BIA Open House, CO call ends positively, aquatic ‘species at risk’

Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Thursday, November 16, 2017

Today – Mainly cloudy. 40 percent chance of rain showers changing to 40 percent chance of flurries or rain showers this afternoon. Wind northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. Temperature falling to plus 2 this afternoon.

Tonight – Partly cloudy. 30 percent chance of flurries or rain showers early this evening. Wind northwest 20 km/h becoming light this evening. Low minus 2.

Downtown Wallaceburg Holiday Open House tonight

The Wallaceburg BIA is holding their annual Downtown Wallaceburg Holiday Open House tonight, Thursday, November 16 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Downtown merchants will offer in-store promotions and draws, product samples, plus there will be horse & carriage rides, Christmas carolers, gourmet roasted nuts & hot chocolate bar, a special visit from Santa and his helpers, plus a chance to win up to $250 in BIA bucks.

Also on November 16, Santa will be stopping by the Wallaceburg Library at 7 p.m.

Take some time, make a craft, and read a story – and visit with Santa as the holidays approach.

Carbon monoxide call ends positively for a Chatham-Kent family

*Crew from Station #15 Station Chief Mike Flanagan, Firefighter Mark Buis, Firefighter James McKellar and Deputy Station Chief James Adams with Anthony Kaser (Submitted photo)*

It was just after 10 p.m. on November 2, 2017, the second day of Ontario’s Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, Anthony and Joanne Kaser were about to tuck into bed when they were both jolted by a loud beeping sound – their carbon monoxide alarm was going off.

“We weren’t sure what to do. We couldn’t smell anything,” said Anthony Kaser. “We called our son, who works at Union Gas and he told us, you won’t smell anything, carbon monoxide is the silent killer, you need to get out of the house and you need to call now.”

Firefighters from Station #15 arrived at the Kaser’s home within minutes despite the heavy rain that evening.

When they pulled into the home on Queens Line, Mr. Kaser was waiting on the front step as his wife and two dogs kept warm and dry in their car. Crews entered the house in full gear and checked the levels of carbon monoxide and all of the Kaser’s fuel burning appliances – stove, two gas fire places, hot water heater and dryer.

“We examined the carbon monoxide alarm and found it was expired,” stated Station Chief Mike Flanagan, in a press release.

“Some CO alarms will make a very loud beeping noise when they need to be replaced – mimicking an alarm warning sound.”

Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services officials recommend exiting the house and calling the fire department immediately when the alarm sounds as it can be difficult to tell the difference between an actual alarm and an ‘end of life alarm’.

“The Kasers did the right thing,” stated Deputy Station Chief James Adams.

“The last thing we want is for a family to be injured or worse because they didn’t call 911.”

Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are, by far, the most important devices that you can have in your home when it comes to preventable tragedy.

Minutes and even seconds can make the difference between life and death, Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services officials stated.

“The firefighters were complete professionals,” Kaser said.

“We want to thank the municipality for providing that level of service for the community.”

CHiRP Home Alarm Checks are available to all CK residences.

Visit www.ckfire.com or call 519-360-1998 to request one.

Aquatic ‘species at risk’ in the Lower Thames Valley watershed and region

The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority has released some details about aquatic species at risk in their watershed.

Here are the details of the first three, out of a series of 10:

Tecumseh Public School approved as name for consolidated school

Trustees of the Lambton Kent District School Board, on the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Naming Committee, approved the name Tecumseh Public School for the consolidated John N. Given and Tecumseh Public School at the November 14, 2017 Board Meeting.

Input on keeping the name Tecumseh Public School was gathered from students, parents/guardians, alumni and community members using a survey offered online and through paper copies available at John N. Given Public School, Tecumseh Public School, Chatham Regional Education Centre and Sarnia Education Centre.

Of the 119 survey submissions, 94 per cent of the respondents supported keeping the name Tecumseh Public School.

“I am pleased with the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Naming Committee, as the name of the consolidated school will continue to honour an Indigenous leader of particular historical significance in the Chatham-Kent area,” stated Jim Costello, Director of Education, in a press release.

“We look forward to continuing the work to transition our students and staff to the consolidated Tecumseh Public School site in September 2018.”

Students from the John N. Given Public School Kindergarten to Grade 8 English Language Program will be relocated to Tecumseh Public School for September 1, 2018.

The Ad Hoc Naming Committee feels the Tecumseh Public School name supports the criteria outlined in the Lambton-Kent District School Board’s Regulation on Naming and Renaming of Board Facilities.

Prior to the public consultation, the Ad Hoc Naming Committee outlined the following rationale:

– Tecumseh is the name of the previous high school, as well as one of the two elementary schools on the consolidated site

– Tecumseh is recognized for making a significant contribution to society in the district, province and country and a monument is dedicated to him in Chatham-Kent

– The name Tecumseh is also used to identify a local park and a historical parkway along the
Thames River.

The Ad Hoc Naming Committee also discussed the possibility of forming a school committee in the future to consider renaming of a portion of the school to honour the John N. Given name.

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance recognizes service to hospitals

Nearly 300 long-service employees, volunteers, physicians and retirees will be honoured at this year’s recognition banquet hosted by Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA).

David Cobb, Penny Huffman, Carol Maier, Patricia Montgomery, Betty Oldershaw, Mary Ann Salisbury and Darlene Verschraegen will be recognized for 40 years of service. A total of 12 employees will receive 35-year recognition: Claudette Bourgeois, Sherie Charlton, Lori Deacon, Becky Elgie, Amy Griffin, Charlene Hagen, Nancy Mifflin, Bernadette Moor, Patricia Osborne, Mandy Sherman, Hertha Steele and Dr. Adrian Verburg.

Guests of honour also include 66 five year, 76 ten year, 29 fifteen year, 12 twenty year, 9 twenty-five year and 20 thirty year award recipients.

In addition, the Alliance will pay tribute to forty retirees:

– Jane Ablett

– Stella Cheek

– Karen Ivan

– Susan Podolinsky

– Diana Anderson

– David Cobb

– Susan Jelovic

– Veronica Read

– Lee Ann Armstrong

– Colleen Craven

– Lynn Knazook

– Nancy Ross

– Elisabeth Bach-Hitchcock

– Lori Dalton

– Marie Lyn

– Judy Smith

– Joyce Beaulieu

– Joy Desjardins

– Laurie MacEacheron

– Nancy Smith

– Karen Benson

– Gloria French

– Sheryl Mellow-Gallagher

– Janice Taylor

– Diane Blackburn

– Carol Gilbert

– Nancy Mifflin

– Annette Tulloch

– Harrie Bos

– Joan Hammond

– Shelley Miller

– Cyndi Tyhurst

– Carolyn Brush

– Kathy Holmes

– Janet Newham

– Patricia Verhart

– Patricia Charbonneau

– Nancy Homewood

– Michelle O’Rourke

– Judith Weiberg

“This annual event is an opportunity for Chatham-Kent Health Alliance to congratulate local healthcare professionals for their endless efforts to support those they serve,” stated Debbie Ancocik, Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, in a press release.

“We are proud and appreciative of their commitment to providing exceptional care for our patients, families and community.”

The Annual Alliance Awards of Excellence will also be presented during the event.

These performance-based awards recognize those who show exceedingly high achievements far beyond their expected assigned duties.

The annual recognition event will be held on Friday, November 24th at Club Lentinas in Chatham.

Noelle’s Gift donates to Student Nutrition Program

The Chatham-Kent Student Nutrition Program recently received a $13,612 donation from the Noelle’s Gift Foundation to support the schools’ breakfast and snack programs.

This partnership started three years ago and the foundation has donated over $30,000.

All of the dollars donated have gone directly to the schools which help the staff and volunteers provide nutritious food for all of the students.

The Noelle’s Gift Foundation is committed to improving the lives of children in the community.

“Our two organizations have a common goals to support children and young people to be the best that they can be and to make the best of their educational opportunities. Together we are making a difference,” Chatham-Kent Student Nutrition Program officials stated.

Application deadline soon approaching for Jonathan Daniel Stone Fund

Community Living Chatham-Kent continues to accept applications for The Jonathan Daniel Stone Fund.

The final date to apply is November 30, 2017.

The Fund can be used to support initiatives to assist children and their families who have been diagnosed with autism and/or other intellectual disabilities.

Daniel’s fund can be utilized for but is not limited to:

– Recreational activities

– Educational workshops for parents and siblings

– Advocacy

– Vocation and life skills development

– Assistive devices and equipment that promote and facilitate learning or communication.

Two $1,000 awards will be presented.

This fund celebrates the life of Jonathan Daniel Stone. Daniel was a child who had autism and died suddenly at the age of 11 in May of 2013. He was a student at Indian Creek Road Public School in Chatham. Daniel loved to cook, swim and spend time with his family at the beach.

Application forms can be downloaded on the Community Living Chatham-Kent website.

For more information contact Angela Corso, Manager of Community Relations at 519-352-1174, Ext.232.

Santa Claus Parade in Wallaceburg on Saturday

The Knights of Pythias are gearing up for the annual Santa Claus Parade in Wallaceburg, which is set to take place on Saturday, November 18, at 2 p.m.

The route for the parade will stay the same as previous years starting on Arnold Street, down Dufferin and the downtown core, up Nelson and finishing on Elgin.

More details. here: Wallaceburg Santa Claus parade on Nov. 18

The day gets started at the K of P Hall with ‘Breakfast with Santa.’

It starts at 8 a.m. and runs to 11 a.m.

Cost is $6 for adults and kids that are 12 and over, children 11 and under are free.

PUC meeting rescheduled

The regular meeting of the Public Utilities Commission scheduled for Thursday, November 16th has been rescheduled to: Monday, November 20 at 3:30 pm, in the Council Lounge at Civic Centre