Soup kitchen coming to Gananoque

Posted on November 29, 2025 by llpayette

Nik Giannakouras and Mary Donevan will be opening The Soup Kitchen of Gananoque in December, offering a free meal five days a week to those in need. It will be located inside Moroni’s restaurant on the bar side. Photo by Lorraine Payette

(Gananoque, ON – November 25, 2025) Food insecurity is a reality for far too many people in the world today, and too many people are ashamed to admit that they suffer from it. With exorbitant prices that are unmet by increases in income, food banks are seeing their usage increase on an almost daily basis and people who have lost their homes through whatever means find themselves hunting for any way in which they can feed themselves and still retain a sense of human dignity. It isn’t confined to larger population centres, but finds its home in small towns and villages, rural areas – anywhere that there are people, there is hunger.

“Our vision and mission are simple,” said Mary Donevan of Donevan’s in Gananoque. “The soup kitchen is complimentary and for anyone and everyone who wants to experience the hospitality of this community; to make friendships, connections and supports over a shared meal; to overcome social issues such as loneliness, addressing food security needs, including for young families. It is for outreach making new residents and guests feel welcome and to provide a nutritious meal five days a week to those who may have difficulty doing this for themselves at this time.”

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Weekend Bundles Program receives funds from United Way

Posted on July 19, 2024 by llpayette

The Gananoque Food Bank received a cheque from the United Way in the amount of $25,000 as funding for the Weekend Food Bundles program. The program provides up to 150 bundles of food per week during the school year to be handed out to assist students suffering from food insecurity, enabling them to have nutritious meals throughout the weekend. L—r, Karlie Barkley, United Way Leeds and Grenville; Daria Hamilton, Food Bank Manager; and Shannon Griggs, Food Bank Chair Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network

(Gananoque, ON June 14, 2024)

Health Unit warns outdoor air quality continues to cause risks

Posted on June 28, 2023 by llpayette

(Leeds-Grenville ON – June 8, 2023)

The difference a day makes. These photos were taken about 24-hours apart at the Halstead Bay Lookout on the Thousand Islands Parkway. The smoke was at about AQHI 7-10 in one, and AQHI 1-3 in the other. Depending on various factors, it does not take long for conditions to change. Lorraine Payette

Just when we think it’s over, back it comes – smoke from the various fires burning across Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. While the latest rains have cleaned the air for awhile, it will take some time before it can be considered clear again.

“Environment Canada has issued a Special Air Quality Statement for much of Eastern Ontario including the Counties of Leeds, Grenville and Lanark,” said Susan Healey, Communications Co-ordinator for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU). “Elevated levels of air pollution are present due to smoke from forest fires burning in Ontario and Quebec. Poor outdoor air quality (may) continue for several days.”

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Take a Bite Out of Lyme Disease

Posted on April 23, 2015 by llpayette

A good baker’s dozen of people in Gananoque took time to “Take a Bite out of Lyme Disease” on April 19

by Lorraine Payette, written April 20, 2015

(Gananoque, ON) Wendy Yaxley Aitkin is small but mighty, just like the deer tick she is trying to eradicate from the planet. A chronic Lyme Disease sufferer, she knows just how powerful something as tiny as the period at the end of this sentence or the dot over an “i” can truly be.

“(We need to do) anything we can do to wake people up,” she said. “Ticks are small and they will take away your life, if you are not educated.” – to read more>

Town of Gananoque Water Services Freezing

Posted on February 26, 2015 by llpayette

Cooking dinner next to canner full of hot water

by Shelley Hirstwood, February 25, 2015

TOWN OF GANANOQUE – Mayor Erika Demchuk and Council of the Town of Gananoque would like to advise the residents of Gananoque about water service freezing issues within the Town. – to read more>

Preventing West Nile Virus Infections

Posted on May 27, 2014 by llpayette

On behalf of Susan Healey, Communications Coordinator, Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

(Leeds-Grenville, ON) The Leeds Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit would like to remind our citizens that we will be starting our mosquito surveillance program once again this June. This program will be carried through until the end of September. Should you see one of our traps in your neighbourhood, please do not disturb it. These traps are not mosquito control units, so they have no value to property owners, but they are important in identifying mosquitoes and providing a warning that disease causing mosquitoes are present in a given area.

We all play a role in preventing West Nile Virus infections, and when we all do our part we will reduce the risk of this disease in our community.

Each homeowner has the responsibility of removing standing water that provides breeding areas for mosquitoes on their property. Most mosquitoes do not travel large distances and thus those breeding within your space are likely to bite you.

The municipality is charged with the responsibility of ensuring proper drainage on municipally owned lands and public ditches. The roads departments have the knowledgeable staff and proper equipment to ensure this is achieved. Additionally it is a municipal responsibility to address complaints regarding standing water on private land within its jurisdiction, using applicable property standards bylaws. Should positive mosquito pools be identified in a municipality, it is also the responsibility of council to take the necessary control actions as recommended by the Medical Officer of Health.

The health unit has the responsibility of assessing the risk for WNV within the three counties each year. This is accomplished by conducting mosquito surveillance during the warm months. The presence of virus in these natural hosts is an early sign that the virus is gaining a presence in an area. The health unit is also responsible for following up any human cases of diseases and, more importantly, trying to prevent human cases by educating the public on strategies that reduce mosquito breeding areas and personal protection.

Individuals have the responsibility to protect themselves from mosquito bites by avoiding areas with high mosquito populations, wearing light-coloured clothing, including long sleeves, pants and hat, to cover exposed skin and using a mosquito repellent containing the appropriate amount of DEET.

Benson Students Brush Up on the Importance of a Healthy Smile

Posted on April 12, 2014 by llpayette

Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark joined Prescott dentists Dr. Lance McIntosh, left, and Dr. Kim Hansen along with Timmy the Tooth to deliver an important message about oral health to students at Benson Public School in Cardinal on Friday, April 11. They’re with a group of students who volunteered to be teeth in order to demonstrate proper brushing techniques to their classmates.

by Janiece Walsh, Manager, Public Affairs and Communications, Ontario Dental Association and Maggie Head, Government Relations Manager, Ontario Dental Association – April 11, 2014

CARDINAL, ON — An important message about oral health was delivered to students at Benson Public School today in a fun, interactive way. Steve Clark, MPP Leeds-Grenville, joined local dentists, Dr. Kim Hansen and Dr. Lance McIntosh, and Timmy the Tooth to highlight the importance of a healthy smile during a Brush-a-mania event.

April is Oral Health Month, and the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) and dentists across Ontario embark on public education campaigns to ensure all Ontarians attain good oral health. One of those campaigns is Brush-a-mania, a province-wide event for children and youth led by local dentists. Students are challenged to brush their teeth regularly over the next month and demonstrate their brushing techniques through the highlight of the event – the “Brush-off”. Oral health is integral to overall health and Brush-a-mania aims to encourage good oral health habits in children that will help them throughout life.

Today’s event was a first for MPP Clark. “The importance of a healthy smile is something we can’t over-emphasize to children and youth.” said MPP Clark. “We all need to encourage children from a young age to look after their teeth, and I was happy to deliver this message today alongside Drs. Hansen and McIntosh.”

Dr. Hansen, an ODA Board member, was enthusiastic about the event. “Reaching out to children and getting them excited about a healthy smile is a rewarding part of my job and a key part of my role in our community,” said Dr. Hansen. His comments were echoed by Dr. McIntosh, President of the Brockville Dental Association, who added, “I think it’s important that children and youth are taught the importance of brushing, flossing and a nutritious diet. Seeing all of those healthy smiles today reminds me of how, as dentists, we have a duty to instill good oral health habits at an early age.”

This Oral Health Month, the ODA wants to reinforce the message that dentists are the oral health-care experts and the best resource patients have for information on achieving a healthy smile.

For more information, visit http://www.youroralhealth.ca.

Lyme Disease Demands Urgent Action From Health Minister: Clark

Posted on March 6, 2014 by llpayette

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>

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>

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