ND Times Issue 4 2024 February 22

HERITAGE WEEK 2024

Isaac Johnson, stone mason and former slave

by Susan Peters, Dundas County Archives

On February 10, 2021, the North Dundas Times published a short article that I had written on Isaac Johnson (1844 – 1905). His impact on this region was significant. So significant, in fact, that others have reached out to me about Isaac’s story. As a result, I have been digging back into the research on his origins in slavery, as well as the incredible work he left us through his stone masonry.

Isaac was born in slavery in 1844 in Nelson County, Kentucky. His mother, Jane, was

an enslaved woman from Madagascar. His father was Richard Yaeger, a white tobacco farmer. Isaac wrote in his memoirs that he had no idea that either his mother or he were slaves until he was 7 years old. His father encountered financial problems when Isaac was about 7 years old and he found himself on the slave auction block in 1851, along with his mother and brothers Louis, Ambrose, and Eddie. One cannot imagine the level of distress he would have encountered at such a young age. It is unfathomable for him to learn that his father

had sold them away as property. He noted that he was sold for $700, and the entire family earned $3,300 for his father. This was a substantial amount at this time. Isaac was sold to William Mattingly, and he began his life as an enslaved child. He was transferred to William’s brother John’s stock farm where he labored for 12 years. His brothers and mother were the property of other owners and Isaac lost track of them.

In 1901, Isaac Johnson wrote his memoirs,”Slavery Days in Old Kentucky: A true story of a father who sold his wife and

four children. By one of the children”. He published his memoirs to raise funds for the education of his children. He also wrote his story to connect with any of his family left in Kentucky. He had hoped that by sharing his story he might be able to find his brothers or his mother. While he did manage to raise awareness of the impact of slavery, and he did earn some income to pay for his children’s education, he was not successful in trying to locate any family.

It is not known if he planned to eventually

cont'd from front page

end up in Canada, but his memoirs do tell us about “Bob the Canadian” who was also enslaved at Mattingly’s farm. Bob was a free man who was taken illegally into custody in Louisiana and sold to Mattingly. Bob was an example of how, under the Fugitive Slave Act, any black man could be kidnapped and sold into slavery. While toiling on the farm together, Isaac and Bob planned an escape. Unfortunately, Bob was captured and tortured to death and the escape failed.

We know through his memoirs, and Civil War military and pension records, that his opportunity to gain his freedom came through the War between the States. In 1864, he joined the Union Army in Detroit with the 102nd Colored Troops Regiment. He saw action in South Carolina at Honey Hill, where he was injured. He lost a finger and was hospitalized for other injuries. He was mustered out at Detroit. This is essentially where his memoirs end, and the story

must be researched in other ways.

Johnson reported in his pension application that he returned to Kentucky after the war. He did find John Mattingly, but he was not successful in finding his family. How he ended up in this area is anyone’s guess. We do know that after the Civil War, he ended up working on steamships in the Great Lakes. His pension application does state that by 1867 he was in Morrisburg. While he did not appear in the census for that time here, we do know that he was here at least by 1875, as he married Louisa Theodosia Allen in Morrisburg. The marriage announcement appeared in the Dundas Courier on December 28, 1875. Their marriage record confirmed this.

It is not known where Isaac picked up the skills of a stonemason; presumably, it was on-the-job training as a stone cutter. He was known to take on construction jobs where he could. The record of his children’s births

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helps to place him on several major projects. We know that their first child, Gertrude, was born on October 7, 1876, in Morrisburg. Their daughter, Susan, was born in Winchester in June 1881. In March 1883, their daughter Alice was born, and daughter Hattie in June, 1885, also in Winchester. During this time, he was working for the Baker Limestone Quarry near Winchester. Baker had the contract to construct the United Church in Winchester and likely Isaac was working on that project. When Baker was injured, Isaac took over the management of the church construction project. His other projects included the St James Anglican Church in Morrisburg and homes in Winchester and Russell. He also took on projects in Waddington, New York. The border was pretty fluid at this time.

We know that by 1889 they were in Waddington, where their twins Louise and Isaac were born. Their son Daniel was born in Jan-

uary 1893, also in New York. During this time Isaac was busy building the Waddington Town Hall, a stone bridge at Chamberlain’s Corners, and several other projects in Northern New York. In 1889, he was injured in a quarry accident which ended his construction career. He died on December 5, 1905, in Ogdensburg New York. Isaac Johnson left quite a legacy between his family, his published memoirs, and the enduring legacy of his stone buildings. He stands as a man to be honoured and appreciated. He rose from slavery to be a wellrespected stone mason. My respect for this man is unwavering. As such, the research continues.

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Rube McClellan and his wagon carried cheese from the factory to the railway station at Oxford Station, returning with goods and travellers to the general store, pictured behind him. C. 1920's.

Ambrose Clothier built this edifice as his family home around 1861, from bricks made from clay taken from the river bank, where his family owned a brick yard. Originally, a cupola topped the building, which was transformed into a feed store and home by Henry Dell after 1868.

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Man who threatened Eric Duncan’s life released

by Brandon Mayer

On January 7, 28-yearold James Twigg allegedly made a phone call to local Member of Parliament, Eric Duncan, in which he threatened the MP’s life. Twigg had previously been charged with sending a text

message on August 23 of last year in which he threatened to kill Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

For the earlier charge, Twigg was released on the conditions that he continue to reside in his Cornwall home, not possess any weapons, and attend an appointment with the Canadian

Mental Health Association. He completed a diversion program and entered a 12 month peace bond, with a court date set for April 15 to enter a plea.

The peace bond was cancelled on February 1, the day after Twigg was arrested for the threat to MP Duncan. It was replaced with a different release order which put Twigg back out on the streets that same day – February 1. He is scheduled to appear in court by video on March 7, and is still scheduled to appear in court in person on April 15.

It is almost certainly no coincidence that on February 1, the announcement was made that MP Duncan’s Cornwall constituency of-

fice was temporarily closed until further notice due to a “serious security issue”, corresponding with the release of the Cornwall man who allegedly threatened MP Duncan’s life. The MP released the following statement regarding the closure:

“On Feb. 1, in consultation with the House of Commons’ Sergeant-at-Arms and the Cornwall Police Service, my Cornwall constituency office was temporarily closed until further notice due to a serious security issue. While I am unable to provide further information about the security concern, I want to express my gratitude to all those who have helped address this situation.”

MP Duncan’s other con-

stituency offices, including his Winchester satellite office located inside the Township building, remained open. MP Duncan is a North Dundas native who was elected as a North Dundas Councillor in 2006 when he was just 18 years old. He was elected as North Dundas Mayor in 2010, and acclaimed for a second term in 2014. At age 25, he became the youngest Warden in the history of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry. He was elected to federal parliament as Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry MP in 2019, and was re-elected in 2021.

St E,

For the price of one big miracle

by Brandon Mayer

When something represents a major improvement over a previous product, we often say it’s “the greatest thing since sliced bread”. What kind of an analogy could we use for something similar, but negative? And something not regarding a product, but rather more abstract? Could we say, for example, that Canadians’ obsession with discussing the exorbitant price of housing in this country is… the most repetitive thing since gas price complaints? I do believe I just invented a new saying, allow me to pat my own back.

I want to discuss housing prices, but from a different angle than the usual mantra. And given the number of times that this topic is brought up in private conversations, in public forums, and in the media, it’s important to me that I note my own awareness of the fact that this subject has become repetitive and entirely annoying. For many people, however, it’s not just a “discussion topic” – it represents life slowly becoming less and less sustainable.

What inspired me to bring up this already well-discussed topic is the research that I did for another article you’ll see in this week’s edition of the Times. That article explains that the federal government announced $199 million in new housing-related funding earlier this month, with $99 million of it earmarked as a boost to the Canada Housing Benefit, which is integrated as the CanadaOntario Housing Benefit (COHB) in Ontario.

Similar to some other social services such as the child care fee subsidy, applications for the COHB are processed through local municipalities who act as service system providers. The City of Cornwall fills this role for our area collectively as the fed-

eral riding of Cornwall/ SD&G. The COHB information available from the City of Cornwall is very straightforward. It states that in order to be considered for the Benefit, household income must fall below a set limit which is decided upon by the Ministry of Finance. Of course this makes sense – the Benefit is intended to help low income renters, after all. It isn’t meant to be a universal credit.

The other requirement set forth by the City of Cornwall is a limit on the rental price of the applicant’s housing unit. These limits are: $791 monthly for a 1-bedroom unit, $962 monthly for a 2-bedroom unit, and $1,047 monthly for a 3-bedroom unit. The reason for these limits is simple enough… these are the monthly average rent figures for our area in the 2023-2024 season. My question is – who felt it was a good idea to implement this rule, which may very well qualify as the dumbest rule of the 21st century?

Has the City of Cornwall’s social services division seriously come up with a rule that in order to qualify for help with rent costs, you need to secure cheap housing first? The figures above would likely not be seen as “cheap” for any individual or family struggling financially, but I mean “cheap” in the sense that a COHB application in our area requires that a person already be living in housing that is at or below the average market price for rent. What a joke (and not a funny one).

One of the reasons why the rent cap rule is so fundamentally stupid is because it paints all of Cornwall and SD&G with the same brush. Our riding is – in a word – huge. Even with the advantage of Highway 401 speeds, it would take 1 hour and 12 minutes to get from corner to corner of SD&G (I am using Hallville to the northwest, and Bainsville

to the southeast as my map points). Rent prices are hardly the same across the board.

Cornwall has always been known anecdotally to have relatively cheap housing available. North Dundas, on the other hand, is too close to Ottawa for “cheap” housing. A few years ago, I lived in an old ice cream shop in Winchester, a one bedroom apartment so small that my entire living space was the size of my upstairs neighbour’s balcony. My rent at the time was $875 monthly, and I had many people tell me how lucky I was to have such a “cheap” place in Winchester. When we bought our South Mountain house, the landlord of the Winchester apartment increased the rent to $925 for the next tenant. There is something wrong when the City of Cornwall’s cutoff for reasonably priced housing would barely buy you 3/4 of a laughably tiny old ice cream shop in Winchester in 2019. Using today’s prices, the joke would be even less funny.

When people need help, they need help. The only thing that hurts more than not having help when it’s needed, is seeing that ridiculous and ill-conceived rules get in the way of help that would otherwise be available. Why is it that people who could really use rent help from the COHB in Cornwall and SD&G must first achieve what hardly anyone can these days – finding and securing the most aff ordable housing in the area? It essentially says that rent help is available for the price of one big miracle.

Housing is expensive right now because there isn’t enough supply to meet the demand. This means that sometimes a person is forced to take a more expensive apartment because it’s the only apartment available. It may seem affordable at the time, but with the cost of everything such as

food, gas, and utilities going up each month, some help with rent suddenly becomes not just a helping hand, but a necessity.

It’s time for the City of Cornwall to rethink its criteria for people to access help. The miracle of finding cheap housing should not be a prerequisite to getting help with housing costs.

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Municipal tax increases: How does North Dundas compare?

by Brandon Mayer

A reader has asked some important questions about the draft municipal budget after reading the Council update in the last issue of the Times.

“A tax increase of 14%+ seems a bit extreme,” the reader says. “Personally, this will result in about a $500 increase annually, at a time when everything else is also increasing. Will residents get any say in this before it is approved? How does this percentage compare to increases in other rural municipalities in Eastern Ontario? Are new costs of water and sewer upgrades getting passed along onto residents with private wells and septic systems? What steps have been taken to find efficiencies in advance of raising taxes?”

The reader is referring to the draft municipal budget which was presented at the February 1 Council meeting. It proposes a property tax

Op-Ed

increase of 14.7% for 2024. These are some tough questions, and they are certainly worth answering.

The Township does not hold formal consultation sessions for draft municipal budgets, but that doesn’t mean that members of the public can’t have their say. “All residents are encouraged to review what has already been presented to Council, and share any comment, concern, or question ahead of the budget being back before Council February 29 ,” said Councillor Matthew Uhrig. He explained that budget decisions may get wrapped up during the February 29 meeting, or otherwise “get awfully close” that day.

To answer the question of how North Dundas’ proposed tax increase compares to other municipalities, we’ll compare it with four area municipalities whose 2024 budgets were already passed, or whose draft budgets were available online (some municipalities don’t post

Those were the days

by David Shanahan

There’s a lot of confusion about what, exactly “heritage” is. How is it different from “history”?

What is it then, that we’re celebrating in Heritage Week? The Cambridge Dictionary defines heritage in two ways. One is: “features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, languages, or buildings, that were created in the past and still have historical importance”, while the other defines it as “a person's racial, ethnic, religious, or cultural background”. Given those two approaches, heritage can be something shared with the wider community, or it can be personal to the individual within that community.

I think that it can be seen this way: history is the story of what has happened in the past, heritage refers to the culture and traditions produced by that story. It used to be said that Canadians tended to define themselves as

their budgets online until they are passed).

To the west, in North Grenville, the proposed tax increase for this year is a relatively small 3.5%. Although only 45% larger than North Dundas, North Grenville is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the Province, so with an ever-increasing number of taxpayers, the local government there is able to keep tax increases to a minimum. The City of Ottawa comes in with an even lower increase of just 2.5% in its already approved 2024 budget. Similar to North Grenville, but with a population of 1 million people, the resources in Ottawa make it easier to keep tax increases to a small amount.

The draft budget for the City of Cornwall proposes a 4.07% increase, which is “average” when considering tax increases across multiple area municipalities in the last several years. North Grenville’s Council was considering a 0% increase in 2022, and settled on a

0.74% increase upon further consideration. North Dundas’ increase for last year was 5.41%, which is closer to a “typical” increase.

In South Stormont, the property tax increase for this year was 13%, which was a figure high enough to make Standard Freeholder headlines. The proposed increase of 14.7% here in North Dundas is therefore undeniably high, but why?

North Dundas is facing some unique challenges. Growth is not as high here as it is in many other municipalities, and being a relatively small Township to begin with means that cost increases (i.e. those being felt by everyone right now) hit especially hard. Council has been very generous toward Township staff in the last couple of years in an effort to attract and retain good employees. Staff compensation and benefits have increased (in line with the trend of minimum wage hikes), and that money has to come from somewhere.

The last two years of having limited public pool hours in the summertime shows very clearly what happens when positions don’t pay fairly for the work, experience and training required – positions end up vacant, and taxpayers are shafted for services that their tax dollars are supposed to pay for.

The Township has also faced difficulties beginning last year with the costs of insurance, as well as increasing pressure from residents to make much needed repairs to roads, and to add recreational amenities. The Township is also bound to be feeling some of the same financial pressures that are hurting all Canadian households, such as high gas prices and the

largely unprecedented inflation of the costs of most goods and services. Finding efficiencies can be easier said than done in a municipality where costs are rising, but the number of taxpayers remains largely the same.

To answer the last question of the concerned reader, Councillor Uhrig was able to confirm that water and sewer services in North Dundas are paid for by user fees. Those on private well and septic systems do not contribute to the upgrade costs for the public systems in Winchester and Chesterville.

The next budget meeting will take place on February 29, with a budget ratification motion set to be before Council some time in March.

“not being Americans”, rather than having a clear idea of what being Canadian meant in and of itself. That sense of heritage was the result of history, of the need to maintain a separate identity, politically and culturally, from the big and often threatening neighbour next door.

I’ve even seen it stated by some historians that Canada “became a nation” because of Vimy Ridge, or Passchendaele, or other World War I battles. This does such a disservice to those who formed the country, to the pioneers who settled it, to the immigrants who chose it as their home. The case of the Indigenous peoples is different and they perhaps have a very different idea of what it is to be Canadian. When we see a building, or an artifact, a book or a song as heritage, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the item in itself is valuable or culturally significant. It says that it has meaning, that it stands for something. This build-

ing housed certain events, or was the home of an important person or group in the making of this country or this local community. This battered old book is heritage because of who owned it, or wrote it, or how it was quoted in a particularly important historical moment.

Heritage is all those things, events, stories, or people who give meaning to our shared story, our history. That may seem a very vague and broad definition, but it simply means that heritage is all those things that make our community, local, provincial, and national, what it is today. Heritage is what we have inherited from those who came before, and by celebrating heritage, we celebrate them also.

Then there is the second definition of heritage: “a person's racial, ethnic, religious, or cultural background”. A country like Canada was built on a wide variety of peoples, from the original inhabitants, to the most recent

refugees and immigrants from all over the world. This has created conflict at times, where older immigrants demand that newer immigrants adopt the culture and traditions of the older immigrants, who themselves resisted adopting the traditions of the original immigrants! Complicated.

The earliest European settlers learned to survive and thrive in this strange country because of the lessons learned from the Indigenous peoples they met here. Canada was then settled in the early days by French settlers, followed by Irish, Scots, and Welsh, with a fair sprinkling of English too. Then came a fantastic wave of other “racial, ethnic, religious, or cultural” peoples bringing their own contributions. This was a problem at first, but, over time, something different emerged, something distinctly Canadian.

It has taken a long time for this new identity to emerge clearly and

permanently, and perhaps it is still not a completed process. Multiculturalism, as it is officially termed, is only fifty years old in Canada; not a long time in the context of history. It is a fact that still raises disagreements and argument, but it is one of the defining characteristics of Canada, a central part of our shared heritage. Making differences the foundation of common unity and identity is an amazing idea, and one that has, once again, been the product of our history.

This hasn’t meant that we, as individuals, have had to turn our backs on our cultural identity. I am still very much an Irish man, but that has only

added to my identity as a Canadian citizen, neither has been diminished in the transaction: quite the opposite. And that can be true for each of us.

History is the story of how we came to be here together on this land at this time. Heritage is the meaning we give to that story, the value we place on it, the acknowledgment of the role played by all those who came before us on this land, with all of their different languages, traditions, religions, and cultural traits of every description. Being Canadian is our heritage. That is worth celebrating, I think. Those were the days, and these are the days to remember.

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Winter recreation is in full swing at select SNC parks

With winter weather and snow packed trails, South Nation Conservation (SNC) is reminding visitors that over 25 kms of recreational trails are waiting to be explored at Conservation Areas in Eastern Ontario.

Included in the trail network is the Two Creeks Forest Conservation Area near Morrisburg that has opened for winter recreation. SNC has recently completed tree management to help reopen the 4 kms of trails that have been restricted over the last two years due to flooding, trail, and tree damage.

SNC would like to remind park visitors to stay on the trail network while at the Conservation Area, as tree management to remove hazardous trees from the remainder of the forest is on-going and will continue in the coming months. To facilitate the work being done, visitors may notice temporary, partial trail closures to accommodate staff and equipment on-site. A portion of the trail system is expected to remain open throughout the work.

The following Conservation Areas and Municipal parks and trails offer a 25 km network of groomed trails and recreation opportunities for residents during the winter season:

- Two Creeks Forest Conservation Area, Morrisburg, ON – 4 kms

- Robert Graham Forest Conservation Area, Glen Stewart, ON – 2 kms

- Warwick Forest Conservation Area, Berwick, ON – 6 kms

- Nokomis Park - 464 Limoges Road, Limoges, ON – 1 km

- J. Henry Tweed Conservation Area, Russell, ON – 0.8 km

- W. E. Burton Conservation Area, Russell, ON – 1.2 kms

- Russell Recreational Trail, Russell, ON – 7 kms

- Oschmann Forest Conservation Area, Ormond, ON –1.2 kms

- Reveler Conservation Area, Crysler, ON – 3.2 kms

SNC reminds residents to wear proper footwear and warm clothing while using SNC trails this winter and to also be cautious when the trails are slippery and wet.

“We know that our winter trail systems are loved and used by many residents in the watershed,” explained John Mesman, SNC’s Managing Director of Property, Conservation Lands, and Community Outreach. “We are thrilled to have the Two Creeks Forest trail reopened for winter recreation this year, as we know it’s one of our favorite destinations for winter recreation.”

SNC helps manage over 20,000 acres of conservation land in Eastern Ontario and many Conservation Areas have been donated through SNC’s Land Securement Program to help maintain natural legacies for donors and to provide people a place to step outdoors and into nature.

For a complete list of Conservation Areas managed by SNC, please visit: www.nation.on.ca/recreation/about-recreation.

Response from Township regarding Gypsy Lane trash

by Brandon Mayer

The last issue of the Times featured a front page story about a problem that has been hurting the beauty and dignity of the Gypsy Lane trail for years now. It seems that unknown people like to use the trail as an ad hoc garbage dump. The Township was contacted in advance of our story, but didn’t realize how tight our deadline was. We now have their responses to our questions to share with readers. All answers are provided by the Township’s Chief Building Official and Supervisor of Bylaw Services, Preston Stronach.

Q: Is there any plan in place to catch the violators in the act?

A: The illegal dumping is, as you know, quite a difficult thing to monitor and enforce. It requires some way of identifying the individual(s) responsible for which we can issue a set fine for violation of the Property Standards By-Law.

Q: What is the penalty for such illegal dumping if caught?

A: The fine is currently set at $300 for a first violation and escalates from there. We do our best to try and identify the person responsible, but it is quite a challenge without some kind of video footage of a vehicle. Where there are locations that have frequent illegal dumping activities, we could certainly request periodic OPP patrols, but even that requires them to be there at the time of dumping.

Q: Does the Township clean up such messes or is that trusted to local good samaritans?

A: There is no great solution here, just everyone trying to mitigate it as best they can; we encourage landowners to set up fencing and/or gates to restrict access where practical. We are always willing to work with landowners where there is a concern and certainly ask that anyone that has problems with illegal dumping to contact the office and we can try to work out a solution.

Beware of social media warriors

Since the issue of illegal dumping along Gypsy Lane and elsewhere has been a problem in North Dundas for years, one “side issue” that often arises is that of potentially false accusations being made against individuals who are accused of dumping trash. This may be because an item with their name on it was spotted amongst illegally dumped garbage. It’s important to note that circumstances make it very possible for false accusations to arise this way. Something as simple as the wind carrying a piece of trash from a private curb to the Gypsy Lane area could land someone falsely accused of illegal dumping.

Vigilante justice may seem satisfying or tempting, but it does nothing but create new victims when bad assumptions lead the “warriors” down the wrong path. Actions such as dumping trash on the lawns of those who are accused of illegal dumping only serve to hurt our community even more. If you witness suspicious activity that may constitute illegal dumping, or if you find evidence of such a violation, report it to the OPP at 1 888 310-1122.

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Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club Murder Mystery Dinner!

The creative folks at the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club are at it again – having fun and raising funds for the new Dundas Manor.

On March 16th, the Club is hosting a Murder Mystery Dinner at Matilda Hall and it promises to be a great night. The evening will include a dinner of Ireland’s favourite dishes provided by Catered Affairs followed by “The Good, The Bad and The Ridiculous” ©, a play written by Laurie McRae-Bingley.

Get your tickets from a Club member, at Mustard’s Variety, H&I Supply or Cook’s Corner. Proceeds will support both Dundas Manor and the House of Lazarus Back Pack Program.

"Lions are all about kindness! ‘We serve’ isn't just a catchy motto, it's the core of our existence,” explains Lion Maureen Mulcair. “We're a team who believe a little love can go a long way. Whether we're volunteering or rallying for a good cause, we know that

Christmas Fund struggled but met the demand

The North Dundas Christmas Fund met the needs as requested throughout the Township. From committee reports, that demand was up from previous years but the monies collected were down and the cost of food purchased was up. The Christmas fund volunteers represent the Winchester Chesterville and Mountain Lions clubs, as well as Winchester Royal Canadian Legion Branch 108, Community Food Share, House of Lazarus and members at large. Money is generated from the public collection at the Santa Claus Parade, food drives and angel trees all of which bolster the stock available. This year, 183 food hampers were given out serving 348 adults and 155 children, an increase of 15%; as well, 189 snow suits were distributed, again an increase from previous years. The needs for 2024 will undoubtedly be similar. The strain on our finances this year meant that we used up most of our financial reserves to pay the food bills. We know that our caring community will fill the needs when the time comes. We thank all those who helped make it possible last year and anyone who wishes to make a donation now can send a cheque payable to the North Dundas Christmas Fund to: Box 134 South Mountain, Ontario, K0E 1W0. Bob Weagant, chair North Dundas Christmas Fund

Family Meals

by Dana Douglas, LG&L District Health Unit

Family meals provide an important opportunity for adults and caregivers to role model healthy choices, table manners, social skills and positive body image. Children are more likely to eat the healthy foods they see their caregiver eating and enjoying. Adults can role model proper table manners and help children develop social skills by engaging in conversation.

Family meals also provide an opportunity for adults to teach children positive body image habits, including that bodies come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and to enjoy all food in moderation. After the family meal is a great time

our teamwork can make the world a better place. We're super excited about the new Dundas Manor - it's the perfect way to keep families together and bring a smile to our community!"

“We are so grateful to the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club for hosting this fundraiser,” notes Campaign Assistant Cindy Ault Peters. “We love it when our donors approach us with fun, communityfocused events that also help to raise much-needed dollars for the campaign. It’s going to be a fun night!”

For more details about the WDMH Foundation,

please visit www.wdmhfoundation.ca. For more details about the Dundas Manor campaign, please visit www.dundasmanordream. ca or contact the WDMH Foundation team at 613-7742422 ext. 6162 or 6169.

If you are considering hosting a fundraising event to benefit the WDMH Foundation, please reach out to Justine Plummer at 343-5430069 for Hospital events and to Cindy Ault Peters at 343-572-6345 for Dundas Manor events. Thanks for your support!

So much to be grateful for!

bedside during appointments at WDMH and at our Embrun clinic. The total cost: $15,251.78.

In the Operating Room, a new hysteroscope is used on a regular basis for surgeries performed by WDMH’s four Gynecologists. The total cost: $7,138.08.

to be active together. For example, the whole family could go for a walk around the neighbourhood or go to the park.

To help children learn healthy eating habits and to make family meals enjoyable for everyone, it's important that adults know their role at mealtimes and let children do their job. Adults decide the what, when and where – what foods to offer, when meals and snacks will be served and where children will eat. Children decide whether to eat and how much. Caregivers should encourage children to listen to their hunger and fullness cues, and never pressure, coax or bribe.

Eating with others is important for not only children

The hysteroscope is one of five new pieces of equipment that have arrived at WDMH, thanks to our generous donors.

There are so many reasons to say thank you to our amazing donors – and now we have four more!

Because of our donors, the Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) team now has four new pieces of equipment to help provide the very best care for patients.

Two new Workplace on Wheels – or WOWs have arrived in the Rehabilitation Unit. These computer systems allow our Rehabilitation team to have access to patient charting and information right at the

and youth, but for adults as well. Studies show that adults eat healthier when they enjoy meals with others. Join family members, friends or neighbours for a meal at home. At work, take a break from your desk and join others for lunch. This allows you to focus on and enjoy your food, and to connect with your coworkers in a social environment.

For older adults, the social aspect of eating is im-

There is nothing better than a warm blanket before or after surgery. A new blanket warmer in the Operating Room is providing comfort and warmth for patients. The total cost: $9,005.60.

“We are so grateful to everyone who donates to our General Equipment Fund,” says Managing Director Kristen Casselman. “Many people are surprised to learn that the provincial government does not fund the purchase of medical equipment for Ontario hospitals. To help ensure that WDMH has the right tools to provide excellent health care for our patients, the Foundation works with donors who care about WDMH and who want to make an impact. Thank you!”

portant to help improve the quality and amount of food eaten. As we get older, our appetites often get smaller and it can be hard to stay motivated to prepare food, cook and clean up when it’s for one person. Eating with others is an opportunity for older adults to participate in meal planning, preparation and clean up, have conversations and form social connections. This not only improves food intake, but

also helps improve sensory, physical and psychosocial abilities.

For more information,

visit our Health Unit website at healthunit.org, follow us on Facebook and X, or give us a call at 1-800-660-5853.

ww.ndtimes.ca

Nanda Wubs Huizenga Marketing Consultant nanda@ndtimes.ca 613.223.9785

Never ignore the symptoms of early heart failure

Years ago, after interviewing Dr. Michael McDonald, I asked, “Will you be my cardiologist?” Now, as I reach my 100th year, I’m grateful his sound advice has kept me alive. He’s associated with the world class Peter Munk Cardiac Centre affiliated with the University of Toronto. During my visit, he stressed that more patients would be living longer if they reported to their doctors the early signs of heart failure. Prevention is always better than cure.

Never forget this fact. We are all living longer, and so is our heart. Today, if you’re over the age of 65, heart failure is the most common reason for being admitted to hospital. And when heart failure starts, this means a life expectancy of 2.1 to 5 years.

I never fail to be amazed when I listen to a patient’s heartbeat. It only stops beating when life ends. In the meantime, by the age 70, this remarkable machine has been beating 2.5 billion times without any holiday. What other organ of the body would agree to such punishment?

What can go wrong to trigger heart failure? The main cause is a previous

heart attack that has caused death to part of the heart’s muscle. This injury reduces the heart’s ability to pump an adequate amount of blood to the rest of the body.

But there are several other less obvious factors, such as birth defects, injured heart valves due to infection by rheumatic fever, a blood infection that scars heart valves, hypertension, and aging.

What are the symptoms of early heart failure? Patients may complain of early fatigue, or notice a lingering slight cough. Later on, there may be shortness of breath and swelling of the ankles. Or an X-ray of the lungs, done for other reasons, shows an enlargement of the heart.

What can be done to increase the length of life when the body begins to falter? Timing is essential, as injured muscle cannot be restored. Drugs are available that decrease the heart rate, thereby decreasing the workload of the heart. Water pills will also decrease the disabling symptoms of heart failure.

But the larger question is why have heart failure and other forms of cardiovascular disease become the

number one cause of death?

The blunt answer is the ongoing pandemic of both obesity and type 2 diabetes. It’s well known that 95 percent of type 2 diabetes is due to obesity. Just look around you to see what’s happening and it is shocking. Type 2 diabetes is also notorious for causing hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). These hard arteries cause extra strain on the heart’s muscle. It’s the prime example of the Gifford-Jones Law that one health problem leads to another and another.

Dr. Michael McDonald and the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre cannot fight these diseases alone. Rather, it will take Draconian measures to achieve increased physical activity and watching calories to reverse the obesity bandwagon that’s the ultimate cause of it all.

President Abraham Lincoln sounded the alarm years ago. He reminded people that they have two legs and to use them. We would add, buy a bathroom scale and step on it daily to prevent surprises.

What about me? At 100 years, I’ll need to be alert and watch for shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, swelling of ankles, or a slight cough that fails to end. Make sure you also report these early signs of heart failure to your doctor.

Shakespeare was right when he reminded Brutus, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves...”

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

Recruitment efforts at WDMH making an impact

Recruitment efforts at Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) are having a big impact as staff vacancies reach a new low.

Close to 400 people work at WDMH and there are currently only a handful of openings. For example, 189 Registered and Registered Practical Nurses care for patients at WDMH and there are only two regular parttime vacancies and several other temporary positions available.

“We are very grateful for every staff member, physi-

Romance fraudsters not just for Valentine’s

In 2023, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) received fraud reports totalling a staggering $554 million in victim losses, surpassing the 2022 historic loss amount of $530 million.

Of the $554 million in total reported losses, romance frauds represented $50.3 million. Ontario victims reported losing more than $21 million. Investment frauds represented $309 million in reported losses in 2023. Ontario victims reported losing more than $111 million. Fraudsters are now blending

the two frauds into crypto romance frauds.

How is cryptocurrency involved in romance frauds?

Victims of crypto romance fraud may be contacted on social media platforms or dating applications by a fraudster who is attempting to develop a romantic relationship with the victim. After trust is gained, the fraudster may claim that they have been a successful investor in cryptocurrency and offer to help the victim also make money.

Fraudsters use fake online investment apps or trading platforms to ask victims

to transfer funds or cryptocurrency into their trading account. The victims are instructed to purchase cryptocurrency from a legitimate cryptocurrency exchange and transfer it to a crypto address controlled by the fraudster. Occasionally, the victim may be able to withdraw a small amount of their "investment" in the hopes that they will invest even more of their money. The fraudster will do everything it takes to make the victim think that the investment is legitimate and lucrative. In most cases, victims realize they have been defrauded

when they try to withdraw their funds and are unable to.

Tips to help protect yourself:

- Don't accept friend requests from people you do not know.

- Never send money to someone you haven't met.

- Don't give out your personal information (name, address, date of birth, SIN, or banking credentials).

- Don't allow remote access to any of your devices.

- Be careful when sending cryptocurrency; once the transaction is completed, it is unlikely to be reversed.

- Verify if the investment

cian, volunteer and student who has chosen to work at our hospital,” notes Cholly Boland, CEO.

Effective recruitment strategies are making a difference, in part thanks to a Recruitment and Retention Committee made up of leadership and frontline staff. Together, they have leveraged government advertising and funding opportunities, including grant and incentive programs.

Ensuring WDMH is a great place to work continues past the hiring phase. Enhanced orientation, training and mentorship programs give new graduates and new staff the skills they need. Improved nurse-to-patient ratios during the night

shifts have contributed to an improved work environment and better patient care. And new Manikin simulators prepare our team using realistic, real-time training scenarios.

“We’re still looking to fill a few vacancies throughout the Hospital, but also definitely celebrating all the staff who work here,” adds Cholly Boland. “We are very proud of the WDMH team.”

company is registered with the Provincial Securities Agency or the National Registration Search Tool (aretheyregistered.ca).

Remember…if you become a victim to of a fraud or know someone who has, contact your local police

If you would like to provide comments or suggestions about Hospital services, please contact Cholly Boland, President and CEO, Winchester District Memorial Hospital at 613.774.1049 or by email at cboland@ wdmh.on.ca. service to report the crime and report it to the CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 or online on the Fraud Reporting System (FRS), even if a financial loss did not occur.

Nanda Wubs Huizenga

CDSBEO superintendent receives Distinguished Leadership Award

The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario is pleased to share that Superintendent of School Effectiveness Norma McDonald has been chosen as the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Leadership Award presented by the Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association.

The Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of leaders who have enriched the development and advancement of Catholic Education in Ontario through leadership on committees or projects which focus on enhancing the interests and needs of students, as well as leadership contributions in parish, civic, or humanitarian activities.

Superintendent McDonald expressed her gratitude

for being chosen to receive the award.

“It is an incredible honour to be chosen as a recipient of the OCSOA Distinguished Leadership Award and I want to extend my gratitude to our CDSBEO community for the opportunities provided, to Director Corrigan and my colleagues for the nomination, and to the OCSOA Board of Directors for their faith in me as a choice for a recipient.

I am extremely humbled to accept this award given the many outstanding leaders in Catholic Education throughout Ontario and want to thank all those who have mentored and guided me over the years.”

Director of Education

Laurie Corrigan acknowledged Superintendent McDonald’s remarkable impact on education.

“Norma’s unwavering witness and commitment to faith and good works allows her to bring hope and learning together for our students, staff, and families. Her contribution to education in Eastern Ontario and throughout the Province is vast, and we will continue to reap the benefits of her dedicated service for years to come.”

Superintendent McDonald’s robust nomination includes her involvement with many local and provincial committees, including the OCSOA Catholic Leadership and Faith Development Committee (since 2018), both the CDSBEO and Ministry of Education provincewide Parent Involvement Committees, many Early Years Community Partners Network committees, and seven municipal committees including Vibrant Communities of Cornwall and the Cornwall Stormont Dundas Glengarry Early Years Planning Table, to name just a few.

She has also been involved with the Eastern Ontario Catholic Curriculum Cooperative Board of Directors and has established and implemented professional development for Culturally Relevant and Responsive Pedagogy, Early Years Learning (for both teachers and Early Childhood Educators) and has mentored newly appointed superintendents through OCSOA. Her involvement with her local parish and as a community volunteer, and her dedication to lifelong learning and leadership with Indigenous, Faith and Equity

initiatives are a hallmark of her career. Her accolades are numerous and span 35 years of devoted service to Catholic Education.

OCSOA is a professional organization of Catholic Supervisory Officers throughout Ontario, dedicated to furthering the interests of Catholic Education and to promoting the professional development and welfare of its members. OCSOA works in partnership with Catholic education leaders to ensure high expectations of student achievement and well-being, and advocates for the inclusion of all students and their individual learning needs.

It supports the care of vulnerable and marginalized students and is a provincial leader in the advancement of environmental stewardship. The OCSOA Distinguished Leadership Award was instituted in 2004.

The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario operates 39 elementary and 10 secondary schools across eight counties. The CDSBEO offers excellence in Catholic education through provincial-leading programs to approximately 13,600 students.

Student volunteer realizes how much a meal and a smile can mean

Acquiring volunteer hours is something that all teenagers need to do to graduate in Ontario. Often, students piece them together over their four years of high school and when they’ve fulfilled their obligation, that’s it.

While Brooke Holmes, a grade 12 stu-

dent at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Russell, might have started getting volunteer hours by delivering meals for Carefor’s Nor-Dun Seniors Support Centre in Winchester to fulfill this requirement, the experience quickly become much more meaningful.

Brooke first found out about the opportunity to deliver meals to isolated seniors from a friend of her mother’s who posted on Facebook about her experience doing it. In October of last year, she delivered her first meals to clients living in the Beachcroft and Millview seniors apartment buildings next to Nor-Dun.

She admits that on her first day she was “a bit nervous, worried about how the residents would respond,” but her anxiety was eased with the support of Nor-Dun supervisor, Caroline Rooney, who “took the time to walk me through everything and came with me for my first time.”

The act of delivering the meals is fairly simple: “I pick up the hot meals and name chart from the kitchen at the Carefor building. I then walk to the Beachcroft and Mill-

Empty Bowls – 2024 follow-up

The biggest social and fundraising event in the Community Food Share yearly calendar was another outstanding success this year. Held on Saturday February 10 at the Christian Reformed Church in Williamsburg, this was the sixth time area potters have created bowls to donate to this international grassroots movement to end hunger.

Musical entertainment for the event was provided by well known local performer, Claude Plamondon. Also on the program was a silent auction that featured several high interest items including tickets to the Sebastian Maniscalco “IT AIN’T RIGHT Tour 2024 “, donated by Michelle and Nathan Lang, and four tickets to see the Redblacks play the Tiger-Cats, donated by Royal LePage Team Realty.

view next door. I deliver the names on the chart for that day and then return to the Carefor building.” However, Brooke realized that it’s so much more than just a meal, “I never thought about how such a small part of my day is such a big part of their day and how much they look forward to it.”

For many seniors, various factors in their lives prevent them from being able to get out of the house. This isolation has numerous negative consequences both mental and physical. While her visit may be short, Brooke shows how someone who cares, coming by with a hot meal, a smile and a genuine concern for them can undo so many of the effects of isolation, even if it’s just for a moment.

“The best part is seeing their smile and how happy they are to see

With only 125 available tickets for this edition of Empty Bowls, they sold quickly, with all proceeds going directly to the operation of Community Food Share’s three area food banks. The lunch of soup, bread and refreshments was all donated by local caterers and bakeries. Soup was donated by Iron Forge in Winchester, Sandy Row Golf Club in South Mountain and Simply Baked in Winchester. Bread was provided by Bitty Birds Gluten-Free Bakery in Iroquois, Lightning Street Italian Gourmet and Simply Baked Catering in Winchester. Lactalis in Winchester donated butter and Iroquois Foodland donated water. The coffee was from No Go Coffee in Osgoode. Sweet Treats were donated by Bitty Birds Bakery, Sherry’s in Williamsburg, and Winchester Foodland.

The ceramic soup bowls were individually created and donated by potters from our community including Heidi Blokland, Debbie Gilmer, Monique O’Brien and Diane Sullivan.

someone, have a little talk with them and hear their stories,” Brooke says. “It's the highlight of their day.”

As is the case with volunteering, it’s not entirely about doing something for someone else; it can also be doing something for yourself. “I have made many new friendships, but one stands out in particular, Peter, and I can't forget about his cat Puffs that always runs out to also greet me. Peter is just the sweetest person. He says he recognizes my

Other items included two tickets to Upper Canada Playhouse, a honey gift basket from Shirlholm Farms, four all-access season passes to Countryside Adventures, two boxes of Caramels from Scheeps Caramels Co., a gift basket from Glen Briggs Woodworks and another from Stone Crop Acres Winery.

Donations from Winchester BMR included Scentsy Products and a Vanilla Scented Candle, Harry Potter memorabilia, vintage enamelware and a vintage chalkboard.

“We are delighted with the response from our supporters,” said Community Food Share Team Leader Jane Schoones. “We truly appreciate the kindness of the individuals and businesses that supported this event, including the merchants who helped to sell our tickets.”

Throughout the Empty Bowls event, Community Food Share kicked off sales of tickets for the annual Spring Cash Calendar that will see a cash draw taking place every day during the month of May. Watch for tickets at a retailer in your community.

For more details, go to communityfoodshare. ca or visit us on Facebook

knock and knows it’s me at the door.”

Despite having accumulated her volunteer hours, Brooke hasn’t stopped making her meal deliveries. “I have collected all my volunteer hours but still go because it makes me so happy to see the smile on the faces of the residents when they come to the door. I would absolutely recommend it to other students. It’s very rewarding.”

Norma McDonald, winner of the 2024 Distinguished Leadership Award

Millions in new funding for low income renters and shelters

Federal Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland speaks to reporters following the funding announcement on February 6.

by Brandon Mayer

The federal government is acknowledging the financial difficulties posed by the current housing market, and has pledged $199 million in new funding to help offset the problem.The funding announcement was made on February 6.

Of the funding, $100 million will be put toward the creation of new emergency homeless shelter spaces for the winter months when sleeping outdoors becomes even less feasible than it is when the weather is mild. The other $99 million will be provided as a boost to the existing Canada Housing Benefit.

The new funding was announced during the prebudget consultation period for Canada’s 2024 budget, which raised questions re-

garding the need for urgency.

“We’re doing it now just because the need is great,” Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters at a press conference on February 6. “I think all of us can see on streets, in parks across the country… people who are really cold, and really, really suffering. And this is Canada. We need to do what we can to be sure that every Canadian has a roof over their head and warm food to eat.”

The Canada Housing Benefit is a federal government initiative that has partnerships with provincial governments across the country. Locally, the aid funding is known as the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB). To qualify for the benefit, there are limits to both household in-

Rockets playoff run to start Saturday

by Murray Link

come, and the monthly rent amount currently being paid.

Applications for the COHB are processed through the local municipality – North Grenville residents would therefore apply through the office of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.

There is little doubt that rent has hit an all time high in Canada, with prices not sustainable even for families that would have been considered well above the poverty line a few short years ago. As of December 2023, the average asking rental price across all of Canada for all types of residential units was $2,178 per month.

Meanwhile, the average household income in Canada in 2023 was reported by Insurdinary.ca to be $6,287 per month. According to the Canada Revenue Agency’s payroll deductions calculator, the resulting net pay (assuming no tax credits other than a basic personal amount) would be $4,655 for the month. Comparing these two averages, it suggests that in the current housing market, renters, on average, are expected to spend about 47% of their total income on rent. However, it has long been recommended

by financial experts that no more than 30% of income be spent on rent.

The additional government funding is sure to be welcomed by the countless individuals and families who are struggling to pay for their basic necessities, or those with nowhere to live.

Why is rent so high in Canada? While many factors certainly come into play, the main reported reason for the rent inflation is the current “high interest rate environment” which is driving people away from home ownership and into the rental market. The resulting increase in demand while the general supply of rental housing stays the same drives rental prices up.

Locally, there is always support for those in need. Readers who find themselves in financial hardship are encouraged to reach out to the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville to inquire about current assistance funding available. The House of Lazarus in Mountain also offers advocacy for those in financial crisis. Visit https://hol.community/outreach-programs/ to learn more.

WSC skater heads to National Games

by Winchester Skating Club

Skating towards the podium is the only way to do it!

WSC skater Erin Arbuckle is headed to the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024, which run February 27 to March 2.

She is representing Team Ontario in Level 2 Women’s Freestyle, skating her solo to the music “Defying Gravity”. She has been skating four days a week this season, in preparation for what is certain to be tough competition from across Canada.

“I am most looking forward to having the opportunity to skate for my province in my first ever National Games,” Arbuckle stated, when asked by SO what excited her the most about being selected to Team Ontario.

“Erin’s dedication and perseverance despite the obstacles she has faced is a true inspiration to all skaters,” says WSC President, Angela McNaughton, “She often brings me to tears when watching her perform and I can’t wait to see the live stream of her shining in Calgary!”

Arbuckle has been skating with the WSC since she was six, and joined the Ottawa Blades, an SO skating club when she was 10. When the Blades closed at the end of last season, the WSC Board decided to add a Special Olympics session to their registration options.

According to Special Olympics Canada’s website, SO is a global grassroots movement, bringing community programs and competition opportunities to more than 4.5 million children, youth and adults with intellectual disabilities across 170 countries worldwide.

There is a lot of chatter going on in the Chesterville rink that is common this time of year. As the end of February approaches, the patrons of the “Old Barn” are buzzing with anticipation of watching great playoff hockey and their local club is about give it to them. The North Dundas Senior Rockets are set to begin their quest to win their third Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League championship this weekend.

On Saturday, February 24, the Rockets will start the first round of playoffs taking on the Paugan Falls Rapids in a best of 5 series… puck drop at 2:15. The Rockets will have home ice advantage as they tallied 38 points (19-1) during the regular season while the Rapids had 14 (6-12). North Dundas had anticipated playing either Arnprior or South Grenville in the first round but in a twist of fate, the 6th place Rapids won two straight games vs the 3rd place Bytown Royals last weekend in a wild card playoff series to claim the last seed in the division.

When asked about the prospect of playing the Rapids in the playoffs, Rockets captain Derek Froats commented “I think it will be great, the Rapids have a huge following at their home rink so we are hoping they bring a pile of people to Chesterville.” The Rapids, who play out of Low Quebec, are a new team to the EOSHL, and in their inaugural season, were drawing crowds of over 500 to their regular season home games.

The road to winning the EOSHL championship will consist of 3 rounds, all rounds will be the best of 5. The winner will play two rounds in their respective divisions (East and West) and the final round will consist of the top team in the East vs the top team in the West.

Heading into the first round, the Rockets will be fielding a healthy roster for the first time all year. Led by #66 Brett Gustavsen who was the league scoring leader with 50 pts (18G, 32A), the team boasts depth both up front and on the blue line.

Be sure to follow the North Dundas Senior Hockey Club on Facebook to keep up with scores, times and playoff news or visit eoshl.hockeyshift.com for an easy to navigate website that covers the whole Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League. The question is North Dundas: ARE YOU GOING TO THE GAME?

Op-ed Choosers can’t be beggars

by Brandon Mayer

About a year ago, I pulled into a gas station near my home and noticed something new, but not surprising. Signage indicated a new “pay first policy”. In other words, unless you were lucky enough to pull up to one of the two pumps with working pay-atthe-pump, you would need to go into the store, pre-pay for your gas, and then go back out to pump it.

Well, I quickly discovered through simple observation (I patronize my local store quite a lot) that there are two kinds of small town folks. Some were irate at the change, acting downright insulted that as lifelong residents and regular customers of a store in our quaint small town, they weren’t trusted to pump before paying. I heard whisperings of the classic “I’m going to take my business elsewhere!” Unfortunately, signs I have noticed on the door since then reminding customers that verbal abuse is not tolerated suggest that some customers took their complaints much too far. This is, in a nutshell, not cool.

The other type of customer I observed was the understanding one, realizing that the friendly and hard-working couple who own the store must be dealing with a lot of thefts to

have implemented such a rule. These customers were respectful and didn’t fuss. I like them.

I don’t have an exact timeline, but I don’t believe the “pay first” policy lasted more than a week. It could be because the irate customers were becoming too much, or it could be because too many of them really were taking their dollars elsewhere. Either way, things soon returned to normal, and it was once again possible to pump solely resting on the trust of the store owners.

More recently, the rule returned to this same gas station, and as far as I can tell, was quickly removed again. I have often heard suggestions that the “pay first” rule should be implemented at another particular area gas station that suffers a lot of gas theft. And yet another station recently became the subject of a scathing social media complaint when an unsatisfied customer felt offended at the “pay first” rule and decided to go to another station. Who is right?

Struggling station owners, or angry customers?

A couple of decades ago, when pay-at-thepump was growing in popularity, I remember thinking what a dumb idea it was. Correction: it’s an excellent idea from a customer service and convenience perspective. But I was always told that gas stations make a pittance on gasoline sales. An average estimate I

have seen is that stations make a profit of 1-2 cents per litre of gas sold. For many gas station owners, the convenience of offering gas and diesel for sale is just an enticement to get customers to buy snacks, drinks and other impulse items when they come in to pay for their gas. Pay-at-the-pump therefore seems like a self-defeating invention.

Considering how many customers get bent out of shape about a “pay first” policy, it seems it may be just as worthy of the expression “shooting yourself in the foot” as pay-at-the-pump. But surely gas station owners consider this before making the difficult decision to institute such a policy?

If that’s the case, it must be rough in the gas industry right now. Imagine someone stealing $100 worth of gas that you paid $99 for. Even at 2 cents a litre in profit, you now must sell 4,950 litres of gas to recoup your loss. That works out to about 82 fill ups of an average bone dry tank. Gas station owners can’t afford these types of losses.

CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Assist illegally

5. Simple elegance

10. Style of hairdo

14. Detective ____ Wolfe

15. Radiolocation

16. Jetty

17. One of three copies

19. Uterus

20. And more

21. Drama set to classical music

22. Certain coniferous trees

23. Less reputable

25. Aircraft

27. N N N

28. Constructors

31. Not solids nor liquids

34. Surveys

35. Rodent

36. Anagram of "Nose"

37. Twice thirty

38. 6th Greek letter

39. French for "No"

40. Declines

41. Apple-based alcoholic drink

42. Collector

44. Prohibit

45. Style of building columns

46. A state of prosperity

50. Ready for anything

52. Blatant

54. Fifty-two in Roman numerals

55. Tie up

56. Stimulating (Br. sp.)

58. Behold, in old Rome

59. Get together

60. Skin irritation

61. Dregs

62. Aromatic compound

63. Borscht vegetable DOWN

1. Initial wagers

2. Docking spot

3. Genus of heath

4. Not bottom

5. Complains

6. Formula 1 driver

7. Jewish month

8. Launchers

9. Before, in poetry

10. Into the wind

11. Blazed a trail

12. Greek district

13. Spheres

18. Lower part of the abdomen

22. Friends

24. D D D

26. Easter flower

28. Pugilist

29. Assess

30. Asterisk

31. Percussion instrument

32. Dwarf buffalo

33. Consciousness

34. Strobiles of pine trees

37. Indian dress

38. Metal used in brass

40. Departed

41. Desert plants

43. Legions

44. Minced beef patty

46. Durable fabric

47. Gentry

48. Subsequently

49. Spectacle

50. Cain's brother

51. Vermin

53. Green, in heraldry

56. An uncle

57. Brother or sister

Most of us were told growing up that beggars can’t be choosers. The opposite is also true. Choosers can’t be beggars. There is no shortage of gas stations in our area, and therefore lots of choice. If you’re begging for a change in policy, it stands to reason that it’s because you like that particular gas station, maybe because it’s close to your home, or because you really want to keep it in business because your small town can’t afford to lose its only store, or one of its only stores. I highly suggest taking some of that “keep local businesses open” energy, and letting gas station owners implement the policies that they need to in order to stay running. It’s a bad economy, thefts are high, and survival based policies aren’t personal.

If you seriously can’t take such a small blow to your fragile ego, please don’t take it out on staff, and don’t be a beggar. Instead, be a chooser, and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

Baldwin's Birds

Just for a (Horned) Lark!

Having struggled to think of garden bird things to write about for my last week’s article, the other day I, decided to venture out of my own territory into another one, that of the countryside! My immediate thought was, even though our weather hasn't been too severe, to try and see if there were any Snowy Owls in the location where I had photographed them a couple of years ago. I wasn't really expecting to see one, but being ever the optimist, I ventured out and drove to where they might be. I actually didn't see any Owls, but the very first side road that I turned into was rewarding, for there, just a couple of yards (metres) in, was a bird standing in the road. I half expected it to be a Snow Bunting, but due to it being a little bigger than that, I guessed that it was a Horned Lark. What a lovely surprise!

I pulled up quickly and got a couple of pictures of it through my windshield before the bird moved just across the road from me, allowing me to lower my side window for better shots, seemingly not too worried about my presence. He walked very quickly and was foraging on the roadside verge and heading towards another three or four of its relatives who were a little further away from the road on the snowy field. They did come towards the roadside verge and they too didn't seem to be worried about me driving my car a little closer along the road, and I was able to get more pictures through my open side window.

I didn't see any Snow Buntings, or catch any glimpses of Snowy Owls, but spent a super three quarters of an hour watching the Horned Larks. These, by the way, are named "horned" because there are two small tufts of feathers on either side of their heads, sticking up like little horns. I did get a couple of pictures from behind them, but the horns are barely discernible and wouldn't have shown up in this newspaper, so are not included. There are some lovely pictures of them on the internet if you google "Horned Lark".

I hope that you are getting to see more of your own birds on these bright but sunny, cold days. Stay safe and well, Cheers,

John Baldwin

Tid bit musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters, RSSW

The saying "it takes a village to raise a child" has a corresponding equation of "it takes YOU to make the village/community." Humans were not designed to live in a vacuum and although there are the "lone wolf" types, social interaction is key to well being. Mind you, toxic or destructive behaviours are not conducive to harmony or positive growth. The key point is how do you contribute to your community? How can you begin to make a change? Can you measure a person's ethics by whether they do for themselves or for others? If your contention is with protocols, can you assist in directing someone to the appropriate channels to institute change?

Winter months are known for carnivals as summer is for fairs and festivals. Most of these are operating completely on volunteers for the planning, operations, cleanup and evaluations. That volunteer needs to be YOU. Your donation of ideas, manpower, operational time or constructive post event evaluations is vital. When you notice the same faces year after year, you are witnessing decline of the community. Burnout results and the events are cancelled. In the same vein, allowing new ideas and faces is also key to successful succession. Can you let go of the reins so someone new can learn the ropes? Too often, things get steeped in tradition and people feel that they are not validated with their new ideas. Your participation is also a key component of success. Compromise is a tough sell but vital for continuity and development on both personal and community levels. Alienation is non-productive. You be the catalyst for growth.

Failure to become involved results in apathy and consequently an isolated solitary community. This cycles into depression and contrite hearts. Being victimized is not a pleasant situation to be in regardless of whether it is spurred by discrimination, race, religion, cultural or economic/disability factors. The focus can be an individual or the area (ie Gypsy Lane) being the vice for discontent. Common littering along the roadside devalues the community. You are the community!

Your community may be limited to your immediate neighbours. Doing a community watch for them or kind deeds brightens their sense of safety and inclusivity. Never underestimate the importance of a smile or wave. With social media being at the forefront, the ability to verbally converse with the locals is minimized, possibly even negated. Gossip is harmful when its purpose is to hurt someone, but when it includes a learning factor, gossip is positive. Learning the parameters of interactions institutes respect, privacy and boundaries. Be gentle at all times or as the Bible says "Love one another." Loving entails caring for someone with positive intentions. Love is not cruel, exclusive, abusive, demoralizing nor self- serving. Forgiveness is a 12 step process but learn to tread gently as you seek forgiveness. Forgiveness is a great healing balm. To error is human but to forgive is divine.

When folks are in distress, the first cry is to churches, while churches are closing due to lack of attendees. Are you celebrating your faith by gathering together? Research the venues you choose to offer your support. True enough, sometimes the dynamics within an organization are marginally destructive due to particular individuals but do your research and ask questions about their philosophies and operational practices. Everyone has their own passions. It takes one bad apple to spoil the barrel but don't become the bad apple. Follow your passion. If you don't have time to give, can you give by financially supporting locally operated food banks or other options? Regardless, you can be supportive with kind words and a smile.

Today is the day to step forward and be part of your community in a caring supportive manner. Although the local communities are becoming a bedroom location for city employment, one has to give locally to preserve the quaintness that lured you to live here.

Step forward and say thank you to one person each day. Smile or wave at someone each day. Chit-chat with someone in a lineup while you wait. You are the character of our community – make it shine with positivity!!

Notes from above ground

Counterfeit Christians

by David Shanahan

A friend told me about something he heard that really got to me: “Forget about putting Christ back into Christmas, try putting Christ back into Christians!”. Good point. But what does it mean? People and groups have used the word “Christian” in so many ways over centuries to justify wars, persecutions, hatred and intolerance. Is that what it means? How can you tell what is “Christian”? Or does it just mean whatever you want it to, to suit your own cause?

Those who are responsible for verifying works of art, or identifying counterfeit currency have a similar problem. There are so many different versions of counterfeit bank notes, for example, that it is impossible to be acquainted with them all. So, the best way in which to spot a counterfeit is not to study counterfeits, it’s to study the real thing. The more you become familiar with the genuine, the easier it is to spot the fake.

What is the real thing, and how can you know it? That, in fact, is the easiest question to answer: the only authoritative source for defining Christian is Christ. If someone teaches or believes anything that contradicts what Jesus taught, either about himself or life, then they cannot claim the term “Christian”. A Christian preaching hatred, intolerance, or trying to impose their beliefs on others forcibly through legislation, for example, is going against the teaching of Jesus. They are what I call Meat-eating Vegetarians, a complete contradiction in terms.

Throughout the centuries, any time people have tried to “bring the Kingdom of God to earth”, by legislating “Christian” practice and belief, it has been a disaster. There has never been a “Christian” country in all of history, only attempts to artificially create one. Now, it is fine to legislate a moral society, but that is not the same thing. Jesus made it very clear: “My Kingdom is not of this world” (John 18.36). In fact, Jesus said that this world is under the control of Satan. When he was asked about paying taxes, he laid down the principle: “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Mark 12.17). For now, Christians are the Resistance in an occupied territory, winning it back one person at a time, not by political coups.

In the country next door, we hear about “Christian Nationalism”, which has nothing to do with Christianity, and everything to do with making the nation (though not everyone within the nation) the focus of your religion and loyalty.

I can hear the objection being raised: “who are you to decide who is a Christian or not?”. Surely it is obvious that those using the word Christian, but who are acting or speaking in ways that contradict Christ, cannot be justified in claiming Jesus as their example and Lord? What is the authority for defining “Christian”, other than the New Testament? It is the main source for knowing who Jesus was, what he taught, and how he defined his followers. “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8.31-32).

There is one thing that needs to emphasised: this is a fallen world, and Christians are, by definition again, broken people saved by grace. They may not always live up to what they believe, but they know it when they fail to do so. Paul said that: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3.28), so any form of racism, misogyny, or discrimination of any kind, is not in keeping with genuine Christianity.

But there is a Gospel to be preached, things to be said that the rest of the world will find disagreeable because they don’t like to hear it - like the idea that we’re all broken and fallen, in need of forgiveness and a Saviour. Is this judging? Yes, the New Testament says we aren’t to judge, meaning condemn, look down on, discriminate. But there is another word, a different judging which means weighing up, choosing truth over falsehood, recognising genuine from counterfeit. That is what we have to do, instead of just accepting everything as equally true or valid. If you get arrested for trying to use counterfeit currency, it’s no use telling the judge that, in your opinion, it was a genuine bank note. There is an objective reality involved.

So with the term “Christian”: anyone can use or abuse it for any reason they like, but it doesn’t make it a valid use. Become familiar with the genuine, and the counterfeits won’t be able to fool you.

Looking to rent farmland in North Grenville & surrounding areas. Call or text Mitch @

Horned Lark

Blue Box Program: what do upcoming changes mean?

by Brandon Mayer

It’s rare that we receive the same question about an article from multiple different people, but that is exactly what happened following an article in our February 8 issue about the Township no longer offering recycling bins free of charge. Part of the explanation for “no more free blue bins” is the fact that soon, the Blue Box Program (Ontario’s recycling program) will become the responsibility of packaging producers. This new approach is called “extended producer responsibility”.

This part of the article became a source of confusion for several readers.

“Who are the producers?

What does that mean?” they asked. Simply put, the “producers” are the companies who make packaging and sell their goods in it. For example, Coca-Cola is a producer because it makes cans and bottles to distribute its drinks in. McDonalds is a producer because it produces paper bags and cups and wrappers that their food gets served in. The list could go on and on for just about any product you see in the grocery store or take out restaurant.

If individual companies which produce packaging are ultimately responsible for its management and recycling, it’s easy to shudder thinking about representatives from hundreds of different companies showing up at your door each week to collect the packaging that they produced and you may have purchased. That of course, will not be the case.

Three companies - Circular Materials, Ryse Solutions and H2 Compliance – have been contracted as third party service providers by most major packaging producers. These companies will take over the Blue Box Program from municipalities in Ontario. The producers will cover the costs by paying these three companies for their services on longterm contracts. This will largely remove the financial burden of recycling from the shoulders of the average municipal taxpayer, though there is no telling how much cost may be passed on through increased product prices.

According to the Circular Materials website, the transition period for the Blue Box Program is currently ongoing and will be complete by 2026. During the transition period, and

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

One of the specials we served at Salamanders for Valentine’s Day 2024 was lamb chops. Canadians have always had a love-hate relationship with lamb, and particularly with mutton. It seems that during the last couple of world wars, our troops were fed fairly economical meat, which at the time happened to be mutton. Many a veteran returned from Europe with the taste of Lanolin still in their mouths. This set the stage for families avoiding such great dishes as leg of lamb and lamb chops. Fortunately, the lamb we get today, whether from Down Under or from local producers, is very high quality and the cooking of lamb dishes is supremely easy. Today’s recipe is Baked Rosemary Lamb Chops.

Baked Rosemary Lamb Chops

Main Ingredient

· 3 lamb chops ¾ inches thick per person you are serving (check Costco for these)

Rub Ingredients

· cup olive oil, enough to cover all of the chops · 1 teaspoon of black pepper

presumably after as well, residents won’t experience changes to their pick up schedule. While a different company will be responsible for the collection of recyclables, and the funding will be coming from somewhere different, the act of recycling itself shouldn’t change for the average person.

One positive change that will come from this transition to a new system is that more materials are expected to be accepted as recyclables under the new system. In addition, the list of recyclable materials will be the same across all of Ontario for the first time in history.

One criticism of the new program – which is heavily motivated by waste diversion goals – is that it focuses mostly on household waste, which is responsible for less than half of all waste in the Province. There have been calls for more recycle bins to be set up in public spaces, since recyclable containers (such as drink cans) are often chosen by consumers for their portability, meaning they are discarded away from home.

Another push is for locations to be established in the Province where nonalcoholic drink containers – such as pop cans – can be returned for a deposit, similar to how The Beer Store provides such a refund for empty alcohol containers.

It is clear that Ontario has more work to do in meeting its heavy waste diversion goals, but the new Blue Box Program is certainly a step in the right direction.

Life with Connor the Weatherman

featuring Connor Mockett

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to another Life with Connor the Weatherman column. This week I’d like to talk about what life has been since my move to Moncton/Dieppe with my fiancée, Zoé, and some of the differences in the weather that I’ve noticed in the month and half that we’ve been here.

So, life in Moncton/ Dieppe has not been easy on a personal level at times. I quit my job at Foodland on December 30th at the end of 2023 in order to be ready to move on January 3rd. I never imagined how difficult it’d be to find a job here. I’ve applied to many different employers: grocery stores, Pepsi, Frito Lay, Scholastic, Canada Post, you name it. No call backs for the longest time until I finally got something at a Sobeys in Moncton in the first week of February, but only for 20-24 hours a week. Not entirely what I’m looking for hours wise, but better than nothing. My first day was just this past Tuesday, the 20th.

It’s been very challenging being off for so long, a month and a half. I’m the type of person who likes to keep his legs moving for a full day of work. I can’t handle being bored, sitting around at home twiddling

· 2 tablespoons of crushed rosemary leaves

Preparation

· Preheat your oven to 375 F

· Combine the olive oil, pepper and rosemary

· Paint each of the chops generously with the mixture using a basting brush

· Place in a suitably sized roasting pan lined with a grille

· Bake the chops to medium rare (please don’t overcook)

· Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before bringing to the table

It doesn’t get any easier than that. By the way, a lot of online recipes call for garlic on your chops. It’s up to you, but I wouldn’t use garlic in your coating as I find that it overcomes the delicate flavour of the chop. As with leg of lamb, you can accompany your chops with wild rice. Another great vegetable to serve with your chops is cauliflower florets with a homemade cheese sauce. As per the Beth’s leg of lamb recipe of March 2023, you can prepare a cheese sauce by placing ¼ cup of processed cheese in a

my thumbs in a desk chair doing nothing. I need to be busy to keep my mind busy. So it has not been easy at all.

There’ve been good days and not so good days. Some days went quicker than others when sitting around, others went slow and left me wondering “was it really worth it to come”? But I can’t have that mindset. I had to just sit and let whatever happen, happen. Some days I was so frustrated with the process that I’d get straight up mad, and I’d have to just get in the car and go for a drive to burn off some steam.

Funny story actually, I tried to do that near the end of January, go for a drive and burn off some of that steam. I was having a bad day, and left my house without my car keys. That’s fine, right? Just open the door again and grab them. Nope! I locked the door on my way out, didn’t have my car keys, or the key for the door because that key is also on my car keys. So I ended up sitting on the stairs outside the door and hanging around outside for nearly four hours. I was so mad. But it’s funny now!

Another challenge has been the money side. Trying to manage the groceries, gas, rent, etc, while having no money flow coming in is nerve wracking, as I’m sure you all can imagine (and maybe have gone through similarly). I’m excited to finally get to work, even if it’s only a little bit of money every 2 weeks, but anything helps to get things rolling again.

Zoé has been a huge help during this whole process, telling me that good things

come to those who wait. She’s so right. I just have to keep waiting and the right job with the right amount of hours will come my way, and I’ll be happy. She’s my biggest supporter, and I love her very much for being that and everything else for me.

For the weather, it’s been interesting! We had about a two and a half or three week stretch where there were two storms per week, including that big one that dumped 180 cm in Cape Breton. Moncton/Dieppe got about 30-40 cm from that one I believe, and it was so windy, so the snow drifts were massive. That was one where I shoveled at least three times, and the snow removal people came two or three times as well just simply to clear the snow drifts in the laneway.

I personally find here that there are many days where it’s quite windy, like 60km/h or more. That doesn’t happen very often at home in Winchester at all, we’d be lucky to get 60km/h ten times a year. It seems like that happens almost once a week here (it’s probably not that often but it definitely feels like it).

It’s also been pretty cloudy regularly here, which is the same as it’s been at home. We need some more sun so that we can get rid of the snow on the ground here. Let’s speed this process up, spring, I’ve got stuff I want to do!

When the time comes to write the next column, hopefully things have continued to get better. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you in a couple weeks!

saucepan and letting it melt at low heat. Then, grate in some nippy cheddar cheese (also to melt), 3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese, 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, and a couple or three shakes of Tabasco sauce. Bring the cheese sauce to the table piping hot, preferably in a gravy boat. Serve the cauliflower as is and let your guests spoon or pour the cheese sauce. Now, let’s discuss mint sauce, which is usually recommended for accompanying lamb. If you are planning on using it, I recommend getting the real stuff and not mint jelly. Mint sauce will be quite liquid and have mint leaves floating around in the bottle. As an alternative, however, you might wish to take a trip to Mrs. McGarrigle’s in Merrickville and select a nice light fruit chutney. Don’t forget to pick up the Grahame’s Bakery buns.

Your menu, then, is: Baked Rosemary Lamb Chops, wild rice and cauliflower with cheese sauce, with a basket of warm buns. Your wine selection might be the same as for leg of lamb: for white, an unoaked Chardonnay; for red, maybe a Baco Noir. I hope you will try this simple and tasty dish. Please let me know if you did and how it turned out at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.