Victoria’s Read

MY INDOOR/ OUTDOOR DOG PARK DREAM:

I love the outdoors and nature, as well as most wildlife. I am a hiker all year round.

Through my articles I am trying to reach out to the city council, the media and the community of North Bay. I am hoping to receive local support and backing in this business venture. It is not simply a business but an expanding and beneficial addition to the city’s culture and diversity.

After all dog is man’s best friend, 2 out of 3 people in North Bay own at least one dog, usually more. Our city has nothing for dog owners to enjoy. Dogs need a playground too. We have no off-leash areas and no outdoor dog parks. It is dangerous to take our dogs out to the woods in both the summer and winter, with the wild animals roaming in the city limits, along with the hunters and the snowmobiles.

I am in the planning stages of making my dream a reality. However I am facing a few road blocks as far as funding  and resources. I have a dream and the experience with dogs in the K-9 industry but am limited in financial resources and a location. I am looking for publicity to help put the word out about my plan, to open an Indoor/outdoor dog park here in North Bay. I hope to find a sponsor or partner in this amazing opportunity for our community.

I am a 34 year old single mother of 3 amazing young children and 2 big dogs. I followed my ex-husband around the U.S.A in the Army for 11 years and have now returned to Ontario with my children and dogs. We live in a row house with no yard and very little space. My dream has always been to settle down and open this family business that my children can be totally involved in and that will bring our community together and give joy,  not only us but all dog owners. I have never wanted to do anything other than work with dogs and there owners. I aim to spend each and every day surrounded by them. 

There are both indoor and outdoor dog parks in every small or large city in the U.S. and I find it so strange that the only indoor dog parks in Ontario are in Toronto. There are several hundred outdoor dog parks  in southern Ontario,  but not one in the North. I have come to understand that the North Bay city council is not allowing an outdoor dog park to open in North Bay through volunteer efforts and non-profit organizations. I do understand the city’s hesitance due to the potential liability risks. That is why I propose a privately owned and operated Indoor/outdoor dog park as the answer for everyone.

A few other major benefits to the community and welfare of our pet will be that all dogs will need to be licensed and fix with up to date shot by 6 months of age. Day passes will be available for out of town guests. There will be a temperament test required before admittance of any dogs without exception Effective correction techniques will be practiced by all dog owners to insure order and reduce risks.

Although this is not an industrial business it is incredibly important to me and my family. This business would not only help support my family and our dream, but better the community in many ways. We do not want to make a fortune running this facility, we just want to be self- sufficient and make a difference in the lives of those around us. We want to see people happy and enjoying life with their kids and their dog(s) in all weather, all year round. People should not be stuck in the house complaining about the cold and the rain or the bugs and the heat. This would bring so many people out to visit and play with other dog owners and their dogs. In order to keep the cost of the membership low and affordable to everyone I need sponsorship and support from the city and local Entrepreneurs.

If there is any way you can help me get this off the ground please contact me at your convenience.

SPONSORS NEEDED!!!  EVERY SPONSOR WILL RECEIVE AS MUCH PROMOTION AND ADVERTISING AS POSSIBLE ON SITE OF THE INDOOR FACILITY AND IN THE OUTDOOR DOG PARK AREA. IF YOUR BUSINESS DONATES A FENCE, OR EVEN PART OF ONE, YOUR LOGO AND ADVERTISEMENT WILL BE ON THAT PART OF THE FENCE. IF YOUR BUSINESS DONATES TREES OR BENCHES THEN THE SAME THING WILL HAPPEN.  THIS BENEFIT WILL APPLY FOR ALL DONATIONS FROM BUSINESSES WHO SPONSOR PUPPY POWER INDOOR/OUTDOOR DOG PARK IN ANY WAY. PLUS YOUR FAMILY WILL RECEIVE A FULL YEAR MEMBERSHIP FREE!

Join me in bringing my dream to North Bay for all our families with K-9 companions!

Will it not be amazing to have a place to take your dog(s) that is not riddled with glass?

How about a place that is not staked out by hunters with bows and guns?

It will be so nice to know for sure that you and your dog will not be met by a bear, porcupine, skunk or snare trap?

That is why I plan to open the first and only Indoor dog park in the north, right here in North Bay.

Yes that’s right, dog owners will be able to take dog(s) to play off leash with other dogs in a nice big dog friendly building in the rain, snow and extreme cold.

We will finally have a place to go where there won’t be the hidden dangers lurking in the trees, not to mention the Bi-Law officer.

No more top secret dog walking groups!!!

All you have to do is License your dog with the city, pay a reasonable yearly membership and you will have full access to the indoor play area, during open hours, every day of the week.

Imagine being able to go to special dog events like Halloween and Christmas parties, small and large dog playgroups and much more for your family and your

K-9 companion(s)?

We will not be offering kennels or boarding of any kind, you will have to go elsewhere for that service.

We will have daycare so you can leave your dog(s) to play in the big open area, with all the other dogs, all day with no worries!!!

We will offer behaviour modification and training consultation on site for a small fee.

There will be several treat dispensers and equipment for your kids and dogs to play on together for hours of fun.

A totally fun, safe and clean experience for the whole family.

This is my dream!

I want to bring this dream to North Bay so all dogs and dog owners can have a warm, dry place to get the exercise and socialization we all need.

Can you help me make this dream a reality?

Will you invest in this great opportunity for North Bay’s dog owners and all our awesome dogs?

Please contact me if you have land, a building or house big enough to support this business. I am looking for sponsors and/or a partner.

Thank-you for any and all support that will aid in making this dream a reality.

Tiffany Womack

K9girl3@yahoo.com

Why did God create man before woman?
Because you’re always supposed to have a rough draft before creating your masterpiece

What is a man’s idea of helping with the housework? 
Lifting his leg so you can vacuum

PTA (Parents Teachers Association) was founded Feb 17th, 1897

World Human Spirit Day is on the 17th of February.

First Barbie dolls are sold in stores, February 12, 1959

Girls and Women in Sports Day is February 6

Stop The Violence Day, dedicated to stopping violence against women is Feb 14th

Nylon stockings were patented on Feb 16th, 1937

 New and Expecting Parents Trade Show

Come and talk to the experts! Check out North Bay’s latest and greatest products, services and resource information for new and expecting parents. Sunday, February 7th from 11am - 4pm at the Clarion Resort Pinewood Park. 

Admission is FREE  

We will gladly accept donations of non-perishable food items that will be donated to the North Bay Food Bank after the event.  We hope you can join us!

Canadore Women’s Varsity Volleyball

February 6th at the Canadore/Nipissing Education Centre Gym
Canadore vs. Mohawk.  6:00pm start.

February 10th- Canadore vs. Nipissing.  6:00pm start.

Amelia Rising Sexual Assault Centre

Amelia Rising is looking for a Front Desk Volunteer

Volunteers will:
• Answer the phones
• Greet women
• Book Crisis Visits
• Assist Women with our Library, Food Bank, and Clothing Bank

Available shifts: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30 pm
Contact Meghan at info@ameliarising.ca or call  (705) 840-2403

The “Then & Now workshop” takes a look at where you were versus where you are today. Feb 4th from 1-3pm.

Lynn Dolbeck from Modern Hairstyling & Aesthetics school will be giving providing haircuts on February 18th from 1-3pm.

Feb 4 - Tea Leaf Reading- Come join us to have your Tea Leaves read. It promises to be an afternoon of relaxation and fun.

Feb 18- Bring your singing voices and your dance moves for an afternoon Karaoke Party filled with song and lots of laughter!

Feb 25- Pampering Day-TBA, come and have an afternoon that is all about you women!

Nipissing University

5th Annual Bath Tub Project. February 8th-12th. This is a week long drive where students, faculty and staff collect donations of personal/hygienic products to be delivered to:
True Self, Nipissing Transition House, Sturgeon Falls Family Resource Centre, Amelia Rising, Mattawa Women’s Resource Centre, Ojibway Family Resource Centre, North Bay Crisis Centre, North Bay Food Bank, North Bay Indian Friendship Centre, The Gathering Place and the AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area.

Have a heart. Take heart… It’s no coincidence why we have so many sayings relating to the heart. In love or life it is one of the most important considerations and its health is essential. For women there are some key heart health tips that you can pay special attention to.

One of the best ways for women to ensure good cardio vascular health is to eliminate unhealthy fats from your diet, eat whole foods and engage in regular aerobic exercise. You’ve probably heard this before but what you may not realize is that you need some very important fats in your diet. Fats rich in Omega 3 is one of the most important but rather than scouring labels, you can easily add healthy oils by switching to a few good oils in your diet. Olive oil and rice bran oil are great for cooking and coconut or sesame is great for salad dressings. If you bake, you can use grape seed oil as a good all purpose oil. Avoid oils often made from GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) crops such as corn, soy and canola oil.

Another important factor related to heart health and healthy fats for women, is the link between these fats and healthy hormone levels. Many of these essential fats are the primary building blocks for hormones. Diets lacking in these fats show links to increased PMS or menopausal symptoms as well as increases levels of stress related indicators in the blood.

Another important dietary change is to avoid all refined sugar. Diets high in refined sugar are linked to higher levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and higher levels of blood glucose and insulin. All of these can lead to cardiovascular problems.

Most important of all is to get moving. Exercise is the strongest medicine you can take for heart health. “Cardio” exercise (exercise that raises your heart rate) and exercises that help to reduce stress combine to multiply the benefits. A great start is to get out and walk and a good goal is to get to 10,000 steps a day. It sounds like a lot but if you get a pedometer that counts them for you you’ll be surprised how many you do already.

Other clinically proven exercises for heart health are swimming and yoga. Yoga asanas or postures are isometric, which means they rely on holding muscle tension for a short time. This improves circulation and cardiovascular fitness and studies show that regular yoga practice (more than once a week) helps to normalize blood pressure.

It’s never too late to start and the payback adds years and enjoyment to your life.
Stay well, stay strong… you deserve it.

For more information, email info@ohanawellness.ca or visit www.OhanaWellness.ca.
©Darren Renaud – Natural Health Practitioner

Myrtle Alice Cook McGowan. Born Toronto, Ont Jan 5, 1902. Died Mar 18, 1985 in Elora, Ont.

A shy and quiet child, she loved to participate in sports and excelled in track as a high school student which lasted on through to her adult years.
 

At 15 years of age, she was named to the women’s national track team. She won six Canadian Championships in the 60 yard and 100 yard events between 1927 and 1930.

Recognition of her prowess in running came in the 1928 Olympics, the first Olympic Games to allow women to compete. Myrtle was one of a team of six women to represent Canada. The press would call them “the Matchless Six”. At the Halifax Olympic trials, she had set a world record in the 100 meters but unfortunately at the games themselves, Myrtle was disqualified from this event after two false starts. She still ran the anchor leg of the 400 m relay and it was not only a Gold medal run but the event set a new world record of 48.4 seconds! The “matchless Six” returned home as heroes, welcomed with ticker tape parades in Canada’s two largest cities, Toronto and Montreal.

In April 1929, Myrtle moved to Montreal to begin her career as a sports columnist for the Montreal Daily Star newspaper where she worked for 44 years. She was a leader and organizer, working for recognition of women in sport and to establish the Montreal Major Ladies’ softball league, the Montreal Major Ladies’ Hockey League and a branch of the Canadian Ladies’ Athletic Club.

She was even called upon to teach running techniques to the members of the Montreal Royals, a professional men’s baseball team and  served in World War ll as a track coach of the Canadian Armed Services.

From 1932 to 1972, Myrtle served on almost every British Empire/Commonwealth Games Committee and Canadian Olympic Committees.

Myrtle Cook became known as “Canada’s First Lady of Sport” and for her numerous achievements and lifelong contribution / dedication to promoting women’s sport she has been elected into the Sports Halls of Fame for Montreal, the Province of Québec, The Canadian Olympics and Canada.

Submitted by Dawn Monroe. famouscanadianwoman.com

Apple Oatmeal Pancakes

Ingredients:
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp  granulated sugar
1 tbsp  baking powder
½ tsp  salt
1/3 cup  quick-cooking oats
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1 egg
1-1/2cups milk
1/4 cup  melted butter
1cup grated peeled apples
½ cup  raisins
Toppings:
Vanilla yogurt
Cinnamon

Preparation:
In large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, oats and cinnamon. In separate bowl, beat together egg, milk & melted butter. Add to dry ingredients and mix just until lumpy. Add apple and raisins. Mix just until incorporated.
Heat nonstick skillet over medium heat; brush with oil. Pour in batter by 1/4 cupfuls for each pancake, spreading with spatula if necessary. Cook for 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 minutes or until underside is golden and bubbles break on top. Turn and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until underside is golden. Serve hot with vanilla yogurt and cinnamon.

Peachy Pancakes

Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup whole wheat flour
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1  tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1  cup plain yogurt
3/4  cup milk
2 tbsp butter, melted
2 eggs
1-1/4 cups finely chopped peeled peaches

Preparation:
In large bowl, stir together flours, sugar, baking soda, nutmeg & salt. Whisk yogurt, milk, butter &eggs. Pour over dry ingredients and stir just until moistened.
Heat skillet over medium heat. Brush with oil. Using 1/4 cup batter for each pancake, pour into skillet. Sprinkle 1 tbsp peaches over each. Cook for about 2 minutes or until bottom is golden and bubbles break on top but do not fill in. Turn and cook for about 2 minutes or until bottom is golden.

Yogurt Pancakes

Ingredients:
1 cup sifted flour
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 (8 oz.) carton plain yogurt
1/4 cup water

Preparation:
Preheat lightly oiled skillet. Measure and sift flour. Sift again with sugar, baking soda and salt. In medium bowl, beat eggs until light and lemon colored. Blend in yogurt and water. Add dry ingredients and beat until well-blended. Cook small pancakes on lightly oiled griddle or fry pan.

Yee ha.  I’m on regular foods again and all is going well. I’ve lost a total of 42 pounds so far and loving all the changes with my body.  My doctor was pleased with my results and now I don’t need to see her for another four months. Basically, she instructed me to introduce foods slowly, eat 5-6 times daily, chew foods to an applesauce consistency and not to drink with my meals.

My husband and I traveled down to Rochester and made a little holiday out of it. He took a couple of days off work and visited some family members on the way there and back. We took a hotel room while in Rochester since the hospital offers a generous discount at the Ritt Inn and Conference center. It is a very nice hotel, complete with two restaurants, an indoor and an outdoor pool, a hot tub and an exercise room. So, we had a nice time, just relaxing.

I’ve noticed that my taste buds have changed. My favourite cereal used to be Oatmeal Crisp but now I like those little bails of straw called Mini Wheat’s. I never cared for Yogurt but now I find that with a few pieces of fresh fruit tossed in, it’s a nice snack!

I’ve spent most of my adult life near a fan because I was always so hot. The thought of ever wearing a long-sleeved sweater was just plain crazy. Since losing the weight, I’ve bought two sweaters so far because I feel the cold more now.

I’m a bathroom reader but now I can’t sit too long on the toilet without my butt getting sore. LOL.

I had to stop wearing my wedding ring since I came very close to losing it in Value Village many times but my pinky ring takes its place very well!

Value Village is where I’ve been doing all my clothes shopping lately since I’m not fitting in my clothes for very long.

For information on Gastric Bariatric Surgery, visit www.urmc.rochester.edu/hh/services-centers/bariatrics. 

To be continued………