Industrial expansion approved by council

November 25th was a day of celebration for the Williamsburg Non-Profit Housing Corporation.

The morning’s events began with the unveiling of the Tolley Place sign. The Tolley Place townhomes opened in 2009, offering quality housing to younger seniors.

James Kooistra, Chair of the Board of Directors for the corporation, said, “the idea of this started long ago. I was told it was Trevor (Tolley, former Chair of Board) who had this idea.”

Tolley reminded everyone present that he did not do this alone. He listed all of the people and organizations that worked hard to make Tolley Place a reality.

From the unveiling of the sign, the group moved to one of two new sheds recently erected. Here Kooistra informed everyone that the corporation had received a $15,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which financed the two sheds, two dedication trees, as well as the walkway between Tolley Place and J. W. MacIntosh Seniors Support Centre.

According to a press release from the corporation, due to a 2010 gardening project started by Tolley Place residents, “a garden shed has been placed at Tolley Place and will be available for tool storage. A second shed was placed at the east end of the walkway and will store maintenance equipment.”

As for the trees, Kooistra said, “some years ago the Board said farewell to three board members: Trevor Tolley, Joan Findlay, and Barbara Phifer. They served on the board for many, many years.”

“They were promised that we would plant some trees, one for Trevor and one for the two ladies.”

He then thanked the three again, for their “years of commitment and dedication to the Board.”

A sign dedicating the trees to the three former board members will be affixed to the garden shed.

The walkway, which was completed this fall, finally “links two projects that should always be linked,” said South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds.

As Kooistra pointed out, “the walkway was constructed to provide easier access to the services of the Community Support Centre. These services include exercise classes, hot meal programs, health and wellness clinics and educational presentations. The sidewalk encourages regular walking which is great exercise in itself.”

Jim McDonell, MPP for SD&SG, concurred, saying, “the constructed walkway will provide easy access while promoting a healthier lifestyle.”

“We have a plaque here from the Trillium Foundation to commemorate the volunteers,” who, as he later pointed out, “come out and make a difference.”

Catherine MacLaine, representative for the Ontario Trillium Foundation, said “in October of last year the grant review team was happy to support their efforts with a $15,000 grant.”

She said, “we see a group of dedicated staff and volunteers.”

With that said, Mary Salmon, tenant of Tolley Place, cut the ribbon, officially opening the walkway between Tolley Place and the support centre.

Kooistra then said, “you’re now invited to walk the walk.”

Williamsburg Non-Profit Housing Corporation oversees the operation of Tolley Place, Park Drive Villa, County Road 18 Group Home, Schell Street Group Home, as well as the J. W. MacIntosh Seniors Support Centre.

It also provides community support in the way of meals on wheels, adult day services, transportation, respite, foot care, assisted living services, and diners club. 

For more information, contact them at 613-535-2924 or at 613-535-2470. They also have a website: www.wnphc.ca.

[…]

 

The Hartford Retirement Centre in Morrisburg hosted their first Spring Fling on April 29th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and, according to lifestyles and programs manager Marilyn Arsenault, “it was very successful. We’re so pleased.”

“The residents are glad to host,” she continued. “They really do enjoy having people in the home.”

The event, just in time for Mother’s Day shopping, offered plenty of vendors selling anything from traditional craft items and baked goods to such things as books, home decor items, candles and women’s toiletries. 

In addition to traditional shopping opportunities, there was also a silent auction consisting of various donated items, including a few gems from Hartford Resident John Lee.

Arsenault reported that the Hartford was able to raise $450 from the silent auction and “100 per cent of that money is going into the gardening club. It’s 100 per cent for the residents.”

“The whole purpose of the gardening club,” she explained, “is to get them outside and also to give them a chance to grow their own vegetables like they did whey they were at home.”

The money raised will “go toward materials to build a raised gardening bed.” The idea is to make the garden accessible to residents; eliminating the need to bending and kneel.

In addition to the vegetable garden initiative, Arsenault is hoping to have a potting party whereby residents create their own hanging plants for the outdoor sitting areas. 

Part of the gardening club’s ‘agenda’ will involve watering and caring for all plants, including those in the vegetable garden.

As for the Spring Fling, Arsenault applauded the overwhelming support received from the community in the form of vendors, shoppers, and volunteers. 

Luckily for those shoppers who worked up an appetite, shopping was not the only thing on the menu. The Morrisburg and District Lions Club was on hand with their barbecue, drinks and treats. 

And, if a barbecue wasn’t enough, the Basket Case Café and Gift Shop was offering freshly made waffles with a choice of orange or maple syrup. The cost was simple: a donation pledge to the April 30th Big Bike Fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The Hartford also provided door prizes to six lucky winners.

[…]

Members of the recently created Canada Day Committee met at the George Jowett Hall in Riverside Heights on August 30th.

Up for discussion was budget, evaluation of this year’s Canada Day celebration, and planning for next year’s celebration, including fundraising ventures.

This year’s Canada Day celebrations almost didn’t happen. Luckily for the community, this group decided to come together to save the day.

With a $200 starter donation from the Morrisburg and District Lions Club, the group began fundraising for the event with only a month and a half to the July 1st deadline.

With hard work and help from the community, including shop owners, the group was able to create a great day for everyone.

In order to move forward with next year’s plans, the group decided to sift through the events of 2011’s Canada Day festivities: what worked, what didn’t work, and what could be done differently for 2012.

Keith Robinson estimated that there were 3,500 to 4,000 people at this year’s Canada Day fireworks display. The turnout for all the events was phenomenal.

The agility games for dogs, the Bingo, the music, the barbecue – all the activities were reported to be successful and popular with the crowd.

What could have been done differently?

One member of the group reported hearing complaints of there not being rides for older children.

Linda Robinson addressed this concern pointing out that due to the late notice they were unable to secure the larger rides for 2011.  The supplier had already committed the rides for another location on that day.

She went on to report that the 2012 Canada Day festivities will include rides for everyone.

Kim Casselman pointed out that many in the community felt the fireworks display to have been too short; they were good, but short.

This observation seemed unanimous and it was determined that the  display should be at least 20 minutes long, which will of course increase the cost substantially.

Here enters the money talk. While the Canada Day event of this year did raise some money for next year, there is not enough to cover the costs for 2012’s proposed activities.

After a very fruitful discussion, it was decided that fundraising would begin this fall.

Working together as a community will, no doubt, guarantee the success of next year’s Canada Day celebrations.

[…]