The Voice of North Grenville
Downtown Kemptville BIA Explores Expansion
As Kemptville continues to grow, the heart of the community remains in its historic downtown core.
The Downtown Kemptville Business Improvement Area (BIA) is committed to nurturing that small-town feel while ensuring local businesses continue to thrive. With new families, new developments, and new opportunities arriving every day, the BIA is exploring ways to better support the evolving needs of the community including a proposed expansion of its current footprint.
The Downtown Kemp-
tville BIA’s work is guided by four key pillars: Marketing, Advocacy, Events, and Beautification. These pillars ensure that the downtown is not only promoted and supported, but that it remains a vibrant, active, and welcoming place for residents, visitors, and businesses.
Downtown Kemptville has long been defined by its walkable charm, friendly business owners, and a strong sense of community spirit. Through a variety of signature events, the BIA brings thousands of visitors into the Downtown Core
each year, helping businesses connect with new customers while fostering a lively, welcoming atmosphere.
The BIA also works behind the scenes to promote and advocate for local businesses. From spotlighting members through newsletters, local media, and social media, to ensuring the voice of downtown businesses is heard in municipal planning discussions, the BIA is dedicated to helping the downtown thrive. An attractive, active downtown benefits everyone inviting people to
visit, shop, explore, and return.
As the community grows, the BIA sees an opportunity to extend these benefits to more businesses in and around the core. By expanding the footprint, the BIA can continue to strengthen the economic vitality of the area while maintaining the unique character that people love about Downtown Kemptville.
Notice: BIA Boundary Expansion Meeting
We’re inviting all current BIA members and the general public to an important information meeting about the proposed expansion of the BIA’s footprint. The Information Meeting will be followed by a brief General Members Meeting to gauge current members’ response.
Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Catered Affairs Light refreshments will be served.
This is your opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and share your input.
Downtown Kemptville is growing—and we want to grow with our community. Your voice matters. We hope to see you there.
Notice: BIA Boundary Expansion Meeting
We're inviting all current BIA members and the general public to an important information meeting about the proposed expansion of the BIA's footprint. The Information Meeting will be followed by a brief General Members Meeting to gauge current members' response.
Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Catered Affairs
Light refreshments will be served
This is your opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and share your input.
Challenges facing the NG Times
It has been quite a wild ride for us here at The Times. While the Editor and I were in Ireland for the month of September, we faced a series of unexpected challenges, a death in the family, a postal strike, and then the news that Christine Boyer, our web designer and the person who handles classifieds and events, had suffered two mini strokes. We wish her a full and speedy recovery, though it may take months. She will be greatly missed, Christine has been with us for several years and has won awards for our website.
As a result, our website hasn’t been updated in over a month. It’s not that we can’t do it, but that we’ve had to focus on putting out fires elsewhere.
Returning home, I had to organize delivery routes across North Grenville and hire delivery kids (and a few adults). This was no easy task, organization and spreadsheets are not my strong suits! We’re also working on solutions for the more
rural areas, where it’s neither safe nor realistic for young people to deliver papers. We’ll get there.
We’re now up to delivering 6,000 papers, thanks to the wonderful young people who’ve stepped up to help. My goal is to reach 7,000 soon.
We’ve also collected
12 abandoned newspaper boxes and are in the process of salvaging the ones we can, giving them a fresh coat of paint and adding our logo.
Finally, we want to extend a heartfelt thankyou to our advertisers for their patience and incredible support through all of this
Arsenic and Old Lace coming back to North Grenville A Taste for Hospice returns with new date and new venue
Rehearsals are underway now for the devastatingly funny comedy, Arsenic and Old Lace, which the North Grenville Community Theatre [NGCT] will be performing from November 13 to November 16. NGCT, which is Kemptville's beloved community theatre group, last performed this play in 1986. That performance, 39 years ago, was in Parish Hall, on the Kemptville Campus. This time it will be in the Urbandale Arts Centre, right next to the hockey arena. What else has changed? Maybe not as much as one might expect. For one thing, we note that local media in 1986 reported that rehearsals were invigorated by the bugle-tooting ef-
forts of George Lamacraft, who was playing Teddy Brewster. It seems George's sounds never did reach pure musicality. Fast-forward to now, and this year's Teddy is once again bringing a real edge to the bugle playing. Plus ça change... Otherwise, rehearsals are going well. Lee Gaw, who played Martha Brewster last time, and has decided to do it again, already has her lines down pat. No one else in the cast was in the 1986 show, which might seem to put them at a disadvantage, but they are catching up. The crew for 2025 are building windows and platforms and stairs, and everyone has begun trying on costumes. It is going to be an unforgettable experi-
ence and ticket sales are already rushing ahead.
This play was originally going to be a dark and dreary drama based on some horrible crimes that took place in Connecticut over a hundred years ago. But the producers in 1939 looked at the original script and decided that people wouldn't want to watch such a dismal story. So they told the author to make it funny, and he did, by changing just about everything. It is now perfect for family entertainment at any time.
Arsenic and Old Lace does have some scary moments, and the body count gets up around a dozen. In fact, if you count brother Jonathan's contributions, it would be a couple of dozen. No matter, we can guarantee that there is a happy ending, for the survivors.
Another way of looking at this play is as a sweet ro-
mance. Our Boy, Mortimer, eventually falls in love with the Beautiful Girl Next Door. That is Elaine, and she is persistent. He can't do much about that love stuff for a while because his busy career as a drama critic makes him grumpy most of the time. At last, he asks Elaine to marry him, and she says yes! Joy abounds and the lovers get some cheery moments together in the cemetery before, later the same day, complications ensue...
November 13 through November 15 at 7:30 p.m., and a matinee performance Sunday November 16 at 1 p.m.. All performances are at the Urbandale Arts Centre in Kemptville. Tickets are available online at NGCT.ca, and paper tickets are sold at B&H Your Community Grocer.
From classroom to Council Chamber: Students take charge
by Talia Hreljac
On Monday, October 20, the Municipality of North Grenville welcomed two new faces to Council as part of Local Government Week.
Briyanna Wilberforce, a Grade 10 student from North Grenville District High School, stepped into the Mayor’s shoes for the day. Anika Modi, a Grade 7 student from
St. Michael Catholic High School, proudly took on the role of Deputy Mayor.
The day started off with a swearing in ceremony, where they took an oath of office to support the community. Both girls proudly accepted their new roles. After that, the day went by in a whirlwind of meetings and a fire hall
tour, where they learned about our impressive volunteer firefighters. They also enjoyed a working lunch with department heads and managed to keep them for an extra 40 minutes, coming prepared with some pretty hard-hitting questions. The leaders loved seeing things from the fresh, bright eyes of the next generation.
by Darlene Collin
Beth Donovan Hospice is excited to announce the return of A Taste for Hospice, this year with an all-new date and a brand-new location. On Wednesday, November 5, guests are invited to gather at the beautiful eQuinelle Golf Club for an evening of flavour, fun, and community spirit.
Previously held in the North Grenville District High School gymnasium, this year’s move to eQuinelle Golf Club reflects the event’s continued growth and the desire to elevate the experience for guests and vendors alike. The elegant setting offers the perfect backdrop for sampling, socializing, and celebrating local talent.
Over 20 regional bakers, makers, caterers, wineries, and breweries will be on site offering samples of their signature creations. Each exhibitor generously donates their time, talent, and food so that 100 percent of the proceeds from the event go directly to Beth Donovan Hospice. From savoury bites to sweet indulgences and local sips, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Guests can choose between two ticket options, with entry times at 5:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. The evening will feature live music, delicious food and drink, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, making it the perfect local date night or girls’ night out.
Your pay-one-price ticket provides full access to all tastings, with guests invited to vote for their favourites in the categories of “Best Sweet,” “Best Savoury,” “Best Sip,” and “Best Producer.”
“This is one of our favourite evenings of the year,” says Sue Walker, Executive Director of Beth Donovan Hospice. “Moving the event to eQuinelle allows us to offer guests a more refined experience while still keeping the same community warmth and energy people love. It’s a wonderful evening out.”
All proceeds from A Taste for Hospice support Beth Donovan Hospice, helping provide compassionate care and programs for individuals and families living with lifelimiting illnesses across North Grenville and surrounding rural communities.
Tickets are available now and expected to sell quickly. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www. bethdonovanhospice.ca or call 613-258-9611.
The day wrapped up with tough questions from the press, which these impressive young leaders handled beautifully. It’s no surprise, as to be chosen for this amazing opportunity, they were asked to write an introduction about why they wanted to help the community, which also included a video component.
The girls brought a refreshing view to the way we see things being done in the community, and I’m sure that in their hands, our future is bright!
Carry that weight
by David Shanahan
Believe it or not, there’s just one year to go before the next municipal election here in North Grenville. Next October 26, 2026, we all get to vote for the Mayor and Council which will represent us for the following four years. This will be the first time in almost fifteen years that we won’t have the provincial election on the same day, since we had the pleasure of an early contest in February, and won’t have the chance to cast our vote for an M.P.P. until June 7, 2029, a veritable lifetime away.
What this means is that we can now expect to see a number of men and women rise out of obscurity to try and make an impression on voters over the coming year. No, they won’t be waiting until they have to officially declare their candidacy next year. Some, at least, of them will suddenly emerge as champions of the people, ready to take up metaphorical arms on our behalf to illuminate wrongs, demand redress of griev-
ances, condemn and judge the current crop on council for failing to do their jobs, and giving the impression, not only that they would do a far better job themselves, but that they have deep insight into how things could and should be run in this community.
That may sound a little cynical; but it is based on the experience of the past thirty plus years of municipal elections in North Grenville. The fact is that, in many of those past electoral contests, many of the newly emerging candidates were absolutely correct in pointing out the foibles and failures of the sitting council. No council, and no Mayor, gets it right all the time, and no-one can promise that they will (though some will give such assurances, in their innocence or arrogance).
So, although the actual election is a year away, it is best to be aware of what’s coming in the short and medium term. People you’ve never heard of, until recently anyway, and who have had little or no involvement in the community
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Bell Hall specific details
I am not taking a position on the value of using Ball Hall to provide subsidized housing units. I am lamenting the wording of a press release that is designed to make us kindly disposed to the idea. For me, its wording is abstract and unfortunate. The release says 'renovation" six(6) times, but then talks of "demolition." After that it talks of "redevelopment" to "repurpose an extremely well built building."
So what's the problem? It's the confusing, potentially conflicting, choices of vocabulary.
The word "demolition" triggers a different emotional reaction from the word "renovation," especially in those of value 'heritage buildings.' Stop using PR committee-speak; how about an artist's impression? It won't get rid of dif-
before now, will start to appear wherever there’s a photo op, or a meeting, or an opportunity to make a presentation to council on some topic or other. Not, as they say, that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just that it can be an advantage, both to the candidate and to the voting public, to have a track record of community concern and involvement to lay before the electorate, instead of just a claim to have the answer to all the failures of the past and present council.
This far out, we don’t know who may be thinking of running for reelection on council. And it is likely that they don’t know themselves. There are a few people not currently on council who I think would be absolutely disastrous in the job, and I suspect one or two of them are planning a run. My opinion may not count for much, naturally, and I hope we all keep an open mind and judge candidates on their policies and campaigns, not just on their past or personalities. I just know there’s some people I will definitely not be vot-
ing for next year.
As for the present council, who knows what any of them will decide to do. They’ve had, let’s face it, a pretty challenging seven years so far. The sale of the College and the establishment of the Campus; a pandemic that unended any plans anyone had for almost two years; the infamous prison/correctional facility and all the angst and anger that bred in the community; the dire need of infrastructure improvement, from County Road 43 to waste water facilities; serious staff shortages that have restricted operations over the last few years; all of these, plus the regular day-to-day decisions that are demanded, have added a lot to the usual challenges of running a municipality.
No matter how many of them decide to run again, or how strong the challengers to them next year may be, the coming twelve months will be interesting indeed. Mayor and Council have faced a number of complaints, both officially and covertly on-line, some of which were upheld and
valid, others of which were frivolous and based on personal pique. However, over the past thirtyplus years, it is hard to think of any group that has done as much, or as well, as the current crop. There are two sayings that can either be compliments or damning, and it is up to each of us in the coming year to decide which is most relevant: “they weren’t the worst council we’ve had”, and “they certainly meant well”. How you see that will probably determine how you vote in October, 2026. It may seem a long way off, but be assured, for more than one or two individuals, the race has already begun. Watch and see.
ferent opinions, but it might make for a more informed citizenry.
Darrell Nunn
Dear Editor
I have great respect for Dr. Shanahan and for all that he does for the community; however, I strongly disagree with his October 23, 2025 Guest Editorial "Another Brick in the Wall".
I applaud the vision of Council and the diligent efforts of Planning (and all) staff regarding the renovation and re-use of Bell Hall for affordable and seniors oriented housing. This project will provide needed housing (60 units) for those requiring specialized accommodations that likely would not otherwise be available, assist those that need to be in proximity to the hospital, re-purposes and maintains
an existing strategic building on the College grounds, will provide ongoing funds to assist sustaining the College and its infrastructure, and help in revitalizing the downtown (among other benefits).
I first came to live in this community 40 years ago. The mystical and idealized "small town Kemptville" mantra that I occasionally hear does not resonate with me and many others. Dr. Shanahan suggests that Kemptville is (or may become) a community without character, without identity and without heart. I embrace Kemptville moving forward as a maturing and more vibrant community that has a critical mass sufficient to sustain a well run and equipped hospital, attract doctors and medical support services, warrant new school investments, have a mix of housing types and occupancy
(including affordable and special needs), allow for a more inclusive and diverse culture, have open bank branches and post office, have immediate access to a wide range of commercial stores and enterprises (and jobs for youth), can provide and support a wide range of recreational facilities and opportunities (rinks, trails, boat launches, sports fields, curling, disc golf, dog park etc.), experience more and varied dining experiences, support newer and improved public infrastructure, along with many other attributes.
People are the heart of a community and there are families that have been integral to Kemptville for generations (and will continue to be) and there will continue to be new arrivals who will also work hard and volunteer to elevate the collective community. I and many others embrace the
future.
Carl Cannon, North Grenville
Dear Editor, I am writing with a brief word of thanks and kudos to the young delivery person who serves the Oakmont Drive area of eQuinelle. I am not sure if this is the right place to direct this to but wanted to give it our best shot to reach this young person’s supervisor. We were so pleased to receive a paper this week, as it’s been quite some time since we’ve ever received it to our door, and we saw the care they took to tuck it under the mat so it wouldn’t blow away. We are new to the neighborhood and wanted to thank them for taking such care and pride in their job.
Jessica
Grace, understanding and flexibility
by Marguerite Boyer
A few days ago, as I opened up my facebook page I saw a disturbing post by a newcomer to one of our beautiful Hamlets. Someone had put in a complaint over her dogs barking at them, the dogs were behind a 6-foot chain link fence, well away from the road and are registered therapy dogs.
Whether this post was true or not (one never knows anymore), but I choose to think it was, I found the post disturbing. The woman being accused posted, at least four times, the word sorry. This hamlet, which I lived in for 15 years, has always been so welcoming and for the most part are good neighbours. For the woman to apologise so much, my heart went out to her.
However, I was encouraged by the community support she was given on their community group page. 59 comments since last week, and that wonderful little village showed nothing but compassion for her and kindness, welcoming her into the community and apologising for that one bad neighbour. I was so proud of that village that day.
One woman posted this: “What happened to conversations and sharing concerns so connection can be made between neighbours instead of this route which clearly makes people feel like they've done something wrong and the need to apologize profusely? I normally don't feel the need to respond to posts, but whether new to the commu-
nity or not, it would be nice to show some grace, understanding and flexibility.”
So true. Wasting the time of our over worked bylaw officers over something so petty, which could have been solved over the fence. With such a “green and growing” community, and so many newcomers arriving, let’s make an attempt to make them feel welcome, instead of calling in by-law officers. Social graces are erroding, people are quicker to respond in anger and vindictiveness in this new world that seems to be spinning out of control. I have only lived here 30 years, and am probably still considered a newcomer. But I have embraced this place as my home, and given as much volunteer time as I can, and have always tried
as much as possible to meet my neighbours and have a good relationship.
I am seeing negative things happening more and more here, and it disturbs me. People are quicker to anger and to call in a bylaw officer or the police, even lawyers (remember, everytime one calls in these services is costs more tax payer dollars.
It is a stressful time right now for all of us. Hardly any of us are not without some anxieties these days when we see what is unfolding across our border, and the ripple effects it is causing all over the world. These are uncertain times. Could we not show our neighbours more grace,understanding, and flexibility?
OPP INVESTIGATING
NORTH GRENVILLE FIRE
An investigation is underway into a suspicious fire in North Grenville.
Members of the Grenville Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a fire, shortly before 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, on Townline Road, near Dangerfield Road.
Members of the North Grenville Fire Department were already on the scene battling the fire, which had engulfed a detached garage. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the garage.
The cause of the fire is considered suspicious.
The investigation into by the Grenville OPP Crime Unit is ongoing.
Anyone with information or potentially relevant dashcam or surveillance video, should contact the Grenville OPP at 1-888-310-1122 and refer to incident E251431395. If you have information but want to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
73’s run the board on a seven game win streak
by
G. J. the sportsguy Friday evening Kemptville came out full throttle like fleas on a dog with an over-abundance of steroids as they kept their streak alive with a 6 to 2 victory over Carleton Place Canadians.
Kemptville held the pedal to the metal with a smooth transition from Cade Campbell to Will Mullins to punch the rubber into Liam Conway so Alexis Beaulieu crashed the door at 2:13. 73’s Eric Sweetapple held the line to Anthony D’Arienzo with Owen Redmond pulling a rope-a-dope from the circle to rip it between the pegs at 7:51. Game winner from
pocket rocket Jay Zeus Mbarushimana on a tear with Nicholas Voicey to the tape of Anthony D’Arienzo in the wheelhouse to put it under the stopper at 12:03. Insurance for Kemptville when the magic combination of tic-tac-toe from pesky Will Mullins with tenacious Alexis Beaulieu riding hard to the wizardly of Zachary Venace in the slot locked n’ loaded finding his target at 13:40.
Carleton Place with an extra attacker spoiled Keegan Carswell SO when the puck fluttered across the line from Nathan Landriault PPG with helpers from Devlin and Cooling after an unintentional stick redi-
rect from the net minder at 17:13.
The second stanza was end to end action with each club being bailed out by their goalies to maintain scoreless. Kemptville outshot Carleton Place by 36 to 26 with both having 1/2 PP.
The Hawks of Hawkesbury in a hole with a four loss slide roosted into the 73’s barn for a Sunday matinee looking to break their losing stretch. Kemptville came out flat allowing Hawkesbury to set the tone that continued through the sixty minutes keeping it scoreless until the final buzzer to force OT. The 73’s or Hawks couldn’t find a way to put it behind Rylan
Monday, November 3, 2025 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at
Drop in and explore opportunities for adults and students!
Donovan or Brett Ruddy as they stood tall during the three twenties to keep their teams honest.
A frustrated Kemptville squad came out hot into the OT with a tremendous burst when Morgan Henderson commandeered the line for a smooth sweep to Zachary Venance that dished it to Nicholas Voicey to snipe it past a bewildered Ruddy to give Kemptville a two pointer at 1:49. Hawkesbury were outgunned by Kemptville 47 to 32 with both 0/3 PP.
The 73’s coach stated that today we traded chances a few times and goal tending was a key to getting the extra point. Good to see us turn things around after a so-so first ten minutes.
Big game with Ottawa Junior Senators having success early this season on Wednesday evening.
After the home stand with the Senators, the 73’s trek out to visit the Navan Grads for a Sunday afternoon matinee.
See you around the wall…hockey with EDGE.
Youngsters of Yore
by Susie McIntosh
On November 13, our speaker at Youngsters of Yore will be Patrick Collins from the MTO. He will be speaking about the "license renewal of 80 and over years of age new rules", and he will be talking and answering questions on how to circulate in the traffic circles.
November 13 in The Tallmann Room at our Library on Water Street for 2 pm. People may arrive for 1:30 pm.
Farms are small businesses too and they need less red tape to grow by Bill Groeneheide, Director, OFA
This week marks Small Business Week in Ontario. Spearheaded by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), it celebrates and draws attention to the vital role that small business plays in the Ontario economy. According to the OCC, small businesses – those with fewer than 100 employees – account for 98% of Canadian enterprises and employ approximately 11 million people nation-wide. That’s a lot of jobs and significant chunk of the Canadian economy, making small business a sector worth paying attention to.
To succeed and grow, Ontario small businesses of all kinds need government investment in connectivity (strong trade relationships, resilient supply chains, ensuring flow of goods and services); building capacity to increasing innovation, competitiveness and growth; affordability to help address inflation, debt and rising costs for housing, inputs and labour; and sustainability (supporting continuity, longevity, investment in local economies).
Beyond that, changes to taxation, as well as infrastructure investment, red tape reduction to simplify supports and services and better access to workers are also important needs.
It’s no different for Ontario farmers and farm businesses.
My family and I farm near Thunder Bay, where we raise poultry and beef cattle and grow produce that we sell directly to consumers and at local markets. I’m also a provincial director with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), the largest organization in our province that represents farmers.
We work on behalf of farmers and rural communities, and some of our biggest priority asks are around taxation, red tape reduction, infrastructure investment, access to labour and affordability. Most Ontarians don’t see farms as small businesses, but they are, even if they are different from retail, trades, suppliers or service providers. Farmers are entrepreneurs who manage budgets, make investments, hire staff, build relationships with customers and suppliers, and market their products.
At our family market, our customers see that we’re a family-run business — and the small businesses we buy from and sell to in our community know it too. What’s often missing, however, is that broader public understanding that farming is both a livelihood and a business.
Farmers sometimes struggle with this mindset shift too. We know how to produce food, raise livestock or grow grain crops, but we also need to sell the fruits of our labour, tell our story, and promote our products and our role in the community, from donating food to events to supporting sports teams, for example. But just like many of Ontario’s other small businesses, we face challenges that make it harder for us to grow. One of the biggest is red tape.
We all need to let people know how to work the traffic circles to have a good circulation with our growing population.
Send in your classifieds to classifieds @ngtimes.ca
On our farm, whenever we want to start a new project, whether it’s improving drainage or building a pond, the paperwork and many different approvals we must have in place just to start can be overwhelming. Government grants and programs are meant to help, but they’re often so complicated that it’s hard to justify the time investment for the small amount of support offered. Quite simply, if government wants small businesses, including farms, to flourish, it has to be easier to access funding, we need less not more bureaucracy and paperwork, and we need real incentives rather than regulatory or legislative roadblocks.
This is particularly critical in Northern Ontario, where distances are greater, the population is less dense, and infrastructure isn’t as well developed as elsewhere in Ontario. If we want to see growth and renewal in Northern Ontario agriculture and encourage the next generation of farmers to come home and build their future here, we need simpler processes, fairer taxation, better infrastructure, and less red tape.
As we celebrate Small Business Week, let’s remember that farms are part of that small business backbone. Every time you visit a local farmers’ market, buy Ontario-grown food or farm products, or support a local business, you’re helping to strengthen both our economy and our rural communities.
Morgan Henderson sets the winning goal in motion to Zachary Venance and Nicholas Voicey directs it home for the win during Sunday matinee marathon OT with Hawkesbury Hawks.
Op-ed: And the beat goes on: Part 33
Greetings North Gremlins. Did you notice that something scary happened this week? No, I'm not talking about the 100's of kids dressed up for Hallowe'en taking part in 'Kreepy Kemptville' ...it was a sweetness overload... and I'm not talking about the candy. Some other type of 'Kreepy'.
Doug Ford permitted the Legislative Assembly to come back to Queen's Park. They've been away since when...June? According to Global News, this is the longest 'break' in 25 years. Why? Only Mr. Ford knows. He doesn't have to ask permission; he can shut it down whenever he likes, for however long he likes. Can anyone explain why this is a good idea? I'll wait...
And how did it go when they reconvened on October 20? “A subdued Premier Doug Ford called for unity across the province and across Canada. ‘I’ve never seen the country so divided'”. (Global News)
Why is the country 'divided'? The Prime Minister has said that we
need to be united in our stand against the Menace in the White House (or what's left of the building that Canadians help burn down, on August 24, 1814) and the tariffs. It seems like, excluding the separatist-savants who support Danielle Smith in Alberta, (alliteration alert!), all Canadians are united as never before in our lifetimes: 'Canada First'!
Mr. Ford got back to some previously-prepared legislation. This new bill, called Bill 33: 'The Supporting Children and Students Act' was tabled earlier this year. Doesn't it sound wholesome? 'Supporting Children and Students'. There's only one problem: it doesn't. How do the teachers like it? They don't.
“It is a regressive piece of legislation that does nothing to support students and everything to consolidate power in the hands of the Minister of Education.” This statement was issued by ALL the teacher's associations plus The Ontario School Board Council of Unions (CUPE-OSBCU).
Isn't that wonderful! The 'real experts'...the ones in the classrooms every day, say that it is not 'supporting children and students' as its title so boldly proclaims. And worse, it puts more power in the hands of the Minister of Education. Too much power in one person's hands is how the United States has found themselves on the brink political civil war. Too much power in the Premier's office is heading in the same direction. If pressed for a reason why they just disappeared for 5 months, he'd likely come back with, 'It's for the good of all mankind---it's the most progressive thing any politician has done since Sir John A. landed on our shores.'
I asked him about Bill 33 in letter and sent a copy to Steve Clarke. Mr. Clarke, a true politician's politician said: "Our government has been clear that when a school board veers off its mandate, we will take action to restore focus, rebuild trust, and put students first."
Also, "We have acted
on school boards that have, for years, failed to balance their budgets and be held accountable for their decisions. When trustees fail in their duties, parents look to the province to act and get school boards back on track – and put students first." Maybe they wanted you to do something, Steve...but take it over? Really? I'll wait, Steve... I simply added, 'In my opinion, you have taken over more school boards in recent months that all previous governments in the history of this province. What is wrong with this picture?' Stay tuned folks. There's heavy hand on the tiller of a vast majority, and it is just getting started. He says opposes Trump, but acts in a similar manner...that in itself is NOT a good thing... as Martha Stewart might say.
Peter Johnson Upper Oxford Mills
The war comes home
by David Shanahan
One hundred and ten years ago, as World War I settled into the stalemate of trench warfare in France and Belgium, the 33,000 men of the Canadian contingent were experiencing the reality of modern warfare for the first time. Their first large scale involvement in the fighting since completing their training in England came at what is called the Second Battle of Ypres in April and May of 1915, where the German command used poison gas for the first time. By the end of May, 1915, the British announced that they, too, would start using poison gas. It was, indeed, a particularly horrific introduction to modern war for the young men from Kemptville, South Gower and Oxford-on-Rideau.
In the meantime, the main role of women was to be knitting socks and sewing for the boys overseas. Rooms in the Fraser Block (now the site of Rotary Park) were set aside on Thursday and Saturday afternoons and evenings so that women could gather and knit and sew together, or call in for supplies to do the work at home. There was, of course, no real concept of trench warfare in October, 1914, and the main thing seemed to be to keep the soldiers warm and provide good woolen socks for the long marches that were expected to be a major part of the war.
This sewing and knitting initiative was a non-denominational project, with more than fifty women already busy knitting at the group sessions. One large shipment of socks and scarves was sent off to England even before the troops had landed there, and another shipment was sent by the time the men arrived in late October. One of
the main groups organising the knitting was the Womens' Institute, and the Oxford Mills branch, which had only been set up in June, 1914, was very active in the campaign. But these women were to endure more than long knitting sessions before the war was over.
The First Vice-President of the branch was Mrs. Fannie McCrum, who was to lose both of her sons in 1917. John was aged 24 when he died, and his brother, Milburn was 31.
To keep the Home Front up to date on events in Europe, the local newspaper had a special offer for readers through the month of October, 1914.
For just $1.50, residents could get a subscription to the Weekly Advance, as well as the Family Herald and Weekly Star of Montreal. But the special gift was a War Map: "the greatest value ever offered in Canada...30 x 40 inches, in a very neat folder of convenient size". As hostilities had only begun two months earlier, it would be interesting to know how useful that map proved to be once everything bogged down in the fields of Belgium and France. But there's no denying the appeal of "the greatest value ever offered in Canada".
It is surprising to note that this early in the war there was already a campaign to "Buy British", encouraging people in North Grenville to buy only goods made in Canada, or elsewhere in the British Empire. It was pointed out that, although Canada was at war, the war was not being waged at home, and so there was nothing interfering with food or industrial production. There are hints that some businesses were exploiting the war to increase prices, but that
Networking, labels, and laughs
by Talia Hreljac
If you’re a parent, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Mabel’s Labels. They’re a staple in most family households, because, let’s face it, our kids are Olympic athletes in the sport of losing water bottles. Luckily, Mabel’s Labels gives them a bit of a challenge and helps all those stray bottles, hats, shoes, sweaters, and more find their way back to the right home.
kind of behaviour was frowned on by local businesses in Kemptville.
The shooting war had not started for Canadians, and would not for many months, but the war at home was well under way. Concerts and patriotic evenings were held to raise funds for these campaigns, and to promote patriotic support for the war at home. One such event took place in Leslie Hall in April. A “mixed chorus representing Great Britain and her colonies” was considered a most “striking” feature of the evening, as was the little boys’ chorus. “A dozen small boys gave every evidence of true patriotism and spirit by singing lustily ringing songs”, performed, apparently, with “the sweetness and clearness of the childish voices”.
But the more realistic aspects of what was happening in Europe was introduced to residents, albeit gently, by the talk given in Leslie Hall that night by a clergyman “of true military bearing and soldierly aspect”, a disturbing combination of religion and militarism that marked that, and subsequent, wars. Dean Starr of Kingston provided the usual propaganda about glorious Britain facing the Huns, though, perhaps unusually, he was careful to distinguish between the northern and southern Germans, the latter, he said, having been “misled by Prussian militarism”.
But his account of conditions at the front and in hospitals brought to the sheltered residents of Kemptville a glimpse of the realities he had witnessed, and made “the war seem a more real glorious, yet horrible affair than it has appeared to us so far from the scene of action”.
takeaways from Julie’s intimate conversation:
1. Don’t sweat the small stuff in parenthood, and don’t try to solve all your kids’ problems. Most things will work themselves out and you want your children to develop the skills to handle life’s challenges on their own.
2. Never be the smartest person in the room. Surround yourself with people who make you better.
Julie Cole, one of the creators, came to North Grenville to speak at a Let’s Network event, sharing her journey with other mothers and entrepreneurs. Her incredible path includes becoming a lawyer, having six kids (yes, six!), all while chasing her entrepreneurial dreams. Mabel’s Labels grew from a basement startup into a $12 million company that helps thousands of families. It’s the kind of story many of us dream of, and seeing a real Canadian success story in person was incredibly inspiring.
A few of the amazing
3. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. If you want to be successful, you have to put yourself out there. Go to the networking sessions. Attend the community dinners. Talk to different people. Growth comes from discomfort, and it can lead to amazing things.
Julie Cole first appeared on the Let’s Network podcast and immediately connected with its mission: empowering women and bringing the community together. And even though just a month earlier she had spoken in front of thousands at a conference in Vegas, she still made the time to bring a little magic to our neck of the woods. To read more about her story and explore some of her life-changing advice, check out her book, “Like a Mother.”
And a funny story: one of her highlights, beyond meeting fellow moms and entrepreneurs? Trying to figure out how to pump gas at the old gas station in Merrickville! She even took a picture to send to her kids.
Let’s build a climate-smart North Grenville... one idea at a time.
The 156th Battalion in Kemptville beside the Armoury, Riverside Park, 1915.
Women’s Golf Tournament supports Hospice
by Virginia Boro, Tournament Convenor
The 4th Women’s only Charity Golf Tournament was held at Equinelle Golf Course September 16. It was a beautiful day and 116 women enjoyed nine holes of golf, dinner and a silent and very entertaining live auction.
We were very pleased to raise $22,500 for Beth Donovan Hospice. A photo of the cheque presentation was taken with the organizing committee in front of the Equinelle Club house. From left to right is Peggy McPhail, Maureen TaylorGreeley Chair of the Hospice Board of Directors, Cathy Lalonde, Sue Walker, Executive Director of the Hospice, Lesley -Jane Skinner, Virginia Boro, Tournament Convenor, Debbie Webber, Cathy Empey, Janet Crane, Angela Kennedy and Paula Cavan.
The plight of an Autumn leaf
Today I’m somewhat filled with grief, Very much, a solitary Autumn leaf!
For, at this time, a few days ago, I swayed, in the breeze, freely with my friends, to and fro, Forming a throng of leaves, still all colored green, Together we were a majestic sight, one before, unseen, Prior to being changed, by time and weather, As witnessed, by an ebbing Autumn moon And then falling down and dispersed for- ever!
My own and their colors changed, though somewhat varied, Many of them becoming different shades of yellow, or brown, Whence, from their branches, they floated gently down. But, I have lingered and stayed alone and aloft and became a vivid colored red, Which will be my final color, when I too fall peacefully onto that, now soft, leafy bed!
What better way can there be to end the plight of an Autumn leaf!?
John Baldwin
24 October 2025
I finally managed to get a picture of a Nuthatch in flight! Yes a lovely Red Breasted Nuthatch actually gave me a chance to get a camera picture shot of it in flight. What a super surprise, considering how speedily they move. It is never on the slow side of things, so I am really pleased with myself! These, and their related kinfolk, the WhiteBreasted Nuthatch variety, are a joy to behold at any time, as they busily flit to and fro, never dwelling in any one place for more than a fleeting moment or two! Now I have got to get a picture of a White Breasted Nuthatch, me thinks! Besides the little bit of showery weather we are now getting, there hasn’t been too much out of the ordinary going on to write about. The other day, on my way to my weekly breakfast rendezvous with friends on a bright early sunlit morning, I was treated to seeing a massive flock of migrating birds cross my path ahead of me. No, it wasn’t a flock of Canada Geese either, but it was one of very much smaller birds, of which I have no idea what they were. There must have been a couple of hundred, or more, of them, and they were swirling about as they flew over en masse. Quite the sight and a bit difficult to see clearly in the brightness of the sun, and also the fact that I was driving!
Another interesting sight, again whilst driving with my wife this time, was the sudden appearance of two large birds above the nearby roadside trees and field, but obviously not Turkey Vultures, who have vacated the area by now, I suspect! Their wing tips were not those of the Vultures, so we were left guessing as to what they were. Maybe a large hawk of the Red Tailed variety, but having only got momentary glimpses of them, it was impossible to make any sort of identification. C’est la vie!
I watched a normally “ground Junco give up trying to stand on one of my seed feeders perching bars. It seemed to struggle with its footing and then finally gave up, figuring that it was better to be where it was more comfortable to feed, that being on the ground! I’ve seen Juncos feeding before on the Niger seed, so I’m not sure what was giving the one I had been such difficulty.
Stay safe and well.
Cheers
John Baldwin
Last night, we decided to have breakfast for supper. That meant bacon and eggs with toast. What bacon? Well, Peameal Bacon, of course, also known as Back Bacon or Canadian Bacon (by our neighbours to the South). Peameal Bacon used to be coated in ground dried peas, hence its name; but ever since World War I, the coating has been cornmeal, which gives the bacon a crispy, golden crust when cooked and helps preserve the meat. Peameal Bacon is made from a lean cut of pork loin which is brined in salt and sugar before being coated. We are often surprised that many people don’t know much about Peameal Bacon and how versatile, tasty and very inexpensive a dish it is.
Cooking Peameal Bacon
Fried:
• If your slab of bacon hasn’t been frozen, slice it into ¼ inch slices
• Melt a tablespoon of unsalted butter in a large pan
• Spread your bacon on the hot butter and cook lightly on both sides
• This is the traditional way to have Peameal Bacon with eggs or pancakes
Baked in Slices:
• Preheat your oven to 350F
• Slice your slab of bacon into ¼ inch slices
• Place in a greased baking dish (preferably glass) with a bit of water
• Bake for about 15 minutes and use like fried bacon Baked in One Piece:
• Preheat your oven to 350F
• Place the entire piece in a greased baking dish (glass again) with a bit of water
• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes and check with a baking probe for doneness
• Bring to the table as is and slice it there for serving Some Hints:
• Since Peameal Bacon chunks are very inexpensive, pick some up and freeze them
• When dealing with frozen Peameal Bacon, let it thaw ¾ of the way, then slice it
• Let the still frozen slices thaw the rest of the way before frying or baking
• Peameal Bacon, hot or cold, makes a great sandwich
• Also, cold Peameal Bacon chunks go well in a salad
• Peameal Bacon does not benefit from overcooking; light cooking keeps it tender
to rent farmland in North Grenville and surrounding areas. Call or text Mitch @ 613-2621204. LIKE NEW ALL STEEL FOLDING DOG CAGE. 25’ WIDE X 28 “ HIGH X 42” DEEP. PREVIOUSLY USED FOR 65 lb (30 kg) MALE BASSET. COST AROUND $300.00 NEW : SELL FOR $75.00 OBO.
CONTACT ROSS @ 613 215 0616 OR EMAIL hphillips1@cogeco.ca.
• The underside of Peameal Bacon often has a tough membrane: just cut it out
If you have some different ways y of ways of using Peameal Bacon, just drop me a line at pcormier@ ranaprocess.com. I always appreciate hearing from you.
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 1
Pride Potluck 1, 1pm - open to 2SLGBTQAI+ folks and their family. For location, contact admin@ngpride.ca
November 22
eQuinelle Winter Village Market on November 22nd from 9:30am - 3pm.
November 29,
Pride Christmas Market, 1:30-5pm at St. John's United Church on Prescott Street. Warm up during Old Town Christmas with hot coffee & cider, local performers and 26 vendors.
Spencerville Agricultural Society, November Meeting Monday, November 10, 2025 Meeting: 7:00 pm 22 Ryan Street, Spencerville Ontario November 10, 2025 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Gotcha at last, Nutty!
Redbreasted Nuthatch in flight
COMMUNITY EVENTS events@ngtimes.ca
RECURRING EVENTS
Knights of Columbus Monthly Supper at Holy Cross Church Hall 503 Clothier Street West. Suppers are held at 5:30 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month, September to November and January to May. Cost $10 per person, $5 for a child under 12 and $25 for a family.
PROBUS: Fellowship, Fun and inFormed presenters are part of the PROBUS gathering on the third Wednesday of each month at St Paul's Presbyterian Church Hall at 9:30AM. For more information contact at n.g.probus97@gmail.com
Kemptville Legion: Fridays 3-9. Free Pool and Darts. Everyone Welcome BINGO at the Kemptville Legion every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from SeptJune. Doors open at noon, Bingo starts at 1pm..
LEGION EUCHRE will be held at 100 Reuben St., the 3rd Saturday of each month. Registration starts at 12:30, with Euchre starting at 1:00. Cost is $5 to play - cash prizes.
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. Friendship Café is open to the community Tuesday's from 10 to noon. All are welcome to stop by, enjoy a hot beverage, a sweet treat and some friendly conversation all at no cost. At St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St.
Tuesday Community Hub hosted by the House of Lazarus All are welcome to drop in. Advocacy, “make a meal, take a meal” cooking opportunities, community services assistance are just a few of the weekly programs. Stop by and visit or contact House of Lazarus directly at 613-989-3830 for more details. “Building Community, Sharing Hope”. 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 7:30 - 9:30pm. North Grenville Municipal Center County Road 44 For more info call Debbie at 613-795-3032 or Google "Kemptville Square Dancing"
Saturday Art Social every Saturday morning at the NG Public Library! 10 am - 11:30 am at the NG Public Library. Free with basic materials provided BID EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road on Tuesday, September 23. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m., play starts at 7:00 p.m. Contact Debi at debiar@ymail.com EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road on Tuesday, September 16 and 30. Registration starts at 6:30 p.m., play starts at 7:00 p.m. Contact Debi at debiar@ymail.com 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 required. North Grenville Men’s Shed A men’s shed provides a safe and friendly environment for men to socialize and/or do projects.
Contact: Peter Ivay 343 598-1174 or website ngmensshed.com for scheduled meetings on the calendar and additional information.
Malala Women’s Choir
Invites you to explore uplifting music for treble voices. Rehearsals: Wednesday evenings 7:00 – 9:00 pm, March 5– May 28, 2025. At St. Andrew’s Knox Presbyterian Church, 23 Bennett St., Spencerville. To register: contact Sheila at 613-658-5290 or sheilafawcett92@gmail.com No previous choral experience required.
Membership fee: $35
Kemptville Horticultural Society - meetings are held monthly, except July, August & December. The are held the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm at the Kemptville Pentecostal Church.
NG Pride: 2SLGBTQAI+ Seniors and allies meet 2 - 4pm the first and third Sunday of each month at the NG Library. Join us for coffee, chat, cards and shenanigans.
South Branch Serenade FREE Event Every Thursday Night Throughout July and August. 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Rotary Park in Downtown Kemptville Kemptville Street Piano Join us on Saturdays for FREE musical adventures. 1:00 pm
North Grenville Public Library terrace
ACROSS
1. Give as an example
5. Dugout shelter
9. Aromatic compound
14. By mouth
15. Fortune teller
16. Range
17. Paintbrush material
19. Scattered
20. Beginning 21. All there is
23. Sharpening stone
25. Piscary
28. Metric unit of area
29. Container
32. Stick
33. Picnic insect
34. Typewriter type
35. Backside
36. Desert plants
38. Similar
39. Cloak-like sleeveless
garment
40. Small songbird
41. Swerve wildly
43. East southeast
44. Mister
45. Wed again
46. Spinal curvature
48. Student of human nature
50. Pantywaist
54. Giver
55. Paving stone
57. Similar
58. French for "Head"
59. Distinctive flair
60. Doled
61. Flower stalk
62. Soaks (up)
DOWN
1. Type of salmon
2. Metal used in steel
3. Seafarers
4. Not here
5. Fire residue
6. A very attractive woman
7. Harnesses
8. Annoyance
9. Ancient ascetic
10. Tally
11. Pulls
12. Type of sword
13. Scarlet
18. Aromatic solvent
22. Whirlpools
24. Construction
25. Madcap comedy
26. Notions
27. Contour
29. Motorcyclist
30. More aloof
31. Tot watcher
33. Play a role
34. Leeches
37. Transports by plane 42. Awry 44. Be afraid 45. Spin 46. Product of combustion 47. A small island 48. Puncture 49. Module 51. Alone 52. Break in two 53. Cravings 54. Dike 56. Jewel
Hope for Eels
by Fred Schueler & Aleta Karstad - Fragile Inheritance Natural History
Eastern Ontario is bounded by great rivers, flowing in failed continental rifts, which before railways were its primary routes of human commerce and travel. Through the first half of the 20th Century, the Ottawa and St Lawrence were dammed to become the region's primary source of electric energy, inadvertently gradually eliminating what had been their primary residents, Anguilla rostrata, the American Eel.
Eels are one population from Brazil to Greenland; they mature in freshwater, and all migrate downstream to the Sargasso Sea of the Atlantic Ocean to breed. The larvae drift and swim westward (their European cousins somehow manage to separate out and go eastwards), entering fresh-
water as tiny elvers. Those in coastal marshes and tributaries become males, and those who go farther upstream become female, and the Great Lakes/Ottawa drainages once produced 60% of the females for the population.
It's likely that before the construction of the Canal there were no Eels in the Rideau system because the elvers wouldn't have been able to wriggle up the 11 metres of Rideau Falls, but they were a major food resource for First Nations along both major rivers: upstream of Mattawa, Pimisi Bay is named for the Eels that were once there, and with Atlantic Salmon Eels were the dominant fish in Lake Ontario. Their dramatic decline here has been due to failure of elvers to get upstream past dams and the huge mortality of returning adults in hydroelectric turbines, while in the Maritime
provinces they suffer from a parasite introduced from Japan, and poaching of elvers for captive rearing.
At the St Lawrence River Institute's “Changing Waters” River Symposium last week, the plight of the Eels loomed over the conference as one of the biggest changes the river has suffered. There were displays and a workshop on artistic visions of Eels, environmental DNA analyses of their occurrence, presentations on data siloing among the various corporations and agencies that affect them, recognition of their historic importance to First Nations, and hope that improved turbines which let the adult Eels through, ladder-like arrangements to help the elvers upstream, co-operation, and general recognition of the wonder of a single hemispheric population, may lead to recovery.
Anguilla Rostrata
I am a balance of life and death and migration:
unless a billion may not be enough
Are you still watching for me?
Am I still here?
Go down to the sunny spring shore to check
Am I still here?
Go down to the silver autumn sound and check
Am I still here?
Where are the salt marshes and the knothole ponds?
Where has Lake Ontario gone?
Where is Kemptville Creek?
Am I still here?
Eels can live anywhere: even in a canal
Eels can live anywhere: even in sewage
Eels can live anywhere: even in a clearcut
Eels can live anywhere: even in a subdivision
Eels can live anywhere: even in a landfill
I am the eternal bounty of the sea
washing up onto your shore. Pickle me in leachate, smoke me with PCB's;
Do not weep for me: there will be no mitigation when I am gone.
I will be more invisible than leptocephali when I am gone
Black will be the Sargasso depths when I am gone — black as today.
Clear will be the Atlantic waters — clear as today.
Watch for my death Watch for my going Watch for me
Come down to the shore to be sure this spring has come.
As silent as my coming will be the spring when I am gone: Unless a billion may not be enough.
FWS, Bishops Mills, 20 November 1990 - http://www.ecospherics.net/pages. SchuelerAnguilla.html - A Poem: Anguilla rostrata. 2000. Sea Wind, Bulletin of Ocean Voice International, 14(3):24.
