the
Serving the Mapleton Community
Community News Volume 47 Issue 50
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 2.25% 3 Year GIC - 2.43% 5 Year GIC - 2.70% Daily Interest 1.45%
638-3328
Friday, December 12, 2014
www.jackfinancial.ca
New mayor optimistic about coming term
Hockey Night in Mapleton - The Township of Mapleton staff and council got in the spirit of the season with a “hockey night� float at the Moorefield Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 6. From left: deputy clerk Barb Schellenberger, councillor Michael Martin, administrative assistant Jaclyn Lewis, Mayor Neil Driscoll (aka Don Cherry), councillor Lori Woodham, Jack Driscoll, councillor Marlene Ottens, CBO Patti Wright and councillor Dennis Craven. The township also entered its hockey-themed float in the Drayton Christmas parade on Dec. 5. More Moorefield parade photos on page 12. photo by Jaime Myslik
by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Mayor Neil Driscoll expressed optimism about the current four-year term as members of Mapleton Township council were sworn in at the inaugural meeting on Dec. 1. Driscoll will lead a completely different group than led the township last term, with four new councillors at the table: Michael Martin, Dennis Craven, Marlene Ottens and Lori Woodham. “I don’t think I could have picked a better group to work with. They seem to be open minded and ready to learn,� said Driscoll. In his inaugural address,
Driscoll noted maintaining and improving the infrastructure needs of a growing township will be among the challenges of this term. “It’s going to be our job to see that the infrastructure is kept up and we have to do it financially responsibly,� he stated. Martin said he was excited about the opportunity entrusted to the council by the people of Mapleton. “Our vision is that we will respect the people that elected us,� he said. “I think we have an excellent council,� commented councillor Dennis Craven. See photo on page 7
Local girl featured on Sunshine Foundation poster
Christmas wish - Devin Rock met with Santa and pondered what he wanted for Christmas following the Moorefield Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 6. photo by Jaime Myslik
by Caroline Sealey DRAYTON Halle Detweiler is truly a role model to other children with disabilities. The 10-year-old Drayton resident was diagnosed shortly after birth with Caudal regression syndrome, which occurs in just one out of 100,000 live births and affects the lower body. Halle’s legs will not grow in proportion to the other parts of her body, confining her to a wheelchair. “It doesn’t matter what’s on the outside. It’s what’s on the inside that counts. You can do anything. I will always keep trying, no matter what,� Detweiler said. The KidsAbility Centre for Child Development in Kitchener approached Detweiler in April and asked if she would consider being part of the Sunshine Foundation’s Dream Lift Program. Not one to turn down an opportunity, Detweiler accepted the challenge. She and her mother Kim were billeted in a hotel the night before her flight to Florida. Early the following morning, April 22, Detweiler met with her “buddy,� Brittany Strauss, who accompanied Detweiler on the trip, along with 83 other children with severe disabilities or life threatening illnesses. The theme of the day was
We believe every child should realize their dreams.
At Sunshine Foundation we help children with severe physical disabilities realize that nothing can stand in the way of their dreams. By fulfilling dreams for these children, we give them the confidence to keep dreaming and to pursue other life goals. Together we can make dreams come true. Please consider changing a life – call 1-800-461-7935 today. Charitable Registration #12995 4822 RR0001
Learn more about making dreams a reality at sunshine.ca
Poster girl - Halle Detweiler, 10, of Drayton, appears on an a poster campaign for the Sunshine Foundation. “Yes Day.� Almost everything the child wanted would be given or granted to them. Each child was carried onto the airplane by a designated firefighter. The plane flew out of Brantford Airport with a team of doctors, nurses and therapists on board. Upon arrival in Florida, the firefighters carried the children off the plane to security checks, performed on the air-
port’s runway. After breakfast the children were whisked off to Disney’s Magic Kingdom park. With hats, T-shirts and backpacks provided by various sponsors, Detweiler was given fast passes to anything she wanted to do. With no waiting in long lines, she had a full day at the Disney park. Back on board the plane by 9pm that night for the flight home, Detweiler said she was
tired and slept. For donors and volunteers, the program offers a special way to see months of hard work and planning realized in the happy faces of the children. Because of her involvement with the Dream Lift Program, Detweiler was approached by the Sunshine Foundation again this summer and asked if she would like to be the poster child representing the foundation for one year. She agreed and a photo session was arranged between the foundation and Kitchener photographer Melissa Hansma. The Sunshine Foundation also involved Detweiler’s parents Keith and Kim, as well as her siblings Sydney and Calvin, in the session. “I want other kids with special abilities to know about the Sunshine Foundation because of me being the poster girl. I want people to donate to help out,� Detweiler said. In the planning stage since mid-summer, Detweiler’s poster picture was to appear in the national debut of Ricardo magazine’s September issue (prior to this date Ricardo was published only in Quebec). Her photo did not make the publication’s debut, but she will be appearing in the December holiday issue. For information on the foundation call 1-800-4617475 or email info@sunshine.ca.
Overseas tournament experience discouraging for local snooker player ALMA – A Mapleton man has returned from an international snooker tournament with a sore arm and a renewed fondness for North American living conditions. Terry resident Alma
Davidson, the third ranked Canadian in the Masters Division (40 and up), represented Canada at the 2014 IBSF World Amateur Snooker Championships in Banaglore, India from Nov. 18 to 29.
Main St. W. Palmerston
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After winning his first two matches handily, Davidson suffered a fall in a poorly-lit area of the bleachers about 30 minutes before his third match. “I damaged my right arm quite badly and couldn’t deliver
my cue for that match and lost it 3-0,� he told the Community News in an email. “The next morning I had a technicolour bruise from below my elbow and all the way up to the shoulder. The bleachers
Weekly Wag
e sunshine th to e c fa r u Keep yo ow ot see a shad n n a c u o y d an r- Helen Kelle
area had no lighting and many different levels of the samecoloured concrete and I missed one,� said Davidson, adding six others also fell on the bleachers, including a referee who injured his hip so severely
he went home for treatment. “You just couldn’t see up there so we all quit going up.� Davidson said Kitchener competitor Paul Flemming was hit by a motorbike on a busy Continued on page 7
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