ND Times Issue 12 2024 June 13

New Dundas Manor a “beehive of activity”

(l-r) Maureen Adams, Chief Administrative Officer; Tony Fraser, Mayor, North Dundas; Jamie MacDonald, Warden, SD&G Counties; Lisa Little, Chair, RHI Board; Nolan Quinn, MPP, Stormont-Dundas-South

Joan Dunlop; Cholly Boland, CEO; Dundas Manor Administrator Susan Poirier; Eric Duncan, MP, Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry; Philippe Marleau, Redevelopment Project Manager; Kristen Casselman, WDMH Foundation Managing Director; and Laurie McElheran, Campaign Co-Chair.

Everyone was happy to don hard hats and work boots today for an inside peek at the new Dundas Manor – including MP Eric Duncan, MPP Nolan Quinn, North Dundas Mayor Tony Fraser and SD&G Warden Jamie MacDonald. Local leaders, staff and volunteers – and resident Joan Dunlop front and centre - suited up to check out the busy construction site.

“It’s a beehive of activity and it’s very exciting,” noted Dundas Manor Administrator Susan Poirier. “We are so proud to show off the new Dundas Manor to our community – even at this

early stage of construction.”

Positive comments about the size of the new building and the speed of construction were heard throughout the quick tour as Redevelopment Project Manager Phil Marleau provided an update on the project.

The new Dundas Manor will be more than double the size of the current home. Thirty additional residents will be welcomed. There will be four resident home areas called Homesteads. Each one will have a wonderful gathering space as well as beautiful outdoor gardens nearby. Hallway dining will be a thing of the

past as there will be four large, bright dining rooms with enough space for everyone. Rooms in the new home will be larger – and everyone will have a window.

“The project is on budget and actually slightly ahead of schedule,” added CEO Cholly Boland. “And the WDMH Foundation continues to lead the fundraising efforts right alongside the construction work. We are grateful to everyone in the community who is supporting the campaign to build the new Dundas Manor. We know we can do it together!”

The total cost of the new home is $63 million. The

Ministry of Long-Term Care is providing $45 million. To date, more than $13.3 of the $18 million campaign goal has been given by our generous community. Thank you!

If you have questions about the new Dundas Manor building, please contact Phil Marleau at phil.marleau@dundasmanor.ca or 613-774-2422 ext. 6341.

For more information on the fundraising campaign to build the new Dundas Manor, please visit www.dundasmanordream.

ca. This website also includes resident and donor profiles as well as photos of the new home.

Glengarry; Resident

“The Curious Savage” results in large donation

On April 20th, Ethel Savage and her eclectic cast of characters took the Old Town Hall audience in Winchester on a ride of entertaining discovery. And a fun time was had by all! It was all part of the Dundas County Players latest play – “The Curious Savage” –with this particular night devoted to raising funds

for the new Dundas Manor. By the end of the evening, $1,730 had been raised!

“We are so grateful to the Dundas CountyPlayers for hosting this special night for health care close to home,” says Campaign Assistant Cindy Ault Peters. “The play was hilarious, and the cast did an excellent job bringing the story to life – showing

that the kindness of one person can make a difference in bringing dreams to reality – just like our donors are making the dream of a new home come true!”

And more good news! The theatre group plans to donate the proceeds from one night of their show in November as well. We can’t wait to be there!

For more details about the Dundas Manor campaign, please visit www. dundasmanordream.ca or contact the WDMH Foundation team at 613-7742422 ext. 6169. To chat about fundraising events for Dundas Manor, please contact Cindy Ault Peters at 343-572-6345 or cpeters@wdmh.on.ca

Man’s quest for self fuels artistry

by North Dundas Arts Council

Joshua Hayward is an interesting kind of ArtistDad with a unique story to tell. Originally from the East Coast, his early life and youth were spent mostly on the prairies, where he met his spouse. Soon after, they adopted three young children and Hayward became a stay-at-home father for the next several years. Today he makes his home in Winchester with his spouse, two doggos, an extended chosen family, and whichever of their now-adult children needs shelter!

Joshua Hayward has always loved art and music and it’s in his genes. His father was a semi-pro guitarist who played in blues/ rock/country bands. When young Joshua’s chubby little fingers wouldn’t wrap well around six-string guitars, he quickly moved on to four-stringed instruments and learned to play violin,

bass and mandolin. His favourite to this day is the ukulele, and his collection is extensive! His Mom was a gifted painter and a poet who volunteered as a tour guide at the local art gallery. “So I was exposed to many styles of art in my youth,” Hayward says, describing his personal style as “somewhat abstract impressionism.”

“My art is a reflection of my life – intricate, chaotic, unpredictable, and not confined to boundaries,” the Winchester Artist explains. “I believe art, like life, should be centered around the process. It's in the act of creation where the true essence of self lives, not in the final outcome. I see Art as a verb. It’s about finding a piece of one's self,” the busy father and friend of many says.

Being a stay-at-home parent has rekindled many a forgotten Artist and Joshua Hayward is no exception. “After a long period of not

making art, I’ve been inspired and encouraged by the lovely people who surround me to find what brings me joy. This is actually my first public showing, other than what I've posted on social media on @applesauce1972.”

Visitors to Winchester Library can view Joshua Hayward’s compelling mixed media/collage “obsession” as part of SDG Library and NDAC’s ‘Art in the Branches’ series, on display later this month and through July. Artists of all ages and stages – including say-at-home Dads and Moms! – are encouraged to message North Dundas Arts Council on its Facebook page, or by contacting Ann at northdundasartscouncil@ yahoo.ca to find out how they can participate in this free exhibit service. Be inspired by Joshua Hayward’s art and share your creations!

Ormond

Cemetery Memorial Service

613.223.9765 theloftynest.ca

June 23, 2024 @ 7:oopm. Location: Harmony Community Church, 12010 Ormond Rd, Winchester, ON. Message and music by Reverend Ernie Cox and his wife Lynda ormondcemetery@gmail. com

Spencerville Agricultural Society planning general meetings. If you are interested in joining our committee, please email info@spencervillefair.ca to receive all of the meeting details. Jul 8, Aug 12, Oct 21, Nov 11. The Drummond Building, 22 Ryan Street, Spencerville Ontario

Parents unsure of where to turn amid childcare heat concerns

by Brandon Mayer

Several parents who have children at the Happyface childcare location in Winchester were unsure of who to contact last week to express their concerns about broken air conditioning at the location. The newly constructed addition to Winchester Public School has air conditioning – unlike the rest of the building – but it stopped working early last week.

One parent - Michael Lombardi – was particularly frustrated. He told the Times that on one of the days last week, the indoor temperature was recorded at 29 degrees Celsius. He feels that this is a serious issue, calling it a “health and welfare crisis” for the infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who receive childcare at the location.

But to whom can parents turn? The legislation that governs childcare in Ontario does not require childcare

centres to be air conditioned. In fact, although centres are legally required to be kept at a minimum indoor temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, there is no specified maximum temperature. Other childcare sites and public schools – including the rest of the Winchester Public School building –routinely operate without A/C, much to the dismay of children, staff, and parents alike. Michael asserts that with the younger age group being served at Happyface, common sense must prevail.

Parents report that an email sent last week identified ways that staff are attempting to remedy the situation, though the parents assert it was them who donated items such as portable fans. Parents also report that phone calls made to the Upper Canada District School Board and the Government of Ontario went unanswered, or failed to produce results. With some parents making reports of heatstroke and

Federal offender wanted

The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad is requesting the public's assistance in locating a federal offender wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant as a result of a breach of their Statutory Release.

Tyrell PIERCEY is described as a black male, 29-years-old, 5'9" (180 cm), 180 lbs (82 kgs) with black hair and brown eyes. He has "TTDT" tattooed on his right forearm.

PIERCEY is serving a 4-year, 9-month and 17day sentence for:

- Possession of Prohibited / Restricted Firearm with Ammunition

- Assault Peace Officer

- Possess Firearm Knowing Altered / Defaced

- Possession of Weapon Contrary to Prohibition Order

The offender is known to frequent the Cities of Scarborough, Toronto, Kingston and Ottawa.

Anyone having contact with this offender or information in regards to their whereabouts is asked to contact the Provincial R.O.P.E. Squad at 416-808-5900 or toll free at 1-866-870-7673 (ROPE) or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or call 9-1-1.

fevers, and Michael’s own baby going home every night last week inexplicably screaming after a day in the heat, parents simply didn’t know where to turn, or whose responsibility it was to get the A/C fixed as quickly as possible.

“It is the responsibility of the childcare centre or the school board to rent portable A/C units, because this is a health and safety issue,” said Michael. However, school board policy generally doesn’t allow portable A/C units in its schools, due to concerns over the capacity of older buildings to handle the electrical load. Limited exceptions are made in the summer months, but its not likely that Happyface personnel were authorized to do so in this case.

All problems have an eventual solution. Last week, it seemed all parents could do was hope that the A/C would be turned back on sooner rather than later.

Winchester Subway location closes

The Subway restaurant located inside the Circle K convenience store in Winchester has closed. The location served its last customers on June 9. A sign beside the door of Circle K broke the news to customers, reading: “This Subway location will be closed permanently as of June 9th at 10pm. We thank you for your patronage over the years.”

While there was no specific reason given for the closure, Winchester has simply become the latest in a long list of Subway franchise locations that have shut down in the past several years, owing to financial and management struggles. The American-based chain was purchased by Roark Capital in August of 2023, with an operational strategy in place. It seems that the strategy was not enough to save North Dundas’ only location of the franchise.

Insurance claim finally approved for HOL fire

Following the fire that destroyed the interior of the House of Lazarus Food Bank in South Mountain on April 25, 2023, the insurance claim has finally been approved. For more than a year, the House of Lazarus has been operating out of a temporary location in Mountain, generously provided by Willis Kerr Contracting. Even in the days immediately following the fire – which took place in the organization’s Food Bank located in the former Scotiabank building – House of Lazarus was still providing food to those in need, operating out of the agricultural hall down the street.

The insurance money will provide a fresh start for the House of Lazarus Food Bank. “It has been a year since the fire in South Mountain happened. We are happy that we have worked through the insurance process and are now ready to pursue a permanent location for our food bank", said Cathy Ashby, executive director of House of Lazarus.

The organization will not return to the former location, and the Board of Directors are actively pursuing next steps. It is unclear what will become of the burned building, which is still standing and appears structurally sound, though with a badly burned interior.

House of Lazarus is a non-profit organization that works with the community to ensure that people have the basics of life. It operates a large boutique and thrift store in Mountain, a Food Bank elsewhere in Mountain (new location to be determined), and a thrift store and Food Cupboard in Ingleside. For more information, visit hol.community

Dog park in Chesterville approved

Regular Council update by

Brandon Mayer

The relatively short June meeting of North Dundas Council on June 6 opened with an acknowledgement of the anniversary of DDay. Council then jumped right into business, ratifying agreements with the municipalities of both North Stormont and South Dundas to accept household hazardous waste from residents of those municipalities on designated days. Council agreed to the agreement, which is expected to operate on a cost recovery basis (net zero cost to North Dundas taxpayers).

Council next discussed the previously proposed Dog Park in Chesterville. The volunteer group that has been pushing for the new park asked Council to officially designate the Township owned lands for a Dog Park, and after clarifying the Environmental Services stipulation that no digging can take place on the property, Council approved the motion.

Council then dealt with items of business related to Township facilities, including repairs completed to patch some leaks in the Chesterville public pool. Both public pools in North

Dundas – in Chesterville and Winchester – are in need of ongoing maintenance, though Council heard on June 6 that “things are not in dire straights” with the pools, with maintenance planned or underway, and both pools expected to operate as normal this year.

Members of Council next had to consider – in advance

of a potential County Official Plan amendment on June 17 – whether to recommend changes to the severances policy as it applies locally. Currently, rural lots that have existed in North Dundas since at least August 18, 2006 are eligible for two consents (severances) when “a plan of subdivision of the land is not necessary for proper and orderly development”. Council unanimously rejected resetting the eligibility date to January 1, 2024. Much fruitful discussion took place throughout the meeting, with none of the drama from last meeting. The June 6 meeting was a short one, lasting just over an hour.

Set up to fail

by Brandon Mayer

It’s that time of year again – temperatures are on the rise, and schools not built within the last 10 years or so become ovens all day long due to a lack of air conditioning. Many people (particularly those without kids in school) will be shocked to learn that less than half of schools in Ontario have A/C. It’s an unacceptable problem that warrants an expedited solution.

Temperatures in schools this time of year routinely hit 30+ degrees Celsius (indoors!). Factor in some humidity, and it doesn’t take long before you have a classroom full of kids with a glaze of sweat dripping from every face. The environment is not just extremely uncomfortable, it also causes a lack of focus, dizziness, and extreme fatigue. It’s, quite simply, intolerable. When temperatures become so extreme inside schools, the focus becomes on preventing heat exhaustion and dealing with troublesome behaviours that result from heat related stress. Teaching and learn-

ing, by necessity, become a secondary focus. We must remember that children do not have fully developed sweat glands and are more prone to heat related illness. They also cannot always express when they are experiencing concerning symptoms.

I challenge anyone to name a government building in this province that doesn’t have A/C keeping the environment at a comfortable temperature in the hotter months. Most private workplaces are the same. Retail stores can be quite frigid – a welcome break for vulnerable people who don’t have A/C at home. Once a luxury, A/C is increasingly being seen as a necessity as global temperatures rise. In decades past, it may have been felt that schools didn’t need A/C because school is not in session in July or August. Now, however, school buildings become intolerably hot as early as May, and as late as October. It’s also noteworthy that custodians and some school admin workers are on site during the summer, and schools often have community groups in the summer, such as camps and

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

The claim reported by Dr Gifford-Jones in his column last week that "natural remedies never killed anyone" is so wide of the mark it must be addressed.

The first principle that anyone involved with prescribing or dispensing medicines of any kind should grasp is "the dose makes the poison". This applies to any substance one can think of, including oxygen and water.

The potential adverse effects of pharmaceuticals are thoroughly documented, and many pharmaceuticals are derived from natural products - aspirin from willow bark or morphine from opium poppies are just two widely known examples. There are many natural remedies that are highly

toxic and require extreme caution in using, such as digitalis, paclitaxel, colchicine, or aconite. Famously, Socrates was executed in 399 BCE using hemlock.

One of the difficulties inherent in using natural products is the variation between different batches of product.

The good doctor also reports claims about enormous doses of vitamin C, even saying it can be used to treat snake bites or life threatening infections. There is some limited, low quality evidence that vitamin C may have a role as an adjunct to more conventional treatment but much more research is needed. High dose IV vitamin C can cause kidney failure, kidney stones, iron overload, and digestive side effects.

Nature has created some

extracurricular sports.

The fact that newer schools are being built with A/C is a wide open acknowledgment of the fact that there is no reason for one of our most vulnerable populations (children) to be suffering all day in unsafe temperature conditions while much less vulnerable adults across the country are working comfortably in a climate controlled environment. Yes, I fully acknowledge that many adults work outdoors in even hotter conditions or direct sunlight; but what we are expecting children to do at school is sit quietly and focus – a tricky task, even in comfortable conditions. They are not as accustomed to heat as adults are. They do not sweat as much, or regulate their temperature as efficiently as adults do. And with underdeveloped brains and natural childhood impulsiveness, they are bound to act out and do anything but learn when put in that type of environment. It occurred to me, while sitting at my desk in a 30.3 degree Celsius, 42% humidity classroom recently, sweat literally hitting me on the shoulders as it dripped from my head and face, that

amazing chemistry and an unknowable number of pharmacologically active compounds. But the claim that natural remedies are inherently safe is a dangerous fallacy.

Steve Gabell, RPh, MPharm (Hons), MRPharmS

Dear Editor,

It would seem to be of more importance to make sure that people have easy access to alcohol, which will be much more available in grocery stores and numerous other places. At the same time, the hospitals everywhere are overwhelmed, to say the least.

Also people who are caught impaired while driving will lose their licences. Rightly so, but do they need this encouragement of hav-

things would change quickly if the Education Minister or Premier Doug Ford had to spend their whole work day thinking and focusing and being productive at that same desk. Politicians used to care enough to get out and actually see and hear and feel the issues for themselves. This is what drives good policy. Certainly some politicians still have such integrity, but, for too many, it unfortunately seems that “out of sight, out of mind” prevails. The excuses are there: “It’s probably not too bad”, or “it’s not much hotter inside than it is outside”, or “we didn’t have A/C in school when we were kids and we lived”. All easy to say when you are the one inside an air conditioned office. Any excuse to save some money while the kids and school staff have to live through exhausting conditions every day.

An organization called Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) has a useful tool offered through its website that calculates the humidex based on temperature and humidity. It turns out that 30.3 degrees Celsius with 42% humidity “feels like” 35 degrees Celsius. This

ing alcohol so very available in most locations? Also, the speed limit is increased on the “big” highways. Faster speeds mostly equal more deaths, if there is a crash. Is this disputable? Add a little, or a lot, of alcohol to this equation.

Oh yes, “Buck a Beer”. Another encouragement. Ask the people who help people with addictions, and if they think this all helps in their efforts.

Kath Piché

Dear Editor,

I'm sure I can remember Steve Clark praising Premier Ford for being "open and transparent" during the 2022 provincial election. The recent revelations that Ford's chief of staff used his personal email and phone to conduct govern-

is because when the air becomes more saturated with moisture (humidity), there is less room in the air for the sweat on our bodies (our main cooling system) to evaporate, making us feel hotter. The OHCOW suggests the following for adult workers in 35 Celsius humidex conditions: “Post Heat Stress Warning notice; notify workers that they need to drink extra water; ensure workers are trained to recognize symptoms”. Unfortunately, 4 and 5 year old kindergarten children are hard to “train to recognize symptoms”, and they also become irrational and fuss about something as simple as drinking water when they’re in an extremely uncomfortable environment. Some older students may have difficulty with both of these things as well, and, regardless, all are vulnerable.

Schools are about success, and yet, with the province’s archaic anti-A/C policies, all we are doing is guaranteeing that 3-5 months per year, students are set up to fail. We put them in an environment where they can’t think, and expect them to learn.

Let me be perfectly

ment business are simply more examples of the closed and opaque nature of the Ford government. There are information and privacy rules to ensure that our governments make transparent decisions that leave them accountable to the people of this province. This is a flagrant disregard for the rules and shows utter contempt for the people of Ontario.

clear: Your child’s teachers are not to blame for this. Your child’s Principal is not to blame for this. The school board that runs your child’s school is not to blame for this, nor are the administrative professionals that run the school board. All school funding comes from the province, and with the budgets that school boards receive, there is absolutely no way they could ever afford to install A/C. The decision would need to come from the provincial government to provide the extra funding required to make the upgrades.

I’ll say it louder for those in the back: Don’t harass your child’s principal, or call the school board head office to complain about a lack of A/C. That’s just like yelling at a fast food cashier because you don’t think the prices are fair. Have your say by contacting your local MPP or the Premier’s office and demanding change. It would be a gradual and very expensive process, but let’s face it – our children and the quality of their education are more than worth it.

Premier Ford's chief of staff should be removed from his post immediately. This kind of shady behaviour has no place in our politics, but it seems to be the modus operandi of the Ford government. Steve Gabell

Join WDMH for Family Fun Day!

Rumour has it that Dunwin, our favourite elephant, might be coming to the WDMH Foundation Family Fun Day on Saturday, June 22! And we’ve also heard that our friends at the Dundas County Dairy Producers may be bringing Maple the Cow along! Now, we just hope you and your family will join them!

Everyone is welcome at this family event taking place from 10am to 2pm at 100 Club Park in Winchester (577 Main Street West). The Family Fun Day will include games for all ages including giant lawn games, door prizes, free hot dogs and ice cream (while quantities last), a 50/50 raffle and more.

“This is a fun, free family event and we hope everyone will stop by,” says Justine Plummer, Manager of Direct Mail & Events at the WDMH Foundation. “It’s our chance to say thank you to our wonderful community – for your support and your commitment to health care close to home.”

The event will take place rain or shine so please dress accordingly.

Thank you to the many sponsors who are helping to make this event possible.

Dundas Dairy 4-H Club report

by Kaylee Daines

On Monday May 20, Dundas Dairy 4-H Club held its second meeting at the Schuler's farm from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. We started the meeting with our pledge, and then the Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting and did roll call with a

Cory M. Coons celebrates a decade of music

Acclaimed South Mountain singer-songwriter, Cory M. Coons is thrilled to announce the special edition release of his retrospective album, "Across The Great Divide (Album Cuts & Singles 2012-2022)." This unique digital collection, featuring a brand new, unreleased track and downloadable PDF booklet, is a journey through a decade of Cory's finest musical moments and is now available exclusively on his website at http://www.corymcoons.com/pdfrelease.html followed by a release on iTunes.

question asking “Have you picked your calf?” Then leader Kelly listed all the shows we can attend this year and discussed a little about them; we also discussed team selections for Metcalfe and the Royal. Taylor M the gave tips and tricks on halter breaking and how to get your calf used to you.

Our guest speaker was Alex Chabot, who talked to us about washing, dealing with ringworm, and clipping. We then moved into the barn where she talked about sire selection. We received a handout with the parts of a cow and went over some parts as a club. After that we were split into four groups, each with a leader and we talked about selecting bulls that could improve certain traits on our subject cow. Near the end of the meeting, we rotated as groups to each leader where they told us about their 4-H experiences. We ended our meeting by thanking our guest speaker and host, and enjoyed a snack of ice cream sticks and chips.

This special edition is not just a compilation of hits but a narrative of Cory's evolution as an artist, featuring a brand new, unreleased track, "White Picket Fence." The 21-track album encapsulates the essence of Cory’s rootsy blend of Americana and Melodic Rock, showcasing his talent for crafting songs that resonate with authenticity and emotional depth.

Included in this special edition is an exclusive full-color downloadable PDF booklet with lyrics, photos, and personal notes from Cory, offering fans an intimate glimpse into the creative process behind his music. The booklet is a treasure trove of insights and anecdotes, highlighting the journey behind each song and the milestones of Cory’s career.

The special re-issue of this career retrospective comes on the heels of the announcement of his nomination for Best Multi-Genre Artist at the 10th Josie Music Awards.

Cory M. Coons has been a prominent figure in the music industry for over 30 years, known for his heartfelt performances and a prolific career that includes collaborations with legendary producers like Ron Nevison. His music, a blend of Classic-Melodic Rock influenced sounds and Americana, has earned him accolades and a dedicated following both in his home country and internationally.

The special edition of "Across The Great Divide (Album Cuts & Singles 2012-2022)" is a must-have for fans and newcomers alike, offering a comprehensive look at a decade of music from one of the most enduring voices in Americana and Melodic Rock today.

Be sure to follow Cory M. Coons on his musical journey and get the latest updates by visiting his Linktree at https:// linktr.ee/corymcoons.

A false alarm at WDMH

Winchester Firefighters rushed to the scene of a false alarm at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on June 7. The crew was on scene for just a few minutes before it was determined that there was no fire or other emergency.

Annual General Meeting

Tuesday, June 25th, 2024 6:30 PM

Dundas County Hospice

4353 County Rd 31, Williamsburg

Please RSVP

Phone: 613-535-2215

E-mail: info@dundascountyhospice.ca

CONSULTATION NOTICE:

South Nation Conservation (SNC), Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), and Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA) will be hosting public information sessions for residents to learn more about updated wetland mapping and development policies under the Government of Ontario Reg. 41/24: Prohibited Activities, Exemptions and Permits.

Residents interested in learning more, viewing draft wetland maps and providing feedback are welcome to schedule meetings with their Conservation Authority or drop in anytime during the information sessions:

Thursday, June 20, 2024

3:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

3:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Wednesday, June 26, 2024 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Thursday, June 27, 2024

Road, Cumberland, ON

3:00 pm – 8:00 pm SNC Administrative Office 38 Victoria St., Finch, ON SNC & RRCA Staff

Policy information, draft wetland maps, and meeting request links are available online: SNC: nation.on.ca/consultations RVCA: rvca.ca/regulations-planning RRCA: rrca.on.ca

Baldwin's Birds

A face only a vulture could love!

I ventured away from our garden to a friend’s cottage for a couple of days, which led to quite an eventful trip back from Charleston Lake. I had just left Philipsville and was on the Toledo road, when I spotted a bird with its wings opened up, by the side of the road. I stopped and backed up to see not just one, but three Turkey Vultures, with others circling above, 6-7 of them altogether. I was able to get quite close to the one that had stayed behind, as you can see, so I got some super pictures of it. What a delight to see these – not so beautiful birds – up close!

Whilst still away and having a chance to take a boat ride, I got to see a few more birds, such as the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds, Ospreys, a Bald Eagle (at a distance), Cormorants, and a nesting bird above one of the windows at the cottage. This bird had a brown head, white chest and also flicked its tail. I am plumping on saying that it was an Eastern Phoebe, although it wasn't – or its partner wasn't – giving out the traditional Phoebe call. Maybe they don't do that when they are nesting!

Good news! My wait for the returning Bluebirds has finally ended, and a couple of days ago there was a pair of them in and around their nesting box, so I can now breathe a sigh of relief. It remains to be seen if they are actually going to use our box again, because I suspect that they are also residents at one of our neighbours as well. They do make false nests, so this is not beyond the realms of possibility. I'll just have to be patient a little while longer, to see the eventual outcome! Whilst they are pondering, the Kingbirds are still visiting and my wife saw one plop into our swimming pool yesterday either to cool off, in the heat, or to catch something, which she doubts, as it was right in the water! Lots of things are still happening around us and I hope around you too. Stay safe and well,

Cheers, John Baldwin

Tid bit musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters, RSSW

Reflecting on the role of a father is as varied as the people doing the reflecting. Be it bio father, grandfather, stepfather, foster father, spiritual father, pseudo-father, they all represent accountability and responsibility. All too often the "dead beat" father gets the attention and shame rather than acknowledging those who fulfil their roles. Somehow the father role is deemed "expected" rather than being attributed to their abilities. Not everyone who is a sperm donor has the internal fortitude to demonstrate the qualities reminiscent of being caring, loving, responsible or even a provider.

Life is hard and knowing how to be a dad is a process. There is no manual but there are some basic tools of the position. Knowing and celebrating someone who provides you with the necessities (not wants!) of life, wisdom, guidance and encouragement is an honour. For many, that figure is absent this year due to death, geographical restraints or health issues. Some of the largest contributions are to simply say - "I don't know", "I love you" or " I'm sorry." Being humble is a valued trait.

Teaching your offspring to acknowledge the male leaders in their life never goes astray. Role modelling is vital to learning. As the 4-H motto says "Learn to do by doing." Recently, I had the opportunity to witness "love" physically visible as a family kept vigil over their mom before she passed. Even the minister at the funeral commented on how precious it was to actually feel the love and affection! Such a moment is treasured.

Use this time to treat your male role-models to the verbal expression of your appreciation and respect. The price tag is affordable and always renewable through the year. This moment is all we have: the past is gone and the next moment is not guaranteed.

Around Town with

an event or special occasion that you would like photographed for the paper? Let me know.

Happy Father's Day

2

Father's Day

What is your favourite memory of your dad?

by Ann Brady

Long before my brothers and I could read and write, we could read blueprints. We also understood the consequences of stealing our father’s sharpened pencils that stood like guards in a jar by his drafting table. And the inevitable cursing and shouting when he’d find one – or three! – missing, peace being restored in our tiny apartment only after three, very blunted pencils mysteriously resumed their posts in that jar.

‘Popper’ as I loved to call him, studied architecture at McGill. I can’t remember a time when he

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was not working on plans for someone’s house – or one of his own five - even into his senior years. He was a mathematical genius, an artist, a solutions man; and more than a few of the homes he designed dot Ontario and Quebec landscapes to this day. He also did side jobs for CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) reworking plans to maximize space, before the plans were compiled in huge books available to the public.

Our Dad’s greatest moment came early, when he was only 27 years old. Already a family man with a wife and three small kids, he had completed designing his first house. I’ll never forget the awe my brothers and I felt as Popper carried in ‘the blueprint scrolls’ fresh from the printer, and unrolled them on the living room floor. Moses couldn’t have had a more enraptured audience. Heavy, dark chinablue paper, crisp white lines and squiggles and symbols we’d seen in plain white as Popper worked at his drafting table, were now something officially announcing the birth of a house. Our house!

Popper explained everything to us – those were the doorways, and these,

the windows. Here’s where the electrical went and that was where the rooms were delineated. Finding all the stairs was fun and easy, and I marveled over how my Dad had found a way to show them going in both directions at once! And yes, that was the bathroom and the kitchen and those were our bedrooms. Our bedrooms! By quick calculation, I stifled my excitement seeing that I had a small and perfect bedroom all my own.

By the time we actually set foot in the door of this, our father’s first house, our family had already moved in. Those blueprints had magically taught us that a dream could be laid down on plain white paper and made come true. With a lot of imagination, very sharp pencils, a T-square and some fancy French curves as

his tools, Popper took that dream and translated it into the creation of an actual, physical edifice that we now inhabited. What a wonder! What a dad!

Looking back on that moment, sixty-some years ago, I can only imagine the pride and love our father must have felt for his little family as he revealed his blueprints. This was his gift to us. I remember how happy our Mom was as she quickly wrote a letter to her sister about the new house, while Dad slipped the plans back into their special tube. And all these years later, especially on this Fathers Day, I know this for sure: it was our Dad who built us that house, and our Mom who made it our home. Thank you, Popper, for dreaming it.

Revolutionary digital cameras with a local link

It may seem strange, in a world where almost everyone has a reliable camera ready at hand on their phone, that a company should exist marketing an alternative. But that’s what Paper Shoot Camera has done, with an incredibly innovative digital camera made of materials that are either recycled, repurposed, or biodegradable, and environmentally-friendly. The remarkable thing about the cameras is that you can have an almost endless choice of interchangeable cases, designs

to match your mood, your personality, or even your fashion sense.

Gillian Gallant brought the concept to Canada in 2021, along with partner Jack Bisson, realising the potential and value of the cameras, which were first created

by George Lin from Taiwan in 2012. Gillian is the grand-daughter of Peter Peers, of South Mountain, who many will remember as part of the Times staff in our early years. Before that, he was involved with marketing at the old Advance, when it was the

local newspaper, and with the Manotick Messenger. Gillian knows South Mountain well, and it is wonderful to see someone with local links bringing such a creative product to the wider world. Jack Bisson also has local links; he’s the owner of the Mill Tavern in Manotick.

George Lin’s vision was to produce a highquality camera inside interchangeable cases made from a durable, sustainable, and customizable stone paper, made from discarded, landfill-bound technology and given a new life. The result is a camera that allows you to design your own case, choose colours, patterns, images, whatever you feel like. In an era of disposable everything, it is refreshing to find something that is eco-friendly,

ethically produced using sustainable materials, and fun.

Gillian makes the point that the company’s “unwavering commitment to sustainability and creativity has set Paper Shoot apart from the rest, as we continue to use only recycled, repurposed, and biodegradable materials, pay ethical wages to our employees, and donate to charity with every camera purchase”.

Paper Shoot remains a small company of just 14 employees, allowing Gillian and her crew to retain control over quality and production values. She believes that Paper Shoot can be an example of how a small, womenowned company can be a commercial success while maintaining core principles and values. And she has certainly proved her case: in the couple of years the company has been operating in North America, it has expanded into Europe and South America, and Paper Shoot Cameras are now owned by over 150,000 environmentally-conscious and creative people, and there are over 700,000 followers across social media platforms, making up what Gillian calls their Cam Fam. The camera has proved so popular that the company sold out of their inventory within just two months of beginning operations! Customers were willing to wait for up to three months for back orders. Everything is now up to date and sales continue to grow. Shopify just awarded Paper Shoot a milestone plaque to mark over 100,000 online orders. This speaks to not only the quality of the product, but also the pleasure people have in finding a way to express themselves in a unique way, instead of being confined to a standardised and anonymous cell phone. As a point-andshoot digital camera, it reflects a commitment to individuality, the environment, socially-conscious activism, and support for ethics in business. Not bad for something with which to create memories!

Gillian Gallant

An unhelping hand

by Brandon Mayer

Common sense isn’t common – that’s becoming a remarkably “common” expression these days. But when it comes to government policies, a lack of common sense is more than just annoying – it has strong impacts on people’s lives.

The Province of Ontario is switching to a new system on January 1, 2025 that will see the responsibility for recycling shifted from municipalities to the producers of the packaging. This makes theoretical sense, but unfortunately, there are flaws in the policy that anyone with common sense could figure out, the policy-writers themselves notably excluded.

On May 30, a resident of a mixed use residential and commercial property in Winchester sent an email to Danielle Ward – the Township of North Dundas’ Director of Environment Services. The resident asked a simple question: Given that the residences are located on a property that also has commercial use, will recycling still be picked up in the new year?

The new Blue Box Program changes include a stipulation that it will “not require producers to provide blue box services in the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors”. An exception is listed in the legislation for multiresidential units, but what happens when the building is a mix of residential and commercial? Danielle Ward

doesn’t know yet. It’s not her fault – the province has been unclear. She wrote in an email reply to the Winchester resident:

“There is conflicting information regarding commercial properties coming from the province, and locally, however based on my discussions with the contractor taking over the route (recycling), they would not collect your location as it is associated with a commercial zone / property.”

When writing this policy, was there no thought given to how such ambiguous wording could easily railroad some dwellers, but not others? Why is it so simple for laypeople to spot flaws in policy, while those being paid big bucks to write the policies have no clue?

This seems to be a provincial government streak. The Canada-Ontario agreement under the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program is another Province of Ontario brainchild with anything but brains. It only covers children up to kindergarten age. The cutoff is senseless. Some centres – such as in centres that serve both kindergarten and schoolage children – have some children that qualify for a discount while others don’t. Oh, what confusion this causes! Either extend the fee reduction to all, or cut it off after the toddler years, since childcare fees are typically much shorter for much shorter care time once kindergarten comes!

The other issue with Ontario’s handling of CWELCC is that in some cases, it hurts rather than helps. Parents are not allowed to opt out of the program, yet there is only so much funding to go around. There is, in fact, a childcare centre in Winchester that has a demand for more kindergarten spaces, but the request has been put on hold because extra spaces are not currently in the CWELCC budget. A program designed to increase childcare accessibility by making it more affordable is therefore limiting the total number of spaces in some centres instead! Over what? Not wanting to pay a fee reduction that amounts to just $19 per month for the kindergarten age group! Talk about lending parents an unhelping hand and making a fuss over nothing!

Common sense is truly not common in the Government of Ontario right now. Those of us who can spot the obvious flaws wonder why we’re able to do so for free, when paid government officials can’t seem to see the forest for the trees, or the trees for the forest, or any trees or forest for that matter. The CWELCC program is unlikely to have its kinks worked out anytime soon. As for the Blue Box Program, the next update is expected sometime around October 2024.

Common sense may not be common, but government incompetence certainly is, and it’s not getting any cuter.

Life with Connor the Weatherman

featuring Connor Mockett

Hello, everyone! Welcome back to another week of Life with Connor the Weatherman. I am back from my Chasecation down in Tornado Alley, and wow, what a time that was. I have so many stories to tell about this trip over the next many columns, so this story will be the first of many. I’d like to tell the story of our first couple of chases, that being May 18th and 19th. So, strap in for the ride and read along!

May 18th was a day Tom, Jordan, and I had zero expectations for. There was only a very, very marginal risk for severe thunderstorms in central Kansas. But, we’re down there to chase storms, so we ended up chasing even though the likelihood of seeing anything was very low. We had stayed in Oklahoma City the night before (the 17th), so the drive to get to our target area wasn’t long at all, only about 2.5 to 3 hours. That target was around

Wichita, Kansas. We left OKC around 10:30am, made some stops at some local landmarks like Pop 66 (if you haven’t heard of that, search it up, it was crazy inside), and headed up to Kansas.

After getting a quick bite to eat, filled up with gas and headed west of the city to sit on a dirt road in an open field to watch some updrafts bubble. Finally one of the updrafts north of Wichita started to take over and began spitting out some lightning bolts. We then headed northeast towards the storm. We drove for about 50 minutes to get to the storm, but unfortunately, the storm had fallen apart before we even got there.

North of Wichita, another storm updraft became visible. Our radar indicated that it was at 50,000 feet into the sky which tells us the storm is healthy and continuing to develop. So we decided to go after that storm only about 10

Winchester resident celebrates $500,000 lottery win

from OLG

Michael (Mike) Prusila of Winchester is celebrating after winning $500,000 with THE BIGGER SPIN INSTANT game (Game #3153).

Mike, a retired skilled trades worker, is an occasional lottery player who enjoys games like LOTTO MAX, LOTTO 6/49 and

of course, THE BIGGER SPIN. “I stopped at the gas station to run an errand and picked up the ticket,” he shared while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to spin the big wheel. “When I took the ticket in to play my SPIN prize, I expected to win $20. I didn’t even see it land on ‘The Big Spin’. It happened so fast! I was

pleasantly surprised to learn I was going to get to spin the big wheel.”

The day the big event arrived; Mike was ready to finally see what his prize would be. “The wheel wasn’t as heavy as I expected it to be. Watching it spin, I was focused on the moment. When it came to a stop, it was nice to know how much I had won. I came here hoping to go home with $500,000 and that is exactly what happened,” he smiled.

“It’s surreal. I am happy and I feel good. I would love to do this again,” he laughed. “I enjoy this game and it has been good to me.”

Mike plans to buy his wife a new car and travel, while investing the rest of his windfall.

minutes away. This storm was absolutely crawling. Honestly, it looked like it was probably stationary. We sat in the same spot on one dirt road for almost an hour just watching the storm try to develop. Eventually, we realized the storm was dying off. So not much happened that day.

We knew May 19th was going to be the first big chase day for our team, so we all got together with our laptops and iPads and forecasted our own target area for the morning. We decided on Hays and Russel, Kansas, along the I-70 corridor in Central Kansas.

The morning of May 19, after following many smaller tornadoes, we finally met up with a bigger tornado near Wilson, Kansas. This tornado was much wider than the first one, and its rotation looked stronger to the eye than the first tornado shortly before that we had followed. A big dusty tornado, but more visible than the

ones before. This storm was so green, the most green I’ve ever seen in a storm. It was crazy. That second tornado was on the ground for a few minutes. It got wrapped in rain eventually, obscuring any view of it from the vantage point that we had. At this point, the storm’s structure was so amazing, the shelf cloud was basically touching the ground, which we weather people like to call a ground scraper. A couple photos from May 19th will be in my 2025 Calendar, I’m sure.

Once the storm began to get inhaled by a line of other storms behind it, we called off our chase in Salina, Kansas, and went for a steak meal. Steak is an absolute staple in the storm chasing community. If you see a tornado, you have a steak for supper at a restaurant. No way around that one. And really, who can say no to a perfectly cooked steak at a steakhouse? From there we drove to Goodland, Kansas to our next hotel.

After a 3 hour drive, and we ended up getting there at about 1:00am Mountain Time. Why so far and late you ask? Well, we had to chase Colorado the next day! That story will come in the next column though, because it’s also a long one. I love to tell these stories about chases, it’s like reliving the moment in my brain. I’ll see you all in the next column when I talk about Colorado. Thanks for reading!

Springhill Cemetery, 7832 Bank St. Metcalfe ON. is seeking an Operations Manager/Part-time position

Responsible for all administrative duties including secretarial, treasury, bookkeeping and sales. Knowledge of Accounting, Excel and Word programs an asset. Work from home with some on-site requirement. Salary based on experience. For full job description visit http://www.springhillcemetery.ca Submit resume to: margharrison99@gmail.com Deadline June 21, 2024.

ATTENTION MOM WITH TOTS

Come join the fun at our Mom & Tots summer program at Nationside Pentecostal Church with crafts, activities and snacks running Wednesday mornings from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. starting June 26th to August 28th held at the Nelson LaPrade Centre, 9 William St. in Chesterville. For more information please contact Beatrice Legue at 613-978-6015.

Matt's Iphone Repair

613-899-7203

Serving Winchester & Area

CHURCH Directory

To have your Church listed here please contact Nanda at nanda@ngtimes.ca

Southgate Winchester Campus

539 Main Street, Winchester Phone: 613-258-6123

https://southgatechurch.com/ Services: Sundays at 10am (Kids program for toddlers - Gr 6) Play Group for parents of babies to preschool meets Wednesdays at 10am.

The Pulse Youth (Gr 6 -12) meets bi-weekly on Fridays at 7pm. The Ladies Group meets bimonthly. Contact the church office for more info

THE GATHERING HOUSE

2 Water Street

Chesterville, ON K0C 1H0

613-448-1758 Sunday church service 10 am. Nursery and Sunday school available for children.

ACROSS

1. Strike

6. Chop finely

10. Skin disease

14. Rabbits

15. Type of fruit

16. Type of black bird

40. Rattled

42. Group of eight

43. Desert watering holes

44. Salad ingredients

45. Flowerless plants

47. Provided with food

48. Cab

3. Colored part of the eye

4. A cooperative unit

5. Fugitive

6. Not animal

7. Excited

8. Blackthorn

9. Hampered

10. Conformity

11. Hag

12. 9 person musical group

13. Flock members

21. Zero

25. Jewel

26. After-bath powder

27. Genuine

28. Diva's solo

29. Triumphant

30. Declines

31. Decorated, as a cake

33. Cut back

34. Toy with a tail

35. Distinctive flair

36. Communists

38. A waste water cistern

41. Browning of skin

42. Commanded

Various adult Bible studies throughout the week. Details at thegatheringhouse.ca

STEM program & Youth group Wednesdays at 6:30 pm

Playgroup drop in 10:30 am on Fridays HUB youth drop in 7 -10 pm

Fridays

Professional Fully Insured Commercial & Residential Painting www.horizonspainting.ca

Kutebah Alyousef kutebah1984@gmail.com 613-276-4583

Cafe Mon & Fri 9 am -4 pm Wed 12 -4 pm

Solomon’ Porch

Nationside Pentecostal Church

Pastor Scott Sayers

Meeting Sunday 10:30am. 9 William St. Chesterville, Ont. ( The Nelson LaPrade Centre) Box 292 Chesterville 613-448-2272 nationsidepentecostalchurch.ca

WINCHESTER

PASTORAL CHARGE

Winchester United

Church/Hope Springs

United Church

Summer Schedule- all services at 10:00 a.m.

July 7 Winchester United July14 Hope Springs U.C. July 21 Winchester United July 28 Hope Springs U.C.

Aug. 4 Winchester United Aug 11 Hope Springs U.C. Aug 18 Winchester United Aug 25 Hope Springs U.C.

17. Of a pelvic bone

18. Natural satellite

19. Funnel shape

20. Mishandled

22. Anagram of "Nose"

23. Bowling target

24. Wading bird

26. Going on a trip

30. Full of excitement

32. Eagle's home

33. Heart device

37. Nonclerical

38. Flogged

39. Egyptian river

49. Civility

56. Black-and-white cookie

57. Curved molding

58. Scoundrel

59. Beige

60. By mouth

61. Ancient Roman magistrate

62. Adjusts

63. Extend credit

64. Writing tables DOWN

1. Leveling wedge

2. Anagram of "Mail"

44. Obtain

45. Madcap comedy

46. Strain

47. Meadow

48. Foot digits

50. Brute

51. Not fatty

52. Connecting point

53. Auspices

54. Mope around

55. Notices

Happy 80th Birthday

Ron Misener (June 17)

Congratulations to Ed & Estella Rose

On their 65th wedding anniversary on June 27,

Palmer, Katherine Lois

Peacefully at the Dundas Manor on Tuesday June 4, 2024. Lois Palmer age 87 of Winchester formerly of Mountain. Loving Mom of Doug (Donna Shane) and Terry (Sandy). Proud Grandma of Katherine (Patrick), Teresa, Matthew and Tyler. Predeceased by her husband John Palmer, her parents Cassie and Roy Palmer and her siblings Lawrence (Geraldine), Elaine, Roy Jr., Osmond (Isabel), and Jean (Fred) Bresee. A Memorial Service will be held at the Inkerman Wesleyan Church, 11486 Queen Street on Sunday June 23, 2024 at 4 p.m followed by a gathering in the church hall after the service.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Dundas Manor for their exceptional care, dedication and compassion during our mother’s 9 year stay.

Donations may be made to the Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation-the New Dundas Manor. Arrangements entrusted to the Byers Funeral Home, South Mountain (613-989-3836). Online condolences may be made at www.byersfuneralhomeinc.ca

To our valued customers

We are having a PARTY to show our appreciation to our customers for the past 53 years at Seaway Valley Pharmacy in Winchester.

You are invited to join us on June 22, 2024 at the Sam Ault Arena in Winchester.

Doors open at 4:30, for greetings & visiting *Cash Bar available*

Refreshments available

Speeches from 7:00 - 7:30

Visiting from 7:30 - 8:00 pm

Eddy & The Stingrays from 8:00 - 11:00 pm

Hope to see you there to meet with Wayne & Huguette.

We appreciate your presence!

Please RSVP to Cindy at svp.party.rsvp@gmail.com

submit your favourite pet pet photo to nanda@ndtimes.ca

Weagant, Anita Eloise (Nee Elliott)

Store keeper, book keeper and Co-Founder of Weagant Farm Supplies Limited

Peacefully surrounded by family at the Dundas Manor on Friday June 7, 2024. Anita Weagant in her 100th year of Winchester. Beloved wife of the late Fred. Loving Mom of Barbara Black (Dave), Bob (Sandra), Laird (Elise) and Jance de Freitas (Trevor). Cherished Nana of Shari Black, Julie Black, Stacey Weagant (Andy Corput), Wendy Weagant, Leslie Pattemore , Paula Gordon (Mike), Christy Griffin (Sean), Scott Weagant (Jody), Andrea Baillie (Craig), and Tricia Weagant (Justin Ferrabee), Luke (Kristen) de Freitas and Zach (Taylor)de Freitas; Danika, Kira, Josh, Josh; Machar, Lual, Eddie, Hannah, Colin, Victoria, Courtney, Adam, Ellie; Jacob, Abby, Andrew, Thomas, Tobin, Dillon, Sydney, Lincoln, Levi, and Maisie. Predeceased by her parents Lois and Harold Elliot and her brothers Ren and Eldon Elliott. Respected aunt of many nieces and nephews. Anita’s greatest pride and joy was her family .

A Visitation will be held at the Byers Funeral Home, 2990 Church Street, South Mountain (613-989-3836) on Sunday June 16, 2024 from 1 to 5 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at St. Clare’s Anglican Church 2530 Falcone Lane, Winchester on Monday June 17, 2024 at 11 a.m. Interment St. Lawrence Valley Union Cemetery. By family request donations may be made in Memory of Anita to the Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation (the New Dundas Manor). Online condolences may be shared at www.byersfuneralhomeinc.ca

Watts, Robert Byron

March 21, 1930 - May 3, 2024

The family of Robert Byron Watts are saddened to announce his peaceful passing at the Arnprior Regional Hospital on May 3rd, 2024, at the age of 94 yrs. He is survived by his wife of 36 years Beverly Joan (Bennett/Carroll), his sister Doreen (Bert Larocque), his daughter Debbie (Dan Coté), his son David (Marilyn), his step children, Deborah, Bill and Todd Carroll, grandchildren Catherine Watts (Nick), Andrew, Sarah (Geoff) and Emily Burnett, Melissa (Scott Appleyard), William Carroll, great grandchildren, Avery, Lauren and Dominic, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his first love Fern Shirley (Dodds), his son, Douglas Robert, grandson Douglas Robert Cyril, brothers Charles (Mary), Donald (Anne) and Fairbairn (Audrey).

Our family wishes to acknowledge the many Doctors, Nurses, Social workers and medical staff at Arnprior Regional Health, for their tireless efforts to assist and make Dad comfortable in his final days. You will remain in our hearts forever. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers to the Brain Tumour Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, would be appreciated.

Molly 4 month old black lab - owner Eric Viegas

2024. Love, Suzanne, Charlene, Heather and families

Mila the Menace Cat - Katrina Jarosz

Harlem, King Shepherd/black lab mix.,. Owner Sharon Taylor

UCDSB Students “We Were Here” Project

On May 27, 12 schools from across the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) gathered at the North Grenville Municipal Centre for a showcase event, highlighting their participation in the ‘We Were Here’ initiative, in collaboration with The Hill 70 Memorial Project.

At the showcase, The Hill 70 Memorial Project announced its donation of $21,000 towards sending a group of 21 UCDSB students and educators to France next school year. During the

trip, they will further their research and share their findings with a broader audience, continuing their mission to honour and remember the brave soldiers who gave their lives over a century ago.

‘We Were Here’ aims to bring history to life by commemorating Canadian soldiers from the First World War.

In the Spring of 2022, approximately 120 soldiers were discovered in Loos-en-Gohelle, France, while construction crews

were digging a foundation for a new hospital. In the fall of 2022, the UCDSB, in partnership with Big Ideas Group Consulting, Hill 70 Memorial Project, and many others, began The Hill 70 Project: Lost. Found. Always Remembered.

Since then, students across the district have been meticulously reviewing service records and attestation forms, uncovering key details about the lives of these soldiers, while also coming up with innovative ways to remember the fallen soldiers. Some of UCDSB schools projects include:

- Athens District High School’s ‘A Journey Through Time’, where as part of their learning, students transformed a hallway into a replica of a WWI trench and engaged in a re-enactment;

- Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School’s in-

Dundas Agricultural Group joint food bank donation

June 3-9 was Local Food Week! It’s an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the abundance of fresh, healthy, affordable local food that we are privileged to have access to across the province. The Dundas Federation of Agriculture (DFA), along with

Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO), the Dundas Dairy Producers Committee (DDPC), and the Dundas Soil and Crop Improvement Association (DSCIA) recognizes that many within our community need support, especially as

teractive honour roll project has students creating QR codes with soldier biographies to add to the school’s veterans honour roll;

- Kemptville Public School was the first elementary school in the UCDSB to participate in building the online database;

- North Dundas District High School students are creating metal crosses with QR codes with local soldiers’ histories;

- Pakenham Public School’s ‘Pakenham Military Scavenger Hunt’, where students are creating picnic tables with QR codes for members of the public to find and learn about local fallen soldiers; and

- R. Tait McKenzie Public School’s research project that prompted a missing WWI veteran’s name be added to the Almonte Cenotaph.

Cameron Jones, UCDSB Principal of Real-World Learning and Student Success, praised the students for their dedication and the depth of their research. During the showcase event, he emphasized the importance of storytelling in making history relevant and meaningful for today’s youth.

"Today, there is power in storytelling. This project connects students with the lives of soldiers from over 100 years ago, making their stories come alive. By learning history through the eyes of those who lived it, our students help keep their memories and sacrifices relevant."

the cost of living continues to climb with inflation.

The DFA, CFFO, DDPC and DSCIA are helping to increase access to local food by giving back to our community. Today’s donations are helping our community increase their access to local food while improving local food literacy.

Our agricultural community encourages all to sup-

port local and encourage an increased use of local food by private and public sector organizations when possible, supporting our agricultural community today and into the future.

Community Food Share would like to also remind our local producers that they accept fresh produce and will work with our farmers for any donations of meat.

later than June 24th

The Corporation of the Winchester District Memorial Hospital will be holding its Annual General Meeting for the purpose of receiving the Annual Report of the Board of Directors and officials of the Hospital, the election of business as may properly come before the meeting. The Winchester District Memorial Hospital By-Laws provide that the Board of by members of the Hospital Corporation.

Photo courtesy of Jackie Pemberton