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Vol. 9
No. 5
YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER - LANARK, NORTH LEEDS & GRENVILLE
MAY 2022
Thousands of maple lovers flock to Festival of the Maples
Perth - Kathy Botham editorial@pd gmedia.ca
LEFT: After two years of celebrating online, thousands of people came out to celebrate in person. Photo credit: Kathy Botham. RIGHT: Photo submitted.
The 46th Annual Perth Festival of the Maples returned on April 30th after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gore and Foster Streets were lined with vendors of all kinds, selling everything from maple taffy to maple syrup, maple butter, jewellery, clothing and more, there were buskers, musical entertainment, a car show and a children’s play area at the Crystal Palace, but maple was definitely the focus for the all-day event For two years the Perth and District Chamber of Commerce “pivoted” to provide this festival
virtually during the pandemic. The tradition returned and drew out thousands of people all day long. It’s estimated between 15,000 and 20,000 people were in downtown Perth for the event. This spring festival is typically the first one of the year. In addition to maple producers, there were vendors selling items such as crafts, jewelry, lawn tractors, toys, books, food and information sharing. The main stage had musical entertainment all day and some lumberjack games. The OPP and the Perth Fire Department had interactive displays for both children and adults. The weather was perfect for this outdoor event. Blue skies and sunshine added to the success of the activities of the day. So many people have great memories from attending one of the past 45 Festivals of the Maples. After two years of “pivoting”, this 46th festival will be one that people will be talking about for a long time. From maple taffy to Tupperware, this year’s Festival of the Maples once again had something for everyone which included getting to see each other again.
Dr Paula Stewart takes well-deserved rest Regional - Brian Turner editorial@pd gmedia.ca Last month, Dr Paula Stewart, Leeds, Grenville and Lanark’s well known Chief Medical Officer of Health announced she would be retiring this summer. The good doctor has been the face and voice of a public service usually efficiently operating in the background, but which, thanks to COVID-19, was thrust into the spotlight. Stewart joined LGL’s team in 2010 and was formerly with the Public Health Agency of Canada, and previously with Ottawa Public Health. Hometown News caught up with her for a chat to get her take on the last few years. Stewart noted that the extreme duration of the COVID pandemic is what caught many healthcare professionals and the public off guard. She remarked about previous public outbreaks
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she’d dealt with that had relatively quick courses measured in weeks not months or years. But COVID has had a nasty side effect of disrupting a large part of daily lives and routines over the last 2 years. We asked if she thought the public perception of our local health unit had changed over the pandemic’s duration. She believes the awareness of her team’s work has broadened, commenting on positive and informed feedback from clients in the wide variety of programs offered on a regular basis. On the topic of cooperation levels with various levels of government, Stewart reported that she was pleased with the collective public health support received from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the provincial government, and the municipal and county councils and staff. This was expected as
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there had been good collaboration in the past. She was proud to call municipalities partners in every sense of the word. At the peak, about 70% of Health Unit management and staff were involved on the COVID-19 front while keeping other crucial programs running under health protection restrictions. She was especially proud of their achievements and ability to pivot at a moment’s notice. For example, she mentioned when COVID vaccines first came out with sporadic and unpredictable deliveries, her team was able to organize community vaccination clinics with hospital and health care partners after very little notice. This continued for all of 2021 and into 2022. Public response on the efficiency and effectiveness of these clinics was highly positive. She also singled out local media outlets for their support in
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Dr Paula Stewart. Photo credit: Bian Turner.
getting messaging and information out to the public. Her weekly radio interviews and question and answer sessions provided details in an easy to digest manner, thanks to her excellent communication skills. Going forward she remarked that we still have to deal with all the effects of living through a pandemic. She believes we all need to
focus on supporting people with mental health and with addictions as social isolation and other factors have increased, often with substantial impacts on health. She tells us she’s looking forward to some rest and relaxation and to tending to her gardens. If her skills in keeping us healthy transfer to botany, she will welcome a harvest like no other.
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