HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-10-03, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013.
For anyone wondering, here is my story. First is the bad news. On Saturday,
September 14th at about 7 AM, I was planning to remove a wasp's nest from a
hunting blind in preparation for the upcoming archery deer season. The blind is
elevated 25 feet above a hay field. I miscalculated the activity level of the nest,
and in a swarm of wasps, fell to the ground.
Now the good news. First of all, I survived the fall and was able to get to the
house where my wife was able to summon help. We were greeted by 2
paramedics (Gary and Heather) who were confident, reassuring, caring and true
professionals that delivered me to the hospital in Goderich.
At the hospital in Goderich, I was met by an emergency room team of doctors,
nurses and radiology technicians, that assessed my condition, stabilized me and
prepared me for transport to London Health Sciences Centre. During my stay in
Goderich, I was treated by competent, caring staff that reassured me and my
wife, made me comfortable and provided a level of care second to none!
The same paramedics, plus one selfless, busy nurse from Goderich Hospital
(who had to alter plans of her personal life to accommodate my needs) quickly
and safely transported me to London. By this point, my life has been saved.
In London, our ambulance is met by a team of doctors and nurses who review
my information from Goderich, and run a series of tests and examinations to
assess my injuries, and make a diagnosis. Frankly, the diagnosis is detailed,
comprehensive, and absolutely bang on. In the Trauma Ward, I begin treatment
for my injuries including rest, medication, a splint and physiotherapy. The modes
of treatment are appropriate, co-ordinated and effective. I am already recovering
at a remarkable rate. The doctors and nurses are caring, compassionate and
always professional. I am also examined and reviewed by student doctors and
nurses, training to be tomorrow's caregivers, by the experts. By now, I am
receiving a barrage of well wishes and visits from so many friends and family, that
I can barely believe how lucky I am. This includes a tremendous response from
colleagues in the dental profession, offering assistance to me and my patients.
It's hard to believe, but it gets better. On Friday, September 20th, I am transported
back to the Wingham and District Hospital. I am greeted by the warm, caring,
familiar smiles of doctors, nurses, and therapists who are my neighbours. My care
in our local hospital is unbelievable. Always professional, these men and women
are working very hard with very big case loads, but always caring and
compassionate. I am now sharing a room with wonderful fellows who, if I didn't
know them before, I know them now, and they are wonderful company. Their
visiting friends and families seem just as interested in my well being. I am barely
able to get sufficient rest for all of the visits from friends and family. It came as a
surprise to me, that even the food was quite delicious, and apparently, nutritious.
Not surprisingly, I am only there a week, and I am so strong, that the nurses are
having trouble keeping track of me, I have become so active.
With barely a days notice, my buddies head over to my house after their long
days of work, to build a ramp to the front door. Yesterday, I got home and there is
no luckier person on this planet than me. This kind of care and support is only
available in small rural communities like the one we live in.
I will never be able to communicate how grateful I am to all of the people who
have been so kind. I pledge to all of you that I will fight to the end to protect our
local hospitals. The powerful politicians that govern us from Toronto, could never
understand any of this.
I am now committed to a speedy recovery, as the staff in my office and I are
anxious to get back to providing the best care that we can to our community. Any
emergencies that I am unable to see, my local colleagues have generously
offered to manage for me. I am confident in the care you will receive in my
absence, as the level of dental care in our area is second to none.
As you can see, my story is one of a few seconds of bad luck followed up by an
awful lot of good luck!
I look forward to seeing all of you soon out in the community.
Jim Hall
Thank You
Sympathies extended to Storey, Robinson families
What a wonderful week of
weather for all to enjoy. The farmers
of the community are especially
happy with the great weather for the
harvest. White beans, soybeans, corn
silage, wheat planting, even a bit of
late hay. Tile drainage, plowing,
strip tillage, chisel plowing and of
course manure spreading. Lots of
jobs to keep the farmers busy this
time of year. With the farmers
working long hours for the harvest,
there are many times farm
machinery is on the road at all times
of the day and night. Please
remember to drive carefully and
slow down when sharing the road
with those who produce the food we
eat.
Our area has been saddened by the
passing of two well-known women
last week. Our sympathies are
extended to the Storey family on the
passing of Lila Storey. She will be
missed by her husband Orville and
family Shirley, Gail, Patricia,
Donna, Jack, Sherry and Gerald and
their families. Lila was a very
talented lady who had shared herlove of dancing and music withmany over the years. She taught stepdancing to her children andhundreds of others and had
entertained at many venues. She
coached baseball, decorated cakes
and could turn her hand at most
anything. A lovely and talented
women who will be missed by all
who had known her.
Our condolences to the Storey
family.
Our sympathies are extended to
the Robinson family on the passing
of Rose Robinson. She will be
missed by her husband Bob and
children Scott, Jane, Brent, Anne
and Jeff and their families. Rose was
a lovely women who devoted herself
to her family and the farm life of
creating the well-known Vista Villa
Farms. She was a dedicated member
of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in
Brodhagen and was a pleasure to
visit and work with. She will be
missed by all and our condolences to
the Robinson family.
Our belated congratulations to
Yvonne Knight on being chosen
Citizen of the Year. A well deserved
honour for a tireless worker for the
many organizations she volunteers
with.
A very nice informal concert by
Jamie Warren on Friday evening at
Cinnamon Jim’s. He performed all
his songs since his career began in
1985. He intermixed stories between
songs and was quite entertaining. A
very nice night for all. Congratulations to Gary andHeather Dauphin on welcominganother granddaughter, number five,to their family. Al and Rebecca
deVos experienced the quick arrival
of Bryn Lauren last Friday. Big
sister Hayden is very excited.
Our get-well wishes go out to Jim
Lee who has experienced a health
issue. He had a stint put in on
Sunday evening in Kitchener and is
doing well. We hope he will be out
and about again soon. I had a chance
to speak with Neil McGavin last
week. He says he is feeling well and
would like to do more, but nobody
will let him. He is heeding the words
of the wise and is taking it easy. Not
too much noise, too many crowds or
overdoing it with visitors, etc. Take
care of yourself now Neil and in no
time, you will be back in full swing.
The Winthrop birthday girls were
having birthday breakfast in Walton
lately. The birthday girls were
Jennifer Vellinga and a belated
surprise for Karen Braecker. Joining
the ladies to celebrate were Brenda
Bernard, Judy Beuermann, Carol
and Shawn Reinink.
Congratulations to John Glanville
and Jeanne Van Camp. They were
married at the Wawanosh Nature
Centre in front of a small crowd of
family and friends. They later
greeted many family and friends at a
reception at the Brodhagen
Community Centre. The couple is
residing just east of Walton.
Congratulations to them.Bert, Carol and Shawn Reininkhave returned from a 10-day trip toGermany. They went with Carol’sparents, Bill and Maxine Seers, and
her sister and husband to visit with
old friends. Carol reports that they
travelled the Autobahn and wow!
There is no speed limit on this
highway and some people travel at
an amazing rate of speed. They
stayed southwest of Munich near
Lake Constance. This lake gathers
the runoff of water from the Alps
and then it runs into the Rhine River.
They went for a drive through the
Black Forest and went to see the
largest cuckoo clock in the world.
They also went to the site of the
largest party in the world,
Oktoberfest! The area is built up
each year for the celebration and
then torn down again. They report
they enjoyed the trip very much and
the country was very beautiful and
clean. Welcome back.
Speaking of a clean countryside,
our area would not pass. A friend of
mine commented last week about
the amount of garbage on the sides
of the road. Whether it be the main
highway or the sideroads, bags of
garbage or single coffee cups, it
makes a mess for all to see. Let’s try
and not be litter bugs!
Celebrating birthdays this past
week was Ron Bennett, Michael
Bernard, Elaine D. Brown, Ron
Clarke, Kassidy Eckert, MacKenzie
Hackwell, Brittney Pryce, Tom
Williamson, Lorren Poland, TessWey, Roger Tipple, GaryWilliamson, Cindy Carter, MaryAnnGrobbink, W.Doug Mitchell,Annette McCutcheon, Helen Craig,
Gerry Rijkhoff, Campbell Wey,
Christopher Blake, Chantelle
denDekker and Melva Fraser. Happy
birthday to all!
NEWS
FROM WALTON
By Jo-Ann
McDonald
Call
887-6570
PEOPLE AROUNDWALTON
Yarns & Notions
Stitches with a Twist
519-523-9449
Blyth, Ont.
McDonald honoured with
lifetime Branch membership
Jo-Ann McDonald became a
member of a very elite club during
the Royal Canadian Legion Brussels
Branch 218 meeting last week.
McDonald, after being an
extremely active member of the
Branch for more than 15 years, was
named a life member at the Branch’s
general meeting on Tuesday, Sept.
24.
McDonald joins Ross Bennett,
Marg Bennett, Glen Bridge and Eric
Ross as the only life-time members
of the Branch as her many
contributions to the organization
were recognized.
Zone Commander Larry Bailey
and Deputy-Zone Commander Eric
Ross, in front of McDonald’s family
members including Rick, LeeAnn,
Kelly, Scott, Alicia and Brea,
presented McDonald with her life
membership package including a
membership card, plaque, crest and
pin.
Prior to the announcement, Ross
read out McDonald’s citation that
lead to her receiving the honour. It
outlined her history with the
organization as well as the accolades
she had received in her time.
Originally a member of the
Mitchell Legion Branch 128, which
she joined as an associate member,
McDonald transferred to Brussels in
1997. She quickly became involved
with many different events through
the branch including trying to
institute Friday meals, a practice she
had experience with in Mitchell.
Aside from being the current
president of the Brussels Legion
Branch, McDonald has served as
secretary, vice-president, honours
and awards chairman, canteen
chairman, catering committee
member, cadet liaison, fish fry
committee chair, leadership
chairman, accessibility committee
member, 1st vice bar chair and has
also served as president for two
additional terms prior to the current
one.
She has received her past officer’s
medal in 2000.
According to the citation,
McDonald “worked diligently to see
the Branch come from a state of
paying bills when possible to a
Branch with good financial
stability”.
McDonald also received the
Queens Diamond Jubilee medal
from the Province of Ontario.
In for life
Brussels Legion President Jo-Ann McDonald, centre, was
surprised last week when she was presented with a
lifetime membership to the Brussels Legion Branch, joining
only four others who have been similarly honoured in
Brussels. Presenting McDonald with her honour were, left,
Zone Commander Larry Bailey and, right, Deputy-Zone
Commander Eric Ross. (Photo submitted)
See histories and historic
photographs on the
Huron History section
of our website
www.northhuron.on.ca
The Citizen