Community Connections

32 Pages·2012·10.8 MB·English

by  Lynda Davis

C C
OMMUNITY ONNECTIONS
SERVING THE AREA FROM KANESATAKE TO ROSEMERE
Volume 13 Issue 6 2,500 COPIES December/January 2013
15th Edition
Santa Claus
Relax Pee Wee
PARADE Tournament ,
Dec. 8-16,
Dec. 2,
p. 25
p. 21
14th Edition
Ringuette
Tournament
Jan. 6-13,
p. 25
Habit for Humanity presents Lions Club 9th annual bookfair
2nd house, p. 4 p. 16-17
Community Connections Page 2 December/January 2013
helping to weaken the City’s finan- spect the city’s character, as well as
cial position. our objective to ensure the City’s
In order to ensure the City’s sustain- sustainability.
ability, new revenues must be gen- By promoting responsible urban
Message from erated and this must be accompa- development based on the princi-
nied by the redevelopment of cer- ples of sustainable development,
The Mayor
tain sectors. To do this, it is essen- our vision for Deux-Montagnes over
tial that our urban plan be changed. the next 15 years is of a healthy city,
Greetings one and all, This will allow us to control our de- green and welcoming to 20,000 new
On October 3, the City of Deux- velopment according to our needs inhabitants, with a better distribu-
Montagnes held a citizen’s informa- while respecting the new standards tion of the tax base for our citizens,
tion session on the future of our imposed by the government. Modi- a greater presence of local busi-
city. This evening meeting was a fying our urban plan means framing nesses, restaurants and offices on
follow-up to the public meeting that and structuring the sectors to de- our main roads, better access to our
took place on June 12, on the pro- velop and redevelop them, in accor- waterways and pedestrian paths,
posed regulation amending the ur- dance with our objectives. It also and dynamic and revitalized key
ban plan. The October meeting was means establishing densification areas, offering public places where
therefore, an opportunity to re- thresholds, ensuring the protection neighbourhood life is rich and ap-
spond to questions and comments of our parks and green spaces, and preciated.
raised during the last few weeks that we retain the city’s image and
regarding this plan. its particular character. If the future of our city interests
The City of Deux-Montagnes was After analysis, we have identified you, please consult the October 3rd
shaped at the end of the 20th century a dozen projects that would create presentation and the related docu-
on the bedroom community model, more than $204 million in new ments on the City’s website at
which means that today, 85% of tax property values and annually gener- www.ville.deux-montagnes.qc.ca
revenues come from the residential ate more than $2 million in new
sector. Real estate development property taxes. The completion of Sincerely,
reached maturity in the early 2000s these projects would meet the devel- Marc Lauzon
opment guidelines of the City; re-
library opening hours or through
interlibrary loan. S eated on one of the benches is Susan Dubuc Campbell
For more information, contact
the library at [phone].

A Gift for Public Library
Week:
Large Print and Audio Books
Collection Enriched by a
Grant from the Deux-
Montagnes Lions Club

Deux-Montagnes, October 23, Mayor Lauzon, Johanne Chaput, Martin and Betty Table of Contents
2012 – The Deux-Montagnes Hensen, Dave Byers, President Linda Hogue and
Public Library has received a Arthur Glover
Message from the Mayor 2
$1,500 grant from the Deux-
Montagnes Lions Club on the Lions Den 6
occasion of Public Library Week, Memorial Donation
School Matters 11
to enrich its collection of large
print and audio books. The Dubuc Family have donated Church Mouse 14-15
Since 1980, the Lions Club has three memorial park benches to
Sue Chef 23
contributed to these collections the city of Deux-Montagnes in
that are mainly intended for honour of Doris, Annie Dubuc PANDA/CESAME 18-19
people with visual impairments, and Elizabeth O’Farrell Dubuc.
Ron’s Corner 21
in both French and English. They are prominently situated on
Through this annual funding, Oka Road. The City Council was Letter to the Editor 31
library members enjoy a good very supportive of this effort and
4Korners 10
variety of books for all tastes. hopes for other citizens to do the
These collections are available same. Sports Rap 25-26
free of charge to members during
A look at Rosemère 22

Birthday’s, etc 30
Community Connections Page 3 December/January 2013
LTMHS’ 4th an- their banners and gave out their the 2012 Colour Clash was the black
best team cheer. Points were team, led by a great group of senior
nual Colour
Clash
By Lillian Sirgent

Lake of Two Moun-
tains High School
held its fourth annual Colour Clash
activities day on Tuesday, Septem-
ber 25. The students were divided
into eight different teams, each with
a colour, and participated in many students. LTMHS leadership stu-
fun games such as fruit Olympics, dents took charge for the day and
messy marshmallow, human tic tac toe, awarded for winning games, par- ran all the activities for the students.
and more in the morning. In the af- ticipation, and team spirit. There was much fun had by all and
ternoon, a boy and a girl from each All day long, students could be we hope to see this wonderful event
team dressed up as the opposite heard in the hallways cheering for continue at LTMHS for many more
gender and put on a hilarious fash- their teams and encouraging each years to come.
ion show. As well, teams showcased other to play. The winning team of
for five years before becoming a VP attention away from her family. She
New Team of VPs at
at Mother Theresa Junior and said that the support she has to give
RHS Laurier Senior in Laval. He is re- for adjusting to high school
By Gordon Wetmore sponsible for the Secondary 2 stu- “ultimately goes a lot more for the
dents and has the dossiers for the moms than the students,” a situa-
Principal Scott Traylen of soccer concentration option courses, tion that she understands.
Rosemere High School found him- the Work Oriented Training Path The importance of family is a
self with three new vice principals program, and the IPLC contained value that runs strong in all three
this year who quickly forged what classes. About his fellow VPs, he VPs. Mr. Jakalian voiced their atti-
he called a dynamic team. said they discovered their like tude: “We are replaceable at work.
Most senior is Gail Spillane, who mindedness very quickly. “We hit We are not replaceable at home.”
served previously as vice principal the ground running,” he said, and They also were adamant that their
at Laurier Senior in Laval and for constantly bounce ideas off each jobs were hugely facilitated by the non-
the last two years at Lake of Two other. He has bachelor degrees in teaching staff, especially secretaries
Mountains High School. She and psychology (Concordia University) Cindy Bourgain, Maria Warner, Donna
the other two vice-principals have and education (University of Ot- Lioumbas, and France Mimeau, school
jelled together very well, she said. tawa) and a Masters in Educational organization technician Debbie Adams
Ms. Spillane is the “go to” person Psychology (McGill). and administration manager Suzanne
for academics and discipline for the Tina Miscio, whose dossier is the Desilets. Helpful, understanding, will-
Secondary 3s and 4s. She said that Secondary 1s and Individualized ing to go beyond the call of duty and
she has an open door policy for staff Education Plans, knows that her never shying away from work was how
and students. “It’s my job to help foremost responsibility is aiding the they were described.
both succeed.” In addition to her school’s youngest students in the
Masters Degree in Educational transition from elementary to life in
Leadership from McGill University a school where 80 percent of the
(where she is currently working on 1500 students are older teenagers.
a second M.Ed.), she is a certified “I have to be the mommy here,” she
Cisco Academy computer instructor said, and it is a role she welcomes.
and handles the technology dossier With a Bachelor of Education
among the administrators. RHS has (Elementary) and a Masters in Edu-
27 Smart Boards and extensive wire- cational Leadership from McGill, The VP team at Rosemere High School
less areas, and she credits the RHS she has been a vice-principal at
teachers for embracing the latest Pinewood and McCaig elementary Principal Traylen, who has the dossier
technologies and the students for schools and at Laval Junior High. for the Secondary 5s as well as the en-
responding. The teachers do an She taught at the elementary tire school in general, said that he feels
“awesome” job at extra-curricular level for more than 10 years, begin- fortunate to have three experienced vice
activities, she said, and the RHS stu- ning at a remote Cree village more -principals who bring a refreshing and
dents/parents/staff are a great com- than 11 hours by car from Montreal. important outlook to RHS. They in turn
munity. For a brief time she served as princi- are quick to acknowledge his leadership
For Sarmen Jakalian, coming to pal before asking to return to vice- in creating a milieu in which teamwork
RHS is a happy reunion of sorts. He principal status. The principal’s job, flourishes.
taught senior English at the school she said, took too much time and
Community Connections Page 4 December/January 2013
Habitat for Humanity Region of Deux- tres, Tilmar International, Gerald Paquette Entrepreneur
Électriciens et Associes, Must Communications, Les Re-
Montagnes House
vêtements BAC S, Givre climatisation, M. Serge Larivie-
re et compagnon, Lettrage André Lamoureux, MebWeb,
On October 29, at 10:30 Les Gouttières Laurentides, Matériaux Coupal, Ouellet-
am, Mirabel’s Deputy De- te Canada, Joe Loue Tout, B & B Concept Rénovation de
nise Beaudoin, M. Andre distinction, Maçonnerie Artech, Dessins Drummond,
Bessette, representing
Mayor Paulus of Ste-
Marthe-sur-le-lac, and
other officials presented
the keys for the newly
completed Habitat for Hu-
manity® home in Ste-
Marthe-sur-le-lac. Volun-
teers have been working
tirelessly for five months
to get the house located at 3031 de la rue Paul ready for
its new occupants. It is safe, affordable and very chic.

The Champagne-Lapointe family, including twin
daughters, Angie and Nikki, worked alongside the
many volunteers to prepare the house, so that they
could move in to it on Thursday, November 1.

Champagne-Lapointe family cutting ribbon with Presendent of

Habit for Humanity Deux-Montagnes, \M. Denis Pilon

Couvreurs Coulombe, les Promenades Deux-
Montagnes, the deputies of Riviere-des-Mille-Iles, Lau-
rin Liu and from Mirabel Denise Beaudoin as well as
Mayor Sonia Paulus of Ste-Marthe-sur-le-lac.

“We are living an incredible dream. We enter our
new house as we enter a new part of our life. The twins
will each have their own room, and they will be ecstatic.
The house is full of good energy because it was built by
Denis Pilon presenting keys to Champagne–Lapointe family
people with big hearts. We are infinitely aware of that,”
concluded Dominique, the young mother and new
owner.
Source et information: Habitat pour l’humanité région
des Deux-Montagnes
“The giving of the keys to the family is a unique mo- Valérie Sauve
ment charged with emotions. It marks the end of the Responsables des relations publiques
numerous efforts by all the members of our organiza- [email protected]
tion, the valuable volunteers and our generous financial
partners. I want to thank all the people implicated from
near and far in the realization of this dream. Together
we permit a family to leave the cycle of poverty and to
become the owners of a house,” said M. Denis Pilon,
president of Habitat for Humanity Region of Deux-
Montagnes.

Many sponsors were involved in this project. Some
of them who should be mentioned are: la Ville de Sain-
te-Marthe-sur-le Lac, le Groupe Nepveu, Home Dépôt
Canada, Holcim Canada, Genworth Financial Canada,
Schneider Electric, la Fondation Banque Royale, Cons-
truction Saint-Aubin, notary Jean Luc Page, Labre et
Associes, Coffrage Caouette, Voyer Tremblay, Isolation
4 saisons, Fondation de bienfaisance, Molson Coors Ca-
nada, Montreal Brique & Pierre, Melco Portes et Fenê-
Community Connections Page 5 December/January 2013
.Morton's Neuroma (Foot Common treatments for Martin Scutt is a graduate of Cornell
Morton’s neuroma include custom- University (1992), New York
pain): Symptoms and
made, individually designed shoe College of Podiatric Medicine (1996)
Treatment inserts (commonly known as arch and is a
By Diane Castonguay supports or plantar orthotics). To clinical teacher
A neuroma is a growth or benign reduce the pressure on the nerve, at UQTR.
tumour that arises in the nerve cells. steroid injection into the area of foot C l i n i q u e
More specifically, a Morton's pain, anti-inflammatory medication, Podiatrique
neuroma is a painful condition that or surgery is recommended. Rive Nord is
involves the swelling and It is best not to ignore any the largest
inflammation of a nerve located foot pain. Consult one of our podiatry clinic
between the bones at the ball of the podiatrists if you experience a on the North Shore and the only
foot. The most common area for a burning sensation in the ball of your clinic with a fully equipped surgical
Morton’s neuroma is between your foot that is not improving even with room, xray machine and Cutera
third and fourth toes. Common change of footwear and a reduction Genesis Plus Laser (fungal nails) on
sensations include a “burning” in the activities that may cause site.
sharp pain on the bottom of the foot stress to your feet. At Clinique For more information or
or the sensation of standing on a Podiatrique Rive Nord (est. 1998), appointment please call (450) 979-
pebble or a fold in your sock. Your ALL our care is provided by 0303 (260 Grande Cote, Rosemere
toes may also sting, burn or feel podiatrists regardless of the nature near the train station).
numb. of your problem. We
A Morton’s neuroma may are extremely proud
result from an of our fee schedule
irritation, pressure which allows our
or injury. This services to be
means that the accessed by a wider
g r o w t h o f population. Our
thickened nerve team is dedicated to
tissue (neuroma) is providing a high
part of your body’s level of patient care
response to the and services with a
irritation or injury. work schedule that
The risk accommodates even
factors for developing a Morton’s the busiest of
neuroma include improper, individuals and
constrictive footwear that families. We are
excessively binds the forefoot. Foot pleased to inform
deformities such as bunions, you that the vast
hammertoes, flatfeet or excessive majority of our new
flexibility and high impact athletic patients are referred
activities may also subject the foot to us by other
to repetitive trauma (eg: Jogging or patients or health
running). This condition is common practitioners. Thank
in women and could be a result of you for your trust.
wearing high heels. Dr Martin Scutt,
podiatrist
year. dormant viruses or spywares. Anyway
ACS’s TIPS AND TRICKS TO
Use an Authentic Windows and Mi- pirating and/or copying software is ille-
KEEP YOUR COMPUTERS IN TIP
crosoft Office Suite which are capable of gal – Prefer Shareware or Open Source
TOP SHAPE updates and tech support and are free Software.
By Daniel Gingras, Consultant & General of dormant menaces. Be attentive when updating your
I.T. Manager A new version and/or re-installation Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader or Java or
Install an anti-virus or better yet a of Windows or other operating system others. There is more than likely an op-
full security suite that includes a fire- on a 2- or 3-year-old personal computer tional download already tagged on. All
wall and other security modules and (PC) is sometimes a good solution, but you have to do is “UNCHECK” the al-
keep it up to date. Some internet ser- this is on a per case basis. See your ready checked check-box to prevent
vice providers (ISPs) can supply you friendly neighborhood I.T. Specialist. downloading the Tag-On software (i.e.:
with a security service at 7$ or 8$ per Beware of software downloaded/ free virus Scanner or toolbar that you
month that have proven problematic torrents/P2P(peer-to-peer) pirated or don’t need).
when issues do happen; plus they are delivered with a “KEYGEN” or
costly compared to one of the good anti “ACTIVATOR” from unsecured web-
cont’d p. 27
-virus programs that cost about 60$ per sites or private hosts. They often hide
Community Connections Page 6 December/January 2013
WELCOME basketball court were on display. great night, for information please
Mayor Marc Lauzon along with contact the hall at 450-473-5429 or
TO THE
Tom Whitton made a presentation Christine at 514-827-1361.
LIONS DEN
on behalf of the city for the work At this time the Heritage Club
By Nancy Ryder Bobby has done for the community. would like to wish you a very
It was also very nice that so many of Merry Christmas and all the very
We would like his friends, family and other best for the New Year.
to thank all organizations came out to support
those who came Bobby on his special night, he well Cultural Association of Deux
out to support our annual book fair. deserves it.
Montagnes:
All funds will go towards those in The Creative Seniors group is

need through out our community. going very well in the community.
Lions Linda Hogue and Heidi It takes many hands to keep up
Benk presented three scholarships great programs. The Heritage Club
to the graduating class at LTMHS. thanks you for all your hard work in
Yes, it is that time of year again. keeping people happy. For further
We will be selling our famous short information on the programs
bread and fruit cakes. Remember, Darlene Gargul can be contacted.
they make great last minute gifts for The group will be putting on a
those people you have a hard time Christmas show. I have to say the
finding gifts for. exercise trainer (Dale Hammond) is
Keep your calendar free on January special and she worries so much
26, 2013 for our annual winter about her students. For Halloween
carnival. Bring your family and she set a beautiful colourful table
friends and enjoy a fun-filled day of with all the harvest colours, made
activities. carrot soup, along with salads,
pumpkin and carrot cakes. It was
nice of her to spoil the group and
we all appreciate her concern for us. Cheerily face-painted and
October 27 - a Halloween dance costumed, happy children enjoyed
was held at the hall and the an evening of creating splendid
decorations including a tunnel faces for pumpkins at a pre-Hallowe’en
added to the atmosphere. Plans to party given at the Little Yellow School
include a pass for the children are in House by the Cultural Association of
the works for next year. Elegent Deux Montagnes. Early in November,
By Norma Lariviere Mess provided the music and many work began on the building’s roof,
The Heritage Club is still very scary costumes added to the night. thanks to proceeds from several
busy with all the new programs and Thanks to all those who supported fundraisers. The Association plans a
different events. The Monday night this event. panoply of cultural activities throughout
Dart League is well underway and November 3, Crib tournament – a the coming season.
they have purchased new boards so good afternoon of cards, the kitchen
there are no excuses for bad games. was open to serve the many players. Rosemere Vounteer Service
The kitchen is open for hungry November 18 – the Annual General
(RVS) presention
people to purchase hamburgers and Meeting – 4:00 pm all Members and
hot dogs. Thanks to Tom & June Non Members are invited to hear a
Fleck and occasionally Norma for report on past year with the club.
volunteering in the kitchen. To vote you must have been a paid
The hall is also rented for belly up Member
dancing on Tuesday evenings and November 25 – Grey Cup Party –
on Wednesdays for Line dancing. 4:00 pm – The kitchen was open to
Each 3rd Wednesday of the month provide some great Chili plus
there is BINGO at 1:00 pm. The hall Smoked Meat. We hope you
is opened at 12:00 pm for lunch. enjoyed the football game. RVS directors and staff giving a cheque
Sally and her helpers do a great job November and December every of $1000 each to two charities. They also
with the lunches. What a great way 2nd Friday it is Karaoke. No one has gave $500 each to two students for their
to spend a fun afternoon. made it to the Canadian or education. The staff at the RVS are all
We also had the chance to American Idol level so there is still volunteers and they do not
celebrate the basketball retirement some time. charge tax on the goods that are
party for Bobby Fordham put on by December 31 we will be holding a purchased there, as it is a non-
his family. The hall was well NEW YEAR’S EVE dinner and profit group. The shop is down the hill
decorated with plenty of good food dance, followed by a buffet after behind Rosemere Memorial
and great music to dance to. Many midnight. Music will be provided Church, opposite the elementary
pictures of Bobby’s past history by DJ Earl Flint and a band — Steve school .
through his 25 years at the Fiset’s group. It does sound like a
Community Connections Page 7 December/January 2013
It has been a busy Through his testimony, we learnt Laurin Liu, MP, House of Com-
fall, and I’ve taken that the Prime Minister's advisers mons, Canada.
great pleasure in twisted some arms to get
spending time in the Robert Abdallah, a man now ac- Or please contact me at:
community by go- cused of being part of a corruption Ottawa: Rm 784, Confederation
ing door-to-doors, scheme, appointed to a post with Building, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A
attending commu- the Port of Montreal. We also learnt 0A6,
nity events, and that Zambito and his partners put Tel.: [phone]
sharing special mo- thousands of dollars into Conserva-
ments with you (a tive coffers, namely contributing to Constituency: 172 St. Louis Street,
special shout-out to the election campaign of Conserva- St. Eustache, Quebec J7R 1Y7
the graduating class of Lake of Two tive Senator Carignan, who was a Tel.: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Mountains High School – one-third Conservative candidate at the time. Email: [email protected]
of whom graduated with Honours!). Stephen Harper owes Canadians an
Here are a few of the issues that explanation, and I’ll continue to call
have marked the fall Parliamentary for an end to the Conservative’s po-
session. litical culture of smoky rooms and
kick-backs for their friends. New Guy Bélisle Library

Tainted beef crisis: Can we opens in St. Eustache
Monster budget bill leaves Ca-
trust Ottawa?
nadians behind
The Conservatives’ response to our
country’s largest-ever tainted beef In mid-October, the Conservatives
crisis has many questioning delivered another monster budget
whether they can be trusted with bill—trying to force through 400-
that responsibility. plus pages of legislative changes.
It was American inspectors, not Ca- They’ve clearly learned nothing
nadian ones, who detected E.coli since the spring, when their last
bacteria in beef from Canada’s XL monster bill forced through 400-
Foods. And while the US moved to plus pages of harmful measures
ban all XL imports, it took Canada with little debate.
12 days to issue even a small recall. In this new bill, protections for
On September 25, Agriculture Min- thousands of Canadian waterways
The building offers a unique view of the
ister Gerry Ritz then tried to reas- are being cut so risky pipeline pro-
sure Canadians that no tainted beef jects won’t be subject to environ- Rivière des Mille Îles, exceptional
had reached consumers. The next mental review. The budget bill also brightness and a remarkable feature of
day, media began reporting on Ca- cuts $500-million per year from re-
places and spaces. Its architecture inte-
nadians falling ill from tainted meat. search and development.
grates several eco-friendly principles,
Canadians deserve better than a Visit http://www.laurinliu.ca/en/
government that tries to mislead petitions-2 for a copy of the petition relying first on the compact volumes,
them and that is incapable of ensur- calling on the Government on Can- the economy of energy and the use of
ing their safety. ada to halt this practice of introduc- quality materials ensures project sus-
ing omnibus legislation to avoid its
tainability.
Bringing integrity back to gov- democratic accountability to Cana-
ernment dians. Simply print, sign, and mail
to my parliamentary office – post-
Canadians look to Ottawa and see a age paid.
Prime Minister who promised to
clean up Parliament—but who’s Diamond Jubilee Medals
now too busy dodging scandals. In
Ottawa, my team has been fighting Finally, I’d like to extend my con-
hard to hold Mr. Harper account- gratulations to Harold Galley, Fran-
able. cis Hutchinson, Neil MacDonald,
Like many Quebecers, I have been Victor Smart and Bruce Vanier, who
following the proceedings of the were awarded the Queen's Dia- "The new building will be the bridge
Charbonneau Commission with mond Jubilee Medal for exemplary between the city and nature, between
great interest. Businessman Lino contributions to their community
the tranquility evoked by streams and
Zambito’s testimony lifted the veil and country.
the eventful life of the city. It will act as
on a system of collusion, kickbacks I invite you to contact me by e-
to the mafia and secret political fi- mail at [email protected] or by a flagship pavilion at the entrance to
nancing. sending a postage-paid letter to our municipality,” stated Mayor Caron.
The opinions expressed by Ms. Liu, Member of Parliament for Riviere-des-Mille-Iles, do not necessarily reflect those of the Community Connections
Community Connections Page 8 December/January 2013
ager Sylvia Schatrowski, the other
employees and volunteers answered
questions and saw that all visitors
were welcomed and informed.
4K OPEN HOUSE
By Gordon Wetmore
Photos by Doreen Draycott and Gordon
Wetmore

The scope of the activities and Myrna Jacobs and Stella Cox of the
services offered by or through the 4 United Church’s Out to Lunch program
Korners Family Resource Center is
astounding thanks to its myriad vol- What’s for Lunch nutrition pro-
unteers and miniscule staff of three Manager Sylvia Schatrowski is bracketed gram, and the caregiver’s project.
full-time and eight part-time em- Representatives from the Heri-
by Board of Directors members, Peter
ployees. tage Club were there to enrol people
Andreozzi and Colleen Baxter-Sullivan.
That became clear to the public for its wide range of fun and stimu-
on the evening of October 4 at the Visitors could sign up for ser- lating activities.
organization’s open house held at vices/activities given at the 4K or by In an interview with the Commu-
its newly renovated headquarters in organizations associated with the
Deux-Montagnes. 4K members and 4K. Sign-up tables were in every
interested citizens from the town room except the kitchen.
and surrounding communities Available to the public were
toured the children’s play cen- PANDA (for families with children
ter,and the conference room. with ADHD), Brain Waves
(tutoring), quilting, Women’s Time
Out, a diabetics support and exer-
cise group, the Fun Friends anxiety
prevention program (in association
Christine Neumayer demonstrating Tai Chi.
with seven schools).
nity Connections, Ms. Schatrowski
said that the 4K’s programs and ser-
vices extend throughout the Lauren-
tians. Recently it opened an office
in St. Agathe to provide information
about services available in English.
Children ‘s play center
The 4K also often partners with the
Lachute Learning Center for video
conferencing projects (see separate
story).
She said that the 4K would bring
the popular Honky Tonk Road
Lisa Agombar of PANDA and Dale
Show to Deux Montagnes in late
Hammond of the diabetes exercise and
November as a fundraiser.
support group

The United
Church’s Tuesday
free lunch pro-
gram, computer
and painting
Conference Room courses, the TOPS
The kitchen (with its delicious weight control
snacks and beverages) and the group, scrapbook-
meeting rooms, all of which serve a ing, yoga, tai chi,
multitude of functions. the Growing with
Members of the Board of Directors, your Child mother
executive director Rola Helou, man- -tot program, the
Community Connections Page 9 December/January 2013
diences while the audiences
watched the presenters pro-
jected on walls or large screens.
At the 4K, 22 people took in
the morning program, Treating
Yourself Well with Diabetes,
and 17 experienced the after-
VIDEOCONFERENCING
noon’s presentation, Loving
AT 4K PERSONALIZES Your Feet. The technology for
the videoconferences was han-
INFORMATION
dled by Timothy Foreman, coor-
By Gordon Wetmore dinator with the Community
Photos by Tim Foreman and Sylvia Learning Center that operates
out of the Laurentian Regional
Schatrowski
High School in Lachute. He is
Thea Demmers Polito informing the videoconference
also on the 4K’s board of direc-
audience at the 4K about nutrition for diabetics.
tors.
The advantage of the interac-
tions made possible by the technol-
ogy became apparent to me when I improve balance. The atmosphere
dropped in on the Loving Your Feet was cordial and informal but the
session. Presenter Rachel Zecuis, information was detailed and spe-
R.N., foot care specialist, and Kelly cific.
Howarth, who helped demonstrate Many members of the audience
exercises, were leaning forward, ap- had attended the morning session
parently looking at monitors show- on diabetes as well. They com-
ing audiences at the viewing sites. mented that the session also had a
“Oh, that’s good,” Ms. Howarth personal, informal approach but
said. “I can see you doing it gave useful and easily understood
(exercising),” Ms. Zecuis added. information regarding diet and nu-
Timothy Foreman of the Community Learning The exchanges were warm, like trition. The presenter was Thea
Center in Lachute. friends talking to friends instead of Demmers Polito, PDt., M.Sc. Both
experts lecturing to mute receivers. sessions were moderated by Jo Ann
By partnering with Lachute’s To demonstrate a flexibility exercise, Jones.
Community Learning Center, the Ms. Howarth’s foot was elevated The two-hour video conferences
4K Family Resource Center gave and held by Ms. Zecuis. The camera were part of the CHSSN Commu-
access to local people to participate zoomed in so that only the foot nity Health Education Program.
in two interactive videoconferences could be seen.
on health matters at its Deux Mon- “Oh, dear,” Ms. Howarth said, “I
tagnes’ headquarters October 10. have a hole in my sock! No, two!
The programs were beamed out to No, three!”
eight sites throughout Quebec, in- By this time presenters and audi-
cluding Sept Iles and the Magdelan ence were laughing heartily. Then
Islands, from the Montreal Chil- with Ms. Howarth’s foot moving
dren’s Hospital. The presenters, ex- and Ms. Zecuis explaining, we all
perts in their fields, were able to see practised how to rotate our feet to
and interact with their scattered au- maintain flexibility in the ankle and
Community Connections Page 10 December/January 2013
duties with the same unshakable dedication Dear Andrew Barber,
OUR DIAMOND QUEEN that she has always shown, in good times
and in bad. On behalf of the Senate of Canada,
By Pastor John Thevenot As Canadians, we are a blessed people. please accept my congratulations on receiv-
While most great nations of the world have ing the Queen Elizabeth II - Diamond Jubi-
marked, each in its own way, the Diamond lee Medal. It was my sincere honour to be
A major milestone in the history of Can- Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, we can fully able to nominate you for this deserved
ada and of the Commonwealth has been participate, not as admiring onlookers, but award.
reached in 2012. Canada’s sovereign, as fully-participating members of the great
Queen Elizabeth II, has marked 60 years of family of nations who are privileged to call You were nominated for this prestigious
service to Canadians. While this joyous this admirable Sovereign our own. Queen honour in recognition of the significant con-
occasion has been duly noted and celebrated Elizabeth II has been a true friend of Can- tributions and achievements you have made
in great and small ways throughout Canada ada throughout the years and we are proud to your community and Canada. I com-
and throughout the Commonwealth and the to have her as our head of state. She has set mend you on your continued hard work and
world in general, it has been greeted with a an example of faithfulness, loyalty and duty dedication to the betterment of Canadian
relatively timid response here in the prov- that we admire greatly and that we would society.
ince of Québec. all do well to emulate. Long may she reign!
The great importance of our Queen’s This is a historic time for Canada and
Diamond Jubilee cannot be overstated. If Korea, and I am all the more thankful to all
Queen’s Medal
for no other reason, all Canadians should the community pioneers who tirelessly laid
reflect upon the fact that we who are alive By Emily Barber the foundation on which we stand. I am a
and able to witness this historic milestone direct beneficiary of their painstaking ef-
have certainly been smiled upon by history I am proud to say my forts and am proud to serve our community
itself. Only since Queen Victoria, Canada’s brother Andrew Peter Barber in the Senate of Canada.
first sovereign, celebrated her own Dia- has received a very special
mond Jubilee in 1897, have we as a people award from the Canadian The Honourable Yonah Martin,
been privileged to celebrate such an event Senate. Andy has worked Deputy Government Whip
marking 60 years of service by our Head of tirelessly with the Canadian
State. It is highly unlikely that our children Veterans Association and the
or grandchildren will ever live to experience HMCS Haida Project. He had

such an anniversary, and a Diamond Jubilee sailed on the HAIDA during
Donation to Veterans’ Hospital.
is an event that may not occur again for the Korean Conflict in the

hundreds of years. For that reason alone, 1950s.
we should certainly take time to reflect The Heritage Social Club presented a
upon the significance of this occasion. November is a time for check for $3975.00 to St Anne’s Veter-
In a day when genuine values are rapidly remembering our veterans, ans’ hospital from their annual softball
eroding, when the very foundations of soci- those who have left us already and those tournament.
ety are being shaken, when cynicism re- who are still here and working to keep the
garding government and politics is at an all- memories alive.
time high, we Canadians have been singu- The following congratulatory letter was
larly blessed to have received a gift of ines- sent to Andy from the Honourable Yonah
timable value, that of a head of state whose Martin, a Canadian Senator.
devotion to duty has been impeccable and
whose tireless effort to fulfill her multiple
functions with dignity and honour have re-
mained unparalleled.
While some might choose the path of
disdain for one born into such great wealth
and prestige, it should be remembered that
Queen Elizabeth II has gladly assumed her
role on the stage of history, not in the time Borrom row, left to right: The veterans are
and manner of her choosing, but rather as Mr. George Walsh, M. Paul-Èmile
providence has seen fit to bestow such upon Lemouche, M. Jean-Albert Leblanc.
her. Upon the death of her beloved father,
King George VI, the new Queen, while still Top row, left to right: Mr. Bob Fordham, Mr.
in the throes of shock and grief, promised Michael Neville, Mme Micheline St-Germain
solemnly to “always work to advance the (liason officer at Ste. Anne's Hospital),
happiness and prosperity of my peoples”. Mrs. Jessie Waldie, Mr. Paul Goyetche and
Sixty years later, we stand in awe of her Ms. Debbie Standing (Heritage Softball &
unwavering commitment to those words and Social Club).
can only wonder how someone who has

long ago reached the age at which most
would seek to retire from professional life,
should continue to perform her day to day