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The Voice of North Grenville

Vol. 9 No. 43

November 3, 2021

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by David Shanahan Rush Truck Centres have donated a commercial truck to provide practical training support to the Level 1 Commercial Vehicle Apprenticeship Training Program established at the Kemptville Campus. The Program, which is a joint initiative of the Upper Canada District School Board, the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre, the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, le Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario, and le Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, is oﬀered to High School OYAP students, who will exit the program as a completed level 1 apprentice. Anthony MacKay, the teacher of the program, pointed out the value of the truck which was donated. “The program needed a truck with an air brake system and com-

plex electrical systems. We reached out to our industry partner, Rush Truck Centres, and they were able to come up with this new International truck to be donated to our program.” The program provides the basics for in-class and practical learning for three motive power trades: Agricultural Equipment Technician, Heavy Duty Equipment Technician, and Truck and Coach Technician. The course provides students the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge through in-class learning and practical experiences that are speciﬁc to these related careers. The program, which began classes on October 12, has been made available to qualiﬁed students enrolled in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program [OYAP], or students who are working toward completing their Ontario Secondary School

Diploma and interested in completing a co-op, or enrolling in OYAP. The program has full registration, with twenty students enrolled from the four participating school boards. Actually getting the truck to the Campus was a major eﬀort, and involved sourcing the truck through Navistar, the owners of International Trucks, who arranged to transport the truck from the US to Kemptville. Anthony McKay was full of praise for the many people involved in the move. “Special thank you goes to Neil Clark of Blacks Transport Ltd. out of West Guilford, Ontario, for his eﬀorts in getting the truck here from the USA; our President, Richard Shortt, reached out to Neil and asked for help transporting the truck to Kemptville and he was more than willing to help such a great cause. David Webster has been a great

resource for our program and has acted as a liaison between our program and Rush Truck Centres as well as Navistar themselves.” The truck donation, and the role played by Rush Truck Centre staﬀ, is a continuation of the role played by Gerald Tallman in past years, as he was always a ﬁrm supporter, not only of this community, but of the continuing education of students here. The Campus is developing a very valuable role in the advancement of education in North Grenville and surrounding areas. The involvement of so many corporate and individual actors in the donation underlines Anthony McKay’s comment on the enterprise: “Our program could not be what it is without the generous donations and ongoing support for our program.”

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Wnner Patricia Ward (left) being presented with a cheque for $3,230 from Hey Day Coordinator Jolene Stover (right). submitted by Jolene Stover Congratulations to Patricia Ward of Kemptville, the KDHA Hey Day 50/50 winner for October. The fundraising continues for two more months. Get in to win! There will be a $500 Early Bird draw and a Grand Prize draw for November and December. Anyone in Ontario, 18 and over can get in to win. The KDHA appreciates all the support we have received during a diﬃcult time to fundraise. All the funds raised go to our Hospital, for the purchase of equipment used to enhance the patient experience. North Grenville and surrounding communities are incredibly generous, and your support has ensured that for 61 years the KDHA fundraising has been successful. Tickets are now on sale for the November draw, so get your tickets today www.kdha5050.ca

by John Baldwin I raised our front window blind this morning to be greeted with the sight of, not only dry weather, but also a very small Red Breasted Nuthatch busily pecking away at one of our peanut feeders. Beyond him, in the garden further away from the house, three or four of my daily flock of Rock Pigeons competed for the remnants of the seed left from yesterday's feeding. The noisy passing school buses and a fuel delivery truck limited my sighting of anything else this early in the day. Yesterday, I caught sight of a male Cardinal, and several Slate colored Juncos joined the other ground feeders, the Mourning Doves. They seem to get along just fine together and don't bother each other, despite their size differences. This sighting was a little later in the day and, as I turned to re-enter our house, a gaggle of geese took off from the field behind the house opposite us. As they rose up, to form their v-shaped skein, the evening sunset caught their white bellies, momentarily giving them a flash of red, as they flew over. Of course, I had just turned off my camera, so I wasn't able to capture any of the beauty to share with anyone else, particularly yourselves. Maybe you did see it too, but if you didn't, there are still a few geese about who also like to take off just as dusk falls, and they might treat you too. At least you will hear their "honking" as they take off and pass overhead. Enjoy and stay safe. Cheers, John Baldwin.

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The DQ outlet at Colonnade held their annual Miracle Day last week, raising over $2,000 for CHEO from the day’s sales. Pictured are Sheera Z Awan and Kim Lamarche as they prepared for the DQ Annual Miracle Day Fundraiser on Thursday, October 28.

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Dare to Flash a Stache in full swing ers to support you. Ladies, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter don’t feel left out, decorate a stick-on moustache and wear An annual campaign to it with pride.” The Times met with Tom bring awareness of men’s prostate cancer is in full swing Clapp from Black Walnut this month and next month. Group, who shared his story. The Dare to Flash a Stache Tom is a prostate cancer surcampaign is hosted by Win- vivor, and he largely credits chester area agency Black local doctor, John Burke, for Walnut Group, and is sup- catching his cancer early and ported by Prostate Cancer saving his life. This is because Dr. Burke regularly checked Network Ottawa. This year’s campaign will Tom’s prostate-specific anraise money for two different tigen (PSA) levels, which is programs. One is the Cancer a test that is as effective in Care Coach program of the identifying prostate cancer Winchester District Memorial in men, as a mammogram is Hospital Foundation, and the for testing breast cancer in other is the prostate cancer re- women. However, Tom told search program at the Ottawa the Times that many doctors Hospital. Money raised will do not actively encourage be split evenly between the their patients to get PSA tests, two programs, with Ottawa’s which cost $35 each, unless portion of the donations be- the doctor decides to waive ing matched 10-fold by the the fee. One of the many Ottawa Hospital Foundation. goals of the Dare to Flash a A poster distributed by Stache campaign is to help Black Walnut Group strongly raise awareness of the imporencourages both men and tance of PSA tests in catching women to get involved in prostate cancer early. Tom has spreading awareness and even had people thank him raising funds, reading in part, for telling them about PSA “We dare you men to grow tests after they go for a test beards, or shave them off, and catch their own prostate and to solicit friends and oth- cancer early. by Brandon Mayer

Donations are being accepted at various Foodland locations throughout the region, including the locations in Winchester, Osgoode, Greely, Russell, Ingleside, and Iroquois. There will be a fundraising concert at Stone Crop Acres Winery & Vineyard on November 13 at 7pm, featuring live entertainment, refreshments, and food available for purchase. To end the campaign, there will be a Wind-Up Celebration at the Winchester Foodland location on December 4 at 10am, which will feature music, prizes, food, and refreshments and will see the recognition of the top individual and group fundraisers. Tom told the Times that Dare to Flash a Stache was born after he became interested in doing a “Movember”

campaign, but he found out he would have no say in how funds were allocated. “So we said, to heck with you, we’ll start our own!” Tom joked. Last year, the campaign raised about $12,000. As a cancer survivor, Tom is hopeful that, one day, men will feel just as comfortable as women when it comes to talking about their health, and cancer in particular. Registration for Dare to Flash a Stache is available online at bit.ly/DTFAS2021. Tickets for the concerts on October 30 and November 13 can be purchased from https:// www.harmonyconcerts.ca. Those seeking more information about Dare to Flash a Stache can call 613-774-3565 or visit www.daretoﬂashastache.ca

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OMPF funding for local municipalities for 2022 The Ontario government is announcing 2022 funding allocations under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF), the Province’s main general assistance grant to municipalities. "Our government recognizes the importance of the OMPF to communities across the province,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “I am pleased that all the municipalities in our area will continue to benefit from this important provincial program.” The following funds have been allocated for local municipalities: North Grenville is receiving $1,043,300, or $143 per household, which is an increase of $14,000 over the 2021 allocation. This amounts to an increase of about .1% of the municipal budget. Merrickville-Wolford will receive $303,800 for 2022, a decrease of $7,800 over the 2021 allocation. The only other municipalities to have their OMPF funding lowered for 2022 are Augusta and Gananoque. Ontario has been consulting with municipalities on their priorities for the OMPF. Throughout these discussions, municipal partners have stressed the importance of stability and predictability, particularly during these uncertain times. Ontario is responding by maintaining both the structure of the OMPF and the program envelope at $500 million for 2022, as committed at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's annual conference in August 2021. “Predictable and timely financial support from the Province is essential for budget planning in small and rural municipalities,” said AMO President Graydon Smith. “The early rollout of stable 2022 Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund allocations sets the stage for effective budget planning for the for year ahead.” The OMPF supports 389 municipalities across the province. The funding provided through the program is unconditional and can be used to support the local priorities and specific needs of each community. The Ontario government recognizes the unique challenges of northern and rural municipalities, while targeting funding to those facing difficult fiscal circumstances. The program supports areas with limited property assessment; and assists municipalities that are adjusting to year-over-year funding changes.

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Late October morning in Oxford Mills by Nick Brooks

November 3, 2021

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Editorial

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More than words by David Shanahan With this issue of the NG Times, we begin our tenth year as a local community newspaper. That means that we’ve finished nine years already, more than 450 Editorials, hundreds and hundreds of articles, news items, Letters to the Editor, community events and reports, and so much more. That’s really mindblowing, especially for those of us who remember how it was at the beginning. In fact, though, the beginning was really even further back than that. Before the Times, there was the Community Newsletter, that little monthly publication that started in 2004 and stirred up such interesting feelings in so many people, pro and con. But, in November, 2012, the weekly version appeared for the first time, and the very first Editorial laid out the template for the future: “During the life of the Newsletter, we learned that the people of North Grenville want to know what’s

happening in and to their community. They want a newspaper that will tell them the facts, straight and plain. There is room in the Times for reporting, for opinion, for analysis, for information, for news and for fun. You don’t have to agree with everything you read in these pages: it has to reﬂect so many aspects of North Grenville life that it will be impossible to keep everyone happy all the time. But that is the great potential of a local and independent voice: you can join in. If you don’t like something: write about it. If you love something, if you want to publicise something, write about it. You will be published because you are part of this community and deserve to be heard. We have no party political bias. We want to see all shades of opinion free to speak through these pages, and leave it to the people of this community to make up their own minds.” I hope that, after nine years, we have kept true to that idea for this paper. From the beginning, Maggie and I

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wanted the Times to be more than words, more than just a straight reporting of information, places and dates. And, thanks to a great staﬀ, and this community which is always so eager to be involved, to have their say, to argue and discuss, the Times has never been short of content, or, I hope, soul. There have been so many major events, social and political changes, since 2012, it can be hard to remember what life was like then. It has been, as someone once said, a long and winding road. So many song titles... There was never any guarantee that the Times would survive, and it is because of you, the readers and contributors that it has not only survived, but thrived. Our approach has always been a little diﬀerent, I think. Opinion is welcomed, and there is a deep belief that trying to be objective is a myth. Once you decide what to write about, you’ve made a subjective decision, so you might as well be open about what you think. A community newspaper has

to reﬂect all shades of community life, including politics, and, yes, even religion. Rather than newspapers not being the place to talk about such thing, we believe that a proper newspaper is the best place to talk about them. And you, our friends and neighbours, have shown that approach to be the right one. Most have taken a break from writing letters this week, but the sheer volume (and length!) of the letters we regularly get is a clear indication that people want to see issues debated in an open forum. We’ve heard from residents who feel that the letters we publish are sometimes too long. Many times, we’ve published them as articles, instead, to give voice to varying opinions. And there is no doubt that some issues climate change, pandemics, and prisons - do generate more words than, perhaps, people are prepared to read. But that’s who we are, isn’t it? The Times is not at all a large organisation. Some of those involved would claim

that there is no organisation at all! And this may be true; who am I to say? But I am constantly impressed and grateful for the amount of effort, time, and talent displayed by the staff of the Times: Pat Jessop, Gord Logan, Hayley Bedford, Brandon Mayer, Christine Boyer. Maggie and I are also grateful and happy to have worked with Hilary Thomson and Rachel Everett-Fry, and we hope we will work with them again soon. Thanks to Amery Boyer for muchneeded editorial support, and to Peter Peers, who was so important in getting the Times up and running from the start. We have gone head-tohead with some people on some issues. That’s to be expected, of course. But every point of view is free to express itself in these pages, as long as it is respectful, honest, and without hate or lies. You may find some letters offensive at times, but you should see the ones we can’t publish! That is a constant focus for us: where is the line between free speech and unaccept-

able ideas? What constitutes censorship, and when is it necessary and right? In the days in which we live, more even than nine years ago, these are pressing issues. Much has changed since the North Grenville Times ﬁrst appeared in your mailbox, and not all the change has been for the good. That will remain the case as we move into the coming year. The challenges will continue to be there. The masthead says the Times is “the voice of North Grenville” (and MerrickvilleWolford too). That has always meant that this paper is the place where the people can have a voice, can speak to each other, discuss, debate, argue even. It is your voice, or rather, your voices that matter. Nothing lasts forever; but as long as the NG Times lasts, this will be where you can give voice to your ideas, your events, your accomplishments, your sorrows and joys. Staﬀ come and go, but this community remains and grows.

viduals, whether they are retired professionals, business leaders, parents of busy families, among others, who have stepped up to support and shape this community. Remarkably, North Grenville has nine Municipal Advisory Committees, including a newly established Youth Advisory Committee. While the dialogue on those committees is not always easy or straightforward, it allows for folks from a variety of backgrounds and interests to come together and think strategically about our community’s future. We also have an incredibly committed volunteer base in North Grenville that keeps organizations like the Beth Donovan Hospice, the Kemptville Senior’s Centre, the Youth Centre, the Legion, our own Kemptville District Hospital, minor hockey, dance, and so many other sports, recreation, and culture groups going. North Grenville is additionally blessed with four dynamic community associations that foster connections

and lead various initiatives in Bishop’s Mills, Burritt’s Rapids, Oxford Mills, Kemptville. From time to time, other groups have emerged that are more singular in their focus, such as the two groups currently focused on opposing the provincial Correctional facility. And while Council – individually or collectively - may not always see things the same way as any group or association, we respect the sincere commitment and eﬀorts by individuals to advocate on behalf of North Grenville. The talent and energy that members of our community bring to the table, and their capacity to engage well, is something I value as a community leader, and have aimed to foster in a variety of ways. In my experience, no matter how beautiful or unique a community it is, it is truly the people that make the place. As humans, we are hard wired for connection, however that connection happens. In the last 18 months, we were all forced to retreat to our homes

and severely limit our interactions and connections with each other. And while Zoom, Facetime, Facebook, and many other digital platforms, bought us time, it didn’t always give us what we needed. Thankfully, owing to an incredibly high vaccine rate in our region (over 94% of us in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark are now double vaxed!), we are resuming a new normal. This past weekend, my daughter played in her ﬁrst hockey tournament in nearly two years. While you couldn’t quite see it behind all the masked faces in the stands, the parents were beaming. A

neighbour excitedly shared that she was ﬁnally able to join Chair Yoga - in person - at the Senior’s Centre. Members of our various faith groups are back to worshiping regularly in the churches they have lovingly maintained. Collectively, we are - oh so carefully - taking a sigh of relief. And, while I don’t believe we are out of the woods yet, and there will be other COVID-19 variants which may require additional vigilance in the months ahead, there is no better feeling than being able to come together again, at least for now.

Taking stock by Mayor Nancy Peckford Earlier this month, my mother passed away at the age of 76. She had been diagnosed in 2012 with fourth stage ovarian cancer, with ﬁve grandkids under the age of 5. Her diagnosis was devastating news, and we prayed that she would have more time with us and, most importantly, her grandchildren. In the end, we were very blessed that my mother deﬁed the odds for an incredible nine years and, for nearly all of them, enjoyed a high quality of life. She was able to share many special occasions with us - and also spent quite a bit of time in Kemptville, getting to know some of the wonderful people and local businesses. Losing anyone close to you is never easy – but it certainly prompts one to take stock. While I didn’t grow up in Kemptville, the support offered from friends, colleagues, and neighbours was so appreciated. North Grenville’s capacity for kindness and caring has always struck me as special - but to

experience it up close in this way was very moving. After a gruelling year of pandemic ups and downs, it’s a gift to witness and experience people’s capacity to continue to care for each other. And, for many, this small town feeling we’ve got going here is not something we want to lose. Yet, our community is confronting lots of change, as it has for so many years. Continued high rates of residential growth, the transition of 626 acres of Kemptville College lands in 2018 to a municipally-owned Education and Health Hub with schools, daycares, and businesses and, more recently, the surprise announcement by the Ontario government about the establishment of a provincial Correctional facility in 2027 are among those changes. The good news is that North Grenville has proven itself to be a dynamic and welcoming place that is adaptable, resilient, and forward-looking. I would argue it’s among our best attributes. Equally impressive is the array of talented indi-

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North Grenville launches Civic Awards for 2021 North Grenville’s Council is once again seeking nominations for outstanding individuals and groups who volunteer in service to our citizens and community to be honoured with a Civic Award. “The Civic Awards program is an annual opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions and accomplishments that North Grenville’s residents, businesses and organizations make each year on behalf of our community,” said Mayor Nancy Peckford. “We recognize that COVID-19 has changed how community groups and individuals have contributed to our community in this past year, and these awards give Municipal Council a chance to recognize those community leaders who have stepped up in 2021. We encourage individuals or organizations to nominate (no later than November 29) anyone who they believe merits our consideration for the 2021 awards.” The Civic Awards are presented annually to one volunteer in each of the designated age groups, consisting of Youth (25 years and younger), Adult (26 to 55 years), and Senior (56 years and older), in addition to one group award, in the each of the following categories:

Arts & Culture Exemplary Work in the Community Environment Health & Wellness Heritage Recreation, Sport & Leisure Seniors Youth Nomination packages are available on the Municipal website (www.northgrenville. ca) and hard copies are available at the Municipal Centre and at the Public Library (1 Water St. in Kemptville and 1 Grenville St. in Burritt’s Rapids). The deadline to submit nominations is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 29, 2021. The Mayor and Council of the Municipality of North Grenville established the Civic Awards Program to recognize and honour the selﬂess eﬀorts and dedication of outstanding individuals and groups who volunteer in service to our citizens and community. More than 44 individuals and 7 community groups have been recognized since the program began in 2009. For more information and to nominate an individual or organization visit: www.northgrenville.ca/ live/community-involvement/civic-awards.

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UPDATE For updates related to COVID-19 and the North Grenville Municipal Centre visit: www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus Municipal Centre Office hours are between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm (Monday-Friday). Stay informed about your community by subscribing to our weekly e-news at: www.northgrenville.ca/connect.

UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETINGS

Council will meet in Council Chambers. While members of the public are invited to attend the meeting, seating has been arranged to facilitate physical distancing and accordingly is limited. Pre-registration at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca is required. Persons arriving without pre-registering will be accommodated where there is sufficient seating capacity to permit attendance while complying with safety protocols. All attendees will be required to self-screen and masks must be worn when physical distancing cannot be maintained. If you require accommodation, please advise the Clerk when pre-registering so that we may best assist you. To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please provide your comments no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting to clerk@northgrenville.on.ca. This meeting will be live streamed on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/user/NorthGrenville/featured and on the Municipality’s website at: www.northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes. Council agendas are available at: www.northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes. • November 10, 2021 at 6:30 pm - (Open Session) • Planning Public Meeting - Proposed Zoning By-Law Amendment Pattersons Corners Road • November 16, 2021 at 6:30 pm (Open Session)

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Committee meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting virtually, pre-registration is required by e-mailing the Clerk’s Office at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca. • • •

Heritage Advisory Committee – Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 7:00 pm Health, Wellness and Fitness Advisory Committee - Monday, November 8, 2021 at 4:30 pm Accessibility Advisory Committee - Monday, November 15, 2021 at 4:00 pm

NORTH GRENVILLE POLICE SERVICES BOARD Police Services Board meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting virtually, pre-registration is required by e-mailing the Clerk’s Office at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca • Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 12:00 pm (November 3, 2021 meeting is rescheduled)

2022 COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM

The Municipality of North Grenville has launched the 2022 Community Grant Program for members of the public and community organizations who wish to make a request for funding. The Community Grant Request Form is available online at: www.northgrenville.ca/budget. Hard copies are also available at the North Grenville Municipal Centre (285 CR44, Kemptville) and the North Grenville Public Library (1 Water St., Kemptville). The deadline to submit is Friday, November 19, 2021.

2021 CIVIC AWARDS NOMINATIONS

Every year the Municipality of North Grenville recognizes and honors the achievements and contributions of community members through the Civic Awards program. For more information on how to nominate someone for an award please visit: northgrenville. ca/live/community-involvement/civic-awards.

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, I just listened to “Ontario Today” on CBC, about the conditions our nurses are working in these days during the pandemic. It is a very sad story. They work long hours, can get home and be called straight back in, and end up so burned out. The President of the Association was a guest of the host of the program. She was pleading with the Premier to help them, to improve their conditions. Also of great concern to me, is the intent for more privatization of the healthcare system. How many people wish to pay for private healthcare? Some people are lucky and have health beneﬁts with their jobs. Personally, I have never had private healthcare, but have never had to worry, YET. People should watch this very carefully, because a certain political party wants to, and will, go that way in the future. Anyone without will have November 3, 2021

the leftover pickings. I’m with Tommy Douglas: good healthcare for everyone. No exceptions. I’m still complaining about the traffic between Concession Road and Van Buren, just because that’s where it affects me in particular. I walked with a high school student this morning, and she said the birds were very noisy. I told her I much prefer the birds to the sound of the traffic, especially the ones that must think they have too much fun making noise, or can’t afford mufflers. She said she has a hard time crossing to get over Concession. Students should have high priority, but at least they have a crossing guard there. Many students also cross Prescott to get to the convenience store on this strip. Kath Piché

New This Year – Agricultural Leadership A new category has been added for the 2021 Civic Awards - the Agricultural Leadership Award. This award will recognize individual or group volunteers who have championed community-driven agricultural initiatives within North Grenville. The deadline for nomination submissions is Monday, November 29, 2021 at 5:00 pm.

VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill the following positions. Please visit northgrenville.ca/careers • Executive Director – Kemptville Campus (application submission deadline: November 5, 2021) For more information, please contact Camille Petitti of Odgers Berndtson by e-mail at Camille.petitti@odgersberndston.com. • Tourism Advisory Subcommittee - Under the Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee, the Municipality is seeking applications from individuals interested in being appointed as a volunteer member of the Tourism Advisory Subcommittee. If you are experienced and passionate about the tourism industry in North Grenville, visit www.northgrenville.ca/ careers for more information and to apply. Please submit applications by November 12, 2021 to the Deputy Clerk by email at jworkman@northgrenville.on.ca or by using the online application tool. Should you require a paper application, please contact the Deputy Clerk.

The Municipality of North Grenville 285 County Rd. 44, PO Box 130, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca www.NorthGrenville.ca Building: 613-258-9569 x130 Fax: 613-258-1441 Fire Services Info: 613-258-9569 x201 Fax: 613-258-1031 By-Law Services: email: bylawinquiries@northgrenville.on.ca 613-258-9569 x211 Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002

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Next Stop: Christmas by Deron Johnston, Executive Director, KBIA We have so many people to thank for making Kreepy Kemptville another fun and fright-filled day (despite Mother Nature’s lack of cooperation). Thank you very much to our volunteers, Shelley Mitchell and her team at To Be Continued, MKP Professional Corporation (formerly WGP), JAM Productions, the North Grenville Public Library, Salamanders, and B&H Your Community Grocer. We want to send a special heartfelt thanks to all of the people who donated treats for our treat bags that we gave away. Your generosity may have been the best part of our event! With Kreepy Kemptville behind us, the Old Town Kemptville BIA and its volunteer Programming and Marketing Committee can now turn its attention to begin planning for the Christmas Season. Yes, we said it, CH-R-I-S-T-M-A-S. Hard to believe we’re already here, isn’t it? Much of our seasonal and regular programming and events have changed over

the past two years, courtesy of the pandemic. We’ve had to re-imagine, get creative, and be very flexible in the face of so many restrictions and obstacles. But we feel that we’ve produced some quality programming that has not only beneﬁted our local businesses, but the greater community. We are truly Patio blessed to haveOpen some incredible volunteers that make it all look easy! We’ve already had to make a couple of commitments in order to secure certain activities that are traditional favourites and have been associated with Old Town Christmas for years. For all of you horse-drawn wagon fans, yes, we have booked horse-drawn wagon rides again this year as part of our December 11 event. We’ve also committed to working with Herb Cloutier of Jamming Around Man Productions again to bring the best in live local music to our Christmas event. We know that Herb is working feverishly to come up with some great local musicians, and maybe even some carolers, as part of the day’s festivities.

146 Prescott St. Kemptville

@bubbaandbugscoffee Patio

There’s still lots more that we’re working on, but it’s still a little early to make any further announcements. We want our Old Town Christmas event to be a memorable one for our member businesses, our partners, our volunteers, and, of course, all of the people who support downtown. If you ever want to get involved in our events and activities, become a sponsor, make a donation, or just ﬁnd out more about the craziness that we get up to, you can

subscribe to our newsletter by emailing us at bia@northgrenville.on.ca. You can also follow our Facebook page @ Old Town Kemptville BIA, which is where the majority of information about what’s going on gets published. We’d love to have you become part of our family and witness for yourself how much fun it can be to make a difference in your community.

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

One person was injured after a “t-bone” traﬃc collision between two vehicles at the intersection of County Road 43 and South Gower Drive on October 22. While no life-threatening injuries were reported, the collision sparked much discussion online regarding upgrades to the intersection, which has a reputation as a site of frequent collisions. Facebook users chimed in on all sides of the debate, with suggestions for traffic lights, a roundabout, and a four-way stop, all put on the table by concerned residents. However, the issue of improving safety at CR 43 and South Gower Drive was already settled back in July of 2019, when it was decided that a roundabout would replace the existing two-way stop. The roundabout is tentatively slated to be operational some time in 2022. November 3, 2021

While many people online appeared to firmly support roundabouts, others voiced criticism, the strongest of which is that there is simply too much traffic at the intersection for cars to slow to approximately 30 km/h in the roundabout without causing traffic congestion. At the time of the 2019 Community Consultation Session that ultimately recommended a roundabout, the only other option being seriously considered was a traffic light system, complete with turning lanes. How are traffic control decisions made? The answer is not as simple as one might expect. Conventional wisdom would suggest that the most restrictive traffic control measures, such as traffic lights and four-way stops, provide the safest intersections, but this is not always the case. An organization called StreetsBlog, in New York City, explored the problem in a 2011 article, highlighting research which suggests that, in some cases,

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Collision at Hwy 43 and South Gower Drive sparks debate by Brandon Mayer

The Voice of North Grenville

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traffic lights and stop signs can actually make streets more dangerous. This is because drivers who feel that traffic control measures are too restrictive at a particular intersection are likely to only slow down, not stop, which poses safety risks for pedestrians who expect cars to stop. Streets with too many stop signs are also likely to result in drivers who speed before and after reaching the intersection, in order to make up for the lost time in their journey. While roundabouts are by no means a new concept, their popularity as a traffic control measure has only recently been on the rise. Ample studies confirm that roundabouts provide one of the safest intersection layouts available. A report by the Washington State Department of Transportation points out that roundabouts keep drivers happy, because there is a continuous flow of traffic, meaning that, although driv-

ers must slow down in the intersection, there is never a need to stop, except to briefly yield the right of way, as required. Another benefit is that, even though collisions do occur at roundabouts, they occur less frequently than at stop signs and traffic lights, and collisions at roundabouts are almost always minor and rarely fatal, due to the low traffic speed and one-way travel. Many intersections in the area already use roundabouts, with three already having been in operation for years on Kemptville’s stretch of CR 43. Many Winchester residents have speculated that the intersection of CR 38 and CR 31, which is currently controlled by a traffic light, will also see infrastructure changes in the future. One thing that is certain is that drivers who dislike roundabouts will need to adapt, as they are here to stay, with more on the way. 6

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Some Ontario funeral homes may be “cashing in” on grief by Brandon Mayer

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

An Ontario funeral home came under ﬁre recently, after a concerned family contacted Go Public – an investigative journalism subsidiary of CBC News whose stories are generated by reports from citizens. The family was concerned by what they described as a marketing company attempting to “cash in” on grieving families. Mackey Funeral Home in Lindsay, northeast of Toronto, was at the centre of the story after a customer complained that the marketing company which runs their website had been inserting links for family members to purchase memorial trees in honour of their lost loved ones. The Kingston-based marketing company, called Frontrunner, refused to reveal the cost of the tree saplings, but the report from CBC News notes an estimated cost of between 20 cents and ﬁve dollars, yet grieving families were being charged $39.95 per sapling. The CBC News report went on to state that the purchase links were eventually removed from the Mackey Funeral Home website by

Frontrunner, though the company denied any wrongdoing. A recent publication by the Times highlighted how local funeral home chain Hulse, Playfair & McGarry has been planting memorial tree saplings in honour of their clients’ lost loved ones for over 20 years, resulting in a “living legacy” of 30,000 trees. Given the confusion arising from the recent CBC report, the Times reached out to Sharon McGarry, President of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, for clarification. “It has been very well received,” Sharon said of the local program, which is run through a partnership with the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation (RVCF). Hulse, Playfair & McGarry covers the cost of their local memorial tree planting initiative – it is entirely free to the grieving families, meaning it is run very differently from the controversial happenings at Mackey Funeral Home, where families were being charged prices that presumably resulted in large profit margins for the vendors and the marketing company responsible for the advertising links.

Small steps…

An irregular column on small steps we can all take to tackle the climate crisis

Sharon highlighted some other charitable initiatives that show Hulse, Playfair & McGarry’s commitment to the local communities it serves. For example, in the North Grenville area, the company helps out with Christmas hampers, Community Living, the Beth Donovan Hospice, and the Kemptville District Hospital. “Giving back is really important to us, and that’s the direction we come from,” Sharon told the Times. Sharon revealed that Hulse, Playfair & McGarry is anticipating working even more closely with the RVCF in the near future, stating that the organization does “wonderful work,” and that she feels it is important for them to receive support. She declined to comment on what had been going on at Mackey Funeral Home, stating that it was not her place to form an opinion without knowing all of the facts. The original CBC Go Public story can be found at www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ toronto/obituary-memorial-trees-funeral-frontrunner-1.6119639.

by Steve Gabell The climate crisis is a huge issue facing humanity, and the scope of change needed to address it can feel overwhelming. Some of the changes needed are so big they can only be implemented by governments or large private sector companies, such as decommissioning fossil fuel ﬁred power stations, or largescale deployment of renewable energy generation. And some of the changes that can be made by individuals may be out of reach due to the ﬁnancial outlay involved, such as buying an EV, or installing solar panels at home. But there are many small changes we can all make which can add up to have a big impact. The internet has exploded in size and scope since it started in the early 1980s, and, even the last decade, has seen rapid changes. Around 4.6 billion people use the internet daily, and there are around 30 billion internet-connected devices in the world, including laptop and desktop computers, tablets, phones, smartwatches, cars, washing ma-

journaling for adults is a very Local Journalism Initiative Reporter well-researched technique, with many notable beneﬁts. Starting on Wednes- When journaling, a person day, November 3, the Beth will often begin to realize Donovan Hospice will be things about their thoughts hosting free online sessions and emotions that they were aimed at helping interested not aware of before. In addilocals learn to journal their tion, strong emotions can be thoughts. The group ses- released privately and safely sions will take place once in a journal. For example, per week, online via Zoom, a person can write in their every Wednesday from No- journal how they truly feel vember 3 until December about an unpleasant boss, 22. The sessions are each without having to worry one hour long and run from about facing repercussions 2 pm to 3 pm. in their employment. Journaling is a self-help Amy Tibben is facilitattechnique in which a person ing the sessions being ofprocesses thoughts, both pos- fered by the Hospice, with itive and negative, by writ- the program being overseen ing them down. Thoughts by Integrative Counselling that are well organized in a Therapist, Megan Dillenjournal are often easier to beck. make sense of, meaning that “Each class begins with those who journal often end a moment of connection up working through stress- (catching up with each othful issues more easily, and er), followed by a kernel lesuncovering deeper thoughts, son, some writing practice/ needs, and desires in the exercises, and ends with process. a homework assignment While journaling is for the week,” Amy said to something seen as an activity the Times. “The homework for children, both at school won't be submitted for markas part of course work, and ing. This is a judgement free at home in a private diary, zone, where the process is November 3, 2021

chines, and thermostats. It’s estimated that by 2025 the IT industry could be responsible for 20% of all electricity use and up to 5.5% of the world’s carbon emissions. Google have established themselves as the default search engine over the last twenty years, with an estimated 5.5 billion searches a year, or over 65,000 per second. But there are alternatives to Google, and using a different search engine involves minimal effort. Ecosia is a great alternative to Google, both for search and for browsing. Instead of taking profits to enrich shareholders, Ecosia use their profits to plant trees around the world, and have now planted over 136 million trees. Ecosia have not taken the simple route and planted large monocultures, they have planted a large variety of native species in over 30 countries, where they are needed most and work with local communities. Ecosia are helping to tackle the biodiversity crisis we are also facing at present. They report that each

search removes 1kg of CO2 from the atmosphere, and, if Ecosia was as big as Google, it could absorb 15% of all global emissions. Monthly financial reports and tree planting receipts are made public by Ecosia, and they don’t sell user data to advertisers, or use external tracking tools, making it a great choice for people concerned about internet privacy. To start using Ecosia, simply head to ecosia.org. Desktop and mobile versions are available, and you can also keep track of how many trees have been planted due to your searches. What could be easier than using a diﬀerent search engine? Over 15 million people are already using Ecosia and choosing to help our world.

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STEVENS CREEK DECOR CENTRE

Beth Donovan Hospice hosts Guided Journaling Group by Brandon Mayer

The Voice of North Grenville

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more important than the product. The writers are encouraged to keep their writing for themselves, or share it (if that's what feels right for them). Some of the activities include bullet journaling, blackout poetry, list writing, haiku, imagery, creating emotion wheels, writing sprints, meditative writing, and so much more. Those who have never tried journaling may be surprised by the insights it can provide. “Through our writing, we can know what is truly important to each of us,” said Amy. The journaling group is run as part of the Hospice’s Support Network, which boasts a series of programs which provide support and connection for clients, families, caregivers, volunteers, and others in the North Grenville community. Those interested in signing up for the Guided Journaling Group, or learning more about it, can contact Amy directly at amy.tibben@bethdonovanhospice. ca, or by calling 613-2589611.

Coupon with purchase and redeemable only at Your Community Grocer B&H Why Apple Cider?? As we celebrate the One Year Anniversary of our new location (2678 County Road 43) we wanted to salute the history of one of the brands we represent. Cloverdale Paint is a Canadian success story started on the farm of Rudy Henke in 1933. Mr Henke, made cider as a hobby for years before he started his paint business. Pressing cider was an annual event on the Henke farm in BC, so it was natural for

the enterprising chemist to offer a glass of fresh cider to paint customers. This custom was carried on even after the factory was moved to Langley in 1946. We’re proud to revive this tradition here in Kemptville with the opening of our new local paint store. We had wanted to celebrate sooner, but with the on and off shutdowns and restrictions we thought it best to wait.

SO NOW WE CELEBRATE!

Come in and see what all the fuss is about!

stevenscreekshutterco.ca 613-706-1250

2678 County Road 43 Kemptville, Ontario

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The Ultimate Disease: Too many rats in a cage

What catastrophic event could end all lives on this small planet? Some say nuclear war; others, another pandemic worse than the current one that’s caused over 700,000 deaths just in North America. Still others, the failure to tackle the problem of climate change. But here’s a surprise. The ultimate disease is a population time bomb that keeps ticking every second of the day – and we all ignore it. It took 123 years for the human population to grow from one to two billion people. Then, only 40 years to reach six billion, and now the population is 7.8 billion. This year, 82 million people will be added to an already packed planet. It’s like adding another city the size of Buffalo, New York, to our planet every day! Increased population is now causing huge health and migration problems. Recent years have seen enormous waves of refugees fleeing conflict in desperation, using any means to get somewhere better. We’ve all seen the gut-wrenching images of flimsy boats in the Mediterranean, and now hundreds are attempting to cross the English Channel from France in the same manner. The U.S. southern border with Mexico

Time to prepare for Winter and plan for storage of your lawn and garden equipment We have been so blessed to be a part of this community and greatly appreciate the support we've gotten since we started this business in 1994. From providing rental equipment to fit our clents' needs to offering small engine repair, and not to becoming Kemptville's Echo and Stihl dealer, we are excited to offer more to North Grenville. Whether you're looking to rent or invest in equipment, we can help you either way! Do you have your own equipment you just don't have time to work on? We can help you with that as well!

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offers more scenes of chaos. All need housing, food, and health care. In nature, if there are too many deer, wolves kill them. But humans have a different problem. Too many of us, and the threat arises of our own makings: poor quality air, water, land and sea. What is going on is frightening. Climate change is just the start. This year, the heat dome in western Canada caused 446 deaths in British Columbia. Floods in Europe and China ravaged entire villages. Massive fires destroy forests and choke the air with smoke. Polar bears can’t find the sea ice needed to keep alive. A seminal experiment years ago provided an important lesson about animal behaviour. Two rats were placed in a cage. They survived without hostility. But with the addition of another rat or two, the fighting began for space. Similarly, humans do not fare well in confined settings when resources are lacking. Conflict inevitably ensues, not peaceful rethinking and behaviour change. We have always been a waring species. Like too many rats in a cage, we turn on each other. So, while you are read-

ing about carbon taxes so complex they are impossible to understand, think about what’s causing the root problem. There will be more people on this planet. Projections suggest the global population will level out at 11 billion around the year 2100. That’s about 3 billion more people we need to accommodate. To do so, will we keep cutting down trees, demanding more energy, tossing more plastic in the sea? Very likely, yes. Some good people will do all they can to find solutions. But efforts to fix those problems will have little impact if we keep behaving like rats. We can all do some finger pointing. It’s easy to find somebody else who is making things worse. We can all disagree about solutions too. But we have got to get better, and quicky, at living together without conflict every time we don’t see eye to eye. Yet, we couldn’t do it where there were only 1 billion on the planet. We aren’t doing it now with 9 billion. Squeezing in 3 billion more, what’s our plan for getting along? We must take care of the planet. But we must also start taking better care of each other. Or are we going to be like rats in a cage? Sign-up at www.docgiff. com. For comments, contactus@docgiff.com. Follow us on Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones

OPP Report

Increase in stolen vehicles across East Region A professional can steal your vehicle in just 30 seconds - without the key. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) across East Region is investigating several thefts of high end and newer motor vehicles. Their number of incidents is increasing, involving vehicles which are equipped with keyless starting fob systems. The thieves will use electronic devices to enter the vehicle, start the engine and leave with it within minutes. The push-start/keyless vehicles are more frequently targeted as thieves can override their electronic ignition systems with hand-held devices. The OPP is recommending the installation of a steering wheel lock bar to deter thieves from stealing vehicles and driving away with it, even if they are able to start

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November 3, 2021

the engine. Parking vehicles within your garage when able, installing outdoor camera systems, motion lighting and watching out for suspicious people/vehicles in your neighbourhood could prevent you from becoming a target. The OPP also wants to remind citizens that an unlocked door or an open window is an invitation to thieves. The "Lock It or Lose It" program reminds drivers to always: •Roll up their vehicles' windows; •Keep valuables out of sight; •Lock their doors; and •Pocket their keys. Auto theft costs Canadians more than $1.2 billion every year. About half of all stolen vehicles are used to commit another crime or are driven - often recklessly - for

simple purposes of transportation (this is called 'destination theft'). In these cases, the thieves take advantage of owner negligence by grabbing the first vehicle they can find that's been left unsecured. In the other half of cases, vehicles are stolen by thieves involved in organized crime rings. "The OPP is committed the finding those responsible for ongoing vehicle thefts across eastern Ontario," said Detective Staff Sergeant Chad Culbert of the Community Street Crime Unit. Anyone having information on the above incidents or any other crime is asked to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-TIPS(8477) or you can submit a TIP online at www. ontariocrimestoppers.ca. www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

CO2 Down to Earth 2: pits, mounds and wildﬂowers

Philip Fry and Rachel stick planting submitted by Philip Fry Fred Schueler has sent me a most interesting email about practical and local naturebased responses to the environmental crisis. One project Fred mentioned was about a project to create “instant old growth” in a vacant lot. He envisioned the process as: “hand digging pits and mounds, dragging in coarse woody debris, covering the site with a layer of manure, and planting earlyand late- successional trees in a matrix of deep-tubered Jerusalem artichokes, to provide instant shade and loosen up the soil, and then introducing other forest ﬂoral and fauna as the artichokes were shaded out by the trees.” Although Fred's project aimed at local

reforestation, many of the steps he mentions can be applied to the transformation of smaller areas into wildﬂower meadows or woodland clearings. Fred also called my attention to the pit and mound work done by Naomi Langlois-Anderson in the Larose Forest. She explained to me that the project was located in a half-hectare spot, “where a Red Pine plantation had failed due to beaver ﬂooding. It had been salvage-cut, so I decided to use the stumps as part of creating mounds. Both the pits and mounds were dug using a small high-hoe. After construction, I planted native plants, shrubs, and trees. Some are Carolinian species [from the southern-

most part of Ontario] that are being watched to see if “species migration” might work and which species do best.” Naomi's project highlights the adaptability of the pit and mound structure to a given site. If we think of the structure, not as something to be copied in detail, but rather as an example of regenerative principles, it is possible to imagine it as a source of ideas for the transformation of our front and back yards into positive moderators of the CO2 cycle and enhancers of biodiversity. With regard to flatness, Fred wrote about the surprising, and somewhat intriguing, outcome of the CAF bombing exercises during WWII in Mer Blue, just east of Ottawa. The explosions created ponds in which Spotted turtles now live, and evergreen trees grow in the ridges of earth thrown up around the points of impact. I don't expect that anyone would adopt such measures to rework the surface of their lawns, but let's push the example further. Flattening is about the reduction of small topographical features on a site; levelling is about the retention of a single elevation. If we observe local cultivated fields, despite the flattening, we can often see rises and dips that betray the presence of underlying geological forms and, often, a general over-all slope of the land. These features, along with the composition of the soil, influence drainage and the availability of nutrients. What is missing to keep the soil healthy in these fields are the important small features that enhance nutrient recycling. On a small site, a bit of planning and a

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good shovel can replace the RCAF's bombs. Inspiration for carbon sequestering and soil amendment is also found in the function of standing dead trees (a.k.a. “snags”) in woodlots and hedgerows. This year, there are many more than usual in our municipality, because of the invasive Emerald Ash borer. Though sometimes the dead ash are dangerous and need to be removed, we should likely leave many standing because, like other snags, they sequester carbon and, over time, will become vertical supermarkets, highrise residences, and lookouts for insects and birds. Also, wood chips tossed aside by woodpeckers accumulate around the snags' trunks, and falling branches litter the surrounding area; as they decompose, they contribute to the nutrient cycle of the site. Snags suggest “stick planting” as a gardening technique. Small branches, some partially weathered and already decomposing, others relatively fresh, are collected. Near a depression dug in the ground, the branches are criss-crossed, starting with the most decomposed, over previously planted perennials, building a slightly raised, open network. As the lowest branches decompose further, they fertilize the soil, enhance its tilth, and conserve moisture; the whole network disappears as the perennials grow. Having become a garden feature, the network functions like a mound in a woodlot. Please Email me at wildﬂowerguy@gmail.com with your comments and suggestions for “CO2 Down to Earth.”

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St-Albert Cheese experiencing labour shortage by Brandon Mayer

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A well-known cheese company is being forced to delay anticipated growth, and is instead reducing its production levels due to issues in ﬁnding workers. The St-Albert Cheese Co-op, which is located in the small village of St. Albert, approximately 45 minutes east of Kemptville, is one of the largest suppliers of cheese in the area, and is particularly famous for its cheddar cheese curds, which are used by many local businesses to make poutine. The labour shortage has persisted, even after the comNovember 3, 2021

pany increased wages and offered benefits for prospective workers, with CTV News reporting that at least 25 people must be hired for the factory to keep up with its current production levels, let alone increase them. The difficulty in recruiting labour is not something that is limited to the St-Albert Cheese Co-op. Many local businesses have been experiencing similar issues, and a national labour shortage has been making headlines across Canada. It is difficult to pinpoint a single cause of the national labour crisis, but there has been much speculation about

possible contributing factors. Perhaps the largest finger being pointed is one aimed at the federal government for introducing COVID-19 job loss benefits that were too generous and lasted too long. Benefits such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and its follow-up program, the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), paid as much as $500 weekly to people unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it appears that the labour shortage is persisting, even as these benefits come to an end. Another potential source of the poor labour market is

that many people may simply be refusing any work that is not in their preferred industry, or at the wage and benefit level they are used to. More jobs are available now than before the pandemic, but it is possible that the available jobs are, on average, lower paying, or involve diﬀerent, or unsatisfying work. Particular industries also face speciﬁc challenges. For example, in the food service industry, restaurants have been forced through numerous changes over the past 19 months, with changes being made to capacity limits, service being shifted from indoors to outdoors, and, at 9

some points, service being eliminated altogether, with only take-out and delivery options available. As restaurants helped control their costs by laying oﬀ workers when these changes took eﬀect, and re-hiring workers when restrictions were lifted, servers and other restaurant workers simply could not rely on the industry to provide a stable pay cheque any longer. It is unclear whether the labour crisis will improve in the near future, although many experts are speculating that the problem will persist in the long term. In the meantime, those looking for work are at an advantage, and are

encouraged to explore the employment opportunities in the area. Anyone interested in applying for a position at the St-Albert Cheese Co-op can visit their website at https:// fromagestalbert.com/about/ job-opportunities/?lang=en for a list of available jobs.

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The Voice of Merrickville-Wolford

Spillway Farm ﬁrst Ontario Heritage Designation in former Township of Wolford

Merrickville-Woldford Shop Local Campaign

Whatever you are shopping for, it is all here! Shop local. It is a mantra that has been adopted by many communities to reduce the environmental impact of travel, and to support friends and neighbours who work and own businesses locally. But for the citizens of Merrickville-Wolford, a prevailing myth has stood in the way of regional spending. Too many items, from weekly staples like groceries, to seasonal commodities such as clothing, were thought to be unavailable in the village. Now, though, the truth about Merrickville-Wolford’s shopping scene is getting out. As the slogan of a new campaign to encourage townspeople to buy in their own backyard announces, “It’s all here!” “Selection was thought to be limited, and priced for tourists,” admits Yves Grandmaitre, board member of the Merrickville-Wolford and

District Chamber of Commerce. “But MerrickvilleWolford has something for every resident, starting with all of the basic services.” And not just go-tos like grocery stores, garages, and drug stores; but also services such as banking, insurance, and health (you and your pet!), as well as indulgent offerings like a wine and whisky bar, gelato, vintage vinyl, and hand-made ﬁshing lures. For residents who are not yet in the know, MerrickvilleWolford is teeming with a range of retail options inhabitants used to go to other places to pick up. Now, more and more locals are happily saving time and gas by frequenting the town’s varied businesses, from Food Mart and Healthily Ever After, to Chaiya Home and Garden Decor and The Village Bean Coﬀee House. “Supporting local stores

helps the residents by keeping services in the community,” Yves Grandmaitre reminds people. In addition, these stores pay commercial taxes, which sustain the municipal infrastructure, something especially important to an area in an impressive state of growth. While Merrickville-Wolford will always proudly be an arts and crafts community, a diverse new demographic, in search of an oasis from city living, continues to revitalize the population. In addition, a handful of new housing developments are bringing more residents, while many older homes are being bought and restored. Merrickville-Wolford has long been “the place to be.” Now, it is also the place to shop.

by Donna Ross and Peter Szmidt Spillway Farm ‘found’ us in September, 2016. It was everything we had been searching for: an old stone house on water, on a rural property, and located minutes from the historic Village of Merrickville. The house was tired, deteriorating in places, and in a partial state of renovation. We saw potential. We saw a lengthy restoration project. But, most important, we saw an historic stone house c1835 needing attention, as one of the many beautiful stone cottages along County Road 23. Heritage restoration experts, Hubbard & Co., were hired. We met with owner, Brad Hubbard, and immediately saw his passion for old stone houses, and his knowledge and appreciation for heritage buildings. We were conﬁdent that Spillway Farm would be returned to its former ‘glory’. The restoration took six months. There was much to be done, but we trusted Hubbard and Co. to do it ‘right’. That was acknowledged by the numerous neighbours and strangers who have stopped to comment on the improvements made, and how thankful they were that Spillway Farm was restored. It was a landmark to many. We decided to pursue heritage designation out of respect and appreciation for the house and the history surrounding Spillway Farm. The house and the property’s

Mayor responds to lower funding by David Shanahan Elsewhere in this issue of the Times, we report on the latest allocation of funds to municipalities under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund, noting that Merrickville-Wolford is one of only three local municipalities to have their allocation reduced for 2022. Mayor Doug Struthers was asked for his response to this reduction, and stated: “The province has committed to maintaining the structure of the OMPF and the program envelope at $500 million. This is a most welcome, given municipalities have long conveyed and stressed the need for stable and predictable funding of the OMPF. Merrickville-Wolford’s allocation for 2022 is $303,800, which is down slightly from the 2021 allocation of $311,600. While an explanation is not provided, November 3, 2021

the grant components and transitional assistance funding guarantees of the program remain and is responsive to changing circumstances, through annual data updates and related adjustments of all

444 Ontario municipalities. While our 2022 allocation is slightly reduced, it is an appreciated and invaluably important funding program.”

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historical associations with the Rideau River, Clowes Lock, and McGuigan Cemetery, support conservation and protection of Spillway Farm for the beneﬁt and enjoyment of present and future generations. Our research included visits to historical archives, genealogical museums, and land registry oﬃces. We met with ‘locals’ in the community who were familiar with Spillway Farm and its history. It was wonderful to listen to their stories. To highlight a few: - In the fall of 2019, a car parked in front of McGuigan Cemetery, and the woman occupant asked if there had been a Horatio Chester that had lived in the house. Elizabeth Manshreck from Okotoks, Alberta, was researching her grandfather, Albert Manshreck’s roots (1867-1962). She was overwhelmed when we invited her into our home to see where her grandfather lived with his adopted family, Horatio and Yatty Chester. Elizabeth has since sent us copies of numerous letters written by her grandfather to his adopted Chester family in the late 1890’s. Horatio Chester, his adopted father, had loaned him money for a homestead out west (1897). Elizabeth’s family farm buildings are presently on this same homestead property. - In February, 2020, we met with Golida Docter Tym, whose family had immigrated to Canada from Holland in 1957 and rented the

farm from the Hilliard’s from 1960-1965. Golida’s family worked the apple orchard and sold the apples, while Lieut. Col. Jack Olive and family lived in Ottawa and Picton. - In February, 2020, we met with Judy Hyland, a long-time resident of Burritts Rapids, who provided us with the history of the Kelly Family. Previous owners of Spillway Farm, Alexander and Laverne Kelly Jr., were Judy’s great aunt and uncle, and Alexander and Agnes Wilson Kelly Sr. were Judy’s great grandparents. - A happenstance meeting with Michelle Wright, granddaughter of Olive and Jack Hilliard, occurred early in 2021. She had driven out to Merrickville from Ottawa to see the 25-acre lot that belonged to her mother, Jane Hilliard Wright. This property was the last of the Spillway Farm 100 acres that the Hilliard’s owned. It was sold in February. Restoring Spillway Farm became a project of time and passion, with skilled builders, stone masons, and other trades on the job. With its completion, we feel a sense of pride and satisfaction, and know we have enhanced the historic Rideau corridor. It is important for us to preserve what our forefathers built; it is their legacy, and a bit of their character remains within the thick stone walls. We thank W. R. Nicholson Leahy for acquiring the Crown Grant in 1830, and the three principal families that shaped and played a part in the history of Spillway Farm: the Chester Families, the Kelly Families, and the Hilliard Family. In purchasing Spillway Farm, we beneﬁtted from their toil and hardship, and inherited their dreams and joys that made this their home. It is now our turn to carry on.

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Vaccine exemption procedure has problems by Brandon Mayer

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Christmas in Merrickville by Robyn Eagle Thanks to the eﬀorts of some dedicated volunteers, the traditional Christmas in Merrickville event will happen on December 4! Activities will be pared down somewhat due to timing, but here’s what is planned at this point: • Victorian style themed festive decorations in the Village Core • Extended shopping hours from 9am - 7pm • Silent Auction at The Knock Knock Shoppe • Hot Apple Cider Station, courtesy of the Merrickville Lions Club • Food Drive • Window Decorating Contest • Tree Lighting Ceremony at Blockhouse Park • Strolling Carollers • Visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus A detailed schedule of events will be shared as more information becomes available. The Victorian style theme is characterized by lots of white lights, greenery with red bows and shiny baubles. In keeping with this theme, white paper stars are available for sale at Chaiya Home & Garden Decor (323 St. Lawrence Street), $10 each or 3 for $25. These battery-operated stars are sure to add some sparkle to your windows and spread the festive season throughout the Village! If you would like to help the Decorating Team, please contact Robyn Eagle (343)987-3457.

Merrickville-Wolford Legion marks Remembrance

'The Walk of Honour'. This year instead of Wreaths, the Merrickville-Wolford Legion coordinated the production and installation of White crosses. These crosses line the path to the Cenotaph, and it is called 'The Walk of Honour'. There are 54 crosses in total, 45 of which bear the names of local veterans from the Merrickville -Wolford area that didn't make it home from either the 1st or 2nd World War, or the Korean Conﬂict. The construction of the crosses was a community eﬀort between Ron Eagle Construction, which made the crosses, Lee Horning from the M-W Legion, who painted the crosses, and Coba Studios, which printed the names. None of this would have been possible without the generous sponsorship of the entire project from the Tallman Family. There will be a service held at the Merrickville Cenotaph at 11 am sharp on November 11, where families will be laying wreaths to honour their loved ones. These wreaths will join the pre-laid ones that have been sponsored by other local businesses. The Legion Poppy Boxes have now been installed in many businesses throughout town and will remain in place until Remembrance Sunday. November 3, 2021

An area resident is speaking out against the current procedure for obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine exemption, saying that the rules make it virtually impossible. Robert C. Carmichael, who goes by “Bob,” was diagnosed with pericarditis as a youth. Pericarditis is a medical term, referring to inﬂammation of the tissue surrounding the heart, and is also a rare side eﬀect reported in some people after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. In some cases, pericarditis becomes very serious and can lead to death. The World Health Organization currently recommends that anyone with a history of reactions to vaccines should avoid getting the COVID-19 vaccine, and that includes Bob. Bob reached out to the Times to express his concern that, even after he was informed by a doctor that he would be at high risk of complications from the vaccine, it appears next to impossible for him to receive a medical

exemption from the shot. This is because of restrictive rules that limit the ability to provide COVID-19 vaccine exemption forms to “qualified specialists,” which requires a referral and can take many months. Bob told the Times, “I can’t find anybody that will even consider filling out that exemption form.” He originally tried going to a walk-in clinic to get his exemption form filled out, but he did not even get to see the doctor – he was told outright that no doctor would fill it out. Bob spent five hours at the Kemptville District Hospital on October 25, and an hour at the Heart Institute in Ottawa on October 26, and he got the same disappointing answer at both places – despite his documented medical history, no doctor at either place would fill out an exemption form for him. Bob even tried going directly to Public Health offices in Brockville and Kemptville, but he was told that they do not provide exemption forms, and that he must talk to his General Practitioner.

Despite not having a General Practitioner, Bob was able to contact one, but it was too late – he was told that the rule had changed, and now only Cardiologists can provide an exemption. Since Bob cannot get a referral without a General Practitioner, he is essentially stuck. “There is no way around getting the vaccine, this is their main push,” Bob lamented. The last time he had a vaccine, he spent 30 hours unconscious in an emergency room, and he has been advised by a doctor not to get the shot, but the onus remains on him to prove that getting vaccinated is too much of a risk for him. “I’m not sticking my arm out!” Bob joked. Bob has contacted the ofﬁce of MPP Steve Clark, and was reassured that his case would be brought up to the Minister of Health. However, Bob feels he cannot even trust in this glimmer of hope, since an anticipated federal vaccine passport system may soon trump provincial authority. As of the time of writing, Bob had not heard back from

Clark. Bob is not the only area resident affected by the issue of vaccine complications. Matt Wubs, of Winchester, also spoke with the Times, after being badly affected by myopericarditis after his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, it only took about a month for him to receive an exemption from the second shot, likely because the doctors at the Heart Institute observed his condition first hand. At 71 years old, all Bob wants is a level playing field that accommodates his illness. “In no way do I want to attend large gatherings, like sports games, or movies, or plays. I want to go out to a restaurant, or go to another province and enjoy the simple life, but the way it's going, that might not be possible,” he told the Times. As COVID-19 policies are ever-evolving, it remains to be seen whether people like Bob will be granted the same privileges as vaccinated people before the end of the pandemic.

CCLA calls on Elections Ontario to disclose all MPP complaints The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is calling on Elections Ontario to disclose how many complaints regarding third party spending have been ﬁled by sitting MPPs. Under the new third party spending regime, which the CCLA and others are fighting in court, onerous new restrictions have been enacted to muzzle community activists and other local organizations. The system has already been weaponized by one government minister, Steve Clark, against groups in his own riding.

"Elections Ontario must immediately disclose whether, and how many, other complaints have been ﬁled under this system by MPPs," said Cara Zwibel, Director of the Fundamental Freedoms Program at the CCLA. "We must have full transparency and know how many groups are being intimidated and muzzled by the government." "It is concerning that our MPP, Steve Clark, did not contact us ﬁrst, as his constituents, to discuss any concerns, but rather, he opted to file a complaint as a Minister, alleging that

we were breaking the law," said Kirk Albert, spokesperson for the Jail Opposition Group. "They should just leave people alone and accept the spirit of a democratic electoral system where citizens embrace their role in the election. If there is some genuine concern regarding SuperPacs then policy should address that speciﬁcally," said AnnaMaria Valastro, Lead Coordinator for the Peaceful Parks Coalition. "We are pleased by the outcome of the Elections Ontario investigation but are

concerned that a member of the provincial legislature and a minister of the Crown, would use his position of power to take such a heavyhanded approach against his own constituents. From our perspective, it feels as if Minister Clark was trying to silence us," said Colleen Lynas, of the Coalition Against the Proposed Prison (CAPP). The CCLA will be appearing in court as an intervenor on November 22 in a case challenging the third-party spending rules in Ontario.

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CROSSWORD

Stevens Creek Decor Centre Grand Opening and Anniversary Celebrations Stevens Creek Decor Centre is celebrating both their one year anniversary and their much delayed “grand opening” at noon on November 3, 2021 with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by local dignitaries and business owners from the community. Stevens Creek Decor Centre grew out of owner William Pearl’s window treatment business Stevens Creek Shutter Company, which was housed in a small space on Prescott Street in Old Town Kemptville. Covid-19 restrictions prevented any customers from visiting the tiny showroom so when William had the opportunity to lease their new storefront at 2678 County Rd

** Broker

43, Kemptville, he jumped at the offer. Not content to continue offering window treatments only, William decided to branch out into other areas of home decor and Stevens Creek Home Decor Centre was born. Now the bright and airy showroom offers 100% Canadian made Cloverdale paints and stains, wallpaper and other products as well as a wide range of custom window treatments from shutters to drapes. Owner William Pearl states, “We took a huge risk opening during the Covid pandemic, but this is an amazingly supportive community and we are so pleased to be part of it. The business is go-

ing from strength to strength thanks to North Grenville residents who want to shop locally and buy Canadian products.” Customers who purchase a gallon of paint before November 15, will get a coupon for a jug of cider. This may seem like an unusual offer but harks back to the original founder of Cloverdale Paint, Rudy Henke. Mr Henke pressed cider on his farm in BC long before he started Cloverdale Paint in 1933 and would oﬀer a glass of fresh cider to his paint customers. Stevens Creek Decor Centre wants to celebrate their new venture with this old tradition.

The Voice of North Grenville

ACROSS 1. Relating to form 6. Quick note 10. Stopper 14. Axial 15. Keen 16. Not closed 17. Columbus's birthplace 18. Cleave 19. Anagram of "Vane" 20. Bowels 22. Delight 23. Consumer of food 24. Exploits 25. Madly in love 29. Ideal 31. Gospels 33. Rational 37. A piece of ma

38. Circular 39. Emptied 41. A bladed medieval weapon 42. Physical examination 44. Not more 45. Panache 48. French for "Room" 50. Part of a plant 51. Disturbance 56. Fortitude 57. Small island 58. Unable to see 59. Monster 60. Bambi was one 61. Gladden 62. Layer 63. Countercurrent 64. Beginners

DOWN 1. Wise men 2. Beasts of burden 3. Eﬀort 4. Found in some lotions 5. Rental agreement 6. Matrimonial 7. Flatter 8. Inorganic 9. Probabilities 10. Inborn 11. Opaque gems 12. Face with masonry 13. Leg joints 21. Becoming gradually narrower 24. 60s dancers 25. Neuter 26. Aﬃrm 27. Nurse shark 28. It's made from antiparticles 30. Big ape 32. Agile Old World viverrine 34. Concern 35. Not legs 36. Caustics 40. Obsolete 41. Exhibition room 43. Phoned 45. Grain disease 46. Welsh dog 47. France's longest river 49. A common green newt 51. Conceal 52. Friend 53. Teller of untruths 54. Savvy about 55. Poems

139 Prescott St., Kemptville, ON. Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

November 3, 2021

Easy

Medium

Hard

Solution to last week’s Crossword

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Time for truth and transparency by Lisette Major Readers of the Times may have noticed our MPP Steve Clark’s announcement about an “engagement session” sometime in the week of November 17. This is not news: our Mayor has already told us that a future engagement session was in the works for this fall. One has to wonder why, in the wake of recent bad press, Mr. Clark chose to tell us about a so-called engagement session by the Solicitor General, without a speciﬁc date and time. If you’re like me – I’m the administrator of the CAPP website - you were frustrated at the disrespect shown during and after the disastrous and unproductive engagement session a year ago. The Solicitor General’s staﬀ told us they’d get back to everyone about their questions. They never did. They said they’d prepare an FAQ – they never did. Participants who wanted to ask questions or write comments in the chat room were shut out. Now they want to do it again? Meanwhile, MPP Clark and the Solicitor General seem to believe that Kemptville is populated by a huge number of architects that have been waiting for an opportunity to talk about the design of the prison, or

the size of its windows. But even if that were the case, what is stopping Mr. Clark or the Solicitor General from holding a true consultation, where everyone can express their views and, more importantly, get answers to their questions in real time? Unless they do this, is this not just for show, and a waste of residents’ time? I think we all know by now that residents are not interested in the design of the prison. They’re certainly not interested in a meeting about future meetings. They want to know about the evidence Mr. Clark is using to say that the prison is a good idea. Or the evidence about jobs, or saving the farmland and its buildings, or alternatives to spending a quarter of a billion dollars on a prison, or better ways to stimulate our local economy, or the selection process, or Indigenous rights, or addressing drug use and mental health issues we presently criminalize, or the impact of the proposed prison on our Tourism Strategy, Campus Master Plan, and revitalization of the downtown. That’s the consultation we want and deserve. What will Mr. Clark do? Will he represent and help his constituents get an

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opportunity for some true consultation about these questions and concerns? Will he represent them at Queen’s Park? For example, he could start right away by getting the 135 pages about the selection process that were withheld by the Solicitor General, instead of trying to silence opponents through Elections Ontario. He could help halt the prison process, and enact a moratorium on construction associated with the Solicitor General’s Eastern Region Strategy, including the proposed Kemptville prison. He could hold public consultations on the future of the Kemptville College Farmlands, and how to otherwise spend hundreds of millions to improve community safety and well-being in his riding. Should SolGen's engagement session prove to be more of the same, CAPP may consider holding a true consultation in 2022, at which we could invite our MPP to attend. This would give anyone who wishes to attend an opportunity to communicate their frustrations and concerns about the lack of transparency and the process to date, and, once again, list their questions for which they

have awaited satisfactory answers. After his disrespectful statements in the Toronto Star; after trying to use Elections Ontario to silence local opposition to the prison; after the recent Editorial in of the North Grenville Times that so masterfully described how this has now become an issue for everyone in Kemptville, whether for or against the prison; after radio and media interviews highlighting the undemocratic process used to impose this prison on Kemptville; after no-one came out to speak to North Grenville residents who protested in front of our MPP’s constituency ofﬁce in Brockville; after the Citizen front page article about how bad an idea the proposed prison is; after the recent Canadian Civil Liberties Association media event to highlight the vengeful behaviour of the Ford Government; after ignoring the vast majority of questions that have been asked, I know that residents don’t want more disrespect and dismissal. They want the truth, they want answers, and they want Mr. Clark to be the kind of caring and professional representative he was in the past. Is that so much to ask?

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November 3, 2021

November 17 consultation meeting on proposed prison The following Q&A was submitted to the Times in relation to the planned consultation meeting announced for November 17 on the proposed prison complex for Kemptville. The questions came from a local resident, and the answers were supplied by Steve Clark’s office. Q. What is the scope of this meeting? Is there a list of topics/meeting agenda that can be reviewed in advance? A. Topics include ones that Minister Clark, Minister Jones and the North Grenville Council have been tracking, which include, progress on the project, land sharing with the community, early design concepts, community benefits, dispelling police cost impacts, future engagement timelines with stakeholders. Q. Who will be hosting/attending the meeting besides the general public? A. The Ministry of the Solicitor General will be hosting the public engagement. We cannot say who else will attend given it’s an open forum, but staff from the various elected and bureaucratic offices will attend. Q. Can individuals submit their questions in advance? If so, by what means? A. Email to send advance questions is: MCSCSfeedback@ontario.ca. However, we will also be taking written questions live during the event. Q. When will this meeting be held? A. November 17, starting time to be confirmed (around 6:00-6:30 pm) Q. Where will this meeting be hosted? A. This will be a video only engagement in order to allow everyone access without the need to manage public health measures. Q. Will we need to pre-register to attend? And if so, what's the best way to stay tuned for that announcement? A. Yes, pre-registration is required and we will soon be launching our advertising campaign to ensure it is widely communicated.

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Antique hay fork, cultivator and corn seeder- $100 for the 3- call Reg at 613 258 7606 QUAKER STATE 5 Litre 5W30 $10.00. ve3mhm@sympatico.ca or 613.258.3557

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Number #1 horse hay in square or round bales ( no rain on) call Jim 613.258.3561.

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Annabelle hydrangeas. Reduced in price. $7 each or 5 plus $5 each. 613-7610878

PUBLIC NOTICE LIMERICK FOREST TRAIL USERS Please be advised that deer hunting season in Limerick Forest is from Nov 1-14, 2021. In order to promote a safe and enjoyable deer hunt, we would encourage all non-hunters to refrain from using the trails in Limerick Forest during this short 2-week period. High-visibility clothing such as ﬂuorescent orage vests and hats are recommended for forest users at all times. Please contact the Forest Manager if you have any questions (613-342-3840 ext. 2416).

MISCELLANEOUS Looking to rent farmland for cash crops. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204. DOWNSIZING MOVE & ESTATE SALE, November 6th and 7th - 10am to 2pm, 1265 County Road 43, RR #3 EAST. CASH/INTERAC ONLY

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Your Kemptville 73’s show true grit

Cycling low pays oﬀ... Patrick Larkin from behind the line to cause chaos to hold onto a 3-2 victory on Friday's home game against Smiths Falls Bears by the sportsguy Sunday’s matinee with the Smiths Falls Bears in the house looking to put their last three losses behind them, ran into the 73’s with their own agenda to keep a streak alive. Smiths Falls opened the ﬁrst, when Sean James, with helpers from Fournier and Brown, picked up a huge rebound from Tyler Laureault pads at 8:39. Kemptville rebounded at 19:11, when Howie sprang Esposito up the wall across the line, over to Brock Krulicki in the lane past Adam Yost for a tie. Last twenty saw Krulicki initiate a pass off the wall

to Savignac on the doorstep and Hunter Brazier picked up the loose rubber to dump it between the pads and post at 1:38 for tie breaker. 73’s insurance came when Laureault riﬂed it up to Beaudry to the tape of Ty Whyte at the top of the circle with a top shelf rocket at 16:18. Brody Fournier, assisted by Watson and James, put the Bears within one at 18:35 to end a brutal battle of sin bin visits. Kemptville hammered Smiths Falls with 42 to 26 SOG and held on to a 3 - 2 win. On the road for Wednesday night's challenge to meet the Carleton Place Canadians

was another contest of infractions, as they capitalized on two PPG for a 3 to 2 squeaker. The Canadians, with extra attacker, to open the first, with Kerfalia Toure PPG with assists from Thibodeau and Kean at 14:01 blew it past Connor Blackwood. Thibodeau combined with Ryan Bonfield PPG on a man advantage at :54 to start the second. Neil, with Gino Colangelo, PPG at 3:05 to give Carleton Place a three point lead. Kemptville responded when Merrett drew a play to Esposito, back to Evan Beaudry on point, to eliminate Joe Chambers' SO attempt at 7:02. Kemptville with extra man on a push back from Krulicki on the stick of O'Doherty, so Nathan Merrett PPG to riﬂe it home at 13:16. Final episode would close out scoreless, after the 73’s pulled Connor Blackwood at 19:44 to try to even it up. Kemptville outgunned Carleton Place by 28 to 15, but couldn’t secure a victory. Next road game on Friday, October 29, into Brockville to face the Braves, was a contest of true grit as Kemptville rallied back from a 2 goal deﬁcit to take 4 to 2 win. Tyler Lau-

reault was beaten by Marco Iozzo, with helpers from Dowling and Culhane, to get Brockville on the sheet at 5:18 to open the initial period. Brockville would strike again in the second, as Patrick Lanthier counted a lone point at :43. Nathan Merrett PPG after a saucer pass from Brazier blew one by Brandon Abbott to tie it at 14:18. The wheels came oﬀ in the ﬁnal twenty for Brockville, as they handed the game over to Kemptville with continuous visits to the sin bin, and they took advantage to launch a comeback. Howie tic tac with York found Brock Krulicki PPG through the middle capitalized with extra attacker at 3:44. Then, at 10:24, with man advantage, York slipped the rubber to Howie to spring Brock Krukicki PPG to give Kemptville the lead. Brockville pulled their stopper at 19:33, but picked up another penalty, and Howie would set up Chase Lammi to slam in EN at 19:49 for the insurance. Your never say die team posted a 4-2 road win, with Kemptville only outshooting Brockville 24 to 23.

Matthew York Nickname: “Yorky” Born: Orange County USA December 11 2001 Position: Defense Previous Hockey Club: Kemptville Hockey Hero: Zdeno Chara Most Inspiring Person: Nich Domitrovic Favorite Movie: The upside Favourite TV Show: Naruto Favourite Food: Wings Favourite Hockey Moment: Beating Carleton place at home to set win streak record in Kemptville Describe Life as a Jr.A Player: The dream One word that describes me: Cute

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Menu # 86 Wed Nov 10 - Fri Nov 122

Order & Pay online www.cateredaﬀairs.ca 613-324-3136 $37.50 Complete Meal for 2 + HST $70.00 Complete Meal for 4 + HST All Made From Scratch Meals include; Chef Inspired Side Dishes +Soup or Salad Add on a Dessert of the Week - Halloween Cupcake (Chocolate with buttercream) $2.50

Southern Style Chicken Fried Steak (Beef)

STORE HOURS Monday to Friday 8:00am to 7:00pm Saturday 8:00am to 6:00pm Sunday 9:00am to 6:00pm

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The Food Corner by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville As the chilly days start to take over, and we approach “falling back” to standard time (Sunday, November 7, by the way), we tend to turn to comfort foods. I’m not fond of muffins very much during the hot summer months, but I sure do appreciate them in the fall and winter, with a good cup of dark roast coffee. This Butter Tart Muffin recipe was collected at The Village Bins up in Sundridge, Ontario, where we have family. Home-baked muffins are a special treat anytime and, once again, there’s an opportunity to involve kids or grandkids in the making. November 3, 2021

Butter Tart Muﬃn

Ingredients: 1 ½ cups of raisins ½ cup of butter ½ cup of milk 1 ½ cup of all-purpose ﬂour 1 teaspoon of baking soda 2 teaspoons of baking powder ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans ¾ cup white sugar 1 egg, beaten 1/3 cup of maple syrup Preparation: 1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. 2. Cook the raisins, butter, egg, sugar and milk in a largish saucepan; stir frequently till the mixture is

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www.cateredaffairs.ca slightly thickened and just starting to bubble. 3. Cool slightly and add a teaspoon of the maple syrup or maple extract. 4. Combine the ﬂour, baking powder and soda in a separate bowl. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients; pour in the cooled raisin mixture; stir until just combined and add the nuts. 5. Pour into a greased muﬃn tin and bake for about 15 minutes, or until done in the centre. 6. Remove from the oven and pour a teaspoon or so of maple syrup over the top of 15

each muffin. 7. Cool for about 10 minutes before removing from the muffin tin and enjoying them warm. If you prefer, you can line the muffin tin with parchment muffin cups, available at any grocery store. If you want to send the muffins off to school with the kids, the liners are recommended to hold them together. You will get a dozen medium-sized muffins from this recipe. Have fun and be in touch at pcormier@ ranaprocess.com.

The Voice of North Grenville

Upper Canada District School Board report Level 1 Commercial Vehicle and Heavy Equipment Apprenticeship Program Update: Staff provided an update on the recently launched Level 1 Commercial Vehicle and Heavy Equipment Apprenticeship Program. Taking place at the Kemptville Campus for 12 weeks, the program has welcomed 20 students from across the UCDSB and its three co-terminus school boards. Overall, the program has received more than $315,000 of in-kind donations including tools and equipment provided by industry partners, and has had a tremendous launch. Future plans for the program, run through TR Leger School of Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education, include an intention to offer tuition-based Level 2 and Level 3 regular apprenticeship programs in Agricultural Equipment Technician and Heavy-Duty Equipment Technician. As well, the UCDSB is currently at the initial stages of drafting a funding proposal that would see the TR Leger Kemptville Campus facility fully developed as an Apprenticeship Centre. This centre would support students preparing for apprenticeship, those taking formal apprenticeship training, and offer ongoing retraining and up-skilling for local members of the Commercial Vehicle industry. Lastly, the school plans to integrate more Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) and micro-credential programming into its roster. UCDSB Mental Health & Wellness Plan Focused on Continued Student Supports: The UCDSB continues to focus on the mental health and wellness of students and staff, specifically as they continue to navigate through the pandemic. Staff presented the UCDSB Mental Health & Wellness Plan, which focuses on embedding mental health and wellness into curriculum and instruction, providing classrooms with accessible, easy-to-implement, every day mental health activities, providing professional learning for educators to support student mental health and wellness, as well as connecting students, families, and staff to reliable resources and available supports. The UCDSB wants to demonstrate that mental health and well-being isn't a topic addressed once or twice a year. Instead, it's a daily focus and effort to continue the dialogue and showcase support to our students and staff on an ongoing basis. Schools are currently participating in the Little Things… Big Differences social media challenge where they highlight the mental health initiatives and supports occurring within their schools. UCDSB Responds to Increased Special Education Needs: The UCDSB has seen a notable increase in the number of students with special education needs. As a result of the review process, the school board has added an additional 31 educational assistants to support schools and as well as increased the number of special education teachers in schools. As well, teachers have been provided with a digital assessment toolkit to get a baseline for their students' learning and to assist in identifying strategies and interventions to support ongoing learning with relevant resources. Staff Present Financial Forecast: UCDSB trustees were presented with the first formal financial forecast for the 2021-22 school year. The forecast comes after staff reviewed the budget initially approved by the Trustees in June 2021, as well as integrated actual enrollment numbers and any additional expenditures – specifically those tied to the pandemic. Staff outlined that while uncertainties around the pandemic have largely stabilized, some uncertainty – both positive and negative – remains between now and the end of the fiscal year that may impact final financial results for 2021-22. Staff anticipate a $0.7 million in-year surplus, which is an increase from the original $0.4 million surplus projected in the original budget. This increase comes primarily due to increased enrolment. The projected surplus would increase the Board's Accumulated Surplus from $14.5 million to $15.2 million by the end of the year. However, these figures are subject to change, based on the actual 2020-21 financial statements, as well as further financial forecasts throughout 2021-22. Staff will present the next formal financial forecast in January.

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The North Grenville Times

Obvious Snails

Obvious Snails (Xerolenta obvia) at the northbound entrance ramp from CR 43 to Hwy 416. Left: the habitat; Lower right: Snails and shells in their habitat; Upper right: Snails collected to study their tolerance to freezing – Montana researchers determined that Cucumber was an attractive food. by Fred Schueler, Fragile Inheritance Natural History When a species has “obvia” as its specific epithet, and it’s so conspicuous that you can survey its occurrence along a highway at 30 km/h, the English name is obvious. Xerolenta obvia (conventionally translated as ‘Heath Snail’) lives in open, disturbed limey places with grasses and herbs, often in enormous numbers. It has a “medium-sized (to 19 mm), ﬂattened shell, dull to slightly shining, white or grey-white with a single broad brown spiral band and paler, less distinct bands below that. It is native to Asia Minor and central Europe.” It was ﬁrst discovered in Canada in 1969 near Bethany, along Hwy 7a and an abandoned railway, and at that time it was speculated to have been introduced there in the 1940s. Many other populations have since been found south and west of Peterborough. We'd been following the range of Xerolenta around Bethany since 1992, but we first heard of it in eastern Ontario in 2009, when Ross Layberry found it around the quarry and along old Hwy 17 at Breezy Heights Road. We went there in November and found thousands and thousands of shells, scattered over the pale shattered limestone around the quarry and along the road. Then, on July 20, 2017, we found many shells and adults “NW of County Road November 3, 2021

43/416 interchange, 2.12 km NE Kemptville,” on the gravel shoulder of this “brushy superhighway interchange, among Yarrow, Carrot, old Parsnip stems, White Sweetclover, and quite a diverse weedy plant community.” It was rather astonishing to ﬁnd this conspicuous species that we’d been tracking all across southern Ontario in our backyard. We’ve since found them along CR 43 from the 416 exit ramp across from the Walmart to 325 m E of the median of the 416. So far, we’ve only found it within the interchange, but we haven’t carefully surveyed the shoulders of the 416 under the overpass. This spring, we learned that Rory McDonnell and colleagues at the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University were conducting population genetics on Xerolenta obvia to determine genetic diversity within and among North American populations, and the relations of North American and European populations. With Judy Courteau, we’ve collected samples from Kemptville and Breezy Heights for this study. Ken & Janet Storey at Carleton University are working on freeze tolerance as an overwintering strategy in snails, and we’ve collected a sample of Xerolenta for them. So, while these snails are obvious if you’re near them, it can be dangerous to get near them along a 400-series

highway, or along the terrific traffic along CR 43. At Breezy Heights, you can safely see hundreds of shells in every square metre between the road and the quarry, but, so far, the Kemptville population hasn’t spread very much along CR 43 since we first surveyed them in 2017. The species was first observed in Montana 2012, and because it “readily attaches to hard surfaces such as rail cars, international shipping containers, stone and granite tile, and other conveyances used in international trade... [it] is regarded as a pest, because it has the potential to reduce crop yield and quality, contaminate fruits, vegetables, and hay, and transmit plant and animal diseases”, but none of these outcomes have been observed in the 70 years it has been in Ontario. Since Xerolenta occur along a variety of roadside habitats along CR 43, we have to assume that they’ll eventually spread to many roadside habitats, and every time we

stop along a highway for a cellphone call or to check on navigation, we record that Xerolenta is (so far) absent. If others want to help with this prospective survey, or to ﬁnd new populations, you can send us the GPS latitude & longitude (with date & time and a brief habitat description) of places you’ve stopped along highways and have seen, or not seen, the snails. When they are present, they’re usually so abundant that they’re obvious on the gravel of the roadside, and can just be observed through the passenger-side window without getting out of the vehicle.

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