SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
THE
COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 51 ISSUE 06
DRAYTON, ONTARIO
1 Year GIC - 2.35% 3 Year GIC - 2.70% 5 Year GIC - 3.00% Daily Interest 2.40%*
638-3328
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018
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Report highlights dangerous intersections across Mapleton By Patrick Raftis
Tin can talent - Tin can curling, one of the first events organized by the Moorefield Optimists 49 years ago, returned to the community on Feb. 3. The 2018 Moorefield Optimist Tin Can Curling Bonspiel was held at the club’s outdoor rink in Moorefield. New Optimist members Tim Bates and Ryan Campbell supported bringing the event back this year. Members of the community worked hard making ice for the bonspiel. Ten teams competed with paint cans from 30 years ago, with proceeds supporting children’s activities. ABOVE: Team Excellence, including from left: Arend Kraehling, John Henry Klaassen, Tim Bates and Ryan Campbell, won the event. Submitted photo LEFT: Moorefield Optimist President Dan McIntyre takes a shot during competition. Photo by Caroline Sealey
MAPLETON – A report from Mapleton Fire Rescue indicates the corners of Wellington Roads 8 and 12, and Wellington Roads 7 and 12 have historically been the most dangerous intersections within the township. Mapleton Fire Chief Rick Richardson explained at the Jan. 23 council meeting the report includes research by Matthew Broadhaecker, a co-op student working with the department last spring, on motor vehicle collision that occurred within Mapleton Township over the
past 20 years. The report indicates 34 collisions have occurred at the Wellington Road 8 and 12 corner during the study period. However, the report notes that only one minor accident has occurred at the corner since the construction of a roundabout in 2015. Intersections with the next highest accident figures include: - Wellington Roads 7 and 12, 30 accidents; - Wellington Roads 9 and 8, 17 accidents; - Wellington Roads 8 and 10, 15 accidents; and
- Wellington Roads 11 and 7, 14 accidents. Richardson noted the report only covers accidents responded to by Mapleton Rescue. Fire Township Responses within Mapleton by Arthur, Elora, Floradale and Linwood fire departments are not included. Richardson also pointed out the report does not contain information on accidents at Teviotdale (Wellington Roads 7, 9 and 123) and Wellington Roads 8 and 9 between Drayton and Palmerston, known locally as “the S-Bends,” as both SEE FEWER » 3
Nater okay with anthem change but feels debate was cut short By Patrick Raftis HARRISTON – PerthWellington MP John Nater is okay with recently approved changes to Canada’s National anthem, though he feels there should have been more opportunity for public input. On Feb. 1, a bill that effectively makes the anthem gender neutral passed the Senate and now awaits royal assent. O Canada was written by Robert Stanley Weir in 1908 and was altered in 1914 when
the author changed the phrase “thou dost in us command” to “in all thy sons command.” MPP JOHN The new NATER wording will have Canadians singing “in all of us command.” “My concern with the change is it was never really discussed at any great length,” said Nater.
“It was debated in the House of Commons for about two hours. It went to committee, there was no witnesses called, there was no discussion at committee, so I don’t really think the Canadian public were really given an opportunity to have their input. “But, at the end of the day, it did pass through the House, it passed through the Senate. It’s the law of the land, now … once it receives SEE CHANGES » 5
‘Owen’s First Heartiversary’ celebrates life-saving surgery By Caroline Sealey DRAYTON - A routine medical appointment for four-month-old Drayton resident Owen Drost turned into a month-long hospital stay. During that month, Owen underwent life saving heart surgery. Owen was born on Oct. 20, 2016 with multiple congenital heart defects, including a double outlet right ventricle, large ventricle septal defect and tetralogy of fallot. The birth took place at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto to allow medical staff to monitor the infant. “Owen’s conditions are not genetic,” said his mother Stephanie Drost. “Statistics indicate that one out of 100 babies born in Canada have a heart condition.” On Feb. 6, 2017, during a routine cardiologist appointment at Credit Valley
Hospital in Mississauga, Owen’s oxygen saturation levels plummeted and he started to turn blue. Emergency room staff stabilized Owen. Tests indicated that he had tetralogy of fallot, a condition involving the formation of bundles that are blockages in the heart. Owen had experienced what is commonly called a tet spell, when he turned blue. Admitted to hospital under quarantine, additional tests revealed Owen had respiratory syncytial virus, a common virus that can be serious when contracted by high risk babies. Three days later, on Feb. 9, doctors were considering releasing Owen. That evening, he experienced another tet spell with oxygen levels dropping to 40mm of mercury, far below the normal of 80 to 100 mm. As Owen continued hav-
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OWEN DROST ing tet spells with oxygen levels recorded in the low 20s, he was transferred to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. “Both hospitals were amazing and we were thankful that Owen received such awesome care,” said Stephanie. Initially, Owen was sched-
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uled for open heart surgery at six months of age, as the heart is larger and easier to operate on. Because of the frequency and severity of the tet spells he was experiencing, the surgical team began discussions on moving the date forward. A 10-minute walk from the hospital, Ronald McDonald House became a home away from home for Owen’s parents Stephanie and Matt. The couple’s other two children Ethan and Adam stayed with their grandparents during the ordeal. The Sick Kids Bravery Bead Program, run by the hospital’s women’s auxiliary, gives each patient a strand for beads. The strand contains beads with the patient’s name and beads that represent each brave test, procedure or poke the child receives - a keepsake that tells the child’s story.
WEEKLY WAG
“There are two great days in a person’s life: the day we are born and the day we discover why. ” - William Barclay
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On Feb. 20, Owen had two back-to-back tet spells that left him clinging to life. The spells prompted the surgical team to reschedule Owen’s surgery for the following day. “It was one of the scariest times of our lives, not knowing if Owen was going to make it, “ said Stephanie. “True to the meaning of his name, warrior, Owen fought for his life.” After a successful five hour surgery, Owen was placed in the cardiac critical care unit. After major cardiac surgery, he was heavily sedated to allow his body to recover. A temporary external pacemaker regulated his heart rate and rhythm. The medical team gradually removed medications, the pacemaker, drains, breathing tubes, wires and cords. By Feb. 27, Owen was moved to the cardiac care floor where the family was
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educated on care protocols for his return home. On March 2, he was discharged. “Owen continues to have regular appointments and will for the remainder of his life. His heart is functioning well but it is not a normal heart, “ Stephanie said. As Stephanie reflects back on this time last year, the one emotion that stands out is gratitude. She is grateful Owen fought for his life, for answered prayers, a strong support system, medical care and for the surgeon and medical team who saved his life. Stephanie ponders how to properly thank someone, or in Owen’s case, an entire team, for saving her son’s life? She decided the best way to thank Owen’s medical team is to ensure that the team can continue to save the lives of critically ill children, making sure they have SEE EVENT » 6
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