December 2, 2015 issue 48 for web

the north grenville

TIMES

Reaching by direct mail 9,000 homes and businesses in Merrickville/Wolford and North Grenville www.ngtimes.ca

Vol. 3, No. 48

The Voice of North Grenville

December 2, 2015

The Spirit of Christmas

North Dundas Country Christmas Parade of Lights page 19

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Trish Habberjam, Nora Devette , Sara McEvoy, Connie Deveau and Darlene McMartin preparing for The Spirit of Christmas in Oxford Mills It is December, and the Spirit of Christmas is already starting to be felt throughout the area. This weekend, Oxford Mills is gearing up for the annual craft sale, tree lighting and all the fun of the season. On Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5 the residents of the hamlet will join with friends and neighbours from around North Grenville for a whole series of colourful seasonal fun.

It all starts on Friday with the traditional Tree lighting Ceremony at the old Town Hall. This is a long-standing custom, as everyone gathers around the tree and sings Christmas carols in the bright

lights of the Christmas tree.

Somehow, it always seems to echo the long history of Oxford Mills, and the many generations who joined in many of those same carols in decades gone by. The tree lighting takes place at 6:30 pm, after which everyone is invited to cross the grounds to Maplewood Hall for cookies and hot chocolate.

And this year, the night continues with the Best Decorated House competition.

Some Oxford Mills residents are planning to go waaaay over the top in decorating for homes, and the Competition Judges will be touring the hamlet by float, assessing the houses and picking a worthy

winner.

The Saturday events take place from 8:30 am to 3 pm around the hamlet, starting with a Pancake Breakfast with Santa sponsored by Gerry Van Gurp of Keller Williams Realty, and the Kids Crafts at the Oxford Mills United Church. There will also be a huge Craft Sale, Silent Auction and BBQ at the OxfordOn-Rideau Public School.

Admission is $2.00 or a can of food. All admission money will be donated to support Michelle Brazeau to help her pursue treatment for cancer.

For more info, contact: Sara McAvoy at saraemcavoy@gmail.com, or call/text: 613-322-8132.

Christmas in Merrickville

Christmas in Merrickville is Saturday, December 5, 2015.

This much anticipated event features a variety of day long activities and events for young and old!

Christmas in Merrickville kicks off the holiday season and is a fund raising event for local charities!

There will be lots for you to see and enjoy.

Come one and all!

TIMES pages 17 & 18

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

School Days Past: A Perfect Gift

by Doug MacDonald School Days Past - a unique view into the history of North Grenville was created for students present and future, for past students, their families and descendants, and for residents of North Grenville.

In 1964/65, the sixteen remaining one room rural schools in South Gower and Oxford-on-Rideau closed.

To mark this anniversary, fifty years later, the North Grenville Historical Society published the book School

Days Past, a history of the public schools of South Gower, Oxford-on-Rideau and Kemptville from 1808 to consolidation in 1964/65.

Twelve months ago the production team was racing to get the book to the printer.

Little did they know that in 2015 School Days Past would be “wildly successful”. The book has already had four print runs.

The book is richly illustrated with contemporary and archival photography, historic documents, letters,

annual school reports, and school registers from the 19th and 20th centuries. Each item is filled with fascinating detail. It “is a book illuminated with the facts of historic documentation, the truth of photography and the warmth of memory”.

A series of compositions trace the history of education in Ontario as it influenced the schools of North Grenville.

There are memories written in 2014 by women and men who attended the schools in the 1920's, 30's, 40's, 50's

and 60's, as well as biographies of students who went from our schools to careers of importance locally, provincially or nationally. Some are still celebrated, others until now, all but forgotten.

School Days Past - a colour, hard cover publication (a fundraiser for the NGHS) costs $40.00. To order, call 613-258-4401 or email nghsociety@gmail.com There are a limited number of copies remaining in stock from the latest printing.

Tech Training at NGPL Bishop’s Mills Women’s Free technology training is back for December at the North Grenville Public Library in Kemptville! Don't be shy to drop by and sign up for your one hour session with Bruno. From typing training, laptop computers training, transferring pictures from your camera, iPhone/iPad training, to downloading ebooks training - the possibilities are unlimited!

The December schedule is the following: Tue, Dec. 1: 10 am - 2 pm Fri, Dec. 4: 12 pm - 5 pm Sat, Dec. 5: 3 pm - 5 pm Sat, Dec. 12: 3 pm- 5 pm Thu, Dec. 17: 10 am - 5 pm Sat, Dec. 19: 2 pm-5 pm Mon, Dec. 21: 10 am - 3 pm Tue, Dec. 22: 10 am - 5 pm Wed, Dec. 23: 3 pm- 9 pm Mon, Dec. 28: 10 am - 3 pm Tue, Dec 29: 10 am - 5 pm Wed, Dec 30: 3 pm- 9 pm To register for your session, simply call us at (613) 258-4711 or email Bruno at bjung@ngpl.ca. You can sign up for as many sessions as you like! We look forward to seeing you at North Grenville Public Library in Kemptville.

County Road 44 Wins “Promising Group of the Year”

L-R: Bernie Coville, Heather Aitkin, Shawn Wallace, Lisa Pigeau and Kim Wallace. Pictured in front of the group is a representative of the sponsor of the award, Queen’s Bush Bluegrass, Owen Sound.

by Beth Nicol A love of and affinity for music runs rampant in eastern Ontario and as a result, the successes of local musicians should not come as a surprise. The Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards, held November 20 -23 in Huntsville Ontario, has presented the “Promising Group of the Year” award to County Road 44, a group of musicians from the Spencerville area. It is an acknowledgement of the time December 2, 2015

and effort put into all aspects of the group’s musicianship.

The Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards are hosted by the Northern Bluegrass Committee, a non-profit organization formed to preserve and promote bluegrass music in Ontario. The annual meeting of the Bluegrass Music Association of Canada is held at this event as well.

The CCBA pays tribute to instrumentalists, vocalists, entertainers and writers in 16 categories; nominations and voting are open to members

Institute

by Jeanne Lambert The members of the Bishop’s Mills Women’s Institute met in the Bishop’s Mills Community Hall for the November meeting on the 12th.

Catherine Johnson organized a cookie exchange and members each brought a few dozen cookies of their favourite recipe and went home with a mix of cookies to share with their families and friends over the upcoming holidays.

Plans for the annual Christmas fundraising auction were finalized and the proceeds from the auction will be distributed between the Kemptville Youth Centre and the House of Lazarus.

The auction will take place at the Community Hall on December 10 at 7 pm. Auctioneer sisters Jane and Vicki

Graham will make the night enjoyable and help to keep the fun in fundraising. Donations are welcome from local businesses or individuals.

Everyone is welcome to join the members for the evening. If you are interested in attending, please phone or email the contacts below, and plan to bring a healthy choice food donation for the local food bank.

The WI has been documenting the history of the village and encouraging positive change. The Bishop’s Mills Women’s Institute holds monthly meetings and welcomes new members interested in meeting their neighbours and getting involved in their community. For information about attending local meetings, please contact President Sheryl McKim 613926-2472 or Jeanne Lambert at jmlambert@tdgraham.com If you are interested in finding out more about WI, see the provincial organization’s website: www.fwio. on.ca .

of the Northern Bluegrass Committee, the BMAC and bluegrass clubs and associations in central Canada. Each award has a sponsor; the South Grenville Bluegrass Festival was the sponsor for the Fiddler Player of the year category.

Since their inception four years ago, County Road 44 has made steady improvement, progressing from jam sessions in a church hall in Heckston to stage performances in festivals across the province. 2016 will see the group playing in a minimum of four festivals; you can enjoy their music in Lombardy, the Gallop Festival in Iroquois, Palmer Rapids and the South Grenville Bluegrass Festival in Spencerville.

Members of County Road 44 are: Heather Aitkin on banjo, Shawn Wallace on mandolin, Lisa Pigeau on bass, Bernie Coville on lead guitar and Kim Wallace on rhythm guitar. Vocal leads are shared; harmonies are a treat to hear. Catch them if you can.

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The North Grenville Times

Get your fresh cut Christmas tree Submitted by Lion’s Club Member, John Carkner We would like to wish you previous years, at the Feran early Merry Christmas and guson Forest Centre off of remind you that we are once County Road 44. We will again selling Christmas Trees have signs out, so you can't to support our Community miss us. We would like to Projects. We look forward to express our appreciation to this every year. It's a great op- the Ferguson Forest Centre portunity to get out and share for their continued support. smiles and conversation, and The trees will be available of course trees, with our many for purchase from December friends and supporters here in 1 through to December 23.

North Grenville and beyond. Times are 10 am to 5 pm on We will be located, as in weekdays and from 9 am to

Old friends reunited

The Voice of North Grenville Erick Le Pors

ey raised by the Kemptville Lions goes right back into the community and supports local outreach and support programs. Money out equals community support in, so help to support North Grenville and come out and see us.

As always we appreciate what you have done and continue to do for the Lions and the community.

5 pm on weekends. If these times are not a possibility for you, please give either Grant a call at 613 258-2858, or Robert at 613 258-3840. They will do their very best to accommodate your particular needs.

The fresh cut trees available are balsam, fir and spruce, and are all shapes and sizes. If you need a "special tree", call us and we'll see what we can do.

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Submitted by June Norgaard Tina and Doug Phillips left Kemptville at the beginning of September to be closer to their daughter, and are now living at Portobello Manor in Orleans. Last September, local resident Peer Norgaard and his famous fiddle group visited the Manor to entertain the residents and discovered Tina and Doug, who recognised them from Peer’s “Jazz in the Garden”event, which takes place every year at his home outside Kemptville as a fund raiser for the NG Public Library.

So, this time, when Peer and his group went back to play last week for the residents at Portobello Manor, we brought two of their favourite friends with us. Standing beside Tina and Doug in the photograph are dear Kemptville friends, Norma Fisher on the left and Jean Knapp on the right. It was indeed a very happy reunion!

Christians in the Middle East

by Hilary Thomson The tables were full at the Kemptville Christian Reformed Church on Monday night to hear Samer Kandalaft, of Saint Paul’s Presbyterian Church, and his wife Shahrzad Kandalaft, speak about what life is like for Christians in the Middle East. Samer is from Syria while Shahrzad is from Iran.

They met while they were both students in the semi-

nary in Lebanon. Samer and Shahrzad spoke about how difficult it is to be a Christian in both Syria and Iran. Many forms of persecution are used against Christians by the dictatorial regimes as well as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and can be as serious as imprisonment, torture and even death.

After their talk, there was a question and answer period where some people raised concern over the likelihood

of Canada taking on a significant number of refugees from these areas, many of whom would be of the Muslim faith. Samer was quick to clarify that most Muslims are moderate, kind, well meaning people who do not pose a threat to our country. He did say, however, that he believes Canada should be reconsidering the speed and number of refugees they take in at a time.

In order for the refugee effort to be successful, we need to

offer them support, guidance and education in terms of our language, culture and climate.

Samer believes the best thing we can do as a community is to support Syrian refugee families and raise money to help the organizations which are on the ground in Syria and other war-torn Middle Eastern countries. These organizations include: the Canadian Food Grains Bank, World Vision and Doctors without Borders.

School Board launches “Elephant in the Room” Campaign

The Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) for the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) is pleased to announce that it will be placing a stuffed elephant in each school and board location as a symbol of its commitment to supporting safe, inclusive, and accepting schools.

“There are many societal December 2, 2015

issues that are stigmatized and misunderstood, such as poverty, gender, and mental health,” says Suzanne Rivard, former PIC chair. “These issues have long been regarded as the ‘Elephant in the Room’ - noticeably obvious but largely ignored.”

“In uniting with the UCDSB and its Equity and Inclusion program ‘We All

for students across the board.

Students are encouraged to visit facebook.com/UCDSB. PIC to submit a name by January 18, 2016. Each entry will have a chance to win a stuffed

Belong’ and the #seemyvoice campaign, we are working together to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and promote open and honest conversations surrounding these issues,” says PIC Co-Chair Donna Winter.

“Our goal is to encourage a culture of acceptance and support for students, staff, and parents of the UCDSB,” adds PIC Co-Chair Jennifer Spronck. “By displaying the stuffed elephant in a visible, safe and accessible location within each UCDSB building, we are helping to identify and create a culture of care.”

Elephants will arrive in schools before the holidays.

PIC is also hosting a “Name the Elephant” contest

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elephant and a pizza party for the winning students’ class, with the elephant! PIC members will select the winning name.

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The Voice of North Grenville

Food security and forests

by Lorraine Rekmans My family relocated to the North Grenville area in 2001.

Part of my family roots are on the North Shore of Lake Huron where, in the early 1990s, after years of working as a journalist and news editor, I found myself working in the forest sector. It was a strange step from the paper to the trees but life can take some interesting twists and turns. It was in the days when Canada still considered itself to be a Forest Nation and when the world had returned home from the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) at Rio de Janeiro in 1992. A few years earlier, in 1987, the UN World Commission on Environment and Development, or the “Bruntland Commission”, had published “Our Common Future”, a guide to sustainable development that sought commitments from nation states to work together towards common goals for the good of all humanity.

The world was chang-

ing and Canada was ready to meet new challenges and begin considering the impact that development had on the environment. Under the 1987 Canadian Forest Strategy, the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers began to realize that Canadians were seeing the forest beyond the trees and wanted a consensus decision making process when determining how Canadian forests would be used. At this time, the CCFM began discussing Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPS) and their place within Canadian forest management regimes.

Around the same time, I was engaged in a project to submit a model forest proposal to the Canadian Forest Service. In that proposal, our group of First Nations introduced a forest management model that would manage for NTFPS, including Indigenous cultural uses, practices and rights. We were unsuccessful in our bid but the ideas captured in that plan still remain as possibilities. The idea was to manage a forest so that it would yield

food, ecological services and timber.

The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) was keenly interested in NTFPS and indicated in 1992, that the world would have serious challenges feeding a world population that was growing exponentially, while available agricultural lands were being lost, and massive deforestation was taking place. The concept of Food Security, or Global Food Security, has been developing for some time. The global population was at 5.5 billion in 1992 and has grown to 7.3 billion in 2015. In ten years, it is estimated to grow to 8 billion people.

What FAO did was conduct a global assessment of NTFPs that were available, and how these products could contribute to global food sources. It was alarming at the time to realize that FAO was taking inventory of food in the forests with a view to feeding a global population.

It was a signal that serious challenges lay ahead. At the

time, there was no standard agreed definition of Nontimber forest products but the FAO described them as “non-wood forest products which include all goods of biological origin, as well as services derived from forest or any land under similar use, and excludes wood in all its forms.”

Forest-based Indigenous cultures and communities in Canada are still reliant on NTFPs and they understand what possibilities the FAO is actively seeking out.

Aside from plants, nuts, berries, mushrooms, syrups, and medicines, forest-based Indigenous communities understand the ecological services that forests perform daily. This understanding is based on intergenerational knowledge transfer from centuries of observation. In the policy world, this is referred to as “Traditional Ecological Knowledge”. Because they are reliant on forests to feed their communities, Indigenous people in northern Ontario have consistently

expressed concern over the spraying of Vision herbicide.

This herbicide, which contains glyphosate, is sprayed over thousands of hectares of forested lands in the province.

It is designed to wipe out competing plant life in areas where new forests have been planted following clear-cuts.

The irony of this is that in 2008 the Ontario legislature passed the Cosmetic Pesticide Ban Act, which amended the provincial Pesticide Act to ban the use and sale of lawn and garden pesticides.

While the global population continues to expand, world organizations such as the FAO are sounding alarms about food security, food production, availability and accessibility. These might sound like high level global issues that are beyond us.

However, they are not. There is no person on this planet that will be removed from the impacts of global food shortages and the challenges that lay ahead in food production.

As people who live in Eastern Ontario, we are gifted

with forested areas. We have a local understanding of the crucial role that forests, trees on farms and agroforestry systems can play in improving the food security and nutrition of rural people. As we head into the challenges of the future, we must consider the impacts that climate change will have on food production in Canada and begin to focus on what systems are available to us. The NTFP sector is an opportunity that cannot be overlooked when we plan for local food initiatives. As citizens, our role is to move leaders to adjust policy and regulations to make way for the future, and allowances for the things we as communities will need to do to secure local food supplies. In the meantime, it might be a good idea to plant some fruit and nut trees on your own property.

The North Grenville Times is Locally Owned and Operated

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

by Lisa Wolff, Director, Policy and Education, UNICEF Canada December 3 is the annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities and aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the rights, dignity and well-being of persons with disabilities – including children. It also celebrates the benefits for the whole society when persons with disabilities are included in every aspect of life.

Canada agreed to provide for the full human rights of children with disabilities to live life in dignity and reach their fullest potential when it signed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. This Convention was the first international human rights treaty to include an explicit focus on disability.

The Convention provides both universal protection of the rights of children with disabilities and special attention to the needs of children with disabilities in realizing those universal rights.

Since then, Canada has made progress in fulfilling the rights of children with disabilities including improving access to education, mental health services and financial supports for families. Yet there is evidence of continuing discrimination against children with disDecember 2, 2015

abilities that impacts their dignity, survival, development to fullest potential and inclusion in social life – often at great human and financial cost to their families, and to the rest of society.

When Canada signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009, it signalled a stronger commitment to ensure that children with disabilities fully enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with other children.

Despite advances in legislation, policies and services, the rights of children with disabilities are still not being fully realized.

There are close to 200,000 children with disabilities under age 15 in Canada. They are twice as likely as other children to live in households that rely on social assistance as a main source of income and are over-represented in state care. Children with disabilities are two or more times more vulnerable to violence and abuse. Close to half of girls with disabilities will experience sexual abuse.

Almost 55% of children with disabilities who need aids and devices do not have access to them. Due to their child’s disability, parents report having to work fewer hours (38.4%), quit work

(21.6%), and turn down a promotion (19.7%).

Children with disabilities are disproportionately represented among victims of child maltreatment – estimates suggest that children with disabilities are two or more times more likely to be victims of child abuse. Additionally, there are questions about systemic discrimination against children with disabilities – in particular those with significant support needs – in accessing an equal standard of health care.

“Quality of life” arguments are often found at the heart of complex ethical issues related to health care for people with disabilities – such assessments are subjective and vulnerable to negative assumptions and beliefs about life with disability.

Lifelong patterns of inclusion are established in early childhood education programs, preschools, in the classroom and on the playgrounds of neighbourhood schools. Research reveals that children who are included in their early years have better outcomes for inclusion as adults. When children and youth with disabilities grow and learn alongside their peers, they are more likely to: continue in education, get a job, and be included and valued in their communities.

Generally, regardless of

the type or severity of disability, those in the high vs. low inclusion group are more likely to be employed and to have a history of paid work, to have incomes above the ‘poverty line’ and to have graduated from high school.

Regardless of the type or severity of disability, those most likely to have incomes below Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (the unofficial “poverty line”) are in the low inclusion group.

Children should be supported to live at home with their family, and families are entitled to necessary supports to raise their children at home. Canada is doing a great deal to support families, but more is needed.

In addition to improved disability-specific supports and services for families, barriers to access, these supports need to be lifted.

Generic access to services – health care, education, sports and recreation – have significant impact in supporting families who have a child with a disability to live typical lives.

Please visit our new UNICEF Disabilities webpage to learn more about the rights of children with disabilities and UNICEF’s international work for children with disabilities. www.unicef.org/disabilities

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Building a Sustainable North Grenville

Snow Plowing - Decks - Sheds ROBERT LEACH Owner 613.222.2292

robert@leachcontracting.ca www.leachcontracting.ca

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Editorial

The North Grenville Times

A Municipal Wish List

by Woody Armour This is the season for wishes, so let us make some municipal wishes. Our wishes would include a municipal swimming pool, a cheese factory, a large splash pad, some new public housing units, and a brew pub. These wishes would cost about $15,000,000, possibly less.

A convention centre at the college would cost about another $1,000,000, and of course, we would want an operational Farmers Market.

We also need a small concert venue. Perhaps the old arena could be redeveloped, as a concert hall. This must be discussed, as it would be a major tourist “draw” in the core area, and a tax revenue generator in addition. Also, the old High School on Prescott Street would be an ideal “brownstone” candidate, as per provincial guidelines, as

a community centre /graphic arts centre/museum, perhaps.

But what are we, the current resident taxpayers, going to get for one hundred and twenty million dollars, the amount which the municipality plans to borrow, then spend, on constructing supporting infrastructure to assist developers build about 2,400 new town houses and shopping centres?

Well, we can expect traffic jams, overcrowded shopping centres, overcrowded recreational facilities, more chain stores and, of course, the probability of increased taxes and an enormous local food deficit; all very negative implications.

All of this urbanization infrastructure is budgeted to cost about $90 million, as per published council figures, which does not include inflation, interest expense, insurance and cost over runs.

Nor does it include the $30

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor: I am an author, and I think a lot about books - mine, and other people's. And books that I've read and loved, and passed on to other folks to enjoy - and even books that I've deposited in thrift shops, hoping that they would be appreciated by someone and raise funds for the good cause.

This afternoon I finally got that box of loved but culled books into the truck and took them to town - only to find that the used book shops were closed. So I tried the new Salvation Army store, remembering that at the old location they had stopped taking books.

There right in front of my truck, at their loading dock/ front porch, were three tall blue bins, labelled "Recycled Books" - I lifted a lid and found the bin nearly full of all kinds of interesting-looking books. Most were clean and in good condition. There was a book on losing weight, one on theatre for teenagers, a cookbook, a children's book in French, and lots of novels, some new and hardcover.

That was just the top layer of one bin. It appeared that this was where folks were depositing their used books, so I turned to get mine out of

lion (which is the estimated unrecoverable portion of the infrastructure cost), we would be better off not to engage in the Urbanization plan at all, and the people, the 60% of the population, on well and septic, would not have to pay the hidden tax. By developing the wish list listed above, the resulting tourist draw would be far more beneficial than having traffic jams etc., and disputes over recreational facilities.

What is ironic is that this “wish- list” development would take place within the “rural development program” and the Brownstone program.

The rural development program referred to has already been approved by council, Councillors Osanaya and Bertram, and Mayor Gordon, voting to support it. Councillor Tobin voted against the plan, we may never know why. Now, all that is required is a shift in priorities, from the

million water filtration (drinking water) facility announced on March 9 at the Stantec meeting held at the Municipal Centre.

This cash outlay by the municipality, to support development, may be refundable by developers; but certainly not all of it will be. And remember, it is the people on well and septic, about 60% of the population, who will have to pay the largest portion of the infrastructure costs but will never get a refund of their contribution when council gets some of the money back via the refund from developers. That is an unfair tax, since people on well and septic will never benefit in any way from this expenditure. You would expect a person in Bishop’s Mills would be quite unhappy financially supporting a large developer from Ottawa.

So, if the “loss” is just $20,000,000 on infrastructure cost recovery of the $120 mil-

the truck.

A staff person/volunteer came around the corner, and informed me that these were the "bad books" and they were going to the landfill. I was shocked and incredulous! He went inside and the manager came out and told me to stay out of the bins, they were for the landfill. He was very unfriendly and brusque, and as I tried to discuss the appearance of the bins as something folks would make contributions to for resale in his shop, he turned all three of the bins face-to-the-wall, I suppose so that they would not appear accessible, or attract any more of this kind of attention.

I hope that those books do not get taken to the dump.... but in making further inquiry in the community, I've found that books get thrown away a lot these days. What a waste of literature and physical resources! Can we do better?

Would it not be possible to have a free book exchange in some publicly accessible place? Would it be too much competition to those who sell books? This is an awfully large crack for literacy to fall through in our community.... into the landfill???

Aleta Karstad

December 2, 2015

Marketing Peter Peers peter@ngtimes.ca 613 989-2850

urbanization option, to the wish list option. However, there appears to be a special interest group opposed to the wish-list process.

In terms of revenue to the municipality, the municipality would be equally as well off, as they would not have to explain the losses from cost-overruns, or construction delays, and they would have revenue from increased economic activity under the wish-list program. Best of all, developers who would want to build in the area would not have to be given discounts and other incentives to locate here. Indeed, lot levies could be increased due to the increased attractions and value in the area. The difference between building now and five years from now, once the wish list is in place, is huge and significant.

Therefore, by pushing ahead with the wish list instead of the urbanization

plan, the council and the rural residents especially, would be further ahead. It is a win-win situation, but the council is set in their ways, out of the box thinking is not their style.

So, in terms of a wish list, perhaps we should wish for a new council.

I leave you with your thoughts.

Inuktitut classes to be offered in Kemptville syllabics.

In Canada, there are six fairly distinct dialects of Inuktitut. Although each dialect is quite similar, there are some slight differences, some of which will be covered in the InuktitutNG course. When one dialect is learned, it is possible to understand much of what is said or written in other Inuktitut dialects. The one being used in the classes will be a Baffin Island dialect Bev Illauq and her family of four children have been residents of Kemptville since 2010, when they moved to the area after spending a few years in Regina. Bev first taught school in the Arctic in Igloolik in 1978, and then went on to work for DIAND as a teacher and a cultural development officer in Ottawa. In 1983 she moved to Clyde River ‘for one year’. Within five years she was married to an Inuit hunter, had two children, a twelve-dog team, a house and was fluent enough in Inuktitut to handle parent interviews with unilingual parents! The couple went on to operate Qullikkut, an internationally acclaimed

Inuktitut classes are being offered to North Grenville residents, beginning in February 2016, for eight weeks. This course is one of four language courses, available through Language Learning North Grenville.

Inuktitut, is a word used

by Inuit for their language, and other forms of knowledge ‘in the Inuit way’. The goal of the Inuktitut classes is to introduce participants to Inuit language and culture in a welcoming, experiential and interesting way.

In the InuktitutNG language classes, Kemptville resident Beverly Illauq will teach participants the basics of Inuktitut phonemes (sounds), morphemes (chunks of meaning), semantics (vocabulary) and simple syntax (grammar) of the Inuit language. Participants will also be introduced to a wide variety of subjects during the classes including Inuit place names, hunting, family practises, Inuit art, music, games, camping styles and principles of education. Some Inuit history and cultural traditions will also be touched on.

Students will begin to learn to read and write Inuktitut

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

The Voice of North Grenville

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outfitting business, as well as a development corporation and in 1996 they were instrumental in starting the Ilisaqsivik Family Resource Centre in Clyde River, NWT, now known as Nunavut.

Throughout her 20 years in the Arctic, Bev remained involved in the local school and helped establish the Piqqusilivirrivik Cultural School in 2011, also in Clyde River. Bev values her extended Inuit family highly and keeps in touch with family members, when they come to Ottawa for medical attention.

Anyone interested in gently exploring the cultural and language roots of Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples will find the InuktitutNG language course to be a refreshing new view on our identity as Canadians.

Tungasugitsi! Welcome!

For more information on the InuktitutNG course, please contact Bev Illauq at billauq@gmail.com, or visit the Language Learning North Grenvilles’ website at www.alkeventmanagement. ca Look for information and a registration form. under the InuktitutNG menu. Sign Mailing Address P.O. Box 35, Oxford Mills, ON, K0G 1S0

Graphics Accounting Micheal Pacitto cfo@ngtimes.ca mike@ngtimes.ca 613-258-4671 613-710-7104

up today to take this amazing learning experience!

Wednesdays for 8 weeks, starting February 17, 2016, from 7-9pm for $195 per student.

CLASSIFIEDS: First 10 words free if submitted by email.

Extra word 50 cents, photo $10, border $2, shading $5.

Submit to production@ngtimes.ca.

Email must include name, address and phone #.

Must be related to North Grenville/ Merrickville Staff Reporter Beth Nicol beth@ngtimes.ca 613-258-0033 Staff Reporter Hilary Thomson hilary@ngtimes.ca

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Municipality Matters

The North Grenville Times

A professional volunteer service

There have been some concerns expressed by members of the public about the direction the North Grenville Fire Service is going. The question has been asked: are we planning for a full-time, professional service? Can our community afford such a thing? To get some answers, we talked to NG Fire Chief Paul Hutt.

To be quite honest with you, everything that we have done, and I say we, because

I haven’t done it by myself, but our Council, our senior people in this Department, has done nothing but foster the volunteer aspect of our community. It boils down to the fact that these concerns show that some people are not educated to what the fire service is all about.

We did a Master Fire Plan in 2012, and we had a consultant come in to advise on this, who was independent of the service. It clearly recognised a number one priority was to get some assistance from the administration perspective, because the consultants understood that it is crazy to think one person or Chief can be working all these hours and doing all the work required by the demands of the current Service. So, we have recently hired Randy Urslak as a Deputy Chief.

It certainly has helped in

position. We have good daytime response times, we have enough volunteer people responding to calls, so we basically decided to continue with the status quo, get some assistance from an administrative perspective with the Deputy Chief, and monitor the on-going response time as we move forward.

I can point out too that, if I was suggesting that I wanted a full time department, I wouldn’t have been working for the last four years getting Mutual Aid Agreements with neighbouring jurisdictions.

We have negotiated Automatic Aid Agreements with North Dundas, Merrickville, Edwardsburg-Cardinal, and with the City of Ottawa, so if the notion were that we want to move to a full-time compliment, I would suggest there’s enough information to suggest otherwise, that we are very pleased and satisfied with our volunteer contingent and we are getting a very professional service for what we are doing. So, just in a nut shell, I have been very transparent with our council and I am extremely pleased with the commitment and dedication of our volunteers.

the co-ordination of the day to day activities, allowing me more time to focus on Emergency Management, Bylaw Services and the overall Fire Service project. It has been extremely helpful. But, even referencing the Master Fire Plan, when you look at staffing levels, or standard of response, at no point does it recommend a full-time Service.

I also question it when people talk about us becoming a “professional” service.

We are a professional Fire Service, regardless whether you are a volunteer or a fulltime paid officer. All fire services, in my opinion, are professional because they are trained to the same degree and standard. But when they looked at the staffing level in 2013, it was very clear and it states right there in the data provided by North Grenville, that we are in an unusual

Notice of Commencement and PUBLIC MEETING Municipal Class Environmental Assessment County Road # 44 Sanitary Sewer and Multi-Use Pathway Project Interested individuals and parties are invited to attend a Public Information Centre (PIC) between 6:00pm and 8:00pm on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at the Municipal Complex, 285 County Road 44, Kemptville, ON. The purpose of the PIC is for the Municipality to present the current findings of sanitary sewer and multi-use pathway project and to solicit public input.

The Voice of North Grenville It’s even tough to call them volunteers anymore; it’s more than a volunteer position, it’s a part-time, on-call position.

So I am extremely pleased with the dedication of our present members. Am I going to suggest in ten years that we re-visit and take a look at the situation at that point? I am not going to say: “No, we are not going to look at that”, but moving forward in the next four to five years, we are very satisfied with our currant contingent and our response time. We are satisfied with how things currently are.

NG Times: Have you had any problems attracting recruits?

I am not trying to boast, but when you meet with other chiefs and you hear about the hardships that they are having with retaining some of their volunteers, we don’t have that problem. Rarely will you see us soliciting for applications and it’s primarily because we have a backlog right now.

We just hired three members to replace people retiring, or moving out of the area. Applications continue to come in and we are getting some really good candidates as part of our brigade, if you will.

I am not hiding the fact that the commitment level is to a point where people have to take it seriously when they say they want to become a part-time member of the NG Fire Service, because there is a huge time commitment. So we ask for new applicants, we sit down and have an orientation session so they can get a sense of what the commitment is, what the expectations are, before they start moving forward.

We are seeing, and this is right across the province of Ontario, even right across Canada, a lot of members, younger members, using volunteer Fire Services as stepping stones, where they want to gain some experience and move on to a full-time career.

And, as long as they are willing to commit while they are here, put the time in and train, then we certainly don’t hold back as long as the person is willing to put in the necessary training.

The North Grenville Fire Service is a volunteer, professionally-trained service.

That is meeting our requirements, and I see no need for that to change for some time to come.

Blue Gypsy Wines fundraise for PTSD Service Dog

Background The 2013 Master Plan Update recommends a servicing strategy for the Northwest Quadrant of Kemptville. A 1.6 km gravity sanitary main extension is required in order to provide municipal sanitary services along County Road 44 north of County Road 43. This new sewer will connect to the proposed North West Quadrant sanitary pump station.

The North Grenville “Integrated Community Trails Strategy” identifies the need for a continuous multi-use pathway along the County Road 44 corridor, approximately 2.8 km long running from River Road in the north, southerly to County Road 43. The pathway will be generally located on the west side of County Road 44.

The Municipality of North Grenville retained Novatech to prepare a detailed design and provide project management services during the tender and construction phases of the sewer and multi-use pathway projects. Preliminary routing and alternative cross sections have been developed for the County Road 44 corridor.

Photo credit: Anika Gaal On November 28, 2015, Winchester residents Claire Faguy and Louis Gaal presented a cheque in the amount of $1000 to Leigh Donaldson, representative for National Service Dogs, to sponsor a PTSD Service Dog. The puppy will be named 'Avia' in tribute to the late Melissa Richmond.

The funds were raised by holding events at the Blue Gypsy Wines in Oxford Mills, through private donations, and monies collected at the cash register.

Fundraising events

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment This sanitary sewer and multi-use pathway project is being conducted in accordance with the requirements of Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, which is an approved process under the Environmental Assessment Act. Phase 1 involves identification of the problem or opportunity and Phase 2 identifies alternative solutions. Copies of the 2013 Master Plan Update and the Integrated Community Trails Strategy are posted on the Municipality’s website and are available for review at the Municipal Office located at 285 County Road #44. As part of the Environmental Assessment process, the public will be invited to provide input to the project team. Comments from the public will be accepted within 30 calendar days following the Public Meeting date.

Figure 1: Study Area – County Road 44

included a full-contact/ live steel sword fighting demonstration, astronomy nights, and an outdoor

concert.

More events are planned for 2016, the goal being to collect another $1000 by next fall to either sponsor another dog or support an existing one.

Upcoming events will be posted on the winery's Facebook Page: BlueGypsyWines For more information regarding this campaign and what you may be able to do to help, please contact Claire Faguy or Louis Gaal via email at:

To provide input into the planning process or for more information, please contact: Mike Finley J. Lee Sheets, CET Superintendent of Environmental Services Senior Project Manager Municipality of North Grenville Novatech 285 County Road #44 P.O. Box 130 200-240 Michael Cowpland Dr. Kemptville ON. K0G 1J0 Ottawa, ON K2M 1P6 Phone: 613-258-9569 Phone: 613-254-9643 Fax: 613-258-9620 Fax: 613-254-5867 Email: mfinley@northgrenville.on.ca Email: l.sheets@novatech-eng.com December 2, 2015

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Toy Mountain contribution over the top

UPDATE

Record year for RLG Toy Mountain at 73's game. The 73's and Royal LePage Gale Real Estate thank you for your contributions.

Community Partnership Opportunity submitted by Su Sally For the past three months, Su Sally of Sugold Jewellers has had discussions and meetings with the Senators Foundation to vie for Kemptville as a Contender for an Outdoor Rink sponsored by the Senators Foundation. After meeting with Jeff Underhill of Shoeless Joes, it was evident that there are many Business Owners and Citizens in Kemptville that will jump on board with fundraising and support for this project. This past Thursday, they had the first meeting of many to strategize to start the ball rolling.

The mandate of the Ottawa Senators Foundation is to empower our youth in healthy physical and mental lifestyle choices in eastern Ontario and western Quebec through various programs and initiatives. The Foundation has committed to building 19 outdoor rinks intended to be year-round outdoor activity spaces that could also accommodate basketball nets, ball hockey, lacrosse and other outdoor activities.

The Foundation spends up to a maximum of $250,000.00 to build and supply equipment for the year round Rink.

It is not just about hockey, but all summer sports and programming for the kids.

Some of the things that the foundation provides as part of the project are to build the actual rink itself on an asphalt pad, build permanent boards, build fencing around the rink and have painted hockey lines and other markings for summer December 2, 2015

activities. The Foundation also provides basketball nets and basketballs, along with ball hockey equipment. They work with community partners and municipalities to ensure that programming is available twelve months of the year at little or no cost to children. The Municipality and/or the Community partners are responsible for the overhead lighting for evening activity, year round maintenance and repair, and an annual report on the status of use of the facility.

There's already an outdoor rink in North Grenville, located at a church in the area. One of the Foundation’s mandates is to have the Rink centrally located, so that children can walk there. After one of the meetings with the Senators Foundation, Su Sally walked Barry Seller, the Manager of the Community Investments and RINK projects with the Ottawa Senators Foundation, through Riverside Park in Kemptville.

He makes the recommendations to the Foundation and then follows the project from start to finish, choosing the locations and overseeing the building of the Rinks.

Barry felt that this was a wonderful location, as it was centrally located with schools and neighbourhoods, and with children’s activities already located there. Riverside Park already appears to be the outdoor athletic centre for North Grenville, with baseball diamonds, a football field, a running track, track and field event areas, a swimming pool and tennis courts.

Factoring in things like an abundance of parking and the close proximity to businesses in downtown Kemptville (which might be able to benefit from increased traffic in the area), it seems like a very good fit for Riverside Park.

To help make this proposal a reality, the group that met last week discussed how they could contribute. They believed that they could partner with the municipality to share the cost of the overhead lighting by starting a fundraising campaign. They also felt that they should help to organize a committee to operate the rink, and even create a list of volunteers who would help in maintaining the rink at minimal cost to the municipality.

The group also believes that working together with local organizations will maximize the effectiveness of the Outdoor Rink.

The Outdoor Rink Committee will be going to the meeting of the Committee of the Whole on December 7 at 6:30 pm to make a proposal to have the land made available at Riverside Park for this project and to work with the Municipality staff and

Councill to make this dream a reality. We encourage everyone and anyone to join us in support of this Project.

If you'd like to learn more about this proposal, feel free to drop into Shoeless Joes restaurant in Kemptville on Thursday December 3 at 8 pm to meet with the group.

Or you can email sugoldjewellers@gmail.com or jeffunderhill@sympatico.ca. for more information.

COUNCIL Monday, December 14 at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Centre.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Monday, December 7 at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Centre. For agenda information, please contact the Clerk’s Office or visit the Municipal website.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS Heritage Advisory Committee – Thursday, December 10 at 3:00 pm at the Municipal Centre.

Library Board – Thursday, December 10 at 7:00 pm at the North Grenville Public Library, 1 Water St. WINTER PARKING RESTRICTIONS Winter parking restrictions come into effect on November 15th and last through April 15th. While restrictions are in effect, parking on Municipal roads is not allowed between 11:00 pm and 8:00 am. A vehicle which is parked in a manner interfering with snow clearing or removal operations may be issued a ticket and/or removed at the owner’s expense.

2016 BUDGET MEETING SCHEDULE Monday, December 7 @ 6:30 pm – general draft budget overview/presentation Wednesday, December 9 @ 6:30 pm – Operating budget Wednesday, December 16 @ 3:00 pm – Capital budget Wednesday, January 6 @ 3:00 pm – budget meeting (if necessary) Monday, January 18 @ 6:30 pm – final budget discussions at Committee of the Whole Monday, January 25 @ 6:30 pm – Council meeting to approve the 2016 budget The Municipality of North Grenville 285 County Road 44 PO Box 130 Kemptville, ON, K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca Building: 613-258-4424 Fax: 613-258-1441 Fire Services Info: 613-258-2438 Fax: 613-258-1031 By-Law Services: 613-258-2438 ext. 6 Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002

www.NorthGrenville.ca

Book launch at Geronimo

Stories from the South Branch

by David Shanahan

A special event is taking place at Geronimo Coffee House at 146 Prescott Street on Friday, December 11, from 7 to 9 pm.

For all those who have enjoyed Dr. David Shanahan’s articles on local history that have appeared regularly in the NG Times, the good news is that they, and others, have been compiled into a new 200-page book called “Stories from the South Branch”. There are more than 70 stories in the book, covering the history of North Grenville from before the arrival of European settlers up to the year 2000, and they range from the serious to the

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mysterious. The people, places and events that colour our history are written in David’s conversational style, but with a depth of knowledge that only a professional historian with his decades of experience can bring.

Admission is free. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the wine, coffee and snacks, and pick up a copy or two of the book. It really is the perfect Christmas present.

The evening is being presented by the NG Times and the North Grenville Historical Society, with Terri and Lee acting as our gracious and welcoming hosts.

The book costs $20.

For those who can’t make it to Geronimos on the 11th, copies of “Stories of the South Branch” can be pre-ordered by calling 613-258-5083, or e-mailing production@ngtimes. ca. www.ngtimes.ca

Sports

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Road was kinder than own barn for 73's end-to-end contest. Johnston from Renda and Markovic capitalized on man advantage when our defensive box broke down at 12:21. Braves out-shot 73's by 10 - 6.

The next chapter: Kemptville was closing down the "dump & chase" play as Tugnutt stripped his opponent of the puck to Guy who flew through the zone to launch into the mesh at 12:32 to even things up.

Then, at 10:19, after Alavi dug it out of the scrum, over to O'Flynn to blast one from point so Kiriacou could redirect for the lead. The boys left for their dressing rooms with a 2 - 1 advantage after out-shooting Brockville by 14 -10.

Final frame: with our boys hungry for this win to match their meetings up, we found ourselves in the sin-bin, allowing Brockville to tie game when Jarvis and Renda give it to Robinson at 14:42 for another PPG. A failed attack from the Braves bounced a rebound to Watson who threw it ahead to Tracy to rifle it over the glove of Johnson at 5:29 for Kemptville’s go-ahead point.

At 1:13 we were facing 6 to 4 advantage, but managed

Vicious battle for supremacy: Jake Gaudet sets up for a blast from team mate. by the sports guy Kemptville 73's rolled into Kanata on a high with two wins under their belt and the same urgency portrayed in the previous games.

Charlie Jensen would gain an opportunity as the stopper for our boys, with the Lazers' Moyse at the other end. We pounded a barrage of pucks at him and managed to capitalize when Wichers held the blue-line, with tictac-toe from Cole to Gaudet open at side of net for PPG at 8:47. Lazers' Balca, with helpers from Power and Annetta, to even it up at 6:46 to close-out the first, with 73's

out-shooting their competition 13 - 3.

Second stanza: 73's hammered the shots at the Lazers net minder as he stood on his head to keep his team in the game. Tugnutt with Cole to direct back to Russell at top of circle to make it a one goal lead at 12:38 and wrap-up with SOG for us 13 - 10.

Final endeavour at 16:34.

Kanata's Martel, assisted by Croteau and Hewines, forced OT with 2 - 2 tie. Kemptville out-shooting Kanata by only 9 - 6.

The 3-on-3 is a given for Jake Gaudet, and he made it count at 3:36 to give our boy's another notch in the standings with SOG 2 and

one being the winner gave our guy's three game streak.

Key to the victory was the total dominance of SOG of 37 - 19 and dictating the board game.

Jake Gaudet receives our "Mark's Work Warehouse Hard Hat Award" for his tenacious persistence, resulting in a two point game.

On to our nemesis at Brockville on Friday night.

With Kemptville and Brockville neck and neck after their previous encounters, they were anticipating a extremely fast and furious affair on Braves home ice Friday night. They were not disappointed, as the Braves posted the first goal after an

to stave off the onslaught to post our third road victory, even though being out-shot by 12 - 4 with total SOG against us 32 - 24.

All goals for Brockville were PPG......maybe we need to focus on our special teams.

The Road was kinder than own barn for 73's.

After a great showing on the road, our boys faced a very aggressive Smiths Falls Bears on Sunday, who want to interrupt the streak.

Kemptville opens up when Gaudet finds Cole across ice, then back to Russell with a rocket from point for PPG at 7:59. Rutkowski unassisted at 7:35 to tie it up and open the flood gates for the Bears.

At 6:10 Main from Leblanc and Kyte to push a goal advantage for Smiths Falls to end the first frame, out shooting Kemptville 15 - 13.

Second period: 73's will have to focus on clearing rebounds, more traffic in front of net, avoid heavy lumber, cleaner tape to tape, keep up the pace, control the bouncing ball and remove the pests buzzing the goalie.

At 16:16 Main and Leblanc set up Bray for a third marker. McKenney, with

helpers from Coates and Rutkowski, chased Kemptville's stopper with Jensen making an entrance. Just before the period ended at 3:22, Kenney picks up Groulx, sprawled in front of Jensen, for a 5 - 1 lead. Kemptville gets another break when Titus bounces it off the boards for Beauparlant, who threw it to Dow streaking to the net.

73's finally registered a 17 11 shot count over the Bears with three behind.

Final twenty was more than enough time for our guys to play catch-up and force it to extra time.

Dow’s control board scrum to Tackett, on a mission to rifle one more past the surprised stopper, to bring 73's within two at 9:01.

Kemptville pulled Jensen at .46 mark hoping to put two in for OT. Didn't happen, as Smiths Falls would hold on and destroy the streak and would outshoot our boys 38 - 37.

Bobby Dow is the Mark's Work Warehouse Award winner for his effort, teamwork, goal plus assist.

Next game is in Ottawa on Wednesday and back here on Friday for re-match.

Affiliates showcase their talent

Redemption......after warming the bench in the "sin-bin" for 1/4 of the contest, Brady Elder would capitalize on the go-ahead and insurance goal to give the Midget 73's the win. by the sports guy This past Saturday, we were given a great opportunity to witness some fantastic hockey as sixteen HEO midget AAA teams from the area showcased their talent.

I didn't have the privilege of covering all games, but will list the results of contests other than our Midget 73's.

Cumberland over Cornwall 7 - 4, Ottawa beat Smiths Falls 3 - 1, Carleton Place by Gloucester 4 - 2, Brockville ran over Hawkesbury 8 - 1, Nepean over OHA U18 4 - 1, CIHA Green past Pembroke 3 - 2, Kanata outs CIHA White 3 - 1.

The first 15 minutes, both December 2, 2015

Kemptville and OHA U17 came on strong, OHA would take advantage at 5:04 when Egert, with helpers from Leblanc and Briggs, went for a PPG. Kemptville rang the pipes and made several field goal attempts as they outshot their opponents 9 to 6.

Next phase: Kemptville owned the ice, peppering the OHA by 11 - 3, but were unable to capitalize, closing out still a goal down.

Kemptville opens the period with a man advantage, but are denied any result.

Then, at 11:56, Saumur, after stealing the puck from two defenders, walks out to blast it home for tie. The go-ahead came at 3:08, with Walsh to

Saumur with a rocket off the stoppers pads to line-mate Elder to flip into the mesh.

Elder buried it into an open net after Saumur dug out the puck to end an entertaining battle.

Kemptville would outshoot OHA for a total of 34 - 17.

This whole package would not have been successful without the many conscientious, resourceful people who had given of their valuable time without expecting anything in return.

Maybe the next time you are at one of these entertainment extravaganza's, let them know you appreciate their input and sacrifice.

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The Voice of North Grenville

Christmas Poinsettias on sale now 301 Rideau Street, Kemptville

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

613.258.3014

Prices effective: Friday, December 4 to Thursday, December 10, 2015 “We reserve the right to limit quantities to reasonable family requirements�

December 2, 2015

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The Resurrection, part 3:

by David Shanahan Where’s the body?

“If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” [1 Cor. 15.

13-14] This series is looking at the fundamental beliefs of Christianity; the ones that are essential and common to all Christians always. The Resurrection, as Paul stated in his letter to the Corinthians, is unquestionably at the heart of those beliefs and needs to be examined closely in all honesty and fairness. Last week, I talked about the logic which underpins the testimony we have concerning the event.

This article asks a simple question: if the whole thing was a hoax, a misunderstanding, or some other mix up, why didn’t someone simply produce the body and put an end to the whole thing?

When the disciples of Jesus went from being a cowering, frightened and disillusioned group to preaching loudly and boldly in the streets of Jerusalem that Jesus had risen, why did the authorities not just parade the corpse through the streets?

The men who had worked to have Jesus executed would not have hesitated to do so if the body was available to them. And as their soldiers had been guarding the tomb, they should have been able to put a stop to the disciples’ claims immediately. But the tomb was empty. The authorities tacitly admitted this when they instructed the tomb guards to say that the dis-

ciples themselves had come and stolen the body while the guard slept. Of course, admitting to be asleep on duty would have been a major, if not capital, offense for the guards, but what choice did they have if Jesus had risen?

What of that accusation?

Could the disciples have taken the body? The first question would be: why? To draw more attention on themselves and become the target of more executions? As was noted last week: if they had done so, then they knew the Resurrection was a lie. Yet they suffered privations, torture and death for the sake of that lie. That is not nearly as logical as accepting that they believed the Resurrection was true. They did not take the body from under the noses of the soldiers. They had even stayed away from Calvary, having run away when Jesus was arrested. Even after the women had told them the tomb was empty, they didn’t believe it. Not until Jesus actually appeared to them.

Maybe the women went to the wrong tomb? But, again, the authorities would have corrected that misunderstanding immediately, had they been able to. Perhaps Jesus was not really dead at all? Having gone through the excruciating and tortuous process of crucifixion, been stabbed in the side with a spear, taken down and wrapped in linen with spices poured over him, left in a sealed tomb for a few days, perhaps then he recovered sufficiently to push away a very large stone, pass by the guards and make a complete

INCHESTER PRINT & STATIONERY

The North Grenville Times

recovery in order to convince his followers that he had, in fact risen from the dead.

Is any of that rational or remotely feasible?

Christianity is completely based on historic fact, evidence, reality. It invites and encourages intelligent investigation and questioning. It is not based on “blind faith”, or any “leap in the dark”.

As a professional historian, I look at evidence, facts and documents, assessing the dependability and veracity of sources before coming to any conclusions. There are clear facts involved here.

Jesus was arrested, tried and sentenced to death. This is part of the historical record.

He was crucified and died, was buried and a guard placed on his tomb. His followers retreated in confusion and despair to locked rooms in Jerusalem, afraid they were the next to die. The tomb was found empty and the disciples had to rely on the evidence of women, another interesting piece of evidence. If they were making the whole story up, why say that it was women who found the empty tomb? Women were not considered reliable witnesses and could not testify in court as a result. A fictional Resurrection would have been more carefully concocted.

One fact remains as true as when Paul stated in so long ago: if Jesus did not rise from the dead, Christianity is a fraud and Christians are the most pitiable people.

Paul was a violent opponent of Christianity, until he met the risen Jesus. Everything changed for him then. James

was the step-brother of Jesus, he and his siblings considered Jesus to be insane, until the risen Jesus appeared to him.

James then became one of the leaders of the church in Jerusalem and was eventually executed for his faith. These were not weak-willed men

The Voice of North Grenville

who were easily fooled into believing something. They were men who met the risen Jesus, and after that there could be no more argument.

And two thousand years of Christians have agreed that he is indeed risen. They have encountered him, come to

know him, and his Spirit lives in them. Quite a claim. If it is not true, you can forget it. If it is true, even if you think it might be true, it is something you have to investigate for yourself. Honesty and eternity demands it.

Kemptvil e Youth Musical Theatre Company

A Christmas Carol presents

Dickens’

URBANDALE ARTS CENTRE North Grenville Municipal Centrte

December 11, 12, 16, 18, 19 @ 7:30 pm, December 13 & 20 @ 2 pm

Tickets available at Scotiabank $15

www.kymtc.org or 613 829-2168

WINCHESTER PRINT & STATIONERY

WINCHESTER PRINT & STATIONERY

December 2, 2015

WINCHESTER PRINT & STATIONERY

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Christmas Gift Guide Enrich your community by supporting local retailers and service providers by doing your holiday shopping with them. Local businesses and their employees are our neighbours and friends. When you shop local, you are investing in the people and the community you live in.

Shopping at small local businesses always offers a personal and sincere customer-owner interaction, impossible to replicate with large-scale vendors. Small business shop owners are interested in their clients, know their wants and needs, and are willing to give their customer personal attention to answer questions about their products. Furthermore, a small business owner is passionately and inextricably linked to the success of his or her business, which means they are experts on the product that they create and sell.

If you like to give original, handmade gifts, you can’t beat shopping at a locally owned business. Small businesses usually do not have to scale their product for a mass market, which ensures high craftsmanship and originality. It is easy to find unique products. Most local stores carry products you might not find at national chain stores, such as handmade items or items from local artists or farmers. These types of items always make for more memorable gifts. It promotes locally-made products.

Consider using cash when making holiday purchases at local businesses. Not only will using cash help ensure you’ll stick to your budget but can save local businesses thousands of dollars in processing fees. That means even more of your money will stay local.

December 2, 2015

Give and Volunteer - Local non-profits contribute significantly to the quality of our community and can use all the help they can get during these challenging economic times. Consider a monetary gift or volunteer some time. Your contributions will be greatly appreciated and you’ll feel great for helping out.

Relax and Have Fun! – After all, that’s what this season is about. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Take the time to enjoy the season and all its bounty along with your family and friends. You deserve it!

It creates a sense of community. Supporting these businesses alongside your fellow citizens shows pride for your community and protects aspects that make your community unique.

Local businesses and their employees are our neighbors and friends

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Spending tips to avoid financial stress (NC) The holiday season can be a time of happiness and festivity, but with so many obligations it can also leave many of us feeling the pressure when it comes to our finances. From gifts to décor, dinner parties and fancy clothes, managing spending can be overwhelming. Krystal Yee, author of the blog Give Me Back My Five Bucks, has the following tips on how to maximize your hard earned dollars this season:

3. Use a rewards card – Some credit cards earn money on every dollar you spend. A new survey from Tangerine found that the majority (61 per cent) of Canadians use a credit card for holiday spending to earn rewards on their purchases. Try a cash-back card like Tangerine's Money-Back Credit Card, which allows you to spend and save at the same time. It gives 2% Money-Back Rewards on purchases in two categories of your choice (for example groceries or restaurants), and 1% Money-Back Rewards on all your other purchases. This card also has no annual fee.

1. Set a budget – One of the biggest financial stressors can be not knowing how much you've spent and whether you've blown through money you don't have. Setting a realistic budget that includes all expenses from gifts to travel to entertainment will give you piece of mind as you check off your list. You can also try an online budgeting tool and monitor your spending by checking your mobile banking app as you spend.

4. Opt for DIY – Reduce your overall spending by incorporating homemade DIY gifts. There are endless resources online with easy DIY gift ideas that will impress your friends and family if you take the time to get crafty. This way they will remember the personal and unique touch, not the amount you spent on a gift. Also, don't be afraid to re-gift that unused item that is simply not you. This is practical and financially savvy, but just make sure it's thoughtful and the gift makes sense for the recipient.

2. Do your research and shop around – Whether it's purchasing a gift, an outfit for the company party or finding the perfect table setting for entertaining friends and family, do your research first to find the best deal. This can be done by visiting the online sites of retailers before you hit the mall or streets so you don't make any impulse purchases while you're on the spot in a busy store.

December 2, 2015

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Home and Wedding Decor Eclectic Charm at 493 Main Street in Winchester has finally opened its doors after a year of creating unique home and wedding decor items. The store is conveniently located across the street from Bridals by Almor, and Barkleys Shoes and Accessories. Eclectic Charm and Wedding Decor Rentals offers upcycled home decor furnishings and collectables at great prices and rents out anything and everything for your wedding decor needs. A great variety of styles are available, and custom orders are welcome.

C E L TIC C E CHARM

In this store, you will find many unique pieces crafted from re-purposed materials, such as old doors, windows and much more. The wedding decor rentals section offers a selection of vases, an endless variety of frames, seating charts and photo booth options, desks, tables, podiums, arches, just about anything needed to make your special day unique.

Package prices are available and designer Josee Smith will help bring your vision to reality by creating the wedding decor of your dreams.

WEDDING DECOR RENTAL Upcycled Furniture ~ Home decor 493 Main Street, Winchester, Ontario

613.581.1014

December 2, 2015

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

10 energy-efficient stocking stuffers (NC) Looking for stocking stuffer ideas? Here are 10 Santa-approved gift suggestions to help save energy this year: 1. LED or CFL light bulbs; 2. Power bar with integrated timer or auto-shutoff; 3. Faucet aerator; 4. Cold water laundry detergent; 5. Plugs for unused electrical outlets (up to 20 per cent of the air leakage in your home can happen through outlets); 6. Battery powered radio in case of power outages; 7. Tea towels to dry dishes instead of using the dry function on the dishwasher; 8. Window insulating kit (up to 13 percent of air leakages in your home can occur through windows); 9. Lighting timers; 10. In-home energy monitor.

Additional ways to save energy are available at www.HydroOne.com/SaveEnergy.

Giving back holiday traditions Volunteer your time as a family at a soup kitchen or a food bank that hands out food to families in need.

Find a giving tree that allows you to sponsor a family in need or purchase toys for children in need. Go shopping for the items together and donate them.

Participate in the canned food drive in your neighbourhood or at your child's school. Ask neighbours to donate canned and non-perishable foods, then donate them to a food bank.

Go through closets and donate gently used clothing (coats are particularly useful this time of year) to a local shelter.

Deliver cookies and treats to your local fire station, police department, and even the staff at your local hospital. After all, they’ll be working through the holiday.

Don’t forget senior citizens! Volunteer time at your local senior citizens centre or see if there is a giving tree specifically for the residents.

December 2, 2015

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Community Events Dec 3 Dec 4-5 Dec 5

Dec 5 Dec 6 Dec 6

Dec 9 Dec 10 Dec 12 Dec 13

CROSSWORD

OPP Charity BBQ, 11:30 am to 1 pm at the Kemptville OPP, all proceeds to Salvation Army Christmas Campaign.

Spirit of Christmas & Craft sale, 6:30 pm Dec. 4 at Maplewood Hall and 8:30 to 3 pm around the community on Dec. 5.

Bayfield Manor’s annual Snow Flurry craft and bake sale, 2 to 4 pm.100 Elvira St. Kemptville. Also, display of beautiful art work by residents will be on sale. All proceeds go towards Bayfield Manor Residents Council.

Christmas in Merrickville, activities start at 8:30 am with breakfast.

Something for everyone all day long. See schedule of events at http://www.christmasinmerrickville.ca/ Farmer’s Market, 12 - 4 pm, 200 Sanders Street North Grenville Concert Choir is presenting “A Tradition Choral Christmas 11” at 2 pm. Bring your family and friends to St. John’s United Church . Tickets are available at Brewed Awakening, ROYAL LePAGE Gale Real Estate or call 613-269-4256.

Horizon Club annual Christmas Luncheon will also be held at the Burritt’s Rapids Community Hall at 12 noon. Tickets are $25 each.

Please reserve your ticket by calling Karin at 613-258-2461.

St Michael Catholic High School Annual Christmas Concert, 7 pm.

Admission free, but donations to music department accepted.

Merrickville Christmas Craft Show, at the Merrickville Community Centre, 106 Read St., 10 am to 4 pm. Free admission and parking.

Farmer’s Market, 12 - 4 pm, 200 Sanders Street

ACROSS 1. Not first 5. Yeses 9. Russian parliament 13. Countertenor 14. Demise 16. God of love 17. Average 18. Roam 19. Applaud 20. Start 22. Pursuits 24. Prima donna problems 26. Egyptian peninsula 27. Reddish purple 30. Tent fabric 33. Mystical 35. Tidy 37. "Eureka!"

Weekly and recurring events Tues

Wed

Thurs

Sat

M,W,F

The Voice of North Grenville

BNI Networking Group Breakfast, Grenville Mutual Insurance Building, 380 Colonnade Drive, 7- 8:30 am. Call 613-918-0430 for more information.

Bridge- St. John’s United Church, 12:15 pm. Cost $4. "All levels of bridge players welcome. "Info, contact Sandra at 613-258-2691.

The Branch Artisans Guild, North Grenville Community Church, 2659 Concession Street every 3rd Tuesday, 7 pm. New members welcomed!

NG Photography Club - first Wed. of every month from 7-9 pm at the Auditorium of the Municipal Centre. Check our website for more information on outings and upcoming events. ngphotoclub.ca Klub 67 Euchre every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 1:15 pm.

St. John's United Church downstairs. Everyone welcome, $5.00.

Bingo- First and third Wednesday of the month, Kemptville Legion.

Games start at 1 pm. All welcome. Refreshments available.

Klub 67 Euchre every second and fourth Wed. of the month, 1:15 pm, St. John's United Church downstairs. Everyone welcome, $5.00.

Bridge - St. John’s United Church, 6:45 pm. Cost $5, partner preferred but not necessary. For more info, contact Sandra at 613-258-2691.

North Grenville Toastmasters - Meeting 1st & 3rd Thurs. of the month, 7 pm at O’Farrell’s Financial Services, Cty Rd 44. Info, call 258-7665.

Kemptville Concert Band.7 pm at North Grenville D.H.S. Come join us for a great evening of music. Wind instruments and percussionists of all levels welcome! Contact: dennis843@gmail.com The Kerith Debt Freedom Centre. Confidential coaches will help you get out of debt and stay out of debt. Free, open on the 2nd and 4th Sat. of the month from 9:30-11:30 at the NG Community Church.

Appointments can be made at kdfc.ca or by calling 613-258-4815 x103.

Kemptville Legion breakfast, 8 - 10 am third Saturday of every month. Adults $5.00. Children under 12 $3. All welcome.

Kemptville and Area Walking Group, Municipal Centre - Early birds: 8 am, others 8:30 am. Contact: Eva 258-4487.

38. Decree 41. Tavern 42. Odd-numbered page 45. Renegade 48. Beat 51. Stalemate 52. Devout 54. Tastes 55. Fortitude 59. Crown 62. After-bath powder 63. Incline 65. Norse god 66. District 67. Kids 68. Outlay 69. Anagram of "Loot" 70. Recent events 71. Boats

DOWN 1. Young sheep 2. Away from the wind 3. Pre-car transport 4. This evening 5. Commercials 6. Abominable Snowman 7. Deservedly receives 8. Interference 9. Lead astray 10. Website addresses 11. Protective ditch 12. Vipers 15. Doglike mammal 21. Schnozzola 23. Relative status 25. "Your majesty" 27. Terror 28. Doorkeeper 29. Assist 31. A diplomat 32. Arguments 34. Spy agency 36. Tall woody plant 39. Consumer Price Index 40. Male turkeys 43. Normal 44. Ear-related 46. Expectoration 47. Soup thickener 49. Raise 50. Plain-woven cotton fabric 53. A cloud of fine particles 55. Immediately 56. Tropical tuber 57. Margarine 58. Gush 60. Hazard 61. Picnic insects 64. S

SUDOKU Easy

Medium

Hard

Solution to last week’s Crossword

If you have an event you would like to share please send to editor@ngtimes.ca Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

December 2, 2015

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The North Grenville Times

CLASSIFIEDS

First 10 words are FREE for North Grenville and Merrickville/Wolford Residents.

Extra Words: 50 cents a word. Email production@ngtimes.ca SERVICES Frame Local!

Country Ways Custom Picture framing 613.322.6484 dam5@bell.net Snowplowing: Residential Driveways Call Robert Leach for estimate 613.222.2292 Dance classes for adults & seniors. Line, Jazz, Tap, Aerobics, Ballroom. The workshop Dance Studio 215 Sanders St. 613.868.9062 Hosting a Christmas event?

The Burritt’s Rapids Community Hall is decorated & fully equipped facility for families, teams or businesses. Starting at $55.00 for 4 hours. Contact Jeff 258.1014 NO TIME TO COOK? We’ll take care of it! Homemade frozen meals; lunch & family sizes, muffins, soups, dessets and more! For more information go to www.lamyriade.ca.

WELLNESS THROUGH NUTRITION Coaching Carol Pillar, R.H.N. Wholesumapproach.com 613.258.7133 Stucco & Parging Services, also specializing in repointing & chinking. Free estimates. cedarrockcontracting@gmail.com 613.818.5187 HOUSEWORK Need Help?

I’m your gal. Will also clean litter and walk dog. Cindy 613.258.1568 SNOW REMOVAL: stairs, walkways, small driveways, roofs. Call Al 613.258.3847 or 613.295.0300 REGAL GIFTS, call or email for Christmas Catalogue 613.258.5558 gilliantrojan@ gmail.com Call Cinderella to look after your Alzhiemer or Parkinson loved one 613.859.4644 Music Instruction, guitar, banjo, ukulele, group singing and more. Your place or mine.

613.720.3531 Certified Packer can help you prepare for your move. Cinderella 613.859.4644 PIANO LESSONS for everyone. All styles, all ages. 613 324.0382 www.kemptvillemusic.com

SEWING: Weddings to alterations at Stonehouse sewing.

Call Sharon 613 224 3182

will walk your dog. Call 613 258 1568.

good running order. $400.

613.258.6254

Rural Home Care servicesAffordable, personal, professional & experienced care for your loved one. 613.868.0356

FOR RENT

Canon Rebel XT $99.00 ve3mhm@sympatico.ca

FREE DRUM LESSON!!!

Professional drummer offering FREE trial lessons...no obligation! 613 298 5913 www.drumhead.ca HANDY MAN specializing in renovations & house staging.

We do it all CALL 613.294.2416 MESS “S.O.S.!” sarahlystiuk@gmail.com Free monthly articles straight to your inbox!

You Name It, I Can Sew It. Call Rhonda at 258-5248 NEED A NEW ROOF? GOT A LEAKY ROOF? Over 15 yrs owner/operator, subcontracting.

Free estimates Work Guaranteed call 613 294 2416

2005 Red Impala, new brakes rotors $2,500.00 Don 613.808.4725/613.258.6413

One bedroom Apt. in town.

NO stairs. $750. plus utilities 613.258.4741

2011 John Deer Tractor JD 2720 Tractor, JD 46 Backhoe with 16 & 9 buckets, JD 200CX front end loader. Used only 123 hours for personal landscaping, no winters. Asking $27,500.00 or OBO. 613.215.0674

Commercial space for rent 513-b Prescott St. All Inclusive $750/month, Available Oct. 1 613.794.3551 Old Town Kempville 10 Prescott Street Commercial retail space 690 sq. ft. available Imm. 613.295.0552 2 bdrm, 218 Prescott, quiet bldg, no smoking, incl. parking, heat, hydro and water. Sept. 1, $1250. Call 258 0849

2005 Impala as is $2500 Don 613.808.4725/613.258.6413

Quality Grass Horse Hay 4x5 rounds Jon 613.227.3650 Washer & Drywer matched set, fridge white, clean $110.00 pair 613.869.8759 Firewood-Hardwood cut, split and delivered, $100/cord, Min. 3 chords. Call Peter at 258-5504 or 613-913-0810

MR & MRS CLEAN residential/ commercial cleaning. Mrandmrsclean613@gmail.com, 613867-2184

Old Town Kemptville, 113 Prescott st. Commercial retail space, 1,878 sq. ft. avail. imm.

613.295.0552

HOUSECLEANING- Every working Mother and Father needs a House Wife. Sandi 613-2197277

Old Town Kemptville 28 Clothier St. Commercial retail space 650 sq. ft. avail Oct 1st 613.295.0552

Firewood-Mixed hardwood $100 per cord delivered. Call John at 613-227-3650

Fencing and Deck Specialist, Renovations 20 yrs experience Brian 613 215 0805

Renovated Ground Floor Office 1,900 sqft, 200 Sanders St. Kemptville 613.795.2389

HELP WANTED

Property clean-up, trees/brush/yard waste, scrap metal, dump runs, anything removed. Call Wayne Scott at 613 286 9072

One Bdrm Apartment, No Pets, NON SMOKING, $700 + utilities 613 220 5014

Complete Home Property Clean up: house cleaning, dump runs, etc. Call Al’s Clean up services 613.258.3847 613.295.0300 Rock My House music lessons in fiddle, piano, drums and more. 613 258 5656 Handyman/Contractor with years of experience. No job too big or small. Unlimited references, call for free estimate 613.791.8597 YOGA for everyone. Wed and Thurs., at YIG. Call 258-9902 AVON. Are you looking for Avon products, call Joan- 613-2587644 Cindy’s House Cleaning.

Need help? I’m your gal. Also

December 2, 2015

Hall Basement Studio for rent. Great location for an office, studio or small classroom. $200 per month, inclusive. Contact Inge at 613.269.2850

Kemptville, 512 Clothier, 2 bedroom apartment in a seniors building, $863 + utilities, no smoking, no pets. 613 294 6819 2 bdr upper level of duplex in downtown Kemptville, 4 appliances/parking/water incl Call 613 296 5906

WANTED Senior needs old car batteries for making weights. Call 613 258 6254

FOR SALE Nordic wood stove, used one season, good for small area.

Asking $550. 258.1246 Electric wheel chair, Model stormtdx4 invacare. In

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Firewood-Mixed hardwood $100 per cord delivered. Call Charlie at 613-989-2768.

Laborer needed, for construction company Driver’s licence not required, Residents of Kemptville Only Call 613-894-5210”Y

The North Grenville Times is available in Oxford Mills at Olde Porch Primitives 9 Water Street and the Brigadoon Restaurant For Advertising rates please contact Gord at gord@ngtimes.ca or call 613 258 6402

The Voice of North Grenville

Notice to Creditors All persons having claims against the Estate of Joan Mabel Makinson, late of the Municipality of North Grenville, in the County of Leeds and Grenville, who died on or about the 9th day of October, 2015, must be filed with the undersigned Estate Trustee on or before the 31st day of December, 2015, thereafter, the undersigned will distribute the assets of the said estate having regard only to the claims then filed.

Dated at Kemptville, Ontario this 18th day of Novemeber, 2015.

Linda McNally, Estate Trustee, by its Solicitor, The Law Office of Connie Lamble, 222 Prescott Street, P.O. Box 1280, Kemptville, Ontario, K0G 1J0. Attn: Connie Lamble. 613.258.0038

HELP WANTED-PART TIME the Merrickville-Wolford

TIMES

ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE Servicing Merrickville-Wolford Enjoy meeting people and have a flair for sales?

Then we would love to hear from you.

Could be ideal for retired person or stay at home mom or dad.

Please send resume to editor@ngtimes.ca

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Deputy Treasurer/ Financial Analyst The Municipality of North Grenville is accepting resumes from interested and qualified candidates for the position of Deputy Treasurer/Financial Analyst.

A complete job description and information regarding salary is available at www.northgrenville.ca/employment.cfm.

Your resume and references must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. Wednesday December 9th , 2015 to: Christa Stewart, EA/HR Coordinator Municipality of North Grenville 285 County Road 44, Box 130, Kemptville ON K0G 1J0 Telephone: 613-258-9569 x 155 Fax: 613-258-9620 e-mail: cstewart@northgrenville.on.ca The Municipality of North Grenville is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates to be interviewed will be contacted. Personal information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001 and in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act will only be used for candidate selection.

TAKING PART IN OUR COMMUNITY

LIVING/VOLUNTEERING/SHOPPING/REPORTING/SPONSORING

KEMPTVILLE COMPUTERS REPAIRS, UPGRADES, VIRUS REMOVAL, NETWORKING & MORE! WE FIX IT, OR YOU DON’T PAY! (613) 218 5322 WWW.KEMPTVILLECOMPUTERS.COM

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The North Grenville Times Merrickville/Wolford Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Reaching by direct mail 9,000 homes and businesses in Merrickville/Wolford and North Grenville

the Merrickville-Wolford Vol. 1, No.4

TIMES The Voice of Merrickville/Wolford

Merrickville’s Library Treasure

by Hilary Thomson Tucked away at the end of Main Street, next to the Rideau River in Merrickville, stands the quaint little cottage that houses the Merrickville Public Library.

Donated in 2008 by the Lions Club, the house is full of rows of books as wells as movies, games and computer stations, and decorated by children and community art pieces.

The most important fixture of the library is not the shelves of books, or the child-made dragon that hangs from the ceiling, it’s the passionate and hardworking Mary Kate Laphen, the longtime CEO and Librarian of the Merrickville Public Library.

Originally from Smith Falls, Mary Kate went to

the University of Toronto to obtain her Masters degree in Library Science.

She didn’t always know she wanted to work in a public library, but, after getting a job in one, she realized how much she enjoyed it. In 1994 she got the job as the librarian and CEO in Merrickville and has lived here ever since.

Over her 21 years as the librarian, the library has changed a lot. “When I started, there wasn’t even any computers in the library. There was a photocopier, a rotary dial phone and an electronic typewriter, and that was the extent of the technology,” she says. With her hard work and commitment to keeping things current, the library now has eight public use computers (and one for the little kids), free wifi, a fully functioning website

and online catalogue, and a large collection of e-books.

While a library will always be centred around books, it is also about the help, services, information and programs it offers.

“We’re a recreational place where you don’t have to sweat,” says Mary Kate.

“A playground for your mind.”

The library offers many programs and services for grown-ups and kids alike.

Mary Kate runs story time every Friday morning for young children, as well as a program called “Off The Shelf” for the adults, where a different person reads an excerpt from a short story or book every month. They also have a large meeting room that is available for any community group to use. Once a month, Mary Kate shows movies that are projected onto the wall cre-

ating a big screen, movie theatre-like feel.

Although the library can always come up with new programming, Mary Kate says they would like to hear from the community about what they want.

“We’re really interested in getting more community led programming in the library,” she says. “We’re all about the community hub.”

Mary Kate is truly a jack of all trades when it comes to running the library. She creates and runs programming, orders

December 2, 2015

and shelves books, looks after the finances and mans the front desk. She is the CEO and she takes out the garbage. “It never gets boring,” she says, smiling.

A year and a half ago, the library was able to hire a part-time person which helped them expand their hours.

Her favourite part about her multifaceted job is helping people find the information they need, or a book that they will enjoy reading. “ You’re making people’s lives better in small ways,” she says.

“What’s not to love about a job like that?”

Mary Kate’s passion for what she does comes out in every aspect of the Library.

It is small, vibrant and full of life. Just like her.

If you have any questions, feedback or ideas for programming, feel free to

give Mary Kate a call at 613-269-3326 or visit the library’s website.

Christmas in Merrickville Christmas in Merrickville is Saturday, December 5, 2015.

This much anticipated event features a variety of day long activities and events for young and old!

Christmas in Merrickville kicks off the holiday season and is a fund raising event for local charities!

There will be lots for you to see and enjoy.

Come one and all!

KEMPTVILLE PHYSIOTHERAPY CENTRE

2868 COUNTY ROAD 43, KEMPTVILLE, ON 613.258.7661 / KEMPTVILLEPHYSIO.COM

s e c i g r P t Bes Framin Canal Gallery & Frame Shop for 230 St Lawrence Street Merrickville

December 2, 2015

613-701-0462 17

ted@canalgallery.com www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Waste and recycling survey received

by David Shanahan The Merrickville-Wolford Council received the results of the recent survey on whether waste and recycling collection should be extended to the rural areas of the municipality. At present, residents in the rural area must bring their own garbage and recycling to the landfill site, which is open between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday at 3512 County Road 16.

This has not always been convenient for some residents, especially those who work outside the municipality and find the dump closed by the time they get home at night. This leaves only Saturdays, and garbage disposal is not always high on people’s agendas on the weekend.

In response to an invitation to express their opinion

on the idea of extending garbage collection to the rural parts of the municipality, fifty-two e-mailed responses were received, equally divided, according to the report to Council, between those in favour and those opposed to the proposal. Four of the e-mails were unclear as to which side the residents took on the issue.

Those who are against the idea believed, among other considerations, that cost was a prohibiting factor. One person noted that not everyone needed garbage collection every week, but any program would probably be operating on a weekly pick-up schedule.

A pick-up every two weeks, or even monthly, might be more efficient.

Another opponent believed that having to make a trip to the landfill gave people an incentive to man-

age garbage by providing incentives to re-use, recycle and compost, instead of simply putting everything in the garbage bin. In addition, the weekly, or regular trip to the landfill could be combined with shopping, a bonus for Merrickville businesses.

People objected to what they saw as a tax-grab, already upset that, having paid taxes for municipal services, they then had to pay for garbage tags. The point was also made by a number of respondents that a local business already collects garbage from rural residents for a reasonable rate, employing local people. Those who wish to pay for collection already have that option, and, regarding the current system, one respondent noted: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

Concern was also expressed for seniors living in

rural areas who might have to drag their garbage bins down long driveways in the winter in order to have it picked up by the municipality. At present, residents are asked that garbage & recycling be at curbside by 7a.m.

Those who favoured the expansion of the system to rural areas provided different arguments. Some were recent arrivals who found it difficult to believe they were paying such high taxes and getting no services. Given that tags cost 75¢ per bag, and private contractor costs were $5.25 per week, one resident calculated that the annual expense was about $273 for them. This was hard on those with fixed or low incomes, and unfair, given that they were already paying high taxes for municipal services. Others found that transporting garbage in the family car was unpleasant

and inconvenient.

Significantly, most of those who were in favour of the proposal were also opposed to any tax increase to pay for it. A number of these believed current taxes should cover the extra costs, if only by finding savings in other areas of the municipal budget.

Others only supported the plan if no tax increase whatever was involved, whereas a few were prepared to pay a higher tag price, if necessary.

In fact, once the responses are analysed closely, the initial report that opinion is equally divided on the issue seems inaccurate. Those who are opposed are quite clear about why; those who are in favour are far more ambivalent and impose definite conditions on their approval of any change in the current system of collecting and disposing of their garbage.

Mayor David Nash: the first year’s challenges

The Merrickville-Wolford Council has just finished the first year of its four-year term. As Mayor, I’m enjoying it. I’m finding it a lot busier than I ever thought it would be and it certainly brings some different challenges to life and that makes it interesting too. Clearly, Council is still going through a period of adjustment, of getting used to each other. We have a lot of good skill sets on council going through that time to coalesce. Staff have to get used to working with someone else. But if you try to treat people with dignity and respect as you go through that stage, then the end result should be a stronger team.

I think our first challenge, just because of the time of year when we came in, was the budget; because we had been four years without a Treasurer. We had somebody who came in as a term appointment for the last period of the year; but basically the data entry was beDecember 2, 2015

ing done by different people, with no consistency because they were not trained to do that job. We really hurt ourselves by operating for that long without a Treasurer.

Now we have an excellent Treasurer and we’re in a much better position for this year’s budget. He has started putting out some great reports and we’re starting our budget discussions over the next few weeks. We’re hoping to have it completed by the end of February.

Last year, it was May before we had a budget, which created problems for us, because we were forced into having to make decisions in order to get budget information in. We would like to have had more time to research that, so we had to make some quick decisions.

This year we’re much better prepared for it. One of the other problems it created for us last year was to do with the water/sewer rate.

Each year there’s been an increase in the rate, that

was approved by a previous Council, which takes effect on January 1. But when the budget was only approved in May, people started getting back-dated bills, and we had a lot of upset residents because of that. And I don’t blame them.

Our job is to keep residents as well informed as possible, and we’ve already had a couple of meetings to talk about the angled parking issue. As soon as people become aware of what is happening in the community, then they can start to express an opinion on it. One of the targets our council has to keep in communication with the public and keep them better informed.

We are dealing with cutbacks in provincial funding to municipalities. This year, the cutback was supposed to be 15%, but for some reason they backed off and only cut it by 10%. But it hurts. Consideration in that funding is given to fiscal responsibility, and there’s a rural consideration too, so in some of those areas we may have scored a little higher.

But the end result is still that we’re trying to deal with a lot less money than we used to have. That usually means you either have to reduce the level of services, or you raise taxes to offset it.

The challenge that raises for us is how to manage more effectively, and one of the things we’ve done that I think will help with that is the process we have just begun of installing the

LED lighting. This will reduce our hydro costs by 65%, and our maintenance costs by 80%. It’s decisions like that. Finding different ways of doing things, that I would prefer, rather than going back to the residents and saying we have to raise taxes.

Because, to be perfectly honest, Merrickville-Wolford is one of the highest taxed municipalities in the region, and that concerns us. So we have one of our Councillors studying that right now, working with a resident, to find out why we are so highly-taxed and what we can do to bring that rate more in line.

The other thing we are trying to do is with the water bills. I have asked the Treasurer, during our budget deliberations, to explain the logic that was applied in a previous Council. The way the process was left then was, in order to pay for the $8.1 million new plant, of which we had to pay onethird, we would have to continue to raise our watersewer rates by 10% every year. That’s a very hard hit.

I have had people in my office in tears, saying that they are losing their homes.

They can’t afford to pay the taxes, can’t afford the high water bills. The Treasurer will come back to Council to explain why we’re doing that. Perhaps, I can’t be sure, we’ll find that we can extend the period in which we have to pay that share of the plant costs. That may

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be what it will take to get the rate down from 10% per year to 5%. Anything will help, it gives the taxpayer a bit of a break. Hydro rates are going through the roof, and people are asking: “Do I heat or eat?”. Then they get a water bill and that is backdated to January. We have to find a better way of serving the people.

We’ve been looking at other ways to raise revenue

without adding to taxes. One way was through the installation of solar panels. We’re bringing in about $20,000 a year from the panels we installed at the landfill site and on our Community Centre. We also have the sale of recycled materials from the landfill site, which brings in revenue as well. Basically, the challenge is to keep finding alternate sources of revenue.

CP Holiday Train lights up Merrickville with festive cheer and spirit of giving

by Hilary Thomson Merrickville was packed with people on Sunday evening, all bundled up and eager to welcome the CP Holiday Train. The festive train pulled into town at around 5 pm, a little later than expected.

However, this didn’t deter the crowd from cheering when the middle car opened into a stage containing Kelly Prescott, Devin Cuddy and the Holiday Train band. Kelly and Devin entertained the crowd with holiday classics as well as some original material.

Halfway through the concert, CP employee Steven Noble greeted the crowd, reminding them what the CP

Holiday Train is all about.

The train has raised $10 million and collected 3 million pounds of food for local food banks over its 17 years. He also introduced the Mayor of Merrickville-Wolford, David Nash, who welcomed everyone to Merrickville and thanked the local businesses and volunteers who were involved in making the evening’s festivities a success.

A cheque for $4,000 was presented to the four local food banks that the CP Train is supporting this year: the Merrickville Emergency Food Cupboard, the House of Lazarus in Mountain, South Grenville Food Bank in Prescott and The Client Choice Food Bank in Kemptville. www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

North Dundas Country Christmas Parade of Lights

Explore all Winchester has to offer before the parade.

Fantastic shopping, great food, activities for the kids and much more!

19th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS

Join us for the 19th annual North Dundas Country Christmas Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 5, 2015.

Witness the hospitality of a rural village transformed into a winter wonderland, featuring lights, music, shopping, food, activities and entertainment for the whole family.

Visit with Santa and tell him your wishes Dine at one of the many downtown restaurants or community suppers Stop by a food vendor for a tasty treat and a show Take a stroll downtown and browse the local businesses for all your Christmas shopping needs Stop by the 9th annual Parade of Lights Vendor Fair to browse through an extensive array of gifts, crafts and goodies At 7 pm, watch the 19th annual Parade of Lights.

Warm your hands around the fire at Sweet Cornor Park while roasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate.

Visit the Old Town Hall for FREE Movies after the Parade.

Stop by the Legion for their Parade After Party.

Bring your family and friends and share in the warmth and excitement of the Christmas spirit that will once again be alive in Winchester this December Toy Mountain Donations: Royal LePage Gale Real Estate will be collecting unwrapped toys along the parade route for Toy Mountain and Naomi’s house. Please drop your unwrapped toy into the Big Red Wagon Float as it passes by.

December 2, 2015

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The North Grenville Times

Ann Stewart miniature maker par excellence

The Voice of North Grenville

Star Award to Jim Armour

photo by George Gouthro

by Beth Nicol Long time Merrickville resident, Ann Stewart, doesn’t play with dolls any more.

They never really held her interest for any length of time.

Doll houses, however, are another matter entirely. The intricacies of scale, period architecture, furniture design and construction caught her attention at an early age and with the passing of years, her passion for detail has not diminished.

With a mother who collected salesman samples, china and silver, Ann found inspiration close at hand, treasures enough to start her on road to creating miniatures. Her love of home and family gave direction to many of her labours. Her father’s workshop, basket of replica tools set aside on the floor, woodstove throwing enough

heat to scorch the back wall, was a labour of love. Exact in detail and design. Her first doll house, furniture intact, sits waiting for her attention. A tiny dining room sits close by, its buffet housing china which replicates her family set dating back to the 1850’s and a set of tiny silver pieces created by a Toronto silversmith to reflect her own collection.

Ann’s fascination goes beyond the documentation of family history on display in many of the glass cases.

Research to find the appropriate style of artwork, wall and floor coverings, selection of materials and furnishings keep her challenged. Many of the items in her displays have been constructed from kits; others Ann has designed and constructed on her own.

She does wiring and painting and knitting with embroidery

thread. That and more.

When a passing fancy becomes a passion, it is natural to seek out others with a common interest with whom one can share and learn. The Oxford Mills Miniature Club has been meeting together for about a dozen years.

Members meet once a week, Thursday afternoons, to share information, materials and expertise. Most years at Christmas time, the OMMC donates a finished miniaturized scene to a community group to raffle off to raise funds. In the past, the North Grenville Public Library, LAWS and the St. John’s United Church in Kemptville have benefitted from the club’s efforts and generosity.

Anyone who may want more information about the club or who may be interested in joining can call Ann at 613269-4296.

Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club to support fund for Michelle Brazeau Over the past three months, the communities and businesses of Merrickville-Wolford and North Grenville have shown incredible support for Michelle Brazeau as she battles pancreatic cancer. Her family and friends have worked tirelessly to raise funds on her behalf. Efforts to prolong her life, to investigate ways of supporting her traditional treatments and to ease the stress of financial burdens have been the motivating factors. Words cannot adequately express the gratitude felt by the Brazeau family for the love and commitment demonstrated by so many on their behalf.

Sometimes a little laughter can go a long way towards lightening the mood and easing the stresses of daily life. On Sunday, December 6, your laughter can also lighten Michelle’s load. Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club in Ottawa will be donating the proceeds of all ticket sales that evening to assist the struggling family.

Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club is located at 292 Elgin St. in Ottawa. The doors open at 7 pm and the show begins at 8 pm. Tickets can be acquired by contacting Maggie Neelin at (613) 462-9404 or by email: maggiebrazeau@hotmail.com There will be a few tickets available at the door for last minute walk-ins. The cost of a ticket will be $14.

December 2, 2015

by Roberta Russell At the Annual General meeting of the Friends of the Library on November 28, a Star of the Library Award was presented to Jim Armour, who has been a Chair and member of the North Grenville Library Board for many years, and has played a major role in the development of both the new central Library in Kemptville, and a member of the Friends Board for more than thirteen years.

The presentation to Jim was made by Roberta Russell on behalf of the Friends, and in her remarks, she explained precisely why Jim has been such a valued member over so many years: The North Grenville Public Library has no better Friend than Jim Armour.

He has been a member of Friends of the Library since its beginning 13 1/2 years ago.

I want to take a few minutes to talk about why we value Jim so highly. First, his role as a coach in supporting the growth of our Friends’ group as an effective organization has been very important to us. In the early years, Jim encouraged Friends to play an advocacy role, coaching us, in those early days, on how to be more strategic and, when necessary, political.

Lesson one came when the Municipality threatened to cut the Library budget. In response, Friends circulated a petition which got a lot of

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community support and encouraged the Council to rethink the proposed cut. That early coaching set the tone for a very focused Friends’ group. We developed good work habits from the beginning, thanks to Jim’s help.

With his advice and support, Friends of the Library was instrumental in laying the groundwork for community support of a new library.

Another important quality is his optimism. Through the early, often very challenging years leading up to the Room to Read building project, Jim seemed never to lose faith that it would happen. There is a saying that “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”.

When times were toughest he just worked harder, never running out of ideas. In addition to a capacity for hard work, he could always be counted on to have a funny quip that lifted our spirits.

When roadblocks appeared he used his “never give up”

determination and ingenuity to help us find a way around them.

Jim is a master communicator who has often served as our “wordsmith in residence”. He can always come up with the perfect phrase for dealing with any and all situations. I am sure that you are all familiar with the Fisher sculpture outside the library. The quotation on it is by Voltaire and reads “Let us read and let us dance” and was suggested by Jim. And it is perfect. Many of us are so accustomed to seeking advice from Jim, that a couple of times, as I was putting my notes together for this evening, I thought of calling Jim for advice on wording; but then remembered that, on this occasion, I was on my own.

Finally, he is a team player and consensus builder who despite his own demanding career, has always made himself available whenever Friends needed him.

A lot of what I have to say about Jim is likely to be news to some of you since one of his qualities is his modesty.

Recently I was looking at some pictures I have of various library related events over the years. Jim is usually in the background - except for those occasions when he was dragooned into speaking at some event for one of us who was less comfortable with public speaking. And he always has better lines than any of us.

It is my pleasure to present this year’s Star of the Library award to the very deserving Jim Armour.

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