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April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 23

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Next edition April 29

PAGES 9 TO 17

Rotary Club pays tribute to amazing youth

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star

Petrie Island beach-goers practice proper social distancing as they take advantage of record high temperatures in the National Capital Region last Saturday. FRED SHERWIN PHOTO

The Rotary Club of Orléans handed out their 2021 Youth Awards on April 11, along with four academic scholarships worth $500 each.

The scholarship recipients included Grade 12 Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School student Mashkura Tathoye and Grade 10 École secondaire Béatrice-Desloges student Emma Beehler.

The other recipients were Aliya Karimjee and Maxime Malouf.

Tathoye volunteered with the Operation Ramsey Crisis relief team as an intake worker, creating hygiene packages for homeless youth of Operation Come Home, She was also instrumental in organizing mental health workshops for youth whose mental health has been impacted by COVID-19. As well,

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Masskura helped to keep electronic waste out of the landfill by collecting, recycling and distribute electronic equipment to local charities.

In addition to being an Honour Roll student at Béatrice-Desloges, Emma Beehler is a gifted musician whose instrument of choice is the alto sax. She is also a top achiever in regional cheerleading competitions.

Now in its sixth year, the Rotary Club of Orléans Youth Awards recognize young people who demonstrate outstanding leadership, courage, citizenship and community engagement while maintaining academic excellence.

The theme of this year’s awards was “COVID heroes”.

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Continued from page 1 Due to the pandemic, the ceremony was held virtually via Zoom to maximize participation by family and friends of the students while respecting and maintaining provincial COVID-19 guidelines and safety protocols.

There were 12 recipients in all, each of whom received a certificate and trophy in the days following the virtual ceremony.

The awards were divided into five categories: Citizenship, Commitment to Excellence, Leadership, Persistence and Resiliency.

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2 • April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24

Citizenship • Muhammad Qureshi • Austin Alexander • Maxime Malouf Perseverence • Madison White • Vincent Pelletier The Rotary Club of Orléans Youth Awards are open to youth between the ages of 14-18 years from Orléans and the surrounding area.

The young person must be nominated by video (2 minutes long) from someone who can attest to his or her character and is not a parent. (Ideally the nominations are done by a friend, teacher, Scout leader, coach, clergy, employer, etc.)

The COVID-19 edition of the awards presented an opportunity to recognize young people in the community who demonstrate outstanding strength of character during a challenging time.

East end sees 85 per cent increase in COVID cases

By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star The number of COVID-19 cases in Ottawa’s three east end wards nearly doubled during the two-week period between March 22 and April 5.

According to the last update of Ottawa Public Health’s COVID Ward Map, there were 263 cases reported in Orléans, Innes and Cumberland Wards between March 22 and April 5 – that’s 122 cases more than were reported during the previous two-week period between March 8 and March 22.

The number of reported cases in Orléans Ward increased from 50 to 73, while the number of reported cases in Innes Ward more than doubled, going from 32 to 66. The number of reported cases in Cumberland Ward also more than doubled going from 59 to 124.

City-wide there were 2,102 reported cases in Ottawa between March 22 and April 5, that’s more than double the number of cases from the two weeks previous when there were 1,040 reported cases.

The increase in reported cases is reflected in the number of active cases which currently sit at 2,411 as of 3 p.m., Friday April 10.

That’s a 25 per cent increase from the number

of active cases the week previous.

The average positivity rate for the sevenday period between April 2 and April 8 was 9.45 per cent which is the highest seven-day average positivity rate since the beginning of the pandemic.

The incidence rate, which is the second factor used to determine which zone a region is placed in, was 163.1 per 100,000 as of last Friday. The rate required to move back into the orange zone is 40 per 100,000 or lower.

The only positive number on Ottawa’s COVID dashboard is the reproduction rate which is a measure of the average number of secondary cases of the disease caused by a single infected person. The 7-day average as of Friday, April 10 was 1.20 which is down from 1.32 recorded on March 29.

Another leading indicator of the impact of the COVID-19 virus is the number of hospitalizations. On April 11, there were 81 people being treated for the coronavirus in Ottawa area hospitals, including 26 who are being treated in intensive care. Both figures are more than triple the number of hospitalizations and ICU cases just two short weeks ago when there were 26 and seven respectively and they are the highest number of hospitalizations and ICU cases

Number of new cases reported in east end wards between March 22 and April 5

Innes Ward 66 cases

since April 30 last year.

Eighty-three people have died in Ottawa from COVID-19 since Jan. 1, 13 of whom succumbed to the virus over the past two weeks, bringing the total number of COVID19 related deaths in Ottawa since the pandemic began to 475. Seventy-six per cent of the people who have died were over 80; 17 per cent were between 70 and 79; 10 per cent were between 60 and 69; and only three were under the age of 50.

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Orléans Ward 73 cases

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Among those people hospitalized since the pandemic began, only 32 have been under the age of 30, and only four people under the age of 30 have been in ICU. As the number of new cases continues to increase so have vaccinations – 33,403 vaccines were administered last week alone and another 4,650 doses have been administered since April 4. All told, 131,351 Ottawa residents have received at least one dose, while 24,992 have received two shots.

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April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24 • 3

Organized stupidity For weeks now I’ve been calling for the province to get the COVID-19 vaccines into the hands of family physicians.

Who better to triage their patients and get the vaccine into the arms of those who need it most? Who better, also, to deal with vaccine hesitancy than the family physician?

Up until now, the province has depended on a ground up approach, leaving it up to individuals to make their own appointments, starting with the over 80 crowd. It was quickly reduced to over 75 after just one week and then over 70 a week later still. One could be forgiven to think that the changes in the eligibility was a result of a successful vaccination campaign, but the actual reason was more dubious.

It turns out that thousands of seniors were either not getting the message, or they gave up trying to navigate the provincial booking system. So rather than risk wasting the vaccines, the province lowered the age of eligibility.

In the meantime, people in high risk groups with underlying health conditions weren’t able to get vaccinated at all.

The program also ignored people in those age groups who are riskadverse and didn’t bother to book an appointment at all – which brings me back to the family physicians.

If you did have some hesitancy about getting the vaccine, would you rather get advice from your family doctor, or from someone reading off a script getting paid $16.50 an hour?

I thought so.

When I posed the question about why family doctors haven’t been included in the first phase of the vaccine rollout on Facebook, the responses range from “they don’t want to do it” to the issue of keeping the vaccines at an extremely low temperature. When I tried to point out that neither the Ruddy Family YMCA, or the R.J. Kennedy Community Centre, or the Navan Memorial Arena, or the François Dupuis Recreation Centre – all of which have been providing vaccinations in the east end – were equipped with special freezers, I was met with the deafening sound of crickets.

It wasn’t until I talked to a retired family physician, who had a 30year practice in Orléans, that I found out the real reason – money.

As it turns out, it costs a lot more to have the doctors administer the vaccines than it does to have a public health nurse, or a pharmacist do it. However true that may be, it shouldn’t matter. Fortunately, the province recently announced that family physicians will be included in phase two of the rollout. Unfortunately, their dilly-dallying has resulted in hundreds of people getting sick and ending up in hospital than should have otherwise been the case.

Fred Sherwin, editor

Fredrick C. Sherwin, Editor & Publisher fsherwin@orleansstar.ca The Orléans Star is a bi-weekly publication distributed to 44,000 residences in Blackburn Hamlet, Orléans and Navan. The newspaper is locally owned and operated by Sherwin Publishing Inc., 745 Farmbrook Cres., Orléans, ON. Inquiries and delivery issues should be sent to info@orleansstar.ca.

4 • April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24

Ford government’s failures making devastating pandemic even worse Last week the Premier Ontario into it’s third advocating for guaranteed paid sick leave. This will lockdown since the beginning of the pandemic. The ensure workers, many on the frontline who do not measures put in place are needed but don’t go far have the means to go days without being paid, don’t enough to protect everyday Ontarians and don’t have to decided between paying the rent, or buying support our most vulnerable. groceries, and going to work with This lockdown, like so many or missing a shift to get Queen’s symptoms, other public health measures put in a COVID test.

Park place by the government, has been It is simply appalling that Doug too little, too late. His half-hearted Ford has continued to deny Ontario Corner half-measures have cost lives and workers the ability to isolate livelihoods. when they’re sick or awaiting test Stephen Blais First, the government blundered results. This has led to the spread of the vaccine rollout and didn’t give Ottawa it’s fair COVID-19 and ultimately this lockdown. share of vaccines. Ottawa has received almost 20 per This government’s inaction and failed rollout has cent fewer vaccines than our per capita share. I have needlessly dragged out this pandemic and forced yet been vocal in the legislature about ensuring Ottawa another lockdown on Ontario. In February, experts is not an afterthought for this government and that warned that opening up too soon would lead to a starts by ensuring Ottawa not only gets its fair share third wave. In fact, they called it a disaster – and now going forward, but the government makes up for we are seeing that disaster play out. This lockdown shortchanging our City during the first months of the could have been avoided if this government had acted vaccine rollout. diligently and put in place the recommendations that Small businesses have also been left behind by the have been echoed for months by both medical experts Premier. Many have been closed for months, many just and the opposition. spent tens of thousands of dollars to re-open only to What’s done is done and now we need to stay safe now face another lockdown. The government needs to and continue to respect public health guidelines. We triple the small business grant to provide desperately need to stay at home, wear a mask when we can’t and needed financial support for the hardest hit small help get the numbers under control. businesses – the small businesses that support our This has been a difficult year. We’ve all had life sports teams, community associations and make our turned upside down. But if each and every one of us community a great place to live. does our part, we’ll get through this and we’ll get Since the beginning of the pandemic we have been through it together.

The new normal is a still evolving and far from established “The new normal” has to be one of my least-liked concepts of the entire pandemic.

It has been used to try and normalize the never-ending cycle of closures and reopenings we have been experiencing for the past 12 months.

No one should accept what we’re going through as normal. What is the new normal is the existence of the virus itself. Most scientists agree that the COVID-19 virus and its various mutations and variants will be around for generations to come, or at least until another coronavirus replaces it.

One of the main factors in keeping the virus in circulation is the inability to vaccinate most of the world’s population in any sort of timely manner. The experts say it could take years to vaccinate many third-world countries in Africa, Central and South America and Asia. In the meantime, the virus will continue to mutate and spread around the world as the drug companies try to keep up with new vaccines.

In other words, even after we vaccinate our own population, the threat of new variants entering our country will exist. But we won’t be able to vaccinate everyone.

Vaccine hesitancy and the inability of some

Up Front Fred Sherwin people to take the vaccine due to health reasons will likely result in an 80 per cent vaccine rate at best.

The flu vaccine rate in past years has hovered around 42 per cent. Due to the added risk of complications from COVID-19, the coronavirus vaccine rate is expected to be much, much higher. But even if you are able to vaccinate 90 per cent of the population, that would still leave 100,000 people left vulnerable to the virus in Ottawa alone.

All of which to say people will continue to catch the virus, get sick and possibly even die from COVID-19 even after the first round of vaccines is over. That’s the new reality. That’s the new normal. At some point in time, we are going to have to accept that fact and deal with it, not by endless

shutdowns and restrictions every time there is a new outbreak, but by expanding the capacity of our hospitals in order to treat those who get sick.

There is a belief in some circles that the best way to get ride of COVID-19 is a strict extended lockdown combined with extensive testing similar to what they’ve done in New Zealand, Australia, South Korea and Taiwan. And while the strict measures have worked in allowing them to reopen their economies, including sporting events, they haven’t allowed them to reopen their countries. They all still have strict travel bans in place and will likely remain closed for several months with continued localized shutdowns every time a new outbreak occurs until they get the majority of their populations vaccinated, after which they will open up and COVID-19 will still be around only not in the news.

You are not going to eradicate COVID-19 like you did smallpox which took 200 years to get rid of.

Job one is getting as many people vaccinated as possible. Job two is the expansion of hospital capacity. And job three is creating our own R&D and production of vaccines.

Finally, we need to accept the fact that COVID-19 is here to stay. That means that people who either don’t want to get vaccinated, or can’t due to health reasons, must accept the risks that come with it.

The new normal for them may be wearing a mask 24/7, washing their vegetables after every trip to the supermarket and avoiding large crowds.

For for the rest of us, the new normal may include working from home more often and having to show your vaccination card before getting on a flight, but at least you will be able to fly.

The new normal may also include higher taxes to help pay for expanded hospital capacity and all those free vaccinations.

The cost of the free flu vaccine program is hard to pin down.

According to a report in the Globe & Mail dated Nov. 12 2009, the total cost of the program at that time was $1.9 billion.

But that was 12 years ago. Take inflation into account along with the fact that the COVID-19 vaccines cost more than the flu vaccine, double the vaccination rate, and you’re looking at several billion dollars a year. Welcome to the new normal.

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April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24 • 5

Afghanistan experience gives unique perspective on pandemic So, as of last week we entered our third lockdown of this pandemic. Is this demoralizing, frustrating and sad? Yes. But this isn’t time to let our guard down, because with increased vaccinations, this is coming to an end sooner than later. We are going to beat this.

I’ve been reflecting on the first time I was under lockdown when I was overseas. I served in small combat outposts in the volatile south of Afghanistan.

We left our outpost only to conduct patrols, engage with community leaders or gather water to wash. We built the outpost, took turns in the tower and planned operations.

During the bit of downtime we had, many of us read, worked out with our makeshift gym, played cards, or chatted. Granted, I had 24 people locked down with me, I still see a lot of similarities.

I’m lonely even though I am not alone because I miss talking to my friends and

family in person. I only leave the house for essential reasons and ensure I am wearing what I need to protect myself, and there is something seemingly invisible that can harm me and those I love outside of these walls.

I spend any extra time working on my house because this is all I get to see from day to day.

And I am tired. Very, very tired.

I learned that even the most difficult situations eventually come to an end, that my actions influenced others, and that positivity can carry you through anything.

It can be very easy to give into the negative feelings and post vitriol online, get wrapped up in conspiracy theories, or to be unkind to someone because we are frustrated. But we must not give in to what is easy. We can do better than that. We are better than that. Let’s be a light in the darkness and hang tight with the basics so we can get back to normal.

Councillor urges residents to stay vigilant against coronavirus Last week, following the provincial quickly as our circumstances allow. announcement of the stay-at-home order, I As we know, these restrictions are shared that I can no longer find new words to devastating for our local businesses, so I express how difficult and urge you to support local discouraging this is for as much as you can. The Catherine east end is full of great everyone.

We are all exhausted, places to order take-out Kitts frustrated and our food, shop online or patience has been tested use curb-side pick-up, to the breaking point. buy essential goods and Cumberland Ward 19 There is no debating more. I hope you will join how hard this has been and continues to me in supporting local businesses in a safe be – but we must stay the course. For the way. health and well-being of our loved ones and Finally, I cannot let the winter end withour community, we have to take these new out recognizing outstanding community COVID-19 variants seriously. We cannot let members – specifically volunteer rink our frustration win over our compassion. operators, trail helpers and Ski Heritage East There has been much concern with both groomers. During this past winter, outdoor the amount of vaccine our city has received recreation played a huge role in keeping our and the technical challenges experienced community mentally and physically healthy. with our provincial booking system, but Your commitment and dedication do not go thankfully our vaccine numbers have finally unnoticed and I know I speak for our entire increased, and distribution is expected to be community when I say I am incredibly gratesteady and predictable moving forward. ful for your work.

I remain immensely grateful to Ottawa As the weather warms and we find new Public Health, the city’s Emergency Opera- outdoor activities to keep us occupied, I tions Centre and all front-line workers for urge you to enjoy all recreation safely and their tireless work ensuring we are vaccin- to prioritize both your physical and mental ating as many residents as possible, as health.

6 • April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24

Unique ‘green’ wall planned for Orléans Health Hub Jean-Marc Pacelli The Orléans Star When the Orléans Health Hub opens early this summer on Mer Bleue Road, patients visiting the elderly services waiting room will be able to admire a serene green wall.

“This is a vertical garden made up of living and landscaped plants, which will be fed by an irrigation system,” explains Michel Gauthier, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Forget For a Moment Foundation, which is donating the 27 square meter wall.

The aim of the project is to bring nature inside for individuals who cannot go outside and for those whose state of health could potentially benefit from it.

The concept germinated in the mind of Jeannine Lafrenière, the founder and president emeritus of the Forget for a Moment Foundation, while she was undergoing medical treatment: “After spending many hours in a hospital waiting room following my cancer diagnosis, I wanted to bring nature inside health care facilities,” says Lafrenière. “If only there had been some greenery in the waiting room, it would have helped me immensely during what was a difficult and stressful time.”

Founded in 2012 and based in Ottawa, the Foundation wanted to produce something locally for some time now, having already created two walls in long-term care centers (CHSLD) in Gatineau.

“A living wall is not something that is easy to integrate into existing places. Our projects in Québec were smaller, so they posed fewer challenges. We approached the Montfort Hospital two years ago to see if it was possible to provide a larger wall before the construction of the Health Hub,” says Gauthier.

The final product, a monarch butterfly wing adorned with colored blown glass bubbles, will be a first in Canada and represents a gift the Health Hub officials could not refuse.

“Our patient-partners asked us to create a warm and inspired environment. of nature for the Orléans Health Hub. We told ourselves that this green wall would fit in well with the architectural design and the theme of the butterflies,” explains Geneviève Picard, communications director of the Montfort Hospital.

Ms. Picard also admits that she and her colleagues can’t wait to see the end result and find out the impact this wall will have on visitors to the Health Hub.

A 27m2 green wall representing a Monarch butterfly wing will be installed in the Orléans Health Hub. PHOTO SUPPLIED The wall will cost about $100,000, which the foundation is already in the process of raising.

“We created a virtual puzzle and we invite people to buy pieces to complete it,” says Gauthier, while explaining that people wishing to make a donation without buying a piece of puzzle can do so as well.

As of last Friday, the campaign had

already surpassed the halfway mark with more than $58,000 raised.

Gauthier is confident the Foundation will be able to achieve its fundraising target by the time the ribbon is cut to open the Health Hub. Donations can be made by visiting www. forgetforamoment.org/projects/orleanshealth-hub.

www.chezshawarma.com April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24 • 7

NEIGHBOURHOOD

U P D A T E Hi Neighbours, The roads are clear, spring is here, and crews are out cleaning, repairing streets. Soon, you’ll start to see our rollout of temporary traffic calming measures being installed to slow traffic down across the ward and road repairs will begin in earnest.

This year, we’ll finally see a resurfacing of St. Georges in Queenswood Heights, something I have been pushing for since 2018. We’ve got our new crossing guards out on Grey Nuns Dr. at Sundown and Charlemagne at Merkley. A new picnic shelter will be installed at Queenswood Ridge Park and more pathway renewals will get underway in Queenswood Heights (McEachern to Bourcier), Fallingbrook (Tenth Line to Thurlow), and the major pathway east of Caprihani Way along the creek. We’re spending more time than ever outside, and these investments will make the spaces more enjoyable to all. I am committed to continuing these renewals and investing in our parks and public spaces this year, so more to come on that!

COVID-19

Our Community Vaccination Clinic is open at the YMCA Orléans at 265 Centrum blvd. and as more vaccines are delivered to Ottawa, more appointments are available. You can book your appointment at Ontario.ca/bookvaccine or call 1-833943-3900. I have been frustrated by issues with the provincial booking system, but the city has been stepping up and getting vaccines into arms as quickly as possible. With our MPP Stephen Blais, we are bringing these concerns to the provincial government and to get them ironed out. The Orléans COVID testing clinic at Ray Friel Recreation Complex is open and continues to test residents. If you need to get tested, book an appointment at www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca

LRT Stage 2 in Orléans

Construction is well underway, and I have received a significant number of complaints from residents nearby about noise, vibrations and more. I’ve been working with KEV to minimise the impact of noise and vibrations. This may mean I deny them the permit to work at night. I cannot have significant disruptions all day only to have it so you cannot sleep at night. Something has to give, and I want you to know I am in your corner and will do everything I can to ensure you have some peace at night. This pandemic has been hard on all of our mental health, and I’m not prepared to let this project make things worse for us. In the coming months, you will see lane and ramp closures, detours in the community. Stay up to date by visiting www.ottawa.ca/stage2

Farmers Market

Great news: The Orléans Farmers Market is back again at the Ray Friel Recreation Complex, 1585 Tenth Line Rd for another summer season. The market will be launching Thursday, May 20, and will be running every Thursday until the end of October, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Support local and enjoy the fresh air!

n ! o o s g n i m Co

On a personal note, you may have heard Laura and I are expecting a baby girl in August! Libby is excited to be a big sister, but our dogs Norman and Elliot seem to be slightly less enthusiastic about it all. I’m sure they’ll love her when she arrives. At home, we have been busy getting everything ready for the new arrival. It’s tougher without the help of family, but we take the COVID-19 restrictions seriously and are hopeful with increased vaccination and continued mindfulness, we’ll have more help by the summer.

Michaël, Jordan, D’Arcy, Scott and I remain dedicated to serving you and are always available to take your calls, emails and messages, so never hesitate to reach out at 613-580-2471 or to send me an email to matt.luloff@ottawa.ca. We love hearing from you and are always ready to help solve any issues you may be facing.

Again, I miss you all – but I’m only a call away. Reach out any time. Now, on with the rest of the newsletter!

Councillor, Ward 1 Orléans (613) 580-2471 // Matt.Luloff@ottawa.ca // www.MatthewLuloff.ca 8 • April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24

April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24 • 9

2019 Kids’ Camps WHY YOU SHOULD SEND YOUR TEEN TO CAMP (REALLY!) DAY CAMP #1 No sleeping in until noon.

SLEEP-AWAY CAMP #1 Your grocery bill.

Enough said.

#2 No Wi-Fi!

#3

A6 • February A4 Orléans Star 15, -2018 Kid's• Camp Volume Guide 32, No. 21

You don’t have to listen to “I’m bored.”

#4 No “Can you drive me to ________?”

10 • April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24

#2 Do you really want your teen to play video games all summer?

#3 Will you miss wet towels on the floor?

Probably not.

#4 “There’s nothing to doooooo...”

WOW! What a crazy year! Going to see live music has literally been shut down but there has never been more of a need to listen, enjoy and participate in music. Social interaction, learning a skill and building confidence are all reasons for you to engage in music lessons.

School of Rock went 100% remote when lockdown hit in March 2020 and since then we have been providing all of our programs both remote and at the school depending on the restrictions in place. With over 2,500 square feet in our school including six lesson rooms plus two rehearsal rooms, School of Rock ensures that students are taught in a safe and fun environment. We offer programs for all levels and all ages and if you would prefer to have your lessons remotely via Zoom we are happy to accommodate.

Our patented results-driven programs combine one on one lessons with group band practices, making School of Rock the ultimate music school for kids and adults.

The one-week day camps are a great way to be introduced to the school. No experience is needed and students will enjoy the thrill of playing in a band. Last year we offered more camps than ever but to ensure social distancing they were smaller in size. We sold out and we hope to do that again this year.

So, if you are looking for a great activity for your kids, whether it’s one of our programs or a camp, or you yourself are interested in our adult program then give us a call. We

offer a free first lesson to ensure that this is a good fit and all of our programs run month to month with no long-term commitment.

You can contact us as orleans@schoolofrock.com, call us at 613-841-8118 or check out programs, camps, news and resources (like how to tune your guitar) at https://locations.schoolofrock.com/orleans

April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24 • 11

Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star Ontario kids should be able to return to summer camp this year after the COVID pandemic kiboshed summer camps all of last summer.

After some heavy duty lobbying by the Ontario Camps Association, the Ontario government has given its conditional approval to allow some summer camps to operate this year under the condition that case counts are kept relatively in check and there are no major outbreaks.

For their part, both sleepover and daycamp summer camps are making plans to implement a set of stringent protocols still being discussed between the Ontario Camps Association COVID-19 task force and Ontario Public Health.

Among the measures still being discussed is testing for campers and staff at sleepover camps; what happens in the event of an outbreak at a camp; and whether or not camp staff will be able to get vaccinated before the camps start.

According to a study done in the United

States last year, there was barely any difference between sleepover camps and day camps in terms of the risk of a possible outbreak.

Many camps are already taking reservations for this summer, however, spots are limited due to the COVID-19 protocols which limit the number of campers per session.

Despite having fewer campers, it’s still better than the alternative for camp operators who had to dip into their reserves or take advantage of government lending programs in order to put themselves into a position to reopen this year.

Guardedly optimistic would be the best way to describe how most operators feel as they look forward to the summer.

The hope is that the current stay-at-home order will drive the number of infections back down, as was the case last spring, and that the warmer weather will keep them down as was also the case last summer before the kids headed back to school in September.

The biggest fear for operators that is

12 • April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24

FACEBOOK PHOTO

Ontario gives conditional approval to summer camps in 2021

largely unspoken is the potential for the province implement another shut them down on a moment’s notice should there be another COVID wave during the summer.

However, most experts agree that a summer shutdown is highly unlikely as more and more people get vaccinated against the virus over the coming weeks and months.

The argument to allow camps to operate this summer is that the benefits to a child’s

mental and physical well-being far outweigh the extremely rare chance they will contract the virus while at an outdoor camp.

Kids are much more at risk of catching the virus at home than they are in an outdoor day camp environment, especially with the various protocols in place including prescreening, social distancing, and mandatory mask wearing. In the end, the decision to go to camp is up to each individual family.

Count Smart:

Your Count child maybe eligible for Smart: Tax YourDisability child may beCredit eligible for

If your child has learning or behavioural difficulties that affect them daily, you may be eligible for the Disability Tax If your Government child has learning or behavioural Credit Refund.

Many difficulties that the affect them daily, you may children meet criteria, but parents be eligible for that the Disability Tax are unaware this credit is Credit available Government Refund. Many children meet to them. This credit is also available for the criteria, but parents are unaware that adults that have difficulty completing this credit is available to them. This credit everyday tasks.

people think the eligibility is based on

their annual income, however this is Disability Tax Credit not the case.

is also available for adults who have difficulty completing everyday tasks.

Refunds Refunds can be generated in the can be generated in the thousands thousands depending on individual depending on individual circumstances.

circumstances.

toto Why choose chooseCount CountSmart SmartInc. Inc. advocate for advocate foryou? you?

It’s what file in in a It’s what we wedo! do!We Weassess assesseach each file confidential and respectful manner, and a confidential and respectful manner, have the experience to successfully navand have the experience to successfully igate the application from start to finish. navigate the application from start to We have generated thousands of dollars finish.

We for have generated thousands of in refunds people who have not dollars in refunds for people who have known this credit was available to them not known thismembers. credit was available or their family Many peopleto them or their family members.

Many think the eligibility is based on their annu-

al income, however this is not the case.

There are no applicable fees unless

you get a no refund.

We have There are applicable feesmore unlessthan you 15 years of experience andthan our success get a refund.

We have more 15 years rate is excellent. of experience and our success rate is excellent.

For those that have the Disability Taxthose Creditthat already For have approved the Disability Tax It is definitely worth having us review Credit already approved your previously approved application It is definitely worth having us review your as we often find additional refunds previously approved application as wethat often find additional were never paid out.refunds that were never paid out.

Have you been denied for the

Disability Tax Credit?

Have you been denied for the This is notTax uncommon.

Disability Credit? This is why This is not uncommon.

This isus why we do what we do. Contact at we do what we do. Contact uswe at 613-832-1777 613-832-1777 so that can advocate so forthat you!we can advocate for you!

While we weare arebased basedininOrléans, Orléans, Ontario, While Ontario, we provide provideservices servicesacross acrossCanada.

Canada.

Ottawa School of Theatre Ottawa School of Theatre and Summer Camp! Working and PLAYing together, students and Ottawa theatre professionals will build their virtual performance – a creative experience where characters and story ZOOM! The extra benefits of theatre study are countless! Self-confidence, public speaking, physical and spatial awareness, empathy, and self-awareness team building and on and on!

All camps will offer the following skills as possible on-line: Theatre games, Physical character, Voice and speech, Warm up techniques, Teambuilding, and Collaboration. Specialized camps; Talent Show, Shakespeare and Improv.

SUMMER 2021 THEATRE CAMPS! In French and English to ages 6-15 Ottawa School of Theatre is physically closed, but still in operation!

While theatre is meant to be in-person, we have adapted to Zooming! OST-ETO will be making well-loved summer camps available in a virtual camp environment;

Zooming together into summer theatre fun. This will require an internet connection, a computer (desktop, laptop or tablet with webcam / microphone), and enthusiasm.

The goal is to provide summer theatre that is rewarding, enriching and challenging; that is focused on encouraging participation, and that helps students try out new skills, all while keeping safe from covid.

The safety of teachers, staff and families always takes priority, resulting in the difficult decision to remain physically closed. Since March 2020, OST teachers and students have been getting together virtually, sharing talents and theatre skills.

Virtual Fun is better than No Fun at All! ZOOM into Summer Theatre Virtual, online Summer ACTing Camps Each camp will meet once per day (see specific times with each camp) for 1¼ hours, Monday to Friday.

Visit www.ost-eto.ca or call 613 580-2764 to leave a message.

• Learning/Behaviour difficulty • Obsessive compulsive disorder • ADD/ADHD • Oppositional defiant disorder • Asperger’s • Anxiety/depression • Autism • General anxiety disorder • Speaking difficulty • Developmentally delayed • Physical limitations and restrictions • Hearing or vision impairment And many more

April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24 • 13

There are many benefits to sending your child to camp There are hundreds of reasons for kids to go to camp. Here is a partial list followed by expert advice: 1. Make new friends (the number one outcome cited by children who attend camp).

2. Learn new physical skills (arts and crafts, sports, swimming, waterskiing, archery).

3. Learn new social skills (communication, leadership, teamwork).

4. Gain an appreciation of people’s different abilities (we are all gifted in some way or another).

5. Experience the feelings of love, safety, and security.

6. Enjoy being a kid and clowning around.

7. Experience the freedom to make choices, decisions, and mistakes.

8. Do chores without being paid (kids help to clean up after lunch and to keep the camp area clean).

9. Have one outstanding teacher (we have lots of the non-academic kind here).

10. See positive adult role models in a fun environment.

11. Experience a community where everyone is welcome regardless of race, colour or religion.

12. Learn how to swim (many camps provide daily swimming opportunities).

13. Receive praise for who she is and what she has accomplished (counselors do this all the time).

14. Turn off the television for a week (there are no TV’s at most camps).

15. To gain leadership skills (within a group of their peers).

16. Experience many things for the first time.

17. Build confidence in all the things they can do.

18. Feel comfortable being themselves (all personalities are encouraged and celebrated at camp).

19. Learn to adjust to new environments, various social situations.

20. Gain a greater sense of personal satisfaction, self-esteem, and leadership.

21. Develop personal habits that lead to a healthy lifestyle.

22. Discover and explore their interests, values and talents.

23. Participate on teams.

24. Take responsibility for others and help out.

25. Increase their problem-solving skills.

26. Meet a new circle of peers (outside of their school friends).

27. Create life-long friendships.

28. Learn to adjust to new environments.

29. Gain a greater sense of personal satisfaction and personal habits that lead to a healthy lifestyle.

30. Trust their own instincts and gain a sense of independence.

31. MOST IMPORTANTLY... to have fun.

A camp experience is without equal. Even those campers who during the school year have behavioural issues, difficulty concentrating or who cannot relate well to their peers are highly successful.

Camp is a place where strengths are reinforced, where people recognize and accept that all of us have varying abilities and talents. In so doing, each participant can applaud the efforts of peers. Feeling that support, the young person is willing to attempt more complex and challenging activities without the fear of failure. In this environment the “poor student” has an opportunity for recognition and leadership that may otherwise be denied. Camp is for every child regardless of talent and ability.

Each summer, it is evident by the smiles on their faces, and the laughter we hear that campers are extremely happy in the camp environment. They learn to be self reliant, cooperative, understanding and sensitive.

As part of a relatively small group they make friendships and establish bonds that will last a lifetime. And that, is what camp is all about.

issuu.com/orleansstar issuu.com/orleanais 14 • April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24

2019 Kids’ Camps

Tumblers Tumblers Gymnastics Gymnastics Centre Camps

certified coaching staff deliver an Full Day Camp (age 4+) 9am-4pm exciting weekly program of themed • 3 hoursthat of gymnastics daily in our activities will keep your child active fullydeveloping equippednew gymgymnastics skills. while • Fun & exciting themed activities each Full Day Camp (age 4+) 9am-4pm week • 3 hours of gymnastics daily in our • Pre-care and post-care included from fully equipped gym to 5:30pm • 7:30am Fun & exciting themed activities • Free camp each weekt-shirt with a full week • registration Pre-care and post-care included • Pizza onto Friday fromlunch 7:30am 5:30pm • Free camp t-shirt with a full week registration Half Day Camp (age 3+) 9am-12pm or •1pm Pizza lunch on Friday to 4pm

We offer 10 weeks of full day and half day summer programs for children 4-12 years of age. No gymnastics experience is necessary! Our NCCP certified We offer 10 weeks of full day and half coaching staff deliver an exciting weekday summer programs for children ly program ofage. themed activities that will 4-12 years of No gymnastics keep your child active while experience is necessary!

Ourdeveloping NCCP new gymnastics skills.

Half Day Camp (age 3+) 9am-12pm or Special Needs 1pm to 4pm We welcome children of varying needs Special Needs and abilities into our summer camp.

We welcome children of varying needs and abilities into our summer To learn more about programming camp.

For more information about for children with needs programming forspecial children withplease special contactplease us. needs, contact us. * All camp programs are subject to an * All camp membership programs arefee. subject to an annual annual membership fee.

National KidsSchool Camps The Cumbrae of Dancing

For 36 years, National Kids Camps has been providing unique March Break and summer day camps for kids across the Ottawa/Gatineau region.

Summer Dance Camp

in Orléans!

Last summer, we had over 1,000 kids With massive who were ablesnowbanks to share a everywhere, summer it’s hard to believe we’ll ever camp experience under strictsee COVID-19 summer again... but it won’t be too protocols and everyone worked really long until parents are scrambling to hard tokids keepinto everybody safe while get the those summer camps having a fun time! that always fill up!

The School of Dancing on ThisCumbrae year, we several exciting new St. Joseph Blvd offers an excellent, camps including the LEGENDary fun and affordable summer camp for Waves and Wheels Camp for kids kids July 8-12 and August 12-16. The 10-15 years of age. Each and camp will be classes are introductory include 16 campers per week. alimited varietytoofjust styles such as ballet, jazz, Activities will includemusical fishing,theatre, swimming, tap, contemporary, wakeboarding, paddle-boarding, tubing hip hop and Irish.

There are also crafts, costume design, dance photo and cycling.

Drop-off and pick shoots... up will snacks areBest even provided! be at the Western Plus hotel at 131 Laurier St. just over the McDonaldCartier bridge.

Other camp experiences include the Amazing Race Camp at Camp Fortune for kids age 8 to 14: Survivor Camp

which includes hiking, archery, paddleboarding, beach volleyball, swimming at Meech Lake and a series of physical/ Cumbrae has been a family-owned mental/food/immunity challenges; business in Orleans for over 30 years.

Wilderness Camp which includes The highly qualified instructors train paddle-boarding, kayaking, girls and boys in acanoeing, positive, nonfishing, outdoor skills training, swimcompetitive environment. ming at Meech Lake and a special day “Choosing a trip to LacCumbrae la Pêche;has andbeen Mountain wonderful decision for my daughter.

Bike Camp which is a fun-filled and She gets the best instruction and she is exciting way of exploring the great always eager to go to class! The summer outdoors camps are amazing – they have the perfect mix of fun and learning. The Our L.I.F.E. Leadership Campinfluence is our studio has been such a positive newest for kids The camp on both camp her dance and 10-17. her confidence – she loves dance and that all thanks is designed to teach the isqualities of to Cumbrae!” leadership, inclusion, and em— fairness Rachel (parent) pathy in a safe virtual environment.

Dance is for everyone –including come join our For more information, pricing, dance family! scheduling and a list of our COVID-19 policies we invite you to visit www. nationalkidscamps.com. Please be advised that in an effort to keep our campers and staff safe, space is limited so we encourage you to register early to not miss out.

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LAST YEAR HAD OVER 1000 CAMPERS RUN THROUGH OUR CAMPS WITH STRICT COVID-19 PROTOCOLS AND WE WERE 100% COVID-19 FREE. WE WILL HAVE LIFE GUARDS ON THE BOAT AT ALL TIME!

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Check out more National Kids Camps online! www.nationalkidscamps.com

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April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24 • 15

Orléans Star- Kid's Camp Guide • A11

MORE ES CR AF TS M A G E IN L O S T R A MP GYMNASTIC

Ages:

Club de gymnastique Les Sittelles

Après 40 ans, le Club de gymnastique Les Sittelles a plusieurs raisons de célébrer, notamment, nos racines dans la communauté francophone, ainsi que le dévouement et l’engagement de nos membres. Plus que tout, nous célébrons la réussite de nos athlètes, soit les centaines, voire milliers de personnes qui sont passées par le Club de gymnastique Les Sittelles et ont relevé des défis personnels.

Tant de choses ont changé depuis les débuts des Sittelles, pourtant notre vision et nos objectifs demeurent solidement tissés au sein du développement des habiletés physiques et mentales des jeunes, notamment en promouvant la participation, l’esprit d’équipe, la discipline personnelle, ainsi que l’atteinte d’objectifs personnels, le tout dans un environnement complètement francophone.

Visitez notre site Web pour en apprendre davantage sur l’historique du seul club de gymnastique francophone de tout l’Ontario et sur nos différents programmes récréatifs et compétitifs de gymnastique artistique et de trampoline.

En 1980, alors que les activités récréatives pour les familles de l’Est de l’Ontario étaient majoritairement en anglais, Marguerite Landriault, mère de 5 enfants, fonde le Club de gymnastique Les Sittelles.

Ottawa TFC Soccer Camps The Ottawa TFC soccer club will once again be holding a series of soccer camps this summer for youth age 7-12. The camps are designed to develop a player’s individual skills and help build the confidence needed to enjoy the beautiful game.

A half-day high performance camp will be held for youth age 13-18 at Millennium Park and Ottawa TFC clubhouse from July 5 to July 9. The cost is $175 per player. The camp is designed to model a national team training camp.

Two separate goal keeper camps will be held for U9 to U12 keepers from July 12 to July 16 at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School and Aug. 9-13 at Millennium Park. A high performance goal keeper camp will be held for U13 to U18 keepers from July 5-9 also at Millennium Park. The cost for each of the camps is $240 per player.

Ottawa TFC will also be holding a series of four half-day open Academy/competitive camps for U9-U12 players. The first camp will be held at Millennium Park from July 12-16 for players living in Orléans. The second camp will be held at Gloucester High School from July 19-23 for players living in Gloucester. Two additional camps will be held at Millennium Park from Aug. 9-13 and Gloucester High School from Aug. 16-20.

For more information about the Ottawa TFC summer camps or to register, visit ottawatfc.com/programs-and-camps/camps.

U13-U18 High-Performance Camp

High-performance camp modeled after a professional or national team training camp

Goal Keeper Camps Keeper-specific camps with our GK staff. Dates and time TBD

U9-U12 Academy/Competitive Open Camps – July

Half-day skills camps for any U9-U12 competitive or academy level players. Orléans Camp: July 12-16. Gloucester Camp: July 19-23.

U9-U12 Academy/Competitive Open Camps – August

Half-day skills camps for any U9-U12 competitive or academy level players. Orléans Camp: August 9-13. Gloucester Camp: August 16-20.

16 • April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24

City virtual and in-person Ottawa New Edinburgh Club’s activities for the summer Unique Summer Day Camps Summer days are here and the school holidays are just around the corner, which means it’s time to think about summer camps.

This year, the City of Ottawa will be offering COVID-modified Camp Summer Fun in-person day camps for ages four to 12 years old.

This year, there will be both in-person camps and a great selection of virtual options. The usual mix of fun and stimulating in-person camps will be on offer.

All programs are COVID-modified with all necessary safety precautions in place and siblings will be able to stay together.

Fitness, arts and crafts, games and all-around smiles and laughter will fill your child’s summer months.

If you are looking to entertain your child at home, then take a peek at the virtual activities the City has to offer.

They will include half-day activities from 9 to 11 am and 1 to 3 pm. This allows you to mix and match activities – maybe art in the morning and fitness in the afternoon. Of course, you can just pick half a day too.

There are lots of fun options to choose from. Take the time to sit down with your child and find out what interests them. This is a great opportunity to try something new.

Fitness, arts, science and general interest – there is something for everyone.

Go to ottawa.ca/recreation for more information on programs and registration.

Kids ages 7 to 17 can build skills while enjoying fun and friendship at ONEC’s summer full- or half-day camps, located just east of downtown on the Ottawa River. Tennis, sailing and rowing will be offered July 5 to September 3 in one- or two-week sessions taught by certified instructors, weekdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with optional extended dropoff and pick-up times. Lunches are provided on Fridays.

TENNIS (ages 7 to 17) – Participants learn stroke basics, game strategy, footwork and sportsmanship, or improve their skills. Fun, structured, off-court activities are also organized.

SAILING (ages 9 to 17) – ONEC’s Sailing Camps use the CANSail progressive certification from levels 1 to 4.

CANSail 1 may take a week or more; CANSail 2 takes two to three weeks; CANSail 3 and 4 each take four to six weeks.

The camp operates in one- to fourweek full-day modules; space is limited.

ROWING ADVENTURES (ages 11 to 17) Learn to Scull (LTS) teaches basic skills of stroke technique plus boat handling, water safety and balance. Instruction follows Row Canada’s Journey 1-2-3 program; Journey 1 and 2 certification may also be attained. Journey 1 takes about two half-day weeks, while Journey 2 takes an additional two halfday weeks.

10% EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT All camps are HST-exempt. Early booking discounts are offered for reservations paid by May 31, 2021. Full refunds (less credit card fees) will be given for camps cancelled by ONEC (including COVIDrelated reasons).

DETAILS AND ONLINE REGISTRATION: onec.ca/day-camps or phone 613746-8540.

THE OTTAWA NEW EDINBURGH CLUB Ottawa’s Waterfront Sports Centre

Find fun and friendship while building skills at ONEC’s unique

SUMMER DAY CAMPS TENNIS • SAILING • ROWING July 5 through September 3

Going bonkers with boredom?

Virtual summer camps Mix and match half days Information ottawa.ca/virtualprograms

One and Two Week Sessions; Full and Half Day for Ages 7 to 17; Certified Instructors; Extended Drop-off and Pick-up Times 10% DISCOUNT FOR PAID BOOKINGS RECEIVED BY MAY 31 Note: Full refund (less credit card fees) if camps are cancelled by ONEC (including COVID-related cancellations)

Details and Online Registration at onec.ca/day-camps or phone 613.746.8540 Follow us:

@OttawaNewEdinburghClub

@onec1883

#onec

ONEC Day Camps Ad / April 2021 Orleans Star / Image size 4.8”w x 5.5”h/ 4C / Cynthia Hamady at cyn.hamady@gmail.com for ad production inquiries

April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24 • 17

18 • April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

City releases COVID-19 Vaccine program extended economic recovery update to people 55 and over

OTTAWA – Ottawa residents 55 and over can book an appointment to receive their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine after the province extended its AstraZeneca vaccination program to the National Capital Region late last week. In the meantime, residents 60 and over have a choice between getting the AstraZeneca vaccine at a local pharmacy or the Pfizer vaccine at the Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA on Centrum Boulevard. Appointments to receive the vaccines can be made online by visiting Ontario.ca/ bookvaccine or by calling 1-833-943-3900 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week. When you book your first appointment, you will automatically be given a date and time to receive a second dose four months after the first. To date, more than 186,000 doses of the vaccines have been administered in Ottawa.

Transportation to the Ruddy Family YMCA-YWCA is available for people who can’t otherwise get to the clinic through Ottawa Community Transportation by calling 2-1-1.

City cancels in-person April Break day camps, virtual camps to go ahead

OTTAWA – Due to the province-wide stay-at-home order, all in-person April Break Day Camps that were originally scheduled from April 12 to 16 have been canceled. The virtual camp sessions will continue as scheduled and can be viewed at ottawa.ca/virtualprograms. Registrants for the in-person day camps will be contacted directly to be advised of the cancellation and refund process.

City parks to remain open during provincial stay-athome order

ORLÉANS – It may sound like an oxymoron, but the city’s parks will remain open during the provincial stay-at-home order to allow residents the opportunity to exercise outdoors. Outdoor exercise is not only allowed under the provincial stayat-home order, but recommended as it can contribute to a person’s overall physical and mental health. There are several caveats, however: Ottawa Public Health is recommending that face masks be worn while visiting a local park to protect against the new COVID-19 variants. The outdoor social gathering limit of 5 must also be adhered to.

Copies of Orléans road map are still available

ORLÉANS – Readers of the Orléans Star can still order a copy of the 2020 Orléans Road Map. The street map was produced by Sherwin Publishing Inc. and includes the various neighbourhoods of Orléans including Chapel Hill North and South, Convent Glen, Orléans Wood, Chateauneuf, Fallingbrook, Queenswood Heights and Avalon. To order your copy, simply send an email to editor@orleansstar.ca with your name and address.

NC – The City of Ottawa’s finance and economic development committee recently releasd an update on the COVID-19 Economic Recovery and Rebound Program, a plan to assist small businesses and help with the recovery of many sectors, including tourism, festivals and special events.

The city will shift it’s focus in 2021 to Ottawa’s economic rebound and efforts to advance a rebound framework with its economic development partners.

The committee approved the city’s 2020 operating results and disposition of any surplus or funding of any deficit in preparation for the year-end financial statements.

Analysis of the 2020 operations for tax and rate-supported city programs showed that Ottawa’s tax and rate supported services ended the year with a $17.6-million surplus.

While COVID-19 expenses did result in a deficit of $238.5 million, the full amount was recovered from provincial and federal

government COVID-19 funding.

Most of the surplus stems from cost-saving initiatives not related to the pandemic, such as a discretionary spending and hiring pause. The surplus returned to reserves could be used to help offset any additional unfunded COVID-19 pressures in 2021 or future budgets, if needed.

The committee approved temporary delegated authorities to Ottawa Markets, allowing the management body to establish a fee schedule for the upcoming outdoor market as well as the ability to accept and approve vendor applications.

Ottawa Markets also presented a series of new initiatives, including a Farmers First Policy and a new local farmer and producer only market on York Street in the Byward Market which will take place every Saturday from May to October.

The Farmers First Policy will give Ottawa area farmers preferred status over other vendors at the outdoor markets.

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JOIN TODAY! Support your local news today!

Email us to find out more info@orleansstar.ca April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24 • 19

Spring is in the air!

JOIN US! SPRING VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE Saturday May 1st 10am – 3pm

CONTINUUM OF CARE: INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE

Spring into Retirement Living at Willowbend Retirement Community.

Riverstone’s newest Retirement Community located in Orléans.

• New private suites in a vibrant community

Call Liette to book a virtual tour today!

• A variety of activities and specialized programming to keep our residents safe, happy and connected • Amenities include: saltwater fitness pool, café with piano lounge, fireside library, outdoor terrace with gazebo and raised garden beds

613-907-9200 | WillowbendRetirement.com | 1980 chem Trim Rd, Orléans 20 • April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24

At Willowbend, Spring is in the Air! Special to the Orléans Star It’s been a long hard winter for many residents of the Orléans community. The good news is that the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and spring is in the air! There is no better time than spring to consider Retirement Living for yourself or a loved one.

As part of Riverstone Retirement Communities, Willowbend provides our residents with an unmatched level of comfort, dignity, and style. We believe that everyone deserves to live an engaged, meaningful, and joyful life. Whatever your lifestyle or needs, Willowbend has options to suit you best, from Memory Care and Physical Assisted Living to Independent Living and Residential Care.

With our newly opened Memory Care floor, residents’ families can rest assured that their loved ones are living with the utmost care and comfort.

Our services are designed specifically for residents with dementia, providing enhanced care to help with all their everyday needs.

The large secure floor has a bright allseason sunroom, supervised private dining room, and private lounge with specialized

activity programs. When possible, residents can enjoy supervised outdoor activities and planned outings. And all the while, overseen by our trained healthcare staff.

For those who need help with daily living but not the extensive support of the Memory Care floor, there’s Willowbend’s Physical Assisted Living.

Residents receive assistance with dressing, grooming and hygiene, daily housekeeping, an escort to and from the private dining room, the managing of medications, and the coordination of select health-related services. They enjoy a private room with an easy step-in shower with a seat, as well as access to the floor’s supervised reclining bathing system. And healthcare staff are available at all times.

Willowbend also caters to those who live an active and independent lifestyle.

With our Independent Living, you have flexible meal plans to choose from, weekly housekeeping, fitness activities, games, and outings (when safe to do so), along with access to emergency nursing care, if needed.

Suites have a kitchenette with a full-sized refrigerator and microwave, and you can use the laundry facilities on your floor, as

The Willowbend Retirement Community is Orléans’ newest seniors residence, located at the corner of Trim and Innes Road. GRAPHIC SUPPLIED well as the underground garage. Plus, small pets are welcome.

And if you need a little bit more help day to day, Residential Care includes all the Independent Living services plus some helpful extras. You can enjoy daily room

tidying and bed-making, weekly personal laundry, and the administration and supervision of medication.

For more information about the Willowbend Retirement Community we ask you to visit www.willowbendretirement.com.

SPRING VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE

Join us Saturday, May 1st 10am–3pm for our Spring Virtual Open House To register for the Spring Virtual Open House contact Liette at 613-907-9200 or visit us at WillowbendRetirement.com April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24 • 21

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS! The restaurants shown on this page are operating in accordance with Ontario's State of Emergency regulations and are open for take-out and delivery.

22 • April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24

Orléans company provides disinfecting solution for small biz One of the biggest controversies during the COVID-19 pandemic is the degree to which it can be contracted through surface transfer – that is touching a surface that has already been touched by a person with virus.

Individuals and businesses have spent countless hours cleaning and disinfecting surfaces using commercial chemical products at great expense to avoid any possibility the surface might be a weigh station for the coronavirus.

Some grocery stores clean and disinfect their checkout lane conveyor belts after every customer. This is wonderful for the manufacturers of the cleaning products, but it is an extremely inefficient practice for the store owners not to mention a health risk to the employees who have to continually breath in the disinfecting solution.

Enter Microbes Solutions, an Orléans based company founded and owned by Kevin Richardson.

Microbes Solutions uses NanoSeptic technology which uses utilizes mineral nano-

crystals that create a powerful oxidation reaction when exposed to light.

Working 24/7, the NanoSeptic technology continuously disinfects without having to continuously clean. Unlike traditional disinfectants and cleaners, the NanoSeptic surface uses no poisons, heavy metals or chemicals. Nothing is released from the surface since the nanocrystals are molecularly bonded to the materials.

Light activated cleaning means continuously self-cleaning surfaces. NanoSeptic skins and mats use safe, non-toxic materials that turn dirty, high traffic touch points into visibly clean surfaces.

Microbes Solution products are ideal for high traffic touch points such as doors, counters and handles in small businesses, restaurants, hotels, schools, health care establishments and travel environments.

They even make products for personal use including mouse pads, countertop

Microbes Solutions make desktop mats (left) and mouse pads (right) using NanoSeptic technology which continuously protects against COVID-19 microbes. PHOTOS SUPPLIED mats, travel mats, student desk mats and something called Cellf Defence which uses clear plastic feet that can be applied to the bottom of your laptop or cell phone to keep the devices off of contaminated surfaces.

For devices with a touch screen, they sell clear, self-cleaning film that can be applied directly on top of the screen and are effective for up to 12 months.

To learn more about Microbes Solutions visit microbessolutions.ca.

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April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24 • 23

KEEPING OUR DISTANCE IS BRINGING US TOGETHER

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S H O P, T O U R A N D B U Y O N L I N E 24 • April 15, 2021 • Volume 35, No. 24