Free Flu Immunization Clinics start soon

“The interesting thing about spring trade shows is, not only are they great for local businesses, they’re great for communities as a whole,” said Donnie Bowes of the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce Home and Trade Show committee. “It’s a chance to shake off winter and get out and explore what the community has to offer.” 

“And, there aren’t that many of these trade shows in our area,” he said. “Ours attracts more exhibitors and visitors every year.”

When the South Dundas Home and Trade Show opens its doors at the Morrisburg arena Friday April 11, the venue will truly have something for everyone. 

“We are thrilled to be in a sold out position,” said Geraldine Fitzsimmons, manager of the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce. 

Sold out, means that over 70 exhibitors will be on site for the two day event that runs Friday from 4-9 p.m., and Saturday starting at 9 a.m.

“This trade show is really a win-win for both the business community and the community at large,” said Joey Van Koppen, president of the trade show committee.

Organizers say, that the timing of this show is perfect. 

After a long winter, with lots of time to plan for summer projects, people can now, go and see all the great products and services that area businesses offer.

One of the feature attractions of the South Dundas Home and Trade Show, is ‘Ask the experts’ where knowledgeable people in a wide variety of areas are on site to offer free advice. 

This year the experts include Josh Beimond, who will discuss organic lawn maintenance Friday at 6:30 p.m. Barry Keicks is talking about the wild turkey hunt Friday at 7:30 p.m. 

Flo McKenzie offering advice on flower and vegetable gardens Saturday at 10 a.m. At 11 a.m. well known fisherman Reno Viola will talk fishing. At 1 p.m. Karen Marshall will discuss decorating trends. 

South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services will talk Fire Safety at 2 p.m. The final experts of this show will be cooking by Pampered Chef at 3 p.m.

“We have a really great lineup of experts this year, so we are really hoping people will take advantage of the opportunity,” said Fitzsimmons.

The Morrisburg and District Lions Club will have a great food concession on site throughout the event, offering a chicken barbecue Friday night, pancake breakfast Saturday morning followed by pulled pork for lunch.

As always, the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce is proud to offer, not only free admission to the show, but also a free door prize draw. 

Ten door prizes of $100, to be spent at one of the trade show exhibitors businesses, will be given away.

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The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is warning residents of the five Eastern counties to avoid Wild Parsnip plants when spending time outdoors this summer. 

Wild Parsnip, also known as Poison Parsnip, is a toxic plant that is rapidly spreading throughout the region.

Certain individuals may be affected by Wild Parsnip more than others as they may suffer from a heightened sensitivity to the plant’s sap. 

When the stem is broken or the plant is brushed against, exposure to the sap can cause severe rashes, blisters or burns resulting in brown scars that can last for several years. 

If a person’s eyes come into contact with the plant’s sap, it can cause temporary or permanent blindness.

The most effective way of protecting yourself and your loved ones is to avoid the plant. 

Wild Parsnip plants vary in height from 50 to 150 cm and produce yellow flowers with five petals forming a head shaped like an umbrella. 

Leaves are branched and are characterized by a saw toothed edge. 

Wild Parsnip is usually found in disturbed areas, such as roadside ditches, along railroad right of ways, through cracks in parking lot pavement, around sports fields and recreation areas, fields, pastures, fence rows and yards during July, August and September.

If you see a Wild Parsnip plant on your property, the best way to avoid an infestation is to remove it. 

When removing Wild Parsnip, you must wear goggles, rubber gloves, rubber boots and coveralls. 

And don’t forget to thoroughly wash your boots and gloves with soap, water and a scrub brush before taking them off. 

It is best to mow the plant before it flowers (late June to early July) to prevent it from spreading. Wild Parsnip can also be pulled out by hand or dug up.

For more information about Wild Parsnip plants and how to remove them, visit www.eohu.ca or call Health Line at 613-933-1375 or at 1 800 267-7120.

[…]

 

“It was a tough competition,” said Derrik Jansen, a member of the Iroquois Public School team which entered the May 1, 2015,  Innovation. Creativity. Entrepreneurship. competition held at Kemptville College. “And nerve-wracking. I did a lot of speaking.”

“The three judges asked every team really hard questions,” said team member T. J. Barnhardt, echoed by fellow students Liam Adams and Brett Fodey.

The students, under the guidance of their teacher, Madame Chantal Lacroix, took their project, Make the World A Better Place, an innovative, eco-friendly website, to the Upper Canada District School Board sponsored I.C.E. event. They came home with $300 to help keep their not-for-profit business project up and running.

Judges for the junior category of the competition included: McKenna Modler, an UCDSB student, a cancer survivor and a fund raiser who raised $130,000 for cancer research; Sandra Lawn, former mayor of Prescott; and Adrian Harewood, co-host of the CBC Ottawa’s Nightly News.

The Iroquois team was first up of the nine competitors. Under the rules, they had to present their project, demonstrate its possibilities and answer any questions put to them by the judges, as they tried for the $500 top prize. While Mme. Lacroix was present, she could not, per the rules, assist the boys in any way during their ‘sales pitch.’

“Adrian Harewood asked the hardest questions,” said Derrik. “One was, how do you measure success with a face book page?”

“Then he asked us to explain what age group our web site would appeal to and why,” added Liam.

“We really had to think up there,” said T.J. “Since we were first on stage, we couldn’t even see how other teams handled their questions.”

“But the judges were tough on every competitor. They didn’t take it easy on anyone,” said Brett.

The project chosen for first place was a Kids Garden, which targeted farmers. The IPS students also found a project proposing a solar panel phone charger very interesting.

The Iroquois team will use their $300 prize towards t-shirts and stickers, which will help promote their on-going website. They all agree that “other kids should get involved in a competition like this.”

“We’d like to enter again, although we will need to develop a new idea,” said Derrik, “but for right now we are focussing on our website, Make the World A Better Place.”

[…]