Grey-Bruce Kids Summer 2024

A FREE MAGAZINE FOR 

PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS 

SUMMER 2024 • Volume 14 Issue 2 • greybrucekids.com 

INSURING 

YOUR NEW 

DRIVER 

Regulating 

EMOTIONS 

DINNER TIME! 

Nutrition tips for all ages 

FREE!

FROM THE PUBLISHER 

Beautiful summertime 

Sweet, sweet summer in Grey/Bruce – it’s when the world starts to really feel alive 

again, our communities are bustling with visitors, farmers are working hard in the 

fields, and those of us lucky enough to call this place home are taking advantage of 

every minute we have living in paradise. 

I truly feel we are blessed to live in a region rich with natural assets, from beautiful 

beaches and amazing waterfalls to access to local produce, well-kept trails and no 

shortage of wide open spaces to encourage our kids to explore. 

Generally, our summer weather is perfectly suited for long bike rides and hikes, 

cheering on our favourite athletes at their baseball and soccer games, reading a book in 

the shade of your campsite at one of our incredible Provincial Parks, throwing a stick 

for your pup during a gorgeous sunset, and telling stories with friends in front of a 

roaring campfire. 

Is it any wonder tourists drive hours upon hours just to experience a few days in our 

paradise? 

This marks our 13 th summer issue and it always amazes me the knowledgable and 

talented resources we have in our community. Thank you to Kathyrn Forsyth at Grey 

Bruce Public Health for writing about something we can’t live without, but don’t 

always think about – water! If you are thinking of exploring our region this summer, 

be sure to read the article about the Point Clark Lighthouse, a National Historic Site, 

in Huron-Kinloss, at the south-westerly tip of Bruce County. 

Cindy Druyf-Hatchard, Keystone Child, Youth and Family Services, shares her 

expertise about regulating children’s emotions, while Todd Farrell, President of Miller 

Insurance, lends expertise about what to consider when your teen gets their driver’s 

license. 

Finally, Brianne Ozimok from the Brockton and Area Family Health Team, writes 

about nutritional guidelines from birth to 

school age. 

Thank you for reading our summer issue – I 

hope you soak up all this amazing season has 

to offer in this incredible region! 

Amy Irwin, Publisher 

CONTENTS 

4 The power of water 

8 Point Clark Lighthouse 

14 Regulating emotions 

18 New drivers 

22 Kids at dinnertime 

26 Resources 

30 Recipes 

SUMMER 2024 

Publisher 

Amy Irwin 

amy@greybrucekids.com 

Magazine Design 

Becky Grebenjak 

Advertising inquiries 

Amy Irwin 


Grey-Bruce Kids welcomes your feedback. 

EMAIL amy@greybrucekids.com 

PHONE 519-524-0101 

MAIL P.O. Box 287, Ripley, ON N0G 2R0 

Grey-Bruce Kids is distributed for free in Grey and 

Bruce counties, and is published each March, June, 

September and December. Distribution of this 

publication does not constitute endorsement of 

information, products or services by Grey-Bruce Kids, 

its writers or advertisers. Viewpoints of contributors 

and advertisers are not necessarily those of the 

Publisher. Grey-Bruce Kids reserves the right to edit, 

reject or comment on all material and advertising 

contributed. No portion of Grey-Bruce Kids may be 

reproduced without the written permission of the 

Publisher.

HEALTH 

WATER 

does wonders 

THE 411 ON H 2 

O 

BY KATHRYN FORSYTH 

4 GREY-BRUCE KIDS • SUMMER 2024

It seems like just about everyone these days is lugging around a stylishly coloured 

branded tumbler. 

You know the ones – those hefty, vacuum-insulated water bottles that promise to 

keep your cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot for many hours. 

Being a well-hydrated, tumbler-toting person is now trendy – on playgrounds, in 

classrooms, around the office, and at home. This ‘tumbler craze’ provides a great 

opportunity to dive deeper into the topic of water – why staying hydrated is critical, 

how much water we really need, why water is the drink of choice in Canada’s Food 

Guide, tips on boosting your H 2 

O intake, and why protecting and conserving our 

water resources and having access to safe, clean drinking water matters. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF HYDRATION 

Water has long been used in many cultures to cleanse, purify, and sanctify. Water 

is also needed to sustain life. The average human can survive for only three days 

without water. Approximately 65 per cent of your body is made up of water. This 

accounts for much of your body weight since one litre (four cups) of water weighs 1 

kg (2.2 lbs). 

Water is responsible for the following functions: 

• Controlling your blood pressure and body temperature. 

• Moving nutrients and waste throughout your body. 

• Protecting and cushioning your joints and organs. 

• Decreasing your risk of dehydration and heat stroke. 

• Helping you avoid feeling weak, light-headed or dizzy. 

Most adults need two to three litres of fluid per day to maintain these functions. 

It is important to understand that fluid needs are impacted by several factors, 

such as age, sex, nutrition intake, physical activity level, and any existing health 

conditions. Weather can also affect your hydration status during extreme heat alerts. 

greybrucekids.com • 5

Older adults and young children are especially susceptible to 

extreme heat. Infants and young children can be susceptible to 

heat illnesses, such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat edema 

(swelling of the hands, feet, and ankles), heat rash (prickly heat), 

and heat cramps (muscle cramps). 

YOU CAN REDUCE THESE RISKS BY: 

• Drinking water and eating regularly. 

• Staying indoors or in the shade and reducing activity level. 

• Using air conditioning or a fan. 

• If you are breastfeeding an infant, allowing them to feed 

more often than usual. 

You may also put yourself at risk if you ignore hydrating your 

body adequately every day. Dehydration occurs when you lose 

more fluid than you take in. Signs of dehydration include: 

• Extreme thirst. 

• Headache. 

• Dizziness and feeling faint. 

• Rapid breathing and heartbeat. 

• Decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine. 

• Flushed skin (sudden reddening of the skin). 

Children may not take the time to recognize thirst and ask 

for water, so it is important for caregivers and educators 

to monitor the situation and prevent the symptoms of 

dehydration. This is one of the reasons that child care and 

schools provide water at all times. 

WATER: THE DRINK OF CHOICE 

Water is the recommended drink of choice in Canada’s Food 

Guide. The guidance recommends limiting the intake of drinks 

high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat, as well as caffeinated or 

alcoholic beverages. 

Sugary beverages, such as sweet teas, pop, lemonade, fruit 

drinks, or punches should be limited across the lifespan, but 

especially in children to reduce the impact on children’s oral 

health. Caffeinated beverages, such as energy drinks, coffee and 

tea, require limiting as well. Caffeine gives your body the feeling 

of alertness, without truly providing your body with the energy 

it needs. 

Some people are caffeine-sensitive, and this can put them at 

risk for cardiac events. In general, caffeine can cause insomnia, 

irritability, headaches and nervousness. That’s why it’s important 

to limit caffeinated beverages for adults to two to three cups per 

day. Limits for children have been set at 2.5 mg per kilogram 

of body weight per day. It is interesting to note that labels on 

energy drinks must stipulate that they are not recommended for 

anyone under 14 years old, or pregnant or breastfeeding women, 

or individuals sensitive to caffeine. 

BOOST FLUID INTAKE 

Drinking water has become a health-promoting habit for 

many, hence the multitude of water bottles and dispensers seen 

everywhere. You too can benefit from water refill stations at local 

parks, public buildings, and recreational facilities. In this way, 

municipalities have made it easier for you to embrace the drink 

more water messaging. 

Still not in the habit? Try some of these tips to increase your 

fluid intake: 

• Start each day with a glass of water and give thanks for 

access to clean water. 

• Include fluids with each meal and snack. 


• Keep a bottle or glass of water nearby and sip throughout 

the day – refill as needed. 

• Don’t like the taste of plain water? Flavour it with berries, 

lemon, cucumber, nuts or seeds. 

• Try a temperature change – keep it extra cold in the fridge 

or drink warm water (boil and let cool like a cup of tea; it is 

not recommended to drink warm water from the tap). 

Many people take access to safe drinking water for granted, 

but not all people in Canada have this privilege, especially 

Indigenous Peoples living in remote communities. Interestingly, 

women are often responsible for the stewardship of the water in 

traditional communities. 

OTHER BENEFITS OF WATER 

Water is crucial to life in so many ways. The shorelines and 

waterways of our region support business and industry, as well 

as provide a source of recreation and natural beauty that attracts 

visitors all year long. Freshwater ecosystems, like the Great 

Lakes, wetlands, and rivers are integral in the global water cycle. 

Human impacts to these ecosystems threaten both human and 

environmental well-being. As citizens, we can raise awareness 

of the need for safe drinking water access along with water 

conversation as a national issue, while taking action locally. 

We can avoid using drinking water for watering lawns and plant 

more drought-tolerant pollinator gardens, edible plants, and 

ground cover instead of grass as permitted by municipal bylaws. 

Here are some other tips, courtesy of Environment and Climate 

Change Canada, for conserving water: 

• Don’t run the water while you scrub vegetables, do the 

dishes or brush your teeth! 

• Get a low-flow showerhead. 

• Repair or replace leaky taps and hoses. 

• Collect rainwater for your lawn and garden. 

• Use a broom rather than a hose to clean sidewalks and 

driveways. 

• Finding more ways to protect and celebrate safe and 

abundant water will ensure that water can continue to do its 

wonders for the planet and for us. 

GBK 

KATHRYN FORSYTH, RD, is a Public Health Dietitian who has been with 

Grey Bruce Public Health for the past 20 years. In her free time, Kathryn 

enjoys gardening, hiking, and sunset-watching in beautiful Grey/Bruce. 

Learn more at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca. 


HISTORY 

Point Clark’s 

Lighthouse 

BRUCE COUNTY’S PROUD BEACON 

BY AMY IRWIN 


If you are familiar with Bruce County, especially along the 

beautiful Lake Huron shoreline, it’s likely you’re familiar with 

one of its most iconic structures, the Point Clark Lighthouse. 

Nestled at the tip of Point Clark in Huron-Kinloss, Bruce 

County’s most southwestern point, the lighthouse has stood 

the test of time for 165 years. Rising 87 feet into the sky, 

this National Historic Site has been home to many brave 

Lightkeepers and their families, and remains a beacon of pride 

for local residents and cottagers, while acting as a major tourist 

attraction for those visiting Bruce County. 

Yet the allure of Point Clark stretches far beyond the confines 

of its iconic beacon. Delve deeper, and you’ll uncover a rich 

tapestry of history that dates back much further than when 

construction of the lighthouse began in 1856 – much, much 

further back. At the end of the last Ice Age, about 9,000 years 

ago, melting glaciers formed a small body of water since named 

Lake Stanley. When it first emerged, the lake was divided by 

a high ridge of land. Over centuries, the water levels rose and 

formed Lakes Huron and Michigan, submerging the ridge. 

However, an amazing discovery was made in Lake Huron in 

the early-2000s that provided a greater understanding of what 

life was like before European settlement. A team of underwater 

archaeologists from the University of Michigan embarked on a 

groundbreaking expedition beneath the serene surface of Lake 

Huron. Led by Dr. John O’Shea, their journey unearthed a 


Photos courtesy of Wellington Drone, 

@explore.ontario, Bruce County Museum 

& Cultural Centre & the Township of 

Huron-Kinloss 

remarkable discovery – an ancient drive lane and remnants of 

preserved trees, nestled 37 metres below the lake’s surface. 

This submerged corridor, known as the Alpena to Amberley 

Ridge, stretched from Alpena, Mich., to Amberley/Point Clark, 

offered a glimpse into the lives of Indigenous caribou hunters 

who roamed the land over 9,000 years ago. These parallel lines of 

boulders, called the Drop 45 lane, is the most complex hunting 

structure identified to date in the Great Lake region (University 

of Michigan, Great Lakes Archeology). The boulders placed 

there by Indigenous hunters strategically steered migrating 

caribou into a natural dead end where they could be easily 

hunted. 

Over 60 boulder formations have been found at the bottom of 

the lake and are similar to the drive lanes found in the Arctic. 

This discovery, combined with evidence of ancient hunting 

tools amongst the boulders at the bottom of the lake, show the 

importance of the Point Clark area, long before the lighthouse 

ever shone her first light. 

AN IMPERIAL TOWER 

For centuries, Indigenous peoples traded fish, corn, tobacco, and 

wares with neighbouring tribes and communities. Later, they 

traded with Europeans and became key players in the fur trade. 

When Europeans began settling southern Bruce County in the 

1850s, Captain Henry Gamble established a saw and grist mill 

near the mouth of the Pine River, which meets Lake Huron in 

Point Clark. During this time, the region was referred to as “The 

Point,” however, it later earned the name “Pine Point” due to a 

lantern hung from a pine tree to caution sailors about the nearby 

shoal before the existence of a lighthouse. Recognizing the peril 

posed by the offshore shoals to maritime traffic, increasing U.S. 

trade, and the impending opening of the Soo Locks to link Lake 

Superior to Huron, authorities recognized the necessity for a 

lighthouse in 1855. 

John Brown, of Thorold, was contracted to construct 11 

lighthouses along Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, but the 

challenges of building in remote regions proved daunting and 

costly. Once construction began, there were many disasters 

that set the project back. Vessels carrying supplies to the 

remote building locations sunk, and the project proved to be 

more costly than anticipated. Ultimately, only six lighthouses 

– Point Clark, Chantry Island (Southampton), Cove Island, 

Nottawasaga Island, Griffith Island and Christian Island – were 

completed, earning them the moniker of the Imperial Towers. 

Construction of the Point Clark Lighthouse commenced in 

1856, with its inaugural lighting on April 1, 1859. Crafted 

from limestone quarried in Inverhuron to the north, the tower 

features inner and outer walls filled with rubble. The top section 

consists of a single granite wall designed to support the weight 

of the ironworks, including a distinctive red cast-iron polygonal 


lantern room crafted by skilled artisans from France. 

Its completion in 1859 marked a significant milestone, with 

its light visible up to 15 miles away. The original structure 

rested on a foundation of sturdy timber concealed beneath the 

sand. 

As lighthouse construction commenced at Pine Point, a 

small community emerged around it, complete with many 

shops and a hotel. There were high hopes that the Point 

Clark community would be a bustling and thriving town. 

However, Point Clark was still remote and hard to get to, 

dashing the hopes of the vision of a port town. The absence of 

a proper harbour and the construction of a more convenient 

trade route (along today’s Hwy. 21) between Kincardine 

and Goderich, led to disillusionment, prompting numerous 

families to relocate to more promising locales. Combined 

with a devastating flood in 1868, the settlement plunged 

into hardship, and even Captain Gamble, one of the original 

settlers, returned to his homeland in Ireland. 

Despite the hard times, lighthouse construction continued. 

The keeper’s residence was finalized in 1857, and consisted of 

a kitchen, parlour and bedroom, with a loft with two small 

rooms up a set of steep stairs. A separate structure housed the 

lighthouse’s oil supply, still detectable by its distinct oily scent 

today. Although a barn once housed animals on the property, 

it has since been relocated nearby and transformed into a 

cottage. 

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To keep the light running, warning mariners of the shallow 

shoal, lightkeepers were employed by the federal government. 

Married men were preferred candidates for this governmentappointed 

position, which was coveted despite its difficulty. 

The role included accommodation in the lightkeeper’s cottage 

as well as a small government pension. However, the life of 

a keeper was hard, with cold and isolated winters before the 

development of what is now a thriving cottage community. 

Roads and electricity weren’t even common in Point Clark 

until the 1940s. 

These conditions, combined with the hard work of, twice a 

day, having to climb to the top of the lighthouse with fuel and 

wind the light with a pulley system, proved to be a challenging 

job. The keeper had to always be available to relight the lantern 

should it go out, and record and report the weather conditions 

to the Coast Guard and government. Having a family was 

encouraged for the lightkeepers to keep their spirits up, and it 

was implied that family members would provide extra unpaid 

labour to keep the light shining on the sometimes-turbulent 

Lake Huron. 

The first of 12 Lightkeepers in Point Clark was John Young, 

who had the position from 1859-82. The final caretaker was 

Eldon Lowry, who didn’t live in the Keeper’s cottage, but 

nearby and kept an eye on the then-automated light from 

1964-67. 

Unlike many Great Lakes lighthouses, the Point Clark light 

continues to operate, emitting a white flash every 10 seconds to 

guide passing ships. 

Recognized as a National Historic Site in 1966 and owned by 

Parks Canada and operated by the Township of Huron-Kinloss, 

the Point Clark Lighthouse underwent a comprehensive 

five-year restoration from 2011, aimed at preserving its 

significant Canadian heritage. This restoration encompassed 

stabilizing the tower’s exterior stones, repointing mortar joints, 

masonry repairs and replacements, window refurbishments, 

and enhanced interior ventilation. The enduring quality of 

the lighthouse’s original construction has stood the test of 

time, and is one of the few lighthouses that is still open to the 

public. Open daily in July and August, paid tours to the top 

are available for those looking for a challenging climb up 114 

steps to a beautiful bird’s-eye view of the dramatic Lake Huron 

coastline, as well as admission to the newly renovated museum, 

located in the adjacent lightkeeper’s cottage. 

Plan a trip to Point Clark this summer to take a step back in 

history. GBK 

AMY IRWIN is the Publisher of Grey-Bruce Kids and a resident of 

Huron-Kinloss. Tickets to tour the Point Clark Lighthouse and newly 

renovated Lightkeepers Museum are available at: 

secretsofthebackforty.com/point-clark-lighthouse/ 



HEALTH 

Regulating 

EMOTIONS 

CARING FOR CHILDREN WITH ADHD AND OTHER NEURODIVERSITIES 

BY CINDY DRUYF-HATCHARD 


What do we mean when we say ‘neurodiversity?’ Parents 

know that each child is unique, and this is especially 

true of kids who have neurodiverse brains. 

Neurodiverse is an umbrella term that refers to anyone whose 

brain functions, processes, behaves, and learns differently 

from what is generally considered “typical.” There may be 

some challenges associated with neurodiverse brains, which 

may benefit from supports, but there are also a lot of unique 

strengths such as creativity, enthusiasm, spontaneity, and 

being empathetic and passionate. The term may include 

diagnoses such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 

(ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Post-Traumatic 

Stress Disorder (PTSD), learning disorders, giftedness, 

Tourette’s syndrome, Down syndrome, and various other 

mental health disorders. 

Generally, the causes of neurodiverse brains are unknown, but 

research continues on various theories. There’s also evidence 

of genetic components, while physiological brain differences 

can be seen on scans. Areas of the brain related to executive 

functioning skills, such as planning and organizing, selfcontrol, 

arousal, consciousness, motor control, inhibition and 

emotion regulation can be impacted by ADHD and other 

neurodiversities. 

WHAT IS EMOTION REGULATION? 

Emotion regulation is the ability to exert control over one’s 

emotional state. Learning how to recognize, identify, express 

and cope with distressing emotions in healthy ways is vital to 

well-being. Difficulties with regulating emotions is common 

in many children and improves as their brains develop and 

they learn the skills over time, though it may be particularly 

challenging for those with neurodiverse brains. 

So how do we help our children better regulate their 

emotions? First, and most importantly, children need help 

from caregivers to co-regulate. The brain continues to develop 

throughout childhood and is not fully developed until about 

age 25, with the executive functioning areas being later, so 

co-regulation is an important supportive process between 

caring adults and children, youth or young adults that fosters 

self-regulation development. We do this by creating a warm 

and responsive relationship, structuring the environment to be 

physically and emotionally safe and by modeling and teaching 

self-regulation skills. 

TOOLS FOR CO-REGULATION 

Looking for connection with caregivers, through experiencing 

a warm and responsive relationship, is a normal and natural 

need for kids. It’s easy for families to get caught up in the daily 

routines of life such as making lunches and getting homework 

done or being distracted by electronics. Being conscientious 

about making time for child-led play and special time 

together can help increase positive connections and decrease 

challenges. Time with your child to be fully present with them 

and free from distractions supports this connection. 

Providing positive feedback, such as noticing when your child 

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is doing something that you want to see more of, or noting 

things you like about them, can help boost their self-esteem 

and encourage more of those behaviours. It’s important that the 

praise be specific to the actions rather than general statements 

such as saying, “Thank you for brushing your teeth without me 

asking,” rather than saying, “Good job” or “Good boy/girl.” 

Other ways to connect include actively listening to your child, 

considering their point of view, acknowledging what they’re 

saying, validating their feelings and showing them compassion, 

especially during challenging times. Lastly, taking an interest 

in what your child is interested in, even if it’s not your interest, 

shows them that you really care about what matters to them. 

There are also some things to avoid that caregivers sometimes 

say and do that can unintentionally hurt their connection with 

their child. These are criticizing, labelling, punishing (different 

from disciplining), and expecting the worst of them. Being able 

to regulate our own emotions and be present with ourselves and 

our reactions when challenging behaviours arise can help us 

avoid reacting without intention. Connecting with your child 

is vital, not only because it helps with parenting when there are 

challenging behaviours, but it also positively impacts your child’s 

social emotional development. 

Some elements of creating a physically and emotionally safe 

environment include creating an environment that involves 

healthy conflict resolution and communication, routines, and 

health factors. Partnering and parenting is hard work and there 

will always be conflict. Being able to demonstrate respectful 

communication and conflict resolution can model these skills 

to your kids while also decreasing household stress. Having 

consistent yet flexible daily routines help kids feel a sense of 

safety and security because they know what to expect. When 

there is a need to do something outside of the routine being able 

to describe what to expect ahead of time can help maintain that 

sense of security. 

Within the structure of routine, having elements that address 

a healthy lifestyle are also key for preventing challenging 

behaviours such as routines around bedtime and getting a good 

night’s sleep, getting adequate nutrition, or making time for 

physical activity and time together. 

SET A GOOD EXAMPLE 

Modeling self-regulation in our own reactions to stressors, and 

particularly by staying regulated when our kids are dysregulated, 

is an important skill. Ask yourself, “Am I co-escalating or 

co-regulating?” when responding to your child. It can be 

challenging to remain calm and present when our kids are 

engaged in a meltdown. We can practice our own self-regulation 

skills such as deep breathing, taking a break, helpful self-talk, 

rhythmical movement, and visualization, so they are more 

readily available to use in distressing situations. 

Emotion coaching is a technique to both model and teach the 

skills needed for emotion regulation. First, we need to engage in 

our own self-regulation. Then we attend to the emotion that our 

child is expressing. We calmly approach and acknowledge that 

something is up. Next, we name the emotion(s) that they might 

be feeling and help them become aware of associated bodily 

sensations, such as, “You look sad.” 

The next step is validating the emotions, and it’s the most 

important. This can be challenging because we often feel like 

we are agreeing with the behaviour if we validate the emotion. 

This is not the case; we can validate the emotion but not the 

behaviour. Doing this helps the child to feel understood. It 

requires us to put ourselves in their place and imagine what it is 

like for them, though it may be different than what we would 

expect and hard to understand. An example is, “I can understand 

why you might feel sad. It’s hurts to be left out.” 

Next, we meet the need. Emotions are a way of communicating 

to ourselves and others and express an unmet need, such that 

sadness may require soothing. Lastly, we may engage in problemsolving. 

This isn’t always a necessary step since the child is often 

able to engage in their own problem-solving at this point. When 

it is needed it helps the child know that you will help them. This 

step is only helpful after the previous steps of attending, labelling 

and validating. Jumping to problem solving too quickly often 

leads to further dysregulation. 

Throughout the process of co-regulating, we can also keep in 

mind the three R’s – regulate, relate and reason. This blends in 

well with emotion coaching and adds the element of reasoning. 

Sometimes it’s not just about helping them problem solve, 

but we need to address inappropriate behaviours and reinforce 

consequences. When a child is dysregulated, it is not the time 

to try to talk to them about how they can behave differently 

or to set consequences. They will not be able to take it in given 

the state of their nervous system. After the steps of emotion 

coaching, when they are in a more regulated state, then that is 

the time to talk to them about alternative behaviours and to 

reinforce limits. 

SKILLS TO REGULATE 

When talking about emotional regulation skills we can look at 

it in two ways – top down, starting with our minds, and bottom 

up, starting with our bodies. Using self-talk is an effective 

top-down approach, and can help us remain regulated when in 

distress. Self-talk that works will be unique to each person and 

addresses what is most challenging for them. Some examples 

may be that a caregiver might find they feel embarrassed in 

public, think that the child is personally attacking them, have 

issues from their own childhood triggered or may have selfcritical 

thoughts. Knowing what is triggered in you in different 

situations can help you find appropriate self-talk to engage in 

such as, “It’s not personal. My child is struggling right now and 

does not have the skills to regulate.” 

Bottom-up approaches involve doing things to calm the 

nervous system with the body and usually involve the senses. 

Some examples are deep breathing (ocean, paced and boxed), 

rhythmical movement (rocking/walking), heavy work (pushups), 

crossing the midline (marching, touching opposite knee), using 

scents (essential oils), pressure (weighted blankets), vocalizations 

(humming) and soothing sounds (nature, music). There are 

many ways to engage the body and nervous system in calming 


and self-regulating when emotionally distressed. Counselling can be an 

effective way to explore and practice new skills to help strengthen your 

own emotional self-regulation skills, as well as supporting your child’s 

emotion regulation skills. 

All children need co-regulation to help them learn how to recognize, 

identify, express and cope with distressing emotions in healthy ways. 

Children with neurodiverse brains may have more challenges with this 

but, with their caregivers’ support, they can develop the necessary skills 

and thrive. 

Your presence, own self-regulation and love can be the calm to their 

storm and give you more time to enjoy the things that make them the 

wonderfully unique humans that they are. GBK 

References 

What is ADHD? An overview of the causes and signs of ADHD (https://shorturl.at/wELP7) 

1 What to know about raising neurodivergent kids (https://shorturl.at/ivAO1) 

2 Co-regulation from birth through young adulthood: A practice brief (https://shorturl.at/ 

DJLV1) 

3 Emotion Regulation (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/emotion-regulation) 

4 Adele LaFrance, Emotion-focused family therapy 

CINDY DRUYF-HATCHARD is a Master of Social Work Counsellor at Keystone 

Child, Youth and Family Services. She has over 12 years of experience working 

with children, youth and families in Grey and Bruce. Learn more at 

www.keystonegreybruce.org. 

Join us for a site bus tour this June, July 

and August to learn how we produce 

clean energy and medical isotopes. 

Wonder. 

Explore. 

Discover. 

Open 

seven days 

a week in 

July and 

August! 

Register at www.brucepower.com/visit. 

3394 Bruce Road 20, North of Tiverton, 

West of Hwy. 21 (519) 361-7777 


FAMILY 

ON THE ROAD 

INSURE YOUR NEW DRIVER BY TODD FARRELL

As a parent, you do all you can to keep your kids safe, so 

fewer moments are more frightening than those first times 

they get behind the wheel and drive by themselves. 

Having a newly licensed driver in the house can be hard on 

the nerves but also hard on the pocketbook. Here are few 

things to know. 

GRADUATED LICENSING 

Ontario has a system called graduated licencing, which consists 

of three different license classifications – G1, G2 and G. 

A G1 is your beginner’s licence, and the driver must be 

accompanied by a fully licenced driver with at least four years 

driving experience and a blood alcohol level of less than .05 per 

cent. They must ensure the accompanying driver is the only 

other person in the front seat, refrain from driving between 

midnight and 5 a.m. and refrain from driving on any 400 series 

highways or high-speed expressways. 

G2 is an intermediate step where you can drive on your own with 

certain restrictions, while the G is your “full” driver’s licence. 

There is also a time frame that you have to wait to move from 

one category to another. From the G1 licence date you have 

to wait one year to attempt your G2 test, unless you take an 

approved driver training course, which reduces your wait time 

to eight months. Once you have your G2, you then have to wait 

one year before taking a test for your full G licence. 

RESTRICTIONS 

Some of the G2 licence restrictions to take note of are very 

similar to the G1 restrictions, including: 

• You must maintain a zero blood alcohol level while driving 

(in fact all drivers under 21, regardless of licence category, 

must have a zero blood alcohol level). If you are convicted 

as a young driver for violating this alcohol restriction it is 

treated the same as a Major or Serious Conviction and will 

impact your insurance rates for three years, in much the 

same way as an impaired conviction. 

• The number of passengers in the vehicle is limited to the 

number of working seatbelts. 

• Between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m., G2 drivers 19 

and under and having had their G2 licence less than six 

months can carry only one passenger aged 19 or under. 

After the first six months and until the G2 driver earns 

a full G licence or turns 20 they can carry only three 

passengers aged 19 or under. These restrictions do not apply 

if the G2 driver is accompanied by a full G licensed driver 

(with at least four years driving experience) in the front seat, 

or if the passengers are immediate family members. 

What you may not know is that you need to tell your insurance 

provider that you have a newly-licensed driver in the household. 

Since a G1 driver can only drive with an experienced driver, 

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your child become a safer driver and lead to lower insurance 

premiums. In Ontario, these courses can significantly reduce 

insurance costs, especially for new drivers. They provide valuable 

knowledge and practical experience that can make a more 

confident and competent driver on the road. Upon completion 

of the driver training course, the new driver is rated as a 3-star 

driver, basically crediting them with three years of driving 

experience. 

Maintain a clean driving record – Keeping a clean driving 

record is one of the most effective ways to keep insurance 

premiums low (at any age). Avoiding traffic violations and 

accidents demonstrates to insurance companies that the 

driver is responsible, which can lead to lower rates over time. 

Additionally, many insurers offer discounts or rewards for drivers 

with a history of safe driving. Driving is a privilege, not a right. 

That’s why it is important to instill good driving behaviour from 

the start. However, if your teen picks up bad driving habits, 

it could impact the good standing that you have with your 

insurance company. 

Consider having them added as an occasional driver – If you 

have a young driver living with you, consider adding them to 

your policy as an occasional driver. This can often result in lower 

premiums compared to purchasing a separate policy as a primary 

driver. This is a good option if you have two vehicles and your 

child would be the third driver in the household. One thing to 

keep in mind is that the insurance company is going to assign a 

principal operator to every vehicle you have on the policy. If you 

have three vehicles and your new G2 driver is the third driver 

in the household, they will be listed as the principal operator of 

a vehicle regardless of the rules you have about what and when 

they can drive. 

there is no charge to add your child to your policy. That will 

happen when they graduate to a G2 licence and are able to drive 

on their own. 

Young drivers are expensive to insure and the reasons are many, 

including: 

• They are involved in fatal traffic crashes at over twice the 

rate as the rest of the population. 

• Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving at an unsafe 

speed is the most common error in fatal crashes. 

• Alcohol is another leading factor in fatal crashes but has 

been passed in recent years by distracted driving due to cell 

phone use. 

REDUCE INSURANCE COSTS 

Here are some things that you can do to help reduce the costs of 

adding a G2 driver to your policy. 

Enroll them in driver training – Completing a Ministry 

of Transportation-approved driver training course can help 

Choose a higher deductible – You may have to pay a higher 

amount out of pocket if you ever need to make a claim, but 

you’ll pay a lower premium. Enroll in a telematics or user-based 

program that rewards good driving. You can save up to 25 per 

cent on insurance and encourage your child to drive safely 

– that means avoiding distracted driving, rapid acceleration, 

hard braking, speeding and driving at “risky” hours. How it 

works with most companies it that you install an app on your 

smartphone, which will monitors your driving habits and 

provides feedback on these factors. By adopting safe driving 

habits, you can influence your auto insurance premiums. 

Choose an additional vehicle wisely – Opting for a reliable, 

practical vehicle with good safety ratings can help keep your 

insurance premiums affordable. Generally, newer and more 

expensive cars are more costly to insure due to their higher 

repair and replacement costs. Additionally, vehicles equipped 

with anti-theft devices and safety features may qualify for 

additional discounts. 

Book the G licence test – Some people wait to book the G test 

for various reasons but passing that G licence driving test will 

also result in a decrease in premium. 

If your teenager is ready to drive, you should immediately notify 

your insurance broker or company. While your premiums will 


certainly go up (teen drivers are the most expensive to insure), having 

the peace of mind that they are covered will help you sleep better at 

night. Consider getting a safe car to save a bit of money on insurance. 

Additionally, have an ongoing dialogue with your teen about their driving, 

their responsibilities, and the cost of insuring them. It’s an important step 

in their development, and also yours as a parent. 

If you have more questions about setting up a new driver on your 

policy or driving school discounts, make sure to reach out to your local 

insurance broker. 

GBK 

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HEALTH 

DINNER TIME! 

NUTRITIONAL GUIDELINES FROM BIRTH TO SCHOOL AGE 

BY BRIANNE OZIMOK 


Feeding your child is no easy task. Knowing what to feed them, 

how much, what a good balance is and how intake changes 

over the years is difficult. 

On top of everything, it’s common for children to beg for 

something one day and then completely reject it the next. They 

can have a meltdown if an apple is cut wrong or there is a spot on 

their bread. 

As difficult as it is for parents to understand, we need to remember 

they are learning and exploring food. Not all blueberries taste the 

same and sometimes to them that apple just tastes better cut into 

slices and not cubes. 

Following recommendations from professional bodies can be 

helpful and reduce stress that comes with feeding children. Below 

are breakdowns of common food and nutrition recommendations 

from birth to school age. 

ZERO TO 6 MONTHS 

In the first six months of life, babies should be exclusively 

breastfed, offered formula, or a combination of breastmilk and 

formula any time they appear to be hungry. When babies are 

exclusively breastfed, they should also be offered 400 International 

Units (IU) of liquid Vitamin D. 

SIX TO 12 MONTHS 

While it’s recommended you continue to offer breast milk until 

two years old or beyond, six to 12 months is a good time to 

introduce solids into their diet. Some babies are ready for solids 

slightly before six months and, for others, it can be a little later. 

Looking for signs your baby is ready is important. For example, 

while sitting up unassisted and displaying good head control, a 

baby can tell a parent they are full by turning their head. 

It is important to offer high allergy foods (milk products, eggs, 

peanut, fish, wheat and soy) and to continue to offer these foods. 

Babies who have a personal history of eczema or a first-degree 

relative with an allergy may be at increased risk of food allergy. It 

is important to avoid honey until after 12 months. 

Focus on iron rich foods (meat, meat alternatives, iron-fortified 

infant cereals) and offer a variety of textures including finger foods 

(toast with thinly spread peanut butter, cut into thin strips). 

Now is also a good time to offer meals and snacks in small 

amounts, topped up with breast milk or formula, and offer water 

from an open cup. 

AT 12 MONTHS 

Once your baby is a year old, pasteurized homogenized milk 

(3.25%) can be offered, or breast milk can continue to be offered. 

Homo milk should not exceed 500 mL daily. Otherwise, water 

should be offered. Children who are breastfed or receiving 

breastmilk will continue to need 400 IU of liquid Vitamin D. 

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Balance meals to include: 

• Three to four food groups per meal. 

• Meat or alternatives (protein) include meat, poultry, fish, 

eggs, nuts/seeds, nut butters, legumes, and tofu. 

• Grains or starches (carbohydrates) include whole grain 

breads, cereal, rice, pasta, or starchy vegetables like potato. 

• Fruits and vegetables. 

• Dairy products (or alternatives). 

Provide two to three food groups during snacks, including: 

• Cheese (shredded), crackers, and apple (pureed or thinly sliced). 

• Nuts/nut butter and sliced fruit. 

• Yogurt (plain, Greek) and fruit. 

• High fibre cereal and milk with berries. 

• One slice of toast with peanut butter. 

Avoid food battles: 

• Use the ‘Ellyn Satters’ division of responsibility, which states 

parents are responsible for what, where, and when they offer 

foods, and the child is responsible for how much they eat of 

what is offered. 

• Accommodate children’s feeding skills/abilities and 

preferences without catering to them by offering at least one 

food in a family meal that you know your child likes and 

is able to eat rather than preparing them a totally different 

meal. 

Continue to offer your child a variety of foods including different 

textures (pureed, minced, finger foods) and modify to reduce 

choking hazards (cut up grapes, avoid whole nuts and seeds). 

24 MONTHS AND BEYOND 

Continue with breastfeeding or breastmilk or up to 500 mL of 

skim or partly-skimmed milk or fortified soy beverage daily to 

help meet Vitamin D needs. Schedule three small meals and two 

nutrient-dense snacks a day, and avoid juice and sugar-sweetened 

beverages. If given, limit to at most 125 mL/day of 100 per cent 

fruit juice, in an open cup, as part of a meal or snack. 

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER! 

Focus on a structured eating pattern: 

• Work on incorporating three balanced meals and two to 

three balanced snacks daily. 

• Allow two to three hours between meals and snacks without 

offering any food so that appetites can build. 

• Avoid a “grazing” or nibbling pattern of eating and 

drinking, which can interfere with their appetite at meals 

and willingness to try new foods. 

• Avoid short-order cooking, which can impair a child’s 

ability to learn to eat the foods provided at family meals and 

snacks. 

• Include children in the meal planning and prep (grocery 

shopping, unloading groceries, helping in the kitchen, 

contributing to their school lunches, cooking/food 

preparation, serving, cleaning up). You can get input from 

children on parts of their meals and snacks by asking, 

“Would you prefer apple slices or carrots with your yogurt 

for your snack?” 

Encourage kids to explore foods with their senses: 

• How does it look, smell, feel, sound when someone bites it 

or cuts it? 

• How does it taste – sweet or sour, is it a warm food or cold? 

• Start slowly allowing your child to become more familiar 

with new foods at their own pace. Encourage them to 

explore size and shape and assemble and deconstruct foods. 

The more “neutral” exposures children have with foods the 

more familiar they become, and the more comfortable the child 

will be interacting with and eventually eating them. A neutral 

exposure is one where there is no pressure to eat it (this can look 

like encouragement or praise). 


It can sometimes take up to 15 exposures for children to accept 

a new food. Changing how that food is prepared can help your 

child explore it and determine if they prefer something cooked 

vs raw, or with different seasonings and flavours. 

Remember to model good eating behavior for your child. Allow 

them to see you eating meals, talking about food in a positive 

way, and exploring and trying new things. 

Parents’ feeding jobs: 

• Choose and prepare the food. 

• Provide regular meals and snacks. 

• Make eating times pleasant. 

• Show children what they have to learn about food and 

mealtime behaviour. 

• Be considerate of children’s food inexperience without 

catering to likes and dislikes. 

• Don’t let children have food or beverages (except for water) 

between meal and snack times. 

Children’s eating jobs: 

• Children will eventually eat. 

• They will eat the amount they need. 

• They will learn to eat the food their parents eat. 

• They will grow predictably. 

• They will learn to behave well at mealtime. 

Just remember feeding little ones can be exhausting, but you are 

doing a good job! GBK 

BRIANNE OZIMOK is a Registered Dietician with the Brockton and Area 

Family Health Team. She enjoys working with individuals and families to 

help them with their relationship with food and discovering all food has 

to offer. She is a Mom to three young children and knows feeding little 

ones can be a struggle! Learn more at www.bafht.com. 

visitgrey.ca 

Imagine 

Farmers’ markets are open across Grey County 

for the season. Shop local, eat local. 


RESOURCES 

ABUSE 

Assaulted Women’s Helpline 

Crisis line: 1-866-863-0511 

www.awhl.org 

Bruce Grey Child and Family Services 

(Bruce and Grey Children’s Aid Societies 

amalgamated April 1, 2012) 

1-855-322-4453 

Keystone Child, Youth & Family Services 

1-800-567-2384; 519-371-4773 

keystonebrucegrey.org 

Owen Sound 

Saugeen First Nation - Kabaeshiwim 

Respite Women’s Shelter 

519-797-2521 

cgeorge@saugeenfirstnation.ca 

www.saugeenfirstnation.ca 

Sexual Assault and Partner 

Abuse Care Centre 

Grey Bruce Health Services 

1-888-525-0552 or www.gbhs.on.ca 

Owen Sound 

Victim Services Bruce Grey 

Perth 

Crisis: 1-866-376-9852 

Administration: 1-888-577-3111 

info@victim-services.com 

www.victim-services.com 

Victim/Witness Assistance Program 

Owen Sound - 1-866-259-4823 

Walkerton - 1-866-994-9904 

attorneygeneral@ontario.ca 

http://bit.ly/ujKyeE 

Women’s Centre (Grey and Bruce) 

Administration: 519-376-0755 

Crisis: 1-800-265-3722 

womenscentre@bmts.com 

www.bmts.com/~womenscentre 

Owen Sound 

Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey 

Sexual assault crisis: 1-866-578-5566 

Crisis line: 1-800-265-3026 

Administration: (519) 396-9814 

crisis@whsbg.on.ca 

www.whsbg.on.ca 

Kincardine 

BREASTFEEDING 

Brockton and Area Family Health Team 

1-866-507-2021 or 519-881-1920 

RN/certified Lactation Consultant available 

www.bafht.com 

Walkerton 

Grey Bruce Health Unit 

1-800-263-3456 

publichealth@publichealthgreybruce.on.ca 

www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca 

Owen Sound 

Hanover Family Health Team 

RN/Certified Lactation Consultant 

519-506-4348 

www.hanoverfht.ca 

La Leche League Canada 

Owen Sound; 519-376-5916; www.lllc.ca 

Moms Walkerton 

New Mom support 

320 Durham St.., Walkerton; 519-379-6769 

Support groups 

Southampton, Port Elgin, Paisley, and Tara - 

519-797-2010 

Kincardine, Ripley, Tiverton, and Lucknow - 

519-368-4847 

South-Bruce Breastfeeding Buddies - 

519-881-1920 

Wiarton and Bruce Peninsula - 519-534-0912 

Markdale - 519-369-3381 

Owen Sound - 519-372-1330 

The Mama Nurse 

www.themamanurse.com 

CHILDBIRTH 

Glamma Doula 

Christine Piotrowski, Postpartum Doula 

www.glammadoula.com; 519-477-9985 

Hanover and District Hospital Obstetrics/ 

Family Centred Care Birthing Centre 

519-364-2340 

admin@hanoverhospital.on.ca 

www.hanoverhospital.on.ca 

Jessica Connor Doula Services 

519-580-0612 or jconnor.doula@gmail.com 

www.jessicaconnor.ca 

Midwives Grey Bruce 

519-371-2886 

www.midwivesgreybruce.com 

Owen Sound 

Owen Sound Hospital Labour and Delivery 

519-376-2121 

www.gbhs.on.ca/owensound.php 

Walkerton Hospital Family Birthing Centre 

519-881-1220 

www.sbghc.on.ca 

CHILD CARE 

Acorn Montessori 

705-606-1642 

Thornbury 

Amabel-Sauble Child Care Centre 

519-422-3611 

Sauble Beach 

Beaver Valley Outreach 

519-599-2577 

Bobi’s Playschool 

519-538-5483 

Meaford 

Brockton Child Care Centre 

sbross@brockton.ca 

Brooke Montessori Toddler Program 

519-376-3447, Owen Sound 

Bruce County Childcare Services 

519-881-0431 or www.brucecounty.on.ca 

Walkerton 

Bruce Peninsula Family Centre 

519-793-4100 

Lion’s Head 

Chesley Nursery School 

519-363-9544 

Durham Nursery School 

519-369-6973 

Grey County Childcare Services 

519-376-7324, www.greycounty.ca/childcare 

Hanover Montessori Children’s House 

1-800-906-7036 or 519-364-6455 

Happy Hearts Day Care Centre 

519-376-1284 

Owen Sound 

Inglenook Creche Day Care 

519-371-9471; Owen Sound 

Kids & Us Community Childcare 

and Family Education Centres 

Ayton - 519-665-2022 

Dundalk - 519-923-2182 

Durham - 519-369-9911 

Holstein - 519-334-3132 

Markdale - 519-986-3692 

Osprey - 519-922-2333 

Paisley - 519-353-7220 

www.kidsandus.ca 

Kids Street Nursery School - Port Elgin 

519-389-9050 

Kinhuron Integrated Day Nursery School 

Co-op 

519-396-4532 

Kincardine 

Le Jardin des decouvertes - Owen Sound 

519-371-4411 

Military Family Resource Centre - Meaford 

519-538-1371 x6509 

mfrc.meaford@gmail.com 

www.cafconnection.ca/Meaford/Home.aspx 

Meaford Co-operative Nursery School 

519-538-3854 

Nawash N’Shiime Day Care Centre 

519-534-3909 

Neyaashiinigmiing (Cape Croker) 

OneList – Find and apply for child care 

brucecountychildcare.ca 

greycountychildcare.ca 

Queen of Hearts Nursery School 

109 Balmy Beach Rd., Owen Sound 

www.queenofheartsnurseryschool.com 

Sandbox Daycare - Hanover 

519-506-7263 

Saugeen First Nation G’Shaw-da-Gawin 

Day Care Centre 

519-797-2419 

gshawdagawin@bmts.com 

www.saugeenfirstnation.ca 

Saugeen Shores Childcare Centre 

519-832-2400 

Tobermory Primary Place 

519-596-2606 

Unity House - Owen Sound 

519-371-8686 


Viola Jean’s Garden Daycare - Owen Sound 

519-416-5633 or 519-371-2362 

Wiarton Kids Den Day Care/Kids Club 

School age Program 

519-534-4434 

Wiarton Nursery School 

519-534-2121 

Wooden Hill Child Care Centre (La Colline 

De Bois) at Notre Dame School 

519-376-6952 

Owen Sound 

YMCA Childcare 

Arran Tara - 519-376-0484 

Hanover - 519-364-4938 

Kincardine - 519-396-9622 

Owen Sound - 519-376-0484 

Port Elgin - 519-832-6225 

Ripley - 519-395-5570 

ymcaowensound.on.ca 

DIET/NUTRITION 

EatRight Ontario 

Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport 

1-877-510-5102; www.eatrightontario.ca 

Empowering Kitchen Cooking Classes 

https://stucklesshealingco.myshopify.com/ 

pages/about 

Foodlink Grey Bruce 

Find locally grown meat, fruit and produce 

www.foodlinkgreybruce.com 

Good Food Box 


519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 



1-800-263-3456 



Owen Sound 


519-506-4348; www.hanoverfht.ca 


1-800-567-2384, 519-371-4773 


Ontario Student Nutrition Program Grey 

Bruce 

www.osnp.ca 

EDUCATION 

Academy of Learning - Owen Sound 

1077 2nd Ave. E., Suite B (2nd floor) 

519-371-6188 or www.academytraining.ca 

Adult Learning Centres 

Collingwood, Port Elgin, Markdale, Owen 

Sound, Walkerton, Wiarton 

www.adultlearningcentres.com 

Bluewater District School Board 

1-800-661-7509 or www.bwdsb.on.ca 

Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board 

519-364-5820 or www.bgcdsb.org 

Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence 

(French Catholic School Board) 

1-888-768-2219; www.cscprovidence.ca 

Edgehill Country School, Durham 

www.edgehillschool.org 

Georgian Tutors 

www.georgiantutors.com 

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES 

JobsWork 

Aimee Kim, Job Developer, akim@clkd.ca 

519-396-9434 x223 

Leads Employment Services 

1051 2nd Ave. E Owen Sound 

1-866-955-3237 

www.leadsservices.com 

LiveGreyBruce 

www.livegreybruce.ca 

VPI Employment Strategies (Walkerton) 

519-881-4900 or 1-855-260-4900 

jobswalkerton@vpi-inc.com 

www.vpi-inc.com 

YMCA Employment Services 

1450 1st Ave. W., Suite 4A, Owen Sound 

519-371-9222 

employmentservices@ymcaowensound.on.ca 

FAMILY SUPPORT 

211 Ontario 

Online database of services in your area 

www.211ontario.ca 

Aspire Youth Services Inc. 

ryanmcleodplaytherapy@gmail.com 

aspireyouth.ca; 416-417-7098 

Big Brothers Big Sisters 

Owen Sound - 519-376-4449 

www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/bbowensound 

Kincardine - 519-396-3565 

www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/kincardine 

Bruce Grey Child and Family Services 

1-855-322-4453; www.bgcfs.ca 

Bruce Grey Mentorship 

504 10th St., Suite 2, Hanover 

519-506-5065; www.brucegreymentorship.ca 

Building Gender Diverse Communities 

Karen Houle, 519-377-3171 x238 

2spiritmentor@mwikwedong.com 

https://rb.gy/3qmoe1 

Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation 

- Native Child Welfare - Cape Croker 

519-534-3818; supervisor.ncw@gbtel.ca 

www.nawash.ca 

Counselling Bruce County 

616 Market St., Port Elgin 

519-266-3674; counsellingbrucecounty.com 

EarlyON Child and Family Centres 

Chesley, Hanover, Kincardine, Markdale, 

Meaford, M’Wikwedong (Owen Sound), Owen 

Sound (East Ridge), Port Elgin, Thornbury, 

Wiarton 

1-800-616-8116 

Family Support Initiative 

519-371-4802; fsi@hopegb.org 

mhagb.ca 

Frontier Therapy 

www.frontiertherapy.ca 

Grandparent Network 

For grandparents raising grandchildren 

Meets first Monday of month at 9:30 a.m. 

Owen Sound 

Call Mary Nuckowski at 519-371-2498 

Grey Bruce Supervised Access Program 

519-371-5991; pc-superacc@bmts.com 

www.supervisedaccess.ca, Owen Sound 

Kids Help Phone 

1-800-668-6868 (24 hours) 

www.kidshelpphone.ca 

Multiples in Bruce 

http://multiplesinbrucecounty.webs.com 

Nemesis Group Services 

Owen Sound; 519-372-2425 

www.nemesisgroupservices.com 

Parent Help Line 

1-888-603-9100 

Penetangore Wellness 

www.penetangorewellness.com 

PFLAG Owen Sound 

1-888-530-6777 x570 

https://pflagcanada.ca/ontario/ 

owensoundon@pflagcanada.ca 

Salvation Army 

Hanover - 519-364-3450 

Owen Sound - 519-371-0957 

Port Elgin - 519-389-3942 

Wiarton - 519-534-0353 

Trans Lifeline 

1-877-330-6366; translifeline.org 

Victim Services Bruce Grey 

Perth 

Crisis: 1-866-376-9852; Admin: 1-888-577-3111 

info@victim-services.com; 

www.victim-services.com 

Victim/Witness Assistance Program 

1-866-259-4823 - Owen Sound 

1-866-994-9904 - Walkerton 

attorneygeneral@ontario.ca 

http://bit.ly/ujKyeE 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT 

Beaver Valley Outreach (Thornbury) 

519-599-2577; info@bvo.ca; www.bvo.ca 

Bruce Children are Special Foundation 

Directs donations to the children programs 

provided by Bruce Grey Child and Family 

Services (formerly Children’s Aid) 

1-855-322-4453 ext 4133 

Social Services 

Grey County - 1-800-265-3119 

www.grey.ca/health-social-services/ 

Owen Sound 

Bruce County - 1-800-265-3005 

www.brucecounty.on.ca/ontworks.php 

Walkerton 


RESOURCES 

United Way of Bruce Grey 

519-376-1560 or manager@unitedwaybg.com 

www.unitedwayofbrucegrey.com 

YMCA of Owen Sound and Grey/Bruce 

519-376-0484 or ymcaowensound.on.ca 

FOOD BANKS/HOUSING 

Beaver Valley Outreach - Thornbury 

519-599-2577, info@bvo.ca or www.bvo.ca 

Durham District Food Bank 

Monday and Friday, 9 a.m.-noon 

Flesherton and Area Food Bank 

Marian Doyle, 519-599-3576 

Kincardine Ministerial Food Bank 

519-396-2185 or circlek@bmts.com 

Lion’s Head and District Food Bank 

519-793-3860 or helen.rick@amtelecom.net 

Markdale and District Food Bank 

519-986-1432 

Meaford Food Bank 

519-538-4550 

Paisley Food Bank 

Immanuel Evangelical Mission Church 

307 Balaclava St.; 519-353-5270 (Carol) 

Salvation Army 

Hanover - 519-364-3450 

Owen Sound - 519-371-0957 

Port Elgin - 519-389-3942 

Tobermory Food Bank 

519-596-1501 

Walkerton and District Food Bank 

519-881-0168 

Wiarton Food Bank 

519-534-0353 

Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce 

1-866-771-6776 or habitatos@bmts.com 

www.habitatgreybruce.com 

Ontario Tenants Rights 

ontariotenants@hotmail.com 

www.ontariotenants.ca 

Safe ‘n Sound Homelessness Initiative 

519-470-7233; www.safensoundgreybruce.com 

Subsidized housing 

Bruce County - 1-800-265-3022 

www.brucecounty.on.ca/socialhousing.php 

Grey County - 376-5744 

http://bit.ly/vVG1k0 

HEALTH CARE 

ActivEars Hearing Centres Inc. 

Owen Sound, Hanover, Durham 

226-784-3288 

www.activears.com 

Brockton and Area Family Health Team 

1-866-507-2021 

www.bafht.com 

Canadian Mental Health Association 

Grey-Bruce Branch 

Administration - 519-371-3642 

Crisis: 1-877-470-5200 

jralph@cmhagb.org; www.cmhagb.org 

Collingwood General and Marine Hospital 

705-445-2550; www.cgmh.on.ca 

ConnexOntario Help Lines 

Drug and alcohol - 1-800-565-8603 

Gambling - 1-888-230-3505 

Mental health - 1-866-531-2600 

www.connexontario.ca 

Grey Bruce Health Services (hospitals) 

Lion’s Head - 519-793-3424 

Markdale - 519-986-3040 

Meaford - 519-538-1311 

Owen Sound - 519-376-2121 

Southampton - 797-3230 

Wiarton - 534-1260 

www.gbhs.on.ca 

Grey Bruce Health Unit - Owen Sound 

1-800-263-3456 



Hanover and District Hospital 

519-364-2340/info@hdhospital.ca 

www.hdhospital.ca 

Healthy Babies, Healthy Children 

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 



519-506-4348 or dford@hanoverfht.ca 

www.hanoverfht.ca 

Healthy Smiles Ontario 

Dental for families making under $20,000/yr 

Register through the health unit 

Online: http://bit.ly/JAqJbY 

Honouring Life Network 

www.honouringlife.ca 

HopeGreyBruce - Owen Sound 

Mental Health and Addiction Services 

519-371-4120 or www.mhagb.ca/gbchc/ 


1-800-567-2384 or 519-371-4773 


Kids Help Phone (24 hours) 

1-800-668-6868 or www.kidshelpphone.ca 

Kincardine Family Health Team 

Kincardine - 519-396-2700 

Ripley - 519-395-2601 

www.kincardinefht.ca 

Mino Bimadsawin Health Centre 

57 Mason Dr., Saugeen First Nation 

519-797-3336 

M’Wikwedong Native Cultural Resource 

Centre - Owen Sound 

1-866-202-2068 or admin@mwikwedong.com 

www.mwikwedong.com 

Owen Sound Crisis Pregnancy Centre 

1-888-371-2004; oscpc@wightman.ca 

Pediatric clinics 

Hanover - 519-364-2340 

Kincardine - 519-396-3331 

Markdale - 519-986-3040 

Owen Sound - 519-376-2121 

Walkerton - 519-881-1220 

Penetangore Wellness 

www.penetangorewellness.com 

Poison Control Centre 

1-800-268-9017 

Postpartum depression 

Grey Bruce Health Unit - 1-800-263-3456 

Keystone Child, Youth and Family Services - 

1-800-567-2384 

Ripley Physical Therapy and Wellness 

519-395-HEAL; info@ripleyptandwellness.ca 

https://ripleyptandwellness.ca/ 

Sensational Skills Occupational Therapy 

226 Queen St., Kincardine; 519-270-KIDZ 

ashleysimmonsot@gmail.com 

South Bruce Grey Health Centre (hospitals) 

Chesley - 519-363-2340 

Kincardine - 519-396-3331 

Durham - 519-369-2340 

Walkerton - 519-881-1220 

www.sbghc.on.ca 

South East Grey Community Health Centre 

55 Victoria St., Markdale 

519-986-2222 or 1-855-519-2220 

info@segchc.ca or www.segchc.ca 

St. John Ambulance First Aid training 

519-364-7004 or grey.bruce@on.sja.ca 

Online: http://bit.ly/t3Ye8g 

TeleHealth Ontario 

1-866-797-0007 

TVCC 

519-3370-0777 or 1-866-590-8822 

www.tvcc.on.ca 

LIBRARIES 

Blue Mountains Public Library/ 

L.E. Shore Memorial Library 

519-599-3681 or thebluemountainslibrary.ca 

Bruce County Public Library 

opac.brucecounty.on.ca; 519-832-6935; 

libraryinfo@brucecounty.on.ca 

Cargill - 519-366-9990 

Chesley - 519-363-2239 

Kincardine - 519-396-3289 

Lion’s Head - 519-793-3844 

Lucknow - 519-528-3011 

Mildmay - 519-367-2814 

Paisley - 519-353-7225 

Port Elgin - 519-832-2201 

Ripley - 519-395-5919 

Sauble Beach - 519-422-1283 

Southampton - 519-797-3586 

Tara - 519-934-2626 

Teeswater - 519-392-6801 

Tiverton - 519-368-5655 

Tobermory - 519-596-2446 

Walkerton - 519-881-3240 

Wiarton - 519-534-2602 


Collingwood Public Library 

519-445-1571; www.collingwoodpubliclibrary.ca 

Dundalk/Southgate Public Library 

519-923-3248; http://southgate-library.com/ 

Grey Highlands Public Library 

Flesherton - 519-924-2241 

Kimberley - 519-599-6990 

Walter Harris Memorial Library (Markdale) - 

519-986-3436; greyhighlandspubliclibrary.com 

Hanover Public Library 

519-364-1420 or www.hanoverlibrary.ca 

Meaford Public Library 

519-538-1060 

www.meaford.ca/meaford-library-home.html 

Owen Sound and North Grey 

Union Public Library 

519-376-6623; www.owensound.library.on.ca 

West Grey Public Library system 

www.westgreylibrary.com 

Durham (main) branch - 519-369-2107 

Elmwood and area - 519-363-3321 

Neustadt - 519-799-5830 

Ayton/Normanby - 519-799-3242 

MUSEUMS 

Billy Bishop Heritage Museum - Owen Sound 

519-371-0031 or www.billybishop.org 

Bruce County Lighthouse Museums 

Cabot (Lion’s) Head - 519-795-7780 

Chantry Island (Southampton) - 866-318-8889 

Kincardine - 519-396-3468 

Point Clark - 519-395-2494 

Bruce County Museum, Cultural Centre & 

Archives - Southampton 

519-797-2080 or www.brucemuseum.ca 

Bruce Peninsula Visitors Centre 

519-596-2233 or http://bit.ly/rQQFf6 

Bruce Power Visitors’ Centre 

519-361-7777; www.brucepower.com 

Chesley Heritage & Woodworking Museum 

519-363-9837 

Craigleith Heritage Depot - Thornbury 

519-599-3131 

www.thebluemountains.ca/Craigleith-Heritage-Depot.cfm 

Grey Roots Museum & Archives 

1-877-GREY ROOTS; www.greyroots.com 

Meaford Museum 

519-538-5974 

www.visitmeaford.com/meaford-museum.html 

Owen Sound Marine and Rail Museum 

519-371-3333; www.marinerail.com 

Paddy Walker Heritage Society - Kincardine 

519-396-1850 

www.walkerhousekincardine.com 

South Grey Museum - Flesherton 

519-924-2843 or museum@greyhighlands.ca 

www.southgreymuseum.ca 

St. Edmunds Township Museum - Tobermory 

519-596-2479; http://bit.ly/vEdicK 

Tobermory Maritime Association 

519-596-2700; www.tobermorymaritime.ca 

Treasure Chest Museum - Paisley 

519-353-7176 or http://bit.ly/1PjTS1D 

NEWCOMER SERVICES 

Grey Bruce Settlement & Langauge Services 

519-371-9222 or settlement@osgb.ymca.ca 

ONLINE SUPPORT 

www.211.ca 

www.cybertip.ca 

LGBT YouthLine: www.youthline.ca 

www.mentallyfit.ca 

https://needhelpnow.ca 

www.pathwaysawareness.org 

www.protectchildren.ca 

www.shelternet.ca 

www.targetyouth.ca 

www.thehealthline.ca 

www.wesforyouthonline.ca 

PLAYGROUPS 

Grey Bruce Play 

Greybruceplay@gmail.com 

EarlyON Child and Family Centres 

Chesley, Paisley, Kincardine, Port Elgin, and 

Wiarton - 1-800-616-8116 

Hanover, Markdale, Meaford, M’Wikwedong 

(Owen Sound), Owen Sound (East Ridge), and 

Thornbury - 1-866-483-7774 

SPECIAL NEEDS 

Autism Ontario Grey Bruce Chapter 

226-787-0333 or marti@autismontario.com 

http://bit.ly/tO6kam; Owen Sound 

Autism Parent Support Group 

Community Living Kincardine & District 

519-396-9434 or www.clkd.ca 

Bruce County Children’s Services Resource 

Program 

1-800-265-3005 or www.brucecounty.on.ca 

Bruce Peninsula (Wiarton) Association 

for Community Living 

519-534-0553 

Community Living Kincardine & District 

519-396-9434; www.clkd.ca 

Community Living Meaford 

519-538-4165 

Community Living Owen Sound 

and District 

519-371-9251 or communitylivingowensound.ca 

Community Living Walkerton & District 

519-881-3713 or www.clwalkerton.org 

Georgian Riding Association for Challenged 

Equestrians 

519-372-2721; grace@log.on.ca 

Hope Haven Therapeutic Riding Centre 

519-986-1247; www.hopehavencentre.org 


Owen Sound; 1-800-567-2384 


Owen Sound & Area Special Olympics 

owensound.sports@specialolympicsontario.ca 

https://owensound.specialolympicsontario.ca 

PRANCE Therapeutic Riding Centre 

519-832-2522 or prance@bmts.com 

Miramichi Farms, Hwy. 21 Port Elgin 

Reading Rescue Ontario 

519-794-4745 or soehner@bmts.com 

www.readingrescueontario.ca 

Holland Centre 

South Grey Bruce Youth Literacy Council 

519-364-0008 or info@sgbyouthliteracy.org 

www.sgbyouthliteracy.org 

Hanover 

Special Therapy and Education 

Program of Saugeen (STEPS) 

519-797-1935 

info@stepsahead.ca; www.stepsahead.ca 

Southampton 

TVCC 

519-370-0777 or 1-866-590-8822 


United Way of Bruce Grey 

519-376-1560; unitedwaybg@bmts.com 

www.unitedwayofbrucegrey.com/ 

Owen Sound 

SPEECH/LANGUAGE 

Bruce County Childcare Services 

1-800-265-3005; www.brucecounty.on.ca 

Walkerton 

Closing the Gap Healthcare Group 

Rehab Express Grey Bruce 

1-866-990-9901 or www.closingthegap.ca 

Owen Sound 

South West Community Care Access Centre 

In-Home Services 

Owen Sound - 519-371-2112 

Walkerton - 519-881-1181 

www.sw.ccac-ont.ca 

TVCC 

519-370-0777 or 1-866-590-8822 


VOICE for Hearing Impaired Children 

www.voicefordeafkids.com 

WISH PROGRAMS 

Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada 

1-800-267-9474 

on@childrenswish.ca or www.childrenswish.ca 

Make-A-Wish - Southwestern Ontario Chapter 

519-471-4900 or www.makeawishswo.org 

London, ON GBK 


RECIPES 

Take advantage 

of tomato season! 

BARBECUED TOMATO NACHOS 

PREPARATION TIME: 20 MINUTES 

COOKING TIME: 25 MINUTES 

SERVINGS: 6 

INGREDIENTS 

¼ cup olive oil 

6 tomatoes, cut in half horizontally and seeded 

1 onion, cut in six wedges (root end attached) 

2 jalapeño peppers, halved and seeded 

5 cloves garlic, unpeeled 

1 kaiser bun, crumbled 

2 tbsp honey 

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar 

1 cup black olives, pitted and chopped 

1 each sweet green and yellow pepper, finely diced 

2 tbsp “steakhouse-style” pepper seasoning mixture 

1 bag nacho chips 

1 cup each shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey 

Jack cheese 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Brush 2 tbsp of the olive oil over skin side of tomatoes, onion, 

jalapeños and garlic. Place all on grill tray, tomatoes skin side 

down (without turning) over medium heat until blackened; 

turning over remaining vegetables until evenly cooked. Peel 

garlic and jalapeños. In food processor, coarsely chop together 

barbecued vegetables, kaiser bun, honey and vinegar. Set aside. 

In small bowl, combine olives, sweet peppers and pepper 

seasoning mixture. 

Brush remaining oil over foil-lined broiler tray that fits in 

barbecue. Arrange single layer of chips over bottom of tray. 

Cover evenly with one-third each cheese, pepper mixture then 

tomato sauce. Repeat layers of chips and toppings twice. 

BAKED STUFFED TOMATOES 

Add this delicious side dish to your next menu. 

The tomatoes can be assembled ahead and 

baked just before serving. 

PREPARATION TIME: 25 MINUTES 

COOKING TIME: 30 MINUTES 

SERVINGS: 8 

INGREDIENTS 

4 ripe tomatoes 

2 tbsp pine nuts 

1 tbsp olive oil 

10 large leaves fresh spinach, stems removed and finely 

chopped 

2 cloves garlic, minced 

1 cup cooked rice 

¼ cup chopped fresh Basil 

¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 

¼ tsp each salt and pepper 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Remove stems from tomatoes; cut in half horizontally. Scoop 

out and discard pulp and seeds. Turn tomato halves upside 

down to drain on paper towels. 

In small skillet, cook pine nuts in oil over low heat, stirring 

until golden, about five minutes. Add spinach and garlic; cook 

for one to two minutes. Remove from heat. Add rice, basil, ½ 

cup of the cheese, salt and pepper. Spoon into tomatoes. 

Place in greased shallow baking dish; sprinkle with remaining 

cheese. Bake in 350 F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until 

tender. Broil for one to two minutes to brown tops, if desired. 

*Recipes courtesy Foodland Ontario 


Possibilities for generations, 

made in South Bruce. 

The Murray family has owned this farm for 170 years. 

Today, with her job at the NWMO, Morgan is able to live close to home. 

If a repository for used nuclear fuel is built in South Bruce, 

it will bring jobs for generations and investments in community well-being. 

Learn more: 

www.nwmo.ca/SBProjectBenefits 

@nwmocanada 

/company/nwmocanada

Blast Off To 

Summer Reading Club 

Log your reading, earn badges and 

win prizes all summer long. Visit 

Bruce County Public Library for 

weekly space-themed programs, 

special guests, outdoor movies, 

and so much more! 

www.library.brucecounty.on.ca

Grey-Bruce Kids Summer 2024

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