December 18th, 2013

the north grenville

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TIMES Vol. 1, No. 55

The Voice of North Grenville

Time to give to the Christmas Kettles

The NG Times will be closed over the Christmas Holidays

Diana Scanlon will have volunteered 60 hours on the Kettles at the B&H this year by Christmas Eve. Last year she did 40 and decided to set herself a new goal this year. Well done Diana, we are so proud of you!

by Erin Wong, Salvation Army, Kemptville On behalf of The Salvation Army, we would like to express our thanks and appreciation for all the support and assistance demonstrated by so many community friends,

who have given of themselves and their resources so far this year. Together we will brighten and encourage the lives of those less fortunate this Christmas. As many people know, we have recently relocated to the beautiful town of Kemptville to continue the work and legacy of ministry

and social service that is 125 years strong! It is a privilege for us to serve and partner with many caring and socially conscious individuals, businesses, schools churches and organizations. We are truly amazed at the generosity and spirit of giving that marks the lives of so many residents of

Kemptville and the greater North Grenville area.

While there is so much abundance here, our eyes have been opened to the hidden poverty that goes unseen to so many. At this time of year, no doubt you have seen our red kettles out. You may continued on page

Dec 18, 2013

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The Voice of North Grenville

“Basket of Roses” quilt raffle nets $5,000 for KDH

Margaret Chartrand was the winner of the quilt draw. Ruth Earl, co-director of the Acton’s Corners Hospital Auxiliary, presents her with quilt.

Debbie Seguin, co-director of Acton’s Corners Hospital Auxiliary, presents Lillian Leonard with a cheque for $5,000

On December 4, the Acton’s Corners Hospital Auxiliary members met for their annual Christmas pot luck supper and quilt draw. The winner of the beautiful “Basket of Roses” quilt was Margaret Chartrand of Kemptville.

Lillian Leonard, president of K.D.H. Auxiliary, was presented with a cheque for $5,000 in support of K.D.H. patient care.

The Swingin’ Singin’ Seniors and Mrs. Claus added to the Christmas spirit. Sincere thanks to all who helped support K.D.H.

Health Unit alerts the public to be cautious during cold weather The Leeds Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit alerts the public to take appropriate precautions during the cold weather. This colder weather is predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Health Unit staff will continue to monitor the weather conditions.

Some conditions during cold weather can cause very serious health conditions and even death. When the daily predicted high temperature is lower than -15oC, unprotected skin can freeze in under 30 minutes, and the risk of developing hypothermia is very high.

During very cold weather, everyone is at risk; however the elderly, infants and children, people taking certain prescription medications,

and people with pre-existing health conditions are in greater danger. There is also an increased risk of hypothermia for outdoor workers and people living without adequate heat or shelter.

During these cold temperatures, the Health Unit strongly encourages the public to check on a neighbour or friend who may be isolated, disabled, or living alone and have a greater risk of suffering cold weather related injuries. The Health Unit also encourages homeless people to get in from the cold.

During cold weather everyone should take the following precautions: Wear layers of warm dry clothing including a hat, mitts, and a layer to block the wind

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Drink warm non-alcoholic beverages, non-caffeinated beverages such as herbal teas, apple cider or soup.

Cover exposed skin surfaces when outdoors Maintain a heated environment of around 20oC/ 68oF Be aware of how your medications or health conditions may increase your risk Be aware of the early signs of frostbite: white or gray spots on skin or areas having lost feeling. Tingling and pain can also be a warning sign of frost bite usually in the hands, feet, nose and ears.

Beware of the early signs of hypothermia: unable to think clearly, shivering, loss of memory, lethargy slurred speech or loss of consciousness. Immediate medical attention is required.

Be aware of the dangers of using an oven or space heater as a heating device.

For more information on how to protect yourself during extreme cold, visit the Health Unit website at: www.healthunit.org For specific cold weather questions, call the Health Action Line at 1-800-660-5853 or 613-345-5685.

Friends of the North Grenville Public Library Present

Children’s Holiday Fun Fest Entertainment provided by

Juice Jam

Admission: Non Perishable Food item for the Salvation Army Refreshments provided by Giant Tiger Friday, December 27, 2013 10:00 A.M. NG Public Library Dec. 18, 2013

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Reason for the season Women’s Institute hosts (music to the Christmas Song)

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

Sleigh bells ringing, are you listening?

And folks dressed up in winter clothes.

But what about the baby in the manger, The greatest gift the world has ever known?

Don’t forget that Jesus is the reason for the season, And with Him you’ll never have to walk alone.

Christmas lights are shining bright all over; Lots of hustle bustle in the streets.

Moms and pops are busy doing shopping While all the kids await old Santa’s treats.

But don’t forget the baby in the manger Born many years ago in Bethlehem.

Keep in mind that Jesus is the person for the season And he loves you if you’ll only let him in.

Erick Le Pors

another successful Christmas Auction

ornaments. Crisp aprons once owned and worn by well loved ladies of the Community were hotly contested. The last items to be auctioned, a dozen delicately hand crocheted snowflake ornaments, drew the most lively bidding of the night. Light refreshments were available as well.

The Women’s Institute uses the funds raised at the annual event to support local charities. At the evening’s end, more than $600 had been collected; it will be divided between the Beth Donovan Hospice and the House of Lazarus.

The Bishop’s Mills Women’s Institute meets the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm from September through June, usually at the Community Hall in Bishop’s Mills. They enjoy each other’s company while raising funds to help the Community Association, the Community Hall and local charities. Special opportunities to learn new skills or perfect old ones

by Beth Nicol

Sculpture by local artist Ray Wiltsie, carved in 1978, one of a kind

The Voice of North Grenville

On the evening of Wednesday December 11, parking was scarce in Bishop’s Mills. The sign outside the Community Hall announced the Bishop’s Mills Women’s Institute Christmas Auction. The laughter emanating from the hall confirmed it so. Along with guests from Roebuck, Women’s Institute members and friends were gathered inside to enjoy the evening’s festivities.

The main event was the auction. The sister comedy team of Jane and Vicki Graham, assumed the role of auctioneers. Assisted by Jeanne Lambert, they were kept busy working their way through a table of treats and treasures donated specially for the occasion. The bidding was enthusiastic. Home baked goodies disappeared in a hurry as did two boxes of antique glass Christmas

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often arise in the form of workshops. If you are looking for community involvement, friendship and fun, more information can be found on the Bishop’s Mills webpage www.bishopsmills.ca by following the link to the Federated Women’s Institute and locating the Bishop’s Mills chapter’s page. Easier still, check out the Bishop’s Mills Women’s Institute Facebook page or contact Patricia Habberjam at 613-258-3683. New members will be welcomed.

You know that Santa’s on his way, Lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh.

And every mother’s child is gonna spy To see if reindeers really know how to fly.

So have yourselves a Merry Merry Christmas, Doing all the things you hold so dear.

But don’t forget to set a place for Jesus, Especially at this festive time of year.

Have yourselves a Merry Merry Christmas, May your lives with hope and joy be filled.

Keep in mind that Jesus is the reason for the season, And Peace on Earth to people of good will.

Just remember Jesus is the reason for the season, With Peace on earth to people of good will.

by Pat Maloney

Dec 18, 2013

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Merry Christmas

from everyone at the North Grenville Times

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!

Merry Christmas

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And so this is Christmas...

Growing (a slogan that simply invites sarcasm) and have had to deal with the problems and benefits growth brings.

We have certainly grown in population, and all indications are that kind of growth will continue. That may be good for the tax base, but it also brings with it questions about how all the new residents fit into an older community with traditions and values that may not be shared by newcomers.

For example, we are becoming familiar with the urban resident who moves to North Grenville to find a “quiet, rural” lifestyle, and then complains about the smell of farms, the lack of movie theatres, etc. Do we want to provide city facilities to meet this demand, and perhaps lose the very characteristics that bring people here in the first place? And is that fair to established residents? This year, we saw a young girl, eager to become involved in the 4H Club, forced by the local By-law Officer to dispose of a few chickens she was learning to keep on a large property in Oxford Mills. Her neighbour,

by David Shanahan ..and what have we done?

This is a good time to look back on the year gone by and take stock. It is also the last issue of the NG Times for 2013. We’ll be back on January 8 with a review of 2013, among other things, but for now it might be good to think about North Grenville as it enters a new era. The Municipality celebrated its fifteenth birthday this year.

Fifteen years since Oxfordon-Rideau, South Gower and the Town of Kemptville were forcibly amalgamated by the Mike Harris Government and began the process of making a new community with a new history.

Since then, we’ve seen a lot of changes, more than some people wanted to see, less than others thought we needed. But that is how it has always been; you can’t please all of the people all of the time, as our various Councillors and Mayors have found - sometimes to their cost. We are now Green and

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, I am writing in response to the letter sent by Peter Johnson of Oxford Mills in the December 4th publication.

You (Peter) asked how Brandon-Souris continuously votes Conservative, yet you did not bother investigating the candidates, their track record and whether or not their party policies made any sense for those constituents. I ask you the same question for North Grenville and our MP Gord Brown; what is it about his policies or his direction that you don’t agree with and why should we not vote for him? A few fancy quotes from Andrew Coyne does not make a very convincing critique, and the context of the poll he references is laughable. The fact of the matter is that rural communities do not identify with the socialist policies of the NDP which would be economically devastating to our country (see the economic state of Europe

as reference).

So where does that leave us? Oh yes, Justin Trudeau’s Liberals, whose sole platform (thus far) is the legalization of pot and the indirect support for the cartels that manufacture it. He also wants to bring in a carbon tax (just like his predecessors), which will only result in higher prices for the consumer on everything.

He thinks Quebecers are better than the rest of us; he is flip-flopping on mandatory minimum sentences and he has a profound admiration of the Chinese communist rule!

They are no longer the Centrist party they once were and any candidate representing them in NG carries that flag.

And so Peter, North Grenvillians are not blind automatons that simply check the same box at every election; we are well informed and vote Conservative because they best represent our values and priorities.

Joel Kingston

The North Grenville Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc. Marketing Gord J. Logan gord@ngtimes.ca 613-258-6402 Dec. 18, 2013

a newly-arrived city person, complained about something (smell? noise?) And that was the end of the chickens. The irony was that the complainant was actually in the process of moving back to the city at the time.

Is that the kind of thing we want to be encouraging? And what of the huge increase in traffic in Kemptville due to this increased growth? These are issues that have been underlined during 2013, with questions being raised about a new seniors home off 43, road construction on Clothier, George and Prescott. A wider tax base may be a good thing; but growth can also mean losing provincial grants and funding, as the Queen’s Park bureaucrats decide that we’re big enough not to need their financial support to the same extent any more. We also see the same problem in the increased policing costs, as the OPP impose a new contract on North Grenville.

But this is Christmas, so we should look on the bright side. Let us try and ignore the increase in the numbers

of people looking to the Food Banks and Thrift Store to get by. There is a principle that has been reported throughout western society: the more prosperous a community, the less generous they become in giving. The Salvation Army is still short of their Christmas Kettle target for this year. Is this a sign of our increased affluence, or can we expect a last-minute upsurge in giving? Let’s hope it is the latter: the people of North Grenville have always been an openhearted and generous people.

Our volunteer sector is amazing in its energy and commitment to this municipality. Our local businesses have always given great support to causes like the Hospital, the Library, Accessible Transportation and the Kemptville Youth Centre.

These are the aspects of life in North Grenville we need to cherish and maintain in the face of change and the anxieties that can come with it. 2014 is going to be a genuinely pivotal year for us all. With municipal and provincial elections set for next

October, and with the certainty of change on our local Council, likely change in our Provincial government, this coming year will set the stage for the following four years, possibly the coming decade.

There are serious changes being either implemented or proposed for our society that demand careful consideration by all of us.

Democracy is not a perfect system by any means (the idea of being judged by my peers, for example, terrifies me!). But we need to be informed about the decisions we need to make next year.

We need to know what issues we have to decide on. Pits and quarries, increased gas taxes, increased OPP costs, development and the costs it brings with it, turning 43 into a four-lane highway, protection of green spaces, protection and support for our agricultural sector, there are so many issues facing us, and we need to know how we want to handle them. North Grenville is in a far better position to handle the future than many of eastern On-

tario’s other municipalities.

We still have some control over our community, and we have to maintain that.

We at the NG Times recognise our responsibility in this process. We arrive in more than 6,5000 homes in North Grenville, one way or another, every week. We are the voice in North Grenville in the sense that you have a place to speak and share your concerns, solutions, ideas and dreams. In this coming year, let’s keep the conversation going and talk about the things that matter to us. Let’s share our concerns and our plans.

Thank you to all of you who have been on the journey with us in 2013, our first full year as a weekly.

Thank you to our advertisers and correspondents, and to all of you who have written letters, sent e-mails, or telephoned us to share your thoughts and encouragement. ...Another year over, and a new one just begun.

Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year from all of us to all of us!

continued from front page

winter months. Some have endured unforeseen costs associated with poor and/or inadequate housing. Others have relied on The Salvation Army to help them access greatly needed social services through advocacy and/or supplementing transportation costs via gas vouchers to get to specialist appointments.

This past year alone, The Salvation Army provided direct, compassionate, handson service to more than 1562 people in Kemptville.

It is also our mission and mandate to offer practical support to children and families in need. As a result, families have found opportunities and encouragement through our summer camping programs, TeenMOPS group, Back to School Back Packs, Snow Suit Campaign, Christmas Basket and Angel Tree Assistance as well as Income Tax services.

The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization and has grown to become the largest nongovernmental direct provider

of social services in the country. It is our hope and prayer that you would consider joining us again this year. By making a financial donation you are investing in the lives of people in your own community. Your donation will

provide practical help that can change a life ... and give someone a sense of newfound dignity.

Sincerely, Calvin & Erin Wong Community Ministries

wonder what the Christmas Kettle does for the community. We talk about it serving the most vulnerable in our society and this is certainly true.

We want you to know the specific needs we have seen, here in Kemptville since our arriving last July. Every week we see people who need assistance with food and clothing. While food and clothing are basic necessities it is also often the only flexible income those who live according to the low income cutoff have.

Their income is so tightly accounted for that if they have an emergency of any kind (a medical need, vehicle break down or house repair) they quickly fall behind. For many, the only funds that can be used in times like this is the food budget. Providing food for the interim is one way we can help them get caught up and back on track.

We have seen those who have struggled to meet the rising costs of heating their homes through the cold

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The Voice of North Grenville

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Holiday Notice The North Grenville Times will not be publishing the week of Christmas and New Year as these holidays fall on our publication day and there is no printing or postal service. We will be back on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. Copy and ads should be submitted no later than Friday, January 3.

We wish to extend our best wishes to our readers and advertisers during this Christmas Season and look forward to continuing to serve the community with the “Voice of North Grenville” in the new year. the north grenville

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School House Exhibit continues

The Exhibition of photographs and documents showing the history of the old one-room school houses in North Grenville from the 1820's until the last one closed in 1965, continues in the Geronimo Coffee House on Prescott Street. The joint project by the NG Historical Society and the NG Photography Club, is sponsored by CIBC Kemptville and the NG Times. This is just one of the many school histories on display and features the last Acton’s Corners School in its first year of operation in 1906. The exhibit, which closes at the end of this month, is open to the public and admission is free during Geronimo’s opening hours.

The mysterious case of the poisoned porridge

by David Shanahan John and Alexander (Sandy) Kennedy were two brothers from Scotland who had lived and worked in Kemptville as blacksmiths since the late 1850's. In 1893, John was 73 years old, Sandy was 67, and they lived at the corner of Asa and Thomas Streets with John’s wife, Ann, 67, and a young girl called Elizabeth Poole, 15 years old and also from Scotland. It seemed the three adults, who had come to Canada together and lived apparently peaceful lives in their home for so many years, were coming gradually to the end of a long and active life.

On the morning of March 4, 1893, Sandy was up and about around 7, moving around the house, and the workshop behind their home, getting ready for the day ahead. He had been very ill for much of the previous year, and was only just regaining some of his strength that spring. Elizabeth, known as Lizzie, got up that morning to make breakfast for the family, a regular part of her chores, and added some fresh porridge to what remained of the previous day’s meal.

She got some water from the well, added a little salt from the salt cellar on the table, along with some oats she had bought the day before at Reuben Scoville’s store.

Sandy came into the kitchen and took some porridge from the pot, leaving his dish on the table to cool and left the room. Lizzie went to help John, and when Dec 18, 2013

she came back saw Sandy putting some milk into his porridge. She ate hers with Ann Kennedy about an hour later. About half an hour after eating, both women began to feel ill and started vomiting, beginning with Lizzie. Some time after having his breakfast, Sandy also began to feel severe pain in his stomach.

At first, his brother complained that Sandy should never have tried porridge in his weak state, and should have stuck with toast. But the pain gradually became worse, and Sandy began to vomit.

Ann sent Lizzie, in spite of her condition, to fetch their neighbour, Mrs. Banks, who lived across the road.

The next few hours were quite strange in the Kennedy household. All three people continued vomiting and in severe pain, and it seemed that Ann Kennedy was in the most critical condition.

But it was Sandy, perhaps weakened through his recent illness, who succumbed first, dying that evening. Ann Kennedy hung on until the following Tuesday, when she, too, died. Lizzie recovered within a few hours and survived the experience.

It was clear to the many neighbours, as well as Doctor Homes who attended the three stricken individuals that afternoon and evening, that it was a case of poisoning, whether deliberate or accidental was the question.

From the symptoms, Dr. Holmes deduced that the poison used was arsenic, and that a rat poison, called “Rough on Rats”, was probably the source. But how did the rat poison get in the por-

ness. But Doctor Holmes and others were very definite that Lizzie had been vomiting and was genuinely stricken, and there was a possible explanation for the relative lightness of her symptoms.

She had found the porridge too thick, and added water to it, returning it to the pot and watering down the meal.

This may have helped to lower the concentration of the arsenic.

John Kennedy was a puzzle too. He had not had any porridge, which he admitted was unusual for him.

He was also reluctant to have the case investigated because, he claimed, he believed that Sandy had actually committed suicide by poisoning and taken the other two with him. He had certainly argued with Ann recently, and had changed his will. But there was debate over how many wills he had actually made and where they were. Did John kill the others to inherit his brother’s money and share of the property? It seems an odd thing to do at the age of 73, after sharing his life with his brother for so long. He even slept in his brother’s room and not with his wife. In the end, John died the following year. Lizzie went back to the Home in Brockville from which she had been adopted by the Kennedys five years earlier. After that, she disappears from history.

Did she kill Ann and Sandy Kennedy? If so, why did she eat the porridge herself? Did John kill them?

The Inquest returned a verdict of wilful death by person or persons unknown. A strange and bizarre event in a

ridge? Before he died, Sandy Kennedy was reported to have stated quite categorically that he had been poisoned

by Lizzie Poole, and that the porridge was the method she used. Even when told that Lizzie was also vomiting and had clearly been poisoned herself, Sandy remained adamant that she was the guilty one.

The inquest was held upstairs in the Town Hall, just around the corner from the Kennedy home, in the very room where I read about this case. That same room had been filled to capacity as neighbours and experts gave testimony about the events of that day, and specifically about the relationship between Lizzie Poole and the Kennedys. Lizzie was a Home Child, one of the more than 100,000 children from Britain and Ireland who were sent to Canada between 1869 and 1939. She had been brought to Brockville, from where she was “adopted” by the Kennedys in 1888.

Some witnesses spoke of the tension that existed between Lizzie and her “Aunt” Ann Kennedy, who had accused her of stealing some money.

Others said the whole household got on well. Lizzie admitted openly from the beginning that she had made the porridge that morning, as she always did, but denied completely that she had put the rat poison in it.

There were those who pointed out that she herself had been poisoned: hardly the act of a murderer. Others noted that she was less affected than the other two who died, and wondered if she was just faking the ill-

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S.S. No. 6 Oxford: 1857 and 1905 Actons Corner School (1631 Highway #43) In the 1840's there were two log schools, one east and one west of Acton's Corner. The rivals wanted the new school placed on their site but compromise had a new stone school house built in 1857 on the North East corner of Lot 16 Concession 2. With an average of 60 pupils, often 80 in winter, overcrowding in the new school was a problem. "Occasionally the stove would be knocked over, coals would fall on the floor. These would be put out with snow or water”, according to teacher Cathleen Somerville in 1939.

In 1893, teacher Mr. George Conley was paid $275, the provincial average for a male teacher was $383.

In 1905, a fine school house of beige/brown stone was built to replace the first S.S. No.6. When it was closed 59 years later, Acton's Corner's School retained its original hardwood floors, ash ceiling and walls, privies, belfry and bell, desks, and box stove. It was a time capsule of one of the only complete pioneer schools in eastern Ontario. Both exterior and interior had received a heritage designation.

S.S. No. 6 Acton's Corner's School was sold locks, stock and belfry in 2012.

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house of elderly people and a young girl. Someone apparently got away with murder: which is doubly odd, since just a few years later, in the home of that neighbour, Mrs. Banks from across the road, another killing went unpunished just a few years later.

But that is another story for another day.

Thanks to Bill Holmes who pointed me to this interesting chapter in Kemptville history. www.ngtimes.ca

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La nuit de Noël rédigé par Nicholas McGillivray et Violette Neelin,

Ecole Ste Marguerite Bourgeoys

613-258-7778

4101 Highway 43 E

Il était une fois, des jumeaux très gentils, Jordan et Nick. Ils se préparèrent pour la nuit de Noël. Ils décorèrent la maison et l`arbre de Noël. Après ça, ils mangèrent le souper et écoutèrent un film. Et après, ils s`endormirent mais avant de s`endormir, Nick se demandait si le Grincheux allait venir comme dans son histoire.

Pendant la nuit de Noël, le chien de Noël est venu donner les cadeaux car le père Noël était malade. Et pendant qu`il faisait cela, le lutin loulou sortit du sac du Père Noël. Elle est allée dormir avec les jumeaux. Tout à coup, un gros bruit : Cric! Crac!

Pouf! Boom! Tic-Tac! Ah, ça brûle!!!!!! Les enfants, le chien de Noël et aussi le lutin sont allés voir! Ils voient le Grincheux avec son derrière en feu. Ils tombent dans le bol du chien. Les enfants et les autres amis l`ont aidé à se lever et ils ont éteint la flamme. Après, le Grincheux, les jumeaux et les autres amis se sont endormis. Le lendemain matin, ils sont tous allés voir les cadeaux. Jordan a ouvert un cadeau très petit.

Un yo-yo! Je l`aime! Après qu`on ait fini d`ouvrir les cadeaux, on pourra aller patiner.

Les amis ont vécu tous heureux pour le reste de leur vie!!!!!!!!!!!

Nestle Down B&B

We wish to thank our friends in Kemptville for their referrals during the year and to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

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Thanks to everyone for supporting us this past year May each day of the Holiday Season be filled with health, happiness, love and laughter South Gower Industrial Park #2 Industrial Rd., Hwy 43 - 3 km East of Hwy 416 613 258-7464

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Merry Christmas

ack B me le co elen!

W r. H D

Wishing you lots of smiles and laughter, throughout the holidays and after.

Dr. Helen Kontogiannis B.Sc., D.D.S. Thanks for giving us so much to smile The staff at Creekside Dental this Centreyear are pleased to announce about

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Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Jim, Judy and staff!

Regular Store Hours Mon. - Fri. 8 to 8 Sat. - 8 to 6 Sun. 9 to 6

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Prices effective: Friday, December 13 to Tuesday, December 24, 2013 “We reserve the right to limit quantities to reasonable family requirements�

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Christmas tells us we matter

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR’S HOURS

December 24 - 8 am-4 pm December 25 - 26, Closed December 27 - 8 am-8 pm Dec 18, 2013

December 31 - 8 am-5 pm January 1 - Closed January 2 - 8 am-8 pm

There has been a tension about Christmas over the past couple of decades. The move away from “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays”, the refusal of certain businesses to allow their employees to even use the word “Christmas”, the outlawing of manger scenes in some public areas, all these have brought a nasty tone into what used to be a happy and joyful time of year. And what lies behind this change?

It is the demand by certain groups that anything “religious” should be banned, in case it causes offense, or something. The thing is, without that “religious” aspect to it, Christmas doesn’t make sense.

Rather than compromise its meaning, should nonChristians not simply give up “celebrating” it? (Do you notice how political correctness, secularism, etc. demands the use of quotation marks all the time?). I actually think that Christmas, specifically because of what it means, should be held on to as a vital reminder of who we are as human beings in this universe. Christmas, as we Christians believe, commemorates the birth of Jesus. This, however, is not the same as Buddhists celebrating the birth of Buddha, or Moslems celebrating the birth of Muhammad. This was, rather, God himself becoming a human being in order to restore us to our lost relationship with himself.

Now, whether you believe that or not, it is still something to cherish in this increasingly strange secular world. Have you heard about the recent court cases in New York where animal rights groups are trying to have chimpanzees recognised in law as “persons”? (There’s those quotation marks again).

This is honestly happening, and, although the courts refused the request, there is a certain logic in the claim, given the prevalent philoso-

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phy of our day. You see, Christians believe God created everything in the universe, and that the human race is the high point of that creation on this planet. We are, we believe, made in the image of God. But we have fallen away from that, and that is why the world is the way it is. We have lost our way, our destiny, our real meaning. The alternative view of life, based on an evolutionary set of beliefs, is that the universe and everything in it is the result of random chance, bringing together proteins and cells to accidentally bring about all the amazing variations of organic and inorganic life in the cosmos.

If that is true, then, logically, humans are no more important than chimpanzees, or rats, or microbes, or trees.

We are all alike, the result of chance, with no purpose, no ultimate value, no destiny beyond this short lifespan in a miserable world of hunger, war, and disease. There is no basis for morality, no explanation for traits such as love, honour, self-sacrifice, or generosity because, again logically, there is nothing to give value to these things in a meaningless world. As we have seen over the past decades, it is harder and harder to define terms like “good”, “evil”, “right and wrong”, and that is why we need to use those quotation marks all the time. That is why we are destroying the planet, manipulating and contaminating our own food supply, accepting as normal the fact that governments, politicians, and others in authority lie and deceive. It is why we either have lower standards, or increasingly no logical reason for having standards at all.

So, of course, chimpanzees should have the same rights as people, because we have no natural reason to claim more than any other living creature as our right.

And if it becomes unlawful to imprison other “persons” in zoos, or whatever, then it is equally unlawful for us to eat others, use others for labour (would that then be manual labour?), etc.

This is why Christmas is important, even to those who don’t altogether accept Jesus and Christianity and all that kind of thing. It is because Christmas is about more than a babe in a manger, shepherds, gifts, angels and Wise Men. It is about God becoming man and living here as a human being in order to remind us that we are made in the image of God, and are therefore of value, have meaning and purpose, and, ultimately, matter. The entire Christmas thing may just be a myth to some, but at the very least it is a story, a celebration that reminds us that there is more to us than what some would have us believe. That love, joy, generosity, integrity, ethics, all of these are real and must be within us and valued by all human society for a reason. And that is, that behind all of cynicism, arrogance, selfishness and greed, there is also a glimpse of the eternal, the ultimate, against which we measure our lives, our beliefs, our existence. These things are not accidental byproducts of meaningless chance. They are gifts that remind us of who we are, and who we were made to be.

And Christmas is all about gifts. There is, as they say, a reason for the season. And wise men still seek him.

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Our grade six and kindergarten students collected food for Annual Castle of Giving for the Salvation Army

Angella Ross, Kindergarten teacher , South Branch Elementary School

Merry Christmas

May the beauty of this Christmas season inspire you throughout the year.

Best wishes and heartfelt thanks to all!

Dec. 18, 2013

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Drawing by Hayley, Oxford on The Rideau Public School

Dec 18, 2013

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Art work by Angella Ross’s Kindergarten class, South Branch Elementary School

Christopher, Oxford-On-Rideau

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Furniture Refinishing

Merry Christmas from all of us here at

Grenville Guardian Real Estate Ltd And best wishes for a Happy New Year!

613-851-0248 www.marco43.ca

613-258-0124

2840 Hwy 43, Unit 2, Kemptville Dec. 18, 2013

19 Reuben Cres Unit 1 Kemptville

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La catastrophe de Noël

rédigé par Kaylyn & Téah , Ecole Ste Marguerite Bourgeoys

Il était une fois, à Noel, des lutins et le père Noel qui se préparaient pour la soirée de Noel. Ça faisait 150 maisons que le père Noël visitait et il ne pouvait plus descendre la cheminée car il avait mangé trop de biscuits et son ventre était trop gros. Les lutins ont donc sauté sur sa tête et ils ont poussé sur le ventre du père Noël pour le faire descendre par la cheminée. Ça n’a pas fonctionné. Les lutins ont mis une corde autour du père Noel et l’ont tiré et tiré et tiré. Les rennes ont commencé à tirer et à tirer eux aussi. Ça n’a pas fonctionné non plus. Les lutins ont décidé d’aller acheter du beurre au magasin pour que le père Noël puisse glisser par la cheminée. Quand ils sont revenus, ils ont mis le beurre sur le ventre du père Noel et tout à coup…

POUF!!! Le père Noel est tombé en bas de la cheminée. HOURRA!!!

Le père Noel a finalement fini de distribuer des cadeaux à toutes les maisons du monde. Il est retourné au pôle Nord et il a atterri tout près de sa maison. Il est rentré dans sa maison et a dit : « Maman Noel, c’est quand le souper? »

As the Holiday Season is upon us, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and on those who have helped to shape our business in a most significant way. We value our relationship with you and look forward to working with you in the year to come.

We wish you a very happy Holiday Season and a New Year filled with peace and prosperity.

Kemptville 2678 Hwy 43 Winchester 12054 Main St 613-774-1734 www.firststoprentals.com Dec 18, 2013

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CLASSIFIEDS SERVICES

First 15 words are FREE for North Grenville Residents. Extra Words: 50 cents a word

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8@$15 ea or all $100; baby layette, 7-pc, brand new in matching drawstring bag $175. Call 613-258-5558 Wanted TRACTOR OPERATOR REQUIRED part time for snow removal Experienced a must ! Call Eric 613 850 3742

IMMEDIATE JOB OPENING

Full-time Linking Hands Project Coordinator – 30 hours per week Monday to Friday (8:00am – 2:00pm) Duties include: Overseeing the activities of the Linking Hands Project, providing administrative and project support.

Deadline for applications: January 9, 2014.

Phone 613-989-3830 Fax 613-989-3830, house. lazarus@gmail.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS FINAL WEEK FOR ROTARY CASH CALENDARS 2014 Rotary cash Calendars are nearly sold out, less than 80 remain.

Visit B&H Grocer, express cash open 7 days a week; Jonsson Independent Grocer, Monday & Thursday 1 pm to 4 pm Rhonda's Hair Salon, Hudson Auto Body, Patterson Hadden & Brown Insurance, M5 Digital, Kemptville Animal Hospital OVER $20,000 IN CASH PRIZES TO BE WON! 4 Bonus draws of $1000 A WINNER EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

Are we there yet?

It’s Christmas Day and you’re off to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for Christmas dinner with your family. You have your iPod filling the car with Christmas carols to try to drown out the repeated question from the kids in the back seat - “Are we there yet?” The more they ask, the more you look forward to saying yes, but you won’t be so lucky. You see, that engine belt that you put off changing finally broke in the cold weather, and you’re stranded. What now?!?

Well thank goodness you took the advice of the Be Car Care Aware program and remembered to pack an emergency kit!

First thing is first – you grab your flashlight, pop the hood, and take a look.

Whether you know what you’re doing or not, this is not an easy fix and you know that you’re going to have a long wait.

Ahhhh! You just got your finger caught on the hood and ripped off some skin! Looks like it’s time to find the band aids in the first aid kit that you keep in the car.

In an effort to limit the amount of time that you’re stranded in the cold, you immediately whip out your cell phone to call for help. Your battery is almost dead, but you know that you’ll be able to complete the call before you have to dig out your extra charger and bring your phone back to life. Call made, you reflect that today is finally the day that you’re glad you’ve been paying for the membership to your automobile club or that you took the time to pull together a list of towing companies.

Since you’re all dressed in your Christmas best, you haul out your snow pants and your warm winter wear to fight off the cold because fancy dresses and dress shoes aren’t practical for winter survival. Thank goodness you remembered to pack your warm winter boots!

Now that you’ve got the kids tucked in under a blanket and you’re better dressed for the weather, you hunker down to wait for the tow truck. And then you hear it...the unmistakeable whine...”I’m hungry!” You know that you must heed the

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request, so you start rooting around in your emergency kit for the granola bars that you packed. This kit is sure proving to be useful!

As you play the game “I Spy” to help pass the time, you notice that it’s started to snow pretty heavily and that your view is becoming obscured. Worried that the tow truck may not see you on the side of the road, you reach into your kit and pull out your flares. Having set them up, you’re confident that you can’t be missed. You also take the time to brush the snow off your car with the snow brush you brought along so that you can see and be seen.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, help arrives.

After sorting out all the paperwork, getting the car hooked up to be towed, and squeezing the whole family into the cab of the truck, you’re ready to go. The kids chat excitedly with the tow truck driver about your adventure and he comments on how well you were prepared.

You tell him that it’s because you packed all the items on the emergency kit list that you found at www.BeCarCareAware.ca.

Although you feel kind of silly that you didn’t bring your vehicle in for an inspection in the fall to prevent things like breaking belts, at least you now have a great story for when you finally get to Grandma and Grandpa’s house!

(613) 218 5322 WWW.KEMPTVILLECOMPUTERS.COM

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Photocopier problems 5. Kidney-related 10. Blend 14. Wings 15. Draw forth 16. Broad 17. Plateau 18. Abhorrent 20. In the interval 22. Celebrated 23. Yes to a sailor 24. Accumulate 25. Perfect 32. Aquatic mammals 33. Foolish 34. Possessed 37. Makes a mistake 38. Watchful

39. Arid 40. Mayday 41. Not silently 42. Stage 43. Shopkeeper 45. Glossiness 49. Arrive (abbrev.)

50. Vitamin D deficiency disease 53. Debase 57. Exact opposite 59. Plant fiber 60. Deceased 61. Practical 62. Not aft 63. Terminates 64. Cavalry weapon 65. Views

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DOWN 1. Doorpost 2. Away from the wind 3. Spar 4. Breakwaters 5. Ransom 6. Biblical garden 7. Cashew or almond 8. Air force heroes 9. In order to prevent 10. Horde 11. Leg bone 12. Runs in neutral 13. Marsh growth 19. Sycophant 21. Visual organs 25. Applications 26. Roman emperor 27. Taverns 28. Snow house 29. French for "Sister" 30. Mob 31. Eastern Standard Time 34. Pile 35. Backside 36. Bambi was one 38. Altitude (abbrev.)

39. Law officers 41. Something of value 42. Flippant 44. Emperor 45. Rank 46. Flax fabric 47. Group of eight 48. Slides 51. As a result 52. Bristle 53. Wicked 54. Found in some lotions 55. Container weight 56. X X X X 58. Bro or sis

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

Are You Concerned About Your Child’s Speech and Language Development?

SUDOKU Easy

Hard

Dec 18, 2013

Medium

Solution to last week’s Crossword

19

Language Express Preschool Speech and Language Services can help you! Language Express sees children in Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Counties from birth until the beginning of their Senior Kindergarten year. If you have any of the concerns listed below, please call Language Express at 1-888-503-8885: · If your child’s speech and language skills have not improved over the past six months, · If your child often repeats sounds and/or words (stuttering), · If your child’s voice sounds different to you, · If your child’s play or social interaction seems inappropriate, · If your child has a diagnosis such as cleft lip/ palate, hearing loss, Autism

or developmental delay, · If your child is not meeting one or more speech/language milestones for his or her age.

If you are concerned about your child’s speech and language skills or are interested in how your child is doing, call the Language Express Preschool Speech System at 1-888-503-8885.

A speech-language assessment can identify your child’s strengths and needs and can help you prepare your child for school.

For more information,

check out our website: www. language-express.ca Junior Kindergarten-aged children born in 2009 must be referred before January 31, 2014 to receive an assessment and recommendations. After January 31st, referrals will only be accepted for children born in 2010 or later.

Contact: Catherine Robinson, Clinical Coordinator, Language Express PSL, 613283-2740 ext 4260 Or Susan Healey, Communications Co-ordinator, LGL Health Unit 613-8020550

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A Forty Dollar life – a Christmas vignette by Jim Bertram Christmas day dawned cold and snowy in the South Gower countryside; a traditional, blustery day. The spruce trees were swathed in cottony white. The pines leaned away from the wind and the maples stoically stood their ground, challenging the might of winter as they successfully did year after year.

Despite the early hour, Grandpa was already up and was looking past the gaily bedecked Christmas tree, taking in the essence

or ishes f nd W t s e a Warm ay Season d i ol ear the H ppy New Y a Ha

of Christmas time unfolding through the window, in the house, among each of the members of his family.

Especially there, in the heart of each person, was a feeling of joy and closeness which seemed to emanate from each and fill the rooms as much as the spirit of the bright lights and wintry scene.

It was in fact well before dawn. Six o’clock in the morning as Grandpa observed. He was up well before anyone else, had even stuck his nose out the front door and had received a blowy gust of fresh snowflakes in a blast of arctic wind for his trouble. He looked forward to the whole day which lay before him and his family. His wife, daughter’s family and his son were all fast asleep, so the day had not started yet for them; but it had for Grandpa and he began to anticipate and reflect on the course of events to come.

Turning on the Christmas tree lights had been a good idea, he thought, just as had been his decision to turn up the fireplace and warm the Christmas room up. In the antique yellow light of the fireplace, the pinpoint lights of the Christmas tree danced on darkened boughs. Shadows moved on the further walls: his Mom and Dad, his wife’s Dad, family dogs of the past and friends... but he returned quickly to the present and the day’s events yet to come. Still – he thought the moment being lived was like a suspended state of life for him; suspended as he seemed to be between the Christmas to come on this day and the Christmases which had come in happy numbers in the past.

And still somewhat lost in reverie he was, as he resisted the pull of the present with a purposeful and pleas-

Dec. 18, 2013

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ant inertia. His senses were occupied by the replica of life which the past had imposed on his present when a small, piping sound came, so it seemed, from his reverie world, from the shadows jostling for position at the far side of the room. Imagined? But then, again, that small sound. Hmm, thought Grandpa. A sudden concern assailed Grandpa’s mind. He really HAD thought yesterday’s secret had been well and snugly hidden away in a comfortable place last night as he went to his bed. But...

The littlest shadow on the other side of the room moved towards him, slowly disengaging from the shadows of the past and becoming Grandpa’s vibrant present. “Huwwo gwampa”. It was little Matteo, his grandson. That greeting was followed by a little yip from the small thing held in the arms of his grandson. “But... but ...Matteo...” said Grandpa.

“You are up already and...”.

He noticed the little thing that was wiggling in the small boy’s arms. “Wook at what I found, Gwampa ...”.

Grandpa looked in astonishment at the small creature which he had secretly acquired on Christmas Eve when he had thought to give a new life to a little creature from the local animal shelter, and surprise his family as well. Some surprise! But he was the first to be surprised – and that WAS a surprise.

“Wook what I found ...”, the small voice trailed off under the small boy’s effort to hold the puppy up to his grandpa. “Uh –uh – my GOODNESS, how did this little thing get in here?”, said Grandpa in mock amazement. “What do you think?”, he added.

“Maybe he was hungwy,” offered Matteo. Very logical , thought Grandpa, reflect-

ing quickly on the limits of our human logic and his own planning skills. “Let’s have a look – come on up”, he said, pulling the boy and his soft furry package of life onto his lap. He looked at the puppy and Matteo. The eyes of both little things shone. Their little bubbles of life throbbed in that moment with happiness. “Isn’t he vewy nice,” stated little Matteo with all the authority which a two year old might command.

“And hewe is puppy’s stowy,” said Matteo. “He was weading it and eating it too.”

He handed Grandpa a well-chewed piece of paper.

Grandpa looked at it closel, and what a story it told. It was the bill from the animal shelter where he had found the small puppy. It detailed the various items of costs associated with the purchase of this small life, and it totalled - - -forty dollars.

He looked down at his beautiful grandson and the wiggly little dog. How could a life be had for forty dollars? Or for any amount of money? The strange clash of these ideas occupied his mind for a few short seconds. Then, as usual, grandpa’s philosophical reflections were cut short by the crusty presence of reality. “ G w a m p a ”, M a t t e o shouted urgently, “Puppy is peeing on me...ahhh.”

And so began another Christmas day. After a quick cleanup and a little walk for the puppy with Grandpa, the family slowly awakened.

Yes - so began another wonderful family Christmas full of surprises; the first of many to be shared with the puppy, who came to be known as ...Forty Buck ... or just plain Buck. But not the last of the surprises which future Christmases reserved for Grandpa !

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The Voice of North Grenville

House of Lazarus receives Ontario Trillium Foundation funding Pauline Pratt, receives Trillium award from MPP Jim McDonell on behalf of House of Lazarus. “I am pleased to see the Ontario Trillium Foundation recognize the important work the House of Lazarus does in our community. The agency will now be able to increase its engagement with communities and be more responsive to local needs. The additional grant for donation storage will ensure our residents' generous gifts find their way to those in need. I wish the House of Lazarus all the best in their future endeavors�, said McDonell.

House of Lazarus, Matilda Resource Center Inc., as lead organization on the Linking Hands Project Collaborative, will receive $135,000 over three years to hire a coordinator for Linking Hands, an initiative to reduce the impact of rural poverty in Dundas county by engaging rural communities in identifying, discussing and finding solutions to the barriers faced by people living in poverty. By supporting staffing costs, a sustainable model for collaborative grassroots projects that address local needs and identify sustainable strategies will be developed.

Dec 18, 2013

They have also received $22,400 over one year to construct an enclosed structure at the centre's drop-off location to protect donations of clothing, household items and electronics. Revenues generated by the centre's thrift shop will increase and the amount of donated goods that end up in the landfill site due to weather damage will be reduced.

Established in 1986, the House of Lazarus offers support and assistance to those living in poverty in Dundas and surrounding counties through our Food Bank, Clothing and Household Goods Bank and our Thrift

and Household Goods shops.

The Linking Hands Project began in 2010 in response to a Provincial Social Audit that was held in Mountain, ON in April 2010 through ISARC. Various sectors of the community were interviewed as to their experience of poverty. Members of Council, agencies and individuals were heard and as a result, the findings focused on the fact that everyone wanted to be part of the solution to reduce the impact of poverty in Dundas.

The House of Lazarus is a community outreach mission and our success is entirely a reflection of the community

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members who support us.

We could not support fire victims, women starting over from the women's shelter or other agencies and those struggling with poverty and hunger. It is imperative to us that we protect the items that are donated to us from damage due to weather, vandalism or theft. It is also important that we are able to contain the donations in an organized and visually acceptable manner and the new drop off shelter will ensure this. For more information about: the House of Lazarus, visit www.houseoflazarus. com or the Linking Hands Project visit www.linkinghandsdundas.ca

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Municipality Matters

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The Voice of North Grenville

Christmas Message

As the season of goodwill draws near, I would like to join our residents to rejoice in our Community.

I think we have something special in North Grenville, something that we should be proud of.

Money for everyone is tight again this year, and we are all feeling the pinch as we tighten our belts again.

Fortunately, “Goodwill to all People” doesn’t cost much at all.

It can merely mean a cheery “Hello”, a good or kindly deed towards a neighbour or stranger.

Such small acts mean so much to someone who is lonely or desolate. I would like to think of our Community as a family that will look out for one another as winter takes its hold, and will offer a helping hand where we can, so enjoying the true spirit of Christmas. Our Community is a giving community, and God bless you all.

From myself, Council and all the staff of the Municipality of North Grenville, we would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year.

Mayor David Gordon

Proposed Gas Tax could be “Death knell for North Grenville”

The proposal put before Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne to impose an extra tax on gas in order to fund Toronto’s transit system would come as a fatal blow to municipalities such as North Grenville, according

Dec. 18, 2013

to a statement by Mayor David Gordon. At a media event in Kemptville on Monday, called by MPP’s Steve Clark and Lisa MacLeod, Mayor Gordon said that the effect of a 10 cent a litre tax increase on gas would have a devastat-

ing effect on rural residents of Ontario, and all to benefit Toronto transit users.

Local MPP Steve Clark commented that: “the Premier is in for a bumpy ride if she thinks motorists in Leeds-Grenville will stand

22

for paying 10 cents a litre more at the pump to build subways in Toronto”. He added that this proposed increase comes immediately after last week’s announcement by the provincial government that hydro rates, which have gone up by 56% since the Liberals took power, will go up by another 45% by 2020.

The implications for North Grenville, however, go far beyond the immediate impact at the gas pumps, according to Mayor Gordon.

“This will affect container vehicle traffic transporting goods to and from North Grenville. It will affect heating in homes, manufacturing, housing sales.” Currently, the Ontario Government take 14.7 cents in tax on every litre of gas, and 14.3 cents a litre for diesel. An increase of 10 cents a litre would, obviously, be a massive increase in the amount of tax Ontario imposes on gasoline users.

The tax proposal came from Ontario’s Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel, headed by Anne Golden, a former president and chief executive officer of the Conference Board of Canada, who recommended a 3 cent increase in 2015, graduating to a full 10 cents over eight years. Premier Wynne has not officially endorsed the proposed increase, but has stated very strongly that something needs to be done to renovate Toronto’s transit system. The Panel also suggested a raise in the HST as part of a moneyraising campaign for Toronto.

No official decision on the gas tax increase idea has been made yet, however.

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The Voice of North Grenville

BNI Supports Youth in Kemptville The BNI (Business Network International)Executives presented Robin Heald, Executive Director from The Kemptville Youth Centre (KYC) with $2250 for their year one donation of a three year charity of choice commitment. Pictured here from the left are Mandy Moodie from M5 Digital, BNI President, Kevin Savoy from ActionCOACH, Robin Heald from the Youth Centre, and Carrie Smith from Kemptville Physiotherapy Centre.

The “Lasting Legacy” Books: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

by Beth Nicol

The Lasting Legacy

The idea was unique.

With no initial expenses save paper, envelopes and stamps, the cost of proving it to be a viable one was mainly an investment of time. Jean and Bill Kilfoyle, along with Fran Thompson and Anne Martin, sat and listed residents and business owners, friends and school mates that had, in their time, made a mark or contributed in some way to life in Kemptville or the surrounding hamlets.

Surviving family members were located. A letter was then sent requesting a donation to the Library in memory of their loved ones. Accompanying the cheque should be a photo and a few memories that could be shared in a book format. The response was humbling. In total, $75 000 was raised for the funding of the new North Grenville Public Library through this project.

Structurally the book documents the Library’s construction and acknowledges the work of the “Room to Read” committee in fund raising; it shares the photos and memories contributed; it pays a photo tribute to Kemptville of Yore; and concludes with appendices including the letters first sent out by Jean, Bill and Fran.

The formatting of the book itself brought together a team of determined volunteers. Countless hours were spent with Maggie Boyer until the design and layout were just so. The cover photo was taken by Krista George; many of the photos found in the second section

Movember at North Grenville District High School

by Alicia Cumming If you happened to be around town this past November, you may have noticed more men sporting moustaches than you usually do.

For many, November marked the month of “Movember”, a month-long campaign aiming to raise public awareness of the increasing problem of prostate cancer. Movember is an initiative in which men participate by growing moustaches to solicit public funding towards the cause.

The growing problem of prostate cancer still takes a backseat to breast cancer for many of those unaffected by it, but this certainly wasn’t the case for staff and students at North Grenville District High

Keyes took it upon himself to approach over 90 percent of the student population with his jar for donations, and was known to say to female students, “Just because you don’t have a prostate, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care!”

Breanne emphasizes the fact that Movember not only raises money; it places a high importance on raising awareness of a cancer that is for men like breast cancer is for women. Moreover, Movember uses part of its proceeds to support another oft-maligned issue for men: mental health.

By any account, students at North Grenville DHS have certainly been made aware that prostate cancer is a problem that needs to be addressed. Andrew Keyes made sure of that.

Canadian Blood Services asks ‘Do Holiday Miracles Still Exist?’

The Lasting Legacy

Canadian Blood Services’ open letter to patients like Grace Hart and local recipient Kyra Streight, who may be wondering if holiday miracles still exist: Many people, including children like their national blood recipient, 10-year-old Grace Hart, wonder if in the rush for presents, people have forgotten about miracles.

Grace, who has diamondblackfan anemia, needs blood transfusions every 21 days to survive.

Yes, Grace, there are still holiday miracles. They exist whenever you see the anonymous generosity of one stranger to another. They exist when that generosity extends to saving a stranger’s life.

Don’t believe me? This holiday season, have your Mom take you on a quick visit to your local blood donor clinic. Lined up in chairs you will see people happily and generously donating. Do they know the person they are helping? They do not.

So why do they do it?

Because they believe. They believe that what they are

1912 - 2011

2011 -

The North Grenville Public Library

of the book were courtesy of the North Grenville Historical Society and its Archives.

The editing was done by Jean and Bill Kilfoyle and Dr. Roberta Russell; photos were scanned and edited by Ivan Russell. The Brandon Press, Oxford Mills, were the publishers.

This project is, in its own way, the gift that keeps on giving; the profits from the sale of this book will be used to support teen programming at the library.

Copies of “The Lasting

School this past November.

The school launched its large-scale fundraising and awareness Movember campaign with many male staff members and students pledging to grow a moustache for the entire month of November. Each moustache-grower had a jar for students and staff to contribute donations, and the one who had the most donations at the end of the month would have half his moustache shaved off for the day. (The lucky winner was Principal Stephen Sharp.)

Breanne Link, a grade 12 student who spearheaded the campaign at North Grenville, said the school raised a total of $303.33, with the majority of the money raised coming from the efforts of one student participant, Andrew Keyes.

Legacy,” can be purchased at the North Grenville Public Library for $20 each, cash or by cheque made payable to the North Grenville Public Library. Books may be ordered online through the Library’s website: www.ngpl.ca or by emailing: info@ngpl.ca At press time, there were 50 copies of the book remaining. It would bring countless hours of enjoyment for a mother or father, aunt or uncle; consider picking one up.

doing is right. That what they are doing will directly help or even save the life of a neighbour, a family member, a friend … even a stranger.

There is your holiday miracle, Grace. It exists in the hearts of people who, without monetary reward, without having to look into the eyes of those in need, without knowing the person they are helping , feel the urge to help anyway. It lives in those

people who take one hour from their day at this very special time of year to ensure that, in the most personal and direct way possible, a patient somewhere will enjoy another holiday too.

No holiday miracles!

Why, a miracle is literally flowing through our veins.

Sincerely, Your friends at Canadian Blood Services.

About Canadian Blood Services Canadian Blood Services is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization that manages the supply of blood and blood products in all provinces and territories outside of Quebec. Canadian Blood Services also oversees the OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network, and provides national leadership for organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Canadian Blood Services operates 42 permanent collection sites and more than 20,000 donor clinics annually. The provincial and territorial Ministries of Health provide operational funding to Canadian Blood Services. The federal government, through Health Canada, is responsible for regulating the blood system.

To book an appointment or for more information, visit us at www.blood.ca or call 1 888 2 DONATE.

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The Voice of North Grenville

73's split weekend action

Caption: Backcheck! Kemptville's Erik Brown (17) turns in front of Brockville's Andrew Pikul (33) lasso tipped it past the Colts Hendsbee finally let a blast @rinkrat goalie to make it a 3-1 game. go that somehow evaded the Cornwall came to town Cornwall got that back and goalie. The 73's came out on Friday night to face the that spelled the end of the on fire in the third and took 73's. Kemptville has been night for goalie Nicholas the play to the Colts. In a playing well as of late and Hodgins. He was replaced similar play as the last goal, was determined to continue in nets by Matt Couvrette. Matt Tugnutt fed the puck their great play. The Colts The Colts didn't waste much to Carroll, who again sent had other ideas. Cornwall time welcoming him, as it to Hendsbee for his one scored twice in the opening they scored again on the timer that found the back frame, once on the power power play to make it a 5-1 of the net. With the score play, to take a 2-0 lead to game. With a minute and a now 5-3, Kemptville kept the dressing room after one. half left in the period, the up the pressure. Cornwall In the second, they added 73's scored to make it 5-2 added another on the power one more to their lead early at the buzzer. Erik Brown play after a disputed penalty before Kemptville could went forward with the face call. But the 73's maintained get going. Jesse Blais won off in the Colts end to start their intensity. Hendsbee a faceoff in the Cornwall a Kemptville power play. and Galasso combined to end and the puck came back From behind the net, he set Blais up with the puck at to the point. David Higgs sent it to the point to Quinn center ice. He cruised in to took a quick snap shot from Carroll who passed back and the top of the circle where he the blue line and Dean Ga- forth with Cody Hendsbee. let a wrist shot go to keep it

Dec. 18, 2013

close. Trailing 6-4 and time running out, Kemptville pulled their goalie in favour of an extra attacker. Hendsbee kept the puck in at the blue line and walked down the wall. He sent it into the corner to Brandon Seatter, who came hard to the net but was stopped. Everyone was trying frantically to get the puck but Hendsbee found it and jammed in into the net for his third goal of the game. The final score was 6-5 for Cornwall despite a valiant comeback effort. The hole they dug for themselves in the first period was too deep to come back from.

Cody Hendsbee was named the game's first star in a losing cause for his four point game.

On a snowy Sunday afternoon, the Brockville Braves made the trip to Kemptville. There was an opening ceremony for the members of the Kemptville Atom Panthers Rep team who skated to center ice displaying their Regional Silverstick Championship banner. They won all three games on Championship Sunday, November 10, only allowing one goal on the day. They will be traveling to Forest, Ontario, to compete in the International Silverstick Championship.

When the game got underway, it was fast, end to end and hard hitting. The 73's opened the scoring five minutes into the period on the power play. Jesse Blais,

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from the face off, sent the puck to the corner, where he, Dean Galasso and Erik Brown battled for it. Cody Hendsbee kept it in the Braves zone and walked the line where he let a blistering shot go and Brown tipped it past the goalie. The Braves got that one back eight minutes later to tie it at one. But that tie was short lived. Blais won the face off at his own blue line and Brown recovered the puck. He hit Blais with a pass at center ice and Blais stepped into the Braves end and drilled a shot that the goalie never saw to make it a 2-1 game. Early in the second, Brockville tied it up again and then took a 3-2 lead. Two minutes later, Olivier Chabot scored to tie the game at three. Alex Row stole the puck in his own end right off the faceoff and streaked down the ice on a partial breakaway. He was stopped cold point blank, but Dylan Giberson was trailing the play and he was checked by a Braves defenceman.

Chabot came in behind and buried it in the open net. In the third period, the Braves got themselves into penalty trouble and the 73's capitalized on their opportunities scoring twice. On the first power play, after Blais took control of the puck from the faceoff, Hendsbee got the pass back at the point. He took a hard shot and Brown tipped it again. This time, the Braves goalie made the save but Dean Galasso

scored on the rebound. Less than two minutes later, the same trio combined again.

Blais, Brown and Galasso were cycling the puck in the Brockville end and Galasso sent a pass back to Hendsbee who took his hard shot again. This time, Brown snuck home the big rebound. The 73's were now leading 5-3. The game got even more chippy after that.

Brockville got one of them back with ten minutes left in the game. With five minutes left, Chabot won the draw in his own end and Matt Martin picked up the loose puck.

He fed it around behind the net to Quinn Carroll on the half wall. Carroll sent a short pass to Chabot who took it all the way to the Brockville end and shot from the top of the circle. The puck hit the cross bar and went in to make it 6-4 for the home team. The 73's enjoyed their victory. Erik Brown was selected as first star for his four point performance.

Olivier Chabot got the nod for second star with a pair of goals. Congratulations to Cody Hendsbee for picking seven points in the two games over the weekend.

There is only one home game left this year before the Christmas break. On Friday night, the Cumberland Grads will be visiting North Grenville. Game time is 7:30. This will be an important game in the standings.

Catch the Junior A fever!

Hockey with edge!

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