Council committed to rebuild of Dunbar Recreation Centre

“This was an evening of accomplishments, an evening about you, the students,” said Seaway District High School vice principal, Karen Bryant, in her remarks to students, parents and friends gathered to honour the academic achievements of Seaway’s young undergraduate students. “Tonight is about you, but we also need to acknowledge the support of teachers and parents in helping you to reach these goals.”

The ceremony honouring the undergraduates was held the evening of November 9 in the high school gym, and drew a large and appreciative crowd. Students at all levels in the 2010 school year were honoured for their efforts in all subject areas with diplomas and trophies. 

Several Seaway students in grades 9-11 achieved over 80 per cent in all their subjects, while Samantha Venema, Gregory Bolton and Lesley-Ann Tupper  each scored over 90 percent. 

Grade 9 proficiency awards were 1st, Samantha Venema, 2nd, Massar Hamadi, 3rd, Shannon van Moorsel. Grade 10 proficiency awards were 1st, Lesley-Ann Tupper, 2nd, Gregory Bolton and 3rd, Olivia Currier. Grade 11 proficiency awards were 1st, Devin Fraser, 2nd, Beverley Fowler and 3rd, Stephen Tibben.

[…]

“You, Max, are the icon of generosity,” said  executive board member Doug Grenkie, thanking guest speaker, Max Keeping, following the September 21 meeting of the Canadian Club of Morrisburg and District.

Recently retired after over three decades as anchor of CTV/CJOH television in eastern Ontario and long time community supporter and activist, Keeping shared his views of giving, of the importance of community and of the role of the media in the community. His Newfoundland sense of humour always at the forefront, Keeping delivered an inspirational and thoughtful message.

He recalled how essential a station like CJOH has been to the eastern Ontario community, bringing people together through distinctive local productions and shows that reflect rural values and strengths. He was proud that New Faces, Regional Contact, and even the off-the-wall show, You Can’t Do That on Television, are remembered and honoured for their hometown spirit. They showcased the interesting places and people that mattered to eastern Ontario communities.

“In the 1960s,” Keeping said, “when I was just starting out, Ernest L. Bushnell was the new owner of CJOH TV. I remember him saying ‘This station must exist to do more than just make me money.’ He felt that his station had to be of service and benefit to the community.”

Keeping followed that philosophy throughout his on air career, actively promoting and supporting fund raisers, funding drives and community campaigns for nearly 40 years, including his work for CHEO, raising millions of dollars for sick children during telethons.

“In this wonderful and exciting new world of technology, our definition of neigbour is going to change. My neigbours used to be anyone four miles away. Now a neighbour can mean someone 8,000 miles away. The ability to net work and to bring people together on line in a good cause is a characteristic of young people today. They still cherish our fundamental values, but they plan to use technology to remake the world.”

Although he values and supports the new technical approaches to community involvement and fund raising, Keeping shared anedotes about the “good old days” on the  CJOH TV, when there was a push to get right out into the community to broadcast.

“Once, on a four nights run of a show called Hometown Tours, we decided in one town that it would be a great idea to put J.J. Clark, the weatherman, out into the river to deliver his report,” Keeping laughed.

“With more than a minute and a half to go in the report, J.J. suddenly threw the live mike back at me and I had to cover. When I asked him why later, he indignantly replied that the current was so strong, it was pulling him under. “I was drowning!”

Another time I talked him into making his weather broadcast from atop a live elephant. Suddenly the beast took off with J.J. trapped. We used to put him into all kinds of predicaments. I don’t think,” Keeping laughed, “that J.J. really minded when I left.”

He praised the efforts of the public service employees, of individuals and service groups and ordinary people for their generosity to others.

“Throughout my long career, I have learned to recognize and value the act of giving,” Keeping concluded.

“You receive so much more when you give. You of rural Canada have set the bar high in generosity to others: we in the cities must strive to meet that same bar.”

[…]

On December 4, at 7:00 p.m., step back in time to the gas lit, snow-covered cobblestone streets of Charles Dickens’ London as Lakeshore Drive United Church, in collaboration with Upper Canada Playhouse, presents a dramatic reading of the wondrous tale, A Christmas Carol.

Bring the entire family out to enjoy again the classic story of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, the Cratchit family and the Ghosts of Christmases  Past, Present and Future. Five performers in full Victorian costumes will re-tell the much loved Yule tale complete with music and Christmas songs.

Proceeds from the presentation will benefit this community. 

“All the funds raised from this event will go towards the purchase of four cardiac monitors for WDMH’s recovery room (where patients go following surgery),” said Chelsea McIntyre, Fund Development Associate for the WDMH Foundation. “These will be an update to the current cardiac monitors and will benefit the patients who need them greatly, as monitors allow caregivers to more closely watch the healing process during recovery.”

McIntyre was thrilled when Lakeshore Drive United Church, and Gail McCooeye, approached the Foundation with the idea of staging a dramatic reading of A Christmas Carol as a fund raiser. As part of their Third Party Event, the Foundation has helped out with posters, tickets and programs for the fund raiser. 

McIntyre is also delighted that WDMH doctors Wayne Domanko and Paul Coolican have joined the cast of A Christmas Carol. “I think it is wonderful to see our family doctors and hospital staff take part in fund raisers, but,” she added, “I must give Gail credit for getting them involved in this instance.”

“I had heard a dramatic reading of the Christmas Carol done before in a church, and thought it was a wonderful experience,” McCooeye said. “I took the idea to the Lakeshore Drive United Church Outreach Program, and they said they would be glad to host the event. The Church has wanted to become more involved in the community, and this seemed a perfect way.”

McCooeye approached Donnie Bowes, artistic director of Upper Canada Playhouse, and he offered his enthusiastic support. Not only is he going to be one of the readers, but he will rehearse the performers and publicize the event during the run of Dear Santa at the Playhouse. 

“I’m reading the first stave of the adaptation,” Bowes laughed. “I get to be Scrooge at his meanest, venting all my frustrations.”

While Dr. Coolican will act as emcee for the evening, Dr. Domanko and Bowes will be joined on stage as readers by Doug Grenkie, who has been an active and dedicated advocate of the Hospital; by Joan Farlinger, who has just completed a two year term as chair of the Hospital Auxiliaries Association of Ontario; and by Wendy Gibb, former drama teacher at Seaway District High School. 

Victorian costumes for the event will come from Upper Canada Playhouse. Diane Crummy, of the Hospital Foundation, will be heading up refreshments, to be served in a 19th century like setting in the church.

A major supporter of the festive fund raiser has been the Scotiabank. 

“Kim Butler, manager of the Morrisburg Scotiabank, has just been an enormous help to me,” said McCooeye.  “Scotiabank branches in Morrisburg, South Mountain and Avonmore have all agreed to sell tickets to the fund raiser. 

And what is so incredible is that Scotiabank has agreed to be our corporate sponsor and to match dollar for dollar every ticket sold at these area bank branches. That is incredibly generous of them and we are very grateful.”

Tickets to this wonderful, one night only, dramatic reading of A Christmas Carol are $15 each and are available at Scotiabank  branches. 

[…]