Garden springs up from ‘Spring Fling’

Employees at Xenopus in Morrisburg started their Christmas celebrations with a very generous donation of $600 to the 1st C.A.V. Sicily Unit for their ongoing project to support the Homeless Veterans Fund. The presentation was made on Monday, December 24 by Xenopus representatives, Keith MacDonald (Director of European Sales, left) and employee Barb Hodgson to C.A.V. president, Frank “Heafty” Malette. The Xenopus employees participate regularly in 50/50 draws to raise money, and the company matched what we raised, explained Hodgson in making the presentation. “This year we decided to donate the money through the Morrisburg Legion Poppy Fund to the Homeless Veterans Fund. As a member of the Legion and the granddaughter of a veteran, I am proud we have selected this charity. It is with great pleasure that we are able to present this cheque to you.” C.A.V. president, Heafty Malette was accompanied by C.A.V. members Julie “Mumbles” Malette, John “Saddle Tramp” Kennedy, Janet “Cookie” Trudeau and Reg “Bluenose II” Anderson and Legion Branch #48 Poppy chair Tom Fisher. Malette explained that “throughout the year we [C.A.V. Sicily Unit] raise money for the Homeless Veterans Fund which raises money for our veterans, who, for one reason or another end up living on the streets. Our biggest event is our Ride. We want to thank you very much for your generous donation.”  C.A.V. (Canadian Army Veterans) Sicily, formed in the summer of 2011, and is named for the 1943 Battle of Sicily. It consists of Veterans and supporters, most of whom ride motorcycles. Associated with Morrisburg Branch 48, the motorcycle unit participates in various events in the South Dundas community and supports the local Legion with the annual Poppy Campaign. Xenopus Inc. produces a high end line of dental burs and is located in the Morrisburg Industrial Park. It employs approximately 30-35 people. 

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The Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) held a Community Ambassadors’ Breakfast on May 18th at the McIntosh Country Inn and Conference Centre in Morrisburg.

The breakfast got underway with a brief overview of what has been happening in Winchester over the past year in the following areas: primary care; acute care; seniors’ care; community and health partners; education and research; and, technology.

CEO Cholly Boland touched on several advancements during his presentation, including the fact that “the area served now includes part of South Ottawa.”

According to Boland, the WDMH is becoming a Centre of Excellence for Rural Health and Education. In fact, he reported that more medical residents are becoming interested in WDMH. Last year, there were 50 applicants for only two resident openings whereas this year there were 75 applicants for only two resident openings.

Boland, who is now the administrator for Dundas Manor, said that he couldn’t comment on plans for Dundas Manor yet as he’s “still learning.”

Following Boland’s presentation, Dr. Jim Blakslee, chief of surgery, spoke about the women’s cancer program in Winchester.

“One of our focuses in surgical services is to take on women’s cancers,” said Blakslee. However, the hospital doesn’t just focus on  surgery, but rather on the whole cancer continuum from diagnosis forward.

He informed the attendees that “any woman aged 50 and up should be getting a mammogram every two years. You don’t need to be referred by your doctor. You just call the hospital.”

He pointed out that if 200 women have a mammogram, 16 will need more testing. Out of those 16, one will discover they have breast cancer.

“We’ve streamlined that process,” said Blakslee, “women used to go back to the family doctor, but we’ve eliminated that.”

“We’ve at least shaved two weeks off” the process. 

WDMH provides a “safe, nurturing environment close to home,” he continued.

While Winchester is providing more cancer services than before, there are still some things that require a trip to Ottawa. Chemotherapy can be done in Winchester, but for radiation therapy, patients must still travel to Ottawa.

Linda Johnson, a registered nurse working in the oncology department, said “we have a breast cancer program that we’re very proud of in Winchester.”

“Our role is just to support them, give them the information and be there for them,” said Johnson of patients who are awaiting diagnosis or who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“We sit and talk with them. We might see them several times throughout the journey.”

According to Johnson, there are six chemotherapy nurses and “100 per cent are de Souza certified. We’re all very proud to say we’re 100 per cent.”

The de Souza Institute, according to their website, “provides ongoing educational support, professional development and career counseling at no cost to Ontario nurses caring for oncology patients in any setting and phase of the cancer care journey.”

Johnson pointed out that while the community at large could benefit from a cancer support group, Winchester’s group of oncology nurses are there and ready to offer whatever support they can.

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IROQUOIS – Match Week 7 of South Dundas United FC’s summer soccer season July 6 saw a number of story-lines take place as teams jockey for positions in the league tables as the end of […]