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February 8, 2024

Vol. 12 No. 5

Sweetheart time again

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by David Shanahan The 2024 Sweetheart Brunch is taking place at the Municipal Centre this Sunday from 8.30 to 12.30. As always, the Brunch is presented by the Knights of Columbus Kemptville 5333 Council and co-hosts, the Municipality of North Grenville. The more than one hundred volunteers working to put on the Sweetheart Brunch are a tremendous example of what our community is all about. The Sweetheart Brunch is a tradition that started over two decades ago. It was originally held at the Holy Cross Church, but as the event grew, larger venues were sought. These included the Holy Cross School gymnasium, St. Michael’s

Catholic High School, and ﬁnally, the North Grenville Municipal Centre where the event is now held. Like most events of its magnitude, the Sweetheart Brunch was built from the ground up into what it is today. After missing out for two years during the pandemic, the Brunch came back last year with a very successful event. The Sweetheart Brunch has been associated over the years with many local residents who have since left us, but their legacy lives on in this social, fun, entertaining get together of the people of North Grenville and the surrounding area. This is the 24th year of the Brunch, and ticket sales and other donations go towards the work of

the Knights throughout the year, as they help to support so many local charities and community campaigns. This year, some of those being supported by the Brunch are the KDH Foundation CT Scanner, Beth Donovan Hospice, Leeds & Grenville Interval House, Kemptville Seniors' Community Services, North Grenville Community Living and more. Tickets for the Brunch are $10 for Adults, $5 for children 6 – 11 years, and under 6 are free. Admission includes a delicious smorgasbord of hot food and continental choices; exciting live musical entertainment; a draw for cash prizes and a fabulous opportunity to support those many local charities. For the second

Fall in

year, take-out will be available will oﬀer take-out again this year, to encourage those who might be afraid of large gatherings, or too busy for dine in. It’s a great option for shut ins and those with mobility issues. The Sweetheart Brunch is made possible by many generous local sponsors and supporters, and tickets can be purchased at Brewed Awakenings, B & H Grocer, Royal Lepage Team Realty, or at Holy Cross Church after the weekend Masses. Tickets can also be purchased at the door on the day. The Brunch is only one activity by the Knights of Columbus in our community. For the Kemptville Knights of Columbus, charity means supporting a virtually boundless variety of projects including their Food Bank and the Christmas Hamper Program; Kemptville Home Support; Beth Donovan Hospice; Coats for Kids Program; and so much more. As their motto says, they believe in “Serving North Grenville and beyond”. For further information, contact Anne Leach at anne.j.leach@gmail.com. Donations with receipt provided can be made via the Ottawa Community Foundation. w w w. c a n a d a h e l p s . org/en/pages/sweetheartbrunch-2024.

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Lynn Miles Live in Buskerfest returns to Kemptville in May Concert Saturday, May 18, 2024, open to pedestrians, let- festival: "North Gren-

by Deron Johnston, Old Town Kemptville BIA Brace yourselves for an electrifying event that will ignite your spirit and make your heart beat to the rhythm of pure excitement! We are thrilled to unveil the oﬃcial date for the 2024 Kemptville Buskerfest; get ready to experience the magic on

during the May Long Weekend. Last year, the 2023 Kemptville Buskerfest Presented by Urbandale Construction welcomed over 3,500 attendees coming all the way from Toronto, Montreal, and the greater Ottawa valley! The 2024 Kemptville Buskerfest Presented by Urbandale Construction promises to be an even more extravagant spectacle, featuring a diverse lineup of street performers, musicians, artisans, and delectable food vendors. Prescott St. will be

ting people of all ages experience Downtown Kemptville in a carnival-like atmosphere with a wide array of performances, surprises, and live entertainment. We are proud to call Kemptville’s historic downtown our home - with local shops, restaurants, and greenspace to explore as you stroll the festival grounds. We invite anyone interested in visiting to keep planning simple: come with an open mind and an open schedule, and just wander! Mayor Peckford welcomed the return of the

ville’s Buskerfest is a one-of-a-kind, signature, made-in-Kemptville event - a free, family-fun street festival that takes place in the heart of downtown with easy, centralized access for North Grenville’s surrounding heritage rural hamlets. We are so proud to host such a fun, vibrant, and joyfully noisy celebration of the arts, culture, heritage and character of our community and hope everyone comes out again this year to enjoy this colourful day!" We’re excited to have our local talent take center stage, showcasing the incredible artists who call our community home with the return of Kemptville’s Got Talent, the area’s top talent show. Learn more and get involved by following #KGT2024. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram accounts (@KemptvilleBuskerfest) for exciting announcements and sneak peeks, including the lineup of phenomenal street performers, the mouth-watering food vendors, and the local talent that will steal the show. Mark May 18, 2024, on your calendar, and get ready for a day ﬁlled with jaw-dropping entertainment. For more information, to get involved, or to explore sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.kemptvillebuskerfest.ca or contact either Deron Johnston at bia@ northgrenville.on.ca, or Megan McDonald, Kemptville Buskerfest, at megan@ameliam.co.

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Saturday, February 17, 2024 Showtime: 7:30 pm Burritts Rapids Community Hall Tickets: www.bluemoonlive.ca Blue Moon Live is thrilled to present celebrated singer/ songwriter Lynn Miles live in concert in the cozy and intimate setting of the Burritts Rapids Community Hall. Lynn Miles ﬁrst rose to fame in Ottawa in the 1980s while working at the Ottawa Folklore Centre. She has since released 15 albums and been acclaimed around the world. Lynn won a Juno award in 2003 for Roots Traditional Album of the year, and went on to be nominated in the same categories in 2006 and 2011. She is also the recipient of six Canadian Folk Music Awards including 3 for songwriter of the year. The New York Times wrote that "Lynn Miles brings an otherworldly purity to her tales of love gone wrong... she makes forlorn feel like a state of grace." And here's what reviewer James Diaz had to say: "The music of Lynn Miles is truly one of a kind. Not only is she one of Canada's best singer-songwriters, she's one of the best, period. Folk music has many voices but hers is a voice that stands out, it's a voice that knows the ways and long twisting back roads of the world, a voice that has lived and conveys that living through every song. It's a voice we all know. It sings of love, loss, coping, travel, sense of place and purpose, broken promises, what gets us through, what doesn't, how we defy the odds, making a perfectly beautiful human mess of things along the way." Don't miss this opportunity to hear local legend Lynn Miles live in concert. Doors open at 7pm. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door (cash only) but advance tickets are highly recommended.

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TIMES MELISSA OTTENHOF Marketing Consultant

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Phone:613 329 0209 Email: melissa@ngtimes.ca www.ngtimes.ca

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Youth Film Festival offers great rewards MyView Youth Film Festival is ready to launch for 2024. Kemptville’s McGahey Insurance and Grenville Mutual Insurance have again teamed up to provide the $1,000 Grand Prize. There are two new categories this year, a $500 prize for best original music, sponsored by Jamming Around Man Productions, and a special $500 YMCA of Eastern Ontario Award. EXIT Realty Eastern Ontario is again sponsoring a $750 prize for the best “I Love My Community” film. This creative film-making contest is open to all youth, ages 10-24, that live, work, or play in Eastern Ontario (see www.myviewfilmfest.ca for list of eligible counties). Other exciting news for 2024 is a partnership with the YMCA of Eastern Ontario and expansion west to Kingston and Napanee. The local Public Health Units in Kingston and Eastern Ontario have also joined the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit to help promote this opportunity to area youth. Young people are encouraged to pick up their phones or cameras and make a short video that celebrates something in their life or community; shows a solution to a problem, or showcases their opinion! Thanks to McGahey Insurance, Grenville Mutual Insurance,

February 8, 2024

Exit Realty Eastern Ontario, Jamming Around Man Productions, YMCA of Eastern Ontario, and YourTV for donating great prizes to the winners in the following categories: - Best Overall Video $1000 - I Love My Community - $750 - Best Original Music $500 - YMCA Award - $500 - Age Category Prizes (10-13; 14-17; 18-24) The deadline for video submission is May 1, and youth can submit multiple films individually or as a group. Encourage young people you know to get out into their communities to look for inspiration. There is no shortage of interesting topics to explore. Past winners have addressed a variety of topics, from mental well-being and body image, to the cost of post-secondary education, and everything in between. Wendy Embleton, from Exit Realty, had this to say about last year’s I Love My Community winners: “They engaged with business owners, the Fire Chief, showcased their school, and had fun. Parents may get to choose their home town, but it is wonderful when young people highlight how they appreciate their community. We look forward to seeing the entries for 2024!”

Judging criteria heavily favours the content of the videos over the production elements, in hopes of encouraging all eligible youth, regardless of their level of experience in film making and production, to participate and share their stories. Emma Yakimovich, 2023 Grand Prize Winner for her film You’re Not Alone, said recently, “I loved filming, editing, being on the red carpet, and seeing the films the other kids made.” For more information on contest rules or judging criteria, or to see past year’s submissions and winners, visit us on facebook @ myviewfilmfest, check out www.myviewfilmfest. ca, or email info@myviewfilmfest.ca.

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Editorial

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Don’t fence me in by David Shanahan

Now, I’m saying nothing. This is just speculation built on conjecture founded on rumour and, yes, a few interesting hints from various sources. But I’m just saying. You may remember way back in the Before Times, when the word pandemic meant little or nothing to any of us, the Doug Ford government dropped a bombshell on this fine community that they intended to build a kind of facility, which they didn’t call a prison, but it would have doors that locked only from the outside. There followed a long series of gatherings, “consultations”, babies in various bath tubs in fear of being unceremoniously thrown out, not to mention claims and counter claims, allegations, and accusations,

and obfuscations, and confrontations with implications. It was a time of tribulations. Well, the story is, it seems, not that I’m saying anything, that the whole idea may be dropped, that the decision has already been considered positively to forget the whole thing. And, if so, there are a number of reasons for so doing. One major consideration on the part of the government is that the world has changed since the pandemic. First of all, they found that, in order to allow social distancing (remember that concept?) In prisons, they were able to release a third of remand prisoners into the community without causing a major crime wave. “Perhaps”, they thought, “we really don’t need as many rooms that only lock from the outside after all?” Then, as many people in the construction in-

building on green fields. Given the rather sensitive souls supervising our society, yet another story in the provincial and national media containing the words “green fields”, “Doug Ford”, “building on agricultural land”, and “Steve Clark”, would not necessarily be welcome to a party before another election. I’m just saying. What might be the state of mind of the Solicitor General and the Premier these days on the topic of a “facility” in North Grenville? Well, of course, there is a different Sol Gen (as they so cutely refer to themselves) in place than the one who caused the kerfuffle a few years ago, so that may make it less embarrassing to change their minds. Perhaps their hope is that everyone will just quietly forget about the whole thing if given enough time. People do forget quite easily when a topic

dustry, or trying to buy a house, or find an electrician, discovered, the price of everything they needed had exploded. Everything cost a great deal more than it used to, a significant change in the estimated cost of building a “facility”, even if you already owned the land. Furthermore, because of the quiet, but very effective behind the scenes contributions of our mayor and council colleagues (as they rather cutely refer to themselves), the Ford regime were faced with a large bill to cover infrastructure costs that may, or may not, be generated by their project. Those costs, too, went through the roof (not to mention the costs of finding a roof in the first place). One other fascinating factor that focused feelings forcefully was the infamous episode of the Green Belt, Steve Clark, and the province

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is not kept in front of their minds, so that would work well, if not for one thing. Some people are clearly quite committed to not forgetting the whole thing, and making sure no-one else forgets either. There is a Judicial Review going on, and that may be a problem, you would think, for the Ford government. However, it may, in fact, work to their benefit. They have the legal eagles on staﬀ, as well as an endless supply of our tax money to fund the thing, so the longer it takes, the less people will pay attention, aside from those few residents paying their share of the costs. Even if Ford & Co. get bad Reviews for their performance, there’s always appeals to ﬁll the months ahead. And if they have already decided that the entire production isn’t worth the bad reviews,

they may resign themselves and, as Longfellow wrote about some Arabs one time, turn their backs on “the cares, that infest the day, shall fold their tents, like the Arabs, and as silently steal away”. “Silently” being the key word here. But all of this is possibly misinformed speculation, and the hints and rumours that may be out there may simply be, to throw in another classical quote, “sound and fury, signifying nothing”. It may be that when the government transfers the excess lands on the site to the Municipality, they then proceed to proceed and all of this becomes just vanity of vanities and trying to catch the wind. In the end, to CAPP it oﬀ, Ford may simply tell his opponents to JOG oﬀ. Mind you, I’m saying nothing.

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Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, I am writing to ask, considering it has not already been covered, writing a story about how the Garbage Collection Calendar should be improved. We moved to Kemptville four years ago and still we do not have it straight. The municipality has taken something so simple and made it so convoluted. It has 3/4 of my neighbours guessing each week as well. It becomes the domino effect, with someone placing the wrong item, and it spirals that everyone follows suit. I do not know why, as I get older, I can't remember the week before. So my resource is the Garbage Collection Calendar on the Municipality’s website. OMG, you have to find your Zone, zoom in, read the ﬁne print, then go to a weekly calendar that talks about Fiber and Plastics, and I have yet to notice when "Garbage" is collected... it indicates " every other week"?? Who thought of this process? My simple mind just needs clear instruction. How about the simplest method like the City of Ottawa ... just enter your municipal address and it tells you... I guess it takes all the mystery and fun out of it. February 8, 2024

You ask anyone in Grenville about the calendar and they laugh. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, A confused citizen Dear Editor, A short while ago, CAPP and JOG, the two groups representing our community ﬁghting the decision to build a 235-bed jail facility here in Kemptville, won a court case against the Ford government when it tried to dismiss the judicial review application challenging the process it used to build the jail here. The case now gets decided by a judicial panel, but unhappy about the two groups' more recent attempt to get more information about the province' decision to build here, the Ford government is now trying to bankrupt the group by sending them an invoice for $15,000 to cover their legal costs, in contravention of a previous agreement that neither group would do that. This jail site didn't meet several of the criteria laid out by the government. We don't have a public transit system, neither do we have a courthouse, (that is now aﬀordable housing), neither do we have any counselling services for the inmates.

When looking to replace the Ottawa Correctional Center, which initially, was meant to be at a single location, rather than the 3 locations now currently proposed, the consultant for the Solicitor General's office specifically stated that the Kemptville location was not suitable. The Solicitor General's office then changed the search criteria to be along highway 416 and changed the distance from the OCC to the potential site to 70 km., from 40 km. Why south? You could be forgiven for wondering why they didn't choose any of the other 3 directions that were available. You could also wonder if the then Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing might have had something to do with that, having already had another such facility being built in his riding. So, after all the work done on the old plan, they changed course completely, and tossed it out. Your tax dollars at work. After all this time, Ford, ex-minister Steve Clark, the Solicitor General, and Infrastructure Ontario have stonewalled any attempts to get the information that was promised in "an open and fair" process. Freedom of Information requests have largely been ignored. Steve Clark has consistently 4

dodged any attempts to discuss this proposal with the community. Even our own North Grenville Municipal Council has been exactly nowhere on this, not even questioning why they chose Kemptville, when there was so much of the Ford governments own criteria not met. All they did at the time was to parrot the provincial governments own rosy picture of the economic value of having this facility here, and which they said will be at no cost to the taxpayer. Both statements have been thoroughly debunked. So here we are today, with the community facing the cost of another court case, and a very real threat of essentially being fined for having the temerity to point out not only the ﬂaws in the process, but the complete lack of any "fair and open" dialogue promised, and asking why Kemptville was chosen, when the site didn't meet the governments criteria. This is all just another example of the Ford government just doing whatever it wants to do, with all the accompanying skullduggeries. You must wonder if it has any moral or ethical compass. Colin Creasey, Kemptville

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Ontario funding more primary care teams by David Shanahan One of the more persistent complaints you’ll hear across this province, and certainly in this municipality, is that many people find it impossible to find a family doctor. Long waiting lists leave individuals and families scrambling to find health care outside of hospital emergency rooms or drop-in clinics. Many municipalities have resorted to offering large financial incentives to doctors to settle in their communities, and lengthy waiting times in hospitals add to the worry and potentially negative health outcomes of too many. The Ontario government has announced that it is investing $110 million to connect up to 328,000 people to primary care teams, an important, though small step in finding such care for the 1.3 million people in Ontario still without that advantage. According to the Government’s announcement, it “is making a record investment of $90 million to add over 400 new primary care providers as part of 78 new and expanded interprofessional primary care teams. In addition to other historic investments to expand medical school spots and efforts to break down barriers so highly-skilled internationally-trained doctors can care for people in

Don’t believe everything you see: Ontario, Ministry of Health SPOT fake news modelling shows that these initiatives will help connect up to 98 per cent of people in Ontario to primary care in the next several years”. The kind of teams referred to in the statement, interprofessional primary care teams, connect people to a range of health professionals that work together under one roof, including doctors, nurse practitioners, registered and practical nurses, physiotherapists, social workers and dietitians, among others. It is understood among medical professionals that access to such primary care means faster diagnosis and treatment, which has a major impact on long term health and helps to ease the pressure on hospital emergency rooms. The importance of family doctors was underlined by Dr. Andrew Park, Ontario Medical Association [OMA] President: “Family doctors are the foundation of our health-care system. Every Ontarian, no matter where they live, should have access to a doctor and a well-co-ordinated health-care team supporting them when and where they need it. This is an important step towards that goal.” The extra funding was welcomed by both the OMA, the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, the

from News Media Canada Fake news and disinformation online are serious concerns for Canadians. Learn how to SPOT fake news and stop it in its tracks. Together we can SPOT—and stop—fake news in its tracks. Fake news comes in many diﬀerent formats, from distorted stories to altered photos and manipulated videos. If you have any doubt that something you see online may be factually incorrect, don’t spread it. SPOT it and stop it in 4 simple steps. To help Canadians of all ages critically assess online news and information, and diﬀerentiate fake news from real news, News Media Canada developed a simple media literacy tool. It all starts with a simple question: Is this a credible SOURCE? Check the source of the article—and be skeptical. Your social networks are not media outlets—look for the original source and learn who they are and what they do.

Ontario Hospital Association, the Ontario College of Family Physicians, and other medical bodies in Ontario. A statement from local MPP Steve Clark noted that in Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, “funding will allow the Upper Canada Family Health Team to connect up to 6,600 people to primary care. Programs and services include comprehensive primary care, mental health services, chronic disease management and prevention, and care coordination”. The Upper Canada Family Health Team and Brockville General Hospital will be at the centre of the new scheme there. There was no mention of funding for North Grenville as yet.

Report highlights environmental concerns in Rideau Watershed

from the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority A new detailed analysis from the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) has found many parts of the Rideau River Watershed are changing fast – and not always with positive results. The RVCA’s 193-page Watershed Conditions Report is the first of its kind in more than 50 years. It compiles recent and historical monitoring data to assess trends regarding surface and ground water quality, aquatic ecosystem health, hydrological function, natural hazard risks and the status of critical green infrastructure such as wetlands, forests and natural shorelines. The analysis found several concerning trends, including a continuing steep decline in large woodland patches, increasing chloride levels in our urban streams, and large shifts in surface water flow patterns linked to increased development and loss of wetlands. The report also identifies knowledge gaps for natural hazard risks such as flooding, erosion and landslides in some parts of the watershed, as well as gaps in robust groundwater quality monitoring in rural communities where private wells are the most common source of drinking water. “This document will provide invaluable insights for the RVCA and its partners as we continue to strive for balance between conserving our natural resources and helping build safe and thriving communities,” said RVCA General Manager Sommer CasgrainRobertson. “The issues identified here do not come as a surprise, but now we have data and analysis that will allow us to take targeted action and make measurable improvements for the benefit of all.” Completion of the conditions report is the first step in the development of a Watershed Management Strategy, which aims to identify areas of concern and then create a strategy to address them. This process will include public consultation later in 2024. “We look forward to partnering with First Nations, our member municipalities, partners, stakeholders and the public to develop a strategy that promotes prosperity and health for the entire watershed for generations to come,” Ms. Casgrain-Robertson said. The complete Watershed Conditions Report can be accessed online at www.rvca.ca/ conditions-report. To learn more about the conditions report or to receive notifications about upcoming public consultation proceedings, contact info@rvca.ca. 5 February 8, 2024

www.northgrenville.ca What’s going on? See our events calendar: www.northgrenville.ca/events Stay informed! Council Meetings: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings Need to see us? Municipal office hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 285 County Road 44, Kemptville Need to reach us? Contact us: Call 613-258-9569 or email: general@northgrenville.on.ca Need additional information? Visit us:

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Op-ed

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Blood Services anywhere else. But this is the Force. The British Army was of seeing a United Ireland. expand the range of by David Shanahan North, as we always called not far behind in maintaining Emma Little-Pengelly is it, a place that was estab- the fear and the death rate. a Unionist taking second The obvious title for this lished a hundred years ago Then, The Good Friday place, with the aim of main- donors

Girls from the north country piece was “The Times They Are a-Changin’”, but this needs something beyond cliché. Last Saturday, I watched a meeting taking place that has changed a nation’s history and future. And this time, it’s not a war, a disaster, a killing; it’s actually the opposite. These days, it is increasingly difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel, because everywhere you look it seems that things are becoming darker, more bleak and threatening. I know I’ve written too many articles in this newspaper that reflect that point of view. But now, after my lifetime of hoping and wondering and fearing for the worst, I’ve seen traditional enemies, bitter, bitter, enemies, finally join together to make things better. In a large and impressive building called Stormont, just outside Belfast in Northern Ireland, the representatives of the people, elected two years ago, formed a government. That may seem like a normal and common occurance, and it might be

to guarantee that one side of the community would always have the upper hand over the other. The very building itself was a symbol of oppression, with in-built systemic discrimination and violence. I grew up as a young man and adult watching news reports of bombs, murder and mayhem. I spent time in Belfast in the 1970's and saw ﬁrsthand the eﬀects of car bombs, having armed soldiers using me as a shield at night for fear of an ambush. I remember the hatred and truly evil words and deeds of people who saw others as existential threats. In thirty years, more than 3,000 people died violent deaths by bullet, bomb and starvation. It was always portrayed as Catholic versus Protestant, but that was misleading. No-one was fighting over dogma, doctrine was not the issue: politics and identity was. Of all the sectors of the community, the two really bitter and violent were the Provisional IRA and the Ulster Volunteer

Agreement changed things, and elections began to take the place of gunﬁre, slowly at first, and not without considerable soul-searching. Sinn Féin, the political wing of the IRA, entered the political arena, and the most extreme Unionist party, the Democratic Unionist Party, campaigned against... well everything: the Agreement, later Brexit, and any cooperation with Sinn Féin. To make matters more worrying, those two parties gradually became the biggest on either side. It is hard to describe the incredible potential, for good and bad, that existed in Northern Ireland since 1998. But last Saturday, Sinn Féin leader in Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, was sworn in as First Minister in the Stormont Assembly, and Emma Little-Pengelly, a Democratic Unionist, was nominated deputy First Minister, a post with equal power but less prestige. Michelle O’Neill is the ﬁrst Nationalist to be First Minister in the history of Northern Ireland, a Republican with the aim

taining the united Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This is astonishing, historic, symbolic, impossible to grasp for anyone who has known the Troubles and the history of Ireland. It is not the end of the story, and no guarantee that things will only get better from now on. But these two women now symbolise hope, and not just for their own country. In a world where division and conflict, hatred and violence sometimes seem overwhelming, irresistible, there is an example of deeply rooted historic grievances being faced in a democratic assembly. Listening to the speeches made by these two women, the hope for a positive future grows. Honestly, if it can happen in Northern Ireland, it really can happen anywhere. It is worth dreaming, and working hard and long to make the dream come true. Maith sibh, agus go raibh maith agat don bheirt bhan.

Many potential blood donors may not be aware that they are eligible to donate blood to Canadian Blood Services. For more than two decades, people who lived or spent time in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland or France in the 1980s and 1990s, were ineligible to donate. This eligibility criteria was put into place in the late 1990s by blood operators around the world as a precautionary measure during the ‘mad cow’ outbreak. Now, with nearly 30 years of surveillance and research from Canada and internationally, this criteria is no longer required. “Our data tells us that since 2003 approximately 70,000 people in Canada tried to donate, but were not able to because of this criteria,” says Ron Vezina, vice president, public affairs. “Twenty years later, we hope those who are still able to do so, will come back to visit our donor centres.” When the ‘mad cow’ outbreak occurred, little was known about the human form, variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), and the possibility of it being transmitted through blood. Three decades of surveillance and research has now demonstrated that removing criteria related to potential exposure to beef products and transfusions in speciﬁc countries will not lead to an increase in vCJD. Canadian Blood Services has now received Health Canada approval on a long-awaited eligibility change that could potentially welcome thousands of new blood and plasma donors. Now with the approval to remove the criteria for the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and France, Canadian Blood Services is aligned with other blood operators that no longer have this rule in place, including the United States (2022), Australia (2022) and Israel (2023). If you cannot donate, you can still help save lives in other ways. Visit blood.ca to learn how you can make all the diﬀerence for patients and their families. You can also ask friends, family and colleagues to donate blood or plasma and share the message on social media.

Claim your

FREE RIDE

by February 15th! See website for details.

A new municipal-wide, on-demand transit launched on January 15th in North Grenville. This will provide residents with an affordable public transit option. This service will be provided anywhere within North Grenville’s boundaries.

The Blaise app

February 8, 2024

The web at ride.blaisetransit.com

Or by calling 613-368-5620

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Beware of fake Ontario Energy Board visits Residents in Eastern Ontario have reported phone calls by individuals claiming to be from the Ontario Energy Board. The OPP have issued a warning to residents to be aware of this scam. The OEB does not engage and is not involved in any type of sales activity. Typically, the individuals will contact a homeowner by way of telephone requesting to attend the residence in order to conduct a green energy assessment to qualify for a green energy rebate. Once in the home, the representative will use high pressure sales tactics to have the homeowner purchase products and services in order to qualify for a rebate. Service scams continue to pose a threat to Ontario consumers and businesses. Door-to-door salespeople can use high pressure tactics and can be aggressive in nature. Consumers may find themselves in a situation where they purchase a product or sign up for a service contract they neither need

nor want. In 2018, Ontario banned unsolicited door-to-door sales of certain household appliances to better protect consumers from aggressive and misleading contracting at home. The new rules apply to air cleaners, air conditioners, air purifiers, duct cleaning services, furnaces, water filters, water heaters, water purifiers, water softeners, water treatment devices as well as bundles of these goods and services. In 2017, Ontario banned energy retailers from signing up customers for an energy contract while at their homes to give consumers the ability to make choices about their energy supply at their own pace and with better information. How can you prevent yourself from becoming a victim? - Ask for photo ID, get the name of the person and the name of the company or charity they represent; - Be sure to get it in writing, ask for literature and don't feel pressured to make a decision on the

10-day cooling oﬀ period. For water heater contracts, there is a 20-day cooling oﬀ period; and If you believe you have become a victim of fraud, contact your local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 (toll-free) or report online at www. antifraudcentre.ca. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) Know your rights under the Consumer Protection Act, at: www.ontario. ca/page/your-rights-under-consumer-protection-act

spot; - Never share any personal information or copies of any bills or ﬁnancial statements; - Research before you invest. Don't sign anything and always read the ﬁne print; - An energy retailer cannot sign you up for an energy contract while they are at your home. For more information about the rules that energy retailers must follow, visit: https://www. oeb.ca/knockknock. - For other contracts signed within the home, you have a cooling off period. For example, consumers in Ontario have the right to cancel a contract for any reason within a

For the LOVE of our Residents at Maple View Lodge

GIVE A ROSE (to a Resident) GET A ROSE (for a Loved One)

SPONSOR A ROOM ($5,000) In the new G. Tackaberry and Family Home by donating in February. We will send roses to residents at Maple View Lodge and to the loved one of your choice on Valentine’s Day. A Gift with Meaning & A Gift of Love Email Lesley.Todd@uclg.on.ca or call 613-340-6038 to participate.

Be visible when walking in winter. Always walk facing traffic.

ROAD SAFETY in NORTH

A message brought to you by:

GRENVILLE

www.northgrenville.ca/roadsafety February 8, 2024

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TRAVEL TALK

History page:

The White House Hotel

Top 5 Favourite Luxury Movie Hotels

pitality. by Scott Waldron and Bellagio Hotel and CaDiane Wilson sino, Las Vegas – Ocean’s While watching your 11 favourite movies, have The Bellagio Hotel you ever thought to and Casino stands as a yourself, wow, I want pinnacle of Las Vegas to stay there. Why not extravagance, renowned make 2024 your year to for its iconic fountains explore some of your dancing to choreographed favourite luxury movie music on the Strip. Its hotels. Check out the top Italian-inspired architec5 picks here: ture captivates with granBeverly Wilshire, deur, mirrored by opulent A Four Seasons Hotel, interiors adorned with art Beverly Hills – Pretty and botanical gardens. The Woman Bellagio's upscale accomThis iconic hotel, nesmodations, world-class tled in glamorous Bevdining, and exclusive enerly Hills, epitomizes tertainment, including the luxury and elegance. Its famous Cirque du Soleil rich history spans nearly performances, craft an a century, boasting timeimmersive, luxurious exless sophistication and perience that deﬁnes the opulence. Renowned for essence of Vegas allure. hosting Hollywood elite The Biltmore Hotel, and dignitaries, the hoMiami Coral Gables, Flortel's lavish décor and imida – Bad Boys peccable service create an Radiating historic unforgettable experience. grandeur amidst the viFrom its palatial suites to brant Miami landscape, the Michelin-starred dinthis architectural mastering, the Beverly Wilshire piece and National Historexudes an aura of presic Landmark boasts a matige and charm, a true jestic Mediterranean-style haven where indulgence design, capturing timeless meets unparalleled hoselegance and sophistica-

February 8, 2024

The Voice of North Grenville

tion. Its sprawling golf course, luxurious spa, and opulent poolside redefine indulgence. Hosting illustrious events and offering exquisite dining, the Biltmore weaves a rich tapestry of luxury, culture, and impeccable service, inviting guests into a world of refined leisure and charm. The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, New York – Home Alone 2 Nestled at the heart of Manhattan, The Plaza Hotel stands as an icon of timeless luxury and sophistication. Its opulent Beaux-Arts architecture and lavish interiors exude old-world charm, captivating visitors with a rich history of hosting dignitaries and celebrities. From its elegant suites overlooking Central Park to the famed Palm Court for afternoon tea, The Plaza's impeccable service, world-class amenities, and prime location offer an unparalleled experience, embodying the essence of New York hospitality. The Ritz, London – Notting Hill The Ritz London epitomizes refined elegance and exquisite luxury in the heart of Piccadilly. Steeped in history, this iconic hotel boasts timeless Edwardian opulence and unmatched service. Its lavish rooms, adorned with classic décor and bespoke furnishings, transport guests to an era of sophistication. The Michelin-starred dining, famed afternoon tea, and attention to detail in every aspect create an unparalleled experience, solidifying The Ritz's status as a symbol of refined British hospitality. Ready to start your movie adventure at the hotel of your dreams? Visit www.gravitate. travel and click on the “Let’s Talk” icon to schedule a time to talk or drop by our offices to chat about how we can help you bring your ultimate movie fantasies to life! TICO # 50026003 215 SANDERS STREET, UNIT 201A / KEMPTVILLE, ON K0G 1J0 8

View of Clothier and Prescott in 1907. Thomas Warren’s Hotel is on the right.

The site of White’s Hotel today by David Shanahan North Grenville is full of empty spaces, if that isn’t a confusing concept. One of them is at the corner of Clothier and Prescott Streets, a junction that was once the vibrant centre of Kemptville’s business life. The White House Hotel was built by Nathaniel Fenton in the mid-1830's. Fenton was also responsible for the ﬁne building on the northwest corner of Clothier and Rideau streets, and was an important individual in the business life of Kemptville for many years. A map of 1861-62 indicates that the Hotel was then called Rideau House. Nathaniel Fenton had a secret part of his life as a respectable hotel-keeper in Kemptville. He also a member of the underground Hunters Lodges, a republican group dedicated to rebellion in Canada and followers of William Lyon MacKenzie. The Hunters Lodges continued to make occasional raids into Canada from the United States even after the failure of MacKenzie’s 1837 Rebellion. An informer led to the dispersal of the Kemptville Lodge, although Fenton returned in a short time to carry on his life in the community. He was, it seems, the big winner in the entire aﬀair. Now that the Hunters Lodge was defunct and the members could not identify themselves without facing the consequences, it seems their Treasurer, Nathaniel himself, decided to spend the funds raised by the Lodge

on a big new stone house for himself. It still stands at the corner of Clothier and Rideau, and Fenton continued to live there until his death in 1849. Ironically, the house built by the funds of a republican secret society of rebels later became the home of a Conservative Member of Parliament, Dr. Charles Ferguson, and the boyhood home of a future Conservative Ontario Premier, G. Howard Ferguson. Thomas Adams bought the hotel in 1865 and maintained it until 1881. To attract business to his establishment, Thomas ran a free shuttle service between his hotel and the railway station at Bedell for visitors and travelling salesmen. Thomas Warren, whose name appears on the sign in the photograph, owned it from 1881 until 1928. One of the ﬁrst buildings in town to be heated by furnace and lit by electricity, it also had large carriage and livery barns in the rear, with power generated by two windmills. This establishment took up the entire block from Clothier Street to the river. A description of the hotel in 1903 emphasises both its size and importance: “This is another house that can lay claim to some considerable ancient history. The hotel is largely patronized by travelers and by farmers while in town with their produce. It is furnace heated, lighted by electricity and provided with a dining room whose tables are second to none in the town. There is connected to

the hotel one of the finest hotel and livery barns in this part of the province. It is constructed of heavy frame work 100x50 covered with iron, is provided with two windmills and everything that could add to the comfort and convenience of the horse. Large, airy stables, fine carriage and harness rooms and in short everything that could go to complete a model hotel and livery barn.” The large stables built to the water’s edge described in this report were built on the site of the woolen mill formerly owned by George Keating, another of the early entrepreneurs of Kemptville. In 1888, Keating ran wires from his mill down to the Oddfellows Hall on Clothier Street East, supplying electric light for an Agricultural Fair. Business declined over the years, along with the economy of Kemptville, and the hotel was finally demolished in 1928 and replaced by a service station, with the old livery building used as a receiving, grading, and shipping station by Oxfordon-Rideau Egg Producers. Under various names - the McColl-Frontenac Station, the Red Indian Service Station, and the Texaco Service Station - it operated under many owners until it closed in 1985. Herbert Hunter, an retired OPP officer, operated the McColl-Frontenac Station, and when it switched to being the Texaco Service Station, Gerald Cater, Albert Cater and Doug Somerville ran it. Today, there is little to show that this corner lot was once a thriving and prosperous hotel, catering to hundreds of visitors and commercial business people for more than a century. .

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A perfect cook, every time prevalent in today's com- is contingent on interpreta- same work should mean the

Tid bit musings by Elva Patterson Rutters RSSW Whoa! Put the brakes on. Why are you fighting so hard? Who or what are you fighting about? What is your desired outcome? How are you fighting? With the battles/rights you are fighting, are you contemplating the consequences? There is a direct correlation. Despite freedom of speech, you don't hurt others with your words. The right to food entails growing, shopping, cooking and cleanup. Fighting immediately conjures up physical altercations such as the schoolyard fight, bar brawls, assaults, sibling skirmishes and more magnified in size - war and threats of nuclear demolition. Sometimes the fights are to establish social, political or economic status or to bring attention to unruly behaviors like discrimination, racial slurs, and abolition of achievement. For all, the fight is a means to establish your identity. When you don't feel validated or acknowledged as worthwhile, the natural response is to fight. Social estrangement is a deadly form of fighting

munity settings. It coincides closely with apathy. When gossip is negative, be sure to seek out the other side before jumping to conclusions. Every person when in life/death scenarios innately fights to live. With the option of MAID, there is a choice on how you will end your fight. Suicide follows that thought pattern: that you no longer want to fight those emotional/psychological demons. The pain is just too great and seen as a solution, not a punitive choice. That is your fight, your choice and does not reflect on family and friends’ interactions. When you are fighting, have you established your parameters of expectation with clear concise terminology? If your fight is for your freedom - what freedom to be exact? Many times we do have a choice even if it is not to our liking. Is your solution, which you are obligated to supply, feasible? To topple the government, you need to go back to the voting poll. If there is no acceptable candidate, do the honors and run for election. The criteria of solution

tion. The homeless person seeking a living wage gets housing and food whereas to someone else it means the latest fashions, a conglomerate of mechanized vehicles, extended holidays and the conveniences of affordable amenities. Life is not fair. Circumstances are as varied as the individual. Contemplate the senior on a fixed income after working all through life to now be immobilized by insufficient funds and declining health. This is often coupled with detached family support. Defining your actions and outcomes is imperative. At that point a plan of attack on the situation becomes your fight. Many other fights are unseen by the general community. Those striving every day against aging, illness, disease, or economic hardship seek relief from discomfort. Every morning is a fight to get out of bed. For others, the fight is to be able to access facilities and services. When the equality is obvious, the socialist fights on behalf of all for recognition with that status. The

Darren Dwyer

United Way comes close in fund raising

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February 8, 2024

same pay for all independent of gender, culture, religion or demographics. This is crucial that the reverse is not in play: equal pay but work excused because of the same qualifiers. Being appreciative of those who have fought on our behalf in years prior is not to be undermined. Fighting can be a means to establish dominance or a social hierarchy. The tools used can be from words, to violence, from compromise to destruction. Fighting has positive and negative connotations. Choose your fight wisely and tread carefully. Your footprint will leave huge markers for others and on others. You don't know the fight others are enduring, so be kind. Be gentle with your words. Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will hurt me forever. If you can get "me", "myself" and "I" to agree on something, half the battle is accomplished! Smile - it takes less muscles to smile than to frown, so win that physical battle today!!!

Last year’s fund raising campagn by United Way Leeds & Grenville [UWLG] fell just short of its target, which the organisation still sees as a positive achievement, given the general economic climate at the time. The total amount raised, just less than $884,000, represents 94.5% of the campaign goal. United Way Leeds & Grenville is a non-profit agency that supports over 20 local partner agencies in the United Counties. In a statement announcing the results of the 2023 campaign, and seeking volunteers to help withe the 2024 project, United Way Board Chair Ian McFall said: “We were in the midst of a recruitment process for a new executive director during the heart of the campaign. I can’t say enough about the hard work of our dedicated employees, which allowed us to come so close to what we knew was an ambitious campaign goal. I’d also like to thank our donors for their generosity during a tough time. They always step up when the community needs them.”� The difficulties faced in last year’s campaign were emphasised by Hailie Jack, Executive Director of UWLG, who paid tribute to the campaign workers. Looking forward with genuine optimism to the 2024 effort, he noted that: “Our team is ready and excited to hit the ground running in 2024, to engage with our community, donors, and partners. We will forge new relationships and foster existing partnerships. Our applications for grants in 2024 are coming to a close on February 16, and we already have a 35% increase in applications over last year. The need is greater than ever.”� United Way Leeds & Grenville is currently recruiting members for its campaign cabinet for the 2024 fundraising campaign. If you would like to be part of our campaign cabinet or would like to discuss opportunities to donate or help in any capacity, please call Hailie at 613-342-8889, or email ed@uwlg.org.

from Home Grown Ontario farm fields may be dormant for the winter, but Ontario meat and poultry is always in season. Home Grown has issued a helpful collection of meal ideas to enjoy through the winter months. Home Grown is a public awareness initiative of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, a campaign to advocate for the importance of Ontario farms as a source of food, fuel and fibre. Arable farmland is our most important natural resource, but Ontario is losing an average of 319 acres of farmland every day; that is the equivalent of nine family farms paved over every week. It is the objective of Home Grown to raise awareness about the importance of protecting and preserving Ontario farmland, while helping develop a workable plan to guide responsible development in Ontario that will ensure growth to provide housing and support local tax bases in a way that does not encroach on farmland. Ontario meat and poultry farms operate ethically, conscious of environmental impacts, animal welfare and food safety. They are a key link in the province’s food supply chain, drive economic activity in their communities and, most importantly, help feed Ontario — and the world — with healthy and delicious food, year round. There are a lot of tools and utensils you can use when cooking meat or poultry, but by far the most important will be a good and reliable meat thermometer. The best meats are cooked to temperature and not time. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) offers a few hearty meal ideas that are perfect for these winter days. Chicken: There are so many options with chicken, it can be hard to pick one. For a twist on a classic, homemade chicken burgers are unbelievably moist and flavourful, and ideal for cooking on a grill or in a cast iron skillet. Check out some great recipes at www.chicken.ca. (Remember when cooking chicken to avoid cross-contamination by thoroughly cleaning all surfaces, utensils and wash your hands with soap and water.) Roast Beef: While some die-hards keep the backyard grill going all year long, this is the perfect time of year for a juicy and delicious oven roast. There are several cuts from which to choose — among them prime rib, top sirloin, sirloin tip, inside round, strip loin rib eye — but all have basically the same procedure for that perfect cook. For reference, Beef Farmers of Ontario have a great instructional site at www.ontbeef.ca for preparing and cooking all different cuts of beef. Pork Chops: There are so many great cuts of pork, from bacon to ham to roasts to chops. Each is distinct in its own way, with a variety of ways to cook and enjoy. In keeping with indoor alternatives to barbecuing (which is, by the way, a great method for enjoying sausages or slow cooking a butt or shoulder for pulled pork sandwiches), Ontario Pork offers a delicious pan-seared pork steak recipe and more at www.ontariopork.on.ca/recipes. Lamb: Ontario lamb is tender, mild, lean and local. Available in a variety of cuts, it is easy to prepare with plenty of recipes from which to choose. Lemony yogurt lamb souvlaki is a simple dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. Details are available at: www.lambrecipes.ca/recipes/ lemony-yogurt-lamb-souvlaki Turkey: The centrepiece of the late-year holiday feasts (namely Thanksgiving and Christmas) is the turkey. But it is a delicious menu centrepiece at any time of the year, and is the perfect meal for big gatherings of family or friends. To keep it easy, Ontario Turkey Farmers offer a “Deliciously Simple Herb Roasted Turkey” for your table. https://ontarioturkey.ca.

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Barbers trained to spot troubled minds

Is necessity or curiosity the mother of innovation? Sometimes, good old common sense is the driving factor, and there will be no Nobel Prize for seeing the obvious. That, however, is what’s behind a new development in barber shops and hair salons. What’s the buzz? It’s that barbers and hairdressers are be trained to detect mental health problems among the clients sitting in their chairs. It makes perfect sense. People regularly conﬁde in their trusted barber or hairdresser the most personal details of their lives. And these chats are enough to detect signs of troubled mental health. With a small amount of training, hair stylists can help direct their customers to sources of support. Using barbers and hairdressers as a portal to mental health assistance appears to be a growing trend in several countries including the U.K, U.S., and Canada. As Daniel Reale-Chin recently reported in The Globe and Mail, groups like Black Mental Health Canada (BMHC) are training barbers to become ﬁrst responders to members of their communities. BMHC deserves credit for apply-

North Grenville residents are never short on creativity, especially when mother nature gives a dumping of great packing snow that allows adults and kids alike to build wintery creations. This giant snowman – which must surely have required a ladder to build, considering its size and height – drew much attention last weekend. It is pictured here on February 3, in the front yard of a Kemptville home near the intersection of Bridge St and Elliott St. Kudos for the work ethic! So Canadian!

February 8, 2024

ing a little common sense, something as uncommon these days as the dodo bird. Past Gifford-Jones columns have lauded taxicab drivers for having more old-fashioned horse sense than some doctors. Taxicab drivers and barbers are often wise philosophers and astute observers. They usually talk about and pass along sound opinions on many current affairs. Importantly, they are experienced in listening. There’s no doubt they can be effective in detecting early symptoms of stress, unusual behaviour, and mental anguish among their customers. One of the great problems of mental illness is the stigma and fear of others knowing that you’re suffering from�this problem.� It will always be the stumbling block to early diagnosis. But being in a barber’s chair or sitting in a hairdressing salon is the right atmosphere to allow those with mental difficulties to unwind and inform their barber, or hairdresser, that something is disturbing their well being. Moreover, many people build a trusted relationship with their hair stylist. You can talk about what’s eating you day after day without the whole world�knowing. The

very fact that your normally polished exterior is removed in the salon mirror while having your hair done may facilitate the sense of a reality check. The trusted barber offers a private, safe place to hint that you’re not as calm and collected on the outside as it appears when the polish is on. A l i c e Wi a f e i s a registered�psychotherapist and president of BMHC. The aim of this charity is to improve mental health within the Black community. As reported by Real-Chin, she says that the number of Black people suffering from mental health challenges is even higher than found in surveys like the one conducted by Statistics Canada, in which 27.9 per cent of Black visible-minority respondents self-reported fair or poor mental health compared with 22.9 per cent of white respondents. Wiafe notes, Black people need a little prodding to tell the truth about their mental health. Taking the initiative to see a mental health specialist, or finding such services, can be a real roadblock. So training barbers, hairdressers, taxicab drivers, and even bartenders to help address this problem is an innovative move. BMHC trains barbers and hairdressers to tread carefully on this matter. They should only discuss mental health if they sense clients want to discuss what troubles them. Now the key is to make sure sufficient services are available to handle the certain uptick in demand and referrals. Sign-up at www.docgiff. com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us on Instagram @ docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones.

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North Grenville Photography Club

Hello Georgie! I love all of the alpacas at Alpaca Tracks in NG, but this cutie has the best ears. Photo by Sandy Archibald for the photo club's 'framing' challenge

Kemptville Live reveals additions to 2024 line-up

The 8th Annual Kemptville Live Music Festival is taking place on July 18-21 on the grounds of the Kemptville Campus, and this year there’s a new partner joining the festival. Explore North Grenville is an initiative in the municipality which encourages tourism to the area, and a partnership with the highly successful Kemptville Live is a natural ﬁt. The focus of the Festival this year continues to be on classic Canadian acts, exempliﬁed by the return to the stage this year of Burton Cummings on Friday, July 19, and Glass Tiger on Sunday, July 21. Between those two classic acts will be multi-platinum, iconic Canadian artist Dean Brody on July 20. And opening the proceedings will be the Sam February 8, 2024

Roberts Band on July 18. Sam Roberts is #59 on Billboard’s Top 150 Overall Selling Canadian Artists. Sam Roberts Band have been nominated for an incredible 14 Junos, winning six along the way and 14 MuchMusic Video Awards, taking home ﬁve. Roberts’ songs have long-lasting success across radio and sales. He holds 12 #1 SOCAN Awards. He holds six spots on the Billboard Top 150 Canadian Airplay Songs (Rock) and the Sam Roberts Band continue to deliver their legacy of hit singles to take over the airwaves. Their fiery spirit have made their live shows so legendary, earning them spots performing everywhere from Letterman and Conan, to specialty shows like The Tragically Hip in Bobcaygeon, and major festivals from

Bonnaroo to ACL, Lollapalooza, Bumbershoot, The Vancouver Olympics and SARStock, and alongside heroes like The Rolling Stones and AC/ DC. Multi-platinum, iconic Canadian artist Dean Brody is celebrating the biggest years of his career. No country artist has owned the Canadian “Live” stage more than Dean in recent years with three national arena tours (2 breaking national ticket sale records), an acoustic national tour and as the only Canadian country artist to hold a 7-year residency at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage. A passionate storyteller and unmatched lyricist, Dean has risen and continues to remain at the top of the Canadian country landscape with an impressive 34 Top-10 singles (including 8 #1’s), 18 CCMA Awards, 2 JUNOs, more than 425+ million global streams and numerous gold and platinum certified singles (including 1 triple platinum and 3 double platinum). Only Shania Twain has more Canadian streams than Dean when looking at Canadian country artists

“lifetime” results. Glass Tiger, iconic Canadian band, joined us in 2022 as we re-launched the Festival after trying times. If you did not get the chance to see them, you will not want to miss it. If you did, you know you want to see them again! As Grammy nominated and 5x Juno award winners, Glass Tiger has sold 5 million albums worldwide, and shared stages and recording performances with some of the world’s leading acts including; Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Bryan Adams, Journey, Julian Lennon, The Moody Blues and Cheap Trick (to name a few). Glass Tiger continues to tour and play for enthusiastic audiences from coast-to-coast. In September of 2023, Glass Tiger was inducted into Canada’s prestigious Walk of Fame at a starstudded ceremony taking place at Toronto’s Iconic Massey Hall. What more can be said about Burton Cummings than has been said so many times over the past decades? Few artists have achieved the level of public success and critical 11

acclaim that Burton Cummings enjoys in a career spanning more than fifty years. Burton’s voice has been rated among the finest in rock music. He has amassed more hit records than almost any performer in Canadian history. As lead singer and songwriter with The Guess Who, Burton recorded and wrote/cowrote hits such as “These Eyes,” “Laughing,” “No Time,” “American Woman,” “Share the Land,” “Hand Me Down World,” “Albert Flasher”, “Star Baby”, “Clap for The Wolfman,” and “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature”. As a solo artist, he leaves his mark with the poignant “Stand Tall,” “I’m Scared,” “You Saved My Soul,” and his signature “My Own Way to Rock”. With The Guess Who, he earned recognition for the first U.S. platinum album by a Canadian artist and, as a solo artist, the first quadruple platinum Canadian-produced album. Burton is honored to have received, in total, 80 platinum and gold record awards. Recently, the best-selling book The 100

Top Canadian Singles ranked “American Woman” the greatest Canadian single of all time. Described as Canadian rock ‘n’ roll royalty, a national treasure, and a living legend, for Burton Cummings there has always been one constant: he remains true to himself and his own way to rock…and continuing to perform the songs the way they were originally conceived by the guy who sang and wrote/co-wrote them. The organisers of Kemptville Live remind those intending to enjoy the festival this year that tickets will sell out pretty quickly, given the limited space on site. So book early. Tickets are available at www.kemptvillelivemusicfestival.com/ tickets, and a full weekend pass costs $269.94, which includes HST. Kemptville Live Music Festival presents all acts on one main stage outside on the grounds of the historic Kemptville Campus.

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Sugar Addiction and by Dana Douglas, LG&L District Health Unit by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville my story of recovery A family meal is eating together, with others. A family Let’s get back to something Cajun with a bit of spiciness Family Meals

The Food Corner

isn't only immediate family members, like parent/caregivers, children or siblings, it can also include friends or other relatives. Eating together has benefits that include and go beyond healthy eating. For children and youth, family meals can help them: • Make healthier food choices • Perform better in school • Avoid high risk activities like substance use and smoking • Build and maintain close family relationships • Practice social skills As children get older, the number of meals a family eats together tends to go down. Focus on eating together and set realistic goals. If you aren't eating together as a family currently, try to eat together once a week to start. Schedule time for family meals, but be flexible with time and location. For example, if the whole family is at the soccer field for the day, have a picnic together between games. Keep the focus on family by removing distractions like screens, toys and books. This will help everyone focus on the food and social experiences of meal times. For more information, visit our Health Unit website at healthunit.org, follow us on Facebook and X, or give us a call at 1-800-660-5853.

but mainly with a taste of veggies. It will remind us of what by Wendy Moore to expect come spring and summer and in any event, we are I grew up loving sugar. blessed by having vegetables available all year round. So how about you treat yourself to Cajun Dip with Naan Bread while watching a movie or a game on TV instead of chips and popcorn.

Cajun Dip with Naan Bread

Ingredients · 1 X 8 ounce package of cream cheese at room temperature · ½ cup of natural unflavoured yoghurt · ¼ cup of sour cream (optional) · ¼ cup chili sauce, e.g., Tostitos · ¼ cup of chopped green peppers and of chopped green onions · 1/cup of chopped cucumber (optional but I like it with yoghurt) · ½ cup of dry sun-dried tomatoes · 2 garlic cloves, minced; or 2 teaspoons of crushed garlic · ½ of a teaspoon of cayenne pepper (to taste) · A dash of Tabasco sauce · 4 rounds of Naan bread (or more) cut into triangles Preparation · Place the tomatoes in a bowl and pour 1 cup of boiling water over them · Let stand for 10 minutes, then drain and chop the tomatoes finely · In another bowl, mix the cream cheese, yoghurt, sour cream and chili sauce · Add the veggies, tomatoes, garlic, pepper, cayenne pepper and Tabasco sauce · Mix thoroughly and refrigerate until ready to serve · Place the Naan bread triangles on a cookie sheet and spray with vegetable oil · Sprinkle with a spice of your choice, e.g., garlic or onion powder, Cajun blend, etc. · Bake in the oven at 350F till the bread turns nicely brown; remove and let cool To serve, you simply place the dip where folks can reach it, place the Naan in a bowl or basket lined with paper towel and bring out the beer to accompany. If you are feeling vegetarian, you can also prepare a bowl of dipping veggies, such as cauliflower or broccoli florets, carrot or celery sticks. Let me know how you did with it, as always, at pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

THE FRIDAY LIFE DRAWING CIRCLE We are excited for round two of The Friday Drawing Circle, a series of weekly in-person drawing & painting sessions hosted by Jennifer Gow This open studio is for artists of all levels of interested in working with a live costumed model. For more information contact Jennifer gowjb@msn.com When Fridays 4-7pm, January19th - March 22nd Where 400 Prescott Street, St. John’s Church basement, Kemptville Cost: drop in $15 February 8, 2024

I was a ‘chunky’ child. I was active and healthy and thought nothing of my weight until post-university years. In university, I gained 30 pounds. I loved the unlimited and always available sugars and fast foods – breads, pastas, French fries, pizza, and desserts. To lose this weight, I went to Weight Watchers and also tried other diets, all of which brought some initial success but were not sustainable. When I turned 50 in 2008, I decided to become a recreational triathlete and Masters swimmer, again, primarily for weight management. I was on a team of 250 people with a coach who encouraged traditional carbohydrate loading. I did well in competitions: running, triathlons, and swimming, but I over-trained, became regularly injured, and was chronically tired and hungry. One of my teammates, a low-carb nutrition and weight management doctor, encouraged my curiosity and research of a low-carb diet for optimal exercise, training and performance. This involved minimizing particularly sugars, flours and processed foods, all of which become sugar when ingested (in excessive amounts, carbohydrates can lead to inflammation, weight gain, and metabolic issues). I experimented, and instead of carb loading, I ate less carbs and more proteins and fats. I discovered that a low-carb lifestyle worked extremely well for me. I was at a healthy weight, felt good and achieved some of my best race times. Then in 2013, I had a massive blood clot (a genetic/ hormonal condition). The clot extended from my ankle up through my leg and across my abdomen. It should have killed me. My hematologist told me that if I survived, I would have permanent circulation damage, problems walking, always require a thick support stocking, and I would be on a blood thinner for the rest of my life. I was couch-bound during my blood clot recovery, and I reverted back to eating carbs – pizza, desserts, and other processed foods. I gained 20 pounds. My weight gain and my health prognosis were distressing. After some research, I discovered that blood clots are an issue of inflammation and that a low-carb/ketogenic diet might substantially mitigate this as well as helping me to achieve my desired weight loss. Then and there I decided to focus on nutrition for my healing and well-being. I cut down on my carbohydrates, but I couldn’t stop and stay stopped. Neither could many others who I met who were also attempting a keto journey. I began organizing and running Keto-Retreats – conference events with international experts in the field of low-carb/keto nutrition. One of my guest speakers, Dr. Rob Cywes, brought carb addiction to my attention. I realized that sugar addiction was the missing link for many people including myself. In 2020, I decided to become a sugar/food addiction counsellor. I discovered that addiction was both the psychological and physiological reason that many of us, despite the best of intentions, could not stop and stay stopped from eating sugar. A detailed professional addiction diagnosis confirmed to me that my issue of addiction began with sugar as a child. My recovery tools of following a strict very low-carb food plan, proper breathing techniques, optimal sleep, healthy levels of activity, and support group programs have all helped me to heal and put my addiction into remission. I diligently continue to steer this course, one day at a time. Against all expected medical prognoses, I did fully heal from my severe blood clot episode and no longer require medication. I am at my optimal metabolic health, fully active, and at an ideal weight and body composition. I have been abstinent from all sugar, flours, and processed foods for the past 4 years. I continue to follow a strict ketogenic way of eating and I offer free community sugar addiction/low-carb weekly support group sessions in Kemptville. Feel free to contact me for more information: www.youquitsugar.ca www.ngtimes.ca

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Monthly Suppers prepared by Knights of Columbus at Holy Cross Church Hall at 503 Clothier St W. Suppers will be held on the last Thursday of the month commencing September 28. Cost $10 per adult, $5 for children under 12 and $25 for families. PROBUS: Fellowship, Fun and inFormed presenters are part of the PROBUS gathering on the third Wednesday of each month at St Paul's Presbyterian Church Hall at 9:30AM. For more information contact at n.g.probus97@ gmail.com Kemptville Legion: Fridays 3-9. Free Pool and Darts. Everyone Welcome BINGO, Kemptville Legion, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, doors open at noon NG Duplicate Bridge Club, Masonic Lodge 311 Van Buren Kemptville, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 12:15. All Levels of bridge players are welcome. Info call 613-795-7155 KLUB 67 EUCHRE Join us for fun, social euchre games taking place every 2nd and 4th Wednesday monthly at 1pm, September to May. Location: Kemptville Legion, 100 Reuben Cres, Kemptville. Everyone welcome, $5. To play, cash prizes. Friendship Lunch every Friday at St. Johns United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. starting Oct. 6 th . The meal begins at 11:30 and is free of charge. A good will oﬀering is appreciated. Everyone is welcome. People of Action - Rotary Club of Kemptville meet on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7AM at the Long Reach Restaurant. Meet for breakfast and informal discussion. BID EUCHRE on Tuesday, February 13 at Pierce's Corners, also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at 1:00 p.m. and play starts at 1:30 p.m. $5 per player. For information, contact debbie. amirault@hotmail.com. Drawing from Life - Portrait and ﬁgure drawing clothed models. Fridays, 4pm to 7pm, St. John's United Church 400 Prescott Street. Artists at all levels are welcome. Drop in fee $15. For information contact gowjb5@gmail.com Spencerville Agricultural Society planning general meetings. If you are interested in joining our committee, please email info@spencervillefair.ca to receive all of the meeting details. Feb 12, Mar 11, Apr 8, May 13, Jun 10, Jul 8, Aug 12, Oct 21, Nov 11. The Drummond Building, 22 Ryan Street, Spencerville Ontario

ACROSS 1. Office fill-in 5. Otherwise 9. Big bash 13. Jewish month 14. Tropical vine 16. Brews 17. Game on horseback 18. Medicines 19. Raise a stink 20. Strike 22. Sharpness 24. Equipment 26. Lacquer ingredient 27. Set afire 30. Frolicsome 33. Fascinate 35. Crook 37. Evening (poetic) 38. Marsh bird 41. Blemish 42. Colorful parrot

45. Spinal column bone 48. Principles 51. Most impoverished 52. Graven images 54. Urge (on) 55. Fellow student 59. Spread out 62. Debauchee 63. Avoid 65. Fork prong 66. Beast 67. Days in a week 68. French for "State" 69. Blue dye 70. Dispatch 71. Sandwich shop DOWN 1. Faucets 2. Ancient Dead Sea kingdom 3. Intense ill will 4. Dietary necessity

5. Antiquity 6. Former Italian currency 7. Condiment 8. Overwhelm 9. Decorate 10. Away from the wind 11. Dregs 12. Inquires 15. Daisylike bloom 21. Consumes food 23. Broadcast 25. Referees 27. Detail 28. Stupendous 29. Cacophony 31. Peridotite 32. 10 in a decade 34. Fourteen in Roman numerals 36. Social group 39. Vigor 40. Anagram of "Sore" 43. Liqueur ﬂavoring 44. Marries 46. Outstanding 47. What the volcano did 49. Weighty books 50. Thralls 53. Barrel part 55. Type of black bird 56. Corporate image 57. Certain something 58. Biblical garden 60. Nitpicky to a fault 61. Abominable Snowman 64. Finish

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

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Solution to last week’s Crossword

Kemptville Winter Carnival Friday February 9th - 4:00PM to 9:00PM Saturday February 10th - 10:00AM to 9:00PM at Riverside Park . https://kemptvillewintercarnival.ca/ Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Ferguson Forest Centre (FFFC) for the year 2023 will take place at 7.00pm on Thursday, February 29, 2024, in the Community Room, Grenville Mutual Insurance, 380 Colonnade Drive, Kemptville. Please register by 10.00pm, Tuesday, February 27 (tadams500@gmail.com – Tel: 613 558 9007) Fairly Funny Frolic, Comedy Show & Dinne. Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 6:00 PM. The Drummond Building 22 Ryan Street, Spencerville. https://www.spencervillefair.ca/fairly-funny-frolic

February 8, 2024

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Dax Easter notches a SO with 73's win in Hawkesbury

Jubilation....Matthew O'Doherty, Ryan Rutley celebrate with the pride of the evening Grady Logue during Friday win over Hawkesbury Hawks. Photo by Icelevel by G.J. the sportsguy Long winding road into Hawkesbury to roost in the Hawks Nest for a Friday contest that proved favourable to hold on to a 1 to 0 win and post Dax Easter ﬁrst SO. Hawkesbury opened the first aggressively occupying their opponents end with tripling the SOG. The twenty closed without results as each squad waiting to pounce on they other miscues to break the ice. Kemptville came alive in the second with a PP when O’Doherty cycled below the goal line up to

Trottier coming oﬀ the wall through the middle to drive one at Dimitri Pelekos. Grady Logue PPG eye-hand coordination hit a home run after the rubber repelled oﬀ the stopper’s shoulder at 3:20 for the game winner. The Hawks pulled their goalie for extra attacker at 19:58 without success to wrap up the stanza. The third belonged to Hawkesbury, as they doubled up on shots and came on strong, wanting to put one by Dax Easter for tie. The Hawks relieved their stopper at 18:56, and at one point

had a two man advantage that couldn't be capitalized on. Hawkesbury outgunned Kemptville 39 to 26. Coaches ﬁnal comments: “Hawkesbury came out with a very strong first period in which we were able to weather the storm as we started moving our feet in the oﬀensive zone and getting pucks to the net in the second. Overall we did a decent job of keeping them to the outside and Dax was good for us cleaning up any rebounds”. Back-to-back battles on Saturday evening as the

73's rolled into the capital to meet the Ottawa Junior Senators, unsuccessfully, as they suﬀered a 2 to 1 loss. Kemptville drew ﬁrst blood in the initial frame with man advantage when a combination from O’Doherty with Rutley found Emile Trottier PPG in slot to bury it behind Connor Shipley at 5:27. Ottawa would would kick it up in the second as Ben Albright, with helpers from Bellfoy and Viau, beat Jacob Biron at 6:03. Game winner for the Junior Senators at 5:25 for Justin Murdoch, with assists from Viau and Moline for tie breaker. Kemptville pulled Jacob for extra man at 19:13 pushing to put it through the blue paint without results. Kemptville on board with 30 SOG to Ottawa 26 with 1/7 PP and 0/2 PP. Next home game with the Cornwall Colts on Friday evening, and back on the road up the valley to challenge the Renfrew Wolves on Saturday evening. Hockey with EDGE!!! See you around the boards.

Wednesday, 14 February, 2024

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Parker Holmes Nickname : HOMER Birthplace: Winchester, ON. 03/08-2007 Hometown : South Mountain, ON Position : Left Wing Previous Hockey Club : Kemptville 73’s U18 Hockey Hero : Brady Tkachuk Most Inspiring Person : My Mom and Dad Favourite Movie : Step Brothers Favourite Musician : Zach Bryan Favourite Actor : Will Farrell Favourite Food : Tacos Favourite Hockey Moment : Win last year U18 AAA Championship Favourite Sport other than Hockey : Baseball One Word to Describe Me : Determined

February is Black History Month In 1978, the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) was established. Its founders, including Dr. Daniel G. Hill and Wilson O. Brooks, presented a petition to the City of Toronto to have February formally proclaimed as Black History Month. In 1979, the firstever Canadian proclamation was issued by Toronto. The ﬁrst Black History Month in Nova Scotia was observed in 1988 and later renamed African Heritage Month in 1996. In 1993, the OBHS successfully ﬁled a petition in Ontario to proclaim February as Black History Month. Following that success, Rosemary Sadlier, president of the OBHS, introduced the idea of having Black History Month recognized across Canada to the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament. In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion February 8, 2024

introduced by Dr. Augustine. The House of Commons carried the motion unanimously. In February 2008, Senator Donald Oliver, the ﬁrst Black man appointed to the Senate, introduced the Motion to Recognize Contributions of Black Canadians and February as Black History Month. It received unanimous approval and was adopted on March 4, 2008. The adoption of this motion completed Canada’s parliamentary position on Black History Month. Black Canadians and their communities have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity since the arrival of Mathieu Da Costa, a navigator, and interpreter, whose presence in Canada dates back to the early 1600s. The role of Black people and their communities in Canada has largely been ignored as a key part of Canada’s history. There is little mention that some of the Loyalists who came here after the American

Revolution and settled in the Maritimes were people of African descent, nor the fact that many soldiers of African descent made many sacriﬁces in wartime as far back as the War of 1812. Few people in Canada are aware of the fact that African people were once enslaved in the territory that is now known as Canada, or of how those who fought enslavement helped to lay the foundation of Canada’s diverse and inclusive society. Black History Month is a time to learn more about these Canadian stories and the many other important contributions that Black Canadians and their communities have made to the history and continued growth of this country.

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Black History Month - Slavery in Canada

Heritage plaque located on niagara parkway in niagaraon-the-lake, marks the spot where chloe cooley was forced across the river to be sold. © Ontario heritage trust by David Shanahan Canadians know about the Underground Railway, the network by which escaped slaves in the U.S. could cross the border and find freedom in Canada. But not as well known is the fact that slavery existed in Canada for decades, before the institution was outlaws by the Imperial Government in London in 1834. After the American Revolution, many of the Loyalists who were forced to remove to the colony of Quebec brought their slaves with them. When Quebec was divided into Lower and Upper Canada in 1791, fifteen of the members of the new Legislative Assembly, the Parliament of the new province, were slaveowners, and the slave trade continued in Upper Canada as men, women and children were bought and sold in what is now Ontario. Slavery had a long history in British colonies, and had existed in New France before the Conquest. In fact, the Articles of Capitulation, under which New France surrendered to the British forces in 1760 contained an article guaranteeing the continuation in slavery of all those “of both sexes shall remain, in their quality of slaves, in the possession of the French and Canadians to whom they belong: they shall be at liberty to keep them in their service in the colony or sell them...” The first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe, had led Loyalist militia during the American Revolution, but was personally strongly opposed to slavery. However, many members of his administration were not. Peter Russell, the Receiver General of Upper Canada,

and his sister Elizabeth owned slaves. Russell acted for Simcoe after the Governor returned to England in 1796. William Jarvis was the Provincial Secretary of Upper Canada, and his family became one of the leading members of the Family Compact in later years. He was a slave-owner. Matthew Elliot, a Loyalist who came from Virginia during the American Revolution, probably had as many as sixty slaves living in the huts behind his home in Amherstburg. Even some of the Anglican clergy had slaves, and seemed not to question the morality of slavery. The Reverend John Stuart from Kingston, an Anglican minister, expressed surprise when one of his slaves, a “negro boy”, ran away despite the winter weather in which he escaped. Even some aboriginal leaders owned slaves. The Mohawk leader, Joseph Brant, who settled with his people on the Grand River after the Revolution, probably owned over thirty slaves. But many indigenous people were themselves kept as slaves. A dreadful event in 1793 ﬁnally gave Simcoe an opportunity to act against slavery in Upper Canada. In March of that year, a black slave living in Queenston, was sold to a man in the United States. Chloe Cooley resisted vigorously, screaming and kicking out at her captors, who had her tied and forcible carried on to a boat that brought her across to

Baldwin's Birds the States. The man who had sold her, named Vrooman, was reported to the authorities, but, as one writer put it: “Chloe Cooley had no rights which Vrooman was bound to respect: and it was no more a breach of the peace than if he had been dealing with his heifer.” However, the case was brought to the attention of Simcoe, who decided to introduce legislation to outlaw slavery in Upper Canada. This met with resistance from the slave-owning members of the Legislature and Simcoe’s Executive Council, and a compromise was reached. On July 9, 1793, 33 Geo. III, c. 7 (U. C.) "An Act to prevent the further introduction of slaves and to limit the Term of Contracts for Servitude within this province" was passed. This did not abolish slavery completely. All individuals then enslaved remained so for the rest of their lives. Their living children would gain their freedom when they reached the age of 25; but all children subsequently born to slaves would be considered free from birth. No slaves could enter the province: any slaves brought into Upper Canada would be freed automatically. Owners of freed slaves had to provide for their security. This last requirement depended largely on the generosity of the slave’s owner at the time. Some provided homes and financial support for thei emancipated slaves. Others actually sold their slaves in the U.S. before the Act was passed, so as not to suffer any financial loss from the legislation. This was the first piece of legislation in the British Empire that limited the slave trade or slave-holding. The Imperial Parliament outlawed the slave trade in 1807, and abolished slavery throughout the Empire in1833. This law came into effect on August 1, 1834. It was not until then that some of the surviving slaves in Upper Canada gained their freedom.

I do hope that you are all safe and well in these very icy times, and that you are taking all the precautions necessary to prevent a personal falls in our, at present, very icy gardens and driveways. Having been caught out myself at the end of last winter, I tend to think twice now before venturing out to my garden bird feeders, hence my rhetorical question to myself: "to feed or not to feed?" Yesterday I managed it, barely, by clinging to some low-slung pine-tree branches. Today, a bit more wisely, I did it with

some "crampons" (spikes) attached to my shoes with a lot more re-assurance, but still very cautiously! Please be careful too! Since my last article submission, I was privileged to spend a very interesting time chatting about our garden birds via a telephone link-up provided by the Seniors Community Services, here in Kemptville, with several bird-loving ladies. Personal pictures taken by the SCS organizer Jill Woodley, of many of our more common garden birds were made available to all the participants on the phone-in, as well as their recorded songs, so that

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everyone could relate to them, which included one lady who is blind. What a thoughtful inclusive gesture by Jill. Thank you! They also paved the way for questions to be asked and answered by, not necessarily me, but by the other ladies in the group, so was very satisfying for all. This relatively amateur bird observer was quite impressed by how knowledgeable they were at recognizing their birds by sight and also their songs, so didn't have to expose his ignorance at all! I just kept my mouth shut most of the time and only had to answer the more personal questions about how I got to be a contributor to the NGTimes. I expect that the Editor is still asking himself how he let that happen, so I'm not going to say anything to "rattle his cage", just in case he can think of a negative answer!! Stay safe and well, Cheers, John Baldwin

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February 8, 2024

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Self-checkouts not adding up by David Shanahan It seems that the rise and rise of technology is not the inevitability it was once thought. Not too long ago, the introduction of self-checkouts in stores and supermarkets was touted as the next step in modern shopping, a hassle-free, quick, and smooth way to transact your business, not unlike bank ATM’s which have certainly been a hit with customers. But, recently, there has been a marked disillusion with the technology, as more and more major box stores and supermarkets are deciding to remove the machines from their premises and go back to staﬀed checkouts instead. Some of the companies reviewing their commitment to self-checkouts are Canadian Tire, WalMart, and Costco. Shoppers Drug Mart is also reconsidering using the machines, and it is not

only in Canada where this is happening. Booths, one of the largest pharmacies in the U.K., is also pulling self-checkout from virtually all of its stores, and many box stores in the U.S. are doing likewise. There are a few reasons for this retreat from the technology. One is the growing amount of what the companies call “shrink”, loss of stock through deliberate or inadvertent theft. Two studies in the past few years found that retailers across the globe estimated that as much as 23% of their store losses were due to a combination of theft and customer error at self-checkouts. An American study found that 15% of 2,000 people surveyed admitted to stealing while using self-checkout machines, while 21% had accidentally taken an item without scanning it. Some of that “shrink” phenomenon is caused by the technology itself. In spite of what some

might think, the technology is not perfect, and some machines misread the barcodes on items, for various reasons. Stores such as Canadian Tire make the point that many of the larger items they sell, from snowblowers to microwaves, don’t lend themselves to scanning at the machines. Where customers are aware of not paying for goods, it is often the case that they either don’t realise that the scanner hadn’t registered their purchase, or they couldn’t get it to read the barcode and simply put the item in their bag out of embarrassment or frustration. Trying to check out fruit or vegetables, for example, has been a major headache at times, particularly where there is no barcode on the item. Customers ﬁnd it confusing to find the precise vegeitable or fruit on the machine’s menu, or else they misidentify the thing themselves. The frustration and embarrass-

ment this causes puts them off having to use selfcheckouts in the future. There has also been an issue of customer anger at being forced to use the machines because of the absence of actual human beings at traditional checkouts. One retail analyst has noted that: "I think when customers feel they're being forced into something, it builds up resentment. I don't think self-checkout's going to go away entirely, but I think we're going to see a lot of retail swing back into a more balanced choice for shoppers." Self-service machines were first introduced to lower the cost of paying employees. Instead of

hiring actual people, the stores made the customers do the work themselves. During the pandemic, many shoppers used self-checkout for the first time to minimize close interaction with employees and other customers. But there has been a rethink owing to the issues raised by the machines. Staff are still required to monitor the machines to ensure they are being used properly and to deal with irate customers who are having trouble scanning their purchases. “Unexpected item in the bagging area” is all too often the signal for delay, confusion, and the need for a staff member to intervene and restore normal service.

But, at the same time, surveys in the U.S. have shown that people have very ambivalent attitudes towards self-checkouts. Although a large majority of those surveyed (75%) believe technology-based interactions have led to a decrease in social skills, a majority (66%) also think that technology reduces their social anxiety and would use a machine even if a human clerk were available. In the end, it is likely that the future use, or removal, of selfcheckouts in stores will be determined by whether companies make or lose money on them, and not on the feelings, ambivalent as they are, of their customers.

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