THE
SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY NEWS Volume 48 Issue 29
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 1.99% 3 Year GIC - 2.25% 5 Year GIC - 2.55% Daily Interest 1.25%
638-3328
Friday, July 17, 2015
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Mapleton cultural plan approved
Modified machines - The Drayton Kinsmen introduced the sport of lawn tractor racing to the community at the Smoke ‘n’ Sounds Festival on July 11. Teams from the Petrolia area demonstrated their skills on the grass track at the Drayton fairgrounds. Doug Ralston, 71, of Port Franks, left, challenges “The Big Red Redneck� Stephen Inchley during a heat in the modified class. More coverage on page 5.
photo by Caroline Sealey
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - “In five years, Mapleton will be a culturally vibrant community characterized by diverse cultural resources and offerings. It will be a recognized tourism destination supporting a strong and diversified local economy. Mapleton will be a community with a strong sense of shared identity and civic pride.� That’s the vision contained in the Township of Mapleton Municipal Cultural Plan approved by council on June 23. The plan was presented to council by Greg Baeker from Millier Dickinson Blais, the consulting firm engaged to assist a local steering committee with development of the plan last September. A $25,000 grant from Wellington County’s Business Retention and Expan-
sion Implementation Fund assisted with the project costs. The plan’s vision will be accomplished through a focus on leadership, marketing and business development, forging partnerships, and community vitality, states a report from Mapleton business development and marketing coordinator Crystal Ellis. “The plan provides a solid base of actions that the Township of Mapleton can begin to implement, which will result in a positive impact to culture in Mapleton over the next five years,� Ellis states in the report. Councillor Marlene Ottens, a member of the steering committee, said participants were surprised by the variety of cultural activity in the community. “We were kind of stunned to realize that we have 180 cul-
tural assets in Mapleton. I hope that residents try to find all 180 of them,� said Ottens. Ellis said a further step in the plan implementation process “would be mapping out those cultural assets so they are more accessible to people.� A summary of the plan provided by Baeker indicates completion of the Mapleton Municipal Cultural Plan at this time “opens up important opportunities for regional collaboration.� The summary notes municipal cultural plans have already been completed in Wellington North, Minto and Centre Wellington, and “Collaboration in cultural development will build on existing commitments and activities in regional collaboration.� The township is planning to post the plan on its website.
Township to work with north coalition on formation of youth council
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – Council here has lent support to a proposal to form a local youth council. At the June 23 meeting, council heard from Alison Vasey of the North Wellington Coalition for Youth Resiliency about the coalition’s plans to
Brodhaecker appointed deputy fire chief for Drayton station by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – The township’s fire department has a new deputy chief. Daryl Brodhaecker was appointed as deputy fire chief of the Drayton Station by Mapleton council on June 23. Fire Chief Rick Richardson recommended the appointment, effective July 1, after reviewing applications received in May. Brodhaecker has 26 years of experience with Mapleton Fire Rescue and has previously held the position of officer and training officer. “He is a member of the department’s health and safety committee and has acted in a leadership role during several incident responses,� stated Richardson in a report to council.
establish local youth councils within the region. Vasey said the creating the councils is among the key action items resulting form a community consultation hosted by the coalition in February. She said Mapleton was selected as the first community in the region for the project
and she requested that council appoint a member to the coalition’s board of directors. The municipality is also being asked to appoint a staff coordinator, who would assist with such duties as tracking youth volunteer hours, handling problems, monitoring finances and securing locations for
activities. Vasey estimated the duties would require between two and five hours per week. Vasey said the youth council would require a limited budget for meeting supplies and special events, but noted the coalition has some start-up funds available for this purpose.
“Working with young people is a very rewarding partnership, said Vasey, who added, “It’s often said that a measure of a society is how it takes care of its young people.� “I think this is a great idea and its part of our strategic plan to keep youth involved in Mapleton,� said Mayor Neil
Driscoll. “I commend you in your efforts. I think it’s a fantastic idea.� Council passed a resolution supporting the creation of a local youth council and directed staff to work with the coalition on the project and report back on how best to move forward.
Evan Conway hits treatment milestone in ongoing battle against leukemia by Caroline Sealey DRAYTON - For the past eight months the Conways have experienced an ordeal that no family is ever prepared for. In October 2014 twoyear-old Evan Conway was diagnosed with leukemia. He has been receiving treatments at McMaster Hospital in Hamilton that are expected to continue for over two years. The Drayton youngster recently reached a milestone in his treatments. On July 9, he received his 60th and final leg injection. The family celebrated by throwing a back yard party for family and close friends. Treatments continue on a weekly basis, with Evan receiving chemotherapy in his chest port and finger pokes for blood testing. Spinal taps are done every nine weeks and oral medications are taken daily at home. “He has good weeks and bad weeks,� said Evan’s mother Maggie. “During good weeks he has more energy and wants to play with his siblings. When he doesn’t feel well, he is content to watch TV and rest.�
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Since turning three, Evan has become more aware of what is happening to him and hospital visits have become routine. The family has to be extremely careful with where they take him and who can be around him, avoiding anyone who is or has recently been sick. Hand sanitizer and frequent hand washing keeps him safe from bacteria and germs that potentially could make him ill. Evan’s immune system is very weak. A common cold lasts twice as long as an average child’s. If he contracts a fever, an emergency trip is made to McMaster hospital to check for infections. “We want to thank everyone again for everything they have done for us,� said Maggie Conway. “We feel truly blessed to be surrounded by such a caring and thoughtful community.� Monetary donations to help cover the family’s expenses can be made at the Drayton Branch of the Royal Bank, at www.gofundme.com, or on Facebook – gofundme-Evan Conway’s Family Ray of Hope.
Keeping cool - Three-year-old Evan Conway keeps cool in the backyard of his family’s home in Drayton. The youngster continues to make progress in his battle with leukemia. submitted photo Related photo on page 3.
Weekly Wag
, be a success to t o n e iv tr S be of value. to r e th ra t u b in - Albert Einste
Youngsters enjoyed the various games and challenges related to the Mount Everest theme at Vacation Bible School in Drayton last week. The school ran July 6 to 10 at Drayton Reformed Related photo on page 5. photo by Caroline Sealey Church.
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