Issue 47 2021 December 1 NG Times

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The Voice of North Grenville

Vol. 9 No. 47

December 1, 2021

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by Marguerite Boyer The Lions are back at it again! This year, they have 200 Christmas trees to sell at the Ferguson Forest Centre, and they go fast. The trees come from Pine Needle Farm in Peterborough, who share seeds with the Forest Centre.

This past Saturday, Grant Leeder and Robert Sentner, were there to officially open the gates to the anticipated line ups they expect to see throughout the next few weeks. All money raised goes directly back into our community to help support different non-profit groups.

Trees will be available (while supplies last) from 9 am to 5 pm on weekends and from 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays. Trees are $60.00 this year, and, along with the trees, they are also selling (on behalf of the Forest Centre) ornamental Cedar and Pine, boughs, Red Dogwood, and White Birch logs to assist in making your home, inside and out, as decorative as possible, all locally sourced from our own Forest Centre. (see page 16) It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, first with the launch of an amazing Santa

Claus parade, which drew the biggest crowds ever in Kemptville, department stores now playing Christmas music, the Salvation Army ringing their Christmas bells, and now with our Lions Club selling their trees. The Christmas season

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Thank you to all Lions and to the staff at the Ferguson Forest Centre for donating your time and effort to bring the Christmas Spirit into our community.

Mark your calendar: St. John's United Church Bazzar-Nov 30-Dec 2 NG Historical Society Online Auction Nov 30-Dec 5 Old Town Christmas Promenade-Dec 11 Community Christmas Dinner-Dec 25 Turn the pages for more details........

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Local author releases first horror novel 1980s-era movie poster, complete with the book’s contributors at the bottom stylized to look like movie credits.

Finding a graphic designer to complete the artwork as Andrew envisioned was no small task. After a long struggle to find someone, he finally reached out to a graphic design page on Reddit, and had over 50 responses in just a few hours. He sifted through each individual response before finding a woman whose work fit his vision perfectly.

While the book was only released on Amazon last week, tentative plans already exist for a book signing closer to Christmas at the Kemptville library. The website of Andrew’s own independent publishing company, Popcorn Paperbacks, features a more in-depth description of “Dollhouse,” as well as Andrew’s biography. The website can be accessed at www.popcornpaperbacks.com. Those interested in purchasing a copy of the book can do so directly on Amazon, with both paperback and Kindle e-book editions available, by visiting www. amazon.ca/Dollhouse-Andrew-McManaman-ebook/ dp/B09KNS9P2G.

Author, Andrew McManaman, and his new novel

by Brandon Mayer

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

An author with local roots has released a new horror novel that’s sure to keep readers turning the pages.

Andrew McManaman, who is the son of North Grenville Deputy Mayor, Jim McManaman, released the book, called “Dollhouse”, on Amazon on November 26.

The Times spoke with Andrew about this milestone moment in his career as an author. He revealed that the “Dollhouse” project was a long process that comprised a lot of hard work. Andrew has been interested in creative writing for most of his life, and has authored many short stories and screenplays, and had attempted writing novels in the past. Talking about his history as a novelist, Andrew joked, “I wrote one novel

previously, but it’s so bad that it’s not going to be ever seen or read by anybody!”

The inspiration for trying again came during a period when Andrew was laid off from his seasonal job in Whistler, British Colombia.

“In that two month period, I just kind of wrote 500 to 1000 words a day, wrote this real rough draft of a novel, and I finished it from one of the screenplays that I had,” Andrew told the Times. The overall process was a journey that lasted about four years, and Andrew was eager to give credit to friends who helped him with many aspects of the

process.

“Dollhouse” focuses on a main character named Darla, a single mother who wakes up in a true house of horrors, surrounded by strangers and mystery, with no escape. The group of unexpected acquaintances are soon faced with the realization that the house in which they are locked in is perhaps the safest place in their new world, as a deadly creature lurks outside, and sacrifice is inevitable. The novel features elements of both mystery and terror.

One of the unique aspects of the novel is its cover, which is designed to look like a

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Please join us in downtown kemptville for a very special event

old town christmas Promenade Dec 11 11am-3pm

Featuring the Best In Live Local Christmas Music

North Grenville Concert Choir Village Voices Chamber Choir Kemptville Male Choir

Mayor Peckford encourages residents to support the Salvation Army kettles, this Christmas Season, as they are the main source of funds in these challenging times.

December 1, 2021

PRESENTED BY OLD TOWN KEMPTVILLE BIA AND MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH GRENVILLE

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The North Grenville Times

NAVY LEAGUE NEWS

The new Commanding Officer, Lt(N) Chris Churchill, signing the Supersession Certificate

by Peter S. Milsom, Navy League of Canada As with corporate offices, business ownerships, municipal Councils, and enterprises of every nature, things change, people move on, executive responsibility shifts to a new regime. This is the natural order of things – unless it is by peasants’ revolt, mutiny, or insurrection and the like. There has been no mutiny in Royal Canadian

Sea Cadet Corps (RCSCC) Defiant here in Kemptville, but there has been an ordered, routine and appropriate Change of Command.

In a recent ceremony outside the Kemptville Armoury, the Pte. Blake Williamson Memorial Hall, presided over

by Lieutenant-Commander Paul Fraser, CD, Officer Commanding Ottawa St. Lawrence Area, command of RCSCC Defiant was passed

organizations Jay served in leadership or executive positions, were the Bishop’s Mills Community Association, the Freemason Movement, and the Beaver and Cub Scouts programs. In earlier years, he served for two years with the Brockville Rifles Militia Infantry Regiment but in 2010, Jay volunteered to serve with RCSCC Defiant. Over the past ten years with Defiant, he has been actively engaged in every facet of this mentoring and training of young boys and girls from 12 to 18 years of age and has performed in every function. After two highly successful but challenging years in a COVID environment, Jay has passed command to his Executive Officer, Chris Churchill.

Lieutenant (Navy) Chris Churchill will be featured in detail in another article in the very near future so the account here of his career will necessarily be just enough to whet your appetite for more information on this interesting citizen. Like Jay Tousaw, Chris Churchill has

from Lt(N) Jay Tousaw to Lt(N) Chris Churchill. Now, almost everything that goes on in this life comes down to being about people. As a resident of Kemptville and North Grenville, what does this unaccustomed ceremony mean in terms of its “people impact” and why should it be of interest to you? People impact is often about volunteering to give back, to pay forward - to bring meaningful balance in our lives. In this case, it is about people contributing to the youth of the North Grenville region. Let’s look at the two people – the two naval officers - involved in this transfer of authority and responsibility for service to Kemptville’s youth.

Lieutenant (Navy) Jay Tousaw is well known in Kemptville, indeed in North Grenville. Back in an article in this paper last Fall, Jay’s more than thirty years of extensive and multi-faceted volunteer work for a wide variety of organizations was outlined in detail. For those who missed the article, among the

The Voice of North Grenville

an impressive history of volunteer work, much of it with youth and sporting organizations over the past twentytwo years in Kemptville and area. Born in Winchester in 1972, Chris has spent most of his life in the Ottawa valley and moved to Kemptville in 2000. He has a degree in Psychology (with a major in Child Psychology) from Carleton University in 1995.

This, along with impressive credentials in a number of specialized service areas and his extensive experience with varied youth organizations, makes him extremely well suited to accede to his new responsibilities as Commanding Officer, RCSCC Defiant.

More later.

Lt(N) Churchill is now actively engaged with planning for a safe and carefully managed return to in-person training and skills progression for the cadets just as soon as Provincial, Health Unit, Municipal and National Defence guidelines permit this to happen.

Zoning and land severance affect housing crisis too

by Brandon Mayer

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It is clear that issues of availability and affordability play a large part in the housing crisis currently plaguing much of Canada. Legal issues can also cause problems, particularly when it comes to housing availability.

Zoning refers to municipal by-laws that govern how land can be used and what types of buildings can be built in specific parts of a municipality. Zoning is nec-

essary so that, for example, a person’s quiet suburban street doesn’t suddenly become a thoroughfare of busy traffic amidst a sea of noisy power tools when their neighbours decide to turn their home into an auto mechanic shop.

Land severances are something else entirely. A land severance refers to splitting one parcel of land into two or more smaller ones that can be owned individually. This is critical for housing, because developers who purchase large lots with the

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intention of developing them into many smaller lots must be able to do so before selling the individual homes and the property on which they sit.

Land severance also becomes a key issue in cases where, for example, an owner of a large plot of land would like to sell only part of the land so that a new owner can build a home.

Given the critical role that zoning and land severance play in the development of new housing, it would seem logical that these legal issues would be relatively routine and simple to resolve, but this is most certainly not the case. In the case of North Grenville, the municipality’s wording regarding the land severance process is quite clear, reading in part on their website, “Please be advised that obtaining a severance is a relatively long and somewhat costly process.” Indeed, the severance form is eight pages long, and fees must be paid to the municipality, the health unit, and the relevant conservation authority upon applying for a land severance.

These fees can total over $1,200 for a single request.

North Grenville’s land severance and zoning requests are handled by The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.

North Dundas has a similar process and similar fees to those of North Grenville when it comes to applying for land severances, which the Township of North Dundas calls “land divisions.” North Dundas is less upfront about the difficulty and cost of the process, and focuses more on plans for entire subdivisions, which are required when three or more lots are being created, at least two of which will be sold. North Dundas’ land divisions are handled by the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry.

A July, 2021, report published by the Financial Post suggests that areas with more complicated processes for securing zoning changes or land severances have higher land prices, and, as a result, more expensive housing. The report also points out that such places often have less

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housing overall, due to the difficulties for developers, which presumably creates cost inflation of the housing in such areas due to the simple relationship between availability and affordability.

In terms of affordable housing, an article published

by Habitat for Humanity in November of 2018 lists several issues that lower the incentive to develop. The first is, unsurprisingly, “government obstacles”, including zoning and severance barriers. Other issues include tax barriers and financial risk for developers.

For example, since subsidized housing is offered for lower than market value, the article

argues that there is simply too much risk for most developers to be interested.

It is clear that the housing issue is far from simple, and is actually a tangled web of interrelated issues that may never be fully unraveled.

To improve housing affordability, more housing availability is needed. To improve housing availability, zoning and severance laws must be simple and inexpensive to attract developers. Finally, to update zoning and severance laws, governments need to care about affordable housing as much as those who live without it.

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Editorial

The North Grenville Times

This magic moment

by David Shanahan Council was working overtime last week, meeting on two consecutive nights to hear presentations from twenty organisations, individuals and groups seeking a Community Grant for next year. These have to be the most difficult and yet enjoyable decisions mayor and council get to make: providing funding to those who help to add such value to our community.

With all (all!) the debate over prisons and lockdowns and climate change we’ve indulged in for a couple of years (seems longer....), it is wonderful to take a look at a much more unifying and inspiring theme. Just think: council get to support local community initiatives that will bring joy, entertainment, recreation, and (dare I say it?) Culture to us all during 2022.

Now, let me say at the outset that there are some who will carp at this expenditure of taxpayer money.

Many will remember that, not that long ago, previous councils cancelled the Community Grants program entirely. After strong reaction,

the program was restored, but with a pitiful budget that failed to adequately address the demand. Others will remember previous members of council state that residents (like the Scouts, for example) should pay for their own ‘hobbies”, and not expect public aid. Even more astonishing, in retrospect, was the objection raised by some on council to having any public money spent on celebrating Canada Day! Yes, folks, it really happened, and we should never forget it.

That is why we should mark this recent slate of grant applications, being happy and relieved that there are those among our friends and neighbours who are willing and able to devote time, energy, and imagination to provide opportunities that would not exist without them. According to the municipality, the Community Grants budget is $140,000.

This may seem like a lot, but it amounts to less than 1% of tax revenue. Hardly seems extravagant, given what we all get from it.

There are a few items that are pre-authorised, and did not need to be presented

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to council to receive funds: $12,500 for Kemptville & District Home Support’s Escorted Transportation Service; $11,400 for the Meet me on Main Street 2022 event; and, yes, hip hooray, $20,000 to celebrate Canada Day 2022. There was also an item listed on one point, but disappeared subsequently, for $7,500 to pay for “Kemptville Creek Ice Clearing”. This may have been removed when staff realised that Kemptville Creek doesn’t actually exist (!).

But, whatever the size of the draft budget for the Community Grants, it can’t cover every application made to it.

The total amount requested for 2022 by local applicants amounts to $313,120, but, after the above noted items are covered, only $88,600 is left to divide among the seekers. Hence, the decisions council have to make are both most difficult and most rewarding for them.

Who to pick?

A quick look through the list of applicants shows what a job this is. Many have often, and repeatedly, spoken of how wonderful this community is when it comes to volunteering, providing a

wide choice of recreational and cultural activities to residents, etc.; and this list confirms it once again. The examples I cite here do not constitute an endorsement, just a little insight into the kind of contribution volunteers make to our daily lives.

One local resident, for example, seeks funds to continue providing free art lessons, as “the municipality does not offer art classes of any kind, and Art is no longer taught in school in North Grenville”. This initiative would cost just $1,000 in funding.

A tremendous asset to North Grenville and beyond, the Beth Donovan Hospice is looking for funds to continue their Grief & Bereavement program. In 2021, local volunteers contributed 4,638 hours of service, with 985 hours being for the bereavement program. Over the last 11 years, usage of the bereavement program has increased by over 400%.

Recreational activities are represented by the North Grenville Curling Club, the Kemptville Snowmobile Klub (celebrating their 50th year), and the Seaway Surge Baseball Club. There are

cultural activities seeking support also, such as the Kemptville Male Choir, the North Grenville Community Theatre group, and the North Grenville Poetry Guild.

But there are more serious calls on the program also. In addition to the Hospice, there’s the Rural FASD Support Network, the Salvation Army Food Bank, and a group looking to provide a replacement for the cancelled Neon Night event. The Community Grant program is there to provide support to every aspect of North Grenville life, and makes a hugely important contribution to the continuing community life we enjoy yearround. More than that even: it underlines the astonishing range of voluntary activities that continue here, regardless of social, political, or

of ANY costs of the project on the taxpayers of North Grenville, in whole or in part. Given the history of provincial downloading, this is a real danger. And here are a few downloads to watch for among others: a. Infrastructure changes and additions necessitated by the prison construction will impact the wastewater and drinking water infrastructures. The province should pay for these items on a permanent basis. Make sure they do! b. Additional policing costs necessitated by the prison should be paid for on a permanent basis by the province.

Good luck there. If one thinks that’s trivial, have a look at the municipal budget. When I was on Council, those costs amounted to roughly 15% of the total budget. Those costs will go much higher with the prison requirements. c. Potential negative re-

sults in the area of economic growth. Jails won’t grow our local economy. My articles in 2020 on this subject included dozens of American and Canadian academic studies which pointed to disappointing results in small towns which experienced the arrival of new prisons. Note that the studies considered small towns to have an urban footprint of around 20,000 persons. Kemptville’s urban footprint was 4,000 in 2016.

(Census 2016) d. Opposition to the misrepresentation and suppression of information from official provincial sources, repeated extensively in the past by municipal politicians. e. Opposition to attempts by the province and persons unknown to suppress public discussion of the jail issue.

The first incident occurred in early November, 2020, which resulted in my being barred from Facebook following a

complaint by a source because my posted newspaper articles ostensibly did not meet community standards.

The second incident occurred a few weeks ago, when the provincial government attempted to enlist the help of Elections Ontario to hinder the activities of JOG and its sister opposition group, CAPP. These actions speak eloquently to the character and values of the authors of those acts, as well as to the validity of their claims.

JOG members continue to draw attention frankly and directly to issues affecting the interests and rights of the residents of Kemptville, and how these will be affected by the imposition of the new jail.

Some choose to see our direct action as disturbingly divisive. That is only true if our community cannot tolerate honest questions. I have been told I am rude for my actions in throwing light onto some

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cultural upheavals that come our way.

I remember, as do so many of us, the trauma caused by previous attempts to do away with, or emasculate this program in the past. I also remember, with genuine gratitude, what that program meant to groups with which I was involved at the time, such as the North Grenville Historical Society, or the Oxford Mills Community Association. And so, as we deal with challenges from outside and from within North Grenville, we can at least celebrate the work of these and many other groups in society, and both thank and pity mayor and council as they try and decide where the funds go for 2022. Maybe we could manage 2% of taxes next time?

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Op Ed: A Continuing Discussion

by Jim Bertram In recent editions of the Times, the 15 month old discussion of the proposed prison to be located in Kemptville has continued without pause.

I myself first wrote a commentary on this subject in August, 2020, four days after the peremptory provincial announcement of the future construction of a prison in Kemptville. Shortly thereafter, I began the organisation of a group called Jail Opposition Group (JOG) with the following mandate: “To raise questions publicly concerning the proposed jail, questions which would relate to consequences of this jail’s construction which would be potentially harmful for North Grenville residents. And to oppose such harmful effects.” Of course, the definition of these harmful effects depends on one’s available information and personal values. Hence, not all points of view have been

uniform.

Given the very loose format of JOG’s organisation around the aforementioned general mandate, specific opinions espoused by members of the JOG group have varied, but they have generally concerned the following ideas at core: 1. JOG categorically rejects the province’s imposition of the jail project on Kemptville without preliminary consultation with the residents of Kemptville AND their representatives. Our Council has stated publicly that they were not aware of this project before it was announced. We believe our community’s residents’ democratic rights should be respected. And they have NOT been. Continuing misrepresentations on the official level only deepen the insult to our local people.

2. JOG is categorically opposed to the imposition

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very important issues for NG residents. But complaining in six years when the results are here won’t do the trick. Now is the time to express yourselves. Our municipal representatives have at long last begun to tentatively add some of JOG’s issues to their public message. Better late than never I guess, but not much leadership there. As has been the case from the beginning, leadership has been shown by residents themselves standing up for their community. So – please join us. Have your say.

Buy a sign. Write a comment on Facebook, as I no longer can. Because, if you believe the province will take care of you without your paying attention on this issue, good luck. Above all, be active in your own interest, if not in the interest of others.

Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Production production@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735

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The North Grenville Times

Kemptville Pride amongst those seeking municipal funding

by Brandon Mayer

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Last week’s community grant request presentations during two North Grenville Council meetings showed the diverse range of programs and organizations that exist in the local community. One such organization is relatively new on the scene – Kemptville Pride Inc, which was established in 2019. Their presentation was given at the November 24 meeting.

Kemptville Pride’s specific reason for requesting funding is to support their goal of providing training within the North Grenville community to aid in the acceptance and inclusion of the LGBT2QS+ community locally. Currently, Kemptville Pride relies exclusively on donations to provide its services. The proposed training would be offered to schools, local businesses, law enforcement, and others within the community who wish to establish themselves as a place of acceptance. Organizations and individuals who receive the training will be able to proudly communicate their support with a decal to be displayed at home or work. The training will cover such topics as LGBT2QS+ terminology, pronoun usage, debunking myths and stereotypes, the effects of trauma within the LGBT2QS+ community, and more.

One of the presenters from Kemptville Pride, President Devon Warren, told a story to Council which she herself had heard that very same day. She recounted that an LGBT2QS+ youth at a school in Kemptville was bullied, and due to a lack of training and experience, the adult who dealt with the issue resorted to victim blaming. Her copresenter, Melissa Button, told of recently having a youth come out to her in the privacy of her office at the

bank where she works, as this was the youth’s only safe space to do so. These stories unfortunately fit with an environmental scan of the North Grenville community, completed by Kemptville Pride, which found a lack of LGBT2QS+ education and awareness locally.

“You shouldn’t have to go to a local bank to get [support],” said Melissa. The presenters pointed out that, while several local businesses have diversity and inclusion training as a key mandate, it will not be possible for Kemptville Pride to provide this without proper funding.

Several local businesses have already expressed interest in participating in the pilot program to test out the training.

A few questions were posed after the presentation, including one from Councillor Strackerjan, who questioned whether relying on grants year after year is a viable long term financial plan.

Devon and Melissa acknowledged this, and expressed an intention to create a strategic financial plan.

A key argument used in the funding request is that there has been an increase in violence recently toward the LGBT2QS+ community, particularly in the Old Kemptville area. An incident on June 8 made headlines both within and outside of Kemptville when a rainbow pride crosswalk at the intersection of Prescott Street and Reuben Crescent was damaged with tire skid marks. A woman was initially charged with mischief in relation to the incident, but the charges were dropped due to contradictory evidence. It remains unclear whether the act was intentional.

Community grant funding requests, including the request from Kemptville Pride, will be deliberated by Council early in the new year.

••

The Voice of North Grenville

UPDATE

For updates related to COVID-19 and the North Grenville Municipal Centre visit: www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus Municipal Centre Office hours are between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm (Monday-Friday).

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

UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETINGS

Council will meet in Council Chambers. 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.

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

This meeting will be live streamed on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/user/NorthGrenville/featured and on the Municipality’s website at: northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes.

Council agendas are available at:northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes.

• December 7, 2021 at 6:30 pm (Open Session) • December 8, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. (Closed Session) • December 8, 2021 at 6:30 pm (Open Session) • Planning Public Meeting - Proposed Housekeeping Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-Law Amendment to implement the recommendations from the Municipality’s Affordable Housing Strategy and recommendations from the Mayor’s Task Force on Affordable Housing. The Zoning By-Law Amendment will update the Municipality’s existing provisions for secondary dwelling units.

• December 14, 2021 at 6:30 pm (Open Session) – Civic Awards

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Committee meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting virtually, pre-registration is required by e-mailing the Clerk’s Office at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca.

• • • • •

Council Compensation Committee – Monday, December 6, 2021 at 10:00 am Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee – Monday, December 6, 2021 at 3:00 pm Arts and Culture Advisory Committee – Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 5:00 pm Heritage Advisory Committee – Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 7:00 pm Health, Wellness & Fitness Advisory Committee –Monday, December 13, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. pm

VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Please visit northgrenville.ca/careers for updates on volunteer and employment opportunities.

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking applications from individuals interested in being appointed as a volunteer member of the following Advisory Committees for the remaining term of Council (November 2022): • Active Transportation Advisory Committee – two vacancies (evening meetings – last Thursday of every other month from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm) • Arts and Culture Advisory Committee – one vacancy (evening meetings – second Thursday of every other month from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm) • Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee – one vacancy (monthly meetings – first Monday of every month from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm) • Heritage Advisory Committee – two vacancies (monthly meetings – first Thursday of every month from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm) Further information is available by contacting the Deputy Clerk at jworkman@northgrenville.on.ca or 613-258-9569 ext. 171. Application forms are available at www.northgrenville.ca/careers. Please submit applications by 4:30 pm on Monday, December 6, 2021. Should you require a paper application, please contact the Deputy Clerk.

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 www.NorthGrenville.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 North Grenville Times

Some locals still confused about roundabout rules

by Brandon Mayer

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A social media storm erupted on Facebook early last week after a local resident posted a complaint about others not knowing how to use a roundabout. Other internet users voiced their own strong opinions, culminating in a full-scale debate, with dozens of comments, attempting to unravel the mystery of roundabout rules. The Times could no longer locate the original post as of November 25, suggesting that it was deleted.

On November 24, a follow-up post was put on Facebook by a different resident, this one including a picture of the provincial guidelines for using a roundabout. Just like the original post, a debate soon started, with 66 comments posted as of November 25. Arguments ranged in character from civil to nasty, and focused on aspects of using a roundabout, such as using a turn signal, keeping a safe flow of traffic, and judging what a “safe gap” means when it comes to entering the roundabout.

Given the importance of knowing roundabout rules for drivers to be able to use the road safely – particularly

in Kemptville – a brief explanation follows for some of these rules which appear on the Ontario website at http:// www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/ ontario-511/roundabouts. shtml.

“Use the correct lane for your intended destination.”

The eastern-most roundabout on Kemptville’s stretch of County Road 43 has two lanes, which seems to be a source of confusion amongst social media users. This is perhaps because a driver’s intention will always be to exit a roundabout at some point after entering it, making the right lane always seem like the best choice. The actual recommendation is to use the right lane when intending to use the first exit, the right or left lane if intending to use the second exit (which is akin to “going straight”), and the left lane if intending to use the third exit.

“Stop if there are already vehicles inside the roundabout.” This is the whole essence of how a roundabout works. Cars already in the circle have the right of way, cars entering the circle must yield the right of way and only enter when the way is clear. However, one important thing to remember is that

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The Voice of North Grenville

Housing one of the issues at the Economic Development Summit The 13th annual Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit brought 250 viewers together from business leaders, municipal, provincial and federal government officials, as well as notfor-profit and support service representatives.

The day-long live webcast included a joint presentation by 3M Canada Brockville and Greenfield Global Johnstown on their multi-million dollar local investments in the past year to increase N95 respirators and medical grade alcohol production in the continued fight against COVID-19.

“We’re extremely proud of our part in this effort,” said Rich Muir, Plant Director at 3M Canada Brockville. The new N95 respirator facility was built ahead of schedule. It has produced more than a million respirators since production began seven months ago.

Greenfield Global Plant Manager, Brendan Bland, said the Johnstown site was the first plant in Canada to receive approval to produce technical grade alcohol. “We produced more than four million litres in the first month,” Mr. Bland said. The facility is currently undergoing a major expansion to be finished next year. Once completed, the Johnstown site will be able to produce 100-million litres per year.

“I can attest to the strength this region has exhibited,” Warden Roger Haley said when welcoming attendees to the Summit from throughout eastern Ontario and upper New York State.

The Counties Economic Development Office hosts the event in partnership with Michael Barrett, M.P., and MPP Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the 1000 Islands, Valley Heartland, and Grenville Community Futures Development Corporations,

cars entering the circle are required to yield, which does not necessarily mean stop. If there are no cars coming, traffic can continue to flow into the roundabout at a steady speed of about 30 kilometres per hour. A roundabout does not work like a four-way stop.

“Enter when there is a safe gap in traffic.” This requires judgement on the part of the driver, but, generally, it means only entering when this will not cause another driver to have to react. For example, it is safe to enter a roundabout if there is enough of a gap that another driver will not have to brake to avoid you.

“Don’t stop inside the roundabout, except to avoid a collision.” This is important, because drivers in the roundabout are expecting a steady flow of traffic, since cars already inside the roundabout have a continuous right of way. There is no need to stop once inside the roundabout (except to avoid a collision), because drivers attempting to enter must yield to you.

“Use your right turn signal” (to exit). Failing to signal an exit from a roundabout is not likely to cause an accident, since it will simply make traffic wait for you instead of proceeding. However, it can often cause a congestion problem, since it causes other drivers to wait unnecessarily when they could have entered the roundabout if they knew you were exiting.

Knowing the roundabout rules, and all driving rules, is important, because traffic offences carry an absolute liability on those who break them. In other words, penalties apply even for those who were ignorant of the rules, and those who never intended to break them. Knowing the rules of the road will help prevent driving from becoming more costly than it already is!

and the Eastern Workforce Innovation Board.

“We’ve had a strong turnout again this year, with 250 views, and we hope to be back to an in-person summit in 2022,” said Ann Weir, Economic Development Manager for the Counties.

The live webcast featured a keynote address: “Ontario’s Housing – Bringing Affordability home” by Tim Hudak, CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association. Mr. Hudak was joined by local RideauSt. Lawrence Real Estate Board President-Elect, Dana Pearce, to provide a local perspective.

While there were more home starts in 2020 in Ontario than there has been in the past two decades, Mr. Hudak said there is still a need to increase supply across the province.

In Leeds Grenville, the lack of supply and rise in demand translates into a home that sold for $273,000 two years ago now selling for more than $500,000, Ms. Pearce said.

A panel of local education

and training leaders discussed initiatives underway to address workforce challenges.

Panelists included Superintendent of Schools, Susan Rutters, of the Upper Canada District School Board Eastern Region Education Centre; Glenn Vollebregt, President and CEO of St. Lawrence College; and Shannon Liscumb, Director of CSE Consulting.

A new feature added to the event over the lunch hour was Chefs of Leeds Grenville - Local Flavours, featuring Natalie Castellas of Catered Affairs in Kemptville and Karen Marx of Furnace Falls Farm Retreat near Lyndhurst.

The afternoon portion of the agenda included interactive chat rooms.

If you missed this event, a recording will be posted soon to the event webpage.

Please mark your calendar for the 2022 Leeds Grenville Economic Development Summit on Friday, November 18, 2022.

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CO2 Down to Earth 4

From Colonial Grid to Patchwork Landscape

Catherine Everett, COYOTE CHORUS, 2014

by Philip Fry When colonial settlement was initiated in our region in the late eighteenth century, the forest inhabited by indigenous peoples was seen as “a howling wilderness,” and treated as res nullius, a no-man's land up for grabs.

Beginning in 1783, surveys were made using the British measuring system to set up townships, each of about 10 miles square. A baseline was established along the Saint Lawrence River; then successive lines were drawn about one and a quarter miles apart, to divide the land into “concessions;” each of these were in turn divided every third of a mile into narrow lots of about 200 acres.

Little of the landscape could be seen on the surveyor's plan, which imposed a geometrically regular grid on the forest, dividing and equat-

ing parcels of land, with little or no attention being paid to the intrinsic characteristics of the terrain. It was a matter of inscribing an abstract, economic, and social regulatory pattern onto the landscape.

Colonial inhabitation began at the Saint Lawrence, where river frontage made the land more valuable, and settlers subsequently moved inland.

There, the Rideau River established a new “front.” According to Eileen Whitehead, a local historian, the trees on each the site soon revealed its value: walnut, chestnut, hickory, and basswood indicated the best soils; maple, beech, and cherry signalled secondrate land; and pine, hemlock, and cedar were symptoms of soil so poor that it was “hardly worth accepting as a present.”

Over the next century, as Dr. Pieter Trip has so carefully demonstrated, the al-

ready poor land was “mined” of its nutrient minerals by clearing, logging, and the sale of potash. Because the survey grid did not respect the underlying pattern of different quality soils, farmers often found that some portions of their property were not worth the effort of cultivation. Then they abandoned the poorer parts of their land to natural succession. Most would have reserved part of their land as woodlots. In many places, when the soil was laid bare and exposed to wind and desiccation, desertification set in: fine “blow sand” began to drift across the land, accumulating in drifts, sometimes as high as a one-storey building.

Some farmers gave up and went west; others held on, working on the best soils.

In the 1930's, the Provincial government responded to the situation with reforestation projects to stabilize the sand; this was, for example, the origin of Limerick Forest. It remains a matter of serious debate whether spontaneous second and third growth – and our managed tree plantations – can thrive, as did the old forests, without fertilization to replace the soil nutrients “mined” by deforestation practices.

This history leaves us in a patchwork, fragmented landscape, where the colonial grid, although etched into the underlying geophysi-

cal landforms by clearing, plowing, and construction, has been partially obliterated over the passage of time. As in a painting by local artist Catherine Everett, the geometric grid remains present and active in the parcelling out of spaces, creating divisions and establishing connections: here and there, the grid lines still create abrupt shifts of habitat, elsewhere they have been obliterated by the shifting sands, overrun by “forced” roads and highways, or left to natural succession.

Subdivision of the grid's rectangles has created clusters and rows of residential lots, often isolating the “back” areas of concessions. The whole landscape remains united, however, by its geophysical base, the flow of ground and surface water, and changing climatic conditions.

How are we to improve this diversified landscape's participation in the carbon and nutrient cycles, and enhance its biodiversity? We cannot count on the current Provincial government, which has been systematically destroying established environmental protection and enhancement programs. We therefore need a locally-focused, differentiated approach, one which recognizes the triple scale of our local landscape – its overall composition, which is the responsibility of the region and township; its agricul-

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Farmers’ Market hosts first Jack Frost Fair

by Brandon Mayer

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Kemptville Farmers’ Market’s annual Christmas market looked a little different this year. For the first time, the holiday market – which has traditionally been called the Mistletoe Fair – took place outdoors in the parking lot of the B&H grocery store on November 28, and was re-named the “Jack Frost Fair.” Another event will wrap up the season on December 5.

The Times spoke with Beth Tilbury of the Kemptville Farmers’ Market about the event. “We thought people wouldn’t want to come for only 20 vendors,” Beth said of one of the main reasons why this year’s event took place outdoors. Had the event taken place at the North Grenville Municipal Centre, as it usually does, the 20-vendor capacity limit would have been December 1, 2021

in place, due to the ongoing pandemic. The switch to an outdoor market allowed for 38 vendors, and spots sold out very quickly. “We were turning people away within two days of posting,” said Beth.

When asked about having the word “Fair” in the title, Beth noted that people never expect there to be rides or carnival games at the event – it is just traditional to call the Christmas market a ‘fair’.

“We have vendors of every sort,” said Beth, noting that one big highlight of this year’s event was having The Station on site selling locally grown Christmas trees. Just like with the regular farmer’s markets, Sunday’s Christmas market featured only local vendors, selling only products that were either homemade or homegrown. Items for sale included baked goods, crafts, and much more, with a focus on giving shoppers the op-

Those who missed Sunday’s Jack Frost Fair will be glad to know that another fair will take place on Sunday, December 5, to wrap up the season. Anyone seeking more information, including a full

portunity to buy locally made Christmas gifts.

Beth noted that, with so many people talking about shopping on Amazon every year, it is nice to be able to offer true local shopping in North Grenville, with products that are not just sold locally, but made or grown locally as well. Beth herself was one of the vendors, and her business, called “Celebrate!

Cakes” was on site selling homemade English Christmas pudding.

Perhaps most important about the Jack Frost Fair is that all proceeds from the vendors’ table rentals were donated directly to the House of Lazarus and Big Sky Ranch. In addition, while admission to the market for shoppers was technically free, those entering were asked for a monetary donation, or a food donation, for local food banks.

7

list of vendors, can visit the Kemptville Farmers’ Market Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kemptvillefarmersmarket.

and caretakers. As we prepare to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these levels, please send your comments to wildflowerguy @gmail.com.

Send in your letters to the editor to editor@ngtimes.ca

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The Voice of North Grenville

A look back at 2021

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Another year of COVID has come and gone, but our downtown business community not only remains strong but continues to grow and prosper.

This year saw further investment in Downtown Revitalization. The Municipality of North Grenville and Council have made it clear in both their Council Workplan and through their actions, that Downtown Kemptville is a priority. The Downtown Kemptville Community Action Plan (DKCAP) and the CIP are both projects that demonstrate this, and we are incredibly fortunate to have such a committed partner to work with.

The events and programming organized by the BIA, its partners and its volunteers have made Downtown Kemptville the preferred choice as a community hub for a variety of community-based events.

Thousands of people visit the downtown every year to take in everything from exhibits of arts & culture, to sporting events, to family-focused activities. These visitors spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on the many goods and services provided by Old Town Kemptville BIA businesses while they’re here.

This year’s planned events and activities took a direct hit due to the pandemic, but the volunteers of our Marketing & Programming Committee would not be denied as they continued to come up with innovative programming that engaged residents and drew attention to the downtown in a way that always put public health as the first priority.

This year’s Pumpkin Trail activity that was part of our Kreepy Kemptville event allowed people to safely walk, drive or cycle to downtown to check out the almost sixty carved pumpkins that lined Prescott Street. Partnering with the Municipality of North Grenville and the Kemptville District Community

Association, the September Downtown Promenade event attracted approximately 1,200 people to the downtown.

Of course, we can’t help but mention the excitement building in the community around the upcoming Kemptville Buskerfest. This event signals the return of larger scale events to Downtown Kemptville and the opportunity to showcase the wealth of talent that exists across North Grenville.

On tap for this month, there are some exciting plans in the works for a re-imagined Old Town Christmas as it evolves into a promenadestyle event as we open up Prescott Street to allow people to safely walk and enjoy the many festive activities.

We are also looking forward to the International Plowing Match in 2022, and the opportunities available with such an exciting event and so many visitors on the doorstep of our downtown business community.

This year, we welcomed four new businesses to the downtown. We believe that this kind of private investment in the downtown during a pandemic comes from the perception that the downtown area is not just a thriving commercial area where businesses support each other

like a family, but also a vital The installation of the big community hub where people Adirondack chair in Rotary meet to enjoy community Park has created a unique new events and other sports & attraction and the Downtown cultural activities.

Patio Promenade Open in September These new businesses (with another planned for have not only generated more December) brought about digital and foot traffic to the 1,200 visitors from near and downtown area helping to far. We are even working on benefit the other businesses an Ontario By Bike designain the BIA footprint, but it has tion to encourage cyclists to also meant approximately 20 consider downtown Kemptnew jobs have been created in ville as a cycling destination. the downtown this year.

Lastly, we anticipate some Tourism is one subject serious economic activity that some may find it hard generated by the up to 5,000 to believe us when we claim guests expected to take in the that it represents a significant Kemptville Buskerfest next opportunity for our entre- spring. preneurial family members In summary, our downin Downtown Kemptville. town family continues to With the recent creation of grow with new businesses, a tourism strategy for North investments from the MuGrenville, we believe that nicipality, and new attractions the Old Town Kemptville and events that invite tourists BIA is uniquely positioned and locals alike to explore all to become a major partner in that Downtown Kemptville the development of tourism has to offer. for North Grenville.

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The North Grenville Times

Finding the unknown fallen

by David Shanahan In the last issue of the Times, we reported on the unique newspaper find behind the wallpaper of a residence of North Grenville, and some of the potential areas of history that find opened up. This week, I’m really glad to say we have another exciting discovery in local history uncovered by a local resident. Donna Lewis read in the Remembrance issue of the Times about the men whose names are inscribed on the Kemptville Cenotaph, but about whom nothing was known. So she got to work.

Donna had researched her own family links to World War I, following a family tradition of keeping records, as she explained: “I guess I could say it is in my genes; my great grandmother, then

a great uncle and my aunt, were all keepers of family history on the paternal side of my family and, a few years ago, the baton was passed on to me.”

Having become acquainted with WWI archival sources, Donna got to work on the names of the unknowns on the Cenotaph, and managed to track down a number of them - so far.

“I am 99% sure I have found Private A. Scott; he is Pte Andrew Leslie Scott, 639409. Born on August 12, 1897, in Glasgow, Scotland.

Enlisted in Merrickville aged 18. Sailed from Halifax in October, 1916, and arrived in France in March, 1918, after being stationed in England. Andrew died of gunshot wounds on October 2, 1918 near Wimereux, France. Andrew may have been a British

the presence of William Stewart’s name on the Cenotaph.

William lived in Kemptville and served as a telegraph operator during WWI, but he survived the war and returned home safely. He died in 1973 in Saskatoon, so why is his name on the list of fallen?

The work done by Donna, Harold, and Roy, as well as the ongoing research included in our annual Remembrance issue, continues to give a personal identity to what are otherwise names carved in stone. It is also a great example of the kind of local history that can be done by residents who find themselves intrigued by the past. Even this week, another resident has been in touch about a find in their home that may well add yet more to our shared story.

More on that another time.

Home Child, and his next of kin is listed as a sister living in Glasgow.

Not everyone can be found, however. Some men had the same name as so many others, where only their initial is known, that it is often impossible to find the “right” one in the records. Donna noted this about Privates G. Grey and A. Irvine: “Between 1914 and 1919, 8 Greys are listed and 15 Irvines. I have checked the attestation paper and file for each, and also checked 12 Grays for any connection to North Grenville, but was unable to find any.”

One interesting mystery that Donna found, which confirmed the findings of two other local researchers, Harold Tompkins and Roy Brown, who have done tremendous work in this area, is

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Agricultural Winter Fair, Speak Up and media training sessions for farmers across the province and collaboration for many initiatives, including Six by Sixteen, Always in Season and local events like Breakfast on the Farm.

The organizations also enjoy strong relationships with others across the entire agri-food sector. Embarking on this public trust work will make great use of these longestablished connections and successful track record. Partnering on this campaign will help build authentic, personal and emotional connections between Ontarians and the agri-food sector. It will also leverage the strength of OFA’s grassroots membership across Ontario.

“Both organizations are excited for the opportunity to connect our province’s farmers and food producers with fellow Ontarians over shared values rooted in tradition and family,” stated OFA President Peggy Brekveld. “Farmers are committed to producing fresh, healthy, safe and affordable foods for their own family, friends, community and country. Now is the perfect time to connect over our mutual love of Ontario grown and produced products. We all have an important role to play in the agri-food supply chain. Whether you identify as a consumer or producer – we all have a reason to be #ontagproud.”

“This partnership is a great opportunity to build

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OFA and FFCO partner to launch new “Source Local” initiative The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has launched a new public trust / consumer outreach program, in partnership with Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO).

The announcement was made at OFA’s 2021 Annual General Meeting, held virtually.

Titled, Source Local, the year-long pilot project aims to inspire support for food and farming, beginning with local community activations, followed by larger events in urban and suburban centres.

The program will also focus on strong communications through both traditional and digital media opportunities.

The project’s goal is to connect Ontarians to farmers, families and those directly involved in Ontario’s food value chain.

Everyone has a reason for the businesses they support, the products they purchase and the food they eat. Ontarians make decisions every day that are based on their own values and principles, and it is our intention to connect with consumers over these shared values. Through connection, we hope to create a better understanding and appreciation for Ontario’s farmers and the agri-food value chain.

Together, we can connect with Ontarians and showcase the best our industry has to offer.

The partnership between the OFA and FFCO builds on the work that the two organizations have done together for decades. In recent years, partnerships have included shared exhibits at the Royal

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on work that both organizations engage in on behalf of the province’s farmers,” said FFCO Chair Bonnie den Haan. “We know that only two percent of Ontario’s population is involved in food production these days and with so few connected to food production, it’s understandable that consumers want to know more about how their food is grown and produced.”

For more details, visit sourcelocalontario.ca.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 38,000 farm families across the province. As a dynamic farmer-led organization based in Guelph, the OFA works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby

efforts, community representation, media relations and more. OFA is the leading advocate for Ontario’s farmers and is Ontario’s voice of the farmer. For more information, visit ofa.on.ca.

Farm & Food Care Ontario is a coalition of farmers, agriculture and food partners proactively working together to ensure public trust and confidence in food and farming.

Farm & Food Care provides a coordinated approach and credible information on food and farming in Ontario. For more information, visit www.

FarmFoodCareON.org.

For more information, contact: Tyler Brooks, Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations, Ontario Federation of Agriculture; 519-821-8883 ext.

218, tyler.brooks@ofa.on.ca

Welcome Funding

by Jane Adams Thank you to the provincial government for Community Infrastructure Renewal funding announced in October. $68,081 has been provided to Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Addictions and Mental Health (LLGAMH) for upgrades and repairs.

At LLGAMH, the funds will be used for several construction projects at various facilities. The work includes two new roofs, repairs to some building foundations, and an update to a heating and cooling system.

“We are grateful to MPP Steve Clark and the provincial government for this financial support. It will help to ensure our buildings are maintained and improved,” noted CEO Patricia Kyle. “We want to care for our clients in spaces that are both supportive and safe.”

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The Voice of Merrickville-Wolford

Merrickville’s Famous Woollen Mill

by the Merrickville & District Historical Society Following the American Revolution, the first Loyalists arrived in Canada, settling first along the St Lawrence and then, in the closing years of the 18th century, working their way north searching for new land and opportunity.

They were closely followed in the early 1800’s by settlers from Europe, the bulk of who were Irish, Scottish, and English. The often inhospitable terrain and environment had the new settlers fending for themselves, causing them to develop a wide variety of skills and knowledge.

The fortunate ones settled along rivers which gave them arable land and at least some access to adjacent neighbouring communities. In the Lower Rideau Settlement, a few resourceful early settlers such as William Mirick, Rufas Andrews, and the Burritts saw the opportunity to harness the power of the river to provide for mills which would serve the needs of the growing number of settlers.

These pioneers were shortly followed by the first settlers who arrived with only a few implements, perhaps an ox,

cow and chickens and only the most basic supplies. The rush to build shelter before the harsh winter was the first priority.

Hastily built drafty rude log shanties were barely adequate and were clad as soon as possible with cut boards or replaced with squared logs.

Thus, the wily William Mirick’s first mill was devoted to shaping logs, cutting planks and making shingles.

The first grains from the land in most cases were thrashed on the farm but soon, as production increased, came the need or at least convenience of using local grist mills to obtain flour and feed. Again Messrs Mirick, Andrews and Burritt were happy to oblige.

While much of the land adjacent to the river was highly arable, those settlers who found themselves “inland” were much less fortunate. To clear, till and produce harvest on the dry rocky uneven land was a challenge only the most hardy and determined could accomplish. Sheep were another matter. For them and other livestock, the land was generally agreeable.

Although home spinning

had family connections to the Merricks. With the coming of the railway to Merrickville, he saw significant growth prospects and by first leasing in 1874 and then buying the Merricks Woolen Mill from Henry Merrick, in 1885, Thomas Watchorn and his brother Robert became entrepreneurs in their own right. With renewed energy, the Watchorn brothers succeeded in improving and growing the business. They worked to encourage local sheep farming, and used the wool to produce flannels, sheeting, tweeds, and yarn and in later years blankets and sheets. In 1912 Thomas’ son Robert Watchorn changed the name of the mill to Watchorn and Company. In 1891 it was sold and continued to change hands several times over the next years, while remaining in the Watchorn family.

Its last successful era was during the war years when it produced woollen goods for overseas. It was hard work but the many Village employees who worked there were very loyal to the Company. A long time Merrickville resident recalls: “We worked regular ten hours a day. . . Sometimes we would have to go back and work a couple of hours after supper, to get out whatever the quota was. If it had to be shipped, if it had to go at a certain time, we would have to go back and do it… I’ve spent many a two hours after super, hemming blankets and helping to pack them.”

After the war the business began to decline. Cotton, not easily procured in Merrickville, was replacing wool as the desired clothing material, and the mill eventually closed its doors in 1954. It was demolished in 1976, leaving only a pile of stone rubble and the still visible faint inscription, above the original entrance, “S.H. Mirick, 1848” to remind us of the great enterprise that was Merrickville’s famous woollen mill.

and weaving were common pioneering practices, the first stage, the conversion of raw fleece into suitable material was a difficult and time consuming process involving sorting, scouring, raking and washing. Much better was to send the raw fleece to a “carding mill” and get in return sorted and cleaned carded wool suitable for spinning and weaving. And as the flocks grew, the surplus fleece also generated income for trade goods.

As early as 1817, William Mirick had erected a carding mill to serve these local needs, but by the late 1840’s the opportunity was seen to expand the operation into a full milling operation for manufacturing woollen goods at all stages. By this time cloth making machinery was available in the US and Britain and with an eye to future woollen milling, entrepreneur Stephen H. Mirick, son of William, in 1848, made the significant investment in a full scale woollen mill and factory, the first in the area.

With improved technology and innovation and with the opening of export markets, the mill operated with growing success until the death of Stephen Merrick in 1861, after which the mill continued to be operated by the family but it missed Stephen’s vision and dynamic presence.

Thomas Watchorn, originally from Ireland, was an experienced miller who had worked for Gilbert Cannon in his mills in Almonte and

VILLAGE OF MERRICKVILLE-WOLFORD Receptionist The Village of Merrickville-Wolford requires a receptionist for a 12-month contract.

The successful candidate will have exceptional communication skills, attention to detail, general accounting knowledge, and a positive attitude. Previous experience in customer service and knowledge regarding municipal government would be considered an asset.

For a full job description, please visit our website at www.merrickville-wolford.ca Applications should be clearly marked “Receptionist Position” and addressed in confidence to: Kirsten Rahm, Treasurer Village of Merrickville-Wolford P.O. Box 340, 317 Brock St. W. Merrickville, ON K0G 1N0 Email: finance@merrickville-wolford.ca Deadline for applications: Friday, January 7, 2022, 4:30 p.m.

We thank all those who apply but only those invited for an interview will be contacted. Information is collected in confidence under the Freedom of Information Act. The Village of Merrickville-Wolford is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity in the workplace. We are therefore happy to accommodate any individual needs in all employment activities, in keeping with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Please let us know if you require any accommodations to ensure you can participate fully and equally during the recruitment and selection process.

December 1, 2021

10

Steve Ireland sworn in as Councillor for Wolford

by Brandon Mayer

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Village of Merrickville-Wolford has officially welcomed a new Council member for the Wolford ward.

Councillor Stephen Ireland took the oath of office during the regularly scheduled council meeting on Monday, November 22, which took place virtually.

The vacancy which Councillor Ireland has filled was left after the passing of former Councillor Don Halpenny on August 16. Mayor Struthers spoke before the oath, sharing a positive message about being able to rely on Steve Ireland to fill the vacancy.

Council opted not to hold a bi-election upon Councillor Halpenny’s passing, and instead reached out to former local Councillors to see if anyone would step up to the plate.

Councillor Ireland is a long-time resident of Merrickville-Wolford who ran for Council for the first time in the 2014 municipal election.

He won a seat as one of two Councillors-at-large, in what was then a seven member Council for MerrickvilleWolford. At the time, he had campaigned on a promise that he would uphold the same standards of ethics and public welfare if elected Councillor as he was already required to abide by in his work as a professional engineer. He also spoke of his budgeting experience, and questioned what he believed were poor

controls on spending and the resulting tax increases by the preceding Council.

For the 2018 municipal election, Merrickville-Wolford reduced its Council size from seven to five members. Eight candidates fought for four Councillor seats, but Councillor Ireland did not seek re-election.

The Village of Merrickville-Wolford has received some criticism for not providing more adequate notice to the public of the newly appointed and sworn-in Council member. A short notice on the Village’s website simply reads, “On behalf of Council, Mayor Struthers is pleased to welcome Councillor Steve Ireland back to the Village of Merrickville-Wolford Council Chamber. Council appointed Councillor Ireland to fill the vacant Council seat on Mon Nov 8th and Councillor Ireland read the Declaration of Office on Mon Nov 22, 2021. The vacant seat was created by the passing of former Councillor Don Halpenny.” No mention of the appointment could be found on the Village’s Facebook page.

Following the oath which Councillor Ireland took with Clerk Doug Robertson, Mayor Struthers provided cheerful applause, noting that Council and the gallery would all be applauding if the meeting had been held in person.

Councillor Ireland could not be reached for comment by the time of writing.

Merrickville pharmacies offering vaccinations

Merrickville Drug Mart, 112 Wellington Street East Vaccine Type: Pfizer (age 12 or older in 2021) Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Phone number: 613-269-4737; Website: www.pharmachoice.com.

Remedy's Rx Merrickville Pharmacy, 105 Broadway St. West Vaccine Type: Pfizer (age 12 or older in 2021) Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Phone number: 613-269-3773.

For these locations, call or visit their website to check if you need an appointment, or if walk-in (first come, first served) vaccinations are available.

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Pamela Doris Piper

The Voice of North Grenville

Civil discourse and social media: Can they coexist?

Part 2: Facebook Inside: Frances Haugen testimony reveals the dark side Born Dec 4, 1926. Passed Nov 23rd, 2021 Born in London, England and raised in Ealing, Pam emigrated to Canada in 1946 with her parents. She went to the Montreal School Of Fine Arts in 1948 and in 1952 taught art at King’s College in Compton, QC and in 1953 at the Montreal Museum of Art under the tutelage of Arthur Lismer.

Pam married John Piper in 1954 and proceeded to have four children, Colin (b 1955), Derek (b 1957), Rosalind (b 1961) and Tim (b 1964).

Pam raised her family in Pointe Claire, QC and in Burritt’s Rapids, ON. She also lived in Merrickville, ON and Peterborough, ON. In all of the communities Pam lived in she was an active part of the local artist’s community and took various classes in art, yoga and dance. She taught art to adults in a variety of places including St. Lawrence College in Brockville, ON in the early 1980s.

Our mother was a generous, warm and artistic soul who was a true “outside-the-box” thinker and she lived her life with strong conviction with respect to health and education.

Above all, Pam was curious about people and as a great listener, she retained precise information about people she had only met on one or two occasions. She rarely thought of herself in terms of her age and gravitated towards younger people or vibrant, creative folksin general.

Pam loved the people that her kids ended up with. Ruth (Derek), Rene (Roz) and Pauline (Tim), all recognized what a special person Pam was. And Pam’s Grandkids, Sarah, Cassia, Jonathan, Maggie, Jack and Ben were all big fans too as were their respective partners, Demis, Aaron, Molly and Matheus..

Pam had a very special relationship with each of every one of you.

In her last months, Pam got to meet her great-grand child Mackand he was a great a sense of joy for her.

In her last years, Pam could be seen often in the downtown Peterborough in the local shops striking up conversations with whomever she came across, always encouraging people to engage. She almost always lost track of time when going about her activities, often surprised or even offended when the hustle and bustle of other people’s worlds met her own unique sense of timing.

Time did catch up with Pam as it does all of us. But Pam’s time here with us was a gift to us that none of us took for granted because Pam always reminded us, by her example, that we can dance to the beat of any damn drummer we want.

Love you Pam

December 1, 2021

selves and confirmed, yes, this happens to people. So, Facebook know that they are leading young users to anorexia content.”

But children are not the only ones affected by the corporate practices and algorithms of Facebook. The amplification of content, often 600-fold, leads to upheavals of public order and ends with events like the January 6, 2021, insurrection in the United States and the attack on the Capitol.

There are no geographical boundaries for such effects.

In her appearance before the U.K. Parliament, Ms. Haugen stated, “I have no doubt that the events we’re seeing around the world, things like Myanmar, Ethiopia, those are the opening chapters, because engagement-based ranking does two things: one, it prioritizes and amplifies divisive, polarizing, extreme content; and two, it concentrates it. …Facebook comes back and says, ‘Only a tiny sliver of content on our platform is hate’, or, ‘Only a tiny sliver is violence’. One, they can’t detect it very well, so I don’t know if I trust those numbers; but two, it gets hyper-concentrated in 5% of the population.

And you only need 3% of the population on the streets to have a revolution, and that’s dangerous,” she said.

Two instances in Ms. Haugen’s testimony illustrate the very real dangers, not of ‘algorithms’, but of their misuse. When profit is the primary motive, it turns a blind eye to the predatory nature of profit margins. When an organization such as Facebook chooses to ignore their own internal evidence of the harm being done, Facebook chose no apologies, no admission, and no action, as Senator Blumenthal noted.

Amplification in an Echo Chamber: In her UK testimony, Frances Haugen highlighted the effects of ‘Groups’: “One of the things that happens in aggregate is the algorithms take people who have very mainstream interests, and they push them towards extreme interests. You can be someone centre-left, and you’ll get pushed to radical left. You can be centre-right,

by Nadia Diakun-Thibault Frances Haugen, former Facebook data engineer and scientist, product manager, disclosed tens of thousands of Facebook's internal documents to the Securities and Exchange Commission and The Wall Street Journal in 2021. She has appeared before the US Congress and the UK Parliament. Both the United States and the United Kingdom are considering legislation that would rein in and neutralize the negative effects of social media content on children.

On October 5, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (DCT), Chair of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, noted in his opening remarks that, “The damage to self-interest and self-worth inflicted by Facebook today will haunt a generation. Feelings of inadequacy and insecurity, rejection, and self-hatred, will impact this generation for years to come. Our children are the ones who are victims.

Teens today looking at themselves in the mirror, feel doubt and insecurity. Mark Zuckerberg ought to be looking at himself in the mirror today.

And yet, rather than taking responsibility and showing leadership, Mr. Zuckerberg is going sailing. His new modus operandi, no apologies, no admission, no action, nothing to see here.”

Ms. Haugen’s testimony confirmed that the social network platform with global reach, with ancillary platforms like Instagram, was profiting not only from advertisers, but from the social engagement of young adults.

The algorithmic methods Facebook used were also very dangerous.

“Facebook knows that their engagement-based ranking, the way that they pick the content in Instagram for young users, for all users, amplifies preferences,” she testified.

She added, “And they have done something called a proactive incident response where they take things that they’ve heard, for example, can you be led by the algorithms to anorexia content?

And they have literally recreated that experiment them11

you’ll be pushed to radical right. You can be looking for healthy recipes, you’ll get pushed to anorexia content.”

She also underlined that, “There are examples in Facebook’s research of all of this.”

“One of the things that happens with groups, and with networks of groups, is that people see echo chambers that create social norms. …

When that context is around hate, now you see a normalization of hate and normalization of dehumanizing others. And that’s what leads to violent incidents.”, she

concluded.

These extracts from Ms. Haugen’s testimony, both before Congress and the UK Parliament, should be clear evidence that a ‘global’ platform has ‘global’ effects without constraints, restraints, or care.

Canada must follow suit with legislation to protect children, to protect young adults, and to ensure that misinformation and disinformation are checked at origin, and the purveyors are held accountable.

Baldwin's Birds

by John Baldwin The very changeable weather makes me wonder whether or not I should be sunny and bright, or just my usual self!?

Just joking, but it’s funny how the elements affect our mood and disposition. This morning’s sunny skies, and the skeins of geese flying by, have changed this afternoon to being a bit cloudy, with a sprinkling of snow showers. I got to thinking that I should brighten up your day with a little levity and a slight change from my "norm". My wife used my camera to get a picture of one of our red squirrels, which I thought deserved some sort of poetic justice and effort on my part!

It detracts a little bit from the garden birds, but is definitely related to their well being, as many of you can assess when finding your feeders emptying fairly speedily soon after you have just replenished them! Ah well - live and let live! Despite their intrusion, we get to enjoy them and I hope you feel the same way.

Stay safe and well, Cheers, John Baldwin

Class A licensed Mechanics Repairs to ALL Makes DOT & MTO Safety Inspections Fuel Injection, Electrical & A/C Specialists Complete Brake & Exhaust Service Tires & Batteries - Front End Suspension

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Classifieds reasonable offer. Call Kim 613-852-7031

FOR SALE

Cooper Snow Tires (4) 235/70R16/ Driven 26,000 kms. Phone 613 258 7072 Firewood for sale. Cut, split, seasoned, mixed hardwood. $105/face cord. Call Ken 613 323 5503 Steel 2 inch hitch mount cargo carrier, 48 inch X 30 inch, $130. Contact Reg Smith 613 853-1442.

Triple Crown steel hay feeder, 46 W X 74 L X 70 H $350. Contact Reg Smith 613 853-1442.

For sale, 4 Toyo snow tires, 225/55R17, driven 1 winter, like new. Call 613-915-4228 Invacare Mobility Scooter just like new. Only used 1 summer, stored inside.

Asking $3000, will consider

Used steel farm gates: 4 ft $80, 8 ft $150, 10 ft $175, 12 ft $200. 50 gallon water tub $30. Contact Reg Smith 613 853-1442 Firewood for sale - mixed hardwood, 3 cord minimum for delivery, $110 per cord, call Jon 613-227-3650 Save on firewood, you pick up. Mixed hardwood $45/ face-cord. Call Wayne, 613 808 8923

The Voice of North Grenville

CROSSWORD DOWN player (keyboard occasionally).

Call/text 613-404-3182 HELP WANTED Looking for someone to do a CAD drawing for a small project. Please call- 613215-0660 Someone with a clean truck and helper to move a 7ft couch from Kemptville to Mountain when no rain. Call 613-519-5281 C587-3770170

SERVICES HANDYMAN SERVICES Call Bill 613 774 2922

MISCELLANEOUS

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

Renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, additions, decks, home repair.

Musician looking for a local perCall George at forming music group/combo/ 613 462 7637 band to join — I'm a ‘somewhat older’ singer/rhythm guitar

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BUY AND SELL LOCALLY FIRST TEN WORDS FREE

ACROSS 1. Dry riverbed 5. Not there 9. Rub 14. Keen 15. Portent 16. A Great Lake 17. Do without 19. Make improvements 20. Fine-tune 21. Pad for sheet music 23. Infinite 25. Impulses 28. Nonclerical 29. French for "Friend" 32. New 33. Aye 34. An aquatic bird 35. Break in friendly relations 36. Twosomes 38. Give and ____ 39. Decomposes 40. Flee

41. Loan shark 43. N N N N 44. Precious stone 45. Chair part 46. A farm with its buildings 48. Cut across 50. Greek letter 54. Butter maker 55. Not smoothed 57. British penny 58. Sea eagle 59. Sought damages 60. Map within a map 61. Bobbin 62. Sounds of disapproval

1. Drift 2. Affirm 3. Calamitous 4. Dreamers 5. In what way 6. Vomiting 7. Respond 8. Signed up for 9. Chintzy 10. Bulges 11. Region 12. Tender 13. Terminate 18. Shave 22. Comfort 24. Busybodies 25. Black-and-white diving bird 26. Scallion 27. Bunches of hair or grass 29. Cognizant 30. Creates 31. Unreactive 33. Sweet potato 34. Stoutest 37. Complainer42. Demolish 44. A heavily built seabird 45. Bring into harmony 46. A satirical comedy 47. Gain points in a game 48. Not now 49. Flows 51. Wildebeests 52. Docile 53. Contributes 54. Consumer Price Index 56. Hair goop

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville ‘Tis the season for family get-togethers for food and drink. It’s nice when there is something to drink that is tasty and not overly alcoholic in nature. The idea for seasonal parties is to have fun and enjoy each other’s company, not get stoned.

A nice Christmas punch is in order, with the favourite berry of this time of year, the very versatile Cranberry. By the way, if you don’t have a punch bowl, go out and get one: they are inexpensive and useful all year round.

Our recipe for today is a Festive Cranberry Punch, for serving with munchies as you decorate the tree, or wrap presents, or just simply sit together to have the family conversations that were

** Broker

December 1, 2021

delayed by Covid.

Festive Cranberry Punch Ingredients: 1, 2- litre bottle of Cranberry Juice (pure Cranberry, not mixed with something else), chilled 1, 26 oz bottle of white wine, e.g., a nice Chablis, chilled 1 large bottle of Ginger Ale, chilled 1 (or 2) oranges, sliced 3 tablespoons of lemon juice 1 lemon, sliced 1 dozen whole maraschino cherries Preparation, “Ice Floats”: On the day before your party and if you want to get fancy: 1. Lay out a cookie sheet that will fit in the freezer compartment of your fridge or in your freezer.

2. Distribute small 6-8 alu-

minium moulds (the size for making largish tarts).

3. Pour in about an inch of Ginger Ale 4. Submerge a slice of orange and/or lemon in the Ginger Ale. Easy 5. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer. Let freeze till hard.

Preparation, the Punch: When you are ready to serve your punch: 1. Mix the chilled Cranberry Juice, white wine, lemon juice and Ginger Ale in your punch bowl.

2. Take out your Ice Floats, warm the bottoms of the moulds slightly to release the float.

3. Place on top of your punch; add extra orange and Hard

Medium

Solution to last week’s Crossword

139 Prescott St., Kemptville, ON. 12

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Children and Youth COVID-19 Vaccines

by the LGL Health Unit Benefits of getting the COVID-19 Vaccine for Children The COVID-19 vaccine protects children from becoming sick with COVID-19, and particularly from becoming so sick that they need to be hospitalized. While fortunately not very common, some children have died from the COVID-19 infection. Some people (including children) are reporting ‘long-COVID’ – breathing problems, difficulty concentrating, and other symptoms that last for months or more – even if their initial infection from COVID-19 was not severe.

Children who are vaccinated against COVID-19, then help to protect other, more vulnerable people in their lives, like babies, and grandparents – making family gatherings less risky for everyone involved.

Fully vaccinated children (14 days after receiving their second dose), who are exposed to someone with COVID-19, can still go to school or childcare as long as they don’t have COVID-19 symptoms. Otherwise they need to stay home for up to 10 days.

Children getting vaccinated will help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among others in the classroom, sports team, or other activities.

How the COVID-19 Vaccine was approved for Children: Health Canada did a thorough and independent review for safety, efficacy and quality for the Pfizer COVID-19 vac-

cine for children. They took into consideration the benefits versus risks for both the vaccine and for COVID-19 infections specific to this age group.

How to Prepare your Child for getting Vaccinated: Kids are pros at getting vaccinated. They have been doing it since 2 months of age – and several times over. Our clinic staff also have a lot of experience vaccinating children in this age group. Parents know their children best and can decide how to approach the preparation based on the child’s age and personality, but most children benefit from clear, age-appropriate communication. Here are some ideas that can help: Ages 5 to 7: Give a brief step-by-step description of what to expect.

Rely on the power of play.

Little kids process their emotions through play, so send some stuffed animals or dolls to the “doctor” or “nurse” for their vaccines before it’s time for the kids to go! Keep their hands busy and their minds occupied to work through their anticipatory anxiety.

Apply ice to the injection site before and after the shot. Encourage them to have a light snack before the appointment.

Ages 8 to 11: Kids in this age group might have more detailed questions. Give honest answers and seek additional information if you aren’t sure how to answer. Empathize with them and listen to their concerns. Empower your big kids to write a list of questions to ask the nurse or doctor at

United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Council report

the appointment to ease their worries. Have your child create a playlist to listen to during the appointment.

Plan to watch an interesting video (cue it up so you don’t have to search!) or use a favorite app.

Encourage them to have a light snack before the appointment. Needle fear can be common for children.

Second doses are recommended 8 weeks after the first dose. You can book the second dose appointment onsite after your child receives their first dose. A single dose does not provide adequate protection so it is important to get the second dose.

What to bring to the appointment: Child’s health card/OHIP card (even if it’s expired). If no health care is available – bring another form of ID like a birth certificate if possible. Immunization record (if available) Something to distract and pass the time (headphones with music, electronics, book, favourite stuffy or fidget toy).

Small peanut-free snack for after. Mask that covers the mouth, nose and chin. Child should wear a loose fitting or short sleeved top with easy access to the upper arm. A parent or guardian (parental or guardian consent is required).

See the accompanying list of participating pharmacies.

Check to see if they are offering vaccines for children and to make an appointment.

County Road 43 Project Update: The Committee of the Whole has reviewed a status report on the upcoming large-scale County Road 43 redevelopment project in Kemptville.

The design of the road widening project is 95% complete. The outstanding design items include some changes in the interest of cost saving, streetscapes and street lighting. The project will widen and improve County Road 43 from just east of County Road 44 to approximately just east of the Colonnade Roundabout.

There are permits and property that need to be acquired prior to construction, the report outlined. There are 25 different parcels of property that need to be purchased from 15 different individuals, companies, developers and Public agencies such as Parks Canada, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests and the Municipality of North Grenville. No properties have been purchased at this time.

However, contact has been made with all affected owners via letter or registered letter with subsequent communication being had with most but not all property owners. Surveys are also being undertaken on a number of properties where an access agreement is required for construction purposes.

Counties Public Works will be seeking a Project Management firm to provide the level of attention a project of this magnitude requires.

It is anticipated that once the work has started, construction will require approximately 30 months to complete. If the project begins in the fall of 2022, project completion would be expected for the summer of 2025.

Homelessness Report Point-in-Time and Survey Data: Data from a Point-in-Time (PiT) canvas shows there are approximately 200 homeless and emergency sheltered people in Leeds and Grenville.

The report by Counties staff is based on information collected this past September. Four teams of canvassers went out on the night of the Count to survey people on the street, including encampments in forested areas in Brockville, Gananoque and Prescott. Local police assisted. Additionally, the Point-in-Time survey was conducted at 41 service provider locations across

Kemptville pharmacies offering vaccinations Auremeds Compounding Pharmacy, 215 Sanders St. Unit 105.

Vaccine Type: Pfizer (age 12 or older in 2021) Hours: Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday Sunday: closed.

Phone number: 613-2584777. Website: www. auremeds.com.

Kemptville Drugmart, 2600 Highway 43, Unit 19-20.

Vaccine Type: Pfizer (age 12 or older in 2021) Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Phone number: 613-2580777.

December 1, 2021

Shoppers Drug Mart, 2727 Country Road 43 Vaccine Type: Pfizer (age 12 or older in 2021); Paediatric Pfizer (age 5 to 11 in 2021) Hours: Monday - Sunday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Website: covid-19.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en.

Somerville Family Pharmacy, 11 Somerville Road Vaccine Type: Moderna (age 25 or older) Hours: Sunday: closed; Monday -Thursday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon) Phone number: 613-2582800; Website: www. pharmachoice.com.

The Voice of North Grenville

Your Independent Grocer, 2600 Hwy 43 West, Unit 1 Vaccine Type: Moderna (age 25 or older) Hours: Monday - Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Website: yourindependentgrocer.ca/covid19.

For all of these locations, call or visit their website to check if you need an appointment, or if walk-in (first come, first served) vaccinations are available.

13

Leeds and Grenville.

A total of 116 people completed the survey that met the provincial definition of being homeless. An additional 77 people were added to the count who either declined to participate, were identified as dependents of survey participants, or who were known to be homeless but service providers were unable to reach them. One of the key findings was there were slightly more men (52.6%) compared to women (45.7%) homeless or without permanent shelter.

In a breakdown, 23% were “Absolute Homeless” (staying in a public space, vehicle or encampment); 26% were “Emergency Sheltered” (in a local shelter); 49% were “Hidden Homeless” (sleeping on someone’s couch, hotel/ motel, jail, hospital).

Almost 41% of those identified as experiencing homelessness were aged 24 or younger. Age distribution shows 19.5% of those identified were aged 25 to 35 while 18.9% were between the ages of 35 and 46. Numbers gradually decreased for those aged 46-55 (8.5%), aged 56-64 (7.9%) and over 65 (4.6%).

The most significant barriers people were facing in finding housing were rents were too high and their income were too low. Mental Health and substance use were still among the top health issues people were dealing with.

Brockville had a significantly higher proportion of people experiencing homelessness than the rest of Leeds and Grenville. In stating this, it is also the case that only 22% of respondents indicated they had relocated into the

Counties in the past year. It is possible that COVID-19 impacted the relocation figures.

The report noted it would be worth investigating in a future survey.

Committee decides to continue limiting meeting attendance: Counties Council and committee in-person meetings will not resume in the Council Chambers at this time. The Committee of the Whole voted 5-4 to reject a plan to install Plexiglas shields around council and staff desks at a cost of $3,000.

The expense would have been covered by the Safe Restart monies and would have allowed in-person meetings with Leeds Grenville mayors to resume.

The current system is for mainly virtual attendance with limited council members and staff in the Council Chambers. This model will continue for added health and safety during the winter months.

There will also not be public or press in-person attendance at this time. The current practice of viewing the meetings livestream and emailing questions during the meeting remain in place.

Upcoming meetings: The Joint Services Committee is on Tuesday, December 7; the Committee of the Whole meeting is on Wednesday, December 8; the Planning Advisory Committee on December 14 and Counties Council is on Thursday, December 20. All regular meetings begin at 9 a.m. and can be viewed on the Counties website. For more information, contact Interim County Clerk Lesley Todd at 613-342-3840, ext. 2454.

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The Voice of North Grenville

73’s road battles prove to be challenging

What’s wrong with hearing aids Peter Drucker, the management theorist, who wore hearing aids later in life, famously remarked, “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” The hearing aid industry would be wise to listen in. For all the big noise about what can be heard when people with hearing impairment are fitted with aids, is an important message being missed?

Hearing aids, in general, make life better for people with mild to severe hearing loss. But has the development of ever smaller technology made it needlessly difficult for people to enjoy the benefits?

Does it seem as though the aids are designed to hide, for vanity’s sake, or worse, as if in shame, a hearing disability?

The focus should be on ease of functionality, not the gimmicks that escalate the price for hearing aids beyond the range of reasonable.

Manufacturing a hearing aid costs a few hundred dollars, but a single aid can retail at two thousand dollars each, with most people needing two of them. Companies market products based on attractive warranties, battery life, and connectivity with TV or phone. But use of hearing aids is often a hard sell,

and the prices and high-tech complexities are not the only deterrents.

A study in the International Journal of Audiology notes, “For a hearing-impaired person, a hearing aid is often beneficial, but noise and annoying sounds can result in non-use.” The study found that 91% of participants experienced annoying sounds daily when using hearing aids. Researchers concluded that “improved clinical fitting routines” may be the solution.

For some people, perhaps.

But there is something wrong when the hearing aid industry ignores challenges people face as soon as they leave hearing clinics.

Why, for example, must hearing aids be so ridiculously small? They are so small, in fact, that any senior with even minor arthritis in the hands struggles to grasp and place the teeny technology in the ear canal, while nudging itsy speaker and retention wires into place, and fumbling to find on and off buttons and volume controls no bigger than a tiddle. Compounding the problem, given that seniors have ears that have grown larger with long life, these little bits readily fall out.

How much anxiety goes into the search for expensive aids

Tid bit Musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters, RSSW Terminology can make or break an individual. It is so important to separate the person from the behaviour!

Even Santa Claus reneges on proper protocol by asking if you have been a good boy/ girl? The child is ultimately good, but may choose to do some naughty things. Choice, chose and choose are powerful words, devoid of argument. The individual who chooses to do something, chose a choice they felt was worthwhile with the information they had at that time.

Hindsight is 20/20. Positive affirmation builds up an individual's self worth and self esteem. Negativity and derogatory comments hurt deep, often leaving emotional scars.

At this time of year, the question of Santa Claus is debated. Sharing the origin of St. Nick with the older child December 1, 2021

questioning the authenticity of the jolly old man is best tempered with questions like, is love real? is kindness real? is sharing real? It doesn't take rocket science to determine that his appearance is different from mall to mall, or that Santa uses the same wrapping paper as you, the parent.

Bridging the understanding is the role of the parent and, hopefully, both parents are on the same page!

Usually it is a challenge to have children eat breakfast in the excitement of Christmas, so with Santa bringing those individual cereal packets, a juice box and a fruit, the joy is doubled. Strive to separate gifts from Santa from gifts from you. No - you do not need to, nor should you, cater to everything they ask for. Be selective and discerning. Is it a want or a need?

Again, the terminology used reflects your value sys-

that easily get lost?

Experts say stigma is associated with hearing impairment, making people hesitant the neutral zone and dropped to admit the problem. But this it back to Evan Beaudry on stigma stems from outdated point to pump it over Ben societal perceptions that there West. is something bad about getThe 73’s struck again ting older and having hearing when Howie held the line to loss. It’s time for this to end.

Savignac from behind the net Let’s have hearing aids to Hunter Brazier to make it come to market that are better two zip at 12:55. Grads Ryan, suited to people who could with helpers from Hogue and care less what their ears Drouin, found the back of the look like so long as they can net behind Tyler Laureault to hear the conversation. Make eliminate his SO at 2:05 of the these new devices so big that second. Morency combined they define new style, offer with Merrett to allow Adam “bling”, or even, gasp, in- On target for a win...Hunter Brazier top shelf with helpers Cavallin to redirect the rubber volve piercings to hold them from Johnny Howie and Devan Savignac to give the 73's a on the doorstep to make it a 2 two goal to close out the first. in place! goal romp at 15:44.

Hearing well has imporLast twenty, with opportoe play to Krulicki, over to tant health benefits too. Peo- by the sportsguy ple who suffer from hearing Back to back games in the Hunter Brazier PPG perched tunities for both sides, and, loss tend to develop problems Hawk’s nest in Hawkesbury above the circle for another finally, Navan pulled West at 18:12 for extra attacker. with balance, leading to falls. on Saturday evening was a tie at 6:01.

F i n a l t w e n t y m i l e r, Faust stormed the crease, with The absence of mental stimu- total washout for Kemptville lation from sound reception in with 5-1 blowout. A man Kemptville’s go ahead came Blake Hall bouncing the rubthe brain can also increase the advantage for Kemptville from Beaudry onto the tape ber through the blue paint at risk of dementia. And the iso- turned into a discombobulated of Patrick Larkin to punch 18:22 to put them within one. lation that often ensues with attack, as Jeremy Quesnel's it home at 3:21. Giovanni Grads stopper yanked again at the development of hearing single effort beat Connor Morneau from Landry for a 18:56 without success from impairment, especially later Blackwood for SHG at 9:09 Rockland tie to force OT at either squad.

Navan outshot Kemptin life, is not good for health. to put the Hawks on the board. 17:35. OT was short-lived, ville 41 to 36, with the Grads with the Nationals capitalizTake the advice of MiHawkesbury came out having 7 PP and 73’s 4 PP ing at :10 when Taylor broke haly Csikszentmihalyi, a psy- strong with a second goal for chologist best known for his Jeremy Quesnel, with helpers Justin Dauphinais free for a without squeezing the trigger. Navan, with three 5 on work on happiness, who died from Kirk and Oliver, at 1:17. 4-3 finish.

3’s, were shut down by a Rockland landed 34 to last month at the age of 87. Kemptville spoiled Dimitri He said, “It’s not the hearing Pelekos SO attempt when Kemptville 26 SOG, with the strong special team, with Kemptville’s stopper putting that improves life, but the Howie’s stretch pass to Lynch 73’s missing on 3 PP’s. on a clinic.

Back home for Kemptlistening.” over to Ty Whyte to pull the Brockville Braves will be Sign-up at www.docgiff. trigger into the back of the net ville on Friday night to face com to receive our weekly at 1:29. The PP flood gates Navan Grads was a see-saw in the 73’s barn for a matinee e-newsletter. opened for the Hawks, as contest, and the PK special on Sunday. Your 73’s are still For comments, contact- Mark Cooper PPG assisted by team saved the evening to looking for billets for their us@docgiff.com. Follow us Quesnel with Hlusiak at 4:25 hold onto a 3-2 win. Kempt- out of town players, if you ville came out strong to open have room.

Instagram @docgiff and @ to make it 3 to 1.

See you around the diana_gifford_jones Last twenty was owned the first at 3:45, when Merby Hawkesbury, with Jackson rett sprang Larkin through boards.

Kirk PPG with helpers from Hlusiak and Cooper at 3:35.

The 73’s pulled their stopper for an extra attacker at 18:09 tem and, hopefully, accredits that failed, with Spratt’s quick a positive environment for flick to Jeremy Trembley the nurturing of others. It is ENG at 19:02 to stop the never too late to change your bleeding. Hawkesbury was manner of speech or pattern outshot by Kemptville 33-26 of behaviour. and spanked their opponent For those negating Christ- 5-1. Kemptville had 8 PP mas as the celebration of the opportunities without any birth of Christ, look at today’s results. date -2021 AD. AD stands for Kemptville 73’s put the Anno Domini, the Year of the skunk behind them as they Nickname: “Big Beaurd” Lord - what Lord? Jesus. If met with the Rockland NaBorn: Mississauga, ON October 13, 2001 you chose not to accept his tionals for a Sunday matiPosition: Left Defense salvation grace, then at least nee to have to settle for one Previous Hockey Club: Timmins Rock Hockey Hero: Drew Doughty acknowledge Him as a histor- point with OT loss. Lammi Most Inspiring Person: My brother ical figure. History luminates combined with Larkin to Favorite Movie: Step Brothers Favourite TV Show: Suits all the biblical stories, so why find Grant Eastwood in the Favourite Food: Sushi would a world celebrate his lane by Simon Couroux to Favourite Hockey Moment: Winning MPHL Championship Favourite Sport other than Hockey: Whitewater Kayaking birth/death if it were not im- open the first for Kemptville Life as a Jr. A player: Having fun portant? Why do you choose at 7:52. Rockland’s Patrick One word that describes me: Glue Guy to accept time and a half pay, Larkin PPG, with assists from if you do not believe in his Shields and Mullvihill, found importance? open space behind Connor Choose your choice care- Blackwood to even it up at T: 613.258.3282 F: 613.258.4391 fully, since every choice is 10:01. subject to scrutiny and acTie breaker for Nationals, countability. The terminology from Kennedy to Giovanni is within your power. You are Morneau at :28. Extra man for worth the effort! the 73’s, as Morency tic tac

#10

Evan Beaudry

14

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

Menu # 90 Wed Dec 8 - Fri Dec 10

Order & Pay online www.cateredaffairs.ca 613-324-3136 Limited Curbside Menu this week and next week (Dec 15-17) because of the overwhelming demand for Holiday Parties this Holiday Season… so nice to start feeling normal again.

The Staff at Catered Affairs Wish You All The Best For The Season! $37.50 Complete Meal for 2 + HST $70.00 Complete Meal for 4 + HST All Made From Scratch Meals include; Chef Inspired Side Dishes +Soup or Salad Add on a Dessert of the Week Cheesecake with Berry Coulis $2.50/each General Tao Chicken or Tofu Sticky, Sweet n Spicy Fried Chicken | Sesame vegetables | Fried Rice | Crispy Pork or Veggie Egg Rolls w/ Plum Sauce | Wonton Soup (Chicken wontons) Beef Bourguignon Braised Beef & Mushrooms in Rich Wine Sauce | Baby Herbed Potatoes | Vegetables | House Salad Pork Schnitzel Crispy Pork Cutlet with Lemon-Caper Butter | House Made Spaetzle | Baby Herbed Potatoes | SauerKraut | Veggies | House Salad

STORE HOURS Monday to Friday 8:00am to 7:00pm Saturday 8:00am to 6:00pm Sunday 9:00am to 6:00pm

301 Rideau Street, Kemptville

613.258.3014

Casseroles… Easy go to Meals or Stock Your Freezer $40 each Cabbage Rolls | Beef & Cheese Lasagna | Mac ‘n’ Cheese | Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese| Shepherd's Pie Looking for the perfect Christmas gift?...

Give them a night off from the kitchen with a Catered Affairs meal…

Gift Certificates are available for meals for 2 or 4 ($37.50 - $70.00) Christmas Take Home Meals 2021 Order Online by Mon December 20th Pick up Thurs. Dec 23 1:30-4:30 Friday Dec 24th 11am-1pm Contact us for Gluten Free, Dairy Free & Vegetarian Options Add on Dessert - Gingerbread Cake with Caramel Sauce $2.50/piece $55 + HST Serves 2-3 portions $110 + HST Serves 4 portions $215 + HST Serves 8 portions Moist & Tender Brined Berube Turkey both white and dark meat (gluten free) | Made-in-house Herb & Sweet Onion Confit dressing | Whipped Mashed Potatoes (Skin on) | Vegetables | House| Pan Gravy | Fresh Cranberry - Apple Sauce Upcoming Events 2022: (RSVP ONLY) *100 Men That Care North Grenville - visit their Facebook page -Thu Dec 16 2022 *Whales Bone (Ottawa) Oyster & Tapas Night & Live Music - Sat Jan 22 2022 *Robbie Burns Dinner & Whiskey Pairing Tuesday-Jan 25th 2022 * Valentines Day Take Home 4 Course Dinner for 2 Mon Feb 14 2022 Book your event with Catered Affairs at your choice of venue or on the picturesque Kemptville Campus Corporate Events | Special Occasions | Weddings | Christmas Parties

The Voice of North Grenville

BOOK YOUR

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STRESS FREE ENTERTAINING CALL: 613.860.2539 Erick Le Pors

since 1992

Royal Canadian Legion Provincial Bursary Program Applications for the Royal Canadian Legion Provincial Bursary Program are still being accepted for this academic year. If you are a student attending a college, university, or any other post-secondary institution, you may qualify for a bursary of up to $1,000 per year.

Eligibility: - Ex-Servicemen or currently serving members of the Canadian Forces (Regular, Reserve and Merchant (Navy) and their children and grandchildren.

- Ordinary and Life members of the Royal Canadian Legion and their children and grandchildren.

- Associate members of the Royal Canadian Legion and their children only.

- Ladies’ Auxiliary members and their children and grandchildren..

- Step children and step grandchildren may be considered.

Application forms are available at branches of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Application forms can also be downloaded from the Legion’s Provincial web-site. (on.legion.ca) Please note: completed application forms must be mailed to the address shown on the application form. Forms sent by email or fax will not be accepted.

Application forms must be received by Legion Provincial Command by March 25, 2022.

For further information contact the Legion Branch nearest you, or Douglas Brunton, Zone G-3 Bursary Chairman, at 613-258-5111. Email: d.c.brunton@sympatico.ca.

www.cateredaffairs.ca December 1, 2021

15

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

STEO Inclement Weather Cancellation Review During the winter season, there are times when the weather or road conditions will disrupt school bus and special vehicle transportation.

STEO, the school boards, and local bus companies work together to ensure that our approach to transportation during times of inclement weather is planned, coordinated, and communicated with the safety of students and drivers in mind. Additionally, any decisions which are made regarding inclement weather transportation cancellations are driven by safety concerns, not fiscal considerations.

In response to a resolution that was passed by trustees of the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) requesting a review of a zonal cancellation model for inclement weather, STEO GM/ CAO Janet Murray presented information to CDSBEO Trustees on the STEO Inclement Weather Cancellation Review. The presentation, which was provided to the STEO Board of Director’s on October 7, 2021, and to the UCDSB Board of Trustees on October 13, 2021, gave an overview of the current cancellation model and what factors would need to be considered in shifting to a model that cancelled transportation by zones.

“There are a number of elements of the inclement weather process,” noted Murray. “Safety of students and drivers is always the most compelling consideration, but there are other considerations as well.”

STEO receives up to date information on regional weather through a meteorological service, KSMI, who provides daily notifications of road conditions and consultation with a meteorologist if weather and road conditions are unclear. When inclement weather is forecast for the morning hours, weather captains from STEO’s contracted bus companies, with support from their staff members as well as local road crews, physically check on road conditions as early as 4:00 December 1, 2021

a.m. This information is then reported to the STEO weather team, who consult with school boards to make a decision prior to 5:45 a.m.Under the current model, transportation is cancelled on a systemwide basis. There are several reasons for this, but primarily because the weather patterns within Eastern Ontario generally are consistent and impact all or most zones within the region at some point during the school day. Because of the rural nature of the system, road maintenance services, timing challenges, crossboundary driver and student travelling routes, and accurate and effective communications are all principles which are considered under the current regional system-wide model.

In moving to a zonal cancellation model, there would be many elements for consideration including student and driver safety, driver coverage, geographic zonal identification, special programming locations, and the complexities of school boundaries, “One example would be the implications to student and driver safety, and the considerations of a driver shortage. Again, because of the rural nature of our board, about 80 per cent of our drivers park out, which means they don’t park at a depot, but they park the bus at their homes,” noted Murray. “Because of the rural nature of the region, we may be asking a driver to cross a non-operational zone to service an operational zone, and we cannot compel a driver to do this. This adds another layer of complication because now you may be operating in certain zones, but potentially not operating certain vehicles within those operational zones. I mention this to note that when there are many complex considerations, and a zonal model impacts many different stakeholders.”

This additionally could impact the routing structure, the geographic zonal identification, how vehicles are routed based on crossing over zones, which may also impact sharing of vehicles. Road

maintenance schedules are an additional consideration since municipalities may operate on a different schedule when clearing rural roads, and without that alignment, what would be the impact on a zonal model.

“It would also be para- of Director’s, the earliest mount to ensure commu- implementation would be the nication to stakeholders so 2022-2023 school year. & that everyone understood Associate Director Norwhat zone they lived in, and ton noted that another conattended school in. There is sideration would be board the possibility that you may staff who would potentially have a family that resides in need to cross over zones that Sales, Service, Installations one zone, but whose children are cancelled to attend work, FOR ALL YOUR PUMP NEEDS attend school in another zone, adding another layer of comWell Pumps - Submersible & Jet or multiple zones. It is very plication for staff.

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MACHINING there is a benefit in the potential opportunity for a greater HYDRAULICS number of students to atCNC PLASMA tend in-person learning with transportation on inclement MECHANICAL P: 613.774.1672 weather days, but that risks F: 613.774.6612 WELDING (IN SHOP) must be considered with regard to safety of students and WELDING (MOBILE) drivers and the potential for 12205 Gypsy Lane miscommunication, shifting Winchester, ON, K0C 2K0 CUSTOM FABRICATION weather and road conditions, We make Hydraulic Hoses the potential for further conwww.dundasmachine.ca straints to driver coverage, and impacts or constraints that may affect routing.

Ornamental Cedar and Pine boughs, Red Dogwood, and Elements of a zonal canWhite Birch logs to assist in making your home, cellation model review will include consultation with the inside and out, as decorative as possible, STEO Board of Directors, the all locally sourced from our own Forest Centre. safety risk analysis, a logistics Open 9 am to 5 pm on weekends and review which includes geographical viability, routing 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays impacts, driver coverage and road maintenance, the gathering of protocols and a review of communication opportunities and constraints.

Moving forward, an extensive review will take place to determine viability, which will be compiled into a preliminary report that will be shared with the STEO Board of Director’s in the new year.

If the review determined that a zonal model of vehicle cancellation was possible and if the changes were to be approved by the STEO Board 16 www.ngtimes.ca

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