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Vol. 4, No. 5

The Voice of North Grenville

February 3, 2016

Spotlight is on the Arboretum

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by Patrick Babin The Ferguson Forest Centre, as part of its initiative to involve the community in the ongoing development of this pristine gift of nature, held the first in a series of information sessions relating to the creation of an integrated education and activity center linking the existing Turtle Trail, Anniversary Park, and the Arboretum.

Carl Doucette, FFCC Board member, assisted by John Wilson and Maureen Jacques, at this January 27 meeting held at the Forest Centre, highlighted the progress made thus far and delved

into the planning envisioned for the arboretum.

One of the primary objectives of this open house was to obtain input from the North Grenville community. Among the ideas generated for the area include wheelchair accessibility, a bird sanctuary, a dog park, native plant gardens, a butterfly area, and more. Specific information relative to the arboretum was provided

by Maureen Jacques whose responsibilities include its development.

The Ferguson Forest is a truly transcendent setting!

At this juncture, additional funding is essential for the

completion of the arboretum and allied issues. Following consultation with the community, a formal grant application will be submitted to the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

If you were unable to attend Wednesday’s meeting, a second consultation session will be held on Saturday, February 13 from 10 am to noon. You can also share your thoughts with Board member, Carl Doucette, at ca.doucette@cogeco.ca. Every suggestion will be closely studied.

It was announced that this initiative has strong support from Friends of the Ferguson Forest Centre, and the Board

will also seek the backing of the Municipality. Deputy Mayor Barb Tobin was present, along with approximately thirty-five interested citizens.

As part of the development of the arboretum, legacy trees are being sold to the public.

Commemorative benches for the area will also be available for purchase. More information will be made available in the near future.

A very enthusiastic group emerged from the meeting.

A great opening volley. How fortunate we are to have such a wonderful and productive green space in the heart of North Grenville!!

The North Grenville Times

February at the NG Public Library

Beat the Winter Blahs at the North Grenville Public Library! We have a busy February planned with something for everyone in the community.

On Saturday, February 6, bring the kids for Juice Jam, an hour of music and movement with Kerry and Sue Badgley. Celebrate Family Day and Valentine's Day on Saturday, February 13, with Library Sue, as she entertains with some crafts and activities for the whole family! Anne Raina will read from her

two children’s books “The Kangaroo with the Wooden Shoe” and “Things That Go SPLAT!”.

The tech-minded will want to check out both of our free February Workshops.

Including Ancestry.com: Discover your family history!, Saturday, February 20, 3-4:30 and Facebook: Become a Facebook guru!, on Saturday, February 27, 3-4:30pm.

Explore the "how-to" guide of Ancestry.com and navigating through this amazing resource. The goal of this

Ancestry.com workshop is for each patron to actually find his or her family tree on Ancestry.com. Find your story!

Increase your privacy awareness while using Facebook. Learn to use privacy settings, manage personal accounts, uploading pictures/videos, and exploring group pages in our Facebook workshop. To register call 613-258-4711 or email our Tech Trainer Bruno Jung at bjung@ngpl.ca.

On Saturday, February 20, Astronomer Frank Hitchens

The Voice of North Grenville

presents Canada in Space: A History, from 1-2pm. Hitchens, as heard on CBC Radio, has been hooked on astronomy since he was a boy watching the space race unfold.

Through talks, newspaper columns and radio interviews, Hitchens shares his fascination with space exploration.

Make an afternoon of it and stay for our Ancestry.com Workshop at 3pm!

For more information about these and other events visit our website www.ngpl. ca.

Lions continue to help with South Mountain Agricultural Hall renovations

paid to date of the $40,000 total commitment. The Lions are now holding our regular meetings in the hall and have been enjoying seeing the progress on the construction project as it nears completion this spring just in time for our annual spring dinner and show. All those curious to see the changes will be sure to pick up their tickets from their local Lions member for the April 9 show as soon as they are available.

by Keith Ardron The renovations continue at the South Mountain Agricultural Hall, concentrating

on the kitchen and bar areas.

The Mountain Township and District Lions Club was proud to provide our second install-

Pancake Supper

The North Grenville Times is available in Oxford Mills at the Brigadoon Restaurant

ment cheque for $5,000 to the South Mountain Fair Board this past Thursday evening.

This equals a total of $10,000

Pancake Supper

Leslie Hall, St. James Anglican Church Feb. 09, 2016, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Adult $8.00, Children 12 and under $5.00 Pancakes & sausages & beans Dessert & tea & coffee

BRANDING Just got a lot more fun

The Oxford Mills Community Association (OMCA) is having a fundraiser on Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday), February 9 at 5:30 pm. Why cook dinner when you can come to Maplewood Hall and support the OMCA's ongoing community activities? The Castle Minstrels will be performing their unique blend of traditional Celtic and Canadian old time fiddles tunes, performed on string and wind instruments. So forget about feeding the family that night; come out and meet your neighbours. The cost is $5.00 per person

Good branding doesn’t have to be a chore.

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Family Day free skate and movie

The Voice of North Grenville Erick Le Pors

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On February 15, please join us in celebrating Family Day at North Grenville’s largest local holiday event, Family Day at the North Grenville Municipal Centre with a FREE Movie, free ice skating and free refreshments. This local tra-

dition invites all residents of North Grenville to come out for an enjoyable family day, meet your neighbours and let the kids play. Family Day Skate and Movie is brought to you by the community leaders of O Farrell Financial Services and the

has reached attendance capacity in past years, so please come early to enjoy this local holiday event in celebration of both our great North Grenville community and the Families who make it such a terrific place to live.

Kemptville Kinsmen. The celebrations start at 10:30 am with the first screening of Hotel Transylvania 2 followed by Ice Skating from 12 pm till 1:50 pm and then a second screening of Hotel Transylvania 2 at 2 pm. This Free event

The poverty of leadership

by Woody Armour Kemptville has a problem, it is a problem of poverty, of human poverty and commercial poverty, and they are related and intertwined.

This poverty problem, both human and commercial, is a structural problem caused by councils in the past ignoring the situation that has developed; however it has reached the point such that it cannot be overlooked any longer.

Other opportunities have existed, these options were written about in past articles, opportunities that other communities have adopted and developed. In addition to the structural problem, there is also the distress caused by the Canadian dollar’s decline, a distinct second problem, which compounds the first.

The effects of these two events together are serious stress, anxiety, and material shortages. The unfortunate aspect is that it is the least able to cope and adjust who bear the brunt. If the lives of these affected people are to be improved, we must deal with the underlying cause, the lack of local jobs, as a major priority.

So, the type of employment we must generate is of the small business type, which has the ability to “grow” their sales, i.e., export their product outside their home territory, and this “exporting” can be done via parcel post supported by a web site, or by a store front or Factory outlet. Here, then, are a few examples.

Please note that all of these February 3, 2016

proposals use the Canadian dollar situation to advantage and thus turn a current problem into an advantage.

A malt house. These malt houses can range from quite small to very large. There are off-the-shelf feasibility and business plans provided by University extension departments. In addition, the malt houses are building blocks upon which other industries are built, e.g. craft brewing, as well as food additives.

Craft Brewing and craft brew pubs are self-explanatory.

A benefit of a brew pub or two in the area would be the tourist draw, and they would certainly spruce up the main street, something a chain store cannot duplicate.

A small oil seed crushing plant. Again, this is a business which has feasibility plans available on University sites. Common seeds crushed are soya seed, pumpkin seeds, mustard seeds and corn kernels to name a few. There are lists available of crushable seeds. This is an export industry, and an enabling industry that can be set up on a very small scale to start.

Essential oil production, which can be done either by steam extraction or alcohol extraction. Again, this is an enabling industry, and can become a very large business starting at a very modest level. Most essential oils in Canada are imported.

A cheese factory producing hard cheese. This idea has been discussed in previous articles. When this was first

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lawyers and web designers will be required on an ongoing basis. This proposal is actually proposing an agriculturally based industry cluster at the college.

What is missing from this discussion is the equine industry, the various livestock industries and the commodities groups. Little is known about these industries. I have also left out the educational possibilities, and that is a separate item for another day.

If you set the Farmers Market in the centre of all of this, you now have a vibrant situation.

The poverty of leadership must be dealt with as quickly as possible, and the easiest method to do this is to select two new councillors, from the election results, and not by appointment. The poverty of ideas is a lack of vision of what could be created.

This proposal will solve the “poverty of ideas” problem, and the new councillors will solve the “poverty of leadership” problem.

I leave you to your thoughts.

proposed, Council immediately dismissed the idea.

Other municipalities did not dismiss the idea, and cheese factories have been built elsewhere. This is an export industry, and a community attraction. There are numerous food processing opportunities partially dependent on local production. If this part is well done, the College campus could easily become a tourist draw based on local outlets.

Finally there is a requirement for a laboratory to deal with leaf analysis, soil analysis, malt analysis, hops analysis and any necessary analysis required to support food preparation businesses. I would also point out the vast majority of the businesses require local people to operate them, and local farms to provide product in many cases.

This proposal will go a long way towards solving the cost of exchange problem.

Once these industries are in place, there will be a need for conference facilities and meeting spaces. An attractive feature of this proposal is that it, the agricultural centre, can co-exist with the chain stores and thrive, independently.

The other major asset is that these businesses are scalable and would also attract other businesses. This means that one could estimate the base cost of the operations, then use “what if” calculations to backtrack and determine what size of industries are needed to support a certain cost structure. In the establishment of this proposal, accountants, 3

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Editorial

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The Voice of North Grenville

United we stand

by David Shanahan One month down and eleven more to go, and already we’re seeing some movement in this green and growing community of ours.

Ideas are being expressed publicly, debated, even stolen from others in some cases.

But we’re talking together, throwing out possibilities, taking a closer look at where we’re at, and where we think we might go from here.

In this week’s issue, we have an article about co-operatives, a letter about not waiting for others to get started, and we’ve already heard from the Mayor and Warden about amalgamation possibilities.

It is quite encouraging that a lot of the discussion includes individuals who had run for Council (twice!) But remain involved in the dialogue. It is equally encouraging to see the municipality, both council and staff, open to that dialogue and prepared to enter into the process in a more approachable manner.

The bottom line of all of this is that we may be starting to understand that we’re all in this together, that we can’t

afford to leave anyone out, because this country, province and municipality is going through a time of challenge and change, of possibilities and options. If our elected representatives are to lead the way through the political and structural changes that seem to be heading our way, then they need the support and involvement of the community.

It is no longer enough for that side of the social equation to believe they can do it alone, and that public involvement would be interference.

But if the community is to play that role, they need to have confidence in the political and bureaucratic element too. And that only comes when we feel we are being kept informed, included and genuinely consulted. That seems to be happening now in a way that hasn’t been the case before. The key, always, is to be informed, otherwise informed consent is impossible, and informed consent from the people is what the municipality really need to keep going.

There are, of course, still many obstacles in the way of a true democratic, commu-

nity-based system. The past casts a long and dark shadow, and it is not easy to let go of suspicion and cynicism. It is not easy to learn to trust one another and give one another the benefit of the doubt. But it is essential.

There are people we need to work with whose ideas and philosophy we deeply disagree. There are so many divisions, both natural and artificial, to which we have to cater. It is not a matter of all becoming alike and in agreement on everything; but more the development of consensus and compromise. No one side will win everything, there will not be a completely satisfactory outcome for everyone.

That doesn’t happen in the real world.

But urban and rural ambitions and identities need to be respected and allowed for.

There are too many people being left behind in our rush towards economic growth.

Poverty exists in our community, and we need to identify its scope, its nature and its causes. We all have differing motivations: some just want to make money, others want to see a just society coming

out of all of this turmoil.

Some will want the emphasis to be on solid economic development as we have been seeing it: urbanisation, commercial and residential growth. Others will demand that we rethink some of those goals and ask whether we are losing our identity, our soul, in the process. Will we share ideas, or just steal them; listen to them, or dismiss them out of hand?

And there are, of course, the cynics and manipulators who will always see hidden agendas in the “others”, always wonder what’s really behind the apparent transparency. Some will have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about, and that is another problem we face. This community is changing, and will change a great deal more in the coming decade, as population increases, issues become ever more complicated, and the possibility of a growing divide between winners and losers in the economic race grows ever more likely.

But it has always been that way. We are not the first generation, and we may not be the last. What we build

mediately clear that you need a ticket. We did not go to the Peace Tower yesterday.

I left feeling very upset.

Perhaps it seems of little consequence to the majority that I missed this re-emergence of a long ago event, but surely I have some rights as a family member. Wasn’t the Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber established for “us”? Is it now to become off limits because it is enclosed within Parliament? If it is ‘too sensitive’ to allow family members to visit and pay their respects, then I respectfully suggest the Memorial Chamber be removed to a place where the public can more easily access this room of remembrance.

This year would have been the first, 26th January; David was dead (100 years ago). It can never be repeated.

Patricia Habberjam Kemptville Ontario.

Dear Editor: The media and the opposition in parliament are taking the Liberal government to task for not undertaking to build the West to East pipeline. Canada unity is at stake they claim. I believe it's time that everyone put the oil pipeline issue under its proper perspective.

First of all, oil sands produced oil is one of the dirtiest in the world and needs special refining. It costs $70 per barrel to produce and current oil market prices are less than half that.

Secondly, even British Columbia refused to allow a pipeline to the Pacific Coast due to possible oil spills, but Alberta expects a pipeline to be built through Ontario and Quebec on the way to New Brunswick where it will require further refining.

At the Paris meetings, the world decided to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. This does not bode

and destroy today will be the inheritance we leave for our children. Will it have anything of the traditional rural, small-town character we were drawn to here, or will we leave them a concrete wasteland like so many parts of our cities? Time doesn’t stand still. Our very planet is in danger unless we stop and think. Will we have the vision, the courage and the humility to listen to each other, perhaps even change our way of thinking, and remake our community in ways that reflect who were want to be?

We make the future in our own image and likeness by the decisions we make collectively: what will that image show about us?

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Letters to the Editor Dear Editor: It should have been an historic occasion. Anticipated, for a month, with sadness and interest, I was stopped in my tracks outside the building. What was my intended destination?

The Peace Tower for the 11am ceremony performed each day, to watch the page in the WWI book being turned to the entry for my Great, Great, Uncle David McNeiry.

After consultation with the officers guarding entry to the building and sending for an officer from the Peace Tower, I was informed I would not be allowed to see the page turning, this is a special privilege only granted to some people upon request from the Sargent at Arms. Furthermore if I wanted to visit only the Peace Tower I would have to cross the street from Parliament Hill and obtain a ticket which would allow me to

do this.

The news came as an unpleasant surprise and understandably upset me. The page with my uncle’s name is only on display one day each year and this was the day. He was shot to pieces in a trench near St. Julien during the second battle of Ypres, April 24th 1915 and apart form his name on the Menin Gate in Belgium this is his only memorial.

Last year, January 26 2015, I had gone to the peace Tower to view his name and had been admitted without any hassle or ticket. It was good to see his name but I had thought it would be even more memorable to see the page being turned.

When I asked how I was supposed to know about getting tickets to enter the peace tower when it has never been the case before, I was told to check the website. I have since done so and it is not im-

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well for increased world oil production. Yet those that are clamouring for a west-east pipeline expect that world prices will soon return to $100.+ per barrel oil. It just doesn't make any sense.

It's time that everyone climbed down from their ivory towers and took a good look at these facts. As Bob Dylan once sang "the times they are-a-changin".

Brian Lonergan Kemptville

Mailing Address P.O. Box 35, Oxford Mills, ON, K0G 1S0 Graphics Accounting Micheal Pacitto cfo@ngtimes.ca mike@ngtimes.ca 613-258-4671 613-710-7104

Dear Editor: In his article "Thinking Outside the Box Stores", Woody Armour paints another pretty picture. This time of a North Grenville where hops are grown, malted and beer crafted; where artisanal cheese is produced for export and where fields of newly employed farm workers harvest asparagus by day and amble by night down a brew pub trail through Old Town.

It's a wonderful vision and I

Letters continued on next page

Staff Reporter Beth Nicol beth@ngtimes.ca 613-258-0033 Staff Reporter Hilary Thomson hilary@ngtimes.ca

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Municipality Matters

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Municipal and school board complaints mounting Province completes The Ontario Ombudsman’s office has completed its first month of overseeing municipalities, school boards and universities, and it proved to be a very busy month indeed. The Ombudsman is an independent officer of the Legislature who investigates complaints from the public about Ontario government services, recommending improvements for governance and resolving individual issues. The Acting Ombudsman is Barbara Finlay. Since January 1, the Ombudsman has dealt with 414 complaints about municipalities, regarding everything from municipal services, to council conduct, to snow clearing. According to the Ombudsman’s report for January, “In one case, a man contacted our Office frustrated after trying for years to get the municipality to clear the snow on the sidewalk in front of his house.

Other sidewalks in his neighbourhood had been cleared,

but the municipality hadn't taken any action on his. Our staff contacted the town and determined that the sidewalk hadn't been cleared because it first required repairs. The municipality promised it would begin clearing his walk right away and add it to the regular service route”.

The Office has had 295 school board complaints since September 1. Staff have pointed people in the right direction and helped them resolve complicated problems. In one such case, a teenage boy with autism who was only permitted to attend class for 45 minutes a day due to aggression issues was refusing to return to school because of an incident when police were called. His mother suggested the school board assist with providing home schooling, but the board insisted the boy stay in school. Things were at a standstill when she contacted the Ombudsman’s Office.

“We helped the board work

to go with your complaint, you are welcome to contact our Office and we will try to point you in the right direction. When you do contact us, please have any relevant documentation available.”

Complaints about an individual Councillor or Mayor must first be made through the normal grievance processes. The Ombudsman does not replace the role of public sector unions or grievance processes, or interfere in collective bargaining.

Employment-related matters should be directed to the relevant union officials or managers first. If you have concerns about wrongdoing at a municipality, call the Ombudsman’s Office at: 1-800-263-1830, or by e-mail at info@ombudsman. on.ca. Complaints are confidential – we do not identify complainants without their consent. For more information, and to access complaint forms, etc., visit the web site at www.ombudsman.on.ca.

with her to develop a special home schooling plan. The teen is now receiving five hours of home schooling a day with an educational assistant, and the school continues to mark his work and write his report cards”.

The Ontario Ombudsman wants to remind citizens that their help should only be sought after regular avenues of complaint and redress have been followed. According to the web site, if a resident has a complaint about a Municipality, they should follow a clear procedure: “You may be able to resolve your complaint directly with your municipality, by contacting the relevant officials or following local complaint processes. If your municipality has an integrity commissioner, dispute resolution office or ombudsman, they may be able to help.

We will refer complainants to the appropriate local officials wherever possible. If you are unsure about where

Municipal contractor fined The Ministry of the Environment has announced that general contractor, Dalcon Enterprises Ltd. (Dalcon), has been convicted of two offences and fined $80,000 for the discharge of a contaminant that caused an adverse effect, and failure to report to the ministry, contrary to the Environmental Protection Act. Dalcon provided civil and general contracting services before declaring bankruptcy late last year,

and was contracted to carry out a water and sewer line replacement in the Kemptville area for the Municipality of North Grenville.

Another company had identified and marked the location of utilities such as gas, hydro and telephone, including the site of a two inch gas mainline that was properly identified prior to Dalcon’s work commencing.

On May 22, 2013, Dalcon was using an excavator

The evacuation resulted in approximately 25-40 people being displaced from their homes and businesses.

Enbridge Gas notified the ministry almost two hours after the incident occurred, and Dalcon never reported the incident to the ministry. The company was convicted of the two charges on January 25, and was fined $80,000 plus a victim fine surcharge of $20,000 and was given 30 days to pay the fine.

to remove an old underground sewage concrete catch basin. As the catch basin was being lifted from the ground, it punctured the main gas line.

Enbridge Gas was notified; they dispatched repair crews and notified emergency personnel. The North Grenville Fire Department attended the scene and began monitoring gas levels in the area, and a local evacuation was executed as a precautionary measure.

February 3, 2016

small towns and hamlets in the area had a mill and a cheese factory. It was the community working cooperatively that made things happen and by pooling resources, got things done. You and your neighbours set the agenda and drove economic development with little government assistance.

Members of our community possess not only real capital (assets, investments, and cash) but social capital as well (a willingness to give back and volunteer, knowledge, experience). Look to forward-thinking citizens to invest in craft brewing. Look to new residents to build the recreational facilities they want through investment vehicles such as community bonds. This is what other communities are doing. This is where our focus should be.

Ontario has announced new decisions on the proposed design of the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP). Premier Kathleen Wynne joined Minister of Finance Charles Sousa and Associate Minister of Finance Mitzie Hunter recently to share information on a range of decisions, including the structure of ORPP benefits, compliance and enforcement, plan comparability and member participation.

The government also released details on the ORPP's funding policy. The details released by the government, combined with details released last August, will help employers prepare for the implementation of the ORPP, beginning on January 1, 2017.

In their announcement, the ministers stated that: “Ontario has made significant progress on the ORPP in recent months.

This includes the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan Administration Corporation appointing a CEO and Board of Directors, passing two pieces of enabling legislation and releasing key design and implementation details”.

The statement noted that many studies show that a large number of Ontario residents are not able to save enough to maintain a similar standard of living when they retire. This is, in part, because, for many workers, long-term, full-time employment with pension benefits is no longer attainable.

Pension coverage is lower for young workers than for any other age group. Only about one quarter of Ontario workers aged 25 to 34 participated in a workplace pension plan in 2012, compared to nearly half of workers aged 45 to 54.

The ORPP would expand pension coverage to more than 4 million workers. The Wynne Government believes that it would provide “a predictable, reliable and inflation-indexed stream of income in retirement by replacing up to 15% of an individual’s earnings, up to $90,000 (in 2017 dollars)”.

Premier Wynne stated that: “Our government is unwavering in its focus on ensuring a financially secure retirement for every worker in our province through the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan, and I am committed to ensuring that Ontarians have a strong, stable and prosperous retirement. Today’s announcement brings us another step closer to achieving this goal.”

Enrolment would be phased in to ensure that the ORPP is focused on workers without access to a workplace pension plan, and to give employers time to adapt. Under the proposed phase-in, plan members would start making contributions in 2017 and the ORPP would start providing benefits in 2022.

Board seeks public input on school year calendar

Letters continued truly wish there were more people working towards it.

(For my part, Woody, you’ll be happy to know that I'll be working hard with others to make the Farmers' Market run more efficiently this year).

All kidding aside, my main concern with Mr. Armour's vision is his apparent belief that it's the Municipality that is mainly responsible for economic development.

I suppose this is understandable given government's creeping intrusion into every aspect of our lives; and we do have a Municipal Department of Economic Development, after all. It plays an important role, certainly, but what about communitybased economic development? Why isn't his focus there?

In the good ol' days, most

design of the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan

We're primarily a rural community; people pride themselves on their selfreliance and take responsibility for their well-being.

Stop looking to Council or Municipal staff as the only way to realize the kind of economic development you dream about. The community is more capable and resourceful than you think.

Sincerely John Barclay, Oxford Mills

By Mark Calder The Upper Canada District School Board has released the draft 2016-2017 school year calendar, and is seeking public input before it is approved.

As in previous years, the board is recommending a change from the suggested provincial calendar and has scheduled the Christmas holiday to begin at school day’s end on Friday, December 23,

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said Superintendent David Coombs. If the calendar is approved, classes will resume on Monday, January 9.

“We’re proposing December 23 because it allows for a week after the holiday rush for people to catch their breath, relax and enjoy some time with family before classes resume,” said David. “This isn’t the first time we’ve made this change. The feedback we’ve received in the past

has been overwhelmingly supportive.”

He added that the local Catholic board plans to follow suit. Area residents have until Tuesday, February 16 to provide comment on the draft calendar. Trustees must approve the proposed calendar

by Wednesday, February 24 for submission to the Ministry of Education by Tuesday, March 1.

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Trustees release results of Ipsos Reid Culture Survey The Upper Canada District School Board’s (UCDSB) Board of Trustees has released the results of a detailed survey into how parents, students and the public feel about the board and how it is meeting its strategic goals.

The UCDSB Culture Survey of Students and Staff was presented last week by the Board of Trustees. The Ipsos Reid survey, conducted and compiled over the past year, was comprised of three interconnected surveys which sought responses from staff, students, and parents.

Results will help trustees better understand the current learning environment, and gain clarity on how well students and staff are aligned

with the core district objectives and critical success factors outlined in our strategic plan, said Chair Jeff McMillan.

“This survey asked some serious questions and we received honest responses,” he said. “There are many areas of our work we are very proud of and, like any organization, areas that need improvement.

We accept this because for any organization to improve, you need to value, engage and embrace feedback. We will use this data to get better.”

During the process, the board received 1,710 responses from staff, 527 from elementary and secondary students, and 609 from parents. “The Board would like to thank our staff, students

and their parents for helping us with this important initiative,” said Jeff.

The overall results of the UCDSB Culture Survey show that attitudes vary heavily depending on the group being questioned. Whether it is parents, staff, primary students or secondary students, each group holds its own opinions and has its own challenges. The survey results revealed that staff members and students generally view their school differently than they view the UCDSB as a whole. In some instances, stakeholders are more critical of one than the other, usually depending on which entity they feel to be responsible in each given scenario.

The results also show that

students, as they move from primary to secondary school, become less positive about their school’s environment, its teachers, and the UCDSB in general. Parent’s attitudes towards the UCDSB and its schools do not reflect the same change of attitude, with most parents continuing to be much more positive than their child attending secondary school. Only half (50%) of secondary students are ready to make decisions on their future or know what they will be doing after high school.

Though the most secondary students have a positive attitude for overcoming difficult situations (76%), half have a difficult time coping with the stress of school (49%), and two in five indicated

they have trouble with social anxiety (37%).

Most parents are confident that teachers are well trained (87%), care about students (83%), and believe that staff members help develop strong characters (75%) and provide an emotionally safe environment (78%). However, just over half believe the school is doing enough when it comes to student’s mental health (54%) or trust the education system to ensure children get enough physical activity (56%).

Moreover, only two thirds (64%) of parents feel their children are well prepared for the demands of life.

Staff perceptions depended heavily on whether they were discussing the UCDSB

or their school specifically.

Most often, staff member views felt more negatively towards the Board than their specific school. Less than half (46%) agreed that there is good communication within the UCDSB, and only two in five (39%) feel that communication is open and honest.

This proportion increased when focused on the staff member’s school itself. One quarter (24%) of staff feel it is safe to challenge the Board, while three in five (60%) feel they can challenge the way things are done at the school level.

More specific results can be found in the Survey Report itself, which can be downloaded from the Board’s web site at: www.ucdsb.on.ca

Problems of the Ageing Foot

New Care of Roads Bylaw

Up to 80% of individuals over 50 years of age will experience challenges of this nature in their lifetime. Laser therapy applications are presented.

The North Grenville Municipal Council are considering a draft bylaw to deal with a number of issues relating to roads in the municipality. According to a staff report, the municipality has received numerous complaints over the past several years covering a variety of roadrelated problems. These include hedges growing out into road allowances, or snow being pushed out on to roads, causing problems with visibility for vehicles and pedestrians; damage through vandalism or accident to municipal property and traffic signs; and line of sight, or nuisance obstructions placed on the road allowance, including vehicles, signs,

Author: Fred Kahn MD, FRCS (C) Source: Meditech International Inc. Today, as individuals age, they maintain an active lifestyle and this frequently presents problems relating to the health of the foot. Up to 80% of individuals over 50 years of age will experience challenges of this nature in their lifetime. Often the symptoms are ascribed to “tired feet”, particularly after a day of hiking, gardening or playing a vigorous round of golf.

The problems that occur may restrict activity levels that are essential to maintaining a normal lifestyle and may reduce the quality of the patient’s existence, secondary to the pain experienced.

Initially there is a mechanical loss of power, along with deterioration of the musculoskeletal tissues as ageing progresses. These changes are coupled with a reduction in arterial perfusion, resulting in a decrease in soft tissue volume. The latter is characterized particularly by the atrophy of the fat pads that cushion the foot. Collectively, these changes render the foot in an increasingly vulnerable state.

These naturally occurring changes in the foot are further exacerbated by other disease processes including degenerative osteoarthritis, arterial occlusive disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and trauma.

These diseases individually may constitute the primary cause of pain or they may be important contributors to the progression of those painful sensations experienced with activities involving the ageing foot.

February 3, 2016

The treatment options currently available are somewhat limited. They include exercise, orthotics and massage which can alleviate some of the biomechanical factors that may be encountered.

Laser Therapy however provides a unique therapeutic option that can target the source of the problem and promote both healing and regeneration of tissue.

During my work with the persons with degenerative and chronic health issues, I researched the leading edge technologies for healing and pain relief. I was optimistically looking for a noninvasive modality with a high proven cure rate. I found it in Low Intensity Photherapy (photobiomodulation) being used for decades in Europe.

After much due diligence investigating a variety of medical companies supplying Phototherapy devices I settled on a Canadian company and product developed and driven clinically by an outspoken dynamic surgeon, Dr Fred Khan.

His company Meditech. His product Bioflex Laser System. After attending his Mississaga clinic complete with wound room, I was convinced that this was the way of the future and began my studies in Low Intensity Laser Therapy. The rest as they say is history. Today a large percentage of my treatments are podiatry driven having based my clinic within the Chiropody Clinic of Body and Sole however treatments all over the body are done including wounds, burns,

headaches, toothaches, arthritis and more. The foregoing article has been reprinted with permission by Dr Fred Khan. www.bioflexlaser.com or Judith.bodyandsole@gmail for more information.

For Advertising rates please contact Peter at peter@ngtimes.ca or call 613 989 2850

6

play structures and fences.

The report also cites “loitering or nuisance behaviour in the street or sidewalk or similar part of the road allowance”.

Municipal staff have researched relevant bylaws in a number of other municipalities and have drawn up a draft Care of Roads bylaw to present to Council. This was done at this week’s Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night. Under the terms of the proposed bylaw, enforcement would be on a case-by-case basis, and “where the encumbrance results in a line of sight or other safety issue, or will impact negatively on Municipal road operations, enforcement action

would be taken to remove or diminish the encumbrance”.

The draft bylaw is also designed to deal with the “loitering or nuisance behaviour”, and is considered “another tool for the authorities to use to correct and curb unwarranted incidents on public property”.

It is unclear what provisions in the draft bylaw refer to loitering or nuisance behaviour, though that may be made clear during subsequent drafts of the bylaw.

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Bishop’s Mills Women’s Institute – Keeping Warm in Winter

UPDATE

by Jeanne Lambert Patricia Habberjam was the host for the Bishop’s Mills Women’s Institute January meeting. Ten members were present and the Roll Call for the meeting was to talk about some experience you had being hot. The responses ranged from trips to tropical countries, unusual hot spells at home here in eastern Ontario and in London, England and being pregnant in July.

Others were reminded of haying in the heat of summer and being in the loft of a barn stacking bales of hay or even moving loose hay. Many funny stories were shared and it was a nice break from the cold and snowy night.

The February meeting of the Bishop’s Mills Women’s Institute will be held at the home of member Susan Jenkins on Thursday, February 11. Since February is Heritage Month, our meeting has a heritage theme. We will be looking at the heritage of food and recipes, and asking everyone to bring a recipe that is part of their heritage – maybe something that was passed down in their family, that reflects their ethnic heritage; maybe a recipe that is part of their personal heritage because it was given to them by a friend, or is associated with a meaningful event in their lives.

The Bishop’s Mills Women’s Institute has been involved in the community since 1985, including documenting the history of the village and encouraging positive change. The Bishop’s Mills Women’s Institute holds monthly meetings and welcomes new members interested in meeting their neighbours and getting involved in their community.

For information about attending local meetings, please contact President Sheryl McKim 613-926-2472 or Jeanne Lambert at jmlambert@tdgraham.com and you can ‘like’ us on Facebook!

If you are interested in finding out more about WI, see the Provincial organization’s website: www.fwio.on.ca.

TEXT ADS

Door-to-door sales problem

by Hilary Thomson On Friday, January 15, at 11:04 am, North Grenville resident Howard Hartley received a call from a man in a Philippines call centre who claimed to be representing the Ontario government. The man proceeded to ask him a slew of questions about his age and his spending on heating and electricity. He then announced that someone would be by on Monday, between 12 pm and 8 pm, to inspect his furnace and see if he was eligible for a government rebate.

Taken aback by the forcefulness of the call, and thrown off by the man’s accent and rapid speech, Howard agreed.

The company who called him was Supreme Energy, a heating and cooling company based in Ottawa. They do not represent the Ontario government but do have authorization to promote their rebate programs.

In 2015 the Independent Electricity System Operator

(IESO, formerly the Ontario Power Authority) introduced up to $650 worth of rebates for installing high efficiency heating and cooling systems in your home. It is a program run in conjunction with the Ontario government and, according to the IESO, it has not been confirmed that it will continue into 2016.

On their website the IESO clearly states that it does not call consumers to participate in its programs. It also does not perform door-to-door sales calls, or require the inspection of any heating or cooling equipment.

Therefore, if you receive a call from a person claiming to be a representative of the government, and they are talking about heating and cooling systems, you can automatically assume that they are not being entirely truthful.

They are trying to sell you something. End of story.

It is also important to remember that you never have to let a stranger into your

just not working?

home, even if they say they are representing the government. You always have the right to ask for identification.

There is a new bylaw in North Grenville that dictates that all door-to-door solicitors must obtain a license from the municipality. The license ensures that the solicitor has been properly screened and their product is deemed appropriate to be selling doorto-door. As a homeowner, you have the right to ask to see their license and to send them away if they cannot produce one. The bylaw does not apply to community service groups, registered charitable organizations, or child and youth entrepreneur initiatives.

If you have doubts or questions about being approached in this way, contact the Bylaw Services officer at the Municipality: 613258-2438, extension 6, or by e-mail at: jpetersen@northgrenville.on.ca.

UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL Monday, February 8 at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Centre. For agenda information, please contact the Clerk’s Office or visit the Municipal website.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Tuesday, February 16 at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Centre.

2016 BURN PERMITS In accordance with By-Law 33-12, a Burn Permit is required to conduct open burning on property located outside of the urban area. Burn Permits for 2016 are available at the Municipal Office or at the Fire Hall at 259 County Rd. 44 for a fee of $15. Please contact the Fire Hall at 613-258-2438 ext. 5 for conditions prior to burning.

2016 DOG LICENSES Renewal notices will be mailed to all currently registered dog owners. If you are not a currently registered dog owner, please contact By-Law Services at 613-258-2438 ext. 6 for further information. The 2016 rate for Dog Licenses is a flat fee of $15 for each dog. For information on Kennel Licenses, please contact By-Law Services.

The Municipality of North Grenville 285 County Road 44 PO Box 130 Kemptville, ON, K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca Building: 613-258-4424 Fax: 613-258-1441 Fire Services Info: 613-258-2438 Fax: 613-258-1031 By-Law Services: 613-258-2438 ext. 6

Put a face to the name with

Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002

www.NorthGrenville.ca

BUSINESS CONTENT.CA 613.710.7104 PHOTO • VIDEO • GRAPHIC

MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH GRENVILLE WATER & WASTEWATER MASTER PLAN UPDATE NOTICE OF COMPLETION THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH GRENVILLE has completed a Water & Wastewater Master Plan Update for the Municipality’s potable water distribution and sanitary sewage collection systems.

The Master Plan identifies infrastructure requirements to address current deficiencies and support future development and growth in the Municipality for the next 20 years.

This project was prepared as a Master Plan Update following Phases 1 and 2 of a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. The purpose of this Notice is to inform the public of the completion of the planning stage of this project. The Municipality is making the final Master Plan report available to the general public at the following locations: 1) Municipal Centre, 285 County Road 44, Kemptville, ON, K0G 1J0, Tel: 613-258-9569 2) Municipal Website at www.northgrenville.ca/news

Kemptville postcard series

Written comments may be submitted until February 27th, 2016 to: Mike Finley, Superintendent of Environmental Services Municipality of North Grenville 285 County Road 44 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Tel: 613.285.9569 ext. 139 Fax: 613.258.9260 Email: mfinley@northgrenville.on.ca The Environmental Assessment Act has provisions that allow an interested person, Aboriginal community, or government agency to ask for a higher level of assessment for a Class Environmental Assessment project if they feel that there are outstanding issues that have not been adequately addressed by the proponent. This higher level of assessment is referred to as a Part II Order request.

Such requests must be addressed in writing to the Minister of the Environment and received no later than February 27th, 2016 at the following address: The Honourable Glen Murray Minister of the Environment & Climate Change 77 Wellesley Street West 11th Floor, Ferguson Block Toronto, ON M7A 2T5 Tel: 416-314-6790 Fax: 416-325-3159 Please note that a duplicate copy of a Part II Order request must also be sent to the Municipality of North Grenville at the address noted above.

Local artist Don Munz has prepared a series of postcards showing Kemptville scenes. “A number of people wanted to know why there weren’t any postcards of Kemptville. I decided to print up four of the best scenes in the town”. The postcards are available the B&H, Moosemart, Sugold, Home Hardware, Long Reach Cafe, Butler’s Victorian Pantry, Business Strategies and the NG Municipal Centre.Don has plans for a series on Oxford Mills next.

February 3, 2016

Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Environmental Assessment Act, unless otherwise stated in the submission, any personal information such as name, address, telephone number and property location included in a submission will become part of the public record files for this matter and will be released, if requested, to any person.

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73’s stay focussed, but miss out on discipline Mark’s Work Warehouse Hard Hat Award goes to Adam Alavi and Quinn Wichers for outstanding performance.

Smiths Falls Bears in our barn for the third time and with only one win put pressure on our boys to seek revenge. After the Bears gave 73’s man advantage at 13:07 from Tugnutt to Tackett at top of slot and Alex Row bang in the rebound. Bears clawed back at 10:44 when Jesse Blais from Rutkowski and McKenney for PPG at 10:19 to tie the score.

Jesse Blais with helpers from Garvey and Caruso pick up SHG at 10:19 after broken play to give Bears go ahead, Kemptville launched a comeback at 8:14 when Alavi with Gaudet flew across the line and Victor Tracy buried the garbage to tie at 2 - 2. 73’s out-gunned Bears by 17 - 7.

Smiths Falls with aggressive attack at 11:54 from Chris MacMillan assisted by Blais and Garvey. Another one for Bears as Joey Rutkowski pushed in loose rubber after Stufko and Leblanc swarmed the net to chase Hodgins to the showers. Peter Brooks entered the fray and was under constant attack of swarming around the goal by the Bears. Initial play from DiPlacido and Stufko so Tyler Creagh could pump in rebound at 4:07. Twenty closed off with Smiths Falls

Oooooohhhhhh this is going to hurt.......73's Bobby Dow gets air with help from Bears and receives additional slash during Sunday's chipping action. by the sports guy Kemptville 73’s met Carleton Place Canadians on their home ground on Friday night. Canadians on scoreboard at 15:16 when Tim Theochardis assisted from Post and Carrier. Only goal of first frame and outshooting Kemptville 10 - 6.

Only markers of the second twenty were “sin bin” entries for both competitors and Carleton Place still on top of SOG 11 - 7.

Tie game at 18:14 into closing round as Gaudet forced draw to Cole on point with quick release and Bobby Dow ram in the rebound for 73’s. Wichers set-up Kiriacou for point blast and Adam Alavi released a beauty backhander off off rebound at 13:08 for go-ahead. Canadians Jordan Larson, with helpers from Grant and Batt at 4:58 to even the score.

Kemptville out-shooting their opponents 9 - 7 and going to OT. Carleton Place took advantage of broken play with

quick transition and tic-tactoe attack from Marcus Joseph to beat Peter Brooks at 3:21 of OT. Peter Brooks is the winner of the Mark’s Work Warehouse Hard Hat Award for his stellar stopper performance to keep the boy’s within striking distance.

Hockey enthusiasts were treated to a full day of “entertainment on ice” in the Bears den as they hosted all 12 teams in central CJHL for DoefStrong Showcase benefiting “spinal cord injuries” (DoefStrong) and “mental health” (DIFD). Over 1700 fans witnessed some great competition from 11:30 am to 8:45 pm and support excellent causes.

Brockville, Kemptville, Cumberland, Nepean, Smiths Falls, and Hawkesbury were all victorious in the event.

Kemptville 73’s met a strong challenge as they faced Pembroke Lumber Kings at 2:15.

Tracy sets up Alavi who splits the defence and Quinn Wichers rifles rebound to

open first frame at 4:57.

Kemptville out-shoots Pembroke 11 - 10 and adjourn to dressing room with 1 - 0 lead.

Second go-around as Kemptville still in attack mode at 11:01 after a scrambled draw from Alavi to Tracy slipping it on Dean Kiriacou tape to bury it short side for two goal lead and end session with 17 - 9 SOG advantage.

Final twenty belonged to the Lumber Kings as 73’s failed to clear their zone and List blocked to Derek Varrin to spoil SO attempt for Hodgins at 6:39. Inital body stop on the line by List to Felhaber over to Vlahos, across to Chris Minns to force OT at 2:19. Even though 73’s out-gunned the Kings 16 - 10 SOG as the persistance Kings bounced back.

Three on three of Dow, Alavi and Wichers turned the tables when Pembroke failed penetration allowed Wichers to find Bobby Dow flying up the boards to dangle, hide and quick release at 1:38 for a 3 - 2 win.

Skating Showcase

out-shooting Kemptville 15 - 10 with 5 - 2 lead.

Only three down with 20 minutes to play catch up, we have done it before. Sterling Bray buzzed the crease with MacMillan and Busschaert creating the swarm to capitalize at 12:58. 73’s pressured Bears lair at 11:05. Dow control boards to Beauparlant rifled it into DeBrouwer pads and Alex Row flip in rebound to record his second goal. PPG at 1:18 as O’Flynn slipped

to Russell across to Victor Tracy to smash it home from top of circle. Our boys came on strong with 15 - 12 SOG, but ran out of time giving the Bears a 6 - 4 victory.

Mark’s Work Warehouse Award is tied with Alex Row and Victor Tracy for their two marker night.

See you Friday night at 7:30 when we face the Brockville Braves......Hockey with EDGE

Chamber of Commerce presents

Luncheon Networking Event Guest speaker Michael J. Hughes “The Networking Guru”

Monday February 8, 2016 at the North Grenville Municipal Centre Don’t miss your chance to improve your networking skills.

Enjoy local flavors for lunch and a chance to put your new skills to work.

Chosen Local Flavours

by Vanessa Gonyea The Kemptville Skating Club is gearing up for a special showcase on Feburary 7th at 2:00pm at the North Grenville Municipal Centre.

The showcase will include the solos that our senior skaters have been competing with this season. It will also feature solos and demonstrations from our junior, intro and even the little go getters February 3, 2016

in our Can-Skate and Pre-Can sessions.

This is a great opportunity for our skaters to get experience performing in front of a home town audience under pressure.

It’s also a fantastic way to get friends and family out to the rink.

Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door for

$5.00 each. All proceeds will go towards supporting the Kemptville Skating Club.

The club will also be holding a bake sale and a draw, with prizes contributed by local businesses.

If you wish to make a contribution to the club please contact the executive at kemptvilleskatingclub@ hotmail.com

Appetizers – The Crusty Baker Entrée – The Branch Restaurant Desert – Grahame’s Bakery

Cost per Ticket - $50. info@northgrenvillechamber.com

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Brighten up your home with flowers during the long winter months!

301 Rideau Street, Kemptville

Regular Store Hours: Mon.- Fri. 8 to 8, Sat. - 8 to 6, Sun. 9 to 6

613.258.3014

Prices effective: Friday, February 5 to Thursday, February 11, 2016 “We reserve the right to limit quantities to reasonable family requirements�

February 3, 2016

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The North Grenville Times Merrickville/Wolford Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Reaching by direct mail 9,000 homes and businesses in Merrickville/Wolford and North Grenville

the Merrickville-Wolford Vol. 1, No. 12

TIMES

Merrickville team earns Agility Lifetime Achievement Award of Excellence

“Lark” 5 year old flat coated retriever shows off her AAC Lifetime Achievement Award of Excellence.

by Chris Hansen – Paws4Fun Agility Member When you see them walking down the streets of Merrickville, they look like any other dog and handler out for a stroll. However, Lorna Gendreau and her 5 year-old flat coated retriever “Lark” are a not like most others, they are a dynamic team that competes in the demanding sport of dog agility. Dog agility is an athletic sport designed to demonstrate a dog's willingness to work with its handler, off leash, in a variety of situations. It requires conditioning, concentration, training and teamwork as the dog and handler negotiate an obstacle course racing with speed and precision against the clock. Courses are complicated enough that a dog could not complete them correctly without human direction.

Paws4Fun Agility Club wishes to congratulate Lorna and “Lark” on earning their Agility Lifetime Achievement Award of Excellence from the Agility Association of Canada. In order to earn this award, Lorna and “Lark” have completed 299 Qualifying Runs (or as the agility folks call them “Q’s”) and garnered a total of 28 different agility titles: a huge accomplishment for a dog that is only 5 years old. In 2015, “Lark” had a big push and earned total of 106 “Qs” which made her the #3 dog in Ontario for this year and sealed the achievement award.

Paws4Fun (www.paws4funagility.ca ) is the only not for profit dog agility club in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and is open to purebred and mixed breeds of all ages and sizes and their handlers. The club offers classes in a variety of dog sports including agility, rally obedience and obedience for a wide range of experience from puppies to accomplished dogs like “Lark”.

The Voice of Merrickville/Wolford

February 3, 2016

History

Lord of Wolford

member of the “Aristocracy” attracted many ex-officers.

In April, 1793 Drummond is listed with “Associates” as receiving an order of council for seven townships in the district. This may seem a huge area to be granted, but their original petition had asked for thirty townships, or 3,240 square miles!

Peter Drummond was closely allied with men who had served as officers with him against the Americans, and many of them, such Lieutenant William Fraser, Lieutenant Thomas Fraser, Ensign Elijah Bottum and Ensign Gideon Adams had been granted large tracts of land in Oxford Township in 1791.

In 1795, the township Drummond had asked for was surveyed, immediately to the west of Oxford-on-Rideau, and was named Wolford. As with all of the townships surveyed in the early eighteenth century in Upper Canada, it was named after an English connection. Wolford was the home of Lt. Governor Simcoe and his wife, a property that remained in the Simcoe family until the 1920's. Grenville County had been named after the Secretary of State for the Colonies in the Imperial Parliament, the man most responsible for the creation of

by David Shanahan On December 1, 1792, Peter Drummond petitioned John Graves Simcoe, Lieutenant Governor of the new Colony of Upper Canada, for a Township of his own. What he was looking for, he said, was “a Township of Ten Miles Square beginning at the northwest corner of the Township of Oxford, and running from thence up the River Reddo...

Containing the quantity of Sixty four thousand Acres, with the use of the adjoining Waters for Mills, but without detriment to the Navigation and Fisheries thereof”.

Drummond was taking advantage of a new program introduced by Simcoe that year, allowing individuals and groups to apply for Townships on which to settle newcomers to the area. Simcoe wanted to introduce an aristocracy, based on land holdings, which would replicate British society in North America as an antidote to the pernicious influence of American democracy. To that end, he granted large tracts of land to those who had been officers in the army and militia during the Revolution, and Drummond now looked to have a Township of his own on the Rideau.

He promised to bring settlers to the new Township, and claimed 1,200 acres for himself and his heirs. He was, he claimed, “confident that by the time the Location of said Township shall be ascertained by the Surveyor General’s Return of Survey he shall be able to furnish to your Excellency such a List of Settlers as will cover all the rest of the Farms of which the residue of the Township to be so Granted shall consist.” He was not alone in making such promises: the lure of land and a future as a

upper Canada. Other places were named for Government Ministers, members of the English aristocracy, such as Osgoode, Montague, Marlborough, and Dundas.

Other townships were also laid out to meet the grants to these potential aristocrats, or “Leaders”, as they were known. Osgoode, Gower, Montague, Winchester, Gloucester, and others were originally meant to provide lands for settlers brought in

by Leaders, from whom they would buy their farms, or act as tenants on the estates of their landlords. But, within a year of the 1792 Proclamation which established this township system, Simcoe was forced to cancel any new grants, as it was becoming clear that the Leaders of his new hierarchical society were, for the most part, specu-

lators in land, and interested only in short term profits, not laying the foundation for a new society.

Nevertheless, Simcoe held on to his vision and placed his trust in men like Peter Drummond, who he had named Lieutenant of Grenville County. But everything fell apart by 1796, when Simcoe was forced to cancel the grants of a number of townships, including Wolford, as it was clear that there were no lists of settlers waiting to take up land there.

In fact, by 1802, the entire population of Wolford Township was just 165, though that still made it the most heavily populated township in the area. But the settlers who would make Wolford what it was to become were not to know Peter Drummond as Lord of Wolford after all.

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The North Grenville Photography Club

Photo by Jancy Watkins

s e c i r P g t n s i e B Fram Canal Gallery & Frame Shop for February 3, 2016

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A visitor from Cuba extends an open invitation

by Rob Lunan Last Fall Jose Losada and his sister Raquel, visitors from Cuba, arrived in North Grenville on a special mission. North Grenville Times writer Rob Lunan met with them for three hours and here are the highlights of the interview.

NGT – Mr. Losada what is it you do in Cuba?

JL – I am a pastor of a small church in Camaguey and head up several social mission projects.

NGT – How did you get out of Cuba to come to Canada?

JL- I am very fortunate that my father was born in Spain, so I have a Spanish passport. If I only had a Cuban passport, then it would not be possible for me to leave Cuba. As you know, many people have tried to leave Cuba in boats, etc. and have died at sea trying.

NGT – Many people from North Grenville visit Cuba

each year as tourists going to the resorts. How different is the life of the common people in Cuba from the resort experience?

JL – It is not the real Cuba in the Hotels. It is so desperate for many people.

It is like each day Jesus does the miracle of loaves and fishes. Many people earn a dollar a day of your money.

And food is expensive. How can they live on this? It is like a miracle is done. But for many life is desperate.

NGT - Tell me about your church.

JL – It was started in 1927 as the Camaguey City Church. This was before the Castro revolution. Then, in 1954, it was changed to the Christian Brotherhood Agrarian Church by a group of farmers. Now a few years ago we joined the Wesleyan church.

NGT – What projects are you involved in?

JL – A lot! We have a bible training centre that we are building and is 65% complete, a children's sports ministry (baseball, volleyball, basketball and soccer) to keep children safe and healthy, a ministry to alcoholics – mostly to the ones who come and we find them sleeping on the church door step and begging for food.

We also transport people

in our van. This van was donated by Christian people from North Grenville last year. The transportation system in Cuba is very bad and we help by driving the elderly, pregnant mothers and children who stand at the side of the road hitchhiking. Another thing we are working on is a ministry to bring safe drinking water to the people in Cuba. We are preparing to install good filters to make unsafe water drinkable. We also help the very old with food supplies each month. We would like to also provide regular cooked meals for them. And finally, we are the agents for this device [ he then pulled something from his pocket that looked like a cell phone with a solar cell on the back] it is a radio and audio player.

It has a built in Spanish audio bible and also receives radio on one station. We are seeking permission to broadcast bible teachings on this frequency in Cuba. But to get this permission may take some time. In all these ministries we are doing a lot of little things but we want to do much more.

NGT - What can the people of North Grenville do to help the poor in Cuba?

JL - First is prayer – we can do nothing without prayer. We also welcome

workers to come and help finish the church building and training institute. We need teachers to come and help train our students and other church workers. We are not looking for money.

But we encourage visitors from Canada. If you come on a religious visa, you can work and minister while you visit. If you come on a tourist visa, you can visit us and see what we are doing. We are looking for churches or individuals who would like to support the very poorest people who we minister to. For instance, we would like to be able to regularly provide a bag of food once a month to very old people who have nothing. This would only cost fifteen Canadian dollars per month.

Another thing is to provide a cooked meal regularly to those who have no food.

This costs only one dollar per person.

NGT - How can our readers reach you for more information?

JL – Please come and visit us in Cuba! It is an open invitation. You can reach me directly by email at pastorlosada@nauta.cu. Or by phone 011-53-5240-4481 Authors Note: The North Grenville Times has also learned that Southgate church has a team visiting

For the love of art

by Hilary Thomson Kyleigh Janpen is a grade 12 student at Saint Michael Catholic High School with a love of cows and art.

For her final project of the year, she is painting some of her favourite cows from her family’s dairy farm. Ella, Persephone, Willow, Babe and Basil are particularly special to her because she trained them to show as part of the 4H Club. “You develop a bond when you work with them all summer,” she says.

“They are my pets.”

February 3, 2016

Kyleigh has been interested in art from an early age. When she was little, she would drive her mother crazy drawing on all the scrap paper around the house.

Her mother finally decided to get her a sketchbook and she has kept one ever since.

Kyleigh’s favourite things to draw are fantasy people and animals. Next year she hopes to attend Sheridan College in Oakville, where they have a world-renowned animation program. “I’ve wanted to go there since grade 8,” Kyleigh says.

Jose Losada and his church in Cuba this winter. You can contact them directly for more information at 613-258-6123.

Jose Losada

3-bedroom or 2 bedroom options available

For Advertising rates please contact Gord at gord@ ngtimes.ca or call 613 258 6402

She is taking a specific course on illustration next semester, in order to build up her portfolio for her college application. “I need to show that I can draw characters from different angles and with different facial expressions,” she explains. “You need to be able to use a simple drawing to tell a story all at once.”

Kyleigh hopes to work some day on animated shorts and children’s tv shows. She would also love to create her own comics and graphic novels. For now, though, she is focusing on finishing the painting of her cows, which will count for 20% of her final grade. She has found drawing her pets more difficult than expected. “It’s hard drawing something you know,” she explains. “You have to draw what you see, rather than what you think you see.”

That’s one of the things that Kyleigh loves the most about art. It helps her look at things from different angles and in a more analytical way. “I get inspired really easily,” she says, smiling.

Serving Eastern Ontario since 2002

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Speech disorder 5. Group of cattle 9. Hoodwink 13. Against 14. Territories 16. Anagram of "Sire" 17. Fraud 18. Luxury boat 19. Chick's sound 20. Periods of discounted prices 22. Store clerk 24. Dwarf buffalo 26. A keyboard instrument 27. Anagram of "Migrate" 30. Warning devices 33. Sacrifice

35. Tranquility 37. 7 in Roman numerals 38. Urgency 41. Directed 42. Banana oil, e.g.

45. Angering 48. Unruffled 51. Tournament 52. Nautical for stop 54. Male deer 55. Pus-filled cavities 59. A drama set to music 62. Hubs 63. Oozes 65. Goad 66. Urarthritis 67. Boredom 68. Its symbol is Pb

Youngsters of Yore, 1:30 pm, Library Program Room. Guest speaker: Alex Akawenzie-Respect for the Old Ones.

Feb 9 Pancake supper, Leslie Hall, St. James Anglican Church. 5-7 pm.

Adult $8, Children 12 and under $5. Pancakes & sausages & beans.

Dessert & tea & coffee.

Feb 9 Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Christ Church Burritts Rapids 4419 Donnelly Drive, 5-7 pm: pancakes, sausages, baked beans, desserts and coffee/tea (juice for young ones). Free will offering.

Feb 9 Meeting for Neon Golf Tournament, fundraiser for the Neon Night Fun Run. Grenville Mutual Insurance 380 Colonnade drive, 7-9 pm.

Volunteers needed to fill various roles on the committee. For more information contact Brenda Burich 613-258-9852.

Feb 9 Oxford Mills Community Association (OMCA) Pancake Supper, 5:30 pm. The Castle Minstrels will be performing their unique blend of traditional Celtic and Canadian old time fiddles tunes, performed on string and wind instruments. The cost is $5 per person.

Feb 12 Valentine Pot Roast supper at Leslie Hall, St. James Anglican Church. Social hour from 5 pm, supper at 6 pm. Tickets $20 (cash bar).

For tickets call 613-258-7049.

Feb 13 Legion Valentine's Day Dinner/Dance. Roast Pork Dinner at 6:30 pm.

Dance 7:30-11:30 pm. Entertainment by "THIS OLD HEART AND THE COUNTRY COMRADES". Advance tickets $25 per person until February 10 or $30 at the door. Tickets from Legion Bar Staff (613-258-5734), Lorena Miller (613-258-9065), or Marilyn Aldus (613-986-1378). Public Welcome.

Feb 14 Sweetheart Brunch in honour of Harry and Sheila Pratt. Enjoy a wonderful brunch and toe-tapping Celtic and Country live music at the NG Municipal Centre, 8:30-1 pm. Tickets available the Scotiabank and at the door. $10 Adults, $5 Children, free for kids under 6. All proceeds go to support local charities and community initiatives. Presented by the Knights of Columbus Council 5333.

Feb 14 Oxford Mills Guides Valentine’s Day Tea, 1-4 pm at St. John's United Church. Come enjoy tea and cookies and watch a history of guiding skit.

All are welcome, goodwill donations welcome in support of their fundraising efforts for their trip to Toronto Zoo and Casa Loma.

Feb 17 Kemptville Horticultural Society, 7:30 pm at the Kemptville Pentecostal Church. Guest Speaker: Tom Bryant from Floral Design Landscaping. Guests are welcome to come & meet fellow gardeners in the Kemptville area & to find our more about the Horticultural Society.

Feb 17 "Listening to your Gut & Keeping it Happy". Free Talk with Coach Carolevents Pillar, R.H.N. 215 Sanders St. Kemptville, 6 Weekly Nutrition and recurring 7:30pm. Hosted by Heather's Healthy Harvest. Please register at 613215-0353 or at wholesumapproach.com/contact.

Mar 11 Legion St Patrick'sGroup Day Party.

Dinner at 6:30 pm.Mutual Entertainment by Tues BNI Networking Breakfast, Grenville Insurance the Kemptville Pipes and Drums, followed at 7:30-11:30 pm. by the Building, 380 Colonnade Drive, 7- 8:30 am. Call 613-918-0430 for more Montreal based Celtic Band "THE KITCHEN PARTY", Advance information. tickets person untilChurch, March 712:15 or $35 the door.

Tickets from Bridge-$30 St. per John’s United pm.at Cost $4. "All levels of Legion Bar Staff (613-258-5734), Lorena Miller (613-258-9065), or bridge players welcome. "Info, contact Sandra at 613-258-2691.

Marilyn Aldus (613-986-1378).

Public Welcome.

The Branch Artisans Guild, North Grenville Community Church, 2659 rd Concession Street every 3 Tuesday, 7 pm. New members welcomed!

Wed NG Photography Club - first Wednesday of every month from 7-9 pm at the Auditorium of the Municipal Centre. Check our website for more information on outings and upcoming events. ngphotoclub.ca Klub 67 Euchre every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, 1:15 pm.

St. John's United Church downstairs. Everyone welcome, $5.00.

Bingo- First and third Wednesday of the month, Kemptville Legion.

Games start at 1 pm. All welcome. Refreshments available.

Klub 67 Euchre every second and fourth Wed. of the month, 1:15 pm, St. John's United Church downstairs. Everyone welcome, $5.00.

Thurs Bridge - St. John’s United Church, 6:45 pm. Cost $5, partner preferred but not necessary. For more info, contact Sandra at 613-258-2691.

North Grenville Toastmasters - Meeting 1st & 3rd Thurs. of the month, 7 pm at O’Farrell’s Financial Services, Cty Rd 44. Info, call 258-7665.

Kemptville Concert Band.7 pm at North Grenville D.H.S. Come join us for a great evening of music. Wind instruments and percussionists of all levels welcome! Contact: dennis843@gmail.com Fri Twice The Fun Games (206 Prescott Street) is your host for Game Night, 6-10 pm, 2nd and 4th Friday every month. Bring your favourite game or borrow one from their library. All ages welcome Sat The Kerith Debt Freedom Centre. Confidential coaches will help you get out of debt and stay out of debt. Free, open on the 2nd and 4th Sat. of the month from 9:30-11:30 at the NG Community Church.

Appointments can be made at kdfc.ca or by calling 613-258-4815 x103.

Kemptville Legion breakfast, 8 - 10 am third Saturday of every month. Adults $5. Children under 12 $3. All welcome.

Sun Twice The Fun Games (206 Prescott Street) selects a game for their "Learn to Play" event. 1-4 pm. No experience needed.

M,W,F Kemptville and Area Walking Group, Municipal Centre - Early birds: 8 am, others 8:30 am. Contact: Eva 258-4487.

Tue-Fri Senior’s Fitness Classes, free of charge, 10-11 am at the Pentecostal Church, Hwy 43 west. Male or female over age 50. Wear running shoes, bring water and light handweights (2-3 lbs) if you have them.

69. Troops 70. Visual organs 71. Makes a mistake DOWN 1. Young girl 2. Ancient Peruvian 3. A cylinder in a cave 4. Salad pepper 5. Fodder 6. Historical periods 7. Summary 8. Showy bloom 9. Express strong disapproval 10. Component of urine 11. Multicolored 12. Catch a glimpse of 15. Pilfer 21. Dirt 23. Break 25. Nursemaid 27. Rend 28. Awry 29. Estimated time of arrival 31. Slacker 32. Display 34. East southeast 36. Jittery 39. Explosive 40. God of love 43. Rapacity 44. Rant 46. Car 47. Wrestle 49. Thigh armor 50. Ancient ascetic 53. Little 55. Aquatic plant 56. Rude person 57. Pond gunk 58. Disgorge 60. Lion sound 61. Contributes 64. Female sib

Feb 4

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

SUDOKU Easy

Medium

Hard

Solution to last week’s Crossword

February 3, 2016

The Voice of North Grenville

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The Voice of North Grenville

CLASSIFIEDS

First 10 words are FREE for North Grenville and Merrickville/Wolford Residents.

Extra Words: 50 cents a word. Email production@ngtimes.ca SERVICES CFSC $ CRFSC Courses and exams Steve Hoy 613.258.6162 2shoy@xplornet.com Weight Loss Coach “I did it... you can too!” Wendy Moore (613)558-4933. Free consultation.

The Plumb”Mur” Plus Bathroom PLUS more. Murray 613.519.5274 nmmuir@gmail. com Eavestrough cleaning, repairs and installation. Free estimate 613.295.0300

PIANO LESSONS for everyone. All styles, all ages. 613 324.0382 www.kemptvillemusic.com SEWING: Weddings to alterations at Stonehouse sewing.

Call Sharon 613 224 3182 Rural Home Care servicesAffordable, personal, professional & experienced care for your loved one. 613.868.0356 FREE DRUM LESSON!!!

Professional drummer offering FREE trial lessons...no obligation! 613 298 5913 www.drumhead.ca

Restore your Health - pain, injuries, digestion, breathing Kemptville 613.799.3315 TheBowenApproach.ca

ONE ON ONE Computer Training: Sigma Computer Systems is now offering 1/2 hour classes on Saturdays. Please call 613.258.9716 for more information

Frame Local!

Country Ways Custom Picture framing 613.322.6484 dam5@bell.net

HANDY MAN specializing in renovations & house staging.

We do it all CALL 613.294.2416

Snowplowing: Residential Driveways Call Robert Leach for estimate 613.222.2292

MESS “S.O.S.!” sarahlystiuk@gmail.com Free monthly articles straight to your inbox!

Dance classes for adults & seniors. Line, Jazz, Tap, Aerobics, Ballroom. The workshop Dance Studio 215 Sanders St. 613.868.9062

You Name It, I Can Sew It. Call Rhonda at 258-5248

House cleaning, interior and exterior, any odd jobs. Free estimate. 613.295.0300

NO TIME TO COOK? We’ll take care of it! Homemade frozen meals; lunch & family sizes, muffins, soups, dessets and more! For more information go to www.lamyriade.ca.

WELLNESS THROUGH NUTRITION Coaching Carol Pillar, R.H.N. Wholesumapproach.com 613.258.7133 Stucco & Parging Services, also specializing in repointing & chinking. Free estimates. cedarrockcontracting@gmail.com 613.818.5187 SNOW REMOVAL: stairs, walkways, small driveways, roofs. Call Al 613.258.3847 or 613.295.0300 Call Cinderella to look after your Alzhiemer or Parkinson loved one 613.859.4644 Lessons piano, guitar, ukulele, group singing and more. Your place or mine.

613.720.3531 Certified Packer can help you prepare for your move. Cinderella 613.859.4644 February 3, 2016

NEED A NEW ROOF? GOT A LEAKY ROOF? Over 15 yrs owner/operator, subcontracting.

Free estimates Work Guaranteed call 613 294 2416 MR & MRS CLEAN residential/ commercial cleaning. Mrandmrsclean613@gmail.com, 613867-2184 HOUSECLEANING- Every working Mother and Father needs a House Wife. Sandi 613-2197277 Fencing and Deck Specialist, Renovations 20 yrs experience Brian 613 215 0805 Property clean-up, trees/brush/yard waste, scrap metal, dump runs, anything removed. Call Wayne Scott at 613 286 9072 Complete Home Property Clean up: house cleaning, dump runs, etc. Call Al’s Clean up services 613.258.3847 613.295.0300 Rock My House music lessons in fiddle, piano, drums and more. 613 258 5656 Handyman/Contractor with years of experience. No job too

big or small. Unlimited references, call for free estimate 613.791.8597

Renovated Ground Floor Office 1,900 sqft, 200 Sanders St. Kemptville 613.795.2389

YOGA for everyone. Wed and Thurs., at YIG. Call 258-9902

Kemptville, 512 Clothier, 2 bedroom apartment in a seniors building, $863 + utilities, no smoking, no pets. 613 294 6819

Cindy’s House Cleaning.

Need help? I’m your gal. Also will walk your dog. Call 613 258 1568.

Language Learning North Grenville classes starting the week of February 15. French (junior/intermediate), Spanish (beginner level 1 & 2) and Inuktitut (language and culture).

Two hours per week for 8 weeks $195 www.alkeventmanagement.ca anne@alkeventmanagement.ca 613.853.8308

2 bdr attached home for rent $1150 includes water, heat & 4 appliances. Call 613 296 5906

WANTED Senior needs old car batteries for making weights. Call 613 258 6254

FOR SALE

SEWING MACHINE for Sale.

Basic Model, Singer Prelude, 1 Bdrm walk up, downtown nearly new $50.00 email Kemptville, fridge & stove incl. tineboyer@gmail. com FOR RENT

$780/mth plus Hydro. Call 2584760

Merrickville 2 storey, non smoking, recently renovated 1 bedroom apartment + loft, 2 bathrooms, hardwood floors.

5 appliances. Electric wall & baseboard heaters. Dedicated water & electric meters. 1 parking space. 613.608.6033 Merrickville Ground Floor, non smoking, recently renovated 1 bedroom apartment, hardwood floors. 4 appliances.

Electric wall heaters. Dedicated water & electric meters. 1 parking space 613.608.6033 Furnished Room For Rent in Oxford Mills, $650 a month. Call 613.294.7420 Commercial warehouse (up to 6,000 Sq Ft, will divide) and office (500 Sq Ft) to rent/ lease. 18 ft ceilings, column free area, 14 ft overhead doors and mandoors, heat available.

Kemptville Colonnade area. Call 613.258.1133 or 613.229.0566 Room for rent in downtown Kemptville within walking distance of all amenities. Heat, hydro, internet incl. $500. Call 618 878 4738.

Commercial space for rent 513-b Prescott St. All Inclusive $750/month, Available Oct. 1 613.794.3551 Old Town Kemptville 28 Clothier St. Commercial retail space 650 sq. ft. avail Oct 1st 613.295.0552

13

Nordic wood stove, used one season, good for small area.

Asking $550. 258.1246 Electric wheel chair, Model stormtdx4 invacare. In good running order. $400.

613.258.6254 2011 John Deer Tractor JD 2720 Tractor, JD 46 Backhoe with 16 & 9 buckets, JD 200CX front end loader. Used only 123 hours for personal landscaping, no winters. Asking $27,500.00 or OBO. 613.215.0674 Quality Grass Horse Hay 4x5 rounds Jon 613.227.3650 5 PC. PEAVEY DRUM SET w/highhat $350.00 O.B.O 613.808.4725 613.258.6413 Firewood-Hardwood cut, split and delivered, $100/cord, Min. 3 chords. Call Peter at 258-5504 or 613-913-0810 Firewood-Mixed hardwood $100 per cord delivered. Call Charlie at 613-989-2768.

Firewood-Mixed hardwood $100 per cord delivered. Call John at 613-227-3650

Suicide Bereavement Support Group Beth Donovan Hospice is offering a support group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. This group will provide members an opportunity to share their grief in a safe and supportive environment, as well as to receive information regarding suicide loss and ways of coping.

Weekly sessions will begin Wednesday, March 9, from 3-5 pm, and will run for eight weeks. The group will be limited to eight participants, and pre-registration is required. This group will be facilitated by our grief counsellor, Erika Deschiffart.

For more information or to RSVP please contact the Hospice at 613-258-9611 ext. 6 or counselling@bethdonovan.ca.

There is no charge for our services. Donations are encouraged and greatly appreciated.

Little League District 7 news

by Lyn O'Callaghan On January 27, members of the Kemptville Wildcats Executive attended a District 7 meeting. Topics covered in the meeting were Coaches Clinics, House League, Travel Ball and Umpires.

What is Travel Ball? Baseball players from Minor to Senior will have the opportunity to play on competitive travelling teams from the start of the season along with playing on house league teams.

These teams will give our more competitive players the opportunity to play exhibition games and tournaments against other Travel Ball teams from Ottawa, Montreal and surrounding areas. These teams are separate from The All Star teams which participate in District and Provincial play downs. Also discussed was that District 7 would like to assemble combined District All Star teams to be more competitive at the Provincial level. For more information on house league or travel ball contact Warren O'Callaghan at vpkemptvillewildcats@ gmail.com Coach’s clinics are in

the works. District members expressed interest in sending Club coaches to a superb Coaching clinic to be held in April. The location will be in Ottawa. Coaches Clinics will help to give volunteers the support, resources and training needed to make sure all players have a great year.

Details will be announced shortly.

Little League includes Coach Pitch house league and All Star Teams. At the District meeting both Cornwall and KWBSC representatives agreed to work together to build the Coach Pitch programs in District 7. KWBSC Director of Player Development Brian Colbourne is committed to Coach Pitch house league teams playing their best as well as having an All Star Coach Pitch Team starting in May for the Wildcats' young members.

Registration continues for the Wildcats. Early Bird discount will end February 29.

Please visit the Kemptville Wildcats website or Facebook page for updates.

Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page and web site for news updates and video reports on events and issues around North Grenville and MerrickvilleWolford. www.ngtimes.ca

HELP WANTED Experienced Roofer needed, for spring, must have own equipment and truck Please Call or text 613-8945210”

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The Voice of North Grenville

Life in Canada

by PeterJohnson What was that sound?

Did you notice it? I think it was the noise made by January as it slammed the door behind itself, on the way out and into history, never to be seen again. So, one twelfth of 2016 is done, or about 8%.

It won't be long now before we'll be pulling on the sandals, digging out our shorts and putting away our snow shovels. Ha! Yeah, right.

Greetings North Gremlins.

Don't let anyone fool ya; this is Canada, and winter has a way of holding on much longer than we might wish.

Imagine how it must feel to those newly arrived to our country, from much warmer climes, the ones who are fleeing the horrors of what is left of their devastated country.

The adjustments must be huge. Weather, geography, hearing people constantly saying: 'Sorry', or 'Eh?', or the baffling, 'Cold enough for ya?'

Our language must be a big challenge. How we use it must make that challenge bigger. Since English will borrow, steal, usurp and acquire from any and all available sources, it is, therefore, a polyglot of words, phrases, expressions and myster-

ies. Put it in the mouths of Boomers, who are eternally searching for 'truth' and the challenges could be simply immense.

To illustrate my point, let me reconstruct a hypothetical scenario where a series of questions are posed by some elderly, mostly-male, babyboomers who, like many of their ilk, wile away their mornings, holding deeply philosophical discussions at coffee shops across this wonderful land—a small slice of 'Life In Canada' One of these gentlemen asks: 'Is it good if a vacuum sucks? And, why is the third hand on a watch called the second hand?' Well, he had everyone there. It was the first time he had been heard asking a question about anything other than hockey scores, the perplexing state of noisy, new libraries, or the rising cost of whatever.

But this was enough to start the avalanche of queries, and next up was: 'If a word is misspelled in a dictionary, how would anyone know? And, if Samuel Johnston wrote the first dictionary, where did he find the words?' Well that really stunned them. This from a guy whose conversational range began and ended by calling out someone's first

name. The snowball kept rolling.

'Right', said another, 'and which of you wise guys can tell me why it's called a tug-boat, when it pushes a barge'? And furthermore, doesn't expecting the unexpected make the unexpected expected'? That caused quite a long period of silence. The same amount of time as when their wives would ask: 'What movie would you like to go to, Dear?', or, 'Do you notice anything different about me?'

When the fog had cleared, the poser of hockey questions sprang back to life and asked: 'If work is so great, how come they have to pay you to do it?' This from a guy living very comfortably on his government pension.

And, being a former manager, he asked the other retired federal employee at the table: 'Why do overlook and oversee mean the opposite?' (the federal employee didn't answer: he had spent most of his working life discouraging any and all from speaking to him. He especially didn't like questions directed his way).

If there were any of the newly-arrived within earshot, their wonder at the complexities of English and the oddities - those who used it- was surely increased.

The Shakespearean

scholar in the group wanted to know: 'If all the world is a stage, where does the audience sit? And how come abbreviated is such a long word? And, isn't it kinda cruel to put an 's' in lisp?'

Things were going downhill in a hurry.

The traveller in the group piped up: 'I have always wondered why we put suits in garment bags but garments go in suitcases, and how come abbreviated is such a long word?' (In this group it's not hard to spot the ones who have a short attention span).

Now, there is one in this unique group who always waited until it looked like the flow of serious, and sometimes intellectual, thought was waning; then he would pipe up. Often, he had to speak in hushed tones, so others, those outside of this coven-of-the-elderly, would not hear his sometimes offcolour remarks. He asked: 'If love is blind, how come lingerie is so popular?' Well, that really got everyone's attention, so he added: 'Why is bra singular, yet panties is plural?' The geezers were titillated with that one.

There were looks of serious consternation over that grammatical/numerical mystery. Any mention of 'unmentionables' never failed

New rules for pedestrian and school crossings As of January 1, 2016 the Province of Ontario has adopted a new law to ensure pedestrians crossing roads are safe. The new law states that vehicles must yield the right of way to pedestrians as they cross the whole roadway.

“These rules apply at pedestrian crossovers identified with specific signs, road markings and lights – the new rules do not apply to pedestrian crosswalks at intersections with stop signs or traffic signals, unless a school crossing guard is present.”

Pedestrians should remember the following when crossing roads: • Cross only at a cross walk and when it is safe to do so.

• Don’t cross when the light is red or when the do no cross sign is flashing.

• It is safer to cross when the light first turns green.

• Be cognitive of what is going on around you and don’t walk “distracted” • Drivers should always: • Watch for children and be cautious during the times children are walking to and from school as well as take extra time when traveling in and around school zones.

• Be patient as some people may require extra time when crossing roads.

• Slow down pay attention and don’t drive distracted.

Fines for drivers that commit offences at school or pedestrian crosswalks range from $150 to $500 as well as 3 demerit points.

Together we all can make area roadways safe.

to get their attention, keeping them focussed for a few moments, before they forgot what the question was. The non-academic meeting broke up when the chairman of the group, in an odd and failed attempt to sum up everything asked, 'Why do they call it a TV set, when there's only one?'

This reminded the group that there were some reruns of cooking shows that were airing later that afternoon and that they had to get in a nap

before settling in to watch them. Proper preparation is paramount.

Meanwhile, in the normal world, those struggling to learn this difficult, everchanging language, decided to stay well away from coffee shops because it was just generally very confusing. And strange. They had enough to contend with, without adding to the mysteries, and oddities, of Life in Canada.

Habitat for Humanity’s New Kemptville location is accepting donations of new and gently used appliances, furniture, tools, building supplies and other items for the home.

Open for donations Feb. 8th thru to the 12th from 8:30 to 4:00 pm To see what we accept check us at www.Habitat1000islands.net Open for sales Feb. 16th from 8:30 to 5:00 pm Look for our sign on 3 Industrial Road,Unit 4 at the Junction of Hwys. 43 and 22.

Phone 613-258-4103.

Facing a crossroads?

What got you here, isn’t helping you forward?

Time to change that. Coaching can help.

Weight & health More meaning & authenticity Life change /balance Job re-direction

?

Moveforwardnow.ca /613-258-4866

For Advertising rates please contact Peter at peter@ngtimes.ca or call 613 989 2850

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

18th Annual North Grenville Community

SUNDAY

SWEETHEART

SUNDAY SUNDAY

BRUNCH

2016

Presented by Knights of Columbus

North Grenville Municipal Centre

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT 8:30AM - 12:30PM 285 County Road 44, Kemptville

Honouring Harry and Sheila Pratt Under 6 FREE

Adults $10

Children 6­11 $5

Tickets

Cash Draw!

at the door or at

"Celebrate Our Community Working Together" All proceeds will go to support our local charities and community initiatives

300 Colonnade Drive, Kemptville 613.258.5961 Scotiabank will match all onsite ticket sales with a donation

Holy Cross Council 5333

Knights of Columbus

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TIMES February 3, 2016

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

The New, Old Way

by Deron Johnston Rather than wait for a bunch of money to ride into town to kickstart local job creation, fill empty storefronts, fill empty buildings at Kemptville College and stimulate the local economy in North Grenville, there’s a way for residents to do it themselves. Craft breweries, cheese factories, credit unions, farmers’ markets and even that downtown Kemptville women’s clothing store that women keep hoping for, are all possible through the creation of local co-ops.

Co-ops are community businesses that are formed to seize local opportunities, or respond to local challenges, and are owned by the members who are also typically the customers of the business. The more money that the members spend at the co-op business, the more profitable the co-op becomes.

Each member of a co-op is entitled to one vote, regardless of level of investment.

No single member can take control of a co-operative, and decisions are made by the majority, based on the idea that members ultimately know what is best for them. The members elect the Board of Directors and choose what to

do with the profits, including things like: sharing the profits among members, re-investing it into the co-op to build cash reserves, purchasing new assets, or hiring more employees, to name just a few.

According to the Ontario Co-operative Association website, there are some stats to consider when looking at a co-operative as an option when starting a business. There are approximately 1,300 co-ops currently in Ontario, and there are twice as many co-ops still in business after ten years than any other type of business enterprise.

Co-ops operate in more than 90 countries and employ over 100 million people around the world. In Ontario alone, in 2010, co-ops directly accounted for almost $1.5 billion in income and the equivalent of over 22,000 full-time jobs for Ontarians. Co-ops in Ontario also generated $1.3 billion in tax revenue for government services. In 2010, eighteen retail co-ops earned more than $333 million in revenue, eighteen insurance and investment co-ops earned revenues of almost $2.9 billion and twenty two agriculture, forestry and fishing co-ops brought in revenues of $456 million.

If you were to hop in the

INCHESTER PRINT & STATIONERY

car and take a 45 minute drive east to the town of Embrun, you’d get an idea of what would be possible through the creation of co-ops. Embrun has an agricultural co-op that owns a large, full service ‘Independent’ (Loblaws) grocery store franchise, a Rona building supply store, a gas bar, a car wash and a car repair garage, among other agricultural holdings. Area residents can buy a share for only $100 and may even apply for credit to make purchases at any of the co-op businesses.

London Brewing is a successful beer brewing co-op in Southwestern Ontario and were the first workers’ cooperative brewery outside of Quebec. They wanted to open an employees’ co-op because they wanted employees to have meaningful work and the co-op allows employees to be rewarded for that meaningful work through profit-sharing.

They also wanted employees to have an equal say in the direction and operation of the brewery. Visit their website at www.londonbrewing.ca.

The Empire Cheese and Butter co-op located just outside of Campbellford, Ontario has been around for over 135 years and is owned by local dairy farmers who supply the milk to make the cheese

and butter products. Known for their trademark cheese curds, they supply cheese and butter products to stores all over Eastern and Central Ontario, including locally at B&H. To find out more visit www.empirecheese.ca.

With successful examples such as these, it’s not hard to believe that a communitybased co-op is not only possible in North Grenville, but it might be the best solution for bringing in some of the types of businesses that people seem to want. No matter what type of business you’re thinking of, co-ops are a viable alternative to the traditional forms of doing business. Why wait for the money to ride into town, when we have all that we need here already? Why not start a business that many people could benefit from, rather than one that only a few will?

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Submit to production@ ngtimes.ca.

Email must include name, address and phone #.

Must be related to North Grenville/Merrickville

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