April 2012 – Page 6 – Morrisburg Leader

Country Jukebox offers taste of Grand Ole Opry

April 18, 2012 Editor

Playhouse favourite Leisa Way and her fabulous Wayward Wind Band have wowed audiences with their live tributes to Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton. Their upcoming country concert, Country Jukebox, running May 2-13 at Upper Canada Playhouse, promises to give audiences more than their money’s worth by performing hit songs from no less than 25 famous country stars.

It will be like the Grand Ole Opry.

Way and her talented band of musicians and singers will perform the greatest hits from one of the biggest line-ups of country stars you’ll ever find in one show.

“I think this will be their best concert yet. There’s so much in it,” said artistic director Donnie Bowes. “Folks really liked the Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton shows, but this time the show is packed with fabulous music from everyone’s favourite singers. There’s such a variety of hit songs, that it’s hard to know where to start.”

Among others, the concert will feature renditions of famous duos and hits from the likes of Roy Orbison, k.d. lang, Shania Twain, Bryan White, Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Brooks & Dunn, Everly Brothers, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette and George Jones.

In addition to all these great classics, Leisa and the Band will perform the world premier of a new Ray Mercey song from the Mercey Brothers written just for this concert.

Star Leisa Way’s career has taken her to theatres across North America and in 50 other nations. She toured the Charlottetown Festival’s Anne of Green Gables as Anne, in performances which included the British Royal Family.Her Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton concerts have played in countless theatres since appearing here at Upper Canada Playhouse. She is an extraordinary talent.

Like Way, the members of her band are all stellar musicians and singers.

Musical director and pianist Bruce Ley, was with the Tommy Hunter and the Ronnie Prophet shows. He has worked with such greats as Don Everly, Chet Atkins and Brenda Lee. He is also the composer of music for television including Polka Dot Door and Sesame Street.

Drummer Dave Wilson has performed in some of Toronto’s biggest musicals, from Miss Saigon to Mama Mia, Les Mierables to Beauty and the Beast. He has also written music for Ellen DeGeneres and the Tyra Banks show.

Kim Ratcliffe, guitarist, has worked with artists like Colm Wilkinson, David Clayton Thomas and Sharon, Lois and Bram. He has also performed with top dance bands and in Dirty Dancing, Chicago and Hairspray.

Randall Kempf on bass, has a 30 year association with Sylvia Tyson, and has also performed with such greats as Buffy St. Marie, George Streit, Johnny Paycheck and Emmylou Harris. He’s worked in rock and roll, rhythm and blues, folk and country and is well known in radio and t.v.

Aaron Solomon, who played Johnny Cash in last year’s hit concert, Johnny and June, will also be joining Leisa Way for Country Jukebox. An accomplished fiddler, banjo and guitar player, Solomon has worked with such diverse artists as Shania Twain, Jeff Healy, George Hamilton IV and in over 300 recording sessions.

It’s safe to say that the Playhouse has something mighty special in store with this incredible line-up of talent coming to the stage May 2. “It’s amazing the combined total of experience and talent that’s represented in these concerts,” Bowes said. “Having these talented artists join us each May to kick off our summer season has been a real thrill.”

If you’re a country music fan or just a plain music fan, there will be something for everyone at this blockbuster run of Country Jukebox, starring Leisa Way.

Audiences are advised to book early at 613-543-3713, 1-877-550-3650 or uppercanadaplayhouse.com.

[…]

Fashion and Fun at Festival Fundraiser

April 18, 2012 Editor

Sears Catalogue Store (the Iroquois branch recently received recognition from Sears for customer service) and River Rat Treasures jointly sponsored and hosted a fund raising fashion show held at the Iroquois Legion on Sunday, April 15.

Wearing a sparkling mixture of modern and exciting styles from Sears and some styles that would have made great-great-grandma swoon a century and a half ago, 12 models of all ages delighted a crowd numbering over 80. The funds raised from the event, $870, will all be donated to the Iroquois and District Celebration Festival Committee.

“We included a segment of period costumes to create some excitement for our upcoming festival,” said Candace Menges of River Rat Treasures and Candy’s Hair Salon, organizer for the show. “Our theme for the September festival is “Dundas Militia…A Call to Arms…War of 1812,” so it all fit.”

Evonne Delegarde served as commentator for the fashion show. Guests enjoyed tasty treats, took advantage of several door prizes and explored some very unique shopping opportunities over the evening.

Nancy Horton, a cancer survivor and author of the book, Hope in the Midst of Darkness, and the children’s book, The Big Fat Head (illustrated by her son, Carter) was also on hand at the fashion show. Diagnosed with cancer in 2005, Horton supports efforts, through her books, to help people cope with the disease, and with loved ones going through treatments.

“Think positive, reach out to God in times of trouble,” she said, “and don’t lose hope. The word cancer is not a death sentence.”

[…]

Hockey girls, show that home town spirit

April 18, 2012 Editor

It may not be possible for every girl to be an Olympian, but it may be possible for local girls to meet, talk to and skate with one.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist in women’s hockey (and widely considered the greatest female hockey player in the world), Hayley Wickenheiser could put South Dundas on her agenda in the near future.

Wickenheiser believes that Canada’s sport of hockey rocks for a number of reasons.

She is currently launching a nationwide contest to engage girls and women to make some noise for the game they love and for the hometown they play it in.

Any town can enter the contest. The goal is to promote girls’ hockey and show local spirit.

Wickenheiser is asking female hockey players to create a 60-90 second video demonstrating the real Canadian spirit and hockey girl power.

The creators can post their completed video to YouTube and submit the link via hayleywickenheiser.com.

People will then be invited to “like” the video by sharing on Twitter, Facebook and any way they can. The most “likes” wins: the whole community can get behind a local entry.

“I can’t wait to see what crazy and creative ideas the girls come up with to show off their town and pump up the game,” said Wickenheiser. “I learned to play in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, so I know first-hand the size of a community doesn’t reflect its enthusiasm and gumption. I hope to see videos made by players from Annapolis, Nova Scotia to the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia.”

A successful entry will win a visit from Hayley Wickenheiser to South Dundas where the hockey heroine will skate with the minor hockey team, or up to 15 friends and family and also take part in a picture and autograph session.

Wickenheiser will also set up a speaking engagement for the community’s entire minor hockey association.

There will be additional prizes from the Olympian’s personal memorabilia collection for the video’s creator(s).

This could be a great opportunity to show community spirit and the strong support in South Dundas for girls’ hockey.

To learn full contest details, go to hayleywickenheiser.com

For an interview or for more information, contact Ceilidh Price at 403-462-7895 or ceilidh.price@gmail.com

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Lifetime resident Gerald Westervelt passes

April 11, 2012 Editor

A lifetime resident of the Brinston area, Gerald John Westervelt, passed away at home on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 50 years old.

Gerald was born in Winchester on July 24, 1961, to his parents Gerrit and Johanna Westervelt (nee Geurkink). He attended Timothy Christian School in Williamsburg and Seaway District High School. Following high school, he worked for his dad on the family farm.

In 1994, Gerald and his brother John purchased the farm from their father.

On April 4, 1986, he married Pamela Wind and together they had five children: Rebecca, Kimberly, Christopher, Larissa and Jillian.

Gerald was a devoted husband and father. Gerald loved farming. He was a lifetime member of the Williamsburg Christian Reformed Church. He also enjoyed photography.

He was passionate about helping others in need and had the farm participate for many years in the Canadian Foodgrains project.

Gerald was a humble man, with a good sense of humour, always friendly and smiling. He will always be remembered as being a courageous fighter, and an honourable man, who touched many people’s lives.

Gerald is survived by his wife Pamela, his children Rebecca, Kimberly, Christopher, Jillian and Larissa; his father, Gerrit Westervelt of Brinston; his siblings Evelyn (Gerald) Van-Starkenburg of Pembroke, Margaret Westervelt of Brinston, John (Jana) of Brinston, Martin (Trudy) of Brinston and Calvin (Sheila) of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is also survived by aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Gerald was predeceased by his mother, Johanna.

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Friday, April 6, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.

Funeral service was held at the Williamsburg Christian Reformed Church on Saturday, April 7, at 11 a.m., with Rev. John Noordhof officiating. Interment followed at Spruce Haven Cemetery, Brinston.

Pallbearers were Bert Smail, Rob Smail, Albert Zandbergen, Ralph Tibben, Allan Freeland and Harry Van’tFoort.

Donations to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be made at marsdensmclaughlin.com.

[…]

Looking for help to save the ‘400’

April 11, 2012 Editor

Dear Editor,

I am writing this letter in regards to the South Dundas council’s decision to liquidate our (the taxpayers) public recreational land. South Dundas Township has many large pieces of recreational land such as golf courses, beaches, outdoor rinks, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, boat launches, dog parks, and parkland that line then northern shores of the St. Lawrence River.

There is only one large piece of public land in this township, however, that is suitable for the activities in which it is currently used. This piece of land is what we call around here: “the 400”. I am writing this letter as a concerned citizen of this township and this country.

South Dundas stretches approximately 30 kilometres along the river. Now, a good portion of that is owned by the St. Lawrence Parks Commission (Ontario government) and is designated as a sanctuary. From the end of the sanctuary land just east of Morrisburg to the end of the township just west of Iroquois (which is 11.9 kilometres from Morrisburg) is approximately 15 to 20 kilometres.

In this small stretch of waterfront there is a park in the Village of Morrisburg. There is also a dog park on this site. It is a fenced environment and is complete with tow large separate caged areas, interlock brick walkways, lighting, there is even a hose and water at the site to clean the… well, you know what I mean off your shoes.

Across the road from the dog park is a beach. Further west, there is another waterfront park in the hamlet of Mariatown. Continue down Lakeshore Drive a couple kilometres and you will come upon Loyalist Park, which again is waterfront property.

A few kilometres later down County Road 2 you get to Iroquois. This town holds some large waterfront properties. These consist of: an 18 hole golf course, a beach and an airstrip.

Recently, the Iroquois Gold Club came up for lease. It was a controversial issue. On one side, many wanted to sell the golf course and its property. The shared opinion was that the golf course did not generate enough revenue to justify keeping it open. It was felt that if we sold this land to a developer of sorts, we would benefit greatly from, first, the initial revenue generated from the sale of this mass waterfront property and, for the long term, that the construction and operations of whatever was built there would keep the money flowing for years to come.

On the other side, were the citizens who felt that the land should remain public, and that development would ruin the natural beauty of the landscape in this village. In the end, the public’s opinion was heard. The township had asked the public’s opinion, and although there was much controversy, the final decision was to see the golf course remain in public hands. So, council made the decision, and a new 20 year lease was signed, case closed.

You’re probably wondering exactly where I’m going with this. What I’m getting at here is that last week I opened up the local paper, as my eyes scrolled their way down the front page, I suddenly stopped and swallowed hard as I read the title of an article. It stated: “Forested land and wetland declared surplus by council.”

Immediately, I knew the location! A location very familiar to me. Coincidentally this “surplus” land, is but a few feet from forested land that has been in my family for two generations. This “surplus” land is a place where I’ve grown up, I’ve walked, rode, and hunted this land my entire life. It is a playground of a different kind, a playground without monkey bars, swings, or slides, but a playground none the less.

This property has provided recreation of a different variety to many outdoorsmen. ATV/dirt bike/skidoo riders, cross-country skiers, nature enthusiasts, and families from in and out of this township who prefer the serenity, seclusion, and natural beauty of this property to the other public parks and recreation areas in the township. Pretty much all of which are located in towns and villages close to roads, homes, and businesses.

There is an unmaintained road that runs on the south side of this 397.31 acres of land, which has served as an absolutely amazing walk/ride through nothing but forest, for everything from ATV’s and snowmobiles to hunters or just someone out for a walk.

The impact on the folks who use this public property could be potentially devastating, for it is truly the last large piece of bush that exists in this township (as the satellite imagery will confirm). All that is left after this are small plots of bush scattered between vast plains of corn and soy and these small plots are disappearing more and more every year, cut away for expanding farms and the ever increasing demand for corn, essential for the production of ethanol fuel.

But an even bigger concern than losing a favoured recreation spot, is the certain potential for the complete annihilation of a vast ecosystem that exists in our last standing forest. Articles stated that an environmental study will be done. However, this study is only in place to detect the presence of two fish, four birds, and three plants. Well you can be certain the fish will not be there. So what happens if none of these nine species are found?

This forest is home to thousands upon thousands of mammals, birds, reptiles, and plant life. These lands are a safe haven for these animals. When winter comes, the mammals seek refuge deep in these thick cedar swamps, the only place that they really have to shelter themselves from the bitterness of winter. They feed off the buds of the coniferous trees to stay alive, as any other source of food (ex: grass, crops) is dead, frozen, and buried.

So what do we expect those animals, who are not considered endangered, to do when their food and shelter is taken away from them? They will move to survive. Accidents caused by “road kills” will rise, the food source will be gone, eventually the smaller animals will die off and larger, predatory animals (like coyotes, which are very much present in this township) will move elsewhere to find food to survive, whether that be prey in another habitat or somebody’s house pet.

Now, I realize there’s potential for someone to buy the land and not clear cut the entire bush, however, myself and many other residents share the opinion that odds are, this bush will be non-existent in the not so distant future. If you need proof of that, I recommend that you go and visit Google Earth and take a look at this area for yourself. I can’t even count the number of forests I saw being clear cut in the last year there were so many, can you?

I just find it very odd that all of this is happening so fast. When council was considering selling the Iroquois Golf Course, it was publicized from the very thought to the final decision. The 400 was not. A short article stating that this property has been deemed surplus and will be sold. Also, I was only able to find notification of this in the Morrisburg Leader and the Standard Freeholder.

I have met regular visitors of the 400 during all my time spent at this public land. A lot of these people are not even from South Dundas. I have met people from Russell, Embrun, Ottawa, Montreal, Brockville, Cornwall, Alexandria, the list goes on and on. I’m sure that all of these people from those areas would be just as upset about the sale of this property as we are. In fact, I’m sure some of them would even make an offer on the property to have for sporting purposes. However, they will probably not find out about the sale of this property until long after it has been sold.

I’m not writing this to cause an issue, nor am I comparing town to country, but I have to say that it is extremely unfair that the decision to sell was already made before we were even informed that the land was deemed as surplus.

This land is virtually maintenance free to this townhsip. The road that runs through it is unmaintained, it is overgrown, and tore up from years of riding and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m not a tree-hugger or environmentalist. I’m not a do-gooder or someone on a mission to save the planet. I’m an average citizen of this land just like anyone else born here. I’m defending this land so that my children and grandchildren can enjoy it for what it is, just as my generation and generations before that have enjoyed it just the same.

When the citizens of this township spoke out against the sale of their golf course and town waterfront, many who didn’t even use the golf course lent their support and signatures to keep the course in public hands. I support recreation of all kinds in this township, so I believe I speak for most users of the 400 land when I say… would you please support us in keeping this land the way it is, and in the hands of the citizens of this land.

The final day for bids on this land is April the 16th. We don’t have a lot of time, I urge you to please voice your concerns to Mayor Steven Byvelds and Clerk Brenda Brunt as their names were the only two mentioned in the statement given to newspapers.

Mayor Steven Byvelds

613-652-2271

613-897-1617 (cell)

mayor@southdundas.com (email)

Brenda Brunt – clerk

613-535-2673 (township office)

1-800-265-0619 (toll free)

bbrunt@southdundas.com (email)

Southdundas.com

Facebook.com/southdundas

Sincerely,

Tyler Mills

[…]

South Dundas Atom B2 claim silver medal in Kids for Kids tournament

April 11, 2012 Editor

The South Dundas Atom B 2 Lions went all the way to the finish line before they gave up a loss in the Annual Kids for Kids Hockey tournament played here on the weekend of March 30-April 1.

The annual Kids for Kids tournament attracted 32 Atom B House team.

The South Dundas Atom B2 Lions finished first in their pool at the end of round robin play with victories against the Petawawa Jets, Athens Aeros and CAL Fort Henry Wings.

Sunday morning quarter final action saw the South Dundas Lions defeat the Carleton Place Kings 6-1.

They then faced the Brockville Jr. Braves, who had narrowly defeated the Lions in league playoff action in March.

The Lions came out motivated against the Braves to dominate the play from the opening face-off and were rewarded with a 2-0 victory and a berth in the finals against the Pembroke Panthers.

Pembroke opened the scoring in the first period of the championship game, but the Lions soon countered to tie it 1-1.

The teams continued to trade goals in a fast paced, evenly matched game. In the third period, the Panthers went up 4-3.

Although the Lions pressed hard for several minutes, they were unable to score a fourth goal. The Panthers added one more in the final minutes to win the game and the tournament with a 5-3 score.

Coach David Lapier said after the game, “The kids played absolutely amazing this weekend and as a coach it was very rewarding to see the effort that each player put forth in an attempt to win.”

[…]

BMO Soccer Kicks off 2nd year of ‘Team of the Week’ youth soccer program

April 11, 2012 Editor

On Monday, April 2, the Bank of Montreal (BMO) Financial Group launched the second season of its nationwide youth soccer program, BMO Team of the Week.

The contest, open to youth soccer players ages seven-12, recognizes 15 weekly winners who demonstrate team pride, spirit, community commitment and passion for the game.

The 2012 Champion will be crowned this summer when Canadians cast their vote to select their favourite team from the 15 weekly winners.

The winning team will receive: $125,000 towards a field refurbishment; a trip to see a Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact or Canadian National Team home match; and a $5,000 donation to the team’s charity of choice.

“The response we had last year to the BMO Team of the Week program was truly amazing, as 300,000 Canadians from communities across Canada – from Whitehorse, Yukon to Gabriola Island, B.C. to Hunter River, P.E.I. and everywhere in between – voted for their favourite teams,” said Sandy Bourne, Vice-President, Corporate Advertising & Sponsorships, BMO Financial Group.

“We’ve heard from people across the country who have told us that the program has done anexcellent job in promoting the value of participating in sport, along with the importance of being involved in the community. Our hope is that the achievements of last year’s winners will encourage other youth soccer teams across Canada to rise to the challenge and participate.”

For the next 15 weeks, Canadian soccer coaches, parents and community members can nominate their favourite youth soccer team aged 7-12 at BMOsoccer.com. BMO Team of the Week winners will be announced weekly starting on April 18th, and will receive $500, Team of the Week tracksuits, and a donation to a local charity.

Each of the winning teams will become finalists for the grand prize and Canadians can vote for the winner starting on August 13th atBMOsoccer.com.

Last year’s BMO Team of the Week champion, the Glen Shields Sun Devils, U – 11 girls team from Vaughan, Ontario, have since put their title – and the prize – to good use.

In addition to raising money of their own, the team successfully rallied the community and the City of Vaughan council to help with a larger refurbishment of their local soccer field.

They also generously gave the $5,000 donation from BMO to the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

BMO supports soccer across Canada from youth players in local neighbourhoods and communities all the way up to the professional level.

BMO’s deep commitment to ‘The Beautiful Game’ is evident from the beginning of the curve with its grassroots sponsorship of more than 900 youth teams nationally.

The relationship continues with support of Canada’s men’s and women’s national teams, professional teams (Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Montreal Impact) and its soccer venue title sponsorship (BMO Field).

[…]

The Crooked Brothers and Manitoba Hal headline at St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage

April 11, 2012 W. Gibb – Leader staff

Sandra Whitworth, board member for the St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage, could only talk in superlatives as she described The Crooked Brothers and Manitoba Hal as totally “fantastic musicians.”

“I saw them both at this year’s Ontario Council of Folk Festivals and was blown away,” Whitworth said. “I am personally, let me underline this, really looking forward to this show.”

The artists will be performing at the Stage in Morrisburg on Saturday, April 14, part of the St. Lawrence 2012 concert series.

Manitoba Hal, who will open the concert, is an accomplished guitarist, song writer and ukulele player. His is a unique and striking blues style: his ukulele finger picking and strumming has won him Canadian and international awards and election to the Ukulele Hall of Fame in 2001.

The Crooked Brothers, Jesse Matas, Darwin Baker and Matt Foster, are brothers spiritually and musically, brought together four years ago by a shared passion for music, song writing and performing. They have released critically acclaimed albums including 17 Horses and 2011’s Lawrence Where’s Your Knife, a mixture of old and new works. “I guess you’d have to say that, with us, music is a virus that never goes away,” explained Darwin Baker.

The Leader had the opportunity to talk to Hal and Darwin about their music.

Hal laughed when I asked him how an East Coast native, who plays a completely non traditional blues instrument like the ukulele, became Manitoba Hal.

“About 17 years ago, my grandfather handed me a 1955 Martin ukulele and made me promise to learn to play it. I learned to play, on my own, strictly by learning to read sheet music. I love the blues, and to me the ukulele carries a huge amount of melancholy under the surface. It creates a bittersweet sound that is utterly remarkable.”

Now using a specially built double neck ukulele, a “radio sonic” built for him by Fred Casey, Hal is able to loop his music to create a literal one man band on stage.

“Blues is honest and true music,” Hal said. “It’s music based in raw human emotion. I think the Crooked Brothers also tap into this emotion.

After all, a bluesman might sing of evils as a way of driving them away, making listeners feel better. There’s a lot of hope in this music. Since I learned my blues at the feet of Big Dave McLean, that distinct prairie sound is still part of me.”

His newest release, January 2012, is Flirting With Mermaids, of which Manitoba Hal says, tongue in cheek, “imagine the blues meeting an East Coast side show, and you have a sense of this album.”

Manitoba Hal will also be holding a special workshop on Saturday afternoon.

“I work at the level of the workshop participants,” he said, “because when I teach I also learn. I am passionate about making ukulele knowledge available to others.”

The Crooked Brothers, who will soon be leaving on a European tour, starting in Paris, are versatile western artists, for whom, as spokesman Darwin Baker put it, “music is our life.”

“Our dream has always been to be genuinely touring musicians, going to new places and new cities, keeping our music and ideas fresh.”

In four years of performing across the country, band members got into the habit of passing instruments around. “We all play acoustic guitar (love the unique sound of wood and metal vibrating together), mandolin, banjo, dobro and harmonica. In Morrisburg we will also have Zoe on the bass.”

Matt Foster and Darwin had performed together in other bands when they were joined by Jesse Matas. “We began playing together but twisting and stretching the music a bit for a unique sound. And eventually,” he laughed, “while we were waiting for a ‘real singer’ we all began singing by default.”

The Crooked Brothers describe their music as “roots, but that is kind of a blanket term. There is a strong blue grass flavour to our sound, and we like to actively seek out new sounds and instruments.”

Baker described the Brothers’ music as a “kind of catharsis, with some sadder and darker themes underlying, but there is also a lot of imagery from nature and our travels mixed in. We all write: then our jamming sessions in the lake cabin (Falcon Lake, Manitoba) can turn into something new and exciting like 17 Horses.”

The Brothers are looking forward to the St. Lawrence Stage. “We love playing live, whether the audience is in a rowdy bar, or in a concert hall. I think we are going to perform some more intimate and introspective songs in Morrisburg. And of course,” Baker added, laughing, “we’ll also play our rockers.”

Registration for the ukulele workshop and tickets for the 7 p.m., April 14 concert, at the Morrisburg Meeting Centre ($15 in advance, $18 at the door) are available at the Basket Case, Strung Out Guitars or www.st-lawrencestage.com

[…]

Hospital home to ‘flash mob’

April 11, 2012 Editor

Media Release

Close to 50 Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) staff members and physicians took over the front lobby and the upper balcony at noon on April 3 for an impromptu flash mob to celebrate National Nursing Oncology Day.

Led by chemotherapy nurse Stephanie Ouellette, the group danced to ‘Firework’ decked out in orange and cranberry outfits, the colours of the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology.

“WDMH is proud of its oncology nurses who provide specialized care to cancer patients in the region,” notes Cholly Boland, CEO. “In fact, all of WDMH’s chemotherapy nurses are certified through the de Souza Institute e-learning centre and are recognized for their advanced cancer care nursing knowledge and skills.”

Oncology nurses all over Canada raised awareness by doing the same flash mob dance to the same music at the same time in public spaces across Canada. At the end of the event, staff observed a moment of silence in remembrance of past oncology patients.

[…]

Seaway Students Score in Science

April 11, 2012 Editor

“We’re batting a 1,000 per cent here at Seaway,” said science teacher Robin Gibbs. “Three years of entering the United Counties Science Fair and three years of going to the finals. I am very, very proud of Bronwyn, Stormy and Sophia for their success.”

Bronwyn Fowler, Stormy Howard and Sophia Currier entered projects in the United Counties Science Fair, held March 30-31 at St. Lawrence High School in Cornwall, and came home as winners in several award categories.

Stormy and Bronwyn, will, in fact, be taking their project on to the Canadian Science Fair taking place in May in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Sophia’s project, “Spoiling Fruit” won a silver award from the Professional Engineers of Ontario, Upper Canada Chapter, and the Elementary Teachers’ Federation Plaque.

Bronwyn and Stormy’s project, “What’s a Bean’s Favourite Colour?” won the Outstanding Research Award, and the Science Teachers’ Association of Ontario Trophy.

Sophia studied the best conditions for the preservation of fresh fruit, creating special environments for pears and bananas in particular. “My mom was okay with fruit decomposing all around the house,” she said. Understanding and influencing fruit spoilage could help in healthier eating.

Bronwyn and Stormy made the final determination of their topic after a 3 a.m. debate between studying light or temperature effects on the growth of beans.

“We chose light,” Stormy said, “and used natural and artificial lights, along with our control bean plant, to affect the bean’s growth.”

“This project could help in finding out better ways to adjust green house glass for creating better crops,” Bronwyn explained.

There were 48 projects entered in the Fair this year, representing schools from all three counties, according to teacher Melissa Ringler, who is a member of the United Counties Science Fair Committee. Judges, who require the young exhibitors to answer questions and defend their ideas, are all community members involved in science careers.

Seaway’s proud principal, Terry Gardiner, added his congratulations to the three students, and to their teachers, Robin Gibbs and Janet Fowler.

[…]