimingofstatutoryholidaysthisseason,whichcould put the platelet inventory at risk. Donated blood lasts only42daysbutplateletsthat are commonly used to treat cancer patients have a short expiry of seven days.

TheCOVID-19pandemic willweighheavilyondonors’ thoughts and behaviours this year, but the need for blood remains the same. Donor centres remain open to allow Canadian Blood Services to continue to provide essential products and services for patients throughout the pandemic and leaving home togivebloodisallowedeven during lockdown.

Donor centres will be open on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, in addition to regularly scheduled operating hours. A reminder– to maximizephysicaldistancing measuresatcollectionevents, appointments are required to donate.

“Safety is our highest priority. Enhanced wellness measures are in effect throughout all our donor centres to ensure the wellbeing of donors and our teams is safeguarded,” says Rick Prinzen, Canadian Blood Services chief supply chain officer and vice-president of donor relations.

“Not all connections can bevirtualduringCOVID-19. We’re grateful to donors and frontline workers who have helped maintain an adequate level of blood products for patientssincetheonsetofthe pandemic.Butthedemandfor blood never stops, even over the holidays.”

Although donating blood orplasmaislesssocialthana traditional holiday activity, it is a safe way for those lookingforafestivefixtoconnect with their community. By schedulinganhouroftimeto donate this holiday season, you can make saving a life your greatest gift.

Like patients across Canada, Edmonton native, Rachelle Drummond, knows first-handthevitalroledonors play in supporting lifesaving care.Rachellewasdiagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when she

Rachelle required countless blood transfusions during almost three years of intense chemotherapy after she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when she was five years old. Thanks to donors, today she is working toward a career in pediatric medicine.

was five years old. During almost three years of intense chemotherapy she required countless blood transfusions and spent the holiday season and a birthday at the Stollery Children’s Hospital. A life-long advocate for blood donation, she is currently working toward a career in pediatric medicine.

“I am now 14 years cancer-free and so grateful to blood donors for they role they played in my recovery,” says Rachelle. “I encourage all eligible Canadians to join the community of donors thathelppatientslikemethis holiday season and onward.”

There are many ways to donate to support Canada’s Lifeline.Inadditiontodonatingblood,plateletsorplasma, you can join the national stem cell registry, register to become an organ and tissue donor, or make a one-time or recurring financial donation. Asanationalregisteredcharity, Canadian Blood Services welcomesfinancialdonations priortotheDec.31,2020tax deadline.

Best wishes for a happy & healthy holiday season from your health care team at Winchester District Memorial Hospital!

Best wishes for a happy & healthy holiday season from your health care team at Winchester District Memorial Hospital!

If you recently recovered from COVID-19, you may also be eligible to help by donating plasma. Canadian Blood Services is part of national clinical trials currently testingiftheantibodiescirculating in a recent COVID-19 survivor’s plasma (called convalescent plasma) is an effective treatment option for patients with COVID-19. For more information and to sign up to participate, please see our convalescent plasma web page).

To book an appointment tohelppatientslikeRachelle, downloadtheGiveBloodapp and join Canada’s Lifeline. Pleasecall18882DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or book now at blood.ca.

www.wdmh.on.ca

Drummond family with Rachelle at age 5

Lieutenant Governor’s 2020 holiday message

New funding will support critical care education and equipment

The WDMH Foundation hasreceived$95,193ingrant fundingfromtheCMAFoundation’sCOVID-19CommunityHospitalFund.Thefunds will be used to purchase new equipment and to support focused training and education for critical care nurses.

WDMH’s Enhanced Care Unit and to further prepare WDMH for potential COVID-19 patients.

by

This holiday season brings with it mixed and complicated emotions. It has been a year of challenges for all Ontarians.

Mythoughtsturntothose who have lost loved ones, those who will be disappointed because they cannot celebrate with extended family members in person, those who will miss out on cherishedtraditionsandthose who remain anxious and uncertain about what the near future will hold.

And yet, out of these unprecedented circumstances we have also seen the very best of humanity. Together, with creativity, courage and compassionwehavesupported each other – our families, neighbors and communities. Wehavemuchtobethankful for this holiday season.

I am so grateful to all those who serve. You who respond when we need you themost.Ourdoctors,nurses, andpersonalsupportworkers. Ourfirstresponders,teachers, scientists and countless others. Those who never tire or fail to answer the call.

Equally,Iappreciatethose who take risks, sometimes at great personal cost, so that

the rest of us can work from home. Those who keep us fed, deliver goods we need, and clean our public spaces, doing work that we take for granted. Those who put others before themselves, like our like small business ownersandfrontlineworkers.

Throughout this pandemic, Ontarianshavedemonstrated that where the health and wellbeing of our fellow citizens is concerned, every act and sacrifice counts.

I am inspired by those who never give up hope. Those who are thinking boldly about a more just and sustainable future, where everyone finds acceptance, and every voice is heard. Onewithinclusiveeconomic prosperity,dignityforall,and anewandbetternormal.One thatrespectsIndigenouscommunitieswhohavestewarded and shaped this land from time immemorial.

TheCOVID-19pandemic has tested the character and resolve of the people of this province. So this year, whatever your faith or tradition, I encourage you to celebrate with purpose and a renewed optimism. Let us rejoice in all that we have overcome

The CMA Foundation is the charitable arm of the Canadian Medical Association and provides impactful charitablegivingthatfurthers excellenceinhealthcare.This funding is part of the CMA Foundation’s COVID-19 relief initiative to support those on the frontline of this pandemic.

“We are so excited and grateful to the CMA Foundation for this support,” notes Nathalie Boudreau, Winchester District MemorialHospital’sVicePresident, Clinical Services & Chief NursingExecutive.“Training our critical care nurses and having the right equipment in place is essential to ensure the very best care – now and in the future.”

Ten Registered Nurses will receive intensive critical care training and job shadowing opportunities, resulting in more than 100 hours of education time for each nurse. The goal is to ensure sufficient staff expertise for

The funding will also be used to purchase two pieces of equipment – a BIPAP machinedandabladderscanner. The BIPAPmachine helps to pushairintoapatient’slungs, without having to insert a tube. It can also be modified into a ventilator. The bladder scanner is a portable, handheld ultrasound device. This new machine will be kept in the Emergency Department where it is used frequently.

"I am inspired every day by the dedication of physi-

cians, health care providers and all hospital workers as they continue to confront the COVID-19 pandemic headon,” says Allison Seymour, CMA Foundation President.

"We know these are extraordinary times that require extraordinary support. From managing evolving health careneedstoaddresschanges in your community, to ensuring the proper equipment and training for your staff, our hope is that these funds willhaveapositiveimpactas you continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic.”

The CMA Foundation announced the COVID-19

Happy

Community Hospital Fund as part of its commitment to provide COVID-19 relief. The $5 million fund supports hospitals across Canada with fewer than 100 beds to meet their evolving needs with activities, equipment and training that enhance staff wellness, improve access to care and help prepare for future pandemics. For more information about WDMH’s pandemic response efforts, visit www. wdmh.on.ca/coronavirus. For more information about the CMAFoundation,visitwww. cmaf-fmac.org.

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

FOR SALE

FOR SALE 45 original Bosson Heads, mint condition, asking $600. for all, call 613-215-0884

4 Goodyear Nordic P195/70R14 Winter Tires on 5 bolt pattern Rims for Sale. Asking $130.00. Contact Rob 613-265-7596

4 Snow tires 195/65P15 no rims. good condition $50 . Call 613713-3347.

HOMEMADE GARDEN TRAILER, GRILL AT FRONT,OPEN SIDED $ 125.00 12 HP KOHLER

ENGINE,ELECT START,FROM A GENERATOR $ 250.00 CALL JOHN 613-269-3113 MERRICKVILLE

FREE: 2 JBL speakers, approx. 22x14x12 inches in teak cabinets.Also, asstd.3-ringbinders all in good condition. Call Bill 613 258 6544.

Blue Lazy-boy $45. Tan sofa bed $65. 613-258-3761

Snow tires on rims, Altimax Arctic 225/70 R 16. 5 bolt $500.00 613-258-0589

CROSSWORD

4 Michelin X ice 215/60/16 on wheels 5X114.3 used one winter $550.00. 613-862-9816

Mixed seasoned firewood for sale, $110 per cord delivered, minimum 3 cord order for delivery, Jon 613-227-3650

HOUSE FOR SALE: At 114 Hagan St Kemptville. Call 613 2582753 or jbleizert@ripnet.com

ANTEDLooking to Rent Farmland for Organic Cash Crops

Specifically looking for land that's fallow/overgrown or old hay/pasture. Also interested in conventional cropland to transition to organic. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204

FORRENT

Indoor and outdoor storage for vehicles, boats and RVs. Call Jon at 613-227-3650.

I. Gary Price

Hunters Paradise Deer and Turkeys Bow and Bkack Powder Season Call 613.258.3561W

MISC

In loving memory of my dear husband who passed away on Christmas Day, 2019. Time slips by and life goes on But from our hearts you're never gone. We think about you all the time We talk about you, too; We have so many memories, But we wish we still had you!

ELLANEOUS

All our love. We miss you! Your wife Betty; Kelly & Greg; Hal & Vicki and grandkids

1. Stinging remark

2. Iridescent gem

3. Nurse shark

4. Relating to urine

5. Feed a fire 6.Absolute

7. Settle

8. Heavy, durable furniture wood 9. View 10. Similar in meaning 11. Tropical vine 12. Not lower 13. Untidy 21. Heroic tales 25. Dry 26. Garret

Dwarf buffalo

Employment Opportunity Public Works

Truck and Coach Technician

The Township of North Dundas is currently seeking a candidate to fill a full-time Truck and Coach Technician position.Applicants must possess a Truck and Coach 310T license and have a minimum 5 years working with heavy equipment. The Township offers competitive wages and a comprehensive benefit package. Job description can be found on the Township website. To apply to become part of our team, please submit your resume and cover letter by 10:00 am Tuesday, January 5, 2021 to Khurram Tunio, Director of Public Works Township of North Dundas 636 St. Lawrence St., PO Box 489, Winchester, ON K0C 2K0 careers@northdundas.com

We appreciate the interest of all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Township of North Dundas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Township will endeavour to accommodate a candidate in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.

15. Mining finds

The Township of North Dundas is committed to providing quality goods and services that are accessible to all persons that we serve. Documents are available in various accessible formats upon request. Individuals are advised to contact theTownship Office and theTownship will work with the individuals to provide a format that meets their needs.

PersonalinformationiscollectedundertheauthorityoftheMunicipalFreedomofInformationand Protection of Privacy Act and will be used for employment assessment purposes only.

Phone 613 989 2850

35. Suffuse

Email: peterpeers@ndtimes.ca

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

Solution to last week’s Crossword

The North Grenville

5. Feed a fire

27. Dwarf buffalo

Province to consult with conservation authorities

by

David Shanahan

Year in Review

In a year filled with challenges, South Nation Conservation (SNC) adapted and showcased how reliable and valuable the work of Conservation Authorities is for municipalities and residents. SNC works with 16 member municipalities across a 4,441 square-kilometer watershed jurisdictionthatsurroundsthe

SouthNationRiverinEastern Ontario.

As some industries came to a grinding halt this year, development throughout the watershed saw record highs; and the Conservation Authority was available to support these projects, protect our local environment, and help contribute to the local economy.

This year SNC issued over 160 permits to approve sustainable development activities to protect people and property from natural hazards,suchasfloodinganderosion,whileconservingourlocalwetlands,waterways,and shorelines. SNC reviewed 450 development projects on behalf of municipalities and partneredtoprovidetechnical servicesonover150ofthem.

Under Sewage Systems Program SNC issued 445 permitsforsustainableseptic systeminstallationandmodification projects for 13 local Municipalities.

SNC worked with member municipalities and community partners to protect and restore our local natural resources. This year, over 150,000 trees were planted

bySNConprivateandpublic properties through municipal partnerships, tree planting subsidy programs, and community tree giveaways.

While the pandemic forced many people to stay home, cancelling summer plans, many people turned to local“staycations,”SNC’sfifteen public ConservationAreas welcomed over 170,000 visitorsfromMaytoOctober: an all-time visitation record for theAuthority.

While SNC’s educational outreach programs and day campswerecancelled,digital media connected people to nature through the Nature at Home Facebook Live video series, which reached more than 12,000 people online.

When faced with pandemicfundraisingchallenges, SNC opted to host an online art auction in October that raised over $6,500 for community tree planting. Additional major highlights from this year include expanding the watershed jurisdiction to include the entire City of Clarence-Rockland and its Ottawa River shoreline; the development of a new ConservationAreaintheAugusta Townshipthankstoamunicipal land donation and federal partnership; and awarding over $10,000 in grants to non-profitcommunitygroups to help with community tree planting projects.

Through it all, the Board and staff were able to find waystocollaborate,innovate, be resilient and collectively

Thin Ice in Chesterville

by Joselyn Morley on the river was much to thin to walk on.

Recentcoldweatherfroze

the ice on the South Nation River in Chesterville just enough last Wednesday morningtomakeitalittletoo temptingforacoupleoflocal children!

Barbara Mocket has been driving with 417 Bus Lines for 8 years. On Wednesday morning,December16,asshe

was driving the kids on her bus to St Mary's School, she glanceddownattheriverand saw a child walking out on the thin ice, towards an open body of water.Another child on the side looked like they were about to follow. With only a couple of days of very coldweatheratthebeginning oftheweek,thelittlebitofice

support communities and the environment.

Most programs were deemed essential and continued through 2020 with appropriate measures in place, including: public forest management(treemarkingon220 acres,withharvestoperations occurring on another 180 acres),andprovidingsupport toprivatewoodlotowners(70 people receiving free visits or support grants to help add 3,873acrestomanagedforest plans for the next 10 years); environmental monitoring work supported SNC’s development review team, and; 28 agricultural water quality improvement projects were approved in the SNC region, and an additional 69 projects withinruralOttawa;SNCalso supportedreplacing671dead Ash trees on private property in Ottawa.

“This year offered new challenges, great opportunities, partnerships and accomplishments,” explained AngelaColeman,SNC’sGeneralManager.“Wewouldlike to wish all of our watershed residents a safe and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Wonderful NewYear.”

SNC’s Administration OfficeinFinchwillbeclosed, and staff will be off for the holidays from December 24 until January 4, 2021. Select Conservation Areas and municipal trails remain open year-round, visit www.nation.on.ca/recreation/winterrecreation for a full list.

Wehaverecentlyreported on the strenuous objections put forward by conservation authorities across Ontario to thegovernment’srecentpiece of legislation, the Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act, 2020. In particular, Section 6 of the Act was the source of considerableconcernbyboththe conservation authorities and municipalities, as it would requireaconservationauthority to issue a permit when the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing issues a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO), which can override a conservation authority’s watershed-based decision. The new section requires the conservation authority to issue the permit even if the application does not meet their criteria for issuing a permit and/or contravenes provincialpoliciesandplans. Municipalitieswereupsetthat thenewlawrequiredcouncils to appoint members to conservation authorities, putting them in a possible conflict situation.

The Act received royal consent on December 8, complete with Section 6. However, the province then announcedthat,uponhearing the complaints put forward, they were putting in place a workinggrouptohelpimplementchangestoconservation authorities, and to “provide input on the development of proposed regulations under the Conservation Authorities Act,andonhowconservation authoritiesaregoverned.This

would be done through cooperation on drawing up the Regulations under which the Act is implemented.

A statement from the province stated: “The new working group will include representatives from conservation authorities and other experts. Representatives of the working group will be announced in the coming weeks.Oncetheybeginwork inJanuary,theworkinggroup will provide input to help the province develop regulations that will focus on:

The mandatory core programs and services conservation authorities would be required to provide,

The agreements between municipalities and conservation authorities and the transition period associated with non-mandatoryprogramsand services, and

Howlocalmembersofthe communitycanparticipatein theirconservationauthorities through community advisory boards.”

Hassaan Basit, President and CEO of Conservation Halton, will chair the new group, and issued the following statement on his appointment: “Alongside conservation authorities across

Ontario,ConservationHalton islookingforwardtoworking with the province, offering scientific expertise and leadership, in the development of regulations pertaining to recent amendments to the ConservationAuthoritiesAct contained in Bill 229."

TheSouthNationConservationwelcomedthedevelopment,andthankedallthosein the wider community whose complaints to local MPP’s helped bring it about.

“We are thankful to the province for providing Conservation Authorities the opportunitytositatthetableand discuss and provide input to proposed changes to regulations.

We also thank our community partners and area residents who have voiced their support for SNC and ConservationAuthorities”.

In addition to the input provided by Hassaan Basit and the working group, Ontario will also be seeking the public'sfeedbackonregulatory and governance proposals through the Environmental Registry. Public consultation on these proposals is also expectedtobeginearlyinthe new year.

Winchester Hawks

Barbara blasted her horn until the children realised the racketwasintendedforthem. Thechildrenabandonedtheir plans, and headed up the stairs. Barbara and her bus interceptedthematthetopof the stairs where Barbara says she gave them a bit of a "lecture." She followed up with the Principal of St Mary's who was quick to review safety with all the children at the school. Barbara says the entire experience was scary, and admits she cried after it was all over. She said:"I believe this was a divine appointed moment where my eyes were turned towards them,whereachild'slifewas

saved from something horrible."Shehopesthatsharing herexperiencewillencourage all parents and caregivers to have a chat with their child, and remind them to stay off the river, that ice is thin at this time of year, and they shouldnevergooutontheice without a responsible adult with them.

It is never a good idea for anyone to head out onto ice unless you know for certain thethickness,thequality,and what the water is like underneath.Sometimesathinlayer oficecanhidefast-movingor dangerouswaterbelow,making the ice above unstable. Ice thickness can be affected by the depth of the water, currents, chemicals, changes inwaterlevels,logs,rocksor

anythingabsorbingheatfrom the sun. Many people enjoy being on frozen rivers, lakes, and ponds, to skate, ski, or fish. Know the water body youareplanningongoingout onto. Check ice conditions. Talk to the locals. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles, like we have seen over the last few years,makeforveryunstable ice.Agoodcoldsnapdoesnot guarantee that the ice is safe. Clearblueiceisthestrongest, white ice, or snow ice, is half as strong, and grey ice is unsafeasthegreymeansthere's water in the ice. According to the Red Cross, ice should be at least 15 cm for walking or skating alone, 20 cm for skating parties or games, and 25 cm for snowmobiles.

by Joselyn Morley

TheWinchesterHawkslost3-5againsttheRichmondRoyals in Winchester on Friday night, December 18. The team is allowed to play scrimmage games against one team, and that team is the Richmond Royals. Hawks Defenceman Logan Schmidt#4scoredanunassistedgoal30secondsintothe2nd period. Assistant Captain Danny Johnson #9 scored with an assist from Mackenzie White at 16:36 in the second period, DefencemanJacobGiacobbi#18scoredat16:59inthesecond period with assists from Mackenzie White and Noah Fraser.

The next scrimmage game between the Royals and the HawksissetforSunday,December20inRichmond.Tolimit the risk from Covid-19, the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League (EOJHL) has decided that no spectators are allowed into the games at the current time.

Craig Garrett #8 and Goaltender Lucas Devries #31

The Christmas wreath originated as a symbol of Christ. The holly represents the crown of thorns Jesus wore at his crucifixion, and the red berries symbolize the blood he shed. So when you see a wreath this season, you'll remember the reason for the season.

Christmas Back On The Farm

by Dwayne Holmes

As I pondered about the celebration of Christmas this year and our isolation due to Covid, I remembered the big family gatherings over 70 years ago. Like most families, we were a large group and I was 9th of10 kids, meaning that I had many nieces and nephews who were also close in age.

After weeks of studying the Sears and Eaton catalogues for possible gifts we would like, the day approached. Christmas Eve was often spent helping make the traditional brown bags of candy, nuts, and the one orange that we would ever get all year. In later years,thenumberclimbed to about 50, as the family added new kids and in-laws. The old kitchen table was just a mass of open bags into which we dropped the goodies.

Christmas morning, around 5 am, we were awakened by the sound of sleigh bells as Santa took off from the roof. We hustled down to the living room, which was heated with an old coal stove,andremainedwarm all night. We opened our gifts, which usually were one book or toy, plus a shirt or socks, and, occasionally, maybe a new hockey stick. No time to play, though, as we headed to the barn at 6 to milk and start the chores, and by 8 would be in to enjoy a hearty breakfast. We returned to the barn and, since it was Christmas, added a little extra

oats to the horse feed, meal for the cows, wheat for the hens, and corn in the pig slop. We rushed through this, as we then headed to the field east of the barn where, in a low area, we often had a small pond that we could shovel off the snow, or in someyearswewenttothe Nation, just west of Cass Bridge. Others might be turning the crank on the icecreammakerto havea treatwithourdessertlater.

By noon, we had worked up a good appetite and went to the house, where many of my older brothers and sisters with their kids had arrived to enjoy dinner. Mom had put the 25-30 pound turkey in the oven of the wood stove before we got up, and it was cooked along with a duck or goose.The doorbetweenthesummer and winter kitchens was opened, and some heat poured out into the uninsulated area. Thus, close to20adultssataroundthe great kitchen table, and the 10 or so younger kids ate at a makeshift table in the summer kitchen. What a feast that always included all the fixings and 6 or 7 different kinds of pie and cookies. The kids might get a little rambunctious, with tricks like putting a pickle in somebody’s milk, but the words “That’senough”frommydad quieted things in a hurry.

After lunch, we headed to our rink, and 10 to 15 kids from age 5 to 50 played shinny for a couple hours. Backtochoresatabout4pm, andthenanotheralmostasbig

a meal, as some people had stayed since lunch, and those ofthefamilywhomighthave gone to in-laws made their appearance. Milking called againat6,andafterallchores were done, we were glad to just enjoy our gifts before heading to bed early, as we had to be up at 6 again the next day.

The family has continued to grow, and seven of my siblings are still living and healthy, with the oldest now 95 and two others in their 90’s. A planned reunion of the clan at brother Stu’s farm in Dalmeny last July had to be cancelled, but it is hoped we can gather this summer. If only half of the crew of

almost 300 leaves on our family tree arrive, the potluck dinner should be grand. ThoughalonethisChristmas, I am sure that the phone will be ringing, and the zoom calls will keep me company, althoughmycookingmaynot rival the wonderful cooks we have enjoyed over the years.