Renfrew Mercury

News

PETER CLARK peter.clark@metroland.com

Photo by Martin Gaudet

Melanie Clemmer and April Gillan, on top of the ladder, help promote the upcoming Celebration of Life Dance at the Renfrew Armouries.

Eighth Celebration of Life Dance on its way STEVE NEWMAN steve.newman@metroland.com

For the eighth year, organizers are hoping the Celebration of Life Dance creates a windfall for health care in the community. This year’s eighth annual dance is set for Friday, Jan. 27, at the Renfrew Armouries. A record $23,000 was raised last year, but organizers say they’re not out to do that again. “We had a huge response last year … but I’m not expecting that this year,” said one of the organizers, Janet Robertson of Renfrew. “We are not trying to beat that amount. We’re just trying to do the best we can and raise some money for the community.” A major part of the Celebration of Life Dance’s success over the years has been the silent auction, therefore organizers are still looking for contributions. Ticket sales, the silent auction, a 50-50 draw, and possibly a live auction will be the fundraising sources. Anyone wishing to contribute to the silent auction is asked to call Robertson at 613-312-0045 or 613432-6225. Last year’s dance benefitted Hospice Renfrew and Renfrew Victoria Hospital’s oncology unit. This year, there are three recipients — the hospice, the oncology unit and RVH’s digital mammography fund. For Robertson, 47, cancer has deeply affected her own family. Undergoing chemotherapy treatment for the fourth time, she has also lost three brothers “to the dreaded disease” and knows many other area residents have been scarred in similar ways. But holding the event in late January is good timing, says Robertson. “By the end of January, I think people are looking for something to do.” She also emphasizes: “There’s a lot of us working on this event. It wouldn’t be possible without all these people contributing their time.” Tickets are $10, or by individual donation. Tickets are available at the door, or in advance at Dahl’s Convenience Store, Biba, Ottawa Valley Glass and Scotiabank. The popular bands playing at the Celebration of Life Dance are Riley New Band and The Ghost Town Cryers. The event runs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Horton Mayor Don Eady took a look back on council’s first year in 2011 and ahead to what 2012 might bring. “As a council, I’m extremely pleased with what we did last year,” Mayor Eady said after offering new year’s wishes to council members Jan. 10. “For a first-year council, I couldn’t ask for more. I also thank the staff.” The mayor said a goal was to pay down the debt from last year, and they have. The debt was $881,387.55 last year, and now stands at $680,459.52. The mayor applauded the public works department for its efforts with a number of major projects. Pinnacle Road will be repaved from Highway 60 to the top of Pinnacle Hill, while the gravel portion in-between will also be paved. Work on Bruce Street will run in 2012, and Lochwinnoch Road construction over the following three years, 2013-15. Chenaux Road and River Road work will take place in the next 10 years. Mayor Eady said he is very proud of the work of the infrastructure committee led by councillors Jamie Larone and Glen Campbell. Their work takes a lot of pressure off staff members, he said. “We received in 2011 the approval for expansion of our landfill site,” Eady said. He added that a story done by Mercury reporter Steve Newman, on expansion and re-

cycling plans for the landfill site, received province-wide exposure through the Waste Management Association of Ontario. The Horton Fire Department purchased a heat sensitive camera and had a demonstration. “It’s a very good tool for our township,” the mayor said. Three hot sticks for livewire detection were also purchased by the township, two for the fire department and one for public works. Horton started to review its bylaws in recent months. They hired the firm of Jim McBain (municipal bylaw enforce services). “If we are going to have bylaws, we may as well enforce them. It takes the pressure off the township,” he said of McBain’s presence. Mayor Eady said some good news for the township was the arrival of George Jackson Toyota. The Castleford Women’s Institute made a $10,000 donation to the Horton Community Centre for chairs. “They has been donating for years and years,” Eady said. “The Renfrew and Area Health Services Village signed two more doctors, bringing the total to five,” the mayor added. The township has also received $29,000 for a chairlift for the community centre. In looking ahead, the mayor predicted, “It’ll be an interesting year. “We got some things accomplished (in 2011). This year will bring new challenges, new things to do.”

Interested in becoming a doctor? Upper Ottawa Valley medical recruitment committee holding Pre-Med Club session Feb. 7 High school students and others interested in going to medical school and pursuing a career as a doctor are invited to attend the upcoming meeting of the Upper Ottawa Valley Medical Recruitment Committee’s Pre-Med Club. The next meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the boardroom of the Pembroke Regional Hospital. The boardroom is on the first floor of Tower C. Parents are also welcome to attend. The featured guest speaker will be general surgeon Dr. Colleen Haney, the most recent addition to Pembroke Regional Hospital’s surgical team. Dr. Haney received her medical degree from the University of Ottawa in 2006 and completed her five-year surgical residency last June. Born and raised in Alberta, Dr. Haney loves the outdoors and enjoys paddling and cycling in her spare time. Her husband is stationed at Cana-

dian Forces Base Petawawa. The Pre-Med Club was created for local high school students and others who have a genuine interest in medicine. To meet the recruitment committee’s goal of attracting local physicians, medical students and residents to the area, this club was designed to offer encouragement, guidance and mentoring to these students and to aid them in preparation for a career as a doctor. At the Pre-Med Club meetings, students and parents are encouraged to ask questions and gain as much knowledge about the profession and what it takes to be a doctor. No advance registration is required to attend the meeting, at which light refreshments will be served. For more details, contact Carolyn Levesque at 613-7323675, ext. 6165 or email carolyn.levesque@pemre ghos. org.

RENFREW

SHOW February 5, 2012

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is Free

Best Western Renfrew Inn 760 Gibbons Rd, Renfrew

For more information call Christina at The Flower Factory 613-432-8300 www.renfrewbridalshow.ca

Hosted by

THE FLOWER FACTORY

R0011253132

Simple & Pretty (Cake Decorating & More)