News

 

In early 2014, the Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, and Prescott-Russell areas united in a monumental way to support a young mother and teacher, Stephanie Grady, in her battle against a rare and aggressive form of cancer called NUT Midline Carcinoma (NMC); through the, “We’re NUT Givin’ Up” campaign.

At the time, Stephanie’s only hope in overcoming this often fatal form of cancer came from an experimental drug called BET Inhibitor. This drug, known to slow and sometimes even stop tumour growth, was discovered through the International NUT Midline Carcinoma Registry; and is being administered at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA.

Recognizing OHIP doesn’t cover the cost of such trials, and the astronomical expense of health care costs in the USA, friends and family members rapidly formed “Team Grady”, organizing a variety of diverse and engaging fundraising activities to support the family; both emotionally and financially.

“It was the genuine, giving, and humble nature of Stephanie’s character which saw the campaign garner so much momentum,” said Heather Lisney, campaign coordinator.

Individuals and communities from across Ontario and the Maritimes organized a variety of fundraising events – all of which reflected the virtues of Stephanie and her family. Activities included: Breakfasts, brunches and dinners; silent and live auctions; dodgeball, hockey, volleyball and basketball tournaments; pub nights with live entertainment; and Zumba, scrapbooking, painting and gymnastics opportunities. 

Over 28 public and catholic schools from the region were involved, with teachers and students organizing events from dress-down days, to pancake breakfasts, dances and hockey pools.

Due to the urgent need for treatment, and the incredibly overwhelming generosity of those involved, in just 12 weeks the campaign raised more than $200,000.

“Stephanie was an inspiration to so many,” said Lisney. “Her fighting spirit, combined with her cheeky humour and humility throughout the battle, were qualities to be admired. She didn’t want to ask for help, but she knew she would need support. Her family meant everything to her, and she wanted to know she did everything she could to fight – and she did.”

While the support from the community allowed Stephanie to get to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for preliminary testing in early May, the rapid progression of the disease following her return prevented her from starting treatment. 

Just hours before the scheduled flight to return to Boston, Stephanie and her family received information from doctors; who suggested pursuing treatment would not be in her best interests.

“Many people wondered why Stephanie didn’t go earlier. It really wasn’t up to her. If it was, she would have been there in a heartbeat. It was the unfortunate reality of experimental treatment which prevented an earlier start. Doctors in Boston were waiting to clear different potency-dose-ratio levels for the clinical trial, and suggested Stephanie wait until the stronger drug was approved and available for her to take.”

Stephanie passed away peacefully at her home just four days later.

In addition to establishing educational savings plans for the Grady children; Stephanie’s husband, Nick Grady, in consultation with Stephanie’s parents and those affiliated with the campaign; has decided to donate funds back to the community, in ways that honour Stephanie’s legacy.

“It is our honour to give back and to provide inspiration for others, in ways that reflected the strength of the campaign as well as Stephanie’s character,” said Grady. “The community was so generous, and we can’t thank them enough for giving us the courage, and opportunity, to fight. It’s our hope that we can thank those who contributed, and support others who may be enduring similar challenges.”

In addition to establishing a Memorial Educational Pavilion in Stephanie’s honour at Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary (UCMBS); funds will also be used to support the Canadian Cancer Society’s Wheels of Hope program in the SDG & Prescott-Russell areas, to fund new equipment for the Cornwall Community Hospital’s new chemotherapy wing, to support Winchester District Memorial and Ottawa General Hospitals, and to establish an employee illness relief program for UCDSB staff members.

Annual bursaries will also be established at Rothwell-Osnabruck High School and Charlottetown Rural High School in PEI, and through some of the local churches that contributed so much. 

Grady is also working with local hockey organizations to facilitate opportunities for more children to participate, and is considering other options to “pay it forward” in Stephanie’s memory.

Stephanie’s family, along with Team Grady members, would like to thank all those who contributed by inviting them to join the Memorial Pavilion Dedication and Thank-You BBQ, at Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary (UCMBS), on Sunday, October 26th from 2 – 4 p.m.

For more information about Stephanie’s story, the campaign, the Pavilion Dedication & Thank You BBQ, or about ways the Grady family is giving back; please visit www.gradyfund.com, www.facebook.com/werenutgivinup, @NUTGivinUp or contact Heather Lisney at 343-264-6197.

[…]

Just over 30 jobs are leaving South Dundas, but not going far.

South Stormont Township recently announced that the former Norceram facility in Ingleside is being renovated and will be the new home of Quality Manufacturing, the plastics processing and packaging plant, which has been a longtime tenant of an Allison Avenue building in Morrisburg.

Mayor Bryan McGillis said, “We are pleased to announce the relocation of Quality Manufacturing to South Stormont; another welcome addition to our industrial sector. The township continues with job growth in this community. This business relocation has now put us in the fortunate position of having filled all available major industrial buildings. Welcome to South Stormont, our door is always open.”

October 17, the Municipality of South Dundas issued a statement regarding the manufacturing company’s move. “While the municipality regrets that the company is leaving South Dundas, we are happy that the company’s success has put them in a position to enhance their business operations and that they have found an opportunity to grow within our region,” reads the statement.

“We were able to purchase a building in Ingleside, and we expect to be moving in the spring/summer of next year,” said Gordon Carvell, Quality Manufacturing general manager.

The main reason for the move is that the building purchase is that it allows the company to reduce its occupancy cost. “We would have been happy to stay here in Morrisburg, if the reduced occupancy cost could have been matched, but this opportunity came along, and we took advantage of it,” said Carvell.

[…]

The next leader of the Ontario PC party dined at the Morrisburg Legion last week, but as of yet, who the leader of the province’s official opposition party will be has not yet been decided.

This leadership bid is to replace Tim Hudak, who resigned when the Ontario Liberals won a majority government in the June election.

October 8, the Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry riding association hosted a harvest supper fundraiser, here in Morrisburg and all five leadership candidates were in attendance including Monte McNaughton, MP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, Barrie MP Patrick Brown, former North Bay mayor Vic Fedeli, MPP for Whitby-Oshawa Christine Elliott and Nepean-Carleton MPP Lisa MacLeod.

This was the first event where all five were in attendance.

“It all starts right here in Morrisburg,” said Eric Duncan, who emceed the evening’s event.

 

Each of the candidates wasgiven five minutes to address the crowd packed with party supporters and area dignitaries.

All spoke about the great need to re-build the party, which now has only 10,000 members, but at one time had as many as 105,000 members.

McNaughton, spoke about how the party is “too top down, explaining that during the last two elections, a few party insiders have come up with disastrous election planks. “It’s killing us,” he said. He would like to see the party membership have much more say by way of voting on an election platform. “That will help us win government in 2018.”

“I have seen us lose elections we should have won,” said Brown. “There is nothing more frustrating than watching us shoot our own feet. We need to play as a team in this party. The fact that our membership is at an historic low speaks volumes.” 

“I’m tired of losing elections too,” said Fedeli. “We need to restore our pride in being Progressive Conservatives. He called June’s election, a disaster. His bid for party leadership is based on putting Ontario first, and being open to all ideas, no matter which party they come from.

Elliott spoke about the need to rebuild the party from the outside in and from the inside out. Newcomers, young people and women need to be encouraged to join the party. “We need to reach out to all members,” she said. 

McLeod, who has the support of local MPP Jim McDonnell in her leadership bid, said that the months following the June election have been the most difficult in her political career. With the PC loss, she felt  that she let a lot of people down.

“We built Ontario,” said MacLeod. “We need  a strong PC party so we can have a strong Ontario.” She encourages all party members to be active in this leadership race.

The leadership campaign officially starts November 8, 2014. Voting will take place May 3 and 7, 2015. 

In order to vote, party membership needs to be purchased by February 28, 2015, and be in good standing. 

[…]

South Dundas council added their voice to the list of those concerned with the Industry Canada proposal. The proposal will force Internet providers like Xplornet Communications to give up their 3500 MHz spectrum, which is being used to bring high speed internet services to about 11,000 residents and businesses across Eastern Ontario.

According to a briefing note provided to Eastern Ontario Municipalities by the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association, this spectrum will be transfered  to wireless cell companies to support services for urban customers.

Those affected are only those licenced and served by the 3500 MHz spectrum which is a more reliable higher speed service, generally used in rural commercial applications.

“In our view, this short sighted proposal appears only to benefit the major telecommunication companies and is contrary to the Federal government’s priority of providing high speed internet service to rural communities throughout Canada,” said Ron Eddy, chair of the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association.

South Dundas council agreed that it strongly supports the views expressed by the chairs of the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus and the Eastern Ontario Regional Network.

“Should you proceed along this path we know that more than 11,000 customers across a large part of eastern Ontario face the spectre of losing their connections to high-speed services. This cannot be allowed to happen,” reads the letter signed by Steven Byvelds on behalf of South Dundas council. 

“The Government along with its partners in EORN have just connected these homes and businesses at a considerable cost the public and to its private sector partner. Millions of dollars would be wasted and the good work of the EORN damaged. This must be avoided.”

The Government of Canada contributed $55 million to the EORN project, as did the Government of Ontario. The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Inc., and private sector partners contributed the remaining funding of the $170 million project.

“It’s ludicrous after the millions that have been spent on rural broadband in this part of the province,” said South Dundas councillor Jim Graham, who brought the issued to the South Dundas council table at the October 7 council meeting.

“It defies logic,” agreed South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds.

South Dundas council sent off a letter expressing their displeasure, and passed a resolution requesting that Industry Canada modify its policy proposals to permit current 3500MHz licence holders who are party to the Eastern Ontario Regional Network and delivering high speed fixed wireless internet services by exempt from any requirement to depart this spectrum.

[…]

 

The “Alarm for Life” program, promoted by the South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services, received some much appreciated financial support during the Saturday, October 4, 2014, open house at the Morrisburg fire hall.

Jake Lapierre, Union Gas utility service construction manager for Cornwall, was on hand to present South Dundas chief, Chris McDonough, and fire fighter, Matt Snyder, the fire prevention officer for South Dundas, the Morrisburg station, with a grant cheque for $2,500.

“Safety is a major priority for our company,” Lapierre said. “At Union Gas we are committed to the safety of our employees and communities. We show that by investing in local fire departments whose fire prevention, education and fire suppression programs help us all to stay safer.”

During this national Fire Prevention Week, October 5-11, chief McDonough explained that the generosity of Union Gas meant a lot to local safety programmes. “We will be using these funds from Union Gas for our smoke alarm program, for our carbon monoxide awareness program and for our door to door campaign to check smoke detectors in area homes.”

Pictured outside the Morrisburg fire hall are, left to right, chief Chris McDonough, Jake Lapierre and fire fighter, Matt Snyder.

[…]

 

They have already been on the road for one year. And before the tour ends where it began, in France, in July of 2015,  this six man bike team from L’Odyssée de L’Espoir hopes to have drawn world wide attention to a pervasive and insidious disease, multiple sclerosis.

“We are on a world tour to speak about and raise awareness of multiple sclerosis in every country we visit,” said Yvan Guillovzic, one of the six volunteer bike riders who pulled into Morrisburg on Friday, October 3, 2014. “We personally do not collect money along the way, but we let people know that our website accepts donations. We will visit 23 countries in our journey, before we return home to France.”

The trip is very personal to Gerard Guillovzic, who travels with the team in a specially designed bike chair. He has MS. 

“We also want people to see that this disease doesn’t have to limit the people who have it. They are capable of doing just about everything anyone can do,” said Yvan.

MS disrupts the ability of parts of the nervous system to communicate. It can occur in isolated attacks or build up over a period of time. While symptoms may disappear completely between attacks, permanent neurological problems often occur as the disease advances. As of 2008, between 2 and 3 million people have been affected. 

The causes of MS are still unclear. There is no known cure.

The point of the Odyssey of Hope is to make people aware of the spread of the disease and to push for the research which will finally find the cure. 

The riders were en route to Brockville, and from there, were making their way to Toronto and Niagara Falls. They planned to cross into Rochester, New York, continuing their ride across the States. They expect to be in South America by the winter. The team is also filming their epic journey for a documentary. 

“We have thoroughly enjoyed our time in Canada,” said Yvan Guillovzic, “although,” he added with a smile, “we don’t really want to be here in winter”.

Pictured are (l-r) Yvan Guillovzic, Benoit Le quentrec, Youhen Le quintrec, Thomas Balloy, Nicholas Lefevre and, in front, Gerard Guillovzic. 

To get additional information or to make a donation to L’Odyssée de l’Espoir, go to www.worldtour-ms.com. 

[…]

 

 On Sunday, October 5, the Friends of the Sanctuary held a special day to welcome visitors from South Dundas and regions far outside the local area to the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary near Ingleside, Ontario.

What many of the visitors found they could not do this year was use the open water board walks along the Blue Heron Trail and the popular Redwing Trail. The serious structural deterioration of those walks has forced the Sanctuary to post them.

Unfortunately, these walks are also the access routes to marshland areas where special educational programs often take place.

Hundreds of people, many of them families with small children, take advantage of opportunities to come out and support the Friends and the work they do to build wildlife education, maintain trails, and ensure that birds and animals in this area have a safe year round sanctuary. On Sunday, there were displays, exhibits, and special shows featuring both birds of prey and mammals. Audiences could see first hand how vital the Sanctuary is to this region.

The Friends of the Sanctuary have launched a programme, the Get On Board Project, to try and raise the funds to rebuild the park’s vital walkways, and to restore them to the use of all visitors to the preserve.

“We want to re-build the board walks, yes, but we also want to construct them with educational platforms so that we will be able to provide educational classes  for students,” said Sue Clavet, treasurer for the Friends of the Sanctuary. “We also want to make the new boardwalks wheelchair accessible. This is a huge endeavour to raise enough funds to carry this out. We need volunteers to help us in this project, and to also come up with ideas that will help the project.”

It is estimated that the cost of restoring/replacing and enhancing the boardwalks at the Sanctuary will cost over $400,000.

Some local businesses, including Morrisburg Home Hardware, which donated bird seed for sale October 5, profits to the Project, are already trying to help. The support of the public will be desperately needed to improve the park which draws 60,000 visitors yearly. 

Go to friendsofthesanctuary.org to Get On Board and help restore the park trails. 

[…]

 

Half a world away, in the nation of Madagascar, children who might otherwise never have had the chance, are  going to school. They are also receiving at least one nourishing meal a day. They even have the opportunity to visit an on site doctor, perhaps for the first time in their lives. 

The Madagascar School Project, which began in 2007, under the leadership of former Maxville teacher, Kathy Lucking, is an attempt to directly “confront the problem of education” in this desperately poor African nation. 

Inspired by the work of missionary Mary Sherwood in Madagascar, Lucking has devoted the last seven years to building schools, with the help of many Canadian donors, and giving children hope and the chance to dream. Lucking was recently honoured with an Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario Humanitarian Award.

In her efforts, she has been heartily supported by the South Dundas Anglican Parish Outreach committee. On October 3, 2014, the all volunteer, not-for-profit committee sponsored their second fund raising dinner for the Madagascar School Project.

“The congregation that lives by itself, dies by itself,” said the Reverend Sid Irwin, who along with his wife, Elizabeth, first proposed to the Outreach team the idea of supporting Lucking’s educational efforts. “We needed to do something which fell outside our own local concerns and we found this international project.”

“The whole parish is now behind the project,” added Elizabeth Irwin.

The fund raising dinner was held at the Morrisburg Royal Canadian Legion, and drew 145 guests. Before the delicious meal (served by volunteers from Seaway High School), the crowd was entertained by the elegant musical stylings of Tea and Tartan, Cathy Graham and Sharon Baird. Just before the guest speaker, a phenomenal young artist, 10-year-old Kayleigh Styles, delighted listeners with her powerful songs.

In her inspiring address, Kathy Lucking showed the crowd the  great progress that has been made at the Madagascar School Project, as a result of their support. This includes, in 2010, the opening of a second school, the Sekoly Tenaquip school, which now teaches 126 new pupils. 

She also introduced the audience to Toonie Twinning, a new concept which permits people to “adopt” a child in the Project. A  sponsor’s toonie a week pays for a Malagasy child’s education.

Robin Lane, with the organizational committee for the Project, reported that Kathy and the South Dundas volunteers were excited that nine new Toonie Twinners signed up. 

Ticket sales and donations on the night brought in $4,595. Other donations brought in a further $1,111. “We are really thrilled with the great support,” said Lane. “And funds are still coming in.”

[…]

 

A new restaurant option will be on the menu in South Dundas in mid to late November when Morrisburg resident, Bill Dillabough opens his Pizza Hut ‘take-out’ franchise in the Pinkus Plaza.

“My target date is November 30th, earlier if possible,” says Dillabough who has 10 years experience with Pizza Hut in Cornwall.

To be located at the east end of the Pinkus Plaza, Dillabough’s franchise in Morrisburg will be a ‘take out’ only.

“I will have a full Pizza Hut menu, but there will be fewer choices in some of the items. For instance, I will have Caesar salad, but maybe not all the other choices.”

Dillabough says the take-out menu will include Pizza Huts’ popular sides and desserts, pizzas, pastas and wings.

He expects to employ up to 20 employees and positions will be available for cooks, order desk receptionists and drivers. In-house and on-line training will be provided and resumes are now being accepted.

 “We will be offering delivery and take out, but there will be no dining in. We will be open seven days per week from 11 a.m. until closing.”

Pizza Hut take-out franchises are very popular in urban areas and Dillabough estimates that of the 11 Pizza Huts in Ottawa, only three or four are dine in. The take-outs are very successful he says.

“I will have all that Pizza Hutt has to offer, and will be operating on a personal and local level.”

Customers in South Dundas and surrounding area will be able to order online and through the Pizza Hut call in service, but there will also be a local number available to place orders. “You will never get a busy signal.”

The new Pizza Hut location in Morrisburg will be fitted with its specialized equipment over the next few weeks and with two ovens to be included, Dillabough says he will be able to put out 45 pizzas per oven in one hour.

[…]

 

Local optometrist, Dr. Karen Salaj is taking part in the World Sight Day Challenge in October to help give the gift of vision to people living in areas of need.

Now in its 7th year, the World Sight Day Challenge is the largest annual global fundraising campaign to address avoidable blindness caused by uncorrected refractive error–simply the need for an eye exam and glasses.

The campaign goal for 2014, is to raise $1 million globally.

“World Sight Day is October 9, but I picked the last Thursday in October as my day, as I thought we could use the whole month to promote it and what I am doing,” said Dr. Salaj from her office at 69 Main Street in the Morrisburg Plaza, main court, last Thursday. “Everything we take in on eye exams on Thursday, October 30 will go to the World Sight Day Challenge.”

“It’s me giving, but it is also enabling the public and my patients to get involved and give too.”

The World Sight Day Challenge is run globally by Optometry Giving Sight, which was established in 2003 to address the needs of over 600 million men, women and children around the world who are blind or vision impaired simply because they don’t have access to an eye exam and a pair of glasses. 

World Sight Day is an annual day of awareness held on the second Thursday of October to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment. It is coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and is supported by eye health organizations around the world, including Optometry Giving Sight.

Optometry Giving Sight supports programs that offer, not only eye exams and glasses in countries with little or no access to them, but that establish the infrastructure and train the local human resources required for sustainable, quality vision care. It is a registered charity in Canada and is the International Charity of Choice of the Canadian Association of Optometrists.

“This is our first opportunity to support Optometry Giving Sight and the World Sight Day Challenge,” said Dr. Salaj. “Preventable blindness is a solvable problem, and we are proud to help give sight to those in need.”

Just $5 can be enough to help provide an eye exam and a pair of glasses to someone living in an under-served community. Every contribution is meaningful.

“If you can’t see, it is difficult to learn, it is difficult to work and it is difficult to go forward in your life,” says Dr. Salaj. “Here, we are all blessed with being able to get our eye care, but it is not like this everywhere.”

In addition to Dr. Salaj donating the proceeds from eye exams on Thursday, October 30, patients, from now until the end of October, will be able to donate to the Challenge. “It doesn’t need to be anything major, but every penny counts. Our office doesn’t charge for repair or glasses adjustments, so we would like to suggest to our patients that in lieu of, they use that as a way to make a donation.”

For more information on donating or to make an appointment, Dr. Salaj’s office can be reached at 613-543-3208.

“We’d love our patients to get their eyes tested during October to help raise awareness and funds for this great cause.”

[…]