SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
THE
COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 51 ISSUE 19
DRAYTON, ONTARIO
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Wind storm wreaks havoc on region Township hires By Patrick Raftis director of assets and infrastructure MAPLETON – Strong winds, with gusts estimated at up to 120km/h struck the area on May 4, downing trees and power lines, damaging property, blocking roads and leaving area residents without power for varying stretches of time. Some residents in the Alma area were without power from 3:30pm on Friday until 4pm on Sunday after a hydro pole snapped on the 12th Line near Wellington Road 12, damaging a transformer. Following the storm, shingles could be seen missing from numerous houses around Mapleton. The storm caused widespread damage, and three deaths, two Milton men and a Hamilton resident, across Ontario. Hydro One reported as many as 180,000 customers were without power at various points in the storm. River Grand The Authority Conservation closure the announced of four parks, including Belwood Conservation Area and Elora Gorge Park, as well as sections of the Elora Cataract Trailway, due to downed trees, power lines and other safety concerns. In the Town of Minto, downed trees also caused
MAPLETON – The township has a new director of assets and infrastructure. Mayor Neil Driscoll introduced Mohammad Ammad at the April 24 council meeting. Ammad, who has been infrastructure coordinator in Renfrew County since 2012, has a masters degree in civil engineering from the University of Waterloo
Blown away - RIGHT: A hydro pole brought down a power line on the 12th Line of Mapleton during the windstorm on May 4. ABOVE: The storm blew the welcome sign down at the southern approach to Drayton. Many local residents were without power for hours due to the late afternoon storm. Environment Canada estimated wind speeds reached 120km/h. Photos by Caroline Sealey property damage and power outages. Many Harriston residents were without power from late afternoon until around 9pm Friday night, and many rural residents without power well into Saturday. firefighters Minto responded to a call for
Plans for buffering around new kennel outlined for council By Patrick Raftis
downed power lines on Regency Road near Drew around 4pm and dealt with a fire at a Harriston apartment complex later that evening. On May 7, the County of Wellington announced fees for wood debris from the May 4 wind storm will be waived through May 12 at county
waste facilities that accept wood waste: Riverstown, Harriston, Belwood and Aberfoyle. The county notes large loads of waste may be redirected to the Riverstown landfill. Check the county’s website for landfill hours and locations. - With files from Caroline Sealey
OCWA provides review of 2017 activity for Mapleton Township By Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – The Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), the township’s water and wastewater system operations contractor, presented council with a review of 2017 activity on April 24. OCWA business development manager Natalie Baker explained OCWA is Canada’s largest water and wastewater systems operator. The agency currently services 75 per cent of the existing outsource market in Ontario, with clients including municipalities, First Nations, industries and institutions. Province-wide, OCWA manages more than $20 billion in municipal infrastructure, including $4.4 million in water and wastewater
assets for Mapleton, which in 2017 renewed its contract with the company. Baker pointed out both Drayton and Moorefield water treatment systems received a 100% rating on inspections by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, with no non-compliances, in 2017. She also noted no noncompliance issues were revealed in external drinking water quality audits for both the Drayton and Moorefield water systems. In terms of asset management OCWA managed $213,900 in capital projects for Mapleton in 2017. The company also: - facilitated the installation of high efficiency blowers at the Drayton wastewater treatment facility; - completed full fire flow
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and a CET designation from the Ontario Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists. Driscoll said Ammad, who replaces previous infrastructure and asset manger Paul Hinsperger, has 10 years of asset management experience between his work with Renfew County and in private sector construction.
testing and hydrant identification in Drayton; and - installed a new supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system for Drayton water distribution and supply system. Out of a total of 299 work orders executed by OCWA on Mapleton’s behalf, 195 were preventative in nature, 87 were operational and 15 were corrective, Baker stated. One was related to capital while another was issued on an emergency basis. “Over the past year OCWA has assisted you with two weather-related flooding events,� Baker noted. She explained the agency has five emergency response teams located across the province that can be dispatched to help out when “additional support and equipment is required.�
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In response to a question from councillor Dennis Craven, Baker said the emergency response teams are generally able to be on the scene within one or two hours, while local operators are on hand within minutes to access any potential emergency situations. Mayor Neil Driscoll thanked the OCWA delegation for its efforts and results. “One hundred per cent compliance. That’s something that Mapleton was lacking in the past,� he said. “And since we’ve got everyone working together now it seems to work out a lot better. So thank you to you and your team for that.� Baker replied, “We really value the partnerships we have made in Mapleton.� Council accepted the report as information.
WEEKLY WAG
“Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.� - Winston Churchill
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MAPLETON – Plans for sound buffering on the site of a planned kennel in the township were presented to council on April 24. Jennifer and Bob Walter have applied for a zoning amendment to allow the creation of a kennel at a property on Concession 9 in former Peel Township. The applicants plan to use an existing 1,500 square foot shed on the 100 acre property for a dog kennel. The land is currently zoned agricultural and occupied by a dwelling, drive shed, two poultry barns and a shed. The proposed amendment would permit a commercial kennel to operate on a site-specific basis on the property. Current bylaws restrict the use in all zones unless specifically permitted by an amendment. At the April 10 meeting, council directed that appro-
priate sound buffering be included in a draft bylaw for the zoning amendment. In a report at the April 24 meeting, Wellington County senior planner Curtis Marshall indicated he had discussed fencing and buffering with the applicants. The report notes a two metre (6.7 feet) high steel fence has been installed along the entire outside of the dog runs. The fence extends to the edge of the agricultural field, which is tile drained, and the applicants have indicated they intend to also spray foam insulation along the inside of the fence once the weather gets warmer, Marshall stated. He noted planning staff recommend four pine trees should be planted along the side of a board fence on the property. “The applicant has explained that it would not SEE BUFFERING Âť 7
Candidates meetings set in Alma, Harriston PERTH-WELLINGTON – Three meetings in Wellington have been announced for Perth-Wellington candidates in the June 7 provincial election. The Alma Optimist Club will host a candidates meeting at the Optimist Hall in Alma on May 17 at 7:30pm. On May 29 at 2pm a meeting hosted by the Minto Retirees Association will
be held at the Harriston Community Centre. On May 29, the Wellington County Federation of Agriculture will host a candidates meeting in Kenilworth. So far, four parties have confirmed riding candidates in advance of the May 17 nomination deadline. Incumbent Progressive Conservative MPP Randy SEE ELECTION Âť 7
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2 | THE COMMUNITY NEWS | MAY 10, 2018
Local retired women teachers collect stuffed toys for hospital PALMERSTON - The Palmerston Branch of the Retired Women Teachers of Ontario held its meeting at Knox Presbyterian Church on April 27. Membership fees were collected and donations of stuffed toys were received and delivered to North Wellington Health Care. Colleen President Robertson welcomed Nancy Stanners as a new member. Colleen Robertson, Debra Kalb, Lynn Hodgins, Joanne
Matthews, Anne Darroch, Lynn Morrison, Oriole Blyth, and Joan woods will attend the RWTO convention at the Nottawasaga Inn in Alliston from June 5 to 7. Dorothy Reid will be honoured at the “Over 90s Luncheon” which will take place at the closing ceremony at the convention. Donna McFarlane presented a slide show concerning her work at Enelerai Primary School in Kenya. Guest speaker for the
afternoon was Sherry-Lynn McRobb, owner of Family Home Health Care Centre in Palmerston. The store specializes in a variety of mobility, medical, health and wellness, spiritual and foot care products, including installation of stair-lifts and grab bars to enable people to stay in their own homes. The next meeting is planned for May 25, at Knox Presbyterian Church in Palmerston.
Proceeds from the Alma Optimist April Beef Barbecue on April 27 went to Empowerment Day. The event, which brings motivational speakers, presenters and performers together to share powerful messages with Upper Grand District School Board youth, was held at the Sleeman Centre on May 3. Members of the Drayton Heights Public School Student Council are the originators of the event and students from the school volunteered at the barbecue. From left: Alma Optimist Jim deBock, Drayton Heights student Emma Gillespie, teacher Andy Speers and Centre Wellington Optimist Club member Jim Dandy. Submitted photo
Plans progressing for after school program in Palmerston By Patrick Raftis MINTO – The town is moving forward with plans for municipally-run after school programs for children in Palmerston and Harriston.
In a report at the April 24 council meeting, recreation services manager Matt Lubbers explained staff recommend a phased approach with a program being initiated in Palmerston in the
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first year and a program in Harriston added as demand warrants. In January council authorized staff to submit a proposal to the Upper Grand District School Board for provision of after-school programming for students in Grades 1 to 6. “The school board has notified the town that they are prepared to accept our proposal, subject to proof of insurance as well as proof of purchase of a service fee
subsidy agreement in good standing with the county prior to Aug. 31,” Lubbers stated in his report. Beginning last September, the provincial government required school boards across Ontario ensure the provision of before-and-after school programs in each elementary school for students in kindergarten to Grade 6 where there is sufficient demand. In his report, Lubbers noted registration revenue is
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expected to fluctuate based on attendance and a daily rate around $10 per child is being charged at nearby after school programs. Up to 15 students can be supervised by one staff person. Up to 30 are permitted in a program and would require two staff people. The report projects it would cost just under $23,000 to operate a program for up to 15 children at one location. Lubbers noted the program would have to grow from 12 children to 24 children to make operating two sites approach cost recovery. “Since the town operates summer and March Break programming with some success, some parents may choose a Minto option for their after school child care if it were available,” the report states. “The town anticipates some synergies between its current programming and the proposed after school program. Since Palmerston has more interest and would only have to grow a few children to approach cost recovery, the town could begin with Palmerston in 2018-19
and branch into Harriston in 2019-20. The intent would be to market the program over the spring and summer with availability for fall 2018.” An online survey conducted by the school board indicated eight students interested at Palmerston Public School and four at Minto-Clifford Public School in Harriston. Councillor Ron Faulkner said he knew of far more parents likely to be interested and was surprised at the small number of respondents. “Just in my son’s block alone, I think there were six new kids the last two years, new babies. How did they determine that?” Lubbers noted parents received an invitation to participate in the online survey. “Okay, never mind,” said Faulkner, upon being informed the survey was done online. “They don’t push it,” commented Mayor George Bridge. He noted he was confident participation numbers will be higher than the survey indicates. SEE AFTER SCHOOL » 7
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FRIDAY MAY 11 Friday Night League Men’s Slow Pitch Drayton A, 8:00pm, Outlaws vs Brewers Drayton A, 9:30pm, Colts vs Sunnyvale Moorefield, 9:00pm, Warriors vs Hawks TUESDAY MAY 15 Mapleton Ladies Slowpitch Drayton A, 7:30pm, Brew Jays vs Fusion Drayton A, 9:00pm, Pitches be Crazy vs Titans Moorefield A, 7:30pm, Hot Flashes vs Gators Moorefield A, 9:00pm, Red Sox vs WOW Moorefield B, 7:30pm, Swingers vs OTOM Moorefield B, 9:00pm, Panthers vs Matadors WEDNESDAY MAY 16 Mapleton Ladies Slow Pitch Drayton A, 9:00pm, Outkasts vs Hot Flashes Moorefield A, 9:00pm, Ball Busters vs Spirits Moorefield B, 9:00pm, Diamond Divas vs Cleats n’ Cleavage
COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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May 10 - Palmerston Blood Donor Clinic, 5-8pm. Palmerston Community Centre, 525 Cavan St. 120+ donors needed! Appts: 1-888-236-6283 or www.blood.ca. Walk ins welcome. May 11 - Family Fun Event, Alma Community Recreation Association, 5:30-7:30 pm Wallace Cumming Park and Alma Community Centre. Food, drinks, games, Wallace Cumming Park Master Plan survey results. May 12 - Alma Community Country Dance, 8-12pm. Alma Community Centre. Dance to Bill Beattie. All are welcome. May 12 - Elmira & District Hort Society Plant Sale, 8am-12pm, south parking lot, Woolwich Memorial Centre, 25 Snyder Ave. S, Elmira. Info: Marlene 519-669-2328. May 14 - Monthly meeting, Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society, 7:30pm. Drayton Agricultural Building, 49 Elm Street. Everyone welcome. Info: Arlie 519-638-3323.
May 15 - Monthly meeting, Drayton Legion, 8pm. 15 Elm Street. New members always welcome. May 18 - Euchre, Drayton Legion, 7:30pm. 15 Elm St. All welcome. May 19 - Opening soon, Selah Centre , 8am-12 noon. 24 Wood Street, Drayton. Stop in for coffee, cookies and a look around. May 21 - Drayton Blood Donor Clinic, 3:30-7:30pm. Community Christian School, 35 High St. 100 donors needed! Appointments 1-888-236-6283 or www.blood.ca. Walk-ins welcome. May 26 - Touch-A-Truck, 9am-1pm. Drayton Agricultural Hall parking lot, 49 Elm Street, Drayton. Mapleton Splash Pad fundraiser. Vendor sale, Splash Pad Design reveal. June 7 - Student art auction, Alma Public School, Alma 5:30 7pm. Proceeds to Groves Memorial Community Hospital.
MAY 10, 2018 | THE COMMUNITY NEWS | 3
County brings continuum of care concept discussion to Mapleton By Caroline Sealey DRAYTON - Mapleton Township residents were invited to participate in a discussion on the possibility of creating a seniors’ community adjacent to the Wellington Terrace long-term care facility on Wellington Road 18 in Aboyne. The information session and discussion, initiated by the County of Wellington and held on May 2 at the Drayton Reformed Church, was one of seven meetings throughout the county. Wellington County council on Feb. 22 directed staff to engage the services of a consultant to determine if there would be interest from the community to consider the development of a larger range of housing options for seniors in the county. Presenters at the May 2 meeting in Drayton included Wellington Terrace administrator Laura Holtom, SHS Consulting partner Ed Starr and SHS Consulting policy and research analyst Jan van Deursen. The purpose of the session was to: - demonstrate the need for more housing options for seniors in Wellington County; - show what seniors communities look like in different jurisdictions; - explore how seniors’ housing needs change as they age; and - develop of a deeper understanding of the need for a seniors’ continuum of care community and of what seniors would like to see in a
Seniors housing - Presenters at a continuum of care information and discussion meeting in Drayton on May 2 were, from left: SHS Consulting policy and research analyst Jan van Deursen, Wellington Terrace administrator Laura Holtom and SHS Consulting partner Ed Starr. Meetings are being held around the county on the possibility of the creation of a seniors’ community adjacent to Wellington Terrace in Aboyne. Photo by Caroline Sealey potential community. SHS Consulting found that in Wellington County: - seniors are the fastestgrowing population group and the population of seniors will continue to grow in the foreseeable future; - there are limited suitable housing options for seniors in the community; - current housing stock is focused on single family homes that are detached and semi-detached; and - vacancy rates for one and two bedroom apartments, as well as retirement homes, are decreasing. The consulting firm found a growing need for a more diverse range of housing options for seniors of all income levels in the county. Approximately 76% of seniors have paid off their
mortgage and are able to access other housing options when they become readily available in the community. Seniors who rent or those who have a mortgage, spend significant amounts of their income on housing and would benefit from more affordable housing options in the community. Holtom gave a brief description of long-term care today with a focus on The Wellington Terrace. “The Wellington Terrace has 176 beds in six resident home areas known as neighbourhoods,” Holtom explained. “A wait list of 300 names exists. We are proud to say that the Wellington Terrace is the home of choice by the Community Care Access Centre.”
Norwell students place fourth at DECA International event PALMERSTON - Peter Hildebrandt and Breanna MacDonald, along with staff advisor Betty Douglas, travelled to Atlanta, Georgia from April 20 to 26 to compete in DECA International. DECA is an international association of high school and college students and teachers of marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality, and marketing sales and service. The organization strives to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in high schools and colleges around the globe for careers. Hildebrandt and MacDonald competed at the Atlanta World Congress Centre in the Virtual Forensics Accounting category where they were evaluated on speed and accuracy. In the first round of competition, the team placed second to move them to the next round where they fell to seventh place overall. After a third round the pair placed fourth, allowing them to take the last spot in the finals against seven other teams. The pair finished fourth overall, coming in just milliseconds after the second and third place teams. They were awarded medals at the awards ceremony at the Mercedes Benz Stadium, home to the Atlanta Falcons football team. “The experience was awesome and both Peter and
Holtom also stated fulland part-time employees number 275, with 120 volunteers at the facility. The Wellington Terrace is located near the new Groves hospital site and the 20 acre site set aside for a possible continuum of care facility. SHS Consulting Partner Ed Starr explained, “Continuum of care provides housing with personalized supports based on the individual needs of the resident and offers a diverse range of housing and support options including long-term care, assisted living, accessible apartments and houses that are rentals or have life leases. We like to call them seniors’ campuses.” Starr stated these communities contain amenities that could include restaurants, swimming pools, gardens and have staff-run activities. The acreage set aside in Wellington County would allow residents to integrate into the community with access to Fergus and within easy reach of the library, new hospital and museum. Starr described a continuum of care facility, the Georgian Village in Penetanguishene. Situated in Simcoe County on 25 acres, the facility is a central recreation complex that houses a restaurant, worship centre, billiards, hair salon, convenience store and a library. The facil-
ity has long-term care beds, retirement and assisted living units, affordable housing units and life lease units. “Life lease units are individual bungalows that have an up front cost with residents guaranteed occupation as long as they wish.” Starr said. “Upon leaving the unit, the occupant receives fair market value for the unit.” Starr went on to explain a fee is charged for maintenance. Additional support care packages are available for housekeeping, nursing
and other services. Open discussions after the presentation allowed residents to offer input on the proposal. Comments included clarification about availability of a family doctor and the medical community and meal provision. Mapleton Township Mayor Neil Driscoll commented, “I don’t support the individual units. In my opinion those units should be left to the developers in each township. Is there the land base to build individual SEE SENIORS » 7
Annual Membership Fees Due by Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Individuals are invited to purchase their Annual Membership Fees for $5 each. Annual Members are entitled to one vote at any annual or special meeting held between June 1, 2018 to June 1, 2019. Annual Memberships can be purchased by contacting Mary MacDonald, Executive Assistant (519) 323-3333 ext. 2256 or (519) 343-2033 ext. 2256 or email: mmacdonald@nwhealthcare.ca
Township of Mapleton
Community Information Page
7275 Sideroad 16, P.O. Box 160, Drayton, ON N0G 1P0 Phone: 519-638-3313, Fax: 519-638-5113,
Toll Free: 1-800-385-7248 www.mapleton.ca
Alma Community Recreation Association (ACRA) Invites you to come join us for our
FAMILY FUN EVENT! Friday, May 11th, 2018 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Wallace Cumming Park & Alma Community Centre This event is supported by the Township of Mapleton 50/50 funding proposal.
SHINNY HOCKEY, TABLE HOCKEY, DISC GOLF, SCAVENGER HUNT IN THE PARK, PIECING THE PARK DEVELOPMENT PUZZLES DECA competitors - Norwell District Secondary School Grade 12 accounting students Peter Hildebrandt and Breanna MacDonald placed fourth in a DECA International Virtual Business Challenge held in Atlanta from April 20 to 26. Submitted photo Breanna should be very proud of their accomplishments and of their professional representation of Norwell,” said Douglas. On behalf of the school, Douglas also thanked the many organizations who helped fund the trip, including the Upper Grand
District School Board, Norwell Student Council, the Palmerston Lions Club, the Town of Minto, Paul Franklin Contracting and Mapleton Chamber of Commerce. DECA will run again in the new school year and new members are welcome.
Hot dogs, Drinks & Desserts available
(courtesy of Mapleton Township, Alma Optimist Club & ACRA)
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IMPORTANT DATES Tuesday, May 15
6:00 p.m. Mapleton Youth Action Council (MYAC) Meeting
Tuesday, May 22
1:00 p.m. Regular Meeting of Council
Tuesday, May 29
6:00 p.m. Mapleton Youth Action Council (MYAC) Meeting
4 | THE COMMUNITY NEWS | MAY 10, 2018
MPP critical of funding deal for horse racing
THE
COMMUNITY NEWS Published by W.H.A. Publications Limited P.O. Box 189, Drayton, Ontario, N0G 1P0 24 Wood St., Unit B, Drayton Telephone 519-638-3066 Fax 519-638-2875 drayton@wellingtonadvertiser.com Published on Thursdays Deadline: Monday at 10am Subscriptions $58.79 plus HST in Canada
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Community Christian School skippers raise $4,200 in Jump Rope For Heart Fundraiser
STAFF Office Manager: Caroline Sealey OFFICE HOURS: Monday 9am-12pm, Tuesday to Friday 9am-5pm DEADLINE: MONDAY 10AM
YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
EDITORIAL By Patrick Raftis
Greens envious Ontario’s 2018 election race got under way in earnest this past week, with the official writ dropping on May 9 sandwiched between leaders debates on May 7 in Toronto and May 11 in Parry Sound. Only one of those debates had been held as of the Community News deadline for this week’s issue and most analysts are calling it a wash, with no decisive blows struck by or against any of the major party leaders. While it won’t seem unusual to most observers, given that it’s been pretty much ever thus, televised leaders debates are all confined to Liberal, Progressive Conservative and New Democratic Party representatives. However, in Ontario, the Green Party could (and certainly tries to) make a case for inclusion based on the reality it is the only other party in the province that runs candidates in every riding and qualifies for per-vote subsidies by virtue of receiving at least two per cent of the vote (the Greens actually received nearly five per cent) in the last general election. Since taxpayers are paying for a portion of the party’s activities, maybe people should get to hear from them? While the subsidy eligibility criteria might be a good spot to draw the line on leaders’ debate participation, Elections Canada doesn’t get to decide; that’s handled by the media executives involved in hosting debates. With Green Party leader Mike Schreiner sitting out the Toronto deliberations, Conservative leader Doug Ford faced not a single question on climate change, although he has announced plans to fight what minimal provincial, and even federal efforts exist to combat it. Incredibly, he was also not seriously challenged on the debacle he created the previous week by immediately donning a hastily-constructed Greenbelt champion mantle after video surfaced of him promising slices of the protected tract of green space, farmland, forests, wetlands and watersheds to developers as a misguided solution to GTA housing woes. “Just farmers’ fields,” Ford called Greenbelt areas surrounding Toronto in remarks that created enough heat from both within and outside his own party that he retracted them through his very own simulated news agency Fordnation Live (coming soon to a Facebook post near you). “The people have spoken — we won’t touch the Greenbelt,” Ford stated, ignoring the irony that if the earlier video hadn’t leaked “the people” would not have had a chance to speak, or vote, on the matter at all. In addition, like Donald Trump, U.S. president and syntax assassin extraordinaire, if left to ramble long enough, Ford generally creates or exacerbates a bigger problem than the one he’s attempting to address. “There have been a lot of voices saying that they don’t want to touch the Greenbelt. I govern through the people; I don’t govern through government,” he spoke into the house organ microphone. Maybe it’s just me, but I kind of prefer that my politicians govern through government. That’s kind of why we bother to go to the trouble of having elections. If you win, you get to follow the rules of parliament to enact legislation and impact the lives of Ontarians. Not sure how you govern “through the people,” but it appears disturbingly likely we will soon find out.
Big fundraiser - The students and staff at Community Christian School in Drayton raised $4,200 for Jump Rope for Heart on April 27, greatly exceeding the goal of $1,000 the school had set for the event. ABOVE: From left: Participants included Judah Snieder, Quinn DeVries and Julia VanAnkum. LEFT: Tyler Vandenberg doing his part for the cause. Submitted photos
QUEEN’S PARK - PerthWellington MPP Randy Pettapiece, horse racing critic for the Progressive Conservative opposition, questioned the government about a 19-year funding agreement he says it is forcing on the Ontario horse racing industry – just before the start of an election campaign. “The Liberal government is trying to strong-arm the horse racing industry into accepting a deal that might hurt them in the long-run,” said the MPP during question period in the legislature. “Why is this government playing politics with horse people’s livelihoods, and pressuring them to sign onto a 19-year agreement in the final weeks before an election?” A press release from Pettapiece’s office explains that in 2012 the Liberal government cancelled the Slots at Racetrack program, “causing major damage and job losses” in the industry. According to Pettapiece, the government is once again imposing an agreement negotiated in secret without giving horse people a chance to provide meaningful input. He says the arbitrary May 1 cutoff only makes matters worse. “What happens if one or more racetracks refuse to sign?” asked Pettapiece. “Will the government cut off their funding?” In his response agriculture minister Jeff Leal said: “when you have insight in the horse racing industry in Ontario, it works on a cycle”; he further claimed: “anything shorter than 19 years, you don’t have the confidence in the industry.”
PFDs use stressed during Summer Safety Week OTTAWA - Water-related deaths aren’t preceded by a lot of warning. Drowning can happen in seconds. And fortunately, Canadians seem more aware of this fact in recent years and the statistics continue to trend in the right direction. In 2014, 428 people were reported as having drowned. This figure, according to the Chief Coroner and Medical Examiner’s office of Canada, is the lowest reported amount of water-related fatalities in 25 years. Despite the statistics demonstrating a gradual reduction, drowning continues to be a serious issue, being the third leading cause of unintentional fatalities worldwide. The Canada Safety Council marked this year’s National Summer Safety
Week, May 1 to 7, by reminding Canadians to exercise caution around water. Water safety, in general, can be a wide-reaching topic, the council states in a press release. Many factors play into each and every incident, including the use of personal floatation devices, the type of body of water, the victim’s age, gender and more. The activity on the water can also play a part, as well as whether the person ever had any intention of even being in the water. With all these elements at play, there’s a lot to unpack. The best place to start the discussion, then, is to focus on where the majority of drownings occur – during recreational activities. These account for 61 per cent of all drownings, with the most
common activities being walking/runswimming, ning/playing near water and boating, including kayaks, powerboats and fishing boats. Personal floatation devices (PFDs) are essential any time someone boards a boat. And while Canadian law requires a life jacket on board for each person on board, the Canada Safety Council highly recommends not only that the PFD be there, but that it be worn it at all times. “A PFD won’t help you if it’s sitting on the seat while you’ve fallen in the water,” the council states. When purchasing a PFD, make sure it’s approved either by Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard or Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Regularly check that
the fastening devices work properly and are unencumbered. Anyone planning on being around water should also invest in swimming lessons, the council recommends. “Aside from being an important life skill, knowing even the basics of swimming can make the difference in an emergency situation. Your children, too, should be taught to swim from a young age,” the organization states. “As proud members of the Canadian Drowning Prevention Coalition, the Canada Safety Council knows that drowning remains one of the most avoidable types of fatalities. It’s through awareness, education and pre-emptive safety measures that you can do your part to help keep drowning at bay.”
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MAY 10, 2018 | THE COMMUNITY NEWS | 5
MAPLETON MUSINGS Column courtesy of Mapleton Historical Society
Drayton Kinsmen celebrate 50 years of service This May marks the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Drayton Kinsmen club. In 1967, the local bank manager Micky Fletcher and businessman Walter Kieffer gathered a group of local young men and organized the Drayton Booster Club. The Harriston Kinsmen Club approached the new club and invited the members to become an affiliate of the Association of Kinsmen Clubs. They accepted the invitation and the Drayton Kinsmen Club was chartered in May 1968. The first chartered president was Robert McIntee. Two months into his term, he moved out of area. Larry Cherrey became the
president and served until 1969. From the very beginning, the club has had a “cando” attitude with the motto, “Serving the Community’s Greatest Needs,” which they have done well. The Kinsmen Club is a national organization with headquarters in Cambridge. The founder Hal A. Rogers served in the First World War at Vimy and was promoted to the rank of Corporal for his leadership skills. Gassed at the Passchendaele front (Ypres) and wounded at the Amiens front, Rogers returned home to Hamilton, Ontario in January, 1919. Rogers missed the camaraderie of army life so he approached the Rotary Club where his father was a member. The application was rejected because a once fundamen-
tal rule of the Rotarians was to only have one member from each employment classification. Rogers and his father were both salesman in the plumbing industry. At the age of 21, Rogers created a new club of like-minded men on Feb. 20, 1920 in Hamilton. Rogers visited the Drayton club. Of note John Green, one of the founding members of the Drayton club went on to be the national president. The Kin Canada clubs have donated more than one billion dollars to Canadian causes, communities and individuals in need as well as to disaster relief efforts beyond Canadian borders. It is important to highlight the first members of the club and note the various occupations they had. This brings
a tremendous skill set and the knowledge needed to tackle the many projects the Kinsmen have taken on. The founding members are as follows: John Green, machine operator; Tom Walker, county employee; Bob McIntee, implement salesman; Jerry Ellis, factory foreman; Larry Cherry, auto body mechanic; Glen Brunkard, service manager; Richard Brimblecombe, edge trimmer; Tom McFarlane, banker; Mike Ewart, auto body mechanic; Hugh Watt, assembler; Ron Ellis, account supervisor; Peter Ooseterveld, labourer; Clare Schieck, student school teacher; Jim Perkins, restaurant owner; Ed Roberston, truck driver; Gerrit Wimmenhove, insurance; Doug Groshaw, painter;
Ronald Johnson, accountant Royal Bank; Robert Kelley, contractor; Bruce Schieck, farmer; Warren Jack, barber. The Kinsmen club has dedicated many hours of hard work, spent countless hours planning new events and showing leadership in the Mapleton community. Mapleton residents may not realize how much money has been raised by the Kinsmen in their 50 years of active service, nor the number of hours the Kinsmen have volunteered. It can be easily stated that every person in this township has benefitted directly and indirectly by their work. Because it is their 50th year of service, the Kinsmen
Drayton Community Citizen’s Association
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Planting assist Spring planting - LEFT: Mapleton Township councilor Dennis Craven, left, assisted Gary and Debbie Oxby with tree pickup at the Green Legacy Tree Day on April 28 at the Mapleton Township municipal shed. BELOW LEFT: Mapleton Township employees Julia Croezen, left, and Sam Mitchell delivered food and cash donations collected at the Green Legacy event to the Drayton and Community Food Bank on May 1. Photos by Caroline Sealey
Club of Drayton is hosting a social and dinner on May 17 at the Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society Building. Any former Kinsmen is encouraged to contact Wayne Mick at waynemick1969@ gmail.com or text at 519-9933910 for tickets to the event. Tickets are $25 per person. Please thank the Kinsmen Club for all the work they have done to benefit Mapleton Township. The next article in the series on the Kinsmen will be on projects, events and community support. Submitted by Liz Samis of the Mapleton Historical Society Note: Part 4 of the newspaper series will continue in a future edition.
Annual Meeting Monday, May 14, 2018, 7:00pm at Jack Financial 11 Wellington Street, Drayton Requests for Funding
Groups and Organizations in Mapleton Township requesting financial support from the Drayton Community Citizen’s Association Please submit your written request for financial support by email to maryjdowney@msn.com
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Township backs call for provincial aid asset management aid By Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – Township council is backing a call for the province to fund development of tools to help municipalities collect and maintain asset management data. At the April 24 meeting, council endorsed a resolution from the council of the Township of Madawaska Valley urging Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Province of Ontario to provide adequate financial resources for both staff and infrastructure “to ensure successful compliance and implementation of the required municipal function for asset management planning in small, rural municipalities.”
The resolution from Madawaska notes “small, rural municipalities face significant resource capacity challenges in the collection and maintenance of accurate data for asset management planning” and suggests “standardized tools should be developed at the cost of
the provincial government.” The resolution also suggests the standardized tools should be piloted in a number of small rural municipalities with provincial government guidance and resources. Mapleton council passed the resolution unopposed, without comment.
GREGG DAVIDSON County Councillor, Ward 2 Mapleton
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6 | THE COMMUNITY NEWS | MAY 10, 2018
By Pastor Mark McCready Alma Bible Church
It’s a heart issue I still have a memory of the Columbine High School shooting. At least that is what we first called it. If you look it up on the internet, it is now listed as a massacre. Since that terrible tragedy, I have watched one after another, as school shootings have become all too common. The past couple of years though, something else has happened. People have begun not just using guns, but using vehicles as weapons. There are people now who use trucks, or vans, to drive into crowds in an effort to kill as many as they can. The Toronto van attack is just the most recent of these tragedies. Last I heard, in the Toronto incident, 10 people
were killed and 16 were injured, some critically. With all of these shootings, or mass killings with a vehicle, there has been a real lack of understanding as to why. When the Columbine shooting happened, there was a lot of discussion about the violence in video games, and how lonely the two shooters were. Since then, with all the additional school shootings, the discussion has shifted somewhat to focus more on guns, and how available they are and how we need more restrictions. All along the way, there has been discussion on the subject of mental health. I have my own opinion about violence in video games and, for that matter, on television. I also have some pretty strong opinions about gun laws. That is not
for this column. What really is at issue with all of these events, is not guns, video games or television, but instead the real issue is the human heart. As a pastor, it is my privilege to be able to work with all kinds of different people. The problems I see are about as varied as the people I meet. In some ways, no two situations are alike, and yet there are some very clear patterns. We live in a world where people are sick. At the root of most difficulties is a problem of the heart. In the book of Jeremiah, in the old testament, there is a statement: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). The problem of the heart is not new. In the New Testament,
there is a guy named Paul who was a missionary. He made it his goal to plant new churches, and then to help them along so they could thrive. But as Paul would make known, there was a huge problem. He talked about the problems of the heart. He talked about how we need to put aside “anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your (our) mouth.” (Col 3:8 ). In its place he says that we should “put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;” (Colossians 3:12-13). I wonder what our world would look like if we were able to really do this. A close look at our world will show you there is an awful lot of hate. The attacks on people we don’t like or disagree with are becoming more and more vicious.
If we don’t scream louder, we scream more often. We don’t hesitate to attack leaders and public figures while we hide in the shadows. We assume that we know best. We assume that we know how to fix other people and so we tear people down with our words, without giving any serious consideration to what it would be like to walk in their shoes. We allow our frustrations to boil, and our frustrations bloom into anger, and our anger into bitterness. The result is violence, not always physical, sometimes just verbal. But people get hurt. I am sure that, as we move forward, people will talk more about gun regulations, and some people will joke about implementing van regulations. I am also sure that we will talk more about
“bollards” or “concrete pillars” in hopes of better protecting pedestrians. But the real issue, the problem of the heart, will likely get lost. With all the angry people in this world, with all the gossip, with all the slander, what we really need to do is talk more about how to change the hearts of people. How can we get people to move past anger, and wrath? We need to talk about a transformation of the heart. Paul, who I mentioned earlier talks about a circumcision of the heart. A cutting of the hardened shell of our hearts, to expose the soft inner side. That is what we need. Only then will we see true transformation. Only then will we see an end to these terrible tragedies. What it will really take is the work of Jesus in the lives of people.
Community group to release park survey results at fun night
Showing their skills - The Drayton Heights Public School character animation team participated in the 2018 Skills Ontario Competition at the Toronto Congress Centre on May 7. From left: Clare Cashin (Grade 7), Eliana Marshall (Grade 7), Mackenzie Martin (Grade 7) and Austin Marcoux (Grade 7). Submitted photo
ALMA - The Alma Recreation Community Association (ACRA) is inviting local residents to a family fun event on May 11. The event, to be held at Wallace Cumming Park and the Alma Community Centre from 5:30 to 7:30pm, will include shinny hockey, table hockey, disc golf and a scavenger hunt in the park. Hot dogs, drinks and dessert will be provided courtesy of Mapleton Township, the Alma Optimist Club and the ACRA. Billed as the ACRA’s interactive annual meeting, the evening will include the release of results of the recent Wallace Cumming Park Master Plan Revisited – 2018 survey. Full reports
Survey results - Results of the Wallace Cumming Park Master Plan Revisited – 2018 survey conduced by the Alma Community Recreation Association will be released at a fun night at the park on May 11. Photo by Patrick Raftis and recommendations to be forwarded to the township of consideration in regard to future development at the
park will be available at the event, as well as online afterward. To obtain a copy email acra.alma2018@gmail.com.
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MAY 10, 2018 | THE COMMUNITY NEWS | 7
Seniors community concept considered by county huge amount of money has been spent on them. Money now needs to be directed into seniors housing.” He continued, “Funds need to be budgeted and planned ... as we need more seniors housing and
» FROM PAGE 3
units?” Driscoll added, “I congratulate the county on their foresight to plan ahead. “A lot of money has been put into libraries and they are a great resource but a
replacement of county works garages that we have outgrown “ The continuum of care process has five steps: desk research, community survey, community consultations,
“I think once people know what it is, and how much they are going be able to do it for, my concern would be we’ll get too many,” the mayor stated. Councillor Judy Dirksen asked if there was any room
for negotiation with the school board in the event of lower participation. Lubbers replied there should be “some room for negotiation” on areas such as the cost to the town to rent space from the schools to run the program.
be appropriate to plant any trees along the rear (east side) of the dog runs since this area is tile drained,” the report notes. The report also notes the applicants plan to install electronic bark control
devices in the dog runs. The devices emit an ultrasonic noise, which can’t be heard by humans but is irritating to dogs when barking is detected. Council directed staff to bring forward the draft bylaw at the next meeting.
Election activity getting underway » FROM PAGE 1
Pettapiece is standing for reelection. Stratford resident Michael O’Brien was uncontested for the nomination as the NDP candidate for the riding at an April 19 nomination meeting in Stratford. The Green Party has
nominated Wellington County native Lisa Oslen. Scott Marshall, a Harriston resident and a self-employed business consultant, is running for the Ontario Libertarian Party. A Liberal Party candidate has not been elected for the riding.
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WILTON, Bill passed away at Palmerston and District Hospital on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 in his 86th year. William Frederick ‘Bill’ Wilton was the husband of Marilyn (Torrance) Wilton of Moorefield, father of Major Kimberlee Wilton and her husband Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Desrochers of Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, and Kevin Wilton of Elmira, and grandfather of Averie and Irelyn. Brother of Cameron and Marge Wilton of Guelph, Chalmer and Lois Wilton of Belleville, and Ivadel and Tom Mann of Ottawa. Remembered by Marilyn’s family, and by his nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents George and Ada (Fair) Wilton, and by his sisters Daisy Armstrong, and Orian Wilton. Bill had a long and productive life, farming and raising a family he cared about very deeply. He farmed the same piece of soil his entire adult life with his wife Marilyn, over the 47 years that they were married. Farming is
RESIDENTIAL SIDING INSTALLERS WANTED
Buffering plan presented to council » FROM PAGE 1
being held around the county, at branches of the Wellington County library and online at www.wellington.ca/CofC. A final report will be presented to county council in June.
CLASSIFIEDS
After school program progressing » FROM PAGE 2
interim report and final report. Currently the process is at the community survey and community consultations steps. Surveys are available at one of the seven focus groups
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Contact: jeremy@rmwexteriors.com 519.669.1445 OBITUARIES BIEL, Hennie (nee Van Der Honing) of Drayton passed away peacefully at the Royal Terrace Nursing Home, Palmerston on Saturday, May 5, 2018 in her 89th year. Beloved wife of Rudy Biel for 65 years. Cherished mother of Heidi and John TeBrake of Fonthill, the late John Biel, Murray and Sue Biel of Ajax, Allan and Henriet Biel of Ridgetown, Rennie Biel of Arthur and Krista and Mike Valenta of Kanata. Grandmother of Rachel and Brent Bokma, Alisha and Jason Dreyer; Ben Biel, Zack Biel; Celina and Alan Pool, Naomi Biel and her fiancé Dan, Eden Biel, Zoe Biel; Daniel Valenta, Matthew Valenta and Kailyn Valenta. Great-grandmother of Sean, Lucas, Madison, Erin,
Aiden, Colin and Ashtyn. Sister-inlaw of Akkie Van Der Honing, Loltje Van Der Honing, Jan Brouwer, Carl and Grace Biel and Alice and Hank Wimmenhove. Fondly remembered by her nieces, nephews and friends. Hennie was the oldest in the Van Der Honing family and was predeceased by her 5 siblings. The family received friends at the Drayton Christian Reformed Church, on Tuesday May 8, 2018 Pastor Paul Droogers conducted the Funeral Service in the Drayton Christian Reformed Church on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. followed by interment in Drayton Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy donations to the Wycliffe Bible Translators or the Alzheimer’s Society would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to the Heritage Funeral Home, Drayton. www.heritagefuneralhomes.ca
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what he knew and loved, raising both Simmental cattle and cash cropping. Bill was known for his strong work ethic and kind nature. He was always there to help his family and took great joy in his two granddaughters. Bill rebuilt old tractors and the Cockshutt was his favourite. When taking a break from work, he enjoyed going for a coffee at Tim’s with his wife Marilyn where they would visit with friends or sitting on the front verandah observing all that they had built together. The graveside funeral service was held at Derryadd Cemetery, Mapleton Township, on Saturday, May 5th at 1:00 p.m. Rev. Kathy Morden officiated. Following the service, friends and family were invited to Bill and Marilyn’s home from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. to remember Bill and share memories and stories. Memorial donations to Knox-Calvin Presbyterian Church, Harriston, or Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated, and may be made through the Hardy-Lee Funeral Home, Harriston. Online condolences may be left at www.hardyleefuneralhome.com.
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8 | THE COMMUNITY NEWS | MAY 10, 2018
Empowerment - The 2018 Empowerment Day, hosted by the Drayton Heights Public School student council was held on May 3 at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph. Guest speakers include, FROM LEFT: gymnast and aerialist Jen Bricker; former child soldier Michel Chikwanine; Canadian musician Serena Ryder; and film maker Mike Downie. More the 5,000 Grade 5 to 8 students were in attendance from the Upper Grand District School Board. Photos by Jaime Myslik
Students encouraged to follow Empowerment Day theme: ‘One day or day one? You decide’ By Jaime Myslik GUELPH - “You can still get to the end goal, even if it looks different from another person.” Jen Bricker, a gymnast and aerialist born with no legs and her heart on the opposite side in her chest inspired students to never give up and “think I can” just like Thomas the Tank Engine. Bricker was one of four speakers at the Upper Grand District School Board’s 2018 Empowerment Day on May 3 at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph. The other speakers included former child soldier Michel Chikwanine, filmmaker Mike Downie and surprise mystery guest Serena Ryder, who had the entire arena up on their feet dancing and singing along. Empowerment Day began in 2015 as a passion project of two students on the Drayton Heights Public School student council. The first year there were 1,300 Grade 6 to 8 students at PMD arena in Drayton, in 2016 there were over 3,000 students at the Fergus sportsplex and last year the event moved to the Sleeman Centre for the first time and hosted 5,000 students. This year, Empowerment
Day was once again held at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph and was organized by the 40 members of the Drayton Heights student council. “It’s an amazing day,” said student council member Emma Gillespie. “There’s so many people here, it’s such an amazing opportunity to inspire other students.” She said the day was important for students because it teaches them about different types of life struggles. “By having these inspiring speakers coming and musicians it’s just a day to have fun and learn about other people,” she said. The 2018 Empowerment Day theme “one day or day one. You decide,” seems to reflect Jen Bricker’s life. The 30-year-old athlete was born with no legs, left at the hospital when she was born, put up for adoption and given no name. But she told the 5,000 Grade 5 to 8 students at Empowerment Day that those events were the biggest blessings of her life. “There were 299 couples, not people, couples on a waiting list to adopt me when I was a baby,” she said. “That’s 299 different future Jen Brickers, different ways I see
the world, different ways that I see myself, certainly different ways I see everybody in this audience. “I can pretty much guarantee you I wouldn’t be here right now had I not been left at the hospital and adopted by the most unlikely people, living in the middle of nowhere in southern Illinois, in the middle of the United States, in a cornfield.” She said her parents always raised her to have confidence and self-esteem. Even when she started school, they didn’t want her treated any differently from able-bodied children. Bricker’s school was four storeys high with no elevator. “I would just kind of leave my (wheel) chair at the bottom of the stairs and go up the stairs with everybody else,” she said. However, the school gave Bricker an aid who would help carry her bag and navigate the busy hallways between classes. The aid was meant to make Bricker’s life a little easier, but that’s not how she saw it. “I couldn’t even leave the classroom by myself, just to even go to the bathroom, without having this lady attached to my hip,” Bricker said. “And I’ve always been
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little miss independent, my parents raised me that way. “There was never anything modified in the house, my wheelchair wasn’t even in the house growing up, so everything was completely normal, if you will, and now I’m at school, and they’re trying to make me basically dependent on this aid.” Bricker’s parents went to the school and asked the administration to stop. “They said, ‘listen, we’re raising our daughter to be independent, not co-dependent and you having the aid here, it’s messing that whole thing up. She’s going to figure it out. She’s going to figure out how to take her own bag up the stairs. She’s going to figure out how to not get her fingers stepped on, and everybody is going to figure out together how to make it work,’” Bricker explained. It was that interaction that Bricker said made her see the power of the term, “actions speak louder than words.” “Because they backed their words up with actions, that’s where the strength came in, that’s where the life-lesson came in,” she said. “And I think that’s something that has carried with me into decisions as an adult, into being independent, knowing when to stand up for myself when it’s right, and how to do it with grace and kindness, while still making sure that I’m independent and figuring it out.” Bricker went on to play all kinds of sports and every time she modified her actions to work for her. In volleyball, she played in the middle back so when a low ball came her way she could easily save it from touching the ground. In baseball, she had no strike zone and because she was so fast she had no trouble getting on base when she had a good hit. “So each sport, yeah maybe, no definitely I had to figure it out and do it a little differently than somebody else but the end result was the same,” she said. “And we all go through that right? “We all have things, every single day and you’re going to be different than the person next to you, or behind you, or in front of you.” She said it’s the choices each individual makes that shape their future. “If we can pay attention every day to the choices that we’re making, be aware and be aware that the littlest choices can change someone’s life,” she said. “That’s real.” Michel Chikwanine,
another one of the day’s speakers, talked about the choices he made throughout his life. Chikwanine is a former child soldier, who at the age of five was kidnapped from his school in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and was blindfolded, given drugs and forced to shoot and kill his best friend. After just two weeks Chikwanine found a way to escape and returned to his family after three days living alone in the jungle. “I can never describe to you how hard it is to tell that story,” he told the students. “How hard it is to stand up and tell people that I’ve never even met one of the most difficult and the most heartbreaking experiences of what a human being can go through.” He said he didn’t tell the story for people to feel sorry for him or to pity him. “I tell the story because I know in my heart, when I look around the world, people are going through experiences even worse than what I did when I was a kid,” he said. “And if I can go through an experience and come out of it, I have the ability to make an impact, create change for many people who are going through similar experiences all over the world. “So my story is not very unique, in fact in the world today there are 205,000 child soldiers fighting the many conflicts that go on around the world.” He said his goal is to stop the issue of child soldiers. “I don’t want other children to go through the experiences I’ve been through but the other thing I also know is standing up, and standing up for something is incredibly difficult, it’s hard,” Chikwanine said. “If you see somebody getting bullied at school it’s not easy to go on and stand up to them. “It’s not an easy experience to go and change the world, to make an impact, but everyone has to because if we don’t, who else will?” Chikwanine explained to students the value of being curious and humble enough to always be learning. “Always ask the question why?” Chikwanine said. He also encouraged students to travel the world. “Travelling the world is what will get you to see the world in a very different light and I don’t mean to just go and volunteer around the world, I mean to just travel and see the world,” he said. “That’s what will make you great leaders as you move
forward.” Filmmaker Mike Downie, Tragically Hip front man Gord Downie’s older brother, spoke about the brothers’ project Secret Path, which they undertook after hearing the story of Chanie Wenjack, a boy who died in 1966 after escaping a residential school. “We got things really wrong in this country for a long time,” Downie said. “150 years of residential schools, of treating indigenous lives as second class citizens. “My brother believed in this county, he really did.” He said that Gord Downie created a soft patriotism through his music. “And then in the last two years of his life, he kind of flipped the table and said we have a reputation for being the good guys but it’s not the whole picture, we’ve got some work to do,” Downie said. “We have to create a more inclusive and equitable country. “Don’t forget this little guy (Wenjack), he’s one of thousands who just like you went off to school, he’d done nothing wrong, but just like thousands of others he never got to go home.” After a musical performance, artist Serena Ryder spoke to students about the inspiration behind her music and her struggles with mental health. “There’s kind of a similarity of that fear as we get older if you’re suffering from depression, which I do sometimes or anxiety, that music or art can really help to lift your emotions,” Ryder said. She also spoke about the need to talk about mental health struggles. “For me, holding anything inside is making me feel uncomfortable and making me feel sick or bad, just makes it worse,” Ryder said. “Talking about it is the first step, especially about mental health issues, how you’re feeling in your oceans affects your entire life and affects how you interact with other people ... your success, your failures and there are people out there that can relate to you and help you.” She said talking about it has been a big part of her own healing process, after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. “You have to believe that you can change someone’s life,” Jen Bricker said. “You have to believe that you bring something to the table. “You are significant, you do matter and what you have with your gift and talents and abilities they matter and they matter equally.