CALEB NICKERSON
SHAWVILLE Feb. 21, 2018
On Feb. 21, over 50 people packed Shawville United Church for a day of learning, food and fun hosted by the Pontiac County Women’s Institute (PCWI). The organization holds their annual information day in the middle of winter as a way to get the membership out of the house and break up the gloomy forecast.
The event features four speakers over the course of the day, broken up with a lunch in between. PCWI President Elaine MacPhee explained that the topics of discussion are based on the four pillars of the organization: education, agriculture, healthcare and publicity.
The day started off with local grain farmer Ralph Lang explaining his expansive operation, which stretches from Luskville to Clarendon. He explained the ins and outs of spraying pesticides as well as operating his grain elevator.
He estimated that he buys and sells around 20,000 tonnes of grain annually, the equivalent of about 550 truck loads.
Next up was Dr. John Wootton, Director of Medical Education at the Shawville Hospital, to discuss the science of dialysis, as well as some details of the long-awaited dialysis unit at the hospital.
He explained that the kidneys are one of two natural filtration systems that the body has, along with the liver. When people experience kidney problems, some require dialysis, where their blood is filtered manually by a machine.
He showed the floor plan of the new ward, which features five segregated machines, each able to treat three people per day, six days a week. Though details have yet to be confirmed, he said they are looking to start construction around the beginning of March.
Wootton emphasized the importance of having healthcare available in the local community.
After lunch, Sarah Richardson filled out the education portion with a talk about Connexions Resource Centre, which helps English-speaking caregivers in the Outaouais.
Sue Page also gave a talk about her recent trip to India with her daughter for the month of October, where they stayed with locals, avoiding hotels and tourist traps.
“It’s a different way of travelling,” she explained, adding that Antarctica is still on her list of continents to see.
