Month: January 2015

Staff, clients and volunteers with the Dundas County Food Bank are all eager for the upcoming move of its Morrisburg location.

Last week, the renovation committee invited area media to check out progress of the renovation of the municipal space that will be the food bank’s new home.

It will be located below the Morrisburg arena in a portion of the former library space.

DCFB renovation committee volunteers Jim Millard and Brian Cox estimate that the renovation project is about one-third complete and that the move will be able to take place this spring, optimistically, April.

At this point, all the necessary approvals are in place, and the project contractors, Testerink Construction are on site.

The Municipality of South Dundas has offered an interest free loan of up to $46,200 to the DCFB to complete this project, and Millard said that the project, although it has undergone some minor changes, remains within budget.

He adds that municipal staff, namely manager of buildings and recreation Donnie Lewis, has been extremely helpful throughout.

The new food bank location is about 600 square feet larger than the old one, which will remain in use until project completion.

Millard and Cox, explain that a lot of thought has gone into the layout of the new food bank, which has been designed to specifically meet the food bank’s needs, unlike the former location.

Waiting rooms, offices, with appropriate sight lines and escape routes, storage spaces and work and kitchen areas should provide a much more efficient and functional space.

The volunteers who work at the food bank packing boxes are a social group who enjoy their time volunteering together for the cause, explained Millard, adding that the new space should be even more conducive to that community atmosphere.

The new layout provides more separation between the clients and the volunteers, explained Cox.

The layout will also mean less carrying of food items from one location of the building to another.

There’s plenty of room for the food bank’s five fridges/freezers, with room for additional coolers, if needed.  

Such a need could become a reality as the food bank strives to provide more healthy food items to its clients, especially the children. 

With the help of a recent successful funding application, school aged children are now receiving more healthy snacks, including fresh produce and yogurt. 

A loading door will be installed as soon as the weather permits, thus allowing the food bank to accommodate larger deliveries. 

“This is going to be a much nicer space, and a much cleaner space,” said Amy Jamieson, food and client coordinator at the Morrisburg location.

“Everyone deserves that,” said Millard.

“It will be a more efficient process all around, for clients and for volunteers,” added Cox.

“The clients really seem to want the food bank here,” said Jamieson, speculating that the increased accessibility is part of the reason. 

The new location will be fully accessible, complying with all of the provincial accessibility regulations.

Dundas County Food Bank has seen a 15 per cent increase in the number of people using its services, as compared to a year ago. That has required the food budget to be exceeded by about $12,000.

Millard points out that the funding for this renovation project, will not come from funds intended for food purchases. He asks that anyone interested in providing money specifically for the renovation project to contact the Dundas County Food Bank to arrange sponsorship.

[…]

United Way of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry has reached 94 per cent of its $707,070 goal for the 2014 Annual Campaign. 

The campaign was extended until January 9, 2015, with donations continuing to come in since that time bringing the total to 94 per cent. 

“The generosity of our community is helping us to look after our neighbours and friends”, said Nolan Quinn, 2014 Campaign Chair. 

“The support is overwhelming and it’s obvious we take of each other in SDG. We are truly grateful and thank all of our contributors”. 

“On behalf of the United Way/Centraide of SD&G and our 16 funded member agencies, thank you to the kind and generous citizens of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry who have once again demonstrated the spirit of giving in support of our 2014 Community Campaign. Your kindness will go a long way towards providing much needed assistance to people living in SDG”, said Danny Aikman, Board President. 

“Thank you to Nolan Quinn and Luc Lacelle for leading the Campaign once again this year. Your leadership and dedication was inspirational to the Campaign Team and all the volunteers who helped you along the way. Special thanks to Lori Greer who has quickly demonstrated her commitment to bettering the lives of all the people United Way/Centraide touches. The future is bright for the United Way/Centraide of SD&G and the Board of Directors looks forward to even greater successes in 2015”.

“We would like to thank our community for their tremendous generosity”, said Lori Greer, Executive Director of United Way. “We have received just over $664,000 of support – we definitely have reason to celebrate this result. We will be creative to do our best to maintain the same level of funding to our agencies and continue to help people here at home.”

The United Way of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry is governed by a local Board of Directors, who, with United Way staff and volunteers help to raise funds that assist 16 agencies (19 programs) throughout Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. 

Its mission is to improve lives by working together with priorities focused on moving people from poverty to possibility, healthy people, strong communities and all that kids can be. 

[…]

Pieces from the War of 1812 are now featured at the Morrisburg Visitor Information Centre located on the main floor of the South Dundas Municipal Centre. 

The display was created with the assistance of local history enthusiast and Carman House Museum Chair Murray Richer.

The War of 1812 is a significant part of local history. The Battle of Crysler’s Farm was fought east of Morrisburg and ended the American campaign east, ensuring British control of the vital St. Lawrence River waterway. The War of 1812 ended in 1815, with 2015 marking the 200th anniversary of the end of the battle.

Some of the featured pieces include:

• A Cannon Ball: Found at Iroquois Point during the construction of the Seaway Locks

• End of a Polearm: Found on Toussaint Island

• A Medical Kit

The addition of this display case compliments an initiative already underway to display local art on the walls of the lobbies in the South Dundas Municipal Centre. Currently, works showcase everything from abstract art to local scenes such as ships passing through the former Canal system. 

“Our community has a strong connection to its local history” said Mayor Evonne Delegarde. “We are fortunate to display pieces that connect to our past, and showcase the work of current local artists at the South Dundas Municipal Centre.”

Art, currently on display, include works of Terrie Chedore, Elsie Gallinger, Colonel Montgomery, Sharon Montgomery and Kharla Ward.

The Municipality is now accepting submissions from artists wishing to participate in the June to December 2015 cycle of the SDMC art hanging program.

[…]

 

What can 100 women, armed with just a pen and a checkbook, accomplish in South Dundas? 

That is what organizers of thenewly formed, 100 Women Who Care About South Dundas, are asking themselves and others, as they launch a campaign to recruit 100 women prepared to write cheques for $100 to benefit a local organization/charity to the tune of $10,000.

The 100 Women Who Care About South Dundas Club membership drive launched on social media January 23, quickly gained momentum with 32 South Dundas women now committed to writing a check to a yet to be determined South Dundas charity/group.

The initiative will not advance until the magic ‘100’ is reached and organizers are betting on their belief that there are 100 women or more who would like to have their $100 become part of a “big” contribution to the community.

While everyone is used to donating a dollar here and a dollar there, and buying this ticket and that ticket, organizers are excited that the 100 Women will provide a one-time huge, and much needed boost to a charity/organization selected by the women themselves.

“It is like a local  charity will be winning a lottery,” says Christyn Veinotte who with mom Tracey and good friend Janeen Wagemans are behind the 100 Women Who Care.

100 Women Who Care About South Dundas came about when Wagemans was listening to a CBC morning show, and, “they were talking about a 100 Women who Care about Ottawa group.” Thinking it would be a good idea for South Dundas, she set to work on developing a website [www.womenwhocaresouthdundas.com] and a Facebook page [100 Women Who Care About South Dundas].

“I called Tracey [Veinotte] and asked her if she was on board. She said absolutely. Then Christyn asked if she could be involved, and I said absolutely. So here we are. We feel that the three of us represent three very different generations who will attract a good mix of women.”

By noon on the 23rd, Wagemans had a website and a Facebook page ready to go. By 12:01, she was asking herself what she was doing.

After researching various 100 clubs/groups, it has been decided 100 Women Who Care About South Dundas will be kept as simple as possible, with minimum rules and little to no paperwork for application and/or charity nominations.

The formula is simple: 1 hour + $100 x 100 women=$10,000 per year invested in making South Dundas an even better place in which to live!

Participants must commit to attending a one hour meeting each year; commit to donating $100 each year; be prepared to advocate for their chosen charity and be able to answer questions from the group.

Each woman also has the opportunity to nominate a charity/organization when registering. The nominee must be a recognized charity or organization that can issue a tax receipt either on its own or through the municipality. It must also be an organization/charity that has an actual physical presence in South Dundas.

Once 100 women have joined, a date and time will be announced for the big event which will take place at the Upper Canada Playhouse, thanks to the support of Playhouse Artistic Director Donnie Bowes.

The evening will kick off with a wine and cheese, to allow participants to meet, mingle and lobby for their charity/organization. Each of the 100 will then vote and from that vote the top three choices will advance to the final round.

At this time, representatives of the top three will have five minutes to promote their selection. A second vote will then take place. The winner will be announced and each of the 100 Women Who Care About South Dundas will write their cheque. Tax receipts will be issued by the winning charity/organization which will receive 100 percent of the donations. At 100 women that is $10,000!

That charity/organization will not be eligible to win again for three years and will be required to report on how the $10,000 was used to 100 Women Who Care About South Dundas when they meet one year later. 

The organizing committee is looking at and approving the nominations and when the 100 women meet, each will receive a ballot with approved recipients listed.

That is when the fun, in the form of lobbying, will begin. “I think it is great that it is going to be competitive,” says Christyn.

“Hopefully people will think this is so much fun, they will want to make it an annual event,” adds Janeen. “So next year the meeting will start with the winners coming in and telling us what they did with the money.”

The date for the 100 Women finale will not be finalized until 100 members have committed. “We can go over the 100, but we must have that number,” says Christyn.

“This is a significant chunk of money,” says Janeen. “And it’s to be absolutely local [South Dundas]”.

“It’s so exciting because it’s collective,” adds Christyn. “We are going to be part of something bigger, not just an individual donating $100.”

“We are hoping that the women will take a good look at the community and see where the needs are,” says Tracey. “It might also provide the initiative for people to come up with an idea and get something going. I think one of the appealing things to this is that it is just going to be an hour. It’s very convenient, and it will provide a great opportunity for women in the South Dundas Community to network. I can see everyone leaving, feeling a lot of pride.”

“Instead of being happy because they donated $100 to something, they can take pride in the fact that they are part of a group that donated $10,000,” says Christyn.

Participants can join 100 Women Who Care About South Dundas by calling 613-803-5547 or on the website at www.womenwhocaresouthdundas.com Registration is not possible on the Facebook page, but participants are invited to become a friend of the page and like and share, to help promote the effort. 

[…]

Delia and Bill Barkley of Barkley Farm, have always had concern for greater environmental issues, but one of these issues is hitting especially close to home, prompting them to take action.

For 30 years, the Barkleys have maintained 10 beehives to provide honey, and pollinate the farm’s strawberries and apples which they sell at market.

Having weathered various factors that have impacted their bee population over the 30 years, they harvested their last honey in 2012.

“We believe the bees died because of exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides,” said Delia.

Neonicotinoid pesticides are systemic pesticides applied to corn and soybean seeds. 

She explains that, as the pretreated seed grows, the insecticide incorporates into every leaf, bud and branch. 

Pollinators, like bees, are dying and the Barkleys are not the only people blaming neonicotinoid exposure.

They have joined a class action lawsuit against neonicotinoid producers with other Ontario beekeepers.

The Ontario government is examining possible regulatory changes to reduce the use of neonicotinoids. An ongoing public consultation period ends January 25, 2015.

Delia Barkley says there is a strong lobby against the regulatory changes and she urges people who may share her concerns and favour the regulation changes to submit their comments to PollinatorHealth@Ontario.ca, before the January 25, 2015 deadline.

[…]

 Winchester District Memorial Hospital is creating a new Patient and Family Engagement Committee (PFEC) – and it’s looking for community members to get involved.

“The patient’s voice is the most important one at the table,” explains Lynn Hall, Senior Vice President, Clinical Services. “We want to hear their ideas on how we can improve each patient’s experience at WDMH.”

Advisors will reflect on their own experiences, or those of their family members, to offer meaningful input on all aspects of care. 

Topics may range from hospital policies to improved signage. 

Advisors will make a difference by sharing their ideas and experiences, helping to shape how care is delivered at WDMH.

Advisors do not need special qualifications. Any required training will be provided. 

To start, the committee will meet a minimum of four times per year.

Interested community members are invited to complete an application form, found on the main page of the WDMH website at www.wdmh.on.ca. They may also contact Dianne Lapier at 613-774-2422, ext. 6352 or dlapier@wdmh.on.ca for more information.

“We believe that health care providers and patients should be partners in care,” adds Cholly Boland, CEO. 

“The Patient and Family Engagement Committee builds upon the many ways that WDMH gains feedback from patients and families. By working together, we can continually improve the quality and safety of the care we provide.”

[…]