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- Troy Felice Builds His Future By Joining The Army of Small
Business Owners In The Greater Sudbury Area
- Living Well
Chiropractic Conducts 11th Annual Food & Toy Drive For Good
Neighbours Food Bank
- Capreol Legion
Holds Bake Sale At The Mall
- Sounds of Music Filled The
Hallways
- Valley East's Ryan Benoit Serves
His Role Well as Provincial Ambassador For Easter Seal Society
- Taking Own Photos
With Santa Claus Is An Idea That Is Much Appreciated By Local
Parents
- Community Shows Strong Support For
The Canadian Armed Forces Fighting In Afghanistan
- First Annual Valley East
Christmas Food Drive Scheduled for This Coming Thursday: Dec. 14
- Memories From Monique Grenon
- Books and Blankets and Helping
Hands Initiatives Will Make Life Much Easier For Clients of The
Elgin Street Mission Centre
- PAROISSE
ST-JOSEPH of Chelmsford Will Be On Hand At the Hanmer Valley
Shopping Centre Selling Tickets On Lawn Swing Set
- The Real Dixie Lee Gets A Surprise
Meal At Dixie Lee Restaurant
- Supporting
Our Troops by
VECAN (
Valley East
Community Action Network)
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Troy Felice
Builds His Future By Joining The Army of Small Business Owners In
The Greater Sudbury Area |
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Troy Felice at age 31 is trying to build a better future
for himself by joining the army of small business owners who have turned
to entrepreneurship in an attempt to escape the cycle of low-paying,
dead-end jobs.
Born and raised in Valley East, Troy attended St. Anne School in Hanmer
and then started out at Confederation Secondary School in Val Caron. He
moved away from home at the age of 18 and dropped out of Lasalle Secondary
School, three credits short of his grade 12 diploma. The past thirteen
years have been filled with episodes working at call centres, on welfare,
and even a stint as a financial planner.
He was considering starting his own business when his father told him
about a company that he had seen on the Oprah Winfrey Show. After thorough
investigation of the business, Troy now finds himself as the owner of
SLEEP WELL, and is an authorized dealer for Hygienitech Mattress Cleaning
Systems. |
For the complete story and more photos
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Living Well
Chiropractic Conducts 11th Annual Food & Toy Drive For Good
Neighbours Food Bank |
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Wayne Nepssy, 2nd from the left, gratefully accepts the donations of cash,
food and toys from Dr. David Welsh and Dr. Ghislaine Landry of the Living
Well Chiropractic Office in the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre. Sandra
Paquette, one of the two office assistants (Nadine Dussault was absent when
the photo was taken) is shown on the far left.
The donations were accepted from patients during the week of December 11
to 14.
"Our food bank depends on annual drives such as this in order to
stock up our shelves so that we can provide for the needy during the winter
months," explained Nepssy. "Some of these donations will be given
out during the holidays. The help and cooperation we receive from Living
Well Chiropractic is very much appreciated."
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Capreol Legion
Holds Bake Sale At The Mall |
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Gabby Winter of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 179 Capreol is shown
arranging the packages of cookies, pies and squares on the bake table at the
Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre on Saturday, December 16, 2006. The baking
didn't take too long to disappear as many shoppers were searching for tasty
treats to put out for their Christmas parties.
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Sounds of Music Filled The
Hallways
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Enriquez Lopez is shown above playing a song from his new
album 'Gypsy New Flamenco' during one of his sessions at the Hanmer Valley
Shopping Centre. Lopez and his partner, E. Torres, form the group, 'Inti
Runa'. Together they travel to malls throughout Ontario performing and
selling their CD's to patrons of their very relaxing style of music.
Many shoppers enjoyed their performances which were continuous from
Friday, December 15 to Sunday, December 17, 2006.
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Ryan Benoit's Unique Abilities
Serve Him Well In His Role as Provincial Ambassador for the Easter
Seal Society |
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Ryan
Benoit is in many ways like any normal 13 year old boy. He lives in Val
Caron with his parents, Mike and Joyce and he has two older brothers,
Stephen, 15 and Jason, 18.
He will be entering Grade 8 at Ecole Notre Dame de l'Esperance in the
fall of 2006 and, like many boys his age, he is still not sure which high
school he will be attending. His grade average is in the mid to upper 80's
and his attitude towards school is very positive. His teachers refer to
Ryan as one of their classroom leaders, always willing to lend a helping
hand and always willing to take on new challenges. Ryan also loves public
speaking and is getting along quite will on the computer. He enjoys
fishing with his family in the summer and loves swimming. Ryan is also a
"hockey nut" and knows just about everything there is to know
about the sport. He is also eager to talk to anyone about the players and
the game in general.
To look at Ryan in the photo above, he looks like any normal teen age
boy.
Ryan, however, has cerebral palsy, a crippling disease which causes
damage to the spinal cord during prenatal developmental stages. It has
left him physically disabled - unable to walk and do many of the normal
things we take for granted. His wheelchair is more clearly evident in the
photo below, but the boy in the picture is the same young boy you first
saw in the photo above. |
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An Honour To Be Chosen From All Of
The Candidates - A Tremendous Responsibility For A Young Boy To
Shoulder |
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Ryan was chosen to be one of the two
Provincial Ambassadors for the Easter Seal Society. He and his partner,
Kaitlyn Lenchak of Aurora, were introduced at the prestigious Con Smythe
Fundraising Dinner & Auction on February 9, 2006 in Toronto. He and
Kaitlyn are shown in the group photo with many of the stars and
celebrities in attendance at the event which raised over $400,000 for
Easter Seals.
As official Ambassadors of the Easter Seal Society for the 2006
calendar year, both Ryan and Kaitlyn feel very honoured, but at the same
time, they also realize the tremendous responsibility they have in
representing the organization at various public functions during the year.
Most of the functions are fund-raising in nature, designed to raise a lot
of money which will be used to improve the quality of life for many others
who are physically challenged. |
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Here we see Ryan and Kaitlyn with his favourite
hockey coach (next to his father), the Sudbury Wolve's Mike Foligno. |
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Ryan's parents, standing directly behind him,
Mike and Joyce Benoit, are extremely proud of the way their son has
handled the responsibility of being a Provincial Ambassador. In this photo
they are with Mr. Don Ferguson on the left, and Mr. Roger Abbott on the
right, both members of the Canadian Airfarce. |
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John Ferguson and Ross Rebagliati stop by to
chat with Kaitlyn and Ryan during the Con Smythe Dinner and Auction. |
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Ryan is well aware of up coming hockey stars,
so he was very excited when he met with John Tavares of the Oshawa
Generals, who many are calling the next Wayne Gretzky. |
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Back at home, in the familiar surroundings of his bedroom,
Ryan demonstrates a down-to-earth, level-headedness that is quite
astounding considering the attention he has been receiving this year. He
takes everything in stride and sincerely feels good about being able to do
something to make a difference for other kids and adults who are confined
to a wheelchair or otherwise 'disabled'.
It is precisely because of Ryan's natural abilities and giftedness that
he has become a perfect choice as Provincial Ambassador for the Easter
Seal Society. He is very sociable and enjoys meeting people. Ryan never
lets his physical impairments prevent him from doing just about anything
that other children do, he just has to "work harder" at some
things than others. And he realizes this, so it never gets him down. Ryan,
however, also realizes that there are some things, such as public
speaking, talking to people, going out in public and making speeches in
front of stars and celebrities and simply being able to take on the
challenges of being a leader, that he does with ease. These are things
that many others, especially his age, have a great deal of difficulty
with.
And so, as Ryan continues to fulfil his responsibilities until February
2007 when another two young people will take over, he plans on using his
"abilities" to make a difference for the Easter Seals Society
and all of the people they serve. He plans on continuing in his role as a
' Public Ambassador' for the Easter Seals Society for the rest of his
life. He is a role model and an inspiration, not only to people with
physical impairments, but also to the perfectly healthy individuals who,
once they meet Ryan, will realize how important it is to focus on
your abilities and talents rather than on your inabilities and struggles. |
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Valley East's Ryan Benoit Serves
His Role Well as Provincial Ambassador For Easter Seal Society |
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Ryan
Benoit is in many ways like any normal 13 year old boy. He lives in Val
Caron with his parents, Mike and Joyce and he has two older brothers,
Stephen, 15 and Jason, 18.
He attends Grade 8 at Ecole Notre Dame de l'Esperance. His grade average is in the mid to upper 80's
and his attitude towards school is very positive. His teachers refer to
Ryan as one of their classroom leaders, always willing to lend a helping
hand and always willing to take on new challenges. Ryan also loves public
speaking and is getting along quite will on the computer. He enjoys
fishing with his family in the summer and loves swimming. Ryan is also a
"hockey nut" and knows just about everything there is to know
about the sport. He is also eager to talk to anyone about the players and
the game in general.
To look at Ryan in the photo above, he looks like any normal teen age
boy.
That is until you see him in a photo with the Right Honourable Paul
Martin, former Prime Minister of Canada. Or, until you notice that he gets
around in a wheelchair.
Ryan has cerebral palsy, a crippling disease which causes
damage to the spinal cord during prenatal developmental stages. It has
left him physically disabled - unable to walk and do many of the normal
things we take for granted.
Ryan was chosen to be one of the two
Provincial Ambassadors for the Easter Seal Society. He and his partner,
Kaitlyn Lenchak of Aurora, were introduced at the prestigious Con Smythe
Fundraising Dinner & Auction on February 9, 2006 in Toronto.
As official Ambassadors of the Easter Seal Society for the 2006
calendar year, both Ryan and Kaitlyn feel very honoured, but at the same
time, they also realize the tremendous responsibility they have in
representing the organization at various public functions during the year.
Most of the functions are fund-raising in nature, designed to raise a lot
of money which will be used to improve the quality of life for many others
who are physically challenged.
In the photo to the left, he and Kaitlyn are shown with the Hon. Brian
Tobin, former premier of the Province of Newfoundland and Belinda Stronack,
M.P, Aurora, Newmarket District. They were all attending the recent
Toronto Tribute.
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Here,
Ryan is shown with The Honourable Bob Rae, a former Premier of the
Province of Ontario and one of the front-runners at the Federal Liberal
leadership convention held recently.
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Ryan
and Kaitlyn are shown here with the Mayor of Toronto, David Miller.
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Here
Ryan is shown with singer Jack Soul.
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And so, as Ryan continues to fulfill his responsibilities until February
2007 when another two young people will take over, he plans on using his
"abilities" to make a difference for the Easter Seals Society
and all of the people they serve. He plans on continuing in his role as a
' Public Ambassador' for the Easter Seals Society for the rest of his
life. He is a role model and an inspiration, not only to people with
physical impairments, but also to the perfectly healthy individuals who,
once they meet Ryan, will realize how important it is to focus on
your abilities and talents rather than on your inabilities and struggles.
If you wish to read a previous story about Ryan that we featured
earlier this year in Valley East Today, click
here>>>>
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Taking Own Photos
With Santa Claus Is An Idea That Is Much Appreciated By Local
Parents |
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An unidentified young boy enjoying his candy cane sits
patiently with Santa Claus while his parents take several photos in an
effort to get the perfect picture to save forever. This is the second year
that the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre has instituted a policy which
allows parents and grandparents to take their own photos with Santa. It
was done in an effort to save money for parents who normally must purchase
expensive packages from professional photographers in most malls. Judging
by the positive feedback, this is a policy which is likely to remain in
place at the mall for some time to come. |
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Community Shows Strong Support For
The Canadian Armed Forces Fighting In Afghanistan |
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Sandra Amyot
and Wayne Fox were extremely pleased with the way the community demonstrated
support for members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have been drawn into
the war in Afghanistan. Sandra and Wayne took part in a special "Support The
Troops" weekend at the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre on December 9 and 10,
2006. Their two sons, Kyle and Glenn Fox, have both served in Afghanistan.
The boys' grandmother, Bridget Amyot, on the left in the photo, also
took part in the event. |
For the complete story and more photos
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First Annual Valley East
Christmas Food Drive Scheduled for This Coming Thursday: Dec. 14 |
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The staff of Neil’s Your Independent Grocers and The Vision Paper are
ready to launch the First Annual Valley East Christmas Food Drive on
Thursday night –
December 14, 2006
. Beginning at
6:00 p.m.
all available
staff will hop on board a specially decorated “float” and make their way
through the streets of
Valley East
, singing Christmas Carols and knocking on doors looking for donations of
non-perishable food.
In order to thank people
for their generousity, Neil’s YIG will be giving each donor a ballot for
every item of food donated. That ballot can then be filled out and deposited
in the Food Bank Depot which is located inside Neil’s YIG. One lucky
person will win $250 worth of groceries when the draw is made on Saturday,
December 23.
Anyone who wishes to
donate food between now and December 14, may do so by dropping the food off
in the Food Bank Depot at the entrance to Neil’s Your Independent Grocer.
There, you can pick up a ballot and enter the draw for the free groceries.
Neil’s YIG also has some prepared bags of food with high nutrients on sale
for $3 if you wish to simply pick up one of those bags of food as your
donation.
All food collected will
be delivered to the Good Neighbours Food Bank in Hanmer for distribution to
needy families.
The Vision Paper and
Neil’s Your Independent Grocer wish to thank the people of
Valley East
for their support
of this very worthy cause.
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Memories From Monique Grenon |
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We thank Monique Grenon of Hanmer for sharing some of these old photos
that she uncovered from one of her albums. See if you can spot some of
your old friends (or ancestors). Click on the link below for more photos.
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FOR
MORE PHOTOS >>>>
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Books and Blankets and Helping
Hands Initiatives Will Make Life Much Easier For Clients of The
Elgin Street Mission Centre |
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Tammy, from the Elgin Street Mission graciously accepts a donation from
Clair and Ron of the Greater Sudbury Public Library.
Library patrons donated over 1400 knitted squares which were made into
50 blankets sewn together by volunteers.
The library also collected over 300 hygiene items (soaps, toothbrushes
etc) and over 120 mitts, toques, scarves which were given to the Elgin
Street Mission.
As well the library gave 100 paperbacks. These items will be
given to the clients of the Elgin Street Mission.
Library patrons and staff are caring people who care about their
community. These donations were possible through the library's Books
and Blankets and Helping Hands initiatives.
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PAROISSE
ST-JOSEPH of Chelmsford Will Be On Hand At the Hanmer Valley
Shopping Centre Selling Tickets On Lawn Swing Set |
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Monique Martel is shown at the Hanmer Valley Shopping
Centre taking her turn selling tickets on the beautiful lawn swing set
which will be won by a lucky person on June 17, 2007. The set was built by
Marcel Rodrique and donated by Ronald and Murielle Bradley. Tickets are
selling at a cost of $2 each, or 3 for $5 and 7 for $10. An early bird
draw with a prize of $200 will be drawn on December 23, 2006, with a
second early bird draw for $300 made on February 11, 2007. Tickets will be
available at the mall until December 21. |
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The Real Dixie Lee Gets A Surprise
Meal At Dixie Lee Restaurant |
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Capreol's Joyce Sweezy, shown on the right, is well-known
for her love of life and for playing practical jokes on her friends. So
one day she made a proposition to the Joanne Lafond, the owner of Dixie
Lee Restaurant. Joyce told her that she would bring in the "Real
Dixie Lee" in return for a free dinner. And so, one day Joyce enticed
her good friend, "Dixie Lee" (McKenny) to come to her for a ride
to the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre for dinner. The "Real Dixie
Lee" was not only treated to dinner, but she was even given a hat to
take home with her "name" on the front.
For "Dixie Lee", the surprise dinner was a great way to spend
time with her "Aunt Joyce", and for Joanne Lafond, it is a great
story to tell her future customers. |
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Supporting
Our Troops by
VECAN (
Valley East
Community Action Network) |
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The war in
Afghanistan
may seem a long distance away, but not for Canadians who wait for news of
their friends or relatives who fight this faceless war.
Wayne and Sandy, the parents of Kyle and Glenn Fox, understand how
difficult it is to wait. Graduates
of
Confederation
Secondary School
, both brothers joined the Canadian Military as Peacekeepers. The younger
Kyle who joined in 2001 and Glenn, later in 2004, shared a two month tour.
Both gunners, Glenn is doing more extensive training in
Edmonton
, while Kyle is presently stationed in Petawawa, awaiting surgery that,
hopefully, will repair the hearing lost during a rocket launch attack.
Not all of their news reaches home.
Daily missions are unpredictable and many of the men who began active
duty with Kyle have been lost in action.
Kyle speaks of Mark Anthony Graham as “the best friend I ever had
or ever will have”.
Although serving in
Afghanistan
is very dangerous for our soldiers,
Sandy
understands that, without it, terrorism would reach as far as our own homes
here in the Valley; no one would be safe.
So, while she waits anxiously for news,
Sandy
has been promoting what she can to support not only her sons, but the rest
of Canadian Troops.
For like-minded Canadians, the
Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency website, www.cfpsa.com,
has several recommendations:
- The
proceeds from the sale of Support Our Troops merchandise (ball caps,
t-shirts, car and fridge magnets, cling vinyl window decals, bracelets,
lapel pins, and more) are
reinvested directly into morale and welfare programs for CF members and
their families. They would
make good Christmas gifts at this time of year.
- Messages
of appreciation can be posted on the online message board at www.forces.gc.ca/site/community?messageboard/index_e.asp.
- Place
an ad in Canadian Forces Newspapers that reach 15 military bases in
seven provinces.
- Wear
something red on Fridays.
The Valley East Community Action Network invites you to wear red on
Saturday, December 9th when you visit the Support Our Troops
display across from the Royal Bank in the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre,
from 10 till 3. Sandy and Wayne
are hoping that Kyle will be able to join them there from 11 until 2.
If you are aware of other local families whose relatives have been
deployed, please share that information by e-mailing vecan@mysudbury.ca, or by telephoning Claudette @ 897-2113.
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