HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-05-27, Page 5Musicians looking for a home
Dominique Millburn
signal -star staff
The lapping waves of Lake Hu-
ron continue to beat on Goderich's
shores, and soon they'll bring with
them a floating orchestra making
one of just three stop -overs in Cana-
dian ports.
The American Wind Symphony
Orchestra's 2009 tour will be visit-
ing the Port of Godench from July
9 to 13, bringing with it music and
inspiration.
During . their stay at Goderich,
musicians aboard the floating con-
cert venue, many of the AWSO's
45 young musicians will be billeted
within area homes. According to
special events coordinator Wanda
Keith, its a rare opportunity to part-
ner the traveling entertainers with
budding local musicians with a pas-
sion for a similar instrument.
"It's really a double opportunity
for local families," said Keith. "Not
only will you get to meet and spend
time with an accomplished young
musician from another country, but
if we're successful in our goal to pair
like -musicians, it's a chance for them
to share and pass along tips and en-
thusiasm."
A hospitality committee has been
established under the direction of
Hugh MacGregor to seek out in-
terested families and households to
take part in the four-day billet com-
mitmeht project. MacGregor has
visited focal schools, and is now
preparing a list of young musicians
with interested families from Goder-
ich and area.
"We'd like to keep them as close
to Goderich as possible, but [Hugh]
has been in contact with families as
far away as Wingham," she added.
The hospitality and organization
committees charged with oversee-
ing the local end of the symphony
visit will continue to make contact
with families in coming weeks in an
effort to pair -as many of the 45 visit-
ing musicians with local proteges as
possible.
The orchestra's other Canadian
stops are Windsor and Sault Ste.
Marie.
The AW SO has been entertain-
ing people worldwide for 52 years.
The concert venue is a one -of -a -kind
barge, the Point Counterpoint II,
billed as a 195 -foot floating art cen-
tre. According to Keith, the magic
of the concert is captured with the
beginning strains of music as the
hydraulically operated centre ceiling
raises to reveal the orchestra on this
floating band shell.
While the Point Counterpoint 11
is docked at the main harbour in
Goderich, people will be able to lis-
ten in on rehearsals, take in tours of
the barge, support a patron's concert
on board, and enjoy chamber con-
certs as well as the main event — the
"spectacular" concert on Saturday,
July 11, at 7:30 p.m.
"This event will have people en-
joying the beauty of Goderich's
main beach and harbour, the spec-
tacular sunset, the shared experience
of community and the brilliance of
music well played," Keith added.
For those interested in taking part
in the billeting program, Keith is
available to take information on be-
half of the hospitality committee by
phoning 519-524-6600.
The committee anticipates atten-
dance in the thousands with an au-
dience drawn from Owen Sound in
the north, Kitchener/Waterloo in the
east, London and Sarnia in the south
as well as all points in between.
Hospital moves ahead with
physician assistant search
Dominique Milburn
signal -star staff
The Alexandra Marine and General
Hospital is moving ahead with its search
for a qualified physician assistant (PA)
thanks in part to a recent funding an-
nouncement from the Ontario Govern-
ment.
The hospital is in line to receive a
portion of the $4.1 million government
funding surge aimed at reducing Emer-
gency Room (ER) wait
times. The dollars will
cover 75 per cent of the
employment costs of the
new position, said hos-
pital CEO Bill Thibert,
though, he added the
existing physician staff
at AMGH has agreed to
cover the remaining 25
per cent with their own
government funded su-
pervision stipend.
"We've posted our position on the
Healthforce Ontario web site,'and have
begun to receive applications," Thiliert
said. "We're pleased to be able to par-
ticipate in this demonstration and are
eager to see how it works."
Physician assistants (PAs) are skilled
health professionals who support phy-
sicians in a range of health care set-
tings. The role, new to the province's
health care system,, is being evaluated.
through various demonstration proj-
ects as part of the Ontario Physician
Assistant (PA) Initiative.
The PA will work under the direction
of a team of supervising physicians, who
will determine the individual's clinical
duties and be responsible for the care
provided. Dr. Mike Dawson, lead physi-
cian on this team, says "It will be most
important for us to recruit a PA who has
the right "fit" for our emergency de-
partment, who will thrive in our group
of rural practitioners and in our com-
munity."
PAs have provided support to the
Canadian Forces and
Physician assistants are
skilled health professionals
who support physicians in a
range of health care settings.
The role is being evaluated
through various demonstration
projects as part of the Ontario
Physician. Assistant Initiative.
have been an integral
part of the U.S. health
care system for more
than 40 years. They
are trained to manage
medical emergencies
as well as routine care
needs. The activities
of the PA may include
conducting patient in-
terviews and taking
medical histories, performing physi-
cal examinations, performing certain
controlled acts delegated to them by a
physician; and providing counselling
on preventive health care.
It's all part of a two-year demonstra-
tion project that focuses on reducing
wait times and maintaining emergency
room coverage. The demonstration
projects are being. coordinated through
the Ontario Hospital Association, and
are part of an initiative co -led by the
Ministry of Health and Long -Term Care
and Ontario Medical Association.
Godench Signal -Star, Wednesday, May 27 2009 - Page A5
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