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The Voice of North Dundas
Vol 2, No 14
April 14, 2021
Advanced Grain Handling Systems’ Co-op program for high school students
Industry Leader in Diesel Performance Truck and Tractor Maintenance & Repair
"Proudly serving our Community" Dan Pettigrew Owner & friendly neighbour T: 613.774.1958 Dan.Pettigrew@sobeys.com foodland.ca 12015 Main Street Winchester, ON
Sales, Rentals & Service
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Lawn Mowers Compact Tractors Commercial Equipment Yard Equipment Service & parts Snow Blowers Equipment Rentals
www.bdlequipment.com
613. 209.3122
10510 Loughlin Ridge Rd, Mountain,Ontario
by Stephanie Seaver Brinston has been home to Advanced Grain Handling Systems (AGHS): grain storage, fabrication, electrical and millwrighting services for the past twelve years. They service the Eastern part of Ontario, while their office in Brantford services the Southwestern area. What started as an apprenticeship program at AGHS, began to grow this year to include a co-op placement program for students from the local high school. Ian Streight, Operations Manager, says it has always been a struggle to find employees who have experience in the
agriculture sector, especially those who are familiar with grain handling. "Sometimes it's easier to just start from the ground up with these kids," says Ian. This means taking those who have an interest in these trades, pairing them up with a skilled employee, and showing them the business with hands-on practice. Currently, co-op students Colton Plumley and Donovan McNeilly are on board. One has aspirations of being a mill wright and the other, an electrician. What better way to gain experience in the field than working hands-on with some professionals? Both students are learning
Kim Monkhouse
Ian says they are open to other schools in the area sending students over to join this co-op placement program. They want to support local and give as many opportunities as possible for local kids to get their foot in the door to start learning trades and the agricultural business. Co-op placements generally last for one semester, but if their school allows for longer, Ian says they are open to keeping the students on for an extended time. For more information, please contact Ian Streight at ian@aghs.ca, 613-652-1010 or visit www.aghs.ca
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how to weld and are shown how to use all of the equipment in the fabrication shop located at the back of the AGHS office. Both would like to stay on after they graduate and Ian says the company is one hundred percent interested in offering an apprenticeship to them, which would lead to employment. AGHS currently employs approximately fifty people, but will grow closer to seventy five as the busy season approaches. Co-op students are lucky to be a part of such a welcoming, knowledgeable team, with so many opportunities to learn, directly at their fingertips.
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The North Dundas Times
BDL Equipment moves to Mountain
Easter Egg Hunt Winner The North Dundas Times would like to thank all those that participated in our Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt. There were a total of 25 eggs to be found, but only a few people got it right. Little Edie Bedford drew the name for the winning entry. The winner was Carrie Crellian. Congratulations Carrie! Please email production@ ndtimes.ca to find out what you have won.
by Stephanie Seaver BDL equipment, a popular tractor dealer and equipment shop, has moved from Metcalfe to Mountain just a few short weeks ago. Located at 10510 Loughlin Ridge Road (home of B&B Small Engines), BDL Equipment is a TYM tractor and Cub Cadet dealer. They also carry an impressive rental fleet of equipment, attachment sales and host a full service garage. BDL tends to focus more on local individuals who have projects to do, not large construction jobs. Whether it is homeowners who have a large field project to tackle or a smaller lawn job, BDL has the equipment required for these types of jobs. They can supply new or used equipment and cater to different price points. Manager Bob Langlois, says "people seem to have a lot more time on their hands lately, due to COVID. This means they are home more and are looking for things to keep them busy." Backyard projects seem to be on the rise and because BDL's client base tends to be homeowners, the compact tractors they sell and rent are exactly what these people need to get the job done. COVID has not slowed business at all for BDL. In fact, there have been days where the shop has had a line right out the door! They have seen a definite increase in people moving out to rural areas lately. "If you live out here, you generally have a large amount of grass to cut and require lawn mowers, tillers and service. That's what we're here for," says Bob, "to fulfill that need. Grass doesn't stop growing!" For more information please call 613-209-3122, visit www.bdlequipment.com, or email: bob@bdlequipment.com
• • •
Vehicle repairs Class “A” Mechanic Sale of Quality PreOwned Vehicles Flat Bed Tow Truck
• • • • •
RTO 9 Tourism Adaptation Fund second round open for applications
The Tourism Adaptation fund is a non-repayable grant up to a maximum of $20,000. It is designed to assist tourism businesses that have incurred additional costs to protect the health and safety of their staff and customers due to COVID-19. RTO 9 is a regional tourism organization that is funded by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. RTO 9 actively promotes tourism for the region and works to support and grow the tourism industry through product development initiatives. Tourism businesses include hotels, motels, resorts, campgrounds, B&Bs, restaurants (pubs, fast food,
Freshly baked goods
Brakes Suspension Tire Sales Air Conditioning Alignments
Homemade frozen meals Pizza & subs LCBO/Beer Store convenience outlet
Complete Your Level 1 Commercial Vehicle • and Equipment Apprenticeship 613-989-3839
613-989-1323
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through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program trleger.ucdsb.on.ca
1-877-875-3437
trleger.ucdsb.on.ca
April 14, 2021
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fine dining, night clubs), recreation and entertainment facilities (zoos, museums, theatres, sports facilities golf courses, amusement parks, heritage sites, hunting, fishing or outdoor adventure outfitters, casinos), travel services, transportation companies that provide transport by air, land or water), and retail stores that are heavily dependent on tourism. Businesses must be located within the Leeds Grenville geographic boundaries. $250,000 was received for a second round with applications opening April 1, 2021. Applications can include eligible costs with receipts dated from June 1, 2020 to
oyap.com
2
March 1, 2022. The available grant is up to 80% of eligible costs. Eligible items include: Implementation of health and safety protocols: additional hand washing/sanitizing stations Alterations to accommodate social distancing including expansion of patio space for restaurants (including tables, chairs, umbrellas) and/or acquisition of equipment like outdoor heaters to extend seasons The purchase of large and small scale PPE or sanitizing equipment (fog machines etc.) Cleaning supplies for workers / customers The acquisition and implementation of digital tools and operating transformations like virtual queue, timed entry ticketing or contactless check-ins, contactless payment upgrades The online application will remain up until all of the money is dispersed. Businesses are encouraged to apply early! Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis. There is no minimum amount to apply for. The maximum amount is $20,000 (net reimbursement amount). A business who applied in the first round and received funds, can apply again in the second round, however, the maximum they can receive is $20,000 per business and not $20,000 per application. For more information on RTO9 Adaptation Fund guidelines and applications visit Tourismtalk.ca www.ndtimes.ca
The North Dundas Times
Lions Thrift Store has an interesting history
The building formerly known as "ST. MATTHIAS ANGLICAN CHURCH" and which is now the home of our Thrift Store has an interesting history. Using some information received through Lion John Cinnamon and Bob Weagant I will outline a few interesting tidbits. The land where the Church was built was owned by a Mr. George Henderson way back in 1880's. It was purchased by a small group of local people who wished to start an Anglican Church. "St Matthias The Apostle" was
consecrated on October 31st, 1892. It was a frame structure finished in clapboard and painted white and served as a place of worship until St. Clare's Anglican Church was completed in 2014. Some other interesting historical facts: On May 1st, 1927, a service was held by the Rev. Davies with 20 parishioners in attendance. The total offering received was 65 cents. During a service on December 30, 1928, there were only 6 parishioners in attendance because of an influenza epidemic. In 1947, a request was made to the Bishop to allow flags, which were given as a gift, to be hung in the church. The Bishop, however, only granted permission o the "of-
new drywall was installed and painted in the chancel. New doors, siding and steps were also replaced in 89. How many of you remember when Highway 31 was the main thoroughfare through our Village? Prior to the 31 by-pass. Many residents and business owners, at that time, thought that the by-pass would be a catastrophe for our community. They felt that the highway traffic through town helped bring and support the local business. Many were afraid that businesses would leave the Village and we would become a "bedroom community". It has now been several years since the by-pass was completed, do you think the naysayers of the time were right or wrong?
ficial St. George's flag" to be placed in the Church. The remaining flags were housed in the vestry. Also, in 1947, a group of parish ladies approached Rev. Adams with regards to fundraising. The Bishops reply was quite straight forward - "no raffles, no bingos, and no draws." Major renovations to the church were undertaken during the summer of 1948. The foundation was repaired, and a new roof was installed. In 1976 renovations were made to house the Sunday School. Also, there is a door near the south side main entrance that was added in 1976 and this allows entrance to the church hall downstairs. In 1989, In preparation for the upcoming centennial,
It's not all the Government's fault by Nick Kossovan Often, I think the most common fear isn't public speaking or the fear of heights, flying, or finding a hair in your chocolate pudding. From observation, I'd say the most common fear is being accountable for your actions' consequences. Blaming the government, corporations and circumstances created by lifestyle choices has become a national pastime. This contact blaming says much about our wanting to avoid the fact at any given moment, a person is the sum of their choices. Lately, it seems it's our political leaders who're at fault for COVID, and now its variant, to keep rolling along. It's easier to use the government as a scapegoat instead of taking responsibility for your own actions or looking at your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours' behaviour and calling them out if necessary. This "I'm not responsible for my community, my country, how I'm leaving the planet for future generations," or such egocentric attitude is why Doug Ford's Whac-AMole lockdowns continue. At this point, there's not one person over the age of six who doesn't know what they need to do to stem the spreading of COVID, which for those who need a reminder are: When in public, which should be minimal (going to and from work, only purchasing essential items), properly wear a facemask. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands freApril 14, 2021
quently. It doesn't get simpler than this! Undeniably, if everyone did these three simple actions, we wouldn't be near the current infection levels we're now seeing. I wouldn't go as far as stating COVID would be eradicated by now (that would be too ambitious), but it would've been mitigated. How can I be so certain? While taking high school biology, I learned how viruses spread and therefore adjusted my actions accordingly. Since I've been practicing the above-mentioned COVID safety protocols, I haven't had a cold or the flu. You may have had the same experience. I can't recall a December, January, or February when I wasn't literally knocked down by a bad cold. This year nothing! Government policies deeming what businesses are essential and can be open, and which businesses must be closed, don't spread viruses. People choosing to ignore COVID safety protocols, going to malls, gathering socially, and not wearing a facemask are how COVID is spreading. Just because the government allows you to do something doesn't mean you should. Still, for many, the prevailing logic is: If the government allows me to do it, then it must be okay. A sense of entitlement has many not thinking in terms of what's right, but in terms of "what's allowed." Because using the government as a scapegoat absolves the individual from being
responsible for their actions, this logic isn't uncommon. Do these same people say the government allowing the sale of foods that are high in trans fat is the cause of obesity? The same goes with the selling of cigarettes. Choosing to smoke is the cause of lung cancer, not the freedom to buy cigarettes. You don't need the government to tell you to do what you know is right, but I could be wrong on this assumption. Maybe the government does need to be our nanny and impose draconian measures. Should martial law, restricting movements and imposing curfews, as was done in Quebec (9:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. across the province) back in January, have been done in late-March 2020?
between those who are either COVID deniers, who simply don't care about the risks or who've turned wearing a mask and social distancing into a freedom issue versus those who are doing their best to mitigate the spreading of the virus, which thankfully is the majority. Then there are those who evangelize the narrative that lockdowns and the COVID safety protocols I mentioned don't work. As proof, they point out, the number of COVID cases is increasing, not decreasing. Previous lockdowns haven't worked because there hasn't been 100% compliance. This 3rd lockdown won't work without 100% compliance! Not following the government's lockdown guidelines and then claiming lockdowns don't work is the equivalent to saying a person not wearing a seatbelt who dies in a car accident proves seatbelts don't work. Of course, lockdowns don't work if you don't follow basic COVID safety protocols. I'd go as far as stating if Ontarians had followed the 1st lockdown restrictions, Ontario probably wouldn't need a 3rd lockdown. Blaming the government while not taking personal accountability-how's that working out so far? Not everything is the government's fault. The government isn't preventing anyone from diligently practicing COVID safety protocols or forcing anyone to go out for non-essential items. At some point, we'll need to acknowledge our individual behaviour, and those of fam-
Obviously, educating how to be COVID safe and expecting people to make choices in their best health interest and those around them hasn't worked. The foundation for maturity is understanding your actions have consequences to you and those around you. However small they may be, our actions have far-reaching ripple effects, which we often don't see. The rapid spread of COVID over a country as vast as Canada shows how interconnected we are and part of a community that extends well beyond our respective geography. Instead of coming together to fight a common enemy, COVID, many are spinning this pandemic into narratives to further their political or social agenda. Counterproductive division exists 3
Cancellation Notice The Fish Fry that was scheduled for May 1 at the Winchester Legion has been cancelled. Spring Leaf and Yard Waste Collection A spring collection for leaf and yard waste will be happening in the following areas: May 3rd: Village of Winchester May 10th: Village of Chesterville/Thompson Subdivision May 17th: Villages of Morewood, South Mountain, Mountain, Hallville, Inkerman, Ormond and Forestwood Heights Subdivision All leaf and yard waste must be placed in a compositable bag and placed at the curb by 7:30 am on the above dates. Any questions concerning pickup: Contact Landfill: 613-774-5157 Township of North Dundas 636 St. Lawrence Street, P.O. Box 489, Winchester, ON, K0C 2K0 ily, friends, neighbours, and colleagues is what's prolonging this pandemic. The sooner we acknowledge this fact and adjust our respective lifestyle accordingly, the sooner this pandemic will become part of our history. Undeniably, government leaders could've been much more proactive when COVID first reached our shores. No nonsense lockdowns should have been implemented at the start. In today's world, where supply chain management is an exact science, there's no excuse for the stop-and-go vaccine rollout. However, our political leaders didn't fail us; they're navigating uncharted waters with a demanding public constantly snapping at them. The failure comes from everyone who refuses to do what they know is right for the common good, which
ultimately the government has no control over. Nick Kossovan, a selfdescribed connoisseur of human psychology, writes what's on his mind from Toronto. Follow @NKossovan on Instagram and Twitte
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The Voice of Our Community
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Editorial
The North Dundas Times
Hold up that little wild bouquet and plant that tree
by Lorraine Rekmans Here we are in the first days of spring, and in the coming days, the buds will begin to appear on the trees, giving us a sign of renewal, a sign of the resilience of life, and the wonder of nature. This will be a welcome sight with all that is swirling on around us in this pandemic. We are living through some dark times indeed, and more than ever we recognize the value of the natural world to ground us and remind us that life continues and is always evolving. The South Nation Conservation Authority contin-
ues to do important landbased work and part of that is offering up free tree seedlings to households. They are encouraging us to regenerate local forests. It’s a small measure when we think about how large the issue of climate change is, but considering if many people in many communities are planting trees, it could add up to a very large symbol of hope. They say the best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago. Most of us in biology were taught the benefits and necessity of trees. Planting them now as individuals is our personal effort to improve ecosystems, and combat carbon emissions. It’s also a signal to the next generation that we know that we must take action, that we care, and that we are doing something. Don’t get me wrong, because I still believe that governments must set the table and take dramatic and immediate action to reduce
carbon emissions to stop our shift towards climate chaos. The targets that Canada has now set in place will not take us as far as we really need to go with emission reductions. We are not hearing any clear signals from government that they are doing all they can to tackle climate change. Recent news from the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled the federal Liberal government's carbon pricing regime is constitutional even though the governments in provinces such as Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan fought this issue tooth and nail in court. These provincial governments campaigned on a platform to eliminate the carbon tax. In court they argued that natural resources are in the provinces' jurisdiction under the Constitution. The irony of this argument is that once climate chaos is done, those same natural
resources may have been sacrificed to fires or flooding. At the recent Conservative Party convention, delegates voted down a motion recognizing that “climate change is real”. They outright rejected science. That’s what I mean by no clear signals. Granted, governments are expected to tackle so many issues with this pandemic and economic crisis, and some leaders have allowed the climate change issue to be relegated to the back burner- but the last time I looked my stove has four burners. While we wait for leaders to sort out their action plans, if they have any, we cannot be sitting here like waiting ducks wringing our hands. Let’s do what we can. Turn off that light switch, hang your clothes on your line, plant a garden, plant that tree. Every small measure we take, together, will add up. We must do each and
more land by cutting down the trees. Clear-cutting is a direct and real danger to our water aquifers which are protected and refreshed by the presence of trees. Furthermore, when the vegetation surrounding the drainage ditches is cleared, ditches then are filled and choked with opportunistic plant life which thrive in the sunlight. The ditches then need to be dredged out time and time again. Leaving the ditch edges populated with natural shrubs and trees shades the ditches, keeping them clear of excess vegetation and protecting the integrity of the water drainage. The only people winning here are the backhoe operators, unless of course, they live in our community too. If our water becomes undrinkable, or if this area becomes a dustbowl, I can sell my house and move to a more ecology-minded community. A multi-generational farmer will be left with nothing but a re-enactment of the Dirty 30's and, like The Dustbowl, will be, in part, responsible for the
damage. Then, do you think, will there be "an appetite" to educate the community on the importance of forest cover? I, and others, have been trying to get this information out since 2011. Why hasn't the local government or any level of government taken out ads in the local papers with information on the damage done? On the benefits of trees? Why aren't the leaders of the agricultural community being directed to get the information out to the (mostly) farming community? I should be seeing flyers in my mailbox explaining the damage to water sources and the damage to crops and the damage to our housing/land values and to the environment as a whole by lack of trees. Time and again, it has been "status quo" or viewed as an "antifarmer" campaign. In fact, I give farmers more credit than that. If they understood the damage they were doing to their own land, crops, and water sources, I am confident things would change. Mr. McIntosh is an example of that - someone working to fill his field borders with trees.
Someone allowing nature to work as it should. I have written letters to the editor stating the facts, percentages, dollar values, with quoted sources on the damage lack of trees are doing. And yet the more I write about the decline in forestation, the faster the forests are torn down, the faster the chainsaws and backhoes run. Rent or download "Ken Burns' The Dustbowl" documentary and look at our future. And still no one in authority steps up. We are getting to the point in North Dundas, certainly, with this widespread level of complacency, just like in The Dirty 30's, any "fix" will by then be too little too late. How sad. Janice Atkey Videto Winchester
Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, How refreshing it was to see Brian McIntosh's letter, asking why the Mayor and Town Council are not taking action to stop all the clear-cut deforestation taking place in our County and right across all of Eastern Ontario. I recently asked MPP Eric Duncan the same question. He replied that "I am very familiar with the file as this was a big file when I was Mayor in North Dundas and on County Council. Frankly, there was not much of an appetite to legislate a ban on clearcutting in the community" and noted the Canadian Ecological Gifts program - "landowners could donate the land and receive a splitreceipted tax incentive over several years as an incentive to donate their forested and/ or sensitive lands to either the municipality or conservation authority." He has been working to get the word out on the program. My reply was, in part, the following and stands as my current opinion on the situation: With all due respect, the "lack of appetite" on banning clearcutting simply cannot be our response to the issue either at a local or federal level. The facts are clear that cutting down the forest cover actually damages crops, making their yields less, completely opposite to the now-held concept of getting April 14, 2021
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every thing we can within our own ability to reduce carbon, even if it feels like a futile effort. While the big slow machinery of government churns to try and address climate change, we can act on our own behalf. It’s us that our grandchildren will remember when
Tid-bit Musings by Elva Patterson Rutters- RSSW Where have manners gone? Where has politeness gone? Where has discretion gone? Seems that everyone goes about their business with zero regard for the other person. It is time we institute human decency into our daily living. I'm not being facetious or cynical by saying to thank someone who has offended or harmed you, but rather acknowledge the positive things in life. If the only attention you get is negative, then you, like a petulant child, will simply seek out negativity. Negative attention feeds the need for acknowledgment. Biological age does not assume being mannerly! If a parent can't demonstrate manners to their children, the offspring will be clueless. Everyday, there is at least one person to say thank you to. Maybe it is as simple as saying thank you to someone who called to check in on you. Did you take
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a moment to say thank you for the meal, the treats, or the companionship regardless of its form? Watch the face of someone light up when you say a mere thank you. Take a moment to observe the grocery clerk when you say thank you for stalking the shelves or counting people at the door. They totally light up or blankly stare in surprise. There is an old folklore of the young one asking the Elder about the two sides of our inner being- negativity and positivity. The youth asks which one wins? The elder tells the child- "Whichever one you feed!" Imagine you have the power to choose. May I encourage you to choose to be positively affirming in your expression of manners. Thank you, please, excuse me... will all get you more smiles than a non-verbal grunt. Go for it! You are worthy of making the change. Make manners this year’s goal starting today.
The Ace of Spades has gone into hiding – one more time The Kin Club of Russell has announced that Catch the Ace is suspended due to the latest provincial COVID-19 stay-athome order. But it will be back as soon as it is safe to do so, until then, tickets are still for sale. There are now just 9 envelopes remaining and the jackpot is more than $336,000. The next weekly win will be more than $20,000. Both online and paper ticket sales are still permitted, but no pickup or delivery of paper tickets will be allowed. All tickets that have been purchased since the last draw, and those purchased between now and the next draw, will be valid for the next draw, hopefully on May 9. Please be sure to select the WDMH Foundation as your charity of choice so that we can buy much-needed medical equipment for the hospital. “We want to thank the Kin Club of Russell and everyone who is trying to Catch the Ace. The excitement will continue as soon as it is safe to do so!” notes Cindy Ault Peters, the Foundation’s Manager of Direct Mail and Events. For full details, ongoing updates, and rules of play, visit www.kinclubofrussell.ca/ To buy tickets online, visit www.kinclubofrussell.ca/ catch-the-ace-tickets/
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they find the trees that we have planted. “But I'm stubborn as those garbage bags, That time cannot decay, I'm junk but I'm still holding up this little wild bouquet.” - Democracy, Leonard Cohen
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The North Dundas Times
Ben's BS: Truly some quality BS! four signature flavours: Maple Chipotle, Honey Garlic, Honey Hot, and Root Beer. He cooks up 300 to 400 bottles at a time, with his mother's help, and says he's not sure what he'd do without her!
by Joselyn Morley Ben Macpherson began his small-batch barbecue sauce company, Ben's BS in November 2020. He left a previous job in 2019 to spend time with his boys, and then the pandemic hit. The extra time at home allowed him to take his love of cooking in a new and different direction. He began perfecting his recipes, testing them out on friends and family, and ended up with "Truly, some quality BS!" Starting the business
wasn't a new idea, but the pandemic gave him the time to launch it. Ben started working in restaurants as a cook in his 20s, then shifted into kitchen managerial roles. His low-overhead business started in the cafe kitchen of one of Ben's high school friends, Jo-Ann Houle, owner of Cup of Jo's in Winchester. Ben credits the success of his business in part to Jo-Ann's support. He now crafts his barbecue sauces in his own kitchen, recently certified by the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU). He makes
Development Office or Officer at the Township, nor any of the assistance programs offered by the provincial or federal government. He has found support in his friends and family, and the customers who appreciate his amazing barbecue sauces! Word of mouth advertising, and the fact that the product speaks for itself, keeps people coming back. You can find Ben's BS at a variety of online and bricks and mortar shops, including: mylocalmarkets.ca, themakersmarket.shop, notjustbaskets. com, B&H in Kemptville, Loughlin's Country Store, Mrs. McGarrigle's, Greg's Meats, Greely, Ingleside, Russell & Winchester Foodland, Dumouchel Meat & Deli, Morrisburg Home Hardware, Valley Custom Meats, and Smyth's Orchard. Ben's BS Website: bensbs. myportfolio.com email: bensqualitybs@ gmail.com
Starting a business anytime is a challenge, but it is especially daunting during a global pandemic! Ben says the support given to each other by small business owners has been overwhelming. Each business is trying to provide people with a unique product or experience, and doing that takes a lot of time, energy, creativity, and sacrifice. Fellow small business owners understand what it is like, and the desire to help and support each other follows from that understanding. Having a low overhead, Ben has avoided some of the challenges of running a business during the pandemic. He sells online, as well as in brick and mortar stores. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the EOHU were helpful in ensuring that he was compliant with labeling and safety regulations. Launching as he did during the pandemic, he has not accessed the Economic
FISH FRY
Friday, April 23, 2021
Winchester United Church Parking Lot 519 St. Lawrence Street Winchester, Ontario
Fish, Fries, Coleslaw & Dessert Tickets available by calling 613-774-2512 Betty Skuce 613-774-3318 or Colleen Howard 613-327-1343 Cost $ 15.00 PRE ORDER AND TAKE OUT ONLY no deliveries (Mask mandatory and social distancing in place) Fundraiser for the Winchester United Church Women ORDERS MUST BE IN BY APRIL 19, 2021
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Hayley Bedford
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The Voice of Our Community
No service call fee
Baldwin’s Birds
for broken down A/C – guaranteed
A/C Tune-up with guarantee $15 monthly plus tax
If you get an A/C tune-up and follow-up with all recommendations by our certified technicians we will guarantee no breakdowns this summer. If there is a breakdown the service call fee will be waived.
I hope you are all fit and well, smiling and enjoying the sunshiny days. The birds certainly are, as they arrive, one by one, to, once more, spend the summer with us and build their nests and raise their young, for us all to enjoy. Last week the Bluebirds put in an appearance and today it was the turn of the Tree Swallows, with their iridescent blue wings and tail feathers, contrasting with their beautifully white chests, at the front.What a lovely sight as two of them chased each other around our nesting boxes, as well as inspecting them closely. They did this to the accompaniment of other birds singing in the adjacent trees and bushes, as they too enjoyed the sun's warmth. Stay safe and well, Cheers, John Baldwin April 14, 2021
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South Nation Conservation provides free maple syrup education videos
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NDP convention debates Universal Basic Income Pictured left to right is Bill Smirle of North Dundas and SNC Past-Chair, and Kelsey Smith and Karen Paquette of SNC. Typically in March, more than 1,000 students would have descended onto the Oschmann Forest Conservation Area in North Dundas to take part in an outdoor Maple Syrup Education program hosted by South Nation Conservation (SNC), but for the second year in a row, the Pandemic put a tap into SNC’s plans to bring students onsite. Instead, SNC adapted by making virtual field trips and partnered with the Ottawa Catholic School Board to share new maple syrup education videos with more than 30,000 students across hundreds of classrooms throughout the Capital Region. The video developed for grades 3 to 6 runs about 45 minutes and features SNC staff at the Oschmann Forest sharing curriculumbased information on maple syrup production, history, First Nations, and forest ecology, complete with seg-
ments highlighting bilingual keywords, Oschmann donor family history, tree tapping, and wildlife sightings. A shorter 30-minute video was created for kindergarten to grade 2 which features similar content but slightly modified for their age group. The videos were produced entirely in-house and were shared with the School Board in March to help supplement in-class learning for the week formerly known as March Break, and to coincide with the maple syrup season. With new provincial stay at home orders in place, the Conservation Authority has now made both videos publicly available for viewing on its YouTube Channel in an effort to connect with more families and youth at home during the April Break. “Although we are sad we couldn’t host students onsite this year, these new videos
Local children enjoying maple treats during Maple Weekend at the Oschmann Forest on March 27, 2021
are the next best thing to being at the Oschmann Forest to learn about maple syrup and the local environment,” says John Mesman, SNC’s Outreach Lead. That’s not to say the Oschmann Forest didn’t get any use this year. The park is open year-round to the public, and SNC also hosted a modified Maple Weekend on March 27 which saw more than 200 area residents show up to walk the park’s interpretive nature trails while staff handed out free hot chocolate and maple treats. Sap is also collected from the forest and is sold to a local producer who turns it into maple syrup on behalf of the Authority. Due to the early onset of spring, SNC recorded an unusually short maple season, collecting only 2,450 gallons over a two-week period in March, compared to 8,600 gallons last year. SNC is hopeful students
can return for in-person learning at the forest next spring and staff can soon resume delivering in-class environmental education, but the Authority is also well-positioned to continue delivering virtual learning and will be expanding its digital education portfolio through new opportunities this year. “It’s extremely important for us to continue to find ways to connect with students on the importance of protecting our local environment during the Pandemic. Today’s youth are the environmental stewards of tomorrow,” adds John Mesman. Local teachers interested in partnering with the Authority on a virtual educational opportunity are encouraged to contact SNC at info@nation.on.ca or 1-877-984-2948.
Scientific toilet-paper study by local expert I would like to share with you a not-so-scientific study, resulting in a calculation of the average toilet paper consumption during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, that was initiated in March 2020 by myself due to a concern at the time that there might be a shortage in supply. The public therefore might be interested to know that a roll lasts an average of 4.39759 days, per person. Thus - shoppers with 6x16roll, 5x24-roll, or 3x36-roll packages in their cart are running off with roughly a one year supply...or more. April 14, 2021
I offer these images and this data (there is more) should you find a need to fill page space with a little bit of locally generated humour during this latest Stay-atHome lockdown. Donna and I are happier now that the measurement phase of the program is over because we were getting a little self conscious as our habits were representing all Kemptvillians/Ontarians/ Canadians. Ron Gould
by Lorraine Rekmans This past weekend, the New Democratic Party of Canada hosted a virtual national convention. Interestingly, the NDP has a proposal similar to one that the Liberal Party of Canada was also debating at their convention over the weekend, namely the proposal for a guaranteed basic income system that would alleviate poverty while maintaining the existing levels of funding for other social programs. The list of conference speakers included NDP provincial party leaders John Horgan, Rachel Notley, Ryan Meili, Wab Kinew, and Andrea Horwath. Ed Broadbent offered remarks to open the first day of the convention. The policy proposals put forward also included a call for legislated employer paid sick days for all federally regulated workers, with an additional 14 days of paid sick leave during public health outbreaks. Delegates also debated a policy motion to immediately forgive all student loans and have all financial records expunged, and that the government move as quickly as possible to implement free university tuition for all students.
Young Liberals call for Universal Basic Income by Lorraine Rekmans The Liberal Party of Canada held its annual convention this past weekend, hosting it as a virtual event. The Liberal Convention featured keynote addresses by Mark Carney, former Governor of the Bank of Canada, and the former Governor of the Bank of England. Ben Rhodes, the former Deputy National Security Advisor for Barrack Obama, also gave a keynote address. Some highlights of the policies that were debated include a policy motion submitted by the Young Liberals of Canada, calling for the government to implement a Universal Basic Income for all Canadians, arguing that the UBI would increase bargaining power for workers because, "a guaranteed, unconditional income gives them leverage to say no to exploitative wages and poor working conditions." The motion went on to call for consultation with stakeholders. The Liberals of Ontario submitted a policy motion calling for a national policy to reduce the cost of prescription medication and ensure sustainable and equitable access to medication. The Manitoba Liberals presented a motion calling for the establishment of a Northern inter-provincial electrical grid to ensure sustainable electric power to all regions of Canada.
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Norris Mallory Trickey (1855 - 1949)
by Susan Peters Dundas County Archives Norris Trickey was a photographer in Winchester between 1890 and 1912. That is an incredibly long career in this rapidly changing field, especially when you compare it to other contemporaries who were often only in the business for a year or two. Like many others in the late 1890s, he diversified. He was a photographer and barber. When one looks at directories in the time of the latter 1890s, people who identified as cabinet makers often also diversified to sell groceries, hardware or even coffins. In Dundas County, there were also those who were cabinet makers and operated funeral homes. So, when times were challenging economically, taking on two professions was certainly not unheard of. It would be important to focus on the type of photography he was noted for. In the evolution of the photographic arts, it was still a rare thing to be able to get a portrait done before the 1860s. Photographers did exist but they were expensive. It was fairly new technology. The early equipment was cumbersome and expensive as well. Photography came into popular knowledge by the work of Matthew Brady who photographed images of the Civil War in USA. These images brought to life the horrors of the war and gave the public a view of how horrific these battle fields were. It was the beginning of photojournalism. It had been popular for soldiers to be able to carry to the battlefield a portrait of their loved ones, so this is another way in which the April 14, 2021
Civil War created a market for photography. The earlier form of photographic print, the daguerreotype, was available as of the mid 1840s and was used until it was replaced by the ambrotype, which was common in the 1850s to 1880s. Daguerreotypes were the first commercially processed forms of photography in North America. They were a highly polished silver surface on a copper plate. The images were developed with mercury vapour and iodine fumes, both highly toxic. This may explain why many early photographers did not stay in the business for long. The Ambrotypes were small prints from a negative. They were usually mounted on a protective card. This was followed by a Tin Type from the 1850's into the new century. An image was created on a very thin tin or iron plate and coated. Most of these were small, approximately 2 inches by 3 inches. While most would
originally have been given a protective pressed board cover, most of those are gone now as they did not preserve well. Many surviving prints also have rust spots and flaking emulsion layers. The type of photograph which was created by Norris Trickey was known as a cabinet card. A Cabinet card was developed after the earlier Carte De Visite. These were usually formal portraits mounted on a strong pressed board card, they were albumen prints in sepia tones. The size of the carte de visites were 3.5 by 2 inches on a board mount. By the latter 1880s, the Cabinet card had generally replaced these. The photographer would have a logo, or his name emblazoned on the back of the print. This is how we know the format that Trickey used. The Dundas County Archives has a small collection of such cabinet cards, including one which is a portrait of the photographer himself. They are all the larger Cabinet card format. Trickey advertised in the
Winchester Press throughout his time in Dundas County. In early directories, he was identified as a photographer and barber. In the 1893 Ontario Gazetteer, he was still identified as both. In 1898, he stated in an ad in the Winchester Press that he was a photographer with a Gallery in Winchester adjoining a tin shop. He no longer advertised his Barber business. He sold cabinet photos for $1.75 per dozen. The same ad was continued for several years. By 1901, he was advertising a studio in Chesterville. But he also stated that he was the Agent for Cornwall Laundry and Dyeing. The Story of Dundas in 1905 clearly states that he was a photographer, with no mention of any other occupation. By 1912, the Winchester Press advertisement had changed for Trickey Photography. They stated that they made photos that are "nobby [sic] and up to date" and that they used "nothing but the best of everything to obtain this result. Special attention given to babies". They also did picture fram-
7
ing and developing of film. It is anyone's guess as to what “nobby” meant. Unfortunately, we know extraordinarily little about this man who worked so long in this field. A little sleuthing did result in a few snippets of information about him. He was born about 1855 in Marllorytown. He still appears in the census in Leeds county in 1871, but by 1876 he is in Winchester for the birth of his son Edmond. The same year, he married 22-year-old Sarah Gibson. A few years later followed Marity in 1881, Charles in 1883 and Julia in 1891. They were all born in Winchester. The trail then leads to Saskatoon
in 1916. His wife Sarah died in Saskatoon in 1941, in her 86th year. His trail then led him to Vancouver. He died in Vancouver on November 14, 1949. His obituary stated that he had been a resident of Saskatchewan for 27 years. He operated a photograph studio there until 1938. He apparently moved to Vancouver to live with his daughter. He did leave behind a legacy of his work in the family heirloom collections of Dundas County.
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Local Covid update by David Shanahan The latest set of restrictions introduced by the Ontario Government last week have not been welcomed by anyone; but they have been seen by most as inevitable, given the statistics. Between January 15 of last year and the end of last week, there were 378,339 confirmed cases of Covid in the province. That number jumped by 4,227 between last Thursday and Friday. Over the Easter weekend, the number of cases rose by 40,517, and 218 people died in those few days. This raised the total number of deaths in the province to 7, 512. Ontario has the highest incidence of
new cases in the country. On one day last week, Ontario accounted for almost half of all new cases in Canada. On Thursday of last week, there were 1,492 people hospitalized with Covid in Ontario, of whom 552 were in Intensive Care, with 359 people on venitlators. Eastern Ontario is one of the hot spots in the province. It has seen the number of new cases rise dramatically, especially compared to last Summer. The Leeds Grenville and Lanark Health Unit [LGLHU] area saw an increase of 22 cases between April 7 and 8, and another 13 the following day. Look at the stats for new cases in the region over the past week: March 18:
21; March 19: 35; March 20, 19; March 22, 19. Then, last week, the numbers were 15, 11, 21, and 22, 13. The Eastern Ontario Health Unit [EOHU] has suffered even more. Between last Thursday and Friday, there were 64 new cases in the region, and another 23 were reported by Saturday, for a total of 3,700 cases and 94 deaths since the pandemic first hit. Dundas County has actually fared better than most other parts of the EOHU area. North Dundas has had 108 confirmed cases, 21 of which were active last Saturday. The age profile of those infected has also changed since the early days, when it was thought the most elderly
were the most vulnerable. This has proved to be dangerously inaccurate. In the EOHU region, 34% of confirmed cases were in the 4064 age range, and 25% were aged between 20 and 39. This is the age range of those most likely to be ignoring medical advice when it comes to mask wearing and social distancing. The statistics for the LGLHU are measured somewhat differently, but they show that around 38% of confirmed cases were in the 40 to 69 age group. More than 25% were in the 20-39 bracket. There are two factors to note in all of these statistics. One is that they are only the reported and confirmed cases; the other is that they
April 14, 2021
Vitamin K2 serves the important role of helping direct calcium into bone where it belongs. A Japanese study showed that vitamin K2 decreases the risk of spinal fractures by 60 percent and hip fractures by 80 percent. A combination of calcium and K2 is like building up money in the bank early in life. Later on, there will be enough calcium for some of it to be withdrawn from bones without causing a fracture. K2 also supports cardiovascular health. If you have been reading this column for years, you know the benefits of vitamin C in decreasing the risk of coronary attack. But vitamin K2 also plays a role in fighting cardiovascular disease. We all need calcium for strong bones. But too much calcium can be deposited into coronary and other arteries if there is a deficiency of vitamin K2. For instance, calcium can be deposited into the aorta, the largest artery in the body, that carries blood to all our organs. Calcium deposits in this location weaken the wall of the aorta increasing the risk of rupture and sudden death. A Dutch study of 4,600 men aged 53 and older showed that a high intake of vitamin K2 decreased the risk of aorta calcification by 52 percent. Another study reported that K2 decreased the risk of coronary attack by 41
and well-being of the community are not all involved in a dastardly plot to kill people in their communities. The question has to be asked: why is their testimony, and the dreadful testimony of these statistics, not believed? Who do these people believe instead, and why? Every time restrictions have been eased, or after holidays like Christmas and Easter, the number of people infected and dying has risen. How can you explain that? No-one wants these lockdowns to go on. But the price of not abiding by the regulations is too high in human lives to ignore.
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It's dangerous to ignore Vitamin K2 Some vitamins don't get the attention they deserve. Ask anyone about vitamin K2 and few people can give an answer. In Vitamin K2: The Missing Nutrient for Heart and Bone Health, Dr. Dennis Goodman says ignoring vitamin K2 can be dangerous. So here are some important points to help you understand why K2 needs more attention. In 1929, Dr. Hendrik Dam, a Danish scientist, discovered vitamin K. Now we know there are two types of K: K1 and K2. Most people get sufficient amounts of K1 by eating leafy green vegetables, rich in this vitamin. If you're cut, K1 plays a role in blood clotting. K2 supports bone density. Bones, although solid structures, are not inert. Rather, they are constantly changing. Cells called osteoblasts build up bone, while other cells, osteoclasts, are breaking it down. Until around 30 years of age, osteoblasts win. But then osteoclasts take over in mid-life and we begin to lose one percent of bone mass each year. There is a good solution. Bone must be built up early in life to ensure that it does not become like Swiss cheese later on, a condition called osteoporosis. These bones can snap like a dry twig, resulting in broken hips, which may mean ending life in a wheelchair or death.
are already out of date. The tragedy is that the numbers are changing every day, and not for the better. The Kemptville District Hospital Long Term Care unit reported an outbreak of Covid on April 2, and it has not yet been ended. We have seen cases affecting schools in the municipality. The incident at a local restaurant last week underscored the danger of ignoring, or even doubting, this data. Those who refuse to accept the word of the medical profession have to believe that doctors, nurses, infectious disease experts, and other frontline medical staff are lying about the pandemic. The professionals whose lives are dedicated to the health
percent. In a study of 16,057 women, those on high doses of vitamin K2 lived 9 percent longer. K2 can help with other health problems too. K2 acts like a traffic cop. It helps direct calcium traffic into tooth enamel decreasing the risk of dental decay. Some researchers report that K2 increases insulin sensitivity making it more effective in the fight against Type 2 diabetes. There is no easy test to measure K2 levels. But if suffering from osteoporosis, heart disease or diabetes, you are most likely deficient in vitamin K2. Statin drugs to lower blood cholesterol inhibit K2 synthesis. People who are taking blood thinners should not take vitamin K as it decreases the effectiveness of these drugs. Vitamin K2 is an especially important partner to vitamin D, which controls the absorption of calcium. Various brands of K2, including in combination with D, are available, so check with a health food store and your doctor for guidance. Sign-up at www.docgiff. com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff. com. Follow us Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones
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COVID-19 contributes to labour shortages and increased costs on Canadian farms by Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council New research reveals that Canadian farmers suffered lost earnings of $2.9 B in 2020, equivalent to 4.2 per cent of the sector's total sales, due to labour shortages as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The newly released research, commissioned by the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC), was completed by The Conference Board of Canada through a nationwide survey and series of interviews of agricultural producers. "This research emphasizes the importance of understanding how COVID-19 has affected the agriculture workforce." said Portia MacDonald-Dewhirst, Executive Director of CAHRC. "The agricultural industry has the potential to grow strongly in the coming years, and could, if labour constraints are addressed, lead the Canadian economy to recover, postpandemic."
While overall growth in the 2020 agricultural sector saw a gross domestic product (GDP) increase of seven per cent, it masked the sector's worsening labour shortages. Last year's labour shortages attributed to COVID-19 resulted in lost sales of $2.9 B; two in five employers surveyed were not able to find all the workers that they needed. Of these, 60 per cent experienced productions delay and lost sales. One interviewee was forced to abandon his entire line of asparagus production due to labour shortages, resulting in $700,000 of forgone sales. "Let this be a call to action," summarized MacDonald-Dewhirst. "We need to work together as a sector to develop long-term solutions to the critical labour shortages in agriculture. This calls for strategies to attract, educate and retain Canadian workers; streamline the entry of temporary foreign workers and give them a pathway to permanent residency if they want it; and improve the broadband con-
nectivity to rural Canada to advance the use of technology in agriculture while adding to the quality of life for our rural population." The research revealed that fewer Canadians applied for jobs on farms in 2020. Seventy per cent of employers reported fewer Canadian job applicants. Before COVID-19, the rural location, seasonality, wages, and physical requirements of agricultural jobs acted as barriers to recruiting and retaining Canadian workers. During COVID-19, additional pressures of self-isolation, child or family care, quarantine after travel, or recovery from illness added to the decline in Canadian applicants. In March of 2020, the number of TFWs was down 47 per cent due to COVID-19. Although many TFWs were able to come later in the season, the overall number was still significantly fewer than the previous year. For employers, worker travel restrictions, delays obtaining approvals, and difficulties
meeting housing and workplace regulations were key challenges in obtaining TFWs. The Council has led numerous labour market information projects, which have provided meaningful data and tools to further the needs of the agriculture industry. The full research report Understanding the Effects of COVID-19 on Canada's Agriculture Workforce is available at https://cahrc-ccrha.ca/ programs/agrilmi. The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council works with industry leaders, governments and educational stakeholders to research, develop and communicate solutions to the challenges in employment and skills development in primary agriculture. The Council also leads collaborative implementation efforts in support of the national Workforce Action Plan for the agriculture and agri-food sector. For more information visit www. cahrc-ccrha.ca.
From bigger and better to smaller and smarter
Photo Credit: Kubota by Ralph C. Martin As a wee lad, on our home farm, I was impressed when Grampa moved manure, ploughed in perfect patterns, and hauled hay with his voice activated power units. They were even self replicating. Sometimes he would let me tug on the reins but the horses stayed on course, until Grampa called for a change. Grampa died in time to be spared the scramble to larger equipment, larger tractors and larger farms in order to reduce hours of labour and cost of production per unit of agricultural product. However, I'm guessing he would have been curious about new power units on the agricultural horizon. I recall a conversation with my colleague, Dr. Dave Hume, a few years ago when he said that one person could probably opApril 14, 2021
erate several autonomous tractors at one time from a farm office or field location. Why then would any one unit have to be so large? Why indeed? Some of the current promotions for robotic tractors are recommending swarms of small units which may collectively do the same task, or different ones, depending on what is needed, in each field. Self-propelled robotic cover crop seeders (www.rowbot.com ) and weeders with sensors, can work 24/7. Weeders may not so much till soil but rather poke small weeds into soil or pull slightly larger weeds out. Over 50 years ago, at Expo 70 in Japan, I had the privilege to entertain crowds as part of the Elmira District Secondary School band. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Kubota was already showcasing a proto-
drivers. Electric units will have fewer moving parts. Furthermore, large equipment is increasingly difficult to move safely along public roads and operator time is required to make adjustments for road travel. Compaction has been an increasing problem as tractors and equipment get larger and heavier. Certainly tracks, larger tires and low tire pressure can help spread the load but with these advances applied to smaller and lighter units, compaction will be more effectively mitigated. Furthermore, small units linked to satellite moisture data might be flexible enough to seed earlier drying land, within a field, with an earlier corn hybrid while leaving the later drying land for another day, with a slightly later hybrid, thus decreasing compaction and optimizing routing and planting times. Similar flexibility may also reduce compaction at harvest. Wendell Berry, a farmer and author of many essays about food and farming, first elucidated the idea that there is value in increasing the ratio of eyes per acre. Autonomous units will be guided by numerous sensors and satellite data. In my opinion, a practiced eye
type of their Dream tractors of the future (https://bit. ly/3rOHigv ). Their 1970 model was a bit off the mark for practical implementation, but the modern version can "adjust its height to tackle varying terrain and is equipped with four in-wheel motors to give it an ultrasharp turning radius." AgXeed features an optimization option with their Agbot. "Select the field border along which you want the robot to start, choose a start and finish position, the desired overlap between paths, the number of headland passes and let it calculate the routing." (https://bit. ly/3bJpePh ). Large, rectangular fields may no longer be necessary. Autonomous units offer new possibilities for agroforestry with rows of high value trees on field contours, riparian zones hugging winding creek banks and wildlife corridors linking small woodlots. A small autonomous unit will efficiently find its way without mumbling about so much turning. It seems reasonable that autonomous tractors will be more cost effective to purchase and operate, on a per acre basis, than large units with cabs and amenities for
9
OFA Viewpoint
Drew Spoelstra, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture An important aspect of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has always been our grassroots engagement through county and regional federations across the province. This past year, our organization has pivoted to virtual platforms to reach our membership, engage with government officials and collaborate with fellow industry stakeholders. Through this adaption, there has been a significant reduction in the costs of travel, hotels, meals, meetings and in-person events, which has created a surplus in OFA’s funds. This surplus of funds has been a silver lining throughout this pandemic and has allowed us to invest at the grassroots level. To further support and encourage resiliency in our sector, OFA will be using this surplus to empower local federations to support community initiatives and projects in their areas. Throughout this year, many local federations, commodities and members have stepped up to meet community needs with tractor parades supporting front-line workers in health care, donations to food programs and assisting with emergency efforts for PPE. We appreciate the commitment OFA members have made to their local community and look forward to the opportunity to do more. Empowering county federations enables our grassroots to act on priority issues within their county and evoke meaningful change. At the local level, messaging is stronger due to dedicated boards of directors who advocate for direct needs of their counties. This funding will allow the connected to a relational and considerate human is worth 1000 sensors. Regardless of opportunities with autonomous tractors and sensors, farmers should keep observing their land directly, with their own eyes, as well as keeping sharp eyes on dashboard data.
creation of positive initiatives that will complement existing programs while also meeting the needs of local agricultural communities. Through this surplus, OFA has taken the opportunity to develop the Revive Fund, to further resiliency in our agricultural communities. This fund has two streams of applications: The Special Projects Fund and the Small Projects Fund. The Special Projects Fund will be dedicating up to $100,000 across the province to federations for the support of local initiatives. The project’s categories include health and wellness, local food promotion, environmental stewardship, food security, member engagement and recruitment, leadership development and farm safety/ farm emergency response. Applications must be submitted by the local federation on a cost-sharing basis, contributing their own funds and working with partners to match OFA’s contribution. The Small Project Fund is intended for local federations with a membership total of 450 or less. This fund aims to support the visibility and member outreach of the smaller federations. Applicants should consider how to stimulate long-term member participation, enhance the federation's visibility and best advocate for key issues. Activities can include governance, leadership or communications training, events based on member networking and relationship-building or promotional items to enhance visibility of the federation. The Revive Fund will be active starting April 2021 with projects concluding by July 31, 2022. If your agricultural community is interested in partnering on a project under the Revive Fund, please contact your local federation. For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 tyler. brooks@ofa.on.ca
Ralph C. Martin, Ph.D., Professor (retired), University of Guelph. Author of Food Security: From Excess to Enough at www.ralphmartin.ca
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Mythunderstandings:
CROSSWORD
The Resurrection: Where’s the body? by David Shanahan “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” [1 Cor. 15. 13-14] This series is looking at the fundamental beliefs of Christianity; the ones that are essential and common to all Christians always. The Resurrection, as Paul stated in his letter to the Corinthians, is unquestionably at the heart of those beliefs and needs to be examined closely in all honesty and fairness. Last week, I talked about the logic which underpins the testimony we have concerning the event. This article asks a simple question: if the whole thing was a hoax, a misunderstanding, or some other mix up, why didn’t someone simply produce the body and put an end to the whole thing? When the disciples of Jesus went from being a cowering, frightened, and disillusioned group to preaching loudly and boldly in the streets of Jerusalem that Jesus had risen, why did the authorities not just parade the corpse through the streets? The men who had worked to have Jesus executed would not have hesitated to do so, if the body was available to them. And, as their soldiers had been guarding the tomb, they should have been able to put a stop to the disciples’ claims immediately. But the tomb was empty. The authorities tacitly admitted this when they instructed the tomb guards to say that the disciples themselves had come and stolen the body while the guards slept. Of course, admitting to be asleep on duty would have been a major, if not capital, offense for the guards, but what choice did they have if Jesus had risen? What of that accusation?
Could the disciples have taken the body? The first question would be: why? To draw more attention on themselves and become the target of more executions? As was noted last week: if they had done so, then they knew the Resurrection was a lie. Yet they suffered privations, torture and death for the sake of that lie. That is not nearly as logical as accepting that they believed the Resurrection was true. They did not take the body from under the noses of the soldiers. They had even stayed away from Calvary, having run away when Jesus was arrested. Even after the women had told them the tomb was empty, they didn’t believe it. Not until Jesus actually appeared to them. Maybe the women went to the wrong tomb? But, again, the authorities would have corrected that misunderstanding immediately, had they been able to. Perhaps Jesus was not really dead at all? Having gone through the excruciating and tortuous process of crucifixion, been stabbed in the side with a spear, taken down and wrapped in linen with spices poured over him, left in a sealed tomb for a few days, perhaps then he recovered sufficiently to push away a very large stone, pass by the guards, and make a complete recovery in order to convince his followers that he had, in fact risen from the dead. Is any of that rational or remotely feasible? Christianity is completely based on historic fact, evidence, reality. It invites and encourages intelligent investigation and questioning. It is not based on “blind faith”, or any “leap in the dark”. As a professional historian, I look at evidence, facts, and documents, assessing the dependability and veracity of sources before coming to any conclusions. There are
clear facts involved here. Jesus was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death. This is part of the historical record. He was crucified and died, was buried and a guard placed on his tomb. His followers retreated in confusion and despair to locked rooms in Jerusalem, afraid they were the next to die. The tomb was found empty and the disciples had to rely on the evidence of women, another interesting piece of evidence. If they were making the whole story up, why say that it was women who found the empty tomb? Women were not considered reliable witnesses and could not testify in court as a result. A fictional Resurrection would have been more carefully concocted. One fact remains as true as when Paul stated so long ago: if Jesus did not rise from the dead, Christianity is a fraud and Christians are the most pitiable people. Paul was a violent opponent of Christianity, until he met the risen Jesus. Everything changed for him then. James was the step-brother of Jesus, he and his siblings considered Jesus to be insane, until the risen Jesus appeared to him. James then became one of the leaders of the church in Jerusalem and was eventually executed for his faith. These were not weak-willed men who were easily fooled into believing something. They were men who met the risen Jesus, and after that there could be no more argument. And two thousand years of Christians have agreed that he is indeed risen. They have encountered him, come to know him, and his Spirit lives in them. Quite a claim. If it is not true, you can forget it. If it is true, even if you think it might be true, it is something you have to investigate for yourself. Honesty and eternity demands it.
ACROSS 1. Cougars 6. What we sleep on 10. Skin irritation 14. Historical period 15. Away from the wind 16. Infamous Roman emperor 17. Cowboy sport 18. What a person is called 19. Threesome 20. Illiterate 22. At one time (archaic) 23. Channel selector 24. A dice game 25. 60 minutes 29. Revolutionary 31. Debt 33. Found in cigarettes 37. "Stick" of frozen water
Solutions to last week’s Sudoku
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38. Phonograph disc 39. Deficient 41. Anticipate 42. Sidelong 44. Colors 45. Fails to win 48. Manicurist's concern 50. Bothers 51. Beautiful 56. Untruths 57. Anagram of "Tine" 58. Angered 59. Cain's brother 60. "Oh my!" 61. Signed 62. Large town 63. Gave temporarily 64. Untidy
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Gardening- Hardening Off
by Joselyn Morley Hardening off is the process of toughening up your tiny, fragile seedlings, before you transplant them and leave them outside at the mercy of the elements. It's too early to think about putting your tender pepper or tomato plants outside for a while yet, but you can start hardening off anything you've started inside that is cold hardy, such as cabbage, kale, spinach, broccoli, or peas. Many people direct seed these cold hardy plants, rather than starting them indoors. You can get a couple of weeks jump on the season by starting your brassicas inside, but if you don't have the space, or you have enough on your plate protecting your tomato seedlings from your cat, then direct sowing the cold hardy crops is fine. You can plant anything cold
tolerant as soon as you can work your soil. Maybe don't plant all your seeds at once, just in case we get a late blast of winter! Make sure you check to see what crops are cold tolerant too! Peas, for example, are cold tolerant. Beans on the other hand will shrivel and die immediately if it gets to zero degrees. Even the best set of grow lights cannot come close to the strength of the sun outside. In addition to the intense light, the tender seedlings will face wind, rain, and possibly drastic temperature fluctuations once they are outside. Give yourself a week or two to harden off your seedlings. Two weeks will give you a few days grace in case there is some extreme weather one day. Put your plants outside, out of direct sun and wind, for an hour or two. Initially you can put them in a plastic tote, or
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STEM Education STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is changing learning for students in the classroom. CDSBEO students and teachers use a variety of technology tools to personalize learning, increase productivity, and achieve success. As STEM education continues to evolve, the purposeful selection of technology tools and applications enables teachers to provide engaging, meaningful, and rich learning experiences. Principal of Curriculum, Nancy McIntyre, presented information to the Board on new and innovative ways that technology is being used in STEM teaching practices. “When teachers look to incorporate STEM education in their classroom, it can be overwhelming without some type of guide as there are many different tools and options to choose from,” said Principal McIntyre. “One of the ways we have been able to support our schools is through the Curriculum lending library. Through the lending library, teachers can see the impact of various STEM tools firsthand, and they are then better informed to make recommendations to their principal, and in some cases parent council.” Earlier this school year, teacher Blair Fitzsimons received the Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence in STEM. Since joining the staff at St. Mary-St. Cecilia Catholic School six years ago, Mr. Fitzsimons has led the move to integrate STEM learning at all grade levels, beginning in Kindergarten. Over the past four years, the Curriculum Department has been promoting and encouraging schools to participate in the Hour of Code challenge during Computer Science Education Week, held in early December. STEM learning encourages students to work together, share ideas, and to collaborate on problem solving. Students are fully engaged as they write code for their robot programming, test their results, and come up with innovative new ways to use technology.
against a wall of the house, or wherever they are protected. Every day add an hour or two. As they spend more time outside, let them experience short periods of wind and sun. Eventually, gradually, your seedlings will have adapted to life outside! There are a few things to watch out for. The most important is time. Don't forget about the poor things! The best way to harden off your seedlings is gradually! Even the most well-cared-for seedlings that have been hardened off with dedication and planning will still show a bit of transplant shock. Try to plant them out on a day without extreme sun, wind, or rain. Water well, remembering that most plants are happier being watered at their roots. Give them a bit of compost, and mulch. If you've never tried mulch, give it a go. It saves weeding, keeps water in the soil, and breaks down, providing organic matter to your soil. Hardening off your seedlings is a pain in the neck! Is there anyone who likes running plants in and out of the house? Worrying about how much sun or wind they are getting? Hollering to the kids to "Get the plants in!!" when a sudden extreme downpour begins. This is a good time to hit your gardening friends up for their orphaned seedlings, as most gardeners plant way too much, and get tired or overwhelmed during hardening off time! Just assume that the orphaned seedling you got from your friend still needs a bit of hardening off! What are you growing? Joselyn@ndtimes.ca
Despite the pandemic, all CDSBEO intermediate and senior students will be able to participate virtually in this year’s regional science fair. This opportunity is especially important as projects provide opportunities for innovation, experimentation, and study. Participating in the science fair provides project-based learning. The Digital Learner Technology allows digital learners to be engaged, adaptable, and ready for the next challenge. Through new and emerging technology tools, CDSBEO teachers are expanding learning experiences for students in a highly engaging manner that ensures all students can participate. The digital learner is constantly seeking new and exciting ways to learn. In addition to the growing collection of readily available technology applications, CDSBEO educators also provide students with authentic learning experiences. Technology-Enabled Learning and Teaching Curriculum Consultant, Jameson Lee, presented information to the Board of Trustees on the evolving technology-based learning opportunities which are available to learners, and how these experiences provide authentic learning. “Over the past year, we have seen tremendous changes and growth using technology to interact, share, and learn. Basic job requirements in all industries continue to evolve, where greater emphasis is placed on familiarity with digital tools and applications,” said Lee. Currently, student focus is on learning through experimentation, emphasizing process over product. Students have the opportunity to experiment with various design software, 3D printing, the use of virtual reality to simulate real life experiences for career exploration, as well as gaming software and platforms. “The gaming industry is growing at an incredible pace, especially over the past year. At least 2.69 billion people and 61 per cent of Canadians
play video games. There is a video game out there for everyone. There are so many genres and games accessible on many different platforms and devices. The first time I listened to a presentation about gaming in education, I found myself questioning whether competitive gaming, known as Esports has a place in our schools. I began to understand, like other professional sports, the world of Esports goes well beyond playing the game.” The gaming industry offers a range of careers for artists, engineers, and broadcasters. Additionally, students have had the opportunity to compete against schools in Manitoba, Texas, and California. “Sponsored by Dell Education, Microsoft, and Intel, I have partnered with Virtual Learning Teacher, Grace Scully to offer a firstof-its-kind Girls Who Game extracurricular club in the CDSBEO. This diverse group of ten grade 8 virtual learning students is one of 18 clubs across Canada. For the spring 2021 cohort, our club is tasked with a culminating activity asking the students to re-imagine their community. By focusing on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals #5 Gender Equality and #7 Affordable Clean Energy, they will brainstorm, plan, and build equitable, sustainable, and accessible buildings and experiences in Minecraft Education Edition. This group is learning how they can be change agents through gaming.”
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Highlights from UCDSB Board of Trustees' Meeting Trustees with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) met virtually on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 for a regularly scheduled board meeting. Student Survey results detail pandemic learning experiences Staff presented the results from its online student survey conducted this spring, of Grade 9-12 students. The survey received responses from 28 per cent of UCDSB Grade 9-12 students, with representation from all secondary schools and grades. Overall, students are accepting of the quadmester model and understand the need, given the pandemic. Students outlined both the benefits and challenges associated with the quadmester model. For instance, some students find it easier to focus with just two courses while others outlined that it's hard to stay motivated for the duration of the longer classes. Also, close to 60 per cent of respondents said they are confident about moving to the next level in their studies; half of respondents said they were more stressed this year and directly attributed their stress to the pandemic; most respondents are reporting using healthy stress management strategies.
Senior staff will collaborate with school principals and teaching staff about possible adjustments to current quadmester practices to incorporate student feedback regarding quadmesters. As well, staff will continue to connect with parents/guardians, students and UCDSB student senate to increase awareness of mental health resources and supports within our schools. Asymptomatic testing rollout continues across School Board All school boards across the province follow a prescribed approach to voluntary asymptomatic testing clinics, with the goal to test two per cent of the total student population each week. Testing is provided by a third-party licensed service provider assigned by the Ministry of Education. To date, the UCDSB has hosted four asymptomatic pop-up clinics at the following schools: Carleton Place High School, North Dundas DHS, Seaway DHS and Almonte DHS. At each location, the elementary feeder school staff and families were invited to attend the voluntary clinic. Staff shared that 114 tests were performed at the Carleton Place clinic; however, aggregate data is not yet available for the remaining
for Ontario Schools. Trustees passed a motion that the Chair write a letter to the Ministry of Education outlining concerns regarding the possible extension to e-learning. Trustees passed a second motion that directs the Chair to convene a meeting with municipal government leaders across the school district to share their concerns around elearning. Trustees passed a third motion to ask that the provincial government establish a Royal Commission into the future of education in Ontario, prior to making significant changes to the public education model. Winter Director's Award of Merit Recipients announced Director of Education Stephen Sliwa announced the recipients of the Winter Director's Award of Merit. The Director's Award of Merit seeks to recognize employees who bring the best of themselves to the workplace on a regular basis throughout the year, contributing to a positive, productive, and caring workplace in which employees support each other to achieve important goals for serving and supporting our students and our schools. From the 69 nominations, seven recipients were
clinics. STEO update to Trustees Trustee John Danaher, who is the UCDSB representative on the Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO) Board of Directors, brought an update to trustees from STEO's March meeting. Changing inclement weather bus cancellations from a regional approach to a more targeted approach was discussed at the meeting. However, the bus consortium has indicated that due to variety of reasons, including scheduling and routing, a targeted approach to bus cancellations is not possible at this time. Trustees asked that Danaher bring back the topic to the STEO board of directors to get clarity around the obstacles. Danaher also indicated that the planning is on track for phase three of the bell time alignment initiatives. He indicated that parents will be getting more information from STEO regarding any changes to bus pick-up/ drop-off times in June. UCDSB responds to concerns with Ministry ELearning plans Trustees discussed their concerns related to media reports outlining a longterm proposal for e-learning reportedly being considered
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chosen for their outstanding work within our school system: Joanne O'Connor (Teacher - South Branch Elementary School); Beverley Glover (Custodian - Athens DHS) Jennifer Moore (Principal - Front of Yonge PS) Jennifer Wagensveld (Teacher - Morrisburg PS)
Laura Panyszak (Teacher Rockland DHS) Monique Favreau (Guidance Counsellor - TRL Carleton Place) Paddy Houston (Special Services Counsellor- East) Full details on presentations, reports and discussions can be found in the agenda or reviewed in the recorded broadcast.
Far from virtual:
Are our current laws able to address sexual harassment in remote working spaces? by David Westcott Workplace sexual harassment is a prominent barrier to career success and satisfaction and to a healthy work environment. Sadly, reports of sexual harassment and violence against remote workers have skyrocketed since the pandemic began in March 2020. Whether the switch to remote working during the pandemic caused this increase or not, one thing is certain: sexual harassment knows no boundaries and can happen to any worker, any time, even in their own home. Current Canadian legislation fails to address many of the complexities of online sexual harassment. The result is that survivors of technology-based sexual violence are often not fully protected or compensated. Online sexual harassApril 14, 2021
ment can take many forms including inappropriate text messages, images, threats, appropriation of one's likeness, and blackmailing. Experiencing sexual harassment can threaten a person's dignity, feelings, self-respect, and in extreme cases, can lead someone to suicide. Online workplaces provide means for individual communication, blur the hours where responses can be expected, and provide minimal supervision throughout the workday thereby creating many opportunities for sexual harassment and cyberbullying. Most workplaces have no policies in place against virtual sexual harassment or cyberbullying. What is the state of the law? Both Canada and Ontario have specific provi-
the dangers of online sexual harassment when it passed the Intimate Images and Cyber-Protection Act in 2017 (IICPA) which creates specific civil actions and remedies for survivors of unauthorized intimate image distribution and cyber-bullying. There is no comparable legislation in Ontario or on the federal level. Survivors of online sexual harassment at work in Ontario have access to general damages before human rights tribunals and courts but would have difficulty getting a tribunal to order specific remedies related to the virtual nature of the harassment. Legislators must recognize that in a post-pandemic world, remote working will continue and set their mind to creating legislation that
sions in their respective human rights codes that make sexual harassment illegal. There are no specific laws against online sexual harassment in the workplace in Ontario or for federal workers. The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has, however, held that delivering unwelcome messages or other media at work using technology can amount to sexual harassment. In more extreme cases of repeated unwelcome communications or threatening conduct, sexual harassment can be prosecuted under section 264(2) of the Criminal Code however this provision is also silent about online sexual harassment. Shortcomings of the Canadian and Ontarian laws The government of Nova Scotia recognized 12
provides adequate protection for its victims. This could include, for example, court orders for offenders to pay for survivor mental or health support, mandatory workplace inspections, and mandatory workplace risk re-assessments. Have you been sexually harassed online? You have legal options. Call the Legal Clinic at 613-264-7153, email us at langana@lao.on.ca or visit our website at www.tlcshiwproject.com . We can help you determine your options and next steps. The Legal Clinic serves Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Northern Frontenac and Northern Lennox and Addington. The Legal Clinic remains open with reduced staff and have suspended all non urgent inperson appointments and
walk ins. Legal Clinic Main Office: 10 Sunset Blvd. Perth, ON, K7H 2Y2 Phone: 613264-7153 Toll-free: 1-888-7778916, *David Westcott is a law student at the University of Ottawa. He volunteers with the Legal Clinic's Sexual Harassment in the Workplace project, for which won a Chief Justice Richard Wagner Award. He is also the Executive Editor for Volume 53 of the Ottawa Law Review.
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