HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-01-04, Page 3THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018. PAGE 3.
Bottle drive raises ,2,015 for BBMHA
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
A bottle drive fundraiser
benefitting the Blyth Brussels Minor
Hockey Association resulted in more
than $2,000 being brought in for the
organization.
The fundraiser was spearheaded
by Derek and Sarah Cheney who
enlisted the support of local
businesses, including the Jam Jar
Eatery in Brussels that donated its
empties and hosted one of the drop-
off trailers in front of its building
Destination? Accessible Blyth!
By Julie Sawchuk
Making it accessible
Julie Sawchuk is highlighting work done to make her home
village of Blyth more accessible. Huron Midwives, located at
the former Church of God building on County Road 25, put
an emphasis on being fully accessible during recent
renovations. Midwife Ellen Peel, left, next to Sawchuk's son
Oliver, explained that the renovations to the site have
resulted in a fully -accessible main floor. (Photo submitted)
What better way to celebrate the
new year than with dance and new
babies? So that is what I will share
with you this month: how easy it is
to create an accessible location even
when it involves dancing and
deliveries (but maybe not at the
same time).
First, to an established location
with a new look: East Side Dance
Studio. If you have been by the
studio you will have noticed some
recent renovations. With the help of
CMB construction the studio is now
equipped with a ramp and a set of
stairs so that everyone can get in!
The idea grew from a conversation I
had with Les and Anne about me
learning to dance (again) using my
wheelchair.
They both thought it was a great
idea so they planned a renovation to
the entrance of the studio, not just
for me, but for anyone who found
stairs difficult. You might think that
if you can dance you can climb
steps, but that is not always the case.
Some of the people who use the
studio have had accidents or
surgeries that cause them to need
assistance. Besides that, some
people do come just to watch!
What I'd like to point out is how
lovely the entrance ties into the rest
of the studio (and the house). It
looks like it belongs. Ramps don't
have to be ugly and stand out – they
can be an architectural feature. Les
and Anne's ramp is just an extension
of the front porch.
Now you are wondering "how do
babies fit into this?" Heading east
from Blyth you will have seen the
facelift given to the old Church of
God building. That is the new home
of Huron Midwives, now owned and
operated by Midwife Ellen Peel.
Midwifery services are offered free
of charge (paid for by OHIP)
providing care for women through
normal pregnancy and birth. They
also will help with care and advice
of newborns by visiting new
mothers at home.
The renovations at the old church
go much further than a facelift – the
entire interior of the building has
been updated with serious
consideration given to accessibility.
Ellen knew about the resources I
have on my website and used them
to help create the main floor to be
completely accessible. Yes, women
who use wheelchairs do have babies,
and sometimes it is their partner or a
family member who has a need for
accessibility. The newly renovated
space has a large waiting area with a
kitchenette, a birthing room with a
tub, two examination rooms, a staff
room, office and a completely
accessible washroom.
To make it easier for the
contractors, Ellen printed the
accessible bathroom resource that
shows proper heights and distances
of the grab bars. When renovating
(or building new) it's important to
make sure that the wall studs are in
the right location to attach the grab
bars. The clinic is also fitted with a
ramp, automatic doors and wide
doorways. So although some serious
investment went into the
renovations, it did not cost much
more to make it accessible. Wide
doors, smooth floors, roll -under
sink, grab bars, push-button
entrance; all of these features are
helpful, and not just to wheelchair
users.
So, here we have two more
locations in Blyth that are accessible
for all. Let's keep this up! As the
vision of Blyth as a destination
location continues to take shape,
keep accessibility at the front of
your mind. Storefronts, bathrooms,
parking, pathways and outdoor
spaces – a little bit of thought goes a
long way to making a space
inclusive and welcoming. One day it
may be you who will enjoy the
accesses for all.
For free accessibility resources, to
ask me a question or if you are
interested in having me speak to
your school, business or community
group please visit my website at
www.juliesawchuk.ca.
Saying goodbye in style
The Blyth 140th subcommittee of the Blyth Business
Improvement Area (BIA) marked its final event of 2017,
Blyth's 140th anniversary year on New Year's Eve. In a
celebration mirroring the first event held by the organization
on Jan. 1 of last year, there was entertainment, free skating,
dog sled demonstrations and a Christmas tree burn all at
the Blyth and District Community Centre. Above, Adam
Cousins provides some musical entertainment in front of
the Christmas trees slated for the bonfire. (Quinn Talbot photo)
and Blyth's Queens Bakery which
donated supplies and its empties and
Blyth's Part II Bistro, which also
donated its empties.
The drive brought in $1,936.20
through returning empty bottles and
$79.55 through donation
boxes at nearly two dozen locations
throughout Blyth and Brussels.
Local community groups also
supported the initiative with the
Brussels Optimist Club donating
empties from its annual Harvest
Dinner and the Blyth Lions Club
donating empties from its annual
Christmas Dance.
The Cherreys said the project
would not have been successful
without the support of local
businesses and the community.
FROM BLYTH
New Year's means
new shoot schedule
From Marilyn's Desk
By Marilyn
Craig
Call
523-9318
Happy New Year to everyone. My
hope is that this coming year brings
you good health and happiness.
Happy birthday to Deb Hakkers,
Mike Haggitt, and Jenna DeCorte
who celebrate Jan. 4; Brodie
Nesbitt, Jan. 5; Jason Badley, Jan. 8
and Hanny Meier, Jan. 9.
For 2018, Shoot is going to be
played every other Tuesday at Blyth
United Church starting Jan. 9.
Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with cards
beginning at 1 p.m. Come out and
join in the fun or learn to play shoot.
Dec. 18 euchre winners were:
first, Jewel Plunkett and Lou Lahey,
76; second, Pauline McMichael, 70
and Harold McClinchey, 75; lone
hands, Veronique Harman and
Dawn Climie, tied with three each;
Marilyn Aiken, Diane Clark, Carol
Lahey, Mae Ritchie, Gloria
McEwing and Nancy Turner. After
drawing cards Gloria McEwing
came out the winner. Share the
wealth winners were Nancy Turner
and Lou Lahey.
The next euchre is Monday, Jan.
15 at the Blyth Legion Hall. Doors
open at 12:30 p.m. with cards
beginning at 1 p.m. Come out and
join in the fun.
Wool Blankets
Bainton's
Old Mill
Downtown Blyth
519-523-4740
See histories and historic
photographs on the
Huron History section
of our website
www.northhuron.on.ca
A New Year's Resolution
(Matthew Henry)
"My times are in Your hand!" Psalm 31:15
Firmly believing that my times are in God's hand, I here submit myself
and all my affairs for the ensuing year, to the wise and gracious disposal
of God's divine providence. Whether God appoints for me...
health or sickness,
peace or trouble,
comforts or crosses,
life or death —
may His holy will be done!
All my time, strength, and service, I devote to the honour of the Lord
Jesus — and even my common actions. It is my earnest expectation,
hope, and desire, my constant aim and endeavor — that Jesus Christ may
be magnified in me.
In everything I have to do — my entire dependence is upon Jesus Christ
for strength. And whatever I do in word or deed, I desire to do all in His
name, to make Him my Alpha and Omega. I have all from Him — and I
would use all for Him.
If this should prove a year of affliction, a sorrowful year to me — I will
fetch all my supports and comforts from the Lord Jesus and stay myself
upon Him, His everlasting consolations, and the good hope I have in Him
through grace.
And if it should be my dying year — then my times are in the hand of the
Lord Jesus. And with a humble reliance upon His mediation, I would
venture into the eternal world looking for the blessed hope. Dying as well
as living — Jesus Christ will, I trust, be gain and advantage to me.
Oh, that the grace of God may be sufficient for me, to keep me always a
humble sense of my own unworthiness, weakness, folly, and infirmity —
together with a humble dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ for both
righteousness and strength.
A Grace Gem
Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church,
Listowel, ON 519-291-1956