The North Grenville Times last issue of the year will be Dec 18, Closed until January 15, 2026
Community Meal Pilot
A new community-driven initiative: a Weekly Community Dinner, designed to help reduce food insecurity and social isolation in North Grenville.
The first pilot dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, from 4:00–7:00 PM. The pilot event
will feature a free (or by-donation) spaghetti feast, open to everyone, with a welcoming, familyfriendly atmosphere.
Following the December 16 pilot, the Association aims to launch the dinners as a regular weekly event beginning in January, barring any
unforeseen challenges.
“We’re bringing together people from all corners of the community – service clubs, local businesses, faith groups, social services, and caring neighbours – to help ensure no one in North Grenville eats alone if
they don’t want to,” said organizers with the North Grenville Community Meals Association.
For more information, contact the North Grenville Community Meals Association at NGCMAssociation@gmail.com.
A remarkable gift of generosity
by Darlene Collin
Beth Donovan Hospice (BDH) has kicked off its annual Give the Gift of Care Campaign with extraordinary news: a generous local donor has come forward to match every donation made in December, both one-time gifts and new 12-month monthly pledges, up to $100,000. This rare opportunity to double community impact is already inspiring residents across the region, including Barb and Shawn Tobin, who made the decision this week to contribute through a monthly pledge.
The Tobins shared that the timing of this matching period played a key role in their decision.
"We were inspired to give now because
we knew the impact of our donation would be doubled," said Barb. "And splitting the gift over time made it simple and manageable. It feels good knowing we can support the hospice in a way that fits our budget while also maximizing our impact."
Their gift reflects the spirit of BDH's Give the Gift of Care Campaign, which invites the community to support essential local hospice programs at a time of year when compassion and connection matter most.
Beth Donovan Hospice provides comfort, support, and dignity to individuals and families navigating serious illness, caregiving, grief, and end-of-life journeys.
All of BDH's services,
including Day Hospice programming, caregiver respite, grief and bereavement support, inhome visiting, and free medical equipment lending, are provided at no cost. With only 50% of funding covered by the government, the hospice relies heavily on the generosity of the community to sustain and expand these vital programs.
The timing of this matching gift is especially meaningful. Earlier this year, the Province announced initial funding toward two future hospice beds for our community. BDH will soon begin a capital campaign to raise the additional funds needed to renovate and create the space, ensuring that families can receive end-
of-life care right here at home.
Executive Director Sue Walker emphasizes how transformational this matching opportunity is:
"Matching gifts like this have a giant impact on organizations like ours. When donors know their contribution will go twice as far, it inspires action, and that action directly supports families who need hospice care, caregiver support, and grief services right here in our community.
How to Give During the Matching Period
Donations can be made online at www. bethdonovanhospice.ca.
All gifts made throughout December as part of the Give the Gift of Care Campaign will be matched dollarfor-dollar, doubling their impact for the people Beth Donovan Hospice serves.
My little town
by David Shanahan
I think most people who read the Times are aware of how much discussion has gone on in these pages recently concerning development around Kemptville. Some residents have expressed worries about how fast the town has grown, how slow infrastructure has been in keeping up with the growing needs of a growing urban area.
Mayor Peckford has written at length here about the limitations that provincial legislation puts on municipal council’s authority to control development, and the role municipal staff have in negotiating with builders and others involved in creating the large housing areas that have sprung up around the town in recent years.
The topic was raised again in a rather unusual way at a recent council meeting where senior municipal staff presented the 2026 Department Work Plans and Community Strategic Plan
Update. As part of the update, the issue of the urban-rural nature of the municipality was raised by Mayor Peckford, who noted that work on defining what “small town feel”means in relation to Kemptville was marked as “complete”in the report. She expressed her belief that such a definition had not been agreed, and that this was something that was important to address.
Staff replied that, although this area had been listed as complete in their report, it was not in fact, complete, but remained a matter for discussion. It was very clear from the mayor’s tone that she was walking on eggshells, trying hard not to give offense to staff, nor to create tension around the matter.
Aside from that aspect of the discussion, it was interesting to see that the idea that Kemptville retained a “small town feel” was one which was still being debated. What is the current identity of Kemptville, given all the growth and building development that has
come to surround the old town?
Has it been lost along the way? Given the expected expansion of the Kemptville BIA footprint, what is the desired identity for Kemptville, and how is to be achieved or preserved, assuming it does still exist? Confusing? Certainly. Deputy Mayor Barclay expressed the situation in his remarks: “We haven’t really landed on a definition or an understanding of what constitutes a small town feel. For me, Kemptville was a small town and over time we’ve surrounded it with suburban subdivisions, and that’s caused a lot of stress. So, for me, the small town feel can still be felt in the small town, which is Downtown, which is why I’m fixated on Downtown Revitilisation.”
Mayor Peckford pointed out that the growth experienced in the town has caused some unease among residents, and expressed concern that the staff report seemed to assume agreement on what the
Council opposes Conservation Authority amalgamation
by David Shanahan
The North Grenville Municipal Council has formally passed a resolution opposing the province’s plan to amalgamate most of the Conservation Authorities in Ontario, proposing to consolidate Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities into seven regional conservation authorities and to establish a new Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency. In 1970, municipalities within the Rideau River watershed established the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) “to protect people, property, farmland, water resources, and natural systems through a watershedbased model that reflects local geographic, hydrologic, and community needs”.
Over time, the amount of financial support to the CA’s contributed by the province has shrunk to about 3% of the total, with
the Municipality of North Grenville’s share now standing at around 50%.
In addition, municipalities appoint locally elected representatives to the boards of the CA, ensuring direct municipal oversight and accountability for programs funded by municipal taxpayers.
Under the proposed amalgamation plan, the concern is that the municipality will lose the ability to oversee the local CA while continuing to provide most of the funding through taxpayer money. Provincial rationale for the amalgamation is based largely on the claim that the new arrangement would be more efficient, less costly, and provide greater oversight of the essential work performed by the CA’s throughout Ontario. These are very like the arguments used by a previous provincial Conservative administration to
small town feel meant for the future. She thought that there had not been enough consultation between staff and council before the report was drawn up, and it was finally decided to send it back to staff to allow for further discussion between all parties before it would be brought back before council in February.
What does this all mean, if anything? Well, a number of things, I believe. First of all, there is still a great deal of uncertainty about where North Grenville is heading in terms of its urban-rural identity, and the role Kemptville plays in that. In spite of a large amount of wishful thinking and boosterism on the part of the BIA and others, the downtown of Kemptville is not an attractive place and needs some proper long-term planning to allow for a clear identity and character to re-emerge. John Barclay is right to focus on the need for a Downtown Revitilisation strategy, one which he and many others have been calling
for for years. As we head into a new year, an election year at that, it is time for someone to come up with some definite, concrete proposals for defining North Grenville’s identity. And those proposals cannot come from municipal staff alone, but have to be drawn up in consultative process involving staff, council, BIA, and all community stakeholders. A fairly short public consultation, as happened earlier, is not enough. It must be more concentrated, longer and wider in scope, and giving rational and practical direction for the future.
Staff’s updated Strategic Plan is coming back to council in the new year. Is it too much to ask that, before it does, the community get another opportunity to have their input? After all, it’s our future too, and it’s our little town.
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Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
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Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas 2
justify municipal amalgamation in the late 1990's, arguments that proved to be, to put it mildly, overlyoptimistic.
Council pointed out in their resolution that the South Nation Conservation and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority currently work well together, “demonstrating that modernization and efficiency can be achieved without dismantling local governance structures”.
Council objected to the lack of proper consultation on the part of the province with the municipalities before putting forward their amalgamation plan, and called on the Ford government to rethink the project and enter into real discussions with municipalities to find positive ways forward without discarding the current structures which have worked so well in the past.
by Dana Douglas, Southeast Public Health Give the Gift of Local Food
Local food products make for great gift giving ideas! This is a nice gift idea for visiting friends, family or neighbours over the holidays; it may be an opportunity to introduce them to a new food and it’s a great way to support local. Buying local foods helps create jobs, supports the economy and preserves farmland.
We are very fortunate to have so many local foods available to us across Leeds, Grenville and Lanark. FoodcoreLGL has a food inventory which lists out all the food related programs, organizations and businesses across the region. New this year, is FoodcoreLGL’s Local Flavours Map, which maps out the different producers and farmers markets by location. Some local food options available this time of year include maple syrup, honey, local cheese as well as seasonal produce like apples, pears, beets, cabbage, carrots and squash which are all available in December.
For the Food Inventory and Local Flavours Map, visit foodcoreLGL.ca. You can also visit southeastph.ca, call 1-800-660-5853 or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for information on healthy, balanced eating.
Strength in unity –and why that matters for Ontario’s farmers
Bb Drew Spoelstra, President, OFA
Last week, the leading advocate and strongest voice for farmers in our province, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), held its annual general meeting. For me, it was a tremendous honour to be selected for a third term as OFA’s president. The event brought together delegates, directors, commodity partners, staff and industry leaders from across the province. It was a chance to look back on the year that was, but just as importantly, to look ahead to the challenges and opportunities in front of us.
It was about this time last year, also during our annual convention, that the U.S.’s then-President-elect Donald Trump first floated the idea of a broad tariff on Canadian exports to the United States. Many of us could hardly believe something so sweeping could ever come to pass. Yet here we are, twelve months later, and the global landscape around us has shifted dramatically.
South of the border, the political climate remains volatile, and here at home we’ve had significant upheaval of our own. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prorogued Parliament and stepped down as Liberal leader, paving the way for Mark Carney’s leadership and a subsequent federal election that resulted in a minority Parliament. In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford surprised many by calling a snap provincial election.
OPP Report
These developments have shaped policy priorities, altered political dynamics, and created uncertainty for businesses, families, and farm operations across the province.
Politics has always influenced the lives of OFA members; but, as our keynote speaker, Althia Raj reminded us, understanding the political landscape is easier said than done. A long-time political journalist, member of the Parliamentary press gallery and CBC At Issue panellist, Raj brought a clear, thoughtful breakdown of how we arrived at this moment, from the 2024 U.S. election to the rise of Mark Carney, to what we can expect from Canada’s new Prime Minister going forward.
She also reflected on the broader erosion of trust in Canada’s media landscape. Today, opinions spread faster than facts, polarizing statements are rewarded by online algorithms, and indepth journalism is increasingly difficult to sustain. For organizations like ours that rely on evidence, data, and practical experience to advocate effectively on behalf of our members, this only underscores how important it is to stay ground ed in facts, to communicate clearly, and to build broad, credible partnerships.
of the Federation aligning around shared priorities, First Ministers taking a “Canada first” approach, or agriculture ministers collaborating on trade and tariff impacts, progress has come when governments are rowing in the same direction.
We’ve seen it in efforts to strengthen interprovincial trade, in buy-local and buy-Canadian initiatives, and even in moments of national excitement, like the Toronto Blue Jays’ magical run to the World Series. More often than not, it really does take a full team to get the job done.
At OFA, our work is no different. Everything we accomplish is because of collaboration, across the agri-food sector, across organizations, and across the province.
Over the past year, we’ve welcomed new member organizations, strengthened ties with long-standing commodity partners, and deepened relationships with industry, municipal leaders, and government decision-makers. Our local federations and grassroots
The theme of this year’s AGM, Strength in Unity, couldn’t have been more fitting. Over the past year, we’ve seen remarkable ex amples of what happens when people work together. Whether it’s the Council
members continue to shape our priorities, inform our advocacy, and ground our work in the real on-farm issues facing Ontario agriculture.
I am incredibly grateful for the support of our board of directors and for the dedication of a strong, committed team at OFA who work every day to support Ontario’s 38,000 farm families. Their professionalism and passion are at the heart of everything we do.
As I begin this third term, I appreciate the confidence and support I’ve received from our members right across Ontario. Our sector is navigating complex times, at home and internationally. But I firmly believe that Ontario agriculture is stronger when we stand together, speak with a united voice, and focus on what matters: ensuring a strong, sustainable and competitive future for our farms and our rural communities.
Specializing in Residential House Beautification
B&H Community Grocers
Bishop's Mills
(By the Post Office boxes)
Bowling Centre
Brewed Awakening (HWY 43)
Burritt's Rapids (by the Post Office Boxes)
Canadian Tire
Capilanno's
Cicle K, downtown Kemptville
Drummonds Merrickville
Fast Eddies Diner
Grahame's Bakery
Home Hardware (Downtown)
JJ's Shawarmas (Colonnade)
Jonsson's Independant
Kemptville Family Restaurant
Kimberley Ave, South Gower KNails (Creekside Mall)
Laurier Optical, Kemptville Mall
Long Reach Bar & Grill (near Equinelle)
M & M Food Market
MacDonalds, Kemptville Mall
McEwens Gas Station, Hwy 43
Municipal Centre
Merrickville Food Market
North Grenville Public Library
Oxford Mills, Water Street
Oxford Station, Connell Drive and Smith Road
Royal Lepage, Downtown Salamanders Restaurant, Downtown Salvation Army
Seniors Community Services
Stinson Gas Bar
The Restore (Kemptville Mall)
The Village Bean Coffee House Tim Horton (Colonnade) To Be Continued TBC
Weekly, Bi-Weekly, or One-time Cleans Servicing North Grenville and surrounding areas.
Jennie Childs Owner, CEO
613.314.6866
brightshinyspaces@gmail.com
@BrightShinySpaces
Charges laid after t-bone collision in North Grenville
A two-vehicle collision in North Grenville has resulted in charges against one of the drivers.
Officers with the Grenville Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to the scene at the intersection of Oxford Street East and Sanders Street around 5:20 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
One car had failed to stop for a stop sign, entered the intersection and collided with another vehicle. No serious injuries were reported, although the driver of the second vehicle was transported to hospital as a precaution.
As a result of the investigation, a 44-year-old man from Merrickville-Wolford has been charged with: Failing to stop for a stop sign
Driving while under suspension
The individual is scheduled to appear in court on January 7, 2026.
FESTIVE RIDE CAMPAIGN - WEEK 2 RESULTS
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers across East Region continue efforts to make the roads and highways safer over the holiday season. We are beginning the third week of the annual Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign.
Officers from Quinte West to the Quebec boundary, and northwest through the Ottawa Valley, have conducted over 500 Festive RIDE programs since Thursday, November 20, 2025, stopping hundreds of drivers to ensure they were not impaired by alcohol or drugs.
The OPP has arrested and charged 49 drivers with being impaired behind the wheel. Each of those drivers had their licence suspended for 90-days and their vehicle was impounded for seven-days, plus they each have a scheduled court appearance.
In addition to the impaired driving arrests, officers have issued nine three-day licence suspensions for drivers who were found to be in the warn range on an approved roadside alcohol screening device.
The Festive RIDE campaign runs until January 1, 2026. Expect to see RIDE programs day or night, seven days week. If you suspect someone is driving impaired by drugs or alcohol, call 9-1-1. You could be saving lives.
www.northgrenville.ca
Stay informed! Council Meetings: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings
Need to see us? Municipal office hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 285 County Road 44, Kemptville
Need to reach us? Contact us: Call 613-258-9569 or email: general@northgrenville.on.ca
Need additional information? Visit us: www.northgrenville.ca
"My
doctor told me I need to start exercising."
Your Doctor Said to Get Moving. Here's How to Do That in North Grenville This January 2026
I've been hearing this for ten years now. If you've ever been given this advice, you're in good company. The problem? Your doctor told you what to do, but probably not where to start, or how to figure out which class
won't leave you feeling completely lost.
Most people walk into a fitness space worried they won't keep up, that everyone else will know what they're doing, or that they're too far behind to even start. If that's you, there are local options designed exactly for people who feel this way.
First, why does your doctor keep bringing this up?
Doctors recommend movement because it works. The Canadian guidelines suggest seniors aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly, plus some muscle-strengthening twice a week. Before you panic at those numbers, remember that every bit counts.
Regular physical activity can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke by up to 30%, according to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. And the Public Health Agency of Canada points out that long stretches of inactivity increase stiffness, reduce strength, and raise your risk of falling, especially during winter when we're all moving less anyway. Your doctor isn't handing you an impossible task. They're pointing you toward something that makes a difference in how you feel day-to-day.
A Festive Holiday message from Seniors’ Community Services
The lights are twinkling, Jack Frost has come out for the winter and at Seniors Community Services, our hearts are full as we reflect on a year shaped by community, compassion, and the joy of connection.
Thanks to your dedicated support, 2025 has been a year of meaningful impact. Together, we helped older adults stay active, engaged, nourished, and connected.
Throughout the year, your generosity fueled our essential Transportation Service, helping seniors get to medical appointments, grocery stores, community programs, and social outings. These rides are so much more than trips—they’re moments of independence, dignity, and peace of mind.
Your support also strengthened our Friendly Visiting Program, where companionship brightened days and eased feelings of isolation. Through Meals on Wheels, thousands of nutritious meals were delivered with a friendly check-in, ensuring seniors felt cared for and supported. Our exercise classes and wellness programs kept bodies moving, spirits lifted, and friendships growing.
Returning in 2026:
• Stretch and Strength Exercise with LaDonna (zoom and in person)
• Mindful Movement with certified instructor Julia Cavanaugh, offering gentle, grounding movement for body and mind
"But Will I Be Able to Keep Up?"
This is the real question, isn't it? Most people aren't worried about whether to exercise. They're worried about walking into a room full of people who already know what they're doing while they fumble through. That makes complete sense.
Here's where you start: find a fitness program where the instructor expects you to need modifications, and it's obvious that you're not the only person in the room needing modifications.
Staying physically and socially active helps with mood, stress, and keeping your mind sharp. Moving your body in a room with other people doing the same thing has benefits that go way beyond just getting your steps in.
What's Actually Available in North Grenville?
You don't need boot camps or complicated routines. Here's what exists locally this January: Community-sponsored gentle-movement classes offer a welcoming way to build stamina in a group setting. Seniorfocused fitness classes throughout North Grenville are designed specifically for older adults and
• Scribbling Seniors, our creative story-writing program
• Art Therapy, encouraging expression and connection through creativity
New for the New Year:
• Tech Café, a friendly drop-in space for learning digital skills
• Tuesday Talks, a monthly guest speaker, and a place to connect and enjoy learning new things. (contact Mackenzie.Blair@ seniorscs.ca or call 613-258-3203)
We can’t wait to share these programs with you, and we hope they bring even more enrichment, joy, and connection to the seniors we serve.
As you read through our Holiday Jingle Newsletter, we hope you feel the same sense of pride and warmth we do. Every story, every smile, every success is made possible by our volunteers, our clients and the warm embrace of our community.
Thank you for continuing to share your generosity. Your donation helps ensure that seniors in our community can access the programs and support they rely on—and deserve—all year long.
From all of us at Seniors Community Services, thank you for your kindness, your partnership, and your heart.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a holiday season filled with joy, peace, and celebration—and a bright new year ahead!
offered in more places than you might think, like dance studios, church basements, boutique fitness centres, and yes, senior centres too.
These programs are led by qualified instructors who understand that modifications aren't a failure. Modifications are part of the process. You're working with people who get that aging bodies have different needs, and that there's more than one way to move.
Start Smaller Than You Think:
If you're new to this, it'll take a few weeks to feel the benefits. That's completely normal. Start with a daily ten-minute walk and some gentle stretching at home. Once you're comfortable about adding more movement to your day, add a community class once a week, then work your way up to three times weekly. Your mind and body will thank you! Type "Senior Fitness Near Me" into your search engine and see what North Grenville has available. Your doctor gave you solid advice, now it's just about finding the place that feels right and giving yourself permission to start where you are.
Sources: Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. (2020). Canadian 24Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults aged 65 years or older. https:// csepguidelines.ca/guidelines/adults-65/ Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada. Benefits of Physical Activity. www.heartandstroke.ca/ healthy-living/stay-active/benefits-of-physicalactivity Public Health Agency of Canada. (2023). Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour. www.canada. ca/en/public-health/services/being-active.html National Institute on Aging. (2023). Social Isolation, Loneliness in Older People Pose Health Risks. www.nia.nih.gov/ news/social-isolationloneliness-older-peoplepose-health-risks
Rachel S. Jansen, B.Comm., J.D.
Paul A. Jansen, BA, LLB.
Parenting in December: equal parts magic, chaos, and chocolate poop
by Talia.Hreljac25
This holiday season feels a little bittersweet for me, because I’m about 99% sure this is the last year my 9 year old will believe in Santa, and trust me when I say my heart is not ready. She’s on to us. The questions are getting sharper, the observations… painfully accurate.
Case in point: our elf, Sugarplum, “pooped” chocolate chips one morning (parenthood is wild - never did I think I’d be casually discussing elf poop before 7 a.m.). When I came downstairs, the kids were giggling, but I immediately noticed there were way fewer chocolate chips than what I’d originally left out. Feeling triumphant, I said, “Aha! Caught you eating elf poop!”
Without missing a beat, my daughter looked at me and said, “How do you know how many chocolate chips there were if this is your first time seeing Sugarplum today?” Cue internal panic. Cue the fastest
subject change in parenting history: “Cookies for breakfast, anyone?”
Bribes work for parenting children. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. But even with all that, it’s also an incredibly magical year in our house because my four-year-old finally gets Christmas. Watching his face light up every morning when Sugarplum does something ridiculous fills my heart in ways I can’t even describe. So yes, I’ll admit it: I’m going all out this year. This might be my one and only year with all my kids believing in Santa, and that feels pretty special.
I mentioned all of this at a Let’s Network breakfast, and someone shared a piece of advice I’ll never forget. She gave me the suggestion that when my daughter eventually tells me she knows the truth, instead of confessing that I’ve essentially been lying to her for nine years (and setting aside a therapy fund), I can tell her that now she gets
Lions Club make Food Bank donation
to be a Santa for the next generation. That she gets to help bring the magic to her brother and sister.
And honestly? That melted me. Because it means I’ll get to share a new kind of magic with my oldest, a secret just between us. And that feels beautiful in its own right.
So, if anyone out there is feeling the magic slip a little, or maybe it just hasn’t shown up the way it usually does this year, please know you’re not alone. The magic is still there if you look closely. It doesn’t have to sparkle, it can be the softest little glow, and that counts too.
And to all the parents who both love and despise those chaotic little elves: I hear you. I see you. I am you. One day our kids won’t care about the elf anymore, and we might miss this wild, exhausting, hilarious chapter. So, treasure it while it’s here…
But maybe avoid the chocolate chip poop. We do still have some standards.
L-R are Lions Bill White and Treasurer Wayne Vachon, David Habberjam with Knights of Columbus receiving the cheque, and Lions Gerald Christie and Jason Beck.
Thank you to the Lions Club for the donation at a time when families in need are looking to food banks to help with Christmas meal preparations. The gift of $1,790 will make a big difference to so many families in this Christmas season.
VOLUNTEERING IS THE H eartbeat OF OUR COMMUNITY
We are stocked with gifts for everyone on your list!
207 Sanders St., Kemptville www.tbcconsign.com
(613)258-0166
A Year to Remember in Downtown Kemptville
From the Downtown Kemptville BIA
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on what an incredible year it has been for the Downtown Kemptville BIA, one filled with community spirit, vibrant events, and continued growth in the heart of North Grenville.
Our year began with the joyful Easter Bunny Hop, kicking off the event season with colour, laughter, and families exploring the core. May brought a burst of energy with Buskerfest Weekend, filling the streets with talent, creativity, and that unmistakable small-town magic. We also helped co-host our first Ladies’ Night of the year, a huge success that brought shoppers out to support local in a fun, festive atmosphere.
The return of the Father’s Day Car Show was another major highlight, back by popular demand and held in Riverside Park, where classic cars, music, and community spirit made for an unforgettable day. Summer continued to shine with the South Branch Serenade, offering live music by the water, and the onetime Shop Local Summer Contest, which encouraged residents to explore downtown businesses all season long.
As fall arrived, so did the spooky fun of Kreepy Kemptville, followed by the community favourite, December Ladies’ Night: a perfect kickoff to holiday shopping in the core. We then brought everyone together for our Tree Lighting Ceremony, filling downtown with
Christmas cheer ahead of the year’s grand finale: Old Town Christmas, a magical celebration that once again transformed our historic streets into a glowing, festive gathering place.
Along the way, the BIA was pleased to offer support to several community events, including local golf tournaments and the annual curling competition, small ways we contribute to the wider North Grenville community spirit.
This year also saw important improvements in the core: new BIA signage both downtown and along Highway 43, the bright and beautiful Sunflower Garden, our annual Earth Day Cleanup, and a fresh makeover for the iconic Rotary Park Chair. Each initiative re-
flects our dedication to beautification, pride of place, and creating a welcoming experience for residents and visitors.
The BIA would like to deeply thank the businesses of Downtown Kemptville. We are proud to represent you, work with you, and support you. Your passion and resilience are the true heartbeat of our downtown.
And to our community: thank you for supporting local all year long. Every visit, every purchase, and every shared moment downtown keeps our small-town vibe alive and thriving. Downtown Kemptville is more than a destination; it’s where neighbours meet, traditions grow, and community comes to life. Thank you for an incredible year. We can’t wait to share what’s next.
Small Shops. Big Heart
Gather,
Royals U13-C1 win battle of the biscuit!
by Chris Fox
The Kemptville Royals U13-C1 hockey team travelled to Smiths Falls over November 28 to 29 for the Battle of the Biscuit and their first tournament of the year. The team consists of: Ryder Groen, Tyler Fox, Tate McIntyre, Levi Van Lanen, Kieran Mark, Hunter Berry, Nicholas Geisler, Sawyer Monk, Michael Fox, Cam Presseault, Carter Lizotte, Ian Foran, Felix Monkman, Curtis Rekmans, Cash Deschambault and Tony Charbel, with a bench staff of Head Coach Chris Fox, Assistant Coaches Ryan Lizotte, Corrie Presseault, Ryan Mark,
Trainer Greg Geisler and Manager Chelsea Dunn McIntyre.
The Royals came out strong for game one of the round robin against the Stittsville Rams with netminder, Groen, backstopping the team to a 5-0 shutout victory to start the tourney. In a quick start M. Fox (3) got things going just over two minutes in and would pot the next two as well, for a hat trick. Van Lanen and Charbel joined the party with one more each a piece. Assists were delivered by Charbel, Mark, Deschambault, T. Fox, McIntyre and M. Fox. With a win in hand, the
Royals next went to battle against the Gananoque Islanders for the second tilt of the day.
Kemptville fought hard and held the Islanders off, ending the first period tied scoreless. Late in the second with Groen tending net like a star and strong defensive plays by Geisler and Foran, the Islanders snuck one by to take a 1-0 lead. They would score a second in the third and Kemptville suffered their only loss of the tournament 2-0. With that, the Royals started Saturday morning facing off against the West Carleton Warriors, in what proved to be a red-light fest for
Kemptville.
The Royals started fast again with Lizotte potting one on the first shift of the game and Van Lanen following on the second shift. Van Lanen lit it up the rest of the game, at one point scoring a hat trick in a single shift as Kemptville dominated the ice. Additional points were added by Deschambault, M. Fox, Presseault and Charbel all with one a piece and Berry with a couple more. Helpers were contributed by Monk, Rekmans, Mark, McIntyre, Charbel, Van Lanen, Berry and Deschambault.
With that statement win, the Royals locked into
fourth place in the round robin and secured a spot in the semi-finals! The semifinal saw Kemptville take on the host Smiths Falls Bears for a hard-fought game to earn a birth in the final. After the first period the teams were deadlocked in a scoreless tie, but less than a minute into the second Kemptville jumped ahead with a goal by Charbel assisted by both the Fox brothers, M. Fox and T. Fox.
The Bears put up a fight and responded with a goal of their own less than a minute later to even the score once again. It looked like overtime might be in the cards to settle this one until Van Lanen buried one with less than a minute left to play, with an assist from Deschambault. Van Lanen had a breakaway and was stopped on his first attempt but managed to coral his own rebound and secure the win. With the hosts sent home, the Royals punched their ticket to play for GOLD!
The finals saw the Royals pitted against the Gananoque Islanders once again, with a chance for redemption. The stage was set and the energy in the building was at eleven! The Royals had something to prove and started by mak-
ing a statement, potting their first marker of the game just 30 seconds into the first period unassisted by Charbel. The Islanders wouldn't go down easy and evened the score just a short while later. Then the Royals took control with three more unanswered tallies including Van Lanen, Berry and a second by Charbel. Assists were added by M. Fox, Berry, and McIntyre. The Islanders lost the wind in their sails and could not mount a comeback with the strong defensive showing by Kemptville!
Strong forechecking by Monkman and some key blocked shots by others stood out as key moments that kept Gananoque on their heels. The final horn sounded, the crowd went crazy and the bench cleared as the Royals became champions! A true team effort by all players contributed to their success and ultimate victory.
The U13-C1 Royals would like to thank their season sponsors for their ongoing support, including Rekmans Automotive Inc., J.D. Barnes Ltd., R.W. Tomlinson Limited, VS Landscaping, Kean Plumbing and Moex Property Maintenance Inc.
Local youth shine at XC meet
by Leah Ward
The ACXC (Canadian Cross Country Championships) took place in London, Ontario, on November 29-30, featuring national races for all ages (U16, U18, U20, Open, Masters)
and community runs, with Olympians competing and a festival atmosphere for spectators. Hosted by Athletics Canada, the event saw the involvement of a number of local athletes in various categories.
Lexi Ward (grade 10) and Kellan Jones (grade 9) are from North Grenville High School and Gabriel Molomaya (grade 9) is a St. Mike's student. All three athletes are part of the Brockville Legion Track
Club (BLEG) and ran in the U16 division this weekend in London, ON. They all ran 4km and the results can be found below. Lukas Leroux, also from NG, completed for BLEG in the U20 men's 8km.
U16 Girls: Lexi placed 28th with a time of 15:48.3, improving her time from last year by almost a minute. She placed 56th last year with a time of 16:42.1. Lexi also competed in the U18 4x2km mixed relay the following day where the Brockville team placed 10th in very slushie, snowy and muddy conditions.
U16 Boys: Gabriel placed 121st with a time
73's surge ahead with four more points
Eric Sweetapple after his sweet snipe to tie Friday evening’s contest with Nepean does a fly by as his linemates celebrate.
by G.J. the sportsguy
Friday evening was a special event as Santa and Mrs. Claus with dastardly Green Grinch made an appearance with the assistance of Royal LePage Team Realty Kemptville and Myers Kemptville providing the transportation for their annual Mountain of Toys game against the Nepean Raiders.
The first frame was like watching paint dry as both teams played end-to-end chase until Nepean returned a rebound by Rylan Donnovan from Jackson Legault with assists from Rotonda and R. Kingham at 8:42. The Raiders would have a marker called back at 15:57 after running the goal tender to stench the sloppy first.
Your 73's were Santa's helpers as they collected toys in the first intermission from 350
gracious fans to put a smile on some local faces Christmas morning.
Second salvo, Zachary Venance dancing through the zone to Jay Zeus Mbarushimana finding Eric Sweetapple driving hard to his target beat Otsirakatste Brant within one minute for a tie at :54. Nepean broke the tie with an extra attacker when Yates with Thompson, assisted by Raphael Tellier PPG at 14:30. Zachary Venance cycled with Alex Beaulieu high to low found Will Mullins in the slot to even the period just before the buzzer at 19:29. Kemptville succumbed to a controversial four minute major that their stopper and PK shut down without consequences as they adjourned to the dressing room.
Smith with Leblanc to Luka Benoit posted a
greaser for the Raiders tie breaker at 4:35. Alexis Beaulieu, hauled down on a breakaway, was awarded a PS at 19:08 that Brant slammed the door on. Kemptville pulled their stopper at 19:08 for extra push that was met with offset slab time at 19:50 with Rylan Donovan returning. At 19:54 the 73’3 net was empty and timed for a hail mary when Lucas Achim went downtown with Alexis Beaulieu chipping it to Zachary Venance to pull the trigger just shy of the horn at 19:59 to initiate OT.
Nepean landed a visit to the sin bin at 3:13 to open the OT that Kemptville took advantage of with a smooth transition from William St. James to Alexis Beaulieu on his horse returned to Nicholas Voicey in the lane for the game winner at 3:28. Kemptville out-powered
of 15:47.0 and Kellan placed 142nd with a time of 17:43.5. This was both of their first times running at ACXC.
U20 Mens: Lukas Leroux placed 72nd with a time of 28:34. Their XC season is now complete and they will start preparing for Indoor and Outdoor track with BLEG.
Nepean 40 to 25 with 1/5 PP to 1/7 PP. Sunday matinee road excursion into Navan to face the Grads and looking for redemption after being schooled in two previous encounters were rewarded with a 4 to 1 win. The open frame was met with Kemptville on their heels with a double ride on the slab with PK sustaining for a blank ending. Kemptville came out hot in the second twenty draws first when Eric Sweetapple's sweet transition to William St. James dished it to Alexis Beaulieu in the slot to pump it behind Cooper Flemming at 12:11. Zachary Venance cycled with Lucas Achim to Will Mullins with a wicked wrister for the insurance at 16:33. Combination give’n’go from Will Mullins unto the tape of Lucas Achim for three goal lead at 19:05.
Owen Knight from Latreille was the spoiler for Keegan Carswell SO at 17:08 of the third. Navan pulled their stopper for a 6 on 5 final push at 18:02 and William St. James dumped one into open space for ENG at 18:55. Navan was outshot 38 to 26 by Kemptville with 0/4 PP to 0/3 PP.
Two home stands with Hawkesbury Hawks on Wednesday evening and Friday evening facing the Cornwall Colts. Hockey with EDGE…see you around the wall.
Lexi Ward running in the U16 Girls division at the Canadian Cross Country Championships in London, Ontario. [Photo by Janet Wynands]
Common Sense Health
by Diana Gifford-Jones
Longevity Isn't for the Faint of Heart
I have been lucky, as my parents aged past 90. My father, Dr. W. Gifford-Jones, stayed vibrant longer than most people dare hope. In his nineties he was still hopping on planes, giving talks across Canada, researching and writing his next column, and scheming about the next promotion or the next stunt that would amuse him: like rappelling down Toronto's 35-storey City Hall to raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. He relished a challenge. Growing old, for him, didn't mean slowing down. It meant a development of new priorities.
He was well past 95 when I offered to help with the computer work involved in distributing his weekly column to editors. He suffered too much frustration from IT. I should have helped sooner. But, once I did, I grew closer, not just to the logistics of his writing, but to the writing itself. Wouldn't it be fun, I proposed, to write together?
He agreed, and the collaboration took off. We talked through ideas, shaped arguments, laughed (and feuded) over opposing ways of seeing the same thing. It was an era of our long relationship I will forever hold precious.
As the youngest of his children, born when he was 44, I was still relatively youthful as he extended his extraordinary longevity. I had a lot of energy to give.
But not everyone's story looks like this. In many cases, people find themselves in their seventies caring for parents in their nineties, pushing eighty supporting centenarians. A close look at what is happening in those situations reveals scenes that are anything but easy. Not everyone ages as healthily as my father did. Most elderly seniors are wrestling with chronic diseases. Add dementia into the mix and the loving commitment to care shifts to an exhausting, sometimes heartbreaking, endurance test.
The problems are varied: refusing to eat; resisting walkers or other safety supports; forgetting medications; making unsafe decisions; losing the ability to manage finances or medical appointments; neglecting property or household tasks. There are those who get very angry and sometimes violent. These issues often begin quietly and seem manageable, especially to children who are themselves aging and determined to respect their parent's independence. But, over time, the strain mounts. The risks mount. And the emotional toll mounts.
What would my father advise? He was never hesitant to speak plainly. When writing, he would use a quote, as from Will Rogers, who said, "Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." My father would say, "Don't kid yourself. No one gets it perfect, but don't make foolish mistakes."
He would remind people that caring for aging parents requires equal measures of compassion and practicality. He would urge families to plan early, before a crisis, and to involve physicians, trusted friends, and community supports. He would insist that safety is not a betrayal of dignity. And he would encourage caregivers to look after their own well-being too, because no one can pour from an empty cup.
Now it's my turn to offer counsel. I can speak to the matter of love. And I can attest that it doesn't always look like those old greeting cards. Sometimes love is repetitive, tiring, and unglamorous work. Sometimes it is stepping in sooner than you expected. Sometimes it is saying "no" to someone who once taught you to say "yes." But it is still love.
And, if my father taught me anything, it's that the hardest work we do for the people we love often becomes, in time, the work we treasure most.
This column offers opinions on health and wellness, not personal medical advice. Visit www.docgiff.com to learn more. For comments, diana@docgiff.com. Follow on Instagram @diana_gifford_jones
Keith John Nixon
Keith John Nixon, engineer, educator, and entrepreneur, born in Greater Manchester, England, October 11, 1942, and a proud Canadian since 1968, passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at The Ottawa Hospital.
Keith was beloved by his wife of 35 years, Judy Nixon, his daughter Claire Connerly and her partner Andi Fobe, his stepdaughters Alison and Hilary Evans (Ben Laliberté), and his grandsons Sawyer and Levi Hebbs. He will be deeply missed by many extended family members and friends around the world.
A man of wide-ranging interests and an open heart, Keith was an avid birder, an enthusiastic traveller, and someone who built lasting friendships wherever he went. He was a long-time contributor and leader with Mohawk College, Rotary International, and Probus. Known for his keen mind, warm humour, gift for storytelling, Keith brightened every room he entered and enriched the lives of all who knew him.
Details of a memorial service will be shared at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or St. James Anglican Church in Kemptville, ON
The Food Corner
by
Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville
A traditional Eggnog is laced with alcohol, usually a dark rum. Bourbon is used further South. However, if you are teetotaler, it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy this great holiday tradition. You simply use more milk instead of the booze. Today’s recipe for a Traditional Eggnog goes well with the finger foods that I have published here in the Times over the years. If you missed some, please be in touch.
Traditional Eggnog
Ingredients:
• 6 eggs, separated
• ¾ cup of white granulated sugar
• 1 cup of dark rum
• 2 cups of 3% milk (or if you aren’t using rum, 3 cups of milk with a bit of rum extract)
• 1 cup of whipping cream
• Grated nutmeg
Preparation:
• Beat the egg yolks well in a small bowl with an electric mixer
• Add ½ cup of the sugar and continue beating till the mixture thickens
• Stir in the milk and the rum, cover and chill
• Beat the egg whites while slowly adding the remaining ¼ cup of sugar to form peaks
• Whip the cream in a separate bowl (you can add 3 tablespoons of sugar if you wish)
• Fold both the frothy egg whites and the whipped cream into your egg/milk mixture
• Place in your punch bowl and serve in ½ cup punch glasses, sprinkled with nutmeg
• By the way, the nutmeg may be traditional but it is also optional...
We raise a glass to you for the Best of the festive season from the entire team at Salamanders of Kemptville and from pcormier@ranaprocess.com!
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Higgins, Susan Leslie (Hallawell)
September 16, 1953 - November 28, 2025
Susan Leslie Higgins, age 72, passed away peacefully and with family at her side on November 28, 2025. Beloved wife of Robert Higgins for fifty years, and loving mother of Brendan Higgins (Jenna Keindel) and Rachel Gauthier (Alexandre), and much beloved Grandma to Benjamin and Julien (predeceased). Dear daughter of the late William and Eleanor Hallawell, and sister to Nancy Wright (Wayne) and Judith Gould (James, predeceased).
Susan had a passion for literature, reading and the important role libraries play in the development of both individuals and communities. After completing her Masters Degree in Library Science from the University of Toronto she worked in Library Services for the Health Protection Branch of the federal government in Ottawa.
A desire both to spend more time with her young children and to return to public libraries led her to resign from the federal government for a position with the Kemptville Public Library. She went on to become the CEO of the North Grenville Public Library and served in this position until her retirement in 2018. The highlight of her career was the completion of the new central library in Kemptville, which she moved from concept to reality over a ten-year period. When not working in the library, Susan was an avid reader, enjoyed spending time at home with family on her farm near Burritts Rapids, including much loved pets, and spending time with her grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday December 13, 2025 at the Boathouse Café in Burritts Rapids from 2pm to 4:30pm (646 River Road).
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Southbridge Kemptville for their compassion and care.
Donations can be made in Susan's memory to the North Grenville Public Library, The Aphasia Centre of Ottawa, or the Alzheimer Society of Lanark Leeds Grenville. Condolences/Tributes/Donations Hulse, Playfair & McGarry www.hpmcgarry.ca 613-258-2435
COMMUNITY EVENTS events@ngtimes.ca
The North Grenville Concert Choir proudly presents Traditional Christmas Carols on Friday, 12 December, 7:30pm, Kemptville Pentecostal Church; Saturday, 13 December, 3:30pm Winchester United Church; Sunday, 14 December, 3:30pm St. John’s United Church, Kemptville. Tickets available at B&H in Kemptville or online at aftontickets.com/ngcc. Adults $20 / $10 for 12 & under (online only) or at the door.
Youngsters of Yore Thursday, December 11th, 2025
Held at the Tallman Room of Kemptville Library on Water street. Starts at 2 pm so arrive before to get a chair. Mingle with us having a cup of tea and snack after Ashley speaks and answers your questions.
We welcome All Ages!
Knights of Columbus Monthly Supper at Holy Cross Church Hall 503 Clothier Street West. Suppers are held at 5:30 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month, September to November and January to May. Cost $10 per person, $5 for a child under 12 and $25 for a family.
Kemptville Legion: Fridays 3-9. Free Pool and Darts. Everyone Welcome BINGO at the Kemptville Legion every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from Sept-June. Doors open at noon, Bingo starts at 1pm..
LEGION EUCHRE will be held at 100 Reuben St., the 3rd Saturday of each month. Registration starts at 12:30, with Euchre starting at 1:00. Cost is $5 to play - cash prizes.
NG Duplicate Bridge Club Masonic Lodge 311 Van Buren Kemptivlle, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 12:15.
All Levels of bridge players are welcome. Info call 613-795-7155
Friendship Lunches are offered to everyone every Friday. Please join us in our lower hall by 11:30 for a free meal, companionship and fellowship at St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. and begin at 11:30. There is no charge. A free will offering is appreciated. Everyone is welcome.
Friendship Café is open to the community Tuesday's from 10 to noon. All are welcome to stop by, enjoy a hot beverage, a sweet treat and some friendly conversation all at no cost. At St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. Tuesday Community Hub hosted by the House of Lazarus All are welcome to drop in. Advocacy, “make a meal, take a meal” cooking opportunities, community services assistance are just a few of the weekly programs. Stop by and visit or contact House of Lazarus directly at 613-989-3830 for more details. “Building Community, Sharing Hope”. Upstairs at St. John's United Church at 400 Prescott St. Modern Square Dancing in Kemptville with the Grenville Gremlins Square Dance Club. Monday Evenings 7:30 - 9:30pm. North Grenville Municipal Center County Road 44 For more info call Debbie at 613-795-3032 or Google "Kemptville Square Dancing"
KLUB 67 invites all euchre players to join us every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month for a fun social game of euchre. Location: Kemptville Legion, 100 Reuben St. Registration starts at 12.30, play starts at 1pm. Cost is $5 to play – cash prizes given. No membership required.
North Grenville Men’s Shed
A men’s shed provides a safe and friendly environment for men to socialize and/ or do projects.
Contact: Peter Ivay 343 598-1174 or website ngmensshed.com for scheduled meetings on the calendar and additional information.
Kemptville Horticultural Society - meetings are held monthly, except July, August & December. The are held the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm at the Kemptville Pentecostal Church.
NG Pride: 2SLGBTQAI+ Seniors and allies meet 2 - 4pm the first and third Sunday of each month at the NG Library. Join us for coffee, chat, cards and shenanigans. Looking to stay connected, informed, and inspired in retirement?
Join the Probus Club of North Grenville — a friendly group of retirees who meet monthly for conversation, laughter, and thought-provoking presentations. Gatherings take place the third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church Hall. For details, email n.g.probus97@gmail.com.
EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road. Tuesday, December 9. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m., play starts at 1:00 p.m. For information, send an email to debiar@ymail.com WIZARD CARD GAME at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road. Sunday, December 14. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m., play starts at 1:00 p.m. For information, send an email to debiar@ymail.com BID EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road. Tuesday, December 16. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m., play starts at 1:00 p.m. For information, send an email to debiar@ymail.com SPEED EUCHRE 10X10 at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road. Sunday, December 21. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m., play starts at 1:00 p.m. 10x10 means you play 10 games with as many euchre hands as you can within 10 minutes per game, for unlimited points. Stick the dealer: if everyone passes, the dealer must call a trump suit. If you like to take your time when playing euchre, this version is not recommended. For information, send an email to debiar@ymail.com
ACROSS
1. Fire
6. A flat float
10. Complain
14. Protective covering 15. Beige
16. Balm ingredient
17. Fragrance 18. Cicatrix
19. Violent disturbance 20. One billionth of a second
22. Strong fiber 23. Be extant
24. Out of practice 25. Drift
29. Immune response trigger
31. Green gem
33. Fireplace sound
37. Most recent
38. Cream-filled pastry
39. Movie house
41. Kneecap
42. Lures
44. Adjusts
45. Interior layout and furnishings
48. Reveals
50. Withdraw gradually
51. In a contemptuous manner
56. Therefore 57. Margarine
58. Red Sea peninsula
59. In place of 60. Ran
61. Economic down time
62. Not more
63. Devotees
64. Affirmatives
DOWN
1. Custard dessert
2. Former Italian currency
3. Any minute
4. Office message
5. Delete
6. Cancel officially
7. Buttonhole
8. Frenzied
9. Feces
10. Severe abscesses
11. Assumed name
12. Perch
13. Trifling
21. Revered
24. Respond
25. Whip mark
26. Asian nurse
27. Celebration
28. Fomenting subversion
30. Lubricated
32. Daisylike bloom
34. Cabbagelike vegetable
35. Jaunty rhythm
36. Ages 40. German measles
41. Amounts of time
43. Swerve wildly
45. Inhabit
46. Spooky
47. Pens
49. Pantywaist
51. Remove, as a hat
52. Egyptian river
53. Wildebeests
54. Hardly believable
55. Puppy sounds
History
Desolation Row 2: the Bedingfield building
Change over the years.
by David Shanahan
Over the decades, Kemptville has lost some of its oldest and most historic buildings. Some were destroyed by fire, others demolished before their time. But there are those whose time had come and which could not be saved. One of these was the Bedingfield building.
Not many people will recognise that name. They know the place as the Bright Spot Restaurant, or maybe the Moonlight, its most recent incarnation. But, as the picture on this page shows, it was once the store of Robert H. Bedingfield, described in 1903 as “a first-class harness salesroom with the workshop in the rear. Here he carries on every thing known to the trade in the line of harness, saddlery, trunks, valises, etc.”
Robert H. Bedingfield was one of three sons born to Robert C. Bedingfield and his wife Sophia, who came from Norfolk in England. Robert H. Was the only one born in England before the family moved to Canada in 1830, spending thirteen years in Montreal before moving to Kemptville in
land that had once been owned by his patron, Joseph Leeming.
1843. By then, his two brothers, John and William, as well as a sister, Sophia, had been born. The elder Robert worked as an assistant to Joseph Leeming, an entrepreneur who operated a store in what is now Rowland Leather’s premises, before moving to Montreal where he became extremely successful in an import/export business. Leeming had a clear influence on the Bedingfields, who moved from the Methodist church to join the new Baptist congregation Leeming had started on Clothier Street east in 1847.
Leeming had started business in a small store just south of the bridge on Prescott Street, and it was there that Robert H. began his own business career, building up trade until he could afford to buy his own premises on Clothier Street. Part of his training involved working in the U. S. For five years, where he met his first wife, Juliett. In 1870, he bought part of the lot owned by Robert Leslie for $1,100, a sign that Robert was doing well financially. He built the store pictured here and started his harness salesroom. In 1882, he bought the parcel behind the store and opened his own workshops on
Robert C. had died the previous year, but had lived to see his son become a successful businessman in his own right. A nice family fact is that the elder Bedingfield and his wife, Sophia, are identified on their gravestones in the Kemptville Union Cemetery simply as “Father Bedingfield” and “Mother Bedingfield”. Their children had all prospered after the move to Kemptville. In 1903, John was described as “wealthy and living in New York”. William married into the Kernahans, a leading family in town, and operated his own saddlery and carting business on Prescott Street before selling in the 1880's and moving to Ottawa. Sophia married John Wolf, a wealthy and influential man in the region. He served as Reeve of Kemptville for eight years in a row, and was Warden of the United Counties in 1870.
But life was not all success and prosperity for Robert. His wife, Juliett, died in 1872 aged just 38. Their daughter, Eddeah Rebecca died, in 1883 at only 23. Robert married again, this time to a local woman, Mary Ann Barnes, whose father had owned the very first store Robert had opened on Prescott Street. Twenty years younger than Robert, she lived until 1920. They had one child, a daughter named Ivy Belle, who died aged 27. There was tragedy as well as success in the Bedingfield family.
After Robert died in 1906, Mary Ann sold the store to Horace Hutchins, who was killed at Vimy
Ridge in 1917. Creswell Johnson bought the building in 1920 and carried on Hutchins’ business, operating a taxi, or shuttle bus service around town and between the train stations. This business carried on for twenty-five years until Johnson’s death, when the building was bought by Garnet Van Allen in 1946. Times change and people had their own cars to get about in, so the new business on the site was a garage and car dealership. It carried on under various owners, Del Seymour, Bill Todd, Kemptville Motor Sales, before completely altering its identity by becoming a restaurant in more recent times. Even then, it continued to be a witness to historic events, such as the large protest outside its doors when the South African Ambassador was invited to address the Rotary Club at the Bright Spot in the dark days of Apartheid.
The Bedingfield family were part of a closely-knit and inter-related community in the Village of Kemptville during its years of growth. The building Robert H. erected back in the 1870's saw the development of the village from saddles and harness to horse-drawn buses, to modern cars and trucks. The change from industry to food service was also a reflection of social and economic change in the area. The Bedingfields gave Kemptville a location that symbolises the history and heritage of the town. When it goes, so will our last tangible link to that family and the long chapter in the story of North Grenville that it represents.
Brenda Barclay-Smith of Creekside Art is a self taught acrylic painter residing in Kemptville Ont. She enjoys painting a diverse subject matter ranging from bold coloured, whimsical architecture and landscapes, to forgotten time worn objects that take you back in time. Brenda especially enjoys creating nostalgic paintings that create a sense of connection, allowing the viewer to reflect on the past. Brenda is a member of the North Grenville and Merrickville Art Guilds.
creeksideart1@gmail.com creeksideart1 on facebook and instagram
ACCEPTED in the organics collection:
• Meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, bones, eggshells
• Fruit and vegetables
• Dairy products
• Bread, cereals, crackers
• Pasta, beans, rice, seeds and other grains
• Coffee grounds, filters, tea bags
• Cookies, chips, popcorn, nuts Cooking oils, lard, shortening, fat, butter
• Pet food
• Salad dressings, mayonnaise, vinegar, sauces, gravy, dips
• Small animal bedding
• BBQ ashes (cold)
• Fireplace ash (cold)
• Dryer lint
• Contents from vacuum canister
• Butcher paper meat wrap
• Food soiled paper towels, napkins, parchment or wax paper
• Food-soiled pizza and cereal boxes
• Wood chips/sawdust Microwave paper popcorn bags
• Paper cups, plates, muffin wrappers
• Pet fur, hair, feathers,
• Dog waste and cat litter
• Sugar, flour and potato paper bags
• Clothing and textiles
Construction begins on the new Académie Catholique Notre-Dame
The Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE) officially broke ground today on the new building that will house the Académie catholique Notre-Dame (ACND). To mark this important milestone, Mr. Steve Clark, Member of Provincial Parliament, Ms. Nancy Peckford, Mayor of North Grenville, Ms. Johanne Lacombe, Chair, Ms. Diane Burns, School Trustee, members of the CECCE, and of the school community gathered for a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony on the site of the future school, located at 2608 Concession Road in Kemptville.
This project is made possible thanks to a total investment of $26.5 million from the Government of Ontario, including $2 million from the Canada-Ontario program for the construction of the daycare, as well as $4 million for the purchase of the land.
The new school, scheduled to open for the 2027-2028 school year, will accommodate 417 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. It will also include a child care centre with three rooms, providing 49 licensed spaces: 10 for infants, 15 for toddlers, and 24 for preschool-aged children.
It will offer a highly stimulating, state-of-the-art learning environment with two gymnasiums, including one reserved exclusively for the use of the ACND’s students during the school day. This new school will also include, among other features: two science labs, a music room, a visual arts room, a cooking lab, a resource centre, and a cafeteria.
Woolly Bears of
Drought
Pyrrharctia isabella (Isabella Tiger Moth) woolly bear caterpillar, Bishops Mills, Ontario, 1 December 2025.
by Fred Schueler, Fragile Inheritance Natural His-
tory
In 2023, when I summarized the occurrence of "Woolly Bear" moth caterpillars in Bishops Mills - https://ngtimes.ca/hairyautumnal-wanderers/ - we had 47 observations of the brown and black banded Pyrrharctia isabella (Isabella Tiger Moth) and 7 of the larger black Hypercompe scribonia (Giant Leopard Moth). We had only seen the Giant Leopards here since 2017, and we have seen none in the wet summer of 2024, or in this year's drought.
Last year we had 36 Isabella caterpillars on the village streets, and 9 around
the houses for a total of 45, about the same as 2023. This year we've had 18 on the streets, 11 on roads elsewhere, and 29 around the houses, for a total of 58. Most of these seemed small, as if the drought had reduced growth, while not inhibiting numbers. Wondering how general this apparent abundance might have been, I asked around on the NatureList googlegroup.
Andrea Howard had seen a few in Kemptville. Elizabeth Gammell "swerved around woolly bear caterpillars crossing local Rideau Lakes Twp roads maybe 2-3 times a week in October and first part of November". Rose-
Marie Burke had "a few in my neck of the woods north of Perth Road Village, but not nearly as many as in years past. In fact, the overall sighting of ANY caterpillars was very sparse this year... I'm suspecting this was due to the drought.
I did have several Isabella Tiger Moths come to the lights, so hopefully they bred a new batch for next year. They seem to be one of the ‘sturdier' critters that survive drought and wet years," and, north of Russell, Candice Vetter has "seen fewer caterpillars of any type, and Woolly Bears have seen fewer than usual, maybe by half."
It's hard to say how incidental sightings correspond to real numbers, but it seems that naturalists were certainly seeing Isabella Woolly Bears, but not generally in exceptional numbers. These caterpillars are freeze tolerant, and the photograph is of one in a woodpile in a shed, about 40 cm above the ground, looking quite ready for the -18°C that followed in a couple of days.
