The Frontenac OPP have partnered with the local community agencies, including the Township of South Frontenac, Southern Frontenac Community Services, the KFL&A's Health Unit, Kingston Community Legal Clinic and Rural Kingston Family Health Organization to create the committee known as Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, or S.A.L.T.

The committee's focus is aimed at seniors living in the Township of South Frontenac, and their goal is to increase seniors' communication with the local police and other service agencies. The committee will provide support and information to seniors in South Frontenac, with the aim of improving their safety and overall well-being.

The committee launched their first safety information session on April 19. Presentations were held in Sunbury, Verona and Sydenham and attracted seniors from across the township.

The free sessions were comprised of three presentations: Keeping Healthy, Falls Prevention and Scams and Frauds.

The first was delivered by two registered nurses: Meredith Prikker from the Sydenham Medical Clinic, and Annie Campbell from the Verona Medical Clinic, both of whom specialize in the management of chronic diseases with the goal of keeping seniors living at home longer.

They covered numerous health-related issues, like medication reconciliation, tips to avoid medication mistakes, advanced care planning, and creating a coordinated care plan. They informed guests about two free self-management workshops on the topics of Living Well with Chronic Disease, which runs from April 20 to May 25, and a second workshop in the fall on Living Well with Chronic Pain, with dates to be announced.

Rhonda Lovell, a registered nurse with KFL&A Public Health, gave the second presentation on Falls Prevention. She spoke about the leading fall risks to seniors, how to prevent them, and how seniors who fall represent 58% of the leading causes of unintentional injury-related emergency department visits. Lovell highlighted the personal costs associated with a fall, which can include bone fractures, chronic pain, loss of independence and a decreased quality of life.

Lovell also spoke of the fears related to falling and how a “Cycle of Fear” can increase the potential for a fall. She ended her presentation on a positive note, stressing that most falls are preventable and can be avoided by making smart choices, remaining active, and planning ahead.

Community services officer with the Frontenac OPP, Roop Sandhu, made the final presentation on the topic of Scams and Frauds. He spoke of the myriad of cons that exist, including door-to-door scams involving water purification, driveway sealants, and energy and hot water tank services. He spoke at length about telephone frauds, where con artists pose as grandchildren in a fix, needing immediate cash; various prize and money scams, like free travel awards, fake charities, credit card fees; and online frauds, like fake letters from Nigeria and West Africa.

He spoke about fraudsters imitating officials from the Canada Revenue Agency and demanding payments. He also gave tips on how to avoid identity theft. In summary, Sandhu quoted the old adage, "If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”

The S.A.L.T. Committee will be holding future workshops and members are hoping to hear from seniors about the topics they would like to see covered at the sessions. Active seniors in the community who want to become involved with the committee are invited to commit to just one hour a month of meetings. For more information about how to get involved can contact Roop Sandhu at 613-372-1932 or David Townsend at the Southern Frontenac Community Services at 613-376-6376.

On Sept. 27, family, friends and supporters of the Tristin Osborne Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Limestone Learning Foundation (LLF) celebrated at a special Tennessee-style gala fundraiser at Carol Bisaillon's and Daryl Martin's Dreamcatcher Farms near Sunbury. Long-time Tennessee natives Greg and Valerie Heinike, owners of the Bell Buckle Café in Tennessee, traveled to Sunbury with some of their staff to prepare a Tennessee-style evening of dining for the event, which was attended by over 200 guests, many sporting cowboy boots and hats.

Kingston radio hosts Rick Choma and Lisa Ray were the emcees and musical entertainment was provided by numerous talented guests, including Grammy nominee Valerie Smith, the Abrams Brothers and Rudy and Saddle Up.

Tristin Osborne was a former KCVI graduate who despite a learning disability went on to pursue a post-secondary degree in teaching at Aurora College in Yellowknife. Tragically she passed away in her sleep in 2004, just two months before graduating. Following Tristin’s death her mother Judy and father John created a memorial fund to honour her and help students with learning disabilities. Through the fund, a scholarship award is presented annually to a graduating student from the Limestone District School Board who is interested in furthering their education and overcoming the challenges posed by a learning disability.

The memorial gala is the second time the Osbornes have teamed up with the LLF to put on the fundraiser. For several years the Osbornes held the annual TOMM Fest, a music-festival styled fundraiser in Tristin's honour, which has been replaced by the combined LLF fundraiser at Dreamcatcher Farms.

In remembering her daughter, Judy Osborne said she was “a very bright, darling little girl who strived to overcome her disabilities so that she could ‘come to better understand students who are learning-disabled and help them to reach their goals.’” Judy said she was “a peace lover who could never do enough for others” and said she worked extra shifts while studying in Yellowknife to support others in need in that community.

Tristin received her teaching degree from the college posthumously and today her legacy continues to support learning-disabled students pursuing post secondary studies.