Honouring A Legacy of Strength and Courage

Mark your calendars! Graduates and staff of North Dundas District High School will be hosting a large reunion next August to celebrate the school’s 60th anniversary entitled “NDDHS60”.

The two-day event will take place over the 2023 August Long Weekend on Friday, August 4 and Saturday, August 5 and will replicate the successful 50th anniversary reunion by including events at both NDDHS and the Sam Ault Arena in Winchester. The weekend will include an Opening Night Wine & Cheese Reception in the NDDHS Gymnasium on Friday night, school tours and memory rooms during the day Saturday, followed by a roast beef buffet dinner and dance on the Arena floor Saturday evening.

“This is a great opportunity to bring everyone back to NDDHS for a walk down memory lane,” said

NDDHS Principal Mike Deighton. “It also provides an opportunity to fundraise for school improvements and beautification projects, while celebrating NDDHS’ history.”

A website has been officially launched at www. nddhs60.ca, along with a Facebook page (fb.com/ NDDHS60) that has over 1,000 followers already. Alumni and former staff can sign up to receive email updates when the agenda is finalized and registration is open.

“One of the keys for success is going to be word of mouth. We need people to help spread the news and promote the website and Facebook page,” said Co-Chairs Eric Duncan and Gina Jaquemet, both Class of 2005 graduates. “We were overwhelmed with the response at the 50th anniversary Reunion, and believe even more graduates and staff will join us next summer. We also chose a long weekend again so those visiting from out-of-town can spend more time visiting the area and reconnecting with friends and family while here.”

The NDDHS50 Reunion in 2013 was deemed a huge success with nearly 1,000 alumni and staff participating. Attendees came from all 10 Canadian provinces, over a dozen US states, and even as far away as Europe.

For more information, please contact: Eric Duncan and Gina Jaquemet, NDDHS60 Co-Chairs (Class of 2005) info@NDDHS60.ca

The family and friends of Brian Fawcett are honouring his strength and courage through a thoughtful donation that will support patients at Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH). They have provided funds to purchase a specialized patient mattress for the Medical/Surgical Unit.

Brian’s wife Dianne shares the meaning behind this special gift: “Since Brian had Parkinson’s disease, we were going to have donations go to Parkinson's Canada, but chose WDMH instead because of the amazing care given to Brian. We wanted to give back and decided on a special mattress to help prevent bedsores. It will help many patients, 365 days a year.”

“I told Brian what we were doing, and I know he would have been pleased,” adds Dianne. “Brian went through a lot and he never complained or felt sorry for himself. Thank you to family and friends for your donations in Brian’s memory, David Lapier for collecting them, Kristen for working with us, and the nurses and doctors who took care of Brian (and me).”

“Our heartfelt thanks to Dianne and her family for thinking of the current and future patients during their time of loss,” notes Kristen Casselman, Managing Director, WDMH Foundation. “We are very touched that we were chosen as a charity of choice as a way to honour Brian's legacy of strength and courage, and as one way for his family, friends, and community to remember him.”

The specialized mattress costs $6,203.70.