Great Lakes Seaway Trail Presents 2013 Hoffman Challenge Quilts at the Thousand Islands Art Center Galleries

by Lynette Lundy-Beck, Seaway Trail Project Manager

(Clayton, NY) The Great Lakes Seaway Trail is sponsoring a presentation of 60 of the 2013 Hoffman Fabric Challenge Quilts in April. The exhibit will be on display 11am-3pm at the Thousand Islands Art Center, 314 John St, Clayton on the weekends of April 5-6 and April 12-13, 2014.

The collection features quilted works of all styles and sizes in elegant peacock, aqua and gold colors and patterns.

The works of art from quilters all across the United States and Canada includes the 2013 Hoffman Challenge Handwork, Pieced, Appliqué and Sulky award winners. – to read more>

Gananoque Police Services

Gananoque Police Services

by Mary C. Jess, Communications #127, Gananoque Police Service, written April 2, 2014

(Gananoque, ON) On April 1st, 2014, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Gananoque Police Service received information that a young person made a threat to cause death and/or bodily harm to two students at TR Leger School in Gananoque.

TR Leger was immediately placed on a “hold and secure” status in accordance with school protocol. Hold and secure status means that all exterior doors are locked and students were locked in the classroom with their teacher, but classes continued. The Gananoque Intermediate Secondary School was also put into hold and secure status as a precaution. – to read more>

Sweet’s Corners Chili Night Hotter than Hot

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By Lorraine Payette, written March 27, 2014

(Sweet’s Corners, Ontario) Everyone learned that a cold spring evening can be hot, hot, hot if you attend the Annual Chili Night held at Sweet’s Corners Elementary School. For a mere $5 per person or $10 per family, the community was treated to an evening of great food, good company and old fashioned fun.

“This is a social event which is a fundraiser for Sweet’s Corners Elementary School,” said Jen Tidman, social representative on the Parent Council. “We had about 200 people show up for the event. It’s our largest fundraiser of the year, and in this case we’re raising money for all the school trips. We try to keep costs as low as possible for all the families when we get to go places like Foley Mountain, and this fundraiser helps a lot.” – to read more>

Gananoque Police Warn Public About E-Mail Scam

Gananoque Police Services

Gananoque Police Services

by Lindsay Grant, approved by Sgt. Sherboneau, written March 27, 2014

The Gananoque Police Service is warning residents about fraudulent communications that are being received through email regarding the Canada Revenue Agency.

The ongoing scam involves false emails claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Reports have been received from residents who have received emails appearing to be from the CRA stating they are owed a refund or that they are required to immediately pay, back taxes to the CRA. – to read more>

“Faithful Living on the Land” Coming to Christ Church in Gananoque

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by Lorraine Payette, written March 18, 2014

“Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink… ”
– Rime of the Ancient Mariner

How often do you think about water when you turn on a tap? Flush a toilet? Take a bath? Water your lawn?

Chances are, you don’t, yet there are many people out there who don’t have access to readily available, potable water, let alone find it flowing freely from their taps.

“(W)hile we haven’t been worrying, things have gotten to the point where it’s now a crisis, a spiritual crisis,” says the Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald, The Anglican Church of Canada’s National Indigenous Bishop. “And it’s threatening to be a physical crisis as well.” – to read more>

Premier Must Act Now to Reverse Kemptville, Alfred Closures

by Michael Jiggins, Executive Assistant to Steve Clark, MPP, Leeds-Grenville, written March 12, 2014

Clark Says Campuses Critical to Eastern Ontario Agri-Food Sector

(KEMPTVILLE) – The Wynne government is dealing a devastating blow to Eastern Ontario’s agri-food industry and rural communities if it allows the University of Guelph to proceed with a plan to close its agricultural campuses in Kemptville and Alfred.

Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark made that comment in response to today’s announcement by the university that academic programs and research at the two campuses will end by the end of 2015. – to read more>

Purple Pancakes Return to Help Fight Epilepsy

A delicious way to support epilepsy awareness - purple pancakes!

A delicious way to support epilepsy awareness – purple pancakes!

by Lorraine Payette, written March 14, 2014

(Gananoque, ON) As the temperatures improve and the sap starts running, it’s time once again to celebrate Purple Day in support of the Epilepsy Resource Centre. And what better way to celebrate than to sit down to a breakfast of purple pancakes.

“Approximately 30 people attended at the Gananoque location (in 2013) and enjoyed some delicious ‘purple’ blueberry pancakes, yogurt, fruit and more, while having the opportunity to learn more about epilepsy,” wrote Susan Harrison, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Resource Centre (ERC). “It was a great way of bringing the community together and your support assisted us in accomplishing our goal of helping the community with the challenges created by epilepsy.” – to read more>

Riverbank Productions to Present “On Golden Pond”

Riverbank Productions

Riverbank Productions

by Lorraine Payette, written March 7, 2014

(Gananoque, ON) Gananoque’s Riverbank Productions will be presenting a staged reading of “On Golden Pond”, an award winning play by Ernest Thompson.

“It is a heart-warming, funny, and moving family comedy/drama that addresses aging gracefully ( and not so gracefully!), parent/child conflicts, the frustrations and joys of getting older, and the challenges, surprises and realities of enduring love,” says Diane Stapley. “Set in the 80s, it centres on a couple in their late sixties and seventies who have been married for many decades and, for forty years, have been spending their summers at a simple family cottage on a beautiful lake. When their grown daughter Chelsea shows up unexpectedly with her new dentist boyfriend and his teenage son, age-old family conflicts come to the fore. The results are wonderfully hilarious, and dramatic – just like real life!” – to read more>

Desperate Housepets Coming to Old Town Hall in Delta

What mysteries lurk behind such an innocent face?

What mysteries lurk behind such an innocent face?

by Lorraine Payette, written March 7, 2014

(Delta, ON) What are animals to do? The game’s afoot, and things have certainly turned fowl, um, uh, “foul”.

In a desperate cycle of murder, betrayal and love, we explore the deepest of relationships between the most innocent looking house pets. Who would ever suspect there could be complications for a hamster and a rabbit that just happen to cohabit, or the havoc wreaked in a fish tank by a gifted member of the school. What about the trials and tribulations faced by dogs and cats facing death at a city pound?

In a humourous satire written by Robert Watson, no holds are barred. And the Rideau Islands and Lakes Theatre School (RILTS) is delighted to present two showings on March 29 and 30. – to read more>

Lyme Disease Demands Urgent Action From Health Minister: Clark

by Michael Jiggins, Executive Assistant to Steve Clark, MPP, Leeds-Grenville; written March 6, 2014

MPP Calls for More Effective Diagnostic Testing for Disease

(QUEEN’S PARK) – Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark has called on the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to improve the way Ontarians who suspect they have Lyme disease are diagnosed and treated.

In a Member’s Statement on Thursday, March 5, Clark said the health-care system is failing Ontarians with the disease, including many in Leeds-Grenville – which has been identified as a provincial hotspot for the ticks that carry the bacteria that causes Lyme.

“OHIP won’t cover the cost of an effective test to confirm a person has Lyme disease, so patients are losing valuable time by enduring multiple tests when they should be starting treatment,” said Clark. “We know the number of Lyme cases in Ontario is rising and I think the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care needs to act with some urgency.” – to read more>