Month: October 2014

 

Upper Canada Village’s award-winning fall event Pumpkinferno is getting ready to enchant visitors once again this fall with more than 50 percent new themed exhibits.  

The creative and artistic event will be open on select nights starting Friday, October 3 until Saturday, November 1.  

Pumpkinferno is a unique blend of artistry, imagination and ingenuity.  A total of 30 exhibits – half of them brand-new – will display more than 6,000 intricately carved lit artificial pumpkins.  

Highlights of the new exhibits this fall include The Animals of Noah’s Ark featuring animals large and small; Evolution of the Ford Vehicle, a display of nine Ford vehicles; Monster Smash, an exhibit of iconic Halloween Movie Monsters including a Vampire, Monster of Frankenstein, Frankenbride, a Werewolf and a Mummy, plus many more!  

The popular Sound & Light show has been newly re-designed into a “Pumpkin Promenade” exhibit in front of Crysler Hall.

The event will see other refinements including more wall washer lighting and mood lighting for the exhibits, more sound effects and improved flow of visitors through the admissions area with an express entry line for pre-paid ticketholders.

“Now in our third year, we have raised the bar creatively on the level of artistry of the exhibits we will have on display,” says Geoff Waycik, Manager, Upper Canada Village. “The Pumpkinferno team has risen to the challenge developing an amazing array of new themed exhibits and created some real masterpieces.  Our whole team is very excited to share this newly inspired experience with our visitors”

The evening of Wednesday, October 15 will be set aside exclusively to accommodate groups of people with physical disabilities so they can ride in their own vehicles to view Pumpkinferno. Only ‘special needs’ vans or parabuses will be allowed.  Coaches and school buses cannot be accommodated.  

Upper Canada Village will provide a staff person familiar with the Village roadways in the dark to lead the vehicles through the site.  Admission to tour on this night is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and youth.  Reservations are required and may be made by calling 613-543-4328 or 800-437-2233.

Pumpkinferno will feature a display of local school children’s artwork over the course of the event in a special exhibit “Painted Pumpkin Art” in the fairgrounds of Upper Canada Village.  

Upper Canada Village supplied the locally grown pumpkins to students from grades Kindergarten to Grade 8 in schools of the Upper Canada District School Board and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario.  

Over 1,000 school children from 22 schools will share their own unique artistically painted real pumpkins which will be on display for the duration of Pumpkinferno.

Visitors can start their visit with a pre-tour dinner at historic Willard’s Hotel and the Harvest Barn Restaurant will also be open during regular Pumpkinferno hours for dining after dark. Upper Canada Golf Course restaurant located just across the road from Upper Canada Village will also be open during Pumpkinferno.  

See for yourself why Pumpkinferno has earned “Best New Event in Ontario” designation by Festival and Events Ontario, “Tourism event of the Year” by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario and “New Company of the Year” by Ottawa Tourism.

[…]

Voters in South Dundas should have received a copy of a pamphlet in the mail this week that explains how they vote in the upcoming municipal election.

In this election South Dundas voters will have the opportunity to vote by phone, internet or paper ballot.

This pamphlet is not the Voter Information Letter, that will be send out the second week in October.

Electors in South Dundas will personally and individually receive by first-class mail, a Voter Information Letter containing the following information;

1. The toll free telephone number to call and the website to visit to vote;

2. Your confidential and Personalized Identification Number (Voting PIN);

3. A list of the candidates nominated for each office and instructions on how to vote;

4. The telephone number of the Voter Help Center.

As an added security feature, voters will be required to add your date of birth before voting. Anyone unsure if their full date of birth is on the voter’s list, may have to come into the Voter Help Centre (Municipal office) to fill out a form and provide photo identification.

Voting will commence on October 22, 2014 at 9 a.m. and conclude on October 27, 2014 at 8 p.m. 

Voting access by telephone and internet will be available on a continuous six day, 24-hour basis during this voting period. The “vote by telephone” method requires use of a touch-tone telephone. The “vote by internet” method requires use of a computer with internet access.

As in the past no proxies are permitted with these alternate voting methods. Any individual, during the six day voting period, may request assistance at the Voter Help Centre (Municipal Office).

In addition, all County Libraries have established internet access centers for the use of the public at locations in the various communities in the United Counties of S.D.&G.

To accommodate all electors, the Municipal Office will be open extra hours. For further information call them at 613-543-2673.

[…]

Voters in South Dundas should have received a copy of a pamphlet in the mail this week that explains how they vote in the upcoming municipal election.

In this election South Dundas voters will have the opportunity to vote by phone, internet or paper ballot.

This pamphlet is not the Voter Information Letter, that will be send out the second week in October.

Electors in South Dundas will personally and individually receive by first-class mail, a Voter Information Letter containing the following information;

1. The toll free telephone number to call and the website to visit to vote;

2. Your confidential and Personalized Identification Number (Voting PIN);

3. A list of the candidates nominated for each office and instructions on how to vote;

4. The telephone number of the Voter Help Center.

As an added security feature, voters will be required to add your date of birth before voting. Anyone unsure if their full date of birth is on the voter’s list, may have to come into the Voter Help Centre (Municipal office) to fill out a form and provide photo identification.

Voting will commence on October 22, 2014 at 9 a.m. and conclude on October 27, 2014 at 8 p.m. 

Voting access by telephone and internet will be available on a continuous six day, 24-hour basis during this voting period. The “vote by telephone” method requires use of a touch-tone telephone. The “vote by internet” method requires use of a computer with internet access.

As in the past no proxies are permitted with these alternate voting methods. Any individual, during the six day voting period, may request assistance at the Voter Help Centre (Municipal Office).

In addition, all County Libraries have established internet access centers for the use of the public at locations in the various communities in the United Counties of S.D.&G.

To accommodate all electors, the Municipal Office will be open extra hours. For futher information call them at 613-543-2673.

[…]

Tick exposure, and therefore the risk of being exposed to Lyme Disease, is a burgeoning issue, especially in this area.

While the Gananoque area has long been a hotbed for tick activity, the Seaway area, is now the number two area for tick exposure in the province of Ontario.

Dr. Devin Hunt of the Morrisburg Animal Hospital recently discussed the growing prevalence of tick exposure, and the huge growth the local veterinary practise has seen in canine exposure to Lyme disease.

“In 2006-2007 we may have seen three positive tests for exposure to Lyme disease. This year, so far, we have 26 cases so far in the Morrisburg office,” says Hunt. “These are positive tests for exposure to Lyme disease.”

Throughout the Dundas Veterinary Services practice, which includes the Morrisburg Animal Hospital, the vast majority of positive test results for Lyme come from dogs seen at the Morrisburg location.

“Of the dogs we see, about 70 per cent of those exposed to Lyme, come from the Ault Island – Ingleside area,” said Hunt. 

The remainder seem to come from the Williamsburg and Iroquois areas. 

Prevention of Lyme disease, in dogs and humans is about minimizing exposure to areas where ticks could be picked up, especially during May-June and September-October.

Hunt explains that adult ticks feed in blooms, and it is during these times when the risk of tick and Lyme disease exposure is higher. 

The ticks here that carry Lyme are black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks. 

These ticks are also carried by rodents and birds, so tick exposure is not limited to bush and grassy areas. “They can literatly be parachuted into an area by the songbirds that tend to carry them,” said Hunt.

For those living in, or frequenting the Ault Island area, Hunt suggests that dog owners consider the Lyme disease vaccine. He  generally recommends that the vaccine be done in March-April, to protect dogs during both of the peak times of the year, one of which is now.

Also, many veterinary strength fleas prevention treatments are also effective for ticks.

Hunt recommends that pet owners regularly check their dogs for ticks. 

“Generally, ticks need to be attached for 48 hours for a dog to have a significant risk of contracting Lyme disease.

Even if a dog tests positive for being exposed to Lyme, a follow up veterinary visit will determine whether or not treatment is warranted.

Hunt explains that only about five per cent of those dogs that test positive for Lyme will develop full blown Lyme disease.

“One known bite can result in a positive Lyme disease test result,” says Hunt, but he goes on to explain that it has to be from the right kind of tick (the black legged tick).

 Of those ticks, about five  per cent actually carry Lyme disease, and if a Lyme carrying tick bites your animal, there’s about a five per cent chance that bite will result if full blown Lyme disease. 

Kidney failure is the worst possible outcome for a dog that has been unlucky enough to contract Lyme disease.

Hunt says that anyone finds a tick attached to their dog should carefully remove it by gently pulling it off with tweezers, grasping the tick as close to the skin as possible. Hunt uses a tool called a “Tick Twister” that looks like a tiny crow bar. They are sold for under $15 at the Morrisburg Animal Hospital.

Cats don’t appear as susceptible to the effects of Lyme disease, but dogs a people are at risk of contracting the disease.

Hunt explains that the nature of ticks mean that people aren’t likely to get a tick from their pet, but they are as likely to pick up a tick from the surroundings as their dog is.

Due to the increase in Lyme disease-carrying ticks in the region, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit recommends that people take precautions to protect themselves and their families from Lyme disease:

• Apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing and on all exposed skin. Read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for safe use.

• When possible, wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and closed footwear (avoid sandals or open shoes). Light-coloured clothing is best because it makes ticks easier to see and remove before they can attach to feed.

• Tuck your shirt into your pants, and tuck your pants into your socks.

• Examine your body for ticks after being outdoors, especially if you were in an area where there’s tall grass or shrubs, or where ticks are known to live. If possible, stay in the middle of trails. Showering after can also help remove ticks that have not yet attached.

Anyone who notices a tick has attached to themselves or a family member, remove it with tweezers and clean and disinfect the site of the bite. “Contact your healthcare provider if you believe the tick was attached for more than 24 hours or if you develop any symptoms of Lyme disease, including a rash that looks like a red bull’s eye and flu-like symptoms,” says the EOHU. Left untreated, Lyme disease can affect the heart, nervous system or joints, but if caught early can generally be treated successfully.

In dogs, Hunt recommends, monitoring a dog that has had a tick removed, and visiting a vet if the animal seems dull, depressed or fevered. 

[…]

Tick exposure, and therefore the risk of being exposed to Lyme Disease, is a burgeoning issue, especially in this area.

While the Gananoque area has long been a hotbed for tick activity, the Seaway area, is now the number two area for tick exposure in the province of Ontario.

Dr. Devin Hunt of the Morrisburg Animal Hospital recently discussed the growing prevalence of tick exposure, and the huge growth the local veterinary practise has seen in canine exposure to Lyme disease.

“In 2006-2007 we may have seen three positive tests for exposure to Lyme disease. This year, so far, we have 26 cases so far in the Morrisburg office,” says Hunt. “These are positive tests for exposure to Lyme disease.”

Throughout the Dundas Veterinary Services practice, which includes the Morrisburg Animal Hospital, the vast majority of positive test results for Lyme come from dogs seen at the Morrisburg location.

“Of the dogs we see, about 70 per cent of those exposed to Lyme, come from the Ault Island – Ingleside area,” said Hunt. 

The remainder seem to come from the Williamsburg and Iroquois areas. 

Prevention of Lyme disease, in dogs and humans is about minimizing exposure to areas where ticks could be picked up, especially during May-June and September-October.

Hunt explains that adult ticks feed in blooms, and it is during these times when the risk of tick and Lyme disease exposure is higher. 

The ticks here that carry Lyme are black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks. 

These ticks are also carried by rodents and birds, so tick exposure is not limited to bush and grassy areas. “They can literatly be parachuted into an area by the songbirds that tend to carry them,” said Hunt.

For those living in, or frequenting the Ault Island area, Hunt suggests that dog owners consider the Lyme disease vaccine. He  generally recommends that the vaccine be done in March-April, to protect dogs during both of the peak times of the year, one of which is now.

Also, many veterinary strength fleas prevention treatments are also effective for ticks.

Hunt recommends that pet owners regularly check their dogs for ticks. 

“Generally, ticks need to be attached for 48 hours for a dog to have a significant risk of contracting Lyme disease.

Even if a dog tests positive for being exposed to Lyme, a follow up veterinary visit will determine whether or not treatment is warranted.

Hunt explains that only about five per cent of those dogs that test positive for Lyme will develop full blown Lyme disease.

“One known bite can result in a positive Lyme disease test result,” says Hunt, but he goes on to explain that it has to be from the right kind of tick (the black legged tick).

 Of those ticks, about five  per cent actually carry Lyme disease, and if a Lyme carrying tick bites your animal, there’s about a five per cent chance that bite will result if full blown Lyme disease. 

Kidney failure is the worst possible outcome for a dog that has been unlucky enough to contract Lyme disease.

Hunt says that anyone finds a tick attached to their dog should carefully remove it by gently pulling it off with tweezers, grasping the tick as close to the skin as possible. Hunt uses a tool called a “Tick Twister” that looks like a tiny crow bar. They are sold for under $15 at the Morrisburg Animal Hospital.

Cats don’t appear as susceptible to the effects of Lyme disease, but dogs a people are at risk of contracting the disease.

Hunt explains that the nature of ticks mean that people aren’t likely to get a tick from their pet, but they are as likely to pick up a tick from the surroundings as their dog is.

Due to the increase in Lyme disease-carrying ticks in the region, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit recommends that people take precautions to protect themselves and their families from Lyme disease:

• Apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing and on all exposed skin. Read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for safe use.

• When possible, wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and closed footwear (avoid sandals or open shoes). Light-coloured clothing is best because it makes ticks easier to see and remove before they can attach to feed.

• Tuck your shirt into your pants, and tuck your pants into your socks.

• Examine your body for ticks after being outdoors, especially if you were in an area where there’s tall grass or shrubs, or where ticks are known to live. If possible, stay in the middle of trails. Showering after can also help remove ticks that have not yet attached.

Anyone who notices a tick has attached to themselves or a family member, remove it with tweezers and clean and disinfect the site of the bite. “Contact your healthcare provider if you believe the tick was attached for more than 24 hours or if you develop any symptoms of Lyme disease, including a rash that looks like a red bull’s eye and flu-like symptoms,” says the EOHU. Left untreated, Lyme disease can affect the heart, nervous system or joints, but if caught early can generally be treated successfully.

In dogs, Hunt recommends, monitoring a dog that has had a tick removed, and visiting a vet if the animal seems dull, depressed or fevered. 

[…]