Miramichi Blog

Community Prayer Vigil to be held for “My Miramichi”

A Community Prayer Vigil for “My Miramichi” will be held on Tuesday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Queen Elizabeth Park in the Newcastle Town Square. The prayer vigil will be an opportunity for the community to unite together in prayer and healing for those struggling with addictions, their families, and the community. Following the prayer vigil, those in attendance are invited to visit various information booths in the Kin Centre.

The event is being organized by members of the Miramichi faith community, Miramichi Regional Health Authority’s Addiction Services, Mental Health, and Pastoral Care Departments, First Nations communities, the Miramichi Chamber of Commerce and Miramichi business community, City of Miramichi, Miramichi Police Force and Partners for a Drug Fee Miramichi.

Representatives from the community, First Nations, Addiction Services, a recovered addict, a family member affected by addictions, and the Miramichi faith community will be taking part in the prayer vigil. “We have all noticed the increase in drug use and addiction in our community and the harm being caused by drugs. Members of our community are living with addiction,” says Sherry Sturgeon, Miramichi business woman and organizing partner in the event. “Let us show our families, friends and neighbours that they are not alone, there is hope and there is help.”

Labels: event, health, wellness

Acadian Day was joyously celebrated on Aug. 15th, this year at the Queen Elizabeth II Park, Miramichi. The crowd enjoyed the live music provided by Trans Acadi and Norman Arseneault. The children had a great time with the magician and other amusements. Delicious homemade Acadian food was prepared and served. As you can see from the pictures, people had a great time.

Miramichi Public Health to hold MMR vaccination clinics for students returning to college or university

Miramichi Public Health Services will be holding day and evening vaccination clinics for Miramichi area individuals who are served within the Miramichi Regional Health Authority, have been born after 1970, and who are attending post-secondary institutions, including college or university. The vaccination clinics will be administered to help protect against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Those eligible are to call the Miramichi Public Health Office at 778-6102 to schedule an appointment.

These immunization clinics are part of the expanded publicly-funded immunization program to protect against MMR to include all individuals age 18 to 24, inclusive, as well as all those attending post-secondary institutions.

“This vaccination will help provide added protection to the age group most affected by the recent mumps outbreak,” says Dr. Denis Allard, medical officer of health for the Miramichi Region. There have been more than 100 cases of mumps reported in New Brunswick, mainly in the Saint John area, since January. Two thirds of these cases have been in the 20 to 29 year old age range.

Mumps can affect people of any age who have not previously had the disease or been immunized. People born before 1970 likely had mumps disease as a child and are considered not susceptible to mumps and will not be part of the expanded program. In adults, mumps can lead to more serious conditions.

Common symptoms include fever, swollen and tender glands at the angle of the jaw.

Anyone diagnosed with mumps or who suspects they may have mumps should not go to school or work until they have seen a doctor.

What is mumps?

· Mumps is a disease caused by a virus.

· Mumps can occur at any age, but can be especially serious in adults.

· Mumps is spread by close contact with an infected person's saliva (spit). This happens with kissing or sharing food or drinks, etc. Sneezing and coughing can also spread the virus.

· Mumps causes fever, headache and swelling of the salivary glands.

· The swelling is painful and causes the cheeks to puff out.

Labels: health, hospital, program, wellness

Foundation to hold 2nd annual community breakfast

The Miramichi Regional Hospital Foundation will be hosting the 2nd annual community breakfast on the grounds of the Miramichi Regional Hospital on Friday, August 24, 2007. Proceeds from the breakfast will go towards the Miramichi Regional Hospital Foundation’s purchase of a local digital mammogram service for the Diagnostic Imaging Department at the Miramichi Regional Hospital. The breakfast will begin at 6:30 a.m until 11a.m and will be held rain or shine as many local businesses and service clubs have donated tents to provide necessary shelter. Parking for the event will be located across the street from the hospital grounds. Advanced orders for deliveries will be taken until Wednesday, August 22.

“The community breakfast will have a carnival type atmosphere that will not only provide a great breakfast but also free fun for the whole family,” says Joanne Sellars, managing director of the Miramichi Regional Hospital Foundation. Entertainment, children’s activities and health information kiosks will be set up for all to enjoy along with the scrambled eggs, hash browns, and bacon breakfast prepared in the morning for a cost of $4. Adding a healthy touch to this breakfast, the public will also be able to choose options such as fruit, yogurt or muffins to go with their meal. Miramichi Regional Hospital Foundation board members, local personalities, volunteers, MRHA Board members, staff and physicians from the Miramichi Regional Health Authority will volunteer at the breakfast.

Many local businesses are showing their support through donations. To make a donation to this worthy cause or to purchase tickets, call the breakfast hotline at 623-3303. The breakfast is being sponsored by various businesses and individuals with the main sponsor being Atlantic Superstore.

The Miramichi Regional Hospital Foundation's purpose is to raise funds for the purchase of equipment; construction projects for erection, extension, or alteration of buildings and provision of care for patients of Miramichi Regional Health Authority.

Labels: event, fundraiser, hospital

Casting For Recovery Canada

The first annual Casting For Recovery Canada event to be held in New Brunswick, this year will be in the Miramichi area during the last two weeks of September. This is a national non-profit support and educational program for women who have or have had breast cancer. In previous years the retreats were held in Quebec, Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia. Led by Kathryn Maroun, a professional fly fisher, CFRC provides an opportunity for women whose lives have been profoundly affected by breast cancer to gather in a beautiful, natural setting and learn fly-fishing, "a sport for life"!

Just as importantly, this offers an opportunity for time away, to meet new friends and have fun. We are currently looking for PARTICIPANTS, volunteers and/or donations to assist with the retreat this year. Participation is arranged by an anonymous lottery and requires registration and the time to attend. The event takes place over a three day period, usually starting on Friday. There will be no cost of any kind for participants!

For more information or to inquire about volunteering, participating or making a donation please visit the website at:
www.castingforrecovery.com , call Kathryn Maroun at 416.347.7000 or email:
kathryn@whatacatch.net

Casting For Recovery Canada is holding a 50/50 Draw on Saturday August 25, 2007.

There are two top prizes: first is 1 V.I.P. ticket for the “Country Rocks the Hill” Concert in Moncton on September 1, 2007 and second is a Prepaid Cell Phone from Downeast Communications in Miramichi! Bonus prizes to be announced later!

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at all three Downeast Communications locations in Miramichi and the “Opry Music Store” @ 450 King George HWY at a cost of only $2 each. Tax-deductible donations will also be accepted.

Limited amount of tickets will be sold! Help breast cancer recovery and see a great show at the same time!

Labels: event, fundraiser, women

Miramichi Regional Hospital Foundation’s 2nd Annual
Miramichi Community Breakfast, Friday, August 24, 2007

6:30 am – 11:00 am

Tickets $4.00 each

All breakfast proceeds go towards the purchase of a local digital mammogram service.

Entertainment / Draws / Games & Information Booths / Jumping Castles / Clowns

Grand Prize Draw – a chance to win a return trip for 2 anywhere West Jet flies in Canada.

Get a ballot with your breakfast ticket and this year you have a chance to purchase extra tickets to win a $2 each or three for $5.00.

Tickets are on sale now at various business locations, and will be on sale at the breakfast.

Thanks for your support!

Labels: event, fundraiser, hospital

2nd Hillers’ Reunion Schedule of Events

Friday, Aug. 17th
7 p.m.: Meet and Greet at England’s Hollow. Free and open to everyone. Bring your own chairs.
7:15 p.m.: Opening remarks by Councillor Rupert Bernard. Crowing of Parade Queen Helena McIntyre by Councillor Martin McIntyre.
7:30 p.m.: - Entertainment provided by local talent. Karaoke – Get up and entertain us if you want. Fundraising BBQ will be held at England’s Hollow by the Miramichi Physically Disabled and Handicapped Association.
9 p.m.: - A Memorial Candle Lighting Ceremony will be held in memory of all deceased residents of the hill. Candles will be placed throughout England’s Hollow. Memorial Candles sell for $1which will be a donation to the Cancer Society. Call Isabel Carroll at 778-2463 or Debbie Carroll at 773-5586 to order candles for this event. Candles will be also on sale just prior to the Memorial Ceremony at England’s Hollow. The names of those being remembered are being compiled and will be read out during the ceremony.

Saturday, Aug. 18th
11 a.m.: Hiller’s Parade. Starting at Saint Andrew’s School on the hill, the parade will proceed down Miramichi Avenue to Water St. and through the Historic Water Street Business District and around to the Waterford Green on Loggie St. past the Rodd Hotel and back on to Water St. to Farrah’s Corner and along Water St. to England’s Hollow. Come join us rain or shine! Get your family to make a family banner and walk behind it in the parade. The Miramichi Physically Disabled and Handicapped Association bus will be available for those who want to be in the parade but are unable to walk. The Hiller’s Parade will be lead by the Parade Queen Helena McIntyre.
12 p.m.: A 2nd Fundraising BBQ will be held at England’s Hollow by the Miramichi Physically Disabled and Handicapped Association.
12:15 p.m.: Children’s games, Jolly Jumper, Face Painting, etc. at England’s Hollow.
1 p.m.: Hiller’s Idol Karaoke Contest – England’s Hollow. Come watch our contestants perform. All contestants must have some roots on the hill.
9 p.m. – 1 a.m.: Hiller’s Dance at the Miramichi Agricultural Exhibition. The two halls will be use, one with a live band Cook n’ with Ross and the other hall will have DJ – Evy Gray. Doors open at 8 p.m.. You must have a pre-purchased ticket. No tickets at the door! There will be door prizes drawn. Local Member of the Legislative Assembly, Bill Fraser will offer some remarks on this occasion.

Sunday, Aug. 19th
5:30 p.m.: Mass at Saint Michael’s Basilica. Seats will be reserved for Hillers to sit together at this mass.

Labels: event

First Annual Renous Revival Schedule

The Renous Recreation Center is celebrating its 35th Anniversary Aug. 17th-26th with the First Annual Renous Revival.

Friday, Aug. 17th
• 7-11 p.m. Karaoke: Open Mic Admision: Adults $4, students $2.

Saturday, Aug. 18th
8 a.m.– 12 p.m. – Yard Sale and Pancake Breakfast. $10 per table.
1 p.m. – Washer Toss. Call 622-2857.

Sunday, Aug. 19th
1 p.m. – Texas Hold’Em. Registration $30. Buy-in $20. Must be 19 yrs. and older.

Monday, Aug. 20th
Movie night at the Renous Recreation Centre. Admission $5.
• 6 p.m. – Family Show
• 9 p.m. – Teen Movie

Tuesday, Aug .21st
12 p.m. – Youth Floor Hockey. Registration $5

Wednesday, Aug. 22nd
6:30 p.m. – Miss Renous Pageant

Thursday, 23rd
Dance Time
6-7 p.m. – Preschool to Grade 2
7:30 – 8:30 p.m. – Grade 3-5
9-11 p.m. – Middle School

Friday, Aug. 24th
7 p.m. – Opening of Reg Donovan Memorial Ball Tournament. To register, call 622-0026 or 622-3173.
10 p.m. – Fireworks display

Saturday, Aug. 25th
8 a.m. – Tournament continues
8 a.m. - Pancake breakfast
12 – 6 p.m. – Jam session. Local entertainers welcome.
9 p.m. – 1 a.m. – Adult dance.
Music by Hard Core Trubadours. Admission: $10. Must be 19 or over.

Sunday, Aug. 26th
10 a.m. – Finals of tournament
Family Activity Day
11 a.m. – Puck Race ($500 prize) at Renous Recreation Centre
12 p.m. – Kids’ activities: Jumping Castle, Dunk Tank, etc..
CasinoWheel and other games at the Renous Recreation Centre.

For more information, call the Renous Recreation Centre at 622-
7182.

Labels: event