Art surprises hidden around North Grenville during March break
Are you affected by Mold? Pollen?
by Julie Mercier, President,
North Grenville Arts Guild
Residents of North Grenville are invited to keep their eyes open for a special kind of treasure this March Break. free, original artwork hidden around town. In celebration of the global International Art and Found Day, members of the North Grenville Arts Guild will be placing
small, weather-protected pieces of original art in public spaces throughout the community from Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 21.
Artwork may appear in parks, on benches, or along walkways for people to discover and take home. Each piece will include a card explaining the project and inviting finders to share their discovery. The initiative
Grenville Arts Guild.
“We hope it adds a bit of fun, colour, and connection to our community this March.”
For clues and updates, follow the North Grenville Arts Guild on social media.
The North Grenville Arts Guild is a community organization dedicated to promoting art and creativity in North Grenville. The Guild supports local artists by providing opportunities to connect, learn, exhibit their work, and share art with the community through events, workshops, and public art initiatives.
EVENT DETAILS:
- Event: International Art and Found. North Grenville Arts Guild
is part of a worldwide movement encouraging artists to connect with their communities by giving art as a gift.
Clues and updates will be shared on the North Grenville Arts Guild’s social media pages throughout the week.
“This is a joyful way to bring art out of galleries and into everyday life”, says the North
- Dates: March 16 - 21, 2026 (during March Break)
- Location: Various public spaces throughout North Grenville
- What to Expect: Small, weather-protected original artworks hidden for community members to find and keep Follow for Clues: North Grenville Arts Guild social media pages.
Dinner and Line Dancing Fundraiser
March 21 in support of Oxford Mills Guiding Trip Unit heading to Switzerland!
6:30 - Tex Mex Fajita Dinner $25
8:00 - Line Dancing $15 or Both: $35 St. John's United Church, 400 Prescott St. Call or text to reserve: 613-612-1848
Merrickville
Country Market GRAND OPENING MARCH 21, 2026
Local Distillery, Antiques, Collectibles, Food Products, Jewerly, Crafts and other Treasures
781 Van Buren Street, Kemptville 613.258.2454 jwekemptville@hotmail.com
HELP WANTED
The Rideau Glen Golf Club is looking for club house staff & outside workers for the 2026 season. Smart Serve required for club house staff and experience with equipment preferred for outside workers . Students considered with right qualifications Send resume to therideauglen@gmail.com
Who knows where the Times goes?
Cathy Ouellette shared this pic of herself reading the North Grenville Times while visiting Her daughter and son in law in Playa Hermosa Costa Rica…
Sustainable North Grenville brings you a seminar on green investing
by Jeff Goodman
In our community engagement events here in North Grenville, we regularly hear from our neighbours some ideas on topics they’d like to hear more about. Often these have clear value to our community. It’s not always easy to find the right opportunity, setting, and experts, but we’ve managed to put this together for a webinar on green investing.
There’s much to consider for our personal finances and what impact we might like our limited resources to have.
In a session titled “Climate Proofing your Personal Finances” we are bringing (virtually) Tim Nash from Good Investing to share his sustainable investment journey framework, focusing on financial fulfillment rather than just financial independence. His talk also includes practical tips on maintaining a balanced portfolio, setting up automatic contributions and exploring impact investments. This will be a live meeting over Zoom.
As the founder of Good Investing, Tim Nash has helped more than 10,000 people invest their money according to their values. Tim isn’t an investment advisor or portfolio manager but more like a teacher and coach. He is a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) with a huge heart.
The event will be held on March 17 at 7pm. You will need to be able to connect to the Zoom platform to participate at this time and date. Be sure to watch our social media for instructions on how to book a spot, or feel welcome to send us an email so we can onboard you. We’re on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sustainablenorthgrenville
Sustainable North Grenville is happy to bring this seminar to our community for free. As always, SNG does not endorse any financial products or services. We encourage participants to make their own informed decisions based on their own situation.
If you have any questions or to reserve a spot, feel welcome to contact us at info.sustainablenorthgrenville@gmail.com.
When you advertise with the North Grenville Times, you gain exposure for your business while helping us provide space for nonprofit stories, fundraising campaigns, and community posters. It’s a win for you and a win for the community.
RB Heating giving back
by Rebecca Lockwood
RB Heating ClimateCare WeCare program gives back to a local charity each month, chosen by a member of our team. A portion of proceeds from our maintenance services supports a cause that matters to us and our community.
This January, I had the pleasure of selecting Kingston 4 Paws, helping Jake, a local boy from the Kemptville area, and his new service dog Brady. We’re thrilled that Jake has been matched with Brady, who will assist with emotional
regulation, comfort during moments of distress, and greater independence. This cause is especially meaningful to me, and I’m honored to support Kingston 4 Paws and the families they serve.
Kingston 4 Paws is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that trains highly skilled service dogs for children and adults living with disabilities. These dogs provide life-changing support, independence, and safety, and the organization relies entirely on donations from individuals and communi-
ties—there is no government funding.
Each dog costs about $20,000 to train and is provided at no cost to approved families. Families help fundraise to “pay it forward,” ensuring Kingston 4 Paws can continue supporting others in the future.
If you’d like to donate to Kingston 4 Paws, you can do so here: https://gifttool. com/donations/
A last snow sculpture
by John Brooks
We received lots of snow this year, so imagine my disappointment that it was too light to be suitable for sculpting. Recently, I piled up some snow with my snowblower so I would have something to work with, and fortunately I did, because the snow I desired never arrived; the pile was challenging because it consisted of icy pellets and crumbly snow. Yet, a sculpture appeared.
Often, I have an idea of what I want to sculpt, but this year nothing inspired me until I saw a photo my friend, Christine Thomas of Ottawa, sent me of her skating. Instantly, I decided I wanted to sculpt a skater. My sculpture does not do her justice, but I have to be satisfied, given the poor snow conditions.
Since this will likely be my last snow sculpture, I really wish I had been able to produce a better sculpture, but the snow did not permit it. I now am making plans to move to BC to be close to my family. Every year, for over 30 years, I have looked forward to making a snow sculpture, so that is an activity I am going to miss.
Song for Ireland
by David Shanahan
The big celebration of all things Irish takes place in a few days. Ever since I arrived in Canada, lo these many years ago, I have wondered why St. Patrick’s Day is such a popular celebration in this country. More than any other ethnic holiday, it seems the Irish have made theirs one that everyone enjoys. Is it the music, the fun, the songs and stories, or what we call in Ireland, “the craic”? Some will, of course, refer to alcohol consumption as the reason behind the popularity. But the fact remains, and the question still intrigues me.
St. Patrick’s Day is heading our way this March 17, and pubs and restaurants all over Canada will be filled to overflowing with Canadians of all ethnic backgrounds, eagerly singing songs and raising glasses. And what’s wrong with that? Not a thing, in
my opinion. We have too few occasions in the year when we can all join together in fun and frolics, especially these days. But the Irish have given so much more to Canada, and to our own community, than just an excuse for a party. The Irish immigrant experience here has not always been a happy or peaceful one, and even today there are so many negative stereotypes floating around that bring us back to those less happy times.
Other ethnic groups have taken the place of the Irish these days, becoming figures of ridicule, suspicion, and even hatred; but the Irish got there first. Although they were the largest single ethnic group in Ontario throughout the Nineteenth Century, the Irish were seen as disloyal, possibly dangerous, and certainly less “civilised” than the host community. In newspapers and periodicals of the time, when a cartoonist wanted to draw an Irish man, they
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor, Education is often described as a right, yet for millions of children it remains a privilege. While living in Uganda, I saw families forced to make an impossible choice: buy food for the day, or pay school fees. For many, survival came first, and their children were left behind. The cost of uniforms, books, or tuition was enough to close the classroom door.
Here in Canada, students plead to stay home from school, unaware of how fortunate they are. Globally, education levels may be at historic highs, but progress has been uneven. Too many children, especially girls, children in conflict zones, and those in low-income countries, are still excluded.
Education is foundational to healthier communities, stronger economies, and more stable societies. It reduces poverty, improves health out-
drew an ape in clothes, usually smoking a corncob pipe, and wearing a battered hat. Try doing that with any ethnic group today!
In North Grenville, we have even more reason to celebrate the Irish national holiday. After the War of 1812, it was mostly Irish ex-soldiers and immigrants who settled in this area, protecting the planned Rideau Canal from American invasions. The Canal itself was the key to opening up this region to widespread settlement, providing a highway for settlers, again mostly Irish, to come and settle on lands that had been left empty since surveyed in 1791.
The Rideau Canal was built mainly with Irish immigrant labour, unskilled men who dug the canal without machines or anything other than a shovel and a wheelbarrow. Around 1,000 men, mostly Irish, died on that project. Many died from malaria from working in the swamps, others from
comes, advances gender equality, and builds resilience against conflict and climate change. In fact, every dollar invested in education can generate up to $20 in economic growth.
At this critical moment, Canada should not be cutting international assistance. Instead, we should be strengthening our commitment to global education initiatives. Supporting education abroad is smart, strategic leadership that uplifts entire nations for generations.
I urge readers to become students once more and to learn about the global education gap. Visit the Global Partnership for Education website and share what you discover with at least one person in your circle. Raising awareness is the first step toward change. No family should have to choose between feeding their child and educating them.
Sincerely, Natasha
Fortin
explosions as inexperienced men were ordered to set off dynamite under the massive trees that barred the way. Others were killed when they had to dig out the roots of those trees, which collapsed on them. Sad stories, recorded in cemeteries along the length of the world’s longest skating rink. One such is the McGuigan Cemetery near Merrickville (448 Burritts Rapids Road).
Until the 1891 Census, the Irish accounted for around 25% of the Ontario population, and they were to be found at every level of society and commerce. In North Grenville, men like Dr. Charles Ferguson, M.P.; Robert Bell, founding Director of the Bytown and Prescott Railway and owner of the Ottawa Citizen; Rickey Waugh, owner of the mill in Oxford Mills and builder of the Brigadoon building; Francis Jones, who built the lovely stone building at Clothier and Sanders Streets in Kemptville; John Acton, after
Dear Editor, W. Scott Paterson’s letter of February 12 (“The country seems to be at a crossroads”) has certainly sparked lively debate. I commend both Paterson and Lynn Paibomesai for engaging in an actual exchange of ideas rather than the insults that so often pass for political discourse these days. I hope that I may be permitted one final rebuttal.
In my February 19 response, I noted that Alberta accounts for roughly 15% of Canada’s GDP: significant, but far from dominant. Paterson countered on February 26 that “Alberta sends far more tax revenues to Ottawa than it receives.” In fact, both statements are true. However, Alberta’s status as a net contributor is not the result of federal scheming but of Alberta’s historical economic strength. For many years, Albertans have enjoyed some of the highest incomes in
whom Acton’s Corners is named; and so many others, famous and unknown, who contributed to making North Grenville what it is.
There is a great saying that you need more than one story. Meaning, no-one, and no people, can be summed up in one story, one idea, one image. Canadians are more than Ontario, more than hockey, more than Leonard Cohen, for example. There is diversity and a wealth of other stories that can be told about Canada and Canadians. So it is with Ireland and the Irish. It is said that Canada has too much Geography and not enough History, whereas Ireland has too much History and not enough Geography. I’m not at all sure about Canada and History, but the saying is too true of Ireland. Ireland is more than Orange and Green, fighting and history. It is a land that produced four winners of the Nobel prize for Literature, and all four winners Yeats, Beckett,
the country, along with consistently low unemployment. When a province earns more, it naturally pays more in federal taxes and receives less in needs-based transfers. Alberta also benefits from a very strong corporate tax base, driven largely by the energy sector.
More recently, the income gap between Alberta and other provinces has narrowed, and it is reasonable to expect some convergence between taxes paid and benefits received in the years ahead. What should really concern Albertans is not unfair treatment by Ottawa, but the long-term sustainability of an economy so heavily reliant on oil and gas. When those resources decline, or become uneconomical to extract, and the provincial economy contracts as a result, Albertans, including those now flirting with secession, may well appreciate the stabilizing presence of a larger fed-
Shaw and Heaney, were writing in the English, not the Irish language. We love words in all formats: songs, plays, poetry, discussion and debate. We sometimes come across as “opinionated”, perhaps, but that is part of the Irish love of argument and discovery: we just can’t help it. So, enjoy St. Patrick’s Day this year. Have a pint or two, by all means (preferably Irish beer), and join in on the old songs: just avoid those American ones we try to avoid (When Irish Eyes are Smiling is my favourite one to hate). And, to end on what may seem a stereotypical note: May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
eration. Successive Alberta governments have made little provision for such a future; unlike Norway, Alberta has no robust wealth fund to cushion the blow.
It is quite normal within any country for some regions to be wealthier than others. In my native Ireland, the Dublin area generates about 30% of national GDP, effectively subsidizing the rest of the country. In the United States, six states (California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas) account for almost half of national economic output. But no one seriously suggests that such disparities justify secession.
Paterson also dismisses my reference to polling to gauge the seriousness of independence movements in Quebec and Alberta, citing the 1957 federal election, which pollsters famously miscalled. But he neglects to mention that 1957 is remembered
precisely because it was an outlier. Modern Canadian election polling has generally been extremely reliable, and Paterson’s argument would surely be different if the numbers supported his view. In short, Alberta’s contributions to Confederation reflect its longstanding prosperity, not federal exploitation. Prosperity, however, is not permanent, and secession would leave Albertans far more vulnerable to future shocks than remaining within Canada ever will.
Sincerely, Alistair
McCleery
OPP warns public of rising trend in policeimpersonation scams
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is alerting residents across the region to an emerging scam trend involving suspects who pose as police officers to defraud victims of substantial amounts of money.
In recent reports, fraudsters have contacted victims by phone, claiming to be members of the OPP. In some cases, the suspect uses the name of a real OPP officer, while in other incidents the fraudster has used fabricated names, titles, and badge information to gain credibility. Victims were instructed to withdraw large sums of money and either send the funds through cryptocurrency platforms or hand over cash directly. These tactics resulted in significant financial losses, including incidents where victims sent between $6,000 and $13,000 to these individuals.
Fraudsters often use urgency, intimidation, and fear to pressure victims into complying with their demands.
Protect Yourself Against Police-Impersonation Scams
Fraud-prevention strategies:
Police will never request money, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or financial transfers over the phone. Police will never demand immediate payment, threaten arrest, or pressure you to act urgently. Do not provide banking details, PINs, or identification numbers to unsolicited callers.
Pause and talk to a trusted family member or friend before making any financial decision under pressure.
Verify or Report Through the OPP Non-Emergency Line:
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be an OPP officer and you are unsure of its legitimacy, you can contact the OPP non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122.
This number can be used to:
Confirm whether an officer has attempted to contact you
Report suspicious calls or attempted frauds Speak directly with police about fraud-related concerns
Residents who have been targeted or victimized by fraud are encouraged to contact police and report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
The OPP continues to monitor fraud trends and reminds community members that awareness is one of the strongest tools against financial victimization.
Leeds & Grenville OGS Branch Presentation
by Kathy de Souza, Co-Chair, Programs Committee
Join us on Monday, April 6, at 7:00 pm via Zoom for a presentation by Alice McMurtry, Community Program Coordinator at the Brockville Museum. Her topic is Our American Neighbours: Brockville's Relationship with the United States.
Alice’s presentation will be an overview of the economic, industrial, and transportation connections between Brockville and the United States (upper New York State in particular), and how this relationship has changed over time.
Alice McMurtry joined the Brockville Museum team in the summer of 2022. With over a decade of experience in historical interpretation in museums, she has worked in various cultural heritage sites across the province, including the City of Toronto History Mu-
seums, the Village at Black Creek, the Bata Shoe Museum, and the Ontario Heritage Trust. As the Community Program Coordinator at the museum, she researches, develops, promotes, and delivers a variety of interpretive programs for a
range of audiences. To register for this presentation, click here or visit our Branch website https://leedsandgrenville.ogs.on.ca for more details.
Ron's Small Engine Repair
613.258.9720
(across from old Bingo Hall) ronssmallengines@outlook.com 1 Jayland Drive, Kemptville
Contact 613-215-0735
ISSN 2291-0301 www.ngtimes.ca
Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Editor David Shanahan editor@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735
Graphic Designer Mary Moore graphics designer 613-215-0735
Accounting cfo@ngtimes.ca
Classifieds classifieds @ngtimes.ca
Join our Board of Directors
The Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) is currently seeking dedicated community members to join its volunteer Board of Directors. We have two openings and are particularly interested in individuals with governance, legal or financial expertise. We also welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds who may be seeking their first board experience and are passionate about strengthening local healthcare for our rural communities.
About the Role
Serving on the WDMH Board is a rewarding opportunity to contribute to the long-term success of a leading, high-quality hospital. Board members play a vital role in:
• Providing strategic direction and oversight
• Ensuring strong governance and accountability
• Supporting innovation and sustainability
• Ensuring high-quality patient care
• Helping WDMH respond to the evolving needs of the communities we serve
What to Expect
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: www.northgrenville.ca www.northgrenville.ca
• The Board meets quarterly.
• Winter meetings may be held virtually when weather conditions require.
• Comprehensive hospital governance training is provided within your first few months of service.
As a volunteer Board member, you will help shape the future of local healthcare while working alongside a committed group of community leaders.
If you are motivated to contribute your expertise, perspective, and passion to the continued success of WDMH, we encourage you to apply and be part of the hospital’s future.
If you're looking to volunteer in your community and gain professional and personal growth visit our website to apply today www.wdmh.on.ca/getinvolved
Deadline to apply: March 31, 2026
If you have any questions, please contact: Lori-Anne Van Moorsel email lvanmoorsel@wdmh.on.ca or telephone 613-774-2420 ext. 6350.
NG Photography Club
Capturing the spirit of city streets
by Kathy Tang
The North Grenville Photography Club recently welcomed guest speaker Jasmine Inglis, Assistant Curator of Photographs at the National Gallery of Canada. Jasmine gave an inside look at her work caring for the gallery’s permanent collection and helping organize special exhibitions featuring Canadian and international photographers.
She also highlighted the gallery’s current exhibit, Camera and the City, on display until March 15. The show brings together a wide range of photographers who have captured the many stories unfolding on city streets. Through diverse perspectives, the exhibition explores how people shape the cities they live in, and how those urban spaces, in turn, shape them.
Inspired by the exhibit, NGPC member Kathy Tang took this photo of ByWard Market’s ghetto blasting cyclist - just one of the many interesting people you can run into in urban centres.
Seasons of Reflection: A Book Born from Community, Creativity, and Compassion
by Kim Drake
A while back, I had the idea of creating a simple coffee table book about our beautiful town. I wasn’t entirely sure how I would bring it to life, but I knew one thing for certain, I wanted it to combine photography and my poetry, capturing the spirit of the place we call home. I had some photographs of my own, but nowhere near enough to fill the kind of book I was imagining.
Then, during a reading of my novel Between the Woven Spaces, I met a beautiful soul named Kim Hayes. She showed me a collection of photographs
she had taken, and I immediately knew she was the missing piece of the project. I asked if she would consider collaborating, and she said yes.
What followed was both inspiring and daunting. I began sorting through nearly 10,000 photographs she shared.From there, the design slowly took shape, eventually becoming Seasons of Reflection - Kemptville.
And then another idea emerged. What if this project could give something back to the community beyond the book itself? Everyone here has been touched, in one way or another, by mental illness. Some of us have lived through depression or anxiety ourselves. Others have walked beside someone we love through bipolar disorder, grief, addiction, or dementia. Many of us know the deep and lasting ache left behind by the loss of someone to suicide.
Mental illness does not belong to strangers or distant places; it lives quietly within families, friendships, workplaces, and communi-
Fitness Champion, Entrepreneur, Role Model: Meet Rebecca Cronk
by @Talia.Hreljac25
I’ve decided that I’m not just going to celebrate International Women’s Day for one day, but rather I’m going to turn it into a month long celebration. Since I was inspired by the phenomenal work of the female athletes at the Olympics, I wanted to highlight some amazing athletes we have in our very own community.
To kick off the series, I wanted to highlight Rebecca Cronk. Rebecca is a powerhouse as both an elite athlete and an inspiring entrepreneur. Add in a heart of gold and you have a true trifecta.
ties like our own. Yet alongside that reality, something else exists too: connection, compassion, and resilience.
Seasons of ReflectionKemptville was born from that understanding, the belief that even while life carries hardship, we continue to show up for one another in small, meaningful ways every day. Through changing seasons, familiar streets, quiet moments, and shared spaces, the book captures both the beauty of our landscape and the spirit of the people who call this place home.
What began as a creative collaboration of photography and poetry grew into something deeper. It became a reminder that healing and hope are often found in ordinary moments: a walk along the river, light falling across a field, the awakening of spring, the emerald fullness of summer, the final leaves of autumn, and the first snowflakes of winter.
Kahlil Gibran once wrote, “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.” Because kindness finds its
Rebecca started competing in bodybuilding in 2014 after a few negative people in her life told her that she would never have the discipline to compete, with one of her ex boyfriends fully telling her she just was not allowed to compete. Who else loves a good origin story like this, because I sure do! She decided to prove them wrong and realized that she actually really enjoyed body-
greatest meaning when put into action, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of Seasons of Reflection will be donated to Lanark, Leeds & Grenville Addictions and Mental Health, supporting services that strengthen and care for our community.
This book is a celebration of everyone who calls, or has ever called, Kemptville home. It is a reminder that while mental health challenges touch many lives, so do kindness, support, and the quiet strength of belonging. As these pages open, may they offer more than photographs and words. May they reflect shared stories, familiar experiences, and the enduring connection we have with this land, a connection that brings comfort and the reassurance that none of us walks alone.
Reflection is not only
in Toronto
building and everything that went along with it. It is important to remember that 12 years ago, it was a very different environment. Bodybuilding was not completely in your face, so she had to really research how to do it on her own. She has had some ups and downs and has learned so much along the way. One thing she recommends is finding the right coach for you, finding the right federation that fits what you are looking for, and finding a balance that brings you joy. A lot goes into bodybuilding, including cardio, weights, food prep, and more. Add in the cost of competitions, which is usually around $5,000, and this is hard work that involves extreme dedication.
Rebecca's dedication and hard work have certainly paid off. This past November, she was crowned the Open Wellness Division champion, and the bronze medalist in the Open Fitness Division, for the second year in a row at the UFE World Championships
about looking back; it is also about seeing ourselves in one another so that together we can move forward with greater understanding, empathy, and hope. The community is warmly invited to celebrate the grand launch of Seasons of ReflectionKemptville on Wednesday, April 8, from 2–4 p.m. at the North Grenville Public Library. Come share in an afternoon of connection, creativity, and community with “the two Kims.”
Kim Drake is a writer and author who has been creating poetry and fiction for more than thirty years. She is the author of four books, including Cross, In the Absence of Ants, and Between the Woven Spaces, as well as Dark Horizon, the first novel in her new Eclipse Trilogy. Since moving to Kemptville in 2017, she has fallen in love with
When talking to Rebecca, you can clearly feel the passion she has for what she does, and she wants to inspire others to find their love for it. When I asked her where someone should start, she said it should start from inside. She believes in movement over anything else, and in simply enjoying being fit and healthy. Taking care of your body is not instant. It is a lot of hard work, both mentally and physically, but it is possible for anyone.
One thing she also attributes to her success is her fantastic support system. Her husband, her family, and especially her mom. Without them, it would have been so much harder to achieve all her success.
As for being an entrepreneur, Rebecca opened Get Cronk’d Fitness Studio in January, 2017. It was not easy for a fitness studio to survive the pandemic, but, thanks to her loyal clientele, and the fact that there is not anything this lady cannot do, she continues to thrive and be a pillar and role model in this community.
Rebecca continues to prove that women can be strong, beautiful, and compassionate, all while chasing big dreams. She is a powerful reminder that when someone tells you that you cannot do something, that is your cue to prove them wrong.
the people, the community, and the natural beauty of the Rideau Valley. She lives in Kemptville with her husband, Brad, and their dog, Callie.
Kim Hayes is a retired mental health and addictions frontline worker who spent many years leading service programs in Toronto before continuing her work in Ottawa. A resident of Kemptville since 2020, she has found new inspiration through nature photography, capturing the quiet beauty and resilience of the natural world. An avid animal lover, she finds joy in the trust wild creatures place in her as they rest and play in their natural habitats.
Photography at the National Gallery
Our plan to protect Ontario is building new nuclear facilities
As Canada stares down economic uncertainty, we’re ready with a plan to protect Ontario. We’re building the first small modular reactors in the G7, and the first large-scale nuclear facilities in decades. Creating 150,000 new jobs.
That’s how we protect Ontario.
Common Sense Health
Tiny fish offer great nutrition
by Diana Gifford-Jones
This week, I write from Tokyo, where small fish are eaten with remarkable regularity. A traditional Japanese breakfast includes such fish – salted, dried, grilled and served cold – consumed head-to-tail, bones, eyeballs and all. Small sardines are tucked into lunch boxes. Convenience stores sell little fish for snacking. It’s common to add sardines or mackerel to spaghetti sauce. Eating little fish is a way of life.
What is it about little fish? A large Japanese cohort study following more than 80,000 adults for roughly nine years found that people who regularly consumed small fish had significantly lower risks of death from all causes and from cancer, particularly among women. Even modest intake of just a few times per month was associated with measurable reductions in mortality.
Nutrition science offers an explanation. Small oily fish, such as sardines and anchovies, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, along with minerals and high-quality protein that support cardiovascular, brain, and bone health.
Emerging evidence suggests regular sardine consumption may also improve insulin response and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Eating the head, bones, and organs means the Japanese are consuming concentrated micronutrients such as calcium and vitamin A that are largely lost when fish are filleted. Westerners throw that nutrition away.
A reader recently reminded me of the Japanese word kuchisabishii, translated literally as “lonely mouth”. It describes eating out of boredom, not hunger. But if mindless snacking is the need, then little dried and crunchy fish are a great choice.
A modelling study published in BMJ Global Health estimated that replacing some red-meat consumption with forage fish, species such as sardines, anchovies, and herring, could prevent up to 750,000 premature deaths annually by 2050. These fish are exceptionally nutrientdense, and in comparison to any other animal protein, have among the lowest environmental footprints, if one can say that of fish.
In North America, sea-
food choices tend to centre on large predatory fish such as salmon and tuna. These species are popular and nutritious, but they are also more expensive, accumulate more contaminants over long lifespans, and require greater ecological resources. Meanwhile, vast quantities of small forage fish are processed into animal feed. There is a practical challenge, however. Achieving the levels of omega-3 fatty acids associated with cardiovascular benefit – particularly EPA and DHA – requires consistent intake. For many North Americans, eating small oily fish several times a week is a stretch, whether because of taste preferences, access, cost, or habit.
For that reason, supplementation can be a sensible adjunct. A high-quality fish oil provides concentrated, purified omega-3s without requiring major dietary overhaul. Readers can find the fish oil recommended by W. Gifford-Jones, MD, Certified Naturals Omega3X, in natural health food stores. It has earned the recommendation because it delivers high levels of EPA and DHA in a purified form that is tested
for contaminants and formulated to enhance absorption. None of this calls for dramatic change. It may simply mean replacing meaty meals with modest, more frequent servings of small fish. Imagine a tin of sardines on whole-grain toast, anchovies folded into pasta, or herring added to a salad. Frequency is better than occasional large portions.
Tokyo’s markets do not advertise their bountiful fish sections with signs proclaiming “Eat fish. Lower the risk of death.” But would it be a crime to encourage people to think about their mortality when grocery shopping? Fresh or tinned, little whole fish are affordable, accessible, and ordinary. Perhaps that is the lesson. Healthful patterns tend to endure when they are woven quietly into daily life, rather than announced as resolutions.
This column offers opinions on health and wellness, not personal medical advice. Visit www.docgiff.com to learn more. For comments, diana@docgiff.com. Follow on Instagram @diana_gifford_jones
73’s secure four of six points available
Cutlietta with Gill assisted Rylan Vincent on 5 on 3 for Brockville’s second marker at 14:27 and the extra curricular’s continued until the final horn for the 73’s 6 to 2 win. Kemptville outshot Brockville 37 to 25 with 1/6 PP to 1/8 PP.
by G.J. the sportsguy
Brockville Braves in Kemptville 73’s barn for the fifth scheduled meeting on Wednesday afternoon were under siege from the initial faceoff to fall 6 - 2. Kemptville came on strong with afterburners in full thrust as Nicholas Voisey controlled the half wall to Will Mullins in the middle seam to hammer it past Oliver Li at 4:49. Case Hennessy cycled with Eric Sweetapple to Jacob Kulas as he transformed a tipsy-doodle into the open cage to chase Li to the bench at 9:30.
Game winner for 73’s at 4:58 with combination from Julien Davis to Anthony D’Arienzo in the slot
through Nate Galbraith. The Braves Ryan McNally PPG with helpers from Colson with Lumsden spoiled Rylan Donovan SO at 19:43. Lucas Achim sprung Travis Ouellette crashing the net to pull the trigger for Kemptville’s insurance in the first minute of the last twenty. Jay Zeus Mbarushimana rocketed through the neutral zone with Jacob Kulas for Travis Ouellette’s second at 9:18. All hell broke loose with a donnybrook erupting at 9:30. Jay Zeus Mbarushimana showed his finesse with Travis Ouellette on 5 on 4 to Jacob Kulas PPG for his second at 10:42. Kemptville on the slab for 2 and 2 when
Kemptville clashed with the Divisional Champion Rockland Nationals for a Friday evening encounter to suffer a 3 zip loss. The initial period was a fast paced two hundred foot challenge with the 73’s dominating until a questionable sin bin visit put them down a man when Nolan Turnbull PPG game winner with helpers from Dinis with Brunet to beat Rylan Donovan at 12:45. Another strange call on Kemptville for slab time when Turnbull with Brunet found Jeremy Belleau for PPG at 10:49 for the Nationals insurance marker.
The 73’s pulled their stopper for a final hail mary at 17:26 when Brunet combined with Daniel Myloserdnyy for ENG at
19:43 for 3 to 0 victory. Kemptville outgunned Rockland 36 to 27 with 0/3 PP to 2/2 PP.
The 73’s bussed up the valley for a Sunday evening meeting with Pembroke Lumber Kings to solicit a 5 to 2 win. Kemptville lit the lamp twice in the first, as Zachary Venance put it past Carter Zomers at 14:01. Man advantage for Kemptville at 18:13 when Case Hennessy chipped it to Zachary Venance who reversed to Eric Sweerapple PPG. The 73's went on the attack when Darius Nichols with Anthony D’Arienzo dropped it to Cade Campbell to hammer the game winner home at :42 in the second salvo. Pembroke’s Jackson Wade spoiled Keegan Carswell SO with a solo snipe at 5:02.
Insurance in the last twenty for Kemptville from Darius Nichols and Eric Sweetapple partnering with Cade Campbell for his second at 14:04. Lumber Kings countered at 17:24 from Tucker to William Ryan. Pembroke
relieved their goalie at 18:25 and solo marker from Lucas Achim into the open cage at 18:48 for ENG capped off the evening 5 to 2. Kemptville outshot Pembroke 33 to 25 with 1/5 PP to 0/5 PP.
Wednesday evening
meeting with Ottawa Junior Senators before home rematch with Pembroke Friday evening and end of schedule Sunday matinee with Nepean. Hockey with EDGE… see you around the wall.
Wild and ruthless...Jacob Kulas true grit and relentless tenacity pulls the trigger for his second to take a 6 to 2 victory during Wednesday afternoon battle with Brockville
Women lead, mentor and shape the next generation
by Andrea McCoyNaperstkow, Director, OFA, and Jordyn Domio, President, Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario
Marking International Women’s Day on March 8, it’s hard to believe that only a few decades ago, women in Canada could not legally be recognized as equal partners in their own farm businesses. Today, 30% of Canadian farmers are women, and across the agri-food sector women are alongside men as equals in many jobs, organizations and boards. That kind of change doesn’t happen overnight or on its own; but it’s one worth a second glance this year in particular. That’s because 2026 has been designated as International Year of the Woman Farmer by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
For both of us, agriculture has always been personal. Jordyn grew up spending summers on her family’s fruit and vegetable farm in Niagara, and when it was sold while she was in high school, it felt like the end of a chapter. She started studying medicine, but an environmental law class eventually brought her to a career working in the agriculture industry.
Andrea, who was Jordyn’s professor in agricultural business at Algonquin College, is a third-generation farmer from Lanark County in eastern Ontario. Her father had two daughters,
give them the confidence they need to take a new step. Mentorship was pivotal for Jordyn, as encouragement from Andrea and other women farmers helped her find her voice and, now, she is doing the same for the next group of young leaders.
PROPERTY TAX COLLECTOR/PAYROLL COORDINATOR
Situated in the heart of Eastern Ontario’s cottage country, Tay Valley Township is a community of picturesque hamlets and historic homesteads with an abundance of shoreline on thirty-two lakes and located within a one-hour driving distance of both Ottawa and Kingston, it affords a n opportunity to combine urban and rural lifestyles. The Township offers a unique work environment for an individual wishing to partner with fellow employees in the delivery of municipal services to a population of over 11,000 (permanent and seasonal).
and although they could work as hard as any man, were often relegated to feeding farm work crews and housework.
That was the norm, along with women not being able to claim wages for income tax purposes for work they did on the farm, or even be recognized as partners in farm businesses. They also generally weren’t involved with agricultural organizations or farm politics.
That norm has changed.
Andrea, who returned to full-time farming after retiring from a career with the city of Ottawa, is a director on the board of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and has long been involved with her local federation in various roles. Jordyn is the youngest, and only female director, on her local federation board and was recently elected as its vice president. She also helped relaunch the local junior farmer club in her area and is currently the president of the Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario (JFAO). Both of us have been fortunate to be welcomed by the organizations we serve with. That welcoming culture matters to encouraging women to step forward into leadership roles in our industry, but so does mentorship.
The next generation of female farmers is passionate and committed and sometimes, all that’s needed is a bit of encouragement from others to
When women step up to join boards, committees and organizations, it changes the shape of our industry. It encourages others to come forward, and it normalizes women’s leadership in agriculture so that being “the only woman in the room” will finally fully be a thing of the past.
We are incredibly lucky to live and farm in a country like Canada. Yes, there are still challenges: attitudes take time to change completely, and women in rural areas in particular struggle with domestic partner violence and lack of childcare.
Despite that, we have advantages that aren’t a given in many other parts of the world, where women often still lack basic rights to own land, control finances or live safely, but hold primary responsibility for feeding their families. Here at home, organizations like OFA and JFAO have the ability and the responsibility to support that next generation – and they are. As leaders, teachers and mentors, we create spaces where young people, especially young women, see themselves reflected and respected and give them opportunities to find their voice in our sector.
Only a few decades ago, women were fighting simply to be recognized as partners on paper. Today, they are directors, educators, innovators and leaders across the agriculture sector.
The progress is real. The opportunity is enormous. And when women support and mentor one another, there is no limit to how far agriculture can grow.
Reporting to the Treasurer, the Property Tax Collector and Payroll Coordinator will be responsible for managing tax billing and collection, payroll and benefits, as well as providing other services to support the functions and activities of the Finance Department.
The Township is seeking a motivated and results oriented individual to join our team with solid knowledge of municipal taxation and employment legislation and practices, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate will have ac quired post-secondary education and training in accounting or a related field of study, have a valid driver’s license, have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in municipal property tax and assessment, as well as experience in payroll and benefits, using financial software, cash handling and processing financial transactions Post-secondary school courses in payroll and benefits and completion of the Municipal Tax Administration Program (MTAP) would be considered an asset, as would municipal and accounting designations and experience with Diamond Great Plains and geographic information systems (GIS)
The full position mandate is available on the Township website at www.tayvalleytwp.ca. The salary range of $72,004 to $82,627 (2025 rates under review), for a 37.5 hour work week, and a competitive benefit package makes this an attractive full-time permanent position for the right candidate.
Please submit a cover letter and resume no later than 9:00 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026 in confidence to: Tay Valley Township Aaron Watt, Deputy Clerk 217 Harper Road, Perth, ON, K7H 3C6 or e-mail: deputyclerk@tayvalleytwp.ca
Tay Valley Township is an equal opportunity employer, committed to ensuring all candidates are able to participate in the interview process fully and equally. If contacted for employment, please let us know if you require any accommodations to ensure you can participate fully and equally during the recruitment and selection process. We thank all applicants for their interest and only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Personal information collected from applications is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and will be used to determine qualifications for employment. Questions about the collection of Information should be directed to the Clerk at the address indicated above.
DEPUTY TREASURER
Situated in the heart of Eastern Ontario’s cottage country, Tay Valley Township is a community of picturesque hamlets and historic homesteads with an abundance of shoreline on thirty-two lakes and located within a one-hour driving distance of both Ottawa and Kingston, it affords a n opportunity to combine urban and rural lifestyles. The Township offers a unique work environment for an individual wishing to partner with fellow employees in the delivery of municipal services to a population of over 11,000 (permanent and seasonal).
Reporting to the Treasurer, the Deputy Treasurer provides support in the performance of the statutory duties of the Treasurer and assumes all of the powers and duties of the Treasurer under the Municipal Act, 2001 or any other provincial legislation as necessary and/or in the absence of the Treasurer with a focus on asset management as well as providing other services to support the functions and activit ies of the Finance Department.
The Township is seeking a motivated and results oriented individual to join our team with solid knowledge of accounting practices, municipal financial legislation and practices, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate will have acquired a post-secondary diploma in accounting or a related field of study, have a valid driver’s license, have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in an office environment and in financial/treasury positions in a private or public sector setting, as well as experience with asset management, budgeting, annual financial reporting, long-term financial planning, using financial software, and cash handling and processing financial transactions. Accounting (CPA) and municipal designations, post-secondary school courses in payroll and benefits courses and training in asset management, and completion of the Municipal Accounting and Finance Program and the Municipal Tax Administration Program (MTAP) would be considered an asset, as would experience with Diamond Great Plains.
The full position mandate is available on the Township website at www.tayvalleytwp.ca. The salary range of $87,238 to $100,108 (2025 rates under review), for a 37.5 hour work week, and a competitive benefit package makes this an attractive full-time permanent position for the right candidate.
Please submit a cover letter and resume no later than 9:00 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026 in confidence to: Tay Valley Township Aaron Watt, Deputy Clerk 217 Harper Road, Perth, ON, K7H 3C6
Jordyn Domio, JFAO President
COMMUNITY EVENTS events@ngtimes.ca
EUCHRE at Pierce's Corners (aka the Marlborough Community Centre) at 3048 Pierce Road. Tuesday, March - 17, 31. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m., play starts at 1:00 p.m. In case of a snow storm, euchre will be cancelled. SPEED EUCHRE 10X10 Sunday, March 22. Registration starts at 12:30 p.m., play starts at 1:00 p.m. 10x10 means you play 10 games with as many euchre hands as you can within 10 minutes per game, for unlimited points. Stick the dealer: if everyone passes, the dealer must call a trump suit. If you like to take your time when playing euchre, this version is not recommended. In case of a snow storm, speed euchre will be cancelled. For information, send an email to debiar@ymail.com
Rotary Club of Kemptville meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday monthly at the Community Room, Grenville Mutual Insurance , 380 Colonnade Drive, 6.45 - 8 pm. Help serve the community and meet people with similar aims
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MONTHLY SUPPER at Holy Cross Church Hall 503 Clothier Street West. Suppers are held at 5:30 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month, September to November and January to May. Cost $10 per person, $5 for a child under 12 and $25 for a family.
Kemptville Legion: Fridays 3-9. Free Pool and Darts. Everyone Welcome LEGION EUCHRE will be held at 100 Reuben St., the 3rd Saturday of each month. Registration starts at 12:30, with Euchre starting at 1:00. Cost is $5 to play - cash prizes.
NG DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB Masonic Lodge 311 Van Buren Kemptivlle, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 12:15. All Levels of bridge players are welcome. Info call 613-795-7155
YOUNGSTERS OF YORE
Held at the Tallman Room of Kemptville Library on Water street. Starts at 2 pm every Thursday, so arrive before to get a chair. Mingle with us having a cup of tea and snack after Ashley speaks and answers your questions. March 19th, 2026 - Victor Desroches- EV Cars
March 26th, 2026 - Liz Angus, Local Author, Her Book " The Other Family" We welcome All Ages!
FRIENDSHIP LUNCHES are offered to everyone every Friday. Please join us in our lower hall by 11:30 for a free meal, companionship and fellowship at St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. and begin at 11:30. There is no charge. A free will offering is appreciated. Everyone is welcome.
NG COMMUNITY MEALS ASSOCIATION
Every Tuesday, 4-7 PM Free or by Donation Dinner ( serving dinner until 6:30 pm) Where: Pvt. Blake Williamson Memorial Hall, (Old Fire Hall) 25 Reuben Cres. Everyone is welcome. Bring clean indoor shoes
FRIENDSHIP CAFÉ is open to the community Tuesday's from 10 to noon. All are welcome to stop by, enjoy a hot beverage, a sweet treat and some friendly conversation all at no cost. At St. John's United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. TUESDAY COMMUNITY HUB hosted by the House of Lazarus All are welcome to drop in. Advocacy, “make a meal, take a meal” cooking opportunities, community services assistance are just a few of the weekly programs. Stop by and visit or contact House of Lazarus directly at 613-989-3830 for more details. Upstairs at St. John's United Church at 400 Prescott St. MODERN SQUARE DANCING in Kemptville with the Grenville Gremlins Square Dance Club. Monday Evenings 7:30 - 9:30pm. North Grenville Municipal Center County Road 44 For more info call Debbie at 613-795-3032 or Google "Kemptville Square Dancing"
KLUB 67 invites all euchre players to join us every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month for a fun social game of euchre. Location: Kemptville Legion, 100 Reuben St. Registration starts at 12.30, play starts at 1pm. Cost is $5 to play – cash prizes given. No membership required.
NORTH GRENVILLE MEN’S SHED
The NGMS provides a safe and friendly environment for men to enjoy coffee and conversation, and do projects that benefit the community. We meet every Tuesday and Thursday morning, 8:30 to 10:30, at 2 Oxford St. West. (Contact Peter Ivay (343-598-1174) : northgrenvillemensshed@gmail.com for more information.
KEMPTVILLE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY - meetings are held monthly, except July, August & December. The are held the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm at the Kemptville Pentecostal Church.
NG PRIDE: 2SLGBTQAI+ Seniors and allies meet 2 - 4pm the first and third Sunday of each month at the NG Library. Join us for coffee, chat, cards and shenanigans.Looking to stay connected, informed, and inspired in retirement?
JOIN THE PROBUS CLUB OF NORTH GRENVILLE — a friendly group of retirees who meet monthly for conversation, laughter, and thought-provoking presentations. Gatherings take place the third Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church Hall. For details, email n.g.probus97@gmail.com CAREGIVER COFFEE is a welcoming monthly drop-in for caregivers to pause, connect, and feel supported. Join us the last Tuesday of each month from 1–3 PM at Beth Donovan Hospice. Free, casual, and open to all caregivers.
ACROSS
1. Blend
5. "Oh dear!"
9. A tree, leaf or syrup
14. Food thickener 15. Filth
16. Runs in neutral 17. A form of schizophrenia 19. Perch
20. Swelling
21. Ale holders
23. Limb
25. Purify
28. East northeast 29. Craze 32. Complete 33. Plead
34. Information 35. Bleats
36. Breed of large antelope
38. Smell
39. Module
40. Antiquity
41. Of the immediate past
43. 5 plus 5
44. Life story
45. Perks
46. Planeful
48. Three-sided polygon
50. Intersect
54. Absolute
55. Adjustable
57. Subsequently
58. French for "Head"
59. Cat sound
60. Terminated
61. Once, long ago
62. Affirmatives
DOWN
1. Riot spray
2. Mild expletive
3. Not early 4. Playwright
5. Big fuss
6. Door frame part
7. Anagram of "Naira"
8. Some city bus riders
9. Illusion
10. Love intensely
11. Trudge
12. Not more
13. Estimated (abbrev.)
18. Snouted animal
22. Australian marsupial 24. Common
25. Beginning 26. Fatuous
27. Spot
29. Evanesces
30. Make amends
31. Pub game
33. Offer
34. A fictionalized documentary
37. Stretch
42. Legislate
44. Trumpeted
45. Sheepish sounds
46. Fragment
47. Patriarch
48. Not fat
49. Rip apart
51. Follow orders
52. Blackthorn
53. Stitches
54. South southeast
56. Animal companion
The Sportsdome: a done deal?
by David Shanahan
Do we need a sportsdome? Where should a sportsdome be located? What is a sportsdome, anyway? And is it a sportsdome, or a sports dome? These questions have been debated in these pages, and around the community, for some time now, but it may be that they are irrelevant. It appears that a sportsdome for North Grenville is practically a done deal.
Mayor Peckford recently held the third of a series of breakfast meetings with those already identified as supporters and/sponsors of the proposed facility, those referred to as Champions. The latest Breakfast of Champions was held to update the Champions on progress in the campaign to design and fund the dome, which will be located on the Kemptville Campus lands along County Road 44.
The Breakfast of Champions were shown a preliminary design for the dome, but it is not available for the general public (taxpayers) to view yet as, according to the meeting, it is not a finalised design yet. It will be bigger than originally planned, about 125,000 sq.ft. With a 7,500 sq.ft. Ancillary Building, and will be accessible all year, with regulation football pitch, walking tracks, and other amenities. The cost is currently calculated to be around $17 million, $8m of which is for the construction of the buildings themselves, with the remainder going for septic, contingencies,”civil and other” costs. To date, a Sports Dome Feasibility Study and Detailed Design have been completed at a cost, so far, of $150,000.
A further Breakfast of Champions is planned for
some time in June, perhaps. The Municipality, in their generosity, paid for the Champions to have breakfast. Taxpayers will be pleased to be so openhanded. There was genuine enthusiasm for the project expressed at the Breakfast of Champions, and there is no doubt that a sportsdome (sports dome) would be a positive addition to the community, and probably a money-maker for the municipality. But it would be nice if those paying their share of the project could be informed, consulted, involved, or even be provided with a free breakfast now and then.
One genuinely disturbing idea raised at the Breakfast of Champions came from a leading financial advisor, who suggested that all recreational facilities now located at Riverside Park be relocated to the Dome, which would leave Riverside Park free for development, meaning more building. To ameliorate any unease about the idea, he considered that affordable housing could be built on the green space. To be fair, this suggestion was not met with loud applause, and Mayor Peckford handled it with her usual diplomatic ease.
It may be shocking for some residents and taxpayers to know that these Breakfasts of Champions are taking place without any publicity, and that a decision to go ahead with the project already seems to be assumed, depending on timing and funding. There is a plan to have some public consultation in the future, presumably when plans are finalised, funding is in place, designs are completed, and shovels are poised about the chosen site. This would be typical of public “consultations”. Perhaps the next Break-
Lions Easter Bunnies Are Here!
The Kemptville Lions Club have begun selling their chocolate bunnies, continuing a longstanding local Easter tradition.
The bunnies are all solid chocolate. Large bunnies are available in milk chocolate or dark chocolate for $6.00 each. Small bunnies
Irish for a day
Yes, it’s that time of year again when it seems everyone wants to be Irish, at least for a day (or night). St. Patrick’s Day is certainly one of most widely celebrated national holidays on the planet. And, sure, why wouldn’t it be? The Irish and their descendants are to be found all over the world, as are their pubs (or reasonable facsimiles of them, anyway). There are 80 million people who claim Irish ancestry, 34 million of them in the United States alone. Since 1700, it is estimated that around 10 million people, born in Ireland, emigrated. Astonishing, considering the population of Ireland today is only around 5 million.
What did all those Irish people bring to the world? Fun, music,
wit and friendliness (or craic, as we call it), and you’re very welcome indeed. I mean, almost everyone knows songs like Molly Malone, the Wild Rover, and Black Velvet Band. How many popular can you sing from Japan, Hungary, Peru, or Germany (unless you’re from there, of course)?
Then there’s Gulliver’s Travels, Dracula, Waiting for Godot, My Fair Lady, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Chronicles of Narnia, and hundreds of other works.
Do you want wit and wisdom? Try these:
The majority of the members of the Irish parliament are professional politicians, in the sense that otherwise they would not be given jobs minding mice at crossroads. – Flann O’Brien.
are also available in white or dark chocolate for $4.00 a piece.
Lions members will be selling them at the B & H (301 Rideau St, Kemptville) on March 14 and 15, as well as March 28 and 29. Bunnies will also be sold at Food Basics (2615 County Rd. 43, Kemptville) on March 21 and 22. Bunnies are also available at Kemptville Bowling (291 County Rd. 44, Kemptville), The Kemptville Senior's Centre (215 Sanders St. Kemptville), The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 212 (100 Reuben Crescent, Kemptville), or directly from Lion Wayne Vachon (call (613) 258-2469).
Notice in a Co. Down field …. “TRESPASSERS PROSECUTED
– PLEASE SHUT THE GATE”.
My grandmother made dying her life’s work. – Hugh Leonard.
He knows nothing; and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career. -George Bernard Shaw.
Rome wasn’t built in A.D. – Flann O’Brien.
It’s not that the Irish are cynical. It’s rather that they have a wonderful lack of respect for everything and everybody.
– Brendan Behan.
Being Irish, I have an abiding sense of tragedy which sustains me through temporary periods of joy. – W.B. Yeats.
All the world’s a stage and most of us are
As always, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to CHEO.
Please visit facebook. com/kemptvillelions for more information. If you are someone who would enjoy serving your community and are looking for an opportunity to do so, please consider the Kemptville Lions Club. For more information, email: kemptvillelionsclub@gmail.com or contact Lion Alan Forbes at (613) 406-9976.
desperately unrehearsed. – Sean O’Casey. A newspaper in Ireland published the headline: “Half the council are crooks”, but was asked to retract it. The following week it ran the heading: “Half the council are NOT crooks”.
Have you heard about the Irish boomerang? It doesn’t come back, it just sings sad songs about how much it wants to.
The vote means nothing to women. We should be armed. – Edna O’Brien.
Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.
