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Vol. 8, No.46

The Voice of North Grenville

November 18, 2020

Bayfield Manor expansion breaks ground

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L-R: Southbridge Chief Seniors Advocate Candace Chartier, Southbridge VP of Operations Beryl Collingwood, Bayfield Executive Director Gerry Miller, Minister Merrilee Fullerton, MPP Michael Barrett, Mayor Nancy Peckford, Minister and MPP Steve Clark. announced that Southbridge

by Hilary Thomson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Care will be receiving an additional $7,640,080 to expeLast Thursday was a big dite the project. This is part of day for Bayfield Manor as a $761 million investment by they celebrated the ground- the Ontario government in 74 breaking of their expan- long-term care development sion which will bring 94 projects across the province. new long-term care beds to “Our government has the municipality. Owned by been taking historic steps to Southbridge Care Homes, the add capacity and upgrade expansion was announced in Ontario’s long-term care March of last year, and was homes to improve quality made possible through a sig- of life for our loved ones,” nificant investment from the Minister Fullerton said. “We Ministry of Health and Long- introduced the modernized term Care. On Thursday, funding model to expedite Minister of Long-term Care, projects and we’re already Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, also seeing results, with thousands

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of new, safe and comfortable spaces in progress.”

Local and visiting dignitaries and Southbridge staff members gathered at the site of Bayfield’s new long-term care facility at 121 George Street West in Kemptville, to mark the start of construction.

The new building will have 160 long-term care beds, with a mix of both private and basic (shared bathroom) accommodations. According to Southbridge, the home will meet all standards set out in the Long-Term Care Home Design Manual and is designed to support residents

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with various physical, emotional, cultural, and cognitive needs.

The first floor will include a home community hub, with a beauty/barber shop, treatment room, physiotherapy, and a non-denominational worship space that will also be used as a multi-purpose room for larger events. The main floor will also have an area which will eventually house offices for a physician, nurse practitioner, and a podiatrist, among other necessary healthcare professionals. cont'd on page 2

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cont'd from front page “Integral to the resident’s quality of living is having that in-house in order to decrease the risks of them having to leave their home and travel to these appointments. And we know what comes with all that enhanced travel,” said Candace Chartier of Southbridge. “They’re actually going to be able to get these services in the comfort of their own home, which I think is absolutely key.”

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing,and local MPP, Steve Clark, MP Michael Barrett, Minister Fullerton, and Mayor Peckford were all on hand to mark the occasion and learn more about North Grenville’s new long-term care facility.

The solution to COVID-19 is

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“I’ve been talking to people before we started here, and I’m struck by the caring, the compassion, and the dedication and determination of the people who have made this happen; because it’s not just dollars,” Minister Fullerton said. “Yes, we’ve got the dollars. The 7.6 million of the 761 million from the province; but it’s really the people. It’s really all of you taking the time to be determined; to care for our most vulnerable people in society and in the homes.”

Mayor Peckford noted how important this new longterm care facility is in a high growth community like North Grenville. “We attract a lot of seniors and a lot of younger

Meet Wade Claxton

by PO2 Dilan Yildirim, RCSCC DEFIANT Fifteen year old Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) Wade Claxton first joined sea cadets to broaden his horizons. He was drawn in by the one-of-akind opportunity to meet new people, earn experience, and acquire knowledge. Like many cadets in the corps, Wade attended Navy League cadets for two years before becoming part of RCSCC Defiant at the age of twelve. He finds that the corps gives him a strong sense of community, and has allowed him to build many long-lasting friendships. He often takes on leadership roles, and

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is proud to represent the Department of National Defence. Ambitious and enthusiastic, Wade’s goal is to make life better for everybody.

PO2 Claxton participates in a number of activities, team sports, and competitions, such as biathlon, orienteering, and marksmanship. He is always up for a challenge!

His favourite activity is biathlon, since it combines the techniques needed for marksmanship with the more physically demanding aspects of orienteering. He enjoys the time spent training with his team. One of the memories Wade cherishes as a member of the corps’ biathlon team is when he earned a gold medal at a regional competition, and made it to the provincials with one of his teammates. He came back home feeling proud, accomplished, and exhausted. This experience also taught him a great deal about perseverance.

families,” she said. “And it’s those constituencies who, in time, will actually either seek the care themselves, or someone will have a parent or loved one who will need to be in a quality long term care home.”

Construction on Bayfield’s new long-term care facility will begin imminently, with an estimated completion date of June, 2022. Once finished, all 66 of Bayfield’s current long-term care beds will be transferred to the new building, leaving 94 beds for new residents. Bayfield’s Executive Director, Gerry Miller, says this is welcome news, as they currently have over 100 people on their waitlist.

So far, Wade has attended two summer camps: General Training, and Basic Sail, which were both filled to the brim with memorable moments. During the latter of the two camps, the cadets were brought out in the evening to sail the calm waters of Lake Ontario as the sun set. Fort Henry stood to his left side, while cadets marched to the beat of a drum to his right. The beautiful scenery, atmosphere, and weather made for an unforgettable evening.

PO2 Wade Claxton says he has met some of the nicest people at RCSCC Defiant. The words he uses to summarize his experience as a cadet are “brotherhood, community, and fun”. Wade’s word of advice to new cadets is to step into the limelight and not be afraid of failure or mistakes: it is impossible to learn without making mistakes.

The author of this article, Dilan Yildirim. is 15 years old and is a 10th grade student at l'Academie Catholique Notre-Dame in Kemptville. She has been in the cadets for approximately 2.5 years. She was with the air cadets (706 Snowy Owl) before she moved to Kemptville, and she joined RCSCC Defiant in September 2019. She has an interest in Public Relations, and enjoys reading, writing, visual arts, and listening to music. Of interest, Dilan is writing in her second language!

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Remembrance Day poppy display in Rotary Park

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Brenda Ward of the Leeds Grenville Fibre Extravaganza with the Remembrance Day poppy display in Rotary Park. [Photo credit: Deron Johnston of the Old Town Kemptville BIA ]

by Hilary Thomson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter This is the second year that Brenda Ward has spearheaded this initiative as a unique way to honour our veterans. She started collecting poppies at the end of the Summer, and was able to double the size of last year’s display, with around 800 poppies cascading down the clock in Rotary Park. Corporal William Condie stopped by the park on Wednesday to see the poppies.

Corporal Condie is from Oxford Mills and is currently based out of Gatineau, Quebec, with Le Regiment de Hull. Brenda encourages people to continue to send in crocheted or knitted poppies all year round to Leeds Grenville Fibre Extravaganza, 779 County Road 44, Kemptville, ON, K0G 1J0 or drop them off at Grahame’s Bakery.

OPP canines put their best paws forward

Calendar Proceeds Support Charities With more than 1,700 calls for support service so far this year, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Canine Unit is dedicated to comNovember 18, 2020

munity safety. Even with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting training, the OPP Canine Unit duties have not changed.

Amongst providing support for search and rescue, tracking wanted persons, detect-

Cancellation of 2020 Comedy Night and Auction Fund-raising Event Considering the continued restrictions on indoor events and the ongoing risks associated with COVID-19, Community Living North Grenville has made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Comedy Night and Auction, which we have twice attempted to reschedule. We remain grateful to the community for your ongoing support of the event.

During these challenging times, we are thankful to our excellent team of employees who work diligently to promote a safe and stimulating environment. We will continue to focus on innovative ways to meet the needs of the people we serve safely and effectively and the teams who serve them.

ing narcotics and searching for firearms, explosives and physical evidence, Canine Unit members managed to take time to strike a pose for charity.

The fifth annual OPP Canine Unit Calendar showcases the highly-trained canines that work to keep Ontario safe. Each month features an OPP Canine from across the province with a write-up identifying their specialty and home location. All proceeds from the 2021 OPP Canine Unit Calendar go to the OPP Youth Foundation and the Friends of The OPP Museum.

The charities thank everyone for their generosity as last year's calendar sales raised $25,309.64 for these worthy causes.

Each calendar costs $10 and can be purchased at the OPP Off Duty Shop at

oppshop.on.ca.

The OPP Youth Foundation provides funds to disadvantaged youth throughout the province of Ontario. The Friends of The OPP Museum is a volunteer-based charitable organization that supports, promotes and assists in the preservation of the history of the OPP. For more information, visit oppyouthfoundation.ca, and oppmuseumfriends.ca.

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For those that purchased tickets please return your tickets by mail to the CLNG office at PO Box 1430, 2830 County Rd 43, ON, K0G 1J0. Include with your tickets, your name and mailing address and indicate request for refund or request to donate the cost of the ticket to CLNG. A refund cheque or donation receipt will be forwarded to you in follow up to your request. Alternatively, if you would prefer to return the tickets by hand, please contact the CLNG office at 613-258-7177 to make arrangements.

Thank you again for your support. We look forward to a time when our community is safe and healthy, where we can again organize large social events within the community. www.ngtimes.ca

Editorial

The North Grenville Times

It’s only words

by David Shanahan Language is a magical thing, made up of words, designed to express ideas, explain thoughts and concepts, and describe the world around us. And words are made up of these strange symbols, a very limited number of them, put together in endless combinations to form the words. In all of the English language, there are just 26 of those symbols, yet we make them say so many things. Other languages have far more, others even less, but all are designed to do the same thing – to communicate.

And communication is with others. We use language to talk to each other for many reasons and in many ways, written and spoken. The story of the Tower of Babel tells what happened when people could no longer communicate with each other because they no longer all spoke the same language. They separated from each other, formed distinct communi-

ties. They could no longer relate. Words are powerful.

They can try and describe the most complex phenomena in the universe, and they can just say “I love you”. The effects are profound.

The manner in which the many languages spoken on this planet came to be is fascinating, but a little vague.

After all, we had to learn each other’s languages before we could tell each other our stories. I could not write this article if I hadn’t learned a different language from the one native to where I grew up.

Even speaking English, it is not always easy to understand each other! Oscar Wilde once said that the British and the Americans were two peoples divided by a common language: Oscar loved words and played with language with real joy. A true Irishman.

The really strange thing about the many languages in the world is that they are not becoming more complicated over time. Quite the opposite, in fact. In spite of what we often see as the progress the human race has enjoyed

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over the centuries, the way in which we communicate with each other is actually degrading, quite rapidly too.

We use fewer words than our ancestors did, and we are less functional in the language we use. Reading a regular Canadian newspaper in the late Nineteenth Century, you find longer articles, a wider range of topics covered, and even classical references, given with the assumption that readers would recognise them.

Of course, it can be argued that fewer people were literate then, and only the educated read the newspapers.

This is not strictly accurate, but even allowing for these factors, most reading material these days has been “dumbed down” for regular readers who are used to reading short and simple articles, or, dare I say, tweets. We are being told constantly that attention spans are shorter than before, and people won’t listen to anything unless it is colourful, simple to grasp, and does not involve too much thinking.

Personally, I think this, itself, is a simplistic attitude.

Give people something worth reading, and they will read and understand it. The problem really begins with a declining standard of English, in the case of anglophone countries at least. We accept American spelling, like “center”, “favor”, etc., without complaint. After all, what does it really matter how we spell words? Ironically, American spelling grew largely out of the work of Noah Webster and his famous Webster’s English Dictionary, where he deliberately changed standard English spelling of the time to distinguish it from British.

Even standard bearers such as the CBC are failing miserably in keeping up standards today, using the incorrect pronouns more often than not (“we are excited for the results”); and one “journalist” reported recently that someone had “been bit” by a dog. Again, does it matter if we don’t know about proper punctuation, much less proper nouns? Should we be at all concerned that our language is changing this way? After all, the English

language has been changing constantly over time. No-one today speaks Anglo-Saxon, or even Shakespearean English (other than when reading the King James Bible). Change is inevitable, so should we be trying to stem the tide?

We haven’t come up with many new words recently either. Most of the ones we think are new, in technology for example, are simply words taken from Greek and Latin.

“Google” may qualify as a novelty; but is it something to be proud of (or of which to be proud)? I believe it is worth holding to a standard, while remaining open to change.

After all, if the purpose of language is to communicate with each other, then we need to be agreed on how to use words,

how to spell them, and what they mean. IMHO, of course.

Are we down with that? Is it cool? Are we copacetic? After all, it’s only words, and words are all I have…

new generation of young farmers helps to restore the services offered before the college was closed down, and would help our own area farmers, who have family who want to continue farming. This would, in part, return the campus to its traditional uses.

Projects such as using farm land for non-farm uses, are symptomatic of a larger problem: food insecurity. Food security is something that many of us take for granted. Canada relies far too much on food imports from other countries. With climate change upon us, all over the world people are on the move, abandoning arable land that can no longer be used for farming due, primarily, to droughts.

Historically, communities grew up around good farmland. You ate what could be grown locally, and you traded with nearby communities for other produce. In this age of

globalization, our food comes from all over the world, and carries a significant carbon footprint with it. While you might say that this is just one small project, when considered together, they all become death by a thousand cuts.

A major problem is that, as communities expand, much of this sort of farmland is paved over. We have no strategy to ensure that this farmland stays in production. Rather, it succumbs to the needs of developers, who see the land as nothing more than a business opportunity.

As communities grow, land values rise, as does the value of farmland close to urban centres. Farmers, understandably, see this as an opportunity for a comfortable retirement when developers come knocking. You cannot blame them. Farming is a business with incredibly small margins, and we do not pay them anywhere near

enough for the services that they provide.

As Marie-Therese points out, there is better and more viable use for this land. Also, a public/ private venture proposal had already been made, that Steve Clark was aware of, that would keep the land in agricultural uses, plus our municipality has already expressed a desire to purchase these lands. The meeting with the Solicitor General’s office brought into sharp relief that they were totally unprepared to discuss even the basic problems regarding the considerable lack of pretty much all of the services and infrastructure that this jail facility would require.

This begs the question of why a meeting would be instigated when they had hardly no response to these blindingly obvious shortcomings. It makes you wonder just how much thought has gone into this.

Of further interest is

that 66% of our current prison population is in remand, that is, people who have been charged, but not convicted of anything.

This is up by a factor of almost 3 in the last 25 years or so. This is due entirely to the failure of the provincial government to deal with the bail crisis. I would think if they fixed this one item, then the question becomes, why do we need new jails?

Personally, I am left to wonder if this decision was political. When you consider that our town has the smallest population, by far, of any jail location in Ontario, then there are less people to anger. It is starting to look like a numbers game.

Colin Creasey Kemptville

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Letters to the Edior Dear Editor, After watching the results come in last night of the US election, the only possible word I could agree with Donald Trump would be the word “sad”. It is ‘sad’ that we in North America are still so obviously racist. The white male supremacists still rule, sadly. It isn’t yet over as I write. I would wish that Kamala Harris would soon become President.

If there was any justice in this world, that might happen.

As I heard someone on a program this morning say: Joe Biden isn’t that exciting, but at least he has intelligence and class and acts like a gentleman.

I’m afraid I could never say that about Mr. Trump.

Just the opposite.

Sincerely, Kath Piché

The North Grenville Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc. Marketing Gord J. Logan gord@ngtimes.ca 613-258-6402 November 18, 2020

Dear Editor, I found that the recent letter from Marie-Therese Voutsinos entitled “To the Honourable Doug Ford” makes quite a number of interesting points that many of us tend to overlook. (Incidentally, I have never understood why, when somebody assumes political office, that they suddenly become “Honourable”). Her letter became all the more interesting with it following on from a previous letter from Paul Cormier, entitled “A more appropriate use”.

What I particularly like about Marie-Theresa’s letter was that it was big picture, addressing many of the problems that we are going to face in the future, if we don’t change our way of thinking regarding the use of arable land, particularly that which is close to urban centres. Using the structures already on site to develop and teach farming practices to a

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Editor Marketing David Shanahan Shannon Lever shannon@ngtimes.ca david@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735

OFFICE 613-215-0735 Accounting Pat Jessop cfo@ngtimes.ca 613-258-4671

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Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Staff Reporter Hilary Thomson hilary@ngtimes.ca

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The North Grenville Times

Ontario looks for workers for the Long-Term Care Sector

by David Shanahan The Ford government has committed itself to increasing the hours of direct care for each long-term care resident to an average of four hours per day, which will be provided by nurses or personal support workers to support individual clinical and personal care needs. It seems that the way they have found to provide that service is to encourage “specifically those who are unemployed or have been displaced from the retail and hospitality industries or administrative roles as well as students in education programs - to re-enter the workforce and make a difference by helping seniors living in long-term care homes”, according to a recent government statement.

"COVID-19 has amplified persistent staffing challenges in the long-term care sector, highlighting the need for immediate action," said Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care. "I encourage those who are looking for new opportunities or those who have been displaced dur-

ing the pandemic to consider working in a long-term care home. This will not only be personally satisfying work, it will help out our frontline staff and greatly improve the quality of life for our seniors."

The government has started the Ontario Workforce Reserve for Senior Support, to recruit, train, and assign these recruits as Resident Support Aides (RSA) to work at homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The RSA's will not be expected to perform medical duties, but will “assist residents with daily living activities including assistance during meal times and nutrition breaks or with the coordination of visits and support with technology or recreational activities”.

This initiative has not, however, met with a warm reception from the unions representing workers in the long-term care sector. The Canadian Union of Public Employees [CUPE] believes that recruiting people from the backgrounds identified by the government would only serve to lower standards of care for residents of long-term care facilities. In a statement

Green and growing?

by Marc Nadeau The landscape of North Grenville has changed in recent years.

Forests are being cut down, brush burned and roots swept up into windrows. The land is then developed for urban use or planted for cash crops, with no more of an epitaph than ‘End of story’.

But there is a bigger story that gets little attention. The common refrain supporting land clearing is that the land is being returned to agriculture.

One could envision the land being returned to farming practices of 70 years ago, with farmers living and working on the land and cows grazing in the fields. Modern agriculture, however, is not that quaint.

Today’s farmland carries a far heavier burden than in days gone by.

Heavy machinery can now enlarge fields, drain land, and apply chemical fertilizers to eliminate species that compete with crops. The farm operation is now the unchallenged ruler of the land and its reNovember 18, 2020

sources. It is a system with little tolerance for outsiders. The loss of treelines between fields removes the corridor that animals use to move about in their habitat.

The windrows of tree trunks, or the burning piles dotting enlarged fields, are a frequent sight. The clearing machines are replaced with tile drainage equipment, ensuring that the land will quickly release its reserve of water after snow melts, increasing water flow and the risk of spring flooding. When there is no cover on the land, soil and nutrients are not held in place and will erode into the streams.

The quality of river water is diminished, resulting in more turbidity and excess nutrients. Later in the season, there is less water flow in the little brooks and creeks that feed the South Branch. During dry summers, like this year and last, such water practices are clearly not beneficial.

This raises many questions for the municipality and its residents. Is this a matter that concerns only

responding to the government’s project, Candace Rennick, secretary treasurer of CUPE Ontario, said: “Seniors in long-term care have very complex conditions and require care from highlyskilled healthcare workers.

Lowering requirements for staff and hiring people who have no training in seniors’ care is a serious miscalculation. It is unfair to residents and unfair to existing and new workers.”

Ms. Rennick, herself a former long-term care worker, pointed out that about two-thirds of long-term care residents have been diagnosed with dementia. About 80% of people with dementia experience behavioural or psychological symptoms.

CUPE is concerned that the government is not making meaningful investments in the sector. The latest budget announcement increased annual funding for long-term care by about 2.5% (about $110 million), when estimates to reach a four-hour care standard range between $1.3 to $1.6 billion (a 40% increase).

“The government’s continuing with cost-containment

and shifting to a lower-classification of workers who are lower-paid, when we need to boost funding and invest in a skilled workforce,” she said.

Michael Hurley, president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/ CUPE), agreed with Ms. Rennick, pointing out in a statement that “it was naïve to believe the essentially untrained staff will not wind up doing resident care”.

“The deconstruction of the personal support workers [PSWs] work by taking away the non-care functions which provide some relief will simply add to their job stress and burnout. This will alienate the PSWs even more by creating another classification that does the lighter workload while they slog away with the heavier elements of the job.”

Calling the government’s initiative “a band-aid solution”, Mr. Hurley called instead for a massive recruitment of new PSW’s and coordination with community colleges to ensure properly qualified people are available to meet the needs in future.

The Voice of North Grenville

UPDATE UPDATE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

The Municipality has created a dedicated webpage for updates related to COVID-19 (www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus)

UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, December 1, 2020.

While members of the public are invited to attend the meeting, seating has been arranged to facilitate physical distancing and accordingly is limited. Pre-registration at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca is required. Persons arriving without pre-registering will be accommodated where there is sufficient seating capacity to permit attendance while complying with safety protocols. All attendees will be required to self-screen and masks must be worn when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

If you require accommodation, please advise the Clerk when pre-registering so that we may best assist you.

This meeting will be live streamed at https://www. northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-andminutes.

To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please provide your comments no later than 2 hours prior to the start of the meeting to clerk@ northgrenville.on.ca

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Environmental Action Advisory Committee – Monday, November 23 at 6:00 pm Agriculture & Rural Affairs Advisory Committee – Tuesday, November 24 at 4:15 pm Active Transportation Advisory Committee – Thursday, November 26 at 5:00 pm **NOTE: Committee Meetings are being conducted electronically via Microsoft Teams. Should you wish to participate in the meeting or have any questions, please contact the Committee Clerk (jworkman@northgrenville.on.ca) by 2:00 pm the day of the meeting for instructions to access the meeting. Any deputations can be e-mailed and will be read aloud to the Committee and will be made part of the public record.

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the agriculturalist and land developer? Should the rest of the community not have a say as to whether forests stay or go? Is there a plan that ensures that a certain portion of the municipality remains tree-covered?

Does the local government have powers to address forest clearing?

As in every situation, there are two or more sides to the story. Families and agri-businesses earn more income from an enlarged land base. In strictly dollar terms, removing forests to create cropland increases the real estate value. This is driven by a strong demand for corn and soybeans in the local and global markets.

Our economic system leaves little choice but growth or stagnation. It is difficult to envision an economic system that balances financial and environmental considerations, which may leave people feeling powerless to act.

As Canadians and residents of North Grenville, however, we should be aware of how the changing landscape affects us, as

well as future generations.

There are significant costs that don’t have a monetary value. The loss of habitat for woodland species is top of the list.

Think of the dwindling moose and bear sightings, not to mention declining bird populations. The forest and the many species are removed to grow crops of a single genetic strain.

We have devalued nature by not recognizing its benefits to our wellbeing, and now we have a situation that is reminiscent of the rush for land in the Wild West. This rush needs to be slowed and given sober second thought, and the municipality should be a significant contributor to the discussion.

Should we make an effort to live as part of nature, or should we continue to think that we are separate and in control?

Regular Meeting – Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 1:30 pm

NORTH GRENVILLE MUNICIPAL OFFICE HOURS

The Municipal Office is open to the public between the hours of 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Residents and businesses can continue to access Municipal services by phone, email and online. For more information visit www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus.

GARBAGE & RECYCLING

Please be advised that the new Garbage and Recycling Calendar between November 2020 to January 2021 is available for download at www.ngrecycles. ca. Remember to have your bins out by 7:00 am.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITUES

Municipal Custodian (Part-Time) The Municipality of North Grenville is accepting resumes from interested and qualified candidates for the position of Part-Time Custodian. The closing date to receive applications is 4:00 pm Friday, November 27, 2020. Additional information is available at www.northgrenville.ca.

CIVIC AWARDS

North Grenville’s Council is seeking nominations for the 2020 Civic Awards. For details visit www.northgrenville.ca

ROAD SAFETY

The Municipality of North Grenville is preparing to develop new and update transportation policies in response to increasing traffic related concerns raised by residents. Please fill out the online survey at www.northgrenville.ca/roadsafety

The Municipality of North Grenville

285 County Rd. 44, PO Box 130, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca Building: 613-258-9569 x130 Fax: 613-258-1441 Fire Services Info: 613-258-9569 x201 Fax: 613-258-1031 By-Law Services: email: bylawinquiries@northgrenville.on.ca 613-258-9569 x211 Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002

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The Voice of North Grenville

More clarity needed about the prison

by David Shanahan Ever since the announcement was made that Kemptville is to be the site of the new Greater Ottawa Correctional Facility, there has been an unsettling lack of solid information about the facility and how it might affect North Grenville in general, and Kemptville in particular.

The one sure thing we know is that the Ontario Government has decided the new prison will be located here, and any consultations with residents in future will not change that decision.

There has been a great deal of speculation, gossip, and inaccurate information that has been spreading through the community because of this lack of information from the office of the Solicitor General and from local MPP, Steve Clark.

Mayor Peckford has been in touch with both sources on a very regular basis since

the announcement, seeking clarification on a number of issues. The Mayor has been trying to counter the rumours wherever she can, and there have been some important facts uncovered as a result.

The Ontario Government says it had looked at approximately 100 potential sites for the prison before settling on Kemptville, and one of the more interesting aspects of the matter is that, according to Mayor Peckford, Steve Clark and the Solicitor General’s staff seemed surprised by the opposition they encountered in North Grenville. They were, she says, obviously pleased with their research and, when Minister Clark first called her late on a Monday evening to tell her of the upcoming announcement in Brockville on Thursday, he sounded as though he was bringing some good news.

The last thing the Mayor was expecting was a prison.

She agrees that the entire affair has not been handled

well by the province: a lack of information, followed by a slow rationing out of further details, has only fired opposition and scepticism in the general public. What seemed at first to be presented as a medium security facility, is now understood to be a facility that will accommodate offenders of all security levels, including some on remand.

Both male and female inmates prisoners will be housed in Kemptville, most, if not all, coming from parts of Eastern Ontario, as part of a greater effort by the province to improve correctional services in this part of the province.

Mayor Peckford has also been in conversation with the John Howard Society, and their representative assures her that this facility is not a danger to the community.

Her research into other towns with prisons shows that the municipal leaders there have welcomed the facilities as a positive asset to their communities.

The Stakeholders Session on October 30 included representatives from groups opposing the facility, as well as representatives from all four boards on the Kemptville Campus, faith communities, KDH, and representatives from the local BIA. Not all of them came out of the session reassured by what they heard, and Nancy and her council colleagues are very aware that this community is divided on the issue. But, she says, they were elected to represent everybody, not just one side, and that is what they are trying to do.

However, opponents of the prison feel that Council is not doing enough to confront the province. That is not what mayor and council feel is the right approach at this time.

The facts are that the province intends going ahead with the facility, regardless. What council is doing is to ensure that this will not come at ANY financial cost to taxpayers or the municipality. The prov-

History

The Kemptville Horticultural Society

by David Shanahan The announcement appeared in the local newspaper on December 22, 1898: there would be a meeting to establish a new Horticultural Society in Kemptville. “The necessary number of signatures for membership having been received”, the Town Hall on Water Street would be the venue for the meeting on Wednesday, January 11, 1899. In addition to those who had expressed interest in the new organisation, the public “in general” were invited to attend.

It is interesting to note that the organisers were all women, but the inaugural meeting that January evening elected a man, Reeve Angus Buchanan, as President, and the Secretary and Treasurer were also men. The only one from the original organising committee to be elected to the Board was Mrs. A. Bowen, who was elected First VicePresident. One other woman became 2nd Vice-President, Mrs. John Sanders. Yes, in those days, and for long afterwards, married women were called by their husband’s name, not their own. But Mrs. John Sanders was Susannah, nee Barnes, who, at the time of her death in 1919, was “probably the oldest nativeborn resident of the village” of Kemptville.

November 18, 2020

The Horticultural Society came under the Agriculture and Arts Act of Ontario, and had to be officially sanctioned by the responsible provincial Deputy Minister of Agriculture, C. C. James. By-laws for the new Society were passed in March, 1899, by which time more than 1,000 trees had been distributed to the members for planting. But the Society did not prosper, and fell into inactivity by 1903.

It was not until April, 1920, that the Society was revived and began its second lease of life. This incarnation of the Horticultural Society received encouragement from the financial support it received from the community and government. Local M.P.P., and soon to be Ontario Premier, chaired the first meeting, was elected Honorary President, and donated $25 to the Society. The Province granted another $25, as did the Kemptville Women’s Institute. The Village Council gave $10, and membership dues amounted to $118. These were significant amounts in 1920.

This period lasted for nine years, and each year the Society held a Flower Show, which attracted over sixty entries in its first year alone. The Society carried on projects to beautify the village, including the Public School Grounds, where the

B&H now stands, the tennis and bowling grounds in Riverside Park, and the river bank behind the Town Hall.

These projects didn’t all work out as planned. The flower beds and trees envisaged for the Public School grounds had to be put off until “the area was fenced to keep out livestock”! The river bank behind the Town Hall was used to store machinery by the Village, so there was little the Society could do to beautify that area. Membership drives and a banquet at the Kemptville College involved the Girl Guides and High School students, and usually led to a sizeable membership list of up to 318 at one point.

All in all, it seems to have had an active and productive company, but when it folded in 1929, it would be another twenty-three years before it would rise again.

In the meantime, an attempt was made to start an Oxford Township Horticultural Society in 1923. A first meeting was held at the Town Hall in Oxford Mills on Monday, April 9, 1923, at which the local Agricultural Representative, W. M. Croskery, gave an illustrated talk, and a number of musical numbers were presented by those in attendance. Nothing more seems to have happened, however.

But, in Kemptville, the

Society rose up once more.

In April, 1952, at a meeting held with just ten people in attendance, activity resumed. It was a newcomer to the village who initiated the rebirth. E. H. Jones had recently moved to Kemptville after his retirement from the staff of Macdonald College in Montreal’s Horticultural Division. The Society grew and prospered, continuing the beautification projects of its predecessors, and even having an exhibition at the Central Canada Exhibition in Ottawa. In 1954, the Society played host to the Ottawa and District Gladiolus Show in the basement of St. John’s United Church on Prescott Street.

There were many other events and activities over the years, including, for example, a Society Banquet in the Kemptville Town Hall in 1970. An Anglican priest was the guest speaker, as well as providing the blessing at the meal. Doing laudable double duty, he then spoke on the art of flower arranging, making some half dozen arrangements as he spoke.

Today’s Horticultural Society continues a long tradition of beautification, promoting beauty and artistry, as well as a sound scientific approach to their work.

6

ince has agreed to obtain, and pay for, whatever building and related permits the municipality would normally expect, and the province will pay for all services supplied by the municipality, in the same way as KDH and similar institutions pay now.

It may seem that the only input the community will have when it comes to public consultations later this month are cosmetic, such as the precise siting of the prison on the 182-acre site.

But other aspects are also being looked at by mayor and council. For example, what is to be done with the rest of the acreage not needed by the prison? What role will local trades and builders have in the construction? What opportunities will local caterers and suppliers have? Given that the province has just announced the hiring of 35 new correctional officers, the first of more than 500 they plan to hire and train, to be posted near their home regions, what

are the employment prospects for local residents?

Mayor and council believe they are doing all they can, given the continuing gaps in information from the province. Mayor Peckford is adamant that North Grenville will have its say, and residents will be protected, financially and socially, from the arrival of the prison. But it is clear that the province have handled this roll-out badly, and mayor and council were unprepared for it, as was the entire community. It is incumbent on Steve Clark and the Solicitor General to be more forthcoming with facts and assurances. Whichever way it goes, there will be those who oppose and those who support this project. And, as with the controversy over building the Municipal Centre some years ago, they will probably both turn out to be right.

Local Covid update

by David Shanahan It was a mixed week in the Leeds Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit [LGLDHU]. On Monday, November 9, there had been a total of 464 confirmed cases in the region, of whom 53 people died. Six additional cases had been reported over the previous weekend, bringing the number to 10 active cases that day. There were three active outbreaks in institutions, one in Carleton Place and two in Brockville. The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville East region [UCLG East], comprising the municipalities of North Grenville, Merrickville-Wolford, Augusta, and Edwardsburgh-Cardinal, had 3 active cases.

But, by the following day, November 10, another five cases had been identified, and the number of confirmed cases in UCLG East had doubled, to six, higher than any other region of the LGLDHU region, and equal to that in Lanark East.

By the end of the week, on November 13, the number of confirmed cases in the region had risen again, with 17 active community based cases in LGLDHU, of which 9 were in UGLG East, a further rise of three from Tuesday. However, the cases in institutions had dropped to just 1, as the Brockville cases had recovered.

In all, by November 13, there had been 194 community based cases in LGLDHU, of whom 173 recovered and 4 died.

Since the start of the pandemic, 88 healthcare workers had become infected to date, but all recovered. In Long Term Care or Retirement Homes, a total of 192 people had been confirmed as having Covid-19, of whom 49 have died. This represents 92% of all deaths from the pandemic in the LGLDHU. 231, or 49% of confirmed cases were found in the over 65 age group; 107 (23%) were in the 45-64 age category, and the same number in the 20-44 age groups. Only 6%, or 29 cases, were under 20 years of age. Of the total of 474 cases, 311, or 66%, were female. The oldest person to die was 104 years old.

According to Ontario Government projections, the province could experience an alarming 6,500 new cases every day by the middle of December, if people do not take the precautions recommended by health professionals: masks, social distancing, and hand washing. Response to the pandemic among the general public remains surprisingly diverse, with some denying there is a pandemic, others claiming that it is a government conspiracy to enslave the population. One wonders how to explain, if the pandemic is a hoax, why 1.3 million people have died worldwide up to last weekend, with a total of 53.5 million confirmed cases. No doubt some will claim this is a false statistic, but the families and loved ones of the dead may not agree. www.ngtimes.ca

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The Voice of North Grenville

New tax credit to help seniors Dr. C.L. Eamon live at home longer

by David Shanahan The Ontario Government is introducing a new tax credit to enable seniors to remain at home longer by making their homes more accessible through a new proposed Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit for the 2021 taxation year. According to the government statement, under the measure, seniors, and family members they live with, would receive a 25% credit on eligible renovations of up to $10,000 to make their homes safer and more accessible.

The new proposed personal income tax credit would support seniors, regardless of their income and whether they owe income tax for 2021. As an example, the government will provide a senior, or a family member living with a senior, a maximum of $2,500 back for a $10,000 renovation to make their home safer. And examples of the kind of expenses which would qualify for this tax credit include grab bars

My name is Jean Knapp and I’m a brand new 100 year old individual, and I have been celebrating my birthday in October. There have been unbelievable and overwhelming events for me to behold.

Bayfield Manor, where I live, has played a large part, and a very secretive part, for me, with the arrival of those prized black team of horses, plus a carriage in red to match with style. But that’s not all! A kind and entertaining gentleman accompanied me in the carriage on the tour through the town and beyond. Seeing and speaking with so many along the way, in the town I love so much, was a real joy. While I was touring, the staff and residents were gathering in the lounge with more wishes and a cake to be enjoyed. The candle blowing nearly “did me in”.

On Saturday, a very large red machine came over a rise in the road, followed by a drive-by of vehicles, with many good wishes, and later, a family dinner was served. My family, bless them, knew all about the upcoming events and were with me all the way.

Now you can understand why I wish to offer a sincere and genuine thank you to all who participated in many ways in our cool fall climate.

All the memories will be tucked in my memory bank, as long as the Good Lord will allow.

As always Jean

and related reinforcements Community Grant Program around the toilet, tub and is designed to help nonshower, wheelchair ramps, profit organizations, local stair lifts and elevators. The services boards, and Intax credit would also be digenous groups develop available for renovations to programs to keep seniors reduce isolation, permit first floor occupancy 212 Van Buren St.engaged, 613.258.7438 or a secondary suite for a promote well-being, and lower the risk of abuse and senior.

The Seniors’ Home fraud. And the Ontario ComSafety Tax Credit would munity Support Program cost about $30 million and works with local volunbenefit about 27,000 people teer organizations to deliver across Ontario, including meals, medicine, and other seniors and people who live essentials to low-income with senior relatives. To seniors and people with claim the tax credit, seniors disabilities, and has so far or their family members delivered nearly 490,000 should get receipts from meals, food hampers, and suppliers and contractors for essential supplies to vulnerable individuals since April work paid for in 2021.

In responding to the ter- 2020. rible toll on seniors by the In his comments on the Covid-19 pandemic, the new tax credit program, government is also funding local M.P.P., Steve Clark a number of programs for noted that: “This is an addiseniors specifically. The In- tional measure that will help clusive Community Grants tens of thousands of seniors Program gives municipali- stay in their homes longer. ties, local governments, Providing this tax credit for community organizations, home renovations is also and Indigenous groups up to good news for our local $60,000 for local accessible businesses as our economy and age-friendly projects. continues to recover from The 2020-21 Seniors the pandemic.”

Remember to have your garbage & recycling out by 7am!

212 Van Buren St.

613.258.7438

Please place bins together on the same side of driveway.

New Contract - Same Collection Day

Emterra Environmental is the new waste management contractor for all aspects of North Grenville’s curbside program, including waste and recycling. Separated organics collection will begin February 2021.

www.NGrecycles.ca

Any questions or concerns regarding collection or missed collection, please contact Emterra Environmental at: 1-855-532-7555.

November 18, 2020

7

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The North Grenville Photography Club

UCDSB Principal honoured with National Indigenous Education Award

With a dedication for Indigenous Education and Reconciliation, Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) Principal of Indigenous Education Programs, Gail Brant-Terry, was recently honoured with the Indspire Guiding the Journey Indigenous Education Awards in Leadership.

The award recognizes educators who have made valuable contributions to community-based education and honour the principles of Indigenous knowledge.

Her major leadership initiative is leading the UCDSB program, iLead, which engages community elders to share teachings and help students connect to the past. This program has a “teach the teacher” component, and it has inspired educators across the board to add Indigenous content to their lessons. She also coauthored a well-received paper with her daughter on the future of Indigenous education.

A member of the First Nation, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Gail has been in education for 33 years, which includes the past decade with the UCDSB. When she learned of winning the award, she was both surprised and honoured.

She says working with the UCDSB has given her the opportunity to nurture her passion for ensuring

Club member Dave Percy created this triptych in honour of Veterans Day.

Six by Sixteen launches new virtual food literacy challenge

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s (OFA) Six by Sixteen food literacy initiative has cooked up something special to be launched during The Royal Agricultural Virtual Experience.

With the help of Growing Chefs Ontario, Six by Sixteen is proud to announce the launch of a new virtual challenge. Our dietitian developed recipe guide has officially been converted to a digital format with videoed cooking tutorials for youth and families to watch from the safety and convenience of their own home.

This exciting, home cooking challenge features eight dietitian developed recipe videos, an introduction to knife safety and food handling. Youth can follow along as a certified chef demonstrates how to source and prepare eight recipes using locally grown and produced food products.

“We want to ensure we’re doing our part to raise the November 18, 2020

profile of buying fresh, safe and affordable local food that supports our farm families and the local economy,” said Keith Currie, OFA President.

“With youth spending more time at home and limited access to recreational activities, now is a great opportunity to promote the importance of food literacy and getting kids in the kitchen.”

Keeping true to the Six

by Sixteen slogan, youth only need to prepare six recipes to complete the challenge.

Everyone who completes this task will receive an official Six by Sixteen certificate honouring their achievement.

Families and youth will have the chance to engage with OFA and Six by Sixteen to learn more about the food literacy challenge during The Royal Agricultural Virtual Experience. The traditional Royal Agricultural Winter Fair has pivoted its plans this year to interact with the agricultural community and consumers through a virtual lens.

This year’s platform focuses on agricultural education for youth and consumers.

OFA is proud to be a sponsor

The Voice of North Grenville

of the event’s Agriculture Zone alongside Ontario’s commodity organizations, 4-H, AgScape, Farm & Food Care Ontario and John Deere.

OFA’s virtual booth is full of youth-friendly activities that promote food literacy knowledge and awareness, and our dynamic agri-food sector. Activities include the interactive quiz game Kahoot, crosswords, word searches, fun facts and cooking demonstrations.

OFA and Six by Sixteen encourage all families to get their youth involved in the kitchen by taking our recipe challenge. It’s a fun and family-oriented way to teach the next generation lifelong skills and promote Ontario’s agri-food sector in the process.

Youth can submit their six recipes by sending photos of completed meals to: sixbysixteen@ofa.on.ca, or sharing their cooking adventures and dishes to social media by tagging @SixbySixteen with #virtualchallenge6x16.

You can access these videos directly from our virtual booth or visit youtube.com/ ontariofarms.

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Indigenous Education and Reconciliation becomes and remains ignited across the school communities, and that she’s proud of the school board’s work.

“UCDSB is known across our province for our work in Indigenous Education. Our two main initiatives, our iLead program and our TRC Gatherings, are the cornerstones of our work that have been going on for many years and I have had the privilege of being able to be a part of continuing to go deeper with this work. I am only able to support everything we do in UCDSB because of the amazing people I get to work with across our system who are deeply invested in the important work of Indigenous Education.”

UCDSB Chair, John McAllister, says Gail’s commitment to bringing Indigenous Education programming into the school board is key to nurturing and building relationships.

“She has an incredible way to bring Indigenous history, culture and traditions to our school board, and introduces key voices from the Indigenous communities. I was pleased to see her in action supporting school initiatives that honoured Indigenous Education, such as the programming happening at the Smiths Falls and District Collegiate Institute,” he says. “We’re proud of Ms. Brant-Terry’s work,

and this award is a deserving recognition for her dedication.”

Gail says it’s important to support teachers in their Truth and Conciliation Commission (TRC) program planning.

“Indigenous Education is about connecting the heart and the mind and being open to your own learning and often relearning. It requires people to embark on a personal learning journey where they have to individually invest the time in learning a history they were never taught in school, nurture relationships to engage with cultural advisors and commit to using authentic resources by Indigenous authors where the teachings are respected and honoured.”

When it comes to future Indigenous education and knowledge keeping across the UCDSB school communities, Gail BrantTerry has a vision.

“I would love to know that Indigenous students see themselves, their culture and traditions in our schools and non-Indigenous students have deep intercultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect. Ultimately, when you walk into every school in our board, you see and feel that honouring Indigenous ways of knowing and being matters.”

G a i l B r a n t - Te r r y will be recognized for her award at the Indspire Guiding the Journey Indigenous Education Award Ceremony on November 26, 2020.

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Take steps to relieve chronic stress

Nothing can be more heart wrenching than the sudden death of a loved one. The visualization of a wrench tightening on the heart is apt.

It can feel that way, and the physical harm done from such intense pressure is not good for your health.

Isaac Asimov, professor of biochemistry and prolific writer of science fiction, said, “Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It’s the transition that’s troublesome.” It’s troublesome for the individual at death’s door, certainly. But it’s also tragic for family and friends. It’s devastating – and lasting – for a life partner.

If we are lucky enough to face the trauma of a heart wrench only once in life, we might not need to worry about it. But 2020 is defined by chronic stress.

Extreme stress causes rapid production of adrenaline, a hormone that makes your body race. Your heart picks up speed. Breathing quickens. Blood pressure

skyrockets. It is what happens when you exercise. But sudden extreme production of stress hormones, or prolonged periods of elevated stress, do more harm than good.

Sometimes it can kill you.

Take the case of Josephine Ann Harris, who went into cardiac arrest and died just two hours after a surprise visit to her restaurant by President Barrack Obama in July, 2012 – an unfortunate example of the high price of too much excitement.

Stressors happen to us all the time: a loose dog growls, a child runs carelessly across the road, or a stranger rings the doorbell at night. These are the events that trigger your hypothalamus, a small region in your brain, to send alarms that launch the production of cortisol. Whereas adrenaline speeds you up, cortisol builds up glucose in your bloodstream, feeds these sugars to your brain, and activates the mechanisms that specifically control motivation and fear.

periods of time, your body can’t return to normal functioning. Regular functions of eating, sleeping, and even establishing memories, are crippled by sensors constantly beaming an “under attack” message.

Experts believe that genetics may play a role in determining how susceptible we are to stress and how strongly our systems fire up or cool off. But life experience plays a part too. We can see the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder in the careers of military personnel, police officers, fire fighters, crime survivors, and, especially in 2020, our front-line healthcare workers.

It’s hard to prepare for life’s toughest challenges. But it’s worth taking steps to relieve chronic stress. First and foremost, think twice before popping pills. This is a recipe for more trouble. Instead, surround yourself with good friends who lift your spirits.

Volunteer in your community, or go for long walks. Find your funny bone and fuel it with good humour. And seek help from professionals if you sense you are stuck in a rut.

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Cortisol also shuts down entire systems considered unhelpful distractions in a fight-or-flight scenario, such as the digestive system and reproductive system.

Hopefully, these stressful times come to an end, and the body recovers. But for some, the trauma endures, for instance, with the death of a spouse. The stress of losing a life partner is magnified when a spouse needs to take decisions about end-of-life care. Or worse, is relegated to bystander status while doctors perform heroics that steal dignity from death.

Intense stress can come from other sources too. Fear of needles, spiders, and heights can be managed. A bad divorce, less so. Getting divorced is stressful in many ways. But the damage to your health caused by relentless high levels of anxiety can compare to a death in the family.

When stress hormones stay activated over extended

Staying Well During Cold and Flu Season – Healthy Eating

by Danielle Labonte, Registered Dietitian and Public Health Nutritionist, LGLDHU Cold and flu season is here, which often brings up conversations about our immune systems and ways to prevent getting sick.

Eating a variety of foods from the three food groupings from Canada’s Food Guide is important to keep your immune system working its best. This means eating a variety of vegetables and fruit, protein foods, and whole grains. The vitamins, minerals, and nutrients we get from these foods are important for a healthy immune system.

While we often hear claims that specific foods will help us fight viruses, it is important to note that there is no single food that will November 18, 2020

prevent or treat viruses such as a cold, flu, or COVID-19.

These claims are often linked to specific vegetables and fruit, which we know are great for our health; however, these foods are only likely to be helpful in preventing viruses if we are deficient in a specific nutrient, and if we eat a variety of different foods, the likelihood of being deficient is low. Overall, there is little evidence that specific vegetables or fruit have an effect on preventing and treating viruses in someone who is well nourished.

General Tips for Staying Well During Cold and Flu Season: - Try to get in regular physical activity; this can help the immune system stay strong and ready to fight infections if and when they occur; - Manage your stress levels

as best as you can; stress can weaken our immune systems which makes us more likely to get sick; - Get enough sleep; a lack of sleep can have a negative effect on our immune systems; - Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds; we can get viruses by touching our eyes, nose, or mouth after we touch a surface with germs on it; - Avoid close contact with people who have a virus of any sort, whenever possible.

For more information, go to www.healthunit.org, follow us on Twitter and Facebook (@LGLHealthUnit), or call 1-800-660-5853.

the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

9

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Critical illness insurance

by Sharyn Hillier, B.A., CHS, Hill Life Financial When it comes to the word insurance, the first thing people think about is life or auto or property. Very rarely do people think about something called critical illness insurance.

So, what is critical illness insurance? Those two words together do not even appear in Webster’s dictionary. But if you use Google, the definition according to Canada.ca is: “critical illness insurance usually pays a one-time lump-sum payment if you are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The lump-sum payment may cover expenses such as daycare, or renovations to make your home more accessible.” You and your family, or you and your business, choose how to use the benefit.

But it’s more than that. Let me explain. First, critical illness insurance was invented by Dr Marius Barnard, who was a South African surgeon. He was part of the team that did the first human to human heart transplant in 1967. He saw the financial disaster that was too often waiting for people who had life threatening illnesses. He thought they deserved to get financial assistance to help through the hard times.

As a result, he invented what he called “dread disease insurance”. Thankfully, the name was changed to critical illness insurance. It covers many illnesses, from as little as three to as many as 32 illnesses in Canada. It varies by insurance carrier.

Yet, why is this insurance not as popular as other insurance plans? Well, many people don’t talk about becoming ill. They think it won’t happen to them. Did you know, according to the Canadian Cancer Society, you have an almost 50% chance of getting cancer in your lifetime? That 9 in 10 Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart disease or stroke? So the odds aren’t always in our favour.

Many people believe that the government will look after them when they get ill. That’s partially true. But where the gap occurs is what the patient or their family needs to pay for.

Examples include parking, meals for family or friends, accommodations if treatments are received out of town, or babysitting.

The expenses can get even higher if, for example, a partner wishes to take time off to spend with the person affected by the illness. People may not be paid by their employer for taking care of a loved one Other things that may not be covered by the government include prescriptions for cancer-fighting medications, specifically experimental medications, advanced medical care if you choose to find treatments outside of Canada, or recovery in a long-term care facility.

People also believe that they are covered under a group health care plan. Sadly, many group insurance plans do not include critical illness. And there are waiting periods to claim long term disability of up to 90 days. Also, there are often stories about employers who change their plans to save money, and thus decrease or drop benefits entirely.

Long story short: critical illness insurance is attainable.

You don’t have to be in the most perfect health. The insurance industry needs to do a better job at getting the word out.

Hopefully this has helped. www.ngtimes.ca

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The Voice of North Grenville

The Voice of Merrickville/Wolford

Merrickville-Wolford financial update

by Hilary Thomson

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Merrickville-Wolford council received a report last week, updating them on the municipality’s financials, taking into consideration the impact of COVID-19.

The report gave a detailed overview of all the municipal departments and how they are measuring up, as compared to budgeted expenses and revenues. Most items were either on target or under budget, with some loss of revenue, mostly due to COVID-19.

The only item that was significantly over budget was planning expenses, which is sitting at 127% of the budgeted amount. However, the report outlines that most of this money is recoverable through professional services agreements with developers, and is reflected in planning

revenue, which is at 98%.

To date, the Village has collected approximately 86% of the current year’s taxes, compared to 89% in 2019.

The report also outlined the direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the municipality’s finances. When the state of emergency was declared by the province on March 17, council decided to roll back the tax increase from 3.13% to 0.44% and waive all late fees regarding water and wastewater bill payments until the end of July.

Council also directed staff to apply residential water rates to most commercial utility ratepayers, to help relieve some financial burden from businesses which were not able to operate due to the pandemic. The municipality has been unable to rent out municipal facilities, which has added to the decrease in

revenue. In total, the relief initiatives and the closure of municipal facilities have resulted in a financial loss of $119,408, as of September 30.

The municipality has also incurred some expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This includes social distancing signs and supplies, postage for Village COVID-19 drop mailings, Bell Conferencing to allow group phone conversations instead of face to face meetings, public washroom cleaning during the summer tourist season, and technology to allow staff to work remotely from home.

Total COVID-19 expenses were sitting at $19,338 as of September 30. The report projected an increased loss of revenue of $7710 from October 1 to December 31, due to the lower commercial water and wastewater rates.

COVID-19 has also pro-

vided some cost savings to the municipality, mainly from the closure of municipal facilities, the cancellation of staff training and workshops, the cancellation of Canada Day, and municipal grants that were not handed out this year.

To date, the Village has saved approximately $50,212 due to the pandemic.

As part of the provincialfederal Safe Restart Agreement, the municipality will be receiving $85,300. With this funding, and the Village’s own savings, the municipality will have a total of $135,512 to cover COVID-19 related costs and revenue losses. Total costs are sitting at $138,746, leaving only $3,234 in unbudgeted COVID-19 expenses. This, along with the fact that the municipality is expecting a surplus at the end of the year, means that the Village likely won’t

CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT

Robert Walker, CPA, CA Bradley Mehlman CPA Dinah Boal Stephanie Turcotte Crystal Lang T: 613.258.3282 F: 613.258.4391 2 - 4 Industrial Rd, Kemptville, South Gower Business Park

qualify for the additional COVID-19 funding that was announced by the province on October 1.

Village Treasurer, Kirsten Rahm, told council that, compared to other municipalities, they have fared quite well through COVID-19. “We don’t have a lot of revenue losses compared to others,” she said. “We don’t have transit, we don’t make a lot on our recreation facilities to begin with, and we don’t have any indoor ice pads sit-

COVID-friendly Christmas in Merrickville coming to Village

urday, December 5, and SunLocal Journalism Initiative Reporter day, December 6. President of the Merrickville and District A modified Christmas in Chamber of Commerce, Yves Merrickville is being planned Grandmaitre, says this is to, for the Village on the first hopefully, spread the number weekend in December. Due of visitors to the Village out to COVID-19, many of the over the two days to make usual Christmas in Mer- sure the stores aren’t overrickville activities have been whelmed with shoppers. cancelled, including the Santa “The stores have a lot of Clause parade, fire barrels concerns, because we have a in the street, cookie walk lot of shop owners who are and weigh, and the carriage older that you could conrides. That being said, the sider at risk. Their concern Christmas in Merrickville is controlling the crowds in committee, along with local the stores.” businesses and the MerrickThe COVID-friendly ville and District Chamber of Christmas in Merrickville Commerce, have been work- will still include some speing hard to plan an event that cial attractions, including will still encourage people the Knock Knock Shoppe’s to come visit Merrickville, usual silent auction in supwhile staying safe. port of several local charities, To promote social dis- and a draw to win gift cards tancing, this year’s event will from Merrickville shops, be spread over two days: Sat- with the ballot box located

by Hilary Thomson

November 18, 2020

new Merrickville Square, and decorations on the trees in the Cenotaph Park. Although there is no tree lighting ceremony this year, the big evergreen tree in the Blockhouse Park will still be lit for everyone to enjoy.

Christmas in Merrickville organizers and businesses are looking forward to welcoming visitors from far and wide to the Village for their annual celebration, but they are asking that everyone maintain physical distancing, use hand sanitizer, and wear masks when going into any of the stores. “We don’t want Christmas in Merrickville to be known as a super spreader,” Yves says. “We still want people to come, but in a responsible way.”

Despite the pandemic, Christmas in Merrickville organizers felt it was im-

at Larkspur Lane Country Mall on St. Lawrence Street.

There will also be a store decorating competition to get everyone in the spirit of the season. On Saturday, the Lions Club will be handing out hot apple cider, and the Merrickville Food Cupboard will be collecting donations in the afternoon outside the Merrickville Food Market.

“The [CP] holiday train is providing financial contributions, but still, the amount of food that was being donated far exceeded what they’re going to get as a financial contribution,” Yves says.

“The food bank needs all the help they can get.”

The Chamber of Commerce will be taking care of decorating the Village, including floodlights on the trees in the Blockhouse Park, six-foot-tall lit angels in the

10

portant to go ahead with the celebration which has become a much-loved tradition for the Village. It is also very important for the Village economically, as it is usually the busiest day of the year for the merchants. “Rather scale back, than none at all,” Yves says.

If this summer is any indication, they are expecting that the Christmas in Merrickville weekend will be very busy and successful. Stores will

ting empty whereby we can’t rent space. So far things are looking OK.” Mayor Struthers thanked Kirsten for a well laid out report. “It goes back to the comment that our auditor made earlier this year: that our staff manage the finances of the municipality very well,” he said.

be open on Saturday from 11 am- 7 pm and Sunday from 11 am-5 pm. Unlike previous years, St. Lawrence Street will remain open to traffic.

For more information, and to keep on top of updates, visit the Christmas in Merrickville Facebook page.

RIDEAU GLEN GOLF CLUB Our pro shop will be open Sunday, November 29th from noon to 4PM if you would like to stop in to renew your membership for 2021 (at 2020 rates) or buy green fee or golf cart passes or other golf gift for a loved one .

Thanks for your great support this year Contact us at 613-258-4404 or therideauglen@gmail.com

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

New name for Geronimo in downtown Kemptville

Blackbird Tattoo celebrates grand opening

KBIA Executive Director Deron Johnston, Mayor Nancy Peckford, Maggie Birnie, Luc Vincent, Scott Godwin

L-R: Owner of Bodhi Tree Yoga, Melanie Charlebois, Tyler Jones, Melanie Jones, OTK BIA Executive Director Deron Johnston

by Hilary Thomson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Blackbird Tattoo celebrated their grand opening last Friday, with the official unveiling of their logo in the window of the shop at 10 Prescott Street in Kemptville. Originally from Brockville, tattoo artist Melanie Jones worked at a tattoo shop in Ottawa for eight years before she decided to open a studio of her own. She and her husband Tyler, who looks after the bookings at the shop, live near Winchester and have always liked Kemptville, so it seemed like the perfect fit. They found their space by fluke while walking in downtown Kemptville, and called up the real estate agent to see if it was available.

Blackbird Tattoo officially opened on October 1, and Melanie is now booked solid until April. She is currently the only tattoo artist at the studio; but they are looking to add to their team. The response from the community has been fantastic, with 75% of bookings coming from local people.

Mayor Peckford offered her congratulations at the opening, welcoming Melanie and Tyler to the North Grenville business community. “We’re very thrilled to welcome you,” she said.

Old Town Kemptville BIA Executive Director, Deron Johnston, also offered his congratulations, welcoming them to the Old Town Kemptville family. “I’ve never seen such an easy transition in setting up a new business,” he said. “You’ve become part of the community in such a short period of time.”

To check out Melanie’s work, follow them on Instagram @blackbirdtattookemptville. You can also get in touch with them by emailing blackbirdtattookemptville@gmail.com., or giving them a call at 613-258-5756.

the shop decked out in pink Kemptville. balloons and flowers, with Scott says as soon as Local Journalism Initiative Reporter the logo went up, the coffee cake from Grahame’s Bakery.

The owners of Geronimo shop instantly felt like home. They also unveiled a new Coffee House at 146 Prescott The pair moved to Kempt- locally-made coffee bar sign Street have put the finishing ville from Toronto in March, in the window, and Bubba touch on making the coffee and have been running the and Bugs mugs and toques. shop their own. The shop is shop with the help of Scott’s Luc said they were very busy now called Bubba & Bug’s mother, Maggie Birnie (of on Friday, with lots of people Coffee Bar, named for the pet Maggie’s Shortbreads) since coming in to offer their connames owners Scott Godwin April 24, when they opened gratulations and express their and Luc Vincent have for in the midst of the pandemic. delight about the new name each other. The new pink and Since then, they have become and logo. “This has been white logo on the window known as the place in down- a whirlwind, and it hasn’t (which now matches their town Kemptville for fresh always been graceful, but neibright pink door) was de- coffee, delicious treats, and a ther are we,” Scott wrote on Facebook. “We are thankful signed by a friend of Scott’s, great time.

Friday was their first day to still be standing and can’t graphic designer Dominic Willsher, and brought to operating as Bubba and Bugs wait to see what the future MNG_14149_LoveNG_NG_Times_10_375x7_75_V1.pdf 2020-11-05 10:14 AM has in store for us.” had here life by Classic Graphics in Coffee Bar, and 1they

by Hilary Thomson

My community, my heart.

Buying local doesn’t just support North Grenville’s business owners – it supports people who care.

Visit LoveNG.ca to discover the vendors, services, and people that make our community great. And learn about NG Green, a new currency you can win to spend at your favourite shops.

Help us love NG when it matters most.

November 18, 2020

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www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

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HEAPHYS CLEANING SERVICE

MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH GRENVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FEES & MUNICIPAL BUILDING BY-LAW AND CHARGES FOR THE MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS BY-LAW

ES

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The Voice of North Grenville

TAKE NOTICE that the Corporation of the Municipality of North Grenville will hold a public meeting on December 9, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. at the North Grenville Municipal Centre (285 County Road 44) to consider the following item: The Municipality of North Grenville intends to amend the existing Consolidated Fees and Charges for Municipal Departments, being By-Law 102-15, as amended in accordance with Section 7.(1) of the Building Code Act in order to: 1. Change Appendix B - Planning and Development by updating fee values to current cost of service delivery values and adding fees for services not currently identified in the fee schedule.

2. Change By-law 14-98 - To reflect the proposed updating of fee values to current cost of service delivery values and adding fees for services not currently identified in the fee schedule to the Consolidated Fees and Charges for Municipal Departments, being By-Law 102-15, These changes are being proposed in order to provide for a cost recovery for the services currently being provided by the Building Division.

ANY PERSON may attend the public meeting and/or make written or oral submission either in support of or in opposition to the above item. In the event that you are unable to attend the meeting but wish to submit written comments, please ensure that your comments are delivered to the Planning Building Department Office (285 County Road 44) prior to the day of the meeting.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION relating to the specific details of the amendments are available, free of charge, through the Planning and Building Department Office during regular business hours form Monday to Friday Telephone (613)258-9569.

DATED AT THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH GRENVILLE THIS 12 DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2020.

SIGNED: _______________________________________ Amy Martin Acting Director of Planning and Development P.O. Box 130, Kemptville, Ontario K0G 1J0 Fax (613) 258-1441

ERIC’S CARPENTRY

HEAPHY’S CLEANING SERVICES

Residential construction, Virtual Trivia Night supports the additions , reno’s, Chemical free cleaning, training of guide dogs kitchens, baths, plant based products. basements andor mobile more.

Call 613 206 7279 To learn more about this impaired phone. who are visually

by Canadian Guide Dogs for computer Tuning into the virtual trivia from coast to coast. Canadian event or Canadian Guide the Blind 613-913-9598 for a free quote Canadian Guide Dogs for game is simple. The game Guide Dogs for the Blind Dogs for the Blind, visit www.ericscarpentryservice.com the Blind is excited to launch link will be sent to your email also operates an Assistance a new event - Virtual Trivia on Friday, November 20, so Dogs Division, which trains Night sponsored by Barrhaven you’ll be able to just click and assistance dogs for individuplay on November 21. No app als in the Ottawa area with Ford!

Saturday, November 21, download is necessary. We mobility-related disabilities. join in for a fun game of are limiting this to the first Virtual Trivia at 7:00pm (East- 100 players.

Purchase your ticket toern). As this is virtual you can play in any time zone day on the events page at from anywhere in Canada. www.guidedogs.ca. Then, Tickets are $20 each and can test your knowledge and be purchased online. Compete have some fun in support of for awesome prizes! A variety Canadian Guide Dogs for the of potpourri categories and Blind.

Canadian Guide Dogs for 100 questions means anyone can win. The game will last the Blind was established as approximately 45 minutes. a registered charity in 1984.

You will need to purchase a Canadian Guide Dogs for the separate ticket for each person Blind has provided more than joining the game. Each player 890 professionally trained will need access to their own guide dogs to Canadians

www.guidedogs.ca or phone (613) 692-7777.

613.206.7279

heaphyscleaningservice@gmail.com WEEKLY, BI-WEEKLY AND MONTHLY CLEANS AVAILABLE 3 Bedrooms: Dusting baseboards, window sills, surfaces; vacuum floors 2 Bathrooms: Shower/bathtub combo, toilet, sink, mirror, countertop, front of vanity, window sills, light switches and mop floors Kitchen: Cupboards, stove top, counters, sink, window sills, front of appliances wiped and polished, and floors mopped Living room: Dusting, baseboards, vacuuming and mopping Dining room: Dusting baseboards, surfaces, vacuuming and mopping Entryway: Dusting, baseboards, vaccuming and mopping $100 + HST Add-ons available

ALL NATURAL PRODUCTS

RETIRED CARPENTER Renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, additions, decks, home repair, ceramic tile.

Call George at 613 462 7637 NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHERS In the Estate of Brenda Lynn Ball, deceased.

All claims against the Estate of Brenda Lynn Ball, late of the Village of Spencerville, Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, County of Grenville, who died on or about the 11th day of July, 2018, must be filed with the undersigned personal representative on or before the 11th day of December, 2020. Thereafter the undersigned will distribute the assets of the estate having regard only to the claims then filed.

Dated: November 1, 2020 Judy Hough, Executor of the Estate 33 Houlahan Street Nepean, Ontario K2J 3X6

CLASSIFIEDS

FIRST TEN WORDS FREE

CONTACT classifieds@ngtimes.ca Snow Tires on rims c/w TPMS winter $550.00. 613-862Senors, 15 kms 4 winters 9816 FOR SALE 45 original Bosson on tires, 235/70R16 ICEPRO. 2 Bridgestone Tires 16" used Heads, mint condition, ask- $450.00. 613-269-3301 28 inch snowblower, auto- one summer $125 each. Call ing $600. for all, call 613matic starter, new motor 613-614-5730 215-0884 $475.00 613 215 0625 HOUSE FOR SALE: At 114 greenhouses,Large quanity Blue Lazy-boy $45. Tan sofa Mixed seasoned firewood for Hagan St Kemptville. Call of bedding plant containers bed $65. 613-258-3761 sale, $110 per cord delivered, 613 258-2753 or jbleizert@ and pots. 613-258 3053 minimum 3 cord order for de- ripnet.com Snow tires on rims, Altimax livery, Jon 613-227-3650 FREE: 2 JBL speakers, ap- Arctic 225/70 R 16. 5 bolt 4 Snow tires 195/65P15 no prox. 22x14x12 inches in teak $500.00 613-258-0589 7 pairs of custom made rims. good condition $50 . cabinets. Also, asstd. 3-ring drapes,sheers & black Call 613-713-3347. binders all in good condition. 4 Michelin X ice 215/60/16 outs,mint condition. with Call Bill 613 258 6544. on wheels 5X114.3 used one rods, all for $200.00 call 613- Home made garden lawn 215-0884 trailer $125. 24 in Snow FOR SALE

November 18, 2020

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Blower like new $ 250. Call transition to organic. Call or John 613-269-3113. text Mitch @ 613-262-1204 2 Bridgestone Tires 16" used one summer $125 each. Call 613-614-5730 WANTED

FOR RENT Indoor and outdoor storage for vehicles, boats and RVs. Call Jon at 613-227-3650.

Looking to Rent Farmland for Organic Cash Crops Specifically looking for land that's fallow/overgrown or old hay/pasture. Also interested in conventional cropland to www.ngtimes.ca

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The North Grenville Times

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Concentrate 6. Seating sections 10. Savor 14. Not together 15. Modify 16. Smell 17. Breviloquent 18. Extinct flightless bird 19. Novice 20. Imperilled 22. Adolescent 23. Margarine 24. Grumble 26. Nobleman 30. Australian flightless bird 31. Sweet potato 32. 53 in Roman numerals 33. Finest 35. Thick slices of something 39. Drool

41. Troop formation 43. Fruity-smelling compound 44. Cummerbund 46. Indian dress 47. Record (abbrev.)

49. Estimated time of arrival 50. Dribble 51. Fleet 54. Abundant 56. Huh? 57. He works with rocks 63. French for Finished or Done 64. Backside 65. Scold 66. Pearly-shelled mussel 67. Razzes 68. Creepy 69. Give temporarily 70. Hole-making tools 71. Make improvements

“Light a Light” event

DOWN 1. Destiny 2. Not closed 3. Credit or playing 4. Constellation bear 5. Shorthand 6. Rescuers 7. Smelly 8. Broad 9. Out of fashion 10. Extremely deep 11. French farewell 12. Open skin infections 13. Danish monetary unit 21. Parish land 25. Impetuous 26. If not 27. Afflicts 28. Violent disturbance 29. Freeing 34. Irritability 36. Wings 37. Drill 38. Trim 40. Engendered 42. Rub 45. Atomizer 48. Yellowish melon 51. Horrible 52. Rhinoceros 53. Craze 55. Master of ceremonies 58. Anagram of "Wort" 59. Throat-clearing sound 60. "Your majesty" 61. Norse god 62. Require

Peartree Property Management would like to announce the start of its Light a Light event. In cooperation with its North Grenville owners, Peartree Property Management is looking to lift community spirits this holiday season by challenging all our tenants to create a festive lawn display.

Peartree Property Management will judge all lawns of its participating tenants on December 23, 2020. The 3 best decorated lawns will be awarded a prize: First place: $500 Second place: $300 Third place: $100 We invite you to take a stroll around the different Kemptville neighborhoods and take in the wonder and magic.

If you are not a Peartree Property Management tenant, but want to get in on the fun? Look for our second notice in this week’s paper on how you can join in on this great event.

Sunshine Calls - a way to reach out of lonely or isolated seniors are more likely to see a deterioration in their A few weeks ago, in mental and physical health an interview with Susan than their connected and Smith before she left her socially active counterposition as Executive parts. Several studies over Director with Seniors’ the last few years have Community Services in found that chronic loneliKemptville, she mentioned ness increases the risk of the daily phone calls that early death, coronary heart staff were making to their disease, stroke, cognitive clients during the lock decline, and dementia. down period. They had Isolated seniors are also at started off as weekly calls greater risk for abuse and to make sure the seniors suicide”.

During the current were doing all right in isolation, and they had pandemic, that situation quickly developed into is becoming ever more daily calls, as the value of concerning, and the kind that contact became obvi- of outreach initiated by Seniors’ Community Serous to everyone.

The Frontenac - Kings- vice and the Council on ton Council on Aging also Aging seem to indicate began a similar program, a way to make life less called Sunshine Calls, stressful for those who are after receiving a call them- forced to live in extended selves from a local senior. isolation. Not everyone, “The call was from a by any means, is conwoman in her early 90s nected to social media, wanting to know if we and seniors are less likely had someone that could than other age groups to be call her every morning to conversant with Facebook check in on her. After ex- or Instagram. There are periencing two significant also a number who feel losses in her life in less positively afraid of social than nine months, she was media platforms when they on her own and had no hear about the tone and social supports. We passed content of some posts, as her contact information on well as the danger of beto one of our volunteers coming exposed to scams and each day for nearly and hacking.

A weekly newspaper, two years, they started each day with a little chat.” like the Times, can go The statistics on the some way to keeping peoeffects of social isolation ple informed of what’s on seniors, the disabled, happening in their comand the housebound are munity, but that is only quite stark. The Council a weekly event, and can of Aging found that “59% never take the place of

by David Shanahan

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

Easy

Hard

Medium

Solution to last week’s Crossword

the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

November 18, 2020

The Voice of North Grenville

13

a real human voice on the phone, a personal and dedicated contact with other seniors. Sunshine Calls also arrange contact between seniors, and not just with a volunteer. And it isn’t just a matter of checking in on someone’s health and wellbeing. Everyone enjoys a good chat about everything from the weather to politics to sports and more. And if we’re honest, a little gossip is always fun too.

The question now is: can we establish a Sunshine Call system beyond what a few volunteers have been doing so far?

Is there a way that we can fill people in on what’s happening, aside from the regular media and municipal platforms? This pandemic will continue for some time, perhaps, and, even after life regains some semblance of normality, there will still be a need for people isolated at home for whatever reason to be able to feel that they are still in touch with their community. It is something to think about.

Help Support Your Local Businesses

SHOP LOCAL www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit goes virtual

After selling out the past four years, the Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit’s virtual format this year is allowing more individuals to join the region’s top event. The 12th annual Summit will be a live webcast, with feature keynote address by the Honourable Vic Fedeli,

Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. In addition, Dr. Trevin Stratton, Chief Economist and Vice-President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, will be providing a global and national snapshot of the economy. Lisa Severson, Communication / Stakeholder

information from a national, provincial and local perspective.

The Bill Thake Memorial Economic Development Leadership Award will be presented at the Summit. Also called the Warden’s Award, it recognizes and celebrates a volunteer who has shown outstanding commitment and leadership resulting in the growth and vitality of the Leeds Grenville economy.

This year’s nominees include Karen Bedard - Municipality of North Grenville, Janet Campbell - Village of Merrickville-Wolford, and Wendy Merkley - Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands.

The afternoon portion of the agenda will be interactive chat room sessions focusing on the Regional Economic Development Priorities of:

Relations Officer for Eastern Ontario Regional Network, will give an update on Eastern Ontario’s connectivity, and, finally, Ann Weir, Economic Development Manager for Leeds Grenville, will provide a regional update. These top notch speakers will give attendees the most up-to-date

Small Business, Local Business Marketing and Promotion • Tourism • Agriculture and Food • Manufacturing, Transportation, Logistics and Warehousing • Workforce • New Economy Opportunities Participants will have an opportunity to provide input on the types of initiatives and opportunities the region should be considering.

The Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office delivers the Summit in partnership with MP Michael Barrett, MPP Steve Clark, the Eastern Workforce Innovation Board, and the 1000 Islands, Grenville, and Valley Heartland Community Futures Development Cor-

porations.

Participants can enjoy all, or a portion, of the day’s sessions. Advanced registration is required to receive the webcast link. The advanced agenda and registration information is available at www. investleedsgrenville.com/ summit2020, or you can call 613-342-3840 ext. 5362.

In support of local food products, Counties Economic Development is proud to partner with My Local Markets.

Optional food packages are available for $25, $50, and $75, free delivery within Leeds Grenville.

Local Addictions and Mental Health Agency to receive $320,000

Attention!

Join our “Light a Light” event. Bring back the charm and wonder of your childhood to your community by participating in Peartree’s Light a Light event. Peartree’s goal is to get as many lights on people’s houses and front lawns as possible.

Peartree Property Management Group and its cooperating landlords, would like to give all residents of North Grenville the opportunity to join the “Light a Light”event by inviting residents to nominate their own home or that of a neighbour.

The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to one of North Grenville’s local businesses.

Peartree Property Management will post the winning house in the North Grenville Times in January, 2021.

To register your submission and for full contest details go to: lightevent.peartreegroup.ca.

So, put on your walking shoes (or snow shoes) and nominate now!

Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark has announced Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Addictions and Mental Health (LLGAMH) will receive $320,000 in funding to enhance local substance use treatment programs.

MPP Clark made the announcement today on behalf of the Hon. Michael Tibollo, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Addictions and Mental Health, with LLGAMH’s new Chief Executive Officer, Patricia Kyle, and Roger Haley, who was recently named Chair of the agency’s Board of Directors.

This funding will be targeted for new, local, community-based initiatives supporting individuals who use substances. The opioid crisis has elevated the need for additional measures.

This funding will allow LLGAMH to offer enhanced day and evening substance use programming. Detailed planning, working with our community partners, will begin shortly.

“Advocating for mental health and addictions investments in our community has been a priority for me as MPP. Our government understands how critical these services are to the people I represent, and that we need to provide them close to where they live,” said Steve. “I’m also pleased to join Patricia and Roger today and congratu-

Enbridge to match $5,000 in donations to protect local lands

from Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation There’s never been a better time to support conservation efforts right here in your backyard, thanks to a generous matching pledge from Enbridge Gas. Between November 20 and Giving Tuesday on December 1, Enbridge will match up to $5,000 in donations to the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation’s Steve Simmering Conservation Land Endowment Fund.

This gift will help the Foundation cover annual maintenance costs for more than 6,570 acres of natural lands across the watershed – costs like property taxes, fencing and signage.

It’s mundane work, but it’s crucial to preserving these donated properties in perpetuity, as promised to the families who left them in the Foundation’s care.

If we’ve learned anything in 2020, it’s that protecting outdoor spaces matters. It matters for our physical and mental health, and for our sense of community.

But it also matters for our future: natural lands are key to fighting climate change and protecting us from natural disasters like floods and droughts. They provide thousands of dollars’ worth of environmental services like stormwater management and carbon capture, which taxpayers would have to replace if these properties disappeared.

The thing is, even undeveloped land costs money to maintain – up to $60,000 per property over time – and interest from the Steve Simmering endowment is meant to cover these annual costs. The principal remains invested to create a steady flow of cash year after year.

But right now we can’t offset our current annual costs, which limits our ability to accept new properties and shield them from development, too. With Enbridge's help, your donation will do double duty to protect our current lands and give us the resources to accept new ecologically significant properties across the region in the future.

This giving season, let Enbridge double your impact and help keep our watershed green forever.

How to donate: Step 1: Visit www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/11994; Step 2: Choose "Steve Simmering Conservation Land Endowment Fund" from the dropdown list; Step 3: Receive a charitable tax receipt in your inbox; Step 4: Spread the word!

November 18, 2020

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late them on their new roles with Addictions and Mental Health. I look forward to continuing to work with them to enhance services and ensure the agency’s staff has the resources they need.”

“MPP Clark has always been an avid supporter for improvements in the health care system,” noted Roger Haley. “This funding will certainly go a long way in helping us fight these hidden illnesses of addictions and mental health.”

LLGAMH CEO, Patricia Kyle, agreed: “LLGAMH’s mission includes promoting ‘recovery, independence, and well-being to individuals and families.’ With this additional funding, we can elevate our care and services for this complex health issue even more. Thank you to MPP Clark and Associate Minister of Addictions and Mental Health, Michael Tibollo.”

Funding for the local program is being provided through the government’s additional $176-million investment this year to help expand access for critical mental health and addictions supports during COVID-19. The investment will help address urgent gaps in care, enhance access to mental health and addictions services, create new supports, and expand programs in several priority areas As part of this funding,

the province is investing in targeted community and residential addictions services including: • $4 million for nurse practitioners for detox services to improve the medical management of clients who are withdrawing from substance use in residential withdrawal management facilities.

• $8 million for addictions day and evening care to increase access to intensive non-residential addictions and substance use treatment services for youth and adults.

• $3.5 million for inhome/mobile withdrawal management services to increase access to community withdrawal management services for hard to service clients, including those located in rural areas.

“We made a promise to the people of Ontario to address the growing frustration with capacity issues within our mental health and addictions system,” said Associate Minister Tibollo. “Despite the additional challenges facing Ontarians during this outbreak, we are focused on increasing capacity and addressing wait times for services, so that Ontarians can get quality care and improve their quality of life.”

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Open For Business Support Local, now more than ever!

NEW STORE HOURS Monday to Friday 8:00am to 7:00pm

Saturday

8:00am to 6:00pm

Sunday

9:00am to 6:00pm

The delivery time in the Ottawa will be early afternoon, in the Kemptville area, mid afternoon.

The cost of a meal is $23.50, the delivery is $5.00 per drop. HST extra.

Order at the latest, the previous day.

All beef meatballs with stuffed with cheese in marinara sauce, Creamy Alfredo Pasta, House Baked Garlic Bread & Greenhouse salad

Cold day? Have s soup to go with your meal, $5.00 plus HST.

Buttery Pastry blanketing velvety chicken & vegetables with Local Greenhouse salad & House Vinaigrette

This week : Pumpkin ginger cream soup

Saffron Basmati RIce, Balsamic Roasted Vegetables, Flat bread & hummus

Tuesday November 24

1-Pork tenderloin, peppercorn sauce, roasted potatoes and vegetables.

2- Melty cheese and potato pie, side salad.

Wednesday November 25

1- Roast beef, au jus, garlic mash potatoes, carrots and broccoli.

2- Leek and goat cheese tart, spinach mushroom salad.

Thursday November 26

1- Pan fried trout fillet with lemon caper butter, steamed potatoes, vegetables.

2- Spinach, feta and artichoke in phyllo pastry.

Cucumber salad.

Friday November 27

301 Rideau Street, Kemptville

613.258.3014

American Thanksgiving dinner 1- Roast turkey with gravy, mash sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce.

2- Butternut squash Dauphinoise (in creamy cheese sauce). Apple, celery & endive salad.

Pre-order your tourtière for Christmas. Serve 4, $20.00 + HST. Fully cooked. Ready on the 21st of December

Covid-19 second wave, stay home and have Dial A chef deliver your dinner.

Snow Removal - Small Driveways, Walkways & Steps - Decks

November 18, 2020

Menu #37 Tues Nov 24th-Fri Nov 27th Please Preorder the day before for next day Curbside pick up.

Order & Pay online www.cateredaffairs.ca 613-324-3136 $37.50 Complete Meal for 2 + HST $70.00 Complete Meal for 4 + HST All Family meals include Chef's choice of Soup OR salad, Appropriate Side Dishes & Dessert.

613.860.2539

IT IS NOT TOO EARLY TO BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY

15

Jumbo Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

Chicken Pot Pie

Persian “Silk Road” Pork Stew Bowls (G/F D/F) Chicken Lemongrass Pho Soup Kit \(G/F D/F)

South Asian broth with marinated Chicken breast, Assorted Asian Vegetables, Herbs & Rice Noodles with Vegetable spring rolls & Sweet Chili Sauce

Green Thai Chicken Coconut Curry (G/F D/F) or Tofu (Vegan)

Cilantro Jasmine rice, Asian Rice Noodle Salad, Mango Rice Rolls with dipping sauce

Gift someone a “Night off from the kitchen”... Gift Certificates for Curbside meals are available!!

Pre order your Christmas Turkey Dinner $110.00 & Appetizer Platters Holiday Entertaining Appetizer Packages (Available Thru December)

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CCFI report showcases consumer appreciation for the agri-food sector

by Crispin Colvin, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture There is no denying that COVID-19 has made 2020 a challenging year for the agrifood sector. This pandemic has put growers, producers and everyone along the supply chain through countless hardships and challenges.

Nevertheless, our sector has persevered. Collectively, we rolled up our sleeves to fulfill our responsibility of keeping consumer plates full of fresh, healthy and affordable food.

The job of feeding the

world felt heavier this year.

But, your efforts in these trying times has reaped many benefits. Recently, the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI) released its 2020 Public Trust report and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is very pleased to see that public trust in Canada's agri-food sector is at an all-time high.

More specifically, the food system’s response to the COVID-19 crisis is highly praised by Canadians; nearly nine in ten (87%) trust that the food system will continue to supply all Canadians with fresh and affordable food no matter the circumstance.

Farmers have continued to take the necessary steps to ensure a healthy food supply chain for all consumers, despite the stress and pressures of our current environment.

Farmers make up a mere 2% of the population and it

can feel as though some consumers are not aware of our sector's struggles to provide them with safe, healthy and affordable food. However, CCFI's report found that consumers and producers share similar concerns and interests regarding food production and the environment.

As farmers, food safety is always a top priority, and today many consumers have become more mindful of the foods they are purchasing.

Many people are looking to create more sustainable choices, influencing their attitudes and behaviors towards various industries. Almost half (45%) believe sustainable food positively impacts the environment and 31% identify sustainable food as food grown locally. Furthermore, 22% believe that sustainable food provides a healthy standard of living for farmers.

We have seen the pandemic create momentum for direct farm gate sales, farmers' markets and buy local campaigns. When I talk to consumers, they are interested in knowing more about agriculture and our farming practices. People are showing a greater interest, and desire, in knowing where their food is grown as well as how it is grown and by whom it is grown. We have an opportunity to engage and educate our urban neighbours about the business of agriculture.

According to the CCFI's Public Trust Report, farmers are both the leading industry and the most trusted entity in our food system when discussing public trust among Canadian consumers.

As many as 56% of consumers trust farmers with the food they’re producing and that it's being done safely.

This is a tremendous step in

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growing public awareness of our farmers' efforts to produce healthy, sustainable food.

A significant impact of public trust comes from where people are going for information. While the number one source for consumers to get their agricultural information is from websites and Google, the highest credibility ranking goes to farmers at 71%. Sites like Google and other Internet websites often contain inaccurate facts and misinformation.

Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFC-O) champions this cause to equip farmers for these conversations, providing consumers accurate information and realistic insight into modern-day agriculture through their publication The Real Dirt on Farming and 360 virtual farm tours. As an OFA director, I also sit on the Farm

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and Food Care board as vicechair, where we offer many resources such as the Speak Up for Agriculture sessions.

As well, we provide farmers with the resources they need to learn to be effective communicators for the agri-food community.

Farmers work hard to ensure a safe and sustainable food system for Ontario. OFA will continue to advocate for our Ontario farmers to ensure they are receiving recognition for their efforts across the food chain.

As each of your farm businesses continues to navigate and overcome the hurdles of COVID-19, I hope you do so with newfound motivation. Your commitment and dedication to putting food on consumers’ plates is appreciated.

Select Conservation Areas to remain open this Winter from South Nation Conservation October has come and gone; the reality of yet another winter is setting in, and residents throughout the watershed are gearing up for several months of cold weather and snow. In preparation for winter, South Nation Conservation (SNC) has removed docks from its waterfront properties and will be closing its seasonal Conservation Areas in the coming weeks.

Not all parks will be closed, and residents can still get outdoors this winter and take advantage of select Conservation Areas that will remain open and maintained

by SNC for winter use: the Oschmann Forest in North Dundas, W.E Burton and J. Henry Tweed in Russell, Two Creeks Forest and Robert Graham Forest in South Dundas, and Warwick Forest in North Stormont.

SNC also has agreements in place with municipal partners to groom other trails and parks this winter, including November 18, 2020

Nokomis Park in Limoges and the Russell Recreational Trail.

“Over 30 kilometres of local trails will be maintained for winter fun this year,” says John Mesman, SNC’s Communications Lead. “Our family and pet-friendly Conservation Areas are accessible free of charge, and the trails are great for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, walking, and hiking.”

To respect other trail users, and to ensure the protection of our ecologically significant public land, people and their pets are reminded to stay on marked, maintained trails, and dogs are not permitted to be off leash. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on any SNC Community Land.

“We do kindly ask our visitors to continue to be respectful of other park users and facilities, and to properly dispose of garbage and to clean up after their dogs” he added.

SNC’s seasonal park closures this year come on the heels of one the Conservation

Traditionally, SNC would close its seasonal parks following the Thanksgiving weekend, but opted to extend access this year into November to accommodate the increased use and great weather. SNC also advises that residents should be care-

Authority’s busiest summers on record. As the COVID-19 pandemic forced many people to stay home and cancel their summer plans, SNC’s Conservation Areas remained open and welcomed over 150,000 visitors, mostly from May to October.

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ful while on the river, as water levels naturally rise and flows increase at this time of year, and to avoid boating near water control structures, as safety booms have been removed for the winter.

SNC owns and manages over 12,000 acres of public

natural spaces across its 4,441 square-kilometer jurisdiction in Eastern Ontario, including its fifteen public Conservation Areas. Plan your next outdoor winter adventure at a Conservation Area near you by visiting www.nation.ca/ recreation.

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