ND Times Issue 31 2021 November 10

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The Voice of North Dundas

Vol 2, No 31

November 10, 2021

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Santa is ready to greet everyone at the upcoming Garden Party Christmas Market in Winchester on Saturday Nov 13th, along with over 75 local artisans and vendors.

Photo curtesy of Mark and Mary Tessier from the Township of North Dundas The people of North Dundas have lots to offer! Come check out some talented local vendors and small business owners at the inaugural Garden Party Christmas Market.

The event is set for Saturday, November 13, at Sweet Corner Park in Winchester. It runs from 10 am to 3pm.

“We thought we’d give it a try and offer Winchester a unique shopping experience,” says Kelly Windle, owner of

The Planted Arrow and event organizer. “It’s a win-win for local businesses and the community. Over 70 vendors will be on site, and you’ll be able to find lots of handmade items. We have knitters, weavers, and woodworkers coming … people who make custom gifts like t-shirts and mugs. There will also be things like soaps and candles – lots of items that will make great Christmas gifts.”

Kelly notes that it’s important to support small busi-

nesses, because they are the backbone of the community.

She hopes to see hundreds of people come through the market.

The event also includes entertainment from Marleen Fawcett and the Barrow Gang, and a very special visitor! Santa Claus is making an appearance and people can get their photo taken with him.

The Christmas Market teamed up with Shop Crawl, so people can get their pass-

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The North Dundas Times

Meet Your Neighbour: Helen Holmes Stuff a cruiser with Food Drive –

Returns for another year

On November 13, 2021 members of the SD&G OPP Auxiliary Unit will hold their annual “Stuff the cruiser with Food Drive” for the local Community Food Share.

The SD&G Auxiliary unit is excited to be part of another generous day in the Communities of SD&G as they pull together to help people in need.

From all the members of the OPP Auxiliary Unit and the OPP, we thank everyone in advance as the Food Drive is sure to be great success.

The following venues host the event: from 9 am -2 pm: For Dundas/Stormont County Community Food Share: Winchester – Foodland Chesterville- Mike Dean’s

Garden Par�� Christ�as Market

Helen Holmes reflects back on a century spent in North Dundas

Vivaciously funny, incredibly kind

Time is of no consequence to those who appreciate every minute. Helen Holmes celebrated her 101st birthday on July 8. The centenarian refers to herself as “just an old lady”, but her quick wit and sense of humour tell a different story. Her secret to a long and healthy life?

“Live the best life you know how, and be kind. It’s a difficult question…it’s their business how other people live.”

Helen was born near Chesterville, in the Maple Ridge area on Ball Road. “I always loved school,” she explains. “Maybe that’s why my oldest son is a teacher.”

In April of 1938, she married Robert (Bob) Holmes, launching a love story that spanned nearly 73 years.

Together, they had four children – two sons and two daughters. Tragically, their youngest son, Allan – a volunteer firefighter for Iroquois – was one of five men struck and killed by a train while responding to a call in 1981.

“He’s been gone 40 years,” notes Helen. “Everybody has their heartbreaks once in a while. Allan was a very good man.”

Bob was born in Winchester Springs, and that’s where the couple lived for the first year of their marriage, before purchasing their own farm on Holmes Road, now County Road 38, where they raised Holsteins.

“We could see the trains go by, and it was only a little ways to drive into town. We went with horse for a long time, before we could afford a car.” The family also lived without electricity until 1948.

“We got it on my birthday that year,” Helen says. “Back in those days, we had blinds on all the windows - dark green

– I went all over the house and pulled the blinds down and it was quite a thrill, turning the lights on.”

Helen says they always had everything they needed, even if doing the washing was a bit more difficult back then.

“Our families were very good to us. If there was something I needed, I got it. My motherin-law, and my own mother for that matter, were lovely women.”

The couple planted 14 apple trees during their first year on the farm. “We always had more than we needed, so we’d walk down the road and give them to our neighbours.”

Bob passed away, at the age of 100, the day before Christmas in 2010. “I couldn’t have found a better husband and friend…we loved each other very much. He was a good man – very kind. The children were daddy’s girls and daddy’s boys too,” she smiles.

The couple’s legacy includes: 5 granddaughters, 7 grand-grandsons, 7 great-

granddaughters, 1 great-great grandson and 4 great-great granddaughters.

“One hundred years is a long time, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, because I can knit and sew and do things for myself. I’ve made hundreds of quilts by hand… baby blankets and bigger quilts for wedding gifts.”

Helen recalls when the Winchester District Memorial Hospital was built. “We made pillows for the beds.

Everybody made food – pickles, apple sauce, jellies. We washed, painted, hung curtains …anything to help the hospital.”

Helen moved to the Garden Villa in Chesterville in 2011. She says it’s a nice place to live and the staff are wonderful. “The people who bought our farm house from us still live there,” she notes.

“They brought me a beautiful bouquet of peonies from the garden.”

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The North Dundas Times

The Canadian Club of Morrisburg & District,

Speaker/Dinner is holding its final dinner for 2021 on Nov. 17. Meet and Greet, 6:30 p.m.

Dinner at 7 p.m., followed by speaker Ron Beaupre, Topic: Shipwreck of the Eastcliffe Hall. Covid protocols in place, including double vaccinated with ID to attend. The Club is also looking for new members and anyone interested in joining the Board of Directors.

Contact Steven Caza 1-613-989-5348 or Muriel Carruthers 343-543-2564 to RSVP by Fri. Nov. 12 to ensure your spot.

Freshly baked goods

Homemade frozen meals Pizza & subs LCBO/Beer Store convenience outlet

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North Dundas Christmas Fund accepting 2021 registrations money transfers can be sent to northdundaschristmasfund@ gmail.com, cheque donations can be mailed to PO Box 27, South Mountain, K0E 1W0, or donations can be made in person at Winchester BMR, a business that proudly supports the initiative.

All local schools have been approached by the NDCF about doing food drives, although it is not yet clear which schools will participate. Parents with children who attend a school in North Dundas are invited to contact their child’s school administration directly to ask if the school will be participating, and for details on how to donate.

Families in need who are hoping to benefit from what the NDCF has to offer must preregister. Registration is already open, and runs until November 29. Registration is done over the phone by contacting the Community Food Share at 613-774-0188, or the House of Lazarus at 613-989-3830. Residents are

by Brandon Mayer

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The House of Lazarus and Community Food Share are once again hosting the North Dundas Christmas Fund (NDCF) for 2021, which aims to bring joy to local struggling families during the holiday season. The NDCF provides a seasonal basket, gifts, and snowsuits to families for their children aged 13 or younger.

The program typically provides about 200 snowsuits and food hampers each year, and the snowsuits are available immediately to those in need – there is no need to wait until Christmas.

Like all charitable initiatives, the North Dundas Christmas Fund would not be possible without the support of the local community.

Monetary donations are required to supply snowsuits to the children, and for food baskets for those in need in North Dundas. Donations are greatly appreciated, and there are three ways to give. Email

North Dundas Fire gets Enbridge alarm donation

by Brandon Mayer

Hours: Mon-Fri 6am-7pm Sat&Sun 7am-7pm

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

1738 County Rd 1, Mountain Ontario

An initiative called Safe Community Project Zero, which is intended to get lifesaving alarms into the homes of people in need, benefitted local communities last month.

Enbridge Gas donated 144 combination alarms, which provide both smoke and carbon monoxide detection, to the North Dundas Fire service on October 18. The donated alarms will be divided up amongst the fire stations in Winchester, Chesterville, South Mountain, and Morewood for distribution.

Safe Community Project Zero is a public education campaign delivered through the Fire Marshall’s Public Safety Council. The campaign will deliver 16,600 alarms in total to 70 different municipalities in Ontario.

Over a span of 13 years, the program has already deliv-

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invited to call on behalf of themselves, or on behalf of a family who they know is struggling, but are reminded that late registrations cannot be accommodated. A representative of the NDCF spoke with the Times and asked that the public be reminded that only one Christmas basket can be provided per family. She also pointed out that there are similar programs available in other locales, so registration for the NDCF is open to residents of North Dundas only. Furthermore, she reminded residents who leave a phone message upon registering to make sure that their voicemail box is not full so that whoever calls them back will be able to leave a message, if needed.

The Times reached out to NDCF Secretary, Nancy Torrance, who pointed out that “this is not a recent initiative, and has continued and grown every year.” Nancy commented that the initiative has had to evolve with changes, such as the COVID-19 pandemic,

3

ered 68,000 alarms. Enbridge has invested $500,000 in the project this year alone. Other municipalities have received alarm donations from Enbridge in the past several years, including a 2018 donation of 102 alarms to the Merrickville Fire Department.

A bulletin released by the Township of North Dundas on October 19 highlighted the donation, and featured comments from Deputy Mayor Allan Armstrong, who expressed deep gratitude to Enbridge for the donation.

Deputy Mayor Armstrong also said that the alarms are “a needed commodity in every single home”, and that their cost “targets the less fortunate among us.”

Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms typically cost about $50. By law, at least one working smoke alarm must be installed on each floor of a home, with at least one alarm outside of

each sleeping area. Beyond this, it is also recommended that a smoke alarm be installed inside every bedroom.

Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed outside each sleeping area of a home, provided that the home has a fuel burning appliance, a woodburning stove or fireplace, or an attached garage.

A combination alarm is one device that provides protection from both fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.

While the importance of smoke detectors has been known for decades, fire departments across the country have been attempting to raise awareness about the life-saving value of carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that can lead to illness and death when levels inside a home become high.

The burning of any fuel creates carbon monoxide, but appliances are vented out-

and with differences in how people contribute, such as by email money transfer. When asked how it feels to provide this service to the community, Nancy responded, “We are happy to provide a muchneeded service to families in need. Occasionally, someone to whom we have given a hand up takes the time to express their appreciation, which is very gratifying. Usually though, we just sort out our thoughts, pay our bills, and get ready to do it all again next year.”

NDCF Chair, Bob Weagant, also spoke to the Times, painting a picture of the NDCF as a well-oiled machine, with 8-10 people who each know their own jobs and meet yearly to make the event a success. “The need is always there, and it’s always met,” he said. North Dundas residents are kindly asked to consider donating.

doors to prevent poisoning.

Levels can rise inside a home causing dangerous conditions when a vent pipe begins to leak or becomes blocked, or in other cases, such as when a car is left running inside an attached garage. An average of 300 people are killed in Canada each year from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Gas companies such as Enbridge often play a key role in educating the public about the dangers of carbon monoxide, since natural gas appliances produce it. Besides installing detectors, dwellers can help prevent carbon monoxide from entering their home by taking steps such as keeping furnace exhaust vents clear, and ensuring that cars are not left running in their garage.

To learn more about the Fire Marshall’s Public Fire Safety Council, visit their website at https://www.firesafetycouncil.com. www.ndtimes.ca

Editorial

The North Dundas Times

Queen's Park Update

I remember you

by David Shanahan It’s all about remembering on Remembrance Day, and phrases are used so easily: “Lest we forget”, or “We shall remember them”.These kind of sayings can become just cliches, if we’re not careful. The familiarity of repeating these same words year after year, of seeing the same wreaths surrounding cenotaphs, hearing the same Last Post being played on a trumpet, or another version of Amazing Grace in bagpipes, all of these can be experienced without ever impacting us, except on a temporary and relatively superficial level.

Every year, the Times has a special issue for Remembrance Day, and this is it for 2021. Rather than remaining general, we try and be specific: to give a brief account of individual men who went through the horrors and trauma of war. A photograph, or some individual fact about one of these men, can provide an opportunity to say “I remember you”, the person, and not just the amorphous mass that are represented in the millions of white crosses in foreign graveyards, or the hundreds of thousands of names inscribed on cenotaphs in every community.

To be completely honest, I find the research involved

in writing these short biographies to be deeply depressing.

So many young men with lives cut short in tragic and horrific ways. Another of the sayings that become cliches is “they shall never grow old”, and we take a strange form of comfort from that. But the truth is that they never got the chance to grow old, never knew life with a lover, with children and grandchildren.

They were fed into a system that threw their lives away before they could properly begin, Not all of them died in the war. Many came home, but not the same people who left. We know about PTSD now, but more than 3,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers were put on trial by their own side for cowardice, desertion, or refusing to “go over the top” one more time.

More than 350 were shot at dawn. Very many were simply ill, and some were clearly not guilty of any of the things for which they were killed.

Hundreds of thousands came back with wounds that were more than physical, though those wounds were very real.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a veteran who was happy and eager to talk about what they had seen and done “over there”. Some things cannot be put into words, even when the nightmares remain.

This issue, we looked at

one short period, around the year 1916, because there are simply too many years, too many names, to cover in one issue. And these individual men deserve a memory. It was a very bad year, as they all were. But 1916 saw the Battle of the Somme. We think of battles lasting hours, even days; but the Somme went on from July until November.

Casualties were unbelievably horrendous, but no-one is really sure of exact numbers.

Officially, over a million men died on both sides, including 24,000 Canadians. That was just one battle in the four years of catastrophe.

It is right, even essential, that we remember this, and those men who died, were wounded, came home broken. But that is not easy. Our annual memorials are clean: clean uniforms and clean cenotaphs. No veteran who lived through the 1914-1918 war remains to tell us the realities of that time, so we have to make an effort to find out.

Soon, the same will be true of 1939-1945. Then all we’ll have left are the little bios, the photographs, the written records.

I’ll be very honest here: I find the whole thing deeply upsetting. I don’t like putting this issue together every year, because I’m never sure if we do the young men justice, not properly. And I’m angry,

really deeply angry, that they were put through all of that because three cousins, the Kaiser, the Czar and the King of Britain, put ego and boasting before the lives of their people. Because it wasn’t the War to end War, it just part 1, and part 2 came just thirty years later. More slaughter.

One thing that came out of WWI that was different from other wars: the actual men were remembered in monuments and cenotaphs, not just the generals and the kings. This wasn’t out of a change in their status in society. It was because of the enormous impact that losing a generation of young men had on communities. Young women, parents, and younger siblings kept their memory alive. In the Commonwealth and Britain, this led to Remembrance Day. In other countries, it led to revolution and the downfall of those empires that had sparked the war. By 1919, only the British Empire survived, and it was mortally wounded. The new empires were rising: the United States and Russia. Part two would see them consolidate their positions.

I don’t know. Is this all too little, too late? Can we, should we, continue to remember this way? I have an idea: instead of repeating the moral blackmail of Flanders Fields, with its warning that the dead would not rest if we didn’t remember them, let’s try and pick one man each year to remember. Sadly, there are names on cenotaphs everywhere, including our own community, that have names inscribed for whom there is no information. We know nothing about those men, for some reason.

So, this Remembrance Day, however you mark it, maybe you could pick one of those names and spend the day thinking about them, wondering who they were and who they may have left behind, if anyone. Think of them and say, “I remember you”.

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, As we approach Remembrance Day, I’d like to pay tribute to the veteran members of The War Amps.

The War Amps was started by amputee veterans returning from the First World War to help each other adapt to their new reality as amputees. They then welcomed amputee veterans following the Second World War, sharing all that they had learned.

These founding members then established the Key Tag Service, which is still going strong today, to fund the Association’s many vital programs including The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program.

I was born a partial left

hand amputee and grew up in CHAMP which provided me with financial assistance for prosthetic devices and offered emotional support.

These veterans have left a lasting impact on generations of amputees as they taught us that we should be proud of our amputation and to know that it will not stop us from achieving our goals.

Everyday, but particularly on Remembrance Day, Canadian amputees like me honour these veterans who not only served their country but returned home to make life better for all amputees.

Graham Spero Graduate member of The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program

Dear Editor, A brief summary of minimum wage increases since the Doug Ford took office in 2018: 2018: no increase 2019: no increase 2020: 25c increase to $14.25/hr 2021: 10c increase to $14.35/hr Some might say that Ford's recent announcement that minimum wage will increase to $15/hr on January 1, 2022 is a cynical election ploy, hoping that voters have short memories.

Steve Gabell Kemptville

ISSN 2291-0301 www.ngtimes.ca

The North Dundas Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc.

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Email: production@ndtimes.ca 613 215 0735

November 10, 2021

MPP Jim McDonell COVID-19 cases continue to edge downwards in the Counties and Cornwall. However, hospitalized patients still number over a dozen, most of whom are under-vaccinated. Progress on our reopening plan and its lifting of restrictions are dependent on our ability to maintain access to our quality health care facilities. Attaining a high full vaccination level is key to keeping hospital occupancies at sustainable levels. Visit www.EOHU.ca for the latest vaccination information. So far, the results have been encouraging as the fully vaccinated have enjoyed many higher-capacity amenities and venues since October 25. Our next scheduled reopening step is on Monday, November 15.

We plan to raise capacity limits in higher-risk settings, such as food or drink establishments with dance facilities, nightclubs, wedding receptions, and others. You can find more information at https://www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario. You can download your proof of vaccination at https://covid19. ontariohealth.ca/, obtained at a Service Ontario centre, or by calling 1-833-943-3900.

As part of efforts to create a lasting and stronger economy, the Government is giving more support to the many unsung heroes of the pandemic, such as the dedicated workers who keep our food shelves full and supply chain running. New legislation, if passed, will raise the minimum wage from $14.35 to $15.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2022. The rate increase will put $1,350 more into the pockets of an average, full-time minimum wage worker during 2022. This new wage will also apply to liquor servers as we eliminate their special wage rate.

Increases will also benefit students under 18, homeworkers, and outfitting guides. The bigger paycheques will help offset inflationary increases that have occurred this year.

New legislation from Long-Term Care Minister Rod Phillips will help us move ahead to address long-term care, fixing many years of neglect by previous governments. The plan builds on three pillars: staffing and care; accountability, enforcement, and transparency; and building modern, safe, comfortable homes for our seniors. This legislation cements our commitment to investing in more staff, new and upgraded facilities, and improved inspections. Over several years, our plan invests $7.58 billion to increase LTC staffing while building and upgrading 30,000 LTC beds.

These measures will give our most vulnerable the high quality of life and care they deserve. We are able to make these commitments while we grow the economy and reduce the pandemic-related deficit to $21.5 billion, $11.6 billion less than the original forecast. We will continue our investments into people and infrastructure as warranted to offset the pandemic's worst effects and secure Ontario's future. We are taking a measured and responsible approach, utilizing economic growth, not higher taxes or fewer services, to support our critical programs and services. We released details of this plan, the 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, on Thursday, November 4. For more information, please visit https://budget.ontario.ca/2021/fallstatement/index. html.

The province's legal system has a history dating back to previous governments failing to resolve criminal cases promptly.

To rectify this, Attorney General Doug Downey is spearheading a comprehensive strategy to address an unacceptable backlog of serious criminal cases, including at the Cornwall and other local courthouses. The Government will invest $72 million over two years to hire new Crown prosecutors to speed up cases through the courts. The strategy will also reduce the number of cases that enter the criminal justice system finding resolutions sooner and improving court processes to reduce the trial duration.

As always, stay safe and get vaccinated if you have not done so.

Regards, Jim McDonell MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry

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Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Staff Reporter Brandon Mayer brandon@ndtimes.ca

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The North Dundas Times

North Dundas running out of water and sewage capacity

by Joselyn Morley The Council of the Township of North Dundas held their regular bi-monthly meeting on October 26. North Dundas has officially run out of water and sewer units to allocate for builds. It’s been coming for a while, so it’s no surprise, but there was a kind of ominous feeling of heaviness, as the councillors and Calvin Pol, Director of Planning Building and Enforcement, faced each other around the table. Calvin Pol put voice to what we’ve all been waiting to hear regarding water and sewer allocation: “We’re down to the final numbers, as far as what’s available. We have four requests, which is beyond what we have available right now. A total of six extra [water & sewer] units are being requested than what is currently available in the total supply that we have calculated back at the beginning of the year.”

North Dundas has experienced unprecedented growth since the pandemic began.

Our township is benefiting in many ways from more people coming to live here, but the Township wasn’t ready. A couple of years ago, based on growth projections grounded in solid data of the preceding few years, North Dundas had

enough water and sewer units to support approximately 20 years of growth. Then the pandemic hit, people hit the market looking to leave bigger cities, and what was forecast to be 20 years worth of water and sewer units were allocated in less than two years.

North Dundas knew that the water and sewage capacity was dwindling, the township needs new wells, or another water source, and new sewage treatment capacity, but the Township only had two years to deal with the issue, rather than 20. There are two broad options to acquire more water: dig more wells, or to draw water from, or through, a neighbouring municipality.

Council has been discussing it, but as it most likely requires the purchase or acquisition of property, it may be assumed that it’s being discussed in closed sessions.

The Municipal Act 2001 allows for closed sessions for a variety of reasons: one of those being the discussion of land acquisition or disposition. Status and capacity of the wells and sewage treatment has been discussed in open meetings.

There’s a formula to decide how many water and sewer units are required by

a specific dwelling. Singlefamily or duplex dwellings usually require one water and one sewer unit per residence. Math and formulas come into play when the builds are multi-unit, such as apartments, or group living. It stands to reason that a one-bedroom apartment or room in a communal living situation would require less water and sewer capacity than a single-family dwelling with four bedrooms. Water and sewage unit allocation must be obtained before building.

For the last year, the Township has been allocating water and sewer units in phases. If a development requested a large number, the Township and developer or builder divided the plan into phases, allocating just enough water and sewer units to facilitate the first phase of the project. As Mayor Fraser said at the meeting regarding the necessary denial of one of the requests, the developer will have to “leave the last six [dwellings] ‘til there’s future water.”

In the By-law regarding allocating water and sewer units, which was deemed necessary when the Township realised they were going to have to allocate them very judiciously, there is

United Counties Council report

a priority given to what is deemed more “affordable” housing, and also to commercial development. A brief discussion of what constituted “affordable” ensued at Council, but generally infill, intensified, or higher density development is deemed more affordable than single family or duplexes. Thus, the three of the four requests that were granted were: one water and one sewer unit for a basement apartment in Winchester akin to a granny flat; three water and three sewer units for a laundromat in Chesterville; and 4.38 water and 4.38 sewer units for a six-unit apartment building on Industrial Drive in Chesterville. A request for six water and six sewer units for developments in Thompson subdivision was denied.

The developer already had six of each for single-family dwellings, but requested six more of each to allow for duplexes instead.

Calvin Pol bluntly explained the outcome of granting these last requests: “It would take us to zero. We wouldn’t have any capacity left for the next period of time, until the new well is working in the municipality, and we can start to again grant capacity.”

Provincial funding for municipalities for 2022 announced

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The Ontario government is announcing 2022 funding allocations under the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF), the Province’s main general assistance grant to municipalities.

"Our government recognizes the importance of the OMPF to communities across the province,” said Jim McDonell, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. “I am pleased that municipalities in Cornwall and the Counties will continue to benefit from this important provincial program.”

The allocation for North Dundas for 2022 is North Dundas, $960,700. Other local municipal allocations are: City of Cornwall, $4,666,100; South Dundas, $1,223,200; South Glengarry, $998,600; South Stormont, $933,000; United Counties of Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry, $699,000; and North Stormont, $486,100. In the United Counties of Prescott-Russell, North Glengarry has been allotted $2,095,200.

Ontario has been consulting with municipalities on their priorities for the OMPF. Throughout these discussions, municipal partners have stressed the importance of stability and predictability, particularly during these uncertain times. Ontario is responding by maintaining both the structure of the OMPF and the program envelope at $500 million for 2022, as committed at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's annual conference in August 2021.

“Predictable and timely financial support from the Province is essential for budget planning in small and rural municipalities,” said AMO President Graydon Smith. “The early rollout of stable 2022 Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund allocations sets the stage for effective budget planning for the for year ahead.”

by Joselyn Morley The Council of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry met in person for their regular monthly meeting on October 18. Four delegations presented at the meeting: Loren Christie from Loren Christie Solutions, on the Jail Feasibility Study; Dr Jeff Ridal, Executive Director, Dr Leigh McGaughey, Research Scientist, and Lee Theodore, Project Coordinator, Future Climate Leaders on the River Institute; Tom Manley, Executive Director on Eastern Ontario Agri-Food Network; and Monica Ferenczy, from Horizon Educational Consulting on the Education Review Report.

Nine projects were approved for support under the SDG United Counties’ Stay, Discover, Grow, Regional Incentives Program, totalling $173K. The goals of the Regional Incentives Program are to: stimulate investment in tourism and the agricultural sector by funding diverse on-farm expansions and agri-tourism; encourage redevelopment and private sector investment in existing building stock to support employment while reducing the number of vacant buildings, and to increase the tax base; and increase the number of permanent accommodations to support and encourage tourism.

Three of the nine projects approved were in North Dundas. These grants, although capped, can fund up to 50% of a project. O’Farrell Financial in Winchester received a Building Improvement and Restoration Grant, and a Building Conversion and Expansion Grant, allowing for increased office and meeting space, and improved signage. Ritchie Feed and Seed in Winchester received a Building Conversion and Expansion Grant to help with the addition of four new commercial greenhouse spaces. Smirlholm Farms Honey in Morewood received a Façade Improvement Grant, a Building Improvement and Restoration Grant, and a Planning Application and Building Permit Fee Grant, to assist with replacing siding on a barn turned apiary, and to install a rolling shutter and windows to allow visitors to view the honey yard, as well as a gutter to improve accessibility in the barn.

You can find out more about the grants available through the Regional Incentives Program on the United Counties SDG website. There are similar grants available at the township level to local businesses. Other SDG businesses supported by Regional Incentive grants outside of North Dundas include Finch Laundromat, Dentz Orchards & Berry Farm, Whittaker Storage, Ferme Butte & Bine, Lost Villages Brewery, and the Lions Motel.

Design Contracts were awarded to J. L. Richards & Associates for the Hoople Creek Bridge near Ingleside, and to Jacobs for the East Castor River Bridge north of Winchester. The contract for the SDG Growth Management Strategy was awarded to Watson and Associates Economists Ltd and Re: Public Urbanism. This Growth Management Strategy is required to ensure that SDG complies with the Provincial Planning Act. Council approved the purchase of a plow and spreader unit for $149K, and the corresponding cab and chassis for $134K. Finally, SDG Council, which is comprised of mayors and deputy mayors from the six participating counties, elected a new Warden. Carma Williams, Deputy Mayor of North Glengarry, will serve as County Warden for 2022. She will be sworn in this December. Our own Deputy Mayor, Al Armstrong, has served as interim Warden since the departure of Warden Prevost.

A closed session was held to discuss the Official Plan Appeal, the Performance Review for the CAO, and the purchase or sale of land. November’s meeting of SDG’s Council will be held in Council Chambers on Monday, November 15 at 9 am. It will be broadcast on the Counties’ YouTube channel.

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Agricultural Digest

Photo is Courtesy of Ryan Fawcett.

Livestock sector – focus of OFA’s 2021 virtual annual meeting gets support Connecting with Ontarians

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by Hugh Simpson, Director, OFA It’s been almost two years since COVID-19 changed the world as we know it. As farmers, we are familiar with volatile markets, unpredictability and vulnerability to extreme weather. The pandemic however, disrupted all facets of farming from labour to supply and for many barred access to traditional market streams.

Many farm businesses showcased their resiliency and perseverance as they made the pivot to direct marketing and farm gate sales.

Those that made the leap did more than survive, they thrived as Ontarians were eager to support local growers and producers throughout the food value chain. It provided an opportunity to reinforce the importance of buying and supporting local businesses, connecting with our consumer base and promoting products that are available all year-round.

It seems ironic, but as our customers become further removed from the farm, their interest continues to peak as to where their food comes from, how it’s grown or produced and by whom.

The pandemic motivated and escalated a “support local” boom, which opened great opportunities for our sector to engage and inform Ontarians about modern agriculture. It is a movement the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) wants to foster for generations to come.

This year, the Virtual An-

nual General Meeting (AGM) is slated for Monday, November 22 with a 9:00 a.m. start and a focus on Connecting with Ontarians. The theme highlights the importance of relationship-building with customers, increasing public connection to the food value chain and bridging the gap between Ontarians and farmers.

Whether you produce or purchase, we are all connected through our shared values of family, community, local, small business, environment and food security. Everyone has a reason for the decisions they make.

Through a suite of new campaigns, events and initiatives, OFA is working with partners to better connect Ontarians with the farm and food sector – from field-to-fork. As a farmer and OFA director, I understand the public branding dynamic and its ability to cultivate sustainable and profitable farms. For me, the goal is to increase public loyalty, understanding and empathy for the agriculture sector. It has been my personal view, shared by many, that the general public has the greatest impact on the farm sector and more specifically; our OFA members. Our farmers produce the highest quality food, fibre and fuel for the province, country and world. It’s important that we share our story and continue to garner public support through the creation of an emotional, authentic and personal connection.

Keynote speaker Terry O’Reilly, Canadian broadcaster and host of the award-

winning radio show “Under the Influence” will be addressing attendees and discussing the bigger issues of marketing, emotional storytelling and how to relate your story to an audience outside of your echo chamber.

I've known Terry since our days growing up in Sudbury when I delivered the daily newspaper to his family. His endearing presentation style and professional background will be sure to inspire you.

Additional agenda highlights include an election for Director-at-Large on the OFA board and an address from guest speakers Mary Robinson, President, Canadian Federation of Agriculture and Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

As a Director, the AGM is an annual highlight for me as members from across the province get the chance to review the work done by the organization over the past year and begin setting priorities for the future. I look forward to hearing from fellow farm leaders on how they fared this past year, their expectations for next year and how OFA can support them in achieving their goals.

I sincerely hope to “see” you there to participate in engaging conversations and presentations, select new leaders, vote on resolutions and learn more about the organization’s direction entering the public trust forum. For event details and information, please visit ofa.on.ca/agm.

The Ontario government is investing in two projects at Ontario Research Centres in Elora. With $14.4 million from the Government of Ontario, and $3.6 million from Ontario Pork, construction is now underway on a new $18 million swine research facility that will use state-of-the-art technology to build Ontario’s capacity and expertise to support cuttingedge research that drives innovation in the swine sector and contributes to the sector’s competitiveness and productivity.

In addition, the governments of Canada and Ontario are advancing beef nutritional research with an investment of $1.3 million through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) at the Ontario Beef Research Centre. The beef nutrition research investment supports the purchase of 96 Insentec feeders, a digitized precision feeding system that tracks and adjusts the nutrition for each individual cow as needed. Results from the research will produce healthier cattle and reduces waste, making beef farmers more competitive in the global marketplace.

The investments announced recently build on previous initiatives and programs that support the livestock sector, including: - $500,000 for precision feed handling and mixing equipment which supports nutritional research for the expanded beef and dairy research herds at the Ontario Beef Research Centre - Elora.

- $7 million in the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative for provincially licensed meat processors to help them purchase equipment to increase productivity and efficiency, and prevent slowdowns.

- $10 million in the Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program to help provincially licensed meat processors maintain a safe workplace.

- $2 million to cover immediate needs like feed, water and fencing with an additional investment of up to $15,000 per eligible farms for permanent water projects in northwestern Ontario.

- Financial assistance provided to beef and hog producers to help offset the feeding costs during processing delays caused

by COVID-19.

Ontario's cattle and hog sectors contribute $5.2 billion in GDP through the agri-food value chain and supports over 98,500 jobs. The Ontario Beef Research Centre - Elora is a partnership between the Government of Ontario through its agency the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO), the Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) and the University of Guelph. The site includes 300 acres of pasture, two barns with state-of-the-art feeders to accommodate 288 mature cows and 120 heifers with four laboratories, including a sample storage lab and a clean lab for genomics research.

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Women in Agriculture: Get your ducks in a row!

By Catalina Margulis Although Debbi Conzelmann and her three sisters were born and raised on their family farm in Stouffville, Ontario, they did not intentionally plan on going back to the farm once they went away for school. Little did they know what successes and victories were headed their way.

Debbi’s grandparents started the farming business in 1951. During high school, her father Bob dropped out to join the family business, which is when they started farming ducks. The farm continued to grow, with the family driving out to the North York farmers market every week to sell their chickens and ducks. When the ducks started selling out every week, the family decided to specialize in them, taking the business from a few thousand ducks a year to now 2.5 million per year.

“We all grew up working on the farm,” Debbi shares.

“All of us sisters went off to university/college and didn’t plan on coming back, except for my sister Jackie, who went to the University of Guelph for agriculture. The rest of us were on different paths.”

Debbi finished school with hopes of becoming an accountant but realized she did not enjoy it. At the same time, she was needed at the farm because the family’s main bookkeeper had become ill and was unable to work.

“We all ended up back here,” Debbi says. “It’s not even a job; it’s who we are.

It’s our identity, our lifestyle.”

Eventually, Debbi moved into the family’s sister business, a farm supply company, and became the general manager there, running a small team that included HR, finance and operations.

“It gave me a micro business and I had everything in that role. I was there 26 years,” she shares.

In 2003, after the SARS outbreak, there were a lot of

business challenges, so they brought in an outside turnaround person who assessed the viability of the business and supported them with strategic plans and directional strategies. He stayed with them for two years.

“It was hard, because a lot of things had to change,” says Debbi. “We really had to assess our properties and assets and make hard decisions. It was difficult having someone from outside. Some mistakes were made, but it also opened up a lot of opportunities.”

Around this time, the second generation retired, and the third generation—Debbi and her sisters [Patti, Jackie and Robin]—took over. The family also discovered their own best practices, decisions that made sense not just from a business and financial standpoint, but also because they were anchored in the family’s deep beliefs and values.

Those lessons and being forced to think differently served the business well after

SARS hit, with Toronto being one of the main hot spots.

The team came up with various strategies to protect and grow the business, including selling more duck products that were ready to cook, as well as offering fully cooked duck and smoked duck.

“We went down that path to create different markets— food service and retail—so if restaurants closed down, we still had our retail products and business. We also created geographical diversification, and started selling all over the globe, really,” Debbi says.

Planning for success When it comes to reflecting on her family’s business success in recent years, Debbi credits qualities like vulnerability, openness and willingness to connect with others.

“Part of our success is our openness and willingness to connect with other people and go outside for help and advice, with different consultants who are experts in different areas. We’ll bring in

New Funding for the Agri-food Sector The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $1.5 million through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to address agri-food labour challenges and build a strong and resilient labour force to keep grocery store shelves stocked and Ontario’s agri-food supply chain running.

A new intake is open to support industry-led projects that promote and attract jobseekers to careers in the agri-food sector, help them gain the skills and training needed to build a successful career.

“Labour challenges continue to be one of the leading bottlenecks to growth in our agriculture sector,” said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

“At the same time, there are countless quality and dynamic job opportunities for Canadians looking for rewarding careers. This cost-shared funding for employee attraction, trainNovember 10, 2021

ing and retention helps bridge that divide between employable Canadians and labour shortages, and is vital to ensure the long-term prosperity of the sector.”

The new intake will fund efforts to address the ongoing labour shortage that has been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) stated that 16,500 agricultural jobs went unfilled in 2017 across Canada and estimates the shortfall to grow to 123,000 by 2029.

Ontario is expected to represent the largest share of the shortfall.

“Investing in a strong workforce for the agrifood sector is vital to our economy and our rural communities,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “We want to attract and train people interested in building a successful career in an increasingly high-tech agriculture industry to take

of connecting jobseekers with exciting career opportunities," said Chris Conway, CEO, Food and Beverage Ontario. "Our thanks to the Ministries of Labour, Training and Skills Development as well as Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs recognizing the importance of this issue.”

Since June 2018, both the federal and provincial governments have committed over $100 million in cost-share support to more than 5,000 projects through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to help eligible Ontario farmers, processors, businesses and sector organizations innovate and grow.

advantage of these opportunities. This initiative will do just that and will help position the sector for long-term growth.”

Projects may be eligible for up to 70% funding of eligible expenses to a maximum $250,000. Eligible projects will have to be completed by September 30, 2022 and include: - Implementing new, enhanced or expanded approaches to attract and retain labour; - Planning, analyzing and assessing labour force needs; - Implementing training to address identified workforce needs, including training to improve food safety and traceability, labour productivity or tech-focused skills gap.

“Labour is the number one issue right now for our sector. This investment helps address agrifood labour challenges and build a strong and resilient labour force. In partnership with government, we share in the common goal

Send in your letters, stories, events to editor@ ndtimes.ca 7

people who know more than us in particular areas, people to coach our teams,” says Debbi. “Most of our team have come in as workers and moved in to middle management, so everyone has had to learn how to handle different situations, how to handle conflict and employment issues, and working with other producers and industries.”

Debbi points that although the industry is male dominated, she and her sisters have always felt welcome.

“In Canada, there is a respect and open mindedness to work with women,” she says, adding, “Girl power is really key at King Cole. A lot of our farm managers are women, because they tend to be more nurturing when caring for livestock.”

For women entrepreneurs everywhere, Debbi advises being open and putting yourself in uncomfortable situations. Continuous improvement and learning is key.

“It is important to be out-

going and make the effort to know your stuff,” she says.

“Do good work and build a reputation in the industry; people will know you soon enough. People know people.”

Interestingly, while there are many opportunities within the agriculture industry, Debbi has found that attracting talent to King Cole has always been something of a struggle, even though she and her sisters have found the work to be very rewarding.

“The industry is lagging in a lot of ways, most of agriculture is more laidback, so there are a lot of opportunities for making changes and growing in the future,” Debbi says. “It doesn’t always appear to be a great career choice for people, but for the right person, it provides a great work/life balance.”

Marie-Claude Bibeau continues as Canada's agriculture minister

In the recent reshuffle of the federal government Cabinet, Marie-Claude Bibeau retained her position as Agriculture Minister. The Member of Parliament for Compton—Stanstead (Québec) tweeted: “It is with gratitude to @JustinTrudeau, and great ambition for the sector, that I continue in my role as Min of Ag, supported by my strong team! Challenges are great and opportunities are immense. We want our ag to be environmentally, economically and humanely sustainable.”

The agriculture sector has shared a problem with the rest of Canada’s economy: a shortage of labour. The Minister named labour shortage as a priority for her as she resumes her portfolio.

"This is, I would say one of the most important issues. I hear that everywhere across the country and actually, it's not limited to agriculture and agri-food but it is extremely important in our sector. Temporary foreign workers is one part of the answer and I will keep working with Minister Qualtrough who is still in the same portfolio. We will be able to continue working on the reform for the Temporary Foreign Workers Program." www.ndtimes.ca

The North Dundas Times

Local Hollywood actor wants to pass on his talent

by Brandon Mayer

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Many Winchester residents may not be aware that there is a movie and television star in their midst. Actor and stuntman, Derrick Damon Reeve, comes across as a typical family man, a single father raising his four boys.

When the Times visited his Winchester home, however, a hidden world of movie memorabilia came to life in the presence of the man who played an important part in each production.

Derrick, who is a distant relative of actor Christopher Reeve, has had a career as an actor and stuntman spanning decades, including work on feature films such as “The 13th Warrior”, “Battlefield Earth”, and “Jack Brooks Monster Slayer”. His resume also boasts many television shows and TV movies, including the 2001 TV movie, “Snow in August”, which was nominated for three Emmy awards.

During a tour of his house, Derrick showed me a McDonald’s toy figure of his character for the television show “Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension,” as

Derrick stands beside a life sized rendering of his character from the 2003 film "Fear of the Dark".

Christmas parades will kick off the season locally from 7-9 pm, and December 4, from 5-9 pm. The event Local Journalism Initiative Reporter entrance will be on County Road 3.

North Grenville and As is usual with the North North Dundas will hold Dundas event, there will be Christmas parades this year other happenings on Decemto start off a much-anticipated ber 4. There will be a local holiday season that should vendor show from 9 am to see fewer overall pandemic 4 pm. Fries for Charity will restrictions than last year. be on site at the parade acNorth Grenville’s Santa cepting cash donations for Claus Parade will take place boxes of fries which will be in Kemptville on November delivered to customers’ cars 20, beginning at 4pm, fol- upon exiting the parade. In lowing a different route than anticipation of the event, lonormal to allow more space cal stores will also soon be for roadside spectators to carrying toques marked with socially distance. The 4 km the North Dundas Parade of route begins at the Kempt- Lights logo, at a cost of $10 ville Campus, heading west each. Donations of cash and on Concession, north on non-perishable food items for Hurd, east on Clothier, south the Community Food Share on Prescott, and west on Con- and the North Dundas Christcession. The parade will end mas Fund will be accepted back at the Campus. at the parade entrance. The In North Dundas, the annual float contest will run event will deviate from tradi- again, with prizes awarded tion for the second year in a for eight different “best float” row due to safety concerns categories. surrounding the COVID-19 Those interested in regispandemic. The traditional tering a float for the KemptParade of Lights, which has ville parade, or volunteering taken place in Winchester at the parade, can visit https:// for many years, has been re- www.explorenorthgrenville. branded as the “Display of ca/events/1121/2021-sanLights” again this year. The ta-claus-parade for more event will be a stationary pa- information. Anyone with rade, with floats parked and questions can email kemptevent goers driving through villedisctrictca@gmail.com. to see the display. One sig- For anyone seeking more nificant change this year information about the North is that the event will take Dundas Display of Lights, place at the South Mountain or for those interested in volFairgrounds in the town of unteering, various relevant South Mountain, instead of phone numbers and email Winchester. The Display of addresses can be found at Lights will take place on two https://northdundasparadseparate days – December 3, eoflights.ca/contact/.

by Brandon Mayer

November 10, 2021

Send in your letters, stories, events to editor@ ndtimes.ca

well as countless movie props and promotional items from productions on which he had worked. Derrick has had the distinction of working with big name actors such as John Travolta, Eddie Murphy, Graham Greene, Joe Pantoliano, Randy Quade, Omar Sharif, Antonio Banderas, Rosario Dawson, and others.

Now retired from a career as a stone mason, Derrick has shifted to working exclusively as an actor and stuntman, and he has filmed many productions, even since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He auditions for roles regularly, and is often head-hunted for roles because of his experience in the industry. Derrick is now seeking to provide a new service – he wants to teach others about acting, and about how to get a foot in the door in the film and television industry. He wants locals to be able to learn from someone experienced, without having to travel to the city, and what better person to provide that service than him?

“I always get asked lots of questions when on set, because I’m often one of the most experienced guys there,” he told the Times. Knowledge he would be able to pass on is

wide in range. He knows who to contact for auditions, how to prepare a resume, what casting directors are looking for, and what to expect on set.

His goal would be to guide local talent through from the beginning, starting when they are completely new to the industry, all the way up to when they are established actors on set. He told the Times that the process is often much faster than people assume, and it is possible to be on set within days of pursuing a role. Derrick’s youngest son, Hunter Damon Reeve, has recently expressed an interest in acting, and the two did a Hallmark movie together a few months ago. Derrick is ready to work with interested actors “age 0 to 199”, telling the Times that a person is never too old or too young to get started in the profession.

Any local people who are interested in speaking with him can contact him directly by email at derrickdamonreeve1961@gmail.com. A video highlighting some of his work can be found at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=exws1E-gXlw.

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North Dundas Remembrance Day A dedicated man

Charles Stonham, 502270

Charles Stonham was born in Sussex, England, on February 7, 1872. He immigrated to Canada and lived in Winchester, where he worked as a miner.

When he joined up on January 1, 1916, he was 47 years old, married, with five children. It was unusual for a man of his age, and with his family, to enlist as he did; but a large number of those who joined the Canadian Expeditionary

Force had been born in the United Kingdom, and had been most affected by the Imperialist propaganda of the time. The war was seen as a great Imperial conflict, fighting against what was called an autocratic regime in Germany.

Charles arrived in France on May 20, 1916, as part of the 9th Field Company of the Canadian Engineers, but was taken seriously ill in January, 1917. The cause was Nephritis, an inflammation of the kidneys. He had suffered an attack previously, in 1906, but had recovered after two months.

The medical report in 1916 noted that his condition was an old one “slightly aggravated by service” in the trenches. As a Sapper, Charles was probably engaged in digging trenches and tunnels, which led to

him suffering from constant headaches and dizziness.

It was thought that recovery could take three months without further treatment, and he was returned to Canada in July, 1917, declared unfit for active service. His discharge from the army came in June, 1918. He and his family moved to Kingston, where Charles died in March, 1944.

Charles Stonham signed up as a 47 yearold husband and father of five. Eager to do his bit, as they called it, he left everything behind him to go to France and be part of the crusade for Empire.

On his return from France, he was given a civic reception in Winchester, as the accompanying newspaper clipping describes.

Honouring all who served

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Dundas in the Boer War, 1899-1902

The Vimy Memorial

Private Frank David Valentine, 633384

Welcome home parade in Winchester for Lorne Mulloy and Isaac Shea, 1900 The Boer War was the first foreign war to which the nation of Canada sent troops. It was the first time that Canadians distinguished themselves in a foreign battlefield. It also showed how Canadians could stand apart from the British Empire. Canada did generate a great atmosphere of patriotism, judging by the newspapers of the time, including newspapers in Dundas County. Canada sent several contingents to South Africa. The government uniformed them, trained them, provided supplies, horses and transportation.

The cost of this endeavour was close to three million dollars, a huge investment for the time. Almost 7,000 troops left, including 12 nurses. 270 of these soldiers did not return.

The number of horses who did not return was very high.

Twelve men volunteered and served from Dundas County. John Major was born and raised in South Mountain. He had joined the effort after he had attended a military school in Toronto and, in October, 1899 enlisted in the First Contingent. He saw service in South Africa and returned home in November, 1900. In 1902, he returned to South Africa for a second mission.

William Van Allen, a native of Vancamp and Mountain, enlisted in the 3rd Canadian Mounted Rifles. Isaac Shea was a resident of Winchester when he enlisted in the second contingent. Alexander William Munro of Chesterville was a member of the 4th Contingent. Matthew Carlysle, while a native of Morewood, was actually in the Canadian West when he enlisted in the 4th Contingent. However, by the time he arrived in South Africa, the hostilities had ended, so he did not see action.

S. M. Liezert enlisted in 1901 in Cranbrook, British Columbia, but after returning from the war, settled in Vancamp. He served at the end of the war. A. E. Ault served with the Royal Canadian Dragoons and saw action in 44 engagements. James George Stephenson of Morewood, unfortunately, did not survive. After a year in the war zone he succumbed to enteric fever. The residents of Morewood have erected a monument in memory of him.

Finally, Lorne Mulloy had enlisted from Ottawa, but was born in Mountain Township, and educated in schools in Morrisburg and Iroquois. Mulloy became the hero of the nation when he returned from the war, blinded in battle. When he returned to Winchester in December, 1900, along with Isaac Shea, a huge parade took place to honour them.

He began a journey of lecturing to large crowds about his experiences in the war and instilling an aura of patriotism. In his words, “patriotic hearts beat strong and high”.

This continued for the remainder of his life.

We Remember

Frank Valentine was born in Aberdeen, Scotland on New Year’s Day, 1891 and came to Canada in 1910. He lived in Mountain, where he became involved with the Mountain Red Cross, the Odd Fellows, and worked as a farmer. He enlisted at South Mountain on February 1, 1916. After the usual training, Frank embarked on the S.S. Mauretania on October 25, 1916 with the 38th Battalion.

He was appointed Acting Lance Corporal while in England, but reverted to the rank of private when he arrived in France in May, 1917. He joined his unit at the front on June 11 and was killed in action on June 26, 1917 during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, after just two weeks in the field.

Frank has no known grave, and is remembered on the Vimy Memorial, along with the 11,000 Canadian soldiers who were listed as “missing, presumed dead” in France.

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Roy Cassidy was one of three brothers from RR#3, Chesterville, who signed up during WWI. Roy Austin Cassidy was born in Kemptville in 1895, and was a farmer on RR #3, Chesterville.

Like many of his neighbours of the same age, he joined up on November 11, 1915, an

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Private Robert Edward Poidevin, 177514

Roy Austin Cassidy, Private, 177511 ironic date, and was posted to the 87th Battalion, Canadian Grenadier Guards.

He arrived in England aboard the Empress of Britain, and then spent weeks in hospital there, for various problems. Hospitalized with Gastritis in February; with Mumps in March-April; and Measles in May, 1916, before, finally, he went to France on August 13, 1916. Roy didn’t survive for long. He was killed in action, September 8, 1916.

A notice appeared in the local newspaper on September 21, noting that: “Mr. And Mrs. Wm Cassidy are in receipt of very sympathetic letters of condolence from

loralee.carruthers@century21.ca

General Sir Sam Hughes and from the premier, Sir Robert Borden on the death of their son, Roy, in the recent fighting in France.”

Roy was remembered at a “very interesting service” in Trinity Methodist Church, when the congregation were encouraged to live up to “their responsibility in the matter of recruiting if Canada's promise of half a million men is to be redeemed... Feeling reference was made by the pastor to the death in battle of Pte. Roy Cassidy and as a token of respect the congregation stood with bowed heads while "The Dead March in Saul," was rendered by the organist”.

In the same newspaper that reported the death of Roy Cassidy, there was a notice stating that “The name of Pte. R . E. Poidevin is among the wounded in this morning’s casualty list.” Robert Poidevin was a neighbour of Roy Cassidy in Chesterville, and the two young men had joined up on the same day, November 11, 1915, travelled to England on the same ship, the Empress of Britain, and shared the same experiences of soldiering.

But, whereas Roy Cassidy had lasted just a few weeks in France before being killed, Robert Poidevin would have a longer, but no less tragic life in the trenches. He was wounded by shrapnel in his foot and thigh in September, 1916, just three months after arriving in the trenches in France.

After recuperating in Liverpool, he returned to the front.

He spent another two months in hospital in 1917, for an infection, before again returning to the front.

In July, 1918, he was involved in an unusual accident, when digging trenches. A fellow soldier in the trench accidentally hit him on the hand with a pick, and Robert was back in hospital once again. An investigation concluded that the wound was accidental, and not an attempt to avoid time in the trenches, and, to underline this, Robert was appointed Acting Corporal on August 31, 1918. But time and luck was running out for Robert Poidevin, and he was fatally wounded in action on September 27, 1918.

Robert had listed his next of kin his sister, Hazel, who lived in Toronto, as did his brother. It may be that the family lived there at the time. As a result, the Toronto Star noted his death in November, 1918, and reported that his brother, Harold, had recently returned from the front suffering from shell shock.

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CROSSWORD

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville In March of 2020, I shared my mother’s Pouding Chômeur, a simple but delicious dessert.

Given that we weren’t a wealthy family, Ma Cormier excelled at making tasty dishes economically. One of these is the traditional Bread Pudding. Back then, the bread was a day or two old from the Canada Bread Bakery, not far from our home in Kirkland Lake. In any event, we always welcomed our monthly treat of Bread Pudding.

Ingredients: 1 loaf of white bread (I would get some from Grahame’s Bakery for extra goodness) 1 cup raisins 2 cups milk 6 eggs ¾ cup white sugar ½ cup butter, melted 1 tablespoon of cinnamon 1 tablespoon of vanilla

ACROSS 1. Carved 6. Anagram of "Note" 10. Unwakable state 14. French for "Storehouse" 15. District 16. By mouth 17. Anagram of "Incur" 18. Terror 19. 3 times 3 20. Soreness 22. Departed 23. 24 hours 24. Doglike nocturnal mammal 26. Arch of the foot 30. Coney 32. Batman = The _____ Crusader 33. They have more than 1 spouse 37. Biblical garden

Preparation: 1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

2. Chop the loaf of bread into small pieces into a mixing bowl and pour the milk over the bread. Add the raisins and let soak for 10 minutes.

3. In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla and pour over the breadraisin-milk mixture.

4. Add the melted butter and mix well, 5. Pour into a greased pan and bake for about an hour.

You can serve your Bread Pudding warm or well chilled.

Now, some folks may wish to “gild the lily” and top with a warm rum sauce. To prepare that, simply cook up a cup of brown sugar, ¾ cup of milk or light cream, ¼ cup of white or dark rum and 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan. You simply pour a bit of the sauce over your individual servings of Bread Pudding. Yum!

38. Religious law 39. Brag 40. A bag found on a horse 42. Dining room furniture 43. Consumer of food 44. Type of ointment 45. Fate 47. A spider spins this 48. Part of a foot 49. Surrender 56. Relating to aircraft 57. L L L L 58. Englishman 59. 57 in Roman numerals 60. At the peak of 61. Stadium 62. Adolescent 63. Gestures of assent 64. Harangues

DOWN 1. Group of cattle 2. Decorative case 3. Sickens 4. Sweeping story 5. Deciphered 6. Chewy candy 7. Chocolate cookie 8. Close 9. Terran 10. Inborn 11. Heavenly hunter 12. Bread from Heaven 13. Away from the wind 21. Chart 25. Sweet potato 26. Frosts 27. Nil 28. Hurried 29. A certain cut of meat 30. Kuwaiti monetary unit 31. Aquiver 33. Baseball great, ____ Ruth 34. Boohoos 35. A city in western Russia 36. Flower stalk 38. Whale or dolphin 41. Flee 42. Arranged in table form 44. Wager 45. A bleaching vat 46. Eagle's nest 47. Tufts 48. Stop 50. Countertenor 51. Trudge 52. Former Italian currency 53. So be it 54. Canvas dwelling 55. Nestling hawk

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

As always, kindly let me know how this worked for you at pcormier@ranaprocess.com. All the very best till next week…

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Employment Opportunity at a warehouse located in Chesterville. Alstor International is hiring a day shift warehouse laborer. We are looking for a reliable and hard-working individual. General warehouse work includes packing steel sheets and steel parts on skids/ crates, receiving, shipping, and building wood skids and crates . Starting salary of $20/hr, wage depends upon experience.

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Financial barriers The Catholic District The CDSBEO is also fore- for enhanced cleaning/early School Board of Eastern casting an enrolment increase dismissal costs for transporta- to adequate housing CDSBEO Financial Report, 2020-2021

Ontario has reviewed and approved the financial statements for the fiscal period of September 1, 2020, to August 31, 2021. Associate Director of Education, Bonnie Norton introduced Ashley Hutchinson, Manager of Finance, who presented the financial statements for the 2020-2021 school year, followed by Rob Clayton, Partner with KPMG, who presented an unqualified Auditor’s Report to the Board of Trustees.

“As always, the Board strives to make the best use of its fiscal resources, to provide transparency and accountability with regard to the allocation of those resources, and to optimize resources in support of student achievement,” began Ashley Hutchinson.

“As the GSNs are largely driven by enrolment, it is important to note that the Board has experienced a growth of approximately 54 FTE in 2020-2021. This increase has helped generate additional GSN funding in 2020-2021.

for 2022 of 221 students, or 1.7% over the 2020-2021 estimated enrolment.”

Total revenue for the 2020-2021 school year was $206.5 million, and expenditures totaled $197.2 million.

The Board’s financial results include an accumulated inyear surplus of $9.35 million, $7.57 million of which is available for compliance.

Unavailable for compliance surpluses totaling $1.78 million were applied to fund items such as employee future benefits, interest accruals and school generated funds.

During the 2020-2021 school year, the CDSBEO reported Covid-19 related capital and operating expenditures totaling $13.5 million, the majority funded by the provincial and federal governments. These expenditures included $4.5 million in HVAC/air quality improvement projects, $1.1 million for staff/student personal protective equipment (PPE), $1.5 million

article suggests that housing has been in short supply in Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Canada for decades, because inadequate planning has gone It is obvious that Canada into ensuring that there are is experiencing a housing cri- appropriate accommodations sis. Having a suitable place to to match the country’s populive, whether it be purchased lation growth. The article or rented, is appearing more points to historical pieces out of reach for ordinary fam- in Maclean’s Magazine that ilies as time goes on. What discussed housing availabilcauses such a housing crisis, ity and affordability issues and is there an end in sight? dating back to the 1960s.

Perhaps the biggest driv- However, the extreme inflaing forces behind the housing tion and bidding wars that crisis are availability and were seen during much of affordability. These two fac- 2021, and continue to be tors are very closely related seen to some extent, set the to each other. Generally, the current situation apart. An more available something is, article published by Statistics the more affordable it is. This Canada in 2020 argues that is why, for example, in the the COVID-19 pandemic early stages of the COVID-19 has raised awareness of the pandemic, many jurisdictions, importance of a comfortable, including Ontario, had laws in preferably large, home as place forbidding anyone from people are generally spendselling commodities that were ing more time at home. This in short supply, such as toilet could explain the increase paper, at unfairly marked up in demand and decrease in prices. Otherwise, those des- availability of housing, and perate for toilet paper would therefore, the rising costs.

Of course, each region have been willing to pay top dollar, leaving those with is different when it comes lesser financial means stuck. to housing. How do North Is this what is happen- Grenville, North Dundas, ing with housing? The short and Merrickville-Wolford answer is, probably. With compare with other regions not enough homes to satisfy of Canada when it comes to all of those seeking housing, housing availability and afthe market reached a remark- fordability? It can be difficult able climax earlier this year, to get reliable data for specific with reports of houses be- municipalities. A report coming sold thousands or even piled by the Canada Mortgage hundreds of thousands over and Housing Corporation their already-inflated asking lists rent cost data for North prices. Simply put, with so Grenville as “too unreliable many people seeking housing, to publish” in the reporting potential buyers with good period between 2016 and financial resources are able to 2020, and North Dundas and secure a house by enticing its Merrickville-Wolford are too seller with a high bid, while small to even be included.

However, inferences can others with less capital and lower credit are left with few be made from more general data released by the Canaviable options.

A recent Financial Post dian Real Estate Association

tion, $2.2 million to support additional technology devices to facilitate remote learning, $3.1 million to fund staffing and digital resources for the virtual learning elementary school, and $1.1 million for additional custodial cleaning, health and safety training, special education, mental health and supervision costs.

“It’s my pleasure to be here tonight to present the Auditor’s Report. KPMG has completed the audit, and in our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of CDSBEO as at August 31, 2021.

The results of the Board's operations, and changes in its financial position for the year, are in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles,” concluded Rob Clayton, Partner of KPMG. The 2020-2021 Financial Statements will be submitted to the Ministry of Education by mid-November.

by Brandon Mayer

Ontario Hires 107 new Correctional Officers The government of Ontario is continuing to enhance safety measures in the adult correctional system with the addition of 107 new correctional officers who are joining the frontline, including 11 graduates who will support the Eastern Region at the Central East Correctional Centre and Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre.

The graduates received compensation from the province while undergoing training to help remove barriers to employment, which is part of the government's ongoing commitment to invest more than $500 million over five years to transform adult correctional services and improve safety.

“The comprehensive training these new correctional officers have received will ensure they can make critical contributions to the communities they serve,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “I want to congratulate and commend every officer graduating this week for their hard work and commitment to keeping Ontario safe each and every day.”

The Corrections Foundational Training program took place virtually and in-person over eight weeks. Recruits received extensive training with enhanced instruction in communication, de-escalation and inmate management as well as anti-Black racism and Indigenous cultural training.

(CREA). This data shows that average house prices in Ottawa rose 16.3% between September 2020 and September 2021, culminating in a $639,000 average home price. Cornwall and District saw an 18.5% increase during the same period, with an average September 2021 home price of almost $381,000. As our local region lies between these two districts, it stands to reason that the area falls somewhere in between in terms of average housing costs.

The market for renters is similar. With not enough rental units available for those seeking one, many landlords naturally welcome the financial advantages of having many tenants competing for one spot, with some recent reports of landlords requiring potential renters to bid on a unit.

Finding a solution to the housing crisis is not easy.

For one, it seems that many more new homes are needed to meet the current demand, which would, in turn, lower inflated prices back down to fair market value. North Grenville Mayor Nancy Peckford set up an affordable housing task force, which produced a final report in March of 2020. The report had 18 recommendations that cover areas such as defining affordability, planning infrastructure, and commissioning more action, including an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.

It remains to be seen if the housing and rental markets will continue to unfairly favour those of greater financial means, or if, in time, this gap will be bridged.

Ontario to raise minimum wage to $15 an hour As part of the 2021 Fall Economic Statement, the Ontario government will introduce legislation that, if passed, would raise the general minimum wage from $14.35 to $15.00 per hour effective January 1, 2022. Under the proposed changes, the special minimum wage rate for liquor servers would be eliminated and they would be entitled to the general minimum wage. Students under 18, homeworkers and hunting, fishing and wilderness guides would also see an increase in their special minimum wage rates.

“Ontario’s workers have November 10, 2021

been the unsung heroes of this pandemic, as they’ve stocked shelves, kept our supply chain moving and helped so many of us enjoy a meal among family and friends at a local restaurant,” said Premier Doug Ford.

“When we asked labour leaders what their priorities were, increasing the minimum wage was at the top of the list. As the cost of living continues to go up, our government is proud to be working for workers, putting more money into their pockets by increasing the minimum wage.”

Liquor servers have previously received below the

as the cost of living has increased considerably over the past several months, but wages for many have not kept pace. Special minimum wage rates are also proposed to increase: Students under the age of 18 who work 28 hours a week or less when school is in session, or work during a school break or summer holidays would see an increase from $13.50 to $14.10 an hour.

Homeworkers (those who do paid work out of their own homes for employers) would see an increase from $15.80 an hour to $16.50 an hour.

general minimum wage, based on the belief customer tipping can make up the difference. However, many of these workers have increasingly seen their tips pooled and redistributed among many staff, making it harder for them to make ends meet.

If the legislation is passed, liquor servers would be treated more fairly and see an unprecedented 19.5 per cent increase in their minimum hourly wage, as it changes from $12.55 per hour to the harmonized $15 per hour minimum wage.

The Ontario government is introducing legislation to increase minimum wages 13

Hunting and fishing guides currently have a minimum rate of $71.75 for working less than five consecutive hours in a day, and $143.55 for working five or more hours in a day. Their new proposed rate would be $75.00 for working less than five consecutive hours in a day, and $150.05 for working five or more hours in a day.

Due to the pandemic, there have recently been higher than usual increases in the cost of living. The October 2021 annual minimum wage increase was based on the 2020 annual Consumer Price Index increase, which

does not reflect the recent increases. From JanuaryAugust 2021, there were 763,500 workers at or below the proposed general minimum wage of $15 in Ontario (StatsCan Labour Force Survey, 2021). The industries employing the most minimum wage earners are accommodation and food services, and retail trade.

Nearly 37% of workers at or below the proposed general minimum wage of $15 per hour are in retail trade and almost 24% are in accommodation and food services.

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WDMH Diabetes plained Dwayne. “Bob has a way about him…he’s a Education Team care quiet person, but he knows how to get things done.” for patients Bob was one of the

Bob Porteous receives Community Builder Award

founding members of the Winchester Lions, which started back in 1968. Bob was always willing to lend a hand, including coaching for the Hawk’s, and putting together the monthly bulletin for the Lions.

Dwayne noted that Bob played a role in creating or improving many community staples, such as the arena, ball diamond, pool, hospital, library, and senior’s hall.

“Bob worked on getting the Trillium grant to build the former library, and he was involved with getting another grant to make the Senior’s Hall accessible,” he explained.

“Bob also worked closely with Bill Smirle and the committee that spearheaded the revitalization of the Old Town Hall and Theatre. He’s been doing these things all his life, and I just thought it was time we recognized what he’s done for this community.”

Dwayne recited a poem he wrote about Bob and thanked Bob’s wife, Jean, for sharing her husband with the community for so many years.

During the ceremony, Bob was also presented with the Helen Keller Fellowship Award from the Lions. Guy Belliveau, fellow Lion, read from the plaque: ‘…through untiring service has given light in the darkness, warmth in the cold, compassion in the hurt, and humanity in the suffering.’

Bob says there are many community builders in North Dundas, and he’s honoured to be counted amongst them.

“Community is a group of people working towards something,” says Bob. “In your community, everyone contributes in some way.”

Bob Porteous and his wife Jean (centre) stand with their children, Ian (left) and Laurie (right), after the award ceremony. [Photo credit: Township of North Dundas] Bob Porteous is a quiet man, with a deep love for his community. The Township of North Dundas presented him with the 2021 Community Builder Award recently, in recognition of his dedication and determination spanning more than five decades.

“I am so honoured to

celebrate an individual I have known, and known of, for over 30 years,” said Mayor Tony Fraser at the award ceremony.

“We’re here today under this lovely pavilion protecting us from the rain, due in large part to the efforts of Bob Porteous.

This award is presented

annually to a person who has contributed greatly to improving the quality of life for the residents of North Dundas.”

Bob was nominated for the award by his fellow Winchester Lions Club member, Dwayne Holmes.

“He has done so much for this community,” ex-

Shop Locally

and you can win!

Your chance to win one of six weekly $100 gift cards and a $500 grand prize gift card Three ways to enter: • Email a purchase receipt from any North Dundas business to shoplocal@northdundas.com • Email a selfie photo from inside any North Dundas business to shoplocal@northdundas.com • Post on Facebook or Instagram with the #shopnorthdundas showing your support to North Dundas businesses, including the text “Shop Local Contest Entry” in the description

For full contest details, visit www.northdundas.com Contest runs until December 10th, 2021.

Send in your letters, stories, events to editor@ ndtimes.ca

No purchase is necessary to enter the contest.

A skill testing question will be asked of the winners.

Purchase receipts must be from a purchase between Nov.1 to Dec. 10.

The WDMH Diabetes Education Team includes: Nancy Graham, Deirdre Cooke, Rachelle Charlebois, and Rachel Westenbroek. (Missing: Dr. Clara Iorbi)

by Jane Adams Did you know that insulin was discovered 100 years ago by Dr. Frederick Banting? The impact has been life-changing, but there is still more to do to educate everyone about diabetes and support those with the illness.

In the Eastern Counties, more than 1 in 10 people live with Diabetes.

At Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH), our Diabetes Education Team is working to help local residents manage this chronic condition – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. A key part of that care is patient education.

This is Diabetes Awareness Month and the theme for World Diabetes Day is ‘access to diabetic care.’

“As the pandemic continues, our team is adapting, and developing new ways to help people living with diabetes in the area.

Diabetes doesn’t go away in a pandemic. In fact, it can make things more difficult for some,” notes Deirdre Cooke, Registered Dietitian and founder of the WDMH program.

WDMH’s Diabetes Education Program was created in 1998 and is free of charge. The team includes

a registered nurse, two registered dietitians, and an administrative clerk. An endocrinologist is on site three times a month. The program provides education to people living with both type 2 and type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes, as well as people on insulin pumps or diagnosed with pre-diabetes.

Over the past 18 months, the WDMH team has been embracing technology to meet patient needs. Patients are being reached through phone calls or virtual visits through the Ontario Telemedicine (OTN) or Zoom. We are also partnering with other health care organizations to explore on-line teaching and the use of videos.

Whether you have prediabetes, are newly diagnosed with diabetes, or even if you’ve been living with diabetes for years, WDMH has an education program that will fit your needs. Physician referrals are not required to participate in the program. If you have questions, please call 613-774-2420, ext. 6765 or email diabetes@wdmh. on.ca.

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Two men with lasting injuries

A paragraph in the Recorder on September 21, 1916 reported that two friends from Chesterville had been wounded in France. Frank Merkley and Bismarck Fulton were well known in the area, and

the report stated that Frank was seriously injured, while Bismarck had been wounded in three or four places, though it was not known how bad his in juries were. The Service Records of the two men throw

more light on their stories.

Private Frank Merkley, 177343 Frank Merkley worked as a barber in Chesterville, and married to Ethel. Born in 1881, Frank joined up October 27, 1915, when he was already 34 and a half years old. After training, he arrived in France on June 18, 1916.

His time at the front was not long, but it had a devastating impact on him.

Frank was wounded in the arm by shrapnel on September 2, 1916. The medical report on his injuries showed that they were, as the newspaper report had said, serious.

He had been shot in the right arm, between the shoulder and elbow, resulting in a loss of function to his elbow and partial paralysis of his right hand. The medical report was blunt: “Hand useless”. Frank sailed back to Canada on February 25, 1917, and was declared unfit for military service in Quebec.

Frank Merkley was discharged from the army on July 31, 1917. He died on October 17, 1966.

Bismarck Earl Fulton: Born in Chesterville, 1895, Bismarck Fulton was a farmer who joined up on November 17, 1915. Originally assigned

to the Canadian Grenadier Guards, he was later transferred to the Canadian Engineers after being wounded in the head and side by shrapnel on the Somme, September 5, 1916. He spent four weeks recuperating in hospital in England.

He was wounded again in 1917, and after recovering from that, was transferred to the Canadian Light Railway Operating Company on November. After being appointed Lance Corporal in June, 1918, Bismarck was gassed the following month and was again hospitalised.

But the effects of the mustard

gas were still impacting him and in December, 1918, he was transferred to Seaford, England, where he remained for the rest of the war. Bismarck was discharged, January, 1919.

Bismarck was a strange name to carry into battle against the German Empire, and his experiences in France left him permanently affected by the wounds and the effects of mustard gas. Records show Bismarck Earl Fulton marrying Ada Keen in Drumheller, Alberta, in 1923, and dying in Vancouver in 1970.

authorising the Militia to be put on Active Service.

That same day, General Order Number 142 listed the regiments to be called upon. The Third Division of the Canadian Expeditionary Force included the 56th Grenville Regiment (Lisgar Rifles).

Kemptville was at the centre of the call-up, the Armoury in Riverside Park, which had replaced the old drill halls at Millar’s Corners and Burritt’s Rapids, had only

been opened the previous month, and a Cadet Corps had been set up at the High School in May. Now, it was all for real and the people of Oxford-onRideau, South Gower and the Village of Kemptville were going to war.

Private Norman Earle Bush, 639411

Norman Bush was born in South Mountain on March 4, 1897, son of Theodore Bush. Norman was a labourer who joined up in Merrickville on January 21, 1916 when he was 18 years old. There was no height requirement at the time, as Norman stood just 5 ft. 2½ inches tall. The link with Merrickville was through his grandmother, Melissa Briggs, who had been his foster mother growing up. Norman named her as his beneficiary in his will, drawn up before he was sent to France on May 1, 1917.

There were usually some small details recorded in the files that give some personal insight into these young men. Norman is described as having feet that were “slightly flat”, and with ringworm scars on his face between his ear and eye.

Norman arrived in France on May 24, 1917 and was transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Canadian Infantry Regiment, arriving in the trenches on June 27. Just less than three months later, Norman was killed in action near Rouen. His battalion was due to be relieved that night, but somehow, Norman died before he could leave the front. He is buried at Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais.

This panoramic photograph of the Canadian Expeditionary Force was taken at the new military camp at Val Cartier, Que-

bec in late 1914. It was taken by the Panoramic Camera Company of Toronto and printed by the Montreal Star. Canada was

An Order-in-Council was passed by the Governor General in Council on August 6, 1914 under Section 69 of the Militia Act

not prepared for war when it came in 1914, and it became necessary to call up the various Militia Regiments for service abroad.

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Trash worries at HOL

and stains, and in working order. Along with thrifters, people in need shop in our stores using gift cards,” Cathy Ashby, Executive Director of HOL, explained. In the last year, HOL’s waste removal bill was over $10,000! Money that could have been put straight back into community projects.

HOL does operate a traffic light system for their donations, which is posted on the website and social media.

Green: Yes please, bring your donations. Amber: please call ahead to check if we can accept donations today. Red: Please keep hold of your donation a little bit longer while we process what we have.

Another battle that HOL, along with many other Thrift Stores face is with old Mother Nature herself. Items that are dropped off out of staff hours are left uncovered and, when it rains or snows, freezes, or the dew gets to it, many items get ruined.

The Times hopes that, by publishing this article, we can raise awareness of an ongoing problem HOL faces. The House of Lazarus is extremely grateful for the generous donations they receive and for the dedication of their staff and volunteers who are all proud to serve this community. If you are unsure about an item you plan to donate, please call ahead, or speak to staff onsite. For more information, please visit https://hol.community/ or call 613-989-3830.

Examples of what the HOL doesn’t want

by Hayley Bedford As many of our readers are aware, there is a store on Simms Street in Mountain where you can spend hours of fun, hunting for treasure and thrift store shopping. I am talking, of course, about the House of Lazarus Community Outreach Mission.

The House of Lazarus, or HOL, as it is affectionately called, operates a multibuilding facility that accepts wonderful donations from the community in order to stock the shelves of its stores. The sales from that stock (along with generous monetary donations and fundraising) generates the funds to operate the many programs HOL offers. Programs like The Food Bank, Heat for the Holidays, Operation Back Pack and The Birthday Club, to name a few.

In short, the House of Lazarus is amazing.

Like any operation though, even not-for-profits, The House of Lazarus does have operating costs, including the upkeep of the facility and the wages of the staff.

Another additional cost the community may not be aware of, is that the House of Lazarus has to pay for its waste removal.

The Big Blue Bin, on site at the Simms Street location, is a 20ft shipping container that staff and volunteers use to discard items that are broken, or soiled, and that cannot be recycled. Unfortunately, the contents of the Big Blue Bin goes to Landfill. Every effort is made by the workers and volunteers to separate and organize the unusable/unsaleable items. Metal, glass, cardboard boxes, electronics, wood and clothing are all separated and recycled.

While HOL is grateful for the generosity of donors, the problem arises when people discard things that cannot be resold or recycled. Like any facility, HOL has a structure in place and a list of things that, due to either health and safety (such as out of date car seats and used motorcycle helmets), or common sense (yes that shoe is very cool, but where is the other one?)

Baldwin's Birds

This morning, a "murder" of the ubiquitous Crow family created quite a noisy, unusual, display as they gathered in the Fall leaves beneath one of our small evergreen trees.

They then jumped up to peck at some of its seeds, fruit, or foliage, in a lively, almost dance-like action between the six of them. Much "Caw-ing" accompanied their actions, as they pecked and then took off, circled, and came back to where they had started. A fascinating, short lived display and interaction between them all. Almost as soon as it November 10, 2021

started, it was over and they dispersed.

They were not the only ones to draw attention to themselves, because their noisy presence was soon replaced by the overhead "honking" of several skeins of Canada Geese, as they traversed from the Rideau River to the South Branch, at the end of our road. Their v-shaped skeins varied in size, comprising from three or four birds, to those high in the double figures.

As I mentioned in past articles, they are still passing

cannot be donated, and, like any facility, the manpower required to sort through these things is huge.

Unfortunately, the occasional “Donation” arrives (usually while the store is closed) of completely unusable items. HOL explained to the Times that there have been recent incidents of urine soaked mattresses, garbage cans full of trash, soiled clothing, and broken items discarded at the site.

As you can imagine, that is the last thing staff want to be dealing with on a Monday morning, let alone the volunteers who are there out of the goodness of their hearts!

The team have no alternative but to haul all of these items straight into the Big Blue Bin. It then costs to have the bin taken to landfill every time, which is not a cost that’s easy to swallow for a non-profit.

Donations like that have always been an issue for the House of Lazarus. “We ask that items are in good condition, and can be sold in our stores- clean, free from rips

through, or just biding awhile; so if the weather doesn't get too cold very quickly, you still may have time to see them for yourselves. Enjoy, and stay safe and well.

Cheers, John Baldwin.

Send in your letters, stories, events to editor@ ndtimes.ca

ERIN’S DOG GROOMING Dog bath, haircut, and nail services By appointment only

501 Church St. Winchester, ON K0C 2K0

(613)805-2324 erinjtinker82@gmail.com

Important Dog Grooming Tips during the Winter Months

by Erin Tinker 1. Brush, Brush, Brush - Removes tangles, dirt and dead hair- Increases skin circulation and distributes natural oils through their skin and coat - An opportunity to check for lumps or sores that perhaps may need further attention or a visit to your veterinarian - Using conditioner sprays while you are doing the brushing helps keep the coat clean and moisturized during the dry cold months (ask a pet store about these, and keep in mind any skin allergies your dog may have).

2. Nails - Due to snow and ice, some dog’s nails grow longer than usual during this season - Nails should be maintained every 4-8 weeks especially in the winter 3. Paws - Keep a towel handy near your door to wipe snow, dirt and salt off of your dog’s paws - Getting the hair on their pads trimmed short regularly decreases the chance of snow balls forming and dirt and salt causing irritation - Paw balms are available for dry cracked pads, make sure it is made for dogs and okay for them to consume (usually available at your local pet supply store).

4. Baths & Haircuts - Indoor heating dries out a dogs skin during the cooler months - Ask for a moisturizing bath from your groomer or use one at home. Oatmeal based shampoos are a great option if your dog has no skin sensitivities - Some dogs require a more frequent grooming schedule during the winter if you want to keep their coat longer ( consider a schedule of every 4-6 weeks) - Mud and snow clinging to the hair and melting when the dogs come indoors is a recipe for matts if they are not on a regular grooming schedule which includes brushing and trims - Most dogs do quite well with shorter haircuts even in the winter and there are a wide variety of coats they can wear on their walks outdoors.

Book an appointment with your regular groomer every six weeks to every three months minimum, depending on your dog’s specific coat type. A veterinarian or dog groomer can give you advice on this based on your dog’s lifestyle.

Erin Tinker is a local resident of Winchester ON, and owner of Erin’s Dog Grooming. She has her own dog and loves working with her clients to keep their dogs happy and healthy all year round.

Attention pet owners!

Would you like to see your pet featured in the North Dundas Times as pet of the month?

Send us a photo and brief description of your companion which includes: Their name, what animal/breed they are, something that they like to do, and their favourite food.

One lucky pet will be featured in the paper at the beginning of December. Deadline for entries is November 25, 2021 and can be sent to Erin at erinjtinker82@gmail.com.

Quadmester #1 Flying By

by Savannah Coleman, Minister of Communications Time is flying by at North Dundas District High School; we are almost 2 months down, with 8 to go! Students have been hard at work and have a week full of spirit days coming up to look forward to.

For Halloween, ND Student Council planned a week of spirit days for students to participate in and earn points for their grade. The week consisted of twin day, students dress like teachers and vice versa, pj day, and costume day/orange and black day. North Dundas students and staff are always wonderful participants; there were lots of pictures to see as the week went by that were posted on the school’s Facebook and student council’s Instagram page.

Some exciting news that was spread this past week was that sports are finally back! Jr Girls Basketball is being coached by Mr.Groves and Jr Boys Volleyball is being coached by Mrs.Hall. They are working hard and practicing after school!

More exciting news was that Mr.Deighton has opened the fitness room after school on Mondays and Wednesdays. It has been used by many already and is extremely appreciated by our students. We have some pretty fit students here at ND! North Dundas students appreciate our staff every day for everything they do; they truly do make a difference.

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