OETIO showcases pioneering pipeline engineers program

This month’s meeting of the Helping Hands of Matilda group was held on December 6th and featured the talents of the OPP Auxiliary’s, Coppertones.

Helping Hands is a group of like-minded seniors who meet the first Wednesday of each month. The group’s purpose is twofold: to give people a venue to come together, socialize, and make a difference and, at the same time, to reach out to those who are “shut in.” 

The order of events for most meetings includes discussion of business, luncheon and, then, entertainment.

The group disbanded in September after their last meeting, where there were 24 members in attendance. 

Lorne Strader, recognizing the importance of the group, took it upon himself to bring the Helping Hands of Matilda back together in November, where he welcomed a whopping 55 members to the ‘restart’ meeting.

It was then that the group decided to have a Christmas celebration for their December meeting. 

Members were greeted with music during the morning, which was supplied by Ralph Jollota.

The Coppertones were invited to entertain after the luncheon, which was provided by the Iroquois Legion Branch #370 Ladies Auxiliary.

The Coppertones delighted the group with popular Christmas songs punctuated by a hilarious, if sometimes scandalous, joke between each song. The audience roared with laughter.

Sound like fun? Well, if you are aged 50 or older, you can join the group! Contact Lorne Strader at 613-652-2260. It’s only five dollars for an entire year’s membership.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Helping Hands will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2012.

[…]

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit is confirming the summer’s first human case of West Nile Virus in the region. 

Mosquitoes in the area served by the Health Unit tested positive for the virus in August, but human cases had only occurred in other regions of the province.

“This finding shows that West Nile virus remains a concern in our area, even towards the end of the summer” says Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health. 

“I urge all residents to keep on taking preventive measures to protect themselves and their families as mosquitoes will still be active until the first frost.”

Residents can take precautions against mosquitoes and therefore against the virus by taking the following steps:

• Use federally registered personal insect repellents, such as those containing DEET. Use a light coating on exposed skin. Follow label instructions for proper application.

• Wear light-coloured clothing, long sleeves, pants and socks when outside.

• Avoid being outside at dusk and dawn, as mosquitoes are the most active at that time.

• Ensure that all containers in or around the yard like tires, pool covers, saucers for flowerpots, wading pools and children’s toys are regularly emptied of standing water.

• Ensure that screens, windows and doors are fully sealed to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house.

For more information, visit www.eohu.ca and click on the Community Health section, or call 613-933-1375 or 1 800 267-7120 and ask for Health Line.

[…]

Sandra Whitworth, president and artistic director of the St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage, which wrapped up its 2014-15 musical season in early June, was all smiles during an interview in late June.

“We had three sold out shows this season,” Whitworth said, “The Great Lakes Swimmers, Harry Manx and Madison Violet. We saw a 15 percent increase in audience attendance as compared to last year. And we have kept our funding and even received a new grant this year.” 

In June, MP Guy Lauzon presented the SLAS board of directors with $25,000 in funding over two years from the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. The municipality of South Dundas continues to support the SLAS. 

“We also received a new grant this year, which is from the SOCAN Foundation. SOCAN stands for the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada. It was our first time applying and it was nice to have some success.”

“In our fiscal year, we saw moderate growth, and in terms of the actual season, a dramatic upswing in concert attendance numbers. Our numbers are good and we are not compromising our artistic vision,” Whitworth said. 

There were some unexpected challenges for the Stage to deal with this year. 

In early spring, the board was told by the Operating Engineers that the Morrisburg Meeting Centre, which has been home to SLAS concerts since the volunteer organization first began more than seven years ago, would no longer be available.

“It was something of a crisis losing our venue,” Whitworth said. 

But the Stage found a new and welcoming home at Upper Canada Playhouse. The SLAS people sat down with artistic director Donnie Bowes and the Playhouse board of directors, and worked out a schedule which will permit the Stage to continue to present top quality musicians to the community and to visitors to South Dundas. Concerts will now take place in the outstanding facilities  the Playhouse offers.

“We are, I think, with our increasing audience numbers, striking a nice balance between grants and our revenue. And we still continue to keep our concert prices very affordable and competitive,” said Whitworth.

“We are looking at the new line up for our eight concert series, and the artists’ names will be announced later this summer. The first concert at the Playhouse will be October 10. We are also hoping to start more of our school workshops programs in the community. We continue to explore a lot of possibilities.”

The St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage board is made up of volunteers who devote many hours to bringing top flight artists to South Dundas. On June 25, at the AGM, it was confirmed that the current board will continue for next year.  Sandra Whitworth remains president and artistic director, Tony McCadden is vice president and secretary, Derek Hunter is treasurer and Eric Pietersma is the member at large.

[…]