News

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. 

[…]

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.

[…]

An air show is planned for Iroquois, this summer–A Miniature Air show.

Members of the Ottawa Valley Zone of the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada, were thrilled to have discovered South Dundas’ municipal airport in Iroquois.

Ken Park and Brent Norman of the club which flies radio controlled miniature jets, both electric and turbine powered, requested the use of the Iroquois airport facility to host an event the weekend of July 4, 2015. 

“The airport manager John Ross gave us a private tour, and we were truly blown away as this location has everything we could think of for a possible successful event,” said Park.

For them, for a first time event, they hope to attract at least 20 pilots and planes.

South Dundas council unanimously approved the use of the airport for the club, which carries its own liability insurance, looks after its own crowd control barriers and takes responsibility for all safety measures.

The event would be open to the public and free. 

Oftentimes, flying will be stopped for a short time to allow the public to see the models up close, and ask questions of the pilots.

Organizers expect those pilots participating in the event will like the proximity to the Iroquois Municipal Campground to the airport.

The site plan and logistics will be fully detailed when the organizers come back in May for another site meeting.

The plan is for all flying to take place south of the airstrip. The airstrip would be closed to other air traffic that weekend. This miniature air show takes place two weeks before the annual fly-in breakfast.

[…]

The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, at its annual inaugural meeting held in Kingston last week, elected Warden Eric Duncan of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry as its chair for 2015. 

Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones was elected  as the vice-chair.

“I am honoured to chair the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus and to have the opportunity to work very hard to support all property taxpayers in the 103 member municipalities across the  EOWC region,” said Eric Duncan. “The EOWC takes pride in doing its homework and coming up with new ideas that contribute to positive change in our municipalities.”

“One of our major concerns is the ever escalating cost of policing, whether OPP or municipal,” Duncan continued. “We will work with groups such as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario looking at all options to reduce the burden to local taxpayers of providing emergency services.”

Both Duncan and Jones were elected to their new positions by acclamation. Chair Duncan is also mayor of the Township of North Dundas, while vice-chair Jones is mayor of the Township of Douro-Dummer.

The EOWC has established three key priorities for the coming year.

1. Beginning the implementation of the key actions proposed in the Eastern Ontario  Economic Development Strategy.

2. Working in tandem with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network to prepare and submit an Eastern Ontario cellular infrastructure network improvement project.

3. Continuing its research and advocacy efforts on matters related to the  financial sustainability of municipal government in Eastern Ontario.

[…]

 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.”

[…]

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.

[…]

As of January 1st 2015, the Ontario government has put in place new regulations to protect the public from tobacco and its harmful effects.

The new regulations that have been added to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act have made it illegal to smoke on bar and restaurant patios, and on (and within 20 metres of) playgrounds, and public sports fields and surfaces. Selling tobacco on the campuses of postsecondary education institutions is now illegal as well.

Strengthening the ban on smoking in bars, restaurants, playgrounds and public sports fields

In the past, smoking was only banned on covered or partially covered patios in Ontario. The new regulations have made it illegal to smoke on all outdoor bar and restaurant patios.

The province has also banned smoking on and around playgrounds, public sport fields and surfaces. The ban applies to all outdoor public sports facilities such as basketball courts, baseball and soccer fields, ice rinks, tennis courts, splash pads and swimming pools that are owned by a municipality, the province or a postsecondary education institution. Besides sport fields, it is also illegal to smoke on sport surfaces, in spectator areas around sport fields and 20 metres surrounding these locations. The ban includes playgrounds at hotels, motels and inns as well.

Banning the sale of tobacco products on school campuses

Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has also banned the sale of tobacco products on the campuses of postsecondary education institutions, such as colleges and universities. The new regulations apply to buildings and areas that are owned or leased by postsecondary education institutions or student unions and that are used for students’ education programs, recreational activities or residential services.

For more information visit  www.eohu.ca.

[…]

Even though tickets sold out for Saturday’s Blok Family benefit fundraising dance , the community’s generosity didn’t stop with ticket sales.

The evening featured a live and silent auction, and by the time those were finished, more than $25,000 was raised to help Jessica (Beckstead) Blok and her family as she battles stage four rhabdomyosarcoma cancer. Jessica recently married Dustin Blok and the young couple have a baby daughter Autumn.

The Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club organized and hosted the event at Matilda Hall, January 10. Eddy and the Stingrays provided the entertainment, free of charge to allow all proceeds to go the family.

“Let’s help make a difference,” was our motto as we approached this event,” said Henry Swank, president of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions. “And, I think we did.”

Swank was ecstatic to announce the fundraising tally Monday morning. “I’m just damn proud of everyone,” he said. “Not just the Lions, but the family and friends and the community who supported this. This was a real unified effort.”

“What made it even more special was the family being there,” said Swank. 

“We’re just really appreciative of everything everyone has done for us,” said Dustin. 

“We need to say thanks to everyone. To everyone who donated, to the Lions and Tony (Hall) and family and friends thanks so much,” said Jessica.

The $25,000 tally only takes into account funds raised at Saturday’s benefit. At a recent regional meeting of area Lions Clubs, Swank made an appeal to all the area clubs to contribute to the Blok family, so even more money will be raised for this family.

Shortly after the print deadline, members of the Lions club updated the fundraising total for the event to over $31,000.

[…]

Since the day a group of volunteers united as the South Dundas Community Playground Committee to bring a newer, bigger and better playground to Earl Baker Park in Morrisburg in 2011, the people of South Dundas have expressed a strong interest in a splash pad.

Although still about $20,000 short of a $200,000 fundraising goal, this year, the splash pad will become a reality.

The South Dundas playground/ splash pad committee set a fundraising goal of $200,000 and had hoped to break ground on the splash pad at Earl Baker Park in Morrisburg in the fall of 2014, but were unable to get started as they had hoped.

Weather and expert advice were big factors in the committee opting to wait until spring 2015 to get the splash pad project underway.

Michael Domanko of the committee said that the project will get started as soon as weather permits.

“Once the installers arrive on site, it will take one week to complete the splash pad,” said Domanko. 

“So, there’s no question, kids will be splashing out there this summer.”

The Vortex splash pad will be installed by ABC Recreation of Paris, Ontario. 

They have installed many splash pads including Long Sault, Cornwall and Brockville.

The South Dundas splash pad will include the top five elements voted on by elementary school students in South Dundas. 

Water tunnel, cylinder spray, loop sprayers will be elements included for the older children, while the water bug and aqua dome will be features of the toddler section of the splash pad.

“The design is a very active one,” said Domanko.

Although they have not yet reached their initial $200,000 fundraising goal, Domanko says the community has done extremely well in raising funds to support this project. 

The committee had applied, unsuccessfully, for half a dozen different grants from various funding sources. 

The absence of securing such a grant is the main reason for the shortfall.

To help make up for some of the shortfall, the committee is trying to secure more in-kind contributions to the project to reduce some of the overall cost. 

Already, Cruickshank construction has donated 180 tonnes of aggregate for the project and Lloyd McMillan has provided some trucking, in-kind.

The committee is planning a trivia fundraiser for the early spring. 

Until then, the committee is gladly accepting donations towards the splash pad.

[…]

“Being in a small community, this is what it’s all about. This is the way it should be,” said Tony Hall, of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club, and part of the committee that has been working to organize and host a benefit dance and auction for the Jessica (Beckstead) Blok, her husband Dustin and young daughter Autumn.

“The Lions Club and the community just can’t wait to help these young folks,” said Hall, in the days leading up to the event, which will take place January 10, at Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners. Doors open at 7 p.m. The dance starts at 8 p.m.

Community support for the young family has materialized in the wake of 19 year old Jessica’s diagnosis with stage four Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer.

Popular entertainers Eddy and the Stingrays have volunteered to provide the entertainment for the dance. 

Emcee duties for the evening will be handled by Joel Lamoureaux of Country 101 radio, with the help of Erica Scott, a local comedian who is now a member of the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club.

A call out to the community to donate items for a silent and live auction, which will take place in the earlier part of the evening, resulted in over 50 donated items that will be up for grabs, ranging from food baskets to tutus to event tickets (Upper Canada Playhouse, Neil Diamond, Bryan Adams, Ottawa Senators Hockey).

Hall reminds those attending to bring cash or cheques to purchase items. (ATM, debit or credit will NOT be available on site).

“This week ticket sales have been brisk,” said Hall. 

As of press time 300 of the 375 event tickets were sold.

“We have been completely overwhelmed, in a good way,” said Hall.

It is unlikely that Jessica will be able to attend the event having undergone a chemotherapy treatment this week, but Hall hopes to have a recorded message from Jessica to share the night of the dance.

A trust fund has been set up for Jessica and her family at the Bank of Montreal (BMO transit #0358 A/C #8989-553). Donations can be made at any BMO.

[…]