Issue 9 2024 March 7 NG Times

Janne Ritskes - a woman of merit, words and deeds

by David Shanahan

Last week, I wrote about the Shalom Small Homes project, designed to provide over 55s in North Grenville with stable and affordable homes. One of the guiding forces behind the project is local North Grenville resident, Janne Ritskes, author, builder, founder of charitable organisations, and recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada. Her resume provides just a glimpse of what she has accomplished.

Janne has over 40 years of international experience with integrated community

development programs. Her work has focused on the poorest of the poor in the slums of the US, Kenya, East Africa, the Philippines, and Cambodia. She stayed in the Philippines from 1980-1988, 1988-1991 in Kenya East Africa, and from 1992 until the present in Cambodia for her World Renew Development work. She developed two NGOs—Tabitha Foundation Cambodia and Nokor Tep Women's Hospital (Foundation).

After discovering the terrible genocide in Cambodia caused by the brutality of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime, Janne set out with all her savings to do what

she could to alleviate the suffering of the Cambodian people. In 1994, Janne traveled to Cambodia with the support of friends and family as she put herself in harm’s way for people she had never met… half a world away. Her experiences with NGOs in Asia and Africa helped Janne to develop her own unique community development approach. Janne’s approach was not one of just giving assistance but one of teaching the people she worked with. With her approach, she assisted Cambodians to regain their dignity and self-respect. Janne’s legacy is the 4.7 million Cambodians she helped out

of poverty through savings programs, goal setting, and cottage industry.

Her book, “I Am Who I Am: my 25 year journey with the poorest in Cambodia”, details her work and challenges in Cambodia, where her motivation was “How do you institute a program that will allow them to start dreaming again, start believing in themselves, start working for themselves?” With that goal in mind, Janne worked with the Cambodian people so that she could sleep at night. She said, “You know whether you have done good or not. If you have done good, you will sleep.”

Among many other projects, Janne’s Tabitha Foundation, drawing on 30,000 volunteers from around the world, has built an astonishing 13,266 homes for people in Cambodia. A special focus on women’s health in Cambodia resulted in the building of the Nokor Tep Women’s Hospital, an initiative launched by Janne, the Cambodian Minister for Women’s Affairs, and the City of Phnom Penh. Nokor Tep Women’s Hospital was officially registered with the Royal Cambodian Government in 2011. The vision for Nokor Tep Women’s Hospital is based on an issue of justice and equity, a vision

evolving from a view of basic human rights. In Cambodia, as in many developing countries, women are seen as the least valuable assets of society despite the fact that women are the foundation of homes and society. A direct result of this is that women’s personal health issues are of little concern.

Throughout her time in

Cambodia, as well as her previous work in Kenya and the Philippines, Janne was supported in prayer and finances by her local church, the First Christian Reformed Church in Kemptville, and they continue to be involved in her latest housing initiative.

Bringing her work on different continents togeth-

THOMAS M. BYRNE

613.258.1277

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er, Janne is using the proceeds from her book to fund the start of Shalom Small Homes Kemptville, and it seems that this revenue will allow her to continue building beyond the four units currently planned. Having received a 40-year lease from the Municipality of North Grenville (at the amazing rate of $1 per year), Janne has referred to the miracle that, as she stated: “there will be enough copies of my book sold over the next year so that I will receive enough royalties to build an additional 36 small homes for over-55s who are struggling to make ends meet”.

In 2003, Janne received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Calvin University, Grand Rapids Michigan, her alma mater, where she completed her baccalaureate degree in psychology and sociology with Latin honours, Cum Laude. The award is presented annually to alumni who have made significant contributions to their field of endeavour and manifest a Christian commitment.

Just recently, she received word about the awarding of the Meritorious Service Medal. The Governor General’s office

notes that: “The Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Division) were established to recognize remarkable contributions in many different fields of endeavour, from advocacy initiatives and health care services, to research and humanitarian efforts. Past recipients have tackled poverty in their community, improved education opportunities for children in Canada and abroad, or raised awareness of important causes and issues. They inspire us and make us proud”.

The award will be presented to Janne by Governor

General Mary Simon at Rideau Hall on March 21. It is a fitting acknowledgment of Janne Ritskes and the work she has performed around the world, and continues to perform in her home community.

Janne has achieved so much more than can be told in one article, so go to her website at https://janneritskes.com to learn more and to find out where you can get a copy of her book and support the local work of Shalom Small Homes Kemptville.

March break programming at the NG Public Library

MUSIC MONDAY

613.258.5943

9 Elvira St.

10:00 am: Join us for a few rounds of MUSIC BINGO featuring classic family favourites and a few radio hits! (all ages)

11:00 am Warm up your singing voices and slip on your dancing shoes for a special Monday edition of Shake, Rattle & Roll. (ages 0 - 5)

TINKER TUESDAY (all ages)

10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Drop in for a morning of LEGO building. Take up a building challenge, or use your own creative ideas. We will also have a chance to share our creations and vote on a number of exciting categories.

WELLNESS WEDNESDAY (ages 5+)

10:30 am - 11:30 am: OmShanti from Bodhi Tree Yoga will be joining us to lead a special family YOGA practice with mindful movements, breathing, and meditation for littles and their caregiver. Space is limited and registration required.

THURSDAY ICE CREAM CHEMISTRY (ages 6+)

10:00 am - 11:30 am: We will be making ice cream using the power of science! Get ready to shake it up (no really, there will be a lot of shaking involved) and have a sundae fun day! Registration required.

PLANTING PARTY FRIDAY (ages 6+)

10:00 am - 11:30 am: Join us to plant your own pizza garden. Oregano, basil, tomato and pepper seeds will be available for planting in your own take-home container. Registration required.

SATURDAY YOUTH UKULELE WORKSHOP (ages 8+)

10:30 am - 12:00 pm: Local musician and music instructor Arthur McGregor will be joining us at NGPL to lead a ukulele workshop for youth. Bring your own ukulele or request to borrow one from our library collection. Space is limited and registration required.

cont'd from front page

Mark your calendars for Hey Day!

by Jean Gallant, Kemptville District Hospital Auxiliary

Exciting news! The much-anticipated Hey Day sale is happening once again, on June 7 and 8 at the North Grenville Municipal Centre in Kemptville. This will mark the 61st year that Hey Day will take place.

Don't know what a 'Hey Day' is? It's one of Eastern Ontario's largest indoor garage sales, with thousands of items of all kinds, priced at low, low garage sale prices. Visitors flock to the sale and leave with bags full of treasures from our tables including sporting goods, clothing, toys, books, appliances, furniture, linens, china, kitchenware, jewellery, purses, etc, etc. We also have raffles, a silent auction, and 50/50 tickets on sale.

You may be one of the hundreds of people who have enjoyed finding treasures at great prices at this very popular event, which is a major fundraiser for the Kemptville District Hospital.

The event is organized by volunteers from the Kemptville District Hospital Auxiliary (KDHA) and staffed by volunteers from all over the community (we need about 200!). All proceeds go to the Kemptville Hospital for the purchase of equipment, and facilities that directly help patients.

Can you volunteer some time? Can you donate something? Please contact us at kdha. heyday@gmail.com.

Check out our facebook page (kdhauxiliary and click on 'posts') for updates. We look forward to seeing you at Hey Day!

Local songsters celebrate St Patrick’s Day

The Great Irish Sing-Along will be held at the very welcoming Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Merrickville at 7pm on Saturday, March 16, as local songsters Tripoly team up again with the Grenville Troubadours to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

Last year’s show was hugely popular and the Troubadours encourage everyone to come and sing along to well-loved songs of and about Ireland from ancient melodies right up to an award-winning song penned in 2022!

Tickets ($20) can be purchased at The Crusty Bakers in Kemptville as well as the Village Bean in Merrickville. If you prefer to purchase online, you can do so by finding the event on Eventbrite.ca, or you can reserve by calling Holy Trinity Anglican at 613 269-3848.

Note that Holy Trinity is not wheelchair accessible, but there will be an afternoon show at 2pm on Sunday 17 at St Clare’s Anglican in Winchester. Tickets for that accessible location are available at Crusty Bakers and Brewed Awakenings or online at eventbrite.ca.

Our very own Repair Café

by Patricia Habberjam

What is a ‘repair café?’

Wikipedia explains that the idea was first introduced to Amsterdam in 2009. In March 2010, a foundation was launched to help support local groups around the world to set up and operate their own Repair Cafés.

The idea is to enable local people to repair objects of everyday use by bringing people and their broken items together, in a convenient location, with volunteers who can help them. In this endeavour, Repair Café is part of a movement aiming to reduce waste and overconsumption, as well as planned obsolescence.

What a great idea! I decided to pitch it to my local WI group situated in Bishop’s Mills. The idea was explained at a meeting

and was received positively. More thoughts and research went into it before an email went flying to the NG Library to ask if it would be interested in this idea. The CEO, Emily Farrell, turned out to be extremely enthusiastic and offered a room to set up in. More thoughts while I cogitated on what this might lead to. Realising that the offer of space from Emily was a heaven-sent opportunity, a quick decision was made to accept and a date in February was picked.

In the meantime, Facebook was asked if anyone would be interested in volunteering their time to help repair broken things. This produced a few replies, and one in particular, Chris, accepted. A film show on Plastic Waste, put on by Sustainable North Grenville,

led to SNG being asked if it would be interested in supporting such an event? Jeff quickly replied in the affirmative, leading to a second volunteer.

A poster was produced and distributed on Facebook and locally, the North Grenville Times ran an advertisement, cookies were bought by Tricia and baked by Joan, coffee was made by Dave, and we found ourselves in the Norenberg branch of the North Grenville Library at noon on February 24.

People came with broken things to be fixed. We also had another potential volunteer leave his details. People looked in and asked what was going on. Next time, yes there will be a next time, in March, we look forward to more repairs.

Do you want to protect the health of

Tripoly and the Grenville Troubadours, photo credit Daniel Spring

Paperback writer (and other stories)

by David Shanahan

I was listening to a program on NPR about libraries and librarians, and it got me thinking. I grew up in my grandfather’s house, a man who left school at 8, but surrounded himself with books: history, politics, Readers Digest Condensed volumes. Very few people in my neighbourhood had such books, or read anything more than the evening newspaper. It was a great start to life for me.

Then one day, I think I must have been about 12 or 13, they opened a library about a 30 minute walk away from our house. I can still remember how I felt the first time I walked into that building. It was basically one big room, with shelves of books on all sides, I could not believe my eyes: all this was there for me to look through, search the shelves, so many different subjects and categories.

And it was free! I was actually allowed to choose a book - untold riches, many books - and take it away with me to read at home. Two whole weeks of free reading, free books, and then, more books for another two weeks! Incred-

ible. I have never got over the amazing gift I found in the local library. I read everywhere, even walking down the road to and from the shops.

I can still smell those books, see the many-coloured rows of books, their spines engraved with the titles. There was the incredible joy of discovering P. G. Wodehouse, “English Literature’s performing flea, as one Irish writer called him. I read Caesar’s Gallic Wars (probably in a translation for non-academics), I read children’s books (Enid Blyton and Swallows and Amazons). I read Dostoevsky, for goodness’ sake, as a teenager.

Going to university, I found an even bigger library. Instead of reading the books for my courses, I browsed through the rows and rows, picking up books on every subject, just to see what they had to say. What treasures were found there, opening doors to ideas and literature and history and stories. It is a habit I continue to enjoy to this day, more than half a century later.

For a few years in the mid-1970's, I actually worked in a local library. This was in the Dark Ages,

before computers, when the only technology was the ink stamp we used to stamp in the return date on books being taken out by customers. Each book had a little card tucked into the inside cover with the author’s name, etc., which we took out and put in a file until the book was returned. Another world. But I sometimes find discarded library books in secondhand stores, with the little card still inside the cover, and it brings me right back to Dun Laoghaire Library.

Libraries are much more than they were in those days: audio books, dvd’s, e-books, and so much more. But there’s still something wonderful, even magical, about an actual printed paper book. The tactile enjoyment of turning pages, looking at the type and style, keeping your place with a bookmark, or a torn piece of paper (never, ever turning down the corner of the page!). Experts say that people remember more of the content of an actual book than they do with audio books. I know someone who uses audio books to put them to sleep. Just saying.

Perhaps I was different in the way I came to appreciate books, though I

doubt it. My Grandfather, the man who surrounded himself and me with books, was also a printer. He apprenticed me one summer, teaching me how to load type. There were large drawers of metal letters, each letter in its own little compartment, and you had to put them in a stick, to form words and sentences to be printed on an ink-fed hand-powered machine. The letters were reversed, so that they would print the right way around: mindbending at first, then done without thinking. That may be why I love to see the typeface used in different books, even though no-one uses a stick anymore, and moveble type, that once revolutionary technology that changed the world, is now a fascinating museum entry.

But the books survive, in spite of computers and tablets and audio versions, and people still have the pleasure of holding a bound book, turning the pages, reading words in beautiful forms. There is a real miracle in reading: a collection of shapes put together in diff erent combinations means something to us. This word “beautiful” tells us something that no other

collection of letters does, and still we can’t actually define it in words. Amazing. And we have entire books full of words, and we understand what they mean, and they can make us laugh, or cry, or become angry, or sad. And, I believe, that effect is enhanced when they appear printed on paper pages, bound together in a soft or hard cover, with the pages numbered and easy to find when we come back after putting the book down for a while.

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of

a book! — When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” "The best moments in reading are when you come across something – a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things – which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours."

I think I read that somewhere.

www.northgrenville.ca

What’s going on? See our events calendar: www.northgrenville.ca/events

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Need to reach us? Contact us: Call 613-258-9569 or email: general@northgrenville.on.ca

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Letters to the Editor

TIMES

Reporter Brandon Mayer brandon@gtimes.ca 613-215-0735

Dear Editor, David Shanahan is on-point again with this week’s article: “Homeward Bound”. “Housing, or the lack of it, has become a major crisis…” This is a generational, oft international occurrence. David highlighted North Grenville’s new and creative initiative to provide affordable and stable housing for over 55’s in North Grenville. His article covers the depth of the issue and the breadth of it.

I have a minor concern where readers are often focussed primarily on the micro issues, that is - those day-to-day transactions or lack of ability to meet major quotidian demands faced by them. The initiative described and the call for wider participation is laudable and requires a full understanding of just how imperative politically this crisis has become.

My concern is constructive, perhaps reflecting one dimension that Dr. Shanahan’s wise words

may have not pushed under his spotlight. The solution to a crisis today can create a problem for tomorrow.

When the solution is examined today it is regarded as a micro issue. Tomorrow’s horizon reveals the macro issues of: over population, Baby Boomer bulge, smaller families, changing family values, increased mobility, and a work-at-home plus employment revolution at a tipping point, to name a few.

Importantly, the future arrives more quickly than most of us anticipate. This rapidity will dictate all planning decisions more so than ever demanded in the past. We will become aware that tomorrow’s homes, offices, community edifices, especially schools are going to change as drastically or more so than the last three decades unerringly have demonstrated.

Yes, stay the course on housing needs. Stay the course for today; however we also require more than our previous efforts to plan

even more diligently for tomorrow, giving equal consideration to both.

Just sayin’ David! And thank you again. I miss you when you are not in my weekly reading!

Graeme Waymark, Retired Guy

Dear Editor, I was just reading an article in last week’s NGT, entitled "Keeping energy and housing costs down". There was no author attached to it, but it does read like a missive directly from the Ford government, printed verbatim. It is disingenuous, and deliberately avoids explaining why this government is trying to override an Ontario Energy Board decision that prevents us from being saddled with the cost of a stranded asset.

Ford's proposal is to increase our natural gas bills in order to pay for Enbridge Gas to expand its gas distribution system into

new subdivisions. The Ontario Energy Board rejected this, and Ford introduced Bill 165 to override this decision, again supporting multi-million dollar corporations, at our expense.

In this period of climate crisis, burning more fossil fuels is counterproductive, particularly as there are cheaper alternatives available like heat pumps and induction stoves which wouldn't require massive pipelines, thereby speeding up the process of building new housing, while keeping energy costs down for homeowners.

However, this Ford government is only interested in keeping major corporations happy, as they are the ones that keep its coffers filled.

So now we have this to add to the list, which includes Ford trying to give his developer friends an $8 billion profit by attempting to release Greenbelt lands

cont'd on page 5

New federal funding for housing in NG

The Government of Canada has formally announced a Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) award of up to $5,234,207.00 to the Municipality of North Grenville to deliver up to 671 new homes over the next 3 years. The HAF fund was announced by the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing Infrastructure and Communities.

The Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development was on hand at North Grenville’s Municipal building last Friday to make the announcement. The successful application was the result of many hours of dedicated time on the part of planning staff.

Letters cont'd

to them (breaking his promise not to do that, and which garnered so much opposition that Ford was forced to back down), building highways and jails that we don't need or want, privatizing our health care system by starving our public system of funds (Ford withheld $2 billion in health care funding in 2023), slowly dismantling the Ontario Endangered Species Act so that mining companies have less restrictions when building their trails for new mines, and the list goes on.

We can all thank voter turnout for being so low that it gives this government the idea that they can do whatever they like, which is exactly what they have been doing from day 1. All the while, nonconservatives sit on their

Mayor Nancy Peckford offered the following, “We are heartened and encouraged by the award of this crucial funding to assist with North Grenville’s efforts to improve access to affordable housing in our community. We recognize that in the face of a deepening housing crisis, the Housing Accelerator Fund is a rare opportunity to go beyond what would have been possible otherwise.

“As Mayor, I've witnessed firsthand the urgent need for not just housing, but affordable housing solutions in high-growth rural/ urban communities like ours here in eastern Ontario. Today, with the support of the Government of Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund,

we are excited to accelerate our efforts to quickly respond to the pressing needs of seniors, youth, and young families who are currently struggling to gain access to affordable and attainable housing."

Mayor Peckford extended her thanks to Minister Fraser, and also recognized that local MP Michael Barrett has also been a strong champion for rural housing solutions to build homes in eastern Ontario.

The funds from the Housing Accelerator grant will be used to reduce barriers to building homes in our community, including notably:

1. the provision of three pre-approved architectural

thumbs at election time because they believe the mantra that all politicians are corrupt (and who can blame them/ They see what is going on and want no part of it). Regrettably, that is just what those like this Ford government wants, which is why the hopes and desires of the rest of us are generally ignored.

We need Proportional Representation, the idea of which was recently voted down by Parliament, because both the Conservatives and the Liberals prefer our First Past the Post system, because it works for them. It is the only way that we will get a system where every vote counts, and strategic voting is no longer needed, which accounts, in no small part, for why the two main par-

plans for the establishment of additional dwelling units (i.e. tiny homes) for which a modest grant will be made available;

2. investments in the necessary underground infrastructure to enable more multi-residential units to be built;

3. improvement and modernization of the Municipality’s zoning by-laws and building software; and

4. potential partnerships with not-for-profit builders.

North Grenville is one of just a few smaller municipalities that have been awarded monies from the Housing Accelerator Fund, which is a National Housing Strategy led by the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation, designed to remove barriers to encourage local initiatives to build more homes. The program’s objective is to help increase housing supply – and supporting the development of communities that are more affordable and diverse.

For more information on the HAF please visit: www. northgrenville.ca.

MARCH EVENTS

DARTS & POOL FREE

MEN'S DARTS -Tuesdays - 7:30pm

BINGO 1 & 3rd Wednesdays - 1-3pm

KLUB 67 EUCHRE 2 & 4th Wednesdays - 1-3pm

FOLK CLUB - Tuesday Mar 5th & 19th - 7-9:30pm

CROKINOLE - Tuesday Mar 12 & 26 - 2pm

MIXED DARTS -Thursdays - 7pm

Friday's - Mar 1,8,15,22nd -open 3-close

**Closed on Good Friday Mar 29th

Sunday Mar 10th - Open Mic 2-5pm downstairs

Sunday Mar 17th - DANCE 2-5pm Spaghetti Dinner-5pm

Wed.Mar 20th - General Meeting -7:30pm

Sat. Mar 16th -BREAKFAST 8-10am

Euchre 12:30 pm - downstairs

FUN DARTS - Mar 16th - 11:30am

COUNTRY TREASURES - Mar 24th - 2 to 5pm

ties dominate our system. I don't know what it is going to take to get through to those who "don't do politics", but they have the power to give us the chance to do things differently. There are more than two parties in the system, and I hear a lot of people saying that other parties align more with their views, but they won't vote for them because they think that they won't get into government. That, of course, is a self-fulfilling prophecy. They won't get in if you don't vote for them. Our current system forces people to vote strategically by choosing one of the currently strong parties to avoid the other getting elected. And so we stay on this same old roundabout.

Colin Creasey, Kemptville

Kemptville District Hospital at the Crossroads, Part 3

KDH Opens its Doors - "Castle in the Sky"

by Lynne Clifford-Ward, KDH Foundation

The Kemptville District Hospital Foundation is in the process of raising $2.2 million to bring a CT Scanner to the Hospital. What follows is the Hospital’s chronological story, how it came to be, how the community has generously supported the Hospital over the decades, how it was physically transformed since 1960 and why the current fundraising campaign is such an important Crossroads

for the Hospital and the community.

At last! The doors of the new Kemptville District Hospital opened: June 29,1960 was a day to celebrate! The ribbon cutting was performed by Dr. M.B. Dymond, then Minister for Health of Ontario and Miss Hawkins, Administrator.

On that happy day, nurses provided guided tours to some two thousand curious guests from 2:00 pm until 11:00 pm. Visitors were keen to see "the castle in the sky" and "one of

the best-designed, modern hospitals in Canada" as described at the time by staff writer Philip Cooper in the Citizen.

In the January 1961 publication, "Canadian Hospital", Miss Hawkins described the Hospital in greater detail. In her article, "Kemptville Has Reason to be Proud", she wrote: "the two-floor building of double corridor design has all the services grouped in the central core. Patient accommodation, reached from a hallway on either side of the core, is in the outside perimeter. We have found that less duplication of services, smaller building perimeter, reduced heat loss and shorter walking distances are but some of the merits inherent in the double corridor plan." She also explained the many areas and functions of the Hospital which provide some interesting insights.

For example, she described the operating suites "with (their) soft grey-green tiles (which) give a restful and efficient appearance", the kitchen with "an electric potato peeler, one of the

main modern pieces of equipment in the vegetable preparation section" and the Hospital's emergency preparedness with diesel operated equipment. With regards to the linen service, Miss Hawkins wrote: "pleasant, neatly attired employees in fresh crisp uniforms do much to sell the Hospital to the public".

Four years later, Miss Hawkins led KDH to its first accreditation. At the time, KDH was the smallest hospital in Ontario to achieve this commendable accomplishment. Performed by an agency outside of the Hospital, this assessment is not just about meeting established standards but implementing ways to continuously improve care and maintain patient safety.

Expansion Crossroads, April 1969

As Canada's exciting 1967 Centennial Year came to a close, KDH began a plan to expand and meet the growing needs of the community and welcome new opportunities.

26, 1969, along with Honorary Chair W.B. George, Board Chair, Mike Kotlarchuk and Miss Hawkins. The Candy Stripers - the newly formed youth volunteer group - provided guided tours on that day for 300 guests. Miss Hawkins later described the service provided by the Candy Stripers in an April 22, 1971 letter to the editor of The Weekly Advance as follows: "these girls add a ray of sunshine in the lives of those who are ill and injured".

The Formation and Major Achievements of the KDH Foundation:

In 1979, the KDH Foundation was incorporated as the fundraising arm of the hospital and welcomed its first volunteer Board of Directors. Since then, it has raised millions of dollars to purchase medical, surgical and diagnostic equipment, refurbish patient rooms and communal spaces and fund large capital projects.

This included a new emergency, OR wing and 53 beds - almost double the original number.

The Honourable M.B. Dymond, M.D. returned to open the new wing on April

In 2011, the Foundation's Lean On Me Campaign raised $8 million to build a new Emergency Room, operating suites and digital imaging facility. And again, in 2018, the Foundation raised $1

Historically speaking

by Donna Ross MDHS Lecture Series Coordinator

The Merrickville and District Historical Society's ever-popular Lecture Series continues this spring. Please join us on Tuesday, March 26 at 7 pm at the Merrickville Legion for Jill Heinerth's presentation, "Into The Planet - My Life as a Cave Diver".

More people have walked on the moon than visited many of the places Jill Heinerth has explored on Earth. From the most dangerous technical dives

million to build new space for the Hospital's many specialized clinics.

At a total cost of $250,000 in 2023, three new anesthesia ventilators were funded by the Foundation. The Chief of KDH Staff, Dr. Colin Sentongo, described the ventilators as "the most important equipment that you can have in an operating room."

Joanne Mavis, the Executive Director of the KDH Foundation, said, "the Foundation is on track to raise $2.2 million to purchase and install a new CT Scanner for the Hospital. Thanks to the generosity of the North Grenville community, we presently have raised just over $1.2 million. The CT Scanner will be a gamechanger for the Hospital and the community."

From late-June 1960 to mid-1990, some 3,000 babies were born at KDH. Many of these babies grew up to work at KDH and they in turn had babies there. However, as the "Baby Boom" gradually declined from over 100 births per year to 25, this ward was closed to make room for other needs and services.

deep inside underwater caves to swimming through giant Antarctic icebergs, Jill has been the hands and eyes of climatologists, archaeologists, biologists, and engineers worldwide. She was named the first Explorer-in-Residence of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society. The world premier of her new feature documentary film, "Diving Into The Darkness" was recently showcased in California.

Become mesmerized hearing about Jill's remarkable experiences and les-

sons learned in the deadly arena of extreme underwater exploration and adventure filmmaking, applying her practical knowledge to share lessons on risk management, discovery learning, failure, and collaboration strategies. She'll offer some special perspectives on her work in local watersheds and exploring Canada's longest underwater cave near Ottawa.

As a child, Jill was inspired by Jacques Cousteau's television series, and today serves as a tireless advocate for underwater conservation, climate change, and water resource protection.

We look forward to seeing you on March 26, an evening that will take you underwater, deep into the caves of the world to experience swimming under Mother Earth. There will be an opportunity to purchase Jill's books: "Into The Planet" and "The Aquanaut". Come and enjoy this exciting lecture, as well as a sweet treat, compliments of Violets on Main Bakery!

New KDH ER Wing opens, April 26,1969, (l-r) W.B. George, Hon. M.B. Dymond, Minister of Health, M. Kotlarchuk, KDH Board Chair.

Photo by Daykin Photographic.

Jill Heinerth ready for action. (Credit: Lanarkleedstoday)

Five steps to estate planning

Join Kathy Hunt and tax and estate specialist Jackie Power to unconver five steps to estate planning.

Discussion topics will include:

• Understanding the basics to financial planning

• Wealth preservation strategies

• Tax-efficient estate transfers

• Creating a comprehensive Will

Host:

Kathy Hunt, CIM, FMA, FCSI

Senior Portfolio Manager & Wealth Advisor

RBC Dominion Securities

Guest speaker: Jackie Power

AVP Tax & Estate

Mackenzie Investments

Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 | 4:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.: Guest arrival | 5:00 p.m.: Presentation begins Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served.

Location: Brigadoon, 9 Bridge Street, Oxford Mills, ON

Please RSVP to tracy.a.caron@rbc.com by March 20th, 2024

Wardens urge investment in infrastructure

by the Eastern Ontario Wardens’

Caucus

While the Government o f Canada announces regular new and welcome Housing Action Plan investments, the member municipalities of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) are calling on the federal government to make meaningful and collaborative investment to support the infrastructure needed to service new and existing projects and to provide for our growing and aging population.

Municipalities own and maintain most of the infrastructure that Canadians rely on every day. Still, they have

been underfunded for decades, collecting only eight to 12 cents of every tax dollar. Existing roads, bridges, sewers, drinking water treatment systems, community centres, and other critical public infrastructure continue to need regular repair and replacement across the country, especially in rural areas. There are simply not enough financial resources for municipalities to keep existing infrastructure serviceable or to provide new infrastructure for new projects to support our communities.

“We tend to take infrastructure for granted because most of us only think about it when it’s not working,” says FCM President, Scott Pearce. “We

expect our first responders to show up when there’s a crisis, our local recreation centre to have space for kids to play, and our buses to get us to work on time but this critical infrastructure and these services cost money. Municipalities can’t be expected to keep raising property taxes to pay for it.”

The FCM and EOWC call on the federal government, in advance of its 2024 budget decisions, to further invest in the infrastructure required to develop and sustain complete communities for Canadian families. All municipalities need to be able to rely on programs such as the Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF) that support growth and

rehabilitation of existing assets.

The FCM and EOWC further advocate that all orders of government must work together at a single table to develop and agree upon a realistic municipal growth framework for next generation infrastructure.

“Towns, cities, and villages have been funded the same way since Confederation,” says EOWC Chair Peter Emon. “It was a sensible system when horse-and-buggy was the primary mode of transportation and when populations were measured in the thousands, not millions. Things have changed and it’s time we had a modernized municipal growth framework in place to reflect that.”

Health Unit reminds public of safety during the April 8 solar eclipse

by Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

On April 8, 2024, parts of Leeds and Grenville Counties will be within the path of totality of the solar eclipse. This makes for great viewing but there is cause for a public health concern.

Although the Moon will be covering most of the Sun, it's still dangerous to look directly at the Sun from approximately 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm when the solar eclipse is happening. Viewing the sun with your naked eye during the eclipse can burn your retina, damaging the images your brain can view. This phenomenon, known as “eclipse blindness,” can cause temporary or permanent vision impairment, and in worst-case scenarios can lead to legal blindness, which entails significant loss of vision.

“There are no pain sensors in your retinas to indicate that your eyes are being damaged by looking at the sun”, says

Dr. Linna Li, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit.

“Symptoms can take 12 to 48 hours to appear and can include retinal burns, permanent or temporary visual loss, and blurred vision. Once symptoms begin, it's usually too late to reverse any damage. This is why prevention and protection for your eyes is very important. ”

It is very dangerous to look directly at the sun at any time, but during an eclipse the temptation to have a quick glance can be very strong. Of course staying inside and avoiding the temptation is the best way to prevent harm to your eyes, but there are protection methods available.

To avoid damaging your retinas when viewing the solar eclipse:

Do not view the eclipse at all or use a proper method of blocking the sun's dangerous rays while viewing

Use a filter that blocks all dangerous light - ISO-

certified eclipse glasses from a reputable vendor that meet the ISO 123122 international safety standard. The manufacturer's name and address must be printed on the product.

Do not use any viewer if it has scratched or wrinkled lenses

Be careful of anyone trying to offer viewing devices that are not certified Do not use:

- ordinary sunglasses or multiple pairs of sunglasses,

- neutral density or polarizing filters, such as those made for camera lenses,

- smoked glass, - photographic or Xray film (unexposed, exposed or developed), or - binoculars or telescope – even with certified glasses.

There are some promoted household items and homemade filters but this is not the time to experiment with internet fads. Some communities are having mass gathering events to view the eclipse. There may be glasses

available at these events or you can go online and order glasses ahead of time.

There will also be a virtual viewing through the Canadian Space Agency’s website for those who do not want to chance being outside. The Health Unit has links on its website to activities for kids such as making a pinhole camera (also called a pinhole projector) that can be used to safely observe an eclipse. Light is allowed through a small punched hole, which then projects the incoming light onto the opposite end of the box.

For more information about eye safety and proper viewing devices during the eclipse, visit Total Solar Eclipse 2024 - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. If you require medical assistance because of a risk of exposure, call Ontario811 or visit a virtual care clinic.

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International Woman’s Day 2024

Mayor Peckford on International Women's Day

As we mark another International Women’s Day, I am once again blown away by the fantastic female leaders in North Grenville who enrich our quality of life and create opportunities for our youth, seniors. and everyone in between to thrive.

International Women’s Day is intended to shine the spotlight on the contributions women make every day, as care-givers, professionals, volunteers, leaders, entrepreneurs, among other things.

The origins of IWD were based upon the concept of bread and roses - that for women to truly thrive they need access to not only shelter and sustenance for themselves and their children, but also opportunities for education, recreation, leadership, and community .

We are blessed here in North Grenville to have so many workplaces, recreational organizations and service clubs that benefit from the hard work, creativity and dedication of women from all walks of life, backgrounds and skills sets. We know these women sometimes work in the background, not always fully recognized or celebrated - but without whom our community would not nearly be the same.

As women in business, the trades, education, health care, public safety, and emergency preparedness , the arts, and so many other sectors, I am immensely proud that so many of them have chosen to call North Grenville home. We recognize the strength and resilience they bring, and that amidst many challenges, they show up for themselves, their families, and communities every day.

As women, it is sometimes tempting to believe that other women may be doing it better, or have it easier, but I have come to realize we all at one time or another struggle with self doubt, too much on the to-do list, fatigue, and fear. This is part of the human experience.

But at the end of the day, what matters is that we give each other the support and solidarity to make an impact, whatever that looks like for each of us, and that we give ourselves and others permission to rest when a little down time is required, or it is time to go down a different path.

Here’s to a great International Women’s Day! I hope to see you and your loved ones at North Grenville’s IWD event from Friday March 8 from 4- 6 pm at the NG Municipal Centre! Kids, spouses, colleagues and friends welcome!

United Counties recognise outstanding women

Long-standing employee of the Counties Anne Dixon

Anne Dixon began her career in 1989 with the City of Brockville and in 2001, when the Province of Ontario downloaded family benefits to the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Anne assumed the role of Family Support Worker.

Anne has fulfilled many roles, including Ontario Works Case Manager, Eligibility Review Officer, and in 2020, transferred as a Case Manager to the Housing Department where she remains today, working out of the Prescott satellite office.

In her Warden’s remarks at January’s Counties Council meeting, Nancy Peckford said, “Anne’s ability to provide support, empathy, and guidance to empower the people that we serve is amazing and serves as a role model to all staff. Anne cares deeply about people, and the Counties is so very fortunate to have had Anne dedicate her past 40 years to uplifting people in our community. Anne has earned the deep respect of management, peers, community partners and her clients.”

Economic Development Officer, Deanna Clark

Council extended its best-wishes to the Counties’ now former Economic Development Officer, Deanna Clark, as she officially retired on January 26th.

After 25 years with the Brockville Recorder and Times, Deanna brought her knowledge and expertise in journalism and photography to the Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office in May 2010. During her near 14 years at the Counties, Deanna has been instrumental in the creation of the business eNewsletter, along with supporting the development of several promotional videos, numerous articles and publications and the Economic Development website. Deanna has taken thousands of photos across the region and interviewed hundreds of business owners. She has also played a key role in the coordination of the Bill Thake Award for Economic Development Leadership since its 2011 launch.

“Deanna is leaving the Economic Development Office after building a strong foundation of promotional tools and an amazing inventory of photography from throughout Leeds Grenville. She will be missed by her colleagues and the many friends she has made along the way” said Economic Development Manager, Ann Weir.

We celebrate the important role that women play in our organization.

ank you for your contributions and Happy International Women's Day!

Cheryl

Warden Nancy Peckford, Anne Dixon, Alison Tutak.

Deanna Clark

Women in the New Testament

by David Shanahan

The world into which Jesus was born was not an easy one for women or the poor. It is useful to compare the situation then with that of women in extreme Muslim countries today. Women were kept in subjection: they were not allowed to study, to be taught, to have any legal position. They were considered incapable of understanding intellectually, and could not own property. A man could divorce his wife simply by telling her he was doing so; a woman could not divorce her husband. Women could not talk to a man in public, and would never dare to touch one. A couple caught in adultery faced separate fates. The man was considered blameless and the woman was executed.

When Jesus ministered in Judea and Galilee, his treatment of women was revolutionary. He taught them alongside his male disciples. This was radical in the extreme. In the Jewish tradition, women were not considered capable of learning deep spiritual truths. Even in secular law courts, the testimony of a woman was not considered valid. Women were kept in a separate sphere, even in the synagogue and Temple. Just as there was a barrier in the Great Temple in Jerusalem beyond which gentiles (non-Jews) were forbidden to go on pain of death, so there was a Court of the Women, beyond which only males could venture.

The status of women and others can be seen in the daily prayer of pious Jewish men, who thank

God that they were not made “…a Gentile…a slave, or …a woman”. So, when Jesus treated women as equals, it shocked and offended many, and even his own disciples were often surprised by his words and actions.

He revealed to a woman, a Samaritan foreigner at that, that he was the Messiah. This was after he had started a conversation with her as she came, alone, to draw water from a well. She was surprised he asked her for a drink, since Jews did not associate in any way with Samaritans, much less Samaritan women. Nor did they address women in public, especially women outdoors alone. To be a woman alone outdoors was in itself a sign that the woman was not respectable. John records that “his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

(John 4.27)

He allowed a woman, one of ill repute too, to anoint him, and scandalised the religious people by mixing with men and women equally. Women witnessed his crucifixion and death, when the male disciples were afraid to be seen. Women were the first ones to meet him after his Resurrection, and it was

they who spread the news to the men. This, in itself, is significant, remembering that the testimony of a woman was not considered legally valid at that time.

The amazing statement by Paul in his letter to the Galatians: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3.28), may not seem like a major issue to us, but it certainly was in his day. And, to be honest, it really should be a major issue today also, given the way in which the role of women in the Church has been degraded since then.

What happened? The Acts and Paul’s letters show a community in which women were equal members of the Body of Christ. Some are referred to as Apostles, others are leading fellowships in their homes. The status of women reflected the manner in which they had been treated by Jesus during his ministry, so why did that change?

One of the aspects of the new Way was the emergence of women as equal parties in the Body of Christ. This battle went on for some decades and it may be said that the winners of that conflict were the traditionalists. Women gradually lost their status

in the Body, especially after the Roman Empire adopted Christianity as the state religion. At that point, the faithful believers withdrew into separate fellowships, while the “official” church took on all the trappings of the old Roman religious rituals.

Christians need to examine what exactly was said in Scripture on this issue: not on justifications and rationalisations for changes made to the way the Holy Spirit led in the years after Pentecost. There should never be discrimination between believers based on race, ethnicity, age, or anything else, including gender. All things need to be in accordance with the way the Lord laid down in his own ministry, and in the days when his people were free from traditional bonds and social conventions. To do that, we need to look to the Word and understand the world in which those early Christians lived, as well as the one we live in today. We need to counter the counter-revolution that has handicapped us for too long.

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

301 Rideau Street, Kemptville

the north grenville TIMES

MELISSA OTTENHOF Marketing Consultant

Phone:613 329 0209

Email: melissa@ngtimes.ca www.ngtimes.ca

Rachel Jansen B.Comm.,J.D

“Treating your family like our own” is and has been Vicky’s heartfelt mantra. Vicky is celebrating 30 years of serving her community with professionalism and grace dedicating herself to the care of everyone in her life or the families she serves. A true community champion!

2990 Church Street, South Mountain

Victoria L. Byers, Licensed Funeral Director 613.989.3836 hello@byersfuneralhomeinc.ca www.byersfuneralhomeinc.ca

Bread and Roses

As we go marching, marching, in the beauty of the day, A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts gray, Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses, For the people hear us singing: Bread and Roses! Bread and Roses!

As we go marching, marching, we battle too for men, For they are women's children, and we mother them again. Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes; Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread, but give us roses.

As we go marching, marching, unnumbered women dead Go crying through our singing their ancient call for bread. Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew. Yes, it is bread we fight for, but we fight for roses too.

As we go marching, marching, we bring the greater days, The rising of the women means the rising of the race. No more the drudge and idler, ten that toil where one reposes, But a sharing of life's glories: Bread and roses, bread and roses.

Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes; Hearts starve as well as bodies; bread and roses, bread and roses.

This poem was written by James Oppenheim in 1911. Music was written by Mimi Farina in the 1960's. In 1912, Rose Schneiderman used the phrase in her talks on women and unions: The woman must have bread, but she must have roses too

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Rachel Jansen was born and raised in Kemptville. She returned after her postsecondary schooling to join her family business providing legal services to the community.

She supports many local charitable initiatives, is a member of the local law association executive and participates in local sports leagues. Rachel has two young children and looks forward to raising them in such a vibrant and growing community.

215 Van Buren Street, Kemptville 613.258.7462 jansenlaw.com

I moved to Kemptville in 1997, best decision ever! I am foremost a daughter, a mother, and a spouse. I transitioned from a career in food service to law in 2000, became a lawyer in 2010 and opened my own office in 2014. Within my practice I employ five fantastic women who help me provide excellent legal services to this community.

In my spare time I have been an Algonquin College Instructor, past member of the Board of Directors of the Kemptville Youth Centre, the Board of Directors of the Kemptville District Hospital Foundation and the Old Town Kemptville BIA, and continue to donate and provide pro bono legal services to a number of local charities and not-for-profit organizations that benefit North Grenville.

222 Prescott Street, Kemptville www.lamble.ca connie@lamble.ca 613.258.0038

Family Law, Real Estate, Wills & Estates

A natural woman

by David Shanahan

International Women’s Day used to be a controversial concept for men: why should there be a day just for women? Is that not sexist? It was all based on a misunderstanding of what and why the day was meant to be, I think. Women may agree that men are, generally speaking, a bit self-absorbed and slow to see what’s in front of their face. As a man, I disagree completely: slow is too positive a word!

The fact is that I remember, when I was growing up in the 60's, that the rise of feminism and the initial push for women’s rights at that time was confusing. The order that society accepted had been in place for a long time, or so it seemed. It took time for both women and men to be educated, informed of their own history. What was a “natural” woman?

The role of women in both World Wars, and their subsequent return to “domestic bliss”, was something that was not well-known to my generation. The history that went further back even than that was a closed door for most people. And it wasn’t always men who found it hard to grasp what was happening in society as the logic and basic justice of the arguments for women’s rights were increasingly put in front of us. I remember that when my eldest daughter was a few months old, I was the parent who brought her to the creche every morning on my way to lectures in university. At lunch, when parents had to be on hand to give staff a break, I was the only man there. And the staff started to refer to “David and the other mothers”.

Thankfully, these days men are far more likely to be involved in parenting, with all of its challenges, and there has been a shift in attitudes generally towards the relative roles of men and women. But, I guarantee that

someone will be offended by a man writing an editorial for International Women’s Day, and some will find something sexist in how I say things. So be it: we’re all on the way, and we haven’t arrived yet. But major steps have been taken on that journey.

Every week, the Times is produced by a staff where women outnumber men by 2 to 1. Women have taken a leading role in every sphere of life, private and public. Much has been changed, and much remains to be achieved. On International Women’s Week, 2024, we can look back a century and see how much of the progress had to be fought for on every level, especially under the law.

The Suffragettes of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century were often veterans of earlier campaign for rights, such as abolition of slavery, amelioration of child labour laws, or the amazingly powerful campaign for Temperance and Prohibition that lasted into the 1930's. Organisations like the Women Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) gave women experience of running national movements, political campaigns, and sharing executive positions with men. The LCBO was established as a compromise on the Temperance-Prohibition issue by the government of G. Howard Ferguson, native of Kemptville and one-time Reeve of that Village. Ferguson's mother had been very active in the Women's Christian Temperance Union, which may have had an influence on his policies as Premier.

The WCTU was a very influential organisation for many reasons. Not only was it part of a worldwide network campaigning for prohibition of alcohol, it also provided women with experience of political activism at a time when there were few outlets for such interest. Like the Sons of Temperance, the WCTU gave women an equal voice in political, educational and social activism

in the nineteenth century. Built, as the name suggests, on an evangelical Christian base, the WCTU learned from experience that, without the vote, women were severely limited in what they could achieve. The Union broadened its scope and worked for enfranchisement of women, better education for all classes in society, and improved working conditions for women and working class men. An illustration of how these women thought is seen in an 1899 statement: "Woman: first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of her country, last at the ballot box". In fact, the first time women were given even a limited vote in Ontario was in the plebiscites on prohibition. Two of the Famous Five women who won constitutional recognition of women as "persons" in the 1920's, Nellie McClung and Louise Crummy McKinnon, belonged to the WCTU. Historians refer to such activists as "evangelical feminists", another phrase that requires a rethink of assumptions in today's society.

Although Agnes McPhail was the first woman elected to the House of Commons in 1921, women were still denied the right to become a Senator, as the British North America Act of 1867 required that they be “persons”, which successive Canadian Governments had decided was a term that did not apply

to women. In August 1927, Emily Murphy invited four prominent women activists Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney and Henrietta Muir Edwards, to join her in sending a petition to the Canadian government regarding the interpretation of the word “persons”. These women are known today as The Famous Five.

On 27 August 1927, the Famous Five signed the letter, which was sent to the Governor General.

In 1928, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that women were not “persons” according to the British North America Act. Therefore, they were ineligible for appointment to the Senate. However, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council

reversed the Court’s decision on 18 October, 1929. The Persons Case enabled women to work for change in both the House of Commons and the Senate. It also meant that women could no longer be denied rights based on a narrow interpretation of the law. They were now, legally and forever, “persons”.

Much done, much still to do; but the attitude of society overall has been radically changed over decades. A slow process, and one that requires International Women’s Day to keep it at the forefront of hearts and minds.

Tid bit musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters, RSSW

MARCH ON. KEEP MARCHING! Those words are synonymous with precision, attention, direction, compliance, focus, mission, and definitely progression. Before you march on or move forward, do you know your destination, your plan of action or the directive you choose to acquire? It is acceptable to change momentum as need be? Little is written in stone.

Regardless of age, social standing, or geographical location, there is a universal desire to achieve and be experiencing peace and happiness. Sitting still, physically, emotionally and psychologically while waiting to die is your captor. Passivity marks loneliness and a neverending emptiness. Despite physical limitations, you can still impart wisdom and experience to others. Your companionship is priceless to someone. A stroke victim unable to speak, hummed an old Sunday school song that sparked an interest of her spiritual upbringing in the nurses' awareness. You do have something of value to share – even if it is your smile and wave. Words of thankfulness and appreciation are never insignificant. Affluence does not just entail finances. Being at peace with yourself is paramount.

Marching on can entail some soul searching of your values and morals. Perhaps past hurts need to delegated to the "over and done" file. Bear in mind, reconciliation and forgiveness are NOT synonymous. When evaluations of what you thought your parent(s) should have done are outweighing what they did do for you, you will have unrest. Have you tried discussing the troublesome elements of your life with a neutral party?

All too often, a life is finished through illness, accidents or simply aging, but there remains unfinished business for you before you march on. Once dementia sets in, the ability to process situations is non-existent. make today the day you march on by confronting and compromising so you attain peace, contentment and joy on your journey to self-discovery. Remember: spirituality has an individual, community and cosmic element. Today is your moment to march on – do it wisely.

Royals U11-B1 win 'B' Championship in Durham!

by Chris Fox

The Kemptville Royals U11-B1 hockey team travelled to Oshawa over the February 16 to 18 weekend for the Bob Black Memorial Tournament and brought back the 'B' Championship!

Game one brought the Royals a challenging match up against the Apsley Flames. The Flames are leading their league in dominant fashion and would bring a tough game.

Right winger M. Fox notched the only goal of the game, with the helper coming from Hilton. The Royals played strong and hard but fell to the Flames in a 4-1 loss to open the tournament. Strong goaltending by netminder Martin kept the Royals close and gave the Flames one of the few challenges they have faced this season. In game two, the Royals faced off against the Clarington Thunder and Kemptville wasn't about to drop two in a row. The Royals started fast and hard and controlled the pace of the game to post a statement 5-2 win over the Thunder.

The team consists of Blyth Martin, Tyler Fox, Greyson Hilton, Kieran Mark, Michael

Fox, Jack Holmes (injured), Carter Lizotte, Mason Paterson, Marek Frizell, Mason Walter, Brady Forman, Carter O'Neil, Carson Scott, Tony Charbel and Jakob Meisner, with a bench staff of Head Coach Chris Fox, Assistant Coaches Ryan Scott, Ryan Lizotte, Ted Forman, Trainer Mike Martin and Manager Paul Frizell.

Goals were scored by Hilton (1), Charbel (2), O'Neil (1) and Paterson (1), with assists from Meisner (1), Walter (2), Frizell (1) and Paterson (1). A strong offensive rush by defenseman Paterson netted him his first goal of the season and capped off the offensive push by Kemptville. T. Fox was strong on the blueline for the Royals and made several shutdown plays to stall any chance of a Thunder comeback.

With a 1-1 record, the Royals missed the chance to play for the 'A' Championship but secured their spot in the 'B' Final for a chance to bring home some hardware. With Saturday afternoon off, the team looked for some inspiration from some other hockey royalty, with a trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame!

Baldwin's Birds

After a team meeting at the Stanley Cup, the fire was lit for Sunday's match.

The 'B' Finals marked a matchup against the Kingston Lourdes and proved a challenge. After a Royals opening goal, the Lourdes responded with two quick ones to take the lead. With the clock expiring in the first period, Kemptville buried one to head into the second tied at two. Only three minutes into the second, the Royals struck again to take the lead and would not relinquish it for the rest of the game. The Royals went on an offensive charge and netted three more, but the Lourdes fought back scoring two more and keeping the Royals and their fans on the edge. In the end, the Royals came home with victory and a 6-4 win to be awarded the 'B' Championship.

Strong clearing by defenseman Mark in the third period kept the Lourdes out of Kemptville's end. Scoring was provided by Forman (1), Walter (1), Lizotte (1) and led by Frizell (3) with a hat trick performance. Assists were tallied by Frizell (1), Forman (2), Scott (1), Charbel (2), O'Neil (1) and Hilton (1). Lizotte deposited a rebound for the game winner on his first goal of the season and the offence was firing on all cylinders with passing and puck control.

The U11-B1 Royals would like to thank their season sponsors for their ongoing support, including David Walter Financial Services Ltd., McGraw Technical Services, J.D. Barnes Ltd., Annis O'Sullivan Vollebekk Ltd. and Moex Property Maintenance Inc.

A Leap Year early surprise

Confucius reigns both in our world and that of the birds methinks! With the temperatures being all over the place in this, the early 2024 month of February, it is hard to imagine what the birds and hibernating animals are thinking. Chipmunks

have appeared and are sitting in the bright sunlight as it melts some of our winter "blues" away, and a very black flash of bird feathers in one of my front garden feeders, accompanied by that tell-tale flash of white in the wing, gave

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

away the presence of a Red Winged Blackbird! As if that wasn't exciting and bewildering enough, above my head I heard the "honking" of a beautifully symmetrical "vee" formation of Canada Geese, as it traversed my viewing range, seeking, no doubt, some of the "still open" waters nearby. How confusing for us all.

Talking of open waters, whilst in a pharmacy and in conversation with a lady who lives near the Rideau River, she informed me that they are seeing ducks and also other water birds appearing early too, so nature is really topsy-turvy! Perhaps you too are also seeing for yourselves what is happening in your gardens and in your trees, there are obviously different things to be seen, so I hope you can enjoy the moments as these events occur before your very own eyes. My two pictures for this article are a Tree Sparrow and a Red Winged Blackbird. Stay safe and well. Cheers, John

Baldwin

In 2022, we provided you with a recipe for Irish Boxty to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Today's recipe proves that the Irish are not the only folks who enjoy messing around with the auld spud. The following feels a bit Jewish and a bit Greek: Potato Cakes can act as a full lunch or accompany chicken, beef or lamb for dinner. Of course, it's vegetarian, so it can appeal to a broad range of folks who love the taste of potatoes. This is another recipe that suits junior chefs...

Potato Cakes

Ingredients

1 ½ cups of dry mashed potato mix (readily available locally)

1 egg

2 ounces of soft chèvre (that's goat cheese, folks)

1 clove of garlic or 1 teaspoon of minced garlic

1 ½ cup of milk (and a bit)

2 tablespoons of butter (salted)

2 tablespoons of finely chopped green onions

Sour cream or Tzatziki (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F

2. Bring the milk and butter to a boil in a saucepan

3. Remove from heat and stir in the potato mix till moistened

4. Let stand for a half hour or until the milk is absorbed into the potato mix

5. Stir in the egg, cheese, garlic and green onions

6. Cover your mixture and refrigerate till firm

7. Flour your hands and make up 6 patties about an inch thick

8. Place the patties on a greased cookie sheet and pop in the oven

9. Bake for 15 or 20 minutes or till the patties are browning

10. Remove from the oven and serve hot

These are great as is, or with a dollop of sour cream or Tzatziki. Don't get hung up on using a potato mix: it is actually pretty good for a recipe like today's and speeds up your time from cooking to table. .

Best (for an early spring) from pcormier@ranaprocess.com

The Kemptville Royals U11-B1 Champions

RECURRING EVENTS

Monthly Suppers prepared by Knights of Columbus at Holy Cross Church Hall at 503 Clothier St W. Suppers will be held on the last Thursday of the month. Cost $10 per adult, $5 for children under 12 and $25 for families.

PROBUS: Fellowship, Fun and inFormed presenters are part of the PROBUS gathering on the third Wednesday of each month at St Paul's Presbyterian Church Hall at 9:30AM. For more information contact at n.g.probus97@gmail.com

Kemptville Legion: Fridays 3-9. Free Pool and Darts. Everyone Welcome BINGO, Kemptville Legion, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, doors open at noon

NG Duplicate Bridge Club, Masonic Lodge 311 Van Buren Kemptville, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 12:15. All Levels of bridge players are welcome. Info call 613-795-7155

KLUB 67 EUCHRE Join us for fun, social euchre games taking place every 2nd and 4th Wednesday monthly at 1pm, September to May. Location: Kemptville Legion, 100 Reuben Cres, Kemptville. Everyone welcome, $5. To play, cash prizes Friendship Lunch every Friday at St. Johns United Church hall at 400 Prescott St. The meal begins at 11:30 and is free of charge. A good will offering is appreciated. Everyone is welcome.

Drawing from Life - Portrait and figure drawing clothed models. Fridays, 4pm to 7pm, St. John's United Church 400 Prescott Street. Artists at all levels are welcome. Drop in fee $15. For information contact gowjb5@gmail.com

Spencerville Agricultural Society planning general meetings. If you are interested in joining our committee, please email info@spencervillefair.ca to receive all of the meeting details. Mar 11, Apr 8, May 13, Jun 10, Jul 8, Aug 12, Oct 21, Nov 11. The Drummond Building, 22 Ryan Street, Spencerville Ontario

EUCHRE on Tuesday, March 19, April 2, 16, 30 at Pierce's Corners, also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at 1:00 p.m. and play starts at 1:30 p.m. $5 per player. For information, contact debiar@ymail.com.

BID EUCHRE on Tuesday, March 12, 26, April 9, 23 at Pierce's Corners, also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at 1:00 p.m. and play starts at 1:30 p.m. $5 per player. For information, contact debiar@ymail.com.

WIZARD CARD GAME TOURNAMENT on Sunday, March 10 at Pierce's Corners, also known as the Marlborough Community Centre, 3048 Pierce Road. Registration starts at 12:30 and play starts at 1:00 p.m. $5 per player. For information contact debiar@ymail.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Fairly Funny Frolic, Comedy Show & Dinner. Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 6:00 PM.

The Drummond Building 22 Ryan Street, Spencerville.

https://www.spencervillefair.ca/fairly-funny-frolic

St Michael Spring Craft Show, Saturday April 27. (:30 - 3:30. Admission: $2 or Canned Food Donation

1. Not fat

5. F F F

9.

group

14. Designed for flight

15. Average

16. Initial wagers

17. Musical buildup

19. Violent disruptions

20. Savory

21. Morning moisture

23. Rise to power

25. Relating to stars

28. Cap

29. Young boy

32. Prey

33. Boozer

34. Jeer

35. Dugout shelter

36. Not before

38. Crazily

39. Wingless bloodsucking insect

40. Beam

41. Not outside

43. Provided with food

44. Tavern

45. Assisted

46. Pirate

48. Recognizing

50. A personal journal

54. Christmas song

55. Heavenly

57. Astound

58. Anagram of "Sale"

59. Inactive

60. Discourage

61. For fear that

62. Appear to be DOWN

1. Diplomacy

2. Wife of Zeus

3. Ticks off

4. Yearning for the past

5. An uncle

6. Wheel cover

7. Evanesces

8. Type of hare

9. Mimic

10. An aromatic flavorful vegetable

11. Cease

12. Adjusts

13. S

18. Repetitive pattern

22. Tirade

24. Waterfall

25. Personnel

26. A piece of flat furniture

27. Made a mistake

29. Boundary

30. House

31. Feinted

33. Hog's home

34. Stomach inflammation

37. Ludicrous

42. Requires

44. Manservant

45. Corner measurements

46. Alcohol

47. Bless with oil

48. Identical

49. Backside

51. Assistant

52. Rattling breath

53. Anagram of "Lyme"

54. Bounder

56. Estimated (abbrev.)

A failing grade in basic mathematics

Have even one in a thousand North Americans ever heard of Kissick' s Law? More than 25 years ago, if you were reading the Ontario Medical Review, you would have seen an article, written by Dr. Samuel Vaisrub, explaining the message. Kissick stated that if the U.S. Declaration of Independence was written in contemporary times, it would declare the pursuit of health, rather than happiness, after life and liberty, as the third inalienable right of Americans.

About 50 years ago Kissick, a professor at the renowned U.S. Wharton School of Business, stunned Canadians and Americans with a show stopping speech about the economic laws of health care economics. Considering the ongoing healthcare mess in both countries today, it's a shame his wise counsel never took hold.

What did Kissick recommend? It was about what every family in North America knows. If you spend more than you earn, soon enough the laws of economics will trigger bankruptcy. Kissick's warning was simple arithmetic. Readers should get up, find a pen, and write this prin-

ciple down over and over.

No society in the world has sufficient money to provide all the healthcare services its population is capable of using, Kissick warned. But he was not finished, so keep your pen handy and keep writing.

He added that even if the nation's gross national product were expanding at record-setting rates, it would still not be enough. People have a voracious appetite for spending on their health. If left to the forces of demand, healthcare spending would consume the nation's entire budget.

He said the problem was similar to giving his credit card to his daughter and saying, "Darling, go buy anything you want, and I will pay all the bills." Kissick hesitated for a moment, and then added, "If what I have told you doesn't alarm you," he said to the audience, "I'll loan you my daughter!"

Economists have been saying the same thing. For decades, healthcare spending in many places around the world has been outpacing economic growth. It's simply not sustainable. We are no longer approaching the time when we will be forced to accept the consequences. We have reached it.

The pursuit of healthcare has limitations. Our collective psyche must face the reckoning. We will have less, not more, healthcare spending. And if we refuse to accept this, then we will have worse roads, backed-up sewers, poorer education, and you name it, a lot less to invest in everything else that that we like to take for granted.

An old joke offers the definition of a healthy person. It's someone who hasn't been seen by enough doctors or had enough tests done. And this is true. Inevitably, everyone will find one health problem or another.

But being obsessive about health, always wanting more and more care, is neither advisable nor feasible. As governments face the hard reality of cancelling their healthcare credit cards, you can be sure that they'll never tell you straight up about it. Voters don't want to hear about it, especially that enormous cohort of the population that is ageing into retirement years.

There is a better alternative. People should be less obsessive about healthcare and more determined to avoid the need for it. The human body is an amazing organism, but only if not abused by cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs, both legal and illegal, by junk food, by lack of exercise, and by the long list of environmental and other global problems.

Can we make the shift?

Or do we need to pray for divine intervention to avoid this disastrous train wreck.

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

What is a Registered Dietitian?

by Danielle Labonte, LG&L District Health Unit

March is Nutrition

Month and this year's theme is "We Are Dietitians". Registered dietitians are regulated health professionals who guide individuals, communities and populations to embrace food, understand it and enjoy it in order to promote health and prevent chronic disease. When speaking with a healthcare professional about nutrition, it is helpful to know what their credentials are. Did you know that

there is a difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist? In Ontario, anyone can provide nutrition information and call themselves a nutritionist but the title of "dietitian" is protected by law, just like nurses, pharmacists or physicians.

Registered dietitians are the only regulated nutrition professionals in Ontario. Only members of the College of Dietitians of Ontario can call themselves registered dietitians and use the "RD" acronym af-

Boal, Barbara Jean (Byrd)

We are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Barbara. Barb passed away peacefully at the Kemptville District Hospital with her family by her side in her 87th year. Beloved wife of the late Manford Gordon Boal. Loving mother of the late Brenda Bingley (Terry), Paul Boal (Dinah) the late Sherry Funnell (Gary), Margot Rykhoff, and Melanie Kerr (Glenn). Nanny Barb to Jason McIntosh, Manny Horvath (Brittany), Andrew Horvath, Kaitlen Boal, Gordon Boal, Maddison Golle (Chris), Riley Rykhoff (Santa), Erin Rykhoff, and Megan Rykhoff. Great Nanny Barb to Michaela McIntosh, Cole McIntosh, Brenda McIntosh Jack Horvath and twins Liam and Alice Gole. Sister to Warren Byrd (Gail) the late Jacqueline Jakes (Gerry) the late Sandra Lennox (Ralph). Sister-in-Law to the late Edgar Boal (Joanne) the late Bev Vanderveld (Weibe) and Barb Peters. Dear special friend of the late Joseph Kotlarchuck. Barb will also be missed by his children and grandchildren. Barb was born and raised on a Kemptville area farm and enjoyed working on the farm with her dad; the late John Byrd and the late Jean Thompson (Carkner). Barb met the love of her life at a young age, raising their five children in Kemptville. They spent a lot of time at the rinks, ballfields, and pools for their children’s activities. Barb worked for over 25 years at the G Howard Ferguson Forestry Center and enjoyed the friendship of lifelong co-workers. When the Forestry Center was closed, she became an integral force of the Kerr Lighting company in Smiths Falls where she wore many hats, her most important was as warehouse manager. She would take on just about any role there and went by her motto “lets get er done” While working there she again made many more lifelong friends. Barb moved to Smiths Falls in 2005, by 2006 she was mostly retired but still enjoyed part time work cleaning apartments and selling vegetables at a road side stand. She liked to keep moving. Barb loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. She loved having fun with friends (especially Candace and Ruby) and also liked to travel. Her phobia for flying kept travel limited but she was up for a road tour at the mention of one. Some memorable “Girls shopping trips” will never be forgotten. Barb was also a member of the St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Kemptville. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Kemptville Legion, 100 Reuben Street, on April 27 from 12 noon – 3:00 pm to honor this amazing lady. A special thanks to the staff at Kemptville District Hospital and especially Dr. Nadine Kaefer, Dr. Alena McCarrell and special little Nurse Happy. Your care and compassion were exceptional.

Memorial donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated. Condolences/Tributes/Donations Hulse, Playfair & McGarry www.hpmcgarry.ca 613-258-2435

ter their name in Ontario. Since registered dietitians are members of the College of Dietitians of Ontario, they are responsible for providing safe, competent, and ethical nutrition services. To become a registered dietitian, one must complete a 4-year degree in nutrition and a dietetic internship through an accredited program, pass the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam (CDRE) in all provinces and territories except for Quebec, and commit to an annual practice review. Dietitians are committed

to evidence-based practice. This means that when they make a recommendation, they are basing it on the best available scientific evidence. Dietitians develop evidenceinformed resources that take scientific evidence and turn it into practical information that can be used to teach people about nutrition and food.

For more information, visit www.dietitians.ca, connect with the Health Unit on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) or call 1-800-6605853.

BARBER,TonyDonald

BARBER, Tony Donald

Inlovingmemoryofourson, brotheranduncle,Tony Donald,whomGodtooktobe hisAngel,28yearsago tonight,March10th,1993. Iftearscouldbuildastairway, andmemoriesbuildalane, I'dwalkrightuptoHeaven andbringyouhomeagain. Nofarewellwords werespoken notimetosaygoodbye youweregonebefore weknewit andonlyGodknowswhy. Myheartstillaches insadness andsecrettearsstillflow, whatitmeanttoloseyou, noonewilleverknow.

In loving memory of our son, brother and uncle, Tony Donald, whom God took to be his Angel, 31 years ago tonight, March 10th, 1993. If tears could build a stairway, and memories build a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again. No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye, you were gone before we knew it and only God knows why. My heart still aches in sadness and secret tears will flow, and what it means to lose you, no one will ever know.

-AuthorUnknown-

-Author Unknown-

Forever in our hearts, love Mommy and Leo, Samantha, Amanda and Faith

Foreverinourhearts, Love,MommyandLeo Samantha,Amanda FaithandZackary

2024 key tags en route to North Grenville

North Grenville residents can expect to receive their 2024 War Amps key tags in the mail starting this week. Each key tag has a confidentially coded number. If you lose your keys, the finder can call the toll-free number on the back of the tag or place them in any mailbox, and The War Amps will return them to you by courier, free of charge. The War Amps receives no government grants. With the public’s support of the Key Tag Service, the Association is making a difference in the lives of amputees, including children, by providing financial assistance for the cost of artificial limbs, peer support and information on all aspects of living with amputation. Those who do not receive their key tags in the mail can order them at waramps.ca or call toll-free 1 800 250-3030.

Too good to play

by A Sports Mom

Team dynamics are a curious thing in sports. There are instances when a team doesn't quite click, or they can’t win a game, no matter how hard they try. Then there are times when the team, coaches, and individual skills come together to create an extraordinary season. This is the scenario unfolding for a local girls’ hockey team this year. They've achieved an impressive feat by not losing a single regular season game. What should be an exciting year for the team, and a great confidence builder for the girls, has been marred with an inquiry. A competitor in their league sent a request for recategorization against the house league team. This request was asking the league’s governing body to remove the team from house league play and recategorize it as a competitive team. How can they recategorize a house league team? It's a house league.

The team found itself in the position of having to present its case before the league's governing body. The decision was made not to tell the kids playing on the team. Why should they be made to feel that they were doing something wrong?

What would the repercussions of this be? Would the girls still be allowed to play? All questions they did not want the kids worrying about. It's supposed to be fun, right?

The parents and coaches all brainstormed the reasons why they thought this request for recategorization was uncalled for. The coaching staff are new to the league. All the girls, but one, are minors. Thirty percent of the players have never played hockey before. Some of the girls had tried out for the competitive team and didn’t make it. There are other house league teams in that age group that were evenly sorted based on skills, etc.. All valid reasons, but the main reason is, it's a house league team. You cannot force a kid (or family) who doesn’t want to play competitive sports to play competitive sports.

House league is meant to accommodate players of all skill levels. You are going to have kids who are just learning, and kids that have been playing for years. Nowhere does it state that if your child is of a certain ability, that they need to play competitive hockey.

If Jayna Hefford wanted to play house league, she would have been allowed to. Studies have shown that rates of participation for girls in sports start declining as young as age 9. By their late teens, one in three girls who used to play sports have quit, compared to just one in 10 boys. There are many different reasons why this happens, with self esteem, cost, and not enough programs for their skill or ability being the main reasons. This is why having house league teams open to all is so crucial.

Competitive sports can be a huge time and financial commitment that may not be doable for some families. There are kids who do not want to play at that level. They may feel an added pressure that they don’t feel with a house league team. Maybe the child’s friends all play house league and that’s who they want to play with. Perhaps the child has health issues that prevent them from the commitment of playing competitive sports. There could be family issues that do not allow for the child to attend all practices and games.

You cannot assume that all kids have the desire, or means, to play competitive sports. Really, just a long winded way of saying what has already been said. You cannot force a kid or family who doesn’t want to play competitively to play competitively.

Being a parent of two girls in sports, my only expectations for them are simple: 1) give it their best shot and persist when the going gets tough; 2) make friends, be the positive and inclusive teammate who uplifts and supports others; and most importantly 3) enjoy the experience, have fun! I never want sports to become an obligation for them. It should always be a choice driven by genuine interest and enthusiasm. There are so many benefits, besides the obvious physical health benefits, to participating in sports. Girls who participate in sports feel more confident, passionate, collaborative, and happy. All things we want for our daughters. Sports help cultivate the qualities that make people good leaders; 94% of executive level women report participating in sports, with 74% of them crediting their sports participation for their current success. Witnessing both my girls discover their passion is truly remarkable,

which is why hearing about this request really irritated me. Why should something a child loves be in jeopardy because they are doing well? Can you be too good to play?

The report was sent in and then the waiting began. What would happen to the season? Would they be able to play? If the request was approved, it would mean that they would not be eligible for playoffs, or for any of the tournaments that they had registered (and paid) for. They would still be able to play their regular season games, but they wouldn’t count for anything. After an agonizing wait, and much emailing back and forth,

the results were finally in. The team was allowed to remain as a house league. It's a shame when bureaucracy gets in the way of a good thing. The girls are having an amazing season, they will be entering into playoffs as the top team in Eastern Ontario, without a single regular season loss. It's disheartening to think it almost got derailed by something like this. It's crucial to have spaces for everyone, regardless of their skill level or commitment level. Sports should be about enjoyment and growth, not unnecessary hurdles and stress.

Ron's Small Engine Repair

NOTICE OF A HEARING

Enbridge Gas Inc. has applied to renew its natural gas franchise agreement and for a new certificate of public convenience and necessity for the Municipality of North Grenville

Enbridge Gas Inc. (Enbridge Gas) is asking the OEB for:

• An order approving the renewal of a natural gas franchise agreement with the Municipality of North Grenville. This would continue Enbridge Gas’s right to construct, operate and add to the natural gas distribution system and to distribute, store and transmit natural gas within the Municipality of North Grenville for the next 20 years.

• An order directing that the acceptance of the municipal electors of the Municipality of North Grenville is not required in relation to the by-law approving the natural gas franchise agreement.

• An order cancelling and superseding Enbridge Gas’s existing certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct works to supply gas in the Municipality of North Grenville and replacing it with a new certificate. The new certificate is needed to address a municipal name change that was implemented in 2003.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

THE ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING

There are three types of OEB hearings: oral, electronic, and written. The OEB plans to proceed with a written hearing. If you think a different hearing type is needed, you can write to us to explain why.

During this hearing, we will question the applicant about its case. We will also hear questions and arguments from participants that have registered as Intervenors. After reviewing all the evidence, we will decide whether to approve this application.

HAVE YOUR SAY

You have the right to information about this application and to participate in the process. Visit www.oeb.ca/participate and use file number EB-2024-0089 to:

• Review the application

• Apply to become an intervenor

• File a letter with your comments

IMPORTANT DATES

You must engage with the OEB on or before March 18, 2024 to:

• Provide input on the hearing type (oral, electronic or written)

• Apply to be an intervenor

If you do not, the hearing will move forward without you, and you will not receive any further notice of the proceeding.

PRIVACY

If you write a letter of comment, your name and the content of your letter will be put on the public record and the OEB website. If you are a business or if you apply to become an intervenor, all the information you file will be on the OEB website.

LEARN MORE

Ontario Energy Board

/TTY: 1 877-632-2727

Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM oeb.ca/notice

Enbridge Gas Inc.

1 866-763-5427

This hearing will be held under sections 9(3) and 9(4) of the Municipal Franchises Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.

Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM enbridgegas.com

In a statement released on February 23, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer urged Canadians to get up to date with their measles vaccine as spring break approaches. The concern is that the global surge in measles activity, combined with the decline in measles vaccine coverage among school-aged children in Canada, could lead to an increase in imported measles cases, potentially resulting in transmission in communities in Canada.

The best protection against measles is vaccination with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, which are almost 100% effective at preventing infection. According to the official statement, as of February 23, 2024, there have been 6 measles cases in Canada, some of which have required hospitalization. Most of these cases involve unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children who traveled internationally (Government of Canada). People who are not vaccinated against measles may be at risk of being infected with it when traveling internationally. Currently, a travel health notice for measles is in place for all countries. Locally, there has

been a decline in measles vaccination as a result of disruptions in access to routine childhood vaccines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Although there have not been any cases of measles in the LGL region, we are preparing for the risk of local cases when people return from travel abroad,” says Dr. Linna Li, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. “The measles vaccine is safe and effective, and is the best way for people to prevent measles.”

The Health Unit is providing four immunization clinics prior to March break specifically for measles vaccine, only for families with children traveling in the next few weeks. Appointments will be booked once a Health Unit Nurse has assessed the need for the vaccine.

If you are a family with children that will be traveling in the next 3 -4 weeks and you believe your family members have not been fully immunized for measles, please call 1-800660-5853. Ext 2313 and leave a message; or send an email to ImmunizationNursingSupport@healthunit.org.

All others are encouraged

Measles vaccine and March break travel

to contact their health care provider to see if they should have additional measles immunizations.

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe respiratory infection caused by a virus. It is not ‘an ordinary infection that all children should have’. Sometimes measles is called “red measles” (or rubeola). It should not be confused with “German measles,” which is another name for rubella.

Over 90% of people who are not immune to measles and who come into contact with the virus will become infected.

Measles begins with a fever, aches and pains, runny nose, a severe cough (often bronchitis, an infection of the airways) and very red eyes. You may think that your child has a cold. In a few days, a reddish blotchy rash begins around the face and head, then spreads down to the body, arms and legs. Bright light may cause eye pain. Measles can cause an ear infection, blindness, and pneumonia (a serious disease where breathing becomes difficult).

Young children and people who are pregnant are at highest risk of severe health effects.

If, on your journey home to Canada from travel abroad, you

suspect you may have contracted measles, put on a well-fitting medical mask and limit contact with others, if possible. If you are experiencing symptoms, tell a flight attendant or cruise staff before you arrive in Canada or a border services officer as you enter the country. If you develop symptoms of measles after your return, call a health care provider immediately. If you need to be seen in-person, the health care provider can arrange to see you while preventing the spread to others.

If you don’t have a health care provider, visit: East Region Virtual Care Clinic | Virtual Care in Ontario`s East Region (virtualcareontario.ca) or contact Health Connect Ontario at 8-1-1.

To get more information about measles and vaccination, visit: https://healthunit.org/ health-information/infectiousdiseases/childhood-diseases/ measles/

73's need to find winning formula in playoff pursuit

by G.J. the sportsguy

Wednesday evening was special at the Urbandale Arts Centre as Ryan “Diesel” Forbes’ banner with number 23 was placed on the back wall commemorating his contribution to the 73's after he lost his five year battle with cancer in December. The Forbes family were presented with a bouquet of flowers from members of the Kemptville 73's and Brockville Braves, along with his sweater encased in a frame to his parents. Also on hand were his teammates from his 96 - 97 undefeated 38 - 0 - 4 season to show their respect. His Mom and daughter dropped the puck for the opening face off to initiate the evening excursion that was decided with 4 to 3 OT goal.

Kemptville came out hot in the first frame with Moroz quarterbacking with McDougall cycling behind the net to find Trey Wandall in the

rocking chair to launch it over Zane Spaniol glove side six hole to draw first blood at 3:54. Brockville countered with extra man from Reid and Mori to Thomas Cormier PPG to put it past Dax Easter at 13:26.

The second opened with the 73's still in control as Haughian held the line to Logue unto the tape of Parker Holmes for the tie breaker at 3:27. At 3:48 the combination of Lumsden to Peter Legostaev for the Braves to knot it at two. Brockville counted another at 7:28 from Kayden Buller with helpers from Selbert and Lumsden to take the lead. The final frame was a free for all as both sides had unsuccessful attempts until Tyler Melvin single effort caught the top shelf to force OT at 17:40.

Overtime was short and sweet as Redmond from the wall to Logue in middle reversed to Tanner Fennell on glide for a crisp clapper over

the shoulder at 1:09 for Kemptville game winner of 4 to 3. Kemptville outshot Brockville 39 to 18 with ½PP to 0/1 PP.

Friday evening road trip to meet the Nationals of Rockland was a fast, furious, frenzy with Kemptville hitting the ice flatfooted with Aiden Dres from Stothers and Hall to break the ice past Dax Easter in less than a minute in the first at :27. Kemptville evened it up when Melvin reversed to Shaw on the point and Nicholas Bennett deposited the loose behind Benoit Forget at 8:18. Second go-around belonged to the Nationals as Tryston - Felix Tremblay with assist from Kelloway and O’Connor found the back of the mesh at :49. Insurance for Rockland as Bedard with Charron set up Mathieu Fillion at 2:00 to give them a two goal lead. A shortie by Alex Kelloway with helper from Bedard to chase Dax Easter for Jacob Biron at 14:23 to make it

a 4 - 1 romp.

Kemptville found themselves chasing the game into the final frame looking to find a way to claw their way back after digging themselves a huge hole. Esposito combined with Holmes back to Tyler Moroz on the line to initiate a final push for 73's at :55. Logue to Matthew O’Doherty to move Kemptville within two at 6:11. Game winner for Rockland from Charron to Anthony Hall to beat Jacob Biron at 9:12. The 73's with extra attacker sniped the rubber home at 14:23 from Tanner Fennel PPG after Logue with Melvin penetrated the zone to put them behind by one.

Kemptville pulled their stopper at 19:52 for the final run to tie and force OT. Unfortunately the sand ran out of the hour glass to give the Nationals a 5 to 4 victory. Rockland with 35 SOG to Kemptville 20 SOG with 0/1 PP to ⅓PP.

Back on the bus up the

valley for Sunday evening encounter in Pembroke to face the Lumber Kings for the final scheduled skirrmage for season. After dominating previous battles three to one, Kemptville banking on the win to keep them in the race for a playoff birth The initial frame was end to end action with each side gauging the weakness of the other until the combination of Logue with Emile Trottier to drive it home by Kevin Jones for Kemptville first marker at 12:12. Pembroke replied with one of their own when Hicklin and Blewett assisted Jayson Alegria put it past Jacob Biron at 15:24 to even it up. O'Doherty on the move with McDougall in the zone, reversed to Patrick Haughian hugging the line to pull the

trigger for the tie breaker in the middle twenty at 3:56. Pembroke pulled their stopper for extra attacker at 19:36 without results to give the 73's 2 to 1 victory. Kemptville was outgunned 29 to 28 with 0/1 PP and Pembroke 0/3 PP.

Wednesday evening the Bears of Smiths Falls will be in the 73's house and then up the highway for Sunday matinee to face Carleton Place Canadians for the last game of the season.

Hockey with EDGE!!!

See you around the boards.