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STARTING OCTOBER 1
CLEAR VISION. A BRIGHTER YOU.
Vol.14, Issue 39
October 8, 2026
More Than a Seniors’ Fair:
55+ Thrive Health & Wellness Expo Comes to North Grenville
L to R: Melissa Hill, Clinical Coach BDH, Amy Tibben. Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) BDH, Sam VanDusen, Manager of Clinical Services BDH, Frank Rockett, Executive Director of SCS, Candice Sceviour-Hay, SALC Program Coordinator and Janet-lee Ferris, Volunteer Coordinator BDH
Aging well isn’t just about staying healthy. It’s about staying connected, informed, independent and engaged in the community. That’s the idea behind the 55+ Thrive Health & Wellness Expo, taking place Wednesday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Grenville Municipal Centre. Presented by Beth Donovan Hospice and Seniors’ Community Services, the free community event will bring together local organizations, health professionals, com-
munity services and practical resources for older adults, caregivers and families, all under one roof. Visitors can spend the day exploring exhibitor tables, asking questions and discovering services available right here in our community. A series of short, 15-minute presentations will cover topics that matter as we age, including financial planning, downsizing, foot care and compression, therapeutic art, meet the candidates, volunteerism, and more. 55+ Thrive is de-
*FALL PROMOTION*
signed to be much more than a traditional information fair. Through the 55+ Thrive Health Passport, visitors will be encouraged to get involved and try some of the interactive opportunities available throughout the day. Stop for a hearing test, learn more about memory health, watch fitness demonstrations and connect directly with professionals who can answer questions and point you toward helpful resources. There will also be an opportunity to enjoy a free light lunch, catch
Take possession of any suite before December 1, 2026, and lock in your rent for two full years. October 8, 2026
up with neighbours and meet new people. Bring a friend and make a day of it! The Expo isn’t only for those who consider themselves “seniors.” Caregivers and family members are encouraged to attend, and adults of all ages can benefit from learning about the programs, supports and resources available as they, or someone they love, gets older. Whether you’re 55, 75, or simply thinking ahead, you don’t have to wait until you need a service to discover what your community has to offer. 55+ Thrive is presented by Beth Donovan Hospice and Seniors’ Community Services in partnership with the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario and is partially funded by the Government of Ontario. Join us Wednesday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Grenville Municipal Centre. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.
Now Open for Occupancy RetireKemptville.com 100 Pine Hill Rd, Kemptville • (613) 707-0882
Modern 55+ All-Inclusive Independent Living Apartments 1 www.ngtimes.ca
The Voice of North Grenville
Colours of Compassion: a community art project Youth and their Families are invited to join the Kemptville Youth Centre and Compassionate North Grenville for an art workshop centred around “What Does Compassion Mean to You?”. Painted Key Art Therapy will be facilitating this FREE workshop on October 17 from 1:30pm to 5:30pm drop in at the Kemptville Youth Centre (5 Oxford St. W. Kemptville). All art supplies will be included, just bring your creativity! The artwork created will then be displayed as part of the November 1st event: The Gathering Room: The Compassionate Series. This event is funded through the Bell Let’s Talk Foundation.
Rideau Glen Ladies Golf League season wind-up
Beef Supper - Eat In Or Take Out Saturday, October 24, 2026 Seatings at 4:15 pm & 5:30 pm Or Take Out
at Bishops Oxford United Church, Bishops Mills Serving: Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Corn, Baked Beans, Turnip, Coleslaw, Roll and Pie
Advance Tickets ONLY - $25.00 each Order tickets before October 21st by calling 613-258-4695
You Can Learn to Curl! Interested in curling but don’t know where to start?
North Grenville Curling Club offers both adult and youth learn-to-curl programs.
TEENS
ADULTS
Ready to Tee-off for Year-end game
KIDS
Learn to Curl
U15/U18
U15/U18
WHO
WHO
WHO
New curlers or previous curlers who have not played recently 2:00 - 4:00 Sundays
START - ENDS COST $160
Ages 8-12
WHEN
WHEN
START - ENDS
WHEN
Oct. 18 - Dec 20, 2026*
Ages 13-17 11:30 - 1:30 Sundays
9:00 - 11:00 Sundays
START - ENDS
Nov. 8 - March 21, 2027
Nov. 8 - March 21, 2027
COST
COST
$200
by Joan Beauregard After a summer marked by too many rainy Tuesdays, September gave us great golf conditions to enjoy our weekly games, hold our League Championships, make a good showing at the Ottawa Valley Golf Association Seniors Intersectionals, and tie it all up with a monthend Fun Game and seasonend celebration. September began with our League Championships. After keen competition, the results are: League Champion: Leslie Cheal. 'A' Flight: 1st place: Donna Lush, and 2nd place: Lyne Fortin. 'B' Flight: 1stྭplace: Suzanne Sampson, and 2nd place: Vicki Telford. 'C' Flight: 1st place: Jenny Thibert, and 2nd place: Linda Stewart. 'D' Flight: 1st place: Lynn Ferguson, and 2nd place: Libby Price. Congratulations to all! Our league has a history running for almost 100 years! Some years ago, the league decided to commemorate those members who passed on by putting
$200
Required equipment: head protection (youth), clean shoes, warm clothing. All other equipment provided
* No class Oct. 25 or Nov. 1
TRY CURLING FOR FREE! OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
TH
6-8PM
200 REUBEN CRESCENT, KEMPTVILLE, ON K0G 1J0
For more info: www.NGCurling.org 613-258-4100 | E-mail NGCurling@gmail.com October 8, 2026
2
name plaques for them on benches located on the course. As we stop there waiting to tee off, there are often conversations about one or another player whose names are there. So, they truly are remembered. This year, we honored Kim Ferris with a plaque on the memorial bench at Hole #4. Our End-of Season golf day started one day early this year, as members of our executive committee dressed up the Rideau Glen dining hall. After much hilarity over the rearranging of tables, and adding linens and decorations, we were finally ready to greet everyone for a fun game, lots of contests, a scrumptious lunch, and prizes. Players arrived early, energised by the prospect of sharing a good game, a fun day, and plenty of laughs. The weather was perfect, the colours on some holes were outstanding, and many players went above and beyond to match our beautiful fall colours! What an exceptional
league we have! Though the season is winding down some players were still looking for “first”. Recognition this month for their first birdies of the season goes to: Gloria Cross, Lynne Ferguson-Bourguignon, Carole Jansen, Sue Laewen, Connie Lamble, Brenda MacCumber, Patti Mathieson, and Jenny Thibert. For her first time breaking 100: Vicki Telford; and her first time breaking 90: Linda Stewart. Year-end is also when we announce our Ringer Board winners. This year the top place went to Brenda Clark, followed by Carol Thomas. Many Thank-you’s are owed. To the executive committee, whose enthusiasm and tireless efforts make our league fun and successful. To all the members who took turns to help with check-in every week, as well as for many other times when we needed extra hands. To Rideau Glen Golf Course for making us welcome, indulging our whims, and ensuring every game day went off without a hitch. To sponsors who donated prizes for our events. And to all the members for your cheerful participation, genial competition, and friendship. And one more thankyou. To the North Grenville Times, which continues to publish our monthly news. It’s much appreciated by our members, and our former members who like to keep up with us even if they can no longer play. In this uncertain and challenging time for independent newspapers, we appreciate your determination and exceptional efforts in keeping our community informed. www.ngtimes.ca
The Voice of North Grenville
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“Stop the Pit” group meets Submitted by North Grenville Community Coalition to Stop the Pit A group of over 30 concerned North Grenville residents met at the Linden Leaf Restaurant in Oxford Station this week to discuss efforts underway to try and stop the proposed mega pit in East Oxford. Members of the recently-formed North Grenville Community Coalition to Stop the Pit were on hand to update the public on their progress. The group was formed this summer when it was learned that RW Tomlinson had applied to extract up to one million tonnes of aggregate per year from an approximately 100-acre property at Pattersons Corners. The proposed project would include extracting below the water table, and would also include a concrete and asphalt recycling facility on the site. The property was formerly known as Stevenson’s Tree Farm. When the application came before North Grenville Council in July, many residents spoke against the project, raising concerns about negative effects on the environment, water quality, health and safety,
plus reduced property values and quality of life. Council deferred a decision until more information could be gathered. Since then, area residents have banded together hoping their combined voices will be heard. “There are lots of questions not answered”, said long-time local resident John Paterson, a retired plumber very familiar with local wells. “Their studies do not take into account the overall impact the proposed pit will have on the local water supply.” “When I asked Tomlinson about dust, they simply said they would water down the area”, added Erin Cannon, an emergency services worker whose property is adjacent to the proposed pit. “A recycling facility is known to produce microscopic particles of silica, a carcinogen, which can travel large distances. They make no mention of that.” Many people at the meeting expressed concerns about traffic on local roads. “Extracting one million tonnes of gravel per year means a truck arriving or leaving the area every two to three minutes”, said Mike Komery, Oxford
and democratic rights from the devastating impacts of Ontario's gravel mining industry”. The public meeting wrapped up with Coalition members providing a summary of their meeting with Mayor Nancy Peckford and Deputy Mayor John Barclay where the group’s concerns were raised. Both the Coalition and Council members agreed that further ongoing communication between the two parties would be mutually beneficial. A final open question and answer period followed as many residents voiced their concerns. Anyone looking to help or find out more, or to be added to the mailing list for future updates, is asked to contact eastoxfordneighbours@gmail.com.
Station resident. “There’ll be hundreds of 40-tonne trucks every day running local roads, not just the proposed “haul route” on County Road 20, but many smaller roads will undoubtedly get used. These roads aren’t built for that kind of traffic.” “I’m very worried about the safety of residents along the county road, children playing or waiting for the school bus, people walking their dogs, or cyclists”, stated Moira McCaffrey, another Oxford Station resident. “This is a rural residential neighbourhood, not an industrial park”, she added. “If you look at a map between Pattersons Corners and the 416, the proposed pit will impact over 400 homes That’s, like, over 1,000 North Grenville residents affected.” In August, Council passed an Interim Control By Law (ICBL), effectively putting a pause on approving any new pit applications. In September, the Coalition to Stop the Pit group joined forces with the Reform Gravel Mining Coalition, a province-wide organization helping communities “protect public health, the environment,
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The Voice of North Grenville
Editorial
Words by David Shanahan I've been thinking a lot about words recently. Maybe it's because I've been spending the past couple of weeks in Ireland, surrounded by two languages so different from each other, and yet adapted to serve one people. Words are amazing things. Humans are the only creatures on earth to produce novels, plays, poetry, songs, and so many languages, each expressing a particular culture and identity. When Hamlet was asked what he was reading, he replied: "Words, words, words". (Classical reference; product of a good education). We depend on words to communicate, to express ourselves, to find our place in life. "It's only words, and words are all I have". (Bee Gees reference; product of a proper education). Even the original source of some of the words we use shows the imagination and power of words
to communicate ideas that are otherwise impossible to express. Think of the word "sincere". We know what it means, generally, but it comes from a Latin phrase, "since cera", which means without wax. In other words (there's that word again), solid, dependable. There is no wax filler made to look solid, all is firm and real, hence, sincere. Against that, there's a wonderful Irish saying that also says something otherwise hard to express. Translated into English, it says "it's only from the mouth out", meaning, it's not sincere, not true and honest. Things said from the mouth out don't come from the heart, are not genuine or true. These days, we’ve all come to know and understand that a lot of what we read on-line, or hear in other media, is strictly from the mouth out. It’s not that it’s technically insincere, it’s sincerely meant, just with the aim of misleading, insulting, or creating bad feeling. In
other words, there’s a lot of lying, untruth, around these days. This is particularly on display in our neighbour to the south, and will be even more so in the next few weeks as they approach the mid-term elections. Who would want to be part of that system? Here at home, we have some interesting political events coming up also, but I doubt, most sincerely, that there will be the same level of angry, false, or insulting discussion. The election in Quebec may produce a Parti Quebecois victory, but although the party is committed to hold another referendum on separating from Canada, it has also promised not to do so as long as Trump is in power. Interesting reaction: they want to separate, but don’t want to be seen encouraging Trump’s threats of annexation. Alberta are holding their own referendum on separatism, among other issues, but seem to want to
confuse voters by throwing nine different questions at them, in addition to the separation one. Results there should be interesting too, though a little confusing to everybody. And we’re having our own election in North Grenville to choose a new council for the next four years. Compared to what’s happening all around the world in terms of elections, think of Germany, France, Brazil, as well as the Excited States of America, it may seem that our local contest is hardly worth bothering about. But that would be a mistake. It may not seem so, but municipal politics actually have a more immediate impact on residents that provincial or federal. The property taxes we pay, the roads, water, garbage collection, development both residential and commercial, and many other issues that come before a municipal council have a major effect on our daily lives. It therefore requires us to be informed
about the candidates and what the stand for, what experience or expertise they have, before we cast our votes. And it is our ‘votes’, not ‘vote’, because we get to cast a ballot for up to four of the six candidates on offer this time. We already know that Nancy Peckford is back as Mayor, having been acclaimed this time around. It says something positive about her record, her impact, and her personality that no-one felt either the need, or the confidence, to stand against her. I think we have been gifted a good mayor, and we seem to know it. But, as for the other six, two are known quantities, and four are new to the arena. But it will take four Councillors to work with Nancy Peckford for the coming term, and it is important that they work well together, complement each other’s abilities and areas of expertise, and come up with a shared vision for the future of North Grenville.
We have suffered too much in the past with councils in which there were personality clashes that effected the work, or where the five individuals disappeared into that municipal political bubble that so easily envelops council, cutting them off from residents’ real needs, and even from the real world the rest of us live in. So, get to know those six individuals by reading the interviews with them which we complete publishing in this issue of the Times, and by attending one of the three gatherings being held across the municipality in the coming days. It’s only at election time that we get to have a direct say in the way our community operates and develops. If you want to feel justified in commenting on matters for the coming four years, then earn the right by being informed, and making informed choices now.
land that is preserved for Mineral Extractive Pit or Mineral Extractive Quarry only. The owners of these lands can get a licence, request a zoning change and start extraction. Once this starts these firms can request permits to recycle concrete, asphalt, topsoil. The extraction sites can affect your well, drainage of your land. They cause noise, dust, increased traffic (the proposed traffic from East Oxford site is a truck every 2-3 minutes on Cty Rd 20) and loss of value home and property. So, in the future, you could be affected just like residents of East Oxford, Oxford Station and district. Some of the larger MXAP sites in North Grenville can be found on Beach Rd and Dennison Rd, Limerick Rd south of Oxford Station Rd, Crozer Rd, Porter Rd, Whitney Rd, Bennett Rd, Latourell Rd, Slater Rd, Latimer Rd, Arcand and Visiting Rd, South Gower Dr and County Rd 43. There are many smaller sites throughout North Grenville. North Grenville has 16 pits; if all of the ones listed open that would make 28. When will
it stop? Residents of Kemptville should be very concerned with existing sites or any new sites. Contamination of the aquifers that Kemptville draws its water from is real. Kemptville is surrounded by pits and quarries. There is no shortage of aggregate. I am told the existing pits and quarries in North Grenville are not running at maximum capacity. So, no need for more extraction sites in North Grenville. Stop the Pit! Residents of North Grenville, please support the residents of East Oxford, Oxford Station and district. We will support you when it happens to you. D Lewis Resident of North Grenville
the last number of years. It is long recognized that it is necessary to monitor and document something to really understand the reality of that situation. Substantive growth in the urban service area, much greater housing type diversity, more affordable housing unit opportunities, ARU strategy, and a number of Council championed special housing projects that include (but not exclusively) Habitat for Humanity, Bell Hall, and the Court House. There are likely others that I am simply not recalling at the moment. Council and staff have been conscious of, and forward thinking regarding, the importance of sustaining and enhancing the municipal infrastructure necessary to support an urbanizing community (and the Municipality altogether) whether it is municipal water, municipal sanitary and storm sewers, roads/trails, sports and recreational, public transit, amongst others. I believe the Council and staff should be proud of what they have achieved. It is not an easy
thing. While much has been accomplished, the report card reflects the need to continue working to achieve the stated housing and affordable housing objectives. Possibly future report cards could also identify trends in accessible housing as well. Thank you Council and staff for all the good work done to date. Carl Cannon
Letters to the editor Dear Editor, I have to agree with you, where do the children play? When our children were young, they used to play outside at friend's places who lived on the road, or at our place. There was no concern about them biking on the road, which was a dirt road at the time. Now our road is paved and the road markings have been put on it. I see no children biking on the road, even though there are quite a number who live on the road, and I don't blame them. Yes, they may be on the screens that you mentioned, but our road has become very dangerous to even walk on, let alone bike on. Recently, I have been walking along the road, which is very narrow and the shoulders are not very wide. I have had cars pass me that do not slow down, some doing 80 km/h+, do not move over, and there is no car coming in the other direction. Their side mirrors come within 30 cm of me because I have nowhere to go except for in the bushes or a steep ditch. Is this lack of common courtesy, or are they too busy October 8, 2026
on their screens? The proposed Sports Dome will not solve the problem of spontaneous play for children, it will just be more scheduled play, I wouldn't even call it "play". As you said, too many children do not participate in team sports. I was watching the "Boom and Bust" show on TVO about Van Kleek Hill and one gentleman said that if a small town does not grow, it disappears. He is right, but it also goes the other way: if there is too much growth a small town will disappear. Kemptville has become a prime example of this. Lynn Paibomesai Dear Editor, Residents of North Grenville Wake Up! You may not think a proposed aggregate extraction site in East Oxford will affect you. All you have to do is look at a North Grenville Zoning Map. There is a 4-letter abbreviation that should be of great concern to land owners and future land buyers. MXAP - Mineral Aggregate Preservation. Mineral Aggregate Preservation is
Dear Editor, The following email was sent to Council and staff concerning the 2025 Housing Report Card placed in the October 6, 2025 Council agenda. The 2025 Housing Report Card reflects numerous substantive changes that have transpired over 4
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Residents urged to remain vigilant as fraud schemes continue to evolve
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Integrated Fraud Awareness and Response (IFAR) Unit is warning residents across Eastern Ontario about emerging fraud trends that continue to target individuals and businesses. Fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to gain access to personal information, financial accounts, and valuable property. Cellphone Service Provider Fraud: Fraudsters pose as representatives of a victim's cellphone service provider, offering discounts, upgraded plans, or new devices. During the call, victims are directed to log in to their legitimate cellphone account and provide account information, security codes, or personal details such as a driver's licence number or Social Insurance Number (SIN). Victims may then be instructed to order a smartphone that is delivered to their home. Once the device arrives, the fraudster claims the wrong phone was shipped and directs the victim to send it to another address. Victims are ultimately left responsible for the cost of the device and any associated financial losses. Warning Signs: You receive an unsolicited phone call, text message, or email offering a discount, upgraded plan, or new device. The caller pressures you to act immediately or claims the offer is only available for a limited time. You are asked to log in to your cellphone account while the caller remains on the line. You are asked to provide your account password, security code, PIN, or multi-factor authentication code. You are asked to provide a driver's licence, Social Insurance Number, or other identification. You are encouraged to open an account with a different service provider. You receive a cellphone or tablet and are instructed to send it to an address provided by the caller. The address provided does not match the verified address of the service provider. Online Classified Fraud: Fraudsters are targeting individuals selling heavy equipment, trailers, vehicles, and recreational equipment through online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace. They often initiate contact through the platform before moving the conversation to email or text messaging. The fraudster agrees to purchase the item without viewing it and claims to be out of town, arranging for a towing company or third-party carrier to collect the equipment. To appear legitimate, the fraudster may provide a photograph of a driver's licence or other identification. The seller then receives a fraudulent payment, often in the form of a counterfeit cheque, money order, or bank draft delivered by the individual picking up the equipment. By the time the payment is identified as fraudulent, the equipment has already been removed. Warning Signs: The buyer is located out of town and is willing to purchase the item without seeing it in person. The buyer arranges for a tow truck or third party to pick up the item. Payment is provided through a tow truck operator or other third party. Payment is made using a cheque, money order, or bank draft rather than a verified electronic transfer. The buyer is unwilling to meet in person or complete the transaction through secure, verifiable methods. The Integrated Fraud Awareness and Response Initiative (IFARI) is an OPP East Region pilot program launched in 2025, led by a Detective Sergeant and supported by Provincial Constables from across east region. The team enhances frontline fraud investigations by reviewing fraud and Cyber-Enabled fraud reports, providing investigative guidance, resources, and expert contacts to officers. IFARI members are assigned fraud investigations in collaboration with detachment leadership. To learn more about Merchandise fraud and other types of (Frauds by A-Z index) visit the Canadian AntiFraud Centre website. If you suspect fraud or have been a victim of fraud, report it to your local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online via the Fraud Reporting System or at 1-888-495-8501.
October 8, 2026
Think young canadians don’t read newspapers? Think again! designed to deliver a oneway feed of information from various sources, with no expectation of further clicks. Beyond the appeal of paper and ink, youth are drawn to local reporting out of necessity. Careers, neighbourhood engagement, education and politics are some of the topics affecting the younger generation, and they are paying attention. Print also offers something increasingly rare in our always-on digital world: a finite reading experience. There’s no infinite scroll and no next video automatically waiting for you. A newspaper has a beginning and an end. You can spend time with the stories that interest you, discover a few you weren’t expecting, and, when you
National Newspaper Week runs from October 4-10, 2026. Many assume younger Canadians have left newspapers behind. The numbers tell a different story. More than 85% of Canadian adults aged 18–34 read newspaper content each week, including across print and digital formats. And despite growing up in a digital world, many younger readers are still picking up a printed newspaper. Why? Print offers a different experience. Digital media, with cookies, algorithms, and feeds, is tailored to spiral users into a dopamine loop that keeps feeding the system with clicks and engagement. Print, by contrast, doesn't need cookies or an algorithm; it is
reach the last page, know you’re finished. In a world of endless content, there's real appeal in simply being done. Print has staying power while digital links can be deleted, never seen again or, if you can find them, hidden behind a thirdparty paywall. There's something to be said about cutting out a newspaper clipping to stick on the fridge or celebrating a milestone or anniversary by keeping that date's paper copy stored away. Younger Canadians move easily between formats, choosing print, eeditions, websites, newsletters, video and other options depending on what they want and when they want it. Don’t dismiss local newspapers when you're
looking for ways to engage the next generation. They may be closer than you think. Learn more at www. nationalnewspaperweek.ca. Why We Celebrate National Newspaper Week National Newspaper Week is an annual opportunity to recognize the critical role newspapers play in an active and healthy democracy, and it is celebrated in North America during the first week of October. Local newspapers deliver vital information to Canadians every day, connecting local communities across the country and keeping citizens informed, engaged, and connected.
What is National Newspaper Week? And why you should support it! ties across North America. This is an opportunity to connect with local newspapers, explore the many ways to access trusted journalism and recognize the important role newspapers continue to play in keeping communities informed, connected and engaged. National Newspaper Week is also an opportunity to celebrate the journalists and newspapers that tell local stories, hold decision-makers accountable and contribute to a healthy democracy. Why does this matter? Today, algorithms increasingly influence what we see online. Social media feeds can serve up an endless stream of posts, videos, opinions and headlines based on what is most likely to capture our at-
Newspapers have been part of Canadian culture for as long as Canada has existed. Think back to the most critical moments in our history, or in your own community, and chances are the newspaper was there to document them. But newspapers don’t just record history. Every day, local journalists in communities across the country ask questions, check facts, and tell the stories that matter to the people who live there. That’s something worth celebrating. So, what is National Newspaper Week? National Newspaper Week, taking place October 4 to 10, 2026, is an annual celebration of the vital role newspapers and local journalists play in communi-
Leeds & Grenville November Presentation by Patti Mordasewicz, Chair, Leeds & Grenville Branch Join us on Monday, November 2, at 7:00 pm via Zoom when we will honour the many fallen soldiers from Leeds & Grenville. Let’s take a virtual road trip to visit war memorials and cenotaphs in the United Counties. We will visit some of the hundreds of stone cairns, carved memorials, wall plaques, scrolls and other forms of recognition found throughout the counties. We’ll take you to towns and villages throughout the counties, and learn about the memorials built to honour our fallen heroes. Our military researcher, Donna Lewis, has compiled many photos and descriptions which will guide us on our tour, led by Branch Chair Patti Mordasewicz. To register for this presentation, visit our Branch website https://leedsandgrenville.ogs.on.ca 5
tention. But an algorithm doesn’t attend a town council meeting, investigate an issue affecting your community or verify facts before publishing a story. Journalists do. In an age of social media and AI, it’s more important now than ever to ensure Canadians are informed by credible sources of the news they receive. Staying informed is vital to everyday life, from conversations with friends and family to making informed decisions at election time. How can you show your support? Showing your support for newspapers can mean
sharing an article from a trusted news source on a platform that allows it, encouraging family and friends to engage with the print, online, or other digital options the newspaper offers, or subscribing directly to a newspaper of your choice where possible. And consider supporting the local businesses that advertise in its pages and on its website. However you choose to engage, you’re supporting the people who do the work of keeping your community informed. Learn more at www.nationalnewspaperweek.ca.
www.northgrenville.ca What’s going on? See our events calendar: www.northgrenville.ca/events Stay informed! Council Meetings: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings Need to see us? Municipal office hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 285 County Road 44, Kemptville Need to reach us? Contact us: Call 613-258-9569 or email: general@northgrenville.on.ca Need additional information? Visit us:
www.northgrenville.ca
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Municipal election 2026. Interviews with the candidates for council
Debbie Wilson
by Marguerite Boyer For Debbie Wilson, North Grenville isn’t simply the community where she lives; it is the community that has been part of her entire life. Born and raised here, she has watched Kemptville and the surrounding community grow and change over the years. She studied fashion, married and raised her family here, and later became involved in the family business, Grahame’s Bakery in Kemptville. Her connection to the community extended beyond the bakery, as she became involved with the local Business Improvement Area (BIA), gaining another perspective on the challenges and op-
portunities facing local businesses. That experience eventually led to her being selected to serve on Council. As North Grenville continues to grow, Debbie says her knowledge of the community’s past helps provide context when new ideas and challenges come before Council. Her goal is to continue moving the community forward while remaining mindful of its history and the lessons it can provide. One of the challenges she sees is the growing need for affordable housing. While she acknowledges that the municipality cannot solve the housing affordability problem on its own, she believes Council can play a role where it has the ability to help. She points to Kemptville Shalom Small Homes as an example of Council working with the community to address an emerging need. “We knew housing was going to become an issue,” she says, noting that municipalities have limits when it comes to
The Voice of North Grenville
broader affordability issues, but can work with community groups and individuals developing local solutions. Another major challenge, she says, is finding the financial resources needed to accommodate growth and provide the infrastructure that comes with it. She points to the provincial government’s announcement of the proposed correctional facility as an example. The facility was a provincial decision, and Council had no control over whether it would be built. Council’s role was to deal with the local consequences of the Province’s decision and seek provincial funding for the municipal infrastructure and costs associated with the project. Debbie points out that the municipality negotiated with the Provincial Government and secured $21 million toward improvements to the wastewater treatment plant, along with another $26 million from other sources of government funding.
She believes these investments will help support future residential, commercial and industrial growth. Debbie also believes North Grenville needs to broaden its tax base. “Our tax base is 90% residential,” she says, adding that the municipality needs more industrial, commercial and other forms of development to provide additional revenue. With limited available land, the municipality needs to be strategic about attracting businesses and investment that can contribute to the tax base. “We need to increase our tax base in order to have more to work with.” After five years on Council, Debbie is candid that the experience has been a learning process. She acknowledges disagreements and mistakes, but says Council has generally worked through its differences and found common ground. “I’ve grown and learned so much over the past five years,” she says.
One lesson she has taken from her experience is that not every disagreement needs to become a fight. Councillors need to listen to one another, understand when it is appropriate to speak up, and when it is better to take a moment and consider the situation. Debbie encourages residents to become more involved in municipal affairs and, importantly, to do their homework. She believes residents should look beyond the headlines and try to understand why Council is making particular decisions before forming an opinion. She points to advisory committees as one of the valuable developments during the current Council’s time in office, bringing residents with knowledge and experience in different areas to the table. She says these committees have also helped develop grants and funding opportunities, including the Arts and Culture Development Funds, the Equity,
Diversity and Inclusion Fund, and annual Community Grants. She notes that Council and municipal staff have also worked to leverage funding from the County, provincial and federal governments. “If there is money to be granted and we leave it on the table, someone else will get it. We don’t want to miss any opportunities.” She also points to the work underway on a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, an updated Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and the finalization of the Official Plan. For Debbie, that kind of community involvement is important to good municipal government. After a lifetime of living in North Grenville, and five years around the Council table, she has learned that moving a community forward isn’t about one person having all the answers. It is about listening, learning from the past, seeking advice, and finding ways to work together toward common goals.
enjoys meeting people and being involved in the community. She is also passionate about dance, particularly West Coast Swing. She also identifies as queer and says she is happy to have conversations with people who want to understand more about her experience. Greer sees community as the foundation of her campaign. “Community is at the heart of my platform. It’s what I want to put first because, in my book, people should be the priority for anyone in politics.” One of those priorities is accessibility. Having watched her mother deal with the need for an ankle replacement, while also experiencing the challenges of becoming a new mother herself, she has become much more aware of the small barriers people encounter in everyday life. Is there a button to open a door? Is there adequate seating for someone who needs to rest? Is there a change table for parents
with young children? These small details can really make a big difference to the quality of life for people and their ability to interact with the local community and establishments. She would like to see greater attention paid to accessibility, particularly in Kemptville’s older downtown core, while maintaining the character that makes the area attractive. Road safety is another one of her concerns. She is particularly concerned about areas where traffic interacts with school buses and school-aged children. She regularly passes a sign remembering Adam, a five year old boy who died in 2000 after a driver failed to stop for a school bus. “I want to make sure that never happens again.” As an artist, Greer also sees community events as an important part of a thriving municipality. She points to festivals, farmers markets, and other local events as opportunities for people to
come together. “These events are the glue that really bind people together” . She would like to see more low-cost or no cost visual arts and dance events in the community, both to provide opportunities for residents and to help bring people into downtown Kemptville. Growth is another major part of Greer’s platform, and she believes the key is balance. “I think the best way forward to keeping North Grenville’s charm is to ensure we are focusing on balance when it comes to growth.” For housing, she would like to see more “third spaces” places outside the home and workplace where people can gather without spending a lot of money. Parks and walking routes are examples. She supports protecting green space in new suburban developments and taking a more intentional approach to densification that benefits not only Kemptville but the surrounding hamlets. Her
goal is to encourage growth while helping to curb unnecessary urban sprawl, and nature is also part of that equation. She wants to see tree-planting initiatives to maintain the local tree canopy, along with greater awareness of biodiversity and the use of native plant species. She would work to keep taxation at a minimum while recognizing that municipal taxes are necessary to provide services and maintain infrastructure. “At this point in time, most of us are struggling with just day-to-day costs”. She also admits there will be a large learning curve for her if elected, but she is up for the challenge. For someone who has spent much of her career creating animated worlds, her next challenge is somewhat different: helping shape the real community she now calls home.
Greer McNally
by Marguerite Boyer For Greer McNally, family, community and connection are at the heart of why she is running for North Grenville Council. At 37, Greer is a mother of two children under the age of three and wants to bring the perspective of young families to the council table. She wants to better represent young, or “youngish,” families in the community and advocate for the issues that matter to them. For her, getting involved in local politics is one of the most direct ways to help make the community, and the world, a better place. She is also frustrated by seeing people post online about what is wrong in the comOctober 8, 2026
munity without taking steps to understand the issues or help find solutions. Rather than simply complaining about problems, she believes in getting involved and working toward positive change. She has also been appointed the director of communications for NG Pride. Although Greer officially moved to her River Road home two years ago, her connection to North Grenville goes back much further. Family members have been part of the community since 2000. Her professional background is in animation. After graduating from Algonquin College in 2011, she spent 15 years working in the industry. One of the projects she worked on that may be most familiar to local families is Wild Kratts. When the animation industry collapsed, she found herself at an interesting crossroad. Outside of work and family, Greer describes herself as a social person who
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Baldwin’s Birds
Building connections good, or bad they may be! through story
White Breasted taking off with food
Food for Thought
Another month has slipped by in the wink of an eye and another is well on its way, as the Fall season rapidly approaches and the deciduous trees start to turn from their greens into their beautiful red, orange and yellows hues. The birds are, once again, on the move, or should I say those who are migratory, are doing so? Flocks of geese, in their symmetrical V shaped skeins, are now on the move and flying overhead in a more southerly direction. This awe inspiring happening twice a year is a truly fascinating one to behold, especially when one stops to think about the tremendous distances that the birds have to fly. To think that some birds, like the Arctic Tern, fly from pole to pole ev-
ery year, completing the longest regular migration of any animal on Earth. A truly amazing fact and feat, indeed, that makes any human individual achievements pale in comparison. Whatever is going on in the broader field of Nature, doesn’t detract from what is continuing in our own particular small part of the universe, namely in our gardens. Those birds that remain with us all the year are still very much a part of the natural scheme of things and should not be forgotten either. Birds such as the Bluejays, Mourning Doves, Rock Pigeons, Chickadees, Cardinals, Nuthatches, Finches, Woodpeckers, Crows and some of the many different Sparrows remain throughout the seasons, regardless of how
Of course, some of these are quite common, providing on-going interest, pleasure and joy to us all, as we observe their various activities throughout the year. The majority of the times that we are able to watch them is when they are feeding, which, of course, brings the avian/ human sort of interaction into effect, and when we get the most benefit from it, by being able to get a bit nearer to them to observe them more closely in every detail, from their seasonal changes of colours, physical features, the differences between species, and also the differences between those in the same family groupings. Of course, by mentioning feeders, as being very much the focusing point of our bird observations, we shouldn’t forget that they have to be kept stocked, especially at this time of the year and, once started, please continue, at least until next Spring. You’ll reap the benefit and the birds certainly will, Stay safe and well, Cheers, John Baldwin
by Jennifer Gow Who doesn’t love a good story? Adventure, romance, mystery, or the thrill of danger - stories have it all. Through story, we are transported to other worlds. While immersed in a story, we meet people we have never known, yet somehow we can feel a deep sense of connection with them. The Gathering Room: The Compassion Session is an opportunity to hear stories of empathy and compassion told by people right here in North Grenville. We often say that North Grenville is a community with heart, and there are countless true stories of people reaching out to care for others during difficult times in their lives. At the Gathering Room, you will hear these stories, take time to reflect, and connect with others through music performed by Doug Hendry and Glenna Hunter of Tripoly. You can also enjoy refreshments and explore The Colours of Compassion, a visual arts display inspired by the theme of compassion. The Gathering Room is an afternoon of stories, music, and art celebrating acts of compassion and care. Some stories may bring a tear to your eye; others may make you smile. But in one way or another, we hope they will all move you. Organized by Compassionate North Grenville, the Gathering Room will take place on Sunday, November 1, International Compassion Sunday, from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. John’s United Church in Kemptville. The Gathering Room: The Compassion Session is made possible through a grant from the Municipality of North Grenville Arts and Culture Development Fund. Tickets are available online and at the door. The Gathering Room is intended to be a welcoming and safe place where people can connect with one another through the simple and powerful act of sharing stories. We hope this is just the beginning of many more “gathering rooms” throughout North Grenville.
TIMES Contact 613-215-0735 ISSN 2291-0301
Editor David Shanahan editor@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735 Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
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Fall in Ferguson Forest
by Nancy MacLean The Ferguson Forest is a joy throughout all seasons, but fall is especially enjoyable given that the trails are more easily navigated than in the winter, they are less wet than in the spring and summer’s heat has subsided. The first half of September, the forest remains luscious, and hugs the trails at times so thickly that little can be seen beyond the path. The mornings are cooler, so the prevalent and persistent pests don’t awaken until midmorning. Any later in the day, bug spray is still highly recommended. Thanks to our August rains, the trails remain a little wet this year
but overall are in good condition with the exception of Settler’s Trail. Thanks to resident beavers, a lake now blocks Settler’s Trail just west of Honour Way. Discussion is on-going about how to deal with this. But other trails are accessible to the east and west of this. Consulting the on-line map or the signs at the head of each trail is recommended. Alas, a few trees are already sporting yellow leaves, and at times, some have fallen onto the path, hinting at what is to come. Around the middle of October, the forest will be at its most glorious for colour. More leaves will have fallen onto the trails
and you will be able to see a little further into the forest as the lower growth has begun to die off. The sumac will give us the first hues of red, followed closely by the red maple. The sugar maple’s leaves start out orange then turn scarlet. Later in October, the red oak will sport its deep russet leaves. The deep red comes from a process that creates anthocyanins and is partly weather dependent. Bright sunny days and cool nights trap sugar in the leaves which creates the colour. Warm and wet weather in the fall will result in a less vibrant red. The American beech leaves turn from gold to copper whereas the white and yellow birch are more of a pale yellow. Their process is different from the reds. Their yellow colour comes from carotenoids that are stored with chlorophyll in the leaves. When the season comes to an end, the chlorophyll breaks down and the green fades, allowing the gold that was there all along to become more visible. By mid-November, the
forest will be nearly bare and you will be able to see several yards into the forest. Leaves will blanket the trail and make for extra cushioning for runners, but can camouflage roots and rocks. Their abundance can also blend the trial into the rest of the forest and one has to be careful they don’t find themselves off trail. But the plentiful signs will soon get them on the right path. The leafless trunks and branches will stand out from the pine and spruce trees whose greens, while brilliant on a sunny day, can look nearly black on an overcast one. Occasionally, one will spot a young beech tree with its persistent brown leaves still clinging to the branches. Regardless of the time of year, the forest continues to offer a calm created whenever a breeze animates the higher branches and creates a song as it passes through the evergreens. Enjoy! Nancy MacLean is a board member of Friends of the Ferguson Forest www.friendsofthefergusonforest.com
Who knows where the Times goes Win big and help animals with the Ontario SPCA’s Fall Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery
Deanna Loewen reading the Times while visiting family in Quathiaski Cove on Quadra Island, in B.C.
LOCAL NEWS MATTERS BECAUSE IT CONNECTS COMMUNITY MEMBERS October 8, 2026
Ready for a chance to win big and make a difference for animals? The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society’s Fall Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery is underway, with the first Early Bird draw coming up this week. Four Early Bird prizes of $2,000 are up for grabs, with the first draw taking place on Thursday, Oct. 8. The Grand Prize draw takes place Nov. 12 and the more tickets sold, the bigger the jackpot grows – and the greater the impact for animals in need across Ontario. The last Draws for Paws 50/50 winner took home more than $130,000. Tickets start at just $10 and are available online at ontariospcalottery.ca “Every ticket purchased in the Fall Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery helps create a brighter future for animals across Ontario, while giving you the chance to win a lifechanging amount of money,” says Stephanie Miller, Vice President of Development, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “It’s an exciting way to make a difference, and the more people who participate, the bigger the jackpot and the greater the impact for animals across Ontario.” Funds raised through the Draws for Paws 50/50 Lottery support the Ontario SPCA’s Community Access to Resources, Education, and Support (CARES) Fund – a grant program that helps SPCAs and humane societies across Ontario. The CARES Fund provides financial support for initiatives that enhance animal welfare, including spay/neuter programs, veterinary care, and shelter improvements. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference and get in on the jackpot. Purchase your tickets and learn more at ontariospcalottery.ca Lottery licence number: RAF1573470 9
Robert (Bob) James Dale
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) James Dale. He passed away peacefully on August 21, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Bob is loved and will carry a big piece of the hearts of his wife Debbie, children Angie (Sammy), Mandie, Matt (Christina), his Grandchildren Georgia, Liam, Jenna and Jean, and his loyal dog Toby. He is also remembered and loved by his siblings, Ginny & Donna (Brian), and his many nieces and nephews. Bob was predeceased in death by his parents Doug & Laurie Dale, his older brother Tom Dale, sister-in-law Veronica Dale, brother-inlaw Lorne Kerr, son-in-law Chris Bates, nephew Ryan Flinn, and niece Christina Chadderton. Bob’s great sense of humour and passion shone through in everything he did and accomplished, from raising his family with a love for the outdoors and being on the land, to hunting, fishing, boating, playing darts and most recently, woodworking and vegetable gardening. He was our real-life MacGyver. He enjoyed being involved in his community as a part of various local clubs and associations. He would drop everything to help a fellow neighbour in need. His passion for farming started when he established Dalefamlambs farm in 2011, in preparation for his retirement from the City of Ottawa in 2015. He successfully ran the sheep farm with his wife Debbie until their second retirement in 2025. He continued playing in the hay fields on his tractor until his final cut of hay in 2026. He was setting up for his next set of adventures and enjoyed one final camping and fishing trip with his dog Toby, his best pal and companion. He was happy and relaxed on his final days doing what he loved. Our family is grateful for the campers next to Bob who went to his aid and called the first responders, who got there quickly and allowed Toby to be by his side in the ambulance. Thank you to the Brockville Hospital for his emergency care, for allowing Toby to be by his side, and to the Nurse who drove Toby home. We appreciate the care and compassion our family received from the Kingston General Hospital ICU & critical care staff including Nurses, Doctors and Surgeons. Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Bob’s life on Saturday, October 24th, 2026 from 1pm to 4pm at the Alfred Taylor Recreation Centre (2300 Community Way, North Gower ON). In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a wildlife conservation group close to your heart would be appreciated.
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Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness can restore our faith in people, so we invite you to share the random acts of kindness you witness in our community or elsewhere, you can leave out names if you wish. Email editor@ngtimes.ca
A stranger’s quiet act of kindness I am at home rehabilitating from a recent R Knee Replacement Surgery, not straight forward as they had to straighten the tibia and femur, then do the replacement. My husband is doing all the things I would normally do while trying to run his business, tending to the needs of our twins, cooking, laundry, cleaning, chauffeuring, household management, icing me three times daily and tending to my every need. I can see the tiredness on his face, I'm currently not able to help earn the necessary income needed for the household. I feel very Blessed to have him in my life. Earlier today when I was overwhelmed by the lack of sleep, fluish symptoms, lack of appetite, withdrawal from medication's, helplessness, I started to cry and thanked him again for taking care of me. He looked at me and without missing a beat said, "when you married me you won the lottery!" He succeeded in making me laugh. He is the most faithful person I have ever met, diligent, hardworking, doesn't complain, just does what he needs to do, always putting himself last.
I gave him my debit card as the household budget is something I also take care of. He went to the high school to pick up our daughter and a friend, went to Jonnson's Independent, then to M&M Meat Shops where he learned that he didn't have his pouch! In his tiredness he realized that he left it in the cart! He called me immediately to say "lock your debit card." Not an easy task as I had no clue how to and my bank file was in the office on the first floor, does anybody have their card number memorized, or their phone PIN! I do but only the last 4 digits! I was rehabbing until he got back on the second floor. I decided my best move was to call the local bank branch as they knew me and my voice! By the time I got through to speak to someone very helpful and just put the lock on my account, my husband was coming up the stairs saying, "we have it, we have it!" The garage door was left open on purpose and when my daughter got out of the car, walked into the garage, she saw it placed on the table. This Angel quietly brought it back,
no doorbell was rung, no loud noises were heard in the garage, nor did I hear the sound of tires on the gravel as I often do when the windows are open. I called Jonsson's Independent as it's where everybody seems to know my name, hopefully it's a good thing! I thought it was somebody who knows me, knows where I live, after all I am the culprit of leaving things behind and they know me all too well! Not something my organized, thoughtful planner husband would ever do! I sincerely wanted to thank this Angel, whoever it was, as their heart truly knows the meaning, enormity and stress of misplacing pertinent documents, it's your whole life in a little pouch! They could have ignored it, left it alone, went shopping, but instead they did the right thing. No bells, no whistles, no attraction, just the right thing even when no one was watching! So, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! You obviously knew we have had enough stress for now and I know in my heart, God is watching over you! Terry McMurray Wallace
More than food: The power of community by Bruce Enloe Recently, we heard a story about one of our regular diners that we were encouraged to share. It was a powerful story about how the community dinner had helped someone through an incredibly difficult time. But as much as we were moved by the story, we ultimately decided that it wasn’t ours to tell. Even without using a name, we worried that the person involved might recognize themselves in it - or that someone who knows them might. So instead, I want to tell a more general story. Not about one person, but about something we’ve now heard from several people who come to these dinners: that having somewhere to go, people to talk to, and a community to be part of has helped them through difficult times.
in small, isolated cages, in loneliness, tended to consume much more of the opioid water, while rats living together in a rich, social environment - with space to explore, play and interact - were much less likely to choose it. The experiment has been debated and interpreted in different ways, but its central idea is a powerful one: our environment, our connections, and whether we feel like we belong can profoundly affect the choices we make. Every person who lines up for these meals every Tuesday is given a place at the table. Volunteers cook and serve. People have donated money, food, supplies, and (most importantly) created a community. People sit down beside one another and they talk. And sometimes, they make friends.
Save the HST on your cremation pre-arrangement
Finding Rowan again through running
Only until October 31.
by Kate Penney “We are a family of runners. My husband Rob and I have always run together, doing fun runs and races over the years. As our children Rowan and Brianna grew, they found their own love of running, with x-country races and track. Our son Rowan died on September 29, 2024, fourteen days after his 16th birthday. We learned after his death that he had something called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). When Rowan died our lives were shattered and a world without Rowan felt unbearable. For a long time after Rowan died, I couldn’t run. It hurt too much. I associated running with the pain of Rowan’s death. There was no joy in running anymore, how could there be? The boy that made me a mother was gone. I don’t know why, but this Spring I decided to try running again. I found I could now feel a connection to Rowan through running. He isn’t with me, but he is held inside me, constant in my heart and mind. While out on the rail trail I would often think of how Rowan would choose running goals and then fiercely pursue them. So, I decided to set a goal, which for me was choosing a race to prepare for. Rob and Bri wanted to join as well. I found the “Grit and Grind” at Camp Fortune. Ten kilometres of hills at a ski park in Gatineau...I might have been a little ambitious, but it sounded like a lot of fun and we became more excited as race day approached. We did this race as a family without Rowan. The firsts without our son are always hard. They go along with all the “what if ’s” and “what could have beens”. To be honest, part of me was scared because it still didn’t feel possible to do anything without our son beside us. Racing that day taught me it’s okay to do something fun, to push past fears and find small moments of joy. I was reminded of how amazing Rob and Brianna are, and whether it’s the “Grit and Grind” or #RunForRowan, running makes me feel close to Rowan. I love you Rowan, always my darling boy.” October 8, 2026
We’ve heard about people who were lonely, people who were going through major changes in their lives, people who simply didn’t have many opportunities to connect with others. And we’ve heard how, over time, coming to dinner every Tuesday gave them something to look forward to. They met people. They made friends. Sometimes those friendships continued outside the dinner. We don’t always get to see what happens after someone leaves with a full stomach. But sometimes we hear about it and those stories remind us that what we’re building here is about much more than food. There’s a famous series of experiments called Rat Park, where rats were given a choice between ordinary water and water laced with an opiate. Rats living alone
Save the equivalent of the HST on a Simple Choice Cremation pre-planning contract until October 31, 2026. What you get for that is simple: one price, agreed to now, paid on your terms — and peace of mind for your family. Cremation is the choice most Canadians are making. Making it in advance costs less and asks less of everyone in a time of need. To learn more, call:
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The Voice of North Grenville
There’s something special about Downtown Kemptville in the fall.
Photo by Marguerite Boyer
Maybe it’s the cooler air that makes you want to grab a sweater and go for a walk. Maybe it’s the changing leaves, the familiar storefronts, or the fact that you’re almost guaranteed to run into someone you know along the way. Whatever it is, this time of year seems to bring out a little extra magic in Downtown Kemptville. And lately, there’s even more to discover. Over the past several months, we’ve welcomed a number of new businesses into the Downtown Core, bringing new places to shop, dine,
visit and explore. There’s something exciting about walking downtown and discovering a storefront you haven’t stepped inside before. But just as important are the places that have been part of our community for years. The restaurant where you already know what you’re ordering, the shop you visit whenever you need a gift or the business owner who recognizes you when you walk through the door. These familiar places become part of our routines and, eventually, part of the story of our community.
Kemptville is growing and changing, but growth doesn’t have to mean losing the small-town feeling that makes it special. New businesses bring new energy and new reasons to visit, while our longtime businesses continue to give downtown its character and heart. This fall, come see what’s new, visit an old favourite and spend a little time enjoying Downtown Kemptville. Sometimes the best way to fall in love with your community all over again is simply to explore it.
That mix of old favourites and new discoveries is part of what makes Downtown Kemptville so special. So, as the weather gets a little cooler this October, come downtown for a stroll. Pop into a business you’ve never visited before, stop for lunch somewhere you love, pick up a treat or simply wander and see what you find. You might discover a new favourite. You might be reminded why you love an old faithful. You might run into a neighbour and stop for a conversation along the way. D ow nt ow n
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The Voice of North Grenville
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Family Games and Cards Night If you have a favourite game, bring it along or just come and join the fun of meeting new people who like playing cards or games! All are welcome. Snacks will be served, Friday November 6, St. John's United Church, 400 Prescott Street, Kemptville, Ontario 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Cost: FREE Youngsters of Yore. Meet every Thursday at NG Library KLUB 67 invites all euchre players to join us every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month for a fun social game of euchre. Location: Kemptville Legion, 100 Reuben St. Registration starts at 12.30, play starts at 1pm. Cost is $5 to play – cash prizes given. No membership, and no partner required. NORTH GRENVILLE PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB Meets from 7 - 9 PM on the 1st Wednesday of each month (Sept - June) at Grenville Mutual Insurance, 380 Colannade Dr., Kemptville. Welcoming photographers of all skill levels. Email contact@ ngphotoclub.ca for more info. Kemptville Youth Musical Theatre Company presents the Tony award winning musical Something Rotten Oct 10 at the Urbandale Arts Centre in Kemptville. Come out and see this fantastic show with some amazing talent. KEMPTVILLE LEGION BINGO, every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 1-3 pm. Doors open at noon. Kemptville Legion Evening Bingo, every third Sunday of the month from 6:30-8:30 pm. Doors open at 5:30 pm Legion Euchre - every 3rd Sat. of the month. Cost $5.00, and 50/50 available KEMPTVILLE LEGION: Fridays 3-9. Free Pool and Darts. Everyone Welcome 2ND ANNUAL LOCAL ARTISAN MARKET taking place at the Kemptville Legion on October 25 from 10-3. Both the Upper and Lower floors of the Legion will be filled with local artisans, and everyone is invited to come and support our local artisans. KEMPTVILLE YOUTH CENTRE is open Monday to Friday from 2pm to 6pm daily for drop-in programming. Ages 11 to 19. Jr. Youth Night 2nd Monday of the month from 6pm to 8pm. Ages 8 to 11. No preregistration required. All programming at KYC is FREE. NG DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB Masonic Lodge 311 Van Buren Kemptivlle, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 12:15. All Levels of bridge players are welcome. Info call 613-795-7155 FRIENDSHIP LUNCHES are offered to everyone every Friday. Please join us in our lower hall by 11:30 for a free meal, companionship and fellowship at St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. and begin at 11:30. There is no charge. A free will offering is appreciated. Everyone is welcome. NG COMMUNITY MEALS ASSOCIATION Every Tuesday, 4-7 PM Free or by Donation Dinner ( serving dinner until 6:30 pm) : 25 Reuben Cres.Everyone is welcome. Bring clean indoor shoes FRIENDSHIP CAFÉ is open to the community Tuesday's from 10 to noon. All are welcome to stop by, enjoy a hot beverage, a sweet treat and some friendly conversation all at no cost. At St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. October 8, 2026
TUESDAY COMMUNITY HUB hosted by the House of Lazarus All are welcome to drop in. Advocacy, “make a meal, take a meal” cooking opportunities, community services assistance are just a few of the weekly programs. Stop by and visit or contact House of Lazarus directly at 613-989-3830 for more details. Upstairs at St. John's United Church at 400 Prescott St. MODERN SQUARE DANCING in Kemptville with the Grenville Gremlins Square Dance Club. Monday Evenings 7:00 9:30pm. North Grenville Municipal Center County Road 44 For more info call Robert Taylor (613) 853-5634, or email grenvillegremlins09@gmail.com. NORTH GRENVILLE MEN’S SHED We meet every Tuesday and Thursday morning, 8:30 to 10:30, at 2 Oxford St. West. Contact northgrenvillemensshed@gmail. com for more information. KEMPTVILLE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY meetings are held monthly, except July, August & December. They are held the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm at the Kemptville Pentecostal Church. NG PRIDE: 2SLGBTQAI+ Seniors and allies meet 2 - 4pm the first and third Sunday of each month at the NG Library. Join us for coffee, chat, cards and shenanigans. Looking to stay connected, informed, and inspired in retirement? JOIN THE PROBUS CLUB OF NORTH GRENVILLE a friendly group of retirees who meet monthly for conversation, laughter, and thought-provoking presentations. Gatherings take place the third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church Hall. For details, email n.g.probus97@gmail.com CAREGIVER COFFEE is a welcoming monthly drop-in for caregivers to pause, connect, and feel supported. Tuesday of each month from 1–3 PM at Beth Donovan Hospice. Free, casual, and open to all caregivers. JOIN NORTH GRENVILLE TOASTMASTERS! Build confidence. Improve communication. Become a better leader. We meet the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m., in person at 215 Sanders Street, Suite 200, or via Zoom. CARDS AT PIERCE'S CORNERS (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road In severe weather conditions, cards will be cancelled For information, contact debiar@ymail.com EUCHRE: Tuesday, October 13, 27, November 10, 24, December 8, 22. Registration starts at 6, play starts at 6:30 p.m. BID EUCHRE: Tuesday, October 6, 20, November 3, 17, December 1, 15, 29. Registration starts at 6, play starts at 6:30 pm SPEED EUCHRE 10X10: Sunday, October 18, November 22, December 20. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m., play starts at 1:00 p.m. WIZARD CARD GAME: Sunday, October 4, November 8, December 13, January 10. Aged 18 and over. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m., play starts at 1.
ACROSS 1. Sunrises 6. Sign of healing 10. Tent-pitching place 14. French for "Airplane" 15. Angelic headgear 16. Double-reed woodwind 17. Repeat a statement 18. "Do ____ others" 19. Pout 20. Traditionalisms 22. A light shade of red 23. Go inside 24. Lightning units 25. Beast 29. Expunges 31. Turned a corner 33. Emptied 37. Prophylactic 38. Blood vessel 39. Cherubic 41. Illness
42. Intoxicant 44. Didn't dillydally 45. Frightening 48. Flowing tresses 50. Inner surface of the hand 51. Specter 56. A Great Lake 57. Absorbed 58. Durable fabric 59. Not odd 60. Algonquian Indian 61. Long-legged wading marsh bird 62. Depression 63. Dispatch 64. Affirmatives DOWN 1. Baby's first word 2. Ardent 3. Accompanying 4. Memo 5. Breathe noisily while asleep 6. Sidetracked
7. Annul 8. Changed 9. Sounds of disapproval 10. Daisy-like plant 11. Agitated 12. Climb up 13. Sneaks a look 21. Confined to certain regions 24. Grizzlies for example 25. Whale 26. Thug 27. Step 28. Act of showing affection 30. Movie promo 32. Hand truck 34. Half-moon tide 35. Celtic language 36. Not the original color 40. Liken 41. Gave 43. Transpire 45. Velocity 46. Chisel 47. Extraterrestrial 49. Pantywaist 51. Circle fragments 52. French for "Head" 53. Colored part of the eye 54. Look at flirtatiously 55. Trawling equipment
Solutions to last week’s Sudoku
Easy
Medium
Hard
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The Voice of North Grenville
Nine weeks can change a life
North Grenville Community Grant Program is open for applications
Sometimes a good outcome begins with a phone call. In early July, a young man arrived in Kemptville by bus. He had no money, no job and no car. He had come to be closer to his mother, who lives here, but had no idea how he was going to make it work. The Salvation Army and the food bank provided him with food and a motel room, then contacted Dan MacKinnon of the John Howard Society of Kingston & District's Connect Youth program. Dan describes his official title as Housing Support Worker, although he prefers to call himself the “Swiss Army Knife of Social Services.” Unfortunately, they wouldn't put that on his business card Connect Youth recently celebrated 25 years in Leeds and Grenville, with a much stronger presence in Kemptville over the past six years. Its job is to connect young people with the services they need, including housing, employment, food, transportation, mental health and other supports. Connect Youth also operates short-term transitional apartments throughout Leeds and Grenville, including one in Kemptville with support from the United Counties. These apartments provide a safe place for young people who have nowhere else to go while they work toward a more stable future. As luck would have it, the apartment's previous occupant had just found
The Municipality of North Grenville is pleased to announce that applications for the 2027 Community Grant Program are now open. Community organizations, volunteer groups and local initiatives are encouraged to apply for funding to support projects that enhance quality of life, promote inclusion, encourage participation and strengthen connections across North Grenville. Applications close Monday, November 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. "North Grenville’s community organizations and volunteers contribute enormously to the quality of life we enjoy,” said Mayor Nancy Peckford. “Throughout this term of Council, we have been proud to continue investing in the Community Grant Program and, in turn, in the people and organizations doing important work across our community. Year after year, we see these grants help local groups build connections, respond to emerging needs and create new opportunities for residents. I encourage any and all local organizations with a grand idea for 2027 to apply." The impact of the program can be seen throughout North Grenville. In 2026, grants supported a range of initiatives, including: • Beyond the Label/DiversX – community workshops supporting individuals with neurodiversity and mental health challenges. • Kemptville Minor Football Club – expanded youth opportunities and women's football programming. • North Grenville Community Meals Association – weekly free community dinners. • Senior Support Services Lanark, Leeds & Grenville – accessible exercise programs for older adults. Together, these initiatives demonstrate the many ways local organizations help create a vibrant, caring and connected community. For eligibility requirements, application forms and program details, visit www.northgrenville.ca. Questions about the Community Grant Program can be directed to the Manager of Community and Leisure Services at recprograms@northgrenville.on.ca or 613-258-9569 ext. 123.
On-road frogs in a wet summer after drought Fred Schueler – Fragile Inheritance Natural History On Friday, 30 September, as I was reaching down to pick up a freshly roadkilled Green Frog from our doingthe-streets transect in Bishops Mills, a passing school bus pulled up beside me, the door opened, and the driver said “I hate this season.” While grades 1&2 students we’d worked with at Oxfordon-Rideau School smiled and waved through the windows, she explained that with a school bus you couldn’t avoid hitting a lot of the frogs that are on the roads in the early fall. After last summer’s drought, this spring there were almost no frogs on the road on our transect, and little nearby calling except that by Grey Treefrogs. There continued to be almost no frogs on the streets until the first Leopard Frog on 18 August (18 days after the average date), but at the end October 8, 2026
of September there began to be large numbers of most species. These included both adult & juvenile Green & Bull frogs, perhaps the most juvenile Toads we’ve ever had, and enough Leopard Frogs to confirm that the population has recovered from the crash that occurred over the winter of 20132014. There have been a few Spring Peepers on the streets, and perhaps the most late season calling by this species that we have ever heard. About 90% of the frogs we find on the transect are road-killed. Kemptville has lost the entire population of Leopard Frogs which used to hibernate in the creek along Clothier Street, and cross town to breed in wetlands north of Highway 43. We get juvenile Toads in Bishops Mills only about once every 4-5 years, and while their on-road deaths allow us to measure the rate at which they have grown, we
think that the reason we don’t see the big adults we had in the 1980s is mortality from current traffic volume. Natural selection is favouring behaviours that keep birds & mammals out of the way of traffic, but it would be harder select for safer crossing in frogs, and this hasn’t been studied. A lot of road ecology work goes into getting animals off the roads by fencing their routes while providing culverts or overpasses to get them safely past the road, but frogs use the whole landscape in different ways in different seasons, and even in a particular season their routes change by hundreds of metres depending on how wet the weather is. A school bus has to drive a fixed route, isn’t very agile, and has to get students to school on time, so there’s not much a driver can do to avoid hitting frogs, but there are things person-
al vehicles can do. The first is to watch the road surface so you see both alive-on-road and deadon-road animals. Once you see that you’re in a crossing area, slow down to improve your chances of avoiding collisions, though the recommendation from a German study of 30 km/h often isn’t practical. On days when it has been rainy do what you can to avoid driving at dusk, when the major movements will occur, and remember where you have seen big movements, to take alternative routes when movements are likely.
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permanent housing. The young man moved in with new sheets, new towels and a cupboard full of food from the food bank. It takes a community, and what happened next is a good example of why connections between local organizations matter. Three years ago, the North Grenville Community Forum was created to help local groups communicate, share resources and connect people with the services they need. The idea was simple: no one organization can do everything, but together, a community can accomplish a great deal. This young man's experience put that idea into action. He needed to apply for Ontario Works, but first he needed to file his taxes, something he had never done. Dan connected him with the House of Lazarus, where he received help filing his taxes, understanding the process and setting up a CRA account. Next came CSE Consulting helped him prepare a resume and cover letter and apply for work. CSE was also able to help with some of the things he needed to get started, including employment-related supports. Dan helped with housing applications, apartment viewings, information about tenant rights and programs that could help with first and last month's rent.There were several apartment viewings and a string of rejections, but they kept trying. Eventually, they found a room. By then, the young man
had received his tax return and had worked enough hours to afford the first and last month's rent. About nine weeks after arriving in Kemptville, he had a fulltime job and a place of his own. And perhaps just as importantly, he now knows where to go when he needs help. Dan says this is what Connect Youth is all about, making sure young people know that they are not alone and helping them navigate a system that can be overwhelming. The young man's success was not the result of one organization. The food bank provided food. The House of Lazarus helped with his taxes. CSE helped him find employment. Connect Youth provided housing and helped him navigate the system. Each organization provided one piece of the puzzle. Together, those pieces became a new beginning. Dan believes North Grenville's small size can be a strength if organizations continue to work together. “I didn't start my career doing this kind of work,” he says, “but now I can't imagine doing anything else.” And somewhere in Kemptville, a young man who arrived by bus with almost nothing now has something very important: A job, a home,. a connection with his mother and a community that helped him get there. Sometimes, when all the pieces fall into place, nine weeks really can change a life.
Where to meet the Candidates Oct 13
Burritts Rapids / Oxford Mills All-Candidates Meeting Time: 7:00 PM Location: Burritts Rapids Community Hall, 23 Grenville St., Burritts Rapids Organizer: Drew Avis, Chair BRCA Oct 15 Meet the Candidates Time: 6:00 PM Location: North Grenville Municipal Centre, 285 County Road 44, Kemptville Organizer: Downtown BIA Oct 20 Bishop’s Mills All-Candidates Meeting Time: 7:00pm Hosted by the Bishop’s Mills Community Association,Location: Bishop’s Mills Community Hall, 38 Main Street, Bishop’s Mills www.ngtimes.ca
The Voice of North Grenville
Common Sense Health Take the Stairs! by Diana Gifford-Jones Most people are less physically active than they should be. So when you get the chance to take a flight of stairs, do it. Think of the escalator as your enemy and the stairs as your friend. A new analysis reinforces the message that climbing a few flights is well worth the effort. Researchers combined the results of nine studies involving almost half a million people. The participants were followed for about 14 years. Those who regularly climbed stairs had a 39 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular death and a 24 per cent lower risk of death from any cause than those who did not regularly climb stairs. Those are impressive numbers. Climb the stairs! But here’s a lesson in understanding these kinds of studies. They were observational, meaning there was no random assignment of half a million people to climb stairs and the other half to take elevators. Instead, researchers arrived at their conclusion by watching what people were already doing and then looking at what happened to them over many years. This opens the door to a problem called reverse causation. Think about two people standing in the lobby of an office building. One walks toward the staircase. The other presses the elevator button. It is tempting to conclude that the person taking the
stairs is healthier because stair climbing is making that person healthier. But perhaps healthier people like to take the stairs as a matter of course. Maybe these people already have stronger legs, better balance, better lungs and healthier hearts. Maybe they are lighter, more active and less likely to have arthritis. Those waiting for the elevator may already have heart disease, shortness of breath, bad knees or some other condition that makes climbing stairs difficult. In that case, the stairs are not necessarily the cause of the difference. They are instead a marker of the difference. This is what scientists mean by reverse causation. The apparent cause and effect can run in the opposite direction from what we assume. It is an important caution because headlines are very good at turning associations into prescriptions. Benjamin Franklin would have understood the argument. In 1772, when he was 66, Franklin wrote to his son about the virtues of exercise and observed that walking a mile up and down stairs provided more exercise than walking five miles on level ground. He also pointed out the convenience: stair climbing could be done indoors when bad weather discouraged going outside or when a person was short of time. More than 250 years later, the inventor in Franklin would
The Food Corner surely have admired the innovation of elevators, escalators and all sorts of other conveniences. But as an astute observer of the world, would he have recognized that in making life easier, we have also made ourselves less active? Unlike walking on level ground, climbing requires lifting our body weight against gravity. The large muscles of the legs have more work to do. Heart rate and breathing rise quickly as they demand more oxygen and energy. Stair climbing can therefore deliver a vigorous cardiovascular workout in a short time. Take the stairs at work. Walk to the store. If you drive, park further away. Get a dog and walk it. Do these things with happiness. Don’t let modern conveniences lull you into poor health. But remember, stairs demand our respect, especially as we age. Balance, vision, muscle strength and reaction time change. Medications add to the risk of falling. A staircase is an excellent piece of exercise equipment when using it deliberately. But use the handrail! Mind your footwear. Remove any obstacles. Stay safe while being healthy. This column offers opinions on health and wellness, not personal medical advice. Visit www.docgiff.com to learn more. For comments, diana@docgiff. com.
by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville In the past couple of weeks, we have looked at recipes for Marinated Turkey, “out of the bird” Chestnut and Apple Stuffing and some different takes on Cranberry Sauce. This week, I’d like to review the top desserts that are often traditional for our very Canadian Thanksgiving dinners.
Top Thanksgiving Desserts: Traditional Pumpkin Pie
We provided you with this recipe in October of 2023 and added the idea of using mincemeat at the bottom of your pie. In case you are unfamiliar with mincemeat it is a sweet, spiced mixture of chopped dried fruit, apples, citrus peel, sugar, warm spices and (sometimes) alcohol that is traditionally used as a pie filling during the winter holidays. It is readily available with such brand names as Robertson, Crosse and Blackwell and E.D. Smith and goes very well with pumpkin.
Traditional Apple Crumble
In September of 2021, we printed the recipe for another great holiday treat, particularly when the applies are at their peak. While Pumpkin Pie is better served cold or at room temperature with some fluffy vanilla whipped cream, the Crumble has the honour of being absolutely delicious whether cold from the fridge or piping hot from the oven. Cold Crumble begs for a lovely caramel-flecked ice cream or ice yoghurt; hot works is memorable with a mulled rum butter sauce. I confess to liking a strong cheddar for my Crumble either served hot or cold.
Squares
A variety of squares also enjoys has a traditional place at Thanksgiving Dinner. Our family enjoys three of them. The advantage of squares is if you make enough, you have leftovers for the Festive Season. We make Chocolate Cherry Jewel Bars and Peanut Butter Noodles. Both of these recipes appeared here in December 2020. A third square that is lovely for both Thanksgiving and right through to January is the Festive Lemon Square going back to December 2025. It has oats, coconut, walnuts, butter and all of the good things for tantalizing your taste buds, even after a heavy load of turkey, stuffing, squash, mashed potatoes and gravy. Now, a Butter Tart is not square (unless you make it that way). However, Butter Tarts always seem to find their way into traditional Thanksgiving dinners with no trouble at all. Nor is there any trouble in downing them with that lovely strong after dinner coffee. Now, that’s one recipe we haven’t yet shared with you.
The Trimmings
So, now we have the Marinated Turkey, the Chestnut-Apple Dressing, the absolutely necessary Cranberry Sauce and some nice desserts. We shouldn’t forget that all of this comes with some nicely prepared squash (our family’s favourite is the Buttercup), and/or some potatoes, mashed with cream and butter and perhaps a salad, such as a Caesar’s. Let’s not forget the wines; a good thing about all of this good food is that reds, whites and rosés all work just fine for the various courses, not to mention a little digestif with that coffee we mentioned earlier. Burp! (pardon me)... Cheers from pcormier@ranaprocess.com.
Haven't Painted a Tile yet? There is space available for our
Mosiac Mural Project Paint Event
Events at Kemtville Legion for the month of October 1 Oct = Mixed Darts 7 PM 2 Oct = Bar Open 3 PM to Close 2 Oct = Drop-in Euchre 7 PM 3 Oct = Fun Dart Tournament 11:30 Registration 5 Oct = Single Darts 7 PM 6 Oct = Folk Club 7 PM 6 Oct = Men’s Darts 7:30 PM 7 Oct = Bingo 1-3 PM 8 Oct = Mixed Darts 7 PM 9 Oct = Bar Open 3 pm to Close 12 Oct = Single Darts 7 PM 13 Oct = Lyrics at the Legion 1-3 PM 13 Oct = Men’s Darts 7:30 PM 14 Oct = Klub 67 Euchre 1-3 PM 15 Oct = Mixed Darts 7 PM 16 Oct = Bar Open 3 pm to close 16 Oct = Drop-in Euchre 7 PM 17 Oct = Breakfast 8-10 PM 17 Oct = Euchre 12:30 PM October 8, 2026
Location: Tina's Barnyard Studio at 501 Latourelle Road Kempotville.
18 Oct = Bingo 6:30-9 PM Doors open 5:30 PM 19 Oct = Single Darts 7 PM 20 Oct = Folk Club 7 PM 20 Oct = Men’s Darts 7:30 PM 21 Oct = Bingo 1-3 PM 22 Oct = Mixed Darts 7 PM 23 Oct = Bar Open 3 pm to close 23 Oct = Drop-in Euchre 7 PM 25 Oct = 2nd Annual Artisan Market – 10 AM–3 PM 26 Oct = Single Darts 7 PM 27 Oct = Kukes 7 PM 27 Oct = Men’s Dart 7:30 PM 28 Oct = Klub 67 Euchre 1-3 PM 29 Oct = Mixed Darts 7 PM 30 Oct = Bar Open 3 PM to Close 30 Oct = Drop-in Euchre 7 PM
Friday, October 2nd from 2-5 and Thursday October 15th from 1-4 Event is free. All ages No artistic talent required just enthusiasm All materials provided Takes about 1 hour
To reserve a spot please contact info@ngtiles.ca 14
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The Voice of North Grenville
Local newspapers of the past by David Shanahan A viable local newspaper only really became possible with the advent of the telegraph from the 1840's, and the development of good roads and other means of transporting newspapers around the country, or the district. In this part of Canada, newspapers after 1840 quickly became a powerful means of communication, spreading ideas in politics independent of the political elites. Popular writers, like Charles Dickens, promoted their novels through serialisation in newspapers and magazines, bringing literature to the people who had no access to books, whether through a lack of means, or lack of access to bookstores. While older communities, such as Montreal, has newspapers as early as the eighteenth century, it was this wider access made possible through technology that spurred the growth of newspapers on what is now Ontario. The Ottawa Citizen began as the Bytown Packet in 1845, becoming the Citizen in 1851 when it was bought by North Grenville native, Robert Bell. The Toronto Globe and Mail began as simply The Globe in 1844, and it was in the succeeding decades that the explosion of titles took place. The railway reached Kemptville in the summer of 1854, and on the very first freight wagon came the first printing press, owned by R. W. Kelly from the Gaspé in Quebec. On January 22, 1855 he published the first issue of the first newspaper in the township. The Kemptville Progressionist was a strongly Conservative publication, determinedly defending the British Constitution and opposing anything that smacked of “Republicanism”. The only copy of the Progressionist that has survived is dated February 17, 1858, and was No. 4 of Vol. 4. In lay-out, it was typical of papers of the time. Most of the front page was given over to extracts from a serialised story, and business cards from local Kemptville merchants, lawyers, hotels and other professionals. Page 2 was also given over to ads, and the news only started on page 3, and contained items
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from around the world, brought by telegraph to Kelly’s office on Clothier Street. Page 4 reverted to advertisements. So successful was Kelly at his profession, in fact, that he was invited by some prominent Tories in Brockville to move to the County Capital and start a new paper there. In 1861, he began to publish The British Central Canadian, which was described as a “red hot Conservative sheet”. But Kemptville was not without a newspaper for long. Kelly’s son, J.H. Kelly, started the Kemptville Observer in the summer of 1861. One again, only one copy of this paper seems to have survived, that of January 23, 1862. It followed very much the same format as the progressionist, but its new items had added spice, covering as they did the on-going American Civil War. The local news items, and the many advertisements for local businesses and events, give the historian a wonderful glimpse of life in North Grenville so long ago. However, the Observer only lasted a few years, and Kemptville was left without a newspaper. Then, in 1880, came a brief glimpse of a name that would come to be identified with North Grenville for more than a century: The Advance published its first issue in December of that year. The owner of the new paper was S. E. Walt, who had come to the village from Morrisburg. He was based in the Maley building, which was at the corner of Prescott and Clothier Streets, where Rotary Park is today; but for some reason he ceased publication in 1881 and left the area again. Some sources say he was away for just a few years, but The Weekly Advance only reappeared in 1890, after
a gap of some nine years. It was then located in the Leslie Block, which is now the parking lot on Clothier street between the South Branch Bistro and O’Heaphy’s. Why there was such a long break between volumes 1 and 2 of the Advance is unknown, but once Walt got restarted, he built up his paper to become a major part of the community’s life. But North Grenville has always been a Tory stronghold, and Walt was a true Liberal. There may have been dissension in the ranks, because two members of the Advance staff left the paper in 1900 and started their own rival publication: The Kemptville Telegram. In their first issue, they nailed their Conservative colours to the mast and openly ridiculed Walt’s claim that the Advance was an “Independent” paper, rather than a Liberal mouthpiece. Within a few months, the Telegram had been taken over by a new company, The Telegram Printing Company, owned and run by leading Tories in Kemptville, including G. Howard Ferguson. Walt sold the Advance to two young members of his staff, and the next ten years saw an on-going rivalry between the two papers, both being run by ex-employees of S. E. Walt of the Advance. These older newspapers were not slow to speak their minds, their owners took stands on the issues of the day, and it was expected that they do so in an honest and transparent way. Not everyone agreed with their views, but it certainly made for exciting reading for the locals on their isolated farms and hamlets, sharing a new sense of community that the weekly newspapers made possible.
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The Voice of North Grenville
73’s notch six more points to secure top spot
Perfect way to wrap up the weekend..Anthony D'Arienzo initiates the final challenge at the CCHL Showcase for his third goal of the season with a hitchhiker on his back to take down Hawkesbury Hawks 4 to 2 in a Sunday matinee. by G.J. the sportsguy
Kemptville 73’s motored over to Carleton Place to face the Canadians on Wednesday evening that turned into the Thomas Dickey Show as he logged in four markers as the 73’s doubled down with a 5 to 2 win over their opponents. Dickey combined with line mate Pocket Rocket Mbarushimana to pump it by William Ross to open the flood gates for the evening with a PPG at 1:30. At 1:48 the sin bin became a revolving door after emotions became an issue for both squads. Ethan Fitzpatrick with an assist from Devlin put it behind Jacob Turpin to knot it up at 12:10. Kemptville opened the second stanza with 5 on 4 when D’Arienzo dropped it to Henderson straddling the line and Thomas Dickey dumped in the refuge at 1:16 for a hattie. Carter Cooling with helpers from Bergeon with Frenette even up at 3:07. The magic hands of Venance partnered with Jay Zeus Mbarushimana for the game winner tie breaker at 4:30. Thomas Dickey on a roll with a solo effort strolled downtown in the last twenty miler at 4:52 to recede the flood waters and another 5 to 2 contest. Kemptville hammered Carleton Place 39 to 21 SOG with 14/2 PP to 0/5 PP. The coach thought they played a strong game overall. CP came out and played us hard, but we were able to match their intensity with raising it into the third period. Our PK was very good, pressure up the ice making their PP uncomfortable entering our zone Excellent strong showing leading into the Showcase this weekend. The CCHL Showcase at the Nepean Sportsplex started for Kemptville with Saturday matinee with their first 3 to 1 win against the homeboys Nepean Raiders. Within the first half minute at :25 in the first frame Jay Zeus Mbarushimana returned a recoil off the dasher board into Evan Grant’s doorstep that
October 8, 2026
was funnelled into the webbing with helpers from Dickey and Hennessy to draw first blood for Kemptville. Game winner for 73’s when Gannon cycled with Kealey to Anthony D’Arienzo on his horse into the blue paint for his first goal of the season at 15:36. The second twenty turned into a scrimmage of pond hockey with each team’s stopper playing their role to keep it scoreless and 73’s PK put to the test. Karon walked the line with Gannon to Anthony D’Arienzo gliding through the zone and rifled it top shelf for his second of the day with Kemptville’s insurance at 8:15. Nepean spoiled Jacob Turpin SO when a swarming formation formed around him with a long whistle that Pettipas and Rowan Cantrell punched through the melee at 13:54. The Raiders pulled their goalie at 17:09 for a final push with extra attacker without results. Kemptville outshot Nepean 37 to 25 with 0/2 PP to
0/3 PP. Final showcase Sunday matinee contest the 73’s clipped the Hawks of Hawkesbury wings 4 to 2 to wrap up their time at the Sportsplex. Anthony D’Arienzo showed his stuff with helpers from Dickey and Mbarushimana as he pumped the biscuit in the basket by Kai Joy for a PPG at 16:34 of the first. D’Arienzo tic-tactoe to Venance, unto Thomas Dickey’s tape perched on the flank at 1:51 to make it 2 zip. Game winner at 16:55 when Campbell with Karon held the line to Zachary Venance in the rocking chair to rocket the rubber over the shoulder blocker high. Hugo Boisclair with assists from Cameron and Kananga demolished Cesare Lucas Della Santina SO attempt at 18:29. Hawkesbury removed their stopper for extra man at 19:01 that Tommy Anderson took advantage of at 19:37 to move them within one. Della Santina scooped the disc from his crease to Case Hennesy on the wall to pocket the insurance two hundred feet into the target for ENG prior to the buzzer at 19:59. Kemptville outgunned Hawkesbury 29 to 21 with ¼ PP to 0/5 PP. The Coach thought they came out with two solid efforts this weekend at the Showcase, even though not perfect we executed our game plan and limited scoring opportunities for six periods. We’ll continue to build on that for Thursday evening in Cornwall before Friday night Brockville meeting. Hockey with EDGE…see you around the wall.
#3
Zachary White Nickname:Whitey Born: Nepean, ON 3/25/2009 Position: Defense Previous Team: Athens Aeros Hockey Hero:Quinn Hughes Most Inspiring Person: My dad and mom Favourite Food:Blueberries Favourite Musician: Whiskey Favourite Sport (beside hockey):Golf/Football Best Hockey Moment: Winning games Life of 73’s: : Grind One Word that Describes Me: Grinder
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