Issue 21, June 4, 2026

The Voice of North Grenville

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June 4, 2026

Who Will Tell North Grenville's Story?

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By Geraldine Taylor, Chairperson, NGHS Fundraising Committee Every community has a story.

Some stories are recorded in books and archives. Others live in old photographs, family farms, church records, businesses, letters, and the memories of people who have spent their lives here.

North Grenville is growing rapidly. New families are arriving every year.

New homes are being built.

New businesses are opening. Growth is exciting and necessary, but it also raises an important question: Who will preserve the stories that brought us here? The North Grenville Historical Society exists for

that very reason.

Its mandate is simple but important: to collect, preserve, protect and share the history of our community so future generations can understand where they came from and how North Grenville became the place we know today.

History is not simply about old buildings or artifacts. It is about people.

It is about the farmers who cleared the land, the families who built businesses, the volunteers who created community organizations, and the citizens whose efforts shaped the villages and neighbourhoods we enjoy today.

Without active preservation, those stories can easily disappear.

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Many people do not realize that preserving local history requires ongoing financial support. Collections must be catalogued and protected. Educational programs must be developed. Historical records must be maintained. Community events must be organized.

That is why fundraising initiatives such as the North Grenville Historical Society's 5th Annual Golf Tournament are so important. The tournament is not simply a day of golf.

It is a community effort to ensure that our local history remains accessible to future generations.

We are fortunate to have many generous sponsors who recognize the

value of this work. Their support demonstrates a commitment not only to the Historical Society but to the broader community we all share.

This year, Myers Motors has generously provided two exciting Hole-inOne opportunities, giving participants the chance to win a brand-new vehicle.

Contributions such as these help make the event successful while creating excitement for participants.

I would also like to thank the many local businesses, volunteers and community leaders who continue to support the Historical Society year after year. Their generosity helps preserve a legacy that belongs to all of us.

As residents of North Grenville, we are temporary custodians of our community's story. The decisions we make today will determine what future generations know about the people, places and events that shaped this remarkable region.

I invite residents, businesses and community leaders to join us in supporting the North Grenville Historical Society and its 5th Annual Golf Tournament.

Together, we can ensure that North Grenville's story continues to be told.

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The Voice of North Grenville

Lions last donation for this year VOLUNTEERING IS THE

e a r t b e a t H OF OUR COMMUNITY

Send in your letters to editor@ngtimes.ca

Photo: L to R: Lion Wayne Vachon; Community Living North Grenville - Danelle Ethier, Tina Smith; Lion Dr. Louise Hale; CLNG - Chris Mwakiluma; Lion Jason Beck; and Community Living Executive Director Sandra Summers.

by Willy Heidebrecht On Friday, May 29, Kemptville Lions Club members presented a $1,790 cheque to one of our designated organizations, namely Community Living North Grenville.

This is the last of ten deserving organizations receiving such a cheque for the current 2025-26 Series of tickets. There are three more draws before we complete the year. We cannot overstate the gratitude of our club and the recipient organization for the

generosity of the Kemptville Community in supporting this Raffle.

The organizations that have benefitted this year are: Knights of Columbus Food Bank, Salvation Army Food Bank, House of Lazarus Food Bank, KDH Mental Health, Seniors’ Community Services, Community Living North Grenville, Dog Guides Canada, Camp Quality Eastern Ontario, the Kemptville Legion, and the Beth Donovan Hospice.

Once more we ask, if you are able, to support your community by joining our growing team. If you enjoy giving back and are looking for a meaningful way to get involved locally, we’d be glad to hear from you. More participation allows us to do more in a time when more is needed.

For more information, email kemptvillelionsclub@gmail.com or call Lion Alan at (613) 4069976.

Children’s mental health dedication

Birds of Prey Show Sunday June 14 10:00, 12:00 & 2:00

Ferguson Forest Arboretum $5 suggested donation Bring a chair/blanket Friends of Ferguson Forest Centre www.friendsofthefergusonforest.com

Photo cap: L-R: St. Paul's Mission Committee Members Ruth Bond and Nancy Messenger, and Samer Kandalaft presenting to CMHLG Chair Stephen Elliott, with member Jim Armour Photo thanks to Corina Blondin

by Heather Stewart Children's Mental Health of Leeds & Grenville (CMHLG) was the Spring Mission Project for St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. We dedicated this project during Service on Sunday, May 24 as a means of extending Christ's healing love through the ministry of Children's Mental Health… supporting children, youth, and families who face emotional struggles, mental health challenges, and difficult seasons of life, so that they may find care, hope, healing, and strength.

By supporting Children's Mental Health of Leeds & Grenville, we join in a ministry of compassion, healing, and hope.

This is more than a donation - it is a declaration: - That every child deserves care, compassion, and understanding.

- That healing and mental wellness matter deeply to God. - That hope can grow, even in difficult situations.

- That no family should walk alone in times of struggle.

The Mission Committee presented this $3,500 donation to Stephen Elliott, Chair of the Board of CMHLG as a faithful expression of our love for Christ, who welcomed children, healed the hurting, comforted the troubled, and brought peace to fearful hearts.

June 4 2026

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The Voice of North Grenville

A great evening for Hey Day and KDH Auxiliary

by Teresa Harrison Hey Day: The Early Years was a wonderful success: well attended and enjoyed by all. Lynne Clifford-White kept the audience fully engaged with stories from past Hey Days, weaving in fascinating details about what was happening in history, music, and entertainment during those decades. Her storytelling brought the era to life and made the evening truly memorable.

We were also pleased

to welcome Cindy Smith from the Kemptville District Hospital Foundation, who shared an update on the new mammography machine that will be coming to KDH. The new system will be a tomosynthesis (3D) mammography unit (almost like a CT scan for the breast) offering clearer, more detailed imaging and a significantly improved patient experience.

Benefits of the new system include: Up to 65% more inva-

sive breast cancers detected compared to 2D mammography alone Superior imaging for women with dense breast tissue The fastest tomosynthesis scan in the industry, reducing motion, retakes, and compression time A more comfortable exam with a curved compression surface that mirrors natural breast shape Up to 40% fewer recalls for additional imaging compared to 2D alone

Proceeds from the event will support the KDH Mammogram Campaign, and we are pleased to share that just over $2,000 was raised.

Congratulations to the winners of the five 1960sinspired cakes: Liz Forbes, Debbie Wilson, Edith Pominville, Pat Joubert, and Arline Rutter. A heartfelt thank-you to our talented bakers for adding such a sweet and nostalgic touch to the evening.

We are grateful to ev-

eryone who attended and supported this special celebration of Hey Day’s early years, and for helping to bring leading-edge breastimaging technology to our community.

A wonderful moment from Hey Day: The Early Years was the gathering of so many Kemptville District Hospital Auxiliary Past Presidents, along with our current Co Presidents, for a group photo. It was a rare chance to bring together decades of leader-

ship in one frame.

Even more past presidents were in attendance throughout the evening, though a few had already headed home before the photo was taken. Their presence and continued support were very much felt, and it was a reminder of the strong legacy that has shaped Hey Day into the community tradition it is today.

Youth STEM and Education Centre Opens in Kemptville Families in North Grenville are invited to explore an exciting new hub for hands-on learning as the local Boys and Girls Club (BGC South East) launches its STEM and Education Centre in Kemptville, creating a dynamic space where children and youth can discover science, technology, engineering, robotics, coding, and creative learning opportunities.

The launch is part of BGC South East’s expansion into Leeds & Grenville, which includes a Brockville location that opened in January 2026. Designed to spark curiosity and build confidence, the new Centre will prepare young people with future-ready skills through engaging, experiential programming that blends learning with play and exploration. To celebrate the launch, BGC South East hosted a Community Open House on June 3 at the Parish Hall, Kemptville Campus. Community members were invited to tour the new space, meet program staff, and experience live demonstrations showcasing STEM learning in action. Visitors also had the opportunity to explore hands-on equipment and activities, learn about upcoming programs, and register for programs.

The new STEM & Education Centre will deliver summer camp programs starting June 29, with registrations already open. Summer camps will serve children ages 4-12 through recreation, STEM, and sports camps. Each week features themed programming that encourages creativity, teamwork, and discovery, while also incorporating active play and social development in a safe, supportive environment.

Families can learn more and register at https://bgcka. recdesk.com/Community/Program?category=18 “This new STEM and Education Centre represents an exciting step forward for local children and youth”, says Bev Heuving, Director of Programs & Evaluation at BGC South East. “It’s a space designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence . and to help young people explore what is possible for their future.”

The Kemptville site expands BGC South East’s commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible programming for children and youth across the region. Core programs focus on providing safe spaces, positive relationships, mentorship, and opportunities for growth, helping young people build skills and connections that support their overall wellbeing.

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The Voice of North Grenville

Editorial

Teach your children

by David Shanahan What is wrong with us? How is it that we can take every wonderful invention and technological development and turn it into something dangerous, negative, or just bad? For a long time now I’ve been very critical of social media in all its forms, and I know I may have written about it too much in the past.

But it seems the world is catching up with me.

Amazing.

All around the world, there seems to be a growing acceptance that social media has gone too far too often. Whatever the advantages in being able to keep in touch with farflung friends and family, these platforms have been taken over by conspiracy theorists, government and private hackers that distribute fake news and posts designed to promote hatred, suspi-

cion, division and violence.

This is, sadly, not in any way an exaggeration of the state of affairs generally. Even some of our locally-based Facebook pages seem to focus on negative comments, often phrased in really hateful words, always seeking to criticise, denigrate, and otherwise pull down someone’s character or reputation. The phrase “keyboard warriors” was coined to be a sarcastic description of these individuals, but I think they have taken it to heart as a true characterisation of what they are doing. They actually see themselves as warriors, speaking truth to power, or whoever the algorithm send their way. Like-minded souls who are happy to spread unhappiness and fervent dislike to brighten everyone else’s day.

But what has really caused a major shift in perception of the on-line world has been the effect

different internet sources have had on young people. A number of countries have either already introduced bans on cell phone use by under-16's, or are considering doing so. This isn’t just a matter of young people using cell phones in school, or spending too much time on screens generally. It is far more serious than that, although that in itself has caused a tremendous amount of damage to young minds.

Studies have shown that excessive amount of time on-line and tapping away on keyboards is impacting people’s ability to think, to focus for long periods, to remember what it is they’ve been reading, and many other social and neurological issues. Of course, these problems are not confined to young people.

All of us have noticed how our attention span is being affected by on-line browsing. If a video or a post is longer than a few

minutes, we skip it in favour of something shorter. This has been developing over many years, and it is starting to be a genuine worry.

But something even more devastating has been going on, and it is now becoming a recognised crisis. Put simply, young people, in particular, are starting to commit suicided because of what they are viewing online. This may be because they are being bullied on social media platforms, jeered at and ridiculed by their peers from school, or even by strangers joining in the “fun”. Young people are especially vulnerable to peer pressure; we’ve known that for generations. But this kind of pressure is of a different magnitude. And there is something even worse going on, something simply evil.

There are those online who are explicitly encouraging young people to kill themselves, and

then providing them with the means to do so. Some individuals have been identified and charged encouraging and facilitating suicides among on-line contacts. Within the past couple of weeks, a Canadian man on Newmarket has admitted to sending “suicide packets” of poison to over 100 people in countries all ove rthe world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia ad New Zealand. He appeared in court in Newmarket where he pleaded guilty to 14 counts of assisting suicide. This is as close to home as you can get, not some distant country where people are less “Canadian”.

Fourteen of those who killed themselves lived in Ontario and were aged between 16 and 36. According to a report in the Guardian newspaper, he sold suicide paraphernalia and gave detailed instructions about how to use the items. Investi-

gators say Law sent 1,209 packages to people in 41 countries before his websites were shut down.

Some of those individuals called for help, regretting their decision to take the poison, but were too late seeking help.

If you think that taking your child’s cell phone away, or limiting their on-line time is somehow unfair or dictatorial, think again. Our job as parents and older people is to protect the young, even against themselves, to teach them what is going on in the real world, and to assure them that, whatever they’re going through, the end is not yet. There is a beautiful world out there, beyond the algorithms and posts.

There is the possibility of love, beauty, joy, friendship without criticism.

Assure them, show them, take the time to teach your children.

there will be sufficient funding for operations and we do not just get a nice new building with a “Funded by the Government of Ontario” plaque!

Secondly, our government states frequently that funding for education is increasing, yet the teaching professions and school boards lament ad nauseum about the shortage of operational funding. So, who are we to believe?

Andrew M. Thriscutt

taxing eye-watering incomes, what was missed by most of the media at the last conference in Davos was an attempt by a group called "Patriotic Millionaires" doing their best to put extreme wealth on the agenda. Their call was as simple as it was straightforward ; tax the superrich.

"As millionaires who stand shoulder to shoulder with all people, we demand it," they wrote in their Time to Win open letter, signed by almost 400 millionaires and billionaires from 20 countries, including 25 Canadians.

They also released the results of a poll of 3900 millionaires and billionaires in all G20 countries; 62% of respondents said that extreme wealth concentration is a threat to democracy.

61% said that our political leaders should do more to tackle extreme wealth.

65% said very wealthy individuals should be taxed more heavily to provide better public services.

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives recently reported "Currently

the 20 richest Canadians have over $239 billion in wealth, equivalent to over 10 percent of Canada's GDP. This level of wealth concentration gives individuals outsized influence over our society. A progressive wealth tax on net worth over $10 million would redistribute wealth and power, while raising $37 billion in the first year; 99.4 percent of Canadians would not be affected by this tax" While we keep electing right-wing governments this won't be happening, because only left-wing Parties seem to have these policies on their platforms. When you next go to the polls, if you care about the lack of funding of our schools, hospitals, social and environmental programs, then you know where to put your "X". Or where not to, Colin Creasey, Kemptville

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, Re: Cenotaph and Buskerfest Just the response we thought it would be: “we respect you, but we don't have to follow your request”. The Legion requests that the area of a cenotaph’s location be treated as sacred grounds.

To make it very simple, think of the Vimy Memorial sacred grounds: no farmers markets, no festivals, charity runs. Kemptville is just smaller.

Our ancestors erected cenotaphs to honour the fallen, sacred sites that were treated with respect and dignity through the years. The sites of commemoration coexisted within the communities as sites of great reverence.

This idea it just a community event, it’s a teaching moment, like a young child in all the excitement would even remember, as they say just doesn't cut the mustard.

D Lewis Dear Editor, Thank you for your editorial entitled “Masters of War”. Excellent, in my opinion. “The Masters of War have shown June 4 2026

their bloody faces repeatedly over the past decade in ways that would have seemed almost unthinkable before”. “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.”

“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?” “How has that misogynist, ignorance, boor of a creep been elected, not once, but twice, by that nation?”

I think exactly the same about Trump, Putin, Xi, and Netanyahu, and some other evils leaders around the world. I, too, hope we can have an honest and respectful municipal election campaign this year.

Thanks you so much for this great editorial. It

helps in moments of despair.

Kath Piché Dear Editor, In the last edition of the NG Times, the front-page story about the new Catholic High School for Kemptville was wonderful news.

The positive statements from both our MPP, Steve Clark, and the Minister for Education, Paul Calandra were good to hear. Everything is very positive.

Yet, on page 5, CUPE 5678 was lamenting the fact that 31.32 full-time equivalent jobs will soon be going from the Public School Board due to budget constraints; positions which sound important for fitful education. We have all heard far too often stories from the teaching profession and school boards about the lack of funds for so many school requirements.

Two things arise from these two stories: firstly, it is all well and good to build a new school but it needs to be funded properly to function. Realizing that the monies for the new school come from an education infrastructure fund, I hope 4

Dear Editor, While it is nice to see gas prices coming down, I have to wonder why they went so high, because the Straits of Hormuz are still closed, so we are still working with the same 20% supply disruption that we were working with at the start of the war with Iran. I doubt that the reason that prices are coming down is that the oil and gas companies have decided that they have made enough profit, (recently pegged at $9 billion) out of this war. Yet another reason to tax windfall profits, which probably still won't be done.

On a similar theme of

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The Voice of North Grenville

Municipality matters

by David Shanahan The North Grenville Municipal Council met last Tuesday, May 26, and discussed an interesting range of topics, including the Sports Dome, requests for financial support from arts and culture groups, and the award of a contract for creating a Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan. In a 3-hour meeting, the main focus was on the latest step towards erecting a Sports Dome on Kemptville Campus lands.

The Sports Dome: Mayor Peckford, the lead on the project, noted that the facility was budgeted at around $17 million, but that included contingencies of 20%, which meant that the final cost of the Dome could be lower than $17 million.

Although an initial application for government funding had failed, a new funding allocation would soon be available, and the Municipality wanted to be ready to submit a comprehensive plan and

budget when the money becomes available.

Council and staff noted the large number of letters of support received, more than 200 and mostly from local groups and organisations, and Mayor Peckford urged the public to add their names to the list of "Champions" of the scheme.

The staff report noted that a tract of 13 acres at the Ferguson Forest Centre had been considered as a site for the Dome, but was rejected for various environmental reasons, as well as being restricted in terms of future expansion. The site at the Campus was preferred, among other reasons, because the "preliminary review of the site indicates that the Kemptville Campus lands provide greater flexibility for long-term recreation planning, parking integration, circulation, and future expansion opportunities compared to previously reviewed site options".

Council adopted a resolution "THAT Council endorse the contin-

ued advancement of the North Grenville Recreational Sports Dome Facility project, including ongoing detailed design, technical review, and funding readiness activities; AND THAT Council support staff in pursuing and submitting provincial and federal funding applications related to the North Grenville Recreational Sports Dome Facility project; AND THAT the Mayor or the Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture be authorized to execute any documents required for funding application submissions related to this project."

Arts and culture requests: Following the approval of the $17 million Dome project, Council then addressed a number of requests for help from Fragile Inheritance, the North Grenville Community Theatre, the Kemptville Youth Musical Theatre, and the North Grenville Historical Society. These groups had raised their issues at a re-

cent meeting of the Arts, Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee, and, as one result, staff prepared a Resolution for Council that it "support the development of a strategic plan to identify and address the arts and culture permanent space needs of the North Grenville arts community, including options for accommodating programming, storage, archives, exhibits, and related heritage and cultural activities".

This passed Council with minimal discussion, but it was followed by specific requests from the same groups for immediate help in maintaining various assets and collections, and for a more stable location for their activities. Deputy Mayor John Barclay and Councillor Deb Wilson spoke of the need for storage space for costumes, rehearsals, dressing rooms, etc., for the theatre groups, and a permanent archive space for Fragile Inheritance's nationally-significant collection of Natural History specimens, data

and observational notes gathered over more than thirty years. The Historical Society were not included in this discussion. After some discussion pointing out that the Municipality have no free space and no budget for dealing with these issues, it was resolved that a staff report would be prepared and presented to Council in a couple of months. In the meantime, the sum of $1,000 per month would be provided to the North Grenville Community Theatre to allow them to acquire a pod in which to store their costumes in order to make them more accessible than the current number of storage pods provides.

The meeting also agreed to award a contract for the preparation of a Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan 2.0 to the firm of Monteith Brown Planning Consultants in the amount of $94,925.00 plus applicable taxes.

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

Local food is something worth celebrating

by Ethan Wallace, Vice President, OFA This week, June 1 to 7, marks Local Food Week in Ontario, a time to celebrate the incredible diversity of food, fibre, fuel and flowers produced by farmers across our province. My family and I farm in the Seaforth area near Lake Huron, and for those of us who farm, Local Food Week is an opportunity to reflect on something many Ontarians may not always see: the tremendous pride farmers take in what we do.

Whether it's a field of corn emerging in spring, a herd of healthy sheep grazing in a pasture, a greenhouse full of tomatoes, dairy cows producing milk every day, or the first strawberries or cut flowers of the season arriving at a farm stand, farmers feel a deep sense of satisfaction knowing that our work helps feed families and communities.

I can tell you firsthand that there is a simple but powerful feeling that comes from lookJune 4, 2026

ing at a crop, an animal or a finished product and being able to say, "I helped produce that."

That pride extends beyond individual farms.

It is reflected in the pride many Ontarians feel when they choose food and products grown or raised close to home.

In some ways, supporting local agriculture is a bit like cheering for your favourite sports team. You want to see your community succeed. You want to support local people. And you take pride in knowing the products you're buying were produced right here in Ontario or Canada.

In Ontario, we’re lucky to have one of the most diverse agricultural sectors anywhere in the world. Thanks to our climate, productive farmland and innovative farmers, our province produces more than 200 different farm and food products.

From fruits and vegetables to meat, eggs, dairy, grains, flowers, fish, wine, honey and more, Ontario farmers

grow and raise an incredible variety of products for local, national and international markets.

At a time when conversations about food security, supply chains and economic uncertainty are becoming more common, supporting local agriculture has never been more important. Every dollar spent on Ontario food helps support farm families, local businesses, processors, transportation companies and rural communities. It helps strengthen our food system and maintain the capacity to produce food close to home.

The good news is that supporting local has never been easier.

Many grocery stores across Ontario do an excellent job highlighting local products and making them easy to find. Seeing them on store shelves reminds us that behind every local food purchase is a farm family, a processor and a community working together.

Farmers' markets are 5

reopening or ramping up for the season, and roadside stands and onfarm markets are opening their doors, offering consumers an opportunity to meet the people who grow and raise their food.

Right now, Ontarians can already find early-season favourites such as asparagus and rhubarb, with strawberries soon making their much-anticipated appearance. As the growing season progresses, the selection of fresh Ontario fruits and vegetables will continue to expand. Of course, local food isn't limited to the summer months. Many products are available year-round, so choosing local can be a habit that supports Ontario agriculture every month of the year.

One of the easiest ways consumers can support local food is simply by looking for the logos that identify Ontario and Canadian products. The Foodland Ontario logo, the blue dairy cow symbol, Ontario Corn Fed Beef,

the Ontario Pork checkmark or the pickOntario flower symbol are just some examples that help us quickly identify products from close to home.

And if you don't see local options, ask.

Ask your grocery store manager where the Ontario products are. Ask restaurants where their ingredients come from.

Ask for Ontario and Canadian food.

As farmers, we work

hard every day to care for our land, our animals and our crops.

We take seriously our responsibility to protect soil, water and air while producing safe, high-quality food for consumers. Local Food Week is a chance to celebrate those efforts and recognize the people behind the products. It is also a reminder that every purchasing decision can make a difference.

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

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The Voice of North Grenville

A SAFER ONTARIO MEANS

A BAIL SYSTEM THAT KEEPS OUR NEIGHBOURHOODS SAFE Learn how we’re protecting the province at ontario.ca/SaferOntario Paid for by the Government of Ontario

June 4 2026

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The Voice of North Grenville

Op-ed:

Hamlets are left behind

by Burritt’s Rapids resident For years, many residents of Centre Street in Burritts Rapids have been asking the Municipality for one simple thing: safe, properly maintained roads and proper drainage infrastructure for their street.

Instead, they receive temporary patchwork fixes and little indication that meaningful action is coming. The Municipality is adept at ghosting its own citizens.

Every spring, the same cycle repeats itself. Potholes worsen, road surfaces crumble, yards flood, and concerns are met with another round of short-term repairs that do not last.

Within days of the patches being applied the roads are breaking apart. These are not solutions, they are temporary bandages on a long-neglected problem.

The condition of Centre Street in Burritts Rap-

ids is more than an inconvenience. It is a safety issue. Children ride bicycles, roller blade, and walk along here. School buses and emergency vehicles travel them regularly. Drivers are forced to dodge potholes large enough to damage tires, suspensions, and alignments. Poor drainage leaves standing water that accelerates road deterioration and creates additional hazards during spring thaw and heavy rainfalls. Aging, inadequate, or non-existent culverts only worsen the situation.

More frustrating are the templated email responses from the Municipality. Questions are met with delays, avoidance, or no direct response at all.

Requests for Mayor Peckford’s ear or attention are dodged.

All the while, it appears much of the focus and investment in North Grenville continues to go

toward Highway 43, while smaller hamlets like Burritts Rapids are expected to accept deteriorating conditions year after year. Rural residents pay taxes. In Burritts Rapids they have no municipal water, no sewer service, limited sidewalks, or many of the amenities available elsewhere; surely expecting decent roads and functioning drainage infrastructure is reasonable.

At some point, residents are entitled to more than temporary patches and promises, and the Municipality needs to stop hiding behind endless “consultation” and studies while the roads continue to deteriorate year after year. What is needed now is action: proper resurfacing, meaningful drainage improvements, and a clear commitment to addressing infrastructure that has been neglected for far too long.

North Grenville announces 2026 Arts and Culture Development Fund recipients The Municipality of North Grenville is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Arts and Culture Development Fund (ACDF), supporting local projects that bring people together, spark creativity, and celebrate the community's rich cultural identity.

Now in its fourth year, the Arts and Culture Development Fund continues to support individual artists, collectives, and organizations whose work contributes to a vibrant and connected community while encouraging local talent and creative collaboration.

"This Council, alongside staff and the dedicated volunteers on the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Advisory Committee has been proud to support local arts and culture initiatives these projects will help to foster a shared sense of place while strengthening our community connections," said Mayor Nancy Peckford.

June 4, 2026

"We know that the worthy projects supported through this year's Arts and Culture Development Fund reflect the creativity, dedication, and unique spirit that shapes North Grenville now, and for years to come."

The following projects were selected for funding through the 2026 Arts and Culture Development Fund: $2,000 to Julie Mercer on behalf of the North Grenville Arts Guild for ‘Create & Connect Community Art Workshops in North Grenville', a project focused on creating opportunities for artistic expression, learning, and community connection through local art workshops. $2,000 to Jennifer Gow on behalf of Compassionate North Grenville to host ‘The Gathering Space: The Compassionate Sessions', fostering connection and meaningful community dialogue

through arts and culture programming. $2,000 to Tim Wasylko on behalf of Kemptville Legion Branch 212 for ‘Kemptville Legion Pipe & Drum', supporting local musical traditions and cultural engagement through pipe and drum programming.

The selected projects reflect the creativity and diversity of North Grenville's arts and culture community and will help foster meaningful experiences, cultural expression, and opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

The Municipality extends its congratulations to this year's recipients and looks forward to seeing these projects come to life throughout the community.

For more information about the Arts and Culture Development Fund, visit www.northgrenville.ca/community-and-culture.

100 Women Who Care North Grenville report

Generosity continues to grow in North Grenville as 100 Women Who Care and 100 Men Who Care came together for their Q2 2026 meeting, celebrating a major milestone of over $300,000 raised for local charities.

The event featured a BBQ provided by Catered Affairs, and presentations from four local organizations. Presenting to 100 Women Who Care, the Kemptville Salvation Army and Shelter Movers shared their impact, while Rideau Hill Camp and the The North Grenville Historical Society presented to 100 Men Who Care.

Following member voting, the majority of the women’s donations were awarded to Shelter Movers, with a $500 contribution also given to the Kemptville Salvation Army.

The men’s group directed their primary funding to Rideau Hill Camp, with a $500 gift awarded to the Historical Society.

Organizers extended special thanks to Catered Affairs for donating the venue, and to Samantha Rivet-Stevenson and Jenn Barrer for supporting administrative costs.

To support local giving or learn more, visit www.100womenwhocareng.com, or follow 100 Women Who Care NG on Facebook.

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Rideau Glen Ladies Golf League Welcomes the 2026 Season

Photo: Havelin Tournament Winners Jill Harvey (L) and Cheryle Canning (R) Photo Credit: Susan Laewen

by Joan Beauregard Rideau Glen Ladies Golf League is back in full swing. Our Meet ‘n Greet in April was a festive reunion, with last year's members signing up for the new season and catching up after the winter. Our Executive Committee has some new faces. Linda Stewart has stepped up as president.

New committee members

Mimi Kereliuk, Lucie Millette, Carolyn Reed, and Donna Lush are bringing fresh energy and new ideas. As Jenny Thibert, Jennifer Gow, and Janice Rennick hand over their roles, we thank them for their contributions in previous years.

The course is in good shape, and the unpredictable Spring weather hasn't hindered our play.

A highlight of May was the Havelin Tournament, our alternate shot, strokeplay event. Everyone had a grand time, with many laughs shared on the course and afterwards.

This year's winners are: First Place - Jill Harvey and Cheryle Canning; Second Place - Donna Lush and Lynne Ferguson. The Havelin trophy was first presented in 1970, and was replaced this year by a new one, created by Jules Beauregard. Now we will have space for many more years of winners' name plaques.

We recently learned that, since 2024, the local Salvation Army Food Bank is contending with almost double the demand from those who can't keep up with ever-increasing food- and living- costs. To give them a hand, at our month-end we did a collection of goods, as well as allocating the league portion of our 50/50 draw to the food bank. As one member put it; "We are lucky enough to be able to play golf. We should help those who are struggling".

Lions Club May draw winner

As usual, our monthend was a shotgun-start fun-game followed by a social lunch and a few announcements. May's game used the ‘best drive', ‘best second', or ‘best third' shot on progressive holes. After tallying the scores of all 80 contenders, honors went to Leslie Cheal, followed hotly by Bonnie Thibaudeau and Leanne Armstrong.

Several members were recognized for their golfing feats during May. For making birdies: Leslie Cheal, Mimi Kereliuk, Donna Lush, Marg McCornock, Diane Schwitzer, Bonnie Thibaudeau, and Deb Wilson. For breaking 80: Leslie Cheal.

Comin up in June we have two tournaments: the Jean Hyndman on June 11, and the Super Seniors on June 18. From June 3 to 17 are the qualifiers for the OVGA Open Intersectionals, organised by Cheryle Canning.

Hilda Gertrude Pittman (Brown)

Peacefully, surrounded by family at the Kemptville District Hospital on Wednesday May 27, 2026, in her 98th year. Beloved wife of the late Ellwood Pittman. Loving mother of Lisa Sigl (Wolfgang), Angela Pittman-Workman (Derrick) and the late Rodney Pittman. Proud nanny of Angellyn (Dusty) Sigl and Johnathon Sigl (Faith); and Melissa Workman-Sanders (Graham) and Katrina Workman (Nolan). She will be missed by special family; Anne Detzler (Jim), and Nanny to Mallory Fierling (Russ) and Brennan Detzler. Great nanny to Ella Fierling. Predeceased by her brothers Carman (Norma), Ralph, Maynard (Donna), Clifford (Betty), Carl (Johanne), Gilbert (Susan), her sister Verna Seymour (Grenville) and her brother-in-law Richard Pittman. Survived by her sisters-in-law Marion Brown and Holly Johnson. Hilda will be sadly missed by numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to visit the Kemptville Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 805 Prescott Street, Kemptville on Monday June 1, 2026, from 11 am to 1 pm. A Funeral Service in the Chapel at 1 pm followed by Interment at Kemptville Union Cemetery, 111 King Street, Kemptville. Donations may be made to the Beth Donovan Hospice or Community Living of North Grenville.

Condolences/Tributes/Donations Hulse, Playfair & McGarry www.hpmcgarry.ca 613-258-2435

Golden Helmets Precision Motorcycle Team

Join us for free family fun, featuring public skating, airbrush tattoos, balloon art, and an exciting precision motorcycle show!

by Willy Heidebrecht The May winner of the Lions Club Trip of the Month draw is Cathy Sheppard. She joins Lion Jason Beck in introducing her to the club membership. If she takes the trip described in this year’s draw series prize list, she and a guest will enjoy sun, sand and surf at the Riviera Maya resort in Mexico, valued at $3638.00.

Congratulations Cathy. Please remember to send a photo to the NG Times so the rest of us can celebrate with envy from home.

We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support from the Kemptville community through this lottery and our other events. You too can support your community by joining our growing team. 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.

June 4 2026

8

Sunday, June 7, 2026 11 am - 12:20 pm 1:00 - 1:30 pm 1:30 - 2:00 pm

Free public skating OPP Golden Helmets Show Meet the team and photos

A skate and helmet lending library will be available, with free parking in the north lot and a food truck on site ($).

North Grenville Municipal Centre, South Parking Lot 285 County Road 44, Kemptville northgrenville.ca/events www.ngtimes.ca

The Voice of North Grenville

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 preregistration 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 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!

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

June 4, 2026

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. pril 21), Kemptville Legion Lounge, 7 pm. Contact mary.moore@ cedarlanestudio.netformore info.

EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road. Tuesday, June 9, 23, July 7, 21, August 4, 18. NEW TIMES STARTING IN JUNE: Registration starts at 6:00 p.m., play starts at 6:30 p.m.

BID EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road. Tuesday, June 2, 16, 30, July 14, 28, August 11, 25. NEW TIMES STARTING IN JUNE: Registration starts at 6:00 p.m., play starts at 6:30 p.m.

WIZARD CARD GAME at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road. Sunday, 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 (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road. 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.

3RD ANNUAL FATHER'S DAY CAR SHOW & BREAKFAST Sunday, June 21, 2026. 8:00 AM,The Drummond Building, 22 Ryan Street, Spencerville, Ontario BIRDS OF PREY SHOW, Sunday, June 14 at 10:00, 12:00 and 2:00 at Ferguson Forest Arboretum. You may see an eagle, a hawk, a falcon, an owl or other raptors up close and personal. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Friends of Ferguson Forest. Suggested donation $5."

KEMPTVILLE MALE CHOIR presents FROM SEA TO SONG June 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM at the Urbandale Art Centre. Tickets are $25 dollars and children under 12 years are free. Tickets can be purchased at B&H Your Community Grocer or call 613-252-9576 to purchase by e-transfer. $5 dollar from every ticket sold will be donated to the Victim Services of Leeds Grenville.

NGHS JUNE PUBLIC MEETING Making official documents, official used to require affixing a wax or paper seal to indicate that the authorities of the appropriate jurisdiction had approved. For the past nine years, Ron Gould, our loyal Logistics and Transport Committee Chair, has been tracking the seal on Captain McCargar's commission in our Archives. He reveals to us his trip down this particular rabbit hole, leading to the discovery that he had found what is likely the first seal of the Colony of Upper Canada.

Doors open at 6:30 pm and the meeting starts at 7:00 pm. Refreshments. All welcome.

THE NORTH GRENVILLE ARTS GUILD On Sunday, June 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. is bringing colour, creativity, and community together for its very first Art in the Park — a lively outdoor celebration of local art happening at Riverside Park on Reuben Crescent in downtown Kemptville.

This family-friendly event is presented in partnership with the Downtown Kemptville BIA and joins forces with the Highway 43 Car Club Father’s Day Car Display and a community BBQ hosted by the Oxford Mills Girl Guides — creating a perfect mix of art, classic cars, great food, and small-town charm Arts Guild exhibition and sale: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Car show & community BBQ: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

THE SPENCERVILLE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY invites the public to attend its June Monthly Meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Drummond Building, 22 Ryan Street, Spencerville. Community members are welcome to learn more about planning for the 171st Spencerville Fair and upcoming events.

Canadian Blood Services need blood now Blood donations are always needed. But there is a real shortage of blood donors right now, and Canadian Blood Services have issued an urgent appeal for O-positive blood donations. In an appeal to North Grenville residents, they note that: “Although all blood types are always needed, we’re asking for your help to encourage people who are O-positive to donate blood. Donors of all blood types are always needed, but right now it is particularly important that people with O-positive blood donate as soon as they can.

O-positive red blood cells can be used to treat any patient with a positive Rh blood type, which makes a difference in emergency situations.

“Thank you for donating. Donors of all blood types are always needed.

And if you know anyone who is O-positive, encouraging them to book soon 9

would be a big help right now.”

The next Blood Donor Clinic in Kemptville is on June 18 and was already fully booked before the request for O-positive blood was received. Donors can also donate at the main Blood Donor Clinic in Ottawa at 1575 Carling Ave daily, except on Sundays, or by calling 1-888-2366283 for a clinic in the surrounding areas of North Grenville.

Donating is more than an act of generosity. It's a feeling, a powerful pull that unites us. When you give, you're part of something greater - a community that lifts you up, a purpose that drives you, a connection that stays with you.

Canada needs one million donors over the next five years to support patient needs, which is why there’s never been a more impactful time to be a donor.

A community without a local newspaper is a community with a VOID

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We’re locally owned, locally operated, CONTACT and marketing@ngtimes.ca committed to our community. You can help 613.215-0735 us continue with our commitment to keep NG residents informed and entertained with www.ngtimes.ca The Voice of Our Community community news and happenings. FOR ONLY $60.00 A YEAR. www.ngtimes.ca

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CROSSWORD

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

Chickpea and Cauliflower Salad

It was back in 2022 when I gave you the recipe for Smoked Salmon and Chickpea Salad. Today's offering is purely vegetarian and still has the lovely nut flavour of the Chickpeas. The Garbanzo is chock a block full of protein in addition to the great taste, particularly when paired with cauliflower florets. This salad can be served for lunch with or to accompany a dinner. The salad pairs very well with fresh croissants.

Ingredients for the salad: 2 ½ cups of canned chick peas, drained (a large can of them) 1 ½ cup of lightly cooked cauliflower florets 2 shallots or green onions, finely chopped and stem included 1 tablespoon of crushed garlic 4 large mushrooms, thinly sliced 3 leaves of Romaine lettuce 2 tablespoons of capers (or more, if desired) Ingredients for the dressing: ½ cup of cider vinegar ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons of lemon juice 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire Sauce 1 teaspoon black pepper Preparation: · In largish bowl, combine the chick peas, cauliflower, onions and garlic · Place the ingredients for the dressing in a quart size Mason jar · Shake well and stir enough into the vegetables to coat them well · Lay the lettuce leaves in the bottom of your salad bowl or serving dish · Scatter the chickpea and cauliflower mixture over the lettuce leaves · Top with the sliced mushrooms, capers and black pepper · Drizzle any left-over dressing over the top, if desired · Refrigerate for an hour or so before serving For a wine, I would recommend a Chardonnay. If you don't care for the oak flavour, just select one that is un-oaked. Check with the nice people at your local LCBO for ideas; ; you don't have to pay a lot of money for a flavourful Chardonnay.

With the croissant and the wine, you'll surely have a tasty hit with your family or guests. Let me know how it worked out at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

North Grenville Arts Guild profile

ACROSS 1. Floral leaf 6. A stubborn person 10. Abbey area 14. White poplar 15. Dwarf buffalo 16. Decant 17. Cut of beef 18. Close 19. Winglike 20. Carefree 22. All-night party 23. Agreement 24. Intense dislike 26. River in Spain 30. Enemy 31. "Tasty!"

32. Boyfriend 33. Europe's highest volcano 35. Employ again 39. A Christian denom-

ination 41. Frenzied 43. Stairs 44. Data 46. After-bath powder 47. Beer 49. Not new 50. Footwear 51. Learn thoroughly 54. Litigates 56. Decorative case 57. Manipulation of bones 63. Covered stadium 64. Mend 65. Put out 66. Any minute 67. Majestic 68. Coronet 69. For fear that 70. One and only 71. Our planet

DOWN 1. Indian dress 2. Black 3. A leguminous plant 4. As well as 5. Lull 6. Arge pasta tubes 7. Not consumed 8. Amount lent 9. Ribald 10. In the UK they're flats 11. Frigid 12. Debonair 13. Made a mistake 21. Coffee shops 25. Certain something 26. Declines 27. A rhythmic sound 28. Sexual assault 29. Patient not needing hospitalization 34. Abundant wealth 36. Mormon state 37. Storage site 38. Behold, in old Rome 40. Small island 42. Cowboy sport 45. Nose hole 48. Wears away 51. Award 52. Make amends 53. Japanese-style wrestlers 55. Malice 58. Toadfish 59. Largest continent 60. Russian emperor 61. Ache 62. Yes (informal)

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

Marketing / Sales

Brent Keating I've worked with many different media over the years but started using sand in the mid 1990's when I was decorating my home at the time in the South West look.

Using a self developed method for coloring and applying the sand my work has progressed to larger more complex pieces.

While pursuing other media such as watercolor, acrylic and photography, sand will always remain a favorite with me.

You can find me at bkeating1@xplornet.ca.

AKA: The Sand Man.

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June 4 2026

10

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Baldwin’s Birds Mourning Dove on the edge

Birds on a Rim

A rather gloomy wet and still cold Sunday morning has got me in reflective mood of a recent warm day when the birds were actually "taking to water", or whatever there was available, for them to freshen up in. My bird bath wasn't exactly "brimming over" with such possibilities, but there was some water in it for the birds to have a go! At first, I saw a pair of Cowbirds make the attempt, but being slightly darker birds than the others that I managed to capture with my camera, I haven't included them for reproduction in this article. I have concentrated on the lighter coloured ones, such as the Mourning Doves, who are always photogenic and never fail to look attractive with their lovely feathers and their pink toes! In the sunlight they make such a beautiful picture wherever they happen to be, whether feeding on the ground, up in a tree, or on the rim of the bird bath.

Other birds who show up strikingly well in this environment are the good old faithful Bluejays, whose very striking white chest with its black band markings provide a very suitable contrast to the rest of its lovely blue plumage, as do their facial markings, such as the black eye-bars. When perched on the rim of the bath in the sunlight, they have that jaunty solid looking air of confidence that one just has to admire! Despite this seemingly confident demeanour, they never dwell in one place for long and are quickly off on the move.

When it comes to being a real water fancier of the non web- footed variety, our North American Robin has got to be the one! These guys and gals really go to town with great gusto when they get into even the smallest of puddles. They love to get in and really stir up the water, to such an extent a lot of it ends being thrown over the edge of the bath, but that doesn't slow them down at all and they seem to enjoy every second of it. One wonders why they are so much more enthusiastic about water compared with the other birds, but maybe it's because they have more parasites dwelling in their feathers than other birds do. They also do not want to get their feathers too wet either, which would inhibit their flying ability, so take shorter baths more frequently so this doesn't happen.

Lots of reasons why birds do, or do not, bathe, but I hope that soon we will be able to enjoy our outdoor baths too! Stay safe and well.

Cheers, John Baldwin

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Common Sense Health

Too many pills, too little thought

by Diana Gifford-Jones A few weeks ago, I wrote about hip fractures in the elderly. I did not disclose at the time I had someone specific in mind: my 93-yearold mother, Mrs. GiffordJones, wife of the late Dr. W. Gifford-Jones. I chose not to mention it then because hip fractures at that age are no small matter. They can mark the beginning of a rapid downward spiral from which many seniors never recover. My focus, and hers, needed to be on her immediate care.

Happily, I can now report better news. My mother underwent surgery, completed rehabilitation, and is back home recovering remarkably well. At 93, that is no small victory.

But an element of her recovery has sparked our frustration with the medical community. We have a medical culture that now seems incapable of imagining treatment without reaching first, second, and third for another prescription.

Doctors are not asking, "Does this patient truly need this drug?" There is a term for this phenomenon: polypharmacy. It refers to the routine prescribing of multiple medications, par-

ticularly in elderly patients, often without sufficient consideration of how those drugs interact, whether they remain necessary, or whether the patient even wants them.

What stunned me was not merely the number of prescriptions. It was the absence of consultation with a very smart patient and four adult children. No one asked about my mother's health philosophy. No one discussed risks versus benefits. No one explored what quality of life meant to a 93-year-old woman.

No one contacted the family physician. Decisions simply appeared as prescriptions and blister packs stuffed with pills.

There were new medications for heart function.

Four of them. There were antidepressants.

There were painkillers galore.

And the horror: there was a statin, which would have had my father rolling over in his grave, given his life's work to promote a natural alternative. See giffsown.ca to learn more about that.

Nutritional and vitamin support? Not what one would hope. Pharmaceuticals should not be the main event in protecting health.

Instead, at any age, nutri-

tion, exercise and mobility, family involvement, and human judgment should be the primary concerns.

For the elderly, problems such as faced my mother should result in rehabilitation, not drugs, drugs, drugs.

Read the warnings on drugs, and it should be observed that they can increase risks. Drug interactions. Dizziness. Falls.

Confusion.

Sedation.

Memory problems. Constipation. Loss of appetite.

Liver stress. Kidney stress.

Dangerous drops in blood pressure. Reduced mobility. Reduced quality of life.

One of the great ironies is that many seniors are hospitalized, not simply because of disease, but because of adverse drug reactions from the medications prescribed to help them.

My father used to joke that one doctor gives you a pill for a headache, another gives you a pill for the side effects, and before long nobody remembers what the first pill was for. But he would not be laughing now. A 93-year-old patient is not merely a collection of lab values and risk calculations. She is a human being with a history, preferences, tolerances, priorities, and

dignity.

What matters may not be another theoretical percentage reduction in cardiovascular risk ten years down the road. It may be walking independently to the kitchen. Sleeping well.

Remaining mentally sharp.

Enjoying grandchildren.

Avoiding dizziness. Preserving appetite. Maintaining dignity.

My mother survived the fracture. She survived the surgery. She survived rehabilitation. What concerns me now is whether modern medicine has become incapable of recognizing when enough treatment is enough. Physicians once prided themselves on judgment. Today, too many seem conditioned to prescribe first and pass entirely on reflection. In today's medical machinery, common sense has been lost.

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

Come, let us reason together

are here for, that it is vital that we think, ask questions, reason and examine.

Without that examination of our beliefs (and we all believe in something, even if we refuse to call that ‘faith’), we can never know if they really reflect what we think, or if they are simply repeating what we’ve been told, what we’ve heard or read from someone else. Do we know why we believe what we do?

Have we thought about it, examined the basis for it, or just carried on saying what we’ve been told?

Reasonable people may marvel at the gullibility of the MAGA faithful in their loyalty and blind subservience to Trump; but they are an example of those who never question, who find the most outlandish rationale for ignoring the obvious contradictions and failures of their Leader.

Despite what many seem to think, Christians do not believe what they do without reason, or against reason. Experience causes them to realise the

truth of Christ’s claims and reality; but they also examine the reasons, the basis, the historical foundations of what they have come to find. There is a resistance from some to openly and honestly question; but if something is true and real, no amount of honest questioning will undermine it.

The dangerous approach is to simply avoid such examination, and retreat into received arguments and positions, arguments you never arrived at yourself, but only echo what you’ve been told by others.

It’s not just that the unexamined life is not worth living, it’s that it is something less than life, something less than who we are. It’s not an intellectual thing, only for people who think “deep thoughts”. It’s for all of us to simply ask ourselves why we like what we do, why we believe what we do, and what it is that makes me... me.

The unexamined life

by David Shanahan There is a famous quote, attributed to Socrates by Plato, that says: "The unexamined life is not worth living", meaning that it is essential for a full life that we think, that we question what we believe and why we believe it. Otherwise, we simply exist, going through life in a superficial way and never really coming to understand ourselves and the world around us. The unexamined life focuses instead on ephemeral things, and never wonders why we like the music we do, why we enjoy the hobbies we love, why we believe what we do.

The unfortunate thing about society these days is that two centuries of teaching us that we are unimportant, evolved germs, without reason or purpose, is that we feel it is only important in this fleeting and otherwise point11

less life that we enjoy as much pleasure, and avoid as much pain, as possible.

Socrates, Plato, and many other great thinkers rejected this belief system, holding that there was more to life than that. I their own ways, they believed that there was a Greater behind it all, a metaphysical beyond the physical, that meant we were more than mere animals, more than a passing body doomed to destruction.

As a Christian, I can only agree with their philosophy, although I also believe that the full understanding of that came after they lifetimes, and that they, along with just about every other culture, had some insight into that reality, some glimpse of the Greater that gave meaning to their lives, that made sense of this world. And, like Socrates, Christians also believe that an unexamined life is not what we

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An Established Church

A sketch of St. James’ Church, 1873 from the Illustrated Canadian News

by David Shanahan When the Province of Upper Canada, later Ontario, was established by the Constitutional Act of 1791, it was assumed that the Church of England [CofE], also known as the Anglican Church, would have a special place in the new colony, as it did in Britain.

The British Government was careful not to repeat the mistakes that had led to the American Revolution, and decided not to impose a system of tithes to support the CofE as existed elsewhere in the Empire.

Tithes were paid by all, regardless of their denomination, to support the local Anglican minister and congregation.

This was resented by non-Anglians. For example, in Ireland, which was then more than 97% Catholic, tithes were paid by everyone, leading to conflict and grievances expressed, at times, in violence.

Therefore, the Constitutional Act contained an alternative to tithes in support of the CofE. One out of every seven lots surveyed in every township in Upper Canada would reserved for the benefit of the Cof E: that amounted to more than 40 lots in every 300 in the averJune 4 2026

age township, spread out across the concessions.

In addition, another seventh was reserved for the Crown, to provide an alternate source of revenue in lieu of taxes - another major element in the American revolt.

The Clergy Reserves, as they were called, were to be leased to settlers, and the regular income derived would go to support the Anglican clergy. Unfortunately, the Clergy Reserves became a source of genuine aggravation for everyone. Because land was granted free of cost to Loyalists for decades after 1791, there was little interest on the part of settlers to pay for rented land, when so much was available for nothing.

Furthermore, as each settler was responsible for clearing the road in front of their lot, the unsettled Clergy Reserve lots meant that roads were difficult to maintain in good, or even open, condition, as there was no-one to clear the sections in front of the Reserved lots.

Throughout the period from 1791 to 1836, attempts were made to promote the sale of these unproductive barriers to settlement, without much success. An Act was passed in Britain in 1827 authoris-

ing the sale of a certain number of lots per year, and that helped, but not much. The one major benefit of the Act, however, was enjoyed by later historians. As part of the process by which the Clergy Reserve lots were to be sold, a inquiry was launched to examine and report on the state of the lots in each Township. These records provide us with detailed descriptions of the land, soil, condition, etc., of the Clergy Reserves in 1828-29.

The Reserves became a political issue from early on in Upper Canada, with arguments being made in the Assembly and in public meetings, that the revenue from the reserves should not be to the sole benefit of the Anglican Church. Other Christian groups objected and believed they, too, should have a share in the bounty. While the Government was prepared to consider the claims of the Presbyterian Church, which was, after all, the Established Church in Scotland, they were far less open to considering the claims of the Methodists, Baptists, Catholics, etc., in Upper Canada.

This was, at least in part, because of the founding ideology behind Upper Canada. The Imperial Government, and the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe, intended the Province to be built on the foundation of a landowning aristocracy, as in Britain, and the CofE was an essential plank in that structure. Baptists and Methodists, especially, were seen as not respectable, closer to democratic principles than aristocratic - too American. The very 12

idea that they should share in the alternative to tithes was completely unacceptable. But the pressure was great, and something had to be done about the Clergy Reserves.

But how to eliminate them while maintaining support for the Cof E? In 1836, one Governor of Upper Canada, Sir John Colborne, made an executive decision immediately before leaving the province at the end of his tenure, thus escaping any unpleasant repercussions from

his actions. He granted certain Clergy Reserves in Townships to the Church of England at no charge, giving them patents for the land so they could be sold and the proceeds go directly to the parish in that township.

So it was that St. James Anglican Church in Kemptville was “endowed”, as the legal term has it, with 450 acres free of charge. These were lots 15 and 16 in Concession 1, and lot 16 in concession 6 of Oxford-on-Rideau, granted

to Henry Patton, Anglican Minister in Kemptville. St. James became one of the 44 Endowed Rectories and provided with an investment on which to depend in the future. The Clergy Reserves continued to be a political issue for decades after that, and became just one of the grievances that led to the Rebellions in 1837: the very reason for their existence was to prevent such grievances leading to rebellion. So much for aristocracy.

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