Construction zones: Don’t forget the courtesy!

the traffic when they need to leave home.

Construction is usually a sign of much needed infrastructure upgrades, and an indication that local officials are taking seriously the maintenance required to keep streets and utilities functioning smoothly.

Winchester residents –and those who commute through Main Street West in Winchester – have seen such progress taking place over the last few weeks.

The Township announced last month that rolling lane closures could be expected on Main Street West beginning on May 15 and lasting until September 1. The work being completed is new sewer main construction. The work generally occurs between 7am and 5pm Monday to Friday, though it is expected that some lane closures will have to stay in place beyond these hours, as was the case recently with the street being cut open. A set of traffic lights is patrolling the busy one-lane area, with individual linked traffic control units at the end of each driveway to help residents navigate through

One resident who lives in the residential area on the north side of Main Street is speaking out regarding the traffic issues being caused not by the construction, but by the blocking of side streets and driveways by inconsiderate motorists. “Apparently, the community has forgotten that you shouldn’t park in front of a street entrance or driveway while waiting at the light,” said the resident who asked to remain anonymous. “The amount of times I have tried to get out of the end of my street and couldn’t because there’s a vehicle there is astronomical. Drivers can leave an opening for the road while waiting at their 3-minute light!”

The resident has no problem with construction and the progress that it brings, but feels that drivers are forgetting the basic tenets of common courtesy. For example, if motorists who are turning onto Main Street to head away from the construction zone could do so through an opening between waiting cars, it would prevent further congestion from the side streets and therefore make the commute into and out of town quicker for everyone.

“I get that the light is new, but seriously, the amount of individuals that are blocking driveways and ends of streets is sad,” the resident added. “As a community, we need to think of others and use common sense. Everyone is in a rush but at the end of the day you are hurrying up to wait!”

The construction on Main Street seems to be progressing well, though it has not been without setbacks.

Last week, on June 7, a water main was accidentally broken during construction, causing residents west of the LCBO on Main Street to be without water for a period of time. The water and sewer infrastructure in Winchester and Chesterville is aging and is being updated gradually as new developments are proposed and built. Those wishing to access the east side of Winchester without going through the construction zone can take the Winchester bypass on County Road 31 and enter town via St. Lawrence St., but so far, traffic delays from the construction have been minimal.

Forest fire smoke disrupts local life

be expected during overcast conditions.

Annual General Meeting

In-Person and Via Zoom

Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 6:30 PM

Dundas County Hospice

4353 County Rd 31, Williamsburg

If interested please call or e-mail the office.

Phone: 613-535-2215

E-mail: info@dundascountyhospice.ca

Jean Baker

A loving mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother, Jean Baker (nee Cumming) passed peacefully with her family by her side on May 27, 2023.

Beloved wife of the late Allan Baker, loving mother of Debbie (Jack Richardson), grandchildren; David Richardson (Ali), Steven Richardson (Ali), Lauren Richardson (Jason), Hayley Young (Frank), and great-grandchildren; Jack, William, and Chas. Predeceased by daughter and son-in-law, Dianne and Terry Young, brothers, Donald, Cameron, and sister, Evelyn Cumming.

Jean was born on June 9, 1932, to James and Althea Cumming. She was the youngest of four siblings and grew up on the family farm in Maxville, Ontario.

In 1949, Jean was crowned princess of the very first Maxville Highland Games. She was honoured to have represented her hometown. She went on to train as a Bell Telephone Operator stationed in Winchester, Ontario. Not long into this career, she would connect a call for a young man who would eventually become her life partner of 59 years.

Massive forest fires raging in Quebec and in the area of Calabogie caused major air quality problems throughout parts of Ontario and Quebec last week. Smoke from the forest fires became visible to the naked eye in the areas of Kemptville and Winchester on June 5. At that time, the haze seemed relatively minor, and resembled the kind of airborne smoke that might form by Brandon Mayer in a small area near a large local house or barn fire. Nevertheless, meteorologists from Environment Canada were already predicting that the smoke would get much worse, and they were right. By June 6, a thick smoky haze was visible everywhere outside, and the smoke worsened by June 7. The outdoors almost seemed to have a “yellow tint” during periods when the sun was out, and even without cloud cover, it was as dark outside as would

Area health units were advising against people going outside for measurable periods of time, particularly those with pre-existing conditions that make breathing difficult, such as asthma. Schools in the area suspended outdoor recesses and outdoor field trips “out of an abundance of caution”. In many schools, precautions included keeping windows closed and preventing students from lining up outside before boarding buses as well. The severity of the smoke was becoming so bad by June 6 that the UCDSB was beginning to cancel outdoor activities ahead of time.

Local youth and adult sport leagues were taking precautions as well. The North Dundas United Soccer Club cancelled practices and games on June 6, and then in the morning hours of June 7, pre-cancelled all events between June 7 and June 10. In Kemptville, a grand opening event for the new Crozier Park playground was postponed over health concerns.

By June 8, the air was much clearer, and activities were resuming as normal for the most part locally, though in areas such as Toronto, the air quality remained bad for a few more days.

Jean and Allan were married in 1955 and would begin their lives together on Allan’s family’s farm. Jean became an active partner raising, breeding, and showing purebred cattle. Together they were honoured with the Master Breeder award from the Holstein Association of Canada in 1984.

The farm would become the focal point of many memories the family, many friends, and neighbours would share together. Jean cherished these memories as people were the center of her world.

Jean was an active member of the Winchester United Church and United Church Women’s Group. She was an avid quilter, euchre player and loved to play the piano and sing.

In 2014, Jean moved to Rossland, BC to be closer to family. For the 9 years Jean lived in BC, she spent her time at Golden City Manor and Columbia View Lodge. Jean lived every day with a smile and had a kind word for all.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Columbia View Lodge for their care and compassion as well as Doctors Susan Benzer and Stephanie Cameron. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Jean’s name may be made to KBRH Health Foundation Columbia View Lodge Garden of Gratitude Project. This project will prioritize restoration of the three garden courtyard areas at CVL. To support this project, contact the KBRH Health Foundation at (250) 3643424 or visit www.kbrhhealthfoundation.ca to donate online.

Interment will be held on a later date at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville, Ontario. Kole Roth of Clark’s Funeral Services has been entrusted with arrangements.

You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s online register at www.clarksfuneral.ca

Dundas Manor inspires happiness and joy. But our building does not.

Dundas Manor is a place of joy and happiness, jokes, prayers, and peace. It is filled with activities, books, exercise, music, and balloon fights. Life at Dundas Manor is all about living – with care and compassion. From venturing out to local fairs to a toe-tapping fiddler in the living room, there is always something happening.

Dundas Manor...right now

Dundas Manor is warm and cozy – but it is also crowded and dated. It was built in 1978 for 60 residents. While 38 beds were added over the years, the kitchen, dining areas and gathering spaces didn’t change.

The dining space is so limited that some residents literally eat their meals in the hallway. Staff members work in offices that used to be closets. Two people can barely pass by one another in the narrow hallways. The building is deteriorating, and renovations are not practical or cost effective. It’s time for a brand new, larger, safe, and comfortable home.

The new Dundas Manor... because of you

The new home will have four resident home areas, called Homesteads. Each one will have a wonderful gathering space as well as beautiful outdoor gardens nearby. Hallway dining will be a thing of the past as there will be four large, bright dining rooms with enough space for everyone. All rooms in the new home will have only one or two residents – and everyone will have a window view, which is not the case now.

Current and future residents – and our local communities –rely on Dundas Manor to provide 24/7 care, 365 days a year. We need to keep caring for those residents in a new, safe Dundas Manor. They deserve nothing less.

For more information about the new Dundas Manor and the Expanding the Circle of Compassionate Care campaign, please visit www.dundasmanordream.ca or contact the WDMH Foundation team at 613-774-2422 ext. 6162 or 6169.

$11M OF $18M RAISED!

The estimated cost of the new building is $63 million. The provincial government is providing $45 million. Our campaign goal is $18 million. And we’re well on our way! To date, more than $11.1 million has been given by our generous community. Thank you!

Can you help? There are many ways you can give to turn this dream into a reality. For all the details, please visit www.dundasmanordream.ca or contact the WDMH Foundation team at 613-774-2422 ext. 6162 or 6169.

Proud to be a donor? Let others know!

We want to celebrate, thank and honour our donors’ incredible generosity by thanking you publicly. We realize that this type of recognition is a very personal choice. We also know it often inspires others to join you in giving.

Here are some of the ways that donors can choose to be recognized for their significant gifts:

Your name or family name published on the Donor Wall inside the new Dundas Manor.

Your name or family name on a beautifully designed metal laser-cut parking lot sign at the new home.

Your name or family name engraved in a brick in a retaining wall on the beautiful grounds of the new home.

You can name a public space in the new home.

Your name listed in our Impact Report.

To learn more about these opportunities, please visit www.dundasmanordream.ca.

¨ ✁

Dundas Manor has been a gift to our community for over 45 years. By choosing to invest in local health care, you are helping to ensure that the staff and volunteers at Dundas Manor can care for our residents and community for many years to come in a new home. Thank you so much for your support!

Donor Name(s) {person(s) or organization who paid for the gift}:

Name: Day Phone:

¨ Mr. ¨ Mrs. ¨ Mr. & Mrs. ¨ Dr. ¨ Ms. ¨ Miss Evening Phone:

Address: City:

Prov: Postal Code: Email:

#1 Give a Pledged Gift Over Time

Gift Amount

¨ Yes! I am proud to support the new Dundas Manor with a pledge of $

¨ I would like to make an initial payment of $ , leaving a balance of $

¨ No, I would prefer not to give an initial payment at this time.

¨ Payment(s) will begin on _________________________ on a basis for a period of _______________________________ or until _____________________________________(date).

#2 I Would Like to Support the New Dundas Manor Now with a Gift of $___________

Method of Payment

¨ By cheque or cash Please make payable to WDMH Foundation.

¨

Visa ¨ MasterCard ¨

Signature Date

¨ Regarding my annual or quarterly pledged gift, please send me an ¨ annual reminder or ¨ quarterly reminders

¨ Please deliver a campaign lawn sign to my address so that I can show my support and encourage others to give.

I can pick up my own campaign lawn sign at the Community Care Building, 530 Fred St, Winchester on Friday, June 16 from 1:30 – 4:30 pm

566 Louise Street Winchester, ON K0C 2K0 (613) 774-2422 x 6162 wdmhfoundation.ca foundation@wdmh.on.ca facebook.com/wdmhfoundation

Charitable Registration #: 89282 4368 RR0001

Thank you to everyone who has already made a donation to help build the new home. This has been a dream for the team at Dundas Manor for more than a decade and it is close to coming true. We can’t wait for moving day! We still need community support. Please join us by giving as generously as you can to help build the new Dundas Manor. Thank you!

Winchester: 473 Main St. 613-774-2832

Prescott: 270 Edward St. 613-925-5901

Morrisburg: Village Plaza 613-543-3731

Crysler: 12 Queen St. 613-987-2117 www.mcdougallinsurance.com