Tartan Tour, NKMi BBQ, ‘Meet the Gardiner’s’, U-Way volunteering

Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Thursday, September 14, 2017

Today – Cloudy with 40 percent chance of showers this morning then a mix of sun and cloud. High 24. Humidex 29. UV index 6 or high.

Tonight – Partly cloudy. Becoming clear this evening. Low 12.

Tartan Tour in Mitchell’s Bay

Since 2004, Wallaceburg District Secondary School has been welcoming their new Grade 9 students with a special day called Tartan Tour.

Organizers say they know that high school is full of challenges and they want the students to know that they are not alone.

“We want them to know that together, we will help them see success,” said Nancy Schinkelshoek, Tartan Tour organizer.

“During Tartan Tour, our Grade 9’s participate in carefully designed activities that allow them to get to know each other, eliminate their fears of high school, create memories and just have some fun.”

Schinkelshoek said they allow their Grade 9’s to make connections with caring senior students and a group of staff.

“Over the years, we have seen that these connections have been valuable in keeping our students engaged in school,” Schinkelshoek said.

“From the very beginning, our Grade 9’s feel a part of the Tartan Family. Tartan Tour has always been an example of students helping students succeed.”

The Grade 9 students will be heading out to Mitchell’s Bay once again, and it is taking place later today, Thursday Sept. 14.

Positivity Day BBQ at North Kent Mutual

North Kent Mutual in Dresden is holding a barbecue in downtown Dresden to help mark Positivity Day in the community.

Here are the details:

Meet the author and artist in Wallaceburg

John Gardiner and his daughter Rebecca will be at the Wallaceburg Library tonight, Thursday, September 14 to display the book John wrote Memories for Sale: Tales From A Small Town.

The original art work Rebecca created for the book will also be on display.

An opening reception will be held at 6:30 p.m.

John will also read a few brief selections from the book and signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.

This event is open to everyone and is free to attend.

For more information about this program or others at CKPL, please call 519-627-5292 or visit www.ckpl.ca.

Volunteer opportunities with United Way

United Way has a special opportunity for residents of Chatham-Kent to help give back through volunteering their time and talents to help support two of the community’s largest fundraising events this season: the youth-driven Red Feather and the ever-popular Harvest Run.

As per school board regulations, all volunteers must be:

1) Over the age of 18

2) have been out of high school for at least one full year.

Here’s when and where you can lend a hand:

Tuesday, September 19
What: Dodgeball
Where: St. Clair College Healthplex
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Available Volunteer Duties: Chaperone

Wednesday, September 20
What: Red Feather Trivia
Where: UCC Cafeteria
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Available Volunteer Duties: Chaperone, Score Keeping

Thursday, September 21
What: Red Feather Football Double Header
Where: CK Community Complex
Time: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Available Volunteer Duties: Chaperone, Fence Watching, Parking Lot Patrols

Friday, September 22
What: Red Feather Dance hosted by United Way Chatham-Kent
Where: W.I.S.H. Centre
Time: 6:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m.
Available Volunteer Duties: Chaperone, Parking Lot Patrols
Tickets are available online at: http://bit.ly/2wUZlWR
This event is not a school board affiliated event.

Sunday, September 24
What: Harvest Run
Where: John McGregor Secondary School
Time: 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Available Volunteer Duties: Water Stations, Route Marshalls, Registration

To find out more information or to get involved, please contact Michelle Robbins at michelle2@uwock.ca or Erica Kitchen at erica@uwock.ca. Both Michelle and Erica can also be reached at the United Way office by calling 519-354-0430.

Ontario is making life more affordable for students

This school year, more than one-third of all full-time college and university students in Ontario are receiving free tuition thanks to the new Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

Almost 5,000 of those students attend school in Guelph.

Deb Matthews, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, met with students in Guelph this week to talk about how the new OSAP and other proposed programs will make life easier for students, including:

– Free pharmacare so that youth under 25 don’t have to worry about paying for prescription medication, starting January 1, 2018.

– Raising the minimum wage so that students can earn more money to help them afford the cost of school.

– Improved repayment assistance so that students don’t have to worry about paying back their Ontario student loans until they’re making at least $35,000 a year.

– Free online textbooks to help students cover the cost of buying their textbooks.

“Going to college or university is a wonderful opportunity for young Ontarians,” stated Matthews in a press release.

“That’s why this government is committed to making it as easy and affordable as we possibly can for students, so that they can pursue their dreams, fulfil their potential and get the skills they’ll need for the jobs of tomorrow.”

Liz Sandals, MPP, Guelph, sayd all young Ontarians who are qualified should have the opportunity to attend college or university.

“I am very pleased that the new OSAP program as well as other proposed programs will make it easier for students to be able to afford to pursue their further education and fulfill their hopes for their futures,” she said.

Chelsea Mulvale, President, University of Guelph Central Student Association, said as a result of the changes to OSAP, with the new Ontario Student Grant and the creation of the net tuition billing strategy, some people are now getting more OSAP than ever before.

“But the lack of information surrounding eligibility is leaving people confused and unsure about how funds will be distributed based on need,” she said.

“While students are happy to see that the government is working to improve the structure of OSAP, students in Ontario continue to feel the effects of paying the highest level of tuition fees across the country, and are still working towards the victory of free education.”

CKHA media updates continue

The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is resuming resuming their informal updates with local media on Thursday, September 14, 2017.

CKHA officials say these meetings are held to continue transparent and open communication regarding CKHA’s organizational transformation, media are invited for an informal discussion with Lori Marshall, president and CEO.

The Sydenham Current will be in attendance.

Watch for coverage this week on the newspaper.

Photo of the day

What a wonderful turn out for our Grandparents Day Brunch. It was so much fun. pic.twitter.com/lVQc1MYBFK

— Wallaceburg Retire (@WallaceburgRet) 11 September 2017