Feature Article - June 1, 2006

Back toHome

Feature Article - June 1, 2006

NFCSNotes:Happenings at Northern Frontenac Community Services

Summer Hours and Activities

Adult ServicesAs we head into the warm summer days a few of our services wind down temporarily but most remain unaffected. The Diner's Programs which are held monthly in a variety of communities will be ending in May and resuming in September. However, all other services such as Meals on Wheels and the Footcare Clinics as well as the ongoing counselling and support services offered through the Adult Services building on Elizabeth Street remain unchanged throughout the summer months. Northern Frontenac Community Services offers a wide range of social service programs and also provides space for and works in collaboration with a number of other agencies to ensure that the needs of the people in our rural community can be met close to home. For further information call us at 279-3151.

Children’s ServicesThe Child Centre is getting ready for a fun filled summer program. This year Beth Webster will be supervising the program, along with help from Heather MacPherson, and Jessica Connor. The girls are looking forward to lots of exciting activities. If you are interested in putting your child in this program please call Beth at 279-2244 as spaces are filling up rather quickly. The cost for this program is $30.00 per day and a subsidy may be available through the City of Kingston .

Footcare Services.

NFCS has expanded our Footcare Services. There will be a Trial clinic held at the Ompah Community Hall on Monday June 5th alternating the next month at the South Palmerston Community Centre in Snow Road on Tuesday, July 4th. This will continue on a monthly basis if enough interest is shown. Cost will be $13.00 per person, and a reservation is required.

To book your appointment call Northern Frontenac Community Services at 279-3151.

Other Stories this Week View RSS feed

Feature Article - July 13, 2006

Back toHome

Feature Article - July 13, 2006

LOLCSDrivers needed

The medical transportation program of Land o’ Lakes Community Services is vital to our area. Many people have no other way of getting to necessary appointments. In the past year, 11 volunteer drivers for Land o’ Lakes Community Services drove over 60,000 km. We now have even fewer drivers. The decrease is due to a number of different factors, including retirement, moving, and some much-deserved time off for the summer. We are looking for some very committed people to continue our medical transportation program.

In particular, we need drivers to take clients to dialysis treatments in Kingston (usually Monday, Wednesday and Friday). These drives require a large time commitment from the volunteer there is usually a minimum 4-hour wait while the client has her/his treatment and then there is the driving time involved. In the past, we were lucky to have one individual, Marion Sibley, who drove all three days. Marion and her husband, Pastor Bob Sibley transferred out of the area so she will no longer be available. We will miss Marion , as will the clients she was so dedicated to helping. We do not expect any volunteer driver to make the commitment of driving for all three days, but we welcome individuals who can offer some time.

We will also miss two of our regular medical drivers, Dale and Pauline Thompson. Dale and Pauline have decided to retire after driving for our program for a number of years.

The dedicated volunteer drivers we have need some backup. This is a great way to contribute to your community and to ensure everyone can access the care they need. If you have some spare time and would like to join a wonderful team of caring individuals please call Marlene @ 613-336-8934.

Other Stories this Week View RSS feed

Feature Article - July 13, 2006

Back toHome

Feature Article - July 13, 2006

LOLCSDrivers needed

The medical transportation program of Land o’ Lakes Community Services is vital to our area. Many people have no other way of getting to necessary appointments. In the past year, 11 volunteer drivers for Land o’ Lakes Community Services drove over 60,000 km. We now have even fewer drivers. The decrease is due to a number of different factors, including retirement, moving, and some much-deserved time off for the summer. We are looking for some very committed people to continue our medical transportation program.

In particular, we need drivers to take clients to dialysis treatments in Kingston (usually Monday, Wednesday and Friday). These drives require a large time commitment from the volunteer there is usually a minimum 4-hour wait while the client has her/his treatment and then there is the driving time involved. In the past, we were lucky to have one individual, Marion Sibley, who drove all three days. Marion and her husband, Pastor Bob Sibley transferred out of the area so she will no longer be available. We will miss Marion , as will the clients she was so dedicated to helping. We do not expect any volunteer driver to make the commitment of driving for all three days, but we welcome individuals who can offer some time.

We will also miss two of our regular medical drivers, Dale and Pauline Thompson. Dale and Pauline have decided to retire after driving for our program for a number of years.

The dedicated volunteer drivers we have need some backup. This is a great way to contribute to your community and to ensure everyone can access the care they need. If you have some spare time and would like to join a wonderful team of caring individuals please call Marlene @ 613-336-8934.

Other Stories this Week View RSS feed

Feature Article - October 26, 2006

Back toHome

Feature Article - October 26, 2006

Is amalgamation on the table in SouthFrontenac?

by JeffGreen

Gary Davison has placed amalgamation at the centre of his campaign to replace Bill Lake as mayor of South Frontenac. But even he says that any change in the way three key services - road maintenance, waste management, and recreation - are funded in South Frontenac is several years off, at least.

If Bill Lake is re-elected, it might be longer still.

“Go slow, do it right, don’t mess it up,” is what Bill Lake said to sum up his attitude towards amalgamating all of the services and assets in the township when interviewed on the topic this week.

“Other townships amalgamated completely nine years ago,” Davison countered, “and the world has not ended. Nobody has lost out.”

When South Frontenac was created, the four townships that were coming together brought different assets with them.

For example, in terms of dump site capacity, Portland township has a dump site with decades of life left in it, while Storrington was about to lose its dump entirely.

The political arrangement made at the time was that each district would keep its key assets, roads, dumps, fire equipment, and recreational facilities, and the councillors from each district would make up a budget for their own district, while the council as a whole would make up a budget for shared services, such as downloaded roads, policing, etc.

With the exception of the fire service, which has now been amalgamated and is headed up by a full time fire chief, everything has basically remained the same after nine years.

This does not sit right with Gary Davison.

“There has been no talk on this at all for nine years,” he said. “What I’m saying is we need to do a review and we need to develop a strategic plan.

“One of the first things I would like to know is where we can-be, what our vision will be in 10 years. This is a long-term plan that will require public input every step of the way, and it will have to be done without creating winners and losers. But, at some point, we should stop making our staff mess around with five budgets.”

“Mr. Davison knows about parliamentary procedures,” Bill Lake responds. “He would surely know that he could make a resolution to discuss amalgamation. In three years on council it never came. Now, during an election, he wants to talk about it.”

(Bill Lake and Gary Davison will be participating in an all-candidates meeting tonight at the Verona Lions Hall, along with the six candidates for Portland Councillor and two candidates for school board trustee. The meeting starts at 7 pm. Watch for further coverage of the municipal election in next week’s Frontenac News, including profiles of the candidates in Bedford, Portland, and Loughborough districts)

Other Stories this Week View RSS feed

Feature Article - August 17, 2006

Back toHome

Feature Article - August 17, 2006

South East LHINreleases draft integrated health services plan for comment

The South East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) released its Draft Integrated Health Services Plan last week, and is inviting members of the public to provide comment and feedback. The final plan, which the LHIN will submit to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in October 2006, will guide developments in the local health care system for the next three years.

“We are inviting the public to take a look at the Draft Integrated Health Services Plan and offer us their feedback,” says Georgina Thompson, Chair of the South East LHIN . “The comments we receive from the public will help us to finalize the plan and priorities for the next three years.”

The seven key priorities identified reflect the priorities that were found to be important to the South East LHIN population when community meetings took place in the spring. They include:

1.Improving access to: Primary health care; Specialized medical care; Mental health services; Addiction services; Rehabilitation services; Transportation to and from health care

2.Improving the availability of long-term care services

3.Making the movement of patients between different health care organizations and professionals easier

4. Developing better communication between the South East LHIN and local Aboriginal communities

5.Improving access to health care services in French

6.Moving ahead with the development and use of electronic health information systems

7.Developing a regional health human resources plan

Comments will be received by the LHIN until September 7, 2006 and can be sent by mail to the South East Local Health Integration Network, 2-48 Dundas Street West , Belleville , Ontario , K8P 1A3 , by FAX at 613-967-1341 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To obtain a copy of the Draft Integrated Health Services Plan, visit online at www.lhins.on.ca/english/SouthEast/SouthEast.asp or call 1-866-831-5446.

Other Stories this Week View RSS feed

Feature Article - September 28, 2006

Back toHome

Feature Article - September 28, 2006

RuralRoutes Transportation update

by Jane Drew

In November of 2005, the Ontario Trillium Foundation enthusiastically agreed to fund a two-year pilot project to establish Rural Routes Transportation Service, presently operating under the umbrella of Northern Frontenac Community Services. It is located above the Frontenac News office at 1095 Garrett Street in Sharbot Lake .

In April of ’06 the Community Support Program began sharing the services of their 25 drivers with Rural Routes. Since that time, although some of the original drivers have moved on to other things, ten names have been added to the volunteer driver roster, including four who are also van drivers. In March of this year Rural Routes was able to purchase two Honda Odyssey vans through a grant from the Ministry of Health. The vans are used on a daily basis in addition to the volunteer driver program.

Rural Routes provides personal transportation through the volunteer driver base if you need a drive, call the office, a driver will be booked and the arrangement confirmed with you. Several agencies have agreements with Rural Routes and in some cases can be billed directly for your transportation. Please call the office for more information.

Transportation is provided for children who will benefit from attending day care and nursery school programs, as well as parents who are interested in attending parenting workshops to provide them with the skills required to nurture happy healthy children.

Seniors who are no longer comfortable driving the long distances to city shopping centres can enjoy a day away, lunch with friends and shopping for items not available locally. These trips are extremely enjoyable for those who participate. Rural Routes also enables residents to attend medical appointments in surrounding centres when necessary. It enables people to stay in their homes, and not be forced to move to where specialized medical services are available. Every resident has equal opportunity to get to and from personal appointments, social, cultural and recreational activities, as well as access to other personal services available within a daily driving radius.

Regular van trips to Napanee, Smiths Falls , Perth and Kingston have been advertised, and more success with these trips is anticipated as the weather changes. However, a van trip to Kingston is booked for October 3, at a cost of $20/person, or $12/senior. Please call the office if you are interested in booking a seat.

A trip for four or more friends can be arranged through Rural Routes, with the cost being based on the distance traveled. Several groups have gone to different destinations in Ottawa , Lanark and Perth , as well as an adventure in Prince Edward County ! Other ideas for these trips are 1000 Island Boat Cruise, Westport Studio Tour, Pembroke, Merrickville , Upper Canada Village, the list goes on and on let your imagination be your guide!

Successful bus trips have already taken place to Canada Blooms and Montreal Botanical Gardens to please the gardeners among us, and on October 28 a trip is planned to the Canadian Home & Garden Show in Toronto, which is a show by the publishers of ‘Cottage Style’ magazine offering design ideas for creative country-style living. Admission to the show is $10, $9/seniors, and the bus is $50 per person. The final trip for 2006 is on November 25, to the Toronto Skydome Pow Wow, an amazing display of First Nations talents and crafts, at a cost of $48. Admission to the Pow Wow is $10/person.

Rural Routes has seen steady growth since its inception. In March, just 1,200 kilometers were driven, and by August that number had ballooned to 18,780. Stats show a total of 199 new clients and 1,233 trips provided as of August 31. Statistics prove that Rural Routes has been extremely well received by the population it serves and comments from clients indicate their satisfaction.

If you are having difficulties getting to where you need to go…call Rural Routes Transportation Service at 613-279-2044 or 877-279-2044. We’re here to help.

AND YOU CAN HELP US! During the month of October, volunteers will be contacting drivers, clients, agencies, and members of the general public to determine whether or not Rural Routes is meeting all the transportation requirements of this community. Volunteers are needed to conduct interviews and gather information as part of the evaluation process. Please call the office for additional information. Volunteer drivers are always needed in different areas of our catchment area. Call for information about mileage paid, etc. It has come to our attention that volunteer drivers who transport children would benefit greatly from an extra pair of hands during trips. If you are interested in accompanying a volunteer driver to assist with the needs of the children, please contact Rural Routes.

Other Stories this Week View RSS feed

Feature Article - September 28, 2006

Back toHome

Feature Article - September 28, 2006

NFCSNotes:Northern Frontenac Community Services

NFCS Notes: Happenings at Northern Frontenac Community Services

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: This year’s Annual General Meeting is taking place on October 19 at the Snow Road Community Hall. Festivities will begin at 6 pm. Come and learn about the many ways that Northern Frontenac Community Services is serving your community, and the many programs that could use your volunteer energy.

CALL TO COMMITTEES: If you are interested in sitting on one of these NFCS committees as a community member (Public Relations Committee, Children's Services Committee, or Seniors' Advisory Committee) please leave a message for Brenda Piat, board member, along with your name and telephone number, with the receptionist at 279-3151.

PARTNERS WITH PARENTS is a group of people representing a variety of social service agencies as well as local parents. This group is once again sponsoring an evening of fun and education for parents and children on October 2 starting at 5:30 p.m. at Sharbot Lake High School . This is an interactive evening that begins with a light dinner after which the families will participate in fun, non-competitive challenges at various sites throughout the school. It is designed for families with children 10 and younger and has a literacy theme to each game. You must pre-register by calling the Ontario Early Years Centre, The Child Centre at 613-279-2244.

UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN: Each year the United Way for Kingston , Frontenac, Lennox and Addington launches a massive fundraising campaign with the proceeds going to a host of social service agencies. This year’s campaign is hoping to raise $2,525,000. It is important for people in North and Central Frontenac to understand that a significant amount of money is invested in this community by the United Way . Northern Frontenac Community Services is fortunate enough to be a United Way agency and the Family Counselling program is funded by them. The Ontario Early Years Centre, The Child Centre often receives funding through the Success by Six program operated through the United Way . Kairos Counselling Services which provides a significant amount of counselling in this area for people with addictions problems also receives funding from the United Way as does the CNIB as well as many others. There are a significant number of individuals in this area who would not be able to access counselling and support without the United Way 's success. We would ask that you support this campaign in what ever way you possibly can to ensure that as a community we can remain strong and help those who most need it. It is estimated that 1 in every 3 people will at some point need the help of an agency funded by the United Way .

Other Stories this Week View RSS feed

Feature Article - September 14, 2006

Back toHome

Feature Article - September 14, 2006

CommunityServicesFair

On September 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. the Land o’ Lakes Interagency Group is hosting a Community Services Fair. The fair will be in conjunction with North Addington Education Centre’s Fall Open House in Cloyne.

The Land O’ Lakes Interagency Group is a collective of agencies and organizations that provides a range of services to the northern part of Lennox and Addington county, specifically in the township of Addington Highlands . Individuals from these agencies meet monthly to share information and educational opportunities, as well as to network and improve upon the integration and coordination of the services offered in this area.

Agencies and organizations participating in the Community Services Fair will set up displays, providing an opportunity to learn more about available services, both local and regional. Examples of regional organizations that will be present are MADD, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Diabetes Association. Pathways for Children & Youth, Northern Connections Adult Learning Centre and Land o’ Lakes Community Services are just a few of the local agencies that will be there.

There are approximately 30 agencies/organizations participating in this worthwhile event. These organizations are also offering a free barbecue for people attending the Community Services Fair. Ms. V. Allen and the Hospitalities class will be operating the barbecue.

We hope to see you there.

Other Stories this Week View RSS feed

Feature Article - September 14, 2006

Back toHome

Feature Article - September 14, 2006

Tent revival meetings in Kaladar

With great excitement and expectation the Revival tent meetings in Kaladar began. It was a week that will never be forgotten by those who attended as many came to hear the message of God’s love and hope for today. Every evening at the Kaladar Community Centre a service was held. People came from great distances to hear the message that Rev.Justin Free and team were bringing every night. People came from as far as Niagara Falls (Wheatfield) New York ! Also people came from Kingston , Peterborough , Tweed, Marmora, Northbrook, Cloyne, Henderson , Arden , Verona , Harrowsmith and even Westport to take part in the services every night. Over the week more than 300 were in attendance.

The services began with worship and praise every night and many praises to the Lord were offered up for His goodness to us. Every day Jesus Christ was proclaimed and lifted up. The message that has taken Pastor Justin Free to more than 32 nations in the past 7 years has been that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and that He still forgives and heals today. God has been so faithful to this nation of Canada and the heartbeat of the week of meetings was to share with Kaladar and surrounding area’s that God’s love hasn’t changed but remains steadfast to every person in every city, town and village.

Every night there were testimonies of God’s healing power at work. Jesus cares for people today and loves our world. This is why miracles of joy and healing occurred each night because of His love for every person!

All praise goes to the Lord for this lasting work done in Kaladar and surrounding communities! Please know our love and prayers are with you reading this article right now, know that God loves and cares for you so much and that is why John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” A special thanks would like to be given to the Kaladar Community Club and Mrs. Glenda Bence who was so gracious in allowing us to hold these tent revival meetings.

Submitted by Justin Free Ministries

Other Stories this Week View RSS feed

Feature Article - September 14, 2006

Back toHome

Feature Article - September 14, 2006

SouthFrontenac recycling services

I would like to comment on the 'New' recycling services being provided to the four South Frontenac Wards. Has anyone in the former Loughborough Township area (now SF) noticed the reduced recycling services now being provided to us residents under the guise of a revamped system?Residents were recently informed by mail-out that a new system would be in place for the week of September 4/06.A little history: just over a year ago before roadside pick-up started, we residents of Loughborough were able to recycle as much material as we had accumulated (albeit we had to drive to the depot) each week, every week. Then the recycling changed to roadside pick-up last year, but the frequency was reduced to every two weeks, allowing as much recycling as you had accumulated. Now, recycling pick-up has remained at two week intervals, BUT you can only recycle specific items every other week. So, to summarize, we have gone from being able to recycle every week, to being able to recycle once a month for specific items as they are only picked up every other week. This looks to me as a deterioration of services while, as usual, continuing to pay the same or an increased township property tax.

Another final point of frustration is that though we are charged for 100 garbage bag tags each year, they become invalid after the end of August. This makes residents want to use them before they lose them and this does nothing to promote recycling, or reducing the amount of garbage being put out. It's true, we all need to make wise choices in purchases, consumption and disposal but let's be treated fairly by our township. - Eldon Adams

Other Stories this Week View RSS feed