Glimmer of hope for Williamsburg library

“Here at The Hartford Retirement Residence we celebrate our seniors everyday,” said Julianne Swindells, general manager. 

But on October 1, Hartford staff and local dignitaries gathered on National Seniors Day to recognized the contributions of the Hartford’s resident volunteers. 

South Dundas Steven Byvelds read the Mayoral Proclamation and local MPP Jim McDonell handed out scrolls to the honoured residents who were also provided with certificates of recognition, on behalf of MP Guy Lauzon by his representative Eric Duncan, who is also Warden for SDG and mayor of North Dundas.

Twenty people were rewarded for their volunteerism ranging from help with various activities and events, food preparations within the Hartford Community. 

Some were recognized for their ambassadorship and others for the help with community events and services like Meals on Wheels and knitting for newborns.

October 1, communities across Canada joined together to recognize National Seniors Day. National Seniors Day focuses on celebrating and recognizing the contributions made by seniors to better their communities, families and workplaces.

Recognized at the Hartford were; Ruth Fetterly, Nelda Brown, Esther Allin, Ellen McKeown, Ena Douglas, Madge Lewis, Luva Irven, John Darling, Ethel Caldwell, Margaret Innes, Delores Wells, Doris Thompson, Vivian Holmes, Wanda Storto, Lois Grant, Stella Haystead, Barbara Bern and Inez Bilmer. Eileen Tuckey and Dawn Froats were also recognized posthumously.

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While the Eastern Ontario Health Unit is warning of an influx of ticks carrying Lyme disease in this region, local veterinarians are issuing the same warning as ticks carrying Lyme disease can be  more dangerous to dogs than people. 

Dogs are considered to be 50 per cent more susceptible to developing Lyme disease from a tick bite than people. 

“Lyme disease is definitely one of  the biggest preventable disease concerns for dogs in our area,” says Dr. Devin Hunt of the Morrisburg Animal Hospital.

“We have seen a tremendous increase in the past few years of dogs reacting positive to the Lyme disease test,” said Hunt. “In years past, we would see two to three positives a year. In 2011, we saw eight. Last year we had 20.”

According to Hunt, locally, the hot-spot for dogs appears to be centred around Ingleside/Long Sault.

“To the west, we are seeing more positives west of Iroquois. The closer you get to Gananoque, the more you get,” he adds.

Also, Hunt is seeing some isolated hot-spots north of the Seaway, particularly, Newington, Lunenberg and Williamsburg.

Dogs that frequent long grass and forested areas are most at risk. 

“This past year however, we have also seen a couple of positives from dogs that never leave their yard. Songbirds can literally ‘parachute’ ticks into an area,” explains Hunt.

Hunt is recommending that all dogs in the Ingleside and Long Sault area receive Lyme disease vaccine, unless their risk of exposure is extremely low (mostly inside dogs). 

“Dogs spending a lot of time in the bush need to also receive tick control as there are other diseases ticks can spread other than Lyme disease such as Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis. Thankfully, both of these diseases seem to be pretty rare in our area presently,” said Hunt.

For pet owners who find a tick on their dog, they can take the tick to their veterinary clinic for identification and testing to see if it was an infected. Regular lab fees apply. 

For more information on ticks and tick prevention protocols, talk to your veterinarian. 

[…]

According to a report submitted to South Dundas council, the township currently owns 109 properties.

On January 17th, council agreed with Clerk Brenda Brunt’s recommendation that seven of these properties should be declared surplus and then sold.

According to Brunt, “staff has done extensive research on our properties. These seven have been identified, that we feel are surplus at this point.” Brunt’s report pointed out that two of the properties have buildings, while the remaining five are vacant.

The seven properties include various locations throughout South Dundas. They are: 5680 Duncan Street in Mariatown; vacant land at the corner of County Roads 8 and 41; vacant land beside the outdoor rink in Dundela on County Road 18; vacant land on Hanesville Road; vacant land on Pleasant Valley Road;  vacant land on Caldwell Drive in Iroquois; and, 2 Miller Street in Iroquois.

According to the report, “proceeds from the sales will go to the Sale of Assets Reserve Account.”

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