Month: May 2012

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.

[…]

The students of Timothy Christian School performed a new play this year for friends, family and members of the community with two performances on May 17th and May 18th.

The play, Everyday Heroes, revolved around the stories of three of the Bibles many heroes: Gideon, Esther and Nehemiah.

According to music director  (and teacher) Elizabeth Van Dyke, “it picks three stories out of the Bible about people that were really everyday people and not somebody you would necessarily expect to do extraordinary things.”

“God used everyday people to do wonderful things.”

“It’s a group effort,” she said. Everyone in the school from kindergarten to grade 8 was involved in making the play a success.

Teacher Alyssa DeKleine acted as the drama director for this year’s production.

Timothy Christian School tackles a play every other year. As Van Dyke pointed out, “it’s a big time commitment.” During the ‘off’ year, the students of Timothy Christian School display their many talents in a talent show.

[…]

The South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services was kept very busy this past weekend answering to motor vehicle collisions on and off Highway 401.

According to chief Chris McDonough, “we had a two vehicle MVC (motor vehicle collision) on Friday morning (May 18th) on the 401 with no injuries.”

On Sunday, May 20th, he reported a “vehicle fire on the 401 about 3 a.m.” and then on Sunday afternoon there was a “motorcycle on the on-ramp to Morrisburg with minor injuries.”

On Monday, May 21st, in the afternoon, “we had a serious MVC rollover on the 401 west of Morrisburg. One patient was airlifted with serious injuries and four others were transported by land ambulance.”

“We also had a tractor fire on Carman Road at the same time, north of Iroquois. The tractor was fully engulfed upon arrival. There were no injuries.”

[…]

At the May 15th South Dundas council meeting, manager of recreation and facilities Don Lewis presented council with quotations for three tenders: playground equipment for three locations, interior painting at Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners, and a roof replacement for the Morrisburg dock washroom.

In his first presentation, he asked that council accept a quotation from Henderson Recreation Equipment Ltd. in the amount of $36,055.87 plus HST for the replacement of playground equipment in Winchester Springs as well as in two locations in Morrisburg: Rowan Drive and Coyle Drive.

Three companies were contacted by phone and all three submitted quotes. Henderson Recreation Equipment Ltd. was the lowest bid, providing free delivery and installation.

 The playground equipment is $1,500 lower than the allotted budget. The money comes from the Parkland Reserve fund.

In his second presentation, which focussed on the painting of the interior of Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners, Lewis requested that council accept a quote from Precision Painting Services in the amount of $5,090 plus HST.

Following advertisements in local newspapers and on the township website, five companies submitted quotes for the painting job. Precision Painting Services had the lowest bid. The Matilda Hall project came in approximately $1,000 under budget.

Lewis’ third and final presentation was for a replacement roof on the Morrisburg Dock’s washroom. According to Lewis, the project was advertised in the local papers and on the township’s website.

Out of the four companies that responded, Roof Works was chosen for its low bid in the amount of $3,300 plus HST. This project comes in at eight cents over budget.

[…]

What do you do with a run-down hotel that just won’t sell?

Desperate times call for desperate measures, but there’s never been a real estate deal to match the hilarious goings on of Hotbed Hotel, Upper Canada Playhouse’s season opener running June 7 though July 1. 

Terri and Brian Cody are hoping to sell their “One Star Hotel” in the Florida Keys, to the only man who has expressed any interest in buying it. 

They’re not expecting him for a couple of weeks and are caught off-guard when they receive a phone call that he’ll be arriving within the hour! 

Unfortunately, they have so few guests they’re afraid the prospective buyer will recognize immediately that the hotel is a bad investment.

The Playhouse has assembled one of their largest, whackiest and most talented casts to date for this hysterical comedy.

Doug Tangney, has been entertaining audiences for years. He will be one of the several Playhouse favourites to hit the stage in this knee-slapping comedy. 

He is joined by Richard Bauer, who plays the impatient and suspicious buyer, Sam Lewis. Together with the other cast members Bauer is a master of fast-paced, exciting comedy. 

Debra Hale and Timm Hughes are the hotel owners, Terri and Brian Cody. Frequent Playhouse performers, Hale also appeared in last season’s Sensuous Senator while Hughes was last seen in Dear Santa. 

Another Playhouse favourite, Susan Greenfield, plays the fun-loving Hayley. Also returning to the UCP stage is AnnaMarie Lea, as the dim-witted maid, Maureen. Lea is also locally known as the producer of Cow Patti Theatre 

Erin MacKinnon, a Toronto actress formerly from Brockville, returns to UCP to play Ashley, the companion of buyer Sam Lewis. Also returning for Hotbed Hotel is well-known local actress Brenda Quesnel. 

New to Playhouse audiences is Mo Bock, a veteran actor who has appeared in several seasons at 1000 Islands Playhouse. He makes his Playhouse debut in Morrisburg as the ne’er-do-well maintenance man, Hopkins. 

The set is designed by John Thompson with lighting designed by Sean Free. 

Artistic Director Donnie Bowes, who directs the show, is bracing for a wild rehearsal period with this blue chip cast. He expects that audiences will have the time of their lives when they check into the hilarious Hotbed Hotel.

 The seasonal opener, Hotbed Hotel, runs Tuesday to Saturday at Upper Canada Playhouse at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. 

For tickets and information contact the Playhouse at 613-543-3713 or at uppercanadaplayhouse.com.

[…]

With close to 50 members and several car shows already scheduled for the summer,  the Golden Gears Car Club Inc. is off to a roaring start.  

The club, revived after a 40 year absence,  originally focused on performance and speed but today’s club is aimed at the enjoyment and restoration of classic cars.  

The Golden Gears began in 1963 in Iroquois when a group of young men who shared a passion for cars and high performance engines got together to swap stories and tips for improving the horsepower ratings of their engines.  Now the members tend to be older and in an energy conscious era, are more interested in maintaining classic vehicles from the past, and some from the present.

Re-organized over the past winter under the direction of club president Henry Swank,  the Golden Gears have developed a new set of by-laws, have been incorporated as a non-profit group and are ready to begin enjoying the hobby of classic car enthusiasts. 

First on the agenda is a “Show & Shine” planned for May 25th from 6 to 8 pm at the Canadian Tire parking lot in Morrisburg.  

For those unfamiliar with the term,  a “Show & Shine” simply means that owners of classic and restored vehicles bring them to a central location so that other car hobbyists and the general public can wander around the lot and enjoy looking at some truly beautiful automobiles.  

Music, usually rock and roll from the golden age of most of the vehicles, is part of the  event. As well, there can be displays from auto related vendors, and of course, food and drinks.    

The club will also stage a  similar event in Iroquois in the north-west corner of the shopping plaza lot on Wednesday,  June 13, from 6 to 8. With high visibility from the traffic on County Road 2,  and food available from several Iroquois plaza eateries,  that show is expected to be a highlight of the summer as well.

The Golden Gears have also taken some of the workload from the Iroquois- Matilda Lions Club by agreeing to run the car show that has become a large component of the Canada Day celebrations on the Iroquois Point.  

Upwards of 150 cars are expected if the weather cooperates and the car club will look after registration, parking, judging and all the other aspects that make up a great car show. 

Also on the summer agenda is a car show to run parallel to the Fly-In Breakfast on July 15 in Iroquois. With the encouragement of the flying club, the show will take place in the park land, directly south of Elizabeth Drive enabling visitors to walk around and view both aircraft and classic cars all in the same location.

The Golden Gears meet monthly, with the next meeting to take place under the pavilion at Iroquois Point on June 12,  starting at 7.  

If you’re interested in joining, why not come out and see what it’s all about?  You can also check the club’s website at www.goldengears.ca.

[…]

Sari Liem of Dillon Consulting in Ottawa presented the interim report for the South Dundas Community Strategic Plan at the May 15th council meeting.

She reminded council that the process “is very much shaped by the community.”

Liem also pointed out that ideas need to be “achievable, practical and economically achievable” and should “support continuous improvement.”

According to Liem’s report, “we received over 200 community wishes (specific aspirations for the betterment of the community) across the various consultation activities.”

“The community wishes have been grouped into seven topic areas:

• Culture, heritage, tourism and waterfront development;

• Beautification;

• Economic growth, job creation and business support;

• Social supports, community resources and affordable housing;

• Planning and infrastructure;

• Recreation programs and facilities; and,

• Agriculture.”

In addition to breaking community wishes into topic areas, the Dillon consultants were able to summarize community wishes and ideas into common themes, which include:

• Create a municipal identity that will celebrate South Dundas’ rich history and culture;

• Create recreational programs, opportunities and facilities that will attract and retain families, children and youth;

• Strengthen South Dundas’ agricultural sector through partnerships with tourism industry;

• Support business expansion and job creation;

• Sustain South Dundas’ small town lifestyle through appropriate development;

• Implement beautification projects to strengthen our sense of pride and community.”

Liem told council the action plan meetings will be held on May 30th at Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Anyone in South Dundas wishing to have input in making actual plans for moving forward in South Dundas should register and attend.

Participants will be divided into two groups: group A and group B. Each group will tackle three different themes, spending 90 minutes on each planning session.

Following Liem’s presentation, mayor Steven Byvelds said, “I think what you’ve heard is what South Dundas is all about.”

“Hopefully, with appropriate action plans, we’ll get there.”

Following the action plan meetings, Dillon Consulting will create a recommended vision statement and an implementation strategy complete with timeline. 

The final plan, when ready, will be presented to council for approval and then be released to the public.

[…]

[…]

Mark Jarvis is still a little overwhelmed.

“We were definitely not expecting to win the Donner Prize,” he said. 

“We learned in March that our book was on the short list for consideration by the Donner Canadian Foundation, and my colleagues and I were pleased just about that. But when we went to the awards banquet in May and he (Allan Gotlieb, chairman of the Foundation) announced our names, well, it was incredible. 

Actually,” Jarvis (37) added with a ready laugh, “I think we were all just hoping that someone was actually reading the book.”

Democratizing  the  Constitution: Reforming Responsible Government, the book by Peter Aucoin, Mark D. Jarvis and Lori Turnbull was awarded the 2012  Donner Prize, valued at $50,000.

The Donner Canadian Foundation established the annual prize to recognize and reward the best public policy thinking, writing and research by a Canadian. It provides a spring board for authors who may not necessarily be well-known, but who can make a meaningful contribution to policy discourse.

Author Mark Jarvis was born and raised in Morrisburg, a graduate of St. Mary-St. Cecilia, and of St. Joseph’s in Cornwall.

He recently learned that his book has also been shortlisted for the Smiley Prize, named in honour of Donald Smiley, and presented by the Canadian Political Science Association. That winner will be announced in June.

“This has all been a great honour,” Jarvis said. “And in many ways, a true surprize.”

Following his education in South Dundas, Jarvis attended Trent University in Peterborough where he took a degree in sociology. He won his Master’s degree from Carleton University, again in sociology.

Jarvis is currently a doctoral candidate at the School of Public Administration with the University of Victoria.

I asked him how a sociologist came to change his academic direction toward the area of public administration, government ac-countability and public policy.

“Well,” Jarvis said. “It really was a kind of round about trip. While I was taking my sociology degree at Carleton, I was offered a job in public service in Ottawa. My task involved doing research into accountability for a small branch of the government. In the process, I gradually became interested in the whole concept of accountability.”

He published Modernizing Government Accountability: A Framework for Reform (2005) and The Adoption of the Accounting Officer System in Canada: Changing Relationships? (2009) among others.

He also met the late professor Peter Aucoin and professor Lori Turnbull. 

“We found we held a number of ideas in common, and gradually the outline of a book took shape. What we were interested in was some of the dysfunction within our Parliamentary system. In particular, we looked at the specific powers that enable prime ministers to inhibit Parliament from ensuring the government is accountable to the citizens it serves.”

The three first took their ideas, in the form of an opinion piece, to a national newspaper. The paper refused to print the article.

“Peter, highly regarded in his field, already felt very strongly about the issue of power and accountability,” Jarvis explained, “and this paper’s absolute refusal to print our article pretty much motivated us to develop our views more fully and to approach an academic publishing firm with them. They said go ahead.”

Dividing up chapters, and meeting to discuss ideas and to make revisions, took the trio from March of 2009 to the book’s completion in 2010. It came out in 2011.

Sadly, Peter Aucoin recently died, in his 67th year. The book which would win him the Donner Prize was among his last.

What lies at the core of Democratizing the Constitution?

“The concept of accountability is a major personal concern to me,” Jarvis said. 

“I think it is a basic premise of our democratic system that the people to whom we have delegated authority to act in our name, must justly discharge that duty. Individuals have to be held to account for the acts and decisions they make. 

We all want effective government and good outcomes in Canada. This cannot happen without accountability.”

The book has created some controversy over its argument that prime ministers have too much power.

“I am not claiming that prime ministers in Canada are abusing power the way leaders of other countries do. Think of the corruption confronted by Arab Spring. Think of someone like Putin, who practices extreme control and manipulation,” Jarvis explained, 

“But improvement is needed. Prime ministers can retain and use Crown powers resulting in a situation where they have almost unfettered power to make decisions – partisan and otherwise – that limit or negate Parliament’s role in our democratic system.”

Jarvis readily admits that any changes or “improvements” will require re-opening the Canadian Charter of Rights.

“Canadians are very reluctant to do this,” he said. “Every time we’ve tinkered with the Charter in the past, well, the outcome has not been productive. Think Meech Lake. 

We now seem to have developed a kind of national paralysis or great fear of opening the Charter up for revision or a second look. I contend, and this is my opinion, that the current level of power held by prime ministers is too much with regards to parliament.”

The book advances research and specific situations which the authors believe support their point of view. 

What lies ahead for Mark Jarvis, with the Donner Prize on his list of accomplishments?

“With some luck I can now really focus on my (doctoral) dissertation,” he laughed. “I need to defend it sooner or later, and my committee would certainly prefer it to be sooner.”

[…]