Miramichi Blog

Winner of Dream Cottage 2009
Eric Carroll of Miramichi, NB
Ticket # 327
Eric purchased 10 Tickets with Tag on April 6!
Congratulations Eric! Dream Cottage or $50,000

Bonus Draw for $500 Gas
Gary Gill of Fredericton, NB
(Ten tickets with Tag on April 6)

Thanks to all who supported Dream Cottage 2009!

Labels: contest, event, fundraiser, youth

A benefit night will happen this Saturday April 4 from 7pm-1am at Nine Pine Truck Stop on Main Street in Blackville. All proceeds will go toward the first annual Miramichi Walk for a Cure to Diabetes. Music will be provided by M.O.T.E.L, a new local band featuring Jake Stewart, Justin Walls, Rudy Miller and Jonathan Walls. Door prizes will be drawn throughout the night.

"Local businesses have been very supportive of this fundraiser," says Jennifer Keenan, Chair of the Miramichi Walk Committee. "We've got some awesome door prizes to give away, something for everyone, including various merchandise and gift certificates ranging in value from $20 up to $100. There are going to be a lot of lucky winners."

Keenan's daughters, Jules, age 8, and Abby, age 6, were both diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in the summer of 2006. In 2007 and 2008 the Keenan family raised funds and participated in Moncton's Walk for a Cure.

"This year we thought it was time for Miramichi to have its own walk," Keenan says. "There are so many local families affected by diabetes and new children are being diagnosed all the time."

"Until it affects your life, people do not understand what it means to live with this disease," she explains. "Living with type 1 diabetes is something you have to deal with and monitor every moment of every day. It's a lot of work, a huge responsibility for parents and the children. You can't ever have a down day because your child's health is at stake. We need to constantly count the girls' carbs, do needle pokes to test their blood sugar, and make sure they're getting insulin in order to keep their diabetes under control."

Canada has the sixth highest occurrence rate of type 1 diabetes in children 14 years of age and younger in the world. Type 1 diabetes is the most severe form of diabetes, striking infants, children and young adults, leaving them insulin-dependent for life. Insulin, however, is not a cure, nor does it prevent the eventual and devastating complications to the disease which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, amputation and even death.

"A cure means everything for my family," Keenan says. "And with all the modern advances and breakthroughs in research, we believe that a cure is not only possible but that it will happen in the girls' lifetime. So I hope that people will not only come out and make a donation at Nine Pine this weekend, but also support our walk by volunteering, entering a team or pledging a walker."

The Miramichi Walk for a Cure will take place on August 30th, 2009, at the Middle Island Irish Historical Park. Funds raised will go toward the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), an organization founded in 1970 by parents of children with diabetes and the only major diabetes organization focused exclusively on research both for a cure and improving the quality of life of people living with the disease.

For more information about Miramichi's Walk for a Cure to Diabetes contact Keenan at (506) 843-6081 or email jasonjen@nbnet.nb.ca.

Labels: event, fundraiser, health, youth

Talk with Me/Parle-Moi program holding family activity for Literacy

The Miramichi Talk with Me/Parle Moi program and the Newcastle Public Library are celebrating Family Literacy Day. On Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 3-5 p.m, the Newcastle Public Library will host literacy focused songs, story time, rhymes and activities for the whole family. A colouring contest will also be held during this time and judged at 4:30pm, with winners announced at 5pm.

Families are invited to return at 7pm to the Newcastle Public Library for a Slumber Party with Librarian Catherine Reid. From 7pm-8pm there will be sleeping bag races and pass the pillow games. Families will also be able to create a star mobile and finish off the evening with a snack and story.

Parle Moi/Talk with Me is a program of the Extra Mural Program's Early Language Services. The program's mandate is working with families who have children aged birth to 5 years old. The program and the Newcastle Public Library are partners in literacy, encouraging children and families to read together.

Labels: health, program, wellness, youth

Frye Festival Writing Contest for Students

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, the Great- West Life / London Life Writing Contest is open to high school students province-wide! Check out the new themes and write to win $100, $300 or $500! This year, there will be two distinct categories for creative writing and essays, so express yourself in your own style. The deadline for entries is December 12th.

The Great-West Life – London Life Writing Contest provides student authors the opportunity to demonstrate their writing skills.

Prizes are $500 first place, $300 second place, and $100 third place. Participating schools will also receive one ballot per submission (max. 15) to be placed in a draw for a prize of $500 toward the purchase of books.

Download PDF for full details.

Labels: arts, contest, youth

New Immunization Clinics to be offered



During this upcoming school year, a new immunization program will be offered as part of the New Brunswick Routine Immunization Schedule for school-aged children. Beginning in September, Miramichi Public Health will begin to offer the HPV vaccine to grade 7 girls and for this year only, grade 8 girls will also be offered the vaccine. Miramichi Public Health nurses will be offering educational sessions about the HPV vaccine for parents and girls in these grades. Dr. Michael Dickinson, pediatrician will also provide an educational session about the new vaccine. Parents will be informed of the date, time and location of these sessions.

The HPV vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing the strains of human papillomavirus (types 16 and 18) that are responsible for up to 70% of all cervical cancer cases in Canada.

Prior to the immunization clinics, parents will receive a letter explaining the immunizations and a consent form that will be required to be returned to their home room teacher. Students who do not receive the vaccine during a school-based clinic can contact Public Health at 506-778-6102 to make arrangements to have the immunization.

For further information about these vaccinations, please contact Public Health at 506-778-6102.

Labels: health, hospital, Miramichi, youth

Mango names first child ‘Champion of the Community’


Grade 2 student Dylan Howe has been named Mango’s latest Champion of the Community. Dylan has Type 1 Diabetes. He was diagnosed when he was five years old.

“We are pleased to recognize Dylan with our Mango Champion of the Community recognition,” says Mango coordinator and dietician Jacqueline Noseworthy. Dylan has had to make lifestyle changes because of his diabetes, she adds.

Mango’s latest initiative, Mango Champion of the Community sees Mango recognizing and profiling members of the region who are living as Mango encourages the community to live: eating well and being active.

Dylan’s Story

Dylan attends Croft Elementary School. He is a Type 1 Diabetic. Type 1 diabetes occurs when certain specialized parts of the pancreas, known as islet cells, are destroyed and no longer produce insulin.

When first diagnosed, he used to need five needles per day. Then he received a new insulin pump. Now, he has a needle every three or four days to change the site of the pump.

His days are filled with watching what he eats. “Every day I count my carbs (carbohydrates) and my mom gives me so much insulin for the carbs I eat,” Dylan says. “It is important for me to eat a balanced diet that includes starch, protein, fruits and vegetables, and milk.”

It also helps for Dylan to be active, but when very active, he does have to continuously test his sugars to avoid them going low.

Dylan’s mother, Lisa, says he takes his diabetes very seriously. “He doesn’t complain and likes to talk to groups and others about what he is going through,” Lisa says. And Dylan’s future is simple for him. “I hope someday there will be a cure for it, but for now all I can do is try my best to keep it under control.”

Mango’s Champion of the Community is brought to you by McDonald’s restaurants: working with Mango to recognize healthy champions in our community.

Mango is a population-health based community program that promotes healthy eating and active living throughout the region. Its’ goal is to decrease overweight and obesity by 10% by the year 2008 through initiatives such as this one.

Labels: Mango, youth

Overwhelming registration for Mango Kids Fun Run

Over 700 children are now registered for the Mango Kids Fun Run happening July 8.

This fun run completes the Go for 42 program which took place in area schools from May 14-June 11. This program saw children from kindergarten to grade 8 completing a 40 km of a marathon over a 4-week period. The final 2.2 km of the marathon will take place July 8.

Children completed the first 40 km of this marathon with their classmates and teachers. For each 5 km they walked or jogged, the children received colorful shoe tags. The children had to pre-register for the final run on July 8 with their parent’s signature.

The fun run will begin at the Lindon Recreation Centre where registration for the event will begin at 9:30. It will follow King George Highway up to intersection by the House of Wong. Turning left, it will continue and turn left onto Pleasant Street. The children will continue down Pleasant by the City Hall to McCullum Street and ending at the Kin Centre.

Many partners have worked together to bring this initiative to the Miramichi region. They are: Mango, Partners for a Drug Free Miramichi, MACY, NB Medical Society, Miramichi Police, School District 16, Dept of Wellness, Culture and Sport, MAPP. Aliant is also sponsoring the event by providing medals for each child finishing the July 8 run.

“This is a great example of the community coming together to encourage our children to be active,” says Jacqueline Noseworthy, Mango coordinator and dietitian. “We are pleasantly surprised with the number of participants who have registered for the event on July 8.”

Noseworthy says she is proud of the children and their parents for seeing a need to be physically active, no matter what age. “Mango is in the schools with the Mango Mania challenges and now the Go for 42, we are seeing many kids starting to take on the responsibility of putting physical activity into their daily lives. That’s a great thing.”

The Mango Kids Fun Run coordinating committee would like to advise participants of several points of important information before the event on July 8.

If your child is pre-registered, they must pick up your registration kit and t-shirt on July 8 at the Lindon Recreation Centre between 9:30 am until 10:45am.

Race begins at 11am
Only children who pre-registered at their school will receive a free t-shirt
All children who finish the race will receive a medal
Parents: please do not remove your child from the run until they cross the finish line, unless you inform one of the fun run volunteers.
No bikes allowed along run route
Children should remember to apply sun screen, wear appropriate footwear and bring a water bottle.
Parents must be at the finish line to pick up their children. The approximate time for the event will be 20-40 minutes.

The public is encouraged to gather along the fun run route to cheer on the children. For more information, please call the Mango office at 627-7564.

Labels: Mango, youth

Proving How Great Canadian Kids Are

Today, to conclude International Youth Week, educators, child-focused organizations, issue experts, healthcare workers and parents will meet to try and change the way Canadians view youth to a more positive light at the third Helping Canadian Kids Thrive! Conference. The conference will highlight success stories to illustrate how great Canadian youth are and how easy it is to provide them with opportunities with meaningful participation in society so they can excel.

International Youth Week is a celebration of the positive contributions that youth make in their communities. “What a perfect time for all of us to recognize that the majority of children are good and doing good things.” says Joanne McQuiggan, Executive Director of Thrive! The Canadian Centre for Positive Youth Development. “This is a gathering of people who have success stories to prove that focusing on children’s strengths is far more productive than always trying to fix what’s wrong.”

The conference comes in response to the ongoing focus on the shortcomings of our youth, such as bullying, substance abuse and other destructive behaviours. As the vast majority of children do not exhibit such behaviours, many people see the event as being long overdue. Craig Keilburger, Founder and Chair of Free the Children that has involved over one million children and youth in advocacy projects around the world says, “Children are making the wise decisions, leading by example and making a difference in their peer groups, communities and around the world every day. It’s time for people to stand up and recognize the things that our youth are doing right.”

Celebrating youth is only part of the conference objectives however, as children cannot continue to succeed without effective support systems that bring out the best in them. Conference participants will also be provided with easy-to-use, research-proven tools that any adult can use to fully engage youth in positive behaviours and community involvement.

The Miramichi organizing committee is extremely proud to be hosting the Thrive! Conference. “We consider this conference to be a celebration,” says Mary Lynn Jardine, Youth Recreation Coordinator, City of Miramichi. “It is a celebration of our efforts to promote MY MIRAMICHI. MY MIRAMICHI is a great place to live work and play. Our service providers, our schools, business, our parents and the youth themselves have embraced the concept of positive youth development. The Miramichi region has been working to reshape its future by promoting strength focused initiatives. “My new motto is that we work with youth not for youth. And I am most proud of the high number of youth delegates and volunteers participating in this year’s conference.” The local committee has left no detail to chance; the Conference Delegates will experience true Miramichi Hospitality.

As well, conference participants will learn about Lions Quest programs – award-winning personal and social skills programs for young people that have helped more than six million students ages five to 18 reach their full potential. One of the unique aspects of Lions Quest programs is instruction in the concept of service-learning. This valuable teaching method enhances what is taught in the classroom by providing students with opportunities to use newly acquired skills and knowledge in real-life situations in their communities, which help to develop personal and social responsibility.

The delegates at the Helping Canadian Kids Thrive! Conference believe its time for all Canadians to gain access to these tools, and to commit to using them, while celebrating and nurturing our youth leaders. “In light of all the great things about our kids, I find it difficult to see how any Canadian could not see their glass as being full.” says Joanne McQuiggan. “But there is still ongoing work to be done. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, community member, or neighbour – it’s up to all of us to make sure that kids have what they need to be their best.”

For more than twenty years, Thrive! has provided products, workshops, services and curriculum resources to support adults in helping young people deal with the complex issues they face every day. The mission of Thrive! is to provide leadership, knowledge and resources to develop healthy capable young people of strong character, by working with individuals, agencies and organizations both in Canada and abroad to give Canadians access to the best possible positive youth development resources and training experiences.

Labels: event, youth

Thrive Conference

Best selling author, Dr. Scott Wooding to speak at James M. Hill Theatre
As part of the National Thrive Conference on Positive Youth Development, on Wednesday, May 9th, Dr. Scott Wooding is scheduled to speak on today's teenagers and and stress. Dr. Scott is a best-selling author, and is considered one of the leading authorities on parenting today's teenangers. The Eel Ground School's drama club is set to perform After the Thunder: The Simon Bishop Story prior to Dr. Wooding's talk. This special evening session from 7-9 p.m. is open to the community. Donation at the door.


Helping Canadian Kids Thrive! 2007 - 3rd National Conference on Positive Youth Development (May 10th & 11th, 2007)
Sponsor: Thrive! The Canadian Centre for Positive Youth Development
Date: Thu, May 10
Time:
Location: Rodd Miramichi River -- A Rodd Signature Resort, 1809 Water St., Miramichi East
Phone: 1(800)265-2680, Mary Lynn Jardine: 506-623-2054
Email: kay@thrivecanada.ca, mljardine@nb.aibn.com
Website: www.thrivecanada.ca/
Comments: Energizing learning sessions and training opportunities.

Labels: event, wellness, youth