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Vol. 3, No. 18
The Voice of North Grenville
May 6, 2015
Dandelion Festival faces questions
by David Shanahan
The North Grenville Times is Locally Owned and Operated
This year’s Dandelion Festival has come close to a major crisis over the past week, after it was revealed that the organising committee had accepted a donation of $5,000 from TransCanada Corporation, which is planning to run the EnergyEast pipeline under the Rideau River and through a small part of North Grenville. Individuals and groups in the community oppose accepting money from that source, as the pipeline is a divisive issue here. A number of local musicians have decided not to play the Festival because of the sponsorship deal, and Sustainable North Grenville have begun a fund raising drive to replace the TransCanada money. [See page 14 for their statements]. The Festival Board have assured SNG that, should they raise the $5,000 necessary, TransCanada’s money will be refunded to them and their sponsorship will cease. Shaun Vardon, Chair of the Board, has also laid down a deadline for SNG to meet. “Over the past couple of days, we have been talking with them and have come
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to an agreement. They will conduct a crowdfunding campaign in the hopes of replacing the funds provided by TC by May 8. That date was selected as it’s too late in our planning to start slashing our budget as most of it is now committed”, he said. The problem may be that the TransCanada cheque has been cashed and the funds are in the Festival account. Whether there is a legal obligation on the Board to continue the sponsorship arrangement would appear to be entirely up to the corporation. They have been told to wait until May 8, at which point they will be informed whether or not their money is still wanted. Shaun Vardon agrees: “ If [SNG] are successful, TC will no longer be a sponsor of the festival. If they cannot come up with the funds by May 8, TC will continue to be a sponsor of the festival”. However, the Festival Board will not support SNG’s campaign, wishing to “stay neutral” in a crisis of their own making. The Board’s statement is unambiguous, but somewhat puzzling. “The fundraising is SNG's project so we are not involved in that. We are trying to stay neutral in
all of this. As such we won’t be publicising their efforts on our website or FB page, it is up to them to use their networks to promote their cause. I hope you understand that as a community festival we are trying to stay out of the larger debate, it is not our place to judge the merits of the case. We are simply trying to accommodate people’s concerns”. The controversy has been covered by the Ottawa media, with both the Citizen and CBC Ottawa radio giving time to the story. The Citizen story quoted Shaun as implying that the sponsorship arrangement with TransCanada is not renegotiable: “We’ve already signed contracts, we’ve allocated the funds, we can’t just take a significant portion of our budget out”. The issue may well have to be decided soon. As of Tuesday, SNG had raised about $4,500 of the total asked for by the Festival, and there is every likelihood that they will realise their goal by Friday, May 8. The Board explained to the NG Times that the sponsorship money was essential if they were to maintain the same standard as last year’s Festival. With the growth of
the event, extra expenses were incurred in paying the event manager and hiring a security company to patrol the barriers where roads had been closed. Shaun noted that the increased security was a requirement of the Municipality of North Grenville, and outside the Board’s control. There was no increase in municipal funding to the Festival this year, and some of the federal Heritage Canada grant was lost, so the shortfall had to be made up somehow. This is where TransCanada came into the picture. It may be that, by the time you read this, the entire situation will have changed and TransCanada will be politely asked to take their money back. If not, it remains to be seen if other musicians or vendors, or even the general public, will also choose to boycott the Dandelion Festival this year. If all is settled to the satisfaction of SNG and other parties, the questions will remain about how this crisis was allowed to develop in the first place. [See Editorial]. The Board have achieved publicity from the Ottawa media for the Festival, but it may not be the kind they had hoped for.
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Keep the NGAT’s wheels rolling
by David Shanahan North Grenville Accessible Transportation [NGAT] is a not-for-profit service for mobility impaired individuals, run by a volunteer board. They provide quality goods and services to people with disabilities that facilitate accessibility. Behind the technical descriptions, however, lies the reality that NGAT is often the sole means available to people to get to hospital and doctors appointments, attend social events, go shopping, or attend church. In 201314, this amounted to 1,864 individual rides for people who might otherwise have been without the means to get about; that’s an average of 156 rides per month. Most of those journeys are local, but a percentage are long distance, for example, transport to a hospital appointment in Ottawa. NGAT started back in 1998, and fundraised to buy their first bus. But the wear and tear involved in such a service is heavy. The chair lift on the current bus, purchased in 2011, has already been used 45,000 times. NGAT keep costs to a minimum. Maintenance and insurance is expensive, insurance alone takes $7,500 out of the annual budget, which is about $80,000. The
funds come from a United Way grant of $15,000, advertising income from ads placed on the NGAT bus, and the fares charged to users, which are subsidised by NGAT. After a long campaign in the past decade, NGAT finally received stable funding from the Municipality of North Grenville, matching the $15,000 from the United Way. NGAT received the first half of its annual grant from the municipality in the last two weeks, and that $7,500 is essential to its continued operations. “The funding NGAT receives from the Municipality is vital to helping achieve our mission of providing clients with the same transportation freedom as people with full mobility”, says Don Gilchrist, NGAT Board Chair. Aside from these sources, fund raising and donations are the main source of income, and about $5,000 is needed every month to keep the service going. The problem is that the population of North Grenville is growing, and the need for NGAT services grows with it: but funding stays the same. This year, NGAT lost about $5,000 in donations. This grant had been a regular feature for the past years, but that particular donation has now ceased and needs
strict provincial guidelines that require, for example, twice-yearly safety checks on their vehicles, as well as proper training for drivers, volunteers and board members. These requirements also limit their activities, so that the NGAT vehicle cannot be used for regular transportation needs in the general community, and NGAT cannot be part of a rural transportation network which might otherwise allow them to increase revenues. This is an organisation that North Grenville simply cannot afford to lose. Even a small decline in financial support has an immediate negative impact on users of the service. According to North Grenville Mayor, David Gordon: “The success of this program is another example of the important contributions made by volunteers in North Grenville. This community continues to thrive because it is filled with caring, dedicated and creative individuals who never stop giving”. The Board of Directors is in need of some additions also. The current Board have brought the work this far, and have achieved amazing results, but they need one or two extra hands to keep the work going and meet the growing needs of the community they serve. NGAT’s Annual General Meeting takes place on June 19, and further details on that will be published over the coming weeks. If you would like to get involved, either on the Board, as a donor, as an advertiser, or as a sponsor, contact NGAT by e-mailing info@ ngat.ca. Phone them at 613-258-7484, and check out their web site at www. ngat.ca.
to be replaced somehow, either through finding a new business or private sponsor, or through fund raising events. The service has been supported generously by the Legion, Kemptville College and through the OPP BBQ’s each summer, but fund raising is a heavy demand on a small board of directors. The BBQ, for example, costs about $500 to run, and raises about $800 in funds: not a great return on time, energy and investment. Nevertheless, it is an important resource. The board of NGAT are fully aware that, without community support over the years, and the vital role played by sponsors and donors, the service would simply not have survived. So many people with mobility needs depend on NGAT to give them an opportunity to get around and take part in the life of their community, as well as allowing them to make essential medical appointments, that the transportation system has become an irreplaceable part of their lives. Cutting back those services, even for one month a year, would be a major problem. NGAT operates under
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New play sure to be a hit show. It’s a great mixture of comedy, drama, music – it is a very full production.” The Drama Department oversees the writing of each two hour production, working largely over the summer and open auditions are held in October. Over sixty students auditioned for the roles in “Stay With Me” and the talent level exceeded the production team’s already high expectations. Rehearsals began as soon as the show was cast and took place every day at lunch and after school for eight months. Director Taylor estimates that she and teacher/advisor Michael Blouin spend over 500 extracurricular hours each on the preparation of the play. It’s well worth it they say, and audiences seem to agree. He reports that a writing team has already started work on next year’s play. “Stay With Me” opens Wednesday May 13 at 7:30 pm at St. Michael Catholic High School with subsequent performances the following two evenings. Tickets are five dollars with a percentage of profits this year going towards a local charity that will be chosen by students. Last year’s production donated a thousand dollars to the Ogooma Uganda Orphan’s Home. Tickets can be bought at the door or in advance by contacting Michael Blouin at michael.blouin@cdsbeo. on.ca.
Members of the cast Phillip Scott, Emily Bellefontaine, Craig Oliver, Sydney Taylor, Chris Alblas and Theresa Graham enjoy a “friendly” ice cream together. (photo credit: Elizabeth Friend) “I think last year’s play The cast and crew of the we get a very high quality original play “Stay With Me” production this way and we surprised a lot of people,” are eagerly anticipating the also find that the material is Sydney commented. “A lot opening night of the St. Mi- very relevant to a high school of people have commented chael Catholic High School as well as to an adult audi- that it was not what they were expecting at all from a production on Wednesday ence.” Last year’s very well re- high school production – we May 13. The play has been written by fourteen students ceived production of “Bully” had many adult audience ranging in age level from was the recipient of two members openly crying with Grades 9 to 12 and features a Awards of Excellence from the intensity of that play and cast of 26 as well as numer- the Catholic District School the standard of performance Board of Eastern Ontario and and production was very ous backstage technicians. “We prefer to stage origi- also garnered a prestigious high – the students in this nal productions,” says this Theatre Ontario Award for its department are exceptional. year’s student director Syd- writer and assistant director, This is an amazing cast. I ney Taylor. “It involves so then Grade 12 student Eliza- think we’re going to make a lot of people happy with this many more students, we find beth Friend.
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Fiddleheads are here at Stinsons Gas Bar Wild Leeks and Wild Asparagus join the Fiddleheads next Saturday, May 9. An Edible Wild Tour will take place on May 10 and May 17, 10 am-2 pm. $20.00/person...children free. A wild luncheon will be prepared afterward. Meet at Limerick Forest Chalet. Please visit our Facebook site: Edible Wild Ontario or contact Cheryl Rush, 613-875-0065.
May 6, 2014
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Annual Meeting of Burritt’s Rapids Renewable Energy Association Submitted by Drew Avis A small but enthusiastic crowd showed up for the Burritts Rapids Renewable Energy Association's (BRREA) AGM on March 26. The big news of the night was that more than one developer is interested in partnering with BRREA to build a hydro project at the Burritts Rapids dam. This good news is a reversal of fortune after last year's AGM, where a feasibility assessment was presented that showed that such a project was just not financially viable, given the then current FIT rates. A lot can change in a year, however, and FIT rates for small hydro projects have increased 75%. This means that a small hydro project could not just generate electricity in an environmentally friendly way, but also provide a long-term revenue stream for community projects. "The amounts project-
May 6, 2014
ed are not just enough to cover a new coat of paint for the community hall," board member Michael Harrington commented, "we could potentially look at significant capital projects". Examples proposed included a community micro sewage treatment facility, or communal water supply, as both septic systems and wells have become problematic on the island. The board was hoping to hold a discussion on how to decide what to do with long term profits; but, given the small turn out, those present decided that a separate community meeting would be held at a later date on the subject. Before any revenue can be realized, however, there are still many hurdles to overcome, including finalizing permits with Parks Canada (the previous site permit has expired), applying for and obtaining a FIT contract, selecting development and financial partners, and conducting an
The Voice of North Grenville
Bishop’s Mills Annual Community Day – May 16
environmental assessment. There is also the matter of selecting the right turbine technology for the project. All this entails a large workload for the board in the coming year. The Association elected a full board, and several members present also expressed an interest in helping with various tasks. The Board for 2015-16 is David Simpson, Chair; Bob Gaudette, Treasurer; Bob Walker, Secretary, and Mary Hegan, Drew Avis, Marianne Fizet, and Michael Harrington as Members-at-large. During the meeting, the board was asked whether anyone in the community was opposed to the project. Board member Robert Walker replied that no one seems opposed to the project as such, though they have received questions via email questioning the function of BRREA itself. He then presented a thorough "BRREA FAQ" to answer the submitted
questions. As well as board elections, the members present viewed a promotional video prepared by Carleton University students, which is also available on the BRREA website, brpower. ca, as well as the “BRREA FAQ” presented at the meeting. Community members who want to learn more about BRREA, give feedback on the project, or who want to catch up on current news, are encouraged to visit the website and to connect with Board members at info@brpower.ca.
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Mark your calendar for the 12th Annual Bishop’s Mills Community Day which will take place on Saturday, May 16. Discover treasures at several community-wide yard sales. Treat yourself to some delicious baked goods from the Bishop’s Mills Women’s Institute’s bake sale. Participate in a silent auction or purchase some of the many quality “Made in Bishop’s Mills” crafts . Browse through the extensive Tweedsmuir History collection. Get close and personal with alpacas at the Alpaca Tracks farm and check out products made from their fine fibre. Take a self-guided walking tour of the village (part of the North Grenville 150 km Trail) and discover
some of its historical sites. And don’t forget to drop in for lunch in the St. Andrew’s Church Hall. Maps for the yard sales and the Alpaca Tracks farm will be available at the Community Hall at 8 am. The bake sale, canteen, silent auction, displays etc start at 9 am. This community day event is hosted by the Bishop’s Mills Community Association, the Bishop’s Mills Women’s Institute, and the St. Andrew’s United Church Women. Come out and experience the friendliness and charm of our hamlet! For more information please contact Victor Desroches at 258-2115.
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Editorial
The Voice of North Grenville
Dandelion Stew is a political hot potato and, even before any firm decision is made about whether it will go ahead, it has caused division within this community. The Committee say that, once they lost funds from other sources, they had to find the $5,000 “if the Festival was to be what they wanted it to be”. Perhaps the problem lies there? The last two or three years have seen a change in the direction being taken by the Festival. In its beginnings, it was seen as a community fair, a celebration of local arts and culture. The biggest controversies in its early years was when a headline act was booked from outside North Grenville, and local musicians took offense. But that vision of the festival changed recently, and organisers want to make it a regional event, something to draw in people from all of eastern Ontario, if possible. That meant money.
by David Shanahan Let me say, right off the bat, that I am completely supportive of the Dandelion Festival. That needs to be said, because as soon as you start commenting on something, someone will accuse you of being negative, undermining the community, and being in the pay of some rival municipality or foreign power. In fact, I was involved, in various capacities, in the first decade of the Dandelion Festival and consider it one of the best things to happen to North Grenville since amalgamation. But you have to ask: what on earth has happened this year? From the moment I saw that the Festival Committee had accepted $5,000 from TransCanada, I knew there’d be trouble. What were they thinking? Even those who support the Energy East pipeline project could see at once that this was a very bad move. The pipeline
Money meant sponsors, big-name sponsors who could cover the cost of importing big-name acts, cover increased security and insurance costs, etc. When that money was lacking this year, the Committee gladly accepted the help TransCanada provided. The ensuing crisis was almost inevitable, once we at the NG Times let people know what was happening. Environmental groups and musicians had to rethink their involvement in the Festival, and this resulted in the press releases which are published in this issue of the Times. Ironically, the ambition of the Committee to have the Festival publicised across the region has been achieved, but not in the manner they might have hoped. The Ottawa Citizen, CBC Ottawa, and other media outlets across the region have reported the crisis, and it does not reflect well on the professionalism of the Com-
mittee. Their response to public concerns has also been somewhat naive. “I hope you understand that as a community festival we are trying to stay out of the larger debate, it is not our place to judge the merits of the case.” The fact that they provoked the crisis by accepting money from TransCanada means that they cannot simply dismiss the problem as “not our place to judge”. There is another issue at play here. By leaving it to Sustainable North Grenville to find alternative funding for them, the Committee are not only failing in their fiduciary obligation as organisers, they are passing the problem off to a section of the community and asking them to do their job for them. At the same time, they are laying down a deadline for SNG to come up with the funds, placing the burden on them instead of shouldering it themselves. SNG need
to ask, however, if their campaign will matter. The TransCanada cheque has been cashed, the money accepted, a business deal done. Will TransCanada meekly withdraw and take their money back? One would hope so. Yes, it’s a mess, a real Dandelion stew. But the Festival will go ahead, and the crowds will turn up regardless of all of the trauma. Because the Dandelion Festival is a good thing, a celebration of our community, no matter what the vision of the organisers may be, or how it may change over time. We all like a good day out. Even before the crisis erupted over TransCanada, the current Committee were making it known that this may well be their last year at the helm. It is a huge job, and people can only do it for so long before they burn out. Perhaps the present situation will encourage more people to get involved for
next year’s festival, and bring a vision that more accurately reflects what North Grenville wants in their Dandelion Festival. The current Committee made a mistake. They have also worked long and hard to make sure the Festival happens, for the pleasure and benefit of the people of North Grenville. As people take a stand on solid principles, let’s remember that and remain respectful and continue to be good friends and neighbours.
2008, when, if you can recall, occurred the most recent financial fiasco. The American and Canadian banks needed money to bail them out of their financial mismanagement in regards to sub prime mortgages. These two country's federal governments bailed them out to the tune of billions of dollars. They also loaned money to several car companies for which these companies are liable to pay interest to the governments in question. The money was created as a debt added onto the federal government's overall debt. The rescued banks pay No Interest on this money. Instead, it is the governments who pay the interest. Some-
thing wrong with this picture? In conclusion, if the government on behalf of the people increases its debt, the people pay. If the banks mismanage their responsibility, the people still pay. So, you see, the dice is always stacked against the taxpayer. The 'House Cannot Lose'. Unless government opts out of this abusive system, things can only get worse, as we no doubt are already seeing. But they won't, because they are all in it together to defraud the public who they have been, in ignorance, elected to serve. We have been told that every man, woman and child owes the provincial govern-
ment some $20,000. Not to mention what they officially owe to the Federal government! What a great glee it must be to them to set such an official burden on an innocent child? Think about It! Sincerely, Vito Carini
Letters to the editor Dear Editor, In your opening paragraph with the Liberal candidate in the upcoming Federal election you suggested you would be using an interview format with the candidates. Clearly what followed was not an interview but a statement on supply management prepared well before the “interview”. This prepared statement in support of supply management raises a number of issues: The candidate, along with the Liberal Party of Canada are in support of supply management and always have been. After all, the Liberals initiated the concept in the 1960’s. But who is this candidate trying to differentiate herself and her Party from as both the Government and the official opposition have no policies opposed to supply management. If the North Grenville Times had conducted a proper “interview” with the Liberal candidate you may have asked the candidate if she or her family had a personal
interest in the continuation of the supply management programs and if so, how many millions in family assets are involved in the continuation of supply management. As it now stands this candidate may have an undeclared conflict of interest if a previously reported articles in the North Grenville Times is correct in linking her family to a supply managed poultry operation worth mega millions. In the future, if you are purporting to use an interviewing format, I suggest you do a little research on your subjects and spare your readers misinformation and undeclared conflicts. R. Morrison Editor comment: The interview with the candidate was unscripted and there were no prepared answers involved. We try to allow people to speak for themselves. Rather than interrogate, we hold conversations. Each candidate for the federal seat will have the same opportunity.
Dear Editor: While I agree on most points brought up in this article in regards to Steve Clark's opinion I wish to clarify a few things. Firstly, I don't think a PC government, the NDP or Greens, if they exist provincially, can solve the provincial government. It struck me as shocking that the present government is paying 8.7% to service the provincial debt. This amount is at least 4% higher than the present rate of inflation. Why couldn't the government negotiate a better rate? It does not look like they care about the excess burden this places on the taxpayer. Or at the very least they could have published the name of these financial lenders so that the people might know that these institutions don't give a hoot about the people. One excuse has it that the provincial government has such a bad credit rating. This is nonsense! Let's go back briefly to a recent year in history. This is
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Municipal Matters
The North Grenville Times
Emergency Preparedness Week
More Council meetings on TV
May 3 – May 9, 2015
Each year during Emergency Preparedness Week (EPW), all levels of government in Ontario come together to promote individual and collective preparedness for emergency situations that may occur in the province. While we are encouraged to prepare ourselves and our families for up to 72 hours of self reliance, we also need to think of others who we can reach out to during a time of crisis. Do you have a family member, friend or an elderly or disabled neighbour who may need assistance? Please take their potential needs into account during your preparedness planning. Municipalities provide the first level of government support. Every municipality in Ontario has an Emergency Management Program. The program outlines the municipality’s preparedness to deal with an emergency. Preparedness includes the
identification of hazards that may impact the municipality; response plans that provide direction to staff and volunteers; training and exercise components for staff; and a public awareness/education information component for residents. When a municipality’s resources become stretched, they may seek assistance from their neighbouring municipalities or from the County. A County can bring its own resources to bear and it can help to coordinate assistance from municipalities within its jurisdictional boundaries.A municipality can also request assistance directly from the Province which may include the deployment of an Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM) Field Officer to the affected municipality. The Province of Ontario, through the OFMEM, provides support in the form of
The Voice of North Grenville
COGECO have announced that they will be broadcasting Committee of the Whole meetings of the North Grenville Municipal Council in future. Until now, only regular Council meetings were broadcast. Committee of the Whole takes place on the first and third Mondays of the month, usually, and it is at these meetings that issues are discussed and an opportunity is presented to the public to take a more active part in debates and to have a say on the issues under discussion. Regular Council meetings only allow questions from the public at the end of meetings, after votes are already taken, and only on matters directly relating to that meeting’s agenda. Regular Council meetings will continue to be broadcast on COGECO at 7 pm the day following the meeting, and the same routine will apply to Committee of the Whole broadcasts.
response consultation and coordination; preparedness planning; training and exercising; emergency management policy, procedures and legislative oversight. The Province can, for a municipality or on their own accord, request assistance from the federal government. A prime example of Federal/ Provincial/Local interaction in support of an emergency was the Ice Storm of 1998. Canadian Forces personnel supplemented Provincial staff in supporting the response actions of local municipalities during that lengthy event. The Federal government coordinates hazard identification and emergency preparedness across Canada.Please visit the links listed below to learn more about Emergency Preparedness at both the personal level and at the various levels of government. Many of the sites contain helpful factsheets, tips, tools and links to additional sites. www.leedsgrenville.com/en/ live/qualityoflife/emergencyplanning.asp www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/ home.html www.publicsafety.gc.ca/ index-eng.aspx#
Universal Child Care Benefit application deadline extended to May 15 The registration deadline for applications to receive the enhanced Universal Child Care Benefit has been extended until May 15 so that families can receive their UCCB cheque in July. This benefit is available to every family with children under 18 and your income level does not matter. If you have children, you qualify. The majority of families with children, approximately 3.8 million, are known and will automatically receive the enhanced UCCB or be contacted by the Government to confirm their information. However, an estimated 200,000 eligible families are not currently captured by the Government’s UCCB system and may miss out on receiving money that is owed to them unless they apply. Under the proposed enhancements to the UCCB, families would receive almost $2,000 per year for each child under 6 years of age, and $720 per year for each child aged between 6 and 17. The new benefit amounts would be retroactive to January 1, 2015 and be reflected in monthly payments to families in July 2015. If your family is not currently receiving the UCCB, has never received the UCCB, or has never applied for the Canada Child Tax Benefit and you still have children under 18 in your care, please go to www.canada.ca/taxsavings to find out how you can apply.
Official Plan Update The Municipality is continuing to work on the new Official Plan, and, following public consultations, staff have identified three areas for major revisions. These are affordable housing policies, natural heritage systems, and mineral aggregate resources. There are also minor revisions required in some other areas. The next stage in the process involves preparing another draft of the Plan, which will be available for review by the public. The Municipal Official Plan is reviewed regularly and the current version, dating from 2010, is available on-line at http://www.northgrenville.ca/OfficialPlan.cfm
The North Grenville Fire Service can be contacted at the Municipal web site: www.northgrenville.ca
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Building a Sustainable North Grenville
Auditor General says Government put motorists at risk Submitted by the office of Steve Clark, MPP Motorists travelling provincial highways in LeedsGrenville and across the province faced more dangerous winter driving conditions over the past five years because the Wynne government put cost savings ahead of people’s lives. Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark says that’s the bottom line in Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk’s special report on Ministry of Transportation winter highway maintenance tabled today. Lysyk’s investigation was prompted by Clark’s motion at the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. “The report is a scathing condemnation of this government’s performance when it comes to protecting the safety of motorists,” said Clark. “We now know the ministry approved contracts May 6, 2014
that led to fewer pieces of equipment on the road, fewer patrols to monitor dangerous conditions and less sand, salt and anti-icing liquid being applied.” Clark called for the Auditor General’s investigation following numerous concerns raised by constituents and members of United Counties Council in the winter of 2013/14. “It was obvious to everyone at the time – except this government – that something was terribly wrong on our highways. Today, the Auditor General confirmed what we were all saying,” said Clark. “It’s time for the Premier and Minister of Transportation to apologize and explain clearly what steps they plan to take to ensure this is never repeated.” Even the OPP sounded the alarm to no avail, noted Clark, citing the section of Lysyk’s report that states:
these concerns, but were over-ruled by their bosses who were intent on signing the cheapest possible contract, not one that would keep our highways clear during the winter,” said Clark. Locally, the report found a significant decrease in the amount of equipment deployed since 2009, including: plows decreased from 40 to 26; salt and sand spreaders went from 3 to 0 and combination units went from 75 to 51. Clark said the result was chaos on provincial highways like 401 and 416 during the winter of 2013/14, in particular. In fact, Lysyk’s report notes that while overall traffic deaths are on the decline in Ontario, “preliminary results show an increase in the number of deaths on Ontario highways in 2013 where snow, slush or ice was a factor.”
“OPP officers asking contractors to apply sand and salt to roads covered in ice, and waiting for hours for a response, with many collisions taking place in the meantime and highways covered in ice and snow for days at a time.” “I heard from those emergency first-responders during that winter and they told me they’d never seen the highways in such deplorable and dangerous conditions,” said Clark. Lysyk’s report traces the decline in winter highway maintenance quality to a 2009 decision by the government to award contracts to the lowest bidders. By making cost the primary factor, the Auditor General found MTO awarded winter maintenance work to contractors they knew didn’t have the necessary equipment to meet standards. “Ministry staff raised
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“The government knew about this for five years, but did nothing to address these risks and people lost their lives as a result,” said Clark. “That negligence represents the ultimate betrayal of the public’s trust.” The special report is available in full here: http://www. auditor.on.ca/en/reports_en/ winterhighway_en.pdf
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The North Grenville Photography Club NOTICE New Navy League Cadets forming in Kemptville for youth Ages 9 to 12. We require a minimum 15 names NOW for Sept 2015 start. Information available at 25 Reuben Cres Kemptville Mondays at 630pm or call Susie McIntosh 613-297-4502 susiekemptville@gmail. com 'Spring at the Mill in Manotick’ photographed by Dorothea Larsen.
UPDATE UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL Monday, May 11th at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Centre. For agenda information, please contact the Clerk’s Office or visit the Municipal website. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Monday, May 19th, at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Centre. COMMITTEE MEETINGS Heritage Advisory Committee—Thursday, May 14th at 3:00 pm at the Municipal Centre. Library Board—Thursday, May 14th at 7:00 pm at the Library (1 Water St.). SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAMS Summer camps and swim program registrations begin Saturday, May 30th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in Arena 1 at the North Grenville Municipal Centre, 285 County Rd. 44. For more information, visit the website at www. northgrenville.ca. GARAGE SALES Garage sales in North Grenville are regulated by Bylaw 10-03. No licence or fee is required, but there are regulations which you must follow. Signage is NOT permitted in traffic circles or attached to traffic signs. Please ensure signage is removed after your sale. Before having a garage sale, please obtain a copy of this by-law from the Municipal Office or from the website at www.northgrenville.ca/files/10-03.pdf. 2015 BURN PERMITS In accordance with By-Law 33-12, a Burn Permit is required to conduct open burning on property located outside of the urban area. Burn Permits for 2015 are available at the Municipal Office or at the Fire Hall at 259 County Rd. 44 for a fee of $15. Please contact the Fire Hall at 613-258-2438 ext. 5 for conditions prior to burning.
The Municipality of North Grenville 285 County Road 44 PO Box 130 Kemptville, ON, K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca Building: 613-258-4424 Fax: 613-258-1441 Fire Services Info: 613-258-2438 Fax: 613-258-1031 By-Law Services: 613-258-2438 ext. 6 Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002
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SunSmart Solar building wins award A North Grenville 9000 sq. ft. straw-bale office and warehouse building, located at 825 Van Buren Street in Kemptville, has been presented with a 2014 Butler Commercial Building Award. Butler Manufacturing annually awards buildings that use their components in unique
ways, recognizing architectural appeal, great design, and complexity. The SunSmart Solar building focusses on ‘better’ industrial building practices without breaking the bank. The building was carefully engineered to eliminate the need for fossil fuels; it is all-electrical,
through light-shelves that cut down on electrical light use, geothermal and hydronic heating, highly efficient LED and T5 light fixtures, and high insulation values with triplepane windows. It is designed to work without the need for air-conditioning in summer. The building was designed by John Donkin Architect from Ottawa, and Rob Beckers, the CEO (and engineer) of SunSmart Solar. It was built by BBS Construction of Ottawa. “The challenge we placed on ourselves was to design and build a green, sustainable industrial building on a budget. To show that commercial buildings do not have to be the drab energy hogs most are. I believe our building is proof it can be done; and it can be done very well, at a cost similar to a conventional build. We have constructed a great building that is a pleasure to work in” according to
and once 100 kW of solar Photo Voltaic panels have been installed under the Ontario FIT program, it will be net-positive, meaning it will produce twice as much energy as it uses. It combines straw-bale walls, passive solar heat for the office in winter, day-lighting (natural light)
Ontario MicroFIT & Net-Metering When It Is Sunny Your Roof Can Make Money
Solar Information Session Answers to your Questions Thursday May 7th, 7:00-8:30pm -ORSaturday May 9th 1:30-3:00pm
825 Van Buren Street Kemptville, ON Visit our showroom www.sunsmart.solar Call (613) 518-1868
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Beckers. The building is home to Solacity Inc., a wholesale/ retailer for Renewable Energy Products, and houses SunSmart Solar which provides design, engineering, procurement, construction, installation and management of solar Photo Voltaic (PV) projects for residential and commercial systems. Whether its microFIT rooftop, ground mounted Net-Metering or off-grid systems, these options are becoming more and more common in our community.
More information about the unique building, with a description and pictures of the entire build process, can be found the “Green Power Talk” forum http://www.greenpowertalk.org/showthread. php?t=18748 or at http:// SunSmart.Solar/ which includes dates for the next public solar information sessions being held at the SunSmart building. More details can also be found onsite at SunSmart Solar Limited, 825 Van Buren Street, Kemptville, ON or by calling 613-518-1868.
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Lions Club News
by Lion John Carkner Happy Spring Everyone! As trees bud and many flowers poke their heads through the warming earth, it's time to provide a quick update as to what the Kemptville Lions Club has been up to and will be up to. Many thanks to all of those who purchased Easter Bunnies. Once again, thanks to your support, this fundraising effort was a resounding success. Perhaps by now the residual effects of the sugar buzz from the Bunnies should have worn off. Always remember, it's for a great cause. Ti m e f l i e s b y s o
quickly and once we have shrugged off the chill from that solid winter, it's time to focus on the annual Lions Club participation in the Kemptville/Oxford Mills Canada Day celebrations. We will be there, flipping dogs and burgs, but, meanwhile, we are out selling 50/50 tickets. The draw is done towards the close of the Canada Day Festivities in Oxford Mills. As in prior years, and provided you folks continue to support us as you always have, the winnings will be significant, and the other 50% will go to one of the many worthwhile causes which the Lions Club support. One of the recipients of the Club’s focus is the Kemptville Youth Centre and the Lions Club will continue to support this very important outreach. The Youth Centre staff, volunteers and kids thank you for your consideration as you help out the Lions Club with your dollars and
efforts. On another front, the Kemptville Lions Club is offering a simply wonderful program: "Message In A Bottle", and it's free of charge. This protocol will facilitate access to your personal medical information by first responders in an emergency situation. This could save your life. While this program is focused on the more vulnerable people in the community, anyone can fall down the stairs or have an accident in the home. The "Message In A Bottle" will save the Emergency Services valuable time identifying you and your emergency contacts. By telling whether you have special medication or allergies, it is a potential lifesaver and provides peace of mind to users, their families and friends. The Lions “Message In A Bottle” project is a simple idea designed to encourage people to keep their personal and medical information on a standard
form and in a common location - the fridge. This project rolls out early in May and the kit is available free of charge at every pharmacy in your area. For more information please call Robert Stevenson at 613 258-5072 or Mavis Lecuyer at 613 258-5739 Finally, as we manoeuver around the traffic circles on the 43 corridor, we may wonder who is actually responsible for the upkeep. The Lions Club adopted one of these circles and on our to do list in the next little while is to get out and tidy it up. As visitors, and of course we ourselves, drive into town, it is nice to see Kemptville presented as the tidy, beautiful place that it is. Enjoy your spring, folks and we look forward to seeing you as we are out and about. As always, don't hesitate to say hi when you see us, just perhaps not at the roundabout!
Rob’s Youth Centre Challenge
Staff at the youth centre have kicked off the campaign with their pledge for the next three years. Sean Corbett, KYC’s Program Facilitator, has a long history with the Centre: “I came to the KYC six years ago as a 15 year old, and I know how valuable it is as a resource for young people in our community. I hope it will continue to be an important place for youth for many years to come.” Donors are encouraged to donate online either at www.kyc.myevent.com or at www.kemptvilleyc. com, where they can also
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Kemptville Lions Vision Care Project Update Just a quick note to all of the Clubs in District A4 to let you know the Kemptville Lions Vision Care Project continues to do excellent work in Guyana and other countries in South and Central America. In February of this year, a somewhat smaller team than normal went down to the town of Anna Regina in Guyana. While there were only 9 members in the team, they had excellent support from the Lions Club of Essequibo Coast. Not only did the Essequibo Lions Club do an excellent job of triaging possible patients for examination by the team, they were also available during the Clinic to help wherever needed. In terms of numbers, this was an exceptional clinic. Over a period of five days, 963 patients were examined. Of that number, 833 required and received glasses– a remarkably high ratio which indicates that the vast majority of clients given tickets for
the Clinic were having vision difficulties. The Kemptville Lions Club continues to rely on support from District A-4 – both through the donation of washed and sorted glasses for distribution at their Clinics, but also through your donations toward the Vision Care Clinics. Donations may be sent directly to the Kemptville Lions Club in care of Lion Robert Sentner at PO Box 421 Kemptville ON, K0G1J0. On a personal note, we are pleased to report that Lion Paul Mahabir, who has coordinated the Kemptville Lions Vision Care Project for the past 20 years, is quickly recovering from a Kidney transplant that he underwent in January of 2015. Lion Paul has been unable to attend the last two Clinics because of progressive kidney failure. It is hoped that this successful surgery will allow Lion Paul to participate in many Clinics in the future.
download a pledge form, or they can pick one up at 5 Oxford Street West. The Kemptville Youth Centre is a non-profit charity with a mission to engage youth in making positive life choices in a socially accepting environment to reach their full potential as responsible
productive citizens. KYC offers drop-in recreational programming in a fun, safe and non-judgmental environment. The Kemptville Youth Centre now welcomes over 100 youth per month, keeping them safe and engaged in great programs with fantastic role models.
“Staff at the youth centre (L-R, John Barclay, Robin Heald and Sean Corbett) kick off the campaign with their pledged donations for three years. Collecting them on behalf of KYC is Alex Johnson.” Are you interested in doubling your impact in the community? Longtime community supporter, Rob Thompson of Rob Thompson Realty, has issued the following challenge to residents of North Grenville: “Pledge a yearly donation of $20, $50, $100 or more for 3 years to the Kemptville Youth Centre and I’ll match it each year up to $2,000 per year”. Rob’s Youth Centre Challenge is made to individuals and businesses in May 6, 2014
North Grenville and will be in effect from May 6 to August 31, 2015. Robin Heald, KYC’s Executive Director, explains: “It's important that the Kemptville Youth Centre have funding we can count on in order to maintain and sustain the programs and services it currently offers local youth in the region. Rob’s commitment to support the Centre for three years will go a long way towards ensuring program sustainability.”
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(613) 925-0222 (866) 925-0221 Email: mark@cseconsulting.com
www.cseconsulting.com
Employment Ontario programs are funded in part by the Government of Canada. Les programmes Emploi Ontario sont financés en partie par le gouvernement du Canada.
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Kemptville Drug Mart joins KDH Foundation Community Partners
Memorial to OPP constable
New to the community but wanting to contribute, Shadi Abdelmalek is the Owner and Pharmacy Manager for the Kemptville Drug Mart located in the Kemptville Mall. Shadi heard about the KDH Foundation Community Partners Program and wanting to support Kemptville District Hospital, decided that this was the program he wanted to join. One of the ways Kemptville Drug Mart is planning to support is by donating $1 to KDH for each prescription filled. They are busy planning their Grand Opening to be held on Saturday, May 23rd. The day will include a big sale on all store items, free give-aways and a free BBQ lunch with
Sgt. Craig McCormack at the memorial pad to Constable Alan Thompson Last week, we told you of the bridge dedication ceremony that took place in honour of OPP Constable Alan Thompson, who was killed on duty in 1975. His car was hit by a train at what was then an unguarded crossing on the Oxford Mills road. He was just 34 years old and left a wife and a young son and daughter. The impetus for the dedication came primarily from Sergeant Craig McCormack of the local OPP detachment. Craig has now completed the rest of his ambition. A permanent memorial to Alan Thompson has been unveiled outside the detachment on CR 44. The materials, labour and cost of the memorial were covered by local businesses, as well as the Ontario Provincial Police Association. The local companies
that contributed via either time or cost were: Outer Creations Landscaping; Kemptville Myers; Saumure Group Construction Company; Eastern Memorials Monuments; Branch 10 South Ontario Provincial Police Association(OPPA); Barrie OPPA Headquarters. The idea was Craig’s, but the way in which it was taken up by others came as a happy surprise. “As I approach 28 yrs. on as a OPP member, it never ceases to amaze me how an idea can come to fruition when someone spreads the word of an idea to local dedicated businesses. I feel the need to thank the two Outer Creations employees who worked for two and a half days in the cold rainy, flurry weather to have it done in time!” After the official bridge
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dedication ceremony, Craig brought Alan’s son, Michael, and his daughter, Pamela, over to the site to see the memorial pad. As Craig says, “To say they were happy by the tribute would be an understatement”. Although their father had been recognised on memorials in Ottawa and Toronto, his children had always hoped he would be remembered in the community in which he served and died. The memorial has made sure of that. The bridge memorial is on the 416 overpass over the CPR tracks south of Kemptville. A video of the official dedication ceremony is available on the NG Times web site at www.ngtimes.ca.
donations being collected for KDH Foundation. This type of generous community support is very important to the KDH Equipment Fund and the Foundation appreciates the support of Shadi and Kemptville Drug Mart . Funds raised through this program will be used to secure vital modern medical equipment to ensure that your families, friends, and neighbours have access to the best care – right here close to home. About the community partner program: When you shop at your local businesses in North Grenville you may see a new sign in the doors or windows. It is the symbol for a new project of the Kemptville District Hospital Foundation. The Community Partner program invites local companies to support the Hospital with an annual donation
of $1,000 or more and provides some recognition for those who do. “The owners of these companies want to help build healthier communities by donating to KDH and we feel they should get a chance to show the community how much they care. That’s why we made the logo say ‘Proud Supporter’ and gave them stickers to display,” says Hugh O’Neill, Chair of the Board of the KDH Foundation. The Community Partner program is open to all local business and the donation can be made by monthly payments or at anytime throughout the year. For more information regarding this program contact Mary Boucher at the Foundation Office 613-258-6133 x 157.
Community give kids a Jumpstart The residents of Settlers Way in Kemptville are holding a Community Garage Sale over the next two weekends to help raise funds for Jumpstart, a program initiated by Canadian Tire to make organised sports possible for children who would otherwise not be able to afford to play. Around one in three of all Canadian children cannot afford to take part in organised sport because of the cost of equipment, or travel, or other expenses. Jumpstart works to change that. Co-sponsored by Rotary Club of Kemptville and Investors Group, the sale jumps off this Saturday, May 9, at 9 am until 1 pm, and again the following Saturday, May 16, at the same time. There will be a BBQ on the site, and lots of bargains to pick up. So drop by Settlers Way on your weekend tour of yard sales, and make sure your cash goes to a good cause. To get involved, or to host a garage sale at your own home, call Daren Givoque at 613-294-0659, or e-mail him at daren.givoque@gmail.com.
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What’s Happening @ KYC Free Programs at Kemptville Youth Centre
Ross McNeil Cook Night Thurs. May 7th 4 - 8pm
BAKING NIGHT - FRI. MAY 8TH 6 - 8PM
Work Bee Saturday May 9th Noon to 5pm
Volunteers Welcome
BNI Sports Night - Tues. May 12th 6 - 7:30pm
Open Jam Night - Wed. May 13th 6-8pm 5 Oxford St. W. www.kemptvilleyc.com 613-258-5212
May 6, 2014
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Fresh Local Fiddleheads are here 301 Rideau Street, Kemptville
Regular Store Hours: Mon.- Fri. 8 to 8, Sat. - 8 to 6, Sun. 9 to 6
613.258.3014
Prices effective: Friday, May 8 to Thursday, May 14, 2015 “We reserve the right to limit quantities to reasonable family requirements”
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Fundamentals
A change is gonna come by David Shanahan In the recent past, a Christian world view was part of the socio-cultural identity of this and other Western countries. This does not mean that Canada was a “Christian country”, because there has never been such a thing in human history. The majority of people went to some church on Sunday, had a family Bible, and showed respect to the clergy in their local parish or congregation. But, to varying degrees, this was as much a social as a religious expression. There was prayer and Bible reading in schools, and most people had at least a passing acquaintance with the stories found in the Scriptures. That has clearly changed, and, in this post-Christian era, many people have never opened a Bible, heard exactly what it is Jesus said and did, etc. On one level, this is a positive change, from a Christian point of view, because it means that those who profess to be Christians are more likely to know what they mean. It is no longer assumed, or expected. On the other hand, the change that has taken place in society means that far fewer people know what Christianity actually is, or what the Bible contains, and so there has been a growing assumption that the world has passed by, advanced to the point where most of “religion” has been proven false, non-historical, and full of errors of fact. Science and “progress”, it is believed, has made any religious faith somewhat sad and out of touch with reality. There is a real irony in this. This current attitude to Christianity is the result of a long process of undermining faith in the Bible and the historic basis of Christianity which really began with Darwin’s views on evolution in the middle decades of the nineteenth century. As with all general changes in public world views, this gradually filtered down from academics and social elites to the general public over many years, so that, today, it is the most widely-held belief in society. The irony is that, as public perceptions were changing, so was the basis for current thinking. About a century after Darwin’s “Origin of Species”, came the discovery of the double-helix structure of the DNA molecule, discoveries in archaeology May 6, 2014
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and history, as well as wider scientific research into the “fine tuning” of our universe. All of these have undermined the findings of the previous century’s scholarship, and raised serious questions about the assumptions upon which much of the “attack” on Christianity and the Bible was based. The entrenched positions are not easily changed, and there has been much debate (not always civil or properly academic) about the validity of the new evidence and findings in so many fields; but the debate continues almost out of sight of the general public, who remain quite unaware of how much has changed in the past fifty or sixty years. Personally, I find some of those who resist discussing the actual situation to be rather like the Black Knight in Monty Python, who, no matter how many limbs are cut off, insists that “it’s just a flesh wound”, and demand that the fight continue regardless. But even the most convinced Darwinian will admit that there are fundamental things that cannot be explained by their philosophy. How did intelligent life begin on this planet? What is consciousness? What is energy, gravity, or even instinct? Science has given us laws that govern how things behave in the physical world. But these laws only describe what happens, they do not explain what is happening, or why they happen as they do. The basic molecules of life, DNA, are amazing engines of protein production, full of an incredible amount of information which is used to direct and conduct growth and development of billions of cells in the human body. This information has been
compared to computer code, and Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, has said that DNA is a far more complex program than anything we humans have ever devised. Where did that information come from? What is the source of this incredibly complex programming? There are those who will claim that this all came about through blind, undirected, random changes over billions of years. That is a giant leap of blind faith. The conclusion is that there is reason enough for people to re-examine their thinking about Christianity, and to question the accepted view that has dominated society for decades. Instead of dismissing the idea of God and the Christian Gospel out of hand, perhaps it is time to ask what the implications are for each of us if such a God and such Good News are the reality, and much of our unexamined preconceptions are the anti-intellectual fantasy.
ALBERT DYKS MEMORIAL CHICKEN BBQ MAY 9, 2015 FIRST CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH 2455 COUNTY ROAD 18, KEMPTVILLE MENU ½ BBQ Chicken, Potato Salad Cole Slaw, Dinner Roll, Dessert, Drink TICKETS - $15.00 SERVING TIMES 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm (Eat-in or Take-out available) INFORMATION – (613) 258-6430 www.ngtimes.ca
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SALE EXTENDED TO MAY 9, 2015
May 6, 2014
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St. John’s Celebrates 185 Years of life by Beth Nicol
St. John’s United Church has marked 185 years of attending to the spiritual needs of its congregation and serving the community at large. Prior to the formation of the United Church of Canada in 1925, the congregation was Methodist. Originally its preachers were itinerant, eventually settling in a framed church on Clothier St. In 1869 it was replaced by a brick structure which burned down 19 years later. In 1888, the congregation
built their new home on the present location. To mark the occasion, on Saturday evening members of the congregation hosted a dinner and variety night paying tribute to Canada’s east coast. Sunday morning, a former minister to St. John’s, Angela Bailey, was welcomed back as guest speaker. The East Coast and Canadian Composer Variety Night began with a meal highlighted by tasty fish
chowder and fresh homemade bread. The dinner was prepared by a team of volunteer cooks working under the direction of Joyce Lamonte. Over 150 meals were served. After dessert and coffee, the celebration moved upstairs to the church. Lynda Harrison, Minister of St. John’s, welcomed guests and thanked the many volunteers, musically gifted and otherwise, for their contributions. Then the fun began. Thanks to the planning and organization of producer, Helen McGregor, and wit of Master of Ceremony, Jean Jacques Rousseau, what followed was an hour and a half packed with sixteen acts celebrating the music of eastern Canada. There were songs to make you laugh; there were songs to make you cry. There were foot tappers, hand clappers and sing a
longs. Many of the performers featured were members of the St. John’s Senior Choir and/or the Ottawa Valley Men’s Choir. Guests Kerry Badgley, Fiddlehead Soup and Justine and Spencer Stroud kept it light and lively. For those who thrive on harmonies there were Paul Vavasour and Mary MacDonald, Jamie and Toby McIntyre, and the Hummingbirds. Ralph Taylor shared a story. Josie Dunn and Nancy Miller McKenzie performed well loved crowd pleasers; Jean Jacques Rousseau and Chris Morgan sang en francais. A traditional song of longing for home was done by Alf Campbell. The end result was an evening filled with warmth, fellowship and the pleasure of song and story. It was an anniversary gift enjoyed by all.
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Celebrate Wild Bird Day Saturday, May 9 To Celebrate Wild Bird Day Saturday, May 9, Saunders Country Critters, in conjunction with Nature Canada, will admit the first 200 children to bring a bag of bird feed to the Zoo free of charge, as well as Nature Canada's Junior Birder Journal. All donated bird seed will be used throughout the summer to feed the wild birds that live in and around the Zoo. Can't make it May 9? You can still support the wild birds by setting up your own feeders at home. A feeder doesn't have to be complicated. Take a plastic jug, cut a hole in it. Stick a branch through it for a perch, fill it with seed, tie it up in a tree. You now have a bird feeder. 1058 County Rd. 44, Oxford Station
Thursday, May 7, 2015 1:30 pm
The United Empire Loyalists, swept up in the American Revolution, are compelled to abandon their homes in the Mohawk Valley (New York) and flee to the king’s lands in Quebec. Maria Catrina Eamer, alone in safeguarding her children on their exodus, steps from the shadows of her husband’s life and reveals the true price paid for loyalty.
Hosted by: Youngsters of Yore North Grenville Public Library | 1 Water Street, Kemptville, ON
Women in Song night at Lock 17 Lock 17 in Burritts Rapids, Studio 106 and Off the Cuff in Merrickville are pleased to present the first annual “Women In Song” Live Music night honouring female musicians on Saturday May 9. In honour of Mother’s Day weekend, Lock 17 is proud to highlight the very special women in our lives and will be dedicating an entire evening of live music to female artists! There will be musical acts of all ages, and some of the highlights include performances by Flip Side, Tayler Horning, Laurie Bowen, Tanya Gandza Barkhouse, Lorri Sutterlin, Andrea Breen, Addie Baklinski , Kelsey Collins, Danielle Hewitt, Paula Berk, Lauren Nickerson, Heather Snow, Anne Lyon, Marcia Phillips, Georgie Gogswell Greencorn, Melba Mooney and Nancy Hull.
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May 6, 2014
This beautiful live music show is being put on in support of The Brockville Womens Interval House. Cover is free, but patrons are asked to bring an item for donation from the shelters list of needed products – a full list is available on our website but items such as paper towels, Kleenex, toilet paper, soap, feminine hygiene products and gift cards to Shoppers Drug Mart are greatly needed. More than 3,000 women stay in shelters across Canada on a given night to escape abuse. The Interval House provides emergency shelter for women and their children in a 10-bed facility at no charge. Staff are on duty 24-hours a day and provide supportive counseling, transition and housing support, and personal safety planning and support. Everyone has the right to live without fear. Show your support while enjoying a great meal and listening to some incredibly talented female musicians. The show runs from 6-11pm and reservations are recommended. Call 613.258.7166 to secure your spot or visit www.lock17.ca for more information. Remember: Lock 17, Saturday May 9, 6-11pm.
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Opposition to TransCanada sponsorship
The following statements were issued in response to the news that TransCanada were sponsoring the Dandelion Festival
Musicians on the Dandelion Festival TransCanada Corporation is a major sponsor for Kemptville's 2015 Dandelion Festival, May 22-24. TransCanada is planning to run the Energy East pipeline through North Grenville and residents are opposed to the pipeline project. We the undersigned are local musicians and in order to stand united with our community in opposition to the TransCanada Energy East pipeline project, we have formally withdrawn our musical services from the Festival. We are well aware of the views of our neighbours and our group strongly objects to playing under a TransCanada banner. We believe that the TransCanada Corporation does not operate in the long term best interest of the community or the local and national ecology. We feel that the TC sponsorship of the festival does not reflect the concerns or wishes of the community and therefore is incongruent with the communitybased tradition of the festival, and as such should
not be warranted exposure at an important community event such as the Dandelion Festival. After contacting the Festival on April 28 in order to discuss our misgivings, we were informed by Julia O'Grady, Festival Manager, that the Festival will be "proceeding with the TransCanada funding, unless... “the sponsorship can be replaced in its entirety." Because we feel that the Dandelion Festival did not keep the best interests of the community in mind when seeking sponsorship, as a group we have decided to withdraw our performance services from the Festival and stand up for the concerns of the members of our community opposed to the TransCanada Energy East pipeline project. John Carroll, c 613 371 6475 john@johncarrollmusic.com Lisa Poushinsky (Bella Borealis), c 613 761 0413 lisa.poushinsky@gmail. com, George Buys, h 613 258 7653 pbrooks_gbuys@yahoo.ca
SNG statement on the Festival funding
On Sunday, April 26 news was released that TransCanada was listed as a sponsor on the Dandelion Festival website. On hearing this news, some local musicians booked to play at the Dandelion Festival, announced that they would be withdrawing from performing should TransCanada be a sponsor. Members of Sustainable North Grenville were made aware of the musician’s position. SNG understands and shares the concerns of those musicians. SNG values the festival as an important event that brings people together and creates strong community connections. In order to support the success of this year’s festival, SNG was spurred into action. Members of SNG stepped forward with an offer to attempt to raise $5000 in alternative funds so that the festival can continue as planned. In an offer of good faith, the Board of the Dandelion Festival has agreed that, should SNG be successful in raising the funds by a deadline of May 8, TransCanada’s funds will be returned. Sustainable North Gren-
ville is preparing a crowd funding campaign using an Indiegogo platform. SNG has committed to kick off the funding campaign with a donation of $500. For more information on how you can donate to this
initiative please visit www. sustainablenorthgrenville.ca. Sustainable North Grenville is a group of citizens interested in helping to make North Grenville a more sustainable community. Their
mission is to foster a resilient community that meets the social, cultural and economic needs of its residents now and for the future, while preserving the environment’s ability to support it.
Pulled Pork Fest exceeds all expectations
A full house gathered at Leslie Hall for a feast of pork (and beef and turkey!) St. James Anglican Church would like to thank everyone who attended, sponsored and worked to make the Pulled Pork Fest, on Friday, May 1, such a huge success! We never expected to have people lined up right outside the door of Leslie Hall! Fast Eddies won the Pulled-Pork Contest, with Sharpe Decisions' electronic voting, but O'Heaphy's was close behind! Father Robert's Pulled-Beef was popular and we had Pulled-Turkey as well. There were four prize draws with donations from the Kemptville Family Restaurant and the Kemptville Drug Store, Remedy's Rx. Thank you also to B & H, the NG Times and Graham's Bakery. So, please look for the St. James 2nd Annual Pulled-Pork Fest next spring! Thank you all for your support. May 6, 2014
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
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CROSSWORD
May 7
Youngsters of Yore, Kemptville Public Library, 1:30 pm. Guest speaker: Jennifer De Bruin author of “Shadows In the Trees. May 7-9 MS Mother's Day Carnation Campaign: purchase carnations in at ScotiaBank, Can Tire, Royal Bank, Ind Grocer, B & H, TD Can Trust, Post Office, LCBO . All proceeds for local MS Clients, and research. May 8-10 Kemptville Players will be performing The 39 Steps: A Live Radio Play at the NG Municipal Centre on May 8- 9 at 7:30 pm and May 10 at 2 pm. Visit www.kemptvilleplayers.ca, Facebook or call 258-2051. May 8 Lasagna Fundraiser Dinner at Oxford-on-Rideau PS, 50 Water St, Oxford Mills from 5:30-7 p.m. Come out and enjoy a delicious lasagna dinner with salad, dessert and drinks! Adults-$10, Children- $5, Children under 3 Free. All proceeds go to school programs and activities. May 9 South Branch Elementary School Plant & Bake Sale. Rain or Shine, 9 am to noon, 2649 Concession Rd. Includes a Silent Auction, Scholastic Book Fair and Theme Basket Raffle. M ay 13-15 “Stay With Me” play at St. Michael Catholic High School, 7:30 pm. Tickets are $5 with a percentage of profits this year going towards a local charity. Tickets can be bought at the door or in advance by contacting Michael Blouin at michael.blouin@cdsbeo.on.ca. May 15 Blood Donor Clinic from 12:30-3:30 pm and from 5-8 pm at the North Grenville Municipal Centre in Kemptville. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. To donate, call 1 888 236 6283. Be a hero and donate to save lives. May 16 12th Annual Bishop’s Mills Community Day. Community-wide yard sales, bake sale, silent auction, crafts, alpacas, walking tour, lunch, 8 am. See page 4 for more details. May 30 The Oxford Mills Sisterhood of Guiding (OMSG) Spring Fair, 10 am-3 pm at Oxford-on-Rideau Public School, Oxford Mills (rain or shine). This fundraiser aims to model the power of community spirit and generosity. This admission- free event will have something for everyone! .
ACROSS 1. A throat infection 6. Toboggan 10. Part of an ear 14. Doggy 15. Hubs 16. Close 17. Hello or goodbye 18. Hearing organs 19. If not 20. Repentant 22. Quash 23. Long-haired wild ox 24. S-shaped moldings 26. Outrage 30. Burdened 32. Unwind 33. Inattentive 37. Ale
Weekly and recurring events Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
M,W,F
BNI Networking Group Breakfast, Grenville Mutual Insurance Building, 380 Colonnade Drive, 7- 8:30 am. Call 613-918-0430 for more information. Mixed Pickup 18+ Basketball is back! All skill levels welcome. Holy Cross School on Tuesday, 7-9 pm. $5 per night or $60 for the season. Please call Jeff or Samantha at 613-258-1847 or samantha.rivetstevenson@rbc.com. Please remember there is no basketball on snow days ! Bridge- St. John’s United Church, 12:15 pm. Cost $4. "All levels of bridge players welcome. Come discover Duplicate Bridge. "Info, contact Sandra at 613-258-2691. The Branch Artisans Guild, North Grenville Community Church, 2659 Concession Street every 3rd Tuesday, 7 pm. New members welcomed! The North Grenville Photography Club - Meeting first Wednesday of every month at the Auditorium at the Municipal Centre on Hwy 44. For more info see ngphotoclub.ca. Bingo- First and third Wednesday of the month, Kemptville Legion. Games start at 1 pm. All welcome. Refreshments available. Klub 67 Euchre every second and fourth Wed. of the month beginning Sept 10, 1:15 pm, St. John's United Church downstairs. Everyone welcome, $5.00. KCCB, NG High School band room,7-8:30 pm. Brass and Woodwind musicians of all levels welcome! Music covers a wide range of musicals, classics, jazz and modern pieces. For more information, email dennis843@gmail.com Bridge - St. John’s United Church, 6:45 pm. Cost $5, partner preferred but not necessary. For more info, contact Sandra at 613-258-2691. North Grenville Toastmasters - Meeting 1st & 3rd Thurs. of the month, 7 pm at O’Farrell’s Financial Services, Cty Rd 44. Info, call 258-7665. Friendship lunch, Leslie Hall, Clothier St. W. Sponsored by St. James, St. John, Kemptville Pentecostal Tabernacle, Salvation Army and Holy Cross churches. Serving begins at 11:30 am. No charge. Goodwill offering. All are welcome. The Kerith Debt Freedom Centre. Confidential coaches will help you get out of debt and stay out of debt. Free, open on the 2nd and 4th Sat. of the month from 9:30-11:30 at the NG Community Church. Appointments can be made at kdfc.ca or by calling 613-258-4815 x103. Kemptville Legion breakfast. Third Saturday of the month except for July and Aug. Breakfast served from 8-10 am. Adults $5.00, Children under 12- $3.00. All welcome. Kemptville and Area Walking Group, Municipal Centre - Early birds: 8 am, others 8:30 am. Contact: Eva 258-4487.
May 6, 2014
38. Feather 39. Not aft 40. Without nationality 42. A sudden forceful flow 43. Intoxicating 44. In working order 45. Humble 47. Precious stone 48. A style of design 49. Advantageous 56. Not under 57. Double-reed woodwind 58. Soup server 59. An escape of water 60. Klutz's cry 61. Districts 62. Focusing glass 63. Leg joint 64. Backsides
DOWN 1. Box 2. Lacquered metalware 3. Space 4. Reflected sound 5. Throat 6. Streamlined 7. Unit of bread 8. Beige 9. Force out from a position 10. Unremarkable 11. Donnybrook 12. Anagram of "Stabs" 13. Chocolate cookie 21. Unhappy 25. G 26. Spheres 27. 3 in a yard 28. Parasitic insect 29. Bulwarks 30. Really bad 31. Not legs 33. Skedaddled 34. Garrison 35. Desire 36. Lascivious look 38. A book of strategies 41. Snake-like fish 42. Alike 44. Hemp 45. Embankment 46. Sea 47. Ganders 48. A girl's toy 50. Black, in poetry 51. No 52. Concern 53. Bright thought 54. Winglike 55. Not more
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CLASSIFIEDS
The S Word
First 10 words are FREE for North Grenville Residents. Extra Words: 50 cents a word. Email classifieds@ngtimes.ca SERVICES
Handyman/Contractor With Years Of Experience. No Job Is Too Big Or Too Small. Unlimited References, Call For Free Estimate 613-791-8597
the pet nanny - pet sitting, dog walking kempt./ merrickville. 613-9792616 petnannykempt- YOGA for everyone. Wed and ville.com Thurs., at YIG. Call 258-9902 Childrens Activity Week Fencing and Deck Specialist, ages 7 - 12, July 20-24 or Renovations. 20 years experience. Aug 17-21 Info/register Brian 613-215-0805 c3pillars@gmail.com 613-258-7133 RENT for rent Property cleanup,trees/ b r u s h / y a r d waste,scrap,dump runs,anything removed Wayne Scott 613-2869072
By Deron Johnston
Old Town Kemptville – 113 Prescott St. – commercial retail space – 1,878 sq. ft., available immediately. 613295-0552 Kemptville – 1 bdrm – 506 Rideau St; $800 + utilities; hardwood floors; gas heat; covered balcony; no smoking or pets; available immediately. 613-295-0552
Kemptville - 2 bdrm – 506 Rideau St; $950 (water included) + utilities; hardwood floors; gas heat; covered balcony; no smoking or pets; available immediately. Kemptville $1400 + utilities 613-295-0552 tWO BEDROOM HOUSE QUIET LOCATION. RENOVATED. INCLUDES 5 APPLIANCES. NON-SMOKING. $1020 +UTILITIES. 613-853-6592.
(MLS#943749) - 3 bed/ bath end
Rock My House Music Centre unit w/hot tub, fenced yard. 2 bedroom upper level of is looking for Instructors. 613-978-4636 duplex in downtown Kempt613 258-5656 ville. 4 applicances/parking/ Clothier Street West 1 bed- water included. Call 613 296 Bowen Therapy - Addresses room + den 2 story 4 appli- 5906. pain and most health issues. 613-799-3315 www.TheBowenApproach.ca
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AVON – Looking for products, call Joan, 613-258-7644
3 bedroom bungalow, $1225.00 montly + utilities ref required 613 258 2502
SEWING : Weddings to alterations at Stonehouse Studio. Large four bedroom house near KempCall Sharon 613-224-3182. tville, big yard. $1400.00 per month. FREE DRUM LESSON!!! Professional drummer offering FREE trial lessons...no obligation! 613 298 5913 www. drumhead.ca You Name It, I Can Sew It. Call Rhonda at 258-5248
613-258-4741 One bedroom apartment, no pets,non smoking,$700.00 utilities extra 613-220-5014
Three bedroom house in Prescott. $875.00 plus gas and hydro.call 613-258-4741
wanted Senior neeeds old car batteries form making weights. Call 613 258 6254 Wanted pinball machine for home family room call Steve 613 327 4187 will purchase as is, working or not FOR SALE Canon XT, all accessories, CF card, Lexar reader. $115.00 ve3mhm@sympatico.ca Mixed hardwood firewood $100 per cord delivered 613-227-3650
HANDY MAN SPECIALIZING IN RENOVATION AND HOUSE STAGING. WE DO IT ALL CALL 613 294 2416
one bedroom apartment, no pets,non smoking,$700.00 utilities extra 613-220-5015
NEED A NEW ROOF? GOT A LEAKY ROOF? Over 15 yrs owner/operator, subcontracting. Free estimates Work Guaranteed call 613 294 2416
Prescott. $875.00 plus gas and hydro.call 613-258-4741
Help wanted
Downtown Kemptville, 2 bedroom, 4 appliances,, parking, $965 + utilities, April 1st.613258-0237”
Laborer needed, for construction company Drivers licence not required, Residents of Kemptville Only Call 613-8945210
Mr & Mrs clean residential/ commercial cleaning. Mrandmrsclean613@gmail.com, 613-867-2184 Professional Nutrition Coaching for your wellness goals. w ho le sumap p r o ac h.com 613-258-7133 House Cleaning-Every working Mother and Father needs a House Wife. Sandi 613219-7277
Full set Lady Jazz Golf Clubs Three bedroom house in + bag $85 623 258 5573
Kemptville, 512 Clothier, 2 bedroom apartment in a se- Flooring installer in need of full time niors building, $863 + utili- helper. Will train. Must have all your ties, no smoking, no pets. fingers. Call Ed 613.258.3537 613 294 6819 yard sale Kemptville 4 BDRM Century Home Finished basement all Yard Sale, May 9, 1210 appliances 1 ½ baths large Slater Road, from 8.30 deck sauna hot tub 613 720 to 4 0942
Old Town Kemptville – 10 Prescott St. – commercial Al’s Cleanup Services Dump runs, retail space – 690 sq. ft., Grass, Landscaping Al Scott R R available immediately. 613#1 Oxford Station(613) 258-3847 295-0552
May 6, 2014
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The Voice of North Grenville
People seem to use the word “sustainability” a lot these days. I think some people who use it don't actually know what it means. According to the Oxford Dictionary, it means “able to be maintained at a certain rate or level”, as well as “conserving an ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources”. Here's what Wikipedia had to say: “In more general terms, “sustainability” is the endurance of systems and processes. The organizing principle for sustainability is sustainable development, which includes the four interconnected domains: ecology, economics, politics and culture.” Let's look at sustainability in the context of one particular project that's happening right now in North Grenville. There's one organization that really seems to like that word and that’s the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). FCM is a national organization that claims to be the national voice of municipalities and represents 90% of Canada's municipal population. They seem to have a serious commitment to rewarding or acknowledging communities across Canada that show leadership in sustainability and environmental responsibility. FCM has categories of national awards including the Sustainable Communities Awards and the Green Champions Awards, among others. Specifically, the Green Champions Awards were developed to promote and reward municipal champions, inspire municipal governments, and showcase and encourage the exchange of best practices among Canadian communities. Awards are presented in six categories —planning, energy, transportation, waste, water and brownfields — and are open to all municipal governments. Winning communities and projects are recognized through case studies, videos and news releases, generating national and local media attention. There's a special project that you may not have heard about until now. It's happening in Burritt’s Rapids and it would be an excellent choice to submit for the energy category of the Green Champions Awards. The Burritt’s Rapids Renewable Energy Association (BRREA) is a community organization that is exploring the possibility of using the fast flowing waters of the Rideau River at the
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dam site in Burritt’s Rapids would reflect on the municito generate hydro power. pality of North Grenville. The idea is that whatever FCM even has a Green power is generated by the Municipal Fund available project would be sold to the that grants out and loans Ontario Power Authority and money for these types of that money would be used projects. They also can profor the benefit of the Burritt’s vide knowledge services and Rapids community including peer networks to allow one “possible significant capital municipality to work with projects”. Sounds like this another that may have already has 'sustainability' written all worked on a similar project. over it. According to BRREA The real question is: will , there are several objectives, anyone on council show the the most interesting of which leadership necessary to prois “to move towards our vil- mote this project and conlage having the potential to vince the rest of council to dibe energy self-sufficient.” rect municipal staff to pursue That definitely sounds like this opportunity on behalf of the type of sustainability BRREA? Would the municithat these awards were made pality both apply to the Green for. The project has a very Municipal Fund for the fundbig challenge though, and ing so this amazing project that's to secure the necessary could come to life, and to seek funding to obtain a permit a Green Champions Award from Parks Canada to al- for this project? In the past, low the Burritt’s Rapids Re- the municipality declared that newable Energy Association they supported this project, (BRREA) to install a small but have yet to commit any hydroelectricity generator at actual funding to it. the dam site. They also need If this scenario actually to identify and buy the most happened, it would send a suitable generator, get a FIT very clear message that North (Feed In Tariff) agreement, Grenville is committed to get a federal environmental making our municipality a assessment done, develop a leader in Eastern Ontario business plan for the project when it comes to sustainand then find investors for the ability and innovation. Who project (see accompanying ar- knows, we may even start to ticle for developments there). live up to our claim of being Finding serious investors “Green And Growing”. To and getting government co- learn more about this incredoperation would probably be ible project in Burritts Rapids, much easier with the type of go to www.brpower.ca national media exposure that could come from winning one of these Green Champions Awards. Not to mention how S.A. Hicks HW positively this type of award
Employment Opportunity
Full-time Licensed Insurance Broker (R.I.B.O.) Responsibilities include: Personal Insurance Account Manager to provide excellent service to new and existing property and casualty insurance clientele. Additional opportunities to establish personal production accounts. Please submit resume by May 15, 2015 to info@hicksinsurance.ca or call 613-821-2155 x222 Hicks Insurance thanks all applicants in advance for their interest, and advises only those chosen for interview will be contacted.
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Unfiled - the 40 years later exhibit
Celebrate Mother’s Day in
Old Town Kemptville Come and walk down our heritage streets this Mother’s Day and Shop, Dine and Explore in the heart of North Grenville. Check out our website and facebook page for participating retailers. www.oldtownkemptville.com www.facebook.com/oldtownkemptville
Get ready for soccer season Come in and see our new summer selection
613.258.0166 207 Sanders St., Kemptville
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Blair Hamilton, owner
613-258-3520
301 Prescott St., Kemptville
May 6, 2014
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A young Tom Graham looks on at Unfiled by Hilary Thomson If you were wandering through old town Kemptville this past weekend you may have noticed a new addition to the usual slew of stores that line Prescott Street. A red sign that said “The Wellstein Gallery” marked the entryway to 113 Prescott Street where artist Tom Graham hosted a weekend-long exhibition exploring the process of design and the way information is documented, preserved and remembered. The exhibition called “Unfiled” is really the brainchild of Tom’s younger self. He held the original exhibition called “File” in his last year as an art student at York University in 1975 – 40 years ago. As a young art student Tom became fascinated with documenting, archiving and organizing information so it could be easily retrieved and referred to in the future. The original exhibition was a showcase featuring his personal filing system and the contents, as well as three handmade archival storage boxes. After the exhibition Tom kept one box, while the other two were sold or given away to be “buried” until a later date. “That show had intended to preserve the information almost in a time capsule format to be looked at in the future,” Tom said. “I figure this is the future.” This year, Tom tracked down the two boxes, which were no longer in his possession, and borrowed them from their owners. At the current exhibition all three boxes sit in a row with their lids to one side, just as they did in 1975, but are now full of the owners’ own photographs, artwork, information and memories. A video of
Tom going to retrieve the boxes was placed opposite a slide show of pictures taken at the original exhibition, giving the visitor a sense that they were somehow straddling time. Other parts of the exhibition focused on the process of art and design thinking. One room featured Tom’s old student desktop (which he made out of a piece of plywood and brown paper) complete with doodles, notes and ideas. Photocopies from his notebook were also displayed throughout the space, giving a glimpse into the processes of a creative mind. He wanted to have the exhibition in Kemptville to show some of his early work to the community. The gallery also showcased a lot of his work since he finished school and moved to Bishop’s Mills in 1975, including sketches of local buildings, postcards depicting vintage appliances, tools, and clothes, and shadow boxes featuring antique objects. “It was a chance for me to show this material to people in Kemptville because they know what I have been doing in business for the past 25 years, but they don’t know what I was doing before that,” he said. The overarching goal of the exhibition was to start a conversation and explore the possibilities of archiving and documenting art and ideas so that you can see the process, not simply the end product. A lofty goal, but one that was presented in a very thought provoking way. Not a bad use for the walls of a usually empty building in Old Town Kemptville.
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The Voice of North Grenville
If there is one celebration that is shared all around the world, regardless of race, religion or politics, it’s Mother’s Day. Whether it’s in Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Nicaragua, or Canada, the entire world knows that mothers are a special kind of person. As the cliché goes, we all have one! Mother’s Day, as a special event, has developed since the start of the 20th Century, but some countries have built the day on much older traditions. In the United Kingdom and in Ireland, for example, from which Canadians derive many of their traditions, it was always “Mothering Sunday”. But wherever you go, Mother’s Day is a time to honour and thank our mothers for all we have received from them, an acknowledgment of the struggles, pain, joy and sadness that mothers experience as they raise their children. And they will always be their children, no matter how old they become. There is significance in the name “Mother’s Day”, and it all lies in where the apostrophe is placed. It is singular, one mother, your mother. This is not a celebration of all mothers by everyone: it is a celebration of your own mother, honoured by you as a special, indeed a unique person in your life. In our busy lives, mothers can be a little neglected. We may move away from home, sometimes very far away indeed. We may have our own children to watch over and worry about. But we should always remember her on Mother’s Day, Street Clothing Co Mother c however busy our schedule, however distant we mayMain be from home. These businesses want to make it easier for you to do that.
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MUSIC, SWEET MUSIC: Part II by Peter Johnson Take note, perceptive reader, take note! What is that strange light in the sky? The change in the air? Could it be that the warm times have finally come to our frigid little section of the planet? The Estate Mistress and I, the Grounds Keeper, spent the past weekend outdoors, attending to the multitudinous tasks that come with 10 acres of bush lot management. It was with great joy that we noted the arrival of one of the season's first products of warm weather - black flies. Now, speaking of those things that bring great joy, this week's topic is music...as you, the perceptive reader, have already ascertained, right? There is much to be said for music, and much that has been said. I'll add my tuppence: 'Music is the universal language of mankind.' (anon) Or, 'Music to me is like breathing; I don't get tired of breathing and I don't get tired of music.' (Ray Charles) Well, as for me, I just like mu-
sic. I like listening to music, and I most decidedly like to perform music. This month's Dandelion Festival will be resplendent with music. The music will be performed by local musicians. Local Wunderkind, Steve Cater has been busily assembling a lineup since, what seems like mid-February - obviously he lacks my procrastinational skills. In the past week, he notified the performers that some of their own were not pleased with Trans-Canada Pipeline being a sponsor of the event, and had threatened to pullout; or had already done so. Sustainable North Grenville sprung into action and has proceeded to raise replacement funds so that Trans-Canada's money can be returned. As of early Sunday morning - pre-dawn is when these musings and brain cramps are usually assembled - Sustainable North Grenville had reached the half-way mark in its goal to
raise $5000. Not bad for 24 hours. Obviously, the people in our fair community have strong feelings about this issue. The spirit of Pete Seeger and Joan Baez lives on in the musicians and concerned citizens of North Grenville. And, speaking of folkies like Pete and Joan... There is another movement afoot in North Grenville. An organization called 'The Kemptville Folk Club' is being brought to life. Folk Clubs were very big in Europe and Great Britain, after the war. Local imports: George Hogan (Scotland), David Shanahan (Ireland) and Doug Hendry (Scotland) have been the impetus and the instructors on how these groups work. According to these gentlemen, a 'Folk Club' is a club of and for musicians and performers. It is not, as the name might imply, limited to, and focused on, 'folk music'. In this case, 'folk' means popular. “The purpose of this
club is to provide an optimal performing environment for performers, plus a place for musicians to gather to develop their craft and perform together; as well as to mentor other musicians.” (Kemptville Folk Club Facebook page) How does it differ from an open mic? As you may have found, with an open mic, some in the audience may choose not to listen. It is sometimes the case that some patrons are louder than the performer. It is a frustrating situation, both for the performer and those who came to listen. Not so in a folk club. Because the very purpose of a folk club is to focus on the performer, those who wish to have a conversation, would be asked, politely, mind you, to either wait until the music is over, or take their conversation outside. There is a small admission fee, to cover costs - performers are admitted free, naturally - they're the reason everyone is there. Alcohol is
available, but only the kind that encourages very quiet discussion. The first assemblage of The Kemptville Folk Club will be at The Branch on Tuesday, May 12 at 7.00 p.m. Come out and be part of this new beginning. You will be able to tell your grandchildren that you were there at the start, when it all began. Whether this will become a monthly or bi-weekly assembly will be decided by the patrons at our first 'meeting'. So, there you have it. The musical community of North Grenville never sits still. not even when performing. No
moss under their feet. This is a relatively small community with a disproportionally large musical component. It is aware, it is concerned and it has no hesitation expressing itself through its music and through its actions. “Music is the best solution to any problem.” (anon) There just might be more truth to that than one might first think. If I do not get carried off by the black flies, I will see you at both The Dandelion Festival, and The Kemptville Folk Club. And, by all means, throw your support behind Sustainable North Grenville.
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Jayne’s Walk at Burritt’s Rapids
KWBSC kids hit the Diamonds
Coach Pitch Level of kids, (aged 6-8). by Dan Piche Although the weather felt more like late fall, the sounds heard throughout the day over at South Gower Park last Saturday were certainly more like the sounds of summer. The crack of the bat, the ball hitting the glove, players running and sliding in the dirt, and the sounds of cheers and laughter were heard from every diamond, as kids aged from 3 to 18 participated in their first outdoor ball session of the season. Both baseball and softball held practices throughout the day as the players gear up for the
regular season which is set to get under way this week. The fun kicked off early with the younger kids arriving at 9 am, when the temperature was closer to zero. Following that, over 60 kids then participated in minor and major spring training sessions, followed by a group of Junior and Senior kids. On the softball side, there was a large turnout at every level, as the mites, peewee, bantam and midget girls all participated at various times during the day. By the middle of the afternoon, the sun was shining and the players, parents and volunteers were excited
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that ball had finally arrived. Equipment convener, Warren O’Callaghan, was busy running around, ensuring that each group had what they needed; but he was all smiles as he commented: “After a long winter of meetings and planning, it is great to finally be out here, this is where the real fun starts”. Although practices and sorts are set to begin, it is not too late to register for certain levels. If you are interested, please visit www. kemptvillewildcats.com for more information.
Burritt’s Rapids hosted a Jayne’s Walk on Saturday May 2 and Sunday May 3 giving area residents an opportunity to learn about the richness of the community’s past and to appreciate the diversity of interests and expertise shared by many of its residents. A steady flow of visitors explored the village and environs over the two days. They shared in the opportunity to paddle up the Canal in the Voyageur Canoes, admire a collection of David Watson’s vintage cars or take in the exhibits put on display by several local artists. Photographs and text by Beth Nicol
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