Seaway says farewell to retiring teachers

He had hoped to return to the classroom yesterday, but Rodney Benton, the Seaway District High School teacher who was last week struck by lightning, still needs a little more time.

Benton was outside of the school at lunchtime running a boys baseball practice, May 15. When he noticed the skies darkening, he told the kids it was time to head inside.

On his way into the school, carrying an aluminum baseball bat he was struck by lightning. None of the students were harmed by the lightning strike that occurred at 12:20 p.m.

“All I heard was a loud noise. I saw a bright orangy white light, and I was knocked down to the ground,” said Benton. “I didn’t know what had happened, then the kids told me I was struck by lightning.”

The group rushed into the school. “I guess that’s when the shock set in,” said Benton, recalling the difficulty he had in communicating. “It was like everything was happening in the distance,” he said.

Staff had called paramedics, who started treatment immediately and transported him to Winchester Hospital.

Benton says at Winchester Hospital he was hooked up to IVs and monitored closely. He explained that they watch closely for kidney failure and they did some tests on his heart and his muscles, which contract with a huge intensity during a lightning strike.

Benton, a 31-year old father of two, soon to be three, is happy to report that at his last doctor’s appointment his heart is looking good, his kidneys are doing well and his muscles are getting back to normal.

“Physically, I’m getting there, but mentally this is taking a toll,” he said. “Thinking so much about your own mortality is a weird feeling,” he says.

“Honestly, I want to get back into the public and back to school, but mentally and physically, I’m not sure I’m ready yet,” he said.

He has only talked to a few of his students online since the incident last week.

But, he has done a lot of talking to the media. “I know that I wouldn’t want to be famous,” he says. 

“After a traumatic event like this, it’s a lot to be telling the same thing over and over again. But, I guess that’s a form of therapy too. The other day I was getting a bit fed up with talking about the same thing over and over again, because everyone is asking me about it. My mom made me realize that people are asking out of genuine concern.”

“This story has had a happy ending. When so often news stories are all about the bad, this is a nice survival story,” said Benton.

“I would really like to thank Terry Gardiner, SDHS principal and the staff for all their actions. The cards and emails I’ve gotten have been incredible. Seaway is like another family to me. I really want to give a shout out to them,” concluded Benton.

[…]

National Nursing Week 2012 provides an opportunity to say thank you to the wonderful nurses at Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH). They truly care about keeping our communities healthy.

“Every day, WDMH nurses contribute to excellence in care and education,” notes Lynn Hall, Vice President Clinical Services, Chief Nursing Officer and Professional Practice Leader. 

“They devote themselves to providing each patient with compassionate, skilled and timely care.”

This year, several celebration events are planned including unit coffee breaks and a pub night at the Winchester Curling Club. 

WDMH nurses will also be hosting a free Blood Pressure Clinic for the community on May 8th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Andy’s Foodland in Winchester.

WDMH has more than 100 nurses on staff, as well as 40 registered practical nurses. 

“Nurses have historically always risen to the ongoing challenges of our chosen career,” adds Lynn Hall. 

“Nursing Week is a time for recognition. We are very proud of all of our nurses.”

[…]

“I have never seen the shelves this low in 10 years,” said Kim Merkley, Food Bank Coordinator at the House of Lazarus, “this is the first time I have had to buy food in May. Usually I have enough to carry us through until August.”

The House of Lazarus Community Outreach Mission and Resource Centre is experiencing higher food bank usage, which has become the norm for food banks in general across the province.  

The lack of employment for permanent, living wage jobs, a shortage of affordable housing, along with increasing prices on just about everything is driving many to turn to food banks. 

So far this year, the House of Lazarus Food Bank has seen 28 families who have never had to use a food bank turning to them for support to get through the month. 

Fortunately, it is very clear that supporters are recognizing the need in these economic times as donations of food have increased over the last year, however the need has surpassed even that. 

In response to hearing about the need from food bank staff, one donor has generously donated a Zero Gravity Lawn Chair as a perk to one lucky person who brings in five food items or donates $5 between July 23rd and August 3rd. 

The current campaign is aptly called “Relaxing in the sun knowing you’ve helped someone!” For each five items donated, the donor will receive a coupon to place in the draw box with the winner drawn on August 3rd at 2 p.m.

The statistics say it all: From January to June 2012, the food bank had 614 visits versus 549 last year, which breaks down to 1,010 adults and 596 children. Sixty percent of those who were served by the House of Lazarus Food Bank are children, which is a dramatic increase and above the Ontario Hunger Count figure of 37.5 percent.

The Hunger Count Report is an annual survey by Food Banks Canada and gives a comprehensive report on hunger and food bank use in Canada along with recommendations for change. 

Food donations show that the House of Lazarus received  9,918.8 kilograms and purchased 431.1 kilograms, while 14,682.8 kilograms was distributed.  

Current needs include: canned vegetables, fruit, meats, and fish; peanut butter; macaroni and cheese; meal extenders (Side Kicks, Hamburger Helper, for example); soups: sugar; skim milk powder; and, instant coffee. 

Shopping in the House of Lazarus Thrift and Household Goods Shops is another way to support the food bank. The dollars spent at the shop go to support food bank operations. 

For more information on activities in the shops and the community or to donate funds on line check out the web site at www.houseoflazarus.org or Like Us on Facebook. 

To contact the House of Lazarus, call 613-989-3830 or email house.lazarus@gmail.com for information on this or other areas of concern. 

Donations can be dropped off at the House of Lazarus, located at 2245 Simms Street in Mountain. Items can also be dropped off at the Hartford Retirement Centre in Morrisburg. 

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