COMMUNAUTÉ • COMMUNITY Hospital receives $30,000 from DocFest
&ʕUʝʜLɭȵHɡԷʋɚ DʏɃʑQʤʦȾɏʋUʝʦQɍ ʃȱɏZʝʁOɍ
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Back to normal? By Anne Donovan Special to the Reflet-News
Since I have been back in Ottawa, I keep asking myself what is normal; what forms my identity as a Canadian and as a world traveler? Having spent the last 5 months im- mersed in Asian culture, I have seen how each ethnic group prides themselves on their unique character and defend their identities through a specific way of living. It certainly resembles our French-Canadian values, which we wish to defend in our country. A dis- tinct culture, distinct traditions, a distinct voice are important principles to be admired. To the Asians we have encountered however (in India and the Southeast), we are all Americans: white, fat and rich. Many see us living in a world of luxury and excess, and I have to admit that I fully understand this perception. I know how privileged I am to have been able to undertake such an adventure with my family, but to fellow middle- class Canadians, I kept saying this was a choice. Instead of buying a new car, a boat, a cottage, or renovating the kitchen, we chose to travel and show our kids what this world of ours was really like. I wanted them, us, to have these experiences together; experiences that just cannot be compared to more‘stuff’. We are white yes, but certainly not rich in North-American standards, although I can certainly concede the point that we live with more than needed. At certain times during my travels, I have felt beaten down. I berated myself on how easily I could plunge with zest into the cultural world of Europe yet so easily get in- censed by the lack of traffic laws for example in other parts of the world. I also realized just how much weather conditions played a big part on my mood. Extreme heat can disorientate me, leaving me drained of energy within a fewminutes. From the moment we arrived in Bangkok, the temperature kept rising in the high thirties every single day from 9am to 9pm. While my Canadian friends were battling one of the worst winters ever, we were combatting the heavy rays of a relentless sun. This southern hemisphere sun was a constant for a few months, and I had to find a way to accept and live with it. Did I experience a new normal? Yes I did. Did I fully participate in this new normal? My heart was certainly in it, but my mind had a way of pulling me back to my set way of life. One day I wanted to save the world and stop hunger then on another, I would see a form of natural selection, and would wonder who I was to try to stop this process in an overpopulated planet. Of course this would simply lead to a vicious cycle of altruis- tic gestures and helplessness. My hope is that we may go back one day in a volunteer capacity, making a difference to people in need, while never ignoring those around us who are unfortunately so easily neglected. As my final contribution to this publication, I wish to thank my readers, and hopefully incite a few to visit different parts of the world, some more foreign than others. To em-
Photo Candice Vetter
On Thursday, June 19 the Russell Lions’ Club presented $30,200, the proceeds from the DocFest 2 event whichwas heldMarch 29, to theWinchester andDistrict Memoral Hospital Foundation. Shown at the hospital entrance are Executive Director of WDMH Foundation Troy Cross, DocFest 2 host Dr. Gerry Heymans, Ted Morrison, Lions Treasurer Peter Cowling, Lions President Marc Bourque, and Henry Staal. The funds will be used to purchase equipment like the new infant PandaWarmers for the WDMH’s obstetrics unit. PandaWarmers havemany special features that enhance the experience of bothmothers and babies during childbirth.WDMH has listed this piece of equipment as a priority because of the growing number of births that take place at the hospital. Over 640 babies were born at WDMH in 2013.
Kin Club major awards
bark on such an adventure with the next genera- tion in tow is a learning opportunity on so many levels. My husband and I have not only given our children a hands-on lesson in history and geogra- phy, but I believe we have installed a general state of awareness that may prove fortuitous in their and their planet’s future.
Submitted photo
The Kin Club of Russell handed out its major awards Monday, June 23, at its final meeting for the year. Kin Nikki Jardine-Frigon received the Rookie of the Year Award while Kin of the Year was shared between Nikki Jardine-Frigon and Cindy Anthony. This is Cindy Anthony’s seventh Kin of theYear award in eight years. Above, secretary Cindy Anthony, president Doug Anthony and PR director Nikki Jardine-Frigon.
Thinking about our one-year adventures while on the tram in Hong Kong. Inset, a family selfie in Rome: Justin, Cédric, Émilie Ménard et Anne Donovan.
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