Issue 12 2021 March 31 NG Times

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The Voice of North Grenville

Vol. 9 No. 12

March 31, 2021

Local mask maker continues to support local food banks

ACSeason isAround theCorner

Kemptville Eye Exam Clinic

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Debbie Amirault presents House of Lazarus Executive Assistant, Janet Carkner with a cheque for $500 to support their food bank. Photo credit: Mike Amirault

Antiques, Fine China, Local Photography, Monthly fresh arrivals & more.... now accepting consignment pieces.

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Thursdays & Fridays 10-5, Saturdays 10- 4:30 Sundays 10 - 2 susie@susiemtreasures.ca 200 Sanders St. 613-297-4502

increase in clients due to the Local Journalism Initiative Reporter pandemic. Last Wednesday, she presented the House of A local mask-maker has Lazarus in South Mountain made her sixth donation since with a $500 cheque to support the pandemic started to local their food bank. food banks, totalling $3300.

Debbie uses mostly doDebbie Amirault started nated fabric to create three the Mask2Mask Project last styles of masks that she sells spring as a way to keep busy for $4 each. Every mask is and give back to the local 100% cotton and is made community. The idea was to of three layers of fabric, innot only provide affordable cluding medical grade filter masks to the community, but fabric. Masks are made to also support the local food order so people have the banks who have seen an chance to pick the style, coby Hilary Thomson

lour and pattern that they like best. Debbie says she has lots of women's fabric but would gladly take donations of men's and children's fabric, as well as solids.

Debbie has really enjoyed making masks for the past few months and being able to use all the proceeds to give back to the House of Lazarus and the Salvation Army Food Bank. The Mouth2Mouth Project has really taken off with Debbie receiving orders from as far away as

Dear Neighbour,

Brockville and Montreal. She estimates that she has made around 1500 masks to date.

"It's allowing me to give back to the community and that's the whole purpose of the project," she says.

To order masks or contact Debbie about donating fabric, you can message her on Facebook under Debbie Amirault or email her at mouth2mouthproject@gmail.com.

Pho Soup We're now OPEN Available!

Tues . to Sat. 11:30am toONLY 9pm TAKE OUT

Tuesday - Saturday 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm www.nakhonthai.ca to view take out menu

We are pleased to present to you Auremeds Compounding Pharmacy, our brand-new pharmacy located at 215 Sanders Street in Kemptville. Auremeds specializes in compounding prescription medications not availalble commercially in addition to dispensing your regular medications. We welcome and invite you to come and visit.

Thank You, Prem Arora, Pharmacist-Owner

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

T:5"

Three year old Ellie Gordon is learning about land stewardship early. She and her mother Paula, of Oxford Station, picked up garbage on the 416 recently. Even though her mother works 12 hour shifts at Queensway Carleton Hospital Intensive Care Unit, they were able to make time to spruce up the local environment in time for Spring. Given that the bag is nearly bigger than Ellie, she was undaunted by the challenge. The amount of garbage here should shock all adults in the region. What does it say about us when children have to clean up after us? Thank you Ellie for being a good land steward.

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Community Recycling benefits Kemptville Youth Centre The Kemptville Youth Centre (KYC) is a partner with the Municipality of North Grenville in their re-cycling program. For some years, KYC has acted as a drop off location for electronic waste with proceeds going to the Centre. In 2020, more than 52 tonnes of e-waste was recycled through this program and removed from our landfill. E-waste may be dropped off 24/7 at 5 Oxford Street, Kemptville.

In 2020, the Waste Disposal Facility in Oxford Mills allowed KYC volunteers to remove bottles and cans from a designated area of the facility. Proceeds of over $1,700 went directly into youth programming at the Centre .

Kemptville Youth Centre wishes to applaud and thank the Municipality and their staff, the Beer Store and their staff, and the community for their environmental mindfulness. Your contributions received to date from both drop- off recycling programs, have benefited local youth.

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March 31, 2021

are you will get some nasty looks from your neighbours, and possibly a ticket from bylaw. No one is suggesting that you abandon your lawn to a future of wild parsnip and burdock.

One of the best things you can do to begin to shift from high-maintenance grass is to begin to add some clover. The Dutch White or the mini purple clover both work well.

Dutch White Clover will stay green while a lawn of grass becomes brown in the dry heat of July. Clover takes less water, and needs little to no mowing. It only grows between 2 to 5 inches. Many people mow it in mid-summer to deadhead it, and keep it looking tidy.

When you do mow it, you do not have to bag it. Use the mulch blade on your mower if you have one, but even without a mulch blade, it will still look good. Clover is a nitrogen-fixing legume. Essentially, it creates its own fertiliser, and stays green. Furthermore, if it's planted into existing grass, it keeps the grass healthier and greener. It never needs

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Sustainability: How exactly do I rewild a patch of my lawn or garden anyway?

by Joselyn Morely There's a lot of interest right now in rewilding.

It's a pretty complex subject, and can mean a lot of things, from dismantling dams to allow fish and wildlife to travel the river, to providing a hospitable environment for a reintroduced species. It's easy to get bogged down in discussion because there's a lot of biologists and scientists talking about it. But if I'm just an ordinary person with a bit of a lawn or garden, and I want to attract some butterflies, or help out some bees and other pollinators, how do I go about doing that?

Gradually, people are realizing that maintaining a short, monoculture crop of non-native grass out in front of their house is not ideal. Monoculture does not support life. It does not provide a place for native insects and animals, requires a lot of water, pesticides, and herbicides, and takes a lot of time that could be spent doing fun stuff! But, if you just stop mowing a lawn, chances

Joe Gauthier

herbicides. It is robust, and will usually keep out "weeds." It attracts beneficial insects, both pollinators, and parasitic wasps.

Parasitic wasps are tiny and harmless to humans.

They feed on un-beneficial bugs like aphids. They also decimate insects like the tomato hornworm by laying its eggs in the hornworm.

If you have a taste for the gruesome, google it! Clover grows well in poor soil, and doesn't go brown when a dogs visit your lawn. Clover is the ideal ground cover for people who would like to help out the pollinators and butterflies, but still want the look of a more traditional lawn.

Clover is great on a budget, for the seeds are cheap, and it doesn't need mowing, fertilising, or watering.

If you have a patch of lawn or garden that you want to turn over to native wildflowers and grasses, most of the seed companies sell good-quality native wild-flower mixes. OSC, Ontario Seed Company, for example, has many different blends of native

wildflowers, or you can buy them individually. Some examples are wild asters, brown eyed Susans, or purple coneflower. Wildflowers will self-seed every year. Keep invasive plants out of the area, such as burdock or wild parsnip, while you are establishing your wildflowers. It is still your lawn or garden; you can decide you don't want to let something grow!

Pull it out as it begins to grow. Avoid pesticides and herbicides. Dandelions are the first food for pollinators, so leave them if you can. You can eat their tender leaves in the spring too. Try to choose native plants for ground cover, or for your wildflowers. Once you start growing some wildflowers, add a birdbath, or some bird houses. A lot of people feed the birds in winter, but there are a lot of native birds who need insects to survive; insects that are harmless to us, and that live in wild-flowers.

We need diversity in both plants and animals. Even a little re-wilded area helps.

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The North Grenville Times

Support for Business Digital Assistance extended until June from Leeds Grenville Economic Development The Ontario Business Improvement Association (OBIAA) has agreed to provide further support for Digital Service Squad staff throughout Leeds Grenville.

While the region’s Community Futures Development Corporations assisted in continuing the program until the end of March, the OBIAA has confirmed funds that will further allow the program to continue into June.

Of the area businesses who have used the Digital Service Squad, 93% of the 49 survey respondents agreed they were satisfied with the services provided.

The one-on-one digital consulting was the most popular service identified in the survey, followed by other Digital Main Street resources such as webinars and training materials.

Susan Gander, of The Wordsmith and the Rideau Lakes Business Directory, recommends business owners interested in enhancing their digital presence to contact Leeds Grenville Digital Service Squad member Cyndy Bolton.

"Cyndy is a great

coach, very knowledgeable but patient and good humoured about giving entry-level help with such basics as editing a Google profile - encouraging without pushing, answering even the dumbest of questions, leaving my dignity intact! I’d highly recommend anyone taking advantage of this program," said Susan.

Leeds Grenville businesses that were surveyed had similar comments to Susan. Respondents felt that if free services were extended, 89% would utilize the service to improve their online presence. With the extension of the program until June, now is the time to access Digital Service Squad free of charge.

The Voice of North Grenville

Presentation on Canadian Copyright for Historians

The Leeds and Grenville Branch of the Ontario Ancestors – The Ontario Genealogical Society will be hosting a presentation on Canadian Copyright and Images on Monday, May 3 at 7 pm on Zoom.

Many family historians struggle to understand the “do’s and don’ts of copyright” as it applies to their genealogy – photos, digital images, hand-drawn charts! In this session, Elise Cole will discuss what images are, and how Canadian Copyright applies to them. She’ll take us through how to determine if copyright exists, how to apply fair dealing when appropriate, and provide ideas of how to properly use others’ images in our own works.

Elise C. Cole, BAH, MLIS, is the Local Collections Librarian at Oakville Public Library and volunteers as Ontario Ancestors’ Copyright Consultant. She holds multiple certifications in Canadian Copyright law and is a passionate advocate for local and family history.

You can also locate the

systems Help develop a better understanding of Facebook, Instagram and other platforms for business • Referring businesses to the ShopHERE (website development) and Future Proof (total digital transformation) programs For more information contact: Merrickville-Wolford: Jim Hutton, Business Development Officer, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. T: 613-3423840 x 5361, E: econdev@ uclg.on.ca.

North Grenville: Matt Gilmer, Economic Development Officer, Municipality of North Grenville. www.investnorthgrenDigital Service Squad ville.ca/dss. T: 613-258services include: 9569 x 153. E: mgilmer@ • Offering each busi- northgrenville.on.ca. ness free one-on-one digital consulting, which may include an Easter Egg audit of current digital Scavenger Hunt! presence and recomCan you find all the mendations for growth Easter eggs in this week's • Assistance with issue?

Google My Business Email your egg hunt and keywords count to • Help investigating production@ngtimes. point-of-sale invenca and have a chance to tory, customer and WIN a gift! content management •

meeting registration link on our website: leedsandgrenville.ogs.on.ca Everyone is welcome to attend, but registration is required. You will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the meeting.

Send in your letters to the editor to editor@ngtimes.ca

WE'D LOVE TO HELP! WHETHER YOU HAVE AN INJURY OR COULD JUST USE SOME ADVICE ON HOW TO REACH A NEW GOAL!

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UPDATE from Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health, Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit in regards to Rise in COVID Cases

It’s time for a spring cleaning of our public spaces!

The COVID-19 virus is spread by close contact with someone who has COVID-19. The COVID-19 virus is in the moisture of the infected person that comes from the nose and mouth during breathing, coughing or sneezing, The moisture can’t stay in the air very long before it falls to the ground.

Therefore, keeping 2 metres way from others is important to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. A well-fitted two- or three-ply mask can trap the moisture for the mouth which also reduces the spread of the virus.

Cleaning common surfaces is also important as the virus can survive on some surfaces for a while. Staying home when you have possible symptoms of COVID-19 (including headache, fever, sore throat, congestion, diarrhea, loss of taste and smell) and going for a test are also important to protect those around you.

When someone tests positive for COVID-19, an assessment is done by public health to identify who may have had close contact, within 2 metres, with the individual while they were infectious. Individuals are considered infectious from two days before symptoms develop and while they are experiencing symptoms. These people who have had close contact, within 2 metres, with the individual who was infectious are called high-risk contacts.

All high-risk contacts are then contacted and asked to isolate at home for 14 days after their last contact with the individual during their infectious period. They also are asked to go for testing.

We have had questions from people who want to know if they have to isolate when they have had contact with a high-risk contact before that high-risk contact started isolating.

If you live in the same house as the high-risk contact, you can only go out for essential reasons (work, school, groceries, pharmacy, health care appointments) because you have possible on-going contact with the high-risk person. By contrast, if you have had close contact with someone considered high-risk (who doesn't have symptoms), before the person went into isolation, then you do not need to isolate.

March 31, 2021

Demonstrate your civic pride by cleaning up and beautifying our waterways, public roadways, wilderness trails, public parks or urban areas.

How can you participate?

Residents who wish to participate must register first with the Municipality. Individuals will be asked to choose an area in or near their neighbourhood and stay with their immediate family members to help maintain the proper gathering/physical distancing protocols.

PITCH-IN bags will be available at the Municipal Centre for pick up only after you have registered. Participants are asked to put the filled bags out with their regular garbage pick-up (no bag tags required).

For more information or to register: cfequet@northgrenville.on.ca or 613-258-9569 ext. 133 Space provided through a partnership between industry and Ontario Municipalities to support waste diversion programs.

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Concerns about proposed prison voiced at public meeting day evening that council's response to the proposed Local Journalism Initiative Reporter prison has been carefully weighed. They recognize North Grenville Council the significant concern in the held a special meeting last community about the new week to allow concerned 235-bed facility and see their citizens the opportunity to job as ensuring that these share their thoughts on the concerns are heard, and that proposed prison. decisions made about the The building of the East- prison do not disrupt plans for ern Ontario Correctional tourism, economic developComplex (originally known ment, the Kemptville Campus as the Greater Ottawa Cor- or undermine the quality of rectional Complex) was life of residents. "We are at announced by the Ontario the table and we expect the government on August 27, Ontario government to de2020. The new facility is part liver," she said. of a $500 million investment All members of council to modernize correctional as well as representatives facilities in Eastern Ontario. from MPP Clark's office and Since the announce- the Ministry of the Solicitor ment, many North Grenville General were present at the residents have voiced their virtual meeting to hear nine concern about the impact presentations from individuthe prison might have on the als and community groups, all community. This led to the against the proposed prison. creation of two advocacy While many of the presengroups, the Jail Opposition tations were from concerned Group (JOG) and the Coali- North Grenville residents and tion Against the Proposed groups like JOG and CAPP, Prison (CAPP). Both groups there were also a couple peohave been extremely vocal ple with in-depth knowledge over the past few months, of the correctional system trying to get answers from in Ontario who spoke. This MPP Steve Clark and the included Bryonie Baxter, the Ministry of the Solicitor former Executive Director General about the complex. of the Elizabeth Fry Society, They have been encouraging as well as Dr. Aaron Doyle council to stand with them in and Dr. Justin Piché from opposing the establishment the department of criminolof the jail in Kemptville. ogy at Carleton University.

Mayor Nancy Peckford All spoke about the serious said at the meeting last Tues- problems in Ontario's crimiby Hilary Thomson

nal justice system and how building another jail is not the answer. The Solicitor General's office has stated that this facility will be state of the art and focus on the rehabilitation of inmates, however Aaron says this is unlikely. "More and more policy makers are seeing that prison does not rehabilitate people and instead damages them," he said. "Prisons are full of poor, homeless, very often racialized or Indigenous people who are ground down and dehumanized by deprivation, poor healthcare and food, filth, boredom, degradation and violence in these institutions. Prisons are the opposite of therapeutic."

The Ministry has also claimed that the new prison will bring jobs and business to the local economy, however according to the experts at the meeting this is unlikely.

Most of the jobs will be given to people who are already employed by the Ministry and food for these institutions is centrally sourced in Milton, Ontario. "There is no local economic benefit," Aaron said. "Building this prison is a major public policy mistake and permitting it in Kemptville is a major mistake for the town."

Justin said that instead of investing the $30.4 million a year he estimates it will cost to run the facility, this

money could be put towards more social services in the community. "With the funds earmarked to cover the operational costs alone, the province could start addressing the housing crisis, one that sees almost a quarter of people in provincial jails cycling from jail to homelessness, and then from homelessness to jail," he said. "We need homes, not cages in this province."

Other presentations addressed the possible uses for the land earmarked for the prison, that would benefit the local community and the province as a whole. Lorraine Rekmans spoke about the importance of recognizing that the land being considered is Algonquin territory and that this has not been acknowledged by the provincial government. She said she was astounded to hear Premier Doug Ford's remarks stating that there was no third-party interest in the property, especially since the province is in the process of negotiating a land settlement agreement with the Algonquins of Ontario. Lorraine believes it would be a gesture of goodwill to include this large parcel of land in the agreement. "If you would consider that Indigenous people are targeted and racialized and incarcerated, wouldn't you rather want to welcome them to the area, to a settlement land, than to

a correctional institution?" she asked.

Two representatives from a new local advocacy group called Save the Land Kemptville also talked about alternate uses for the land. Should the prison be built, it would sacrifice hundreds of acres of farmland which could be used to address food insecurity in the community. Speaker Alison Toms reminded council of the International Ploughing Match that is coming to the site in 2022 which will bring over 40,000 people to the community. "With a little imagination and some vision, we could use all of the farm side land and buildings in a way that enhances our community's heritage, history and traditions of agriculture, and draw people to North Grenville," she said.

It was clear from the presentations from both JOG and CAPP that they are not happy with the Ministry, provincial government or council when it comes to how they have been handling the release of information to the public about the prison since the announcement in August.

Miréad Frizell of JOG said their efforts to engage with the province have fallen on deaf ears. "There is a huge lack of transparency since the announcement in August all the way to the public engagement sessions," she said. "It

has been months and so far there are no answers from the solicitor general's meeting or the November 26 stakeholders meeting."

Victor Lachance of CAPP had the last word of the formal presentations, holding council to task on their lack of action when it comes to taking a stance on the proposed prison.

"I find it disheartening, maybe a little embarrassing, actually, to watch our progressive municipal council simply wave the white flag and surrender to the heavy handedness of the provincial government," Victor said.

"In this respect you are not representing the interests of the residents of North Grenville and Kemptville, you're representing the interests of the Ford government."

Mayor Peckford assured the presenters and all the people watching online that MPP Clark's office and the Ministry would be taking all the information in the presentations into consideration as the process to establish the Eastern Ontario Correctional Complex in Kemptville progresses. Mayor Peckford also welcomed anyone with further thoughts to send them to; input@northgrenville.on.ca.

All written comments will be forwarded to the Ministry.

Statement by Mayor Nancy Peckford on the Correctional Facility

When I ran for Mayor, I had a clear vision for our community. Two things were not part of that vision: a global pandemic and a new correctional facility.

While both developments have been entirely unexpected, as a Council, we are clearly focused on guiding our community through them.

First and foremost, I want you to know that all of Council appreciates many of the concerns that have been expressed, and the frustration that the announcement around this potential facility has created for many. On the other hand, Council has March 31, 2021

received positive messages about the facility, and many others who have reached out have indicated they are neutral.

Nonetheless, I was very surprised - as was the rest of Council and the communitywhen the announcement of the new correctional facility was made last August by Premier Ford and the Ontario Solicitor General, Minister Sylvia Jones.

Since the announcement, Council and municipal staff have been working diligently with the Ministry to learn more about their plans, to ensure our community’s many voices are heard, and that the Ontario government is accountable and responsive to our concerns.

Throughout, Premier Ford and the Solicitor General Sylvia Jones have made it clear that the new facility is not going elsewhere. The province has held this parcel of land for a number of decades, and the correct zoning (Institutional) is in place for the proposed

provincial Correctional facility. These lands were not part of the Municipality’s acquisition of the 626 acres of Kemptville College on the other side of the road.

Many in this community, however, including this Council, have had a vision for these farm-side lands owned by the province. Therefore, we have signalled a strong interest in shaping what happens on the large remaining parcel of land that will not be used by the province for a Correctional facility, and is part of the 182 acre property.

More discussion will come on this matter if the Ministry formally signals its intention to go down this road.

Subsequent to Premier Ford’s announcement last August, I have worked directly with MPP Steve Clark to urge Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General to fast-track its public consultation efforts to begin last fall, instead of this Spring.

Consequently, the first

public meeting to explain the project and answer questions from the local community was held on October 30.

Council insisted that several key community groups, including opposition voices, as well as representatives from the Kemptville District Hospital, local school boards, and business community, were front and centre at this meeting.

This was followed with a public meeting hosted by the Ministry on November 26 - with nearly 300 people in attendance over zoom, and that went for over three hours.

Three additional sessions took place in December with the local school boards, service organizations in the criminal justice system – as well as representatives from the Kemptville District hospital.

In addition, the Deputy Mayor and I began meeting virtually in October with several Mayors throughout Ontario who have correctional facilities in their backyards.

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These meetings continued into February and have been focused on what questions we need to ask, and commitments we need to secure.

Further, on January 2526, myself and Council colleagues met with Solicitor General Sylvia Jones and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ Parliamentary Assistant, Randy Pettapiece.

In those meetings, we expressed the many concerns our community has - and we have also presented a compelling case for the community’s use of the farm side’s surplus lands (and remaining buildings) in order to build on North Grenville’s rich agricultural history.

Council’s response to the new facility has been carefully weighed. The reality is that the Ontario government has the authority over the land and has sole responsibility for provincial corrections.

We are encouraged that the Ministry has made a public commitment to being a re-

sponsive community partner and neighbour. It is crucial that the channels of communications remain open between myself, Council, MPP Steve Clark and the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

While we are concerned about what a 235-bed new correctional facility will mean for North Grenville, we also need to ensure that decisions made with respect to the correctional facility respond to the realities of our community.

Council has been adamant that the facility must not undermine our investments in tourism, economic development or compromise Kemptville Campus’ bright future.

These are integral to the quality of life that residents have come to enjoy, and should expect moving forward.

www.ngtimes.ca

Editorial

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in

by Lorraine Rekmans This has been a good first week for me as the Editor.

I was so pleased to see all the respectful citizens who participated as delegates to last week's Council meeting voice their concerns regarding the building of a prison in Kemptville. I was proud to think this community has so many thoughtful and caring people. Their arguments were not based in NIMBYISM (not in my backyard).

Their points were speaking to higher philosophical and

societal questions about justice, about how we treat each other, about the struggles we all face to achieve or maintain a decent quality of life, about the shortage of affordable housing, about the precariousness created by low wages, about the loss of culture and heritage, and about the marginalization of people generally. Their concern was for the people who are most often put at risk by society's failings, and their message was, that prisons are not the answer whenever our social safety systems have failed.

These people were informed, polite and spoke to some very important issues about how society operates.

They expressed concerns about social justice and punitive systems that do little to rehabilitate offenders. I have heard in passing, some hard and heavy comments about people who break the law. I

have heard stuff like, "prison shouldn't be a Club Med, with tv and three free meals a day," and "these people deserve what they get for breaking the law." I have heard the same hard comments about people who are forced to use the food bank, such as,"well they should just get a job instead of looking for a free handout."

Yes, there are people out there without compassion, information or understanding.

But the citizens who came out last week had thought much deeper about our social justice system, and recognized that racial profiling, systemic racism and systemic failures contribute to the numbers of people in our penal institutions. They told us that, many times, people who are incarcerated are waiting to be remanded, and that the wheels of justice turn too slow. They talked about a congested judiciary, where people are not

getting a speedy trial. They spoke to the need for serious judicial reform.

They asked Mayor and Council to hear their will as citizens, to not have this prison built in the heart of the community. Mayor and Council listened diligently.

The point of a democracy was well made, when one resident asked how another tier of government could force its will on a municipality without that municipality's consultation or consent. One resident asked Mayor and Council to stand with the people of the community who are opposed to constructing a prison.

The discussion was polite and respectful, and it was reflective of a community who was describing the type of society, and community that Kemptville needs to be, in order for Kemptville to be resilient and sustainable.

This was at the heart of what

was said. Unfortunately, the corporate structure of Ontario sets a division of powers between the Province and the Municipality, allowing the provincial government to exercise its authority without community consent.

As an aside, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, calls for the principle of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC), whenever, a government's actions will infringe on the rights of Indigenous people. The right has transferred into a court ordered responsibility of the government to honour its duty of consultation. Perhaps, Canadians should have their right to FPIC enshrined in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedom.

At the end of the day, we are all more and more aware of our failing social systems, our strained health

care systems, our perilous economy, our lack of affordable housing, the strain on our charities, and food banks, and our desire for greater local food security. As this pandemic has created a crack big enough to let the light through, to shine on everything that needs our attention.

I for one, am hopeful because we have some awfully smart, compassionate, and active people amongst us.

Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That's how the light gets in Leonard Cohen

employees already in the system. There could be some part time employment, perhaps a student on campus could get a job selling marijuana in the cafeteria.

I don't think that council is representing me or standing up for North Grenville and are just white washing this whole fiasco in order to further their careers. You are willing to jeopardise our history, safety, identity, and endanger our children.

There are so many other uses for this land to enhance the RTO, provide a place for more physical and mental health, and recreational activities. With everything that North Grenville has become, stand our ground, form committees, and fight this. Put your efforts into stopping this horrible injustice and save us from becoming THE JAIL NEAR THE RIDEAU. Together we need to fight this, NO WAY! NOT HERE! Rosalind Brooks Kemptville

back Writer Talkin' ‘Bout my Generation. You May Say I'm a Dreamer, but I'm Picking up Good Vibrations, I heard it through the Grapevine, Is This The Real Life?

"Help, he Wants to Break Free and Go Where the Sun Keeps Shining, even though He is the Greatest Dancer, his Truth will go Marching on.

Are you Ready? He Wants to Ride his Bicycle. A Farewell To David! We have enjoyed your editorials, thank you very much.

Tunefully Tricia and Dave Habberjam

couldn't resist the temptation to give him a piece of your homemade, blueberry pie. It was quite frivolous of me, for at that stage, my father could no longer swallow solid food.

I thought he might like to sample a bit of your blueberry filling as an afternoon treat.

Do you know, he somehow managed to devour the whole piece all by himself – crust and all. I'll never forget seeing his purple fingers and his deep purple lips. Now that I remember it, my father pretty much became purple from the waist up. He had purple covering his elbows, running up his arms, and even a bit dripping out of his armpits.

To this day, I'm not sure how he did it, given that my father could no longer use a knife or cut with a fork, but where there's a will, there's a way. He somehow managed to clean his plate, surprising even himself at the accomplishment.

This is how I know your pies have special powers.

They realize more than bigger bellies. They encourage small miracles. They help people to escape their daily routines and to savour life.

With admiration, a local patron

Dear Editor, I was surprised to read in the pages of the Times that you (David Shanahan) would be relinquishing you position as editor of that feisty little newspaper. During the time I have been acquainted with it, this newspaper has done all of the useful things a good newspaper can do for its community. Even more though, I believe the paper has given an "anchorage" for the democratic self-expression that is the hallmark of the few democracies extant in the modern world. In addition to expressing your own ideas vigorously and eloquently, your words were accompanied by articles and letters from a broad range of local points of view. An interested and committed reader could always find matter for reflection in the pages of the Times.

While I shall miss your contributions as editor, I am sure you will find your way to the letters page, or maybe contribute articles from time to time. I shall hope that the new editor will find it possible to entertain the wide range of contributions which you did so successfully. All the best in your future endeavours.

Jim Bertram cont'd on page 7

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, Kemptville became my home nearly forty-five years ago when its only culture was agriculture.

Clark and Ford, your ignorance and arrogance is equalled only by the audacity of this announcement without any consultation made during a pandemic that is already negatively affecting the mental and physical well being of so many. The irony is that the municipality had been trying to buy the land but had been put off by you Steve Clark. Shame on you both!

Were the improvements on Hwy 43 and the funds for affordable housing a dangling carrot? In the future, does the provincial government have the power to change these homes to half way houses for inmates?

Madam Mayor, Deputy Mayor and silent councillors, I am so disappointed in your actions. It matters not to me when you found out about this invasion, it is your response or lack thereof. I do wonder however, why the previous CAO of the Municipality of North Grenville was quickly replaced by Gary Dykes who has history in the areas of existing municipali-

ties with correctional institutions and was very quick to point out to council that it is a done deal.

I don't want you on the phone every day and texting every day trying to get more information from the provincial government and arranging robust consultations, I want you to say NO WAY! NOT HERE! I don't want you negotiating a good deal with the province with water and sewers. I want you to say NO WAY! NOT HERE! The article in the North Grenville times by Mayor Nancy Peckford on the proposed prison............what a waste of space! And pray tell, who are the two representatives opposed to the jail who have been invited in the interest of transparency to the October 30th call?

Why are you wasting your time comparing other cities by choosing selective positive situations for example ‘house prices in Milton skyrocketed?'

Do you think that there could have been other factors?

The economic development will be very limited with most services being outsourced by the correctional institution, for example, food and laundry. New jobs will be filled with trained unionized

The North Grenville Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc. Marketing Gord J. Logan gord@ngtimes.ca 613-258-6402 March 31, 2021

Dear Editor, What follows is an open letter to Nana B of Nana B's Bakery in Merrickville. I would like to share a secret with you. It's not a secret recipe or a secret dish. It's something that I have been reflecting upon the past few months: I believe your pies are magical.

I know this must sound a bit odd, given that you are famous for your butter tarts, and, goodness knows, you make the region's best bread and cookies. I have, however, observed your pies in action.

A few months ago, when my father was in the last stage of his Alzheimer's, I

Dear Editor, Below is my attempt at a farewell message to David Shanahan, with apologies to songwriters everywhere: "Oh Davey Boy, Who's Always Writing on the Wall, A Paper-

the north grenville

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TIMES

OFFICE 613-215-0735 Accounting Pat Jessop cfo@ngtimes.ca 613-258-4671

Editor Lorraine Rekman editor@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735

6

Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Staff Reporter Hilary Thomson hilary@ngtimes.ca

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The Voice of North Grenville

letters cont'd Dear Editor, To begin with, I am not opposed to a Correctional Facility due to 'NIMBY'.

Although Kemptville has been my home for a very long time, I do not expect to be residing here in 2027. The presence of a Correctional Facility in name alone defines everything that Kemptville is not.

The economical development will be very limited, with most of the services being outsourced by the correctional institution, for example food and laundry.

Employment will be filled by union employees already in the system. They MIGHT make purchases, vehicles, or even homes. They MIGHT NOT!!

This land does not lend itself to house a Correctional Institution. Surrounded by Nursery Schools, Daycares, Kindergarten, Primary and High School, we are jeopardizing our safety and endangering our children.

There are no public transportation systems to assist criminals or their families, and there also remains overwhelming concerns with infrastructure, water and sewer pressures.

There are so many other uses for this agricultural land, including but not limited to, improving the environment.

This land could provide better facilities for physical and mental health programs that will ultimately reduce the need for correctional facilities. Recreational, sport, and entertainment industries could provide employment, income, tourism and would enhance the lives of families in North Grenville.

Rosalind Brooks Dear Editor, Is it just me, or does the delivery of this vaccine look like an episode of the Keystone Cops?

General Hillier, I'm sure was a fine military commander, but what does he know about vaccines? The news changes daily. First, there was to be an ordered roll out of the vaccine on the basis of those in most need being a priority. I think most thought that this seemed to be the most sensible way to go about the delivery of the various vaccines.

Our political leaders have dropped the ball by poorly negotiating access to our vaccine supply, which puts pressure on a timely delivery. At the same time, special interest groups are making their point to jump the queue and with no medical knowledge, politiMarch 31, 2021

cians have decided to extend the time in between doses. As I understand it, this is contrary to the information provided by the vaccine manufacturers.

All this is presumably to get some protection into arms and protect political reputations but substantially reduces the efficacy longer term. Canada is the only country in the world to adopt this policy. All this contrary to the Canada Health Act which mandates equal access to health care for all.

Neighbourhoods in Toronto are up in arms because they weren't given a pharmacy vaccination clinic in their neighbourhood. We all know that the sun rises and sets on Toronto. But guess what the rest of the province have been given? Currently vaccines are being diverted to high risk area in Toronto. We, in Kemptville for example, would have to drive to Kingston to access a vaccine, but they are currently overbooked.

At the end of the day, if you depend on the government to look after your best interests, you may be disappointed. Take matters into your own hands, get a vaccine as soon as you can, stay home when you can, keep social distancing and practice good hygiene. Stay safe.

Bill Kozak Dear Editor, About a kilometer or so south of Kemptville lies an unused few acres of arable land. Unlike the thousand odd acres of arable land scattered around Ontario, this piece of land is to become infamous over the next few years.

The land legally belongs to the province of Ontario and the legally elected Ontario government has decided that this should be the site of a new prison.

As the government of Ontario is the highest planning authority in the province, it will no doubt use the shoddiest materials to build an obnoxious eyesore on the site.

Immediately shovels go into the ground, for construction, property prices for at least a 25km radius of the site will plummet. The mass tourism business in Kemptville will collapse overnight.

When construction is complete, it will be time to lock up our womenfolk and children to spare them from the rape and pillage of escaped convicts. Anything that can be moved should be chained down, along with metal window bars and additional locks to the doors to protect us from larcenous parolees stealing everything

in sight Pestilence will be visited upon Kemptville as waste from the incarcerated will be added to the pure sewage from the town. Similarly, drinking water will be corrupted by touching the lips of felons.

So what should we do fellow citizens of Kemptville.

We will of course form a committee. We will ensure the committee has the right gender, ethnic and sexuality mix so nobody can say it is not “representative”. We will of course ensure that it is ideologically pure in that all members must be 100% against the prison. It would not do to have any wishywashy “I don’t cares” from the silent majority. When we have a committee, we can organize petitions, write to newspapers, parade with banners up and down Prescott Street. We can try and deselect our elected representative to the government who switched from a nice guy to ogre overnight. Finally, perhaps we can convince some brave souls to lay down in front of the backhoes! The purpose of the committee is clear that the Kemptville Prison solution is not the best solution and the government should immediately move the prison to a more suitable site. (A more suitable site is anywhere else in Ontario!)

However, citizens, I do not believe that the government will take the advice and so we will be left with only one solution. The committee will actually have to take real action and relocate themselves to a town where there is no prison or plans for a prison. May I humbly suggest that they might consider now as a good time to go as strange as it might seem, there are people willing to spend large amounts of dollars to actually move to Kemptville even though they know a prison is coming!

William Smith Dear Editor, Rain, Rain, Rain. Thank you so much to the drivers on Concession Road, Friday morning March 26. I was walking my two dogs headed to Prescott Street and got splashed by only three cars! There are many cars on Concession in the morning headed to the schools, hospital, day care, delivery trucks etc. Friday morning it was pouring rain, with puddles on Concession the size of small ponds. I am so thankful for the drivers who slowed down, moved over as safely as possible, to avoid

UPDATE For updates related to COVID-19 and the North Grenville Municipal Centre visit: www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus

The Municipal Centre is open to the public Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETINGS

Council meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. Council meetings will be live streamed on YouTube commencing at 6:30 pm. To view the live stream visit: https://www.youtube.com/user/ NorthGrenville/featured For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting virtually, pre-registration is required by e-mailing clerk@northgrenville.on.ca. To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please pre-register with the Clerk's Office at the same e-mail address. Please provide your comments no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting.

Council agendas (including for closed sessions) may be found here: https://www.northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes •

Council Meeting – April 6, 2021 (Open Session immediately preceded by a Closed Session)

PLANNING PUBLIC MEETING • • • • •

Council Meeting – April 14, 2021 Proposed Zoning By-Law Amendment – 709 Slater Rd. Proposed Zoning By-Law Amendment – 1008 Whitney Rd. Proposed Zoning By-Law Amendment – 8 Asa St. Notice of Intent to Remove “h” Holding Symbol – 285 County Rd. 44

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Committee meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting virtually, pre-registration is required by e-mailing Jessica Workman at jworkman@northgrenville.on.ca Heritage Advisory Committee – Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 4:30 pm Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee – Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 3:00 pm Agriculture and Rural Affairs Advisory Committee – Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 4:15 pm Arts and Culture Advisory Committee – Thursday April 8, 2021 at 5:00 pm

BAG TAGS

Old bag tags can be refunded or exchanged at the Municipal Centre. Bag tags are now $2.75 per tag or a bundle of 8 for $22. The Municipality is providing additional weekend office hours (9:00 am – 1:00 pm) for residents to exchange their old garbage bag tags for new ones on the following date: • Saturday, April 10

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Visit www.northgrenville.ca/careers for more details Tourism Coordinator: Resumes must be received no later than 4:00 pm on April 2, 2021 Facilities Lead Hand: Resumes must be received no later than 4:00 pm on April 2, 2021 Board Members – Kemptville Campus: Resumes must be received no later than 4:00 pm on April 2, 2021 Cemetery Attendant: resumes must be received no later than 4:00 pm on April 9, 2021

The Municipality of North Grenville

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

www.NorthGrenville.ca

splashing me and my dogs.

Not only did so many slow down when passing me, but waved 'good morning' as they drove by. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and making a dreary, crappy day a happy one!

Peggy Duperron The Lady with the Two Dogs

7

Dear Editor, Referring to the letter by Yves St. Pierre about the tourism coordinator being hired by the municipality, I too am not happily surprised. $132K is a great deal of money in these times. Kemptville a tourism destination? What

will they come to look at?

Our beautiful prison with a decorative chain link fence and barbed wire? $3M for the Wellington Street project is news to me and picnic tables at $1K each? I couldn’t agree more with this author.

Easter Egg Ridiculous Kathe Piche Scavenger Hunt!

P.S. Thank you David Can you find all the for all the Irish pictures of Easter eggs in this week's the stone monuments. I am issue? also from three families from Email your egg hunt Ireland who came very long count to ago to Oxford Station. The production@ngtimes. families were Clare, Gardner ca and have a chance to and Black, on my mother’s WIN a gift! side. A sincere thank you for all your great work as Editor. www.ngtimes.ca

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Bayfield looking forward to offering more long-term care beds

Bayfield resident Helen Trimble One such project is currently underway behind Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Bayfield Manor. SouthThe Ontario government bridge broke ground on has announced that it will be their new 160-bed facility in investing another $933 mil- November, which will bring lion in new and redeveloped an additional 94 long-term long term care beds across care spaces to the community. In the fall, the provinthe province.

Candace Chartier of cial government announced Southbridge Care Homes, that Southbridge would be which owns Bayfield Manor receiving $7.6 million to in Kemptville, says this support these local longis the most historic bud- term care beds.

Bayfield’s Executive Diget that the sector has ever seen. It will finance 80 long rector, Gerry Miller, says term care projects across the there is a definitely a need province to build 9,478 new for these additional beds beds and upgrade 5,212 beds in the community. Their in Ontario. “It’s just incred- waiting list typically sits at ible how many projects are around 125 people; but it has recently increased to almost going forward,” she says.

by Hilary Thomson

constant contact with resident’s families, especially in the early days of the pandemic when fear was high, and have been able to make use of technology to allow for much needed social interaction with loved ones.

“The COVID experience has certainly created a lot of challenges and we certainly wouldn’t want to relive it; but I do think that in some ways it’s brought us together as a community and made us stronger,” he says.

Helen Trimble is one of 57 retirement residents at Bayfield Manor. She has been living at Bayfield since 2018 and is adamant that there is no place she would rather be. Although the building is old and needs upkeep, Helen says it is much more welcoming than some of the newer residences that are being built. “To me they’re big and they’re cold and they’re not cozy,” she says. “To me this place, old as it is, is much cozier and more at home.”

Helen says that Bayfield staff have gone above and beyond to keep all the residents, both retirement and long-term care, happy throughout the pandemic.

“They’re doing all they can to keep us entertained in here and certainly there’s lots of entertainment going on,” she says. “They

200. “Most of the people that get admitted here tell us that they’ve been on the waitlist for around a year, year and a half,” Gerry says.

Candace says the new building will be a marked improvement to what they currently offer at Bayfield Manor. The facility will be divided into home areas where no more than 32 residents will be sharing a space. They will be eliminating ward rooms to focus on private and semiprivate accommodations, and each home area will include lounge spaces and intimate dining areas. The new building has also been designed to promote infection control and lessen cross contamination. “A whole bunch of work has gone into it, basically coming out of COVID, of how we can design these homes to be better for staff, families and residents,” Candace says.

Keeping COVID-19 out of Bayfield Manor has been top of mind for all the staff at the home. Gerry says it has been a very challenging year for the administration and staff, but especially for residents and families. With the support of Southbridge, Gerry says they have been able to adapt to all the necessary protocols to keep residents and staff safe. They have also been maintaining

have the euchre games and bingo and shuffleboard and exercises and music when they can, church services virtually. Its about all they can do. All the staff are certainly working over and above what’s required of a retirement home staff.”

According to Helen, residents have been told that once the new facility is complete, the area that houses the current long-term care facility will be renovated to make additional retirement spaces. She also heard that the current retirement suites will be getting a face lift. “I am looking forward to it, although I am perfectly happy where I am,” she says.

Candace says Southbridge Homes will be engaging the North Grenville community to see how they can best use the old building once the new facility is complete. “As this process goes forward, we want to meet with the community and see what the needs are, then take that back to the group and look at what works best for the community.”

Gerry also acknowledged that the retirement portion of Bayfield provides a great service to the Kemptville community and has for a long time. “It’s not the only retirement home in town, but it’s one that provides, I think, a good service to the

population and we certainly intend to maintain that.”

According to Gerry it has been very exciting to see the bones of the new building start to go in behind Bayfield. The construction crew worked all through the winter and Candace says they are on pace to open the facility in June 2022.

Although it will be a process with Southbridge and the Ministry to fill the beds and have adequate staffing in place, Gerry doesn’t believe it will take long to occupy the facility. “We anticipate being at full occupancy as soon after June next year as possible,” he says.

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Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

Supreme Court of Canada rules Carbon Pricing Law Constitutional: Intervenors for rights of women and girls welcome the decision The Supreme Court of Canada’s judgment declaring the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act constitutional is a victory for women and girls.

Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta went to court over the Act arguing that it was unconstitutional because Ottawa was stepping into provincial jurisdiction.

The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) and Friends of the Earth Canada (FOE) intervened in the case to encourage the court to uphold the Act because climate change negatively impacts women’s equality rights and the Act is central to Canada’s efforts to reduce its GHG emissions.

Legislation requiring a minimum national level of carbon pricing across the country ensures that all governments in Canada are acting within their capacity to mitigate climate March 31, 2021

change and curb the resulting negative impacts on women and girls. This decision upholds one of the central policies needed for the federal government to meet Canada’s international targets under the Paris Agreement and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

N AW L a n d F O E a r e pleased to see the Supreme Court affirm that the federal government has the constitutional authority as part of its Peace Order and Good Government power to enact a national minimum standard to ensure the country’s GHG emissions are reduced. The Supreme Court recognized that “climate change is real... and it poses a grave threat to humanity’s future” and recognized that these matters are of national concern when there are grave extra-provincial consequences. The SCC noted that the impacts of climate change will be

borne disproportionately by vulnerable communities and regions in Canada, which justify the limited constitutional impact on provincial jurisdiction.

The SCC recognized that carbon pricing is a critical measure for the reduction of GHG emissions, and critical to our response to an existential threat to human life in Canada and around the world. Carbon pricing generates revenues that, after rebates to taxpayers, can support equality-advancing government programs that will benefit women, girls, and other equality-seeking groups.

“The climate crisis will impact everyone, but individuals and groups that already face systemic inequality will be disproportionately impacted, since climate change can exacerbate existing inequalities and create new forms of discrimination,” says Nathalie 8

Chalifour, Co-Counsel for NAWL and FOE. “Women have unique vulnerabilities to some climate changerelated health impacts, like heat stress, but they are also disproportionately impacted by climate change due to gendered social and family roles, lower average incomes, and existing discriminatory policies and cultural attitudes.”

“Women are also at risk of experiencing an increased strain and workload caring for sick or injured family members in the context of climate-related extreme weather events,” says Co-Counsel, Anne Levesque. “This increased strain can translate to less participation by women in the workforce, a trend Canada has already seen in the fallout of COVID. As well, violence against women often flares up in the aftermath of natural disasters, the frequency and severity

of which will be greater as a result of climate change.”

“Today's decision is important. It's a victory for women and girls and all Canadians. It ushers in an era of climate legislation and regulation unimpeded by the fossil fuel industry and its political surrogates", said Beatrice Olivastri, CEO, Friends of the Earth Canada. “We congratulate the Government of Canada and thank our co-counsels and all those who intervened on

behalf of climate justice."

“Today’s decision marks the end of a partisan battle which has diverted time and resources away from the important work of fighting climate change”, says Tiffany Butler, Executive Director of NAWL. “Now it is time to ensure all governments focus on working collaboratively to address the threat of climate change in a way that upholds the rights of women and girls.”

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Local author publishes first novel about rare disorder Sara started writing Pen- own,” she says. “A child could wasn’t until colleagues started dulum two years ago in her have anxiety or have deprescomplimenting on her strong Local Journalism Initiative Reporter writing skills that she realized spare time, which was few and sion or OCD, and so it works it was something she could far between with two young through a lot of the tools and A local author has released nurture outside of the office kids at home. She says she different things that help this her first children’s novel high- environment. “I just have wrote most of it by hand in boy throughout his journey.” lighting a rare disorder and had a lot of compliments and a notebook while she was at At 132 pages, Sara wrote mental health. people saying you should her children’s dance classes or Pendulum for kids in grades Pendulum follows a really start writing on the soccer practices. Her favourite five and up, but says it can also young boy named Ben, whose side, you should start doing part about the process was be a great reference and suppersonality and behaviour something with this gift that I researching the disorder and port for parents who are trying changes from happy, funny, honestly didn’t really realize then building resilience into to help their children through energetic and silly to anxious, I had,” she remembers. the main character that is so mental health struggles. “I obsessive, emotional and With a background in important with any mental think parents could easily depressed overnight. After environmental science, Sara or physical health issue. “We read this even just for their visiting over 20 doctors and started getting interested in want to build resilience in our awareness level in terms of receiving seven mis-diagno- health issues over the past kids,” she says. the disorder,” she says. ses, Ben is finally diagnosed ten years. In 2016, she started Sara hopes that Pendulum Pendulum is now being with a little-known and under- writing a blog called The Al- with create more awareness sold online through Amazon, stood disorder called Pediatric lergy Beast, which talks about for PANDAS and children’s and publisher FrisenPress. It Autoimmune Neuropsychi- food allergies and intoleranc- mental health in general. can also be found locally at atric Disorder Associated es, mental health, obesity, au- “The disorder encompasses the Merrickville Book Empowith Streptococcal Infections toimmune and neuroimmune so many different pieces that rium and the North Grenville (PANDAS). disorders. Through family and people can have on their Public Library.

Author Sara German friends, she started learning discovered her affinity for about PANDAS and the often writing later in life, when pervasive affects the disease working with the govern- can have on a child’s mental ment. While she always did health. “With PANDAS, there a lot of writing for work, it are things like OCD that present, anxiety, depression, emotional ability, aggression, among other things,” she says.

“And so, having learned about this disorder, I just felt like Connect Youth has re- it would be a really interestceived SSRF funding in the ing one to work through in past and is still waiting to hear a book.” whether they will be one of the organizations benefiting from this most recent funding announcement. Robyn says that any funds received would be used to offset the daily programming costs associCome to Kemptville ated with operating a housing Hearing Clinic where program. This includes basic we always provide needs items (clothing, food, straightforward and hygiene), emergency hotel honest hearing stays, costs associated with healthcare. purchasing identification for clients, transportation costs Karen will test your hearto support youth in accessing ing for free and detercommunity support services, mine if hearing aids are and cell phones to ensure appropriate. If they are, youth can remain connected she will detail your opto supports during the COtions from a wide selecVID-19 pandemic. tion of manufacturers… not just one. Karen will Current funding sources recommend what is best for Connect Youth include suited for you, your lifethe United Counties of Leeds style and your hearing and Grenville, the United loss.

Way of Leeds and Grenville, Reaching Home, which is Karen and Brooke will exhaust all efforts to get administered by the federal you the maximum fundgovernment, and private doing towards your hearing nations from individual and aids. At our clinic, our groups. While they are very everyday prices are the thankful for every dollar, same as some compaRobyn says the current state nies “limited time” disof the housing market in Karen McCallion, Hearing Instrument Specialist counts.

Leeds and Grenville means Brooke Barkley, Hearing Instrument Dispenser We believe your hearing that the cost of operating needs should be mantheir program often exceeds aged by professionals funding received. “In addiwho will openly listen to tion to increased funding, 613-215-1501 your concerns and creour community needs to look 2674 County Road 43 ate a plan to maximize at addressing the systemic www.hearme.ca your comfort, care and deficiencies in our response success with hearing (Co-Located with Kemptville Optometric) to addressing homelessness,” aids. she says.

by Hilary Thomson

Provincial funding not enough to tackle homelessness in Leeds and Grenville conducted by the United Counties of Leeds and GrenLocal Journalism Initiative Reporter ville, 70% of homeless people In March, MPP Steve live in Brockville, 10% in Clark’s office issued a Kemptville and 6.4% in Gapress release announcing nanoque. However, the report $1,460,755 to help support does acknowledge that this the homeless in the United data may be skewed by the Counties of Leeds and Gren- number of survey locations ville. available in each municipality This funding was an- surveyed. nounced as part of the provConnect Youth is one ince’s $255 million invest- organization that does have a ment through the Social Ser- transitional housing unit for vices Relief Fund (SSRF), to youth in Kemptville. They help protect homeless shelter also have two apartments in staff and residents, and help Brockville, one in Prescott prevent more people from and one in Spencerville. becoming homeless. “Our Executive Director Robyn government is once again tak- Holmes says all their aparting immediate action to save ments are currently occupied lives by responding to the and they have a waitlist of rising number of COVID-19 over 10 youth who are waitcases in emergency shelters ing for housing. “There is a across the province,” says dire need for temporary housMinister of Municipal Affairs ing in all areas of Leeds and and Housing and MPP Clark. Grenville,” she says. “The “This investment will ensure reality of the current housing our municipal service man- market means that there are agers can keep vulnerable very few rental units, and people and shelter workers those that are available are safe by providing them with financially unattainable for the financial ability to take low-income individuals.” any means necessary to stop The fight against homethe spread of COVID-19 in lessness is an issue that is shelter spaces.” far reaching and will stretch So, what does this mean beyond the COVID-19 panfor the homeless in North demic. Robyn says that, ideGrenville? The reality is, ally, she would like to see the with very few services for the government investing in a homeless in our municipality, multi-level response to homethe majority of this funding lessness by way of emergency will be going to larger urban shelters/units, longer term centres like Brockville. Ac- transitional units, and affordcording to a 2018 Homeless- able long-term options for ness Enumeration Report individuals and families.

by Hilary Thomson

March 31, 2021

NOW OPEN

9

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

The Scoop on Equine ‘Therapy’: Mental Health and horses, know what you’re getting, and what you’re not

By Heather Sansom With the attention on mental health these days, rural areas like this one offer many nature related resources for wellbeing, including horses.

Therapeutic benefits of activity with horses are supported by research. Yet, the field is actually not well regulated.

Equine therapies include three distinct areas: equine assisted learning (EAL), equine assisted therapy (EAT), and ‘therapeutic riding’.

It is becoming trendy for equine services to market to mental health, especially trauma and autism. Most trust that the service provider has the right professional credentials. However, they may not.

Because of lack of controls in the equine and wellness industries, service providers may be working outside of scope, not knowing ‘what they don’t know.’ A conscientious service provider is well aware of the limits of their scope of practice.

In therapeutic riding, participants usually have physical or cognitive disabilities, and do actually ride on the horse. The activity leaders in Ontario are usually trained through the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA) specifically to teach riding to people with cognitive and physical issues.

Equine learning (EAL) and equine therapy (EAT) facilitators by contrast, have no training through those credentials for mental health, disability, or for teaching riding.

EAL is not therapy. Although covered by some health insurances as an alternative therapy, it is not technically therapy. Service providers entering into therapy conversations are open to legal liability and put service users at risk since the provider is not trained in mental health. Facilitators are not trained, authorized, or insured for providing mental health service. EAL training is used as therapy only if there is a credentialed mental health professional involved in person.

EAL training consists of a few days or weeks of professional development. There is no consistent quality control because there is no governing body for credentialing or training in it. Anyone with a good marketing plan can create a program and ‘certificate’. The training has few pre-requisites, so people obtaining certificates may have no prior formal training in facilitating learning, working with horses, or instructing people to safely work with a horse. The training is not a credential in professional

system in Canada unless they learned it through other professional development.

Services users should not enter into mental health symptom or therapy type conversations with a non-trained service provider. With no governing body, EAL providers cannot be accountable for what mental health or equestrian coaching bodies would consider ‘mental health malpractice’. Even if covered by insurance, it would not be considered therapy in a liability case.

It is illegal in Ontario to provide mental health therapy without the appropriate credentialing. In addition to mental health credentials, professionals require training in the specific therapy methods used.

In Ontario, several professional designations may legally offer mental health/ psychotherapy. Psychologist and Registered Psychotherapist designations imply extensive formal training built into their degree programs.

Other professionals are allowed to offer counselling and psychotherapy, provided they have the appropriate training beyond their standard degree. These include medical doctors (including psychiatrists), nurses, occupational therapists, and social

horsemanship, or mental health.

Neither EAL nor EAT should involve riding unless a qualified person is present physically in the session, trained and insured to provide riding instruction, usually through Equestrian Canada (EC), CanTRA, Centered Riding, Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA), and Pony Club. Rider level certificates from EC or other bodies are the equivalent of swim badges, and not equestrian instruction credentials.

Conversely, riding instructors are not qualified or insured for mental health (EAT) or EAL, unless they have the relevant equine activity training and therapy qualifications. The public does not generally know that unlike many sports, credentialing in equestrian coaching is not mandatory, creating inconsistency in sport instruction and use of safety protocols. If a riding coach is credentialed, their website will usually say so.

The traditional route to becoming a riding coach was the informal mentoring system, and it created many excellent horsemen and women.

However, those taking this route do not typically get the pedagogical, safety, or sport development training more on par with the general sport

workers. Short of asking the provider to show you their credentials, you can tell if a program is run by a mental health professional based on the marketing and service fee structure. Mental health professionals are not allowed to take prepayment, offer discounts, wear two service hats (ie. therapy, and pony party for your family), or connect socially with clients (including social media ‘friending’).

To summarize, the following clarifies some local area equine services offering EAL, EAT, or therapeutic riding, based on their formal training and credentialing.

Fawg Forest: Offers EAT. Mental health nurse. Equine/ animal training unknown.

Tranquil Acres: Offers EAL, EAT, riding. Registered Psychotherapist. No riding coaching or therapeutic riding credentials.

Ottawa Neurofeedback Centre: Offers EAT. Psychologists and mental health therapists in partnership with a riding school. Not clear if therapists physically present at sessions. Riding school does not have formal riding coach credentials. No EAL, EAT, or therapeutic riding credentials known.

Move Your Mind: Offers EAT, EAL, Riding. Formal credentials for all three (EC

coaching, EAL training, Registered Psychotherapist) Healing Minis: Offers EAT. Mental health designation: Social worker (MSW).

No formal equestrian professional training. No EAL training known.

TROTT Lanark County Therapeutic Riding: CanTRA credentialed for therapeutic riding. Not mental health therapy. Not EAL Royale Equestrian: Offers therapeutic riding marketed to trauma and autism. Riding instruction training is through informal mentoring. Not certified coach. No known EAL/ EAT, mental health, autism, or therapeutic riding training or credentialing known.

Heather Sansom, PhD, is a Kemptville area Registered Psychotherapist, certified riding coach, recreation therapist, and outdoor leader with EAL training. Her PhD research was in equine based learning and mental health.

She formerly directed the national rider and coach training programs for Equestrian Canada, and has presented on the equine industry, equestrian instruction, mental health, and EAL at national and international conferences.

Eastern Ontario Regional Network awards $152-m contract to Rogers for cell expansion The Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) is spearheading a public-private partnership with Rogers Communications to improve cell service across the region.

Rogers was selected through a competitive bidding process to find a partner that would deliver the most coverage and improved capacity at the best value. Rogers is investing more than $150 million to improve cell services in the region.

This project is valued at more than $300 million and involves the construction of more than 300 new telecommunications sites and the upgrade of more than 300 existing sites over the next four to five years. Work is to be completed by 2025, with new services activated as groups of towers are completed. Construction plans are still being finalized.

Both the federal and provincial governments have committed $71 million each.

All municipal members of March 31, 2021

the Easter Ontario Warden’s Caucus (EOWC) and most of the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus (EOMC) have committed to the $10 million municipal share of funding.

Rogers Communications’ investments bring the total value of the project to more than $300 million. Rogers was selected through a competitive bidding process.

Some of the communities expected to benefit from this improvement are United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, County of Lennox and Addington, United Counties of Prescott and Russell, and United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.

The EORN is a non-profit created by the EOWC and works with governments and community organizations to improve and leverage cellular and broadband access.

From 2010 to 2014, EORN helped to improve broadband access to nearly 90 per cent of eastern Ontario through a $175 million

public-private partnership. of up to 10 Mbps download. covers an area of 45,000 Since its inception, the square kilometres from CoThe network was funded by federal, provincial and munic- Eastern Ontario Wardens' bourg to the Quebec border, Grenville CFDC: and Advertising x 8w)(EOWC) - Generic Graham + includes 13 upper-tier and Caucus has4 TD worked and ipal governments private (5h Associates 613-258-3885 sector service| providers.

As a to support and advocate on single-tier municipalities as Sept 2018 result of the project, 423,000 behalf of the 750,000 prop- well as 90 local municipalihomes and businesses are erty taxpayers across rural ties. The EOMC is made up now able to access services eastern Ontario. The EOWC of the Mayors of the 11 urban

municipalities (separated, single tier) of Eastern Ontario. The committee meets quarterly as a group with the municipal CAOs in attendance to discuss common issues relevant to municipalities in eastern Ontario.

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The North Grenville Times

Covid in the Community Some Teachable Moments

Submitted by Councillor Doreen O'Sullivan Having avoided contact in the first and second waves, this time I have not been so fortunate.

On Sunday, March 21, I tested positive for COVID-19.

I had been isolating since March 15, so there was no risk to anyone in the community. My symptoms started on March 18 and I am happy to report that I am feeling much better every day.

What does it feel like to have COVID-19? For me it started like a head cold or seasonal allergies. Then it progressed to feeling like the flu. I experienced nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and cankers in my mouth, headache, muscle aches, chills and fatigue.

Only a few times did I experience chest tightness or cough.

If I had not been identi-

fied as a high risk contact with a positive case of COVID-19.

I would not have suspected that I had this virus. I also may not have been tested if not for being identified as at risk. So, an important lesson from this is, don't ignore any symptoms. If you are not well stay at home! Get tested and stop the spread!

It is important to note that I did receive my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on March 5. However, I did not acquire complete immunity to the virus. My symptoms were much milder than they might have been. The vaccine has been proven to significantly reduce the severity of the illness, the number of hospitalizations and deaths, but it does not guarantee complete immunity.

This means that even once you are vaccinated you may not achieve full immunity and you still need to be diligent to avoid contact with the virus.

Masking, hand hygiene and social distancing must still be practiced until more people have been vaccinated.

Every family's circumstance is unique and must be respected. I have been diligent in protecting myself and my family, and despite taking all the precautions and following public health protocols, I still

The Voice of North Grenville

Sunshine list North Grenville

Sunshine Grenvilleand provide greater accountability to ratepayers, the province In an efflist ort toNorth be transparent and municipalities release a “Sunshine List” on an annual basis and show the number of public In an effort to be transparent and provide greater accountability to ratepayers, the province and sector workers whose annual earnings are $100,000 or more. municipalities release a “Sunshine List” on an annual basis and show the number of public sec Each year since the Public Sector Disclosure Act (PSSDA) was passed in 1996, workers whose annual earnings are Salary $100,000 or more. governments publish the names of public sector employees who(PSSDA) were paidwas a salary of $100,000 Each year since the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act passed in 1996, orgovernments more. Organizations public funding from the Province Ontario required publish that the receive names of public sector employees whoofwere paidare a salary of $100,00 toordisclose the names, positions, salariespublic and taxable benefi ts of employees. more. Organizations that receive funding from thethese Province of Ontario are required to The Actthe was passedpositions, to providesalaries accountability and allow ratepayers to compare the perfordisclose names, and taxable benefits of these employees.

The Act was passed to provide and allow to compare the performance mance of an organization with the accountability compensation given to the ratepayers people running it. ofThe an organization with the compensation given to the people running it.

Act covers the Government of Ontario, crown agencies, municipalities, hospitals, boards Acthealth, coversschool the Government of Ontario, crownHydro agencies, municipalities, hospitals, boards o ofThe public boards, universities, colleges, One, Ontario Power Generation, public health, school boards, universities, colleges, Hydro One, Ontario Power Generation, and and other public sector employers who receive a significant level of funding from the Province other public sector employers who receive a significant level of funding from the Province including not-for-profit organizations that receive $1 million or more. including not-for-profit organizations that receive $1 million or more.

got the virus. COVID-19 got into our bubble. We didn't go looking for it or invite it in!

I am sharing my story not in an attempt to shame or blame anyone, any institution or organization, but to emphasize how easily the virus can spread. I am sharing this to help keep our community safe and healthy.

Stigmatizing anyone, any institution or organization for having positive cases of COVID-19 is a form of discrimination and bullying. It can contribute to the spread. I am including a message from the World Health Organization regarding the stigma of having COVID-19.

We really are in this together. #Solidarity Not Stigma.

I'd like to express my most sincere appreciation to everyone in the community who has been so kind to me and my family. The messages and phone calls, along with groceries, treats, meals and puzzles dropped at our door have been very much appreciated. We live in a very caring community. We love North Grenville. I'd like to close with the words of a country song by Luke Bryan, "I believe Most People are Good."

Stay safe, stay healthy and be kind to each other!

Name

Salary

Taxable Benefits

Dunlop, Karen Director of Public Works

$134,604.53

$877.05

Dyke, Gary CAO

$184,743.87

$12,174.95

Evans, Dennis Overall Responsible Operator

$100,010.75

$877.05

Gerrard, Phillip Director of Planning and Development

$146,171.52

$677.05

Guy, Mark $106,524.43 Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture

$845.65

Henry, Kevin Facilities Supervisor

$104,134.91

$877.05

Leroux, Steven Chief Building Official

$102,580.61

$877.05

Okum, John Director of Emergency and Protective Services/ Fire Chief

$123,253.78

$877.05

Scott, Douglas Roads Superintendent

$106,530.60

$1,549.89

Urslak, Randy

$106,564.55

$1,705.68

HAPPY

EASTER

Money available for Arts, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Recreation The Ontario government has announced it is investing $105- million to support arts and culture, heritage, tourism, sport and recreation and Indigenous communities that either operate facilities for or deliver experiences or programs to the public. The funding is being delivered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and will target operational and capital funding needs.

The COVID-19 pandemic and economic shut down has had an overwhelming impact on the arts and culture, heritage, tourism, sport and recreation sectors. These sectors are critical to the social and economic fabric of Ontario and its communities and to support their broader recovery, the Ontario Government is investing $105-million through this fund.

Application resources March 31, 2021

and eligibility requirements were released on March 25. Funding for the operations will be accepted beginning March 31. The submission deadline is April 28 at 5 pm.

The Capital stream funding will be available later

in 2021. Learn more on the Ontario Trillium Foundation webpage: https:// otf.ca/news/governmentontarios-communitybuilding-fund.

Be well and stay safe North Grenville

Mayor Nancy Peckford

Councillor John Barclay

Deputy Mayor Jim McManaman

Councillor Doreen O’Sullivan

Councillor Kristin Strackerjan

from Your Municipal Council 11

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

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The Voice of Merrickville/Wolford

Local author publishes collection of Emily Carr quotes

As an award-winning journalist, Laurie Carter has Local Journalism Initiative Reporter dedicated the past decade of A local author has pub- her life to researching and lished a collection of Emily writing about Emily Carr.

Carr quotes, just in time for Her popular trilogy, Emily the 150 anniversary of Emily Carr’s B.C., takes readers Carr’s birthdate. along on Emily Carr’s travels

over 20,000 km of British Columbia, discovering some of the province’s best-loved destinations along with littleknown outposts.

Wanting to do something to commemorate Emily Carr’s 150 birthday, Laurie got the idea for the collection after researching quotes to use to inscribe her trilogy, that one of her friends bought for their daughter’s 18 birthday.

“The thought occurred to me at the time that I was going through all of that, wow, maybe other people would appreciate having a collection,” she says.

Laurie started doing research for the collection in October, re-reading all of Emily Carr’s books and going through all the rest of the documents she had collected over the past decade. As her previous books had focused

New brush amnesty days at landfill

Unique Online Art Auction benefits Winchester District Memorial Hospital

by Hilary Thomson

by Hilary Thomson The Village of Merrickville-Wolford has added six brush amnesty days at the landfill to the schedule for 2021.

The decision was made at the council meeting of March 22, in response to residents requesting more opportunities to bring brush to the landfill free of charge. "This is building on last year with comments from the public and recommendations from staff that we have some additional days," Mayor Struthers said.

The brush amnesty days for 2021 are April 3, April 10, June 5, June 12, September 4 and September 11. Each household will be allowed to bring a maximum of one half-ton truck or a 4'x 8' trailer of brush to the landfill free of charge.

Deputy Mayor Michael Cameron said at the meeting that while he is sure that the residents will appreciate the extra days, the municipality might want to look at setting more of a schedule to ensure they know when the brush amnesty days are occurring at the landfill. "I was wondering if it may be something that we may look at, increasing that standard and doing a Spring, Summer and Fall and making it an annual thing so that they will be well aware that it's coming," he said.

Mayor Struthers said this could be something they could look at for next year. For now, Manager of Operations, Brad Cole, says notices will be placed on the website, at the landfill and on the community bulletin board. "I've received a lot of calls about it already," he said. "People are looking to watch for it."

March 31, 2021

on travel, Laurie says it was interesting to take in the material with a different lens. “I was really reading everything with a completely different eye this time and I learned so much more,” she says. “It’s really interesting when you come at it from a different angle, a different perspective, different things leap out at you as you’re reading.”

Laurie found the hardest part in putting together the collection, called Timeless Emily Carr, was picking which quotes to include in the small 140-page book. She found hundreds of insightful quotes on everything from art and writing to nature, spirituality, life and death.

When it came down to it, Laurie chose quotes that not only showcased Emily Carr’s character, wit and humour, but could serve as inspiration

port the WDMH Foundation and help make our homes more beautiful at the same time. She is organizing a Facebook Art Auction, with proceeds going to the WDMH Foundation.

Carrie lives in Winchester and is a prolific painter. She also teaches painting classes through her business, Paintings to Order. With the CO-

Carrie A. Keller (O’Neill) is a well-known local artist who has a unique idea to sup12

and provide value to readers.

Each quote is also augmented by a short narrative about Emily Carr and her life at the time the quote was written.

Laurie is adamant that Emily Carr is an excellent role model for young women, as a trailblazer of her time and someone who always went after her dreams. “One of my favourite quotes of hers in the book is: ‘It does not matter a hang what others do or say.

The only think that counts is if we are true to our own ideals and try to express them,’” she says. “I just think that’s vitally important to young women.”

According to Laurie, she is also a great example of someone who didn’t let age stand in her way. She was a continuous learner and didn’t publish her first book until she was 70. “When other people were thinking about taking

VID-19 pandemic, all art shows have been cancelled and teaching has been limited.

As a result, Carrie has multiple paintings available. “I am grateful to have Winchester District Memorial Hospital in our community and I want to help,” she explains. “This is a great opportunity and I hope it will be fun too.”

The online Facebook auction will take place throughout the month of April. Each day, a new painting will be posted, and viewers can begin bidding. Bidding will close each night at midnight. The next morning, Carrie will announce the winner and post a new painting.

“This is a fun month-long event and we are grateful that Carrie is sharing her talents with all of us,” adds Cindy Ault Peters, Manager of Di-

it easy, she was starting on a whole new path. Laurie hopes the collection will serve as an introduction to Emily Carr’s work and inspiration to people of all ages. “I think many of the quotes could bring comfort,” she says. “I would like people to know more about Emily. I would like them to look at this and think, wow, I’d like to know more about what she had to say.”

Timeless Emily Carr is set to be released on April 6 and is now available for pre-order at independent bookstores, chain retailers, and online through Indigo. There are also already a few signed copies at the Merrickville Book Emporium

rect Mail & Events. “There’s a lot of anticipation because you won’t know what’s coming next!”

Most paintings are 11x14 inches in size and are unframed.

For all the details, please visit www.facebook.com/ paintingstoorder. If you have specific questions, feel free to email Carrie at paintings2order@eastlink.ca. To see more of Carrie’s beautiful work, visit her website at www. paintingstoorder.com/.

Happy Bidding!

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Ontario Releases 2020 Public Sector Salary Disclosure Hospitals, Public Health and Schools Account for Majority of Growth Treasury Board Secretariat The Ontario government today released the salaries of Ontario Public Service and Broader Public Sector employees who were paid $100,000 or more in 2020, in accordance with The Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996. Growth in this year's Public Sector Salary Disclosure list was driven largely by increases in the Hospitals & Boards of Public Health and School Boards sectors.

"We know that Ontarians are relying on their government now, more than ever, during this pandemic to keep them safe and deliver the crit-

ical services they rely on, like health care and education," said Peter Bethlenfalvy, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Finance.

"Our government remains committed to ensuring that Ontarians have sustainable public services now and for future generations."

Almost 75% of the growth of the Public Sector Salary Disclosure is due to increases in the Hospitals & Boards of Public Health and School Boards sectors. Registered Nurses contributed to approximately 60% of the increase in the Hospitals & Boards of Public Health sector this year. Additionally, teachers contributed to 97% of the increase in the School Boards

some employees, including the potential to surpass the $100,000 threshold.

As part of the government's commitment to transparency, The Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996 requires organizations that receive public funding from the Province of Ontario to make public, by March 31 each year, the names, positions, salaries and total taxable benefits of employees paid $100,000 or more in the previous calendar year.

The act applies to the provincial government, Crown agencies and corporations, Ontario Power Generation and subsidiaries, publicly funded organizations such as hospitals, municipalities,

sector.

Compensation as captured in the disclosure list can reflect overtime payments, as well as growth or natural progression through salary ranges, promotions, severance payments, one-time performance-based payments and payments required on retirement.

The pandemic created significant demands on many parts of the public service to support Ontarians. Staff in many sectors, notably health care, worked extraordinary hours to help keep Ontario safe. Pandemic-related payments, such as significant overtime hours and pandemic pay, resulted in higher incomes year-over-year for

Ontario’s Workplace Education and Enforcement Campaign to hold inspection blitz to prevent spread of COVID-19 and keep workers and public safe The Ontario government is continuing its series of education and enforcement campaigns to ensure businesses across the province are taking the necessary steps to keep employees, consumers and the public safe.

These campaigns support the current efforts of police, municipal by-law officers, and public health inspectors to educate businesses and enforce the COVID-19 health and safety requirements.

Last November, inspections were held in LGL to increase education and compliance.

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit welcomed the provincial government’s education and enforcement team to several communities, including Almonte, Carleton Place, Perth and Smiths Falls areas. Another visit has been organized for April 14 and 15 in the

Leeds and Grenville area.

During the campaign, a team of 18 provincial offences officers from across ministries will be visiting local businesses and work places (including but not limited to retail stores, restaurants, and gyms) to check for COVID-19 precautionary measures. While in the Red Zone, all businesses are required to have: -Screening for employees and patrons -Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that protects their eyes, nose and mouth as described in their safety plan.

-Physical distancing -Capacity limits must be posted -Cleaning and disinfection -Safety plans These precautions are of the utmost importance to help reduce the spread of

COVID-19. For information on specific public health requirements for your business sector please visit our webpage at https://healthunit.org/ health-information/covid-19/ business-re-opening/ These inspections are primarily focused on education and outreach – confirming that businesses are doing the right things and keeping employees, consumers and the public safe and providing them the opportunity to contact public health for continued support. However charges can be laid if there is a blatant disregard for public health measures and noncompliance with the Reopening Ontario Act. The most common areas of non-compliance during all campaigns to date have been improper mask use, lack of a safety plan, lack of employee screening, and

improper cleaning and disinfection of surfaces. Locally the Health Unit has received several complaints about inconsistent mask use, the lack of proper physical distancing and overcrowding at our local retail and food service businesses. We also know that workplaces may loosen their adherence to measures in common employee areas.

There are more than 200 sector-specific guidance resources at Ontario.ca/covidsafety to help business owners and operators create their workplace safety plan. During each visit, officers provide business owners with guidance on how to operate safely during the pandemic and comply with public health requirements under the Reopening Ontario Act. Businesses will be emailed a report after the visit. These campaigns are developed in consultation

school boards, universities and colleges, and not-forprofit organizations that receive $1 million or more, or receive between $120,000 and $1 million if the provincial government funding they receive is 10% or more of their gross revenues.

"Our government's top priority is ensuring the health and well-being of all Ontarians," said Bethlenfalvy.

"We are also delivering on our promise to the people of Ontario to be transparent and accountable; respecting their tax dollars in order to deliver critical frontline services."

The 2020 data is available in a downloadable, machinereadable, sortable, searchable table format on Ontario.ca/

salarydisclosure, making it transparent and accessible to the people of Ontario.

Quick Facts • The growth in size of this year’s Public Sector Salary Disclosure list is mainly attributed to increases in the Hospitals & Boards of Public Health sector (59% increase since 2019) and School Boards sector (55% increase since 2019).

• The average reported salary decreased slightly to $125,871 in 2020 from $127,396 in 2019.

THOMAS M. BYRNE Barrister and Solicitor

General Practice Corporate / Commercial Family Law Estates Real Estate Wills & Powers of Attorney tom@tmblaw.ca 613.258.1277 222 Prescott St., Kemptville

with local health units and support Ontario's COVID-19 Response Framework under the Reopening Ontario Act. For more information about operating a business

during COVID-19, visit: https://healthunit.org/healthinformation/covid-19/business-re-opening/

Ontario supporting hospitals with funding during COVID-19 MPP Jim McDonell Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry The Ontario government is providing more than $1.2 billion to help Ontario's public hospitals recover from financial pressures created and worsened by COVID-19. This investment will ensure hospitals can continue to provide the high-quality patient care Ontarians need and deserve.

The funding was announced by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance March 31, 2021

and President of the Treasury Board.

"Hospitals have been at the centre of the pandemic from day one providing excellent care for our sick and vulnerable, and responding to the various outbreaks without hesitation," said Premier Ford. "Clearly, this additional care comes at a cost, so as a government we must step up and support them. We need to ensure that our hospitals remain viable and are there for people long after COVID-19 has been beaten."

To ensure Ontario's hospitals remain on stable financial

rooms and the reduction of retail services, all of which contribute to patient care and support clinical services. In order to help address these fiscal challenges the province is setting aside $572.3 million to reimburse qualifying portions of these losses.

The pandemic has put pressure on the health care sector and amplified preexisting problems.

Ontario currently spends more on Ontario's public hospitals than it receives in federal funding.

The Ontario government will continue to work in col-

footing at a critical time, $696.6 million in funding will be allocated to help cover historic working funds deficits for qualifying public hospitals, with a focus on small, medium as well as specialty and rehabilitation hospitals that carry a large fiscal strain due to their unique situations and historical funding challenges.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, all hospitals have felt financial challenges not only through direct costs, but also through the loss of other forms of revenue such as co-payments for private

13

laboration with the federal government, and with other provinces and territories to ensure the Canada Health Transfer is increased and Ontarians get the quality health care they deserve.

"Our priority since the start of the pandemic has been clear - protecting people's health. That means ensuring hospitals and the health care system have the capacity they need to care for people," said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board.

“We need to support our hard-working health and

medical professionals as they continue to provide highquality care to all Ontarians, ensuring that we maintain our quality of life,” said Jim McDonell, MPP for StormontDundas-South Glengarry.

“Healthy people are essential for a healthy economy.”

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Proteins Easy New tenant at Kemtpville Campus

Tom Graham, Communications, Kemptville Campus When biotech company Proteins Easy was searching eastern Ontario for greenhouse space for their burgeoning operation, Kemptville Campus came up in their search.

"We are really pleased to have discovered the greenhouses at Kemptville Campus," says company founder and president Illimar Altosaar. "It's a perfect match for us, for the community; we deal with plants and we're in the farming community…it's a match made in heaven."

Proteins Easy is a genetics company developing novel proteins. From the lab to the greenhouse to the farmer's field, the company looks for ways to enhance and improve value-added proteins using plant-based solutions.

"We are delighted that Proteins Easy has chosen Kemptville Campus as a location to expand their research and development enterprise," said Karen Cooper, Campus Board Chair. "Their unique business aligns well with our goals of innovation, sustainability and education."

Dr. Altosaar is a Professor of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology at the

University of Ottawa. He and his team of researchers and engineers have outgrown their facilities in Ottawa. The space in one of the Campus Greenhouses will allow them to enlarge their operations and give them room to expand.

"I grew up on the campus of Macdonald College," explains Dr. Altosaar. "So, since my teenage years agriculture and Ag schools have been in my blood. After training in biochemistry, I became a protein biochemist. I was delighted when the medical school at University of Ottawa decided to teach food and nutrition to medical students."

Dr. Altosaar has been teaching biotechnology at the University of Ottawa since 1978. "It has been my ethos, 'Make food thy medicine, and make medicine thy food'" he explains. " My raison d'être."

Since that time, his lab has hosted, nurtured, and launched about a dozen biotech startup companies throughout eastern Ontario, contributing significantly to the economic development of the region.

Around 2002, he realized that his ideas could produce pharmaceutical proteins, such as antigens, antibodies and vaccines, and that he could

Natural Magnesium from the Sea

produce them very inexpensively inside edible foods such as corn or an oat kernel.

In 2007, he started Proteins Easy, incorporating his patent portfolio which the university had returned to him, and began to develop the ideas himself.

"One of our biggest projects right now is developing a fabric that's weather resistant yet biodegradable," he explained. "60% of landfills right now are filled with non-biodegradable fabrics such as nylon, spandex and polyester. Young people today are looking for products that have a positive environmental impact - they are starting to ask themselves, and the manufacturers, is this textile compostable?"

"They're looking for things like synthetic silk. We are working with engineers who are making a fabric that's lighter, stronger and more resilient than Kevlar, and we're developing this for a manufacturer in the UK right now."

Illimar and his team will be moving into their new space later this spring. Learn more about the company at https://www.proteinseasy. com/.

The Food Corner

Isak Dinesen, author of the great book “Out of Africa”, wrote, “The cure for anything is sea water.” Human physiological and environmental circumstances today suggest merit in Dinesen’s advice to look to the sea for replenishment of key minerals. Magnesium is one of the most important minerals that too many people are neglecting, and a good place to source it – whether in diet or supplement – is from the sea.

Mineral deficiencies can sometimes cause minor problems. But they can also become lethal. Studies show that magnesium deficiency can range from 33% in young people to 60% in adults. This is the result of depletion in the amount of magnesium in the soil, as well as an increase in consumption of processed foods.

Magnesium is required for over 300 metabolic reactions in the body. It’s also nature’s dilator, helping to keep arteries open. This fights hypertension and spasm of coronary arteries.

It also has a vital function in maintaining the heart’s normal rhythm. By making platelets more slippery, and therefore less susceptible to blood clotting, the chance of heart attack and stroke decreases.

Each beat of the heart depends on a complex electrical system that must be in sync for survival. Low blood magnesium tosses a monkey wrench into the

process causing an irregular heart rate (atrial fibrillation). Adding magnesium often restores the normal beat. Today, a worldwide epidemic of diabetes creates a huge health problem.

Studies show that since magnesium helps to control blood sugar, patients with low magnesium have an increased risk of this disease.

And it is a critical mineral for maintaining bone health. Since magnesium is involved in several hundred metabolic reactions, it’s not surprising that deficiency is associated with muscle weakness and twitching, sleep issues, fatigue and confusion.

But what makes seasourced magnesium the perfect magnesium? Sea water has an amazing similarity to the plasma portion of human blood. Although we cannot drink sea water because of its salt content, it does contain the entire range of minerals needed by humans.

This led an Irish company to develop a method of extracting these minerals from clean sea water to make the multi-mineral complex called Aquamin Mg that is low in sodium.

Then Aquamin Mg was compared to other forms of magnesium. For example, magnesium oxide is the most potent, but not well absorbed. Magnesium chloride is well absorbed but low in magnesium content. Aquamin Mg was found to offer the best of both. It was several times

more soluble and absorbable than magnesium oxide. And since it contained 33 percent of elemental magnesium, more potent than the chloride version.

The recommended dietary allowance of magnesium varies, generally increasing with age. For typical adults, if supplementing, a good approach is to take 250 mg with food daily or whenever this key mineral is not being regularly consumed at recommended levels.

Some people may benefit from higher doses, but the dose should be split up during the day. Magnesium can have a relaxing effect, so sounder sleep may result from a second dose at dinnertime. Magnesium at these low doses rarely results in diarrhea. But it can help those who are constipated. If diarrhea does occur, decrease the dose.

Isak Dinesen was right.

The sea helps to sustain life and is the source of minerals that can improve our health.

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

Preparation 1. Whisk the wet ingredients, i.e., the buttermilk, ¼ cup of vegetable oil and the eggs in a bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients, i.e., the cornmeal, flour, baking soda and salt.

3. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry along with the minced onion; don’t over-mix.

4. Heat up the oil in your deep fryer or pan to 365F (test by dropping a small piece of bread into the oil. If it takes 60 seconds to brown then you are at the right temperature).

5. Make balls of dough (4 – 5 tablespoons worth), drop gently into the oil and fry till golden brown.

6. Remove with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel to drain. Repeat till you are out of dough.

7. If you want to keep these puppies warm, you can place in an oven pre-heated to no more than 200F.

By Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville Time to get ready for the patio season. As a 5-C restaurant, “Cajun, Creole and Low Country Cooking with a Canadian twist”, we feel that you’d be hard pressed to find anything more delectable than Hush Puppies. No, they are not a comfortable pair of shoes; They are actually a terrific finger food treat to accompany BBQ, your favourite fish, such as blackened catfish or just as a snack. I go great with a nice cold beer of any kind. My recent favourite is St. Ambrose Oatmeal Stout on tap at Salamanders.

Buttermilk Hush Puppies Vegetable oil as needed for deep frying in a deep fryer or large pan ¼ cup of vegetable oil for the recipe itself 2 eggs at room temperature 1 cup of buttermilk 1 cup of cornmeal 1 cup of all-purpose flour ¼ cup of white granulated sugar ½ teaspoon of baking soda ½ teaspoon of salt ½ cup of minced onion March 31, 2021

The Voice of North Grenville

If you have a “bubble” of folks over, just double or triple the recipe and get a bunch of people involved in the process. Meanwhile, don’t hesitate to be in touch at pcormier@ranaprocess. com. See you next week…

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The Voice of North Grenville

OFA aims to enhance tools and resources for Francophone members

Last year, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) announced a new project aimed at enhancing tools and resources for Francophone farmers – Our Agriculture: Cultivating Opportunities for Ontario's Francophone Farm Families.

Through funding from the Government of Ontario, OFA took the opportunity to translate a variety of resources and information to better support our French-speaking members across the province.

Earlier this year, OFA officially launched the new Francophone online resource hub, which contains translated copies of our fact sheets, issues pages, guides and additional resources. OFA members now have the ability to visit our website and click on the ‘Français’ button located in the top right-hand corner to access the new resource hub.

Since its initial launch, OFA has uploaded more than 55 resources to the hub, including content and information on our most recent advocacy efforts, farm safety

fact sheets, mental health resources and our position on key issues and priorities impacting Ontario agriculture.

By the end of the month, the goal is to have a total of 75 resources accessible for the Francophone community.

In 2020, nearly 650 OFA members identified French as their primary language, with nine regions across Ontario having five or more Frenchspeaking members. As our Francophone membership continues to grow, this is the perfect opportunity to strive for inclusivity and utilize valuable content and resources to better support and reach our diverse community members.

A lack of accessible information and resources has been an ongoing issue for OFA’s French-speaking community. Many of the farmers in my community speak English as a second language and have struggled to access our resources due to the language barrier. In the past, this has made it difficult for our French farm fami-

Baldwin’s Birds

lies to know what resources are available to them. As a French-speaking farmer, I am happy to see that OFA is progressively incorporating both of Canada’s official languages to better suit the needs of our bilingual producers.

Our French farm families are strong advocates in their communities. We hope this online hub will enhance communication and provide access to resources and information necessary to stay up-to-date with OFA business, activities, campaigns and advocacy on current

issues and priorities impacting our 38,000 farm business members.

In my experience, many French-speaking members remain unaware of the tremendous amount of advocacy work OFA is involved in to ensure our farms and rural communities can operate efficiently and effectively. If we as an organization take strides and seek new ways to reach Francophone members, we can work together to create a stronger, united industry.

OFA recognizes and acknowledges the Government

of Ontario through the Francophone Community Grants Program for funding this project. We are also grateful for the work and partnership with l'Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens (UCFO), who supported OFA in the translation of resources.

To measure the success of this project, OFA has created a survey to better understand the needs of our Francophone communities and gauge the effectiveness of the resource hub. We encourage members to visit the hub and provide their feedback through the

survey. We value your input as it will help the organization make changes to better suit the needs of our members in the future. If you’re interested in completing the survey, click here to fill it out: https:// www.surveymonkey.com/r/ GLM9ZJF For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 ext. 218 tyler. brooks@ofa.on.ca

Let's Get

YOU

Back to Work Free Employment Services Safely Offering In-Person

and Virtual Appointments

Make an appointment today!

Hello Readers, I hope all of you are fit and well and enjoying the first warming rays of the beautiful spring sunshine. It makes all the difference to our perspective of life, in general, and certainly has an effect on our wildlife, especially the ones who migrate, twice a year.

Many of our winter visitors are no longer evident, such as the Redpolls who have disappeared in the main, but a few stragglers are still feeding this morning. They haven't been replaced yet by the Gold Finches, or Hummingbirds, but a few returning Redwing Blackbirds have been skittishly flitting into the feeders and about in the adjacent Pine trees. Our resident birds are March 31, 2021

still very much in evidence, such as Mourning Doves, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Grey Juncos, Chickadees, Rock Pigeons and two types of Nuthatch and Woodpeckers, so all is not lost from a bird viewing perspective. The overhead honking of the northward bound geese adds to the wonder of life, as it goes on each year, at this time, for us all to step back and ponder,-- how do they and all those other types of birds and butterflies, travel all those kilometers/ miles in their quest for either food, or a place to breed!?

Stay safe and well.

Cheers, John Baldwin

KE MPT VIIL LLE EM TV LE:: 613 6 1 3--25825 8- 6576 6 576 PR E SC OT T : 613 5-02 RES CO TT 6 13 -92 - 9 25 -0 2 22 sup po c sse e co nsu om pp o rrtt@ @c n su lt ing. i ng . c co m

www.cseconsulting.com 15

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Menu #55

613.860.2539 www.dialachef.ca May 9

Mother’s Day Dinner Special

Creamy asparagus velouté Beef tenderloin wild mushroom and truffle sauce Croquettes potatoes, vegetable medley Strawberry and chocolate parfait $40.00 plus HST and delivery Tuesday April 6

1- Slow cooked beef and beer, Belgium style stew with potatoes and vegetables.

2- Beer battered artichoke heart, fried potatoes and vegetables

Wednesday April 7

1- Pork loin in Marsala sauce over penne pasta and vegetables.

2- Penne pasta and vegetables in Marsala sauce, side salad.

Thursday April 8

1- One pan garlic chicken and asparagus, creamy mash yellow flesh potatoes.

2- Garlic, asparagus and yellow flesh potato casserole, Parmesan crumble.

Friday April 9

1- Duet of snapper in saffron mussel sauce and maple hot smoked steelhead trout, rice.

2- Smokey southern meatless meatloaf & smoke

OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE

222 Prescott St. Kemptville

Erick Le Pors, The Chef, in Dial A Chef is French born. He learned classical cuisine at Lycée Chaptal (Quimper), and he is the third generation to work in the restaurant industry. Erick came to Canada in 1978, where he worked in many prestigious hotels in Montreal, Vancouver, and Ottawa.

Erick is also a former teacher at Le Cordon Bleu Paris cooking school (Ottawa campus) where he taught the intermediate level: La Cuisine Régionale de France.

From 1997 to 2001 Erick hosted “Les fines gueules” and “Bouquet de saveurs” a diverting cooking show broadcasted on Rogers cable 23 Télé communautaire and on TF0.

The space is 1247sq. ft. suitable for office space not an apartment. It features a large office/board room in the front and plenty of space for cubicles. Access to kitchen and bathroom/shower facilities, limited parking. It is on the third floor and we are asking $800/month+HST. Please call Ross at 613-601-0968 March 31, 2021

Tuesday April 6th - Friday April 9th Order & Pay online www.cateredaffairs.ca 613-324-3136 $37.50 Complete Meal for 2 + HST $70.00 Complete Meal for 4 + HS All Family Meals include Chef's of Appropriate Side Dishes & Light Dessert

Chicken Enchiladas or Bean Medley Enchiladas

Soft flour tortillas with braised chicken & beans, Pico de Gallo (chunky salsa), Sour cream, cheddar, dirty rice, cabbage, pineapple salsa, House fried Corn Tortilla Chips & Greenhouse greens

Lemongrass- Coconut-Green Curry Pork Tenderloin Jasmine Rice, Asian veggies & Crispy Springrolls w/ Plum Sauce

Korean Fried Chicken Burgers

Crisp potato wedges, Buns & Garnishings, Seasonal vegetables, Kimchi Slaw, Sriracha Aioli Morrocan Beef Kofte (or Veggie) Kebabs Skewered Ground Beef with Spiced (Harrissa), Stewed Tomatoes, Warm Couscous Pilaf, Pita Bread & Hummus, Chunky Vegetable Salad

Buddha Salad Bowl

(Vegan & G/F available) Sliced chicken breast or marinated tofu, 3 grain rice, avocado, cucumber, cabbage, peppers & peas, Vietnamese rice paper rolls with sweet chili sauce 1 per person, carrot/ginger vinaigrette

April 23rd Table D'hote

- 4 course - Prime Rib Friday

RSVP ONLY for Dine in or Take out! $65.00 per person Smoked Tomato Bisque with Aged Cheddar Crisps Wedge Salad (corn, bacon, tomatoes) with Buttermilk Vinaigrette Slow cooked AAA Prime rib with Au Jus Smashed Potatoes, Yorkshire & Chef's Vegetables N.Y. Style Cheesecake with Chocolate Sauce & Berry Compote Buns & Butter

Mother’s Day 2021

Saturday May 8th & Sunday May 9th Take-out Dinner 3 Course dinner for 4 $120.00 or dinner for 2 $65 Steak Diane | or Chicken Kiev | or Seafood Gratin | all with sides, salad & dessert For Vegetarian & Dietary restrictions call us to arrange a menu to your liking.

Brunch Kit Available for pick up Saturday May 8th ***Ready for you to prepare for Mom and take the credit early morning on Mother’s Day Sunday 9th ) Eggs Benedict or Sweet Crépe Buffet $75 for family of 4 M.L.M. Table D’Hote May 13th - Menu to follow

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The Voice of North Grenville

SERVICES

Kemptville Building Centre

is looking to Hire:

HANDYMAN RETIRED CARPENTER Renovations, kitchens, SERVICES bathrooms, additions, Painting, Demolition, decks, home repair.

Drywall, Call George at Carpentry, etc 613 462 7637 Bill at 613-774-2922

Window and Door Sales Associate Customer Service Desk Sales Associate Please call: 613-258-6000 ext. 238 for more information

Free general help for seniors in need. Call Andrew 613-277-8068 FOR SALE

Massey Harris gas tractor running. Best reasonable offer. 613-301-1747

Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands

is looking for a store manager

for their Kemptville ReStore location.

The ideal candidate will have a solid background in either the not for profit or retail sector with a wealth of experience focusing in volunteer/staff management; product procurement; marketing; pricing; and product display. Formal retail training and education would be an asset.

CESSNA 180 on floats, excellent condition. 613-8263121

Please forward your resume and current cover letter by 6 pm, April 1, 2021 to vicki.habitat1000islands@gmail.com or to 3039 County Road 29, Brockville, ON K6V 5T4 A full job description for this position is available on our shop tab at our website www.habitat1000islands.org

Looking to rent farmland for cash crops. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204.

Yorkie pup, male 14 wks, vet checked. 613-258-0445

Looking to harvest cedar trees for hedges off acreages from landowners. Please call 613-799-0958

Cedar posts,Spruce logs & pickets.. call 613.258.3561

Property - Home - Clean - Up (Interior - Exterior) Carpentry - Fencing - Roofs - Basements

DUMP RUNS: everything goes

FULLY INSURED

HEAPHYS CLEANING SERVICE

WEEKLY, BI-WEEKLY AND MONTHLY CLEANS AVAILABLE 3 Bedrooms: Dusting baseboards, window sills, surfaces; vacuum floors 2 Bathrooms: Shower/bathtub combo, toilet, sink, mirror, countertop, front of vanity, window sills, light switches and mop floors Kitchen: Cupboards, stove top, counters, sink, window sills, front of appliances wiped and polished, and floors mopped Living room: Dusting, baseboards, vacuuming and mopping Dining room: Dusting baseboards, surfaces, vacuuming and mopping Entryway: Dusting, baseboards, vaccuming and mopping $105 + HST *Add-ons available

613.206.7279

heaphyscleaningservice@gmail.com March 31, 2021

Room to Rent.Low Price, Close to Kemptville. Amazing roommate. Call 613258-3537 Anytime for Details.

Income tax service in Merrickville - John Harris CMC jgharris@sympatico.ca, 613-297-7553 Looking for a Room to Rent. Kemptville area within approx. 25km radius.Happy to help with work around house or yard.Quiet, clean and have no drug or alcohol issues. (613) 601-5871 WANTED Wanted hockey players! Goalies!

Summer hockey, men's oldtimers league. Ideally 60+ thursday mornings 9am to 10.20 Am. April to august." No ex nhl'ers or wannabe's! Contact: rc at : info@3point5.Ca

SEND IN YOUR CLASSIFIED to classifieds@ngtimes.ca

C: 613.295.0300

ALL NATURAL PRODUCTS

MISCELLANEOUS

MEN'S 26" BICYCLE PARTS. EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE FRAME INCLUDING THE TWO WHEELS WITH NEW TIRES/TUBES. CALL DOUG 613 258-4573

JAYCO 5th wheel. Fully loaded, beautiful shape.

Call James 613-258-3561

AL'S SPRING CLEAN UP

CHROME MAG RIM & SUMMER TIRE, I have a set of 4 Chrome mag rims (5 bolt off a 2006 Malibu) and 4 Uniroyal Tiger Paws summer tires, 225/50R18 95T, low profile, mint condition, only used 2 summers. Asking $450 for all. pls call 613-215-0884

BUY AND SELL LOCALLY

HIRING FOR MULTIPLE POSITIONS

FIRST TEN WORDS FREE

Tackaberry Construction is a local, family run business, serving eastern Ontario since 1957. We offer competitive wages with group benefits. We are currently looking to hire for various locations in Leeds and Grenville/Lanark area.

If you have experience in any of the following areas please apply: Construction Labourer Weigh Scale Attendant Surveyor/Grade person Construction Foreman Job Estimator Heavy Equipment Mechanics Truck Mechanics Heavy Equipment Operators Crusher/Screening Plant Operators Depending on the position the successful candidates should have at a minimum: Communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills Equivalent of a high school diploma (Not required for some positions) Computer experience (Not required for some positions) Valid driver’s license If you are a self-starter, interested in working in a fast-paced environment, please submit your resume with references to: careers@tackaberryconstruction.com

Tackaberry Construction is a local, family run business, serving eastern Ontario since 1957, offering competitive wages and group benefits. We currently have immediate openings for the following positions at our Athens Location Truck and Heavy Equipment Shops.

Available Positions: A Certified Technician able to work on light duty and heavy-duty road vehicles. 310T/310S endorsement, or a 2nd/3rd period apprentice.

A Heavy Equipment Technician, certification would be an asset.

Qualifications: A strong team player who can work in a fast-paced environment.

Automotive experience an asset.

Must have own tools.

Valid Drivers License Please submit your resume to: careers@tackaberryconstruction.com or book an appointment by phone with Bill Keeler at 613-924-2634 to submit your resume in person or Mail to G. Tackaberry & Sons Construction Company Limited P.O. Box 70, Athens, ON K0E 1B0

G. Tackaberry & Sons is an equal opportunity employer. We wish to thank all who apply for this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

G. Tackaberry & Sons is an equal opportunity employer. We wish to thank all who apply for this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

17

Mechanic Positions

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The North Grenville Times

CROSSWORD

Pandemic costs contribute to forecasted deficits in Ontario’s Annual Budget

by Lorraine Rekmans This past week, the Government of Ontario released its budget plan that projects budget deficits for the foreseeable future.

This year a $33.1 billion deficit is planned, which is $5 billion less than last year’s deficit.

According to Steve Clark MPP for LeedsGrenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, “Ontario is projecting a $38.5 billion deficit in 2020–21. Over the medium term, the government projects steadily declining deficits of $33.1 billion in 2021–22, $27.7 billion in 2022–23 and $20.2 billion in 2023–24. In order to provide transparency about the high degree of economic uncertainty, the 2021 Budget includes Faster Growth and Slower Growth scenarios that the economy could take over the next several years and illustrates the possible impacts on Ontario’s finances.”

The budget contains $186.1 billion in spending, with $6.7 billion, which is a little less than last year, earmarked for pandemicrelated measures. There will be $166.3 billion in overall program spending.

Some of the highlights of this budget are in health care, with expanded spending including, $1.8 billion on hospital services this year; that will include $760 million for hospital beds and $300 million to clear the backlog of procedures that has built up during pandemicrelated shutdowns. The vaccine rollout plan will cost $1 billion, and there will be $2.3 billion for expanded COVID-19 testing; $933 million will go to expanding Long Term Care spaces.

The provincial government is introducing new tax credits and expanding existing ones including the Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit, which is intended to encourage business investments.

The budget plan also includes a new Ontario Jobs Training Tax Credit, March 31, 2021

which would provide up to $2,000 per recipient to cover half of eligible expenses, which include college and technical qualifications or training programs. The government is also offering grants to small businesses through the Ontario Small Business Support Grant. Small tourism-related businesses will be eligible for a new grant of as much as $20,000 through a new program to support businesses that have been among the hardest-hit in the pandemic.

There will be a temporary top up in the Childcare Access and Relief from Expense (CARE) tax credit to increase the amount of financial assistance available to families with large child-care expenses.

Families with children in schools will be eligible for $400 per child and $500 for people under 21 with a learning disability.

There will also be investments in broadband internet services across the province, where the government is adding $2.8 billion. There is $5 million for a study of returning rail service from Toronto to Cochrane.

MPP Steve Clark noted that the budget also contains funding for a new treatment Centre for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.

“People in our community have been making sacrifices to help us reach the day when the pandemic is behind us,” said Steve Clark. “Our government will continue to be there every step of the way to protect people's health and jobs. Working together, we will unleash the economic growth that is necessary for job creation, prosperity and a stronger province."

To help the thousands of people struggling with mental health and addictions issues, Ontario is providing additional funding of $175 million in 2021–22 as part of a historic investment of $3.8 billion over 10 years, to provide more and better care for everyone who needs it. Ontario is investing an additional $400 million over the next three years in new tourism and hospitality initiatives to support these sectors.

Highlights of Ontario’s

plan to support communities: > To support faithbased and cultural organizations that are struggling due to the additional costs caused by COVID-19, Ontario will be making up to $50 million available for grants to eligible organizations. > To support Ontario’s 444 municipalities, the Province’s key partners in the fight against COVID-19, the government is providing almost $1 billion in additional financial relief in 2021 to help preserve vital public services and support economic recovery.

Quick Fact Like economies around the world, Ontario has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The province’s real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have declined by 5.7 per cent in 2020. As the economy recovers, Ontario’s real GDP and employment are both forecast to surpass their pre-pandemic levels in early 2022.

The Voice of North Grenville

ACROSS 1. Speech disorder 5. Winglike 9. Might 14. Initial wager 15. Arid 16. Jagged 17. Odorless 19. Tine 20. Snouted animal 21. Stacks of firewood 23. Dictatorships 25. Venture to say 28. Arrive (abbrev.)

29. Crow 32. Happenings 33. Consumed food 34. Japanese wrestling 35. Nonclerical 36. Data stream manipulator

38. Part of an ear 39. Prong 40. Baboon 41. Drink moderately 43. Beer 44. Altitude (abbrev.)

45. Affluent 46. Redeemer 48. Dairy workers 50. Record player 54. Reddish brown 55. Unchanged 57. Group of 8 58. A ceremonial staff 59. Absorb written material 60. Composure 61. Sleigh 62. Klutz's cry

DOWN 1. Not first 2. Ancient Peruvian 3. Stair 4. Remorse 5. American Sign Language 6. Wiggle room 7. Malicious burning 8. Vibrate 9. Usually accompanies salt 10. German iris 11. It comes from sheep 12. Feudal worker 13. Regulation (abbrev.)

18. Secret meeting 22. Filmmaker 24. Roguish 25. Triangular formation 26. Utilize 27. French for "Queen" 29. Short and plump 30. Stroll 31. Courted 33. Citrus drink 34. Any comic book protagonist 37. Most favorable conditions 42. Bumbling 44. Ventilate 45. Threaten 46. Eats 47. Corrupt 48. A style of design 49. Against 51. Chocolate cookie 52. Half-moon tide 53. Probabilities 54. Jump 56. Directed

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt!

Can you find all the Easter eggs in this week's issue?

Email your egg hunt count to production@ngtimes. ca and have a chance to WIN a gift!

18

Easy

Medium

Hard

Solution to last week’s Crossword

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Gardening: What does this even mean?

by Joselyn Morley I was one of those kids who had no idea where or how a tomato grew! I have a great deal of sympathy for someone picking up a seed package who has no experience growing anything. People grow food and flowers for a lot of reasons.

It's nice to know where your food comes from, and freshgrown food tastes better and is better for you. Growing food helps us focus on seasonal eating. Flowers help the pollinators, are pretty,

and some are edible.

It's still too early to be planting anything outside but cool crops can be direct sowed as soon as the ground can be worked. Direct sowing is when you plant the seed directly in the ground, without starting it inside or buying a plant from a nursery.

Cool crops you can direct sow include spinach, broccoli, cabbage, lettuces, peas. When exactly the soil is workable varies. It depends on the drainage of your land, and which way your garden faces.

Higher ground in the sun will be workable earlier than low-

er ground in the shade. Make sure you are not planting seeds in puddles. Cool crops can tolerate a bit of frost, and cold temperatures. They also grow best in cooler temperatures. Spinach or lettuce hate the high heat of July. It will bolt, which means it goes to seed and tastes very bitter.

That's why some people will start their kales and cabbage inside in March so that they can be planted outside once the ground is workable, and a good harvest can be had before the really hot days.

Places further south than us can grow spring, summer,

and fall gardens. In spring and fall, they can plant and harvest cool crops such as cabbage and peas, and their hot summers are good for growing peppers and tomatoes. Most root vegetables such as carrots or beets can withstand cool weather and a bit of frost.

Warm crops cannot handle frost at all. Some can't even tolerate low temperatures above freezing. These crops include tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, which all need a jump on our growing season by starting them inside. Vines like cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, and beans are also warm crops. Warm crops will wither and die at the first frost, whereas the peas and turnips will still live.

Cold will slow the growth rate down of even the most frost tolerant plant though.

Some plants that can't handle cold and frost, that have long growing seasons, don't like being transplanted, so you have to be extra careful.

Squash, pumpkins, or melons, for example, would benefit from a head start inside, but sometimes the shock of transplant will set them back, so

that you're no further ahead.

Make sure you harden off your seedlings. You do this by exposing the young plants to the outdoors in gradual increments. Start them outside in the shade for an hour or so, gradually increasing their time outside. A fan beside your seedlings throughout their time indoors helps strengthen them, and also can help prevent some fungus problems.

Most seedlings from stores are already hardened off, but ask to be sure!

Often your seed package will give you timelines for starting inside or direct sowing outside. When it says "after all danger of frost has passed", you know you're dealing with a plant that will shrivel and die if the mercury plummets.

When it says "as soon as the ground can be worked" in spring, you know the plant will tolerate cold. Climate change is making the weather more volatile, so we can get earlier or later frosts, and some oddly-timed super cold or extremely hot days. We are in Zone 5 A or 5 B here, depending on

where exactly you are, and on the micro-climates of your gardening space. The average last frost day is just that, an average! Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) gives our average last frost date here as May 11. That means that "50% of the time there will be no frost after that date." Last spring we had a hard freeze of minus 9 Celsius for a couple of nights in mid May! The package will tell you how close to sow the seeds, how deep to sow them, and how much you need to thin them for optimal growth.

Some seeds need to be soaked to germinate, and some need light. It is important to read the package for any special instructions.

What are you growing?

Email me: Joselyn@ndtimes. ca

NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT APPROVAL HEARING THIS NOTICE IS TO ALL INDIVIDUALS WHOSE PERSONAL INFORMATION (“PERSONAL INFORMATION”) WAS IN THE POSSESSION OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES OF LANARK, LEEDS AND GRENVILLE, (“FCSLLG”) AND WAS DISCLOSED OR OBTAINED BY UNAUTHORIZED THIRD PARTIES ON OR BEFORE APRIL 18, 2016.

READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT MAY AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS. 1. What is this lawsuit about?

A representative Plaintiff (identified as M.M.) commenced a class proceeding against FCSLLG, seeking damages on behalf of individuals whose Personal Information was in the possession of the FCSLLG and was disclosed or obtained by unauthorized third parties on or before April 18, 2016. This action was certified as a class proceeding on December 21, 2017. FCSLLG denies the allegations made against it in this class proceeding. Flaherty McCarthy LLP represents the class (“Class Counsel”).

The parties to the class proceeding have reached a settlement (the “Proposed Settlement”). The Proposed Settlement is a compromise of disputed claims against FCSLLG without any admission of liability

by FCSLLG. The Proposed Settlement is subject to Court approval. The Settlement, if approved, will conclude the class proceeding. The purpose of this document is to provide notice to class members that a motion will be heard on May 3, 2021 at 10:00 AM by Zoom to approve the Proposed Settlement and Class Counsel’s fees. Zoom log-in details will be available from Class Counsel one week before the motion.

2. Am I a member of the Class?

You are a member of the class and entitled to participate in the proceeding if you fall into one of the following categories and have not validly opted-out of the class proceeding: 1. the 282 persons (including their estates or personal representatives) other than Kelley Denham, identified by name in a confidential FCSLLG document disclosed or obtained by unauthorized third parties on or before April 18, 2016 (an “Identified Class Member”); 2. persons who, during the period of April 1, 2015 to April 18, 2016, (i) were the spouse or common law partner of an Identified Class Member, or (ii) otherwise stood loco parentis to the children or step-children of an Identified Class Member; or 3. persons who, during the period of April 1, 2015 to April 18, 2016, were a living child or step-child of an Identified Class Member.

3. What proposed settlement has been reached in this Class Proceeding?

Under the Proposed Settlement, FCSLLG shall pay $5,000,000 (the “Gross Settlement Funds”), plus additional amounts for reasonable notice and administration costs in exchange for, among other things, a full and final release of the claims against FCSLLG. Class Counsel shall seek Court approval of a 33% contingency fee agreement to be paid from the Gross Settlement Funds.

4. How will the Settlement Funds be paid to Class Members (Distribution Protocol)?

The Gross Settlement Funds shall be reduced by the Court-approved Class Counsel fees, HST, disbursements and/or an Honorarium that may be approved by the Court. The remaining amount shall be available to be distributed in accordance with the Distribution Protocol in the Settlement, including a distribution to eligible class members by a Court-appointed Claims Administrator.

5. Can I object to the Proposed Settlement?

If you are a class member, you can object to the Proposed Settlement if you don’t think it is fair, reasonable, or in the best interests of the class members. You can give reasons why you think the Court should not approve it. For more information about objecting to the Proposed Settlement, see www.CASprivacybreach.com.

6. Additional Information Information regarding the Proposed Settlement and pending motion is available at www.CASprivacybreach.com. Requests for information or questions for Class Counsel should be directed to: SEAN A. BROWN FLAHERTY MCCARTHY LLP Toronto-Dominion Centre 95 Wellington Street West 10th Floor, Suite 1000 Toronto, Ontario M5J 2N7 info@CASprivacybreach.com March 31, 2021

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Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

Forecasted rain is expected to increase water levels across the Rideau Valley Watershed Above normal temperatures in March have melted most of the snow across the Rideau Valley watershed.

The snow melt was quite rapid at first, causing water levels and flows to rise quickly in some areas. This was followed by a more gradual melt of the remaining snow. For the most part, water levels and flows are about normal for this time of year and are well below flood thresholds.

The short-term forecast is calling for rainfall amounts of between 40 to 50 millimetres. If the rain comes as forecast, water levels and flows will increase again across the Rideau Valley

Watershed. As such, an updated FLOOD OUTLOOK is in effect due the possibility of flooding for all low-lying areas along all waterways, especially near small creeks and streams. Parks Canada staff who manage the water levels for the Rideau Canal have indicated that the levels in the upper watershed lakes are currently below average and expected to rise but not to flood levels.

Further to the above, a FLOOD WATCH is in effect for the low-lying areas along Stevens Creek and Taylor Drain in the Village of North Gower. If the rain comes as forecast, water levels may be similar too, or possibly higher than, those already observed this spring.

With the rising water levels expected over the com-

ing days, the remaining ice cover on lakes, ditches, local streams, and rivers will be unstable. In addition, ice cover in the rivers and streams may breakup as a result of warm temperatures and higher flows, increasing the risk of ice jams and associated overbank flooding. Extreme caution should be exercised by everyone when near local waterbodies. Parents should inform their children of the risks and provide appropriate supervision.

Residents in flood-prone or low-lying areas, historically susceptible to flooding, should take the necessary precautions to protect their property, such as: • Ensuring sump pump is clear, in good working condition and has a backwater valve,

•

Ensuring easy access to a portable backup generator and pump • Ensuring downspouts are clear and the outlet is at least 3 metres from the dwelling • Securing items that might float away as flows increase • Removing valuable items from basements or lower floors that could be subject to flooding • Keeping emergency phone numbers handy • Familiarizing yourself with your municipality's Emergency Preparedness Plan This watershed conditions statement is in effect until April 15, 2021, at 5 p.m. and will be updated at that time unless the forecast or conditions change.

The Voice of North Grenville

For More Information: Contact: Brian Stratton, RVCA Manager Engineering Services Rideau Valley Conservation Authority 613-692-6804, 1-800267-3504 ext. 1141 "Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is a partnership of municipalities within the Rideau Valley watershed created under the Conservation Authorities Act to deliver a range of programs in watershed management and natural resource conservation."

RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements: Water Safety - High flows, unstable banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc.

Flooding is not expected.

Flood Outlook - Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.

Flood Watch - Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities.

Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood prone areas should prepare.

Flood Warning - Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.

Kemptville Lions "Catch the Ace" returns

A new round of the Kemptville Lions Club's "Catch the Ace" will begin on April 13. The Lions Club is very pleased that they have retained most of the ticket vendors from previous draws.

Tickets will be available from B & H Foodliner, Kemptville Bowling, Moose Mart, Shelley's Kitchen, Heckston, Jonsson's Independent Grocer, Fast Eddie's Diner, R. Rose Automotive and Lions Club members. The weekly draws will be held at the Kemptville Youth Centre (5 Oxford Street West, Kemptville) on Tuesday nights at 7:30 pm. The Lions Club has been holding "Catch the Ace" draws since May of 2017 raising money that has benefitted many community organizations including Kemptville Home Support, the Kemptville Youth Centre, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, CHEO, Camp Quality and most recently, the local food banks and more. For more information and to follow the draws, go to:facebook.com/ kemptvillelions

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TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

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The Voice of North Grenville

Business profile

Stevens Creek Decor Centre is a locally owned and operated family business featuring high quality custom window treatments, and a full line paint store! Owners William and Rowena Pearl are proud to offer the Canadian Made product line from Cloverdale Paint.

If you have not already heard of Cloverdale Paint you’ve missed a real Canadian success story.

Founded in 1933, Cloverdale Paint has had a special relationship with its customers ever since. That relationship is built on a commitment to exceptional quality and superior customer service. With a long history in the Western Provinces Cloverdale has finally made it to North Grenville and is available exclusively at Stevens Creek Decor Centre.

Stevens Creek Decor Centre follows a family tradition of providing creative custom decor with exceptional value begun by William’s Grandfather in 1939. Stevens Creek is an authorized Hunter Douglas Dealer, carrying the complete line of innovative Hunter Douglas window coverings. They also provide quality blinds, shades and shutters from Canadian Manufacturers such as Maxxmar Window Fashions, Altex, SOL-R, Finecraft and more.

Products – interior and exterior blinds, interior and exterior shutters, shades, motorization and automation, custom drapery fabrication, custom drapery hardware, roll shutters, stationary exterior shutters, decorative fabrics, wallpaper by order, and more.

Services – expert window treatment consultations, and installations. Colour matching. Drapery and blind cleaning.

Located at 2678 County Road 43, Kemptville 613-706-1250 Or visit the website at stevenscreekshutterco.ca

WHERE RELAXATION MEETS CARE

Welcoming New Patients!

Dental Implants - Sedation and General Dentistry Wisdom Teeth Extraction dentistryatkemptville.ca 2600 County Rd. 43, in the Kemptville Mall 613-258-5200

Locally owned & operated WE SPECIALIZE IN SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS

613.258.4152

NEW LOCATION 5881 Cty. Rd. #19, Kemptville

March 31, 2021

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OPEN FOR DINE IN AND TAKE OUT

613-258-6821

2794 County Rd 43, Kemptville

Canadian . Italian . Chinese

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Happy Easter From the Management & Staff

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SUN to THURS 8 am - 8 pm FRI to SAT 8 am - 9 pm March 31, 2021

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Mythunderstanding Resurrection or Resuscitation?

by David Shanahan The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is at the very core of Christianity, and has been the subject of intense study and criticism by many over the millennia.

From outright denial that it ever happened, to really imaginative explanations of what “really” happened that morning, people have tried to explain away the single most important event in the Christian experience. The Season of Easter is a good time to review the entire topic. The importance of this event is stated quite categorically by Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians: “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...For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.” [1 Cor. 15.

13-18] That is pretty clear, isn’t it? If Jesus was not raised from the dead, then our faith is useless, because the one we have put our faith in is not who he said he was. In other words, Christianity stands or falls on the truth of the Resurrection of Jesus. That makes it very important that we know what “resurrection” means, how we can know that it really happened, and what the implications are not just for Christians, but the whole world.

The first thing to note is that when Jesus was resurrected, he did not just come back to life. Lazarus was brought back to life by Jesus a few days after he had died. The widow’s son was brought back to life also

by Jesus, but these were not examples of Resurrection. Lazarus and the boy remained what they had been before death, they were sim-

ply restored to the life they had known before. If that had been the case with Jesus, there would not be the same unique importance placed on the event by Christians. He would have shared in a very unusual, but not unique experience.

The resurrection of Jesus was of a completely different nature. It also took place for a very different reason than the raising of Lazarus.

Immediately after finding the empty tomb, Mary Magdalene met the risen Lord, but for some reason, she didn’t immediately recognise him. Then he spoke her name, and she knew him, but he warned her not to touch him because he had not yet returned to the Father. Similarly, the two followers who met him on the road to Emmaus did not recognise him, even though he walked with them for some time and spoke to them at length. But when he broke bread with them in the room at Emmaus, they knew him. Then he, literally, disappeared.

He came to the group of disciples when they were in a locked room. They, rather naturally, were terrified and thought he was a ghost. But: “He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?

Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” [Luke 25.38-39] Two interesting things about this: something had changed since he had met Mary earlier, now they could touch him.

In addition, he was a being of flesh and bones, a human being, real and tangible, but obviously something much more also.

At other times between his resurrection and ascension, he met with individuals, groups, even more than five hundred people at one time.

He cooked breakfast for them, and ate and drank with them too. But he could come and go through space without hindrance. He explained why

he had died and been raised again, reminding them that he had told them this many times before his crucifixion, but they had not grasped what he had told them: “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

[Luke 24.44-49] The early Christians went everywhere preaching the death and resurrection of Jesus as central to everything they believed. His death and resurrection went together in their minds: the death without the resurrection was a tragedy. The resurrection put the seal of truth on everything Jesus had said, preached and promised. It is still the pivotal event: if Jesus was not raised, Christianity is nothing.

However, “...if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

[Romans 8.11] “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” [Romans 10.9] “By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.” [1 Cor. 6.14] Next week: How do we know it really happened?

Local man promotes outdoor fun with new winter game

by Hilary Thomson A local man has created a new winter game that is perfect for COVID-19 and beating the winter blues.

As part of an effort to get outside and active this winter, Larry Pegg of Greely invented a game called LaToss. The name is a play on Canada's national sport, Lacrosse, but it has more in common with a game called disk golf that is played in about 40 countries around the world.

LaToss uses disk golf baskets placed in a line along the ice. The idea of the game is to try and get the disk golf putters (small frisbees) into the baskets as you are skating past them. After each round, players skate further away from the baskets to make it more of a challenge to sink the disks.

Larry has always loved the feeling of tossing a frisbee around and has been playing ultimate frisbee and disc golf since 1989. His involvement with the Ottawa Disk Golf Club and playing the sport in the winter was part of his

inspiration to adapt the game to ice. "It kind of gives a lot of flexibility for those that might be intimidated by playing the long golf game and they just want something really quick and active," Larry says.

Like disk golf, LaToss is the perfect game to play during COVID-19 because it involves no physical contact.

Everyone has their own disks, and it is easy to socially distance while on the ice. It is also good for the soul as Larry says that fun and creativity is all part of the game. "Fun is encouraged," he says. "Extra points for pirouettes and horrible moves on ice. You could do stars on ice if you want.

Just have a good time."

Larry has been inviting friends and members of the Ottawa Disk Golf Club to come play LaToss on the small lake in his back yard.

Although the season is over due to the warm weather, he was able to hold several successful games before the ice got too soft to skate. "I love skating and just being outside in the fresh air," says Ottawa

HEAPHYS CLEANING SERVICE

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TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

March 31, 2021

The Voice of North Grenville

23

Disk Golf Club member, Brenda Cox, who came out to play twice. "It's quick, like Larry said, it's a lot of fun, and he really encourages us to have fun."

Larry's goal is to motivate people to get outside, especially in the winter months.

Besides inventing LaToss, he has also created a persona called "Shadow Man" where he films his shadow while doing outdoor activities like cross country skiing, and uploads them to YouTube.

Larry says making an effort to get outside and have some fun this winter has done wonders for his mental health. "The Shadow Man series is - get out. It's beautiful. There's no ticks, there's no mosquitos, there's no black flies, there's no deer flies, there's no horse flies. Have a good time and enjoy it while it's here."

To follow Larry's Shadow Man adventures, you can find him on YouTube under Larry Pegg Shadow Man. To learn more about the Ottawa Disk Golf Club visit their website at www.ODGC.ca.

ALL NATURAL

DANIKA HEAPHY OWNER/CLEANER

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The North Grenville Times

Municipality of North Grenville April Road Safety Theme: Active Travel As the weather warms up, the North Grenville Road Safety Committee is reminding all road users to watch out for one another.

As more people are outside walking and riding their bikes, motorists should be prepared to slow down or stop, particularly at road and trail crossings.

Be extra careful when passing cyclists on undivided roads. Passing them too closely can cause the rider to lose control. Always ensure you leave at least one-metre distance between the vehicle and bike when passing them. It's the law.

On the rural roads, motorists are reminded to slow down when passing horses and riders. Horses can be unpredictable, and motorists should always err on the side of caution when passing a horse, slow down and give then ample room. Never honk your horn when approaching as it could frighten the horse. It is also recommended for horseback riders to ride single file on the shoulder in the direction of traffic to reduce the risk of horses spooking at oncoming vehicles.

School Zones and Community Safety Zones Motorists should be prepared to slow down and

stop for children in or near school or community safety zones. Fines are doubled if you are caught speeding.

Community Safety Zones are clearly marked with road signs and are located along Country Road 44, Concession Road and Clothier Street. In an effort to encourage more families to walk or ride to school, safe walking route maps were developed by the Public Health Unit along with active school travel partners that families can use.

If it is not feasible to walk the entire way, consider parking a block or two away from the school and walk the rest of the way. This will also help relieve traffic around the schools and is a great way to incorporate active travel into your day.

The Road Safety public awareness campaign aims to promote safe driving behaviours and make roads in North Grenville safer for all users. A portion of the campaign is funded with a grant provided by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

The North Grenville Road Safety Campaign Committee is comprised of the Municipality of North Grenville, the North Grenville Police Services Board, the Leeds,

The Voice of North Grenville

Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, the Grenville County Ontario Provincial Police, and the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. The following School Safe Route School Maps are available on our website at: www. northgrenville.ca/roadsafety 1. South Branch/Notre Dame / Rivière-Rideau 2. Holy Cross Catholic School 3. Kemptville Public School Community Safety Zone vs School Zones School Zone - A School Zone is an areas within 150 metres on either side of a school which has a lower speed limit during school hours.

Community Safety Zone - A Community Safety Zone is an area where public safety is of special concern, such as areas around schools. Fines are doubled if you are caught speeding in the area.

For more information, please contact: Jill Sturdy, Corporate Media Relations Officer jsturdy@northgrenville.on.ca 613-258-9569 ext. 168

Springtime means more people outside.

Watch for cyclists & pedestrians and be prepared to slow down or stop, particularly at road and trail crossings.

ROAD SAFETY in NORTH

A message brought to you by:

GRENVILLE

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