Issue 1 January 15, 2026

Kemptville Winter Carnival 2026 CALL

by Herb Cloutier

As the Kemptville Winter Carnival continues to grow, we are looking for partners who can help lead its operations and guide the event into the future. Throughout the past year, I have opened many conversations within our community and am now reaching out more broadly. My hope is that one of our local Business Associations, Service Clubs, or

Community Organizations will consider stepping into the role of lead organizer.

The Carnival has been a successful annual event for the past four years, with funding provided by the Municipality of North Grenville and major sponsorship from Urbandale. Much of the groundwork is already in place: Funding has been secured

• The Kemptville Creek Skate Way on the

South Branch River is well established thanks to Parks & Recreation

• Infrastructure and equipment are stored and ready to deploy However, as the event has expanded, it has grown beyond what a single organizer can continue to manage. I am now inviting our remarkable community to help take the reins. It has always been my

vision to create a vibrant winter festival for North Grenville, and thanks to many incredible volunteers, we’ve delivered four years of free winter fun for families and visitors.

If you or your organization would like to get involved, please contact me at: Jammingaroundman@ gmail.com

Let’s continue building something special together for North Grenville.

KDH partners with West Ottawa HART Hub

Education) stand with West Ottawa

Hub representatives Fay Hogeveen (Registered Social Worker), Asheley Zompanti (Registered Practical Nurse), and Anthony Desloges (Clinical Manager).

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is pleased to announce the launch of mobile consultation services in partnership with the West Ottawa Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub, starting today January 7, 2026.

The HART Hub is a new model of care launched by the provincial government to assist individuals seeking care for substance related health concerns and social related concerns with housing. The province is investing almost $550 million to open 28 HART hubs across Ontario to protect the safety of children and families, while improving access to recovery and treatment services for people facing housing instability, mental health and substance use challenges.

Homelessness Addictions Recovery and Treatment (HART) Hubs connect people to a range of comprehensive substance use health treatment services and related wraparound supports such as primary care, mental health supports, social services and employment support.

Who knows where the Times goes

We want to thank the Kemptville Community for their support during the Poppy Campaign.

Through our wreath donors below and hundreds of others approximately $28,000 has been raised to assist Veterans in our Community. We are so grateful for the support, Kemptville Legion, Branch 212.

Kemptville District Hospital

St.John;s United Church

Brown McDougall Insurance

Paramedic Services of North Grenville

North Grenville Scouts

North Grenville District High School

St. Michael’s High School

“KDH has long advocated for mental health, substance use, and homelessness support services for our community,” said the hospital’s President and CEO, Frank Vassallo. “The HART Hub will be a key element in providing much needed services for those in need.”

The intent of the Community Health Rapid Access Management Program (RAMP), led by the West Ottawa HART Hub, is to assist rural hospitals with providing care to individuals seeking care for substance use and housing related concerns. The goal is to alleviate pressure on the KDH Emergency Depart ment (ED), while provid ing high quality and safe care to patients.

will provide care directly to the patient in the ED. The Community Health RAMP will also offer assistance with discharge coordination for admitted patients at the hospital, as well as follow-up care related to substance use.

“Our mobile service will have an exceptional team of professionals specializing in substance use health, including a social worker, registered practical nurse, case manager, as well as a prescriber,” said Anthony

The Community Health RAMP is an ex citing interim measure to launch West Ottawa HART Hub services while its buildings are being renovated, with funding until March 31, 2026. The in-patient services are expected to open this month, with the main site in Bells Corners expected to open in March 2026.

Desloges. “We'll have a wide breadth of services to be able to refer and start coordinating care.”

“KDH is thrilled to be partnering with the West Ottawa HART Hub to bring vital services to our patients,” said Katie Hogue, KDH VP of Nursing/Clinical Services & Chief Nursing Executive. “This model of care really aligns with the work we're doing at KDH to build new community partnerships that provide timely access to care.”

Specializing in Residential House Beautification

Knights of Columbus 5333 Kemptville Grenville County OPP

Kemptville Retirement Living

Seniors’ Community Services

Grenville Mutual Insurance

Municipality of North Grenville

Federal Retirees Branch 54

Oxford-On-Rideau Public School

Municipality of North Grenville

Kemptville Lions Club

Kemptville Public School

Kim Holland-Perrier Family Mt Zion 28

Kemptville Salvation Army

Mr. & Mrs. J.P. Dugan

Kemptville Men’s Dart League

Lois Watts-Sculthorpe

Rotary Club of Kemptville

South Branch Elementary School

Jim and Cathy Logue

The Probus Club of North Grenville

“Kemptville District Hospital is our first pilot site for the Community Health RAMP and we're so excited to launch this great service,” said Anthony Desloges, Clinical Manager of the West Ottawa HART Hub.

KDH can call out to the Community Health RAMP, between 9am and 3pm Monday through Friday, and the service

The West Ottawa HART Hub's main location will be in Bells Corners and will offer walk-in access to Rapid Access Addictions Medicine (RAAM), counselling services, social work support, peer support, case management, housing and employment supports and access to withdrawal management services. Through accessing the main site, clients may also be referred to in-patient stabilization and psychosocial treatment programs.

Weekly, Bi-Weekly, or One-time Cleans Servicing North Grenville and surrounding areas.

Jennie Childs Owner, CEO 613.314.6866 brightshinyspaces@gmail.com

@BrightShinySpaces

Community Living North Grenville

Thursday Night Mixed Dart League

École Publique Rivière Rideau

St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church

Hulse Playfair McGarry

St. James Anglican Church

McGahey Insurance

Habitat for Humanity Kemptville ReStore

North Grenville Fire Service

Kemptville BIA

Afro-Cuban rhythms at NGDHS

Therapeutic Art at Beth Donovan Hospice

by Darlene Collin

Beth Donovan Hospice will be continuing its Therapeutic Art Program this winter, with a new session beginning on Monday, January 19. The program will run as a closed 10-week group, offering participants a consistent and supportive creative space during the colder months. Two afternoon sessions are available, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM and 3:30 to 5:30 PM.

The Therapeutic Art Program is offered at no cost to caregivers, individuals living with a lifelimiting illness, and those experiencing grief. While rooted in artistic practice, the program is not focused on technical skill or artistic outcomes. Instead, it emphasizes the creative process as a means of expression, reflection, and emotional support. Participants are guided through a variety of art-based activities that invite exploration of colour, texture, and form in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

For many people, art provides a way to express feelings that are difficult to put into words. Engaging in creative work can help reduce stress, encourage mindfulness, and foster a sense of grounding and

presence. These benefits are particularly meaningful for individuals navigating illness, loss, or the ongoing demands of caregiving.

Beth Donovan Hospice has seen strong and sustained interest in the Therapeutic Art Program over time, with participants consistently sharing how meaningful the experience has been. Many describe the sessions as calming and connective, offering both personal reflection and a sense of community with others who understand similar life experiences.

The hospice is pleased to be able to continue offering the Therapeutic Art Program thanks to the generosity of community donors. Their support ensures that programs like this remain accessible and free of

charge, removing financial barriers for those who may already be facing significant challenges.

No previous art experience is required to take part. The program is open to anyone who is willing to explore creativity as a form of care and connection. As Beth Donovan Hospice continues to integrate the arts into its holistic approach to care, the Therapeutic Art Program remains an important example of how creative expression can support healing, resilience, and human connection.

To register, email melissa.hill@bethdonovanhospice.ca or call 613-2589611.

On December 17, the adult African drumming group (classes held at North Grenville District High School) welcomed a very special guest. Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo most recently performed as one of the front-of-house percussionists at the Toronto production of “The Lion King”. Joaquin is a multi Juno award winner, Grammy nominated Afro Cuban percussionist, drummer and educator (TDSB and Humber College). While Mr. Nunez visited Kemptville he did a residency with “big baNG” (drumming group at NGDHS) where he spent nine hours teaching Afro-Cuban rhythms such as Conga and ChaChaCha. He also spent a morning at South Branch Elementary School with grade 5/6 students, and at NGDHS with some 7/8 students.

This was an amazing opportunity for all of our drummers. Joaquin - thank you for visiting us and teaching us so many Afro-Cuban rhythms.

You are sure to hear some of these new rhythms at “big baNG’s” year end performance on May 8 in the theatre at the Municipal Centre.

Step into 2026 with purpose and well-being, and make yourself a priority. Gravitate Travel invites you to embrace journeys that nurture your mind, body, and soul. Explore destinations that rejuvenate your spirit and restore balance. From serene yoga retreats and luxurious spa escapes to mindful adventures in breathtaking landscapes, we curate experiences designed to help you slow down, recharge, and reconnect with what matters most—you.

Join Bodhi Tree Yoga and Gravitate Travel for an unforgettable journey to Bhutan in 2027. Reserve your spot today at www.Gravitate.Travel/tours.

Tomorrow is a long time

by David Shanahan

Here we are at the end of the first quarter of the century, or the start of the second quarter, if you like. The usual format of looking back on the old year and thinking about the year to come has changed a bit over the last years. I remember, way back in January 2020, making humourous comments n the first editorial of the year about 20-20 vision, and hindsight being 2020. Three months later, we were in lockdown and the world looked very different. Each year since then, there’s been a mood of foreboding every January, wondering what could possibly happen in the coming twelve months. For example, in last year’s first editorial of the year, I wrote this:

“The tradition that is followed at the start of every new year is to look back on the year just ended and forward to the possibilities of the one just begun. This year just feels different, and there is a far greater sense of dread than of optimism looking ahead to 2025.”

And, man, was I right! The assumptions of the past are gone, replaced by a sense of the unpredictability of things that has taken over our lives. It’s not that things were unpredictable before, it was just that we had the feeling that certain norms and standards would carry through into the future, so we could reasonably assume life would go on in a controlled and stable way. No longer.

We haven’t even got through the first weeks of the year, and already new threats and forebodings dominate thinking. There’s no need to list them all, though they could be summed up in two words: “Donald Trump”. Looking around the world, this one individual has caused entire nations to rethink their identities, their relations with other countries, even the need to ensure their very survival as sovereign countries. Americans used to boast about their ideal constitutional arrangement of checks and balances. Now they’ve found, just in time for their 250th anniversary, that the checks

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, From the Margins

My time on the margin is when I walk my rural road. Occupying the shoulder of the road does not always assure me of safety and security. When pedestrians and motorists collide, it’s the walker who gets hurt. From a walker’s point of view, many motorists show little appreciation for the wrecking capacity of their vehicle.

From the margin of my road, it is easy to recognize those who drive, but also walk, and those who only drive. There are two considerations that the walker/ drivers extend to a pedestrian. They slow down or ease off on the accelerator, and move over to occupy the other lane.

The people who only drive don’t ease off on the accelerator and are reluctant to leave their home lane. To bring some humour to this

and balances no longer work. All it took was for one man and his cronies to simply ignore constitutional standards, and everything that was once thought stable became as solid as a swamp.

So, as the philosopher said: how, then, should we live? History teaches us (or should do, if we paid attention to it), that there is really nothing new under the sun. What is happening in the world around us today has happened in various ways at various times in the past. It is not just Germany in the 1930's that we see reflected in the Excited States these days. All empires have fallen in similar ways. This does not remove the threats and concerns of the present, but it may help us to gain some perspective. Basically, we’ve had it rather easy for decades, though it may not have seemed that way at the time. Now we have to deal with a new order, a new rise of empires, a new arrangement of alliances and economies.

We Canadians have much in which to take solace. We’re still here, strong and free, however

shaken by the treachery of an old friend and neighbour. Although the threat is an actual war involving the major players is probably more real than ever since 1945, there are yet signs of resistance, realignment and a return to some kind of morality, green shoots of promise that must be nurtured by us all. Again, history has proved that bullies need to be faced down, even if it causes more turmoil and suffering in the short term. As citizens, we need to choose our representatives wisely, and forego any narrow provincialism or retreat into isolation and confrontation, so far as it lies within our power to do so.

The Times is back for a new year, and should be found in your mailbox once again. The community of which we are part continues to be one in which people care for one another and for the health of our society. This coming year, we’ll bring as much local news as possible to boost your spirits, throw a light on the good and the positive around us (and there is so much of that), and

also try to encourage dialogue on all subjects that affect us, whether that’s politics, economics, religion, or sports.

We have a municipal election coming up this year, a time to seriously consider the direction in which we want North Grenville to be going in the next four years, regardless of what happens elsewhere. Many years ago, Pete Seeger and friends sang a song called “How do I know my youth is all spent”. It was funny and topical. Let me reword a few lines for our day to express the approach of the Times and North Grenville to the way the World is going. “I get up in the morning and dust off my wits; open the paper and read the Obits. And if I’m not there, I know I’m not dead, so I have a good breakfast and go back to bed... Though Putin is angry and Trump is so vexed, we’ll still stick around to see what happens next.”

Happy New Year to all... seriously.

life-and-limb story, I imagine that parsimonious lanehuggers are really just insecure. They have separation anxiety when called upon to give lots of space to vulnerable walkers. Perhaps their sense of security is shaken and they can’t bring themselves to leave their lane. In a nutshell, they are not driving to the road conditions by recognizing that there’s a person there who has no protection.

In my mind, getting into a car does not create an entitlement of place and space. Rather, it calls upon the driver to be mindful and considerate of others with whom we share the road. So motorists, when passing pedestrians, please slow down and give lots of space. Psst (the whole lane). Bonus behaviour includes a wave.

Thank you.

Marc Nadeau Oxford Mills

Dear Editor,

As a 22 year resident of Kemptville who moved here for the quaintness, cleanliness, quietness, surrounded by ample animal nature and trails, well, all of those reasons have disappeared. It is difficult to keep any 'small town feel' as soon as one lets in tract builders who squeeze homes in like sardines!

The infrastructure may seem slow to some people, often I feel the same, but in all honesty the infrastructure has been moving along impressively, considering that the tract builders were allowed in Kemptville before it was even started.

I agree with Deputy Mayor Barclay and our Mayor that we need to define what 'small town feel' means in relation to Kemptville. Once we agree on our definition of what we want Kemptville to be, then we

can proceed. If we keep letting tract builders in before we do that, eventually Kemptville will be a mini Barrhaven and we can forget about the 'small town feel', there's no going back!

Revitalising the Downtown core, renovating and restoring the existing numerous quaint and historic homes that all ready exist in Kemptville and the surrounding areas; focusing on affordable housing, especially for the veterans that served their country, using

existing buildings that are vacant, these should be considerations before letting any tract builders in. Keeping our trails, forests, rivers accessible and clean should also be a top priority. I'm just saying... From a community resident's point of view!

Terry McMurray Wallace

Op-ed Planning and growth in North Grenville

by Sarah Herring

There’s continual frustration on local Facebook pages about growth: subdivisions, traffic increase, the feeling that “Kemptville isn’t the place it used to be.” The frustration is understandable, but inevitably, a poster or a post responder points the finger of blame at our mayor or council, which has become tiresome because it’s unfair, and here’s why:

Ontario’s municipalities don’t control community growth the way many seem to assume. Local councils are legally bound by provincial planning rules, including the Ontario Planning Act and related provincial policies. The province assigns population growth targets, and municipalities are required to accommodate those targets and plan for that growth, including designating land, zoning it, and ensuring there’s enough serviced land available for housing. Municipal opt-out ISN'T an option.

So, what looks like sudden growth may actually be the visible end of a long pipeline, since most subdivisions take 10, 15, or even more years from initial designation to construction.

Land that’s being built on today was often earmarked for development by previous councils that sat many

terms ago, sometimes under entirely different provincial governments. By the time shovels hit the ground, the major planning decisions are already locked in.

Also: councils don’t necessarily approve subdivisions because they want to, they approve them because THEY MUST. If a proposal conforms to the Official Plan, zoning, and provincial policy (which, remember, they were required to accommodate and plan for) refusing it can land the municipality in costly appeals that it’s very likely to lose. Those costs don’t hurt developers, they come straight out of taxpayers’ - OUR - pockets.

Growth itself is driven by forces well beyond the municipality’s control: federal immigration targets, a province-wide housing shortage, spillover from larger cities (mostly Ottawa, but there are a lot of Toronto transplants too), and changing demographics. If growth doesn’t happen where it’s planned, it doesn’t disappear; it just shows up somewhere else, often with worse outcomes for infrastructure, taxes, and the environment.

So the question isn’t “growth or no growth?”, it’s “planned growth, or chaotic growth?”. That’s where council has influence, and

where public pressure actually matters. Council can shape HOW growth happens: quality of design, density and housing mix, protection of green space, timing of roads and services, parks and trails, and ensuring developers pay their fair share.

It’s valid to lament the loss of the small-town feel, or feel frustrated when infrastructure lags behind growth, but to blame our mayor and council for things largely set by provincial policy and stemming from long-term planning they were not part of misses the real levers and distracts from conversations that could actually improve outcomes.

Council’s job isn’t to stop the growth, but rather to manage it wisely, pace it responsibly (where and how they can), and do its best to ensure our community gets real benefits from it. That’s the discussion worth having, and one where we residents can make a positive difference.

New impaired driving regulations in Ontario

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation introduced new regulations which came into effect on Thursday, January 1, 2026, resulting in increased licence suspensions and other measures aimed at reducing impaired driving.

To keep Ontario’s streets safer, amendments have been made to the Highway Traffic Act and relevant regulations that address reckless and dangerous driving behaviours including:

Lifetime driver’s licence suspension upon conviction for impaired drivers causing death

Mandatory remedial education for first-time alcohol and/or drug-related administrative occurrences.

Longer roadside licence suspensions for first- and second-time alcohol/drugrelated occurrences.

Mandatory minimum licence suspensions on conviction of stunt driving are automatically applied rather than being court-ordered.

Escalating driver’s licence suspensions for motor vehicle theft under the Criminal Code, including a lifetime suspension for a third conviction.

To crack down on motor vehicle theft, a new provincial offence has been created under the Highway Traffic Act for knowingly providing a false vehicle identification number for a vehicle transaction. Penalties include fines of up to $100,000 for convictions, the possibility of up to six months in jail and an up to one-year driver’s licence or vehicle permit suspension.

In addition, Highway Traffic Act amendments provide police with the authority to search and seize electronic devices that are intended to be used for vehicle theft — providing law enforcement stronger tools to keep keyless devices off the streets and out of the hands of criminals.

Recognizing significant dates in North Grenville – Winter 2025/2026

North Grenville is proud to celebrate the people, stories, and traditions that make up our community. Our Significant Dates Calendar highlights key cultural, social, and awareness observances that reflect who we are and the values we share.

North Grenville Invites residents to shine a spotlight on volunteers

The Municipality of North Grenville is calling on residents to help tell the stories of the remarkable people and groups who make this community such an incredible place to live. Nominations are now open for the 2026 North Grenville Civic Awards, an annual celebration of the everyday champions whose dedication, generosity, and leadership strengthen our municipality in ways both big and small. Every community has them: the neighbour who always shows up shovel in hand, the volunteer who quietly gives hundreds of hours without asking for recognition, the coach who’s at the bench before their first cup of coffee, and the group that sees a need and simply gets to work. The Civic Awards are our chance to pause, look around, and say we see you.

“North Grenville is powered by people who care deeply about one another and about the place we call home,” said Mayor Nancy Peckford. “These awards exist because of the selfless compassion, creativity, and commitment that residents show every single day. If someone has made your life better, even in the smallest way, I encourage you to take a few minutes to nominate them. Together we can celebrate the spirit that truly defines North Grenville”.

Awards are presented in a wide range of categories, including arts and culture, agriculture, environment, health and wellness, recreation, heritage, youth and seniors support, as well as Volunteer of the Year and Citizen of the Year.

Individuals of all ages, along with community groups and organizations, are eligible for nomination. Residents are encouraged to help ensure these stories are shared and celebrated.

Full details on award categories, eligibility, and nomination forms are available at www.northgrenville.ca/civicawards. Nominations are open from January 7 to February 26, 2026. Let’s make sure the people who lift up North Grenville are lifted up in return.

Community members and businesses can support our diverse population by recognizing and considering scheduling around these events. In this article we share some dates that are not as well publicized.

A few dates for the Winter season are:

• February 14 – Pink Triangle Day: a day to recognize the persecution of members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community by the Nazis. The day also challenges heteronormative traditions associated with Valentine’s Day.

• February 17 – Lunar New Year: celebrated across East and Southeast Asia and by communities worldwide focussing on the lunar cycle. Includes feasting, family time, and recognizing new beginnings.

• February 18 – Ash Wednesday: marks the first day of Lent and is often recognized by attending service and receiving ashes in the form of the cross on the forehead.

• February 19 – First Day of Rama?an: the month of fasting (ending with ?Id

al-Fi?r on March 19 at sunset) during which physically able Muslims do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset. It is a time of self-examination and religious devotion.

• Evening of March 2-March 3 – Purim: Celebrates the defeat of a plot to massacre the Jewish people in Ancient Persia. Festivities include wearing costumes to public readings of the story of Esther and delivering gifts to friends and neighbours.

These observances and more are included in North Grenville’s Significant Dates Calendar, a living document developed by the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee (EDIAC) to recognize the cultural, social, and spiritual diversity in our community.

Explore the full calendar at www.northgrenville. ca/events. If there are other dates you’d like us to add to the calendar click the “Submit your event” button at the bottom of the page.

• March 3 – Holi: a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus recognizing Krishna and the victory of good over evil. Participants celebrate by throwing colourful powder and coloured water at each other and take part in dancing and feasting.

Songs of Scotland in honour of Robert Burns

by Doug Hendry

January is not exactly the month that is most associated with 'fun': it's dark, the ice covers the ground and the discounted Christmas decorations are replaced in stores with a stormy sea of hearts and chocolate boxes.

But here in North Grenville at least, we can look forward to a bright spot at the end of January as we celebrate the birth and legacy of Scotland's most enduring poet, Robert Burns.

The Kemptville Legion is hosting a full Burns supper on Saturday 24, complete with bagpipes and highland dancing. The cost is $50 and tickets are available from the Legion, B&H, Village Pets, and Loughlin Motors.

Then, on Sunday the 25 (which is Burns's ac-

tual birthday), Tripoly & the Grenville Troubadours are hosting an afternoon sing-along of Scottish songs, many written or collected by Burns himself. Given Burns's clear love of language, this concert is perfectly paired as a fundraiser for the Friends of the North Grenville Public Library, as well as for the hosts, St John's United Church on Prescott St.

The show will take place in the church hall, and light refreshments (with a Scottish flavour!) will be served. Doors open at 2.30 and the singing begins at 3. And, best of all, you'll be home in time for supper, having sung your heart out to those beautiful and familiar melodies.

Tripoly and the Troubadours' first ever show together was a Burns show in

2023, and, since then, have raised close to $20,000 for local non-profits and charities. The musicians are known for their lovely arrangements and strong harmonies, as well their on-stage humour, and they love to get the audience singing. And there is little that is more nourishing for the soul!

There are a limited number of tickets available for this show (priced at $20) and you can purchase them from the North Grenville Public Library (cash only), from the St John's church office (call 613 258-3259 to reserve), or online from ticketsplease.ca (a ticket handling fee is added for these).

For more information, contact fiddleheadsoup@gmail. com.

My New Years resolution

by Hilary Thomson

I have never been one for making grand New Years resolutions - and last year really taught me why. At the beginning of last year, I deemed 2025 the year I would get myself back after spending the past 3.5 years carrying and raising babies. My daughter was three at the beginning of last year and my son was just over a year old.

I feel like most seasoned mothers would have probably looked at me questioningly if I had told them I was going to reclaim my identity outside of motherhood with kids that young at home - but I digress.

Needless to say, 2025 did not work out the way I had hoped. With my daughter in part time preschool, she brought home every bug imaginable, which wreaked havoc on all of our immune systems after years of not being exposed to much due to COVID. I found out the hard way that looking after kids while sick is a special form of torture. We were living in survival mode for most of the winter months.

When summer came, I was looking forward to spending time outside,

and away from germs that would make us sick. Besides a short bout with hand, foot, and mouth we were all healthy over the summer, except I also grossly underestimated how much energy it would take to be caring for young kids 24/7. By September I was completely burnt out.

In September, my daughter started Kindergarten, which brought with it some relief, but also a lot of stress and worry. My nervous system just could not catch a break.

My year culminated with having minor knee surgery, which completely knocked me off my feet for about a week.

So, needless to say, I did not feel like I “found myself” in 2025. In fact, it was a pretty brutal year for me. But, as I look back, it was also a year of a lot of personal growth.

I learned how important it is to take care of myself mentally and physically. I started meditating and eating better. I learned that, no matter how hard parenthood is, I can meet any challenge head on and come out on top.

I learned how much I

love caring for my children (after spending a week after surgery not being able to care for them at all).

So, even though 2025 was a relative dumpster fire, I am grateful it happened. Because, sometimes, out of hardship comes the greatest lessons. Starting 2026 I feel like a Phoenix, rising from the ashes of a hard year, ready to take on what the new year throws my way.

I have goals for sure. But no grand resolution in sight.

Young Artists shine in North Grenville's 2025 Holiday Card Design Contest

The Municipality of North Grenville is pleased to announce the winner of the 2025 Holiday Card Design Contest! After thoughtful review, one standout design was selected to appear on the Municipality's official holiday messaging, highlighting the creativity and imagination of our community's young artists.

We are thrilled to celebrate the talent and contributions of our young residents.

Hedda Amalie O Reinhart (Age 6, Grade 1, homeschool) has been named the overall winner. Her festive and imaginative artwork captured the attention of the Mayor and municipal staff, and her design will be shared with the community throughout the holiday season.

Honourable Mentions by School:

· Olivia Sheehan (Madison Montessori)

· Scarlett Hawken (South Branch)

· Lillian Quig (Holy Cross)

· Rose Henshall (Rivière Rideau)

· Kaylee Billings (Oxford on Rideau)

· Grace Reedy (KPS)

To recognize these talented young artists, the overall winner, honourable mention recipients, and their families were invited to a special gathering with Mayor and Council on Tuesday, December 16 at the Municipal Centre. Families enjoyed cookies and had the chance to have photos taken, and printed copies of the winning artwork were shared during the event.

"This contest is a wonderful reminder of the creativity and joy our young residents bring to North Grenville," said Mayor Nancy Peckford. "Each submission reflected care, imagination, and holiday spirit. We're proud to showcase this year's winning design and extend our congratulations to Hedda and all of the students who participated."

The contest was open to students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 in North Grenville. The winning artwork was featured on the Municipality's website and social media cover photos, helping spread seasonal cheer throughout the community.

by David Shanahan

It had it all: the initial incident and then the cover-up. The involvement of political influence at the highest level. Disappearing evidence and prosecution of lower level operatives. It was not Watergate in 1972, it was Buttergate in 1975, and Kemptville found itself, not for the last time, the object of national attention and media coverage. In a famous novel and movie, “Whiskey Galore”, a Scottish village takes advantage of a shipwreck to relieve the stricken ship of its cargo of whiskey. In Kemptville, perhaps typically, it wasn’t whiskey, it was over 7,000 pounds of butter!

It all started on April 9, 1975 at the junction of River Road and what was then Highway 16. An Eganville Creamery truck, containing 379 cases of butter, was heading south on Highway 16 when it was hit by another vehicle. It was quite a collision and both vehicles were right-offs. The Eganville truck was tossed on to its side and the cargo of butter was scattered over the road. By the time the site had been cleared and people from Eganville arrived to collect their 19,000 pounds of butter, it was discovered that 160 cases of it were missing, about 7,425 pounds of the stuff.

Kemptville Police Chief, Steve Kinnaird began an investigation into the disappearance, and soon learned that two trucks from the Kemptville Truck Centre had arrived and removed the missing butter, valued at almost $8,000. That is almost $40,000 in today’s dollars. This was not a minor issue, especially when Chief Kinnaird discovered that the stolen merchandise

had been quickly distributed among about 27 local residents. It seemed half the town were in the deal. To make his position much more uncomfortable, one of those 27 residents was the Mayor of Kemptville, Ken Seymour.

By July 3, Chief Kinnaird felt that the political pressure being brought to bear on the investigation required him to find some extra help from outside the town. Crown Attorney John Van Plew, from Brockville, had been gathering evidence for a trial, and recognised the delicate position Chief Kinnaird was in. He contacted the Criminal Investigation department of the Ontario Provincial Police in Toronto, and Detective Inspector M. K. McMaster arrived to join in the case.

By September, the 27 individuals who had received part of the stolen butter had been identified, and three men had been arrested and charged. The case came to trial in April, 1976 in Brockville, with Judge Mossman Dubrule presiding. Two of those charged were found not guilty and the charges against the third man were therefore dropped. But Judge Dubrule was quite scathing in his judgment. Although he found little solid evidence upon which to convict the accused, he labelled the case “Buttergate”, and said that it bore all the earmarks of a scandal, with suspicion of wrongdoing by influential town residents.

During the police investigation into the theft, about 600 pounds of butter had been recovered after Chief Kinnaird and Inspector McMaster had warned the 27 that they would be pros-

ecuted if it was not handed in. That still left more than 6,700 pounds missing, and it was said that most of the remainder had been fed to pigs by one of the 27.

The matter was then raised in the Ontario Legislature by Ottawa East MPP Albert Roy, who wanted the Attorney General, Roy McMurtry to investigate any unfair political influence in prosecuting the case. He wanted to know why only three individuals had been charged, when there were 27 people known to have been in possession of the stolen butter, including Mayor Seymour. Had the mayor brought undue influence to bear to curtail the inquiries? When interviewed Inspector McMaster at the time, Mayor Seymour had admitted coming into possession of 200 pounds of the butter, but claimed that the butter had been placed in his car and on his doorstep, without his knowledge. Nevertheless, rather than hand it over to the police, the Mayor had apparently “distributed” it around the town.

Crown Attorney Van Plew was then instructed to make a report to the Attorney General on the matter. A more formal legislative committee was set up to look into the allegations that the Mayor and others had been allowed to avoid prosecution because of their position in the town, and this would, in turn, lead to even more controversy when the OPP and the Crown Attorney’s Office traded accusations about who, precisely, made the decision not to charge the mayor and the rest of the 27 known accomplices. Next week, the conspiracy continues.

esterDistrict Memorial

Welcome to a joint update from Winchester District Memorial Hospital, the WDMH Auxiliary, Dundas Manor Long-Term Care Home and the WDMH Foundation. It’s our annual opportunity to share some of the highlights from the past year and to thank our local communities for your incredible support. We also want to thank our healthcare teams for their commitment to the very best care. AUXILIARY

Building Health, Building Home Our 2025 Report to

the Community

Like a Warm Hug

Let’s Celebrate This Season

Winchester District Memorial Hospital has so much to celebrate this season! Over the past year, WDMH has introduced new Rheumatology, Dermatology, and Pulmonary Function Testing clinics, to provide more specialized care to our patients. We also launched the innovative Molli Seed Breast Cancer Localization Program; a less-invasive, more comfortable way to help care for patients with breast cancer.

Another major achievement: WDMH successfully completed its first breast biopsy procedure. Patients can now receive everything from initial screening and follow up to biopsy and surgery, all under one roof, close to home.

For more information visit our website www.wdmh.on.ca or follow us on social media.

As winter approaches, we are reminded of the warm and reassuring support that Winchester District Memorial Hospital receives from the WDMH Auxiliary. Thanks to the tireless efforts of its members, the WDMH Auxiliary was able to provide the following gifts to the hospital:

Two ultrasound probes

One vending machine with debit

Hot/Cold table for Food Services

Three beds for the medical surgical unit

$19,717.76

$20,250.00

$17,000.00

$33,935.00

iW cn h esterDistrict Memorial H o s pilat

Moving forward, the Foundation will take care of administrative and financial responsibilities for the Auxiliary, so our dedicated volunteers can focus on what they love most, hosting activities and events that support our hospital.

There’s Snow Place Like Home

Garland, twinkle lights, and cozy throws are just some things that are adding to the coziness of Dundas Manor this winter. As residents settle in, the construction team presses on and remains on schedule; residents can look forward to moving into their new home in September 2026.

The new home is now over 70% complete, marking a major milestone in the redevelopment journey. To date an impressive $15 million has been raised thanks to the generosity of our community and supporters. The Foundation remains steadfast in its efforts to reach the ultimate fundraising goal of $18 million.

To learn more about Dundas Manor, visit www.dundasmanor.ca. To learn more about the campaign to build the new Dundas Manor, visit www.dundasmanordream.ca. Check out what our residents are up to, visit our “Dundas Manor” Facebook page.

Cold Days, Warm Hearts

In 2020, Dale and Lois Keys made a heart-warming donation of one million dollars to help purchase a new CT scanner for WDMH. This state-of-the-art machine is now installed and provides faster, more efficient scans, uses lower radiation doses, and delivers higher-quality images. WDMH performs more than 9,000 CT scans each year, making this an essential part of health care close to home.

Thanks to the unwavering support of our community, the WDMH Foundation has also funded the equipment on the right to enhance patient care at Winchester District Memorial Hospital.

To learn more about the WDMH Foundation, visit www.wdmhfoundation.ca

Robert David Noseworthy

June 29, 1958 - December 19, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert David Noseworthy of Kemptville, Ontario, on Friday, December 19, 2025, due to complications of chronic lung disease, surrounded by his children.

Robert was a proud and accomplished man with a strong sense of community who devoted much of his career to the development of Kemptville. Born and raised in Montreal, he began his career at Canadian Bank Note. He moved to Ottawa with his family in 1992, where he expanded his professional experience in the high-tech sector through his own company, as well as Telcom Training and Nortel Networks. A lifelong learner, Robert attended Queen’s University, Carleton University, and Athabasca University, where he earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Ultimately, his career led him into home building and as co-founder, owner and CEO of Westerra Homes, he played a central role in the construction of several communities, taking great pride in building distinctive, high-quality homes that helped shape the Kemptville community.

A kind and generous man of strong faith, Robert was deeply committed to giving back. He served as Chair for the Economic Development Committee for North Grenville, the North Grenville Home Builders Association, the Kemptville District Hospital and Habitat for Humanity, among many others. He volunteered hundreds of hours and supported countless charitable initiatives, leaving a lasting impact on the community he loved.

Family meant everything to Robert. He invested considerable time and care in ensuring that every person in his life felt loved and supported. He was immensely proud of his children and their accomplishments and cherished his role as “Poppa” to his grandchildren.

Robert is survived by his children, Julianne (Marc) Noseworthy of Montreal, QC, and David (Cheyanne) Noseworthy of Greely, ON; his beloved grandchildren, Everleigh, Ethan, and Claire; his former wife and mother of his children, Anne Daviault; and his siblings, Irene (Gilles) Noseworthy, Helen (Calvin) Tuitt, and Ron Noseworthy, along with their children and grandchildren. He was predeceased by his mother, Gabrielle Dulude, and his stepfather, Patricien Vézina, of Montreal, QC.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the Kemptville District Hospital, the Beth Donovan Hospice, and especially Dr. Zakhem, for her compassion, kindness, exceptional care, and for helping ensure Robert’s final wishes were honoured. A Celebration of Life service and reception will be held on January 30, 2026, at 2:00 pm at St. John’s United Church in Kemptville, ON.

Family flowers only. Memorial donations may be made in Robert’s name to the Beth Donovan Hospice.

Robert’s impact will be felt for generations through the communities he’s built and the lives he’s touched.

Common Sense Health When common sense goes up in flames

by Diana Gifford-Jones

By any measure, what happened in Switzerland a couple weeks ago is a human catastrophe. A room filled with young people full of promise was turned into a scene of lifelong grief. Families shattered. Futures erased. Survivors left with horrible scars.

Authorities will do what they must. Investigators will trace the ignition point. Building inspectors will scrutinize ceiling materials, fire exits, sprinkler systems, and renovations. Prosecutors will decide whether criminal negligence was involved. All of this matters. We should insist that regulations are enforced, and that those who ignored them are held accountable.

But more troubling than regulatory failure, this was also a failure of common sense.

That night, someone thought it was a good idea to set off flaming champagne sparklers in a crowded, enclosed space. Not outdoors in open air. But inside, with people packed shoulder-to-shoulder. That decision set in motion consequences that will echo for decades.

And the truly chilling truth is this: it will happen again.

After every nightclub fire, warehouse inferno, or stadium stampede, we say “how could anyone have allowed this?” And yet, it happens again. Because novelty and spectacle overpower judgment. Because risk feels theoretical. We like to think safety is something others provide. But real safety begins between our ears.

When was the last time you didn’t do something because your analytical internal voice said, “This isn’t smart”?

A snowstorm is rolling in. You’ve been waiting months for that weekend getaway. The hotel is booked. The car is packed. Do you pause? Or do you say, “We’ll be fine”, as icy roads turn highways into high-speed skating rinks?

Your smoke detector hasn’t chirped in years. You can’t remember the last time you changed the battery. You assume it’s working. There’s no carbon monoxide detector in the house. You’ve meant to buy one. But it keeps getting bumped to next weekend.

Your barbecue sits against the siding of your

home. You know embers can blow. You know vinyl melts. But you’ve done it a hundred times without incident—so why move it now?

Your phone buzzes while driving. You glance down. Just for a second.

These are not rare behaviors. They are risks that get normalized. Most of the time, nothing happens. And that’s what makes them dangerous.

The tragedy in Switzerland was not caused by mystery physics. It was not an unforeseeable freak accident. Fire and sparks in confined spaces have been setting buildings alight since long before electricity was invented. Every firefighter knows it. Building codes reflect it. Insurance companies price it.

So what possessed someone to light flaming devices indoors? The answer is brutally simple: the same human instinct that tells us, “It’ll be fine.”

The heartbreaking reality is that many of the victims in Switzerland were young. They did not light the flame. They were simply there, trusting.

If there is anything to

be salvaged from grief on this scale, it is a renewed commitment to thinking ahead and to pausing in the moment. The families of victims are living with terrible grief. Our hearts are with them. But sympathy is not enough. If we truly honor the victims, we must change how casually we flirt with danger.

I’ve written about fireworks before, and I am not a fan. It is beautiful what they do in the night sky with ever more sophisticated displays. But, without caution and common sense, there will be more horrible accidents. In celebrating life’s joys, let’s choose to marvel at the things that will keep us alive, not make us dead. This column offers opinions on health and wellness, not personal medical advice. Visit www.docgiff.com to learn more. For comments, diana@docgiff. com. Follow on Instagram @diana_gifford_jones

Leeds & Grenville OGS Branch Presentation

by Kathy De Souza

Join us on Monday, February 2, at 7:00 pm via Zoom for a presentation by Chuck Buckley. His topic is Finding Land Documents for 19th Century Ontario, Canada. Far more than just a location or an address, land records hold numerous documents containing the relationships between your ancestors. Land records provide the next level of information for understanding your family story. Wills, and covenants on bargain and sale transactions may provide you with the extra detail you are looking for. The presentation is a Demonstration and Workshop of one methodology for uncovering land records in Ontario.

Chuck Buckley, P.L.C.G.S., B.Sc., P.Geo., has family history interests across Canada and international interests in Ireland, Scotland and England. He is the Cemeteries Coordinator for the Leeds & Grenville Branch of Ontario Ancestors. He resides in Canmore, Alberta, Canada.

To register for this presentation, click here or visit our Branch website https://leedsandgrenville.ogs.on.ca for more details.

UCDSB strengthens focus on math achievement

Dinosaurs, artificial intelligence, math and writing are coming together in classrooms across the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) through a new series of interactive, video-based learning experiences. Launched earlier this month, Dino Dig Disaster for Grade 3 students and AI Gone Rogue for Grade 6 students are designed to strengthen math and writing instruction and support EQAO-style thinking in a fun way.

The approach of developing interactive, classroom-ready learning experiences was inspired by the idea of escape rooms.

additional support.”

UCDSB staff created a series of activities featuring math-based EQAO-style questions, supported by writing tasks and interactive video elements to enhance student learning. The focus remains on developing problem-solving skills, mathematical reasoning, and real-world applications.

“Our approach to math is intentional and studentcentered,” said Rob Scott, Vice-Principal of Curriculum and Assessment. “We wanted to create something fun and interactive that mirrors EQAO-style thinking while being easy for teachers to use in their classrooms, without the need for

UCDSB’s math focus includes consistent classroom practices aligned with the Ontario curriculum, the use of assessment data to inform instruction, and ongoing collaboration among educators. The interactive activities are designed to be sent directly to schools and implemented by classroom teachers, making them accessible and flexible learning tools. Students are encouraged to participate in math conversations, explore multiple problemsolving strategies, and make connections between math concepts and everyday experiences.

Dino Dig Disaster and AI Gone Rogue have already hit Grades 3 and 6 classrooms, with additional activities currently in development for Grades 2, 4, and 5. The goal is to build a reusable bank of activities that teachers can draw from year after year with different groups of students.

“EQAO is one measure of student learning,” added Rob Scott, “Our goal is to support well-rounded math development, so students are prepared not just for a test, but for future learning and real-life problem solving.”

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

Marie Nightingale’s Out of Old Nova Scotia Kitchens cookbook is a great source of original recipes from down East. Today’s recipe is a Scallop Chowder with apologies to those who are allergic to seafood. It’s interesting to note that the word “chowder” derives from the French “chaudière”, from the type of iron pot in which it was cooked. Chowders of any kind are very soothing on a cold or miserable winter day. This recipe is very simple to make and feeds four quite nicely with leftovers to boot. Scallop Chowder

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of scallops (small Digby scallops are excellent if you can get them)

• 2 small onions, diced

• 6 medium sized potatoes cut into small cubes

• 2 cups of water

• 6 cups of 3% milk

• 2 tablespoons of butter

• Some salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation:

• Melt the butter in a skillet and fry the scallops on both sides

• If the scallops are large, cut them into quarters once they are firm

• Continue browning the scallop pieces till browned but not overcooked

• Meanwhile, boil the potatoes and onions in lightly salted water till tender

• Add the scallops and the milk and bring just to the boiling point for serving

If you would like to thicken your chowder, just stir in a couple of teaspoons of corn starch dissolved in cold water. Some 35% cream also is nice. Crackers (saltines) are more traditional to have with chowder, particularly if you crunch them up and stir them in. However, my preference is to have bread with it. I am a huge fan of Nova Scotia Brown Bread and you should try Grahame’s, nicely warmed up. To serve, just ladle into bowls and top with a sprinkle of old cheddar finely grated. Yum!

The best for a great culinary year and many thanks again for your mails at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

Municipalities welcome pause in health board closures

Several municipalities in Leeds-Grenville and Lanark Counties are welcoming recent direction from the Southeast Public Board of Health that removes the proposed satellite office closures, including the Kemptville Public Health Office, from consideration for the immediate future. Instead, there is a focus on staffing and operational efficiencies.

The Board's recent direction follows significant concern from municipalities after proposed satellite office closures were communicated publicly without prior notice to affected local governments. Municipal leaders have noted that earlier briefings indicated service levels and budgets would remain stable following amalgamation, making the sudden announcement of potential closures unexpected.

The issue was raised during a deputation to the Board of Health led by Warden Corinna SmithGatcke on behalf of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, with sup-

New website launched to preserve Grenville History

port from municipal leaders across the region.

"Four of seven proposed closures were within Lanark, Leeds, and Grenville Counties, and we are here to advocate for access, equity, and rural-urban considerations," said Warden Smith-Gatcke. "Public health units have supported countless seniors, youth, and low-income residents across the region who do not have access to transportation - and that's why these offices are very critical."

Mayor Peckford emphasized that North Grenville's rapid growth makes local public health access essential. "North Grenville is experiencing accelerated growth coming out of the pandemic," said Mayor Peckford. "We are adding hundreds of homes every year, and closing the physical public health space in Kemptville would have negative health impacts for our growing community."

Support for maintaining local access has been echoed by municipal leaders across Eastern

by David Graham

The Grenville County Historical Society has launched a new website housing an archive of newspapers dating back to 1895. This archive is important because it preserves the documentary history of the county and also mitigates an urgent risk. The old newspapers are crumbling. If these assets were not digitized and made searchable, a window on our past would be closed.

GCHS directors identified this crucial need and set out a plan to digitize and store the searchable information online, to be seen forever with access to all. To pay for it, a grant of nearly $50 thousand dollars was obtained from the Govern-

ment of Canada through Library and Archives Canada. (Documentary Heritage Communities Program)

A key part of winning the federal grant was coming up with a plan to future-proof the collection. The new website https://vitacollections. ca/grenville-countynewspapers/search is hosted by Our Digital World, a non-profit based in Toronto. “Our Digital World works with many communities on similar projects to ours”, says Project Manager and GCHS Vice President David Graham. “They are committed to updating their housing and search technology as time passes. And to safe guard the sustainability

of our archive, we have deposited external hard drive copies with organizations such as the Ontario Historical Society, the Ontario Ancestors (Leeds and Grenville Branch) and the Prescott Public Library.”

The site is linked to the Ontario Community Newspaper portal https:// news.ourontario.ca/ for wider-reaching search options available to the residents of Grenville. “We have reached out to indigenous and French Canadian communities within Grenville County to let them know this new service is available”, says GCHS President Jane Ramsay. “This new archive site really improves our service for researchers or inter-

Ontario. Mayor Tory Deschamps has previously emphasized that growth communities cannot afford to lose front-line public health access.

"As our communities grow, the need for accessible public health services grows with them. Removing local access places real strain on families and risks leaving people behind," said Mayor Deschamps.

Mayor Robin Jones, a member of the Board of Health and President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), has raised concerns regarding staff recommendations to close public health unit offices.

"As a member of the South East Transition Team (SETT) in 2024, we committed that there would be no reduction in services in rural areas, and that our goal was to enhance public health delivery. It was on this basis, and the assurance that there would be no additional costs, that municipalities supported the merger through resolutions passed in December 2024," said Mayor Jones. "Further reinforcing this commitment, at the December 17, 2025 SEHU Board meeting, a motion was passed stating that no health unit office would be closed without the approval of the Board."

Mayor Jones also reiterated her longstanding position on rural service delivery, stating:

ested community members. Instead of having to show up in person to look through papers at an archive that is open one day a week, you can now do a key word search on line from the comfort of your home or office.”

Roughly half of the GCHS collection of 75,000 newspapers has been digitized and housed. The next project for the Society is to preserve more Prescott Journals and other publications such as the Prescott County Telegraph, Prescott Messenger and Grenville County Advertiser. The goal, of course, is to ensure our county history is easily accessible to current and future generations.

"Public health works best when services are visible, reliable, and close to the people who depend on them, particularly youth and vulnerable residents."

Christa Lowry, Mayor of Mississippi Mills and Chair of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), has also highlighted the broader funding context facing rural public health systems.

"Rural municipalities are being asked to do more with less, and sustainable provincial funding is essential if we are serious about equitable public health access across Ontario," said Mayor Lowry.

Mayor Peckford welcomed the Board's decision to step back from clinic closures and reiterated North Grenville's willingness to collaborate on sustainable solutions.

"North Grenville is ready to work constructively with Southeast Public Health to find solutions that protect access, respect rural realities, and support long-term sustainability," she said.

The lack of advance consultation and clarity around impacts related to the proposal led to this coordinated response from rural and growth municipalities, who called for a pause on the closures, for improved communication, and for a more transparent, evidence-based approach to rural public health service delivery.

COMMUNITY EVENTS events@ngtimes.ca

Knights of Columbus Monthly Supper at Holy Cross Church Hall 503 Clothier Street West. Suppers are held at 5:30 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month, September to November and January to May. Cost $10 per person, $5 for a child under 12 and $25 for a family.

Kemptville Legion: Fridays 3-9. Free Pool and Darts. Everyone Welcome LEGION EUCHRE will be held at 100 Reuben St., the 3rd Saturday of each month. Registration starts at 12:30, with Euchre starting at 1:00. Cost is $5 to play - cash prizes.

NG Duplicate Bridge Club Masonic Lodge 311 Van Buren Kemptivlle, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 12:15.

All Levels of bridge players are welcome. Info call 613-795-7155

Youngsters of Yore

Held at the Tallman Room of Kemptville Library on Water street. Starts at 2 pm every Thursday, so arrive before to get a chair.

Mingle with us having a cup of tea and snack after Ashley speaks and answers your questions.

We welcome All Ages!

January 22nd- speaker- Connie Lamble on "Wills"

January 29 - speaker - Peter Johnson

Friendship Lunches are offered to everyone every Friday. Please join us in our lower hall by 11:30 for a free meal, companionship and fellowship at St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. and begin at 11:30. There is no charge. A free will offering is appreciated. Everyone is welcome.

Commmunity Dinner

Friendship Café is open to the community Tuesday's from 10 to noon. All are welcome to stop by, enjoy a hot beverage, a sweet treat and some friendly conversation all at no cost. At St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. Tuesday Community Hub hosted by the House of Lazarus All are welcome to drop in. Advocacy, “make a meal, take a meal” cooking opportunities, community services assistance are just a few of the weekly programs. Stop by and visit or contact House of Lazarus directly at 613-989-3830 for more details. “Building Community, Sharing Hope”. Upstairs at St. John's United Church at 400 Prescott St. Modern Square Dancing in Kemptville with the Grenville Gremlins Square Dance Club. Monday Evenings 7:30 - 9:30pm. North Grenville Municipal Center County Road 44 For more info call Debbie at 613-795-3032 or Google "Kemptville Square Dancing"

KLUB 67 invites all euchre players to join us every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month for a fun social game of euchre. Location: Kemptville Legion, 100 Reuben St. Registration starts at 12.30, play starts at 1pm. Cost is $5 to play – cash prizes given. No membership required.

North Grenville Men’s Shed

A men’s shed provides a safe and friendly environment for men to socialize and/ or do projects.

Contact: Peter Ivay 343 598-1174 or website ngmensshed.com for scheduled meetings on the calendar and additional information.

Kemptville Horticultural Society - meetings are held monthly, except July, August & December. The are held the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm at the Kemptville Pentecostal Church.

NG Pride: 2SLGBTQAI+ Seniors and allies meet 2 - 4pm the first and third Sunday of each month at the NG Library. Join us for coffee, chat, cards and shenanigans. Looking to stay connected, informed, and inspired in retirement?

Join the Probus Club of North Grenville — a friendly group of retirees who meet monthly for conversation, laughter, and thought-provoking presentations. Gatherings take place the third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church Hall. For details, email n.g.probus97@gmail.com

Spencerville Agricultural Society, January Meeting

Event Description: Spencerville Agricultural Society, January Meeting

Next Meeting: Monday, January 19, 2026, Social Hour: 6:00 pm Meeting: 7:00 pm Address: 22 Ryan Street, Spencerville Ontario

Spencerville Agricultural Society Announces 2026 Annual General Meeting

The Spencerville Agricultural Society will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on January 19, 2026. The AGM invites community members to learn more about the Society’s work, participate in elections, and explore opportunities to become involved in the Spencerville Fair and other community events hosted throughout the year.

The Spencerville Agricultural Society encourages residents passionate about agriculture, community engagement, and youth leadership to participate.

ACROSS

1. Sail supports

6. Whispers sweet nothings

10. Millisecond

14. A city in Nebraska

15. Death notice

16. Style of hairdo

17. Nobleman

18. Soft drink

19. A certain cut of meat

20. Type of blouse

22. Lacquered metalware

23. Come up

24. Certain coniferous trees

25. Commanded

29. Temporary 31. Hard rubber

33. Despondent

37. Bring down

38. A self-contained component

39. Celebrated in history

41. Forbearing

42. Deer meat

44. "Oh dear!"

45. Primitive weapon

48. Spectacles

50. Passage

51. Barkeepers

56. Against

57. Double-reed woodwind

58. Eagle's home

59. Wool

60. Not minus

61. Scoundrel

62. Dross

63. Adjusts

64. Twisty turns

DOWN

1. Disorderly groups

2. Asian nurse

3. Indian dress

4. Norse god

5. Father Christmas

6. A narcotic

7. Double-reed player

8. Oil-rich seed

9. Statistic (abbrev.)

10. Combining video, sound and text

11. Not a knife or fork

12. Ancient Roman magistrate

13. Funnel shapes

21. Scripted

24. Plane driver

25. Sleeping platforms

26. Assist illegally

27. Karate school

28. Enfeebling

30. To woo someone

32. More aloof

34. Propellant

35. Arm bone

36. Allows

40. Incapacitate

41. Female verse writer

43. Germinate

45. Doesn't go

46. Prison-related

47. Surplus

49. Serpent

51. Hits

52. Lairs

53. Ages 54. Split

55. Notices

Talia’s Take Your Word, Your North Star

by Talia.Hreljac25

January always seems like a world of possibilities is at your fingertips. What New Year’s resolutions will you make? What goals will you set? What changes will you make? I’m doing things a little differently this year. Instead of making my list of goals first, I decided to pick a word of the year: a word that encompasses everything I want to make happen this year in all aspects of myself. After I determined the word of the year, I then started making a list of goals for the new year.

Now, I don’t consider these goals to be set in stone; rather, they are a North Star. Last year, I only accomplished three of the 24 goals I had set, and honestly, I was okay with that. I still had a great year, and I won’t let the numbers take that away. I didn’t just open a dictionary and pick the first word I saw. I thought long and hard about it. I considered all the different areas of my life: my career, my family, my health, and my vision. I thought about where I was in this moment and what I wanted to bring to the table. I thought about how, last year, I was trying to figure out who I was again and brushing myself off after a really hard pre-

vious year. This year, I’m happy where I am. I’m confident. I’m ready to step forward in so many ways. And in stepping forward, I want to make positive impacts on the places I go. I want to take ordinary or good things and turn them into extraordinary things. I want to help the people around me glow. I want to turn the things I touch into gold.

So, my word of the year is Alchemy. Alchemy is metaphorically defined as “a process of transformation, creation, or combination that produces something extraordinary.” So, with all of the goals I set, with everything I do, I’m asking myself: is what I’m doing making it better? Am I turning things into gold?

That’s my North Star. That’s how I’m leading the year. I’m stepping into each room with grace and the hope that I can bring a golden touch. I want my community, the women I empower, to find their golden glow. Last year was about rebuilding; this year is about shining, and I can’t wait to see where the adventure takes me.

So, what’s your word of the year?

The Pews hosts Musical Fundraiser to support furnace replacement in Merrickville

The Pews, a volunteer-run community arts space in Merrickville, will host a lively musical fundraiser on Saturday, January 17, with Sunday, January 18 set as a foul-weather backup date. The event aims to raise funds to help replace the venue’s aging furnace and ensure the space remains warm, welcoming, and operational for future community programming.

The fundraiser will feature a festival-style lineup of 10 local performers, playing back-toback sets beginning at 4:00 p.m. The event is pay-what-you-can, making it accessible to everyone while encouraging community support for a vital infrastructure upgrade.

In addition to the music, lasagna dinners will be available for $20, with a portion of proceeds going directly toward the furnace fund. Guests are encouraged to pre-order to avoid disappointment. Orders can be placed by emailing orders@ thebridgeview.ca with your name, number of dinners, and choice of meat or veggie

“This event is about more than raising funds,” organizers say. “It’s about bringing people together, celebrating local talent, and ensuring The Pews can continue to be a warm, vibrant gathering place for the community.”

Community members are invited to come for the music, enjoy a meal, and support a great local cause.

Event Details

What: Musical Fundraiser for Furnace Replacement

Where: The Pews, Merrickville 100 St. Lawrence Street, Merrickville

When: Saturday, January 17, starting at 4:00 p.m.

Foul Weather Date: Sunday, January 18

Admission: Pay-What-You-Can

For more information contact: George Tierney, Artistic Director.

613-324-2904 george@thepews.ca

Young local curlers win twice

The bonspiel, organized to promote fun while supporting youth curling development in Ontario, consisted of two competitions: the Rockfest Qualifier Skills competition, consisting of

performing 6 skills; and the Triples Cup, involving three 6-end games. Ten teams from the Ottawa and Eastern Ontario areas participated. Adam Simmonds from NGCC was one of four boys who qualified to participate in the Rockfest Qualifier to be held at the Dixie Club in Toronto in January. In addition, the North Grenville team, composed of Ronan Quinn, Adam Simmonds and Grayson Baker, won silver in the Triples Cup. Then, on Saturday January 3, the Prescott Curling Club hosted the U15 Old Fort Town – cash Bonspiel. Twelve teams from the Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec participated in the 2 game total points bonspiel. The North Grenville team composed of Grayson Baker, Audric Dostie, Adam Simmonds and Ben Clancy, emerged as the victor winning the first place trophy and $400 cash prize. Congratulations to team NGCC.

Curious about youth curling? Visit ngcurling. org or contact Bob Stewart, NGCC Bantam Coordinator at ngcurlingclub@ gmail.com.

Ronan Quinn, Adam Simmonds and Grayson Baker, won silver in the Triples Cup in North Grenville.

73’s rebound after initial stutter in new year

So close..Zachary Venance rips one with Travis Ouellette on the doorstep for deflection as Will Mullins watches during a Friday evening rematch with Ottawa Junior Senators.

by G.J. the sportsguy

Kemptville was pumped with anticipation as they entered the CCHL Showcase after posting a strong effort to remain top seeded in their division. They certainly didn’t disappoint as they swept their two games with shut-outs for Rylan Donovan and Keegan Carswell. Kemptville’s power line found Gavin McDougall in the slot to drive it home past Jack Ferguson to open the first for the game winner at 4:20. Extra man for the 73’s insurance with Eric Sweetapple holding the line to Gavin McDougall for his second in the second stanza at 3:57.

A combination of Jay Zeus Mbarushimana to Anthony D’Arienzo to give 73’s a three goal lead. Zachary Venance’s tenacity, and Jacob Kulas buried into the back of the net at 10:57. Gavin McDougall stopped

the flood with a PPG hattie at 16:38 to give Kemptville 5-zip shut-out for Rylan Donovan.

Cornwall was a victim of the hot handed 73’s as they went down 4 to 0 in a nasty chippy contest.

Kemptville lit the lamp in the first frame when Lucas Achim reversed to William St. James on the point to rifle it through Colton Reahume at 16:20 for the game winner. Second salvo was a sin bin fiasco when 73’s capitalized with Gavin McDougall back to Nicholas Voicey, and Alexis Beaulieu pulled the trigger for the insurance PPG at 19:57.

A ferocious twenty miler with a lengthy visitors log to the box gave Kemptville advantage when pocket rocket Jay Zeus Mbarushimana’s PPG collapsed the zone at 16:23 for the victory. Kemptville doubled up Cornwall 48 to 23 SOG

with 2/7 PP to 0/7 PP with Keegan Carswell rewarded his third SO.

On the road to meet the Lumber Kings in Pembroke for a Sunday matinee after an embarrassing skunk in the showcase they fell 2 to zip yet again. The first opened with Kemptville warming up the slab in a scrimmage that remained scoreless. Kemptville broke the ice just before the buzzer at 19:52 when Lucas Achim squeezed a bullet by Jack Ferguson in the second. Kemptville struck in the third when Gavin McDougall out of the slot lock n’ loaded for the insurance 2 to 0 victory and Rylan Donovan’s fourth SO for the season. Kemptville peppered Pembroke 41 to 28 with 0/5 PP to 0/6 PP.

Ottawa Junior Senators rematch in Kemptville for a Friday evening escapade to hand the 73’s a

three goal stinker for a third time. The first frame was an episode from the twilight zone, when an over zealous young fan decided to help the officials and Carter Williamson zapped one short side by Rylan Donovan as the 73’s thought the play was whistled down at 4:20 for the game winner. Ottawa notched another point from Issac Rice at 11:52 of the second twenty for the insurance. The last period with Junior Senators on a PP found their target when Williamson connected to Deklyn Campbell PPG from the slot at 11:15 to give Nicholas Morvan a SO with 3 to 0 win.

Kemptville motored into Navan for a Sunday matinee to school the Grads after the dismal Friday night homestand performance. The 73’s warmed up the slab in the initial frame to give the Grads extra attacker, which they took advantage of when Jack Johnson’s PPG on the flank to pump it past Keegan Carswell at 6:23. Kemptville answered with Travis Ouellette’s first goal behind Edouard Blais at 11:18. The bleeding started when Brody Clookey hammered it home at 15:54.

Kemptville with 5 on 4 from Jacob Kulas on a mission reversed to Nicholas Voicey spearheading attack across to William St. James PPG at 3:10. Game winner from Anthony D’Arienzo to Jay Zeus Mbarushimana

at 7:11. At 10:30 a combination of Murphy with Jacob Carroll marked one more for Navan. A 6 to 2 runaway for the 73’s. Final twenty, Navan made a push when Brody Robertson at 7:04 ripped the rubber in. Mbarushimana flipped it back to Case Hennesy to snip over the stopper at 15:11. The 73’s stopped the bleeding at 17:18 when Zachary Venace penetrated

the zone with Jacob Kulas to Lucas Achim in the triangle at 17:18 for a 8 to 3 win.

Kemptville outshot Navan 31 to 28 with 2/5 PP to an outrageous 1/9 PP. Into Ottawa for a rematch with Junior Senators on Wednesday and Cornwall in 73’s barn Friday before heading out Saturday for the Rockland encounter. Hockey with EDGE… see you around the wall.

$3.6 Million to Support Substance Use and Addiction Programming

Leeds and Grenville partners have secured $3.6 million in funding from Health Canada’s Substance use and Addictions Program (SUAP) to expand community-led initiatives addressing substance use and addiction.

The Summit Integrated Care initiative (Summit) offers a single point of access to healthcare and referral services through a multidisciplinary team of community paramedics, health system navigators, and a Nurse Practitioner. Operating under a harm-reduction model, Summit provides flexible service hours, including evenings and weekends, so participants can access resources and education that support stabilization, safety, and recovery.

Day-to-day Summit operations are being led by Leeds Grenville Community Paramedic Program – Summit Integrated Outreach Team. Southeast Public Health will oversee financial management and data reporting through March 2028.

Since its launch in April 2025, Summit has enrolled 239 participants, with numbers continuing to grow through referrals and proactive outreach. The program works closely with community partners to ensure collaboration and care are delivered where individuals need it most.

For more information or to get involved with the program, please contact the Summit Team at summit@uclg.on.ca.

North Grenville Community Theatre looking for young female actors!

by Darrell Nunn North Grenville

Community Theatre (ngct.ca) will from April 23 to 26, 2026 present its fifth season of a travelling road show at five local venues. This selection of comedic one-act plays is a community outreach fundraiser that helps community groups raise money.

This travelling show has been very well re-

ceived in past years. It is always fast-paced and funny. We call it “Romance on the Road.”

Most casting is in place, but we still need females between 16 and 25-ish.

A twenty-minute comedy called “Exit Strategy” by Tom Moran (www.moran-plays.com) is one of them. Have a look. And there are other casting possibilities.

Rehearsals, located in Kemptville, will be arranged at the cast member’s convenience. Possibly Saturdays. This is negotiable. Rehearsals will start in February.

My name is Darrell Nunn. I am the director.

My email is darrell@ kapn.net.

I’d love to hear from you. Volunteer hours can be arranged if needed. An email is not a commitment. Very happy to answer questions.

I will be away from computers between January 15 and 31, but if you answer during that time period, I’ll reply on February 1st. NGCT has been active in the community for over fifty years. We put on two major productions a year, as well as short murder mysteries and “Romance on the Road”.