Curlers raise $1,000 for Heart and Stroke, Club to receive defibrillator

Janet Levere, Executive Director of the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre welcomed 80 volunteers to the annual volunteer appreciation event held at the centre on Tuesday, May 13.

Duane Locke, Chair of the Board of Directors, also spoke and shared the board’s appreciation to the dedicated volunteers. 

Entertainment was the Sage Age Theatre Group comprised of mature actors and actresses who performed a variety of mini skits which enacted many of the issues facing seniors in today’s world. 

Laughter was heard amongst the volunteers as situations evolved. Serious challenges were noted too. 

Following the entertainment, Levere thanked the “best volunteers in our communities!” 

Her speech noted that the volunteers are generous, caring individuals who are making a difference. 

“Our communities are changing and the clients and their needs are changing too,” she said. “The volunteers’ commitment to embrace the changes is heartwarming. Like the beautiful caterpillars that we see everywhere today to the lovely butterflies they become, the volunteers display beautiful and lovely gestures of kindness as they face new challenges!”

Janet gave the volunteers an update of the Centre’s other activities including: 

1) The increases in the Going Home Program with referrals from emergency departments and hospital discharges from the Winchester District Memorial Hospital as well as hospitals in Ottawa, Brockville and Cornwall,.

2) The seniors requiring minimal assistance such as one bath a week can now contact the MacIntosh Seniors’ Support Centre for this assistance offered under the respite service.

3) The expansion of the Assisted Living Services for High Risk Seniors program into the Kemptville area, (operating in the Iroquois-Morrisburg area since 2010). 

4) The new physio and fall prevention exercise programs offered at the Centre through Ministry funded programs.  This organization could not continue to expand its’ services without the leadership of the Board of Directors, volunteers who donate their time and expertise so that South Dundas is the place to live. 

This past year, the Senior Support Centre recorded nearly 7,000 hours of volunteer service.  

New volunteers are always welcome, and anyone interested in volunteering is invited to contact Cathy Tupper at 613-535-2924.

The following statistics review the work completed during the past year. 

•33 persons received 1,513 meals

•298 seniors enjoyed 5,701 diners 

•127 clients were supported with 1,594 one way trips or 3,188 round trips

•101 persons benefitted from the 477 foot care appts.

•23 clients enjoyed 491 units of the adult day programs.

•1,728 hours of work in the craft group, fundraising, social activities, exercises, committees, etc.

•10,172 hours of respite in the community and apartment

•13,792 hours of assisted living and supportive housing services

In total with the volunteer support services and the paid employee services, 585 persons were supported during the past year. 

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This summer, the Prime Minister took his sixth tour of the North. These visits have not been sightseeing tours. The Prime Minister is making a statement with these visits. They have been carried out to demonstrate to Canadians, and to the world, that Canada’s North is a priority for our administration. The Arctic is at the heart of our Canadian identity – from ancient Aboriginal cultures to famous explorers, to iconic Canadian artwork, literature, and landmarks.  

Our government under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper has made a commitment to the residents of Northern Canada that we will do everything possible to ensure the “land of the mid-night sun” realizes its full potential. Our Government is committed to promoting tourism and economic development in Canada`s North and invest in arctic infrastructure.

Since elected in January 2006, our government has realized the three Territories play a significant part in Canada’s future. If we are to maintain our position as a leading country on the world scene, we must develop and protect our north. The northern part of this great country has the potential to make Canada a leader in the world economy. Because of advances in technology and science, it is now possible to explore and develop the vast resources contained in our northern hemisphere to their full potential.

I am pleased the Prime Minister is taking a leadership role by actively demonstrating to the world that Canada’s north belongs to Canada and we are prepared to protect what is rightfully ours.  The North has not been a priority for previous governments. Other nations have made attempts to encroach on our sovereignty by making outlandish and false claims of ownership in the area. Countries like Russia and China have been trying to lay claim to parts of this vast area. We must be diligent in the defense of our assets.

I believe the words “True North Strong and Free” contained in our national anthem will mean more than they ever have as our country continues to grow and prosper in the years to come.

Guy Lauzon
Member of Parliament
Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry

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The St. Lawrence Parks Commission has been honoured with two events in the list of ‘Top 100 Events in Ontario’ recently named by Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) at their annual conference in Richmond Hill, Ontario.  

Named in the Top Ten honours were Fort Henry’s World Famous Sunset Ceremonies for the ninth time, and Upper Canada Village’s Alight at Night for the fourth time.

 The Top 100 recipients represent festivals and events that excel within the industry.

Fort Henry’s Sunset Ceremonies (Wednesday and Saturday nights during July and August) introduced an exciting new 3-D video technology in 2013.  

The high tech addition provides a multi-dimensional projection onto a wall that animates the Sunset Ceremonies with a series of battle scenes in a way that complements the performance of the Fort Henry Guard never seen before.

“The Sunset Ceremony Series is definitely a favourite event with our visitors, and introducing the new high tech element makes it very exciting for a whole new audience,” says Will Baird, Manger, Fort Henry National Historic Site of Canada.   

Also honoured was Upper Canada Village’s Alight at Night festival which transforms the Village into a spectacular winter wonderland with one million lights on the buildings, fences and trees. Alight at Night is firmly secured as a leisure holiday tradition for visitors and residents to Eastern Ontario in December and early January.

“It is a real honour to receive this recognition from Festivals and Events Ontario for the winter festival Alight at Night,” says Geoff Waycik, Manager, Upper Canada Village. 

“This event has sustained its appeal with visitors for 13 years now, and visitation is as strong as ever.  Events are a very important part of our business mix, and we continue to research and develop new experiences that contribute substantially to the economic health of our community.”

As the winter season comes to an end, preparation for the opening of Upper Canada Village on Wednesday, May 7 gets underway.

 

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