Issue 37 2023 September 21 NG Times

60 Years serving their community

but social events, service clubs, and fundraisers of all kinds.

Not very long ago, each hamlet in North Grenville had their own local General Store at the heart of the community, giving a sense of identity and a place to meet friends and neighbours to swap gossip and news. Once those stores closed, something went from the village and there was a slow decline in local life and activity. Kemptville almost went the same way. Once, Prescott Street had two major stores, Sammy Lecker’s on the corner of Water Street, and the Red & White store facing Asa Street and Clothier Street where Leabourne Elliot had the first supermarket in town. Later, Family World kept the general store identity going.

When the downtown lost the retail grocery stores, there was a danger that the centre of Kemptville would decline as the hamlets had, and that very nearly happened. What has saved the main settlement of North Grenville from that fate has a very great deal to do with the B&H store. Not only has it kept a major grocery store downtown, bringing in shoppers to an area that would otherwise have little to offer in that regard, it has provided a location for the Farmers market, the Salvation Army store, and a number of other businesses to grow and prosper.

Inside the store, space is made for local meat producers, local egg producers, local dairy prod-

With over

ucts, and so many other local brands which thrive and have a market that might otherwise have been lost.

And so, this issue of the Times brings to a conclusion our celebration of sixty years of the B&H, the Beveridge family, and everything they have contributed to the life of North Grenville. It is always such a positive thing to mark the anniversary of any local business, given how difficult it can be for such an enterprise to survive more than a short time in any economy. But sixty years is something special, especially when those decades have included important, even vital support for everything local, not just commercial operations,

The B&H, based on the vision of founding partner Keith Beveridge, and the next generation of Jim and Judy with the contribution of third generation Andrew, has given North Grenville in general, and Kemptville in particular, a different template for retail grocery and community involvement than is to be found in big box store operations. And the B&H has had to weather some major changes in how retail operated over the sixty years. The rise of the shopping mall revolutionised things and marked the end of most smaller stores. The Beveridge family moved with the times, adapting to changing environments and greater competition by successfully finding their own niche in the market.

Shopping malls require what are called anchor stores to build the smaller stores around, and the B&H has been the anchor store of Kemptville, becoming an economic driver for downtown and maybe even saving Old Town Kemptville from becoming the ghost town to which so many other older town centres have been reduced. That’s something worth celebrating sixty years for!

"Our Goal is to Help

Reach

Knights of Columbus Golf Tournament a success

submitted

by

Anthony O’Sullivan

The Knights of Columbus 17th Annual Charity Golf Tournament was blessed with a beautiful

Saturday morning on September 9 for the seventytwo players. Without wind or rain, humidity or frost, there were no excuses for wayward shots. With such

excellent conditions, two foursomes had below par scores of 31. Michel Blais, Brian Dillon, David Dillon and David Chaffe shared the winning spot with John McNamara, Justine Shaughnessy, Tony Gundy and Richard Miron. The silent auction generated lively interest as players edged up the bidding of items donated by sponsors. Dan Goss and the team at Rideau Glen Golf Club hosted the event and provided an excellent meal and refreshments after the round. Thanks to all of the sponsors and players, the funds raised help support many local charities. .

KDH hosting CT scanner advertising campaign

submitted by Kristy Carriere

Come join us on the front lawn of the Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) for your opportunity to see, in person the beautiful 2023 Camaro featured in our fundraising lottery ctscannerlottery.ca

Enjoy complimentary refreshments including hot dogs, ice cream and cake. There will also be face painting and activities for kids.

Every purchase of a lottery ticket gets us closer to bringing a CT Scanner to Kemptville. This vital piece of diagnostic equipment will be a game changer for our community. It will improve the patient experience, reduce patient waiting and travel time to Ottawa hospitals and help us recruit new physicians at KDH.

We need a CT Scanner at KDH to deliver the best patient care close to home and we must raise $2.2M to make this a reality.

Mark your calendar to attend on September 23rd, from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

In the event of rain, the BBQ will be postponed to Sunday, September 24th.

A conversation with Frances Itani

submitted by Sue

Walker

The Merrickville “Library Readers” Book Club and Beth Donovan Hospice are hosting an afternoon discussion with Giller Prize Finalist Frances Itani. Frances Itani, C.M., is an award-winning, best-selling author who has published 18 books (novels, stories, poetry and children's work), as well as many reviews, articles and essays. She has travelled widely and has lived, worked and studied in seven Canadian provinces. She has also lived in England, U.S.A., Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Croatia and Cyprus. Her work has been translated and published in 18 countries. Her latest novel is The Company We Keep. Frances lives in Ottawa.

On Sunday, October 15th from 2-4 pm at the Merrickville Legion (245 Main St. W Merrickville), Itani will be discussing her latest book and will invite questions from attendees on this and her other books. Admission is free but space is limited. To reserve your ticket, visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/7389f389-00b8-4983-a09ef18bf0b2c842 or contact Beth Donovan Hospice at 613-258-9611 ext 2.

We would like to thank the Canada Council of the Arts through the Writers’ Union of Canada for their assistance in sponsoring this event.

Smiling golfers at the KofC Golf Tournament 2023.

CORRECTION:

Legion Euchre starts at NOON

Saturday, September 23, registration at 11:30 am

Everyone welcome

Recipients announced for the Arts and Culture Development Fund

submitted by Jill Sturdy, Municipality of NG

Early last week, Council approved the recipients for the 2023 Arts and Culture Development Fund initiated by the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.

“Congratulations to the 2023 recipients! Council was so impressed by the applicants who offered such an array of exciting, diverse and creative proposals,” highlighted Mayor Nancy Peckford.

The Arts and Culture Development Fund was created earlier this year to support and strengthen the arts in the Municipality of North Grenville. An annual $10,000 in funding has been allocated to support individual artists, groups of artists, and arts organizations in North Grenville.

This fund supports the Municipality of North Grenville’s 10 – Year

Community Strategic Plan by fostering a strong, connected and vibrant

community by developing partnerships among community organizations that benefit the arts and culture community and the overall well-being for our residents.

“We look forward to seeing how these innovative and worthwhile projects unfold and are encouraged by their promise to increase access to arts and culture in our community,” added Deputy Mayor John Barclay and Co-Chair of the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.

Recipients of the 2023 Arts and Culture Development Fund

- North Grenville Theatre Community

- French Language Theatre Workshop - Oneday workshop to plan and rehearse theatrical segments in French.

- North Grenville Arts Guild (Tabitha Valliant)

- Froid D'Art - Outdoor Winter Art Show to encourage residents to enjoy community in the post-Christmas winter

months.

- Kemptville Street Piano (Lisa Poushinsky)

- Concerts on Campus Pilot - One pilot concert to be held at Parish Hall.

- Nature Journaling North Grenville (Meredith Luce) - Monthly walking workshop held at various NG trails.

- Kemptville Youth Musical Theatre Company (Barb Lacelle)

- The Little MermaidCyclorama purchase in budget to create believable underwater environment.

- Blue Moon Concert Series (John Sobol)Ongoing concert series held at Burritts Rapids Community Hall.

- Twilux Workshops for Artists and the Public (Susanne Larner)

- Participants learn how to make large scale illuminated works.

- St. Lawrence Swordfighters Guild (Chris Chinkiwsky) - Historical European martial arts of the Middle Ages - Ongoing weekly sessions held at the NG Municipal Centre looking to increase membership.

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

North Grenville Indigenous Advisory Circle to host National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools in Canada,” emphasized Mayor Nancy Peckford.

Op-ed CAPP in hand

by David Shanahan

submitted by Jill Sturdy, Municipality of NG

Join the North Grenville Indigenous Advisory Circle, Indigenous Leaders, Council and members of the public as we come together in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The event will take place on Saturday, September 30th at 1:00 pm in the Ferguson Forest Arboretum.

“As we continue the path along reconciliation, it is important to honour this day. Council would like to thank the Indigenous Advisory Circle for their support in helping to create a space where the community can come together to reflect on the

“I would like to thank the citizens of North Grenville for taking the time to recognise this difficult history,” highlighted Lorraine Rekmans, member of the Indigenous Advisory Circle.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation –Community Gathering

Saturday, September 30th

1:00 pm

Ferguson Forest Healing Garden, Arboretum

Stories, music, food

Background - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

In June 2021, the Canadian government passed legislation to mark September 30th as a federal statutory holiday to acknowledge truth and

reconciliation, as recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, previously known as Orange Shirt Day, is an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools. Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to honour and remember the Survivors, their families and communities who continue to bear witness to these tragedies.

The Municipality of North Grenville is committed to meaningful reconciliation and recognises September 30th by honouring the federal statutory holiday and lowering municipal flags to half-mast.

For more information visit www.northgrenville. ca/reconciliation.

The lazy, hazy, days of summer seem to be over. Lazy, sometimes; hazy, thanks to all the wildfires burning up the countryside, but nevertheless, still summer. Now we face autumn (or fall) for those who like watching leaves, and serious issues are coming back to the fore in North Grenville. Our Local Hero, Steve Clark, has blotted his copybook and will be keeping a much lower profile than he’s been used to over the last few years. Maybe we’ll see more of him as our MPP now.

And the whole Kemptville Prison issue is raising its head again, though in an unusual manner. CAPP, the Coalition Against the Proposed Prison, is holding a fundraising concert to fill the coffers as they continue with their campaign. The Judicial Review they initiated last year is an expensive thing and will cost ever more money as it drags on. Strange though it may seem, the concert that they hope will bring in much-needed funds is not taking place in North Grenville, rather it is being staged in Ottawa, using artists and an MC from outside the community. Concerned local residents will have to find a way to attend the event as well as paying their $54.58 per ticket. But CAPP will try and find a seat in a car for anyone not wanting to make the trip to the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (the old church on Lisgar Street) on a cold and dark November night.

Two aspects of this initiative have intrigued me. The first is the apparent unanimity with which the performing artists have expressed their commitment to the CAPP cause. Both have used the phrase, “That's why I'm joining forces with CAPP to stop Ford's Kemptville prison", although their actual reasons are different. Logan Staats, a Mohawk, is joining forces because “We don’t need another prison on stolen Indigenous land”, while Trevor Alguire thinks that “Paving over farmland to

build that prison is simply irresponsible when our province is losing more than 300 acres of farmland a day”.

Good for them, although the old question as to whether the proposed prison is on actual farmland is unsettled. Many of those who know say the land is not at all agriculturally viable. But, while that may be irrelevant, it’s certainly unhelpful to the cause.

The other intriguing aspect to this new departure by CAPP is their focus on Indigenous concerns. The advertising for the concert deals almost entirely with the fact that the prison would be “dramatically expanding the number of prison cells on unceded and surrendered Algonquin Anishinaabe Territory in the Ottawa region”. Perhaps that will help sell tickets to people outside this community, though CAPP’s public opposition, locally, is to the impact it would have on North Grenville. But Indigenous matters are, perhaps, more useful in gaining support.

One local shift in emphasis will, however, please our local Mayor and Council. After loud and angry claims by CAPP ever since the prison was announced that Council knew all about the plan and were parties to the project, Colleen Lynas of CAPP has now admitted that they were, in fact, kept in the dark about it all. The big villain was Steve Clark. “He failed to ensure that his government met its obligations to both consult with the Municipality and abide by its own planning laws and policies.” In their publicity, CAPP then links his role

in the prison plan with his recent forced resignation from Cabinet. “A key supporter and player in pushing the prison plan through was area MPP and former Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark, who has since been forced to resign for his violations of the Members’ Integrity Act in relation to a similar process of removal of Greenbelt lands for development”. Nice touch, bringing in integrity like that, while ignoring the very different contexts between Greenbelt and prison lands.

CAPP wants the Municipality to share the costs of the Judicial Review, but that may not be the right role for Council. Quite a number of taxpayers would object to their money being used in that way, as they don’t share CAPP’s attitude to the prison project.

And, after all of the activity, activism, and campaigning, it may well be that the Ford Government will still walk away from the prison project, regardless of whatever CAPP, or anyone else, may do. They have been slowly following the usual steps of preparing for the building of the facility, but time and costs are catching up with them. The pandemic showed that there may not be a need for so many more remand cells, and their share of infrastructure costs in North Grenville is climbing rapidly. It may not be worth their while to continue with the prison project. Who knows? Time will tell.

Merrickville Council embroiled in Pride Month drama

passing such a motion until a few months ago. “We all got an email some months ago with a request for this, and I think it’s time that we recognize and honour the contributions of all of our citizens,” she said.

by Brandon Mayer

A nearby municipality to the west had some drama brewing at a recent Council meeting on September 11. On that evening, Deputy Mayor Anne Barr from the Village of MerrickvilleWolford brought forward a Notice of Motion, hoping to get support from Council to officially recognize Pride Month at the local level, in support of its 2SLGBTQI+ residents.

The Notice of Motion, which was read in its en-

tirety before Council, states in part: “WHEREAS the Corporation of the Village of Merrickville-Wolford supports the rights of every citizen to experience equality and freedom from discrimination; and WHEREAS all people regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic characteristics or disability have the right to be treated on the

basis of their intrinsic value as human beings… the Corporation of the Village of Merrickville Wolford will, each year, display the Progress Pride Flag for the month of June. The Progress Flag represents: life, healing, light, prosperity, serenity, spirit, marginalized citizens of colour, and transgender and non-binary citizens.”

Such a bill is relatively standard and is becoming more common in municipalities across the country. To defeat such a bill

is considered a show of disdain for diversity and inclusion, and is becoming less and less common in a forward-thinking world. Several Times readers therefore sent in words of outrage when the bill was defeated in a 3-2 vote by MerrickvilleWolford Council.

Deputy Mayor Barr explained, following her reading of the bill for Council’s consideration, that in 8 years of sitting on Council, she was never approached about

Let the buyer beware of needless radiation

ventive Medicine, says these scans are a bad idea. “Follow-ups mean everything from more costs to more procedures that may lead to more complications.”

When Mayor Michael Cameron called for a vote on the motion, Deputy Mayor Barr and Councillor Margaret Gural both voted in favour of passing it. Councillors Stephen Ireland and Ronnie Maitland then voted against the motion. Mayor Cameron – who does not vote except to break a tie – then quickly raised his hand to oppose the motion, defeating it.

Councillor Gural spoke almost instantly upon the declaration that the motion was defeated, stating in a firm tone “I’d like a recorded vote please”. Mayor Cameron responded with a smirk and stated “already been called, sorry”. Councillor Gural then corrected him, saying “I can call a recorded vote”. Mayor Cameron answers again, stating with a tone of annoyance, “the vote was already called”. After Councillor Gural read the procedural by-law confirming that a recorded vote can indeed be called immedi-

ately before or after a vote, the Mayor conceded and stated “perfect, we’ll record it then” before adding in “but I mean it’s obvious for any to hear”. Again, Mayor Cameron seemed annoyed in his reply. Normally, meeting minutes for Council meetings only reflect whether a motion is passed or defeated. A recorded vote is done only by request to enter into public record how each Council member casted their vote for a particular motion.

Following the recording of the votes – in which the two female Council members once again voted in favour of the motion, while the three male members voted to defeat it – Deputy Mayor Barr visibly shook her head. Council business then proceeded as normal, despite the drama that had just occurred between Council members.

It is unclear what reasoning the Mayor and councillors Ireland and Maitland had for opposing the motion. The Times has reached out to members of MerrickvilleWolford Council, inviting comments or submissions in a future issue to provide insights on the defeated motion.

There’s a Gifford-Jones Law that says, “Never accept radiation you don’t need.” But a dangerous new medical trend is breaking this law. What’s the worry? Across North America, some private clinics are now promoting the promise of early detection of disease to healthy people. In return for a fee, buyers get whole-body screening using a variety of diagnostic imaging equipment.

These promoters don’t have to be marketing stars. People naturally fret about their mortality and become receptive listeners. It’s wrong to profit on those fears.

But the trend is catching hold. The sell is easy when the hope is early detection of a small cancer. “You may not have any symptoms as yet,” they’ll pitch, “and an early catch means high likelihood of a cure.”

Or another pitch might be the benefit of detecting a life-threatening aneurysm. “The largest artery in your body could be bulging

and about to rupture causing massive bleeding and death,” they might suggest. “A preventive scan will save your life!”

Full body scans are good at discovering what are called “incidentalomas”, the medical term for incidentally found asymptomatic tumors. Sometimes they find stones in the gallbladder that are best treated by the crematorium at 90 years of age. Or they can find a small asymptomatic hernia that does not warrant surgery and would otherwise have gone unnoticed for life.

Some people get lucky with these scans. For instance, a brain tumour may be discovered early, enabling surgical treatment. But a radiologist in the Netherlands who conducted a study of full body scans concluded that there were false positives 16 percent of the time.

Experts in various countries have given thumbs down on these procedures.

Dr. Mirza Rahman, a physician and President of the American College of Pre-

The American College of Radiology also released a statement, “There is no documented evidence that total body screening is cost effective or evidence it prolongs life.”

All the different types of scans come with major risks. With CT scans, it’s the radiation exposure. Health Canada warns “Whole body CT screening exposes you to radiation levels that are 500 to 1000 times as high as those of a routine chest X-ray and increases your risk of developing radiationinduced cancer.”

Magnetic resonance uses no radiation but carries other risks. According to Health Canada, “The strength of the magnetic field used in MRIs can make metallic implants such as pacemakers, metal pins or clips move and tear soft tissue. MRIs may also cause biological effects, including the electrical stimulation of nerves, and the heating of implanted metallic leads, which may cause serious burns. Also, the magnetic field in an MRI scan-

ner can magnetize nearby objects, which can become dangerous projectiles in an examination room.”

Is there a time for fullbody scans? People having a genetic predisposition to forming multiple tumors may benefit, says Dr Resten Imaoka, a radiologist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. But this is the point: unless your doctor has a good reason for ordering a full-body scan, it’s best to stick to recommended and proven screening tests, such as for colorectal cancer.

A wise sage was asked, “How would you describe a healthy patient?” He replied, “A patient not being seen by many doctors.”

Remember, the best way to fight illness is not with endless tests. It’s by avoiding illness in the first place. And that’s the original Gifford-Jones law. Adopt a healthy lifestyle early in life and stick with it.

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

I could have missed the pain but I'd have had to miss the dance."

In loving memory of James O. Petersen. Gone but never forgotten!

Feb 17 1967-Sept 28 2019. Donna

Merrickville-Wolford Mayor Cameron (left) exchanges words with Councillor Gural (right) after the vote on a Pride Month support bill defeated the motion.

The Food Corner

I confess to loving spinach and not because of Popeye. Those of you who are old enough will remember that Popeye, when confronted with a crisis, would “pop” a can of spinach in his mouth and turn into a super-hero, saving the day for Olive Oyl, his forever girlfriend. Now that spinach is plentiful, try this salad as an alternative to “same old.” There are many variations of this salad; this one we find really tasty and fulfilling.

Warm Spinach Salad

Basic Ingredients

• Enough young spinach to fill your favourite large salad bowl, maybe 6 to 8 ounces

• 1 pound of bacon

• 3 extra large eggs, hard boiled and chilled

• ½ red onion, shaved

• 6 large white mushrooms, sliced

Dressing

• ¼ cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip

• 5 tablespoons of Honey or Octoberfest Mustard

• 2 tablespoons of grainy mustard

• 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard

• A generous splash of cider vinegar

• A dash of Tabasco

• A dash of Worcestershire Sauce

• A dash of lemon juice

Preparation

• Cut your bacon into 4 inch squares and fry on low heat till just browning

• Don’t make them crispy; we don’t want bacon bits but nice pieces of meat

• Place the cooked bacon in a bowl lined with a paper towel to pick up the grease

• Retain 4 or 5 tablespoons of the bacon fat

• Combine all of your dressing ingredients in a sauce pan and warm on low heat

• Add the bacon fat and whisk the dressing ingredients together

• Place your shaved red onion on top of your spinach

• Slice your egg into ¼ inch disks or use an egg slicer to do so and place on your spinach

• Place your sliced mushrooms on your spinach as well

Because this is a warm salad, you will want to wait till just before serving to drizzle your hot dressing over the salad. Don’t toss, serve it as is and let your guests ooh and ahh at your artistry. They can then dig in. Use fresh baguette to accompany this great salad. Vegetarians, don’t despair. Instead of the bacon, caramelize the slices of a largish white onion and use it instead of the bacon. Keep the red onion raw though. Works like a charm...

CLASSIFIEDS

classifieds@ngtimes.ca

73’s cinched one against the Junior Senators in final pre-season contest

Bodies and hard rubber...Not only did jacob baron have to contend with pucks during the 73's battle against the junior senators friday evening to record a 3 to 2 win and first star. Patrick haughian with emile trottier protect his doorstep as ryan rutley heads to the back of the net (literally).

by the sportsguy

Ottawa Junior Senators faced Kemptville 73’s on their home turf for a Friday evening frenzy for their final back to back exhibition challenges that they posted a 3 - 2 victory.

Opening period was end to end entertaining excitement with opportunities from both teams to be shut-down by their stoppers to close it out scoreless.

Second stanza Melvin combined with Ryan Rutley rifling one past Will Mizenko to draw first blood at 6:59 for the 73’s. After the puck was dug out of the trenches and directed to Tyler Melvin encroaching the line to

hammer it home at 7:34 to make it a 2 goal lead for Kemptville. Leblanc to Thomas Barney put a squeaker by Jacob Biron at 13:46 to put Ottawa on the board. Kemptville answered back with the game winner from Gavin McDougall in the slot at 14:52.

Final twenty in the first minute Junior Senators launched a comeback as Alexandre Cote with a helper from Barney found the back of the net at :52. Ottawa pulled their stopper at 18:35 for extra attacker without results to wrap up a 3 to 2 win for the 73’s.

Ottawa recorded 33 SOG with 0/3 PP and Kemptville 30 SOG with 0/1.

Kemptville ventured into Ottawa on Saturday evening to meet the Junior Senators for the last exhibition battle that slipped away from them with a 4 to 3 loss.

Ottawa counted first with Ben Albright from Poudrette to slam it home past Jacob Baron at 2:04. The 73’s evened it up at 15:39 with man advantage and the magic of Fennell, Logue unto the tape of Nicholas Bennett PPG to drive it by Hayden Duncan.

Hayden Duncan was replaced with Will Mizenko for Ottawa to start the second. Tie breaker for the Junior Senators when Bedard set up Ryanlee Wadden at 2:28. Extra attacker for Kemptville allowed Emile Trottier PPG to capitalize after Rutley found him in the triangle to blast it through Will Mizenko at 11:52 for a tie. Kozya with Kay tic-tac-toe to Parker Holmes on his horse to launch a missile top shelf to give Kemptville the lead at 15:06.

Last twenty was owned by Ottawa as Albright to Alexandre Cote at 5:53 to even it at 3 all. Game winner for Junior Senators when Murdoch assisted Ryan Zabchuck to make it official with a win of 4 to 3 at 13:57. Kemptville substituted Jacob Baron for extra man at 18:10 without success.

Ottawa outshot Kemptville by 36 to 32 with 0/3 PP and the 73’s ⅔ PP. Kemptville opens their regular season schedule with the Nepean Raiders in their home barn on Friday, September 22.

Hockey with EDGE….see you around the boards.

Ontario protecting Grenville County against gun and gang violence

submitted by MPP Steve Clark

The Ontario government is investing $50,000 to help Grenville County OPP expand its video surveillance program and better protect the community against gun and gang violence.

The funding is being delivered through the Ontario Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Grant Program and can be used to replace outdated equipment, expand or enhance current technology and install new or additional CCTV surveillance cameras in areas where gun and gang violence, illegal drug activity and human trafficking are prevalent.

“I’m proud of the priority our government has placed on supporting safer streets and communities throughout Leeds and Grenville,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “This $50,000 CCTV grant will deter crime, support our Grenville County OPP and provide security for residents.”

Grenville County OPP is one of 24 police services across the Province receiving funding with more than $2.8 million being allocated through the 2023-24 CCTV Grant program.

“Our government is taking action to keep Ontarians safe,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “CCTV surveillance systems are an important part of local police work to detect, prevent, and deter criminal activity. The systems also enhance police efforts to investigate crimes and provide evidence necessary to lay charges.”

QUICK FACTS

- The CCTV Grant was first introduced in 2020. Since that time, the Ontario government has allocated approximately $7.4 million in funding for surveillance systems to police services across the Province.

- The grant funding covers 50 per cent of project costs up to a maximum of $200,000 for each successful project.

- The Ontario government is investing $163 million to immediately strengthen the Province’s efforts to fight crime including combatting bail non-compliance and auto thefts.

North Grenville is booming with development

by Brandon Mayer

The September 13 meeting of North Grenville Council, held virtually, was a long one. It lasted almost three hours, which is not atypical for a Council meeting, and speaks to the tiring work completed by local elected officials to keep the wheels of North Grenville turning.

The regularly scheduled meeting had a very specific vibe last week, as a significant portion of the discussion was related to new developments. Developments discussed included the Hurd Subdivision, and growth on Reuben Crescent, Sanders Street, and County Road 19 among others.

There is no doubt that North Grenville is absolutely booming with new housing. Perhaps it’s because of the Municipality’s perfect balance of rural charm and plentiful amenities. As with any other situation, some locals are hugely supportive of residential development locally, while others are not. More residents means more financial support for the local businesses that make the community tick, but some are worried that North Grenville will soon be seen as just an extension of Ottawa.

Communities grow, and things change. Small town residents are stereotypically notorious for hating big changes. A dwindling population, however, would be devastating for any community. Similarly, extending a wish for the local community to remain the same in population would be quite unwelcoming for those who wish to call North Grenville home. Small communities are anything but unwelcome.

If there is a demand for housing in North Grenville, housing will be built. Council has been busy passing the necessary zoning amendments and dealing with the other red tape that makes such growth tick. Other routine business was of course discussed at the September 13 meeting, including business that was discussed in closed session, but the necessary focus on matters related to growth and development provides a very telling story.

There would be little value in trying to summarize a nearly three hour meeting packed tight with tedious business. Readers who are interested in the functions of our local government are encouraged to view the meeting recording at https://www.youtube.com/live/bXaySFhs4s A?si=s1BRAC7CemTWRvIX.

MUNICIPAL OFFICE HOURS

The Municipal office is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Visit our events calendar to find out what’s happening in the community: www.northgrenville.ca/events

Sign-up to receive Mayor Peckford’s e-newsletter at: northgrenville.ca/connect.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

COUNCIL MEETINGS

Please see the Council agenda for further details on how to participate in Council meetings. All Council meetings will be live streamed on YouTube at: youtube.com/user/NorthGrenville/featured and on the Municipality’s website at: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings.

To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please provide your comments no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting to clerk@northgrenville.on.ca Council agendas are available at: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings.

• Tuesday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. (Open Session) – Burritt’s Rapids

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Committees may be meeting in-person or virtually. Please see the Committee agenda for details on how to attend. Agendas can be found on the Municipal website at www.northgrenville.ca/meetings

• Indigenous Advisory Committee – Thursday, September 14 at 4:30 p.m.

• Housing Advisory Committee – Thursday, September 14 at 5:30 p.m.

• Active Transportation Advisory Committee – Wednesday, September 20 at 5:00 p.m.

VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Engineering Co-op Student

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill one full-time (Fall semester) positions of Engineering Coop Student. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualifications in confidence to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 15th, 2023.

Facilities Operator (12-month Contract)

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill a 12-month contract position of Facilities Operator. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualification in confidence to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 15th, 2023.

Facilities Attendant (Part-Time)

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill part-time positions of Facilities Attendant in the Parks, Recreation & Culture Department. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualification in confidence to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 2, 2023.

Advisory Committees

Join the conversation regarding the community! The Municipality continues to accept applications for members to various advisory committees. Visit northgrenville.ca/committees for more information on how to apply. For questions, please contact the Clerk by email at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca or by telephone at 613-258-9569 ext 171

TAX BILLS

All 2023 final tax bills have been mailed. If you have not received your bill, please contact the Municipal Office at 613-258-9569. Tax bills are due on September 29, 2023. Payments can be made in person by cash or debit. Credit card payments are only accepted when paying online through the North Grenville website

NORTH GRENVILLE’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT

The 25th Anniversary Event will bridge the past, present, and future of our beloved Municipality, marking the significant moment when North Grenville was officially formed through the amalgamation of the Town of Kemptville and the Townships of Oxford-on-Rideau and South Gower. Join us as we celebrate North Grenville’s 25th Anniversary on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the North Grenville Municipal Centre located at 285 County Road 44, Kemptville.

NORTH GRENVILLE TRANSIT

North Grenville provides an on-demand accessible transit service for those with disabilities and those 65 years of age and older. Riders can be picked up and dropped off anywhere in North Grenville. For more information and to register visit www. northgrenville.ca/transit or call 613-258-9569 ext. 133

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT

PLAN

Financial incentives are available for businesses and property owners to continue the revitalization of Downtown Kemptville. As part of the Downtown Kemptville Community Improvement Plan, intake is now open for the following financial programs: Façade & Signage Grant, People Make the Place Grant, Building Fees Grant, and Tax-Increment Equivalent Residential Grant.

The Development Charges Exemption is still in place for downtown. Intake is on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. If you have questions or are looking to apply, please email vision@northgrenville.on.ca or call 613-258-9569 ext 177.

Go buy some wood

by Brandon Mayer

We’ve all heard that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. It’s such a common expression because it’s such a good one. Our ancestors made mistakes just like we all do every day. Blame is unimportant compared to understanding. We don’t blame the German people for the Holocaust despite the fact that Adolf Hitler was elected. Instead, we understand that a process of corruption, propaganda and fear tactics unfolded over the course of more than a decade to produce the Holocaust.

The March 1933 German elections were rife with voter intimidation spearheaded by the Nazi Party and Hitler, who was already appointed in a powerful role as Chancellor, pushing through the Enabling Act of 1933 to quietly turn the democracy into a dictatorship. Hitler’s reasoning for pushing the Enabling Act was that it would prevent his government from depending on the support of

other parties, effectively giving him a majority government despite being elected as a minority government. This doesn’t sound so bad, until one realizes that it eliminated all of the checks and balances in a formerly democratic government. Knowing this piece of history is a valuable lesson in what to look for in a potentially corrupt government or leader, even to this day.

Why are we so afraid of history? It’s completely possible to be ashamed of one’s past without being fearful of it. I am horrified, for example, by the atrocities of the former residential school system where so many Indigenous children were abused. I’m ashamed that it was my ancestors who lacked the compassion and intelligence to realize how wrong the whole system was. I can’t even wrap my head around the trauma that must have been caused by having one’s children literally stolen by intimidating government and church officials. But that doesn’t mean I’m afraid to talk about residential schools or learn about them. As ordinary people, we need to appreci-

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I moved to Kemptville five years ago as a caregiver to a disabled senior. She required a walker and as we moved around town, we immediately noticed the deteriorated condition of the old Kemptville sidewalks with shaved edges, large cracks and steep verticles. A residential sidewalk is expected to last forty to fifty years and I think that many of Old Kemptville’s are well past that age.

I would be nice to see Council consider new sidewalks, no more shaving or patching. But that’s just me. Sincerely, Brian Dy?man.

Dear Editor,

It is highly disturbing to see Conservative politicians at both provincial and federal levels following their counterparts in the US in attacking the trans community.

ate the severity of the mistakes we are capable of making so that we can also develop ways to avoid making these same mistakes in the future.

One thing that we seem to be most afraid of in the world of 2023 is a lack of inclusion. I’m not complaining – inclusion is important and is the only way forward in a world that works for all – but I often don’t agree with the way we’re getting there.

In Toronto’s Peel District School Board, there seems to be a new “equity-based book weeding process” in place, possibly at the request of the Ministry of Education, as reported by CBC News last week. “[Students, parents, and community members] say the new process, intended to ensure library books are inclusive, appears to have led some schools to remove thousands of books solely because they were published in 2008 or earlier,” says the article.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce has stated in a release that he disagrees with this process, coming down hard against the practice of removing books from schools in the name of inclu-

sion. The entire situation is quite complicated, with a full slate of fingers pointed at other fingers. A true spider web of blame seems to be in the weaving process.

When Times staff first came across the news of what was happening in Toronto, all eyes suddenly settled on me, an educator in the local public school system now in my 8th school year. “Does this happen around here?” was the inevitable question. The answer is unsurprisingly complicated. I am relatively confident that books are not removed from school shelves locally solely on the basis of their publication date. It is also true that all libraries – school or public – must have a weeding process. There would never be room for new books to come in if outdated, irrelevant, unpopular, and damaged books didn’t get removed from the shelves.

What is concerning in my view is that over the years, there really has been a disrespect for school libraries in local schools. When I was a UCDSB student, we had packed libraries and full time librarians. In the era of education cuts, one of the

most vulnerable positions is that of the school librarian – or “Learning Commons Informationist” as they are now called, in homage to the digital age.

I don’t know of any local school that has a full time librarian any more. At schools I have visited and worked in, libraries seem to be shrinking year by year. This is the time for us to seriously step back and realize that the printed word is true history. We may now favour the internet for research because the information can be updated in real time, but just as information can be updated quickly on the internet, so too can it be faked or altered. Is it possible to print false words? Of course, but a book dated by a historian to be 100 years old is a snapshot of history, and one that can never be faked or altered without detection. It matters not whether the contents are inclusive – it’s important that we know of our human history so that we can learn from it.

I’m prepared to make a bold statement here: if we did not teach our children history in schools, then today’s world would be a truly

awful and non-inclusive place. To whom do people give credit for the freedoms and equality of the modern world? Who do we think is responsible for the mindset of diversity and inclusion and acceptance that we now enjoy in 2023?

Who gets credit for legalized gay marriage, the abolition of residential schools, and the freedom to live by preferred gender pronouns? Did new, forward thinking attitudes simply materialize like magic after centuries of what we would now deem to be oppressive crimes against humanity? No – we learned and evolved from history. The only conclusion to draw here is that the next time someone thinks of burning a book, they need to give their head a shake and go buy some wood.

Multiple Conservative governments are proposing that parents must be informed by schools if a child wishes to use pronouns or a chosen name that does not match the gender they were assigned at birth.

These attacks on marginalised people must stop. Although many parents will be fully supportive of a child who comes out as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, a significant minority are not supportive. Approximately 10% of the Canadian population identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, yet among homeless youth between 25% and 40% identify as members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Transgender people face unique stressors, experience higher rates of discrimination and harassment than cisgender people, and experience poorer mental health outcomes. They are at greater risk for

suicide: 1 in 3 trans youth attempted suicide in 2015. Research has shown that having one’s name and pronouns respected reduces the risk of attempting suicide.

We are well past the time when children were viewed as property of their parents, and it is recognised in both national and international law that children have their own rights, including the right to privacy. Canada is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and Article 16 states that “No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy” while the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects a reasonable expectation of privacy as well as freedom of expression, equality rights, and gender equality rights.

Schools should be safe places for every student.

Forcibly outing transgender youth to their parents damages student-teacher relationships, puts teachers in difficult legal and ethical positions, and risks lives. The privacy of youths must be respected and should only be breached in exceptional circumstances.

Trans rights are human rights, and human rights apply to every person in Canada. Stripping rights from specific groups sets us on a very dangerous path. Respect for diversity is a core Green value, and Ontario Greens stand in solidarity with the trans community against transphobia. Ontario Greens are committed to working towards a more equitable Ontario, one where people are not judged on their gender identity.

Steve Gabell

Dear Editor,

I want to thank Lynne Ferguson-Bourguignon for her letter in the September 7th issue highlighting the good work being done by the volunteers at Ottawa Stray Cats. The key to addressing the issues associated with feral cats (whether someone claims to "own" them or not), is to stop the cycle of reproduction that creates more and more new feral cats every year. Be assured that the life of a feral cat is terrible -- starvation, pain, cold, diseases, predators, injuries, painful lingering deaths, and the list goes on.

The dedicated groups of volunteers, in their activities to trap, neuter/spay, and release or rehome these cats, are taking important steps to care for the cats already born and to prevent the arrival of more kittens to suffer a similar fate. They

deserve our support. They're actually 'walking-the-talk' when it comes to reducing the numbers of suffering feral cats and caring about their welfare.

I would also like to take this opportunity to give a huge shout-out to a similar group of amazing volunteers operating in our area - Spencerville TNR. Anyone can donate (money and/or cat supplies) to help them in their work to reduce the number of suffering feral cats in our communities. Check out their website at SpencervilleTNR.ca. (TNR stands for trap, neuter, rehome/release.)

Maria Koller-Jones (retired veterinarian)

B&H mark 60 years in the community

by David Shanahan

Everyone knows it as the B&H, though its full and official title is “B&H Your Community Grocer”. Since 1963, the B&H has served as a grocery store, community centre, a place to shop, meet friends and neighbours, and tune into to what’s happening in North Grenville. Jim and Judy Beveridge are continuing the traditions inherited from Jim’s father, Keith, who started the store with business partner, Ken Haggett, known as Red. Jim reminisced recently about the long story and the many changes surrounding the B&H over sixty years.

“60 years of the B&H?

On opening day when Dad and Red were here, Burt Loeb was here, President of Loeb, who was the IGA franchiser who had bought the stores and convinced Dad to go partners with the guy that was the produce supervisor for the group of stores, Ken Hagget, although everybody called him Red. Dad and Red didn't realise that they still needed to buy the front end float from the previous owner, so they had scraped to come up with the money they needed as the down payment, and didn't have the money to pay the rest. And Burt Loeb, president of a major wholesale company at the time, paid for it. When my father asked him afterwards about signing a note for it, Burt said, "I know you'll pay me back". You know, no paperwork, no nothing for $200 which was a lot of money in 1963. And Dad paid back the loan, plus repaid it again and again with loyalty to Burt for that.

“But it was a time and it was a community where your word was worth a lot. Highway 16 at that time went along both sides of the store, along Rideau and Sanders. So, it was a time where car travel was becoming more important, and the store had what a lot of grocery stores at the time didn't have: there

was parking. And because of Highway 16 being a major route into Ottawa, Eastern Ontario was really big for American tourists coming through this town until it was bypassed. And then we started to see the decline. In downtowns, when you take the banks and the liquor stores and the beer stores away from them, and then the highway bypasses, that creates a major change.”

But by then, the B&H was already a valued fixture in the life of the surrounding communities, and Jim couldn’t see the store disappear like so many other downtown businesses.

“So, when I took over here in 2005, and it was the biggest reason for me taking over the B&H, was because I could not sell the B&H. It was Dad's store. I realise now, I'm not overly fond of the path that brought me to the B&H, but I'm so thankful for the opportunity.”

The ties the B&H has to the community of North Grenville are deep and are another part of the legacy Jim feels his father left him.

“It was important for my father to support the community that supported him. And he realised that when he came here to Kemptville, he lucked out; he got a location that was pretty sweet, you know, compared to what a lot of his business cohorts who were part of that original group. He ended up with the most successful business out of all of those seven other stores. And it was also you support the community that you're part of. If it's good for the community in the long run, it's good for you.”

After Jim and Judy took over the B&H, the IGA was leaving Ontario and they had a choice of becoming a franchise operation, or going on as a non-affiliated independent store, which would have meant a sharp limit on how flexible they could be in responding to increased

competition and market changes. Jim believes the B&H would not have survived as a franchise.

“One of the challenges of downtown locations is the fact that it's not convenient. And you need to find a way to have products where you're the most convenient store in the marketplace And, you know, we're lucky enough to have the core part of Kemptville where we've had great support, but a lot of our customers actually now come from a distance. So, one of our flagship items is our pot pie program, which I continually struggle to be able to keep in the counter on a very consistent basis. But people who come from Orleans and Kanata and further afield will stop in when they're in eastern Ontario. We know regularly we have product that goes to Burlington and London from people driving through here. They'll call or email their orders in ahead of time and pick them up on their back home. And so that is one program we would not have been able to do as a franchise program. And the other part of it is these franchise programs typically have a very small open to buy window. So the majority of the products that they carry in the store are products that are authorised by their franchiser. And where we've been able to develop a greater strength was carrying products that aren't carried by the other stores and that people are still looking for in North Granville. So, in all likelihood, a lot of those products would not be in the store if I was in a franchise situation.”

Kemptville has changed almost beyond recognition in the last sixty years. North Grenville has only existed for twenty-five of those years. The B&H has seen major supermarkets coming to town, slowdowns and upturns in markets, lockdowns, ice storms, the gutting of Downtown Kemptville of

anchor businesses. Through it all, the B&H has been a vital supporter of every positive community initiative, charity, service club, and individual residents. Jim eyes the future with a certain quiet ambition.

“And you know, one of my one of my goals when I took over was to get us to the 50th anniversary. And when I got to the 50, it was, yeah, we could make it to 60. And now it's, after you've done 60, what's the next, 75? Well, we’ll get up there in age, but wouldn't it be so cool if I could still be around and make the 75th anniversary?”

This notice from 1968 shows that the B&H has always been conscious of the need for good quality and reasonable prices for meat products. “Budget” may mean different things today, but the emphasis on local, grass-fed meats remains central.

In 1968, Albert Dykes was winning awards as Meat Manager at the B&H. Later, he moved on to run his own store, putting into practice the methods and standards learned there. Albert was a great citizen and neighbour in the community until his untimely death.

Back when the B&H was part of the IGA Group, this promotion gives an idea of the cost of dinnerware.

B&H has been a very important part of our family’s journey in North Grenville. The wide variety of locally produced goods, including bread, dairy and meats, as well as the small town charm of B&H staff, have made this store a memorable experience for us and so many residents. Their generosity is also widely renowned, as they have been embedded in the fabric of this community for a remarkable 60 years.

With a heartfelt thank you, and enormous gratitude for all that you do in support of the community, the Kemptville Legion, Branch 212, would like to congratulate B&H for 60 years in business Jim and Judy have supported the Legion in so many ways, for so many years, thank you for always being there without hesitation. Kemptville really is as strong as everyone in the community together, and B&H has been a huge pillar of that strength. Here’s to 60 more years!

Congratulations Judy and Jim. Your father Keith was a 50 plus year Rotarian and Jim is an honorary Rotarian.

Your continued 'Service Above Self" is a true example of leadership in our community. Your support of Rotary activities is so very much appreciated.

Thank you

If you took away all of the community events that the B&H has contributed to over the decades, it would be a very quiet community we would be living in. The BIA and our community events have benefi tted countless times courtesy of the generosity of Jim and Judy Beveridge at the B&H. If you needed food and snacks for something at the last minute, you could unfailingly go to the store and everything you needed would be there. Then when it came time to pay for everything, Jim would forget to send you the invoice or he'd forget half of what you bought or he'd say "I'll get it from you next time" which you immediately knew to mean there would be no next time and you were the victim of another example of the spontaneous and unreasonable Beveridge generosity.

Congratulations to Jim and Judy Beveridge and the B&H Your Community Grocer team on 60 years serving our community. B&H has been generous supporters of our Annual Charity Golf Tournament, the Sweetheart Brunch in February, and Foodbank and Christmas Hampers, and they continue to be generous to our community. May God bless their future years, Holy Cross Knights of Columbus.

Congratulations to our local B&H Community Grocer. From Canada Day to events held throughout the years Jim and Judy Beveridge have been beyond supportive!!! The contributions behind the scenes, the interest in everything going on, the constant offering to assist. We are blessed to have the leadership in this community.

“As a volunteer run organization, the North Grenville Curling Club is fortunate to have the support of many local businesses. Our community grocer B&H has been a valued partner of ours since our inception. We are very appreciative to Jim and Judy who never hesitate to respond positively to our appeals. Congratulations on 60 years of dedicated community involvement and continued success for many more”.

Members of the North Grenville Curling Club

The Kemptville Youth Centre has celebrated over 28 years of existence providing a safe supervised inclusive environment for youth to drop in with friends - or simply feel welcome.

During that time B&H Family Grocers has been a significant provider of support by way of food, financial and moral support. Jim and Judy - as was Keith before them - have been constant supporters of KYC. Our summer breakfasts in their car park are a mainstay of the KYC calendar!

Congratulations to B&H and we wish them continued success

The O'Farrell Team celebrates B&H for an incredible 60 years of serving our community. Congratulations!

Mayor Nancy Peckford

North Grenville’s Wealth & Estate Planning Experts

The Apprentice and the Master As Keith Beveridge drives this B&H float in a Canada Day parade in July, 1968, future dynamo, son Jim, sits on the hood looking distinctly dour for a clown.

The Weather with Connor

Q: Did Eastern Ontario have fewer storms this summer but did the ones that hit seem more serious? Is that an accurate observation? How do this season's storms compare to other seasons?

Featuring Connor Mockett

Hello, everyone!

Welcome back to another week of The Weather with Connor. This week I thought I’d do a little end of summer Q&A with all of you. You asked questions, and I had answers for you! So, let’s get started.

Q: What’s your prediction for this coming Winter?

A: I think that this winter will be much drier than the Winter of 2022-23. Typically with El Nino years in the Pacific Ocean, that leaves the region with below average precipitation amounts. Obviously with every winter, there will be the big storms as always, but I think there’ll be way fewer and just less snow in general for the Winter of 2023-24.

Q: Are we going to get any more warm weather this year? Hoping to get some more time in my swimming pool.

A: Generally, temperatures will be above normal for the rest of this month, aside from a couple days here and there. That means that daytime highs will be well into the 20’s on a lot of the days. There won’t necessarily be much humidity, but warm enough that it’ll be nice to take a dip in a pool sometimes. I’d watch out for the beginning of October as well for some well above normal temperatures.

Ellis, John Michael (Mike)

very crazy storm seasons. Logic would tell me that this should continue, but realistically, who knows? The climate will do whatever it wants whenever it wants.

November 17, 1947 - August 28, 2023

Mike passed away in hospital after several months of health issues with his wife, Fairlie (McKee), of 52 years at his side.

A: Yes, this was actually a very quiet season for Eastern Ontario. Easily the worst chasing season I’ve had around here, that’s for sure. But yes, I found the storm days that the region had were above what this region is used too. We always have a couple of really volatile days, but we had many of those environments this year that were just so primed for severe weather, like July 13th and August 3rd to name a couple, which were both tornado days. In terms of the quantity of storms, this season was abnormal, but in terms of the quality of storms, it was above average. A weird season all around. Essentially, the season lasted about 5 or 6 weeks, we had nothing here until June 26th, and the last real storm day (which was the Ottawa flash flooding event) was on August 10th. There’s nothing in the near term or future for storms either, so this season seems to have ended extremely early, which I’ve also never seen.

Q: Based on the rate of climate change right now, what kind of weather do you predict in about 5-10 years from now for our area?

A: Truthfully, I have no idea what even next season has in store for us, let alone 5-10 years from now. But the research and the science is there, and it supports the fact that climate change is drastically changing the way storms happen here. It’s very obvious here too in the last 5-7 years, in my opinion, with multiple

Q: What are the tornado do’s and don'ts when taking shelter?

A: First of all, when you hear that alert come over your phone that there’s a tornado warning, the first instinct should be going down to your basement in your home. Being underground is the safest place to take shelter. If you don’t have a basement, taking shelter in the bathroom is typically the best alternative, as it has 4 sturdy walls around you. A couple of don’ts would be taking shelter in your vehicle, taking shelter in a room with windows, or taking shelter in a garage. Vehicles are one of the worst places to be during a tornado, as they easily flip with the wind and get tossed around like a toy. Obviously, taking shelter in a room with windows isn’t good either, mostly because if the window breaks, then the shards of glass come at you, and the wind does too, and your room of shelter is then compromised. If you’re taking shelter in a garage, that’s no good either, as the wind pushing on the garage door makes it one of the first things to get damaged on a home when it pushes it straight in and rips it. Then again, the wind comes inside and compromises your shelter.

That’ll do it for this round of Q&A. Thank you for reading and I’ll talk to you all next time!

Uncle to Maggie (O’Lett) Patterson (Scott) of Ottawa and Sara (O’Lett) Freeburn (Sean) of Ottawa. Great Uncle to Drew Patterson and Ella Freeburn.

Mike was born in Sweetsburg, Quebec. With his parents, Joe and Margaret (Doherty) Ellis, he grew up in Dunham, Quebec on the Doherty family farm. Mike attended McGill University splitting his time between Macdonald College, Ste Anne de Bellevue, and the downtown Montreal campus graduating with a B.Sc. Agriculture (Economics) in 1969.

Mike started as a summer student at the federal Department of Agriculture and continued with the department until his retirement in 2003. Throughout his career he worked in several divisions, including the Deputy Minister’s Office and had a secondment to Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce where he worked at the Canadian Embassy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

After living in Ottawa the first few years of their marriage, Mike and Fairlie moved to the hamlet of Burritt’s Rapids on the Rideau River. Their heritage house, Carlow Lodge, became their home for over 40 years. It was here that Mike and Fairlie brought their love of English gardens to life on their acre property Mike enjoyed traveling having visited many countries on most continents and spending time with friends, especially sharing adventures abroad.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday 23rd of September in the Burritt’s Rapids Community Hall at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

A special thanks to Dr. Darren Whatley, Dr. David Esdaile and the staff of the Queensway Carleton Hospital, the Ottawa Hospital (Civic, Riverside and General Campuses), and the Elizabeth Bruyere Hospital for their dedicated care of Mike over the years.

Condolences/Tributes/Donations

Hulse, Playfair & McGarry

www.hpmcgarry.ca

613-258-2435

Tid bit musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters, RSSW

Every so often, we hear of particular lingo associated with self-empowerment or selfgrowth that can leave one struggling to comprehend how it applies to our own situations. The referencing to "shame based" or "blame/guilt based" reflexes surface. It takes intrinsic self- examination to identify if our responses do stem from either of those ideologies. Propelling forward in creating a life of enrichment and harmony is not for the faint of heart. Only the strong manoeuvre self exploration and develop progressive coping strategies.

When we act from "shame based" theology, we have been repeatedly exposed to the negative message that we are "not good enough." We internalize the feeling of being worthless, hopeless, and basically a waste of existence. This can stem from childhood messages or from abusive relationships. Learning to "separate the person from the behaviour" is instrumental in curbing the lack of self esteem. We love/care for the person, but the behaviour is not acceptable. The recently coined phrase- "my bad" is so detrimental. You are simply making an unintentional mistake or making a poor choice, but you, as an individual, are special and worthwhile just because you exist. Sometimes, the social economic demographics personify that shame.

When addressing "guilt/blame based" connotations, the individual takes on the responsibility for every negative happening. Even constructive criticism makes the person feel defeated rather than being perceived conducive to performance improvement. Often, the first comment is "what did I do now"? Most times, the outcome of any situation is not automatically within your control. Folks who have repeatedly heard that they could have done better or should have done better. and have never had a feeling of accomplishment tend to harbour that blame/guilt. No one is perfect and if they think they are, that is proof that they aren't!!!

All an individual can do is embrace each day, desiring to make the best of their situation to the best of their ability at that moment. Life fluctuates as we process our environment, young or old. Perception is in the eye of the beholder. Regardless of your choices, can you accept accountability for your own choices with a clear conscience? You have the power and for Christians, they have the grace of God to assist. Be blessed by feeling blessed.

FOR SALE

HALLOWEEN BLOW

UPS. I am selling all my halloween decorations.There are 8-9 very unique large blow ups along with more decorations, please call 613-215-0884

Veritone manodolin, $375 or best offer. Call 613-567-8533

TV Stand, walker, exercise bike. Contact Terry @ 613-294-2590

Mens Ten Speed Bike for sale, gently used and in great condition. $50.00 firm. Send email to fraserrj670410@ gmail.com

Sawmill for Sale

Heavy duty dimensional sawmill (Southern) for sale. Equipped with two 20-inch edger blades and a 32-inch main blade, which produces a finished board with each pass. Ideal for quarter sawing hardwood flooring. Max cutting size is 6” X 12” x 20 ft. This mill is in good operating condition and is equipped with a 4-cylinder, 60 hp diesel engine The mill is located near Merrickville, ON. Phone 613-258-3854

Cedar posts and rails for sale. Jon 613-227-3650.

4X4 round bales of hay and straw for sale. Jon 613-227-3650.

Dry firewood for sale $110 a cord plus delivery fee. Call or text Jon 613-2273650

MISCELLANEOUS

HISTORIC HALL AVAILABLE FOR RENTALS in Beautiful Burritts Rapids!

Start a book club in time for cooler weather in a hamlet near walking trails and parkettes. Our hall is well equipped for any gathering or celebration, and we offer very competitive rates. http://burrittsrapids.com

Seeking video footage of Reach For The Top/ School Reach games involving Tagwi Secondary School. From 1974 through 2019.  Happy to convert old formats. CBC Ot-

tawa destroyed all their old footage, so I am hoping there may be some in old boxes and basements out there somewhere.   Other Reach paraphernalia also welcome. Contact bbilmer01@gmail. com

FOR RENT

Room for an individual on the second floor of a 2-storey house in Oxford Mills. Includes a private washroom, a small amount of storage, parking and all utilities for $800/month Available October 1st. stoth@ihsa.ca

WANTED

Used license plates wanted 613 302 6288

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

CROSSWORD

Experienced+local farming family looking to buy a farm. Min. 10ac tillable with a liveable house. Open to creative solutions. davidrbailie@gmail.com.

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

GARAGE SALE

Sept 28 &29. 9am-3pm. 457 Gladstone St, Winchester. Household items, collectables, rain barrel, toys and Christmas items

yART Sale , Sunday, Oct. 15 9am-4pm. Masonic Hall, 311 Van Buren St. Kemptville. Jim Moran & Gary Blake. We are purging our inventories. Offering most pieces for $5 to $20

COMMUNITY EVENTS

RECURRING EVENTS

Monthly Suppers prepared by Knights of Columbus at Holy Cross Church Hall at 503 Clothier St W. Suppers will be held on the last Thursday of the month commencing September 28. Cost $10 per adult, $5 for children under 12 and $25 for families.

PROBUS: Fellowship, Fun and inFormed presenters are part of the PROBUS gathering on the third Wednesday of each month at St Paul's Presbyterian Church Hall at 9:30AM. For more information contact at n.g.probus97@ gmail.com

Kemptville Legion: Fridays 3-9. Free Pool and Darts.

Everyone Welcome

BINGO, Kemptville Legion, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, doors open at noon

NG Duplicate Bridge Club, Masonic Lodge 311 Van Buren Kemptville, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 12:15. All Levels of bridge players are welcome. Info call 613-795-7155

EUCHRE on Tuesday, October 3, 17, 31, November 14, 28, and December 12 at Pierce's Corners, also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at 1:00 p.m. and play starts at 1:30 p.m. $5 per player. For information, contact debiar@ymail.com

BID EUCHRE on Tuesday, September 26 October 10, 24, November 7, 21, December 5, and 19 at Pierce's Corners, also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at 1:00 p.m. and play starts at 1:30 p.m. $5 per player. For information, contact debiar@ymail.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

FISH FRY October 21:St. Paul's Presbyterian Church Hall, 319 Prescott Street, Kemptville, 4:30 - 7:30 PM. Eat in or Take Out. Tickets: $20.00 for adults, $15.00 for children 12 and under. For tickets or details: leslie@claxondirect.com or call 613-258-0384.

WIZARD CARD GAME TOURNAMENT on Sunday, October 22 at Pierce's Corners, also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at noon and play starts at 12:30 p.m. $5 per player. For information contact debiar@ymail.com.

Euchre at the Kemptville Legion Saturday Sept 23rd registration at 11:30 play starts at 12. Cost is 10.00 per person.

TRAVEL TALK

The many benefits of river cruising

tastings, enriching your culinary experience.

7. Leisurely Pace: River cruises usually operate at a relaxed pace, offering a leisurely way to travel and enjoy the journey. There’s ample time to take in the scenery and fully appreciate the destinations.

8. All-Inclusive Options: Many river cruises offer all-inclusive packages that cover accommodations, meals, and guided excursions, making it easier to budget and plan your trip.

everyone. River cruising is a fantastic way to discover different regions, whether it’s along the majestic Danube in Europe, the exotic Mekong in Southeast Asia, the fascinating Nile in Egypt, or the historic Mississippi in the United States. It offers an unforgettable travel experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the heart of diverse cultures and landscapes.

River cruising offers a unique and delightful way to explore various regions and countries across the globe. While ocean cruises are popular, river cruises have their own distinct advantages that appeal to travelers seeking a more intimate and immersive experience. Here are some of the benefits of river cruising:

1. Scenic Views: River cruises take you through some of the most picturesque landscapes, including charming villages, vineyards, historical landmarks, and natural wonders. Since

rivers often flow through the heart of cities and regions, you’ll enjoy ever-changing scenery right from your ship.

2. Smaller Ships and Intimate Experience: River cruise ships are much smaller than ocean liners, typically accommodating around 100200 passengers. This creates a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere, allowing you to connect with fellow travelers and receive personalized attention from the crew.

3. Docking in the Heart of Cities: River cruise ships can dock directly in the heart

of cities and towns, eliminating the need for lengthy transfers from distant ports. This allows you to step off the ship and immediately start exploring the destination.

4. Cultural Immersion: River cruises often offer shore excursions that provide deeper insights into local culture, history, and traditions. You’ll have the chance to visit historical sites, museums and local markets, enhancing your understanding of the places you visit. Ask about the traditional holiday

market cruises offered.

5. Less Time at Sea: Unlike ocean cruises, where you might spend several days at sea between ports, river cruises generally have shorter distances between stops. This means more time spent exploring on land and less time simply sailing.

6. Culinary Experiences: River cruises often focus on regional cuisine, allowing you to savor local delicacies and wines from the areas you visit. Many ships offer onboard cooking classes and food and wine

9. Ideal for All Ages: River cruises cater to a wide range of travelers, including families, couples, and solo travelers. The diverse itineraries and shore excursions provide options suitable for

Take me to the river! Visit www.gravitate.travel and click on the “Let’s Talk” icon to schedule a time to talk or drop by our offices to chat. TICO # 50026003 709 RIDEAU STREET, UNIT 2 / KEMPTVILLE, ON K0G 1J0

Join us as we Celebrate North Grenville’s 25th Anniversary!

The 25th Anniversary Event will bridge the past, present, and future of our beloved Municipality, marking the significant moment when North Grenville was officially formed through the amalgamation of the Town of Kemptville and the Townships of Oxford-onRideau and South Gower.

Who Do You Know?

We are looking for all Past Councillors, Advisory Committee Members, Past Township and Municipal Staff, and more, from the Townships that created North Grenville.

Help us bring together as many of those who were part of the history as we can!

North Grenville’s 25th Anniversary Event

Date: Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Location: North Grenville Municipal Centre, 285 CR 44, Kemptville

A reception with light refreshments will follow the ceremony.

RSVP by email media@northgrenville.on.ca or call 613-258-9569 ext. 184

Feel free to reach our for inquiries or special arrangements.

RSVP by email media@northgrenville.on.ca or call 613-9569 ext. 184. Feel free to reach out for inquiries or special arrangements.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Celebrating Years

FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT

How to get your home ready for winter

(NC) As the seasons shift, it’s the perfect time to prepare your home for the chilly temperatures ahead. Taking steps to winterize your home now can make a big difference in your comfort and energy bills. Here are some practical tips.

Draft proofing

Looking for air leaks and drafts is an important first step when it comes to keeping your home cozy and energy efficient. Cold air can seep into your home through gaps around windows, doors and - believe it or not - even electrical outlets. After a thorough inspection, use weatherstripping or caulking to seal any openings. You’ll keep warm air in and cold air out, which can save you energy and money.

Insulation upgrades

Think about adding insulation in key areas of your home. Attics, walls and floors are common places where heat can escape. New or additional insulation can help retain heat and keep indoor temperatures consistent. It’s a smart investment that can pay off with lower energy bills and greater comfort.

HVAC inspection

You probably haven’t used it for a few months, so don’t forget about your heating system. Schedule a professional maintenance check to make sure it’s running at its best. Clean or replace filters, check for any problems and make necessary repairs before winter weather strikes. A well-maintained heating system will not only keep you warm, but also save energy by running more efficiently.

Winter essentials

Now is also a good time to stock your home with winter supplies. Make sure you have extra blankets and warm clothing on hand. Plus, emergency supplies like flashlights, batteries, water and non-perishable food. You’ll be better prepared for unexpected weather and can have extra peace of mind for the upcoming season.

Remember, preparation is key and the sooner you start, the longer you can save energy. For recommendations on which upgrades to tackle first, and to see what rebates you can qualify for, you can sign up for a home energy assessment. Find out more at enbridgegas. com/herplus.

How to coordinate colours in your home decor

(NC) Choosing colours for your home that look good together can be intimidating, especially when moving into a new space or updating an old one. Before heading into project-mode, consider three tips for mastering colour coordination at home from Sharon Grech, Benjamin Moore colour and design expert.

What’s staying and what’s going?

The simplest place to start is to look at what’s already in the room. Pick one item as an opportunity to bring a refreshed, colour-coordinated feel to your whole space. Do your floors need a little love? Is your furniture looking tired? Do your window trims seem faded? Base your design and colour ideas around the main colour in a room and pair colours accordingly.

It’s all about balance

The simplest way to create a balanced colour palette is to follow the 60/30/10 rule: 60 per cent of the room should be a dominant colour, 30 per cent should be the secondary colour and the last 10 per cent can be an accent colour. These colours are referred to as the mass colours, and the easiest way to harmonize them is by selecting a consistent undertone; either warm or cool.

Warm undertones are typically orange, yellow or red, while cool undertones have green, blue or purple. Grech says, “It’s safer to stay consistent with undertones, but when painting exclusively with a colour like white, mixing and matching warm and cool undertones can add subtle distinction within a space.”

What’s old can be new

Now that you’ve established what to re-vamp, Grech reminds us that paint is not only for walls.

“Give furniture a second life with a fresh coat of paint and opt for a colour that complements the tones found on your walls and flooring.” For this she uses Benjamin Moore Advance paint, an easy-to-apply paint that makes old furniture look new again. “Pair dark walls with furniture in cool tones and lighter hues such as fresh Smoky Green CC-700. Or, if you’re using a white wall, mix in a cozy, warm pop of colour, like Stuart Gold HC-10.”

HOL shares its appreciation of Alltec Refresh

three people. These phones can be critical for people to remain connected but also essential for safety. If you are upgrading your phone and would like to see it go towards helping a person continue to access important resources, please consider donating to this program.”

Dare to Dream ...

•Countertops

•Replacement & Installation

•Windows & Doors

•Remodeling

•Vanities

•Planning & Design

South Gower Industrial Park #2 Industrial Rd., 613-258 -7464 kwandk@bellnet.ca

by Brandon Mayer

How many old smartphones do you have sitting in a drawer somewhere? What about computers or tablets? It’s true for many people that when we get a new device, particularly a new smartphone after our current one is paid off – even though it may still be functioning fine – we become attached to our new device and put the old one out of sight and out of mind.

Many children and teens get their first cellphone as a hand-me-down. Old cell phones can be used with free wifi connectivity, even after they are disconnected from cell service. It turns out that there is another way to share the love as well, and it’s local too!

Alltec Refresh is a program run by local tech com-

pany Alltec Solutions. The program safely restores old devices to pass on to those in need, without the risk of personal data from the device being shared with the new owner. Alltec has offices in both North Grenville and North Dundas.

Local charity House of Lazarus recently posted its love of the Alltec Refresh program. “We want to thank Patrick Hart and Alltec Solutions for being such an amazing partner via Alltec Refresh! The team at Alltec has cleaned and prepared donated electronics for individuals and families in need. Through this initiative, we have been able to provide phones, laptops and tablets to people who would not otherwise be able to access them. This week alone, we have provided phones to

Alltec owner Patrick Hart shared some additional information about the Program. “The Refresh program is an initiative by Alltec Solutions to bring life back to old electronic devices such as phones, tablets and computers,” he said. “We only accept devices that aren't damaged beyond use as we aren't a recycling program. I realized that tons of people end up leaving these devices in storage mainly because they do not know how to deal with their sensitive information on the devices, so we use the tech company factor to guarantee safe removal of customer data before turning the devices to a new home. Our main partner is House of Lazarus and through that partnership, we are able to identify people truly in need of these devices. We encourage people to deliver the devices to House of Lazarus but we also offer pick up for local donations.”

To learn more, visit https://www.alltec.solutions/charity-program/.

BIA Update Fall Edition

The fall is probably the busiest time of the year for the Old Town Kemptville BIA. With three events happening in the fall including Kreepy Kemptville (Sat. Oct 28th) and Old Town Christmas (Sat. Nov 25th). We’re also organizing the Annual General Meeting, preparing the 2024 BIA Budget and formulating a municipal budget request. We’ve also started working on the

2024 Kemptville Buskerfest which has quickly become one of the premier community events in the region.

Recently, the BIA reached an agreement with a local web design business to help us create a dedicated website for the BIA. We’re still in the initial design stages, but we’re excited about what we’ve seen so far. The website will give the BIA another

tool for marketing its activities, promoting tourism in the downtown and will also become a resource for BIA members looking for information about the BIA. We are looking forward to being able to showcase our new website when it’s ready.

Stay tuned!

We just finished our Not Just Ladies Night event last Friday night (Sept. 8th). Feedback from visitors and participating businesses has been very positive. Visitors made note of how much they enjoyed the relaxed pace of the event. Businesses appreciated having more time to be able to build a stronger connection with their customers. The tarot card readers, the psychic medium and the reiki master all reported a positive experience and eagerness to join us again.

Recently, the federal government announced a change to the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan repayment deadline of December 31, 2023. A desperate call for delaying the repayment date came from many Canadian small businesses (who had not fully recovered from the negative effects of the pan-

Our goal is to help you

demic). Led by the efforts of organizations like the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) representing hundreds of BIAs and thousands of small businesses across Ontario, the federal government backed down and agreed to the change. Not only is the Old Town Kemptville BIA a member of OBIAA, but a representative from our BIA was on the committee that created the materials and messaging for the OBIAA federal government lobbying campaign.

The BIA is currently looking for volunteers to help us create and organize many of the fun community events that many of you enjoy including the Kemptville Buskerfest. If you or someone you know is looking to volunteer or have some great ideas about community events, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at bia@ northgrenville.on.ca.

You’re in good hands.

Business & Personal Tax Planning & Preparation

• Assisting in organizing your tax information

• Preparing the return(s) efficiently and diligently • Ensuring all applicable items have been considered

613-258-9492

www.solutionone.ca info@solutionone.ca

3 Clothier St E, Kemptville, ON

• Reviewing and understanding the return(s)

• Identify and plan for future tax saving opportunities

• Representing and assisting with CRA requests and issues

End to historic Advance newspaper

Baldwin's Birds

by David Shanahan

A major announcement by one of Canada’s largest media companies will have an equally major impact on part of North Grenville’s history. Metroland Media Group, which owns more than 70 community weekly newspapers, has sought bankruptcy protection and announced that it will cease print publication of all of its community newspapers, including the Kemptville Advance. The corporation is also pulling out of the flyer program which had been distributed through the Advance in this region. The closures across the group’s chain of newspapers will result in the loss of over 600 jobs, roughly two-thirds of Metroland’s workforce.

The digital versions of the newspapers will continue for now, but the print issue of the Advance will cease, bringing an end to more than 130 years of tradition. Although it had changed ownership and even political allegiance over those years, the

Advance has been a constant in regional media. Begun in 1881 by S. E. Walt, it almost immediately stopped publication for almost ten years before Walt restarted the paper in 1891, having decided on a Liberal Party slant.

Bought out by a consortium headed by G. Howard Ferguson, it changed its political stripes, leaning to the Conservative side for many years. Over the decades, it changed hands a number times, remaining a true local newspaper, covering its home town of Kemptville, as well as the general area of Eastern Ontario.

When the Crawford family sold out to the Runge Publishing Company, it changed from being a local newspaper, and this process accelerated after Runge itself was acquired by Metroland. For a number of years now, the Advance has had no physical presence in North Grenville, operating out of offices outside the Municipality, and leaving only a single reporter to cover local events.

Is Summer almost over?

Our Hummingbirds, I think, are just making their last few visits to our feeder before they will be off on their very long migratory flight down to the south of us. Before they had taken their last sip, my wife wanted to get one more shot of them which she did, and quite successfully too! Our "little lady' Hummingbird obligingly flew up to the feeder, despite those pesky wasps, and presented a nice flying shot of herself for her to take. I have been trying to monitor the feeder activity during the day, but haven't seen them at all, so I guess that they have

departed until next May! We'll miss them and all the other migratory birds who came and visited us this year to provide us with so much joy and fascination as they went about their daily lives.

Luckily we have still got our good old reliable species which stay with us for the duration, so we have to turn our sights to them and look forward to watching their activities during the upcoming fall and winter seasons.

A few Canada Geese honked their way past the house this morning, so no doubt their fellow feathered friends will be appearing soon to make a stop-over in the creek

at the end of our road. That is usually quite a spectacular occasion, as they drop down in their small flights (groups) and come in to land on the water with their outstretched wings and legs held rigid and their toes pointing skyward. They then alight into the water with a gentle braking surge of water going on ahead of them and then decaying to their sides and behind them, before they come to a gracious stop. What a magnificent sight to behold and one that always delights the beholder, whoever they are. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing and hearing them again and I hope that you can get to enjoy the same experience too, but as you do, please make sure that you stay safe and well.

Cheers,

John Baldwin

The switch to a completely digital presence, through its generic website, completes the transformation of the Advance from local community newspaper to corporate digital outreach. The loss of the flyer program will have a much greater impact on the community than the loss of the physical paper, as it was the flyers that provided the greater service in the recent past.

But the ending of the Advance means the end of another historic link to North Grenville’s past, and underlines the tenuous existence of community newspapers in a digital age. The competition posed by Google and Facebook, illustrated by those corporations’ recent forced closure of all media sites, including the Times’ Facebook page, shows how powerful online sources are, when even a major corporation like Metroland Media Group has to surrender to the commercial pressures. The media landscape is changing, and possibly not for the better.

BACKYARD ASTRONOMY

A Partial Solar Eclipse

moon in the same month..

On Oct 14, the moon will be farther from Earth and therefore not block the entire solar disk. The classic total eclipse is when the entire sun is completely covered for a few seconds up to a maximum of seven and a half minutes depending again on the moon’s distance in its orbit. Much like a hockey goaltender challenging a shooter as he skates out and retreats in the net.

Merrickville PS students participate in SuperWalk

by Christie LaBrash

by Gary Boyle

The Backyard Astronomer

A few times each year, the sun, moon and Earth perform a cosmic lineup in space producing an eclipse. This year, our planet will witness two solar and two lunar events. On Saturday, October 14, 2023, skywatchers along a path starting in Oregon through Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and ending in Texas will see an annular eclipse of the sun. The rest of North America (depending on your geographic location) will see a partial eclipse with varying percentages of the sun covered by the moon.

Although this seems like an incredible event to view and photograph, it comes with great risk and danger. Unlike a lunar eclipse where the moon

slides into the earth’s shadow, turning a burnt orange or coral colour and is completely safe to view, the sun is a far different story. Protective measures must be applied to prevent eye and camera damage.

Solar eclipses come in basically three flavours, total, annular and partial. The first two are dictated by how far the moon is away from Earth at eclipse time. In its monthly orbit around our planet, the moon’s elliptical orbit causes an approximate 50,000-kilometre or 30,000-mile variance between the closest and farthest approach called perigee and apogee. The so-called “supermoon” is the combination of a full moon and the closest distance to us which we experienced at the end of August with the “Blue Moon” or the second full

Since at no point will the sun be safely covered by the moon, DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN without protective means. Unless you have a certified solar filter or a number 14 welder’s glass which many of us do not possess, you can still safely see using items such as a vegetable strainer, spaghetti colander or anything with small holes, even a Ritz cracker AND a piece of paper. With your back to the sun, holding up the strainer or cracker allows you to view little crescent suns on a sheet of paper in front of you in safety. For the photographers, Baader solar film or other solar filters are a must or you run the risk of melting your camera’s CCD chip or your cell phone sensor.

Eclipses are an aweinspiring wonder of nature that can be enjoyed safely. Clear skies, Known as “The Backyard Astronomer”, Gary Boyle is an astronomy educator, guest speaker, monthly columnist for the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada as well as a STEM educator. He has been interviewed on more than 55 Canadian radio stations as well as various television across Canada and the U.S. 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

Our Parkinson’s fundraising journey at Merrickville Public School began with a small goal of raising awareness for kids’ mental health through examining the beautiful book of Herman’s New Boots. We loved the book and decided to reach out to the author, Steven Burden, and ask his permission to help him promote his book through our local community. We also planned to raise awareness for Parkinson's Disease, raise money and use our fundraising profits to donate to the Boxing for Health team and the SuperWalk in September. Our amazing students wanted to inspire and empower others to reach out to community partners to do some fundraising for a charity that is close to their heart. We wanted to make an impact across Ontario, Canada and the world. We chose Merrickville Cookies as our community partner and wow, they are the best cookie store ever! Mr. Denis Boudreau came to watch our ‘pitch’ powerpoint presentation that we created. He owns the cookie shop in Merrickville with his family, and he worked with us to create an amazing cookie fundraiser. We designed our own labels for the cookie too! Mr. Boudreau even put a QR code on the back label, which links right to our Merrickville Public School SuperWalk fundraising page! Mr. Burden gave us the opportunity to create a new cover for Herman’s New Boots, so now we have a special edition

with our school’s name on it! From the cookie sales throughout May and June, we raised enough money for Mr. Burden to obtain his author’s license, so all the proceeds from the sale of his book can directly go to Parksinson’s Canada.

After all the cookie sales, our first goal was achieved and then we sold all the Herman’s New Boots Special Edition books and raised $1,872.65!

Our Principal, Mrs. Christie LaBrash, is so proud of what our students have achieved and has been so supportive in making our ideas come to a reality. We have more ideas to continue raising awareness for Parkinson’s with Herman’s New Boots throughout the next school year and hopefully for generations to come.

Parkinson’s Canada thought this was amazing! They supported us with the idea of our own SuperWalk at school that aligned with the timing of the official Canadian

Parkinson's SuperWalk weekend. They provided each student and staff with some wonderful swag including bandanas that we all proudly wore during our walk. Members of the Boxing for Health Team also came to walk with us, and we were proud to have Steve Burden join us along with a representative from Parkinson’s Canada, Krista Duncan. We even had family members from a former Merrickville Public School teacher who had left a great impression on the hearts of many in this community. What a magical way to start our second week of school together in the sunshine, our hearts were full, and we are so proud to have been on this amazing journey! We are looking forward to what comes next. Special shout out to Mrs. Rachel Murphy and her 2/4 remote learning class who planted the seed of awareness and guided the journey for our entire school. Way to go, Mustangs!