Month: April 2014

(SD&G) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is committed to road safety. As a driver, your actions directly impact your safety and the safety of other motorists.  With the Easter Long Weekend approaching and as the weather improves, the roads get busier.  Here are some important tips to remember every time you get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle:

Pay Attention to the Road.

• Distracted drivers are a safety risk! It is illegal in Ontario for drivers to use any handheld communication and entertainment devices (not exclusive to cell phones) while operating a motor vehicle. We have seen a decrease in the number of persons using handheld devices, but we are concerned about the large number of drivers who continue to engage in this dangerous activity.

Buckle Up – Seatbelts Save Lives.

• All Ontario drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt in a properly adjusted and securely fastened manner.  It’s the law. Making sure your children are also secure in a properly installed child restraint is equally as important.  Wearing a seatbelt properly will dramatically increase your chance of surviving a motor vehicle collision.

Obeying the Speed Limits.

• Speed continues to be the number one cause of motor vehicle fatalities in Ontario. Slowing down, and obeying the posted speed limit, will reduce the number of fatal crashes and serious injury collisions.  Are you doing your part?

Slow Down or Move Over.

• Drivers must remember when passing an emergency vehicle stopped with its emergency lights activated in the same direction of travel, either in a lane or on the shoulder of a road or highway, to slow down and pass with caution. If the road has two or more lanes, you must move over into another lane, if it can be done safely.

Don’t Drink and Drive.

• Impaired driving continues to be among the leading criminal causes of death in Canada. The OPP conducts R.I.D.E. spot checks throughout the year to remove the threat of the impaired driver. Do your part by not drinking and driving.

Inspector Brendan MacDonald, SD&G OPP detachment Commander advises motorists that “our officers will be out in full force on our Provincial roadways this holiday weekend and traffic safety is in everyone’s best interest, lets continue to keep our highways safe”.

[…]

“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.

[…]

The Municipality of South Dundas and the Township of South Stormont have gone live…with the launch of the new UpperCanadaRegion.ca website. 

All local businesses are invited to attend a Business Breakfast being held on May 8th, 2014 at the Upper Canada Golf Course Restaurant for the official launch of the website as well as to hear about how businesses can benefit from the branding campaign.

The Upper Canada Region brand was originally proposed in 2008 as an identity for South Dundas and South Stormont. The brand highlights the historical roots and provides a sense of location which is further refined by its connection with the area’s renowned tourist attractions, including Upper Canada Village and the Upper Canada Playhouse.

“The Upper Canada Region brand will allow us to market our unique and desirable characteristics to the world. Not only can the municipalities use this identifier to their benefit, but businesses can too. I’m happy that we’re moving forward with building the identity”, said South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds.

The integration of the brand into the hamlet signs for South Dundas was the first of many initiatives planned to re-introduce the Upper Canada Region. South Stormont will complete their new signage program this spring.

Mayor Brian McGillis of South Stormont said, “Featuring the Upper Canada Region logo on our hamlet signs, and now the launch of our new website, will help create recognition of the brand and start building the association between the identity and positive experiences that people have while visiting, living and, working in our two communities”.

Building this collaborative brand is an important step towards differentiating this area and increasing its ability to attract residents, visitors and businesses.

[…]

A private campaign to raise funds for a St. Lawrence Secondary School teacher suffering from a rare form of cancer has secured more than $106,000 in less than two months, reaching its first benchmark goal of $100,000 dollars.

The We’re NUT Givin’ Up Campaign has caught fire, generating media interest from CTV and CBC, and garnering support through literally dozens of fundraising events planned to benefit Stephanie Grady, a teacher suffering from NUT midline carcinoma, an aggressive cancer that has spread to her hips, pelvis, and spine. 

In order to provide the opportunity for Grady to participate in a clinical drug trial at a cancer institute in Boston, supporters have organized events ranging from online and silent auctions to athletic events and tournaments, as well as breakfasts, brunches and dinners.

“It’s incredibly overwhelming,” said campaign spokesperson Heather Lisney, of the success so far. “It’s inspiring and very humbling.”

“Stephanie and her family are so thankful for all of the kindness and generosity shown by friends, family, colleagues and students; and also complete strangers who have been “diggin’ deep” to help her. It’s a significant relief for the family knowing they can now access these funds to help with the cost of care in Boston. It’s also giving hope and providing emotional support.”

Fundraising successes so far have included: Moose Creek 4-on-4 Hockey Tournament, $28,000; We’re NUT Givin’ Up Online Donation Campaign, $37,000; Rothwell-Osnabruck School Online Auction, $8,900; church and community donations $15,000; and roast beef/spaghetti dinners, $7,500. 

In addition, many more school and student initiatives are taking place, and individuals are also fundraising through small business ventures.

“There are still many future events planned all in support of the Grady family,” said Lisney. “Due to the nature of clinical trials, and the rarity of this cancer, exact costs are impossible to determine. Medical expenses can vary significantly depending on length of stay in hospital and the subsequent number of treatments, scans and tests required to treat this disease.”

“In addition, the Grady family will also be required to travel to Boston once a week to receive treatment for six months, possibly longer. As such, we don’t want to stop. We want to ensure the expenses are fully covered and that the Grady family is supported and secure during this fight.” 

“In addition, we want to continue to raise awareness. One of Stephanie’s biggest challenges is the lack of answers due to the limited knowledge resulting from the rare nature of this disease.”

Following countless treatments and surgeries after an initial diagnosis of lung cancer, doctors in Ottawa offered palliative radiation for Grady to help ease her pain, declaring her condition incurable. Grady and her friends were not ready to give up. 

Friends, family, teachers and other volunteers have united as “Team Grady” to create the fundraising campaign to help the 32-year-old teacher. 

The goal is to continue to raise funds to send the Long Sault resident for experimental treatments at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

Harvard researchers at the International NUT Midline Carcinoma Registry are using a new drug called BET Inhibitor that has been shown to shrink, and even stop, NUT midline tumour growth in human tissue. The first clinical trial began last month in various centres in the United States. 

Grady is now eligible to receive a series of drug trial treatments at Dana-Farber for six months starting in May. Preliminary testing is scheduled for the end of April.

Upcoming fundraising events designed to help her family cover the treatments include:

• Major raffle featuring an NHL escape package (Tickets available from Rothwell-Osnabruck School, the Upper Canada District School Board, and Brockville Collegiate Institute)

• Benefit Volleyball Tournament at Brockville Collegiate Institute and Thousand Islands Secondary School on March 29 (8-5)

• Kelsey’s (Cornwall) Kickback Night: March 31

• Finch Hockey Tournament: April 11-13

• East-Side Mario’s (Cornwall) Silent Auction and Kickback: April 25

• Keystorm (Brockville) Benefit Pub-Night Social: April 26

• A five-kilometre staff/student and community race in Cornwall: May 4

[…]

SD&G–Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG) Police Services Board announced that Dennis Fife has been reappointed chair and Bryan McGillis has been newly appointed vice chair of the board for the ensuing year.

Dennis Fife, County councillor of North Stormont has been an active member of the Police Services Board for many years.

“Input provided by the Board drives local policing initiatives to ensure a safe community for the residents of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry,” says Fife. “I look forward to continue working with the Detachment Commander, BJ MacDonald and the SDG Police Services Board to ensure we deliver a high level of service to the community.” 

Bryan McGillis, County Councillor of South Stormont, stated “I am glad to be returning to the SDG Police Services Board and look forward to working with the Board, OPP and County staff to provide effective policing in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.”

The function of the United Counties SDG Police Services Board is to establish local policies, priorities and objectives concerning policing in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry that will address the needs of the residents and businesses, in consultation with the OPP Detachment Commander and the community. 

The Board consists of five members being the head of council or his/her designate; one member of the council appointed by council, one person appointed by council who is neither a member of the council nor an employee of the municipality and two persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council 

Board members include: Dennis Fife, Bryan McGillis, Kirsten Gardner, John Hope and Bryan McEwan.

[…]