Issue 9 2021 March 10 NG Times

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Vol. 9 No. 9

The Voice of North Grenville

March 10, 2021

Local multimedia company creates promotional video supporting local business We're all spending more time at home.

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in TV Broadcasting and TV Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Production, Brett went on to film and edit The New Fly Fisher TV show, broadcast A local multimedia com- on several TV and online pany has volunteered their channels, including PBS and time to produce a new pro- Amazon Prime. motional video featuring Marina and Brett met in a few of North Grenville’s Ottawa, but moved to Tobusinesses. Brett Colpitts ronto for Brett to work with and Marina Chiabai are the a company called Vertical friendly faces behind Brett Scope, which allowed him Colpitts Media. Brett was to travel all over the world drawn to photography and filming and editing for some videography at an early age, of the biggest names in the capturing his skateboarding automotive industry. “He tricks on film. After graduat- travelled all over Europe and ing from Canadore College North America, filming lots

by Hilary Thomson

Photo credit: Kameron Elizabeth Photography of trade shows and different launches…lots of travel with that job, and lots of experience,” Marina says. “That was pretty fun for him.”

In 2019, Marina and Brett decided to move back to the Ottawa area to be closer to family and start their own business. They bought a house in Kemptville and started Brett Colpitts Media, which has been in operation for almost two years. With two kids at home, Marina recently came on to help Brett with the business and photography side of the

company.

It was through their North Grenville Business Builders membership that they first got the idea to create a promotional video showcasing some of North Grenville’s businesses. They heard through their connections in the group that there were many local businesses who were struggling due to the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.

“When we heard that, it made us feel sad, obviously,

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cont'd from page 1 that there are businesses struggling in our community, because we really love our small community and everything that it offers,” Marina says. “A lot of that comes from having such a diverse range of unique small businesses, and how those businesses then support the community.”

Brett and Marina decided to use their unique skill set to produce a short, high quality promotional video showcasing local businesses and talking to owners about what community means to them. Through a mutual connection, they were able to get in touch with the NG Times’ own Marguerite Boyer, who helped them get in touch with businesses in the community who could use the help the most. “She was that bridge for us,” Marina says.

Marina and Brett shot nine businesses in a day and a half, and the video was released on Facebook last Monday. Businesses featured include the Brigadoon Restaurant, Jac’s Boutique, Catered Affairs, To Be Continued, Kemptville Family Restaurant, J-Glow, Fast Eddie’s Diner, Saltastic, and T:15"

Social gatherings can have deadly consequences.

Boss Thai Boxing. The video spread like wildfire online, garnering 10,000 views and over 200 shares in just over 24 hours. “Everyone is sharing it, and that’s just growing more and more awareness for the businesses, which was the whole point,” Marina says.

Owner of To Be Continued, Shelley Mitchell, says working with Marina and Brett was a great experience.

They not only produced an amazing video, but they also gave each of the businesses a selection of professional photos and a small video clip of their feature. “For them to do something like this for free, take up days of interviewing and weeks of editing, is amazing,” Shelley says. “The final product is amazing, and definitely their commitment to the community shines through in that final product.”

Karen Quigley of Saltastic also said she was very appreciative of the work that Marina and Brett took on to help support the business community. “It’s so nice that we have people in our community that are willing to do this,” she says. “I’m

so grateful.”

Marina hopes the video will entice people to support a business they may not have frequented before next time they are in town. She loved the experience of meeting all the local business owners and, as a newcomer to the community herself, she learned more about what a diverse range of products and services the municipality’s businesses have to offer. “I hope that people see the video, and next time they go out for their errands that they think twice about where they’re choosing to spend their money,” she says. “When we come out of this pandemic, like Shelley says [in the video], we really want our small businesses to be here.”

Check out the full video on the Brett Colpitts Media Facebook page. You can also learn more about their work at www.brettcolpits. com.

The North Grenville Times is Locally Owned and Operated

COMMUNITY NOTICE ANNUAL VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Every year, CN is required to clear its right-of-way of any vegetation that may pose a safety hazard. Vegetation on railway right-of-way, if left uncontrolled, can contribute to trackside fires and impair proper inspection of track infrastructure.

For safe railway operations, CN will conduct its annual vegetation control program on its rail lines in the province of Ontario. A certified professional will be applying herbicides on wand around the railway tracks (primarily along the 16 feet graveled area/ballast). All product requirements for setbacks in the vicinity of dwellings, aquatic environments and municipal water supplies will be met.

Stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Learn more at ontario.ca/covid-19

The program is expected to take place from April to October 2021.

Visit www.cn.ca/vegetation to see the list of cities as well as the updated schedule.

For more information, contact the CN Public Inquiry Line at contact@cn.ca or 1-888-888-5909.

Paid for by the Government of Ontario

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The North Grenville Times

New Board Chair for Kemptville Campus

After an extensive search, North Grenville’s Council has appointed Ms. Karen Cooper as the inaugural Board Chair of the Kemptville Campus.

“On behalf of Council, I wish to congratulate Ms. Cooper in her new role as Board Chair for the Kemptville Campus,” said Mayor Peckford. “Ms. Cooper’s expertise in corporate governance and experience on previous boards in our community is an invaluable asset as the Campus continues to

evolve as an exciting community and regional asset with enormous potential for the future.”

Ms. Cooper practices charity and not-for-profit law with an emphasis on corporate and tax issues with Drache Aptowitzer LLP. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 1995, and became counsel for the Department of Justice in tax litigation. She has been recognized as a leading expert in charity and not-for-profit law by Lexpert and The Best Lawyers in Canada.

and members of the public are encouraged to apply.

The Municipality of North Grenville purchased the Campus from the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO) in 2018, following the announcement by the University of Guelph of the closure of Kemptville College. With 630 acres and 17 main buildings, Kemptville Campus Educational and Community Centre is a thriving educational and multi-use facility with over 500 students from four school boards (French and English), service groups, as well as government agencies serving the community and eastern Ontario.

Featuring an active Agroforesty Centre (maple syrup production facility), crop lands, wetlands, 360 acres of FSC certified sustainable Forest, and the site of Kemptville’s largest event, Kemptville LIVE, the Campus just finalised a Master Plan – following extensive consultation with the community - to guide its development for the foreseeable future.

For more information about Kemptville Campus visit: www.kemptvillecampus.ca.

In addition to her considerable legal experience, Ms. Cooper was a sessional lecturer at Carleton University School of Business, teaching Business Law, and is currently a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Common Law. Ms. Cooper also served as Chair of the Board of the Kemptville District Hospital, and Big Brothers Big Sisters Ottawa. She has lived in North Grenville for over 20 years and is fluent in both French and English.

“I am thrilled to accept the Chair position of Kemptville Campus Board and look forward to applying my professional skills to support the development and growth of the organization to its full potential,” added Ms. Cooper.

“We look forward to the new leadership and vision that Ms. Cooper will bring to Kemptville Campus, as it transitions into this next phase of governance,” said Deputy Mayor Jim McManaman.

Ms. Cooper’s new position as Board Chair will be formally acknowledged at the March 18 Campus Board Meeting and she will assume responsibilities effective immediately. A call for application for up to 8 Board positions will be released shortly,

The Voice of North Grenville

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"No Job Too Small"

Thrift Store facing complaints In a Letter to the Editor published in this issue of the Times, some volunteers at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Kemptville have expressed their concern about how the administration of the store is being handled. It was not an easy decision to publish the letter, which was submitted almost a month ago, because, as the authors themselves say, no-one wants to disparage and interfere with the wonderful work done by Salvation Army employees and volunteers in our community.

Therefore, before publishing the letter, I contacted the writers and met with them to make sure they were not just disgruntled people with a personal March 10, 2021

grievance. Based on the meeting, and other documents I saw, I concluded that their complaints were justified, and this only confirmed what I have heard from others, and what I know from personal experience. The writers are by no means simply trying to stir up trouble; they have, it seems, legitimate and urgent issues to raise.

I also contacted the couple who are in charge of the work, seeking their response to the letter. Once again, let me say that no-one undervalues the work done in our community over more than a century by the Salvation Army. The fear is, not that the letter will hinder that work, but that, if allowed to continue, the attitude and

actions of those at the top will damage the efficiency and effectiveness of what is being done on our behalf.

The letter writers believe they represent many of the volunteers who formed what they have called a really happy group working in the old Thrift Store location.

But they were upset when they were not informed when the new store was opening nor that their help was needed; in spite of repeated efforts to contact the administrators.

If many of the volunteers have been alienated from a work they fully supported, and worked beyond duty to continue, then there is a danger that this work may run out of volunteers willing to put up with the issues raised

in the letter.

No-one is happy that this has become public, but grievances have to be recognised and resolved, for the future well-being of the work.

The administrators of the store have denied completely that there is any truth to the allegations. In a communication with the Times, they state that they would be disappointed to see the letter published in the Times. We all agree with that, but nothing should be swept under the carpet if it needs to be acknowledged and rectified.

We trust that the motives and actions of all involved will be respected and that this can be resolved to the betterment of the work.

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Good for you: Dietitians help you find your healthy

by Dana Douglas, RD MscFN, Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit What is a Registered Dietitian?

Registered dietitians are regulated health professionals who guide individuals, communities, and populations to embrace food, understand it, and enjoy it in order to promote health and prevent chronic disease. Dietitians are committed to evidencebased practice, so when they make a recommendation, you can be assured it is credible and based on the best available scientific evidence. They translate the science of nutrition into terms that everyone can understand.

In Ontario, anyone can call themselves a “nutritionist”. However, the title “dietitian” is protected by law, just like the titles nurse, pharma-

cist, or physician. Only members registered with the College of Dietitians of Ontario can call themselves a dietitian and have the initials RD after their name. Registered dietitians are accountable to the College and public for safe, competent, and ethical nutrition services. To become a registered dietitian, one must complete an accredited 4-year degree in nutrition and a dietetic internship through an accredited program. Following this, it is necessary to pass the national dietetic exam and commit to an annual practice review in order to maintain competence.

Dietitians at the Health Unit work with the Healthy Growth and Development team, which supports children aged 0 to 6 years and their families, and pregnant women. The registered dietitian

recommendations to help support children and families.

They provide information and support to caregivers around introducing solids to babies, which could include recommendations on textures, amounts, hunger/fullness cue, and allergies. They help families develop healthy mealtimes by respecting the division of responsibility in feeding, minimizing picky eating, and creating enjoyable eating environments. Another way in which they support clients is to empower pregnant women to eat healthy and develop food skills.

For more information, visit www.healthunit.org, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter, or call 1-800660-5853.

on this team attends groups in the community through the EarlyON Child & Family Centres, Children’s Resources on Wheels (CROW), and Connections, which hosts the Canadian Prenatal Nutrition Program: Good Food for a Healthy Baby. The dietitian will attend home visits through the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program, and also helps support public health nurses and family home visitors working with clients. It is also the responsibility of the dietitian to create resources, provide ongoing education to community partners, like childcare providers, and implement programs like NutriSTEP®, a nutrition screening tool for toddlers and preschoolers.

Registered dietitians use the most current and credible scientific evidence and

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SAFE COVID PLAN IN PLACE

Health Unit warns of spike in overdoses

Change your Heart Health in three months or less It’s said, “Being wrong is acceptable, but staying wrong is unacceptable.” So think twice if you believe a high fish diet alone is providing you with enough essential fatty acids (EPA and DHA) to decrease your risk of heart attack. We were shocked when blood tests showed, despite our healthy diets, that our absorption of fish oils was not making the grade. What are people getting wrong? And how can you get it right?

Oil and water do not easily mix, and most oils pass through your water-based body until enzymes in the small intestine break down fats. But it’s a mistake to believe this process is perfect.

We wrote previously about a supplement called Omega3X, which uses digestive enzymes to facilitate absorption of essential fatty acids. And we promised to put it to the test and report back to you.

First, we stopped taking any omega supplements, but continued a diet rich in fish.

Then we tested our blood using the Omega-3 Index. We both failed. (Giff 5.56% and Diana 5.47%) These scores placed us barely above the “undesirable” high risk zone March 10, 2021

as measured at 4% or lower on the Index.

Then, for three months, we took Certified Naturals Clinical Omega-3X Fish Oil, a specific product containing MaxSimil that breaks down the hard-to-digest triglycerides of fish oil into more readily absorbed monoglycerides.

Then another blood test. The results were compelling. The measurement of the two most important omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) was now in the category of low risk for coronary heart disease – a result of between 8-12% on the Omega Index. (Giff 9.64% and Diana 11.64%) You can visit www.docgiff.com to read the advice shared with readers for years.

First, to decrease your risk of a fatal coronary attack, you gain advantage with high doses of vitamin C. Dr. Linus Pauling, a Nobel Prize recipient, observed that most animals escalate vitamin C production when confronted with stress, but humans lack this ability. Then, Dr. Sydney Bush, an English researcher, showed that high doses of vitamin C opened clogged arteries, a huge discovery.

Any vitamin C product

associated with mood imbalances and joint problems.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has reported that the Omega-3 Index is just as important as cholesterol blood level. It’s alarming that nearly half of all North Americans are in the high-risk category for heart attack. The message is clear.

If you want to be certain that you are absorbing essential fatty acids, get a blood test to measure EPA and DHA. Send a single drop of blood using a test kit provided by OmegaQuant. Your result is mailed to you.

Take it from a 97-yearold, it’s never too late to reduce the risk of a coronary!

Sign-up at www.docgiff. com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff. com. Follow us Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones.

will do, but we recommend Medi-C Plus because its powdered form makes high doses easier to take, and because it includes lysine, which builds strong cell walls.

Second, our experiment shows it is important to supplement with omega 3. But not all omega supplements are equal. MaxSimil, developed by a Canadian company, is a fish oil that is absorbed three times better than typical fish oils. It’s produced from small fish like sardines and anchovies rich in omega-3 fatty acid.

Fatty acids help prevent heart attack by decreasing cellular inflammation. Researchers have reported for years that chronic inflammation is a factor in coronary attack. Now, the Omega-3 Index can accurately measure the amount of these fatty acids in our red blood cells.

Studies also report that people consuming fish oils show decreased blood triglycerides, decreased total cholesterol, lower bad cholesterol, and raises good cholesterol.

These patients also had fewer irregular heartbeats and heart attacks. Low levels of essential fatty acids have been 4

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit has detected a spike in overdoses in the Brockville and Smiths Falls areas over the past weeks. This spike has been identified through the Overdose Early Warning System that collects overdose information from our local hospitals and through the online overdose reporting tool.

The Health Unit along with community partners are cautioning the community that Leeds, Grenville and Lanark continue to grapple with a dangerously toxic substance supply.

The Health Unit also reminds the community that naloxone may not be as effective in reversing overdoses due to the contamination of substances with other drugs such a benzodiazepines (ex. Xannax).

All overdoses are a medical emergency and calling 911 remains the most important step in saving someone’s life.

Anyone who suspects or witnesses an overdose should call 9-1-1. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides some legal protection against simple drug possession charges for anyone who experiences, witnesses or responds to an overdose and calls 9-1-1.

The risk of an overdose can be reduced by following safer use practices; - Calling 911 in the event of an overdose - Carry a naloxone kit - Avoid mixing substances - Use a small test dose first - Do not use alone (maintain COVID – 19 precautions) Harm reduction supplies (single use equipment, naloxone and drug checking test strips), and further access to services and referrals will continue to be offered throughout Leeds, Grenville and Lanark during the COVID – 19 pandemic. Please visit the Health Unit website for more information: https:// healthunit.org/health-information/drug-use-harm-reduction. www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

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March 10, 2021

5

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Editorial

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Homeward bound

by David Shanahan Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel?

Is there a sense that we’re finally coming out of the dark place we’ve been in for the past year? As Ontario announces that we’re entering Phase 2 of their vaccination program, can we begin to hope that we’re finally making progress, getting somewhere at last?

Of course, this is far from the end of the journey. What is it that rascal Churchill once said: "Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." He did have a way with words, didn’t he?

As we look back at the Before Times, it is really hard to remember what it was like to just get on a plane, train, or automobile and head off somewhere for a bit of a break. At times, during the last twelve months, many wondered if those days would ever return; or, if they did, would anyone really want to join

a lot of other people in the close proximity of a plane or train. Would we ever feel safe again, as we once took so much for granted?

To be honest, there’s no way of knowing if that Before Time feeling will ever return, only time and circumstances will tell. Will we once again enjoy travel, live music, family celebrations, or social gatherings with the same insouciance we once did, as we brandish our vaccination passports as a kind of licence to live freely. I think we will. We’ve done it before. Well, maybe not us, but our grandparents and ancestors who went through equally traumatic times.

Living through the 1919 Spanish Flu pandemic was possibly even worse than this past year, not knowing why or how people were infected, without the technology to devise vaccines as fast as we have this time around.

Try to imagine what it was like during the Black Death, the awful plague that lasted from 1346 to 1353. It spread throughout Asia and

Europe and killed, at best reckoning, between 75 and 200 million people. It’s hard to get your mind around that number - up to 200 million dead in just seven years.

That was about half of the entire population of Europe, which didn’t recover its population of the 1300's until two hundred years later.

It transformed European society.

But the population did recover, life did go on, people did cope and carry on, even through that unimaginable terror. And so will we.

What set this pandemic apart from previous ones has been the role played, positively and negatively, by social media platforms. Some have used Facebook. YouTube and other sites to encourage, to keep in touch with family and friends, or to post entertaining pieces to lift the spirits and bring a smile.

Others have used them to spread fear, disinformation, even hatred, recklessly endangering people’s lives and health. That, I suppose, is a reflection of humanity, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

As I’ve said many times, usually to myself, this, too, will pass. And it will; we can now see hope for the future, probably even this year.

There will never be a time again when we will be free of covid or a variation of it.

But perhaps we can control and limit its effects, as we have with other diseases, such as polio, tuberculosis, even influenza. Variant strains of influenza continue to arrive every year, but not with the devastating effects of 1919. People still develop illnesses to which we are largely now immune, thanks to advances to medical knowledge. We live in an imperfect world, where disease and contagions exists, no matter how we advance in knowledge. There are places in the world where diseases that have been conquered here are still virulent, because of poverty and lack of medical facilities. That is sad, and also scandalous.

But here in the world in which we live, life continues. The trains, planes and automobiles will carry us around the country and

around the world once again, albeit with a different attitude and, perhaps, a greater appreciation of the freedoms we have.

There is one point that I should make here. Over the weeks, we’ve had a number of Letters to the Editor giving various kinds of advice and information about the pandemic and its effects.

Everything from outright denials that there even is a pandemic, claims that there is a cure for covid we’re not being told about, or advice on dealing with any side effects of vaccines for people with preexisting conditions.

The Times has a policy not to publish any such letters.

The Letters page of a news-

paper is no place for people to look for medical advice, especially concerning such a serious matter as covid-19.

Good, bad, or indifferent, medical information should be provided by medical people, not by people who have read something somewhere, or heard from dubious sources about possible cures, ills, or side effects of any medical procedure. It is a sad fact of life that some people glory in conspiracies, delight in spreading rumour and misinformation. Equally sad is the fact that they will continue to do so, long after this pandemic is a painful memory. Light for the light ahead. We shall overcome.

The proposal to build a new “Correctional Facility” in Kemptville within North Grenville will only serve to exacerbate the existing problems. During my 35 year career as a police officer, I have experienced first hand that undue incarceration neither works, nor serves to reform or rehabilitate anyone.

The Covid-19 pandemic lock downs have given people their first-hand experience of how hard it can be to be forced to remain sequestered within the family home for a lengthy period of time. Being put in a small concrete cell behind locked steel-bar doors, with bare minimum furnishings and no privacy or television, is much more intimidating. Incarceration itself is a punishment and, as such, acts as an impediment for chances at rehabilitation.

Detainment while awaiting hearing before a court should be as minimal as possible, and that is not always happening

under the existing Ontario Justice system.

When the Dept of Justice team came (virtually) to Kemptville, following their dropping the news on us that they wanted to build a new “Correctional Facility” here, they stated it was a “fait accompli”! Notwithstanding that, they now wanted to start to “consult” with the residents. Their presentation lacked in details, and did not provide much useful information on the whole process, particularly in regard to site choice, requirements, procedures, etc. It was stated that one of the criteria being met was that the Province already owned the land. However,

there was no mention that the site is on unceded territory, to which the Algonquin Nation claim title. No reasons were given as to why previous demands from the Municipality or other interested parties for other uses of the land went unanswered. Vague verbal promises were made for additional aid (no dollar amounts) to the Municipality to help compensate for the added pressures that the jail facility would impose on the existing infrastructure, our small hospital, and other limited resources within the community. A suggestion was also made that the new facility would somewhat resemble a “hospital” in appearance -

interesting, but I have never seen a hospital with coiled barbed wire protruding above its roof line!

In closing, I urge you Mr Premier to: 1. cancel this project and to redirect the funding to focus on repairing and improving the Justice System in Ontario, and 2. to assure tax payers that their hard earned money, paid in taxes, is being committed to better use by a responsible government that really does care about its citizens.

Rodger Parnell, Kemptville

Letters to the Editor AN OPEN LETTER TO PREMIER DOUG FORD Mr Premier, In these uncertain times, I consider it appropriate to say that I think you are doing a fairly good job at controlling the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak within our province - keep up the good work.

My point today, however, is to focus on a different, but important, issue - that being the decision to build more correctional facilities, rather than addressing justice reform in the Province of Ontario. It is generally known that our current system of dealing with those that run afoul of the law ofttimes falls short of meeting full Charter rights. This is evidenced in the numbers of people being held in custody and waiting too long for bail setting, or those awaiting remand hearings. Add to these the number of cases being dismissed, either due to having been adjourned far too long,

or having exceeded a reasonable period within the Charter of Rights for the prosecution process to take place. Why? Because the justice system is outdated, overloaded, and lacks the resources to make it work efficiently, not necessarily that it lacks in the number of Correctional facilities.

Clearly, the focus should be on updating and repairing the Ontario Justice System! This cannot be achieved by throwing more financial resources at building new correctional facilities rather than where the problems are within the heart of the system itself!

To commit a half a billion scarce dollars to this process by building new and remodeling old facilities, in my humble opinion, is a wanton waste of tax payers money!

That money would be much better committed to helping our overtaxed health system, where it is badly needed, and to restoring the integrity of our Justice system itself.

The North Grenville Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc. Marketing Gord J. Logan gord@ngtimes.ca 613-258-6402 March 10, 2021

the north grenville

ISSN 2291-0301 www.ngtimes.ca

TIMES Editor David Shanahan david@ngtimes.ca 613-215-0735

OFFICE 613-215-0735 Accounting Pat Jessop cfo@ngtimes.ca 613-258-4671

Copy Editor editor@ngtimes.ca 613-258-4671

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letters cont'd on page 7

Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Staff Reporter Hilary Thomson hilary@ngtimes.ca

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Additional support for Municipalities during Covid-19

The Ontario government is providing funding to help municipalities address ongoing COVID-19-related operating costs. The new financial relief will help ensure the delivery of critical services during the pandemic and keep capital projects on track.

This announcement is part of the province’s $500 million investment to help ensure the stability of Ontario’s 444 municipalities as they plan for the year ahead.

The funding is being prioritized to help municipalities hardest hit by the pandemic and can be used for things like personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies and by-law enforcement.

Local funding allocations includes $130,787 for the Municipality of North Grenville, and the Village of Merrickville-Wolford will

receive $27,468.

"Our government continues to adapt and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic as it evolves, and we know our municipal partners are on the front lines of this effort — providing the critical services people depend on every day," said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "Our municipalities have been clear that they need ongoing operating funding in 2021, and it's important that we step up and provide more financial relief.

At the same time, we need the federal government to join us and provide our municipal partners with the additional support they deserve."

This provincial investment builds on the $1.39 billion in operating funding that was provided to municipal partners through the

joint federal-provincial Safe Restart Agreement. The second phase of the Safe Restart Agreement was allocated to all Ontario municipalities in December, to ensure that no community entered 2021 facing an operating deficit from 2020.

"Municipalities are important partners in the fight against COVID-19," said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board. "We know the global pandemic has created significant financial challenges for communities across the province. That's why we have been there with support from the very beginning. I encourage our federal partners to step forward with additional investments as all three governments work together to protect people's health and jobs."

letters cont'd Dear Editor: The Kemptville Salvation Army Thrift store has been around for many years.

It has provided our community with many wonderful programs and services to people and families in need.

The Salvation Army is an organization that attracts great clients and volunteers alike. Volunteers are often the lifeblood of an organization.

We believe that it is important to inform people of the situation that has led to staff leaving and volunteers not returning. We would like to express our concern for the lack of respect and support shown to the volunteers. It appears that the Pastors are not upholding one of the core values of the Salvation Army - Dignity: To respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.

Volunteers are giving generously of their time and, in turn, they want to feel appreciated. Volunteers and employees should not be ignored, disrespected, or dismissed for asking questions or providing constructive criticism. This organization appears to be dismissing volunteers far easier than dealing with a concern or complaint.

In the years we served our community through volunteering our time at the thrift store, we, and many other volunteers, each contributed numerous hours to help run the store while open to the public. Some volunteers ran local errands for the store.

Additionally, some spent many hours at home sorting,

cleaning, and pricing jewelry, sorting greeting cards, or mending, washing, steaming, and ironing clothes. These tasks were all at our own expense. Some volunteers also spent some Sundays, when the store was closed, cleaning the back work area, as at times it became dirty and unsafe. For some reason, the cleaning staff hired did not clean this area.

In March, 2020, the Covid 19 pandemic necessitated the closure of the store. In June, some restrictions were lifted and the store re-opened for donations only. Some volunteers (mostly women) who were asked to return were responsible for moving, lifting, sorting, stacking, and organizing donations. We were vocal in raising our concerns about the condition of the store. The Manager was sent pictures of the working conditions, as he was rarely on site. He was working at the Food Bank and the new store.

Seldom was anything done to remedy the situation.

There was very poor communication from the Pastors and the Manager. We relied on a long-term employee for guidance and instruction. This person has since left their employ because of an unacceptable work environment.

Prior to returning in the summer of 2020, staff and volunteers had to undergo Health and Safety training and strict Covid 19 protocols.

This included sanitation and cleaning schedules, lunchroom restrictions, and safety shoes for sorters, temperature checks, and daily Covid ques-

tionnaires. Unfortunately, most of this was not in place when the new store opened.

The store on Asa Street was closed in September and the new location was being set up at 200 Sanders Street.

Management had asked us all for ideas for the set up of the new location. We visited the construction site, made suggestions, and were looking forward to working there. We were not informed when the new store was opening, nor were we asked to help and prepare for opening day.

Text messages and phone calls from eager volunteers to the Manager were never returned. We heard through Thrift Store clientele and other volunteers that volunteers would have to reapply if they wanted to continue to volunteer there. Apparently, this was not the case with all.

Additionally, volunteers and staff would have to attend a meeting with the Pastors, as they wanted to ensure a happy workplace. Obviously, not having spent much time at the Asa Street store, the Pastors were not aware that it was a happy workplace.

We were looking forward to working as a team to bring the new store to fruition, but by bringing concerns to the table, we have been ignored and dismissed. The Pastors and Manager have taken away our sense of community, belonging, and helping others.

We urge them to take responsibility and uphold their core values. We hope that by bringing this behaviour to light, it will prevent similar incidences in the future and

March 10, 2021

UPDATE For updates related to COVID-19 and the North Grenville Municipal Centre visit: www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus The Municipal Centre is open to the public. Office hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETINGS

Council meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. Council meetings will be live streamed on YouTube commencing at 6:30 pm. To view the live stream visit: https://www.youtube.com/user/ NorthGrenville/featured.

For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting virtually, pre-registration is required by e-mailing clerk@northgrenville.on.ca. To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please pre-register with the Clerk’s Office at the same e-mail address. Please provide your comments no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting.

• Council Meeting – Tuesday, March 16, 2021 • Virtual Town Hall Council Meeting – Tuesday, March 23, 2021 o Regarding the construction of a Provincial correctional facility within North Grenville. Further details to follow.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS Committee meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting virtually, pre-registration is required by e-mailing Jessica Workman at jworkman@northgrenville.on.ca Active Transportation Advisory Committee – Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 5:00 pm Environmental Action Advisory Committee – Monday, March 29, 2021 at 6:00 pm

NORTH GRENVILLE POLICE SERVICES BOARD Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 1:30 pm For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting virtually, pre-registration is required by e-mailing Palak Mehta at pmehta@northgrenville.on.ca

BAG TAGS

Old bag tags can be refunded or exchanged at the Municipal Centre. Bag tags are now $2.75 per tag or a bundle of 8 for $22. The Municipality is providing additional weekend office hours (9:00 am – 1:00 pm) for residents to exchange their old garbage bag tags for new ones on the following dates: •

Saturday, March 20

•

Saturday, April 10

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Visit www.northgrenville.ca/careers for more details Spring/Summer Student Positions 2021: Resumes must be received no later than 4:00 pm on March 12, 2021

2021 INTERIM TAX BILLS

All 2021 Interim Tax Bills have been mailed. If you have not received your bill, please contact the Administration Office. The installment due date is March 31, 2021. Final tax bills for all tax classes will be mailed in June. Reminder: Payments can be made by credit card when paying online through our website.

The Municipality of North Grenville

285 County Rd. 44, PO Box 130, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca Building: 613-258-9569 x130 Fax: 613-258-1441 Fire Services Info: 613-258-9569 x201 Fax: 613-258-1031 By-Law Services: email: bylawinquiries@northgrenville.on.ca 613-258-9569 x211 Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002

www.NorthGrenville.ca

cause the organization to become a more equitable and respectful environment.

Names withheld by request Dear Editor, I am writing in regards to a letter from March 3 about what to call the South Branch of the Rideau River.

I was born in Kemptville and lived in Oxford Mills in 1950, and that waterway was always called the South Branch of the Rideau. It has nothing to do with Kemptville except it runs thru it. It also runs thru Oxford Mills and up to Bishop Mills.

It runs off the south side of 7

the Rideau, therefore it is the South Branch. I have lived in the area most of my life, and the ones that call it Kemptville creek live in Kemptville.

But this is North Grenville.

Gerry Tomlinson Dear Editor, This morning, I was bringing my recycling to the curbside for pickup, and I was wondering in what state of mind was the engineer who designed the green bin. I was bending quite low in order to wheel my bin to the curb, resulting in a lower back pain.

Those bins are designed for children or short people,

and are not ergonomic for "adult normal size" users.

On the other hand, I do appreciate what the municipality does in order to reduce the waste going to landfill.

However, I do not understand the weight limitation (40 pounds... what is that in metric?) We are allowed 50 pounds of garbage per bag.

Anyhow, to make a story short: I shall transfer my overweight green bin into a garbage bag, stick a tag, and my compost will go to the landfill. Green thumbs up!

As my reject note said: Working together to reduce waste!

Erick Le Pors Letters cont'd on page 8 www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

Letters cont'd Dear Editor: As I finished reading the February 24 edition of the NG Times, I realized that if I unfolded it from the centre, the front and back pages would face each other, clearly displaying the environmental predicament we all confront. On the right, the story and hopes of a courageous young woman, Isabelle Rodé, who believes that there is a way to farm while working creatively with the environment; on the left, a devastating article by Crispin Colvin of the OFA, who outlines in detail the addictive dependency on oil we have all developed, and argues in favour of ways to continue being hooked. It reminded me of an artwork created forty years ago, in which the artists, Helen Mayer Harrison and Newton Harrison, presented two mural-sized photographs taken in Sri Lanka: in one, a farmer working his field with a water buffalo; in the other, a dilapidated tractor. The accompanying text described how each expended energy to produce a crop.

Much as the farmer with his buffalo, Isabelle Rodé

intends to use horse power – literally – to work the soil and make it fructify. The important thing, besides the valuable experience derived from the mutual support and affection involved in domestication and care of animals, is that the use of the horses participates in the cycle of energy exchange in our local environment: the horses gain their energy from locally grown plant life, they expend their energy on a landscape scale appropriate to their species, and they return partially digested matter to the soil where it becomes a source of fertility and renewed energy.

In contrast, the tractor depends on a costly and widespread network of utilities to produce, refine, and deliver oil into the local environment from elsewhere; barring the dangers of spills and misuse, it normally produces energy through burning, a process that has disastrous consequences on the environment.

Moreover, as well as the tractor, the omnipresent devices powered by oil require, as an inevitable by-product, a destructive reordering of the landscape which is euphe-

mistically called “development.” Witness to that are the demand for bulldozed flat fields which defy the natural processes of water conservation, and straight-line roads that blast their way – as recently happened on Townline road – through significant landscape forms.

It seems to me, at 82 years old, that the dilemma is pretty clear: either we struggle like Isabelle Rodé to shake off our addiction to oil with all the pain of withdrawal that entails, or fall back on the addiction as proposed by the OFA for fear of having nothing to eat. Food security is a critical worldwide issue, but can we not address it in other ways?

Since the 1980's and even earlier, some of us recognized the danger of climate change and have attempted in various ways to find solutions, all the time fighting a steep up-hill battle with incomprehension in the community and downright obstruction from climate deniers led on by the oil industry and politicians of Stephen Harper's ilk. He, at least, should have known better. But even as we worked, we were aware of being seri-

ously hooked on oil, and that getting over the addiction will certainly cause many moments of extreme difficulty.

Isabelle has chosen a very tough row to hoe and, as we applaud her effort, we should say from our experience that she will need our encouragement and support to continue. The struggle is not for nothing. Should we decide to share Isabelle's courage, hope, and intelligence, I am sure as we go along we will find new, vibrant ideas about how to work creatively with our environment, and in doing so, shake our addiction to oil and then experience the immense joy of breathing deeply in greener pastures under a truly blue sky.

There are lots of ideas and projects like Isabelle's out there. Now that Covid-19 has given us a chance to realize we can't return to “normal,” it would perhaps be good for the New Times to start an open column for contributors entitled something in the order of “Practical Ideas for Change.”

Philip Fry

Highlights of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville Council Meetings

Major expansion for Community Paramedic Program: The Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care Program is being significantly expanded in Leeds and Grenville.

“We will now have two vehicles staffed every day, seven days a week,” said Leeds Grenville Paramedic Service Chief, Jeff Carss. At present, the service is offered one day per week for 12 hours.

The plan, which is expected to be up and running later this spring, has been approved by the Joint Services Committee. Services will include home visits, including certain diagnostic procedures and treatments, remote patient monitoring, and home assessments, to name a few.

Two Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) will be used to operate the program, which will also mean an increase in paramedic staffing to four fulltime equivalents. Community paramedic programs have reduced the number of costly 911 calls, avoidable emergency room hospital visits, March 10, 2021

and provided additional supports and connections for high risk or vulnerable individuals.

Community paramedicine is a model of community-based health care, where paramedics use their education and expertise in community-based, non-emergency care roles outside their emergency response, and ambulance transport roles.

Last fall, the province announced the Ministry of Long-Term Care was expanding the program. Leeds and Grenville was selected to be part of that expansion. The Ministry is funding the program to provide services to individuals who are waiting for placement in long-term care facilities or who are soon eligible for long-term care.

Leeds Grenville Paramedic Service is looking for a suitable location to be a paramedic post, a facility with a garage bay area where the ERV can be parked and protected, as well as a crew area. For more information contact Paramedic Chief Jeff Carss at 613-342-3840, ext.

2404.

Planning Department reports increased activity: New applications for subdivisions and consent applications for new lots were steady last year, a summary report for 2020 shows. By the end of the year, there were 22 subdivision application files open throughout the Counties. Of those applications, 14 have received draft plan approval for a potential 1,119 residential units. Another eight applications are in process, with applicants working toward draft plan approval.

Over and above these applications, the Counties received four new subdivision applications, and draft approved three plans, and amended one subdivision plan. Six draft plans of subdivision were given more time to fulfil their conditions of draft plan approval. Two were given final approval in North Grenville.

New applications were received for development plans in Westport, MerrickvilleWolford, and the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands. Draft plan approvals were given to applicants in Merrickville-Wolford and North Grenville.

A high number of consent applications, whether to create a new lot, to add land to an existing lot, or create an easement / right of way, were submitted in 2020. There was a total of 159 applications, the highest number received since 2011. Planning staff also noticed an increase in the number of inquiries in the second half of 2020 for consents, possibly due to high land prices, increased demand for new lots, or economic circumstances as a result of COVID-19.

Over the past five years, there have been 597 consent applications. Approximately 60% have been to create new lots. The remaining 40% have been for lot additions and easements / right of way.

Upcoming meetings: The Committee of the Whole meeting is on Tuesday March 9; the Joint Services Committee on Wednesday, March 10; Counties Council on Thursday, March 25. All regular meetings begin at 9 a.m. in the Council Chambers at 25 Central Avenue, Brockville.

For more information, contact County Clerk Lesley Todd at 613-342-3840, ext. 2454.

8

The Voice of North Grenville

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THOMAS M. BYRNE Barrister and Solicitor

General Practice Corporate / Commercial Family Law Estates Real Estate Wills & Powers of Attorney tom@tmblaw.ca 613.258.1277 222 Prescott St., Kemptville

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Senior Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Epidemiologist partners with Seniors’ Community Services

Siera Plebon-Huff

by Dawn Rodgers Sieara Plebon-Huff is Master of Science (MSc) in Aging and Health student at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

As part of her program, she is working in partnership with community agencies on understanding ways to describe, monitor, and evaluate programs for ag-

ing individuals. She is excited to have the opportunity to apply her knowledge to impactful programs and services within her own community.

Kemptville holds a special place in Sieara’s heart.

She spent many weekends in the community as a child and teen, visiting her father, Peter Huff, and grandparents, John and Sheila Huff. She is excited to give back to this community by assisting the Seniors’ Community Services organization (formerly known as Kemptville and District Home Support Inc.) in developing an evaluation plan for their Transportation Service, a key service for older adults in and around the Kemptville area.

In addition to pursing her MSc, Sieara works as an Epidemiologist for the

Public Health Agency of Canada, conducting surveillance of adult chronic diseases. Outside of work and school, you’ll find Sieara hanging out with her grandma, Janet, and spoiling her dog.

For more information about Seniors’ Community Services and how their programs can support you or a loved one please visit www.seniorscs.ca, or call 613-258-3203. Be sure to check them out on Facebook and Instagram.

Paul A. Jansen, BA, LLB.

215 Van Buren Street, Kemptville 613.258.7462 jansenlaw.com

Real Estate - Wills & Estates - Family Law - Corporate

Throughout these challenging times, we are continuing to provide essential services:

cted ~ e n n o C ep Let’s Ke are Stronger we Together

Rachel S. Jansen, B.Comm., J.D.

· Meals on Wheels (frozen), delivered to your door · Regular telephone calls from our volunteers · Essential Transportation Footcare clinic - Income Tax Clinic - Seniors’ Centre Without Walls - NEW Virtual Programming - Exercise etc.

the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

Revenue Canada Charitable Number 118979111RR0001

215 Sanders St., Suite 101, Kemptville

613 -258-3203

www.seniorscs.ca

Extra hours to exchange bag tags Public feedback sought for The Municipality of North to be as smooth as possible,” nicipality diverted an average cannabis study

Grenville is providing weekend office hours for residents to exchange their old garbage bag tags for new ones. The Municipal administrative office will be open to the public on Saturday, March 20 and Saturday, April 10 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm for residents who cannot come during regular office hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm).

The additional Saturday dates are specifically for residents to exchange old bag tags for new ones, or refund only. All other services such as building permit and bill payments will continue to be provided during regular work hours.

“We understand the new waste and organics program is a significant transition for the community and we want it March 10, 2021

said Mayor Peckford. “The additional Saturday office hours are intended to help to accommodate those who cannot come to the Municipal Office during regular office hours.”

The new waste management program began in February and introduced weekly organic collection (green bin) and bi-weekly garbage collection. The cost of garbage bag tags increased to $2.75 per tag, or a bundle of 8 for $22.

A 30-day grace was provided for old bag tags to be used.

This ended on March 2.

“Please remember that there is no deadline for which to exchange or get a refund on old bag tags,” said Councillor Kristin Strackerjan.

In the first month of the new waste program, the Mu-

The Municipality of North Grenville initiated a land use planning study to review best practices for Cannabis Production and Processing Facilities.

“This is an issue that matters a lot to many members of the community,” said Mayor Peckford. “Unfortunately, North Grenville was not fully equipped to address some of the operational impacts of these facilities, especially when they are in close proximity to residential neighbourhoods. Council has heard from a number of residents, who have brought forward concerns with both current and proposed cannabis operations in North Grenville.

Cannabis facilities continue to show strong interest in North Grenville, and we need to be

of 3 tons of organic waste per day from the landfill. More information on the waste, organics and recycling program can be found on the Municipal website at: www.

NGrecycles.ca.

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

WE NEED HEROES

ACT NOW

9

clearer about what our options are as a community.”

The draft Cannabis Study was presented to Council on November 17, 2020 and is open for community feedback. The study undertook a review of the Cannabis Framework to understand the size and scale of cannabis operations that are licensed by the Federal Government, and provides recommendations for policy implementation in North Grenville where it pertains to new and establishing cannabis facilities.

The Cannabis Study looked at a variety of concerns pertaining to Cannabis Facilities, including odour, setbacks, noise, light pollution, and location to sensitive land uses.

“This study provides an

opportunity to dive deeper into what policy options are available to the municipality for new Cannabis facilities,” added Jim McManaman, Deputy Mayor and Planning and Development Liaison.

Members of the Community are invited to attend a Public Information Session on March 17, at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Those interested in attending must pre-register

by March 17 to amartin@ northgrenville.on.ca.

Written comments can be submitted to the Director of Planning and Development, Amy Martin, at amartin@ northgrenville.on.ca until March 31, 2021.

For more information visit: www.NorthGrenville. ca/Cannabis. www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

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The Voice of Merrickville/Wolford

Council supports Bell funding application for high speed internet

Canada’s Connectivity Strategy, which aims to provide Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 100% of Canadian businesses and households with 50/10 Merrickville-Wolford Megabits per second (the council has provided Bell speed needed to take full Canada with a letter of sup- advantage of modern internet) port endorsing their applica- by 2030.

According to Mayor tion for funding from the federal government to expand Struthers, Bell has indicated broadband internet in rural that if they are successful in their application, they will and underserved areas.

Bell Canada is one of invest in expanding their many telecommunications current fibre network in the companies and organiza- Village into the rural area. tions who are applying This would give another 880 for funds from the federal homes in the municipality ingovernment’s $1.75 billion ternet speeds of 1.5 Gigabits Universal Broadband Fund per second, the fastest in the (UBF), for projects bringing country and well above the high-speed internet to rural federal government’s 50/10 and remote communities Mbps goal. Bell confirmed across the country. The UBF that rural Merrickville-Wolis part of the government’s ford is included in their appliHigh-Speed Access for All: cation, and that residents will

by Hilary Thomson

ity, these applications are much less strong,” she said at the meeting. “So, to that end, in discussions with the Deputy Mayor and [CAO Gary Dyke], we felt that at this point it is prudent to provide a letter of support where staff have deemed the applications credible, and at this point there are just two on the table here, for which I think our letter of support would be valuable.”

Mayor Struthers also suggested that MerrickvilleWolford council provide the letter of support to Bell, but he did check in with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN), which has also made an application to the UBF, before making the recommendation. EORN is a not-for-profit organization

not have to pay for standard service installations. There would, however, be a onetime activation fee if they choose to subscribe to a Bell service plan.

Merrickville-Wolford is not the only municipality which received this request from Bell. North Grenville also received letters from Bell and Ottawa-based company CENGN, which Mayor Nancy Peckford brought to the attention of council at their meeting of March 2. Mayor Peckford has been a staunch advocate for increasing rural broadband in the municipality for years, as there are many rural residents in North Grenville who struggle daily with internet access.

“Without the letter of support from the municipal-

created by the Eastern Ontario Warden’s Caucus (EOWC), whose “Gig Project” has the goal of providing 1Gbsp internet to 95% of homes in Eastern Ontario by 2025-26.

The project is expected to cost $1.2- $1.6 billion and they are looking for federal, provincial, and private sector funding to make it happen.

Representatives from EORN assured Mayor Struthers that fixing the internet issue in rural Eastern Ontario will require a variety of solutions, and that Bell’s application should not hinder their own plans.

Although Councillor Timothy Molloy agreed that expanding high speed internet into the rural area of Merrickville-Wolford is important, he expressed some concern

about the exact location of the fibre expansion. “There is lack of service, especially fibre, in Wolford and we should be looking to get that taken care of, as compared to going east, let’s say,” he said.

Councillor Bob Foster reminded Councillor Molloy that if Bell did expand their reach to 880 more homes in the municipality, it would greatly improve access for most residents. “In that case, with 1,100 households in Merrickville-Wolford, they’d be reaching the majority,” he said.

Applications for the UBF are due on March 15, and projects that are successful in receiving funding must be complete by March 31, 2027.

Merrickville and District Trails Society spearheads new project the MDTS has turned their Local Journalism Initiative Reporter focus towards a route that runs along the water and into A new trail in Merrick- the Rideau River Migratory ville is in the works that Bird Sanctuary. The rough will give villagers and visi- trail, originally called the tors alike the opportunity Bird Sanctuary Trail, was to take in the wildlife of the developed 25 years ago, and Rideau River Migratory Bird runs in a loop through the forSanctuary. The Merrickville est, starting at the west end of and District Trails Society the track on the Merrickville (MDTS) is an independent Fairgrounds. volunteer society with a misAlthough the path is alsion to develop trails and ready there, MDTS member promote their use in and Tim Allen says a lot of work around Merrickville. In the needs to be done so that it past, they have worked hard is accessible to anyone who at developing the trails in the wants to use it. They are planmunicipality, including the ning on developing the trail Woodland-Toboggan Hill towards the river and installLoop that begins close to ing a viewing platform so that Merrickville Public School. people can take in the beauty In 2019, the MDTS worked of the waterway and the wildwith the Merrickville Public life present in the migratory Library to create a Story bird sanctuary. Local wildlife Trail for children along the biologist, Stew Hamill, has Woodland-Toboggan Hill seen over 40 types of birds in Loop, which was used by the sanctuary, including the the Library for programming Common Loon, Green Heron, throughout the summer.

Osprey, and Bald Eagle, as Now that the develop- well as other types of wildlife ment of the Woodland-To- like the River Otter, Muskrat, boggan Hill Loop is finished, and Snapping Turtle.

by Hilary Thomson

March 10, 2021

The project, which the MDTS is now calling the Merrickville Riverwalk Trail, also includes a water trail called the Riverwalk Paddle, which will give people with non-motorized watercraft, like canoes and kayaks, the opportunity to explore the migratory bird sanctuary from the water. The trail will start at the Merrickville boat launch, with the possibility of extending it all the way up to Kilmarnock.

“I think we’re aiming to have a basic paddle to be two or three km to go all the way around, and of course, people could do more,” Tim says.

“There might be more options to go on more serious paddles which would be up to 10 km.”

The MDTS is looking to work closely with the community to make the Riverwalk Trail something that everyone can enjoy. They have been working with Mary-Kate Laphen at the Merrickville Public Library to collect information that will be used for an information pack-

10

age, as well as interpretive signs along the trail. Tim says this will include information about flora and fauna in the area, but also a bit about its history. The MTDS heard that there used to be small boat houses along the riverbank, and members are looking into it. “Apparently, there were still vestiges back in the 1970s,” Tim says.

The Merrickville Lions Club has also expressed interest in helping the MDTS build the viewing platform at the apex of the trail. “We don’t have all the details yet, and no final agreements, but they’ve been working actively on it, looking at it and seeing what we might do,” Tim says.

As the land that houses the Riverwalk Trail is owned by the municipality, the MDTS has been working closely with the Village to connect with both the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) and Parks Canada to get permission to develop the trail and build the viewing platform. While applications

have been made, they are still waiting to hear back from both organizations.

Tim is excited about this project, as it will allow people to actually see out over the river and into the migratory bird sanctuary, something that isn’t accessible right now. “It gives us a safe access, and a responsible sort of access, to the river shore and the bird sanctuary.”

The MDTS is hoping to hear back from the RVCA and Parks Canada this year, so that the project can get underway in the summer. “As soon as we get permissions, we’ll be ready to go,” Tim says.

The goal is to do most of the work in 2021, with both the Riverwalk Trail, including the viewing platform, and the River Paddle ready for use in 2022. Any organization or individual who is interested in getting involved can contact Tim at timothy.allen.2@ ulaval.ca, or Mary Hegan at mhegan@ripnet.com.

WE NEED HEROES

ACT NOW

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Phase Two of COVID-19 Vaccine distribution plan begins

The Ontario government is preparing to move into Phase Two of its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan next month, with a focus on vaccinating populations based on age and risk. This approach is designed to save lives, protect those at risk of serious illness and to stop the virus from spreading.

"Due to the incredible work of an army of people, we have a solid vaccine distribution plan and we are ready to get needles into arms as soon as the doses arrive," said Premier Ford. "This is a true Team Ontario effort and we are mobilizing our greatest asset - the people of Ontario.

Vaccines will be administered in hospital clinics, primary care settings, mass vaccination sites, mobile clinics and pharmacies across the province by dedicated, caring and compassionate frontline health care heroes."

With vaccine supply stabilizing and over two million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine expected from the federal government before the end of March, the province is set to enter Phase Two of its vaccine rollout. Between April 2021 and July 2021, up to nine million Ontarians will be vaccinated.

During Phase Two, groups that will receive the vaccine include: - Older adults between 60-79 years of age; - Individuals with specific health conditions and some primary caregivers; - People who live and work in congregate settings and some primary caregivers; - People who live in hot spots with high rates of death, hospitalizations and transmission; - Certain workers who cannot work from home.

"Thanks to the hard work of our health care partners and frontline heroes, Ontario's vaccine rollout is making a positive difference and helping to save the lives of some of our most vulnerable," said Minister Elliott. "We continue to ramp up capacity and are committed to administering as many doses, as quickly as possible to every Ontarian who wants a vaccine."

Phase One of Ontario's vaccination rollout is well underway, with 820,000 doses administered and over 269,000 Ontarians fully immunized. Over 95 per cent of long-term care residents are fully immunized and public health units are working with March 10, 2021

homes to vaccinate staff and essential caregivers as a priority. Some local public health units, based on local context and capacity, have been able to vaccinate some people aged over 80, before the anticipated timeframe of mid-March. By focusing early vaccination efforts on long-term care residents, combined with public health measures, Ontario has notably rapidly reduced infections and the daily death rates in long-term care homes.

Starting March 15, the province will launch an online booking system and a provincial customer service desk to answer questions and support appointment bookings at mass immunization clinics. This will initially support individuals over the age of 80 as part of Phase One, eventually extending to more groups during Phase Two. While some public health units are currently using their own booking systems to vaccinate individuals aged 80 and over, it is anticipated that the majority of public health units will transition to the provincial booking system after it has launched.

The fight against COVID-19 continues to be our government's top priority," said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. "With the approval of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and now the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and with increased supplies coming into the province, this gives us renewed focus to get even more Ontarians vaccinated sooner. We've made tremendous progress and ask that Ontarians continue to stay the course to protect themselves and keep their families, friends and communities safe."

NACI has provided the recommendation to extend the vaccination dose interval up to four months for all Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccines while maintaining a strong and sustained level of protection from the virus. This news, along with the approval of new vaccines, will help us to reforecast and maximize the number of people receiving a first dose in a shorter timeframe, pending supply from the federal government.

Ontario has accepted and will follow NACI's recommendations starting March 10, with some limited exceptions.

As supply increases, Ontarians will be able to get vaccinated with the three Health Canada approved vaccines in several new settings. In addition to hospitals, mobile clinics and mass vaccination

clinics, the province is working with the pharmacy sector and with primary care professionals to offer vaccinations in primary care settings and community locations in collaboration with public health units.

A pilot for pharmacy vaccine administration is planned for mid-March in select regions, including Toronto, Windsor and the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington region, followed by specific primary care pilots in collaboration with public health units.

"Being able to announce the Phase Two rollout is exciting news for everyone.

The vaccine developments this week mean that we can expect things to move faster than anticipated which is fantastic," said Gen (Ret'd) Rick Hillier. "To that end, government officials are refining the distribution plans, testing the online booking system and implementing a pilot program with pharmacies and primary care providers in select regions to ensure that they are ready for the launch of Phase Two." Ontario will enter Phase Three when vaccines are available for every Ontarian who wishes to be immunized. While vaccines will not be mandated, during Phase Three, people will be strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.

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The North Grenville Times

Female networking group offers business support and connection to connect with other business owners and share their triLocal Journalism Initiative Reporter umphs and struggles with a community that understands.

There is a small but “It’s super important to be mighty networking group able to bring together a group in Eastern Ontario, with the of really strong, like minded focus of empowering female women, so that we can talk entrepreneurs in the region. about those issues safely Eastern Ontario Women and we can move through in Business (EOWIB) was the challenges and, likewise, started by Kemptville resi- celebrate the wins.” dent Ann Max in 2019, with It is important for female the goal of centralizing and entrepreneurs to own that growing local female net- being successful in business working groups across East- as a woman is no longer a ern Ontario. This includes dirty word. Sheri says that, Kemptville Women in Busi- when she was growing up, ness, North Dundas Women strong women were viewed in Business, South Dundas in a very unkind way. “It’s Women in Business, Smiths the ‘bitch’ context. That it’s Falls Women in Business, the only way that you can and, more recently, Kingston get ahead in businesses and Women in Business. be strong and powerful.” AlCurrent President, Sheri though that trope still exists, Godfrey, took over from Sheri believes that women in Ann in July, 2020. Sheri business thrive when they set lives in Gananoque, and is a aside the competition and lift visibility business coach. “I each other up. “I believe when help women believe in the one rises, we all rise.” power of their voice and the Normally, EOWIB would worth of their words,” she run networking events in says. “Oftentimes, women all the smaller communities will sit at the back of the where they have chapters; but room, afraid to stand up and due to the pandemic, this has say their piece, and I think not been possible for almost it’s important that we give a year. Instead, EOWIB hosts women the tools and the monthly virtual meetings ability to stand up.” that they call Conversations Sheri believes the power to Connect, which feature a of EOWIB reaches far be- guest presenter and allows yond networking and busi- women from all chapters ness-building. Their gather- to share how things are goings give women the ability ing and to receive support.

Although these monthly virtual meetings are beneficial, Sheri sees many female entrepreneurs who are tired and yearning for that in-person connection. “I think many people’s cups, so to speak, are depleted right now, and that, when we get back to inperson, it’s really going to be to bolster the mental health aspect of women in business, as opposed to finding those collaboration partners, or seeking out new clients and finding new lead sources and referral sources.”

EOWIB also allows brick and mortar and home-based businesses connect with female entrepreneurs outside of their usual footprint. “I think it’s important that, if they choose, we have options to connect them to people outside of their community,” Sheri says.

As the fairly new president of EOWIB, Sheri thrives on creating those connections and highlighting the stories of female entrepreneurs, which often reach far beyond their business. In their weekly newsletter, EOWIB features one of their members, talking not only about their business, but about them as people. “I do one-on-one interviews, and we do some of their back-story. Who are they?

Where did they come from?

What makes their heart sing?.

And then we move into their

Some stats on the vaccine program in Ontario

Surmounting COVID – food for thought

by Hilary Thomson

As of March 4, 2021, at 8 pm, over 820,000 vaccine doses have been administered across the province, including over 121,000 doses administered to long-term care home residents.

Over 269,000 Ontarians are fully immunized, including over 55,000 long-term care home residents. Ontario is leading the country in the total number of vaccines administered and has fully immunized more individuals than all provinces and territories combined.

For the month of March, Ontario is expecting to receive 870,480 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 483,700 doses of the Moderna vaccine. If you're aged 80 or older and you don't live in a congregate care setting, you may be able to book a vaccine appointment through your public health unit.

Ontario will begin collecting sociodemographic data on a voluntary basis from individuals who get the COVID-19 vaccine starting Friday, March 5, 2021. Collecting this data will help the province have a more complete picture of who is being vaccinated, help ensure access to the vaccine for communities who are at-risk and disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, and ensure that everyone who wants to be vaccinated is being reached.

Only vaccines that Health Canada determines to be safe and effective will be approved for use in Canada and available in Ontario. This means all COVID-19 vaccines being offered; were tested on a large number of people through extensive clinical trials; have met all the requirements for approval, including safety; and will be monitored for any adverse reactions that may occur after vaccination and appropriate measures will be taken..

March 10, 2021

business and how it all ties in together, so as women we can see that we do have the full package going on.”

The organisation has quite a large number of followers on Facebook, but membership has dropped to around 40 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sheri is hoping that, as more people get vaccinated, she will be able to travel around the various communities in Eastern Ontario and find more female entrepreneurs who might benefit from what EOWIB offers. She is also hoping to host a two day in-person business retreat in October, which will have both the business and connection components that are at the core of the organization.

EOWIB is always looking for new members. Their next virtual networking session is on March 17, from 11:30am1:30pm, which will feature a presenter who will be talking about Mailchimp and email marketing. EOWIB is offering a free ticket to NG Times readers who are interested in attending the session and learning more about EOWIB. To receive the special discount code, email Sheri at eowibiz@gmail.com. If you would like more information about the organization before the session, feel free to check out their website at www. eowibiz.ca, or email Sheri to set up a Zoom coffee date.

orative activities with others whose interests and company you enjoy – be they restaurants, kids’ hockey games, get-togethers, sharing a meal were denied. For families and for people who treasure and respect the development and mentoring of young people, enough with reality TV - this is a time to re-invest in the volunteer activities that have real impact and meaning.

What can you spend a few volunteer hours a month doing that has a greater, almost magical “return on the investment of time and effort”, than helping our wonderful young people learn personal discipline and self-confidence; grow new sports, coping and life skills; participate in, and then lead, teams; accomplish personal goals; acquire a sense of purpose, and an informed and experienced understanding of the true value of citizenship within a community? And, from per-

by Peter S. Milsom, President, Kemptville Navy League Volunteering has fallen off for most charitable organizations over recent years, but is again markedly on the rise. One positive effect of the COVID experience has been the reassessment by both individuals and families - long constrained within the severely restricted, noninclusive character of the “bubble” - of the value and pleasure of external and community involvements that they have dearly missed.

After all, one can only take so much “reality” TV when one’s own reality is so unreal.

Re-prioritization of individual and family interactions, experiences, and activities is happening because the cocoon-like COVID experience just didn’t cut it – the pleasure and sense of accomplishment in collab12

The Voice of North Grenville

Leeds & Grenville Interval House to receive Women’s donations

The 1st quarterly meeting for the 100 Women Who Care North Grenville was held on February 18, 2021. There were 25 women gathered online on a virtual Zoom call. It is the third online meeting held since Covid began. We are so pleased with the number of ladies that attend each meeting. The feeling of comradery and accomplishment is amazing.

The three nominated charities that presented were the Leeds and Grenville Interval House, the Country Cat Sanctuary, and the KDH WAY Program (Wellness Access for Youth). The membership loves to hear how each charity operates, and appreciates the time they take to participate in our quarterly meetings.

Once representatives from each charity provided information about their initiatives, the members made an informed vote.

The group chose Leeds and Grenville Interval House as the latest funding recipient. The membership is very compassionate about organizations that support women in need.

Ron Andersen of the Kemptville Legion Branch 212, also gave a report on how our donated funds were used from last quarter. The funds were utilized to support veterans in our community. The virtual call was overflowing with love, knowing that the 100 Women Who Care North Grenville is making an impact in our community.

As of the last meeting, the 100 Women Who Care North Grenville was hovering around 115 ladies strong. With contributions from new and existing members, a total of $3,250 was raised in our last quarter. The two runners up charities each received $250.

Door prizes were graciously donated by the Municipality of North Grenville and Abbott Road Suites. The winner of the $50 NG Green was Sandy Guest (she donated it to the KDH WAY program), and the winner of the 1-night stay at Abbott Road Suites was Monique Warrack (she donated it back to raffle it again at our next meeting). Wow, such generous sponsors and winners. Thank you everyone for your support.

Be sure to check out the Facebook page and website at www.100womenwhocareng.com for pictures from our last meeting.

The next meeting of the 100 Women Who Care NG is scheduled for Thursday, May 27, 2021. It will be held as an online Zoom call. Register ahead of time on our website. Guests are welcome to see what we are all about. The warmth of the membership is contagious, and we are sure you will want to join in this amazing movement happening here in North Grenville.

Investing in the community, now and for the future, is what 100 Women Who Care NG is all about. To find out more about 100 Women Who Care NG, see their impact on our community, or to become a member, visit their website at www.100womenwhocareng.com. sonal experience, seeing your parent there at the game, or the activity, or in direct, active support, is the best motivator, reinforcement, and endorsement for a young person!

Therein lies the magic!

We have a recommendation for you to achieve all of these objectives: Join us!

Take the personal leap into the most rewarding of personal

giving!

Kemptville Branch, The Navy League of Canada Serving the needs and best interests of boys and girls 9 – 18 years, and of the officers, instructors, volunteers, families, and the community of North Grenville!

(Information: 613 2150705)

the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

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The North Grenville Times

International Woman’s Day

The Voice of North Grenville

2021

Saluting ourGeraldine business women in North Grenville Taylor: North Grenville Tourist Guide AD (Full page (42p) x 130ag - 7 x 9.2858”) TD Graham + Associates | 613-258-3885 Jan 2019 “I believe in

being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy Because buying orthe girls are prettiest selling a home is girls.

I believe that more than just a is tomorrow another day, and I transaction... believe in miracles.”

–Audrey Hepburn

301 Rideau Street, Kemptville

613.258.3014

Judy Beveridge, co owner of the B&H, is the one behind the scenes making everything run smoothly. She quietly goes through the day, keeping an eye on things, friendly and effective in making the B&H a valuable centre of our community. Judy has a most generous heart and is a strong supporter of every event and activity that improves and celebrates North Grenville and its people. And, though she is a quiet one, she has real strength and character, and proves that behind every successful man, there’s someone like her.

“Well-behaved women rarely make history.”

Grahame's Bakery Debbie Geraldine Taylor: North Grenville Tourist Guide AD (Full page TD Graham + Associates | 613-258-3885 Wilson Jan 2019

Because buying or selling a home is 115 Clothier St. E., Kemptville 613.258.2317 more than just a www.grahamesbakery.com transaction...

Debbie is the proud co-owner, with brother Rick, of Grahame’s Bakery in

Kemptville. She works extremely hard, sets a high standard for herself, and always makes time for those who need it, without ever asking for anything in return. Debbie always gives credit to others when it comes to recognition for her considerable efforts.

She is Chair of the Old Town Kemptville BIA Board of Management and –Eleanor Roosevelt Vice-chair of the North Grenville Community and Economic Development We take great pride in the relationships we build andfound always work Advisory Committee.

She helped the Kemptville and District Sports Hall of Fame and launch the community’s inaugural Doors Open event. relentlessly on your behalf to help you achieve your real estate goals.

Debbie was also recently appointed by Steve Clark as the provincial “She wasn’t representative on North Grenville’s Police Services Board. She is also looking for a heavily involved in other community organizations and events both directly We take great pride in the relationsh and indirectly. knight. She relentlessly on recipient your behalf In Nov. of 1919, Debbie was honoured by being named the of to help yo was looking the 2019 Bill Thake Memorial Economic Development Leadership Award We to be in constant with you, keeping at communication the 11th annual United Counties of Leeds you and fully Grenville Economic forpledge a sword.” informed throughout the entire buying or selling process.

Development Summit.

–Atticus

...it’s an experience!

Our philosophy is YOU come first.

We believe that if you’re not left with an amazing experience, we haven’t done our job.

JANSEN LAW Barristers, Solicitors & Notaries Public

Rachel Jansen,

B.Comm.,J.D.

Family Law, Real Estate, Wills & Estates

215 Van Buren Street, Kemptville 613.258.7462 jansenlaw.com Rachel was born and raised in Kemptville. She returned after her post-secondary schooling to join her family business providing legal services to the community. She supports many local charitable initiatives, is president of the local law association and participates in local sports leagues. Rachel has now started a family of her own and looks forward to raising her children in such a vibrant and growing community.

March 10, 2021

...it’

Our philosophy is simple: YOU come first.

We pledge to be in constant commu informed throughout the entire buy

Let’s get started. Contact me today… either by calling or texting me at We believe that if you’re not left with 613 808 8912 or email me at: sgtaylor@kw.com done our job.

Let’s get started. Contact me today…

Geraldine Taylor, Sales Representative, 613 808 8912 or email me at: sgtay Keller Williams Integrity Reality Brokerage, Independently of Owned And Operated Proudly serving the community North G Grenville and Geraldine surrounding area since 1994.

Taylor, Sales Representative, Ke Williams Integrity Reality 613 808 8912Keller sgtaylor@kw.com Pr Proudly serving the community of North www.geraldinetaylor.com G

“Girls should never be afraid to be smart.”

–Emma Watson

Grenville and surrounding area since 1994.

Somerwynde Professional Centre

"We can disagree and still love each other, unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist."

— Linda Sarsour

13

613.258.7462

613 808 8912

sgtaylor@kw.com www.geraldinetaylor.com

“Geraldine Taylor moved to Kemptville in 1992, fell in love with the community and its people and never left!”

She acquired her real estate licence in 1994 and fell more in love with Kemptville now known as North Grenville. Real Estate allowed Geraldine to serve her community, developing a solid knowledge in the real estate market and developing her passion for helping people. The next stage in Geraldine Taylor’s real estate career is to find a way to develop affordable housing for everyone!

Thanks for this opportunity to advertise with the North Grenville Times.

Geraldine Taylor

www.ngtimes.ca

61 w

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

International Woman’s Day 2021

Saluting our business women in North Grenville

My name is Rebecca Cronk and I am a Fitness Specialist and the proud owner of Get Cronk'd Fitness Studio in the heart of Old Town Kemptville.

To say that this past year has been difficult and challenging for small businesses would be a gross understatement. I can tell you that without

Empowered Women Empower Women

the

tremendous,

unwavering

support

of

my

coaching

team

AND

this

AMAZING community, myself and MANY like me would no longer be here.

Living

through

a

pandemic,

as

an

entrepreneur,

has

taught

me

many

things, for example;

ALWAYS

expect the unexpected

WORST NOTHING is guaranteed NEVER GIVE UP, and most of all there is ABSOLUTELY no room for prepare for the

To

all

the

fabulous

women

in

my

complacency

life

and

on

these

pages;

WE

ARE

STRONG; WE ARE ADAPTABLE; WE ARE RESILIENT; and most of all, WE WILL PREVAIL!

OUR COMEBACK WILL BE GREATER THAN OUR SETBACK Happy International Women's Day to women everywhere (young and old). May we know them; may we be them; may we raise them!

www.getcronkd.ca

613-713-9413

Lynne has been selling real estate for over 30 years and has a registered office in Oxford Mills, living rurally but selling from Ottawa to Prescott. She has been a consistent award winner throughout her career earning the *Lifetime Achievement Award and *Directors Platinum Award for 2020. Her son Doni is also working with her, and they are proud to support the Royal Lepage Shelter Foundation, where a percentage of each and every sale goes directly to the Women’s Shelter.

Contact Us For More Details info@lbchomes.com 613.258.4225

2010 Totem Ranch Road EAST, Oxford Station

Back Row: Chelsea Baker, Sales Manager – Antonella Audet, Administration Front: Jessica Probert, Interior Designer – Nicole Craftchick, Architectural Technologist – Makayla Markell, Interior Designer

“Helping you in all your real estate needs is what we do” LYNNE ROBINSON 613-258-7486 lynnerobinson@royallepage.ca Royal Lepage TEAM Realty *Directors Platinum Award 2020 *Lifetime Achievement Award *Proud Supporter of the Royal Lepage Shelter Foundation At your service…

“One woman can make a difference, but together we can change the world.”

Happy International Women’s Day! A shoutout and thank you, to several of the women who help make up our team here at Lockwood Brothers Construction – we could not do it without you!

March 10, 2021

email admin@getcronkd.ca

14

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The North Grenville Times

International Woman’s Day

The Voice of North Grenville

2021

Saluting our business women in North Grenville

Statement by CAO Gary Dyke on International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrates the achievements of women and provides an opportunity to reflect on the contributions and accomplishments of women in our communities, in our workplaces, and in our lives.

I would like to take this

opportunity to recognize the contributions of the women at the Municipality of North Grenville who play important roles in serving our community.

I would also like to acknowledge the female leaders in the organization’s Senior Manage-

while the impact has been felt on all of us, so much of the weight and burden has been placed on women as they balance the demands and obligations of their work and personal lives.

As we begin to rebuild and recover from COVID-19, let us work together to build a community where families are supported, and women are free to choose their own path, without constraint.

In the spirit of International Women’s Day, let us recognize so many of the incredibly bright and strong women who help make up the fabric of our vibrant community, including mothers, business and community leaders, frontline workers, and our very own municipal staff.

ment Team. Ms. Heather Babcock-Cormier joined the organization in 2020 as Director of Legislative Services/Municipal Solicitor; Ms. Amy Martin is the Municipality’s new Director of Planning and Development, along with Director of Public Works, Karen Dunlop. Having more women in leadership positions brings diverse and exceptional voices to the senior leadership team.

Our senior leadership is supported by a dynamic team of women who provide strong, diverse voices, and a depth of talent to assist us in shaping and strengthening our community.

This past year has challenged all of us. The COVID-19 global pandemic has brought increased stressors, along with financial and economic challenges, that have been felt across the community. And

“My grandfather once told me that there are two kinds of people: those who do the work, and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition there.”

— Indira Gandhi

“The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers.”

— Juliette Gordon

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2021 Mayor Nancy Peckford

Councillor John Barclay

March 10, 2021

on behalf of North Grenville’s Council

Councillor Doreen O’Sullivan

15

Deputy Mayor Jim McManaman

Councillor Kristin Strackerjan

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

International Woman’s Day 2021 Saluting our business women in North Grenville

AND COLLISION CENTRE

DOMESTICÊ&ÊIMPORTÊEXPERTS

• • We now service Fleet Vehicles

We also offer

Roadside Assistance

HOME - AUTO - COMMERCIAL - FARM - TRAVEL

13 Centre St., Spencerville

613.658.3123

info@purcellinsurance.ca

•

• BRAKES • FRONT END • TUNE UP • OIL CHANGE • POWER STEERING FLUSH • COOLANT FLUSH • A/C SERVICE & REPAIR • EXHAUST • FUEL INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS • SAFETY INSPECTIONS All In One Package • AIR CONDITIONING • BATTERY MAINTENANCE All of it: oil change, battery test, align• TRANSMISSION SERVICE • 3D ALIGNMENT ment, coolant and hydraulic fluids, • TOWING

light check, tires, exhaust, engine oil replacement, engine tuning, suspension.

• Oil Change + Filters Office: • Winter and Summer Tire Swap

613-258-5209 613-864-6762

Cell: Office: 613-258-5209 Towing: 613-880-1654 Cell: 613-864-6762 2 Goldfinch Dr., Kemptville Towing: 613-850-6902

Ashley has been around the automotive industry all her life! She is the daughter of R. Rose Automotive’s owner Randy Rose. From a young age, she would get up at the crack of dawn on the weekends, throw on one of her dad’s uniforms, and follow him to work or putter around with him in the garage in the evenings; even changed her first set of spark plugs around the age of 12. She moved on to work at several automotive parts stores as a teenager and then the Federal Government right out of high school; however, her heart was never in it.

She describes herself as looking girly on the outside but a total tomboy on the inside, it’s not even uncommon to see her doing an oil change in the shop wearing her high heels. After the fire at the shop back in 2015, she left the Government and came to help her dad rebuild. She is loving being back in the industry.

“I have learned so much from my dad over the years. He would work all day then come home at night and continue working in the driveway all night, rain or shine, snow it didn’t matter. The work had to get done. Now shadowing the mechanics in the shop, listening to them diagnose and explain how they got to their conclusion, I am still learning”. She is a registered apprentice herself and hopes to one day be a Licensed Technician as well.

“This trade is not just for the boys” , she chuckles.

Colleen Purcell joined her father-in-law & husband at James Purcell Insurance Broker Ltd, in 2003. The business was a great fit for an Administrative Studies Degree from Trent University.

Helping clients with their insurance needs and helping them understand their coverages is important.

Everyone thinks insurance is boring but no two days are the same in this constant changing industry.

Contact Colleen at cpurcell@purcellinsurance.ca or 613-658-3123/800-544-0904.

Kika Smith Sylvie Jonsson Amazing leader serving our community since 1988 with compassion and customer service bar none.

613-258-6251 9-2868 County Road 43 - Kemptville brewedawakenings@outlook.com

Kika Smith along with her family, daughters Alyssa & Alexandra, her sister Valerie as well as niece Bethany, all bring the comfort of home to work every day as they work alongside each other with the rest of their Brewed Awakening family. Kika had worked with prior owners for close to 6 years when the opportunity presented itself and she decided to embrace entrepreneurship. She has now owned and run Brewed Awakenings for five very successful years.

"The connections I have made with my customers is one of the most pleasurable parts of my job, I love coming to work every day and seeing what I would call my family".

March 10, 2021

Highway 43, West, Kemptville Mall

613.258.5966 “I do not wish women to have power over men, but over themselves.” –Mary Shelley 16

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

International Woman’s Day 2021 Saluting our business women in North Grenville

PROFESSIONAL EYE CARE FOR ALL AGES

Dr. C.L. Eamon

We put the CARE in eye care Connie is a local lawyer, serving North Grenville and surrounding communities in the areas of Real Estate, Wills and Estates, and Uncontested Family Law. She moved to Kemptville in 1997 from Ottawa, choosing North Grenville as the best place to raise a family.

She is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Kemptville Youth Centre and provides pro bono legal services to a number of local charities and not-for-profit organizations that benefit North Grenville.

Optometrist

212 Van Buren St.

613.258.7438

Dr. Eamon started her business when there were very few female optometrists owning their own businesses, and there were only three other female sole proprietors of “bricks and mortar-type” businesses in Kemptville. She remembers when people would walk in the office and ask her where the doctor was. Since that time, North Grenville has grown and the number of women in business has grown so that they can share their amazing talents.

Her current staff includes four fantastic women, but there have also been wonderful male staff members in the past. Helen O’Hara brings years of administrative experience to the position, as well as her wonderful cheerful personality. Clare Weissflog brings her expertise of improving efficiency, pleasantly handling all kinds of questions, which is even more important in the COVID era. Jana Ford brings years of experience as a Certified Optometric Assistant as well as her knowledge in working with people of all ages. Jenifer Cash brings her years of experience in eye care, efficiently managing the high tech instrumentation as well as being a consummate shopper, and guiding patients to choose the perfect frame.

Dr. Eamon would like to wish success to all entrepreneurs, whether male or female, as their businesses add so much to our community

"We can disagree and still love each other, unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist."

— Linda Sarsour

Dr. Helen Kontogiannis Professional and Caring Dentistry, Serving North Grenville & Beyond

www.creeksidedentalcentre.ca Lisa has been a licensed Real Estate Agent working in the Kemptville and North Grenville area for the past 18 years.

She has lived in the North Grenville area since the age of five, attending both elementary and high school, and is proud to still call Kemptville home..

"I’m proud to be a part of this amazing community and look forward to safely assisting you with selling or buying your dream home."

March 10, 2021

Dr. Helen is married and she has two young children.

Her activities outside dentistry include cooking, running and playing tennis.

As a business owner in the community, she is pleased to give back to the community by donating to local and annual events, and by sponsoring individuals and community events.

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The North Grenville Times

SERVICES

Council approves framework for revitalization of downtown

by Hilary Thomson

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

At the meeting of March 2, North Grenville Council approved the framework for the new Downtown Kemptville Community Action Plan (DKCAP). The DKCAP was created to bolster the old Community Improvement Program (CIP), which has been in place in some capacity since 2013. Over the past few years, the municipality has seen a decline in property owners and developers using the program, prompting them to look at other ways they could incentivize growth and revitalization in the downtown core. The process for creating the DKCAP started in November, 2020, and a draft plan was presented to council on January 26.

The municipality’s vision for downtown Kemptville is to develop it into a vibrant gathering point that connects residents and visitors with unique experiences and amenities. To help create this vision, the DKCAP has created several financial tools to help encourage development in the downtown.

These programs are not only meant to help property owners and businesses invest in their properties, but also to increase residential density, which is key to revitalization in the downtown core. These financial tools are available for properties in the RideauSanders triangle from County Road 43, running down along Prescott Street, and to a few properties past Van Buren Street. The budget for implementing these programs has been set at $175,000 for 2021, coming out of the municipality’s general reserves.

The DKCAP also includes several planning tools meant to make building in the downtown easier for developers.

The implementation of a Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) should allow for more flexibility when it comes to the development of the unique properties that make up downtown Kemptville. According to the staff report, a CPPS regulates the form, scale, and character of development and allows investors to tailor unique solutions to the unique issues of a particular piece of property, and consolidates all planning and building permit applications into a single process.

“For the downtown KemptMarch 10, 2021

ville investor, this would add clarity to the process and represent significant reduction in the time required to move the project from concept to construction,” the report says.

To create a CPPS, the municipality must go through an official plan amendment. This requires public consultation, which staff is hoping to start in April.

One planning tool that did spark some discussion around the council table is the cash-in-lieu of parking bylaw. According to the staff report, parking in the downtown came up a lot in their conversations with community stakeholders. While there seems to be enough parking downtown in theory, the location of the spots do not align with the needs of businesses and visitors to the area. People who come to downtown Kemptville come for a purpose, and want parking close to their destination, which is not always an option.

The cash-in-lieu of parking bylaw would allow property owners who are unable to meet the requirements of providing adequate parking to their establishments, due to lot size or other barriers, to pay into a fund that the municipality can use to find alternative parking solutions for the downtown. This could include acquisition of land for municipal parking, improvements to existing on street parking, or improvements to existing municipally owned parking areas.

Deputy Mayor McManaman voiced his support for the cash-in-lieu parking by-law, stating that, as long as they come up with a reasonable fee, the program is of benefit to the property owners and the downtown core as a whole.

“If it’s a two-unit building that you could build in the past, but now you can build three because you don’t need those parking spaces, I think you’re still ahead of the game dramatically, as long as we come in with a fair price,” he said.

Local developer and CAO of the LA Group, Gilles Brisebois, agreed that the cash-inlieu of parking is a good idea.

“As long as the fee is reasonable, and that the fees are used to improve the walkways to access more parking spots,” he said. “Leaving it totally to the developers, I think it could be a train wreck, so I think it’s a good balance.”

Executive Director of the

The Voice of North Grenville

Old Town Kemptville BIA, Deron Johnston, said the BIA felt they needed more information about how the cashin-lieu of parking bylaw is going to work. “If there is an urgent need in the eyes of the community, which I think has been voiced at various times, then how long will it take to accumulate a significant enough amount of money to implement or add some new parking in the downtown area that would be covered by that cash-in-lieu?”

Deputy Mayor McManaman noted that, if there are repairs or upgrades needed in the downtown, they wouldn’t have to wait until there is a big pot built up to move ahead.

“If we need more parking, if we need to spend money on parking or fix things, that goes through budget, that’s at council’s discretion,” he said. Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, Hillary Geneau, who presented the DKCAP to council, said that further details about the cash-in-lieu of parking bylaw will be hammered out as they go through the process of implementing the CPPS. Even with the concerns about parking, Deron says he is encouraged by the DKCAP and council’s commitment to making a significant investment in the downtown core. “The increase in the number of residential units in the downtown means more potential customers for our businesses here, and moving towards this idea that downtown becomes a community hub,” he says. “That’s what we would love.”

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The Food Corner

18

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville We recently pulled out a Tourtière from the freezer for dinner. At our house, we have Tourtière pretty well all year round, not just during the festive season. One of the great accompaniments to this great traditional meat pie is my mother Yvonne’s fresh pickled onions. “Fresh pickled” is not a contradiction in terms, actually: you start with fresh onions and place them in a vinegar solution with the result that they combine the taste of the fresh onion with the pickling flavour.

Let me tell you that with Tourtière, they are a sure winner. However, they are great to accompany a pork or beef roast as well. So, here goes.

Grandmère’s Pickled Onions Ingredients: 2 largish red onions (red onions have a thinner skin and a lighter flavour than yellow or white onions); plus they have this beautiful colour 2 cups of white vinegar (more or less, depending on the size of your jar) 2 or three tablespoons of pickling spice 2 or three tablespoons of sugar; this is to taste; if you prefer sweeter, see test in step 8 below Preparation: Peel the onions and slice them as thinly as you can. Leave the slices intact and place them in a largish bowl.

Bring a full kettle to a boil and cover the sliced onions with boiling water.

Let the onions sit and sweat until the water has cooled to room temperature.

Bring the two cups of white vinegar to a boil in a saucepan and drop in the pickling spice and sugar.

Remove the solution from the stove and let it sit while the onions are cooling.

Get yourself a handsome big jar; ours is a big white attractive kitchen jar that sits on the second shelf of our refrigerator.

Layer the onions in your jar; the slices will fall apart as you layer them and that is just fine.

Pour half of your solution over the onions; then taste your solution for flavour. It if is too vinegary, add some cold water, if you like the pickling flavour, leave it intact and continue filling your jar. You can also add more sugar if you wish.

Put the lid on your jar and refrigerate for a week or so before dishing out with your favourite dish.

As always, just let me know how this worked out for you by contacting me at pcormier@ ranaprocess.com. www.ngtimes.ca

c ng

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Church recesses 6. Rabbit 10. Male turkeys 14. Angry 15. District 16. Brother of Jacob 17. Tycoon 18. Pins 19. Small brook 20. Party pooper 22. Genuine 23. Grin 24. Beset 25. Dry 29. Stretchable 31. An impressive array 33. Sandstorm 37. Exertion 38. Foursome

39. Fables 41. Creep 42. Protein in hair and nails 44. Amazes 45. Praises 48. On the up and up 50. Type of sword 51. Subduing 56. Stringed instrument 57. Sexual assault 58. Hearing-related 59. Skin disease 60. How old we are 61. Incline 62. Ale 63. Dregs 64. Anxious

DOWN 1. Objectives 2. Brace 3. Palm starch 4. Decorative case 5. Trades 6. Jubilantly 7. Ring around the nipple 8. Lapse 9. Where the sun rises 10. Hard unglazed brownishred earthenware 11. Willow 12. Of the cheekbone 13. Tarnish 21. Ore refinery 24. Employs 25. Mimics 26. Flat float 27. Data 28. Usher 30. Historic ship 32. Jimmies 34. A pouch in some birds 35. Concern 36. Probabilities 40. Collect discarded material 41. Wander 43. A Native American tent 45. Rehabilitation 46. Quickly 47. French science-fiction writer 49. Browned bread 51. By mouth 52. Stubborn beast 53. Press 54. Short sleeps 55. Delight

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Don’t let huts or hockey nets go down with the ice It’s officially March! And you know what that means: time to haul in your fishing huts, hockey nets and other on-ice gear before the ice is out. Building materials, benches and shovels, garbage and other waste can pollute our rivers and lakes, harm fish and wildlife and create hazards for boaters and swimmers in the spring.

Under Ontario law, Eastern Ontario fishing huts must

Medium

Hard

Solution to last week’s Crossword

March 10, 2021

week to collect your belongings, dispose of your garbage and dismantle any structures you’ve built on the ice. Protect and respect the river that has kept you going all through the long winter months!

For complete fishing hut regulations visit www.ontario.ca/ice-fishing. To learn about water quality in your area and how to improve it, visit watersheds.rvca.ca.

Highlights from the UCDSB Trustees’ meeting

Trustees with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) met on Wednesday, February 24, for a regularly scheduled board meeting.

UCDSB Highlights Experiential Learning Initiatives Staff presented an update on the school board’s Experiential Learning Plan for 2020-2021. Recognizing the educational value of lived experiences, the UCDSB Experiential Learning Plan includes eight strategies to help the board design and implement effective programs.

This year’s plan focuses on activities and board-wide challenges related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), skilled trades, and equity. Some examples of experiential learning that are outlined in the plan include: on-site or virtual field trips, collaborative construction projects using basic materials, horticultural projects using garden towers and community gardens, and coding activities.

Schools have been invited to submit proposals to receive funding for curriculum-related community-based projects.

Students participating in remote learning have received access to hands-on activities that align with both the curriculum and experiential learning principles.

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

Easy

be removed by March 15.

However, as the sun gets stronger and the weather begins to warm, it’s wise to remove them sooner rather than later. If you wait too long, you may find the ice too thin to access your belongings!

It is an offence under the Public Lands Act to leave your ice hut out after ice break up, even if that occurs before the removal deadline.

So take some time this

19

This Is Us: Students Continue to Share Insight about the School Year The UCDSB continues to connect with students to showcase secondary student experiences during this phase of pandemic learning. The “This is Us” video series provides an inside look at our schools and gives students and staff an opportunity to share their experiences so far this school year.

Currently, videos showcasing Almonte DHS, Tagwi SS, Gananoque SS, North Grenville DHS, and North Dundas DHS. have been released. At the Feb. 24 meeting, the school board shared two more videos interviewing staff and students from Russell DHS and Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute.

Continued Focus on Oc-

cupational Health & Safety for 2020-2021 Trustees were presented with the annual occupational health and safety report. Staff reported a 34 per cent reduction in incidents, which can be attributed to integrated prevention programs as well as decreased days of in-school learning. In 2019-2020, the focus was on establishing, updating, and maintaining health and safety programs to identify hazards and in developing and implementing practical and sustainable solutions. This approach has continued in 2020-2021 with a continued focus on creating safer and more engaged learning environments that encourage mental and physical wellness and meets legislative requirements.

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The North Grenville Times

Extra funding for children and youth mental health support The Ontario government is investing up to $10.5 million to immediately expand the mental health Secure Treatment Program for the province's most vulnerable children and youth. This funding will enhance access to these services and add up to 24 new beds at the Syl Apps Youth Centre in Oakville and at the Roberts/ Smart Centre in Ottawa. By expanding this program, an additional 52 children and youth with complex needs will receive direct mental health and addictions support each year.

"Our government is continuing to fulfill our promise of making mental health and addictions a priority, and ensure Ontarians have the services they deserve when and where they need them," said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. "Today's investment in Ontario's Secure Treatment Program will help vulnerable children, youth and their families in their time of need and allow them to access supports faster."

Ontario's Secure Treatment Program provides intensive care for children and

youth experiencing acute and complex mental health and/ or addictions challenges that may put them at risk of selfharm or harm to others. The expanded Secure Treatment Program will address gaps in care and improve access while decreasing existing wait lists and extensive wait times.

The Syl Apps Youth Centre is expected to accept additional children and youth by the summer, while the Roberts/Smart Centre is expected to be fully implemented in 2022-2023. The province is also increasing annual base funding by 10 per cent at the Syl Apps Youth Centre, the Roberts/Smart Centre, as well as the Youthdale Treatment Centre in Toronto.

"This much-needed funding will help expand Ontario's Secure Treatment Program, so that our most vulnerable children and youth can take that next important step in their journey towards mental wellness," said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. "By investing today, we are closer to reaching our shared goal of building a modern, connected and

The Voice of North Grenville

Is your Teen safe at work?

integrated mental health and addictions system for the future. Our government remains fully committed to creating a system where all Ontarians, young and old, have access to the highest quality supports that meet their unique needs."

"The Secure Treatment Program is an essential part of the child and youth mental health system serving children and youth experiencing high-need and complex mental health issues who require intensive and in some cases life-saving treatment. I know firsthand just how important this investment will be to other Ontario kids and their families, who right now are facing long wait times for secure treatment and as a result often end up in the hospital in crisis," said Kimberly Moran, Chief Executive Officer, Children's Mental Health Ontario. "This is a critical step and we appreciate the Ministry of Health putting dedicated focus on this group of vulnerable children and youth, and look forward to continuing our work together to build up a comprehensive and connected mental health system for children, youth and families."

Is this Vanturken ?

by Anne-Marie Langan There have been several lawsuits brought by employees against fast food chains, alleging that they were sexually harassed at work and that nothing was done about it when they reported the incident(s). Worse yet, one of the employee litigants alleges that she reported to her supervisor that her co-worker was sexually propositioning her, engaging in unwanted sexual touching, and showing her pornography on his phone, and their response was to reduce her hours.

Many employees at fast food restaurants are high school students working at their first job. As many as 1 out of 2 women and 1 out of 5 men will experience sexual harassment at work at some point in their career, and those between the ages of 15-25 are especially vulnerable. It can be extremely traumatising to witness or experience sexual harassment at any age, and this type of experience can adversely impact a teen’s

mental health and vocational aspirations. It is unlikely that a teen would know how to appropriately respond to sexual harassment by a manager, co-worker, or a customer, or where they can go for help.

Most workplaces where teens work have an antiharassment policy that outlines what behaviours are considered inappropriate and how employees can report incidents of harassment. These are often included as part of a hiring/training package that is provided to an employee on their first day. However, how likely is it that a teen, or any other employee for that matter, will actually take the time to read these policies and, if they do, will understand?

All employers, and especially those with young and vulnerable employees, should consider offering mandatory harassment prevention workshops to all employees and managers.

The Legal Clinic, and many other community legal clinics across Ontario, are of-

fering free virtual workshops for employees and employers about how to prevent and address harassment in the workplace. If you would like more information about these free workshops, please contact The Legal Clinic at 613-2647153, langana@lao.on.ca, or www.tlcshiwproject.com.

Anne-Marie is a staff Lawyer at The Legal Clinic in Perth, Ontario, who is currently working on a Public Legal Education campaign for employers and employees about sexual harassment in the workplace. This project is sponsored by the Justice Department of the Government of Canada. Anne-Marie graduated from Queen’s Law in 2004 and completed her Masters of Law at Osgoode in 2009. In the past 6 years she has primarily practiced in the areas of employment law, including human rights in employment and Workplace Safety.

New commemorative bench, tree and bike rack policy for NG a percentage of the cost, as program and, although Local Journalism Initiative Reporter prices for each item may submissions can be made vary over the years. at any time of year, DirecDirector Guy says that, tor Guy noted that tree North Grenville coun- while they are willing to planting and installations cil has approved a new work with the public when are typically done in the policy for commemorative considering the types of warmer months. trees, benches, and bike benches and bike racks The 2021 budget for racks in the municipal- that are installed, their commemorative trees and ity. Director of Parks and preference is that they other items is $10,000.

Recreation, Mark Guy, don’t have a multitude of “Once our portion of the told council that this policy different styles in the parks 50% is spent, then that has been in the works for across the municipality. would be it for a particular several years, dating back “The idea is to try and year until the next budget to the previous Active limit that as much as we year comes through,” DiTransportation Committee can, but I believe we can rector Guy said. of council. According to certainly offer more than Mayor Peckford behis report, the need for a one type of park bench that lieves that the new policy policy to govern commem- might be more suitable, or will be well embraced by orative trees, benches, bike might be more interesting, the community. “There’s racks, picnic tables, and for a particular community certainly a want to seize shade structures has been group to participate in,” he the occasion,” she said. evident for years, and the said. Councillor Doreen “So great to have the polineed is only increasing O’Sullivan suggested they cy so people that can chanwith more and more in- look into investing in a nel their energies and their terest from residents and unique North Grenville resources wisely.” community groups to have bike rack to help with comthese items installed in munity branding. “That’s neighbourhoods and parks something we can look at,” across the municipality.

Director Guy told her.

Any community memThe Municipality will ber or organization who be creating an application wants to get involved with form to participate in the the program will have to pay 50% of the cost for the north grenville the municipality to acquire the item. This will include the installation of a commemorative plaque, and Gord Logan the item will be placed Marketing Consultant on public property, to be Phone 613 258 6402 maintained by the municiEmail: gord@ngtimes.ca pality. Staff have settled on

by Hilary Thomson

TIMES

Photo by M Gardner March 10, 2021

20

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Bayfield Residents Celebrating their second Covid Vacine

Yeah!!!!!!!!

March 10, 2021

21

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The Voice of North Grenville

CDSBEO Board meeting highlights

by Amber LaBerge Specialist High Skills Major Program Update The Specialist High Skills Major programs provide students with an opportunity to focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

The SHSM programs help prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow and are key to increasing awareness of and exposure to technology, skilled trades, and apprenticeship pathways. Students receive the SHSM seal on their diploma when they complete a specific bundle of 8-10 courses in the student's selected field, earn valuable industry certifications, and gain

important skills on the job with employers. The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario is currently running 25 Specialist High Skills Major programs in nine different approved sectors.

Specialist High Skills Major Consultant Tammy Bovaird, presented an overview of the CDSBEO SHSM programs to the Board, including information on program statistics, current initiatives, and future planning.

“Each of our ten secondary schools has a minimum of two programs in each school and next year we will be adding two new programs. St. John Catholic High School in Perth, upon approval from the Ministry, will offer the Construction SHSM program,

Baldwin’s Birds

I hope that you are all fit and well and looking forward to longer and warmer days ahead.

Having reached the bottom of the very large bag of Nyjer seed, feeding our numerous bird portion of the Redpoll irruption, it was time to restock again. Local suppliers were out, so a trip a little bit north of here was required. A brilliantly sunny, but extremely cold, windy day prompted me, as I was going that way, to try my luck at seeing a Snowy Owl and Snow Buntings once again. So, with that in mind my camera was soon nestled behind my driving seat, in silent expectation.

Once the Nyjer seed had been purchased and stowed I was off to try my luck, again, Snowy Owl seeking. As luck would have it another car was just passing by, on the road where a sighting might have been expected, and an March 10, 2021

enthusiastic head popped out of the car window, to direct me to a Snowy Owl location, where it was supposedly sheltering from the wind, on the ground, by a fenced hedgerow, not too far away.

A first scan with my camera's zoom lens didn't really show it up, as, being white and well camouflaged, it didn't stand out one bit. Surprise,- surprise! I was feeling a little bit frustrated about this situation, when another car drew up and the gentleman in it, with his powerful binoculars, was able to zero me in, on it, straightaway,- success!

The owl, looking like a small mound of snow, sat stock still for ages, occasionally turning its head, but never really giving a great view of itself, until it finally took to the air and flew a short distance to the top of a hydro pole! Not surprisingly I lost sight of it during this transition, due to the glare of the sunshiny

and at St. Mary Catholic High School the Health and Wellness SHSM program will be added,” noted Ms. Bovaird.

“St. Mary is looking to add a fitness facility for students at the school. They have a very robust athletic program, and a very active athletic council at the school. They would like to focus on improving student’s physical fitness, coaching and leadership opportunities in this program.”

This year, there are 476 students enrolled in SHSM programs, which is up slightly from 461 last year.

There are five requirements for each SHSM program which include a defined bundle of credits (including cooperative education credits), sector-recognized certification and training courses, experiential learning and career exploration activities, learning experiences connected with the learner’s

postsecondary plans, and sector partner experience (industry partners design real challenges for students to facilitate collaboration, critical thinking and teamwork).

“This past year we have had to adapt and do things a little differently during the pandemic. Certifications and training have moved online, and the Ministry of Education has made some accommodations to the SHSM program requirements. Experiential Learning and Reach Ahead activities have been modified so that students are participating in virtual tours and online interviews, and there will be an upcoming virtual event on March 25 for the sector partner experience where Amazon and FedEx will host an Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship day,” explained Ms. Bovaird.

Rethinking School Registration During COVID-19

snow and it being white! At first I wasn't sure where it had gone, but then, looking down the road past the fanatical photographer, who was laying prone on the ground taking pictures of Snow Buntings, I spotted it!

The bird sat up on the top of the pole, looking amazing in the sunshine, but was having quite a battle with the windy conditions. Its feathers were quite ruffled, by the biting wind, and I wondered, as I sat with my car engine and heater running and my window open, how long it would stay there. Well, my hands started to get really cold and my gloves were donned, as I tried to maintain a steady hold of my camera and trigger finger, whilst, still keeping my eye to the lens eye piece, awaiting its next flight!

After over an hour of waiting it took off, but so suddenly it was gone in the blink of an eye. Luckily, however, it landed in the snow not many metres from where I sat and I was able to get some very quick, fairly close-up, pictures of it. This was to be very short lived, as it took off, once more, and I just managed to get a couple of in-flight tail end shots, as it flew off, to disappear out of sight. What a great afternoon it turned out to be.

Stay safe and well, Cheers, John Baldwin

The North Grenville Times is Locally Owned and Operated

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many changes, and for the Board and its schools, it has created an opportunity to rethink the way engagement with parents and the community happens.

For students registering with the CDSBEO, this means that in-person school visits, open house events, and even the registration process had to be carried out in a COVID-safe way. In response, the Board and schools have implemented several creative strategies to facilitate the registration process virtually.

Executive Assistant to the Director of Education, Leah Finley, provided an overview of the new registration processes, including examples of how schools hosted virtual open house events and modifications which were made to the registration process.

“With the need to engage and inform prospective new

students and their families, our schools hosted virtual open house events, and were very creative in using various social and web-based platforms for delivery,” she explained.

Some of the formats implemented by schools included YouTube videos, interactive websites with virtual tours, and Facebook live events. Several examples of projects created by schools were shared with Trustees. To promote registration across all grades, and let parents know that it is now time to register for the 2021-2022 school year, Board Communications did a paid online campaign. A sister campaign was also run to highlight secondary virtual open house events, which took place in January and February for students entering Grades 7 and 9.

the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

Calling small business owners COVID-19 support could be available to you.

• Grants of up to $20,000 through the Ontario Small Business Support Grant • Up to $1,000 in support for purchasing PPE through Ontario's Main Street Relief Grant • Rebates for property tax and energy costs

We’re working to ensure small businesses can keep employing people and serving their communities now and when COVID-19 is behind us.

Visit ontario.ca/COVIDsupport to apply Paid for by the Government of Ontario 22

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The Voice of North Grenville

Menu #52 Curbside

613.860.2539 www.dialachef.ca Tuesday March 16

1- Smoked ham, gruyère, potatoes and onions frittata, spring salad 2- Peas, gruyère, potatoes and onions frittata, spring salad

Wednesday

ST-PATRICK DAY SPECIAL DINNER

Cod, bacon and smoked salmon chowder.

24 hours slow cooked lamb shank, Colcannon and carrots.

Guinness and chocolate mousse topped with Baileys Irish cream.

Soda bread. $35.00 per person plus HST and delivery.

Thursday march 18

1- Lemon, garlic and oregano grilled chicken breast, roasted vegetables and potatoes.

2- Polenta, asparagus in tomato sauce and parmesan, arugula and radishes salad

Friday March 19

1- Frog legs à la provençale, grilled tomato & rice 2- Eggplant, zucchini and tomato (tian) à la provençale, rice

Group of 10 or less?

Catch up NOW With postponed parties due to Covid Sunday April 4th Easter Brunch OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE

222 Prescott St. Kemptville

Dill and Brandy gravlax on a bagel, Home made cinnamon brioche, Croissants.

Rum spiked tropical fruit salad.

Egg Benedict Quiche, Spinach salad with bacon and croutons.

Homemade maple sausages Home fries with duck confit.

Tarte au chocolat $32.50 per person, plus tax and delivery

Early bird special :

$30.00 per person if ordered before March 20 The space is 1247sq. ft. suitable for office space not an apartment. It features a large office/board room in the front and plenty of space for cubicles. Access to kitchen and bathroom/shower facilities, limited parking. It is on the third floor and we are asking $800/month+HST. Please call Ross at 613-601-0968 March 10, 2021

Send in your letters to the editor to editor@ngtimes.ca 23

Tues Mar 15th- Fri Mar 19th 1 Year of Curbside Menus…

Here are your favourites!

Please Preorder the day before for next day pick up Order & Pay online www.cateredaffairs.ca 613-324-3136 $37.50 Complete Meal for 2 + HST $70.00 Complete Meal for 4 + HST All Family Meals include Chef's of Appropriate Side Dishes & Light Dessert

Pork Schnitzel

Crispy breaded pork loin, Spaetzle with warm potato salad and a lemon-caper butter & braised red cabbage & vegetables

Butter Chicken

Boneless Chicken in Mildly Spiced Tomato Cream Sauce, Basmati Rice, Housemade Samosas & Cilantro Chutney 1 per person, Flat Bread & Salad

Memphis Chicken n Ribs

(feeds 4) or Half Chicken (feeds 2) House Made BBQ SauceCreamy Coleslaw, Wedge Fries, Roasted Red Peppers & Sweet Corn off the Cob

Jumbo Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

All Beef Meatballs Stuffed with Cheese in Marinara Sauce, Creamy Alfredo Pasta, House Baked Garlic Bread, Vegetables, & Salad

Catered Affairs Chinese Take Out

Sweet & Sour Chicken balls, Vegetable & Beef Stirfry in Light Garlic & Soy Sauce, Fried Rice, Meat Eggrolls (1per person), Plum Sauce & Wonton Soup

St Patrick’s Irish Beef & Guinness Stew

Slow Braised Beef with Aromatic Vegetables & Dumplings, Mashed Potatoes, Irish Soda Biscuits & Baby Greens

Maple Menu

March 26th & 27th with On The Bend Sugar Shack (Kemptville Campus) 4 courses $60.00 per person + HST LIMITED SEATING RSVP 5:30pm- 7:30pm Take out Available Burt’s Greens with Maple & Aged Balsamic Vinaigrette, Maple Poached Beets & Maple Caramel Spiced Pepitas Maple Roasted Butternut squash Soup & Maple Creme Main Course - Choice of Maple Bacon Wrapped Chicken au Jus with Fondant potatoes & Maple Roasted Root vegetables Tomahawk Pork Chop with Maple Glaze, Confit Onion & Apples with Sage Butter Fondant Potatoes & Maple Glazed Carrots Dessert Sticky Apple Cake with Maple Whiskey Cream and Maple Tuile Easter Menu Curbside Friday April 2nd & Sat April 3rd $110 + HST for Family of 4 $60+HST (Adult meal for 2) Please pre-order by Monday March 29th as not to be disappointed Moist and tender brined local Beurbre turkey sliced white and dark meat (gluten/dairy free) Made-in-house Herb & sweet onion confit dressing Whipped mashed potatoes Vegetable medley House made gravy Fresh cranberry, spice & orange sauce Brown Sugar & Mrs McGarragles Mustard Glazed Ham, Pan jus, calloped Potatoes Vegetable Medley, Brown Butter & Sugar Glazed Carrots, Butter topped rolls Salmon Wellington Thyme Cream Sauce Whipped mashed potatoes Vegetable medley Butter Topped Rolls www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Municipality to hire tourism coordinator portunities that tourism brings Local Journalism Initiative Reporter to the municipality, staff has suggested that a phased-in The Municipality will approach would make more be hiring a full time tourism sense for 2021. coordinator to help with the “COVID-19 has created development of tourism in many uncertainties for the North Grenville. The posi- local tourism industry,” said tion is part of North Gren- the report presented to council ville’s new tourism strategy, on March 2. “Staff must work which was developed by with tourism businesses in consulting firm MDB In- 2021 to capitalize on a shift sight. The company was in consumer preferences to hired by the Municipality more localized travel options, last year with the help of a the buy-local movement, and $20,000 grant from Regional visitors’ increased prioritizaTourism Association 9 (RTO tion of the outdoors.”

9). The strategy was presentTo respond to this, couned to council on January 12, cil has approved a $132,400 and outlined three strategic tourism budget for 2021. This priorities: branding North includes $52,000 for the fullGrenville as current, innova- time tourism coordinator. Active, curious, generous, and cording to the staff report, the family oriented; leveraging tourism coordinator will play existing assets as backdrops a key role in galvanizing supfor high-yield, high-value port from the tourism sector, experiences for tourists and collaborating with other delocals; and collaborating partments, and assisting with with business operators and the evolution of the Kempothers to build strong, reli- tville Campus into a worldable and unique tourism class, state-of-the-art tourism draws. destination. They will also be MDB Insight’s report the point of contact with local suggested an annual budget businesses as they prepare to of $200,000 to help foster welcome more tourists to the and grow tourism in the community in the coming municipality. This includes years. The tourism coordinathe hiring of a full-time tour- tor’s salary will come out of ism coordinator and summer a $6,200 line item earmarked staff. Although the goal is to for a tourism summer student, work towards this budget to with the rest coming from take full advantage of the op- general reserves. Councillor

by Hilary Thomson

Doreen O’Sullivan expressed concern at the meeting about how much is being funded by reserves this year. However, Director of Finance, Brad Brookman, assured her that taking this amount of money from reserves will not affect the fiscal stability of the municipality. Councillor John Barclay also noted that these dollars should be looked at as money well spent.

“I think we have to look at an investment in tourism as simply that, not a cost, but an investment,” he said. “I think the return on that investment is going to be amazing. That’s what reserves are there for, to take advantage of opportunities.”

This year, the Municipality will also be looking at putting together a Tourism Advisory Committee. This will consist of five to seven tourism operators with direct involvement serving visitors.

It is hoped that this committee will provide recommendations to Council on the implementation of the tourism strategy and feedback to staff on product development initiatives and marketing.

“I think the establishment of a tourism advisory committee comprised of tourism operators is extremely useful and makes all sorts of sense in terms of leveraging their

insights and perspectives,” Mayor Peckford said. “So, I’m glad to see that as part of the thinking as we move into early stages of implementation of the plan.”

To help pay for the tourism strategy, staff will be looking at exploring a Payto-Play program, where the Municipality will partner with local businesses to fund shared advertising and marketing campaigns. This model was used successfully by the Municipality in the development of their 2020 tourism guide.

Councillor John Barclay believes that this plan will allow them to get their house in order and prepare to be competitive when the tourism sector opens back up, hopefully in 2022. “We already have some well-developed tourism destinations surrounding us, so it’s important that we do the work this year,” he said.

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