Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
Weather forecast from Friday, September 1, 2017 to Sunday, September 3, 2017
Today – Mainly sunny. Wind northeast 20 km/h. High 20. UV index 7 or high.
Tonight – Partly cloudy. Wind east 20 km/h. Low 12.
Saturday, September 2 – Cloudy. 30 percent chance of showers late in the afternoon. Wind east 20 km/h. High 21.
Saturday night – Cloudy with 40 percent chance of showers. Low 14.
Sunday, September 3 – A mix of sun and cloud. High 27.
Sunday night – Cloudy periods. Low 18.
‘Sunflower Day’ at Westbrook’s for two Wallaceburg girls
Westbrook’s Flower Shoppe is holding a special fundraiser today in support of two young Wallaceburg girls.
Today, Friday, September 1, the downtown business is donating all proceeds of their ‘Sunflower Friday Special’ to the families of Olivia Formosa and Preslie Hensel.
“We really wanted to do something special for them,” Eleena deBakker, manager of the store, told the Sydenham Current.
The Westbrook’s crew will be selling the special bouquets with four sunflowers for $10, and they will have staff outside the store to help hand them out.
“For your table just to brighten up your day,” deBakker said.
“We’re going to keep it at $10 to make it simple, fast and easy for people. All the proceeds will be going to help Preslie and Olivia… we just want to do everything we can.”
Donate to Olivia’s crowdfunding campaign, here.
Donate to Preslie’s crowdfunding campaign, here.
4-way stop being removed in Wallaceburg today
The 4-way stop at the Murray Street and Reaume Avenue intersection is set to be removed today, Friday, September 1.
Municipal officials say the activation of the pedestrian crossover (PXO) at the intersection is scheduled to take place.
“During this time, the stop signs on Murray Street at Reaume Avenue will be removed and the stop signs on Reaume Avenue at Murray Street will remain in place,” Municipal officials said in a press release.
“This intersection will no longer be an all-way stop.”
Chatham-Kent officials said a PXO is a new way for pedestrians to easily and safely cross the road.
“Drivers and cyclists must stop and yield to pedestrians intending to cross the road, and wait for them to completely reach the other side before driving through,” Municipal officials stated.
Steps on how to use a PXO are as follows:
– Press the crossing/push button to activate the flashing lights.
– Indicate your intention to cross to drivers and cyclists on the road and make eye contact before you enter the roadway.
– Proceed with crossing when you feel it is safe to do so.
Chatham-Kent council had originally approved the move back in August of last year.
Dundas Bridge remains closed in Wallaceburg
The Dundas Bridge in Wallaceburg is closed to vehicular, pedestrian and marine traffic for at least another week.
Municipal officials say due to required repairs, the bridge on Margaret Avenue over the north branch of the Sydenham River will be closed to marine traffic that cannot clear the structure while it is closed.
“Any vessels that do not require the bridge to be opened may continue to traverse the waterways underneath the structure,” Municipal officials stated.
Repairs are expected to be completed by September 7.
Bridge closure on Bear Line Road
Bear Line Road at Little Bear Creek South, between Robin Line and West Lewis Line, remains closed.
Bridge Reconstruction is set to take place, which will result in the full closure of the bridge from now until Friday, November 24, 2017.
All lanes are set to be closed to vehicular traffic for the duration of the project.
Motorists are being asked to follow the posted detour route.
Photo of the day – K of C holds seniors outing in Mitchell’s Bay
An outing for seniors was held on August 25 at Mitchell’s Bay with about 60 seniors in attendance.
Arriving at around 10:30 a.m. via bus and vans and some family members, seniors were seated around picnic tables and fold out tables with chairs for those who could use them.
There were about 65 seniors from the former Sydenham Residence, now Wallaceburg Residence, and Fairfield Park.
Lunch of hotdogs, sausages or hamburgers was provided by Fairfield with funding by the Knights of Columbus 2102 Wallaceburg.
Grand Knight Larry Kearns and Brother Doug Belanger transported their barbecues out to have everything freshly cooked and hot.
The K of C wanted to thank K of C member, Brother Willie DeGooy for the wonderful musical entertainment.
Br. Will sang a number of songs that many of the seniors knew off by heart.
The K of C also wanted to thank Brothers Terry Pearson, Frank Micks, Doug Belanger, Rejean Tremblay, Fred Dubuque, Walter Van Looy, Pat Jordon, Willie DeGooy, GK Larry Kearns, Scott Marchand, Roger Duchane, Ken Dixion and Norbert Baertsoen for helping, plus Theresa Belanger and Marie Anna Tremblay.
Thanks also goes to the staff of Fairfield, Wallaceburg Residence and Oaks Inn Residence and others.
The K of C said without their help none of this would have been possible.
Upcoming events and Labour Day closures
Here is a look at some of the upcoming events in the community:
– A free family barbecue and movie will be held at the Kingston Park Splash Pad in Chatham on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
– Sunday Evening in the Park will be held in Jackson Park on Sunday. It begins at 7 p.m. and includes a 10-12 minute message from a local pastor. An offering is taken which pays for the musicians and supports the work of the ministerial. Bring a lawn chair or enjoy the music from your vehicle. The rain location is Dresden Community Church.
– Municipal offices and most services will be closed Monday, September 4 in recognition of
the Civic Holiday.
– Cemetery Operations: Cemetery staff will be on call for funeral homes who require at-need
sales.
– CK Transit: Services will not be running on Monday, Sept. 4. However, the Seasonal Bus Route S1 (Beach Bus to Mitchell’s Bay and Erieau) WILL be running on the Labour Day Civic Holiday. The last day of the Seasonal Bus Route is Monday September 4 and will be resuming again in May of 2018.
– Emergency Services: Police, Fire and Ambulance are operational 24 hours a day, every day, and are accessible by dialing “911” for emergency calls only.
– Culture: The Thames Art Gallery, Chatham-Kent Museum, Milner Heritage House and Ridge House Museum will be open from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. The Cultural Centre, including the Box Office and ARTspace will be closed.
– Entegrus and Public Utilities Commission: PUC will be closed. The emergency call number is 519-352- 6300.
– The office of Fleet Services (PABC) will be closed on Monday Sept 4.
– Health and Family Services: The Health and Family Services building will be closed on Sept. 4, including the offices of Employment and Social Services, Housing Services, Children’s Services and Public Health. The Employment Resource Centres located at 240 King St. W., Chatham and 786 Dufferin Avenue, Wallaceburg will be closed on Labour Day.
– The Chatham-Kent Homeless Response Line is available at 519-354- 6628.
– Libraries: All public libraries will be closed Monday, Sept 4.and will have normal operational
hours on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
– Public Health: Essential after-hours Public Health services are available by calling 1-866- 446-8207. Public Health Clinic Services, located at 177 King St. E., Chatham will be closed.
– Provincial Offences Court: POC will be closed.
– Recreation and Facility Operations: Blenheim Gable Rees Rotary Pool, Wallaceburg Sydenham Pool, Chatham Pools (Jaycee, Orville Wright and Walter Hawkins), Dresden Kinsmen Pool, Ridgetown Howard Community Pool, Thamesville Community Pool and the Tilbury Centennial Pool will all be closed.
– Chatham Memorial Arena is open for scheduled rentals. All other arenas are closed.
– The Tourism office at the Park Avenue Business Centre will be closed on Monday Sept 4.
– Riverview Gardens: Reception and administrative offices will be closed, but services, activities and visiting hours continue as normal. Nursing staff can be reached 24/7 by calling 519-352- 4823.
– Waste and Recycling: Waste and Recycling: Garbage and recycling collection services for the week of Sept. 4 will be delayed by one day. Please refer to the Recycling and Waste Collection Guide for further details. The Harwich Transfer Station, Wallaceburg Transfer Station and Chatham Leaf & Yard Depot will be closed in recognition of Labour Day. All other transfer stations will be open regular hours and will not be affected by the holiday.
– Some healthcare services offered at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (Chatham & Sydenham Campuses) will be altered on Monday, September 4, 2017 in recognition of the Labour Day holiday.
– Routine X-rays, electrocardiograms (EKG), and ultrasounds will not be available on Monday, September 4, 2017. These departments will be staffed to meet the needs of inpatients and emergencies.
– Ambulatory Care Services, Out-Patient Rehabilitation Services, Out-Patient Laboratory Services, Pre-Surgical Screening Services, Diabetes Education Centre, Pulmonary Function Lab, Health Records and Patient Appointment Offices will be closed on Monday, September 4, 2017.
– The Chatham-Kent Mental Health and Addictions Program Out-Patient Department will be closed on Monday, September 4, 2017. For any immediate crisis, please call the crisis line at 1-866-299-7447.
– Elston Pharmacy, located at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham Campus, will be closed on Monday, September 4, 2017.
– The Oncology/Chemotherapy Department will be closed on Monday, September 4, 2017.
– The Business Office and Cashier’s Office will be closed on Monday, September 4, 2017. Please note there are two bill changers in the building to accommodate change for coin.
– Hemodialysis Care will be open on Monday, September 4, 2017.
– The Emergency Departments located at Grand Avenue, Chatham Campus, and Sydenham Campus, Wallaceburg are open 24 hours daily.
– Looking ahead to next week, Tuesday, September 5 is the first day back-to-school for many children across the community. Please be aware on the roadways next week as the school buses will be back on the roads and the kids will be excited walking around the community getting to their classes.
– The Wallaceburg Skating Club will have registration on Thursday, September 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wallaceburg Memorial Arena. The levels are: pre-novice and beginner, plus the Synchro Team. For more information visit www.wallaceburgskatingclub.com.
World news
Hurricane Irma intensifies to a category 3 hurricane over the Atlantic
Kenya’s Supreme Court declares election results invalid
Liberal MP Darshan Kang resigns from caucus
MacEwan University falls victim to phishing scam
The Globe and Mail cuts Tabatha Southey and Leah McLaren
Asteroid Florence is doing a fly-by of Earth
Toronto trustees vote to pull police officers from schools
Houston’s ISD students will eat free for the school year
Canada’s economic growth beats expectations
If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.
