Issue 44 November 20, 2025

The Voice of North Grenville

The North Pole Mailbox returns to To Be Continued

by Marguerite Boyer

Santa’s elves arrived bright and early on November 15, their boots dusted with North Pole snow, to deliver the very special North Pole Mailbox to its cozy holiday spot at To Be Continued, 207 Sanders St. Kemptville (across from the B&H). As soon as the magical mailbox was set down and polished to a cheerful shine, excitement began to stir throughout the community. Children hurried in with letters clutched in mittened hands, parents snapped quick photos, and ever since that moment, a steady stream of heartfelt Christmas letters has been arriving.

Inside the workshop at

the North Pole, Santa has been keeping a close eye on the mailbox reports. He wants everyone to know that he will reply to every letter he receives, each one is read with care, and often brings a smile to his face. But, because this is his busiest time of the entire year, Santa asks that all letters arrive on or before December 13. It takes time for him and the elves to reply with thoughtful responses, then check the wish lists twice to ensure they have it in stock. Getting your letter in on time helps ensure Santa can write back before his sleigh is packed and ready for flight!

This year, the North Grenville Times is joining in with the festive magic. We

will be publishing selected Santa letters in our final issue of the year on December 18, sharing the joy, imagination, and creativity of local children with the entire community. To make the occasion even more exciting, we at the Times will be awarding three TBC gift certificates for the best decorated and most imaginative letters. The grand prize winner will receive a $50 gift certificate, and two additional one will each receive $25

So gather your craft supplies, crayons, markers, glitter, stickers, or anything that makes your letter sparkle, and let your imagination run wild. Maybe draw Santa feeding his reindeer, or the elves wrapping presents.

Whether your style is colourful, silly, elegant, or bursting with holiday magic, your artwork could be the one that catches Santa’s eye, and the judges’ too!

Most importantly, remember that sending a letter to Santa is a treasured tradition, one that fills hearts, strengthens community spirit, and reminds everyone, young and old, of the wonder of the season.

Letters from Santa will be available for pick up between Dec.17-24 and add an asterisk or star to the back of the envelope if there child does not need a response back.

The Kemptville Rotary Santa Claus Parade made a spectacular return this weekend, and according to Mrs. Claus herself, it was the biggest year yet. She said she saw more bright eyes, more excited waves, and more children lining the streets than ever before. The floats dazzled with an even greater creative flair than ever before, each one more imaginative than the last.

This year’s theme, “Unite to Light Up Christmas,” truly came to life. The streets of Downtown Kemptville glowed with festive lights, joyful music, and the sound of giggling kids eagerly waiting for a glimpse of the big man in red.

The rain held off as long as it could, and even when it started to fall, nothing could dampen the spirit of Christmas. Umbrellas may have opened, but so did hearts, where the community’s cheer shone brighter than any drizzle.

Christmas in North Grenville is officially in full swing, and during this magical season, it’s more important than ever to keep it local. Every shop, café, and small business adds to the charm and makes events like this possible.

A heartfelt thank-you to the organizers, volunteers, and everyone who poured their time and energy into bringing this parade to life. Because of you, North Grenville sparkled on Saturday night.

100 Women Who Care North Grenville Q3 Meeting

100 Women Who Care North Grenville is hosting its fourth quarterly meeting on Thursday, November 20 at 6:00pm. It will be held at Catered Affairs, located on the Kemptville Campus at 820 Heritage Drive.

Please go to the website www.100womenwhocareng.com if you wish to place an order for a delicious dinner for $17.95, or for dessert $3.00 and/or a warm beverage only for $2.50. Please pre-order your preferences by November 19th - via either Catered Affairs or the 100 Women Who Care NG websites. The bar will be available for alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, as always.

The 3 nominated charities for this quarter are: Seniors Community Service

KDH Foundation

KFRC - Kemptville Family Resource Centre

To date, 100 Women Who Care have raised to date $131,899.33 towards local charities. We have partnered with the Ottawa Community Foundation to streamline the donation process. Members can log on to the Foundation’s central website then enter “100 Women Who Care North Grenville” as the fund to receive your donation. This system automatically generates a tax receipt, making the whole operation that much easier. Please do not click on the anonymous box, as we do need to know who has made each donation.

We don’t stop at 100 women: in fact, the more the merrier! We are looking to make the biggest local and immediate charitable impact we can. 100% of your proceeds go towards the nominated charities.

Join us for the North Grenville Chapter of 100 Women Who Care and help bring positive change to our community.

We’d like to take this opportunity to add a special thank you to our spectacular sponsors. To Catered Affairs for the venue donation and to Samantha Rivet-Stevenson for covering our administrative costs.

For more information on 100 Women Who Care North Grenville, visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100womenwhocareng/ Or our website:

https://100womenwhocareng.com/.

We look forward to seeing you all for a fun-filled meeting on Thursday November 20th at 6:00PM for the meal, 6:30PM for the social, and 7:00PM sharp for the meeting.

Christmas lights

by Doreen OSullivan

Leeds & Grenville Branch

Genealogy December event

Join us on Monday, December 1 at 7:00 pm on Zoom for a Show and Share experience! Do you have a genealogy success story you want to share? Is there a family history heirloom that you want to show off? How about a challenge that you’re looking for help to solve?

Want to learn what’s new in our Archives? Our December genealogy event on Zoom will have all of these elements! If you want to send us a photo or document in advance to share with the audience, please reach out to leedsgrenville@ogs.on.ca and we’ll make it happen. If you simply want to tell a story or ask a question, all you need is a microphone on your computer or tablet. If you prefer, you can type questions into the chat section of the Zoom platform. We’ll usher in the Christmas season with some family history stories!

To register for this year-end presentation, visit our Branch website leedsandgrenville. ogs.on.ca for more details.

Leaf -Snow Removal - small driveways, walkways, stairs, etc..

Tree / Brush Trim removal

Dump runs - Senior Discount

Any odd job, no matter how large or small You Name It, We Do It!

Navigator

by David Shanahan

In last week’s Times, Mayor Peckford wrote a very welcome account of how, and why, development is conducted in North Grenville. It was both informative and more than a little shocking. Following on from an editorial of mine in a previous issue, the mayor explained that municipal councils have remarkably little input or control over development projects, because, as she noted: “in Ontario, much of the planning process has been deliberately de-politicized to remove the informal brokerage power and undue influence many elected officials might have had historically. This was done to minimize the chance of questionable handshake deals between developers and politicians. Consequently, municipal Councils are no longer part of key aspects of the development process”.

While it is reasonable to try and ensure that no elected councillor or mayor can engage in

Letters to the Editor Editorial

Dear Editor,

Re “To the Carney-Haters” letter written by Peter Johnson published in the North Grenville Times, November 13, 2025.

My name is John Turner and I approve of this message.

In my many years as a commissioned officer in the Canadian Armed Forces and later as an executive in the public service I have read many well-informed letters to the editor in various newspapers. NEVER have I read one so arrogant, ill informed, and downright absent of facts than the one written by Peter Johnson.

Mark Carney got elected as PM of Canada by the media. He speaks well and smiles at the cameras. Nevertheless, his actions are reckless. His recent budget contains the largest deficit in Canadian history. His economic policies are voodoo at best. He is putting the coun-

such “ informal brokerage power and undue influence” arrangements with developers, it seems equally reasonable to worry that unelected municipal staffers could take part in such deals, without ever being answerable to residents for their actions. I have absolutely no intention to suggest such is the case with the municipal staff here in North Grenville, but it has been known that planning officers in Ontario were found to be in breach of regulations. A review of provincial Ombudsman’s records will confirm this.

At the same time, there is an assumption that planning officials in a municipality are qualified enough to ensure that all the requirements of a particular development are met. Mayor Peckford’s comments on the Oxford Village subdivision also raise worries about current practices: “The current Oxford Village subdivision (on 43) is an example of where we have learned that North Grenville's policies are woefully insufficient, and we share in the very real concerns about the safety

of residents walking to and from their homes on a highway”. It is reassuring, in this case, to see that council and staff have taken steps to rectify that situation and that future plans will be strengthened to provide for more stringent oversight of projects.

One of the main instruments available to municipalities to guide development is the Official Plan. The purpose of an Official Plan is to provide set guidelines and policies for how land in a given municipality will be used. For example, it provides guidance on which areas of the community are appropriate for farming, which areas are best suited to retail shops, and which areas would best support housing.

The Municipality of North Grenville is a lower tier municipality which falls under the broader jurisdiction of the upper tier United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. Both upper and lower tier municipalities have Official Plans, and they need to be updated from time to time in response to growth and change

in communities. These plans have to be updated every few years, and North Grenville sought public input into the new plan last August. However, it does seem that there has not been the same effort to get public input as has been the case in other periods. In the past, there were meetings at which stakeholders in the community were invited specifically to discuss a draft Official Plan and provide input through small group discussions and brainstorming sessions.

I suppose my concern is that it’s hard to know who the navigators of North Grenville’s future actually are. In their desire to prevent improper decision making, the province has taken control away from elected representatives of the people, and handed it to staff. I suppose the Ford government, in particular, are a little scarred by the events surrounding the Greenbelt issue which led to the resignation of our local MPP a few years ago. But surely there’s a better way to arrange things to make sure that the first time an elected

council gets to discuss a development project is not when it has already been negotiated with the developer and municipal staff, since, as Mayor Peckford noted, should council reject the project as negotiated, their decision can be appealed and their decision rejected, by the Ontario Land Tribunal. Would it not be far better, and safer, to have council and staff work together at an earlier stage to come to an agreement with developers on any given project?

On another point: in a recent article, I commented on Bell Hall on the Kemptville Campus being used as affordable accommodation. I certainly did not mean to object to that use, only to note that our need for affordable housing is the result of years of poor planning on housing by previous councils. I believe our history shows that navigating change in North Grenville requires the involvement, at every stage, of council, staff and residents. We all have a part to play as the Navigator.

try so far in debt that we may never recover. He ran for PM on the promise of being the only one who could stand up to Donald Trump. That hasn’t happened. Carney bows to whatever the Donald demands. The sooner he is voted out of office the better for Canada.

A credible news source would not publish rubbish like the letter written by Peter Johnson!!!! John Turner Kemptville

Dear Readers:

I would like to clear up a mistake--one that occured due to an unfortunate omission.

In last week's edition of the NG-Times (Nov. 14, 2025), the article titled, 'A Message to the CarneyHaters', was lacking one wee thing - a quotation mark. There should have been a quotation mark to begin the 2nd paragraph. Why is this

important? Because it went on for almost 500 more words and those words were written by someone else. I was quoting Elizabeth May, leader of The Green Party, who wrote it November 4, 2025.

I wrote the last paragraph, beginning with: "Mr. Barrett, on my behalf, please tell Mr. Poilievre...".

Why is this important?

A pair of reasons: although I did say, 'I am Peter Johnson and I approve this message...I was mimicking the American political ads. And even though I agreed with the main message, the language was not mine. Expressions like, 'sh*tload of toxic attention..', and 'It's all bullsh*t...' are not a part of my 'written-to-be-published' vernacular. I only included those words because they were part of the context of the quoted article... and even then, I changed them slightly - for family viewing; you

understand? Why did I do that? Why do I feel this way? "Profanity is the parlance of the fool. Why curse when there is such a magnificent language with which to discourse?" (Theodore Roosevelt) And, "Filthy language is used by people who don't have the maturity or intelligence to express themselves with better words." (Nouman Ali Khan) Why say 'bullsh*t' when you could refer to it as, 'The aromatic bi-product of an operation like East-Gen". (Me).

And so, to wrap this baby up, those words may exemplify Ms May's rhetoric, but I don't want them to ever be part of mine. My apologies. It won't happen again.

I am Peter Johnson, et aussi, I most definitely approve of this message. Be well North Gremlins.

Peter Johnson, Upper Oxford Mills

613-215-0735 Marketing/Sales marketing@ngtimes.ca 613 215-0735 Reporter

Talia Hreljac Talia@ngtimes.ca

A Major Milestone for Kemptville and the Region

Representatives from all levels of government gathered in North Grenville today to mark the opening of the new two lanes of the southern span of the County Road 43 bridge, a key milestone in the long-anticipated County Road 43 Expansion Project.

The project, led by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville in partnership with the Municipality of North Grenville, and supported through both provincial and federal infrastructure funding, will significantly enhance traffic flow, safety, and accessibility for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

Construction on the new bridge marks one of the most visible and complex components of the overall expansion, which includes widening County Road 43 to four lanes through Kemptville, adding multi-use pathways, and upgrading lighting, intersections, and utilities. While two lanes of the new bridge are opening, the other two lanes will be built in the next year with the four-lane bridge being fully functional by 2027.

Nancy Peckford, Mayor of North Grenville, noted: "This is a truly proud moment for North Grenville. The new bridge on County Road 43 represents years of hard work, persistence and partnership. It's clear that the rehabilitation of this busy road has been one of our community's top

priorities. As both Mayor and former Warden, today's milestone reflects that shared commitment – improving safety, supporting sustainable growth, and connecting residents and businesses.

I'm deeply appreciative for the collaboration with MPP Clark and his colleagues at Queen's Park, Counties and municipal staff, as well as the federal Ministry of Infrastructure, in helping us get here. When we work together and stay focused on what matters to our residents, we can achieve big things - and this bridge is proof of that."

Steve Clark, Member of Provincial Parliament for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes also took part in the bridge dedication, and stated: "This is a great day for North Grenville and for everyone who travels through this busy corridor. The new bridge on County Road 43 is a clear example of what can be achieved when all levels of government work together to invest in local priorities. Projects like this one improve safety, support local businesses, and keep our communities growing.

I'm proud of the strong partnership that's making real progress here in Leeds and Grenville."

Warden, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Corrina Smith-Gatcke, spoke of the involvement of the United Counties in the project: "The Counties

are very proud to see this project moving forward. The new bridge represents a major investment in regional mobility and safety, connecting our communities and providing a refreshed gateway to the heart of Leeds Grenville. The County Road 43 Expansion Project and today's milestone of opening the bridge shows what's possible when all levels of government work together toward a shared goal."

The County Road 43 Expansion Project is a multiphase initiative designed to address traffic congestion, improve road safety, and accommodate future growth in Kemptville and surrounding areas. Key features include: widening County Road 43 from two lanes to four between Colonnade Drive and County Road 44; Replacement and expansion of the bridge over the South Branch (full four lanes to be functional by late 2026); addition of multiuse pathways, lighting, and pedestrian infrastructure; and intersection upgrades, including roundabouts with controlled pedestrian crossings, and improved drainage.

Construction is expected to continue through 2026. For more information, progress updates, and a live camera, visit countyroad43expansion.com.

Leeds

and Grenville selected for National Homelessness Reduction Innovation Fund

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville has been named one of the first communities in Canada to receive funding through the Homelessness Reduction Innovation Fund (HRIF), a national initiative supported by the Government of Canada and the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness.

The announcement was made by federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Gregor Robertson during the National Conference on Ending Homelessness in Montreal on October 30. Leeds and Grenville’s project is among a select group chosen to pilot innovative approaches aimed at reducing homelessness across the country.

On Thursday, November 13, an official opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the John Howard Society’s Pathways Cabin Program expansion, which includes the addition of 24 new supportive housing units located in the adjacent building. The expansion has been made possible through an $830,000 grant from HRIF, which supports targeted, data-informed projects that help communities reduce homelessness and promote sustainable housing solutions.

In February 2025, 25 supportive cabins opened in Brockville, providing transitional housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. Adjacent to these cabins, a former dormitory-style building has now been transformed into an additional 24 supportive housing units, extending the range of care. The program will provide ongoing stabilization supports for

individuals progressing from the supportive cabins toward greater independence and long-term housing stability.

The focus of this project is to increase successful move-ins and support a step-by-step progression for individuals experiencing homelessness toward independent housing stability. With the existing partnership with the John Howard Society’s cabin program, this initiative creates a natural progression for residents who have demonstrated readiness to transition from the supportive cabins to less intensive supportive units.

Residents will receive supports focused on building essential life skills, including cooking and grocery shopping, obtaining personal identification, employment readiness and job search assistance, financial literacy and money management, anger management and conflict resolution, and addiction recovery and wellness supports. These skill-building opportunities will foster confidence, independence, and readiness for long-term housing success.

The HRIF investment aligns with the Counties’ 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan, “United in Housing Solutions for All,” which aims to create 150 supportive housing units over the next decade. With this project, the Counties will achieve 49 units in the first year, 33% percent of the overall goal. Officials also acknowledged the City of Brockville for providing the building and waiving lease costs for two years, making the expansion possible.

Local leaders believe the project will not only transform lives in Leeds

and Grenville but also serve as a model for communities across Canada.

“Here in Leeds and Grenville, your real-time, byname data tells a powerful story-tracking who becomes homeless, how long they experience it, who moves into permanent housing, and who returns to homelessness. Your coordinated efforts are helping more people find and keep a home efficiently and effectively.,” said Amanda DiFalco, Senior Director of Strategy and People, Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. “We're so proud to partner with the United Counties to repurpose and create 24 new supportive housing units-24 new homes for people experiencing chronic homelessness, paired with the supports they need to rebuild their lives.”

Through HRIF, communities identify opportunities to reduce homelessness using local, real-time data and get the chance to test those ideas. That includes improving systems for groups of people who most often fall through the cracks. Our community will work with CAEH throughout the project to monitor progress, adjust where needed, and share what we learn with other communities.

Local projects will lay the foundation for national progress toward ending homelessness. As HRIF communities share real-time data and lessons, CAEH will share successful approaches nationally.

Local projects finalists in greatest Entrepreneur Competition

The excitement is building across Leeds and Grenville as six outstanding local businesses have been named finalists in the inaugural Leeds Grenville’s Greatest Entrepreneur competition!

Launched this year by 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation and Community Futures Grenville, the competition drew twenty-six applications from across the region, showcasing the creativity, innovation, and determination that define Leeds Grenville’s business community.

After a competitive selection process, six entrepreneurs have risen to the top and will advance to the live Pitch Gala, where they’ll share their stories and compete for two Grand Prizes, each offering $10,000 in cash and over $10,000 in business services, one awarded within the 1000 Islands CDC service area and one within the CF Grenville service area. The Gala will take place on January 28, 2026 at Prescott Town Hall and will be a ticketed event open to all who wish to attend. Details and registration will be available in the coming weeks. Two of the finalists are based in North Grenville:

• Tempo Drive Music Studio (tempodrivemusic.com) – A music school offering piano and instrument lessons for all ages, encouraging creativity and performance skills. Tempo Drive will use the competition to support their move from a home studio to a commercial space, quadrupling capacity and creating a hub for music learning and workshops.

• GreenVeil Packaging (greenveilpackaging.com) is a sustainable cleantech startup developing ultra-biodegradable and antimicrobial materials made from locally sourced minerals and wood by-products for food packaging and agricultural applications. GreenVeil is using the competition to launch its technology locally and accelerate the setup of its pilot production line at the Kemptville Campus.

The other four finalists are located throughout the region, including Monday Nutrition (mondaynutrition.com), a health food store and wellness hub in Spencerville offering nutritious food and community programs that support healthy living. The competition will help Monday Nutrition expand in-house food production and invest in hiring and staff training.

• Curran Reading Corner (curranreadingcorner.ca) is Leeds and Grenville’s only community -based literacy centre, located in Smith’s Falls and Brockville, and specializing in reading intervention and dyslexia support with proven reading success for all ages. “Be a Reader” drives their plan to triple their capacity in the region through this competition.

• Gan Fitness Centre (gan-fitness-centre.square.site) is a welcoming fitness hub in Gananoque that promotes health, strength, and community for people of all ages and abilities. The competition will support Gan Fitness to expand and renovate to fill key gaps in local recreation and wellness options.

• QueenCare (queencare.ca) – A wellness organization that supports women and families from pregnancy through postpartum with education and hands-on care, is based in Brockville. The competition will support QueenCare to launch a 1:1 Postpartum Depression Mentorship Program to meet a vital need in the community.

“These six finalists represent the bold ideas, hard work, and community spirit that make Leeds Grenville such a dynamic place to do business,” said Trish McNamara, Executive Director of 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation. “The energy and innovation in this region are incredible. Every applicant brought something inspiring to the table.”

Katie Nolan, Executive Director of Community Futures Grenville, added: “It’s been amazing to see the creativity and courage of so many entrepreneurs stepping forward in this first year. Every single applicant should be proud. This competition celebrates our finalists, as well as the entrepreneurial heart of Leeds and Grenville.”

This exciting new competition has been made possible by the incredible support of community sponsors who came together to champion entrepreneurship in Leeds Grenville. A special thank-you goes to iTrepreneur, the Innovation Sponsor, providing all finalists with access to the world’s most accessible AI-powered business coaching platform, ensuring every entrepreneur continues to grow and succeed. For a full list of sponsors, visit www. lggreatestentrepreneur.ca.

Dangers and charges related to transporting loaded firearms

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding hunters and the public about the serious dangers and legal consequences of transporting loaded firearms. Under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, it is an offence to have a loaded firearm in a vehicle. This law is in place to protect public safety, prevent accidental discharge, and reduce risks to both people and wildlife. OPP officers recently located an individual in Lennox and Addington County who had a loaded firearm in his pick-up truck. The individual was charged. Another individual was stopped on his ATV for not wearing a proper helmet. The officer then located a loaded firearm on the ATV. This individual was charged for the helmet violation and received a warning for the firearm.

Key Safety Concerns:

A loaded firearm in a vehicle poses a significant risk of accidental discharge; Sudden movement, vibration, or mishandling can cause unintended firing;

No releaf from the drought

by Fred Schueler

As one drove along the 401 during this summer’s drought, the trees on the tops of the rockcuts, Oaks and Maples, had shriveled dead brown leaves; and in Bishops Mills we documented the death and loss of leaves on trees and shrubs: Sugar and Manitoba Maples, American Elms, Black Locusts, Willows, and Common and Shining Buckthorn.

As the drought progressed, with repeated “level 3 low water advisories” from Conservation Authorities, wells drying up, fields of Corn and Soy going brown, creeks ceasing to flow, and daily buckets of water being donated to Squash plants, the meteorological question was:

“When will it break?”

After the 1999 drought,

with no rain recorded between 8 June and 8 September, after a rainy September and October, on 31 October we collected a Buttercup with “one bloom on lateral stem below two droughtkilled buds,” and Willow, Aspen, and Common Buckthorn were growing new green leaves, which were still noted in mid-November.

The 2001 drought broke with a rainy September and October, and in an extensive survey around Bishops Mills on 18 November, Apples, Aspens, Balsam Poplar, and both Buckthorns were noted as releafing, with fewer Red-osier Dogwood and Meadowsweet Spirea, one clump of releafed Manitoba Maple shoots, and, on 3 December, unseasonable flowerheads on an extensively releafed Lilac.

On 13 October 2011 and 6 November 2012 releafing was noted on a few Common Buckthorn, but none has been noted since. This year the drought began after 33 mm of rain on 20 and 22 June, and despite scattered showers through the summer it was only assuaged by 23 mm of rain on 7 October, and broken by 53 mm falling from 20-31 October, followed by 10 cm of snow from the displaced Polar Vortex on 9 November. This meant there was no well-watered autumn for new leaves to form, suggesting that this may have been the most severe drought in recent decades.

It is a conventional wisdom that invasives from northern Europe retain their leaves longer than native species do, and on the snowy 9 November Lilacs were variably all green, yellow, or leafless, Siberian Elm had shed only a few of their green leaves, the single Norway Maple was yellow with only a few leaves shed, among the Common Buckthorn some bushes retained quite a few green leaves, and the Shining Buckthorn retained a modest fraction of yellowish-green leaves (many Buckthorns in shallow-soil areas had shed their leaves early, while still in the grip of the drought). Among native species, Manitoba Maples, the Red Maple, and American Elms shed their leaves some time ago. Some of the smaller Sugar Maples retain some pale leaves on their lower branches, while the ones whose foliage died in August still retain the brown leave

These incidents can result in injury, death or property damage.

Legal Consequences:

Hunters found with loaded firearms in vehicles may face charges under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. Convictions can result in fines, seizure of firearms and suspension of hunting licenses. Repeat offences may lead to more severe penalties.

The OPP urges all hunters to follow safe practices: Always unload firearms before placing them in a vehicle.

Store ammunition separately from firearms.

Transport firearms in a secure case or locked compartment.

Public safety is our priority. By following the law and practicing responsible hunting, we can ensure a safer community for everyone.

For more information on hunting regulations, visit the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources website.

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New musical planned for 2026 by the KYMTC

by Veronica Proulx

The Kemptville Youth Musical Theatre Company (KYMTC) is thrilled to announce some exciting news! In addition to their main youth show The Drowsy Chaperone, on stage in April 2026, the company will be staging a second musical next year- a fun filled, silly, highly praised show called Something Rotten! This fantastic show will be staged from September 26 to October 10, 2026, and auditions are open to anyone aged 13 and up!

Something Rotten! is set in the 1590s, where brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as Shakespeare. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being “true to thine own self”.

The comedic musical features large song and dance numbers and a wacky cast of over-the-top characters, each with their own moment to shine. Throughout its Broadway run, the musical received show-stopping standing ovation from audiences and 10 Tony nominations!

Barbara Lacelle, Artistic Director for KYMTC , thinks the opportunity to direct Something Rotten! is something she has eagerly anticipated for some time, “this is my favourite musical” Barb explained, “as it's both ridiculously fun and heartwarming”.

KYMTC has previously staged special shows, including You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (2008), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2011), and Oklahoma! (2016). Auditions for Something Rotten! will take place between January 28-31, 2026, with the locations to be announced. Up-to-date information can be found on KYMTC’s website at kymtc.org and on the official Kemptville Youth Musical Theatre Company’s Facebook page.

Where you can find the NGTimes

B&H Community Grocers

Bishop's Mills

(beside community mail boxes)

Bowling Centre

Brewed Awakening (HWY 43) Burritt's Rapids (by the post office boxes) Canadian Tire

Capilanno's Drummonds Merrickville Fast Eddies Diner

Grahame's Bakery

Home Hardware (Downtown) Jonsson's Independant

Kemptville Family Restaurant

Laurier Optical, Kemptville Mall

Long Reach Bar & Grill (near Equinelle)

M & M Food Market

McEwens Gas Station, Hwy 43 Municipal Centre

Merrickville Food Market

North Grenville Public Library

Oxford Mills

(beside community mail boxes)

Oxford Station

(beside community mail boxes)

Salvation Army

Seniors Community Services

Stinson Gas Bar

The Restore. Kemptville Mall

Tim Horton's, Kemptville Mall

To Be Continued TBC

South Gower Business Park

To Serve You

KWK is known for The best quality products in the area

Excellent workmanship for all installations

Friendly and knowledgeable staff

Founded in 1989, Kemptville Windows and Kitchens is a family owned and operated business serving homeowners and fellow contractors in Kemptville and surrounding areas, from south west Ottawa to Prescott, Winchester, South Mountain and Merrickville.

Our sales and design personnel are experienced professionals that take pride in working with our clients from start to finish, providing them with more than just quality products and workmanship, but with a helpful in depth knowledge of industry codes, standards and current trends. We do onsite visits to measure and work with you from start to finish, that way you get what you want.

We supply, or supply and install kitchen cabinets, countertops, bathroom vanities, windows, doors and much more, for renovations or new construction in North Grenville and surrounding areas.

Come visit our show room Monday to Thursday, 9am-5pm Friday 9am-4:30pm Saturday 9am-1pm

You can also visit us at www.kwandk.ca Like us on facebook, just look for Kemptville Windows and Kitchens

Closed Saturday on holiday weekends

Lions Club donation and draw

by Willy Heidebrecht

The Kemptville Lions Club made a donation to Lions Foundation for Guide Dogs of Canada, which provides guide dog services for seven needs: Canine vision, hearing assistance, autism assistance, diabetes alert, facility support, seizure response, services in home.

L to R Lions all: Robert Stevenson, Andy Etherington, Lion from Cumberland, and receiving the cheque for Lions Foundation for Guide Dogs of Canada, Bill Neil, Ron Gallinger, Alan Forbes, Gail Osborne and Wendy Gallinger.

Making the November draw for two to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is Andy Etherington who earlier received a cheque for Lions Foundation for Guide Dogs of Canada. The winner is Diane Lalonde. It is a four night all inclusive stay for two at Bahia Principe Grand Turquesa valued at $3238.00. Includes flights and round trip airport transfer. Congratulations Diane, enjoy.

Tree Lighting Ceremony

by Talia Hreljac

Downtown Kemptville Sparkles at Community Tree

Lighting

The holiday season kicked off in grand style this weekend with the Community Tree Lighting ceremony in Kemptville. After residents expressed a desire for a larger celebration to mark the beginning of the Christ-

mas season, the Downtown Kemptville BIA welcomed the community to gather in the heart of Kemptville for a festive and joy filled evening.

Families arrived to the sound of holiday music and started the evening with a lively Christmas dance party generously hosted by JAM Productions. The

Wednesday November 26th | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

North Grenville Municipal Centre 285 County Rd 44, Kemptville, ON

Join us at the North Grenville Municipal Centre for our second drop-in style Community Open House to have your say on the proposed signage design concepts and see the progress of the Municipality of North Grenville Wayfinding Strategy! We hope to see you there!

atmosphere was made even sweeter by The Crusty Bakers, who delighted the crowd with cookies “the size of their heads,” bringing big smiles to kids and adults alike.

Following a fun countdown by Mayor Peckford, the community joined in a holiday sing-along as the tree was illuminated. The beautiful tree was generously provided by the Ferguson Forestry Centre after Councillor Doreen O’Sullivan advocated to have it brought to the Downtown Core.

Adding to the enchantment of the evening were the new Christmas lights adorning the core, provided by the Municipality of North Grenville. Their warm glow transformed the downtown into a scene straight from a Christmas card.

If you’re looking to experience true holiday magic this season, be sure to take a stroll through the Downtown Kemptville core, it’s a must-see destination for festive cheer.

Roundabout Safety

United Counties roadworks gravellike material in place of asphalt in Bishops Mills

by Fred Schueler

In contrast to the solid smooth paving of Mill Street in May 2023 (after a two-decade history of patching holes) by the Municipality of North Grenville, County Road 18 through Bishops Mills, administered by the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville, has a sad history of degrading into fist-sized chunks, as my notes taken over time have shown.

On 23 August 2004 The east lane was paved over... “The first and second layers of asphalt had separated in big patches here, and was coming apart - one wonders if the new layer will adhere and bind more successfully.” In August 2007 “the Counties spread tar all over County Road 18, from the intersection to out of sight beyond Dool Road, and spread crushed limestone on the tar,” but by April 2008 “chunks of asphalt [were] the only on-road objects,” and in October 2008, this paving was already being patched. In the summer of 2010 the Main Street portion was paved with flat asphalt, leaving the St Lawrence Street portion gravel-covered. After various public protests, this gravelly layer was ground off the village pavement in September 2012, it was repaved in October, and in July 2016 the road south of the village was repaved. Since then my notes on the County Road 18 pavement have just been the breaking-into-chunks illustrated by the photograph.

NG Pride – All I want for Christmas…

by Matteo Cuccaro

Watching the Kemptville Rotary Santa Claus Parade is second only to being in it. We love how people of all ages and abilities come together to celebrate the joy of community. There were many wonderful floats, but did you see ours? NG Pride and NG Rainbow Youth Alliance built a float titled, “All I Want For Christmas”. The walkers surrounding it created placards that voiced their greatest wish for themselves and others. “Inclusion”, “Empathy”, “Love”, “Friendship”, “Family”, are just a few of the words we saw lighting up the night. Seeing them lit up our hearts as well. These are the wishes that Pride has for every day.

2SLGBTQAI+ can feel like an alphabet barrier that separates some from others. It doesn’t have to be. When we choose to live in one supportive community, we see people, not an alphabet. The Pride community is strong and growing. Every one of us is different. Every one of us is unique. Even within our own community, we have to learn about each other. This extends beyond our organization. All citizens here in North Grenville need to reflect on what we as individuals can do to build safer, inclusive communities. We need to examine our prejudices and unpack the individual baggage we have carried from youth to adulthood. We need to do better.

In the spirit of connecting our community as a whole, NG Pride and NG Rainbow Youth Alliance are determined to create a lovely Christmas Market. Local entertainers will sing and play from 1:30 to 5pm. Queer vendors, and a few

allies, from NG and the Ottawa area will sell beautiful, handcrafted items and delicious food. This is a family event with a country flair! While our friends and families are excited for this, we were disturbed to hear unhappy and even hateful rumblings. It seems some people think that Pride is about sex and are shocked that a local church is hosting our market. Other citizens believe that we should not openly identify as a Pride Christmas Market, or think we have some kind of perverted agenda. Perhaps they have not heard of Rotary, Beth Donovan Hospice, the Downtown BIA – all these host markets and use their name. Why would Pride be different? Could it be that some people think queer people should not identify openly? As an organization that upholds and celebrates acceptance and authenticity, we are happy to be citizens of North Grenville. We work, volunteer, and raise our families here. We will not pretend to be what we are not.

Research shows that the consequences of not supporting those different from us are dire. People are excluded, bullied, and harmed in heartbreaking ways. Ostracism, ridicule, and the loss of family and friends can be devastating. No one knows this more than

our Transgender community. Although trans people have always existed, they face discrimination and aggression from both their neighbours and governments. Whether it is questioning their use of pronoun, their choice of washroom, their suitability to play in genderbased leagues, or persistent dead-naming, the barriers are many. For this reason, North Grenville has joined communities across Canada in Recognizing the Transgender Week of Awareness, November 13-19, and the Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20.

We are hoping that many people will embrace this month’s many opportunities to learn about, and support, people whose lives may look different from their own. On November 17,

from 7-8:30pm, at the W.B. George Centre, hosted a free session of our We All BeloNG interactive workshop. This program has a focus on facts and data relating to gender diversity and how we can foster safer spaces in North Grenville. This same workshop will be offered online on November 23, from 2:00-3:30, for those unable to attend in person. Registration is via tech@ ngpride.ca . Our goal is a community that addresses pockets of hate and distrust and serves as true allies of all who face exclusion.

Safety, acceptance, inclusion, integration, happiness, success --these are the things we wish for everyone in North Grenville. Join us in making this a reality for all in our community!

73’s suffer Friday loss to rebound in Sunday matinee win

by G.J. Logan

Another Friday evening. Kemptville hosted the Nepean Raiders, striving for redemption after their previous encounter, they found success with a dominating 6 to 4 empty net win. Kemptville rode the slap after the first five in the initial frame, so the Canadians took advantage when Nicholas Larkin PPG, with helpers from Smith and Benoit, crashed the net to smash a squeaker by Ryland Donovan at 6:21. Another two minutes sin bin visit for the 73’s, and Yates with Larkin assisted

Luka Benoit PPG to slip it in at 6:59. Cade Campbell quickly transitioned to Lucas Achim unto the tape of Anthony D’Arienzo to spoil Otsirakatste Brant at 7:21.

Nepean’s five-on-three to open the second at 1:32 when Larkin combined with Benoit to Jack Yates PPG at 3:02. Jack Yates for his second goal punched in a rebound that benched Rylan Donovan at 4:41 to give the Raiders a three goal lead. William St. James cycled high with Rowdy Owen Redmond to Cooper Grant driving hard to the cage to

pull the trigger for Kemptville at 5:58. The magical Will Mullins at 9:06 off the half wall during five on four attack to Konrad Karon on his horse to Alexis Beaulieu PPG crushing the blue paint to put the 73’s even at two Tie breaker, with game winner for Nepean, started the final twenty miler from Larkin with Smith on the doorstep as Luka Benoit placed it behind Keegan Carswell for his second of the evening at 1:19. Kemptville countered with Jacob Kulas going downtown uptown to Cooper Grant for his second in the slot to put them in reach by one 1:24. The Raiders developed a cocoon to protect their lead in the final minutes. Keegan Carswell, relieved by Kemptville for extra attacker at 18:57 resulted with the insurance ENG from Lucas Leblanc for a 6 to 4 Raiders victory. Kemptville overpowered their opponents by 43 to 28 SOG with ¼ PP to 3/5 PP.

A rematch with the Carleton Place Canadians

with one game apiece for a Sunday road matinee, with Kemptville looking for payback as the rookies showed their finesse to successfully take 5 to 2 result. The first frame was a see-saw end to end action which closed out scoreless. The second salvo was a display of rookie domination as Nolan Tym combined with Will Mullins to Konrad Koron from the slot to beat Liam Conway at 2:11 rung the bell for Kemptville. Jacob Kulas reversed to Cade Campbell who found Noah Tym in the rocking chair to drive it home at 2:43 for two point lead. Kemptville with extra man penetrated the line with a quick stretch pass to Alexis Beaulieu to Will Mullins PPG dancing through the middle for the insurance at 4:08 to chase the Canadians stopper. Owen Redmond on the prowl back to Nicholas Voicey on the point to fire it between the pegs past William Ross at 5:38 for a 3 to zip 73’s advantage. McVieStevenson partnered with Graydon Mears to foil Rylan Donovan’s SO attempt at 13:20.

The 73’s allowed the Canadians to make the game relevant in the third as a two minute pine visit gave Joe Devlin PPG with helpers from Hatzitheodosiou with Lapier at 13:17 to move them within two. Carleton Place pulled Ross for extra attacker at 16:29 and Alexis Beaulieu tagged the open space with ENG at 18:13 for Kemptville 5 to 2 needed win. Kemptville outshot Carleton Place by 29 to 25 with 1/1 PP to ? PP.

Wednesday evening a rematch with Rockland Nationals and then two bus treks to Brockville for Friday evening, then Saturday night into Ottawa.

Your 73’s are currently seeking volunteers for office positions and invite you to participate. Please contact Mike Fox at mgfox@ sympatico.ca if you are interested.

Hockey with EDGE… see you around the wall.

Highway accidents involving farm machinery tick upwards

by Nelson Zandbergen, Farmers Forum

Peterborough-area beef farmer John Lunn escaped serious injury on a local road after a pickup truck violently rear-ended the baler attached to his tractor, snapping his head back and shattering the rear cab window. More than a week after the October 6 accident, Lunn was shaken and nursing a concussion. His head whipped back and smashed the rear cab window of his 699 Massey Ferguson when the truck plowed into the baler from behind.

The farmer says he was momentarily knocked out and was still driving down County Road 42 when he regained consciousness and brought the tractor and heavily damaged and twisted baler to a stop. The front end

of the black pickup truck, with dual rear tires, was hauling a flat-bed fifth-wheel trailer, and was completely wrecked in the daylight crash at around 5:30 p.m.

“He hit me at well over 90 kilometres per hour,” Lunn said of the other driver. “I have no idea what he was doing.”

He never spoke with the driver of the pickup truck because he was too dazed after emerging from his tractor, he said. The force of the “horrific” collision “knocked me around pretty bad,” he said. Lunn suffered a cut and bump on his head and added that after a week, “I’ve slowed down, that’s for sure.”

He said the driver of the pickup was charged with careless driving, under the Highway Traffic

Act, although Peterborough County OPP would only confirm a charge was laid.

Paramedics arrived quickly and checked him out at the scene, but Lunn regretted skipping an ambulance ride to the hospital. “I thought I was fine…. The one piece of advice I can give any farmer today is, if you hit your head, you should be going to the hospital,” he said, noting the effects of a concussion can take several days to kick in.

Lunn expressed concern about an anecdotal rise in vehicles crashing into farm machinery this year. “I don’t know if there’s been an uptick or just what the hell is going on.”

He added that the highway near his place has seen four or five serious accidents involving farm machinery in

the last three to four years. Highway accidents are increasingly annually and there are more people on the road. In fact, there are more than one-million more drivers on provincial roads today than there were in 2018.

He pointed out that navigating roads with large equipment is increasingly hazardous with a motorized public oblivious to the inherent limitations of that farm machinery. It starts with the overgrown brush and lowhanging limbs that routinely obstruct a farmer’s visibility as they approach a road with a tractor, often with a front end loader extending 7-feet out front. “We can’t see the road,” he said.

A frustrated Lunn speculated that distractions like cell phones are contributing to the crashes, as well as a

general lack of awareness. “We just can’t seem to make people aware of us (farmers on the road), and that we’re just not moving that fast in our tractors.”

Also in Lunn’s neighbourhood this year, two people were hospitalized after their vehicle plowed into the rear end of a large manure spreader being hauled by a tractor on County Road 45.

The involved farmer was turning into a laneway with a full load of manure on the afternoon of July 23 when the vehicle hit him from behind, according to local media.

The female driver suffered minor injuries but her male passenger sustained serious head injuries and had to be cut out of the mangled car.

The 2025 highway accident toll in Eastern Ontario also includes a 40-year-old

man who was arrested for impaired driving after colliding with a tractor on 8th Line Road, near Osgoode, on Oct. 5. He had to be cut out of his vehicle. And on June 6 in rural Ottawa, two teenagers in a sedan sustained lifethreatening injuries when they slammed into the back of a farm tractor towing a tandem disc implement on Brophy Drive.

On the other side of the province, the driver of a farm tractor suffered serious injuries in an Oct. 14 collision with a pickup truck hauling a trailer southeast of Kincardine, in Bruce County. The tractor operator was airlifted to a London trauma centre.

[Courtesy of Farmers Forum]

Farm safety starts with awareness and prevention, not luck

by Paul Maurice, Director, OFA

Farm safety isn’t just about rules and regulations, it’s about people. It’s about keeping our families, employees, and neighbours safe while doing what we love. As farmers, we live and work in the same place, and that makes safety a 24-hour responsibility.

At this time of year, many farmers are still in the midst of harvest, one of the most stressful times of the year as we race against time and the weather to get crops off before winter hits.

Accidents can happen in a split second, but many can be prevented with awareness and preparation. Farm safety is about knowing what to do on the farm to avoid accidents and injuries –and not just during busy times like planting or harvest, but anytime you’re working with equipment or livestock. That means keeping equipment fixed and up to date, taking a break when you’re tired or fatigued, and not cutting corners when you’re in a rush. When working, shut down equipment before making adjustments or dislodging a blockage, keep safety guards in place and don’t let kids play around work sites or near equipment.

Have a first aid kit and emergency contact numbers handy and take a charged phone with you

when you head out for the day. When frustration hits because of breakdowns or long hours, take a breath, step back, and reassess before moving on.

My wife and I farm together with our son just west of Penetanguishene where we raise broiler chickens and grow hay and field crops, and I’ve farmed long enough to know that not all hazards are visible. Years ago, I had a close call with silo gas, which is formed by the natural fermentation of chopped hay or corn once it’s in the silo. The gas overwhelmed me quickly, and even though I was lucky to survive, my lungs have never been the same.

It’s a reminder that some of the most dangerous things on the farm can be silent and invisible. Always make sure you have proper ventilation and a backup system in place before entering a confined space. Grain trailers and storage bins can also be dangerous and it’s easy to become trapped inside, an experience often described like quicksand. If help doesn’t come in time, it can lead to suffocation. Through the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s Revive Fund, we’ve invested in safety and extraction training for first responders, so they know how to handle these types of emergencies. Keeping kids safe on

the farm is another top priority. They grow up watching and wanting to help, and that curiosity is wonderful, but it needs boundaries. Kids should know to stay back from running equipment, wear safety gear like boots and glasses, and never treat grain bins, wagons, or machinery as play areas. Livestock, too, can be unpredictable: a protective cow or ewe can react in an instant if she feels her young are threatened.

Road safety is just as important, but even more at this time of year when farmers move between fields, farms and other locations to harvest crops and get them to market, processing or storage. At OFA, we have invested in road safety and slow moving vehicle awareness projects across the province.

We also continually remind farmers to be cautious, courteous and safe when they’re taking equipment on the road. Check your lights, slowmoving vehicle signs, and reflective tape before heading out, especially this time of year when it’s often dark, rainy, or foggy. Mutual respect between farmers and motorists goes a long way toward preventing accidents. For motorists, patience is key: farm equipment can’t move as fast as traffic. That means only pass when it’s safe and watch out for indicator

lights and slow moving vehicle signs. Finally, let’s not overlook mental health. Farming can be stressful: weather, unpredictable markets, equipment breakdowns, long days, and financial pressures all take their toll. The Farmer

Wellness Initiative offers free, confidential support 24/7 at 1-866-2676255. Taking care of your mental well-being is as vital as maintaining your equipment. Farm safety is everyone’s responsibility, and it starts with awareness, preparation,

and respect for both the visible and invisible risks around us.

Richard Alfred Savoy

September 19, 1963 - November 7th, 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Richard Alfred Savoy at his home on November 7th, 2025 in his 63rd year. Born in Trenton, Ontario, Richard was the beloved eldest son of Mac and Bonnie Savoy, and loving brother to Dayna (Lyndon), Tricia, and Kevin (Karen). He will be forever remembered by his six nieces and nephews, and by many extended family members and friends who cherished his kindness and generosity. Richard was a proud Royal Canadian Air Force veteran, a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus, and an active volunteer in his community. He loved hockey, curling, baseball, and golf, and served for many years as a Marshal at eQuinelle Golf Club. His deep faith in Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary guided his life. Known for his laughter, optimism, and love of Christmas, Richard's spirit touched everyone he met. A visitation was held at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Sunday, November 16th and a Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, November 17th, at 11:00 am, officiated by Father Raymond de Souza, followed by inturnment in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, then reception in the parish hall. In memory of Richard's generous heart, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Catherine Fraser Holmes 21 August 1942 - 13 November 2025

Catherine was born 21 August 1942, the youngest child and only daughter of Thomas Fraser Holmes and Elsie Stewart of Kemptville, ON and sister to Stewart, Ted and Derek.

Catherine was athletic, adventurous, and entrepreneurial. After completing her schooling at North Grenville District High School in Kemptville then Ontario Ladies College in Whitby, she set out to travel through Europe. Upon her return, she began teaching in Sudbury, then built a successful career in the retail industry, spending several years at Eaton’s where she met many close friends, retiring in 2014

In 1993, Catherine met the love of her life, Bob Fish on the golf course. They married in 1997 and built a life together, filled with travel, curling and golf until his passing in 2012.

In her retirement, Catherine was an avid volunteer to Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Alzheimer’s Society: Hastings & Prince Edward chapters, Trenton General Hospital Auxiliary and a keen member of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP).

Catherine’s loss is mourned by her brother Derek, her sister-in-law Carol, “the nieces” Jeanne, Kate and Kelly, and nephews Fraser, Sean, Christopher and Kevin, and her cat, Darlin’.

A celebration of Catherine’s life will be held in 2026 in Trenton, with details to be shared at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to any of her favourite charities: Princess Margaret Hospital (Toronto), the Alzheimer’s Society, or the Trenton General Hospital Foundation.

In Memoriam

Peter Fnukal 17 Jan 1989 - 22 Nov 1990

In our hearts your memory lingers, Sweetly tender, fond and true, There is not a day, dear Peter, That we do not think of you. Ever remembered, ever loved.

Mom, Dad and brother Ivan.

Common Sense Health Why big science matters

by Diana Gifford-Jones

We applaud people solving problems who are focused, efficient, and fast. But I was recently reminded that progress doesn’t always follow a straight line. Before investigators can conduct studies that yield breakthroughs, they often need others to finance and build major research infrastructure. It takes time, with various stops and starts, different collaborations often involving many institutions and countries, and not always a clear sense of direction.

TRIUMF, Canada’s national particle accelerator centre in Vancouver, a partnership of 21 universities, enables study on the inner workings of atoms. The high-energy cyclotron technology developed there, and the specialists trained to use it, produce lifesaving isotopes used to diagnose cancer and guide treatment.

As Dr. Lisa Kalynchuk, Vice-President of Research & Innovation at the University of Victoria, put it to me: “When you invest in scientific infrastructure, you’re investing in possibility. You can’t always predict where breakthroughs will appear – but you can create the conditions for them to flourish.”

The Canadian Light Source in Saskatoon is a synchrotron –essentially a machine that bends electrons until they emit intense light. It was built to explore the physics and chemistry of advanced materials, enabling researchers to visualize viruses, investigate chronic lung disease, and understand how drugs interact with the body. Infrastructure constructed for physics and engineering research functions as a lab for understanding human life.

The International Space Station is an example of extraterritorial international collaboration at the frontiers of scientific exploration. It is also a health lab. Astronauts lose bone density rapidly in microgravity, so efforts to keep them strong have helped with osteoporosis, frailty, and aging here on Earth.

Ocean Networks Canada collects and shares data about all aspects of the ocean. The seas are a source of medicines for cancer treatment, new sustainable materials from kelp, renewable energy that reduces the negative health effects from burning fossil fuels, resources to reduce food insecurity, and adapting ocean life systems to better understand human health. The unusually large nerve fibres of squid, for example, made it easier for scientists to understand the electrical basis of the nervous system, knowledge that is shaping treatments for epilepsy, depression, and Parkinson’s disease.

Some of the greatest breakthroughs in human health have arrived not by design, but by accident – provided an inquisitive mind was paying attention. Alexander Fleming wasn’t searching for the world’s first antibiotic when he returned from holiday to find that a wandering mold had killed bacteria on a petri dish. Yet penicillin went on to prevent more deaths than we can count. As Louis Pasteur once said, “Chance favors only the prepared mind.”

Increasingly, big science facilities throw researchers from different domains together, triggering unexpected and important outcomes.

These examples remind us why we must invest in large scale research collaboration even when the practical benefits are not obvious. It’s tempting to demand that every dollar be tied to a clear payoff. But history teaches the opposite. Discoveries emerge when we give scientists the freedom to ask bold questions, even ones that seem unrelated to human health. To insist that research must always serve a tidy, immediate purpose is to miss the possibility of much more.

Most people will never see a cyclotron or synchrotron at work. Very few will set foot on the Space Station. But many are benefitting. The decisions made years earlier – that few noticed, debated, or celebrated – have delivered health advances that now touch almost all of us.

The next time we hear about governments debating billions in scientific infrastructure, we might remember, these aren’t abstract investments. They are the seedbeds of discoveries that one day may save our lives.

This column offers opinions on health and wellness, not personal medical advice. Visit www.docgiff.com to learn more. For comments, diana@docgiff.com. Follow on Instagram @ diana_gifford_jones

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 22

Christmas Bazaar & Luncheon, St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, 319 Prescott St. Saturday, Nov. 22 10:30a.m. -1:00p.m. Bake Table, New & Gently Used Christmas Items, Luncheon 11:30, Accessible entrance from the parking lot.

Magical winter experience Get ready to discover unique handmade treasures, mouthwatering local delicacies, and delightful holiday gifts that you won't find anywhere else. Mark your calendars and join us for a magical winter experience filled with community spirit and joy! Saturday, November 22, 2025 9:30am - 3:00pm eQuinelle Clubhouse - 140 eQuinelle Dr, Kemptville, ON November 22 and 23

Merrickville Fine Arts and Crafts Christmas Show. 20 local artists and Starving Artist Cafe. November 22 and 23, 2025, 10am to 4 pm Merrickville Community Centre 106 Read St. Merrickville Free Admission and Parking November 25

EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road. Tuesday, November 25, December 9. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m., play starts at 1:00 p.m. For information, send an email to debiar@ymail.com

November 27

100 Men Who Care North Grenville, Special 4th Quarter Christmas Dinner with live music (Rosewood) & meeting: Thursday November 27th, 6pm at Catered Affairs. All Welcome – bring your spouse. Come have a gourmet Christmas Dinner and check out 100 Men. We support over 35 local charities in the area. See 100menng.ca for details. Come discover what we're all about on the 27th!

November 29,

Pride Christmas Market, 1:30-5pm at St. John's United Church on Prescott Street. Warm up during Old Town Christmas with hot coffee & cider, local performers and 26 vendors.

December 21

10X10 SPEED EUCHRE Sunday, December 21. Registration 12:30, play at 1:00 p.m. At Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road. For information, send an email to debiar@ymail.com

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

Another great treat for annual tree decorating are warm scones. Scones are a heritage food from Scotland and are on record as going back to the 16th century. They are probably even older than that and other folks dispute their origin, calling them their own. They have become a feature of tea time in the UK. The savory scone recipe today involves cheddar cheese and dill. These tasty tidbits accompany a fresh batch of homemade eggnog or syllabub very well. So here are Cheddar Dill Scones adapted from the 1992 Treasury of County Recipes, a huge book filled with all manner of good stuff and highly recommended reading for all you culinary artists.

Cheddar Dill Scones

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups of flour

• 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese

• ¼ cup of parsley flakes or fresh parsley (if available)

• 1 tablespoon of baking powder

• 2 teaspoons of dill weed

• ½ teaspoon of salt

• ¾ cup of cold butter

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

• ½ cup of half and half cream

Preparation:

• Preheat your oven to 400F

• Combine all of the ingredients except the butter, eggs and cream

• Cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly

• Mix in the in the eggs and cream until moistened

• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead till smooth

• Divide the dough in half and roll each into an 8 inch circle

• Place each circle on a greased cookie sheet an inch apart or on individual pizza pans

• Cut each circle into 8 pie-shaped wedges

• Bake till lightly browned for about 15 to 20 minutes You don’t need much by way of any topping to enjoy this excellent scone. If tempted, you can use some softened butter. More festive season recipes coming your way next week. Many thanks from Paul at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

42. One cent coin

45. Borderline

48. Water vapors

51. Relevant

52. Geologic period

54. Cried

55. Inedible mushroom

59. 10 in a decade

16. Bingo relative 17. Pickle flavoring

18. White poplar

19. Metal used in steel

20. Inscribed pillar

22. Glider

24. Bend

26. Symbol of slowness

27. A bat and ball game

30. Other than

33. Saws for cutting metal

35. Denude

37. How old you are

38. Discovered

41. Estimated time of arrival

62. Angle between leaf and branch

63. Mistake

65. Balm ingredient

66. Yield

67. Marsh plant

68. Talon

69. Anagram of "Nose"

70. Exploit

71. Song of praise DOWN 1. Garb

2. Module

3. Malevolent

4. Castrated bull

5. Chapter in history

6. Chats

7. Notions

8. Containing salt 9. Frying pan

10. Wife of Zeus

11. Any minute

12. Sharpen

15. Become calm

21. Large northern deer

23. Photos

25. Unable to hear

27. Fella

28. Goes ballistic

29. One plus one 31. Before birth

32. Moon of Saturn

34. Total

36. Wan

39. Henpeck

40. Illustrated

43. Sharp pointed implements

44. Blabs

46. Between black and white

47. Accuse of official misconduct

49. Particles

50. Tallied

53. Multitude

55. Mexican sandwich

56. Beasts of burden

57. Assistant

58. Opera house box

60. Wander

61. Stitched 64. Bloodshot

RECURRING EVENTS

Knights of Columbus Monthly Supper at Holy Cross Church Hall

503 Clothier Street West. Suppers are held at 5:30 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month, September to November and January to May. Cost $10 per person, $5 for a child under 12 and $25 for a family. PROBUS: Fellowship, Fun and inFormed presenters are part of the PROBUS gathering on the third Wednesday of each month at St Paul's Presbyterian Church Hall at 9:30AM. For more information contact at n.g.probus97@gmail.com

Kemptville Legion: Fridays 3-9. Free Pool and Darts. Everyone Welcome

BINGO at the Kemptville Legion every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from Sept-June. Doors open at noon, Bingo starts at 1pm..

LEGION EUCHRE will be held at 100 Reuben St., the 3rd Saturday of each month. Registration starts at 12:30, with Euchre starting at 1:00. Cost is $5 to play - cash prizes.

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

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

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

Friendship Café is open to the community Tuesday's from 10 to noon. All are welcome to stop by, enjoy a hot beverage, a sweet treat and some friendly conversation all at no cost. At St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St.

Tuesday Community Hub hosted by the House of Lazarus All are welcome to drop in. Advocacy, “make a meal, take a meal” cooking opportunities, community services assistance are just a few of the weekly programs. Stop by and visit or contact House of Lazarus directly at 613-989-3830 for more details. “Building Community, Sharing Hope”. Upstairs at St. John's United Church at 400 Prescott St. Modern Square Dancing in Kemptville with the Grenville Gremlins Square Dance Club. Monday Evenings 7:30 - 9:30pm. North Grenville Municipal Center County Road 44 For more info call Debbie at 613-795-3032 or Google "Kemptville Square Dancing"

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

North Grenville Men’s Shed

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

Contact: Peter Ivay 343 598-1174 or website ngmensshed.com for scheduled meetings on the calendar and additional information. Kemptville Horticultural Society - meetings are held monthly, except July, August & December. The are held the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm at the Kemptville Pentecostal Church.

NG Pride: 2SLGBTQAI+ Seniors and allies meet 2 - 4pm the first and third Sunday of each month at the NG Library. Join us for coffee, chat, cards and shenanigans.

Looking to stay connected, informed, and inspired in retirement? Join the Probus Club of North Grenville — a friendly group of retirees who meet monthly for conversation, laughter, and thoughtprovoking presentations. Gatherings take place the third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church Hall. For details, email n.g.probus97@gmail.com.

Time passages: 1919 - 1939: A Nation emerges

L-R: Hon. Howard Ferguson, Premier of Ontario; Rt. Hon. Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada; and Hon. L.A. Taschereau, Premier of Quebec, at the Dominion-Provincial Conference, November 3, 1927, Ottawa Source: Library and Archives Canada, PA-125133

The First World War, or the Great War, as it was known, was a traumatic event in the history of Canada and Canadians. When the British Empire declared war on the German Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1914, Canada was automatically at war too. As a Colony of the Empire, Canadian politicians had no power to do otherwise. By 1918, approximately 620,000 Canadians served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, including 425,000 who served overseas; more than 60,000 were killed and 172,000 wounded, an enormous number for a small nation.

by David Shanahan

The military role played by Canada, and other Colonies, during the Great War changed attitudes at home, and the Canadian Government joined with those of Australia, new Zealand and South Africa to demand a place at the table during the negotiations of the Treaty of Versailles, which brought the war to an end. Canada also joined the new League of Nations as an independent country.

The idea of a Commonwealth, as distinct from an Empire and Colonies, had been suggested during the war, but it was in the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, which led to the establishment of the Irish Free State, that the term “British Commonwealth of Nations” was first used in an official capacity. The new Irish state was given the status of the Dominion of Canada under the Treaty. In 1926, an Imperial Conference in London recognised

Canada as an autonomous nation withing the Commonwealth. The following year, a meeting of federal and provincial leaders in Ottawa discussed ways of amending the Canadian Constitution without reference to London, though no decision was reached on the proposal at the time. Ontario was represented by Premier G. Howard Ferguson of Kemptville.

Canada and the Irish Free State continued to work together in the coming years to solidify the structure and nature of the Commonwealth. In the Balfour Declaration at the 1926 Imperial Conference, Britain and its dominions agreed they were "equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs, though united by common allegiance to the Crown, and freely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations". The

term "Commonwealth" was officially adopted to describe the community.

This led to the Statute of Westminister in 1931, which established the new constitutional arrangements. The “British parliament could no longer make laws for the Dominions, other than with the request and consent of the government of that Dominion. Before then, the Dominions had legally been self-governing colonies of the United Kingdom. However, the statute had the effect of making them sovereign nations once they adopted it”.

This meant that the situation in 1939 was very different from what it had been in 1914. When Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, Britain and France opted to declare war. Canada, exercising quite deliberately its newly-achieved status, delayed declaring war on Germany for a full week. For those nine

There

and his

forces, than had struggled under British leadership in the Great War. Much had changed in the twenty years between 1919 and 1939.

Who knows where the Times goes

Talia’s Take

by Talia Hreljac @talia.hreljac25

A Mom’s Guide to Christmas Magic: Cookie Hookie Day

I don’t consider myself the perfect mom by any stretch of the imagination; but one thing I am particularly proud of is making the big moments as special as possible. All the holidays, birthdays, and celebrations - that is my time to shine. When it comes to having patience while trying to get out the door in the morning? Well, that’s a different story.

So, when I came across the idea of a Cookie Hookie Day this holiday season, I was absolutely enthralled. The chance to take a day to sit back, enjoy the holiday season, bake and eat cookies, and watch Christmas movies – sign me up for a good time.

So, how does a Cookie Hookie Day work? There are two options:

1. Start your day getting the kids ready for school as usual. Get dressed, pack the bags, and here’s the fun part –head to school. But instead of parking and getting the kids out, drive right past it and yell, “COOKIE HOOKIE DAY!”

2. Skip the morning routine and do a fun surprise with Elf on the Shelf. Leave a cute little note (which you can find in this edition of the NG Times saying it’s Cookie Hookie Day, along with some baking ingredients, new pajamas, or a fun Christmas movie to watch.

Then spend the day enjoying the Christmas magic. The holiday season is always so busy, so it’s wonderful to take time to simply relax and savour the moment.

Our Christmas Cookie Hookie Day itinerary looks like this:

1. Fun Christmas breakfast

2. Baking some Christmas cookies

3. Watching as many Christmas movies as we can

4. A Christmas craft

5. A fun Christmas charcuterie board on the couch while listening to Christmas music.

Of course, it can be whatever you want it to be. Want to go out for lunch? Go for it. Want to decorate the tree that day? Amazing. Prefer to stay home reading or playing board games? That works too. The important thing is that you’re doing it together.

I also think a Cookie Hookie Day highlights the importance of mental health days. We’re often okay taking a sick day when we’re not feeling well, but mental health days are just as important to ensure we feel our holly-jolly best.

So why not start a new tradition? Gather your family, embrace the holiday magic, and enjoy your very own Cookie Hookie Day!

Bill 60 will push more ODSP recipients into homelessness

ODSP Action Coalition is sounding the alarm over the devastating impact that Ontario's proposed Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, will have on people with disabilities receiving the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), 70% of whom rely on precarious private market rentals to survive.

"Bill 60 is a direct attack on the most vulnerable Ontarians at the worst possible time," said Ron Anicich, co-chair with the ODSP Ac-

tion Coalition. "While this bill is being sold as a way to build housing faster, it will actually make it far easier to evict people with disabilities from their homes and push thousands more of us onto the streets."

Recent data obtained by The Trillium through freedom of information requests reveals a shocking trend: the number of Ontario's Disability Support Program recipients who are homeless has increased. This crisis is escalating despite gov -

ernment claims that tying ODSP increases to inflation has addressed affordability concerns.

The reality paints a different picture. With maximum ODSP rates at just $1,408 per month for a single person, recipients face impossible choices in a rental market where affordable housing is increasingly out of reach. Once someone becomes homeless, they lose their $599 monthly shelter allowance, making it virtually impossible to secure housing again.

Buried within this sprawling omnibus bill are provisions that will devastate ODSP recipients who are already struggling to maintain housing:

- Shorter eviction timelines: Reduced time to address rent arrears will leave vulnerable ODSP recipients with less opportunity to access rent banks, legal assistance, or gather support from family and friends during financial crises.

- Barriers to raising maintenance or other issues (e.g. harrassment): Tenants will be required to provide advance notice of all issues they intend to raise at Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) hearings, making it harder for people with disabilities

to navigate an already complex tribunal system and limiting their ability to raise serious maintenance and repair complaints.

- Proposals to end indefinite leases: The government has signaled its interest in allowing alternate options to allow for lease agreements to expire and landlords to control who occupies their units and for how long. This would eliminate the security of tenure and effectively end the flimsy rent controls we currently have.

These changes are being promoted as ways to "reduce delays" at the Landlord and Tenant Board, but in reality they simply tilt the playing field further in favor of landlords while making it easier and faster to evict tenants who cannot afford market rents.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario reported that over 81,500 Ontarians were experiencing homelessness in 2024. Advocates warn that Bill 60 will only worsen this emergency.

Premier Doug Ford has responded to the homelessness crisis by telling people living in encampments to "get off your A-S-S and start working," but this ignores the reality that many homeless social assistance recipients simply cannot afford housing on povertylevel income support rates. The ODSP Action Coalition is calling on Premier Doug Ford to remove the Residential Tenancies Act amendments from Bill 60 (Schedule 12). The coalition is urging all Ontarians to contact their MPPs and demand:

- Removal of all Bill 60 changes that weaken tenant protections

- Meaningful increases to ODSP rates that reflect actual housing costs

- Maintenance of indefinite leases and rent control protections

- Investment in affordable, accessible housing for people with disabilities

"People with disabilities deserve safe, stable, affordable housing," said Anicich. "Instead, this government is making it easier to evict us and harder to survive. They call it the 'Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act,' but it won't build a single affordable home. It will just create more homelessness faster."

This Holiday Season, tone down the online bragging

2025 has been, to put it mildly, chaotic. The year has been a continuation of technological disruption and its social consequences, alongside the ongoing effects of climate change and global instability, which impact us all. Furthermore, economic instability has been ever-present, with persistent talk of a looming recession, hyperinflation, and a job market marked by waves of layoffs and hiring freezes as employers become increasingly cautious.

A worsening economy has led to a greater number of people slipping through the cracks and a widening economic divide. In this precarious environment, the most common behaviour on social media, humblebragging, is indicative of how many people don't consider the negative impact their actions can have on others, most notably their sense of self.

If I were the supreme ruler of all things’ social media, I'd take inspiration from the government's requirement that cigarette packages and advertisements display prominent health risk warnings about the harmful effects of smoking, including the dangers of secondhand

smoke. Similarly, I'd mandate there be a visible warning before logging on to any social media site, when posting or commenting:

WARNING: Your posts and comments can have a negative impact on the mental and emotional wellbeing of those who view them. When posting or commenting, think empathically.

Spend a few minutes browsing your social feeds, and you'll find countless examples of humble bragging.

You'll see posts from family, friends, work colleagues and acquaintances starting with "humbled by", "thrilled at ", "honoured by", and the like, followed by announcements of a new position or achievement. Such posts are little more than a facade of modesty, acting humble after achieving success. Essentially, it's backhanded boasting.

While humble bragging is prevalent on social media sites, a close second in prevalence is overt bragging, people using social media to openly brag about their latest vacation, house purchase, new car, or expensive restaurant meal. Social media has made self-promotion more convenient than ever;

consequently, we've turned ourselves into narcissists en masse.

It's understandable to feel that if you don't brag, you risk being ignored or forgotten, the ultimate social media failure. Nonetheless, consider how posting "Look at me! I'm in Aruba!" or "Look at the steak dinner I'm having at La Tête d'Or" or "Check out me and my friends at the Bruno Mars concert" might affect those who don't have the financial privilege you have, a privilege that can rapidly vanish with a hike in interest rates or a meeting invite from HR?

While feeling proud of one’s accomplishments is normal, it takes on a different tone when you intentionally craft a post to highlight what you have or what you can afford or have the credit to appear as if you can afford. Is posting one's consumerism or purchased experience announcing one's accomplishment, or is the poster just bragging about their financial privilege? Let's be honest: when someone posts to humblebrag or overtly brag, their aim isn’t to spread happiness, but to evoke envy and seek admiration and approval from others—many

of whom are strangers.

As more people fall through the cracks, a philosophical question arises: To what extent are you responsible for your actions on social media and their effects on others? If you knew that posting a photo of you leaning against your new car could make those without the means to buy a new car feel depressed or inadequate, would you still post the photo?

Is it necessary for the world, especially those who are unemployed or worried about their jobs, to know that you and your family are spending Christmas at Disneyland? Does the world need to see your office party selfies or all the gifts under your family's Christmas tree, with the caption "I hope the kids are happy #spoiled"? Are you posting to inform your followers, most of whom are strangers, or are you posting to brag about what you have that they may not have?

who view them; they also influence the algorithm that shapes our digital experiences, making it harder to find authentic content or genuine support.

Think about parents who, because of persistent inflation, are struggling to make ends meet and can't make Christmas magical for their children. Consider those who have been laid off and are navigating a fiercely competitive job market, or those who are worried about their job. Reflect on how a young person, seeing your brag photo, might wonder why life is so unfair: a concept even adults struggle to grasp.

Of course, you're entitled to post whatever you want; it's the World Wide Web,

Whether it's the holiday season or not, bragging on social media has transformed social platforms from spaces of community into arenas of competition. Bragging posts and comments don't just affect those

after all. However, in the spirit of human empathy, consider toning down your online bragging this holiday season. Appreciate what you have without posting, "Look at what I have!" or "Look at what I can do!" Now is a good time to cultivate quiet happiness and thankfulness. Unless there's a compelling reason, there's no need this holiday season to post what many others don't have. Nick Kossovan, a selfdescribed connoisseur of human psychology, writes about what’s on his mind from Toronto. You can follow Nick on Twitter and Instagram @NKossovan.