Kemptville’s Buskerfest A Festival Built by Community
by Marguerite Boyer
This past weekend, downtown Kemptville came alive in a way that felt both energizing and heartwarming. The annual Buskerfest Festival drew in some of the largest crowds we’ve ever seen, filling the streets with excitement, laughter, and a real sense of community pride. Everywhere you turned, there was something happening, talented buskers performing along the sidewalks, musicians filling the air with live music, children enjoying a dedicated play
area, and a bustling community stage that kept audiences entertained throughout the day. It was the kind of event that reminds us why small towns like ours are so special and why community gatherings matter so much.
I want to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation to all the volunteers who made this festival possible. These individuals dedicated countless hours preparing for the event, coordinating logistics, and ensuring everything ran as smoothly as possi-
ble. Yes, there were a few unexpected challenges, but the volunteers handled every obstacle with patience, teamwork, and determination.
Their commitment is what transforms an idea into a memorable experience for thousands of people.
We also need to recognize the many local businesses that supported Buskerfest. Their sponsorships, donations, and participation are a big part of what allows events like this to grow year after year. I often say how important it is to
shop local, and this festival is a perfect example of why. When we support our local businesses, they in turn support our community creating events, opportunities, and memories that benefit us all.
The success of Buskerfest shows what can happen when residents, volunteers, and businesses come together with a shared purpose.
Buskerfest was a wonderful reminder of what we can accomplish together, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s celebration.
Photo submitted by John Barclay
Toonies For Seniors
From Sea to Song
by John Baldwin
Kemptville's only Male Choir, under the Directorship of Christine Admiral and accompanist Ann Faubo, will be performing " From Sea To Song" for you on Saturday, 27 June, at 7pm in the Urbandale Arts Centre. This charity performance is being sung to raise funds for "Victim Services of Leeds & Grenville", who will receive $5.00 from each $25.00 ticket sold in their support. ( Children under 12 years of age enter free!)
We thank you all very kindly for your active participation in this quest for funds for this important local community service, and also thank our major sponsor, Randy Rose Automotive, for their generous support once again, our printers Coba, and for the promotional help afforded us by The North Grenville Times, without all of whom we could not afford to put on this show.
Tickets are available from B&H Community Grocers, and KMC Public Relations Executive Jim Comtois at 613252-9576. Thank you all for your generosity and we hope to see you there!
Hey Day history talk
by
Teresa Harrison
Hey Day has been, and continues to be, the major fundraiser the KDH Auxiliary runs each year, raising important funds for patient care. Hey Day has been part of our community since 1961, and we’re celebrating 65 remarkable years. Join the KDH Auxiliary on Thursday, May 21 at 7 pm for A History of Hey Day – The Early Years, presented by Lynne Clifford Ward, at Kemptville Pentecostal Church. Five guests will also win beautifully crafted 1960sinspired cakes. Tickets are $10 at the KDH Gift Shop (Mon–Fri, 9–4). All proceeds support the Mammogram Campaign.
Big changes coming for Hey Day!
Fans of Hey Day need to be aware of some important changes coming to this yearly event.
So, what are the changes? An important one for you to know is that there will be one day for donation drop-offs and one day only (with the exception of plants, which can be dropped off inside).
Donation day will be: Wednesday June 3 from 11am to 7pm. Anyone showing up with donations on any other day will be kindly asked to take them to one of the other worthy charities in the area.
The other change is that we have extended the sale hours. New sale times will be: Friday June 5, 4pm to 9pm and Saturday June 6, 9am to 1pm.
Hey Day is Eastern Ontario's largest indoor garage sale, organized by the Kemptville District Hospital Auxiliary with all proceeds going to the hospital to support patient care. It’s been 65 years since the first ever Hey Day was held.
Plan to come out to grab deals and bargains, and have a great time too. The event takes place at the North Grenville Municipal Centre, the ice hockey arena, 285 County Road 44 in Kemptville.
For more info, please email kdha.heyday@gmail.com.
Bishop's Mills Community Day This Weekend
by Bishop’s Mills Community Association
This Saturday, May 23, Bishop's Mills is hosting its 21st annual Community Day. The event starts at 8 am with local garage sales. The Community Hall (38 Main Street) opens at 9, where you can buy some delicious baked goods at the Bishop's Mills Women Involved Bake Sale. Also, participate in a silent auction of local items. The WI Tweedsmuir History will be on display. All funds raised go toward the upkeep of the Community Hall.
Aleta Karstad and Fred Schueler's Fragile Inheritance organization will have a table providing and soliciting insights on native and invasive plants, plans for the Cheese Factory site, the spread of snails, and how to protect yourself against diseases from ticks.
Just down the street from the Community Hall, visit the Bishops Oxford United Church Hall to check out their sale of crafts and gently used items in the hall. You can also grab a bite at their lunch counter. Around the corner at the Park (29 Mill Street) games for kids will be offered from 10:30am til noon.
This year, the Bishop's Mills Community Association is celebrating 50 years since its formation in 1976 when a group of young families came together to raise money for a skating rink for their kids. And, coincidentally, ownership of the original Temperance Hall (built in 1878) was officially transferred to a community board of trustees (now the Bishop's Mills Community Association) in 1926. Meaning, our beloved Community Hall has been owned and managed by community members for 100 years!
A celebration event is planned for August 22 at the Bishop's Mills Park to recognize these two milestones. Watch for details. Reconnect with neighbours and catch up on local news. Come see what's happening in our hamlet!
Fund raiser for lost business
by Sarah Vlasblom
I wanted to share that a GoFundMe fundraiser has been launched to support Spa Jada in Kemptville following a devastating fire that caused extensive damage to the business.
Cheryl Pomposelli is not only a respected business owner, but also a pillar in the Kemptville and broader spa community. Over the years, she has built a beautiful business dedicated to helping others feel cared for, supported, and renewed. In the wake of this tragedy, one of her first concerns has been for her team, and a portion of the funds raised will help support staff members who have unexpectedly lost income while the spa is closed.
I have had the privilege of working closely with Jada through my role with Eminence Organic Skin Care, and I have also come to know her as a dear friend. She is one of the most hardworking, generous, and compassionate people I know.
The fundraiser will help with:
- Restoration and rebuilding costs
- Replacing damaged equipment, supplies, and retail inventory
- Supporting affected team members
- Helping Spa Jada reopen as quickly as possible GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/bd14f212c
Lions Club May Draw
Boot Scootin’ Boogie Alert
by Eric Connell
The Spencerville Fairgrounds is turning up the music and bringing the party to Drummond Barn 1 for one unforgettable summer night. Join us on Saturday, June 13, 2026, for the Barn Dance, a boot scootin’ boogie packed with all your favourite 80’s, 90’s, and early 2000’s country throwbacks featuring local legend DJ Rob McFadzen.
Known for bringing the energy and packing the dance floor, Rob is ready to bring the barn down with the country hits, sing-alongs, and crowd favourites you were raised on, lived on, and still know every word to today.
Expect cold drinks, packed dance floors, throwback country anthems, and the kind of small-town summer atmosphere that keeps the party going until the cows come home.
This fundraiser supports ongoing improvements and updates to the fairgrounds buildings, helping preserve the spaces that bring our community together year after year.
Advance Tickets: $15 Online, $20 Cash at the Door. 19+ Event. 8:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. Tickets are available NOW: www.spencervillefair. ca/barn-dance
Barn Dance, Boot Scootin' Boogie
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Drummond Barn #1, 26 Ryan Street, Spencerville, Ontario.
In the Photo: Lion Rob Stevenson; Gerald Christie; Alan Forbes; reading the script is Dr. Louise Hale; Dennis Burton, one of our newest Lions is making the draw; Jason Beck and Brandon Alger.
by Willy Heidebrecht
And the winner of the May draw is Cathy Sheppard. This month, the prize is a trip for two to the Riviera Maya, Mexico, valued at $3,638.00. It includes: 7 nights at Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda, All-Inclusive with Flights and round trip airport transfers. Congratulations to Cathy.
We’ll soon be launching a new series of tickets. If you’re already a ticket holder, tell your friends. If you’d like to become one, follow the Kemptville Lions Club on Facebook for updates.
It takes a lot of effort to pull together the many service projects a small club such as ours completes every year. Not all of them are fundraisers. In fact, besides this raffle, all but one of the service projects generate no funds. These are true service projects. The Lions Motto is “We Serve”. So when you see an opportunity support our community, give as you are able.
You can also support your community by joining our growing team. One of the two new members that were welcomed to the Kemptville Lions Club on Monday, April 27, made this draw. If you enjoy giving back and are looking for a meaningful way to get involved locally, we’d be glad to hear from you.
For more information, email kemptvillelionsclub@gmail.com or call Lion Alan at (613) 406-9976.
Masters of war
by David Shanahan
Do you remember the good old days? You know, when the world was a place where the law mattered; where people tried to live with honour and integrity. Remember when we cared about things like hunger, war, poverty, and discrimination? Remember? You don’t? Well, thinking about it, it is hard to imagine a world like that, especially these days.
For someone of my revered age, creaking and groaning every time I try and stand up, it seems like a dream that, once upon a time, we paid attention to injustice, called out hypocrisy, and marched for civil rights and an end to wars. I suppose we were a little naive, perhaps more than a little, but we tried to make a difference in a small way. More contemporary generations look at this with some justified cynicism: rose-coloured
glasses, misty memories of far-off days that were not, perhaps, as principled as we remember.
Fair enough, there is more than a ring of truth to that, and it makes me think of Bob Seger’s line: “Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then”. What do I know now that I didn’t know then? I know, for example, that what novelist Joseph Conrad talked about in “Heart of Darkness” is true: there is a thick veneer of civilisation under which is a vast ocean of barbarism just waiting for an opportunity to emerge. The fact is that those who seemed to hold a kind of moral high ground have been shown to be as evil and as duplicitous as the most despised of traditional enemies.
The Masters of War have shown their bloody faces repeatedly over the past decade in ways that would have seemed almost unthinkable before. Open aggression, large-scale and
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
Re: Peter Johnson’s
What a lotta garbage.
Yes, Peter, hard to believe that people can be so disrespectful to their community, to their country and the environment. Too bad there isn’t a public shaming for those that get caught – might put an end to it. I just came back from a 1400 km motorcycle tour around the island of Sardinia, Italy, and I could put the total of the roadside garbage that I saw in one kitchen garbage sized bag. I guess its just unthinkable for Europeans to be throwing garbage out into the environment. There are of course countries that are far worse than Canada.
Sasha Honsl
Dear Editor, Dancing on their grave Buskerfest event this weekend may be great event for the community. But it also shows our leaders have no concept of what a cenotaph is. Zone 3 children's area old school lawn and where the aerial antics will take place, is where community cenotaph is located. A cenotaph is, by definition, an empty tomb and was erected to honour service members
unconscionable violence being perpetrated against men, women and children without concern, without sympathy or honour, all in the cause of naked ambition and self-interest. We may have thought that the Nazis and the Pol Pots of the world were the aberration, that we had dealt with that kind of evil, but we have been proved wrong. There are too many in power and behind the seats of power making too much money out of war and devastation. It is not in their interests to see a world at peace.
How can the government of Israel, not the Jewish people, not the Israeli population, but their elected leaders, do unto others what had been so dreadfully done to them in the past? Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, all steps in the destruction of their country’s reputation around the world, all adding fuel to the fires of horrible antisemitism and hatred. And
so much destruction just to keep a criminal in power and to cater to extremist hatred and ambition.
What is the difference between Netanyahu and Putin?
More tragically, what is the difference between Putin and Trump? Why has the “Beacon of Liberty”, the poster child of Democracy, become the imperialist, the coloniser, the aggressor? The US was never as pure and wonderful as Americans themselves may have imagined. The rest of us know better than that. But even so, how has that misogynist, ignorance, boor of a creep been elected, not once, but twice, by that nation? How did the successor of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Kennedy degenerate into a man who would threaten to destroy a civilisation, and then do his best to accomplish that?
No-one imagines those earlier Presidents to have been perfect people: we know they weren’t. But
they at least tried to inculcate a sense of a higher vision of what a nation could be. It’s important these days to remember that the US doesn’t just mean Trump, Hegseth, or Lindsay Graham. Remember Martin Luther King, Bob Dylan, Obama, and millions of others who tried, for better or for worse, to appeal, as Lincoln did, to “the better angels of our nature."
How do we respond to all of this, here is our little corner of the world? Canada has now a higher profile in world affairs, thanks to the Prime Minister’s vocal response to the situation. This builds on the country’s reputation as a source of reason and good sense, however we may wonder about that image here at home. That profile will bring with it the risk of retaliation, and not just in terms of trade issues. But, at some point, we have to stand up and say that we do not want the likes of
Trump, Putin, Xi, Netanyahu, and others like them, to have the last word.
As Dylan wrote to these Masters of War: “Let me ask you one question: Is your money that good? Will it buy you forgiveness? Do you think that it could? I think you will find when your death takes its toll, all the money you made will never buy back your soul.”
We want a better way of relating to one another, an appeal to some form of decency and integrity, a sense of honour, both national and personal. Too much to hope for? Perhaps. We can at least start by having an honest and respectful municipal election campaign this year. Yes, a small thing, perhaps, compared to world events. But is has to start with each of us, here, locally, personally. It may be too much to hope for, but it’s not too much to ask.
who died and buried elsewhere. The Municipality of North Grenville cenotaph is in the true sense a grave. The Legions Ritual, Awards and Protocol Manual Cenotaphs Chapter 8, section 804, states the area in which they are located within the communities are considered sacred grounds and should receive respect and dignity they so rightly deserve.
We don't hold festivals in grave yards.
Maybe it is time to relocate the cenotaph to more dignified and appropriate site, maybe on the grounds of the municipal building. The lawn west of the south parking lot.
An apology to the military community members from the Mayor for the error may be the right and thoughtful thing to do.
I'm sure other members of the community of Municipality of North Grenville would agree with me.
D Lewis Dear Editor, Thank you, Victor Lachance for your important article, “A Mega-prison for Kemptville”. I guess when these people are elected they feel that they have
freedom to do whatever they wish, regardless.
Wouldn’t it make more sense to have “mega-hospitals”, so people didn’t have to just go ahead and die, instead of waiting for twelve to twenty hours to see a doctor in an emergency room, and overcrowded emergency room with people in obvious pain? I had that experience a few months ago. As soonas I arrived, I was informed I had better immediately remove my vehicle from the parking lot, or it would cost me a fortune. That’s very helpful, a very long wait.
I guess “7 billion dollars” isn’t much to Mr. Ford. I’m quite certain he plans to retire to Billionaire’s Row in the Muskokas. If we had proper ‘Health Care’, probably more people would get what they need, which would be “not to be imprisoned”.
Yes, about the “Greenbelt land-swop scandal”, that made many supporters wealthier, he should spend some time in these mega-prisons and see how luxurious they are.
Kath Piché
Dear Editor,
A kiss and a promise. In her May 7 post on What’s Up Kemptville, Mayor Peckford said that the Ministry of the Solicitor officials she met with “emphasized that the footprint of the Kemptville site is not changing and a 235bed facility remains the focus.’
On its surface, that sounds like good news. But what the mayor reported on was just a conversation with Ministry officials. Neither the Solicitor General nor the Deputy Minister attended any part of the meeting. There were no meeting notes or any written guarantees that the proposed prison wouldn’t expand. Ministerial staff’s focus on not expanding the Kemptville prison does not bind a Solicitor General who just recently said otherwise. Things could still change. Recall that one of the reasons the Kemptville site was picked was its potential to accommodate expanding the correctional facility.
Meanwhile, the Ford government just doubled down on its prison construction boondoggle, announcing this past Thurs-
day the construction of 760 additional beds, to the tune of $3 billion beyond what was previously announced, rather than efforts to create community safety, like affordable housing. This will include five 122-bed prison domes and expanding three planned 50-bed modular units to 100 beds each.
If the Kemptville prison gets built with 235 beds, what would prevent the province from putting
modular units or a 122bed prison dome on the site’s prime agricultural land? Could this be why the mayor seems to have suddenly started talking about acquiring the lands south of College Road instead of the multi-year efforts to acquire the surplus land next to the proposed prison? What’s Up with That, Kemptville?
Victor Lachance
www.northgrenville.ca
What’s going on? See our events calendar: www.northgrenville.ca/events
Stay informed! Council Meetings: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings
Need to see us? Municipal office hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 285 County Road 44, Kemptville
Need to reach us? Contact us: Call 613-258-9569 or email: general@northgrenville.on.ca
Need additional information? Visit us: www.northgrenville.ca
Civility in local government and what we lose when it disappears
by Abby McIntyre
Municipal elections are coming in October. Across Ontario, local governments and candidates are preparing for a campaign season shaped by frustration, online conflict, and declining trust.
Eastern Ontario communities are not immune.
Over the past years, several municipalities have dealt with code of conduct complaints, integrity commissioner investigations, heated meetings, and tension between councils, staff, and residents. That does not mean local government is collapsing. But it does raise a question we should ask before campaign season begins.
How do we hold local leaders accountable without making public service so hostile that fewer people are willing to do it? Municipal government depends on participation. We need residents who attend meetings, ask questions, volunteer, sit on committees, and decide to run.
People run for different reasons. Some are motivated by service. Some are moOp-ed:
tivated by frustration, ideology, ambition, or a desire to change direction. Voters should take those reasons seriously. Still, putting your name on a ballot means entering public life, and we should treat that with care. Scrutiny is necessary. Personal hostility is not.
Residents become angry for real reasons. Decisions can feel rushed, or pulled too far toward one political side or another. Listening efforts can feel incomplete. Some residents believe major changes are decided before the public fully understands them. Those concerns deserve attention.
But there is a difference between challenging a decision and attacking the people involved in making it. One strengthens local democracy. The other slowly erodes it. That distinction matters here, where people keep seeing each other after council meetings end. The mayor may also be the parent at the hockey arena. The councillor may own the local business. The resident asking difficult questions may also volunteer at
community events.
Local government works differently in places where relationships overlap and this matters for practical reasons. Businesses need municipalities that can process permits, manage roads, plan infrastructure, and make decisions without constant paralysis. Families deciding whether to stay often look at more than housing prices or taxes. They watch how people treat each other in public. Younger residents and newcomers notice whether participation feels possible or exhausting.
Representation matters too. We make better decisions when different life experiences are present around the table. If public life becomes too hostile, the people most likely to withdraw are often people already less represented in local politics, including younger residents, newer residents, new businesses, and people balancing work and family responsibilities.
That is why staying engaged matters. A council can only reflect the real community if the real com-
Take precautions to avoid tick-borne diseases
The warm weather is here, and Southeast Public Health (SEPH) is reminding residents that the region is an established high-risk area for the blacklegged ticks. Blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis, as well as other disease-causing agents, that can be transmitted to humans through their bite.
Preventing tick bites, doing a full-body check for ticks after being outdoors or at least once a day, and prompt removal of attached ticks are essential steps in preventing tick-borne diseases.
“The risk of encountering blacklegged ticks when enjoying outdoor activities is very high in our region,” says Kim McCann, Manager of Environmental Health, “so taking simple precautions to repel ticks, and making sure you check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks after spending time outdoors will help keep you and your loved ones healthy.”
These additional precautions will also help to reduce your risk of tick-borne infection:
Using Health Canada approved insect repellent containing DEET or Icariden. Be sure to check the repellent is safe for younger children before applying.
Wearing permethrin treated clothing, as well as light colours, long sleeves and pants, socks, closed footwear, and tuck your pants into your socks.
Showering within two hours of returning indoors to remove loosely attached ticks.
Being mindful that pets may also bring ticks into the home. Talk to your vet about protecting your pets from ticks.
Creating a tick free zone around your property.
Putting clothes worn outdoors in a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks.
If you are bitten by an infected tick, the risk of Lyme disease and most other tickborne illnesses begins 24 hours after attachment and feeding and increases significantly after 48 hours.
Common early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease include rash (may not be circular or “bull’s eye”), fatigue, muscle pain, headache, fever/chills, stiff neck, and decreased appetite. More serious symptoms can include facial palsy, heart block, meningitis, and arthritis.
If you experience symptoms of Lyme disease after spending time outdoors, visit a health-care provider or a pharmacist for assessment and possibly treatment.
It is important to know that you do not gain natural immunity to Lyme disease and may have it more than once.
For more information on ticks, identifying symptoms of vector-borne diseases, and how to protect yourself and your family, visit SoutheastPH.ca/Ticks.
Please note that ticks are no longer accepted by Public Health but can be identified at etick.ca.
munity keeps showing up. That includes long-time residents, new families, rural landowners, renters, business owners, caregivers, volunteers, and young people deciding whether this is still a place to build a life. Local government becomes narrower when only the loudest, angriest, or most available voices remain in the room.
Ontario’s next municipal election will involve debates about taxes, housing, roads, growth, healthcare
access, and infrastructure. Those conversations need to happen. But we also need to decide something else before campaigns intensify. What kind of community do we want around those debates?
Community does not hold itself together. We do that, in how we show up, how we speak, how we disagree, and whether we leave room for others to take part. In a perfect world, an election would help neighbours understand each
other better, even when they disagree. That is still possible here, but only if we are intentional about it before campaigning begins.
Abby McIntyre is a Leeds Grenville-based strategic communications advisor and community advocate. She writes about the decisions that shape trust, belonging, and community life in Eastern Ontario.
Municipality of North Grenville Notice of Statutory Public Meeting Proposed Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan
Take notice that the Corporation of the Municipality of North Grenville will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, June 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Grenville Municipal Centre (285 County Road 44) to consider a proposed Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan (CIP), permitted under Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, as amended. The proposed community improvement project area would be the entirety of the municipality.
The proposed Affordable Housing CIP will incentivize developers and homeowners to meet minimum affordability targets within their developments.
The proposed CIP has been informed by various studies and recommendations related to the Municipality’s Affordable Housing Strategy, Housing Strategy and Housing Needs Assessment.
The draft CIP will include a variety of proposed financial incentive programs to promote, among others:
• The creation of affordable dwelling units through tax increment grants
• Funding for Additional Residential Units in new construction Additional funding for creating accessible additional residential units
• Funding to offset development costs for affordable units.
• The draft Affordable CIP will be available to the public on May 20th, 2026.
For more information about this matter, contact:
By mail: Municipality of North Grenville, 285 County Road 44, PO Box 130, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
By email: planning@northgrenville.on.ca
By telephone: 613-258-9569 x116
Requests to delegate to this meeting can be made by contacting the Clerk at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca. If you are attending the meeting in person, you can register to speak during the meeting by following instructions provided at the meeting.
Dated at the Municipality of North Grenville this 21st day of May, 2026.
Municipality of North Grenville Notice of Statutory Public Meeting Regarding Proposed Tourism Community Improvement Plan
Take notice that the Corporation of the Municipality of North Grenville will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, June 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Grenville Municipal Centre (285 County Road 44) to consider a proposed Tourism Community Improvement Plan (CIP), permitted under Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, as amended. The proposed community improvement project area would be the entirety of the municipality.
The proposed Tourism CIP will incentivize the creation of new overnight accommodations and a series of tourism-related investments, supporting the Municipality’s Tourism Strategy and advancing its opportunities related to agri-tourism, festivals and events, outdoor experiences, among others.
The proposed CIP has been informed by various inputs including a community survey, Council direction, a rigorous background review, data analysis, and industry feedback.
The draft CIP will include a variety of proposed financial incentive programs to promote, among others:
• The construction of new hotels/multi-unit accommodation and short-term stays
• On-farm tourism
• Façade, signage, and/or landscaping improvements
• Infrastructure that supports tourism, including trails and cycle touring
The draft Tourism CIP will be available to the public on May 20th, 2026.
For more information about this matter, contact:
By mail: Municipality of North Grenville, 285 County Road 44, PO Box 130, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
By email: planning@northgrenville.on.ca or tourism@northgrenville.on.ca
By telephone: 613-258-9569 x116
Requests to delegate to this meeting can be made by contacting the Clerk at clerk@ northgrenville.on.ca. If you are attending the meeting in person, you can register to speak during the meeting by following instructions provided at the meeting.
Dated at the Municipality of North Grenville this 21st day of May, 2026.
A SAFER ONTARIO MEANS
BACKYARD ASTRONOMY
by Gary Boyle - The Backyard Astronomer
For thousands of years, the night sky has been a mystical place of wonder and entertainment. Those who followed the sky regularly realized the paths of brighter objects as they traversed the starry background over weeks, months, and even years. The early Greeks called them planete, meaning the "wanderers".
Of the eight main planets of the solar system, we can see Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn with the unaided eye, while Uranus and Neptune are only seen in binoculars and a telescope. Even the Sun and Moon were also referred
TIMES
Contact 613-215-0735
ISSN 2291-0301
Editor David Shanahan
editor@ngtimes.ca
613-215-0735
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1854, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Reporter
Talia Hreljac Talia@ngtimes.ca
Marketing/Sales marketing@ngtimes.ca 613 215-0735
Graphic Designer
Mary Moore
graphics designer 613-215-0735
Accounting cfo@ngtimes.ca
to as the wanderers, and these seven are named as the days of the week. Looking towards the western sky will reward you with seeing the two brightest planets. Brilliant Venus is lower in the sky with the giant planet Jupiter to the upper left. Over the next few weeks, you will see Jupiter appearing a bit lower each night while Venus is moving up due to its orbit around the sun.
On the night of June 6 and 7, these two will appear side by side. I term these "spooky eyes" as they take on a ghostly appearance in the sky. They are by sight only and do not physically approach each other. These jewels will be 719 million kilometres or 447 million miles apart.
The speed of light circles the Earth seven and a half times in one second. Reflected sunlight from Venus takes over 10 light-minutes to reach our eyes, with a 50 light-minute travel from Jupiter. By comparison, Saturn is now visible in the early morning sky and is 85 light-minutes away.
A much closer object, the Moon, is only 1.3 light-seconds from us. As we follow the lunar phases over the months, from a thin waxing crescent low in the west to first quarter (looks like a capital D), waxing gibbous (egg-shaped) and then full phase when the sun illuminates it 100%. Then we have a waning gibbous, third quarter (backwards capital D) and waning crescent. Although spectacular in the sky, it is the worst night for stargazing as moonlight washes out
Litter vandals
the sky for all but the brightest of stars.
Each full moon has been given a name to address seasonal change, such as the "Cold Moon" in December and the "Strawberry Moon" in June. With an average of 29.5 days lapsing between full phases, some months will have two full moons, the second of which is termed the "Blue Moon". Since the full Flower Moon occurred on May 1, the next full moon will be on May 31. The moon will not physically turn blue, but by name only. It should be another great year to plan stargazing sessions in the countryside, at the cottage or campgrounds, preferably during a New Moon. Here you can marvel at a couple of thousand stars and the lovely Milky Way, our home galaxy. The night sky is a wonderful classroom.
Clear skies.
Known as "The Backyard Astronomer", Gary Boyle is an astronomy educator, guest speaker and previous monthly columnist for the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, as well as past president of the Ottawa Centre of the RASC. He has been interviewed on numerous Canadian and US radio stations as well as in newspaper articles. In recognition of his public outreach in astronomy, the International Astronomical Union has honoured him with the naming of Asteroid (22406) Garyboyle. Follow him on Facebook and his website: www.wondersofastronomy.com
Bright Planets and a Blue Moon
First KDH Physician Excellence Award
Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is pleased to announce the winner of its first annual Physician Excellence Award. Dr. Johnny Brisebois was selected as the 2026-2027 recipient after being nominated for the award by his peers. Dr. Brisebois is one of KDH's longest-serving physicians and has been a cornerstone of the hospital's Emergency Department for many years.
The KDH Physician
Excellence Award recognizes a physician who has made outstanding contributions to the KDH community beyond clinical care, including leadership, mentorship, institutional engagement, and longstanding commitment to the hospital.
Dr. Brisebois consistently exemplifies the highest standards of clinical care and professionalism, and is often described as a ‘one-man public relations
machine' for KDH - an acknowledgment of the exceptional rapport he builds with patients and families.
Dr. Brisebois is not only admired by his patients, but also widely respected by nursing staff and physician colleagues alike.
"KDH created the Physician Excellence Award to recognize our doctors who demonstrate the dedication, compassion, and clinical diligence that define high-quality patient care,"
said Dr. Colin Sentongo, KDH Chief of Staff. "Dr. Brisebois is an exceptional physician, who has been a staple of KDH's ED for many years. We appreciate his commitment and professionalism, and hope this award shows our gratitude for everything he does."
"Dr. Brisebois is an outstanding physician, and wonderful ambassador for KDH," said Frank Vassallo, KDH President and CEO. "He exemplifies the qualities of an excellent physician, including providing compassionate and high-quality care to his patients in the Emergency Department. Dr. Brisebois is a very deserving recipient of this award; he personifies KDH's values of compassion, respect, and accountability, and I'd like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to him."
KDH looks forward to recognizing another physician for their excellence in 2027-2028!
APPOINTMENTS TO THE LEEDS AND GRENVILLE MUNICIPAL ELECTION JOINT COMPLIANCE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The municipalities of Athens, Augusta, Brockville, Edwardsburgh Cardinal, Elizabethtown-Kitley, Front of Yonge, Gananoque, Leeds & the Thousand Islands, Merrickville-Wolford, North Grenville, Prescott, Rideau Lakes and Westport are recruiting experienced professionals for appointment to the Leeds and Grenville Municipal Election Joint Compliance Audit Committee.
The Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended (MEA), requires municipalities to establish a Compliance Audit Committee to consider applications requesting audits of election campaign finances. The Committee may be required to appoint auditors and determine if legal proceedings are required as a result of the auditors’ reports.
Applicants with a background in law, election administration, public administration, auditing and accounting, professionals who are required to adhere to codes of standards of their profession and those with in-depth knowledge of the campaign financing rules are preferred.
Applicants should have:
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of municipal elections, including campaign financing rules;
• Proven analytical and decision-making skills;
• Experience working on committees, task forces or similar settings;
• Availability and willingness to attend meetings during daytime and evening hours over a four-year term, as required; and
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Pursuant to subsection 88.37 (2) of the MEA, applicants cannot be candidates or registered third party advertisers in the 2026 Municipal Election, or any by-election during the 2026-2030 Council term, nor can they have committed to providing professional advice to any person running for office in any of the participating municipalities. Municipal employees and members of Council are also ineligible.
The Committee’s term of office is four years, beginning in November 2026. Successful applicants, in good standing, will receive a $100 retainer annually, for four (4) years, and may receive additional compensation depending on compensation by-laws of the local municipalities.
Applicants may be required to participate in an interview process.
For further information or to obtain an application form please visit the participating municipal websites or contact the Clerk of any of the participating municipalities, or the Clerk of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.
Deadline for applications is 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026
Mobility Master Plan Public Information Centre
The Municipality of North Grenville is updating the 2019 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and the 2019 Commuter Cycling Plan (CCP). This updated document, being referred to as the Mobility Master Plan (MMP), is being developed to:
Direct municipal policy and infrastructure investments over the next 10-20 years; Support growth and development to achieve broader community connectivity goals; Provide safe, comfortable and connected active mobility options and integrated choices; and Identify opportunities for enhanced sustainable practices and processes to support implementation.
The MMP is being carried out in accordance with phase one and two of the master plan process outlined in the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (October 2000, as amended in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2023, and 2024), which is an approved process under the Environmental Assessment Act. The project was initiated in October 2025 and is anticipated to be completed by September 2026. Your input is important to us!
Engaging the community is a vital component of the MMP. There are a number of different engagement opportunities available to support your involvement in this project including:
1. Interacting with the project webpage (northgrenville.ca/mobilitymasterplan)
2. Completing the online Phase 2 survey included on the project page (coming week of May 19, 2026)
3. Attending the in-person Public Information Centre #2
4. Attending the virtual Public Information Centre #2
This second Public Information Centre (PIC) will build on the feedback received during Phase 1. It will be used to share the results of our technical analysis, present specific transportation problem areas identified across the municipality, and gather your feedback on the proposed alternative solutions being considered to address them.
The Public Information Centre (PIC) offers two engagement formats: an in-person open-house session for direct, informal discussion with the project team, and a virtual session featuring a formal presentation followed by a Q&A. We encourage those interested in the study to attend.
In-person Public Information Centre #2:
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026. Time: 5:30 pm –7:30 pm
Location: Suite A, Municipal Centre, 285 County Road 44, Kemptville
Virtual Public Information Centre #2:
Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026. Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Virtual
*All materials presented at these sessions will be posted on the project website following the meeting.
If you have any questions or comments, or wish to be added to the mailing list to receive future updates, please contact one of the following project team members:
Colleen Kennedy, Engineering Technologist, Municipality of North Grenville. publicworks@northgrenville.on.ca. 613-258-9569 ext. 172
Jeff Axisa, Consultant Project Manager, Dillon Consulting. jaxisa@dillon.ca, 905-901-2912 ext. 3340
All information will be collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (2009). With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.
Dr. Brisebois
Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign Raises Over $23,000 for KDH Foundation
Together with Tim Hortons, the Kemptville District Hospital Foundation is proud to announce the incredible success of the 2026 Smile Cookie Campaign. From April 27 to May 3, Tim Hortons restaurants in Kemptville raised an outstanding $23,133.68 in support of a new mammography machine for Kemptville District Hospital.
During the annual campaign, 100% of proceeds from every Smile Cookie sold were donated to local charities, community groups, and youth organizations across Canada. In Kemptville, the funds raised will help bring upgraded 3D mammography technology to KDH, supporting earlier detection and better care for patients close to home.
“We are so grateful to the Tim Hortons team, their customers, and the many volunteers who helped decorate cookies throughout the week,” said Cindy Smith, Executive Director of the KDH Foundation. “This incredible community support will make a meaningful difference for local healthcare and for the patients and families who rely on KDH.”
A cheque presentation was held on May 11. Present for the presentation were Katrina Wallace, Tim Hortons Manager; Cindy Smith, Executive Director, KDH Foundation; Margret Norenberg, Board Chair, KDH Foundation; and Ingrid Kohling, Tim Hortons Franchise Owner.
The KDH Foundation extends its sincere thanks to everyone who purchased a Smile Cookie and helped make this year’s campaign such a tremendous success.
NGDHS to Celebrate 90 Years with a High School Reunion
by Gisela Winter
Did you study or work at North Grenville District High School? The NGDHS Reunion Committee has been hard at work planning a 90th Reunion of past students and staff of the school. The event will be an impactful fundraiser for an ongoing bursary program.
The committee sent out a survey late in 2025 to gauge interest in reunion activities. Over 400 respondents showed interest, with the majority favouring a low-key get-together so that they could connect with old friends.
The ‘new’ NGDHS at 2605 Concession Road has been secured as the venue for a Reception on Saturday, September 26th, 2026, from 3pm to 7pm.
“Rather than plan the whole weekend for guests, we decided to keep it simple,” says Committee Chair Dan Maxwell. “We are organizing the main event, but attendees are encouraged to reach out to their own classmates to plan dinner or other activities.”
Other NGDHS alumni events are sure to pop up around town, so follow along on Facebook and connect with your own group of friends to plan your reunion weekend.
For more information on tickets and how to plan your weekend, please visit the event website: www.ngdhs90.ca.
The North Grenville District High School Reunion Committee has been in existence since 1984, when we began the task of organizing the 50th Reunion, to be held in 1986. Since that time, we have held reunions for the 60thin 1996, the 70thin 2006, and 75th in 2011.
A Bursary Program was established in 1987, which was made possible with the net profits from the 50th reunion. One of the main purposes of having subsequent reunions was to raise funds to continue the program. Since 1987, we have paid $33,000.00 in bursaries to deserving students who would be continuing their education at either a college or university.
We have also donated funds to North Grenville District High School. Since 1987, we have donated a total of $19,500.00 directly to the school. In 1987 we donated $8,500.00 towards the purchase of chairs for the gymnasium. In 2007 we donated $7,500.00 for a new stage/theatre area in memory of the late Roy Murphy (former Drama teacher and Chair of our Committee).Then in 2012 we donated a gift of $3,500.00.
The North Grenville District High School Reiunion Committee is very grateful for any and all donations to assist in their support of local students.
Village Pets Boutique
Village Pets Boutique is thrilled to be joining Pickle and Myrrh for the Pawfect Pack Launch Party on Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 110 Main St. E., Merrickville, on the grounds beside Fulford Academy.
We’ll be onsite with free samples, treats, and joined at our booth by Michelle from This and That Canine Co..
This free community event brings together local vendors and animal lovers in support of Freedom Dog Rescue, who will be there with adoptable dogs looking for their forever homes.
Guests can enjoy a photobooth, dog model contest, raffles, prizes, crafts, cotton candy, and even dog psychic readings.
Stop by, spoil your pup, treat yourself to some caramels, and help support an incredible rescue!
Prescott Street, Kemptville,
courtneyjamestherapy.com
Kemptville, Ontario KEMPTVILLE YOUTH CENTRE is open Monday to Friday from 2pm to 6pm daily for drop-in programming. Ages 11 to 19. Jr. Youth Night 3rd Monday of the month from 6pm to 8pm. Ages 8 to 11. No pre-registration required. All programming at KYC is FREE. Follow us on Facebook to view other scheduled events and programs.
NORTH GRENVILLE PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB: Meets from 7 - 9 PM on the 1st Wednesday of each month (Sept. - June) at Grenville Mutual Insurance, 380 Colannade Dr., Kemptville. Welcoming photographers of all skill levels. Email contact@ngphotoclub.ca for more info.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MONTHLY SUPPER at Holy Cross Church Hall 503 Clothier Street West. Suppers are held at 5:30 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month, September to November and January to May. Cost $10 per person, $5 for a child under 12 and $25 for a family.
Kemptville Legion: Fridays 3-9. Free Pool and Darts. Everyone Welcome
LEGION EVENTS
FRIDAYS - OPEN 3PM TO CLOSE
May 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
Come in for free Pool and Darts - Everyone Welcome DROP IN EUCHRE on Fridays starting at 7pm FOLK CLUB May 12th & May 26th - 7pm-9:30pm KUKES ay 19th - 7pm-9pm
General Meeting May 20th - - 7:30pm
AC/DC LIVE TRIBUTE SHOW May 30th8pm-11pm advance Tickets $20 or $30 at the door (tickets available at the legion or online at ACDCLIVE.CA)
NG DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB Masonic Lodge 311 Van Buren Kemptivlle, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 12:15. All Levels of bridge players are welcome. Info call 613-795-7155
YOUNGSTERS OF YORE Held at the Tallman Room of Kemptville Library on Water street.Starts at 2 pm every Thursday, so arrive before to get a chair.
“Mingle with us having a cup of tea and snack after our weekly guest speaks We welcome All Ages!
May 14 - Debbie Wilson - Grahame's Bakery History May 21 - Roundabout Rules - James Drake May 28 - Gardening for everyone - Angela Donkersteeg
FRIENDSHIP LUNCHES are offered to everyone every Friday. Please join us in our lower hall by 11:30 for a free meal, companionship and fellowship at St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. and begin at 11:30. There is no charge. A free will offering is appreciated. Everyone is welcome.
NG COMMUNITY MEALS ASSOCIATION Every Tuesday, 4-7 PM Free or by Donation Dinner ( serving dinner until 6:30 pm) Where: Pvt. Blake Williamson Memorial Hall, (Old Fire Hall) 25 Reuben Cres.Everyone is welcome. Bring clean indoor shoes
FRIENDSHIP CAFÉ is open to the community Tuesday's from 10 to noon. All are welcome to stop by, enjoy a hot beverage, a sweet treat and some friendly conversation all at no cost. At St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St.
TUESDAY COMMUNITY HUB hosted by the House of Lazarus All are welcome to drop in. Advocacy, “make a meal, take a meal” cooking opportunities, community services assistance are just a few of the weekly programs. Stop by and visit or contact House of Lazarus directly at 613-989-3830 for more details. Upstairs at St. John's United Church at 400 Prescott St.
MODERN SQUARE DANCING in Kemptville with the Grenville Gremlins Square Dance Club. Monday Evenings 7:00 - 9:30pm. North Grenville Municipal Center County Road 44 For more info call Robert Taylor (613) 853-5634, or email grenvillegremlins09@gmail. com.
NORTH GRENVILLE MEN’S SHED The NGMS provides a safe and friendly environment for men to enjoy coffee and conversation, and do projects that benefit the community. We meet every Tuesday and Thursday morning, 8:30 to 10:30, at 2 Oxford St. West. Contact Peter Ivay (343-598-1174) : northgrenvillemensshed@gmail.com for more information.
KEMPTVILLE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY meetings are held monthly, except July, August & December. The are held the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm at the Kemptville Pentecostal Church.
NG PRIDE: 2SLGBTQAI+ Seniors and allies meet 2 - 4pm the first and third Sunday of each month at the NG Library. Join us for coffee, chat, cards and shenanigans. Looking to stay connected, informed, and inspired in retirement?
JOIN THE PROBUS CLUB OF NORTH GRENVILLE a friendly group of retirees who meet monthly for conversation, laughter, and thoughtprovoking presentations. Gatherings take place the third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church Hall. For details, email n.g.probus97@gmail.com
CAREGIVER COFFEE is a welcoming monthly drop-in for caregivers to pause, connect, and feel supported. Join us the last Tuesday of each month from 1–3 PM at Beth Donovan Hospice. Free, casual, and open to all caregivers.
EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners,Tuesday, 28, May 12, 26, June 9, 23, July 7, 21, August 4, 18. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m., play starts at 7:00 p.m.
BID EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners, Tuesday, April 7, 21, May 5, 19, June 2, 16, 30, July 14, 28, August 11, 25. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m., play starts at 7:00 p.m.
WIZARD CARD GAME at Pierce's Corners, May 3, June 14, August 9. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m., play starts at 1:00 p.m.
SPEED EUCHRE 10X10 at Pierce's Corners April 26, May 24, June 27, July 26, August 23. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m., play starts at 1:00 p.m. 10x10 means you play 10 games with as many euchre hands as you can within 10 minutes per game, for unlimited points. Stick the dealer: if everyone passes, the dealer must call a trump suit. If you like to take your time when playing euchre, this version is not recommended. For information, send an email to debiar@ymail.com.
KEMPTVILLE UKULELE PLAYERS meet 3rd Tuesday (April 21), Kemptville Legion Lounge, 7 pm. Contact mary.moore@cedarlanestudio.netformore info.
The North Grenville Concert Choir proudly presents
. . . JUST SOME NICE SONGS
22 May, 2026 at 7:30pm, St. John’s United Church, Kemptville 23 May, 2026 at 3:30pm, The Pews, Merrickville 24 May, 2026 at 3:30pm Kemptville Pentacostal Church, Kemptville Tickets available at B&H in Kemptville or online at aftontickets.com/ngcc Adults $25 / $10 for 12 & under (online only) Tickets at the door. https://northgrenvilleconcertchoir.com/
The CANCER KICKING COUSINS team is holding a yard sale and bake table at 505 Clothier Street East on Saturday, May 30, 8:00 am until people stop shopping. A large variety of items and a table full of sweet treats…something for everyone. All proceeds are donated to the Terry Fox Foundation through the Terry Fox Run in Kemptville in September.
OPEN HOUSE AT THE KEMPTVILLE YOUTH CENTRE with a light lunch at noon and our AMG to follow at 1pm on June 13th. Can you please post this info in the community section of the paper?
Live music in Burritts this weekend
Burritts Rapids may not be widely known as a hotspot for great music, but this Saturday, May 23, the Burritts Rapids Community Hall will host the latest in a string of lively live music shows when Ottawa’s wackiest jazz ensemble arrives to deliver their unique brand of cool grooves and cosmic sounds.
Rakestar – as the band is enigmatically called – has been around in one form or another for over 20 years, releasing several albums and appearing at the Ottawa and Guelph jazz festivals, among other venues. The band’s current lineup features the recent addition of tuba player Dana Wiesbrock to two drummers (Mike Essoudry and Scott Warren) and three sax players (Linsey Wellman, David Broscoe and John Sobol), as well as keyboardist Rory Magill. But on any given night these crazy cats might also break out clarinets, trombones, or various electronic gizmos to take their music to another level.
For anyone who enjoys musical adventures Burritts Rapids is the place to be this Saturday. Not only will you hear renditions of tunes like Love in Outer Space and Tapestry of an Asteroid from the songbook of the late great jazz giant Sun Ra, but a musical parade through town is even rumoured to be on the bill!
Tickets are available online at www.bluemoonlive.ca, or at the door (cash only!) Showtime is 7:30.
Repair café
May 30 11-2
3D. printing available.
The Food Corner
by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville
Today, we are going to make a stew out of pork tenderloin and pork sausages. It is something you can pop in the oven when you get home from work and then, have ready for dinner. It is surprisingly lean and healthy and also inexpensive to make; but it is definitely for the meat eaters in the crowd. This recipe will serve 4 comfortably with some welcome leftovers for someone's lunch. Give this great dish a whirl!.
Pork Tenderloin and Sausage Stew
Ingredients:
· 1 large onion, peeled and thinly sliced (Vidalia is always nice)
· 2 tablespoons of butter
· 1 tablespoon of crushed garlic (that's about 4 medium- sized crushed cloves)
· 2 medium-sized pork tenderloins, cut in ½ inch medallions
· 6 large unflavoured pork sausage, also cut in ½ inch medallions
· 2 tablespoons of flour
· 2 cups of low sodium chicken or beef stock
· 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire Sauce (that's still Lea and Perrins)
· 1 small can of tomato paste
· 1 teaspoon of black pepper
· 6 medium sized potatoes, peeled and sliced into ¼ inch disks
Preparation:
1. In an oven-proof pan, sweat the onion in melted butter, then add the garlic
2. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic and slowly stir in the chicken/ beef stock
3. Stir in the tomato paste and bring everything to a boil
4. Add the pork and sausage medallions
5. Cover and move to the oven at 350F for 45 minutes
6. Check for doneness and tenderness of the meat, then add the potatoes
7. Cook till the potatoes are just done, roughly another 20 minutes to ½ hour
Take directly to the table and enjoy with your favourite Grahame's Bakery bread and the ale of your choice (an amber will be nice with this simple dish). Some sour cream or natural and unflavoured yoghurt can also be act as a condiment. All the very best from Paul at pcormier@ranaprocess.com!
The Honour our Veterans Banner Program
The Executive and members of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 212 Kemptville have adopted an Annual Remembrance Project which is entitled the "Honour Our Veterans Banner Program." The project is part of a well-established and growing Canada Wide Memorial Banner Program that is duly supported and sanctioned by the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command who has issued the following statement:
"The Royal Canadian Legion is Honouring Veterans with Memorial Banners, by the Memorial Banner Program organized by Legion Branches across Canada."
Banner application packages are currently available at the Reception Desk of the North Grenville Public Library, Norenburg Branch, at 1 Water Street, Kemptville, Ontario. The completed applications and associated documentation must be returned BY HAND to the Library Reception Desk. The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 29, 2026. This is an on-going program that will be expanded each year with the addition of new banners resulting from the same application process.
North Grenville Hometown Heroes Project
The Branch 212 Kemptville Banner Program Committee also extends an invitation to the honourees to participate in the "North Grenville Hometown Heroes Project" which is part of our Honour Our Veterans Banner Program. Banner honourees, their families or friends, are requested to write a brief military biography of the honouree and include it in the banner application package. The biography, photo of the honouree, along with a digital copy of the banner, will be placed in a special file at the North Grenville Historical Society Archives as a permanent record in honour of these exceptional men and women.
Contact Person: Mike Amirault, Chairman / veteransbanners212@hotmail.com.
ACROSS
1. Clips
6. Flock members
10. Automobiles
14. Record company
15. Windmill blade
16. False god
17. Farewell
18. Anagram of "Neat"
19. Bumpkin
20. Burdensome boss
22. Blockhead
23. Former
24. Cigarette remains 25. Vitality
29. Cone-shaped
31. A Marvel superhero
33. Able to be healed
37. Joined
38. Sell out
39. Lands and wealth
41. Illness
42. Gut-related
44. Adjusts
45. Satan
48. A long narrow passage
50. Precipitation
51. Clinic
56. Excited
57. Freshwater mussel
58. Cowboy sport
59. Tumbled
60. Lairs
61. Command
62. Used to carry meals
63. Border
64. Fine thread
DOWN
1. Thin strip
2. Nil
3. Nile bird
4. Glance
5. Economic down time
6. Avoidance
7. Malicious
8. Intestinal
9. Fortune teller
10. Passes on
11. Grown up
12. Android 13. Sleighs
21. Colonnades
24. Reveals
25. Citrus fruit
26. Angers
27. Military stronghold
28. Winsomely
30. Office worker's area
32. Nickel or steel
34. Scottish hillside
35. Not first
36. Visual organs
40. Sullied
41. Discard
43. Ascendant
45. Open window problem
46. Keen
47. String quartet instrument
49. Enlist
51. Guy
52. Fern clusters
53. Combines
54. Bobbin
55. Bygone era
Common Sense Health Baldwin’s Birds
Comparisons
Spring seems to be here, and some of the bird's that return to us after their southerly winter sojourn, are here as well. Today, Sunday May 10, my wife opened our front window blinds and there was a Hummingbird feeding at our hanging sugar feeder. I had predicted a 12th of May return based on previous years and have had my feeder up and ready to go for about a week now, so wasn't far out! I have refreshed its contents since seeing it this morning, so am crossing my fingers for some more sightings later in the day.
Meanwhile, I am trying to get into my mind the differences between the females of the Cowbirds and the Redwing Blackbirds. I watch to see which is which, and try to rationalize my reasoning for why I choose whatever I happen to see. When the birds are feeding, usually on the ground, it is very difficult to discern which ones I am looking at. Like most of you, I tend to take pictures of the easier identifiable, more brightly, well defined males of most of the bird families that we get and not get those of the females. Shame on me for that, but I think my wife does the same when she uses my camera, too! I am, therefore, trying to rectify this situation and help you in your own decision making. I have looked up the differences between the two species and have gleaned what I can from them, which isn't very much really, but here goes!
Cowbird females have a different appearance to their male counterparts, with a plain dusky brown plumage coloration and a darker sparrow-like bill. Red Wing Blackbird females display a streaky brown coloration with a buff eyebrow.
The differences in the colouring of both females is only accentuated when they are actually beside the male of their own species. Size-wise, the Redwing might be just a little bit bigger, if they happen to be together, in a mixed flock of birds. Hope this helps you. Stay safe and well Cheers, John
Baldwin
AI is coming to medicine. But
will it help?
by Diana Gifford-Jones
This week I'm writing from Berlin, where I'm leading Canadian university leaders on a week-long study of Germany's higher education and research ecosystem. Our North American penchant for policy by experimentation was in sharp contrast with the coordinated national strategies and infrastructure evident across the German economy. By my observation, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in health is becoming the next national mission.
Friedrich Merz, the German Chancellor, is leading the charge to unleash AI. "I will push to ease the regulatory burden in the EU on AI," he said recently, "and, where possible, to exempt industrial AI from the current regulatory straitjacket that is too tight."
Now, before readers stop and say, "This has nothing to do with me," think again. AI is not just about computers and robots. Increasingly, it will shape what happens when you visit your doctor, undergo a test, receive a diagnosis, or fill a prescription. And whether this becomes a blessing or another modern headache depends on our leaders setting the right course.
Americans are charging ahead at full speed with AI. In the United States, giant technology companies see healthcare as the next great gold rush. Faster diagnostics. Faster data collection. Faster treatment decisions.
Germany has a different attitude and people are asking questions. Who controls the data? Can patients trust computer-generated advice? Will medicine become colder and more mechanical? Will doctors eventually rely too heavily on algorithms? These are genuine concerns.
Medicine is not a math problem. Patients are frightened, confused, emotional, vulnerable. They need accurate information, but they also need judgment, experience, communication, and compassion. A machine cannot look a worried patient in the eye and say, "You're going to be alright." At least not convincingly. But make no mistake. AI is coming to healthcare everywhere. Soon, if not already, AI will read mammograms, identify skin cancers, flag dangerous drug interactions, predict heart disease risk, and analyze blood tests. In many cases, it will catch abnormalities earlier than physicians can do. That's the good news.
The bad news is that many people are completely unprepared for this transition. Some readers still avoid online banking. Others rarely use email or electronic records. Many older people understandably distrust technology altogether. But avoiding technology is risky in itself.
Patients now need "AI literacy in healthcare" to understand enough about how AI works in medicine to ask sensible questions and avoid being fooled.
That matters because AI can be brilliant one moment and dangerously wrong the next. A computer program may confidently provide false information. Anyone who has experimented with AI systems knows this.
So what should readers do? First, become more engaged in your own healthcare, not less. Too many people drift through the medical system. They take pills they don't understand and undergo tests they never discuss.
Second, become comfortable with digital tools. Learn how to access your medical records electronically. Learn how to verify information from reliable medical sources. Ask family members for help if necessary. Pride is a fool ish reason to remain uninformed.
Third, know that technology should align with com mon sense – not replace it.
Robert John Leach
January 10, 1936 - April 28, 2026
Peacefully, with his wife by his side, Tuesday April 28, 2026 at the age of 90. Beloved husband of Ellen Leach (nee Fisher) of 64 years. Predeased by his parents and his sister Betty Gowan (Bob). Brother-in-law of Floyd Fisher (Mary), Bryan Fisher (late Karen), Heather Martin (late Wayne) and the late Doug Fisher (Barb) and the late Wendell Fisher. Fondly remembered by several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held May 29th, 2026 at 11:00 am, South Gower Cemetery, 501 S. Gower Drive, Kemptville. In memory of Robert, please consider donations to Kemptville District Hospital.
Condolences/Tributes/Donations
Hulse, Playfair & McGarry
www.hpmcgarry.ca
613-258-2435
One of the smartest observations I heard in Germany came from a researcher who warned that societies risk becoming "overconfident in technological answers to hu man problems."
AI may improve medicine. It may reduce errors, shorten wait times, and help physicians make better decisions.
But no algorithm replaces healthy living. No computer can exercise for you, stop you from smoking, overeating, drinking excessively, or refusing to manage stress. And no AI system will magically repair a piecemeal healthcare system damaged by leadership indecision or policy blunders.
This column offers opinions on health and wellness, not personal medical advice. Visit www.docgiff.com to learn more. For comments, diana@docgiff.com. Follow on Instagram @diana_gifford_jones
Female & Male Cowbirds
Redwing females
by Kathy Tang
As Ontario’s official floral emblem, the White Trillium symbolizes more than just spring. It’s a symbol of patience as these plants take from 7 to 10 years to produce their first flower. Similarly, macro photography takes patience when it comes to timing and detail. Captured by club member Sean Ferguson in Warwick Forest Conservation Area, this image is all about the art of isolation—softening the background so the focus stays exactly where it belongs: on the quiet, intricate details of this single bloom.
NGAG Profile
Carolyn Stiff
Carolyn, a Kemptville resident, current passion is acrylic painting. Appreciating the challenges this medium offers, her paintings are a collection of a variety of interests, resources and experiences.
Attention All Artists!
You are invited to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of St. James Anglican Church in Kemptville, ON.
Join us for a creative day of painting, sketching, and photography in and around the historic church, including the historic graveyard. St. James is renowned for its many stained glass windows
Event Details
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: St. James Anglican Church, 35 Clothier St. W, Kemptville, ON
Activities:
Create art on-site
Explore the church and grounds
Light lunch provided
Optional: Guided graveyard tour after 3:00 PM
Admission: $15
Contact
For more information or to confirm your participation, please contact Bill Kilfoyle 343. 843.2254 bill.kilfoyle@gmail.com
This is a day for all artistic people to come together, painters, sketchers, and also artists who crochet, knit, or write poetry. Enjoy the inspirational beauty and quiet of this lovely church as you create your own art.
A Trillium in the Spotlight
The Legacy Behind Beth Donovan Hospice’s Forever Home
by Darlene Collin
There are some gifts that quietly change the course of a community forever. Nearly a decade ago, Beth Donovan Hospice received one of those gifts from Audrey McClenaghan.
Audrey was not some-
one who sought recognition. She was simply a friend of hospice. She attended events, stopped by the old Asa Street office with baked goods, checked in on staff, and cared about the people and work of Beth Donovan Hospice. What no one knew at the
Summer 2026 Dates of Significance
The Municipality is pleased to share a selection of Summer 2026 Dates of Significance that reflect the cultural, social, spiritual, and historical diversity of this community. These dates are part of the Municipality's Significant Dates Calendar, a living resource developed by the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee (EDIAC). To view the calendar or submit a date, visit www.northgrenville.ca/events.
Recognizing dates of significance supports greater awareness, understanding, and respect among residents, businesses, community organizations, and municipal staff. The Municipality encourages the community to consider these observances when planning programs, services, meetings, and events.
June: National Indigenous History Month: Celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Canada. Includes Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. Follow the "Indigenous Reconciliation in Kemptville" Facebook page for planned events.
July: July 9: Nunavut Day: Commemorates the creation of Nunavut and celebrates Inuit culture, language, and self-determination.
July 10: Martyrdom of the Báb: A holy day in the Bahá'í Faith commemorating the execution of The Báb, one of its central religious figures.
July 14: International Non-Binary Peoples' Day: Raises awareness of non-binary identities and promotes respect for gender diversity.
July 29: Asalha Puja/Dharma Day: Observed by Buddhists to commemorate the Buddha's first teaching.
August: August 1: Emancipation Day: Marks the abolition of slavery in the British Empire and honours the strength and resilience of Black communities.
August 12: International Youth Day: Celebrates young people's leadership and addresses issues impacting youth.
August 25: Mawlid al-Nabi: Observed by many Muslims to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
August 28: Raksha Bandhan: A Hindu festival celebrating the bond between siblings.
August 31: International Overdose Awareness Day: Raises awareness of overdose prevention and honours lives lost to substance-related harm.
September:
September 10: World Suicide Prevention Day: The day serves as a global platform to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and encourage open conversations about suicide and mental health.
September 11-13: Rosh Hashana: The Jewish New Year is a time of celebration. In 2026, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Friday, September 11, and continues through nightfall on Sunday September 13.
time was that Audrey had chosen to leave a legacy gift to hospice.
That gift became the catalyst for a very important moment in our organization’s history. At the time, Beth Donovan Hospice was operating without a permanent home. Over the years, hospice services had moved from the office on Asa Street, to a small space connected to the old hospital emergency room, and later to a house on Hilltop Crescent. While the care and compassion remained constant, having a forever home still felt out of reach.
Like many nonprofits, obtaining a mortgage was incredibly difficult. Audrey’s gift helped change that reality. Through her generosity, Beth Donovan Hospice was able to secure the mortgage needed to purchase what would become its forever home. That single act of kindness and foresight transformed
the future of hospice care in our community.
Having a permanent home allowed Beth Donovan Hospice to grow in ways that simply were not possible before. Programs expanded to meet the growing needs of the community. Day hospice and caregiver support programs grew. Grief and bereavement support reached more individuals and families. An equipment lending program was introduced to help people remain comfortable and cared for at home.
The impact of Audrey’s gift continues to unfold today.
As Beth Donovan Hospice works toward its vision for the future, this
same building will one day become home to residential hospice suites, allowing people in our community to receive compassionate end-of-life care closer to home.
May is Legacy Giving Month, a time to reflect on the lasting difference a planned gift can make to organizations and causes that matter deeply to us. For charities like Beth Donovan Hospice, legacy gifts can be transformational. They create stability, possibility, and growth. They help organizations respond to changing community needs and build something lasting for future generations. Audrey’s story is a reminder that ordinary people can leave
extraordinary legacies.
Every family who finds support through hospice programming, every caregiver who feels less alone, every person who borrows equipment to remain safely at home, and every future individual who may one day receive care through hospice suites will, in some way, be connected to Audrey’s generosity.
Her gift was never about recognition. It was about community.
The generosity of Audrey McClenaghan helped create a stronger, more compassionate community that will continue caring for one another for generations to come.
Portrait of Audrey McClenaghan by Katherine Taylor