Headline News

Program nurtures mental health and cultural connection

March 12, 2024

By Kaitlin Sylvester

The Algonquin Inòdewiziwin Child and Family Centre, a branch of the North Hastings Children Service offers a monthly Indigenous led culture circle. The theme this month was mental wellbeing, with a talk about historic practises alongside a gratitude journal workshop. The event ran from 10 to noon on Saturday, March 9. Run by Diane Martin and Gidge Tinney, the event was a morning of creativity and cultural learning.
The Cultural Circle is an integral part of the Algonquin Inòdewiziwin Child and Family Centre, a space where Indigenous and non-Indigenous families can come together to delve into the rich tapestry of Algonquin culture. In a community still recovering from the impacts of colonization, the programs offered here play a crucial role in reconnecting with lost teachings and rebuilding the spiritual fabric of the Kijicho Manito Madaouskarini Algonquin First Nation.
Martin and Tinney, both proud members of the Algonquin First Nation, are personally invested in these programs, having designed them to address the needs of the community. Martin says they were driven by their own experiences growing up without the guidance of cultural teachings which create a need to ensure that future generations have the opportunities and cultural grounding they lacked in their youth.
This week’s focus on positive mindset aligns with the changing seasons, marking the departure from the darker months of winter. Martin said “We chose [to focus] on a positive mindset for the last two cultural circles, as we are leaving our darker months of winter where there has not been much sunlight, [which] can have a negative effect on many people.” Recognizing the impact of winter scarcity on mental health, the Algonquin Inòdewiziwin Child and Family Centre aims to equip attendees with tools like gratitude journals or worry stones to cultivate a positive frame of mind in their daily lives. “Our hope for our attendees is that they learn new tools to add to their everyday life, so they start their days off in a positive frame of mind,” offered Tinney.
During the workshop, local women engaged in a lively discussion with Martin and Tinney about the nature of Indigenous medicine and mental health. Tinney acknowledges ‘gratitude journals’ are a Western concept, but said, “spiritually and holistically Indigenous people [practice gratitude] every day without calling it gratitude … it is gratitude for Mother Earth, or for the Creator for providing all of everything we have. For providing the animals that could put clothing on our back, that put food on our tables. The plants could help us if we were sick.”
Discussions moved to Indigenous Medicine Wheel teachings, which focus on the connection between physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental health. Spirituality can be a tricky topic with a group of relative strangers, but Tinney skillfully navigated the conversation saying “where we have conflict between different cultures is that we forget spirituality is an individual experience. It’s a guideline of how to live a good life … We all live in different parts of the world. Does it make one [spirituality] right or wrong?”
Gratitude is a concept with roots in cultures around the world, a fact recognized by both Tinney and Martin, who also spoke eloquently about how music and movement also show up across cultures as a powerful means of shifting focus from negative occurrences to positive reflections. In a world filled with war, inflation, and other mundane challenges, Martin says taking a moment to identify three things for which one is grateful can be transformative. Tinney said she is grateful for the nourishing rain, the melodies of singing birds, and the presence of those who share in the journey of healing the community.
The Algonquin Inòdewiziwin Child and Family Centre emphasizes inclusivity, offering its programs free of charge to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous families. This commitment reflects a broader mission to enhance cultural awareness and foster a sense of community within and beyond the Algonquin First Nation. “As we know, it takes a village to raise children,” said Martin, “so let us raise them to the best of our abilities and encourage bias free and open-mindedness about all cultures and people with different abilities.”
The reach of the Algonquin Inòdewiziwin Child and Family Centre extends beyond a single event, and is instead reflected in their ongoing effort to build a foundation of strength and resilience within the community.The Algonquin Inòdewiziwin Child and Family Centre aims to uplift each individual and, by extension, the entire community. “In a world where no one is perfect,” said Tinney, “the emphasis is on mutual support and appreciation for the unique contributions each person brings.”
As participants engaged in creating gratitude journals, they were not merely creating art; they were weaving threads of connection, resilience, and cultural pride. The Algonquin Inòdewiziwin Cultural Circle serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Kijicho Manito Madaouskarini Algonquin First Nation, striving to reclaim its heritage and forge a path of healing for current and future generations. As Martin said, “the medicine wheel teaches us that when someone is lacking spiritual health it’s going to affect all of these other parts of their being – their mental health, their physical health, and their emotional health.” Miigwetch.

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General News » Sports

Hastings Snowshoe Hustle cancelled due to weather

March 12, 2024

By Mike Riley

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With Mother Nature refusing to cooperate, the Hastings Snowshoe Hustle, scheduled for March 10 at Camp Cedar Ridge in McArthurs Mills in Carlow Mayo Township, has been cancelled due to lack of snow. While the first such race in Hastings County was a big success last year, and this year’s event was a no-go due to weather, Carl Stefanski, chair of Hastings Destination Trails Inc. who helped organize the event, say that next year’s Hastings Snowshoe Hustle will be bigger and better than ever.
Grayson Burke, camp director at Camp Cedar Ridge, confirmed that the event had been cancelled due to lack of snow.
“So strange not to have any snow in early March. We are looking to reschedule an event for the [North Hastings] Community Cupboard in the spring,” he says.
Last year, the first year such a snowshoe race was held in Hastings County, the event was a big success, with 67 people attending, and another 26 that would have attended but were deterred by a big snowstorm that made travel difficult.
Burke told Bancroft This Week back in 2023 that their plan was to start an annual snowshoe race in Hastings County with two main goals; to attract tourism to showcase the incredible beauty of the region, and to provide an opportunity to local families to have fun and introduce them to the sport of snowshoe racing. He said the feedback to the 2023 race from participants was very positive.
Stefanski, the chair of Hastings Destination Trails Inc., who helped organize the event, says it was a great disappointment to all concerned but they don’t control Mother Nature.
“If you recall, our inaugural launch of the event last year on March 4 was a huge success with 62 participants in attendance, despite experiencing a horrendous snowstorm. While I sit here responding to your request and watching the rain, I reflect on the kindness of those willing to volunteer and participate in our venture,” he says.  
Stefanski says he wanted to thank the following individuals who stepped up; Foodland Bancroft, who supplied hot dogs, buns, condiments and hot chocolate, Trailhead Belleville, who supplied two $25 gift cards for prizes, Carlow Mayo Public Library, who provided arts and crafts, Julie Edwards, providing health and safety, Carlow Mayo Township staff and Mayor Randy Wallace, who provided site preparation, and Cedar Ridge Camp for providing the venue, the board of HDTI for assisting in the logistics, Hasting County Economic Development, and the many other volunteers, too numerous to mention.
Stefanski reveals that enquiries have been made as to what else HDTI is planning and the answer is “lots.” In addition to their waterways committee continuing the water trails mapping beginning in May and to be done by the fall, they are also in talks with the Kijicho Manito Madaouskarini Algonquins to collaborate on projects that would complement HDTI with their knowledge and experience.
“[We’ll be] exploring the possibility of connecting McGeachie Conservation east and west trails together with reigniting interest in the Trail of Broken Hearts, we’ll be doing educational events of environmental, geological and astronomical themes (similar to Dark Sky), and not to forget snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking and biking. We’ll also continue to participate in the Coe Hill and Madoc Fairs, and MACK (Marmora and Area Canoe and Kayak) Fest,” he says.
For more information, go to www.hastingstrails.ca.
Stefanski tells Bancroft This Week that this year’s event would have been quite a change from last year.
“This year’s estimated head count was close to 100 attendees and rather than a snowshoe race, we decided on a family fun day involving casual racing, a bonfire, archery, tobogganing, skating and a rock-climbing wall. Admission was a donation of one non perishable food item for the North Hastings Community Cupboard,” he says. “Based on the interest this year, preparations are being made for Hastings Snowshoe Hustle 2025.”

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Letters

Poilievre too cozy with dictators like Trump, Putin

March 12, 2024

To the Editor,
Mr. Poilievre, and what has become of the “Regressive Conservative Party”, are in favour of cutting Canada’s aid to Ukraine.
Does anyone remember how this world stood by while Hitler invaded and devastated Poland?
Russia and Canada are in dispute over land claims now. Do we remember why the Dew Line was built?
As Putin and Trump,, Poilievre too seems to have a great thirst for undisputed power. This is scary, particularly as our planet burns.
Politicians of every stripe should not be only interested in their own job and personal and party power – good politicians are good people who work as a team across party lines to find solutions for all, to save our planet and all its inhabitants. Do we remember that this is how Canada got Universal Health Care (CCF/NDP Tommy Douglas working with the Liberal government of the day)? And most recently (again thanks to the NDP and Liberals) achieve Canada’s Dental Plan and newly introduced PharmaCare bill?
Using fear misinformation and anger to create and fuel division does not belong in politics, does not protect democracy and will not serve to protect our planet or fix what is broken in our country, or in our world.
Working together, finding common ground and building joint solutions is what governing is about – it is what most of us want for our families our communities, our planet.
The value of learning from history is to help prevent us from repeating mistakes and committing atrocities It is also a very valuable road map for continuing to build on accomplishments toward achieving an equitable society and healthier planet.

Fred Phipps,
Haliburton

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Headline News

Water deposit bills surprise and upset Bancroft tenants

March 12, 2024

By Bill Kilpatrick

“How the hell am I going to pay this,” said Woodview Lane resident Diane Mackinlay when she received a letter from the Town of Bancroft near the end of February demanding that she pay a $250 deposit for her water and sewer service. Mackinlay who has been a tenant of Woodview Lane since 1997 and is on a pension was confused about why she was getting this invoice for a deposit when her water was hooked up almost 30 years ago, “I was just stunned. I don’t understand why they are asking for this,” said an exasperated Mackinlay, “I’ve been paying them for 30 years.”
Mackinlay was not the only person to get the letter from the Town, multiple other tenants who have been residing at Woodview Lane for over 10 years also received the letters.
The letter is dated Feb. 12 and begins, “Dear Tenant, In the Town of Bancroft, when a tenant sets up a new water and sewer account, it is required of the tenant to pay a $250 deposit. The deposit is to be kept with the Town of Bancroft as security towards payment for any possible account arrears, damages, or final billings when the tenant moves, or the account is terminated. […] Since you have not paid your deposit and/or submitted your water and sewer contract, the Town has charged your account the $250, which is due immediately […].”
When Mackinlay called the Town of Bancroft to discuss the deposit she was told by the treasurer Wendelin Lonergan, that their records showed her moving into her residence in 2004, but there was one problem, she moved in in 1997, but according to Mackinlay their records did not go back that far, “How do you go back 30 years?” said Mackinlay, “Maybe I’ve paid twice and don’t know it.”
Mackinlay did not have any records of her paying the deposit in 1997, but at that time she was on the Ontario Disability Support Program, who generally takes care of deposits along with utility costs. She does not believe that the Ontario government would still have her file since for the last 10 years she has been on a pension. Mackinlay said that she was worried that if she didn’t pay “immediately” like the letter said that the town would shut off her water. She was also concerned about the interest that was going to be charged at 1.25 per cent per month if she refused to pay so she just went to the town and put it on her credit card. She was lucky to get enough income tax back to pay it back immediately, but was also charged an extra fee by the town for using her credit card to pay the deposit.
Vicky Anderson, the property support person at Woodview Lane, has heard from multiple residents about the surprise water deposit invoices pointing out that they are, “causing everybody to be stressed out and upset and afraid of losing their water.” Anderson has had to go back through multiple resident’s files trying to find out whether or not they did in fact pay the deposit. Another resident, Roger Sidle, who has been a tenant at Woodview Lane since 2002 is confused about how he did not pay the required deposit since he was also on Ontario Disability when he moved in, “All utilities are paid directly by ODSP,” he told Bancroft This Week. Sidle also pointed out that just to get into a residence at Woodview all tenants have to have water and hydro worked out before they even move in, “it’s mandatory,” said a confused Sidle.
Bancroft This Week spoke to Cavelle Sibley, the property manager at Woodview Lane, who confirmed that all tenants must have hydro, water and sewer, and tenant’s insurance in place before they even get the key for the residence.
While it is not clear how long the Town of Bancroft has required a water and sewer deposit, another resident, who did not want to be named, said that they had to pay a $200 deposit back in 1994 when they moved in. Anderson and Sibley receive a bi-monthly update from the Town of Bancroft that shows which residents are in arrears and which have paid a deposit and according to Anderson, there are some residents who have no balance on their account and no deposit, a small balance and no deposit, and a credit on their account and have paid the deposit, but all of them, regardless, received letters.
One of those tenants was pensioner Patricia (Patsy) Brethour who has been at Woodview Lane for over 30 years. “I’m wondering why they waited so long [to send out the letters]” said Brethour, “I don’t think it’s fair that they hit you all at once. I do pay my bills.” Brethour said that the extra costs of the water deposit will most likely have to come out of her grocery budget.
Bancroft This Week reached out to Lonergan by email who explained that deposits are not required by homeowners, but only tenants. She said that “a review was done on all water accounts and invoices were sent to those accounts that did not have a deposit on hand.” In a follow up email Bancroft This Week inquired as to whether or not this was a direction of council, among other questions, but had received no reply by press time. Bancroft This Week reached out to Bancroft Mayor Paul Jenkins who said that he was not aware of the letters being sent out but that, “he would look into it.”
Sharron McCullough, who has been a tenant on Woodview Lane since 2004, is also confused about why the letters are being sent out at this point in time. “I don’t consider 20 years later a new account,” she said referring to the reference to “new water and sewer” accounts in the letter.
McCullough said that when she spoke to Lonergan about the deposit, she suggested that perhaps installments might be a better way to help those who have low incomes, “would it not be more humane to tag on an extra five or $10 a month until the deposit is paid?” stated McCullough. But when that suggestion was put to Lonergan, recalled McCullough, she was adamant that the amount had to be paid in full, “she gave no leeway, and said there were no exceptions.”
This was a suggestion that was also put to Lonergan by Mackinlay who suggested “incremental payments” and received the same replay that McCullough received. Bancroft This Week asked Lonergan in an email why this was not being considered as an option for tenants but received no response by press time. McCullough said that she has spoken to no less than seven residents on Woodview Lane, “most of the people who have come to me are seniors,” said McCullough adding that most of them “have no money left at the end of the month.”
While the residents on Woodview Lane are not the only tenants in the town who have received the water deposit letter, they are the people who are being impacted the most.
Linda Lapalme, who has also been on Woodview for over 20 years was furious when she received the letter and went straight to the town offices to inquire about it. She said that despite her anger she paid the deposit, but expressed her unhappiness to Lonergan about the decision to ask for the deposits after such a long time, “Why am I being punished for paying my bill early for 20 years?” she said. Another long-time resident of Woodview Lane who did not want to be identified, could not remember if their deposit was paid, but expressed anxiety and worry that the credit on their account might get “taken away” and applied to the deposit.
So far, the Town of Bancroft has been tight lipped about the deposit letters, which has led many of the residents on Woodview Lane to speculate that this is nothing more than a money grab. However, as Anderson explained, the town does not lose money from water and sewer arrears from tenants because those delinquent accounts, in the case of Woodview, “get charged back to the corporation and then the landlord has to chase them down,”
This was confirmed by Lonergan who said in an email that, “Arrears are handled by sending a letter for payment and if payment is not made it gets put on the tax roll [of the landlord] which avoids water being shut off.”
The overarching questions that remain to be answered are how did these residents get their water hooked up without a deposit if a deposit is “required” as the letter states, and why were these allegedly delinquent deposits not identified earlier? Mackinlay pointed out that she had moved three times to different residences on Woodview lane, in 1997, 2006, and 2013, and questioned how the town missed noticing that she allegedly did not have a water deposit when she had to change addresses three times. This was a point that McCullough also raised pointing out that she had to move residences on Woodview in 2009, but was never notified that she allegedly did not have a water deposit on hand with the town. “This doesn’t make sense to me,” said Lapalme, “It’s not logical, and I’m a very logical person.”
While some residents paid the deposit out of fear that their water may be shut off and to avoid interest penalties accruing, others, like McCullough, have decided to dig their heels in stating, “I don’t have $250. I’m not paying it.”

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Commentary

The benefits of lifting weights

March 12, 2024

By Nate Smelle

DRIVING TO BANCROFT early Monday evening, I had to pull over my car when I found myself being drawn in by the magnetic beauty of the setting sun. After soaking it in for a brief moment and taking a few photos, I felt a sense of relief as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
Appreciating the tangible benefits of the roadside attraction I had just witnessed, I restarted my car and continued on my journey.
Before I left my home that night, I had been watching BBC News coverage of the carnage in Haiti, Gaza, and Ukraine. Although I hadn’t realized it until the weight was gone, the images of starving infants and fly-covered corpses had gotten to me. It is hard to smile when accepting the awareness of so many innocent people dying for corrupt causes.
I recall experiencing a similar feeling of dread and despair a few years back as I sat in my vehicle outside the North Hastings Public Library researching death tolls during the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeling a sense of duty to share the best, most accurate information regarding the unprecedented emergency I admitted in that moment that I had been steeped in the misery of the world too long for my own good.
Since then I have been trying to absorb my news of the world in small doses. Of course it is our responsibility to stay informed regarding the good, the bad, and the ugliness of human nature, but I am starting to realize how important it is for one’s mental health to take a break.
While I am still monitoring the amount of death and destruction I observe in the news, all one needs to reach one’s limit these days is watch a single report. Within less than a minute of seriously paying attention, as I am sure most of you reading this know, you will feel that weight on your shoulders grow heavier. A half hour or so into your period of worldwide observation, the weight will have become such a burden, that the only remedy was a long hike and a glass of bourbon.
When there was no real point of going out for non-essential reasons during the pandemic, I found this, with or without the drink to be the best cure for the lockdown blues. I can’t imagine what it would have been like to ride that nightmare out in some small apartment in the city where the only nature avaiable for such therapy was on your TV, phone, or computer screen. For me, thinking of such awful, yet unavoidable circustances faced by so many for so long – as well as the fear generated by the uncertainty of those managing the crisis – really opened my eyes to how truly lucky we are to live in such a peaceful and beauiful place.
Now, as violence and war are again sadly and unnecessarily taking up more and more of our precious time and energy, we need to take time to understand the value nature has in regards to our personal health and well-being.
This year as the temperatures warm and the tourists and cottagers arrive to enjoy the natural beauty we experience every day, take a moment to reflect on the trees, rocks, water , and wildlife outside your window. Better yet, set aside a few moments each day – as many as possible, really – to get outdoors and let your senses experience it. As soon as you do, I assure you that you will not regret it.
Sitting quietly, writing in the sunshine on my front porch,listening to the birds, a flock of Canadian geese flying over the heads of the red-winged blackbirds I was watching. As I write this, I can smell that scent that arises each year around this time; it is the scent of life returning to the warming soil. It can be easy to overlook these relatively simple sources of calm, given the pace of our day-to-day routines. However, for our own peace of mind in these strange and dangerous times, it is critical that we do not take them for granted.
When we invest our time and energy in fully appreciating all aspects of our natural environment, we begin to acknowledge our place within it. From our firsthand experience of this all encompassing interconnectedness, we temporarily forget about the reasons why we fight, exploit, and kill each other and our home planet. It is in this forgetfulness, and the opportunity to remeber who we are and what kind of world we value that we find an opportunity to start to making peace with ourselves and each other.
Recently The Bancroft Times launched its Stories of Peace column by Chris Houston, president of the Canadian Peace Museum. As part of his efforts to make Bancroft the Peace Capital of Canada by making it home to the Canadian Peace Museum, each week, Houston interviews peace advocates living in and connected with our community. If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure to pick up the next edition and check it out.
What I have learned from the Stories of Peace he has shared so far, is that those who have seen the horrors of war and violence up close, those who have feared for their lives in every moment for extended periods of time, are the ones who value peace the most.
I suppose Joni Mitchell was right when she said, “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.”

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General News

Prom Project makes dreams come true for local students

March 5, 2024

By Kaitlin Sylvester

The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation, in collaboration with the Children’s Foundation and Quinte Mall, has launched Prom Project 2024, an initiative aimed at breaking down barriers for students, enabling them to fully participate in their graduation and prom events. This program, which has been operational since 2012, took a pause during the pandemic, and its return promises a positive impact on students.
The Children’s Foundation has assembled a dedicated committee of volunteers, including staff from the HPELF. The first phase, running until March 31, focuses on collecting prom attire from the community, while the second phase involves give-away days, where students can select formal wear at no cost. Each year, several hundred students attend Prom Project events, and this year is expected to be no different.
Event organizer Kelly Brace, along with the entire team, is deeply invested in the success of the Prom Project. The initiative aims to provide an equitable experience for graduating students, says Brace. “We believe that everyone deserves to fully participate in all aspects of their school experience. Graduations and proms are the final, culminating events for youth which symbolizes the passage into the next step in their life journey. We want all those who want to participate to be able to do so, and not be excluded due to economic barriers.”
Programs like the Prom Project hold particular importance for students in rural communities.The program addresses economic barriers, ensuring that every student, regardless of their financial circumstances, can fully participate in these milestone events. Brace says “ Given the current economic struggles that many are facing, some students may not have been able to attend their prom if they had to purchase a dress or suit..”
The Prom Project is asking local residents to donate gently used dresses, suits and separates which will be used to provide a one-of-a-kind ‘shopping’ experience for the students. The give-away events, planned for April 5 and 6 in Belleville and April 17 in Maynooth are the highlight of the Prom Project. Offering students the opportunity to browse through a curated selection of dresses, suits, and accessories they might not otherwise have had access to.
“We wanted access points to Prom Project to be spread out across the region and we are very grateful for the dedicated staff at North Hastings High School and Prince Edward Collegiate Institute for joining the Prom Project committee,” said Brace when speaking about the event locations. “We are also working on a location in Northumberland County (details to follow). tol allow students who live outside of Belleville, and who would not have been able to travel, to participate closer to home.”
As the project gears up for the 2024 prom season, the HPELF team extends an invitation to the community to donate formal wear they no longer need to the cause. Donations can be dropped off at Quinte Mall in Belleville, North Hastings High School in Bancroft, and Prince Edward Collegiate Institute in Picton. Through collective efforts, the community can ensure that all graduates have the chance to celebrate their graduation and attend their prom in style. As Brace puts it, “this is time for celebration, for reflection and for hope.”

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Commentary

Dismantling our ability to care

March 5, 2024

By Nate Smelle

JUST FOR A moment, or perhaps, as long as necessary, let’s put aside our political differences, and have a serious discussion about two of the most essential elements involved in the formation of an enjoyable quality of life: our health and happiness.
While some might debate the rights of all to enjoy the latter, it is impossible to deny that good health for all is the best possible outcome for the future of humanity. Of course if we are talking about best possible outcomes, then I’m sure you would agree that good health and happiness for all would be an even better scenario.
Considering the fact that one cannot sustain their happiness without good health, it is also critical to acknowledge that the our ability to experience an enjoyable quality of life is therefore dependent on our potential to be healthy.
In light of these simple yet irrefutable observations, one may gain insight into what can be identified as the purpose of politics: humanity’s innate desire to foster the best possible quality of life for the most, ideally all people. I highly doubt anyone, no matter which colour the sign on their lawn may be during election time, would disagree that such all-encompassing compassion would be a worthwhile goal for those engaged in our political system to strive for.
With this goal in mind, any honest, well-intentioned politician comes to understand the fundamental value of establishing a robust, publicly-funded health care system that provides the best care possible to the greatest number of people.
So, as we harbour this awareness, why is it that in 2024 politicians are attempting to dismantle the public health care system we have built with our tax dollars over generations?
Initially I began writing this column over a month ago as a sort of follow up to the many attempts I have made to have a discussion — on or off the record — with our local Member of Provincial Parliament Ric Bresee. However, after witnessing the so-called “leader” of the federal Conservatives tuck his tail between his legs and run scared back into the make-up room when confronted with a question about whether he would attempt to dismantle the national pharmacare program tabled by the federal Liberals and New Democrats, I realized that the reason for our MPP’s silence is that both the federal and provincial Conservatives are ashamed of their stance on health care.
Oh well, I suppose in a democracy we all get stuck with the government we deserve whether we voted for them or not.
As our friends south of the border gear up for what will certainly be the most important election in the nation’s history, we have the luxury of sitting back and watching the circus from a distance. Still, because our federal election is not expected to take place until 2025 thanks to the cooperation of the Liberals and NDP, we have the opportunity to learn from their political decisions.
As someone who watches every American and Canadian election very closely, the influence that politics in the United States has on Canada is undeniable. For example, just look to the half-assed insurrection by the misnamed “Freedom Convoy” which took place after an oddly similar Trump-led insurrection on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Some of you reading this might be wondering why I am getting into American politics while discussing health care in Ontario and Canada? Well, basically because we tend to follow our southern neighbours either right or left after each one of their elections. That is why it is so crucial for us to pay attention to what a second Trump presidency will mean for Canadians.
According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, “Between the years 2016 and 2019—the majority of President Donald Trump’s [previous] term in office—the number of Americans without health insurance jumped by about 2.3 million, and that loss of health coverage led to at least 3,399 deaths and possibly as many as 25,180, a new analysis found.”
Does this fit with our vision of the health care we deserve as Canadians, as humans for that matter? What about the best health and happiness for all?
Watching the federal Conservative’s Pierre Poilievre fail to convince anyone paying attention that he genuinely cares about the health and happiness of working class Canadians —the majority of us—it is no wonder he is becoming more unlikeable with every word that exits his face.
Discovering this week that the Bancroft Community Family Health Team is desperately seeking financial support from local municipalities to maintain the quality of health care in the region is as it sounds reason for alarm among all of us.
Everyone reading this has at one time or another relied on our publicly-funded health care system in Ontario. Yet still, somehow, the government we elected twice continues to do everything possible to dismantle this essential component in our quality of life.
Despite recent announcements from the Ford government regarding alleged funding for health care in Ontario, our local family health team will receive nothing. That’s right, nothing! In fact, the Bancroft Community Family Health Team has not received a cost-of-living increase or operational cost funding in over 10 years. That’s right, 10 years! In that time, what has our provincial government done to actually improve the quality of health care in North Hastings? As necessary as wishes and prayers aimed to improve our health are, how do they expect the quality of care to improve if they are not willing to invest in our local health care system?
Recognizing that the organization is already in a compromised position, our provincial government, if they want to be re-elected outside of ridings such as Hastings — Lennox and Addington that almost always vote blue, they need to realize that their voters actually care about their personal health and happiness; and that means having access to high quality publicly-funded health care in Ontario.
We all know health care is the responsibility of the province, not the municipality. The Ford government also needs to know that we Ontarians are smarter than they think; and, that we will not allow them to dismantle our ability to care for each other.

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Headline News

Wilberforce students raise nearly $2,800 for food program

March 5, 2024

By Mike Riley

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A couple of residents of Benoir Lake raised $2,780 from a RADAR snowmobile race on Feb. 18 and decided to donate it to Wilberforce Elementary School’s food program. Angelo Bortolazzo and Brandi Loverock donated the money and had a free barbecue for the school’s kids on Feb. 27, helped by the culinary talents and time of AM/PM Outdoor Gourmet owner Andrea McKenzie.
Sandra MacDonald, WES’s secretary, reached out to Bancroft This Week about this donation by Bortolazzo and Loverock to their food program on Feb. 27, along with the free barbecue they were having for the students. They had a RADAR snowmobile run on Benoir Lake with 600 people in attendance and with a 50/50 draw and donations raised the $2,780. McKenzie, owner of AM/PM Outdoor Gourmet (www.ampmoutdoorgourmet.wixsite.com), also a resident of Benoir Lake whose sons are at WES donated her time, culinary expertise and the food products to the barbecue.
“I’m on the lake and everybody, friends and customers, got together to do this,” she says.
MacDonald thought it was going great on Feb. 27 at the barbecue and said she thought it was cool for them to give the school a call to let them know they were going to do this.
“So, it’s going to make a big difference for our local food program. We provide breakfast and lunch everyday and those are expensive programs to run. So, it’s a really big help. It really helps our students come to school regularly with both breakfast and lunch available to them,” she says.
Loverock says that she and Bortolazzo’s son Ryder used to come to WES and they knew they had a food program.
“We phoned the school to see if they were in need of a donation and they said yes,” she says.
For more information on the WES’s food program or to make a donation, contact MacDonald at 705-448-2421, ext. 77010 or at Sandra.macdonald@tldsb.on.ca.
WES teacher Jacob Findeis told Bancroft This Week that he thought that the donation and the barbecue for the kids was awesome and thought it was nice to get the money and feel its impact for a long time.
“I think it speaks to the sense of community that Sandy and the school have worked hard to earn the trust from the community and continue to bring people out and creating that sense of community. It comes back and shows itself in these kinds of ways when a former student’s family says we’d still like to support you,” he says. “I couldn’t be prouder, couldn’t be happier.”

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Headline News » Sports

Huskies’ wrestlers headed to Ontario championship

March 5, 2024

By Bill Kilpatrick

Three wrestlers from North Hastings High School are headed to Stoney Creek, near Hamilton, for the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations wrestling championships which are being held from March 5-6. Sixteen-year-old Jaxsyn Gillis, is heading to the Ontario wrestling championships for his second year, but this year he is hoping for a top three finish.
Jaxsyn has been having a great year so far, but it hasn’t been without its setbacks either. In his first tournament held in December at Kenner Secondary School in Peterborough, he wrestled in two weight classes, the 77 kilogram and the 83 kilogram, and won them both while only having one point scored on him. However, at the provincial tournament on Feb. 3 in Markham he ended up finishing fifth, which for him was a personal disappointment, “I wasn’t really satisfied with my performance,” he told Bancroft This Week, “I could have done better.”
At the Central Ontario Secondary School Association qualifier, he did just that, by winning gold in the 83 kilogram weight class without getting a point scored on him. Jaxsyn now faces 32 of the best wrestlers in Ontario and he is not planning to have a finish like the provincials, “I’m feeling good and looking forward to it,” he said, “I’m ready to go top three at OFSSA.”
Jaxsyn’s younger brother Parker Gillis is heading to OFSSA for the first time wrestling in the 64 kilogram class, but he almost didn’t make it. Parker told Bancroft This Week that he lost his first match at the Central Ontario qualifier and things were not looking good, but he managed to battle his way back and won the next four matches straight to land in third place, but only the top two get to go to OFSSA. However, as Lyle Collins, one of Parker’s coaches explained, “If you haven’t wrestled the guy who lost the gold medal match, the third place can challenge him for his spot,” and that’s exactly what Parker did. “I was worried,” explained Parker, “because the guy I beat in the finals beat the kid who beat me first. I had nothing to lose going into it.” Parker then decisively won the match 13-1 allowing him to go to OFSSA. While he technically beat the silver medal winner and took his spot at OFSSA, he still technically came in third at the Central Ontario qualifier, but for him, he explained, it will always be a silver medal finish. “I’m just happy I made it,” said Parker, “My goal was to make it to OFSSA and I’m just going to try and learn as much as I can from my matches.”
Fifteen-year-old Odin Worsley is also heading to OFSSA for a second time wrestling in the 76.5 kilogram weight class. Last year Odin won silver at the Central Ontario qualifier, and went 1-2 at OFSSA, but this year he won gold and is hoping for a better finish at OFSSA. Having been at OFSSA once already, Odin knows the competition will be stiff, and says that he’s “feeling fine,” heading into the tournament.
Collins explained that you get out of wrestling what you put into it adding that these three have worked hard to get where they’re at. Collins coaches with Sean Roulston, whom Collins is grateful to have assisting the students. “He’s an awesome wrestler,” said Collins, “He won OFSSA, so having him is a great plus.” Collins and Roulston have one message for their students, “You come to practice, listen to what we tell you, and work hard we’ll get you as far as you want to go.” Collins said that Jaxsyn was working with Roulston all summer and his success is a direct result of his dedication and work ethic, it also explains why multiple times during the interview Jaxsyn gave shout outs to Roulston.
To try and encourage more students to participate Collins, Roulston and Dr. Eric Blanchard are looking to run a wrestling clinic before the start of the season with the goal of exposing more people to the sport, “They have no concept of what the sport is,” said Collins adding that most people are only exposed to it once every four years at the Olympics. The hope is too increase interest in the sport as the number of wrestlers has been diminishing over the years. At its peak the wrestling club had 25-30 kids, but this year 10 kids tried out and by the end of the season there were only six left. Collins is hoping that he will get to see one of the male competitors place in the top three before he quits coaching, “I have two girls get bronze,” he said, “but I’ve never had a guy finish higher than the top six,” but who knows, maybe this year will be the year?

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General News

Tudor and Cashel residents learn about living responsibly

February 27, 2024

By Mike Riley

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tudor and Cashel Township hosted a Lunch and Learn on Feb. 21 at the township community centre. Tim Baragar, funeral director at Neuman Family Funeral Home in Bancroft talked about living responsibly and planning for the realities of life to make fulfilling these realities, like funeral planning, easier in the long run. Councillor Elain Holloway, chair of the Community and Communications Advisory Committee, comments on this event.
Baragar told attendees at the Feb. 21 Lunch and Learn about Living Responsibly at the Tudor and Cashel community centre that living responsibly and preparing makes fulfilling life’s realities like funeral planning, more attainable than not, reducing stress and financial burdens in the process.
Baragar said the biggest misconception is that you have to prepay to prearrange your funeral, which you don’t.
“The biggest advantage of prepaying is that whomever is in charge of your affairs knows exactly what your wishes are. I’ve been doing this for nearly 43 years and we’ve had a few situations where the family will slightly tweak the arrangements recorded but not in a major way. They’re just so thankful to have a blueprint to go by,” he says.
Baragar told a personal story of his parents pre-planning their funeral arrangements and how it subsequently avoided conflict between him and his sister when his mother passed away.
“Because we had Mom’s blueprint, the only thing she told us was that she didn’t need a fancy casket but she wanted a waterproof vault. I told her that the cemetery she was going to that there has never been water there and she said that’s good because I’ve never been any hell at the backstroke!” he says.
Baragar said the only person who can make major changes to someone’s prearranged funeral plans are the executor/executrix of the estate, which he said thankfully has not happened very much in his experience, although it did happen once and created a lot of conflict within that specific family at a difficult time.
Baragar also answered some frequently asked questions like; do I have to be embalmed? (No, only if there’s a viewing and there’s a potential health risk to having that person not embalmed such as a viewing or if they’re entering or leaving Ontario or Canada), if I pass at home, can I still be an organ donor? (No, advance notice must be given at the hospital and you need to be kept on life support for organs to be viable for donation, except for the eyes, which can be donated), and many other queries covering cremation versus burial, donating one’s body to science (which he did not recommend as in his experience the families and the bodies are treating poorly), how deep does a grave need to be (four feet deep), if a concrete vault is required for burials (no, only if there’s an environmental concern) and the necessity of having a will in place prior to one’s passing to minimize the confusion and stress on family members.
“I’d like to think that I speak for any funeral director, please know that we’re not someone you need to avoid. If you want to get valid funeral information, don’t rely on the gossip circle at Tim Hortons, because in all likelihood, you’re going to hear something you don’t like and assume it’s right and it is likely not correct. We’re just members of the community. We have to live here too. If you have a question, or want to know something like funeral costs, pick up the phone or stop in and ask the question,” he says.
For more information, contact Baragar at 613-332-3990 or in person at Neuman Family Funeral Home at 38 Bridge Street West in Bancroft. (www.neumanfamilyfuneralhome.com)
Holloway told Bancroft This Week that her own personal experience spurred her into wanting to help others become aware of the importance of living responsibly.
“Leaving our families with our wishes, a plan, learning the truth about what actually happens and how to prepare for end of life. Tim Baragar made this often-difficult discussion, mixed with a little humour, easier to absorb. I’m so grateful we’ve had the opportunity to offer these sessions through the Ontario Seniors Accessiblity Program Grant and hope to continue this program into the future,” she says. “Next month, [April 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.] we will be hosting a Physical and Mental Well Being Lunch and Learn and plans are already underway.”

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