TIGSAR Going for Small Business Gold

Posted on March 5, 2014 by llpayette

L-r, Phillip Durand, Cathy Gill, Kevin Gill (president) and Sherri Dufton; dogs Alex and Kera – members of TIGSAR

by Lorraine Payette, written March 5, 2014

(Leeds-Grenville) When most of us think of Ground Search and Rescue, we imagine well trained and organized professionals in uniforms heading out into remote areas with dogs, boats, ATVS and other specialized equipment as they search calmly and efficiently for missing people. We automatically expect them to be highly paid professionals, provided by our taxpayer dollars.

However, these groups of dedicated helpers are made up of volunteers in Ontario.

“Thousand Islands Ground Search and Rescue (TIGSAR) is a not-for-profit organization and registered charitable organization,” says Kevin Gill, Team Leader. “The SAR team operates under the Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association (OSARVA), which is the governing body for volunteer search and rescue teams within the province of Ontario.” – to read more>

Freedom to Read Week to Be Celebrated in Delta

Posted on February 27, 2014 by llpayette

“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading
them.” – Joseph Brodsky

by Lorraine Payette, written February 25, 2014

“IT WAS A PLEASURE TO BURN. IT was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed. With the brass nozzle in his fists, with this great python spitting its venomous kerosene upon the world, the blood pounded in his head, and his hands were the hands of some amazing conductor playing all the symphonies of blazing and burning to bring down the tatters and charcoal ruins of history. With his symbolic helmet numbered 451 on his stolid head, and his eyes all orange flame with the thought of what came next, he flicked the igniter and the house jumped up in a gorging fire that burned the evening sky red and yellow and black. He strode in a swarm of fireflies. He wanted above all, like the old joke, to shove a marshmallow on a stick in the furnace, while the flapping pigeon-winged books died on the porch and lawn of the house. While the books went up in sparkling whirls and blew away on a wind turned dark with burning…”

So begins Fahrenheit 451, the future fantasy nightmare created by literary master Ray Bradbury. This was a world where reading and books were illegal, where the control of the people had become total and the government feared nothing so much as the free spread of knowledge to those it would enslave. – to read more>

MPP Clark Helps Put Highway Winter Maintenance Probe in Gear

Posted on February 27, 2014 by llpayette

by Michael Jiggins, February 26, 2014

Auditor General to Review Ministry of Transportation Program

(QUEEN’S PARK) – Ontario ’s Auditor General will investigate why motorists have encountered such dangerous conditions on provincial highways this winter after a motion from Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark was passed unanimously at a legislative committee meeting here this morning.

“I’m pleased the committee has asked the Auditor General to investigate the reasons motorists in Leeds-Grenville and in every corner of Ontario have had to take their lives into their hands when they get behind the wheel and travel on a provincial highway this winter,” said Clark after his motion was passed by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. – to read more>

“All Fall Down” Opening at Firehall Theatre This Weekend

Posted on February 11, 2014 by llpayette

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by Lorraine Payette, written February 10, 2014

Welcome to the year 2097. In this pristine time, the most disgusting of annoyances are being brought under control, cleaning up not only our environment but our social contacts as well. Oh, my, did I say contacts? No, no, there’ll be none of that here.

Thanks to the wonder of technology and the gracious McCloud Industries, it is no longer necessary to participate in the filthy habit of human contact or “touch” in order for our species to reproduce. Matches can be made at the most perfect level, and all breeding is taken care of selectively in our labs through the use of our wonderful machines. – to read more>

3rd Annual GDHS Chilli Fest Coming on February 1

Posted on January 18, 2014 by llpayette

Senor LaLa and Chiquita Chihuahua overwhelmingly support the GDHS Chilli Fest!

by Lorraine Payette

Listen up, you chilli chefs and aficionados, it’s going to get hot, hot, HOT! for the Gananoque and District Humane Society’s (GDHS) 3rd annual Chilli Cook-Off and Festival to be held at the Lansdowne Recreation Centre, 1 Jesse Street, on Saturday, February 1.

The Shelter is looking for chilli, chilli and MORE chilli!

“If you have it, we want it,” said Arlene Massey of GDHS. “Hot or mild, extra meaty, vegetarian, exotic – any kind of homemade chilli. We have categories for everyone. And the judges will be the general public, so we really will know who makes the best chilli around.” – to read more>

MPPs Team Up With Insurance Bureau on CO Detectors Donation

Posted on January 15, 2014 by llpayette

The Insurance Bureau of Canada donated 65 carbon monoxide detectors to the City of Brockville Fire Department on Tuesday, January 14 in an event to promote the use of the life-saving devices and passage of PC MPP Ernie Hardeman’s Private Member’s Bill mandating them for all Ontario residences. Pictured from the left are: Brockville City Councillor Mike Kalivas, Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark, Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman, Brockville Fire Chief Chris Dwyre and Doug DeRabbie of the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

by Michael Jiggins, Executive Assistant to Steve Clark, MPP, Leeds-Grenville, written January 14, 2014

(BROCKVILLE) – Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark, MPP Ernie Hardeman (Oxford) and Doug DeRabbie from the Insurance Bureau of Canada teamed up today to help the Brockville Fire Department make carbon monoxide detectors available to more city residents and raise awareness they will soon be required in all homes.

“You can’t see, smell or taste carbon monoxide; the only way to know if this deadly gas is in your home is by having a detector,” said Clark. “I want to thank the Insurance Bureau of Canada for making this donation to help protect the people of Brockville.” – to read more>

Health Unit Reminds You to Be Cautious During Cold Weather

Posted on January 7, 2014 by llpayette

by Joan Mays, Manager of Community Health Protection, written January 6, 2014

(Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit) The Leeds Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit would like to remind everyone to take appropriate precautions during the predicted extreme wind chill overnight and tomorrow.

Cold weather can cause very serious health conditions and even death. With a wind chill of -25oC or colder, unprotected skin can freeze in as little as10-30 minutes, and the risk of developing hypothermia is very high. During very cold weather, everyone is at risk, however the elderly, infants and children, people taking certain prescription medications, and people with pre-existing health conditions are in greater danger. There is also an increased risk of hypothermia for outdoor workers and people living without adequate heat or shelter. – to read more>

Ice Storm Response – Update

Posted on December 30, 2013 by llpayette

By Town of Gananoque on Dec 30, 2013 04:21 pm

The Town of Gananoque encourages residents to continue exercising caution around downed trees and branches, and on roads and sidewalks.

With the sunshine today, ice is starting to slide off roofs and may present safety hazards for people as they are outside their homes. Residents should exercise extreme caution when outside near buildings as ice may slide off without warning. – to read more>

Influenza Activity in Ontario Has Seen an Increase

Posted on December 29, 2013 by llpayette

by Kris Sample, Webmaster, Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit

(Leeds-Grenville) To date, there has been an increase in influenza activity in Ontario. Across Canada, influenza A (H1N1) is the dominant circulating influenza A subtype. This is the same sub type that was responsible for the Pandemic influenza predominate in 2009. This subtype is contained in the trivalent flu vaccine this year. H1N1 affects those under the age of 65 and poses a particular risk to children under the age of 5.

The flu vaccine decreases the risk of adults and children getting the influenza virus. The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit recommend annual immunization against influenza for any persons over 6 months of age. It is particularly important that parents and young children be vaccinated to protect themselves and others from influenza. – to read more>

Final Push to Make “For the Love of the Game” Number 1

Posted on December 28, 2013 by llpayette

Jon Abrans

by Lorraine Payette, written December 28, 2013

Hard as it may be to believe, Jon Abrams is putting Gananoque on the map in ways he never imagined. Having made the top ten with his song, “For the Love of the Game”, he now needs all of our votes to finish getting it to number one.

“(The final) voting ends Dec 30 at 11:59 pm, so we need all the PLAYS and VOTES and SHARES we can stick handle before the buzzer goes to end period 3,” says Nancy Abrams, Jon’s mother. “It’s been a terrific team effort throughout…. Thank you everyone for your great support.” – to read more>

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