Iroquois clinic project makes room for expanded services

In early November, local Morrisburg resident, Gail Hamilton, held a dinner at her home in honour of Bishop Winnie Owiti of Kenya, Africa.

Owiti’s Canadian visit was sponsored by Prescott-based charity, Canadians for the Children of Africa, to which Hamilton is a contributing member.

Hamilton first met Owiti in 2009 during a “working vacation” to Kenya. Hamilton, along with others in the charity, visited Owiti’s Ebenezer Life Center, a home for about 300 orphaned children.

In talking about her time in Africa, Hamilton said, “there’s a lot of beauty, but a lot of sadness too.”

Owiti and her husband, Archbishop Silas Owiti founded the Kenyan orphanage in 1993 in response to the growing number of orphans living on the streets without food or shelter. 

Their ministry, Voice of Salvation, was founded by Silas in the 1960s and is also stationed in Kenya.

Canadians for the Children of Africa was founded by Lorraine and Paul Casselman of Prescott after Lorraine heard Winnie Owiti’s story at an Ottawa church many years ago. 

So far they have raised over $100,000 for the orphanage and its children in Kenya.

The charity hosted an evening in honour of Owiti on November 12th at the Prescott Legion where Owiti was able to show, through slides and stories, the rewards of the charity’s many donations.

Hamilton is looking forward to joining others in the charity on their next trek to the Ebenezer Life Center in 2013.

For those interested in joining the group in their efforts, contact Paul or Lorraine at 613-925-2252. For those wishing to donate to the cause, the charity promises that every dollar raised goes directly to the orphanage and its children.

On her return from Africa, Hamilton brought back letters from the children at the orphanage. She then distributed the letters to schools in the area. She asked that they include an envelope with a return address and sufficient postage.

For those interested in writing: Ebenezer Life Center, P.O. Box 410, Ahero, Kenya, Africa. 

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At the January 17th South Dundas council meeting, council members unanimously agreed to support the city of Waterloo in a resolution intent on making the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) accountable for assessment delays, which result in lost tax revenue.

The decision came in response to a letter sent by the city of Waterloo to municipalities throughout Ontario requesting that they “endorse the City of Waterloo’s resolution and forward their endorsement to the Premier of Ontario, Minister of Finance, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.”

The resolution itself requests action from the provincial government and from MPAC to improve services.

The letter stated that “the city of Waterloo has experienced a loss in tax revenue because MPAC appeared not to have sufficient resources at the local level to systematically ensure all assessments are retroactively applied for the current and two prior taxation years in a timely manner. In this one instance, the city of Waterloo lost approximately $20,000 in tax revenue.”

South Dundas treasurer Shannon Geraghty responded to the letter, saying “I think we experience the same frustration they do.”

“Having these assessments in a timely manner would be better for the township,” he added.

Council agreed that MPAC is not working quickly or efficiently. “They seem to be running on their own time,” said Councillor Archie Mellan.

Mayor Steven Byvelds wrapped up the discussion, saying, “I support the resolution too. They (MPAC) need a little reassurance that they are not doing their job.” 

“Invoices like this get way behind,” he continued, adding, “I do find it ironic since MPAC is paid out of our taxes.”

[…]

Those seniors with hopes of ‘becoming a star’ had an opportunity to showcase their talents on June 20th during the Hartford Retirement Centre’s Senior Star event.

The Hartford is just one of many Chartwell Seniors Housing homes that participated in the yearly talent competition that honours and celebrates seniors.

This year there were six seniors participating in the Hartford competition: Ross F. Blakely, Cecile Marie Daniels, Murray Haines, Beatrice Shaver, Lloyd Thompson and Allan Gene Ward.

Judging the event were Chuck Barkley of Thom Realty, Donnie Bowes of the Upper Canada Playhouse and Alison Hudson of Team Cornwall.

Eligibility to compete in the Senior Star event included two things: the contestant must be 65 years of age or older and a Canadian citizen. Residency at one of Chartwell’s centres was not a requirement.

The first place winner of the 2012 Hartford Senior Star was Allan Gene Ward of Iroquois. In second place was Cornwall’s Cecile Marie Daniels, while Murray Haines of Ingleside took third place.

The entire event was videotaped by Memories Video and will be sent to Chartwell’s Head Office. 

Once received, 10 finalists will be chosen from all of the Chartwell Seniors Housing centres. Each of the finalists will receive an all-expenses paid trip for one to the National Finale in Niagara Falls this fall.

The top three winners of the national competition will win monetary prizes of $5,000, $4,000 and $3,000 respectively.

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