January 7, 2015 issue 1 vol 3

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The Voice of North Grenville

Vol. 3, No. 1

January 7, 2015

Locking up for the last time

The North Grenville Times is Locally Owned and Operated

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photo credit Jim Beveridge Garnet Leizert locked the doors of the B&H, Your Community Grocer, after his last shift at the store. Garnet has been working at the B&H for forty-five years and was a familiar figure moving around refilling the shelves, making sure everything was in order, and pointing customers in the right direction as they looked for an item. His wife, Sharon, has been working at the B&H for more than

twenty-five years. Her area of responsibility has been the produce section, and, between them, husband and wife have been a team since back when Keith Beveridge was the boss.

Now Jim and Judy Beveridge say goodbye to a man who has served the store and his neighbours over many years.

As he leaves for the last time, all his customers wish him every good wish and thank him for his care and service.

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year from the Kemptville BIA! Remember to support your local downtown businesses in 2015.

Shop locally We have a wealth of great stores and services in Old Town Kemptville

The North Grenville Photography Club Photo by Barbara Heal at 'Alight at Night' in Upper Canada Village

January 7, 2015

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Municipality Matters

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

A New Year and a New Beginning

by Mayor David Gordon Happy New Year to all the people of North Grenville. I have always believed in taking a positive view of life, and I am very excited by what is happening in our community these days. We have a new year, with a new municipal council that has been renewed and reshaped to deal with the challenges and promises of the next four years. I have been very impressed indeed by the way in which our two new councillors, Frank Onasanya and Jim Bertram, have settled into their new positions, and by the obvious ability and experience they are bringing to the work. We have a great team in place, and a solid foundation at the staff level, so I can only be optimistic about the future.

Of course there are problems to deal with over the coming term. One of the biggest of these is the cuts that we are experiencing in the funds we get from the province. The Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF) is the Province’s main transfer payment to municipalities, and we have experienced cuts of

almost $700,000 over the past three years. This year alone, OMPF funding to North Grenville was cut by 20%. Fortunately, the finances of North Grenville are fairly healthy, and we have managed to replace that revenue from other sources.

At the same time, the province has increased regulations and legislation requiring municipalities to spend more of their budgets on meeting provincial standards in many areas, such as Occupational Health and Safety Certification and mandatory carbon monoxide detectors. On the positive side, our policing costs have gone down under the new OPP contract system.

We will be saving almost $250,000 over the next four years.

North Grenville is in much better shape, financially, than many other Ontario municipalities.

Believe it or not, that has been a disadvantage at times. Ontario government ministries have rejected some funding applications we made because we are seen to be in a better position to pay our own way, and funding was given to

other municipalities that the province felt were in worse financial condition than North Grenville. I suppose we can take that as a vote of confidence!

North Grenville has strong foundations. The future should not worry us, because we have been quietly preparing for it at municipal and county level for some time. I was honoured to be elected Warden of the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville by my colleagues at County, the first time North Grenville has been given that privilege in fifteen years.

To me, it is a recognition that North Grenville plays an important role in the United Counties, and I believe that my term as Warden will give our community a profile at the provincial level that we may not have had before. The responsibilities that come with the job of Warden will not take away from my work as mayor of North Grenville. It should, I think, help it. As warden, I will have more time in meetings with government ministers to discuss local matters and to lobby for more government commitment to our area.

At both the counties and North Grenville level, there’s been a lot of work done over the past four years to make sure we are ready for changes that we know are coming. In North Grenville, we’ve invested in infrastructure, equipment and staff, and have reorganised the way the staff at the Municipal Centre operates. This work is not usually visible to the residents, and not many

are really excited about upgrading storm sewers and gravel roads, or improvements in equipment at the Fire Hall. But this is all important work and will be a real benefit in the coming years.

The fact is that the provincial government is cutting back all along the line, and many smaller municipalities are suffering more than they can handle. For some, their policing costs have increased to such a degree that almost their entire budget is spent on police services. The situation is one that cannot go on much longer without some municipalities facing financial ruin. North Grenville is in a very strong position in that regard, and we are seen as one of the best-run and healthiest communities in the province.

In my opinion, there may come a time when those smaller municipalities will need to face a new round of amalgamations.

They cannot survive on their own: their populations and tax bases are just not big enough. Not everyone agrees with this idea, and others believe we will end up with a single Leeds-Grenville municipality in time. The issues are big, the challenges also, but North Grenville is in a great position to deal with what comes down the road. I am very positive about our future together.

And with the rejuvenated council and committed staff, we are ready for anything!

Furrific Dog Grooming celebrates its 1st anniversary in business Maybe you've heard of Furrific Dog Grooming. Maybe your furry four-legged canine family member is a client. Maybe you've simply seen the Furrific mobile scooting around Kemptville or the surrounding areas,…

On Saturday January 10, Furrific is celebrating its inaugural anniversary! In appreciation of all that's happened over the past year, Furrific has invited its first two furry four-legged clients back for a complimentary full grooming experience. Bruin, a sweet and fluffy Golden Retriever and Fritz, a tall dark and handsome German January 7, 2015

Shepherd are both booked in for a few hours of pampering.

Kathryn Pentland-Bruck, the owner/operator of Furrific, would like to express her thanks and appreciation to all of North Grenville and the Kemptville Women in Business for the abundance of support and enthusiasm received in the past year. "Anyone who either has been or currently is in the process of starting up a business can understand the roller coaster ride one goes through both prior to the opening of the business and in the businesses' first year. I am so immensely grateful for all the support, patronage and

UPDATE UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL Monday, January 12th at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Centre. For agenda information, please contact the Clerk’s Office or visit the Municipal website.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Monday, January 19th at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Centre.

BUDGET MEETINGS • January 7th, 6:30 pm–9 pm • January 19th, Committee of the Whole—final discussions on budget.

• January 26th, Council Meeting—approve final budget.

2015 MUNICIPAL CALENDARS The 2015 Municipal Calendar and Solid Waste & Recycling Schedule was distributed in the December 17th edition of the Advance-EMC. If you did not receive yours, you may pick one up at the Municipal Office or view it on our website.

WINTER PARKING RESTRICTIONS Parking on Municipal roads is prohibited between 11:00 pm and 8:00 am from November 15th to April 15th. A vehicle which is parked in a manner interfering with snow clearing/removal may be issued a ticket and/or removed at the owner’s expense. For info call 613-2582438 ext. 6.

2015 BURN PERMITS In accordance with By-Law 33-12, a Burn Permit is required to conduct open burning on property located outside of the urban area. Burn Permits for 2015 are available at the Municipal Office or at the Fire Hall at 259 County Rd. 44 for a fee of $15.00. Please contact the Fire Hall at 613-258-2438 ext. 5 for conditions prior to burning.

The Municipality of North Grenville 285 County Road #44 PO Box 130 Kemptville, K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca Building: 613-258-4424 Fax: 613-258-1441 Fire Services Info: 613-258-2438 Fax: 613-258-1031 By-Law Services: 613-258-2438 ext. 6 Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002

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Reading Buddies at the North Grenville Public Library

kindness received. I can't believe it's been a year already.

The decision to move to Kemptville/North Grenville and open Furrific was made two years ago. So much has happened in that time. I'm now living my dream and the wonderful people of North Grenville, and surrounding areas, have allowed me to do so. My furry clients and their owners are amazing and I am honoured that they allow me, a local small business owner, the privilege of assisting in their care."

For more information on Furrific visit FurrificDogGrooming.com.

By Sue Bergeron, Coordinator of Children’s and Youth Services

A new Reading Buddy program will start up Thursday afternoons from 3:30 to 5 pm at the library (Norenberg Building at 1 Water St. Kemptville) beginning

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January 8. Children from kindergarten to grade 6 will have the opportunity to improve their reading skills with one on one help from high school volunteers.

Children are encouraged to bring their reading material, but we will help them select appropriate material if needed. Younger children will be assisted with letter

knowledge and phonetics.

High school volunteers will receive training and orientation and will work under the supervision of the Coordinator of Children's and Youth Services.

For more information about having your child participate in the program, or being a student volunteer, please contact Sue Bergeron at kids@ ngpl.ca, or 613-258-4711. www.ngtimes.ca

Editorial

The North Grenville Times

Our House

quite disturbing. Although the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville [UCLG] produced a report on affordable housing in 2004 in which it was recommended that 71 new affordable housing units be built for people with low incomes, there are only 35 one-bedroom units of social housing in the municipality.

According to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville have created just 14 affordable housing units.

This can be contrasted with Lanark County, where 35 units were provided. What is affordable? Well, in UCLG, for a family earning just $32,000 (and that would include about 20% of families here), an affordable house would cost $114,000. The average cost of a house in North Grenville in 2011 was $345,000. According to the Ministry, 60% of North Grenville families earned an average of $80,000 in 2013, making an affordable house for them cost about $285,000.

This means that the ma-

by David Shanahan We have heard a great deal over the last year about the large number of homes being built in North Grenville. The discussion has usually centred on whether we can afford to provide infrastructure to support the construction of thousands of new homes, about whether growth really does pay for growth. Allied to this discussion have been comments claiming that we are the fastest growing community in Ontario, etc. For many people in the municipality, much of this debate has been not only irrelevant, but deeply upsetting.

It has been slowly dawning on some residents of North Grenville that not all of us are secure in our homes. There is a completely inadequate amount of affordable and secure housing in North Grenville; too many families and individuals living in genuine poverty, lacking many of the basic amenities that the rest of us take for granted. The statistics are

jority of people in North Grenville cannot afford to pay the average price of a new house. According to a report prepared for the Canadian Policy Research Networks in 2009, housing prices have been driven up by people moving here from Ottawa and other large urban areas: people who can afford to pay the higher prices.

“The Municipality of North Grenville is a growing community that has experienced much pressure for residential development due to improved transportation linkages with nearby urban areas. As a result, the vast majority of new development is priced outside the reach of low income households. Coupled with an increasing population has been a decrease in the number of rented dwellings and a rise in the average monthly rent. Consequently, there is a growing need for affordable housing in North Grenville due to housing market trends that have been driven by population growth in the area.”

Who have suffered from our Green and Growing fall-

out? According to the 2009 report, it has been long-term residents of the municipality: “This trend has increased the demand for affordable housing in North Grenville, particularly among the local population, who find it difficult to afford the increasing cost of rental accommodations and home ownership. New residents to North Grenville are not seeking affordable housing; rather, the long-time local residents are seeking affordable accommodations...”

The number of rental units in North Grenville dropped from 17.3% of all housing units in 1996 to 12.2% ten years later. How many such units are available today? Even with such a low rate of rental dwellings available, those that do exist are often quite sub-standard and poorly maintained.

While not true of every owner, many of those renting to low-income families can only be described as slum landlords. But there is little choice for those who cannot afford to buy a new home in this area. In the 2009 report quoted above, the housing problems here were expected to be solved by the Municipality, which, in the Strategic Plan prepared in 2009, made certain commitments regarding affordable housing. Predicting the rapid growth in housing starts that occurred between 2009 and 2012, the Plan stated that the “Municipality would attempt to have 25% of all new residential construction affordable”. How many of the almost 3,000 new homes to be built in the Northwest Quadrant will be affordable?

The Strategic Plan also declared that surplus municipal land would be evaluated for affordable housing use before being considered for any other purpose. Since 2009, the

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, We write today as a follow up to Rob Thompson's December 31, 2014 article titled, “This is your Town.”

We a g r e e w i t h M r.

Thompson's position regarding the importance of supporting small businesses in North Grenville. However, we would like to clarify one potential misconception that some may have regarding the businesses in the Kemptville Colonnade shopping plaza.

Mr. Thompson's article seems to suggest a difference exists between the retailers and service providers located in the Kemptville Colonnade compared to those operating in Old Town Kemptville or along County Road 43. We think it important to note that the majority of retailers and service providers in the Kemptville Colonnade plaza are also locally-owned small businesses, just like those located in other parts of our municipality. It may be surprising for some to

learn that 65% of the retailers and service providers in the Kemptville Colonnade plaza are actually businesses owned and managed by your friends and neighbours.

Other than the fact that these companies are located in the new shopping plaza, the only notable difference that distinguishes the businesses in the Kemptville Colonnade from some of the others in our municipality is that they are primarily franchise locations that do business under a recognizable trade name.

This minor difference does not change the fact that most of these businesses are as equally “small” and “local” as others in North Grenville.

Twelve of the eighteen retailers or service providers in the Kemptville Colonnade plaza are independently owned, including Anytime Fitness, A&W, Bulk Barn, Canadian Tire, Dairy Queen, First Choice Haircutters, Kemptville Smiles Dentist-

ry, Pet Valu, Royal Lepage (Gale) Real Estate, Shoeless Joe's, Subway, and Tim Hortons.

The economic benefit of these twelve businesses in our community is sizable.

Collectively, they employ hundreds of North Grenville residents; provide considerable property tax revenue to the municipality; contribute to local sporting teams, youth groups and charities; supply co-op placements to our high school and college students; and ensure that customers have access to the selection of products and services that a growing community needs.

When identifying locallyowned or small-sized businesses, please don't forget about us.

Sincerely yours, Steve Clarke & Steven Pavlinek Kemptville Residents and Owners of Kemptville Pet Valu

January 7, 2015

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Municipality has disposed of a great deal of land, none of it for affordable housing.

Perhaps we can’t afford to do so, given budget constraints, etc., but it does appear that there has been little interest in even trying to do so.

Lack of adequate, affordable housing means that some young couples are putting themselves into serious financial difficulties by taking on mortgages they cannot easily afford to pay.

Low-income families, or those on social assistance, cannot afford to buy, can hardly afford to rent, even where housing is available.

These are people who do not work in well-paying jobs in Ottawa, for example, but are residents of North Grenville, working, if at all, in basic jobs, retail usually, in the community.

And this is in a community that is prosperous when compared to other municipalities in Leeds-Grenville.

The work that Habitat for Humanity has done, and is doing, locally, is one bright spot in the gloom. The issue of housing is also tied to other significant social issues in this region. More and more seniors, single parents and young families are becoming increasingly isolated in rural areas, unable to afford gas (even if they can afford to run a car), cut off from most social amenities (libraries, movies, swimming pools and ice rinks) that their taxes are helping to pay for. This isolation is causing severe hardship, as well as serious depression and stress on relationships and mental health, and threatens to become a permanent part of our social structure unless something is done to address these issues.

This, let me emphasise, is not something that we can expect our municipal council or staff to do for us. It is not a matter of just throwing

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money at the problem, even if the money existed, which it doesn’t. The proposed municipal budget lays out very clearly the work that has to be done to simply pay our municipal bills, maintain roads and bridges, improve the sewage and water systems, etc. All this in the face of ongoing cuts in transfer payments from the province.

No, this is down to us, as a community. That’s how it was done in the past, when neighbours watched out for each other. In our day, we need more involvement in social agencies and service groups, for example. We have a wonderful tradition of volunteerism in North Grenville, but the numbers volunteering are falling as the volunteers age. It is time for all of the groups to sit down together and see how they can co-operate, attract new and younger members, and identify a new role for themselves. This is not all doom and gloom. As the TV show said: we have the technology. We also have the people, the willingness, and the vision. Let’s make 2015 the year we reinvent the idea of community in North Grenville. It will take all of us, with our different ideas, ideologies and skills. But that is what a community is, isn’t it? And North Grenville is one fantastic community.

This is our house.

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The Voice of North Grenville

Liberals select federal candidate

Federal Liberal candidate Mary Jean McFall

by David Shanahan The federal Liberals voted for Mary Jean McFall to be their candidate in this year’s election, expected to take place in October. It was, for many, a surprise result, as the winner was a late entrant into the competition and was widely believed to lack the support enjoyed by her two rivals for the nomination, Kyle Johnston and Josh Bennett. McFall served one term on the Brockville city council and works as a corporate and commercial lawyer in that city.

The nomination meeting was seen as a triumph for the riding Liberals: 654 ballots were cast, amounting to more than 60% of eligible voters. Given that the party had less than 300 members after the last federal election, the rise in memberships to over 1,000 indicated a significant resurgence in Liberal for-

tunes in the riding. In fact, many Liberal supporters were less than pleased with McFall’s nomination, believing that either of the other two candidates, particularly Kyle Johnston, stood a better chance of defeating Conservative incumbent, Gord Brown, in the coming election.

The riding, which has been renamed LeedsGrenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, has been held by the Conservatives since 1972 and there was a strong feeling that the time had come for the Liberals to retake the seat, given the progressive drop in Conservative votes at the provincial level over the past ten years. Mary Jean McFall stated her belief that a win for the Liberals this year was very possible. “This riding has been won by the Liberal Party many times in history and I firmly believe that it can be won again,” she said.

Erick Le Pors

The dissatisfaction which is being expressed by local Liberals over McFall’s selection, while fairly low-key, but strong, reflects a national mood within Liberal ranks. Liberal leader, Justin Trudeau, has emphasised his aim of having a diverse group of Liberal candidates run for seats across the country in 2015. The official Liberal Party website even has a section called “Invite A Woman to Run”, which encourages party members to find strong female candidates to throw their hats in the ring.

Trudeau’s comment on the issue, intended to express solidarity with women candidates, comes across as somewhat patronising: “Canada needs more women from diverse backgrounds making decisions in Ottawa. Because when women succeed, we all succeed”. There are those who believe that McFall’s decision to contest the nomination was linked to Liberal headquarter’s desire to see women candidates. Party members are declaring that they will not vote for her in the federal election, and are even tearing up their membership cards.

But it is not just with regard to the selection of women candidates that the Liberals have run into trouble in their own ranks.

Candidates pre-selected by party headquarters have been parachuted into ridings against the wishes of local members, and this

has caused serious upset.

The large Sikh community in Vancouver, who are traditionally Liberal supporters, have threatened to move to the Tories after their popular choice for the nomination was, they claim, forced out of the contest in favour of a headquarters choice.

In Ottawa, one candidate for the Liberal nomination in Ottawa-Orléans, lawyer David Bertschi, is moving to take the party to court after they declared him ineligible to run in the election, and Trudeau’s personal choice for the nomination was acclaimed instead.

All of this will make for a fascinating general election this year, and North Grenville, as fiercely Conservative in the past as any riding in the country, may not see the tense and close electoral contest that was expected this time, as Liberals nurse grievances over the nomination process.

There are rumours going around that Stephen Harper may try and call a Spring election, rather than wait for the official October date. Perhaps he feels a short election campaign, while Liberal wounds are still raw, might help keep him in office in spite of public anger and impatience with his government. Either way, the election, whenever it comes, may be well worth the wait.

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MUSIC, SWEET MUSIC

by Peter Johnson Ahoy, gentrified reader, and welcome to 2015. Can it really be a decade and a half since we were shocked to find that the world still functioned after the K-2000 scare at the turn of the century? How quickly time flies...and as John Lennon pointed out, 'Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans.'

We have just had one of the mildest, wettest Christmases in recent memory. I well remember some from the early 80's that froze the water pipes; I'll take these milder variations, thank you. They are easier to survive. And speaking of surviving; the Christmas music and Christmas advertisements, which seem to begin as soon as the trick or treaters put away their bags of candy, are now over. Although my waistline shows that I did not resist the temptation of several turkey dinners, I did manage to resist the constant suggestions in the media that I buy a car/ truck/diamonds, etc., in order to properly celebrate the season. On a related note, isn't it lovely to go to a gas pump, fill up and not have to leave your right arm behind?

But back to music and Christmas traditions. For those who spent any time in elementary school, the Christmas season was a time of concerts and carols. For two weeks before The Big Day, the students at some schools, would start the day in the gym, singing carols, with the words projected on the wall. From the smallest 'kindergaters', to the too-cool preemie-teenies, everyone would be in full voice, singing 'Rudolph' and 'Frosty' while the music teacher and her piano, kept us on tune, in tune and all in merry measure.

It was a musical immersion that few other people experienced. It was also a wonderful way to bring all of the students together and unite them in a commonly-loved activity. What ever happened to these talented music teachers, when they reach the age of retirement? Music is very powerful. It does not release its grip on you. For some,

January 7, 2015

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they continued on, but with adults instead of children.

Several months ago I had the good fortune of bumping into one such maestro at the Farmers' Market. Being both retired teachers, we asked the usual, 'What are doing to keep busy these day?', type questions. When my wife, the third retired teacher in this grouping remarked that I was involved in a trio, a duo plus doing a fair amount of solo performing, the music lady quickly had me interested in a group of talented, local/vocal geezers, called The Ottawa Valley Male Choir.

The Fall months saw the choir performing in Spencerville, Prescott, Ingleside, Iroquois and Cassburn, just to name a few. The concerts were fundraisers for the local dioceses in those communities. These gentlemen with the prodigious vocal chords, practiced once a week and performed when asked, for the sheer joy of singing.

Along the way, they raised money for good causes.

In mid-November, the focus was shifted to Christmas music. Not 'Holiday Music'....CHRISTMAS MUSIC. It was like being back in school gymnasium again, except, the voices were much deeper. Instead of taking on the daunting Hallelujah Chorus, we stuck to 'Winter Wonderland, The Pachelbel Canon/The First Noel, O Holy Night, etc. For the men in the all-male choir, it was a joy. But, not so much for the two non-males.

The choir's musical director and the accompanist, both ladies, spent long hours going over the musical selections, working on how best to teach some of the more challenging parts that required four-part harmonies, to those of us who were not as adept or versed at reading music. Their efforts paid off. In the end, there were harmonious results.

Concerts were performed in Smiths Falls, at a retirement home in Ottawa and in beautiful downtown North Gower, at the United Church.

The appreciative audiences were our reward. We got to give something for Christmas, and that was a joy. We were also able to fill this

festive time of year with the special music that is such a necessary part of the season-for those of us heading into our mature years. I think we are younger for it.

Live music can be very uplifting. North Grenville has an extraordinary number of talented musicians.

Check out the back wall at Bob Bashara's Class Axe and you will see the hundreds of young people who have taken music lessons. The 'Kemptville Live' show this summer will have an act selected from local talent, having competed to win the spot to open the event.

The '2015 Dandelion Festival' plans to feature local talent this summer, rounded up by, as well as including, the very local and the very talented, Steve Cater....of 'Buckledown' fame.

And last, but certainly not least, there is The Branch.

The Branch is a renowned venue for live music. (an opinion shared by 'The Ottawa Citizen') Many local performers have gotten their start there. What more could you ask for? So, come enjoy the music...the Sweet, Sweet Music, as Bert Jansch titled it. It will do your heart good.

You too will feel so much younger for it.

Peter Johnson Upper Oxford Mills

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History Page

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The Voice of North Grenville

The War of 1812 and North Grenville

by David Shanahan 2015 is the bicentennial of the ending of the War of 1812, a conflict that had lasted for almost three years and saw the Americans burn down Toronto (called York at the time) and the British burn down the White House and much of Washington D.C. Extraordinary individuals like Isaac Brock and Techumseh carved their names into Canadian history, as it were, and the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Ontario, became battlegrounds for armed fleets on both sides.

It was a period in history when the might of American numbers broke against the strength of British North American determination and the last great expression of First Nations’ military power.

The importance of the war for what would be North Grenville was not in the battles that were fought here, for there were none. Nor was it in the people who went to fight in the war, because North Grenville had hardly any population to fight in those days. Although almost all the land in Oxford and South Gower had been patented before 1812, these were all absentee owners, usually living on their other lands in Augusta, or Edwardsburg, or Elizabethtown. In 1802, the only residents in Oxford Township were the fourteen members of the Harris family from Ireland, who were leasing lot 2 in the first concession. By 1806, the population had risen to 33. But the war was to change everything.

The British Government, and the Canadian Assembly,

drew two major conclusions from the war. The first was a realisation that the Americans had missed a golden opportunity to win the war by not closing the St. Lawrence River. As long as it was open, the British could move men and materiel between Montreal and the western parts of Upper Canada. By cutting that route, the Americans could have isolated the sparsely populated areas from York west through Niagara to Detroit. The direct result of this realisation was the decision to build the Rideau Canal, to provide an alternative route to the St. Lawrence, allowing communication along a line that would be relatively safe from American interference.

In the summer of 1816 the first survey of the proposed route was made, and, although it took another decade for work on the Rideau Canal to begin, the canal would make Oxford-on-Rideau accessible and part of an important communications route that would change its history.

The second serious conclusion drawn by the authorities was that there were far too many American-born residents of Upper Canada. In fact, when the War broke out in 1812, 60% of the population were American-born.

This gave rise to fears of disloyalty and sedition among the people of Upper Canada.

After the war ended, it was decided to discourage further American settlement of the province, and to encourage the immigration of British and Irish settlers. Beginning in 1817 and continuing through

INCHESTER PRINT & STATIONERY

1820, twenty-nine families of settlers from Ireland, England and Scotland were given passage and supplies and 100 acres of land each in Oxford and South Gower. These included names of families that would continue to be part of North Grenville history to the present day, such as Tompkins and Eager.

But more than civilian settlers might be needed to guard the Rideau Canal in any future war with the United States, so soldiers who had served in the war were encouraged to remain in Upper Canada when they were discharged from the army. Privates received 100 acres each, sergeants and higher ranks were given larger grants, all along the line of the Rideau. In any coming conflict, there would be veteran soldiers on hand to defend the planned lines of communication. Oxford Township received twenty-four new families in this way, but South Gower, with no frontage on the Rideau, got none.

This boost to the population was hugely significant for the development of North Grenville, and the character of the settlers, discharged soldiers and assisted immigrants, gave a particular social and political atmosphere to the area. There would be little republican or American ideas circulating in North Grenville.

The natural conservative nature of the region was set.

The size and importance of this population growth might have been even bigger had the original plan for Oxford been followed. After 1815, it was decided to create two mili-

tary depots in eastern Upper Canada: one would cover the Ottawa - Rideau River area, the other would be further along the Rideau system. The first was established at Richmond, which was planned as a military settlement area, where military stores and equipment would be centred.

The other was to have been Oxford Township.

But it was found that most of the land in Oxford had already been patented to those absentee owners, and there was not enough left for a full military depot. The location for the new establishment was changed, and the town of Perth grew up instead.

Visitors to historic and heritage rich Perth can speculate what Kemptville might have been, if only there had been enough land available in 1815.

History can turn on the most ordinary circumstances.

The Empress and the Arctic The North Grenville Historical Society is back after the holiday break with a very exciting meeting on Wednesday, January 14. Amanda Gould is the NGHS Director of Archives, currently involved in a complete reorganisation of the NG Archives on behalf of the Society. This is a project for which she is eminently qualified, as, in her real life, Amanda is a Conservator at the Canadian Museum of History. Her talk will focus on items which came from the Empress of Ireland wreck, the label for a pocket watch,

and the label from a food tin from one of the supply caches from the Franklin Expedition in the Arctic.

Amanda’s work involves the conservation of paper, artifacts that bring us directly in touch with moments of history. The talk will explain a little about conservation and what Amanda, as a museum conservator, does. She will explain how her work is different from, but complimentary to, the work of curators, archivists, historians etc.

The Canadian Museum of History is currently staging

an exhibit on the Empress of Ireland, which runs until April 6 of this year. Amanda’s talk, “The Empress and the Arctic”, takes place at the Courthouse, 15 Water Street in Kemptville, next Wednesday evening. Doors open at 7 pm for refreshments and chat, and Amanda’s talk will begin at 7:30. Coffee, tea and sweets will be available throughout the evening. All are welcome - old friends and new. There is no charge.

WINCHESTER PRINT & STATIONERY

WINCHESTER PRINT & STATIONERY

January 7, 2015

WINCHESTER PRINT & STATIONERY

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COMMUNITY EVENTS Jan 8

The Voice of North Grenville

CROSSWORD

Youngsters of Yore, Kemptville Public Library, 1:30 pm. Guest speaker Ann Campbell

Weekly and recurring events Wed

Thurs

Wed Tues

Fri

Sat

Sat M,W,F

The North Grenville Photography Club - Meeting first Wednesday of every month at the Auditorium at the Municipal Centre on Hwy 44. For more info see ngphotoclub.ca.

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

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

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

KCCB, NG High School band room,7-8:30 pm. Brass and Woodwind musicians of all levels welcome! Music covers a wide range of musicals, classics, jazz and modern pieces. For more information, email dennis843@gmail.com Bridge - St. John’s United Church, 6:45 pm. Cost $5, partner preferred but not necessary. For more info, contact Sandra at 613-258-2691.

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

Klub 67 Euchre every second and fourth Wed. of the month beginning Sept 10, 1:15 pm, St. John's United Church downstairs. Everyone welcome, $5.00.

BNI Networking Group Breakfast, Grenville Mutual Insurance Building, 380 Colonnade Drive, 7- 8:30 am. Call 613-918-0430 for more information Bridge- St. John’s United Church, 12:15 pm. Cost $4. "All levels of bridge players welcome. Come discover Duplicate Bridge. "Info, contact Sandra at 613-258-2691.

Friendship lunch, Leslie Hall, Clothier St. W. Sponsored by St. James, St. John, Kemptville Pentecostal Tabernacle, Salvation Army and Holy Cross churches. Serving begins at 11:30 am. No charge. Goodwill offering. All are welcome.

The Kerith Debt Freedom Centre. Confidential coaches will help you get out of debt and stay out of debt. Free, open on the 2nd and 4th Sat. of the month from 9:30-11:30 at the NG Community Church. Appointments can be made at kdfc.ca or by calling 613-258-4815 x103.

Kemptville Legion breakfast, 3rd Saturday of the month, 8-10 am.

Adults $5; Children under 12, $3. All welcome.

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

ACROSS 1. Accumulate 6. Astringent 10. Fur 14. Two-door car 15. Diminish 16. Arab chieftain 17. Significant 19. Type of cereal grass 20. High regard 21. Best seller 22. Anagram of "Ties" 23. Microwaved (slang) 25. Central points 26. Razz 30. Greek god of darkness 32. Thirstily 35. A despicable coward 39. Wind sock

40. Record player 41. Underwrote 43. Strong and proud 44. Voice box 46. Makes lace 47. Normal 50. Connection 53. Confined 54. Letter after sigma 55. Enthrall 60. 53 in Roman numerals 61. Apparent 63. Within 64. Bit of gossip 65. Descendant 66. Adolescent 67. Stringed instrument 68. Affirmatives

DOWN 1. Highest point 2. Cow sounds 3. Parental sister 4. Disgorge 5. Seminal fluid 6. Barley bristle 7. Soapsuds 8. Unassisted 9. Defrost 10. Stubbornly unyielding 11. Gives forth 12. Allowed 13. Tall woody plants 18. Flightless bird 24. It unlocks doors 25. Zest 26. A Star Wars hero 27. Acquire deservedly 28. Prima donna problems 29. Ordinance 31. Headquarters 33. Not urban 34. Lascivious look 36. Operatic solo 37. Lease 38. Accomplishes 42. Family line 43. 70 in Roman numerals 45. Spay 47. Lit to a higher degree 48. A river through Paris 49. Come together 51. A large vase 52. Impudent 54. Hard work 56. Frailty 57. Nile bird 58. Blackthorn 59. Female chickens 62. An uncle

SUDOKU Easy

Medium

Hard

Solution to last week’s Crossword

Happy 60th Birthday David

From Maggie, Pat, Michael, Rob, Beth, Gord and Peter Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

January 7, 2015

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The North Grenville Times

Time to be grateful

CLASSIFIEDS First 10 words are FREE for North Grenville Residents. Extra Words: 50 cents a word. Email classifieds@ngtimes.ca SERVICES

Food-HealthConnec tions seminars for your company, The Pet Nanny - Pet sit- group, school. Nutritionting, dog walking Kempt./ ist Carol Pillar RHN. www.

Merrickville. 613-979-2616 w h o le su map p r o ac h.co m petnannykemptville.com 258-7133

The Voice of North Grenville

by Heather Sansom Today, I woke up grateful. Grateful specifically for a warm house that has running hot and cold water, and where I have pictures and items inherited from my family and which are important to me; where I can decorate because I'm not moving every several months or every year; where it's nice enough for me to invite people for supper like I'm doing now; where I have internet so I can communicate with the world, maintain part of a healthy social involvement, earn some of my living, look for work

2 bedroom upper level of duplex in downtown Kemptville. 4 applicances/parking/ water included. Call 613 296 5906.

Log chalet nestled on a mountainside facing north, FOR RENT Mont Tremblant. 4 bedrooms, fireplace, hot tub. Book now Rideau River home at Bur- 613 203 2897 chantillyplace. ritt’s Rapids, 2 bedroom, tremblant@gmail.com 21/2 bathrooms, completely furnished including all ap- 3 bdrm, 2 full bath. Incl. apSERIOUS ABOUT LOSING WEIGHT? pliances, $1650 plus utilities. plicances, lg basement, parkwww.herbalone.com Effective, af- 613 269 4785 ing & garage. Call 613 720 fordable programs and/or products.

0942.

Call 613-258-4242 Mention this ad to Old Town Kemptville – 10 SAVE 10%.

Prescott St. – commercial Large one bedroom in retail space – 690 sq. ft., Heckston for rent $775.00 2015 Is Your Year! Meet your available immediately. 613- plus utilities. 613-258-4741 personal Organizational 295-0552 Coach www.sarahsorganizSpacious 3 bdrm bungalow. ingservices.com Old Town Kemptville – 113 Fridge, stove, washer, dryer Prescott St. – commercial incl. Large lot. $1275 + utiliRock My House Music Centre retail space – 1,878 sq. ft., ties. 613 853 6592 is looking for Instructors. available immediately. 613613 258-5656 295-0552 3 bedrooms,main floor family room gas heat, nice yard,parking Need help with social media? Kemptville – 1 bdrm – 506 2 cars,walking distance to ameniBusiness or personal. Email Rideau St; $800 + utilities; ties. $1125.00 + utilities.Gary alwaysoncanhelp@gmail. hardwood floors; gas heat; com or call 613-227-3009 covered balcony; no smoking 613-720-5004. or pets; available immediNutritional Counselling to ately. 613-295-0552 FOR SALE customize a wellness plan for all your health concerns. Kemptville - 2 bdrm – 506 Winter tires, Pirelli Snow w h o l e su m a p p r o ac h.co m Rideau St; $950 (water in- Carving, 185/70R14, used 613-258-7133 cluded) + utilities; hard- part of one season, set of 4, wood floors; gas heat; cov- $300 (613) 269-4057 Qualified English tutor: read- ered balcony; no smoking or ing, writing, grammar, etc...I pets; available immediately. make it fun! 613-269 2367.

Galvanized, vinyl,dog kennel 613-295-0552 8’x14’x48”, insulated doghouse House Cleaning-Every work- Kemptville 2 bdr house, 4 ap- 251/2” x 311/2”, $350,989-2836 ing Mother and Father needs pliances $900 + utilities, no a House Wife. Sandi 613-219- pets. Call John 613 258 2753 2002 F350 diesel quad cab 2x4 excel7277 lent workhorse $4500 613-314-9327 One bedroom apt available Jeep hard top storage doly/ Al’s Cleanup Services Dump runs, immediately in Burritt’s dust cover. Incl. 2 carts, nests Grass, Landscaping Al Scott R R Rapids. Parking, separate together. $500. 613 215 0253. #1 Oxford Station(613) 258-3847 entrance & private yard. No dogs. $650 + utilities. Call Chainsaw, Makita Model SC341, YOGA for everyone. Wed and 269-2850.

16”bar. Spare chain and file Thurs., at YIG. Call 258-9902 incl. $160. Call 613 325 0845.

Property cleanup,trees/ b r u s h / y a r d waste,scrap,dump runs,anything removed Wayne Scott RR#5 Kemptville 613-286-9072

or things I need. If you woke up with some of these things too- you are greatly privileged.

The temperature dropped today. There are people in Leeds, Lanark and North Grenville who don't wake up grateful for the things I've mentioned, because they don't have them. Sure, sometimes people make bad choices, but in the current economic climate, there are many who just got on the wrong side of the 8-ball. And it's not just them. It's their kids.

And it's not just a matter of pulling up your bootstraps and making better choices.

Sometimes people need a

leg up. Not everyone had parents that helped them through college, supported more lucrative career choices, helped them with their first house, passed on some money, taught them life was any more than surviving from one week to the next.

If you would like to be part of making a difference, think about being part of our awareness campaign and art auction this coming February.

Think about getting kids you know involved in reflecting on these issues and creating some pieces that speak. No need for professional art skills, just a need to care.

Kemptville Live Music Festival The Opening Act More details are emerging about the threeday music festival to be held in Kemptville on July 24 -26 this year. As Bob Besharah, owner of Class Axe and the organiser of the Festival, announced a few months ago, the three days will be given over to different genres of music: Kemptville Live starts on Friday with country and western music; Saturday afternoon and evening will host rock, blues and R & B artists. Sunday, the final day, will highlight gospel, folk and roots music. The plan is to include everyone who loves music through the weekend, and already the line-up is being drawn up.

So far, artists appearing include Valdy, one of Canada’s greatest balladeers, who will be headlining the folk segment of the Festival on Sunday, July 26. Brea Lawrenson, a talented singer-songwriter

will be on stage Friday, July 24. CKBY’s Program Director Joel Lameroux says, “From the moment I first listened to Brea Lawrenson I have been a believer. Her distinctive vocals and great writing are cutting through with our audience.”

On Saturday, July 25, Silver Creek will be one of the bands appearing on stage. Silver Creek, a southern flavoured local roots-rock group, has been winning over fans with their great live performances since 2006.

To start Sunday off on a spiritual note, Maria Hawkins will be leading a gospel choir that will offer an appropriate beginning for the final day of the Festival. Maria has spent more than 25 years as a musician and band leader, as well as hosting special school workshops devoted to blues and gospel.

Some really exciting

news for local musicians is that Kemptville Live is introducing a fantastic new aspect to music festivals: The Opening Act. One of the objectives of the festival is to identify and promote local talent. So special auditions for local performers will be held and the winners of these showcases will open the festival. Hence: The Opening Act. These auditions are designed to showcase aspiring local artists (not established professionals) regardless of the type of music they perform.

Deadlines for entries, the audition rules and the names of the judges who will make up the selection panel will be announced over the coming months.

The location and times for these showcases will also be made public so everyone can go along and enjoy the Festival even before it starts!

Details will be published here in the NG Times (a proud sponsor of the Kemptville Live Music Festival) as they become available. Be sure to check out the festival website for more information: www. kemptvillelivemusicfestival.com.

The North Grenville Times is Locally Owned and Operated January 7, 2015

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The North Grenville Times for a solid future. 1 out of 4 rural households are in the lowest income categories. An unbelievable number of local families in North Grenville live below the poverty line and with insecure/inadequate housing which is usually associated with family instability, and even food insecurity affecting child development.

Lack of access to safe shelter with adequate utilities means that families do not have the basic means to: access internet or electricity for work or school, keep warm, avoid colds and sickness, maintain healthy living conditions, concentrate”.

School teachers learn to recognise the symptoms of children who are in insecure housing situations. It shows in the classroom, in their personalities, their ability to focus on school work. Left to themselves, these children face a bleak future, unable to alter the patterns their family has fallen into. “Providing stable housing and mentoring for families changes their present, and it changes their future to the next genera-

Art Exhibit and the housing crisis Local artists of every kind are being invited to contribute to an exhibit and auction to be held at the end of February to raise awareness about homelessness, poverty, and what insecure housing means for families. The auction will also raise funds for Habitat for Humanity 1000 Islands.

The project is called Share the Love, and is designed to include as many people in North Grenville as possible: through creating the art work that will be on display and for sale; to bring people to view the exhibit and become more aware of the issues; and, of course, to allow people the opportunity to contribute funds through buying the

works on display at the auction itself.

Artists are asked to donate their work for the project, allowing Habitat to keep the funds raised by the auction, which will be put to use in furthering the work Habitat is doing in our area. Habitats latest success, building a new home for a local family in Kemptville, has just celebrated its first anniversary, and it is hoped to begin a second home as soon as a suitable property becomes available. The more successful the Share the Love project is, the sooner we may see another successful build in our community and another family secure in their new home.

It is very important for people to realise that the housing issue is not just about homeless people. There are people without homes in North Grenville, but they are not a visible part of the community. Many of them spend their nights sleeping on friends’ couches, or on the floors of other people’s homes. But the issue goes far beyond that. As Habitat for Humanity 1000 Islands puts it: “Insecure housing is not just about lack of permanent home. It’s also about inadequate shelter. Children in low income or unstable homes are at higher risk of lower mental and physical health, school results and prospects

The Voice of North Grenville tion by breaking the cycle of poverty. Breaking the poverty cycle for families strengthens communities, reduces public costs and risky youth behaviours, improves the economy and makes our town a great place to live.”

The Share the Love Exhibit and Auction will not solve the problem by itself.

But it is hoped that the project will raise the profile of the problem in the minds of our community, as well as get people of all ages involved through creating works that reflect the reality of the problems we are facing in North Grenville.

Art is welcomed from people of all ages, young and old, and the collection will be on display at Geronimo Café, 146 Prescott Street, Kemptville, for the month of February. Then on February 26, a special Family Friendly Party and Auction will take place at the same location between 4.30 and 8.30 p.m.

Donated artwork needs to be completed for submission by the middle of January, so time

is pressing. You should know that any art submitted becomes the property of Habitat for Humanity 1000 Islands, and you will need to sign a release form for that reason.

Artwork can be dropped off to Coldwell Banker Coburn Realty at 28 Clothier Street c/o Penny Beavis, 9:30-5:00 Monday through Friday, or by arrangement. You can e-mail Penny at penny@pennybeavis.com, or call 613-323-4118 to make arrangements. Details on formats, sizes and rules are on this page. For further information, and to submit your art, e-mail: fundraising@habitat1000islands.org.

Keep watching the “Share the Love” Facebook page for updates and news.

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

Details for Artists Share the Love Art Exhibit and Auction Art specifications: Anything, as long as it can be hung on a wall without heavy hardware, within a maximum space of 3x3 feet. Frame, canvas, project board, whatever is fine. Flat, 3-D, colour, black and white- anything goes. Any medium, mix media, style that you come up with to tell us about the theme. Seriously anything.

Abstract, photographic, separate pieces that go together…the limit is your creativity.

Theme: A visual that tells people something about what homelessness or poor or unstable housing can mean for a family or children. (see our Note on Insecure Housing) You can go deep and dark, or you can talk about the positives. Or both. Whatever pops into your head when you think seriously about what it means to not know where you’re going to live next week, who you live with, or to not have heat, water etc…or what it means when people have those things.

What does it all mean right now if you’re living in it?

What does it mean for a child’s future? Are there objects, or people in the picture, or both? You decide.

January 7, 2015

Rules: There are no rules, other than the space limit. Plus, we can’t fit everyone in the gallery, so there will be a selection committee. Space

Town Kemptville), people will see your art and your name will be listed in publicity.

Art must be completed by mid-January to be considered for selection.

will be available for all age groups and art experience.

If you make it to getting your piece hung in the café gallery (Geronimo Coffee House, 146 Prescott St, Old

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Online Safety for Families

by Sarah Houlihan Parents often attempt to teach their children basic street smarts; life skills that will keep them safe “out there.” But how many parents have taught their children how to stay safe on the Web? Here are some straightforward ways to help protect kids from the technological and behavioural dangers that lurk on the Internet.

First, minimize technological threats. Keep browsers, virus protection and antimalware up to date on all devices. This will help to avoid or repair known security issues. On iPads or other tablets, find and choose the setting that makes it so that no one can purchase games or apps without entering a password. One of our extended family members, a ten-yearold, managed to rack up close to $600 in charges playing a game on an Apple system.

She thought she was spending play money in the game, not real money, as the game was incredibly misleading.

Remember to secure your wireless network router with WPA-2 encryption, the strongest form that’s readily available on the market. If you’re particularly concerned about others accessing your network, consider adding an additional layer of security to your router that only allows approved devices to access the Internet through that network called “MAC address filtering.” You can also set your router to hide your network’s SSID so that your network can’t be seen by devices in the area.

Second, minimize behavioural risks. Just as you’ve taught your children how to behave in social settings, it’s important to teach them good behaviour online. Strategies parents use need to change over time as kids grow up.

Parents can stay with younger kids as they surf the Web to keep an eye on what they’re doing. It’s too easy for kids to accidentally find inappropriate content.

Spending time together on the Internet lets parents and kids talk about what they see; how to back up and turn off the computer; or what to do January 7, 2015

if explicit material shows up or someone tries to contact them online.

There are types of parental controls available to help; tools that can limit the amount of time kids can surf the Web, and limit search results to those you help to deem appropriate.

As kids grow up, computers and devices could be kept and used in common areas.

Once they are old enough, (and “old enough” really depends on what is right for each family), parents should talk to kids about the things they do on the Internet and how they take effect in real life. Issues such as cyberbullying, predators, digital photographs and more are not simple topics but they are real threats, and necessary to talk about.

Especially these days, kids often have access to many different devices in various locations and being there to protect them 24/7 is not possible. Talking with teens about anything can be challenging, but one suggestion I’ve heard in my work with Creekside Communications is to mention examples that you’ve heard of other young people getting into trouble online, in an “isn’t-that-interesting?” kind of way, rather than a “heed-this-warning/haveyou-done-something-thisfoolish?” kind of way.

Try not to lecture (or risk the eye-rolls teenagers are famous for); instead, engage them in a conversation so that they feel comfortable asking you questions about the Internet. In many cases, your teen probably knows more about the Internet than you do, so stern warnings may be pointless and only create resentment.

Teach your teen about creating strong, secure passwords, and to use different passwords for each account as well as to change them periodically. Did you know that a password such as “Janelovestoswim42timesaday!” is much harder to crack than “J1zqw%d#”? (it’s also much easier for you to remember!)

Talk to your teen about phishing scams; techniques used by scammers to fool people into divulging im-

portant personal or financial information, often by attempting to imitate legitimate companies and websites. Remind your teen to stop and think before doing something that may be potentially harmful. If you’d like your teen to come to you to discuss questions or concerns they may have

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online, it’s best to remain approachable, treat concerns with respect and remember to not lecture. If you don’t know the answer to a question, work with your teen to find out the information together.

Make sure your kids know not to click “remember this password” when browsing

the Web on someone else’s computer, as this can make passwords vulnerable to being stolen or hacked. Log out when you’re finished on anyone else’s device.

Teach your kids to think critically, exercise common sense and learn about tools and techniques that they can

use to protect themselves, and you will be teaching them to make their time on the Internet much more safe.

About the author: Sarah is a parent and a Web and marketing guru. She lives in Oxford Station with her husband and two kids, and works at Creekside Communications.

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