Issue 19 2024 May 16 NG Times

Buskerfest this weekend

by Deron Johnston

The 2024 KemptvThe 2024 Kemptville Buskerfest is almost here. Like spring itself, all of us on the Kemptville Buskerfest Organizing Committee can hardly wait for it to finally get here!

On Saturday, May 18, starting at 10 am, Prescott Street in Downtown Kemptville will be filled to bursting with all kinds of acrobatic feats, precision juggling, singing, dancing, pogo sticking, unicycling, magic tricks, balloon artistry, and we're told that there have even been sightings of a Silver Elvis.

This year's Buskerfest promises to be even more entertaining than the previous two. Not only that, but we've added even more food options, more vendors, and more local

talent to show visitors that the event and the community have so much to offer.

Every year, our volunteers put in literally thousands of hours to bring this spectacle to life. We are so proud of and grateful to our volunteers that we wish we could name every one of them, but there's only so much space in the newspaper.

We also want to mention title sponsor Urbandale Construction, and the Municipality of North Grenville, which have been instrumental as partners and have supported all of the craziness that the organizers can throw at them. Without them and our other 30+ sponsors, none of this would be possible, and it certainly wouldn't be free for

everyone to enjoy.

Many people think that their respective community is the best, but the support that Buskerfest receives goes beyond sponsors and partners. The small businesses of the Old Town Kemptville BIA are truly a family that has allowed us to grow Downtown Kemptville into a community unto itself that everyone can feel proud of, and everyone is welcome to be part of.

Once we've entertained you to the moon and back and helped you build a whole scrapbook full of happy memories, please enjoy the hospitality of our restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops. Our retail shops are filled with unique products, and our service providers are ready to demonstrate the very definition of small-

town service.

We can't forget to point out the North Grenville Arts Guild which is hosting its own art show within our show. We've always been spoiled by the remarkable visual artists that call North Grenville home and you'll get to see firsthand why we think that way.

This year, we're also teaming up with the Navy League as they bring their annual duck race fundraiser to the Kemptville Buskerfest. They'll be releasing 1,250 ducks into the South Branch right off the Prescott Street bridge at 1 pm. This annual tradition is an absolute riot as hundreds of people line the bridge and banks of the river to cheer on their ducks. There are still a few tickets left, so be sure to get yours.

Sometimes, we even surprise ourselves with how much food, fun, and frivolity that we can pack into this one day. So, hop in the car, drive to the North Grenville Municipal Centre parking lot and then catch the free ATS shuttle to Downtown Kemptville to enjoy simply the most wonderful day of the year (sorry Santa)!

To get a small preview of what's to come, visit www.kemptvillebuskerfest.ca.

North Grenville Community Theatre show is going to be Bloody Murder

by Steve Wendt

People who enjoy live theatre can get their tickets now for the quirky play, Bloody Murder, by author Ed Sala. The play being staged by the North Grenville Community Theatre runs from May 23 to May 26 at the Urbandale Arts Centre in Kemptville.

The play starts out on familiar ground. It looks like an Agatha Christie whodunnit, with the usual cast of stereotypical characters. For example, there is the British army major. At first glance he seems to be a friendly chap, although one who is too quick to pull out his old service revolver. As the guests gather in the stately country mansion, they all fit the standard cliches. One is a glamorous Countess, another is a washed-out actor whose only thrills now come from a bottle. We have the maid with a hidden past, in fact she has many hidden pasts, some of which come to visit. There is a sleazy nephew who wants to use his charm on every female he can find

– including the flighty young ingenue who just wants to have a little fun. The party is set at the very isolated home of wealthy Lady Somerset who, as she explains more than once, is far too sophisticated for murder. We are not convinced. It seems that all of these types could be guilty. And then the bodies start to pile up. Throw in a couple of bumbling detectives, a passing motorist, a priest and a nun and the scene becomes too much to believe. Of course, there is also an international jewel thief.

This play is not meant to be taken too seriously. In fact it is a parody of the standard form, which slips into comedy and theatre of the absurd. It is all pretend and nothing is what it seems. For one thing, the body count, eight, is more than the murder mystery average, that doesn’t make sense, does it? For the faint of heart – who may be fazed by all the guns, knives, and poison, rest assured. At the curtain call, all of the actors are OK, it is all illusion.

The cast has been rehearsing for months. Come out and see Alyson Reid (Lady Somerset), Dee Sheppard (Jane, the maid), Jasmine Churchill (Emma Reese), Al Billiald (Devon Tremaine), Tom Insley (The Major), Kevin Cockell (Charles), Alisa Insley (multiple roles) and Larisa Christensen (multiple roles). The show is directed for NGCT by Steve Wendt and Robin Churchill and produced by Debbie MacGillivray and Catherine Potts-Halpin.

Evening performances run from Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 PM, that is May 23 through May 25. There is also a Sunday showing at 1PM, May 26. NGCT is pleased to be offering a brunch before the Sunday show, which is served at 11 AM, also at the Urbandale Arts Centre.

Tickets are available at B&H Your Community Grocer in Kemptville. They may also be purchased online for an additional fee through the link at NGCT.CA.

Musical Instrument Lending Library coming this year

The North Grenville Public Library is excited to announce a Musical Instrument Lending Library will be opening this August to enhance equitable music education for North Grenville and surrounding area residents.

What is a Musical Instrument Lending Library?

A Musical Instrument Lending Library (MILL) is exactly the same as a typical library, but instead of lending books, it lends musical instruments. MILLs provides musical instruments on loan to community members to increase the accessibility of music education and build life skills through the love and practice of music. North Grenville’s MILL is possible through the Municipality of North Grenville’s Community Grant Program and through the hard work of dedicated community members.

“I am beyond excited to see this vision come alive!” said Herb Cloutier, local business owner, musician, and long-time supporter of this project. “With the help of the Municipality of North Grenville, the North Grenville Public Library, and the Kemptville Campus, we have the ingredients I feel, to not only launch a MILL

but build a strong foundation for many years.”

Focusing initially on stringed instruments, such as guitars, the MILL hopes to expand its collection over time so the community can have free access to an extensive range of musical resources. “My musical journey has provided a path for lifelong enjoyment,” Herb added. “I have always felt the need to share the feeling that playing an instrument can provide. As our community grows, a Music Lending Library will grow, providing access to a variety of instruments to all ages.”

The North Grenville Public Library welcomes community feedback and assistance with this project; the Library will be accepting volunteer applications and donations of gently used musical instruments later this spring. For more

information, visit: www. ngpl.ca/mill

As a catalyst for learning, discovery and creativity, it is the mission of the North Grenville Public Library to be a vibrant, accessible resource that builds and promotes an inclusive community by bringing together people and ideas.

A friendly space where people can come together and connect with others, the Library is a hub and meeting place for the people of North Grenville, offering resources and quality programming aligned with community interest.

For more information, contact Emily Farrell, CEO, North Grenville Public Library at 613-258-4711 or ceo@ngpl.ca.

DONATIONS NEEDED!

By Jean Gallant

Hey Day needs your help! As one of Eastern Ontario’s largest indoor garage sales, Hey Day is an important fundraiser for the Kemptville District Hospital. It’s entirely organized and run by volunteers, and all the proceeds go to support the hospital through the purchase and maintenance of necessary equipment.

Volunteers from all over our community will descend on the North Gren-

ville Municipal Centre to prepare for the garage sale, which takes place Friday June 7 (6-9pm) and Saturday June 8 (11am to 1pm), but in order to make the sale a success, and raise as much for the hospital as possible, we need your donations. Can you help? Do you have items in good condition that others might want to buy? If so, please bring them to the Municipal Centre on: Wednesday June 5 from 1pm to 7pm and Thursday

June 6 from 11am to 7pm. Thanks so much for your support!

We would appreciate it if you did not bring leftovers from other garage sales, as they seldom sell and we incur costs to dispose of them.

For more info, please email us at kdha.heyday@ gmail.com; facebook at kdh auxiliary; phone 613-4474492.

Kemptville Campus successful Community Futures project

by Katie Nolan, Executive Director, Community Futures Grenville

Community Futures Grenville proudly announces the successful completion of its Community Futures Grenville Initiative for 2023-24, supporting several impactful projects aimed at fostering economic development and growth in the region.

The Community Futures Grenville Initiative offers 50% cost share support, to a maximum of $3,000, for projects that support community economic development. Community Futures Grenville is a federally funded, not-for-profit corporation, that has been providing small business loans, business advisory services and community economic development throughout Grenville County since 1990. The organization operates with financial support from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

These initiatives strengthen the local economy and contribute significantly to community engagement and empowerment.

Through the program, Community Futures Grenville has provided vital support to diverse projects across various sectors. The initiatives supported last year are:

1. Kemptville Campus: Eco Farm Day 2024, a regional conference promoting farm business economic viability, sustainable agriculture practices and fostering connections within the local farming community.

2. South Grenville Food Bank: Tools for Launch Program, facilitating employee retention by empowering individuals in new employment roles.

3. Town of Prescott: The

Resident/Visitor Analytics Data Project, aimed at leveraging comprehensive consumer insights to enhance decisionmaking processes and better serve residents and visitors alike.

4. Leeds Grenville Small Business: International Women’s Day 2024, empowering women in business and championing inclusivity and equity within the community.

5. Township of Augusta: The Maker’s Map project, showcasing local artisans, growers, and makers through an interactive digital platform.

These projects highlight the diverse range of initiatives supported by Community Futures Grenville, each contributing to the economic vibrancy and community well-being of the region. By investing in these endeavors, Community Futures Grenville continues to play an important role in driving sustainable growth and prosperity.

"Community Futures Grenville’s support was instrumental in allowing us to offer Eco Farm Day in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic, and to move it to a new home at Kemptville Campus,” said Leela Ramachandran, Program Manager at Kemptville Campus. “We brought together nearly 200 people working in the organic farming and food sector, and we are already planning to host next year's Eco Farm Day at Kemptville Campus."

“The Community Futures Grenville Initiative has enabled Prescott's Economic Development & Tourism Department to tap into actionable data, to gain and share invaluable consumer market insights with our business and tourism community,” said Dana Valentyne, Economic Development Officer with the Town of Prescott. “Community Futures Grenville's

funding programs and supports truly empower businesses and communities throughout the region.”

“We are thrilled to see the positive impact of the Community Futures Grenville Initiative reflected in these projects,” said Cathy Sheppard, Chair of Community Futures Grenville. “The success of these initiatives underscores the importance of supporting local entrepreneurship and community development. We remain committed to fostering a thriving economic landscape that benefits all residents of Grenville County.”

“Congratulations to Community Futures Grenville and to the projects supported through the CF Grenville Initiative that are fostering economic growth in the region. Our government is happy to support Community Futures Development Corporations, like Community Futures Grenville, as they are instrumental in driving economic progress across rural southern Ontario, fostering local jobs and bolstering rural businesses,” said the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

Community Futures Grenville will continue to offer this program in 2024-25. Applications are reviewed monthly and are accepted on a continuous basis until funds are fully allocated for the year. If you have a project that might benefit from this program, you are invited to learn more at https://www.cfgrenville.ca/services-programs/ economic-development. Related links: https://www.cfgrenville.ca https://feddev-ontario. canada.ca

All things must pass

by David Shanahan

One of my favourite books is “Lark Rise to Candleford”, Flora Thompson’s memories of growing up in a very small hamlet in Oxfordshire in the 1880's. The book describes a society and way of life that has completely disappeared, a community that may have been typical of the time, but which was already changing from what it had been in previous generations. I had the same sense of looking into a vanished world when I was back in Ireland last month. Already, in just a few decades, my home town and the people living there, have changed enormously. Vast new housing developments (estates, they’re called there), new highways, new ways of dressing and acting, so many other subtle, and not so subtle, have changed the character and content of Dublin.

Growing up, no-one wore sneakers in public (trainers, they’re called there), and people never ate or drank in the streets. Now, it seems, those streets are filled with people drinking their coffee and gazing steadfastly at the phones as they navigate through

crowds of pedestrians and across roads loud with traffic. Everything passes, everything changes, as Dylan once wrote To Ramona. Inevitably, time changes things, and all things must pass, to quote George.

This all got me thinking about our place in the world, our municipality of North Grenville. When I first arrived here in 1994, there was no Municipality of North Grenville. I lived in Oxford-on-Rideau Township, and went shopping in the Town of Kemptville, a separate jurisdiction. South Gower was a vague location east of Oxford. There was no 416, just the old Highway 16, though it had already bypassed Kemptville even then.

Then came amalgamation in 1998, and things began to change rapidly, and the tempo of change has not slowed since. I don’t know what it feels like to those born and raised here, but even after just thirty years, so much is different. Successive municipal councils happily allowed what seemed like unrestricted development, eager for the Development Charges and property taxes it brought. “Grow or die” was quoted at those who wondered whether things might be going too fast,

without a proper vision of what this “progress” might bring in its train.

Those in a position of power and influence proudly pointed to statistics showing that the population of North Grenville would double within ten years. It was necessary, they claimed, to go with the flow and enjoy the benefits of this expansion. And, to be fair, few objected to new stores, a new library, a new and improving local hospital. New schools were also welcome, and there was a feeling of optimism about the future. Not for the first time in the local community’s history, the future looked bright, and North Grenville’s social and economic prospects were shining and clear.

There were two mottos, one for the Municipality: “Green and Growing”, and one for the United Counties, “Where Lifestyle Grows Good Business”. Neither one really makes sense, in retrospect, and the “Green and Growing” one looks increasingly cynical. It seems that the more Growing, the less Green we become. But we were, perhaps, a little innocent about it all. We decided that this new mu-

www.ngtimes.ca

ISSN 2291-0301

OFFICE 613-215-0735

Mailing Address

nicipality could get happily by with the same number of municipal councillors that each of Oxford, Kemptville, and South Gower had preamalgamation - in fact the same number as the Village of Kemptville had in 1857!

During the talks planning for amalgamation, it was decided that the new municipalities offices should be at the Ferguson Forest Centre, which was about to be taken over by Oxford. It was considered to be large enough, as the projected staff for the new Township would amount to just eight people. There would be a Senior staff of Clerk-Administrator, with three sub-managers: a Treasurer, a Planning and Building Manager, and a Manager of Public Works. Things didn’t quite work out that way, did they?

What it all comes down to is that, as the saying goes, “without a vision, the people perish”, and there was very little realistic vision back in 1998, nor has there been much in the years since. North Grenville has reached a point where the future is perhaps more uncertain than it ever, in the sense that its identity and character are in flux, and no-one is quite

Letters to the Edior

Dear Editor,

certain if it is going in the direction residents would prefer. Are we just caught in whirlwind that is sweeping us on, unable to do anything other than react and adapt to the changes we see happening around us, rather than controlling them?

We see the chaos on County Road 43 as the work begins on four-laning it, long after housing has been per-

Correction notice:

mitted throughout Kemptville, instead of having infrastructure ready to deal with growth. Ironically, Grow or Die may actually end with Growth killing what made North Grenville special in the first place. This council is busy dealing with the legacy of its predecessors. We must start deciding on what our legacy to the future will be.

Please note that last week's editorial was written by David Shanahan, not Brandon Mayer

www.northgrenville.ca

Need to see us? Municipal office hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 285 County Road 44, Kemptville

Need to reach us? Contact us: Call 613-258-9569 or email: general@northgrenville.on.ca

Dear Editor,

P.O. Box 1854, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0

Editor

David Shanahan

editor@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735

Brandon Mayer brandon@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735 What’s going on? See our events calendar: www.northgrenville.ca/events Stay informed! Council Meetings: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings

Reporter

Marketing/Sales

Melissa Ottenhof marketing@ngtimes.ca 613 329 0209

Production production@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735

Accounting Pat Jessop cfo@ngtimes.ca

Classifieds classifieds@ngtimes.ca

After reading the letter from the pedestrian, I'd like to share my thoughts regarding driving and ageing. I, hopefully, am not ageist, but I am pushing 70, and my confidence and skills behind the wheel are showing it. I don't like big city driving anymore and I plan my rare trips into Ottawa for offpeak traffic.

In the last 6 months, I've been involved in two collisions, with no injuries but with significant consequences, further taxing my confidence. Those accidents had much in common - they were in small towns, at low speed, under good conditions and, for the benefit of trolls, I WAS NOT AT FAULT AND COULD NOT AVOID THE HIT. In the first accident, the other vehicle was a write-off, and in the second our vehicle was written off. (BTW - shout out to the young Smiths Falls motorist who yelled at us to get our cars off the street while we were still making sure there were no injuries.)

Finally, and to the point of this letter, the other drivers were both 90 years old. I feel for both of them as

they seemed quite capable, independent people but, in one case, I expect that it was her final day at the wheel, as she was quite traumatized. Literally, a costly and lifechanging event.

So, my thoughts are about driving in evermore complex conditions knowing that my skills are not going to improve and knowing that there are so many like me out there. I am very happy about new initiatives to provide community transportation and I hope such programmes grow and are supported broadly. More needs to be done, however, in screening drivers for their ability to drive. As we age, we are all faced with two of life's most difficult problems: when to move out of our houses, and when to give up our driver's permit. Family, friends and community all must play a role in helping in those transitions.

Reliable, self-driving transportation (real automobiles), there's a thought! Jean-Jacques

I have enjoyed the recent exchanges in the NG Times between Steve Gabell and David Shanahan. Last week Mr. Gabell presented the standard narrative about evolution based on Darwin's mechanism of variation and natural selection. While this is still the reigning theory of how live developed on planet Earth, the evidence against it continues to pile up and is now overwhelming.

In his response, Dr. Shanahan does a good job of refuting Gabell's points, but I would like to add a few comments. Shanahan rightly says that the evolution examples Gabell mentions are microevolution; slight variations in existing genomes. But to leap from microevolution to macroevolution, claiming that many micros accumulate over time into a macro, is a bait-and-switch tactic. Science has never been seen that happen, and the intermediary forms required for gradual evolution into new life forms are conspicuously absent from the fossil record.

I am currently reading "Darwin's House of Cards" by Tom Bethell, which,

chapter by chapter, demolishes Darwinism based on solid scientific evidence and logic. (People can find this book on Amazon and read the first few pages there.) There are many other books, analyses, and scientific papers showing how Darwinism cannot explain what it claims to do. The evidence supporting Darwin's grand theory is actually very sparse. I recently searched for "proofs of evolution" on line and everything I found was either overstated microevolution, erroneous, or better explained by some other theory, such as Intelligent Design.

Mr. Gabell is correct that science does not go looking for supernatural causes. However, true science does not, a priori, dismiss possible explanations on purely philosophical grounds, such as "no supernatural causes allowed". Rather, if the evidence collected by careful science increasingly undermines known natural causes, while being explicable by reference to intelligent agency - a mind, supernatural or otherwise - then logic says

letters cont'd on page 5

North Grenville Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment Campaign underway

The North Grenville Fire Department is pleased to announce the launch of its 2024 recruitment campaign for volunteer firefighters. This initiative aims to bolster the department’s ranks with dedicated individuals committed to serving and protecting the community.

As part of the recruitment process, interested candidates are required to attend a mandatory orientation night scheduled on Thursday, May 23, 2024. This orientation will provide valuable information about the roles and responsibilities of a volunteer firefighter, as well as an overview of the training

program and application process.

Fire Chief, John Okum, expressed enthusiasm about welcoming new members to the team, stating, “Our volunteer firefighters play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. We are excited to invite passionate individuals, women and men, to join our ranks and contribute to our mission of serving North Grenville.”

Mayor Peckford also voiced her support for the recruitment campaign, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in emergency services. She stated, “Volunteer firefighters are the backbone of our

Leeds Heritage Day

The Leeds & Grenville Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society will be open on Saturday, May 25 to celebrate Leeds Heritage Day. Our Archives, located in the Brockville Museum, will welcome visitors with refreshments and a chance to see our collection of family histories, land abstract books, and much more about the history of Leeds & Grenville counties. Come to

go where the evidence leads and allow the best explanation to stand.

Mr. Gabell is free to dispute Shanahan's articles about Christianity, but appealing to science in the form of Darwin's theory has long passed its best-before date for that purpose. Instead, scientific findings in recent decades more and more undermine naturalism as a philosophy, and lend support to theism as the best explanation for the reality we live in.

Ed Norman, Kemptville.

Dear Editor,

While in arbitration with the Ontario Medical Association, the Ministry of Health has claimed that recruitment and retention of physicians “is not a major concern.”

This is a complete denial of the reality of the lives of millions of Ontarians and comes directly from Premier Ford and Minister Jones. The reality is that 2.3 million Ontarians do not currently have a family

firefighting efforts in North Grenville. Their dedication and selflessness are commendable, and I encourage anyone with a desire to service their community to consider joining our fire department.”

Individuals interested in becoming volunteer firefighters with the North Grenville Fire Department are encouraged to attend the orientation night on May 23, 2024, at the North Grenville Fire Station from 6:308:30pm.

North Grenville firefighters are compensated by honorarium for services they provide the Municipality. Volunteer firefighters are called out to all emergencies

visit us!

Other activities taking place for Leeds Heritage Day include:

The Athens Museum is celebrating 20 years and will also have a BBQ. Athens Library has a book and plant sale and there is a community yard sale. Maple View Lodge Auxiliary has a pie and yard sale.

The Brick School in Elgin will host a display of pho-

doctor or nurse practitioner, and those numbers are forecast to double in the next few years as a large number of family doctors reach retirement age. Those who do have currently have a family doctor are still impacted by this crisis as they worry about what happens when their current doctor retires, or they would like to have a doctor closer to where they live, or are unhappy with their doctor but have no option to change.

As Leeds-Grenville Ontario Greens President, I can say that every day during my work as a community pharmacist I meet people who do not have a family doctor for a variety of reasons, and it is not unusual to see people whose doctors are over an hour’s drive away.

Having a healthy population is essential for having a healthy economy yet instead of trying to tackle this crisis the Ford government is burying its head in the sand and denying there is even a problem. It’s time for the government to clean up the mess they have made and

and respond when available. Firefighters are also required to attend certified training, weekly training, and fire prevention activities.

If you are a female volunteer wishing to explore your options, we encourage you to attend the orientation night on Thursday, May 23. However, there is also an optional dedicated training program available for women only which may be of interest. Please visit: Women of Fire: Leeds Grenville | Facebook

For more information about the recruitment process, please visit http:// northgrenville.ca/careers

RECURRING EVENTS

Monthly Suppers prepared by Knights of Columbus at Holy Cross Church Hall at 503 Clothier St W. Suppers will be held on the last Thursday of the month. Cost $10 per adult, $5 for children under 12 and $25 for families.

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, Kemptville Legion, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, doors open at noon NG Duplicate Bridge Club, Masonic Lodge 311 Van Buren Kemptville, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 12:15. All Levels of bridge players are welcome. Info call 613-795-7155

KLUB 67 EUCHRE Join us for fun, social euchre games taking place every 2nd and 4th Wednesday monthly at 1pm, September to May. Location: Kemptville Legion, 100 Reuben Cres, Kemptville. Everyone welcome, $5. To play, cash prizes

Friendship Lunch every Friday at St. Johns United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. The meal begins at 11:30 and is free of charge. A good will offering is appreciated. Everyone is welcome.

tos by famed photographer Clifford Pennock, an early 20th century photographic pioneer.

Delta’s Old Stone Mill will be open and offers guided or self guided tours.

At Mallory Coach House in Mallorytown there will be a chance to visit the new Glassworks display as well as other exhibits.

The Thousand Islands History Museum in Gananoque

repair the damage they have caused – starting by immediately halting the privatization of our public healthcare system; and implementing a retention strategy that includes raises, better benefits, and improved working conditions for all healthcare workers. They can also begin properly funding all healthcare sectors to bring our per-capita funding up to national standards.

Steve Gabell

will be hosting the last weekend for the fibre arts show, “From Away”.

The Brockville Museum is a member and offers many exhibits of local interest.

The Rideau District Museum, located at 29 Bedford Street in Westport, has many unique and interesting artifacts.

Drawing from Life - Portrait and figure drawing clothed models. Fridays, 4pm to 7pm, St. John's United Church 400 Prescott Street. Artists at all levels are welcome. Drop in fee $15. For information contact gowjb5@gmail.com Spencerville Agricultural Society planning general meetings. If you are interested in joining our committee, please email info@spencervillefair.ca to receive all of the meeting details. Jun 10, Jul 8, Aug 12, Oct 21, Nov 11. The Drummond Building, 22 Ryan Street, Spencerville Ontario BID EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road on Tuesday, May 21, June 4, 18, July 2, 16, 30, August 13, 27, September 10, 24. Registration from 6:30 p.m., play from 7:00 p.m. Contact Debi at debiar@ymail.com

EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road on Tuesday, May 14, 28, June 11, 25, July 9, 23, August 6, 20, September 3, 17. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m., play starts at 7:00 p.m. Contact Debi at debiar@ymail.com

Dear Editor, Re: New Seniors Active Living

I think it would have been nice to have a street address or contact information of The Seniors’ Community Services Centre for followup. The article only states they have been awarded a new designation. Cheers, Neil

Kemptville Farmers' Market: Many local farmers, producers and makers. Every Sunday from noon til 4pm, May 12 - October 27. Located at 301 Rideau St, Kemptville, across the lot from B&H Grocers

UPCOMING EVENTS

WIZARD CARD GAME TOURNAMENT changed from Sunday, May 19 to SATURDAY, MAY 25 at Pierce's Corners, also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at 12:30 and play starts at 1:00 p.m. $5 per player. For information contact debiar@ ymail.com.

Yard Sale, Spring Market and BBQ, June 1, rain or shine. St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, 319 Prescott St. Yard Sale 8 am, Plant and Bake Sale 9 am, BBQ at 11 am. Huge selection of items, something for everyone.

Afternoon High Tea at St. Ann Rectory in Merrickville Saturday June 8. You are invited to join us at 230 Main Street, Merrickville, Ontario. The parishioners of St. Ann will be serving home made sandwiches and desserts along with quality teas and coffee.

The Tea will have two sittings: noon to 2pm and 2:30 to 4:30pm. Seating is limited at the Rectory. Reservations may be made by calling: Audrey at 613.283.5033 or Janet at 613.284.6741. Tickets are $35. You may hold the winning ticket for a table or door prize.

1st Annual Father's Day Car Show! This event is FREE for the public to attend and only $10 per car registration! Sunday, June 16th, 9:00 AM- 3:00 PM, Spencerville Fairgrounds. For more information, please check out our website - www.spencervillefair.ca

EUCHRE FUNDRAISER FOR THE KEMPTVILLE DISTRICT HOSPITAL FOUNDATION in support of the CT Scanner Campaign. On Saturday, June 22 at Pierce's Corners, aka the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at 12:30; play starts at 1:00. $10 per player. For information, contact debiar@ymail.com Fellowship of Christian Farmers: For everyone who is interested in the formation of the North Grenville Chaptermeeting at the Pentacostal Church (1964 County RD 43) on Wednesday June 26 at 7pm. Contact Capt Milfred Harper at 613-258-5375

Science proves it: Wollastonite delivers superior results

The potential of wollastonite is exciting, but even so there will inevitably be skeptics who question whether the mineral really can deliver the benefits the company is now promoting. The good news is that there is now a growing body of independently validated, evidence-based research that confirms that wollastonite can in fact become a powerful game changer for Ontario’s farmers.

One noteworthy example in this regard is an article entitled Mineral-Soil-Plant Nutrient Synergisms of Enhanced Weathering for Agriculture published in the July 2022 edition of the scientific journal Frontiers in Plant Science (www.frontiersin.org.).

Authored by researchers in the School of Engineering at the University of Guelph, it reports the findings of three separate lab-scale studies that looked respectively at the results achieved with green beans, soybeans and lettuce, and spring rye. Their overall conclusion was that the studies showed that wollastonite can potentially make an important contribution to supporting plant growth and improving soil health and produce quality.

The article noted that one

of the distinctive characteristics of wollastonite is that, when it is applied to soil, it tends to break down much more rapidly than is case with other types of silicate rock. Through a process commonly referred to as Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW), crushed wollastonite breaks down and draws down significant amounts of carbon dioxide into subsoil, contributing to atmospheric removal. At the same time, it also releases valuable nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and in particular, plant available silicon. These have been shown to influence soil chemistry in ways that can make a significant difference for a variety of crops.

In all three studies, findings were determined by comparing results achieved for plants that had been grown in soil treated with wollastonite against results for a control group of plants grown in untreated soil. Several important characteristics were examined, including plant height, stem width, leaf blade width, root blade width, and aerial fresh and dry biomass. In all three cases, the differences observed were striking.

In the first study, which

focused on green beans grown under high-stress conditions on a rooftop garden, the data showed that beans grown in wollastonite amended soil (WAS) experienced a 57.1% increase in plant biomass fresh weight, and an even greater (88.5%) increase in dry biomass weight. The study also notes a 4.1% increase in root biomass. The authors concluded that “Wollastonite amended soil promoted robust plant growth, thus demonstrating its potential for use as a soil amendment.”

The second study looked at results achieved with soybeans and lettuce grown in a greenhouse. The two crops that were chosen because of their economic importance in Ontario. Again, the results observed attested to the benefits of wollastonite. In the case of soybeans, the study found that plant height, leaf area, and stem width were all statistically significantly higher in soybeans grown with wollastonite. The article summarizes that “Wollastonite skarn amendment caused soybean to grow larger and faster and yield more beans.”

Similarly impressive results were observed with lettuce: both plant height and leaf areas were statistically greater in lettuce grown with wollastonite, noting in particular that a 34% increase in leaf area equated to a 34% increase in yield. The authors stated that “Lettuce grown with wollastonite grows larger and faster, which results in a greater yield.”

The third study, which focused on spring rye also grown in a greenhouse, looked at the effects of wollastonite when applied in combination with urea fertilizer. Three samples were examined: a control group, and two others that had been treated, respectively, with fertilizer pellets with and without wollastonite. The study observed that the best results in terms of plant height and overall yield were achieved with the wollastonite fertilizer treatment. It also noted significant differences in the rate of uptake of silicon, an important nutrient for plants whose benefits are becoming better understood.

The next steps of this research are looking to confirm the observed effects in longterm field trials and study other benefits of wollastonite to croplands, such as stabilization of organic carbon and improvement of soil structure. More studies by agricultural researchers in Ontario are needed to help build a more complete understanding of the role of silicate minerals in sustainable agriculture.

Canadian Wollastonite is now working hard to get the word out to Ontario farmers and encourage more of them to give its product a try. Last fall the company entered into an innovation partnership with UNDO Carbon of the United Kingdom, and through the sale of carbon removal credits on the international market, the two companies are able to fully subsidize the cost of the wollastonite itself. To further sweeten

the deal, CW is now offering a spring promotion wherein it pays the spreading costs. The only cost to participating farmers is the trucking charges from the mine site in Seely’s Bay.

Farmers interested in learn-

ing more about Canadian Wollastonite and its agriculture program can contact the company at 1 – 844 – 386 – 2841 or visit www.canadianwollastonite. com/carboncapture.

SATURDAY MAY 18, 2024 10AM-5PM

Chair of the Board Message

“On behalf of the businesses, volunteers and partners of the Old Town Kemptville Business Improvement Area (BIA), we want to welcome everyone to the 2024 Kemptville Buskerfest! The Old Town Kemptville BIA is excited to see the streets of Downtown Kemptville come alive with entertainment and creativity transformed by musicians, magicians and performers of all kinds. We’re also equally excited to showcase our family of small businesses to the world. If you love boutique shopping, cozy restaurants & cafes and dedicated service providers, they’re waiting to welcome you and demonstrate our trademark small town hospitality.”

The BIA truly appreciates the extreme commitment, made by the volunteers of the Buskerfest Organizing Committee to bring this amazing event to life.”

Shelley Mitchell Chair of the Board Old Town Kemptville BIA

Message From Buskerfest Committee Chair

Welcome to Kemptville Buskerfest 2024!

Year after year, our vibrant community comes alive with the magic of Kemptville Buskerfest. As we step into our third year, the excitement is palpable! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible sponsors, without whom this festival would not be possible. A special shout-out to our title sponsor, Urbandale Construction, for their unwavering support over the past three years. Your generosity fuels our passion, and we’re thrilled to have you by our side! Huge thanks as well to the council and staff of the Municipality of North Grenville. Their continued support and shared vision in seeing the value of bringing this spectacular event to our community and especially the downtown. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of volunteers works tirelessly to ensure smooth sailing. Their selfl ess commitment keeps the gears turning, and we salute each and every one of them! Let’s raise our hats to the Old Town Kemptville Business Improvement Area (BIA) members and local businesses. Their warm welcome and support make our downtown a true hub of community engagement. Together, we showcase that downtown Kemptville is not just a place—it’s a destination! Prepare to be dazzled! Our lineup of show-stopping acts promises thrills, laughter, and jaw-dropping performances. From mesmerizing street artists to mind-bending magicians, there’s something for everyone. As you wander through downtown explore unique vendors and local shops off ering treasures you won’t fi nd anywhere else. Engage with interactive entertainment, connect with fellow festival-goers, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and join us for an unforgettable weekend at Kemptville Buskerfest 2024!

Sierra Jones-Martel, Committee Chair Kemptville Buskerfest Organizing Committee ”

Tel: 613-258-3544

Fax: 613-258-1700 info@mcgaheyinsurance.com www.mcgaheyinsurance.com

Mayor Peckford on Buskerfest

Greetings from North Grenville's Council, and welcome to Kemptville’s Buskerfest 2024!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 18, 2024, and plan to join us for a day filled with unforgettable experiences. Prepare to be immersed in the sublime at this year's Buskerfest, a free, one-day celebration of unique street talent. From jaw-dropping performances to side-splitting comedy, there's something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

As Prescott Street is transformed into a pedestrian paradise, we invite folks and families to explore Downtown Kemptville and watch as it comes alive with mesmerizing performances, surprises, and live entertainment. Take a journey of awe, shock, and amazement as you stroll through our historic downtown core, filled with local shops, restaurants, and greenspaces to discover.

While we are proud to host this event in Kemptville’s historic downtown, we also encourage visitors to explore the region, especially our over 100 kilometres of trails, our easily accessible waterways, and our beautiful historic hamlets.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our passionate volunteers, generous sponsors, dedicated organizing committee, and the Old Town Kemptville BIA for their tireless efforts in bringing this event to life year after year.

Whether you've traveled from nearby neighborhoods or afar, we extend a warm welcome to all visitors to North Grenville. We hope you create cherished memories and experience the true spirit of our community during this festive occasion.

Wishing you all a fantastic time at Buskerfest 2024!

Mayor Nancy Peckford, North Grenville

PHOTO BOOTHS. Keep your eyes out for cut-out photo booths all around the festival grounds! Tag your photos with #KBF2024 or #KemptvilleBuskerfest.

Street Magician Michael Conway Michael Conway takes audiences on a wild ride performing stage magic, festival entertainment, and corporate functions. A showman at heart, Michael engages crowds and makes each performance feel like a special, one-of-a-kind event leaving your guests feeling amazed and delighted.

If you can dream it, Brad the Balloon Guy can do it! This balloon artist with a friendly, eastcoaster attitude brings a decade of stage experience, amazing skills, and a great sense of humor to his shows. Incorporating the audience, Brad accommodates special requests on the spot. There’s nothing he can’t build with his balloons!

Join Molly as she brings her hoops, loops and her country boots from the farm to the stage. Farm-tastic gymnastics, rowdy rope tricking, and homegrown humour makes for one rural ruckus that you'll want to watch until the cows come home.

This show is a comedy acrobatic show with agricultural roots.

The Farmer’s Daughter Show

We are proud to be a part of this young entertainer’s journey into show business. After Skye Fillion won our Kemptville’s Got Talent showcase in 2022, he’s worked hard to perfect his act, incorporating some unicycle tricks, and performing for crowds at Saunders Farm. Skye will be returning to Kemptville Buskerfest this year as part of our professional busker lineup! You won’t want to miss this talented fire juggler bring the heat!

Paz combines acrobatics, juggling, and one-of-a-kind hockey stunts into three periods of family friendly arena rocking fun. He brings the electric energy of the stadium to your crowd and your venue. You will be cheering like champions, doing the wave, and jumping out of your seats during the show!

The Hockey Circus Show is hockey at its most entertaining.

The Hockey Circus Show

Founded by Olympian Heather McManus and the crazy comedy and acrobatic antics of her partner Sean, Spring Action trampoline show is a family, fun-fi lled show of high-fl ying acrobatics and hilarious physical comedy backed by upbeat music. This dynamic duo has been delivering energy to festivals across Canada for over 20 years, and they are thrilled to be bringing the fun to Kemptville Buskerfest!

Spring Action Trampoline

Brad The Balloon Guy Have you ever seen the Star Wars Millennium Falcon made of balloons?

Outfi tted in colourful wear and a fl owing cape you can spot him all throughout the festival grounds. He’s a multi-talented stilt-walker who also plays a bit of music.

Towering above the crowd is a friendly giant Luciano!

Stilt Walker Luciano

Skye the Guy

Take a spin with Bex in Motion!

Bex is a one-of-a-kind performer who incorporates fi re, comedy, acrobatics, juggling and mesmerizing hula hoop tricks into her show. After fi nding hoop dance through an after-school program in teachers’ college, Bex and her hoop have been inseparable. After many years of practice, she can now spin up to 50 hula hoops at once!

Bex in Motion

Big tricks, even bigger laughs. This one-man interactive stunt comedy show serves up a delightful entertainment experience. Hilarious, action-packed, and physically mesmerizing, WackyChad’s charm, funny jokes and wild antics will leave you roaring with laughter and applause. Having performed in 26 diff erent countries so far, WackyChad’s talents got him on America’s Got Talent, The Gong Show, and ESPN2 for PogoPalooza, the world championship pogo competition!!

WackyChad!

The king like you've never seen him before! Silver Elvis captures audiences through movement, mystique and sheer presence that sparks excitement and awe from every audience. Peter Jarvis, the creative behind Silver Elvis, has been an entertainer & performance artist since 1979. Performing across Europe, the United States, and in his home country of Canada.

Silver Elvis

Op-ed

I had a tough day

by Kevin Laing

I had a tough day today.

Part of it relates to the extra duties I’ve experienced because my bride is in the hospital for a few days, and will likely be staying there for a few more as she battles some infectious bug.

As a result, I’ve been rushing about doing garbage/recycling duties, taking the dog off to ‘camp’ while we’ve hired folks to do the yard work I can no longer do, and then retrieving our hound, and then doing the care and feeding of her and our cats, and then making meals for myself.

Not only has my dearest been Dr. Mom in our household for 48+ years, but she was also “Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet” for my 35+ years in Canada’s Navy. Navy Wife… toughest job in the Navy! She raised our two kids to be positive contributors to Canada during all of my deployments.

I’m….bushed! I don’t know how she managed to do it during my long absences in service to her Majesty. Tonight, I thanked her for her fortitude and

support to me and our kids in all of our careers (hers too!).

But that’s not why I’ve had a tough day.

On my way out of the hospital, I passed a room two doors down from my bride and heard a somewhat feeble, but recognizable voice, “Hey buddy, how are yuh?” I stopped, turned, and saw the eyes, then the face that I recognized. To shield the individual, I’ll just call him ”J”. I had last seen him 3 or 4 years ago in the parking lot of our local Giant Tiger. We’d lost touch. Today, I was looking at someone who resembled an inmate from Nazi death camps like Auschwitz or Buchenwald.

I met “J” maybe 20 years ago when he was working for the township at the local transfer station for garbage, yard waste, and recyclables. I came to know him and several of his colleagues and they always were so ‘chipper’ and helpful when I’d bring in my truck and trailer loaded down with refuse from my home remodelling efforts for the house we purchased in NG in 2001, and/or the underbrush and downed trees and broken branches remaining on our

Commonly uncommon

by Brandon Mayer

Would it be fair to say that some policies being rolled out by our provincial government have been far from popular lately? Not all such policies of course, but certainly the ones that have turned heads and made headlines.

fathom waiting even a fraction of that time. But private and public healthcare are two different systems, both of which can function smoothly when run correctly. Our healthcare in Ontario is not “free” – high taxes pay for it, and so it should be able to provide an acceptable and efficient level of service.

property from the ’98 Ice Storm. Invariably, they all seemed to be a happy bunch.

I’m guessing that it was about 10-12 years ago that the County let him go. I don’t know why, but he was a tad bitter that he didn’t get offered a “package”, nor a pension. He was a mechanically oriented fellow. And he was a hard worker with a heart of gold. He was always ready and willing to help. I know, because I hired him to help me out in our new place in town as we planted gardens, doing some landscaping and, most of all, keeping my gas-powered yard implements in working order (I’m not mechanically minded)!

From all of the engagements that we’ve had over the past 20 years, he always impressed me as being a solid, positive, and contributing member of our community. From that meeting at the GT ‘boutique’ parking lot I learned that he had fallen on hard times. I knew that his partner had passed away a few years previously. Now I learned that he had been evicted from the modest riverfront property that they shared and he had been

maintaining as a long-term tenant. I think that he mentioned to me that our Mayor was behind him in line at GT and they had a very good exchange about the shortage of housing in our area for folks of modest means. He greatly respects our Mayor and her efforts to help him.

Well, that’s all in the past now. He’s spent weeks in hospital in Ottawa already this year and has talked with numerous specialists. His future is numbered in days one way or t’other. We had a brief but good chat this afternoon, and he’s made all of his arrangements. I certainly can’t fault him for the path he’s chosen. By this time next week, when you’re reading this, he will have cashed in his chips and taken the “Freedom Bird.” Tomorrow, and maybe over the next several days, I’ll pop in and see him… and bring him an Ice Cap. His eyes lit up when I mentioned that today. “It will be very soothing going down my throat,” he said.

That’s why I’ve had a tough day.

Thanks “J”. You’re a good man. May you rest in Peace.

Common sense is commonly uncommon when it comes to government decision making. The provincial government has certainly made some bad and some good decisions lately. Perhaps the recent good decisions should be a lesson for all levels of government: everybody wins when common sense prevails. Op-ed

The Greenbelt scandal immediately comes to mind, as does the push toward privatized healthcare, and the recent reaffirmation by the Court of Appeal that Bill 124 (which capped public sector wage increases at 1% per year for 3 years beginning in 2019) was unconstitutional. Probably the most concerning of all the above for many people is the healthcare crisis in this province. I never remember a hospital visit being “fast”, even as a kid, but 10-12 hours being the norm just to see a doctor in a hospital is absolutely unacceptable. Many will say that in the US – where healthcare is privatized – a person would never

What concerns me is what health care wait times have done to our mentality. As I type this, my right arm is – for lack of a more elegant term – messed up. I’m not a doctor so I won’t pretend to know what’s wrong with it, but it feels twisted and mangled. It has zero strength and hurts even just to squeeze my fingers. I would like to see a doctor, maybe have some tests run, but who has the time and patience for that anymore? My family doctor is 40 minutes away and usually overbooked. And there is no way I am spending over half of my Saturday in an emergency room.

My younger son was

in a similar boat when he banged his head at school last week. He was worried he might have a concussion, but the usual kneejerk reminder from dad kicked in: “If we go to the hospital, we won’t be home until bed time”. I had forgotten that my kids are lucky enough to have a local, highly respected doctor right in Winchester who will usually take same day or next day appointments (this seems like an Ontario rarity), but thankfully it was moot – some rest at home and my son soon felt right as rain.

Complain as I may, I also like to be fair. What inspired this editorial was learning of two things recently that I feel Doug Ford’s Ontario government has actually done right. One is a regulation that will take effect in the fall of 2024, severely restricting student cellphone use in schools. For students in kindergarten to grade 6, their phones will need to be kept on silent and out of sight for the entire school day. For students in grades 7 to 12, their phones must

not be used during class time (i.e. they can only be used during breaks and free periods).

I can already hear the outcry from parents who have safety concerns. Many parents pay a cellphone bill for their child specifically so that their child has a communication device in emergencies. My wife and I are included in this demographic. But no one is saying that your child is going to be searched and have their cellphone locked in a drawer upon arriving at school. “Out of sight” can easily translate to “in your pocket” or at worst, “in your bag”. And “on silent” does not mean “off”. In other words, your child will still have a fully functional communication device, accessible and ready in an emergency, if you so choose. Even in a non-emergency, there would be little to stop your child from texting or calling you secretly from the bathroom.

What this new policy does accomplish relates to something I have been pointing out for months

– kids can’t focus anymore. In fact, neither can many adults. Are screens to blame? It seems likely, and there’s no sense in denying it anymore. Kids and adults alike are having their brains constantly overstimulated, and then act like drug addicts awaiting their next fix when they are expected to sit and pay attention to something without the same stimulatory capacity (prime example – a teacher talking at the front of the room).

This new policy on restricting cellphone presence in schools is refreshing. It takes a stance in a way that will actually help students – perhaps in a tremendous way in terms of both quality of education and brain development – without making the educators out to be the “bad guys” since they can “blame” the provincial regulation.

The other new provincial government policy that I support is the increase of speed limits on an increasing number of 400-series highway sections throughout Ontario. This includes the entire stretch of the

416. The speed limit will permanently increase to 110 km/h in July. This is a true example of a “for the people” decision. Ontario’s 400-series highways are designed to accommodate higher speeds, and higher limits improve efficiency and simply makes commuters’ lives easier. The province only stands to lose from the higher speed limits, in the sense that less speeding fines will be issued if drivers continue going “status quo” speeds. But this decision was not made with tax revenue in mind, it seems to have been made as an answer to the simple question “what makes sense?”

Cardiovascular Health 101

Heart attacks are common and deadly. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control acknowledges that one person dies every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease. The Government of Canada reports about 14 adults aged 20 and over with diagnosed heart disease die every hour. But how many of these deaths are premature and preventable, and why don’t people take simple steps to save their lives?

Atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in arteries, is a leading cause of heart disease. What doctors don’t do enough is educate patients on natural alternatives to prescription drugs. Why? Because most doctors aren’t trained in natural approaches to disease prevention.

Vitamin C and lysine can help prevent this condition by inhibiting the formation of arterial plaque. Linus Pauling, a two-time Nobel Prize winner, studied how high

doses of vitamin C protect against heart disease, particularly in arteries closest to the heart where pressure is greatest.

Vitamin C and lysine work synergistically to strengthen blood vessels, reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, and promote overall heart function.

Vitamin C, an antioxidant, protects the delicate lining of blood vessels from oxidative damage. Lysine, when present in sufficient quantities, aids in the removal of excess cholesterol from the bloodstream. Together, they reduce the risk of plaque formation and maintain clear and healthy arteries.

Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen, a structural protein that provides strength and flexibility to blood vessel walls. Lysine, in turn, contributes to collagen production and the repair of vascular tissues. This combined action strengthens blood vessels, reducing the likelihood of vessel wall weakness or

rupture.

The cardiovascular benefits of high-dose vitamin C and lysine extend to improving overall heart function. By reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and maintaining vascular integrity, they support optimal blood flow, contributing to a healthier and more efficient heart.

Moreover, Vitamin C has been shown to lower blood pressure, a significant risk factor for heart disease. It acts as a natural vasodilator, relaxing blood vessels and helping to regulate blood pressure levels.

Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a type of lipoprotein associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Elevated Lp(a) levels are often linked to a higher likelihood of atherosclerosis. High-dose vitamin C has been found to help reduce Lp(a) levels.

A study published in the journal Biochemistry and Cell Biology found that a combination of vitamin C and lysine reduced oxidative stress and improved the function of endothelial cells which line the interior of blood vessels.

Additionally, research published in The Journal of the American College of Nutrition demonstrated that supplementation with vitamin C and lysine improved markers of cardiovascular health in individuals with high cholesterol levels.

What to do if you have already suffered a coronary attack and lived through it? Your doctor likely has you on cholesterol lowering drugs. You’ve probably been told that statins are the only choice you have. The list of side effects of these drugs – muscle pain, kidney and liver damage, and elevated blood sugar among them – can be managed, you’re told.

Why cardiologists are so closed-minded to the alternative of high dose vitamin C and lysine is a frustrating problem. There are too many rich pharmaceutical companies influencing the practice of medicine. No one gets rich from a natural therapy that can’t be patented.

There is an alternative to taking statins after a heart attack. And there is a powerful rationale for preventing cardiovascular disease with daily high doses of vitamin C and lysine.

Your health is at stake. Take this article to your doctor and have a discussion. A naturopathic doctor is a good move for a second opinion.

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

Does your business go further than North Grenville?

Advertise in our sister paper The North Dundas Times! Contact Nanda! Marketing Consultant Email: nanda@ndtimes.ca

Coin franco

Mme Melanie

La communauté francophone de Kemptville est fière de s’approprier un petit CoinFranco dans le journal de North Grenville Times! Nous y partagerons des informations, des travaux d’élèves et du contenu méli-mélo. Alors, pour commencer, voici un article sur le projet Kemptville, j’affirme ma francophonie!

Kemptville, j’affirme ma francophonie! est une initiative d’une enseignante à l’école Rivière Rideau, permettant d’identifier les alliés francophones de la région. Nous souhaitons encourager l’utilisation du français en dehors des quatre murs de l’école, aux élèves et aux familles de la communauté. En identifiant les alliés francophones, nous nous sommes rendu compte qu’il y a beaucoup plus de francophones dans la région que nous avions anticipé! Alors, si vous êtes francophones ou francophiles, vous pouvez maintenant identifier les endroits où vous pouvez communiquer en français. Certains des établissements affichent déjà un collant de Kemptville, j’affirme ma francophonie! et une étiquette Je parle français sur leur chandail. De plus, vous pouvez vous abonner à la page Facebook au nom du projet.

Finalement, le site web de l’école Rivière Rideau affiche une page identifiant tous les alliés francophones de Kemptville. Si vous voulez faire partie du projet, n’hésitez pas à envoyer un message privé au groupe Facebook Kemptville, j’affirme ma francophonie!

Classifieds@ngtimes.ca

FOR SALE

Benchmark gas generator, 6250W, electric start with remote and cover.

Never used. Paid $699.00, asking $500.00. Call 613-2150667.

Ladies Norco Monterey 17" frame. Shimano disc brakes, 24 speed. $300. Text or call 613 890 3512.

Golf equipment, men's right handed; including golf bag with 2 wheel cart, plus extras. Call 613-340-2729

Arctic King window air conditioner. Paid $250 in 2023, used 1 month. Asking $200. Call 613340-2729

Mixed hardwood firewood. $120 per face cord. Call or text Jon 613-227-3650.

4X4 round bales of hay, stored inside, suitable for horses. Call or text Jon 613-227-3650.

Vintage Coleman camping items: propane lantern, 2 gal jug, 1 gal jug. Call 613-2583596

Folding camp shovel, 2 almost new sleeping bags. Call 613-2583596

Horse manure for gardens, high in nitrogen. By the load or bag. Century old horse shoes for luck. Call after 6pm 613-258-3561

Spring sale for cedars from 3ft to 6ft. Also tamarack, spruce, pine and white birch. Call after 6pm 613-258-3561

Yardworks gas lawn mower, 21”, self propelled. Purchased August 2023. Paid $499 (pre tax). Asking $350. Selling due to need for smaller mower. Contact Debbie 613-796-2669.

Two tires 215/55 R17 used one summer. $25.00 each. Call Robert 673-258-7426.

27"Samsung TV Brand new, with wall mount, was put in a spare bedroom and has never been used, asking $100. 613-215-0884

Sony 50" TV complete with stand,surround sound, speakers & dvd player has not been used in years, just collecting dust, asking $400. 613-215-0884

An old Gibbard 9 drawer dresser ,solid , heavy wood with mirror, mint condition 70" long asking $150.. 613-2150884

104 yr old rough cut pine boards. Call Fred 613-850-9072

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

WANTED

Bee hives to pollinate buckwheat in Oxford MillsBishop’s Mills area. Three sites, 100 acres in total. Call or text Wendell 613889-9228

Would like to purchase spruce seedling. Jackie 613-821-6161

Looking to harvest cedar trees for cedar hedges from land owner. Joanne (613)799-0958 #

Looking to rent farmland in North Grenville & surrounding areas. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204.

Senior male looking for female companion/ friend, 50 to 70 years old. Call 613-430-5065

GARAGE SALES

Saturday May 18, Maric Trail off Concession Rd. 8 to 2.

Saturday May 18 (Rain Date May 19) 10 to 2. 4416 Donnelly Drive Burritts Rapids. Kitchen items, China, glassware, luggage, watches, art, garden tools, pump, sports equipment, and more.

June 1, rain or shine. St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, 319 Prescott St. Yard Sale 8 am

ACROSS

1. Anagram of "Slam"

5. Pack down

9. Type of salmon

13. Chair

14. Evade

16. In the center of

17. Part of a book

18. Scuba user

19. Kiddie

20. Talent

22. Annihilates

24. Coin opening

26. Direct (to)

27. It stops heartburn

30. Gales

33. Hallway

35. What one?

37. Greek letter

38. Muse of poetry

41. Dove's sound

42. Discourage

45. Theater area

48. Choose

51. Thinks logically

52. Eagle's home

54. Seats oneself

55. Blunders

59. Shoestrings

62. Fifty-three in Roman numerals

63. Indolence

65. Anagram of "Root"

66. Prefix meaning "Within"

67. Brown shade

68. Majestic

69. Gulf port

70. D D D

71. Search DOWN

1. Snakes

2. Fluid escape

3. Judge

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

I am getting on in years, and I can still remember Ma Cormier’s rendition of Mac and Cheese. It’s a great old standard to either have as a meal, or to accompany other dishes. Friends of ours made a tradition of serving Mac and Cheese at parties where kids were present.

Macaroni and Cheese with Ham

Ingredients:

• 1, 8 oz package of macaroni noodles (cooked al dente)

• 2 extra large eggs, beaten

• ½ cup of cubed ham

• ¾ cup of grated cheddar cheese

• 3 tablespoons of butter

• A sprinkle of black pepper

Preparation:

• Preheat your oven to 400 F degrees

• Place your drained and still hot macaroni in a roasting pan

• Mix in a tablespoon of butter till melted

• Mix in ½ cup of the cheese, the ham and the beaten eggs

• Sprinkle in some black pepper

• Top with the remaining cheese and some dabs of butter

• Bake on the top rack of your oven for about 15 minutes and golden brown

There are many variations of this simple dish. For example, you can use a pre-cooked and cubed chicken breast instead of the ham. Or, you can cook up a half a pound of bacon and use it as a different flavour. Some folks add a half a cup of stewed tomatoes to the mix. Let me know what your family’s version is at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

4. Relating to stars

5. Small amount

6. Ardent

7. Go-getter

8. Fragments

9. Nose-and-throat problem

10. Leave out

11. Trek

12. Lyric poems

15. Float 21. Hubs

23. Cat sound

25. Ocean motion

27. Passed with flying colors

28. Jottings

29. Dung beetle

31. It sees small things

32. Disdain

34. Blame

36. Garden tools

39. Driveway surface

40. Minerals

43. Joyfulness

44. Coral formation

46. Follow

47. Lands and wealth

49. Uncouth

50. Cultivated

53. Run off to wed

55. Request

56. Peel

57. Assistant

58. Anagram of "Ties"

60. A Great Lake 61. Punch 64. Possesses

Solution to last week’s Crossword

Kick-off of Community Living Month

Helping out at the CLNG Pancake Breakast were: from left to right: Nancy Peckford, Kim Brouwer, OPP Constable Annie Collins, Shawna Marshall, Josie Lizotte, OPP Constable Dave Holmes.

Community Living North Grenville officially kicked off Community Living Month 2024 with a pancake breakfast and a flag-raising ceremony at the Municipal Centre on May 1. Serving pancakes to the community were Mayor Peckford, three OPP Constables from the Mobile Crisis Response Unit, two nurses from Brockville General Hospital, and Josie Lizotte from NG Bylaw Services.

After a busy first two weeks, there’s still lots on the calendar for the rest of May. Next week, starting May 20, is Blue and Green Week - Add blue and green to everything you do! A Community BBQ takes place at Kemptville Physio on May 29 from 11.30 to 1.30, and a Food Drive is happening throughout the month. “Together, through our donations, we can create a mountain of food”. Items can be dropped off at the Community Living North Grenville offices at 2830 County Rd 43 in Kemptville.

Baldwin's Birds

Welcome Back!

On a beautiful May 6 afternoon, a glittering Ruby throat heralded the arrival back to the area of a male Ruby Throated Hummingbird. It appeared right in the centre spot feeder in front of our window, occupied by one of my Birdie Block feeders, and not its usual feeder! It hovered momentarily and was gone, just like that, seeking someone else, who was more thoughtful, to find some food! I didn't even get a chance to show you a picture of it, it was gone so quickly! Ah well, maybe it will be back again soon to find the feeder it was looking for and which was installed in its rightful position, within a quarter of an hour of the "sighting", but it didn't return and, believe me, I waited with camera ready for a very long time!

I wasn't the only one to see a Hummingbird on that day. A friend of mine, living a few miles west of us, saw one too and also a couple of Rose Breasted Grosbeaksgreat! We did, however, get a Hummingbird the next day, so my frantic effort to put up a feeder was not entirely in vain!

My waiting sojourn was not entirely wasted, because many other birds and, of course, three different colored squirrels, provided me with plenty of things to fill my camera lens with, whilst

Brandon

I waited hopefully for another Hummingbird sighting. One of the squirrels, a black one, was obviously a Mum, given away by the fact that she had quite distended teats, a factor unnoticed before for many of the previous years that these particular visitors have been coming here feeding, somewhat unwantedly!

Whilst we excitedly await for other birds to return, our resident ones, such as the House and Gold Finches, continue to change from their winter colours into their more familiar and brighter summer colours. This transition is very subtle, but, when you see them in the sunlight, the changes are

Mayer visits Oxford-on-Rideau PS

really strikingly emphasized and not to be missed. Behind the scenes there is also a lot of other activity going on, as nests have to be built, eggs laid, and then young to be reared. My nesting shelf to the rear of my garage is presently occupied by a Robin, who is sitting patiently on her eggs awaiting the hatching of the next generation. Perhaps you, too, are witnessing all the various things happening in the avian world at this busy time of the year. Enjoy, but stay safe and well.

Cheers, John Baldwin

The Times’ own Brandon Mayer visited Oxford-on-Rideau Public School in Oxford Mills on May 1, giving a talk to grade 6 students about how to write a news article. The students at the school are currently working on a project – the details of which are strictly “under wraps” until the students have a chance to write about and announce it themselves! The students had many questions for Brandon following his presentation, which focused on the structure of a newspaper article, as well as best practices for interviewing. Teacher Jenna Martin helped to guide the presentation by asking what types of questions the students should ask of both each other and of key community players to report on their initiative thoroughly. After the presentation, the students worked in groups to begin brainstorming ideas for interview questions and other important considerations.

Brandon has served as Editor of the North Grenville Times, and currently serves as both a reporter for the NG Times and the Editor of the North Dundas Times. He has worked for the Times since 2021, and lives in South Mountain with his wife and two children. He primarily works as an educator at Winchester Public School.

A happy crowd celebrating the flag raising at the Municipal Centre on May 1

Emma Renae Gardiner

February 16, 2024 - 24 yrs

We are heartbroken to announce the sudden passing of our beloved Emma, daughter of Tammy (Shaw) and Rick Gardiner, sister to Alex, and life partner of Skylar Bolton, on February 16, 2024 at her home in Victoria, BC at 24 years of age due to an Epileptic Seizure/SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy). Emma was born on Tuesday, July 13, 1999 at the Glace Bay General Hospital in Glace Bay, Cape Breton, NS. Shortly after, she and her family moved to Eastern Passage, NS when her Dad was posted to 12 Wing Shearwater for four years. In August 2005, she and her family then moved to Kemptville, ON for a posting to Ottawa. Emma was diagnosed with Epilepsy when she was three years old but it never slowed her down. She was a happy and active child who participated in many activities throughout her school years, including ballet, swimming, cross country running, Sparks, Brownies, Girl Guides, and basketball. She loved camping with her family and summer trips home to Cape Breton. From an early age, Emma decided that she wanted to become an Early Childhood Educator (ECE), and she worked hard in High School to achieve this goal, took a Leadership Course and worked as a Camp Counsellor four summers in a row in Kemptville. She was also active in Dance and Prom Committee. Emma graduated from North Grenville District High School in June 2017 and was presented with four awards during the ceremony. She attended Algonquin College Waterfront Campus in Pembroke, ON for the ECE Program. During her time at Algonquin, she was awarded the Sens Foundation Bursary, and officially graduated in June 2020 during the COVID pandemic, which postponed the actual Convocation Ceremony until June 2022. After graduating, Emma worked in Kemptville at More Than Just Babysitting, Holy Cross Elementary School, and Little Caesars, all at the same time. Emma loved working with children and developed special bonds with many of the children and their families. She enjoyed photography, movies, painting crafts, shopping, spending time with friends, and searching for sea glass on the beaches of Cape Breton. She loved Halloween and Christmas time and she enjoyed decorating for both every year. In January 2023, she moved to Victoria, BC with the love of her life, Skylar. They drove from Ontario to Victoria to begin their new adventure together, where Skylar was posted in the Navy at CFB Esquimalt and Emma was working as an ECE. They had adopted two little kittens, Pumpkin and Cinder, and were enjoying their time with their new fur babies while making plans for their future together.

Emma is survived by her parents, Tammy (Shaw) and Rick Gardiner (Kemptville, ON), her younger brother Alex (at home), and her life partner, Skylar Bolton (Victoria, BC). She is also survived by her maternal grandparents, Garfield and Jean (Boutilier) Shaw (Glace Bay, NS), and her paternal grandparents, Rick and Jean (Morford) Gardiner (Glace Bay, NS), as well as many extended family members and friends. Emma was predeceased by her great aunt Cheryl (Gardiner) Quirk in February 2023 and her cousin, Dylan Chant in April 2023. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 6pm – 8pm at the Kemptville Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 805 Prescott Street, Kemptville, ON. A second visitation and Funeral Service will take place in Glace Bay, NS on July 11th and July 12th, 2024. Donations in memory of Emma may be made to Epilepsy Ontario, Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes, Ottawa Humane Society, Cape Breton SPCA, or the charity of your choice.

Condolences/Tributes/Donations

Hulse, Playfair & McGarry www.hpmcgarry.ca 613-258-2435

The many ways you can VOLUNTEER in North Grenville

VOLUNTEERING IS THE H eartbeat OF OUR COMMUNITY

KD Hospital

Andre Rancourt andrerancourt16@gmail.com

SKBP Venturers skbp.venturers@gmail.com Girl Guides theleangs@gmail.com

ARTS: NG Art Challenge jayne.couch@yahoo.com

NG Art Guild northgrenvilleartsguild@gmail.com

Beth Donovan Hospice amy.tibben@bethdonovanhospice.ca

Oxford Mills Community Association susannelarner@gmail.com

Kemptville Youth Centre brucewehlau@hotmail.com

Friend of the NG Library blrousseau26@gmail.com

NG Historical Society karenrepta@gmail.com

Rotary corabeking54@gmail.com

Christian Reformed Church sidypma@gmail.com United Church gowjb5@gmail.com

House of Lazarus cashby@houseoflazarus.com

Youth Alliance: ng.rainbowyouth@gmail.com

Seniors' Community Services jill.woodley@seniorscs.ca shalom small homes shalomsmallhomeskemptville.org

The NG Library sjones@ngpl.ca

Friends Of the Forestry Centre ldpaibomesai@gmail.com

Kemptville & District Community Assn. wdembleton@gmail.com

BIA shelleybmitchell@gmail.com Pride chair@ngpride.ca Lions Club mikeamirault@hotmail.com Knights phil.seymour@bell.net

Leeds Grenville Big Brothers Big Sisters Vanessa.martin@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca Canadian Guide Dog Assoc Info@guidedogs.ca Jags kemptvillejags@gmail.com Pentacostal Church kohls.s.m@gmail.com United way Ed@uwlg.org

North Grenville Giving Garden michelleroussellemcevoy@gmail.com

Kemptville Rotary Bursary

Announcement

(Apply by June 1)

Up to FOUR awards ($1000 each) will be presented annually to students who are graduating from any High School in North Grenville or who reside in North Grenville but are graduating from any alternative program (i.e.- T.R. Leger, Home Schooling or Distance Learning).

For full information and how to apply, go to: Student Bursaries Available | Rotary Club of Kemptville (kemptvillerotary.ca)

FoodcoreLGL invites input on updated Food Charter

by Susan Healey

The Leeds Grenville and Lanark (LGL) Food Charter has been around for a decade and needs some updates, according to members of FoodcoreLGL. The Charter is an aspirational document that provides a vision for the food system in LGL and can be used as a guiding document by municipalities, businesses, agencies, and community groups when thinking about building a more inclusive and sustainable food system.

“Given the current level of concern about the costs of food and increasing food insecurity in our communities, examining how our food system operates is as, if not more, relevant than when the charter was drafted” stated Ramsey Hart, Executive Director of The Table Community Food Centre.

The LGL Food Charter was published in 2014 following a series of public consultations across the region. Because the charter was the result of such strong and diverse community input, FoodcoreLGL members want to make sure the people of LGL have an opportunity to provide input on the proposed updates. Proposed updates to the Charter include:

- Inclusion of a land acknowledgement

- Addition of a statement about equity in the food system

- Recognition of the impact of climate change on our food system

“We felt these updates were important to reflect how the food system connects with the other pressing social, environmental and economic challenges of our times” noted Michèle Andrews of DoorNumberOne.org.

The revised draft of the charter can be read in its entirety online. Anyone interested is encouraged to visit the FoodcoreLGL website where they can find the updated version, the link to a survey to provide feedback, and another link to register for an online discussion about the charter on May 23 at 7pm.

Members of FoodcoreLGL hope updating the Charter will re-engage past participants and engage new people in their work. Consultations will not be limited to the text of the charter, but will include action planning to identify what can be done together, to move communities closer to realizing the vision of the Charter.

FoodcoreLGL is a coalition of food activists and organizations who work to take practical steps to realize the vision of the Food Charter. The group has representatives from food production, community health, and community organizations. Current members are: Michèle Andrews, DoorNumberOne.org; Leela Ramachandran, Kemptville Campus; Danielle Labonte, Elaine Murkin and Susan Fillion, Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit; Ramsey Hart, The Table Community Food Centre; and Lorne Helsop, Lanark Federation of Agriculture.

Grenville Gremlins celebrate 50 Years

by Harold Tompkins, Grenville Gremlin

On Saturday April 13, the Kemptville-based Grenville Gremlins modern square dance club celebrated 50 years of dancing in Kemptville at the Municipal Centre. The club was organized in September, 1971. Plans were made to celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2021, however Covid put everything on hold.

How else would square dancers celebrate,

but by having a dance and inviting all our square dance friends? Invitations were extended to all the clubs in Eastern Ontario. In addition to our own members, 11 other clubs from as far away as Pembroke and Peterborough were represented. In total, 158 people registered, including a number of former club members. Our own club caller, Geoff Clarke, and caller Brian Crawford from Carleton Place kept everyone dancing from

2:00 to 4:30 p.m.. Up to 14 squares (of 8 people) were on the dance floor at one time. The room was filled with smiling faces, laughter, and lots of energy.

Dave Western from the Ontario Square and Round Dance Federation, Lamar Mason from the Eastern Ontario Square and Round Dance Association, and North Grenville Mayor Nancy Peckford and Councillors, each brought messages of congratulations and Certificates of

Achievement to the Club for our achievement of dancing for 50 years.

Club President, Debbie Armstrong, offered to make a quilt for the club to raffle off during the afternoon. On display, the lovely quilt created much interest. The winner was Joey Walker from Carleton Place. Share the Wealth brought four lucky people $50.00 each. Winners also took home 36 door prizes, donated by Gremlin members.

A delicious lunch was

laid out for everyone to enjoy when they weren't dancing. Also, a slide show of pictures taken over the years ran continuously throughout the afternoon, bringing back many happy memories.

Many thanks to our callers and club members for planing and executing a fun and memorable day for all. Our dance season is winding down for now, but, come September, we will be back on the dance floor on Monday nights, wel-

coming brand new dancers (couples and singles) to come and experience the fun our dancers have been having for over 50 years. Our first two nights, September 9 and 16, will be open to all and free to everyone interested in checking us out. For more information, please contact our president Debbie at kemptvillesquaredance@ gmail.com, or Google Kemptville Square Dance.

Oxford

Mills is the place to be ANNUAL COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE

Saturday May 25, 8am-4pm

Multi-home sales, across the entire hamlet, at individual addresses!

One day only (rain date Sunday May 26).

Take a drive to quaint Oxford Mills to browse the deals at multiple residences. Treasures to be found!

WHERE? Participating homes have listed their ADDRESSES and details in the discussion tab of this event, including photos. Each participant is responsible for their own sale. PLEASE make your own POST in the discussion. Thank you!

Happy Sale and Happy Treasure Hunting!

AFRICAN DRUMMING CIRCLE IN THE PARK

Who: Introduction to African drumming and group session led by Heather Lance.

Where: Crozier Park, Oxford Mills

When: Sunday May 26th from 1:00 - 2:30

How much: Free to the Community, sponsored by the OMCA

Details: Come learn the basics of drumming and play together as a group in the park! West African Drums will be provided; no drumming experience required: an introduction will be offered by local drumming instructor, Heather Lance.

PLEASE NOTE: bring your own chair, a water bottle and appropriate clothing for the weather. Parking is to the left of the park, and the drumming circle will be under the picnic shelter by the playground. More info on the OMCA Facebook group. See you there!

Dancing at the 50th, by Bernie Power