Deadline extended to provide input on strategic plan for Madawaska Valley
The municipality’s online survey form was inadvertently closed earlier last week so Madawaska Valley has extended the deadline to Wednesday, December 11 saying, “If you haven’t already done so please take a few moments of your time to fill out and provide us with your input.” Please visit madawaskavalley.ca and click where indicated to complete the survey. Paper copies of the survey are available at the municipal office and at the library.
Hwy. 418 and 407 extension opens Monday December 9
As of December 9th, the final phase of this project will be open to drivers, connecting Highway 407 from the new Highway 418 to Highway 35/115. Highway 418 will provide another north/south connection from Highway 407 to Highway 401. The extension will add 14.2 kilometres to Highway 407, and 10 kilometres to the new Highway 418. Commuters and families will have more options to travel across the region faster. A media release from the Ministry of Transport points out:
- In total, the extended Highway 407 and new Highway 418 will add over 24 km of new highways, benefiting communities across Durham and Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
- The new stretch of Highway 407 and new Highway 418 will be fully owned and operated by the Province of Ontario.
- Motorists will only receive one invoice for the use of Highway 407, 412, 418 and/or 407 ETR. This includes transponder leases, monthly account charges, and video toll charges.
December dates for Madawaska Valley Food Bank
Food bank sessions this month will be on December 10, 17, 31 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The MV Food Bank provides temporary food relief to individuals and families located in Barry’s Bay, Combermere, Wilno, Palmer Rapids, Madawaska and Whitney areas (as defined by the 756, 758 & 637 telephone exchanges). Proof of address and number of people in household is required to access the food bank. Location: 19460 Opeongo Line, next to St. Lawrence O’Toole Church in Barry’s Bay.
If you missed last week’s Radiothon, you can still donate to the Food Bank in these ways:
Cash Donations accepted at Gift it Gray, 19492 Opeongo Line, Barry’s Bay
e-mail transfers: mvfoodbank@gmail.com
Online donations through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/… or through Canada Helps: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/9655
Heartwarming Christmas ad promoting local shopping goes viral
Independent mom-and-pop shops in rural areas worldwide have to compete with online sellers and big box stores. This year’s Christmas advert from a family-run hardware shop in a small town in Wales has gone viral having received over two million views and reminds us of the power of shopping local. Whether you buy from a small town store, a farmers or craft market or direct from the vendor, you save more than just the cost of gas or deliveries … you help keep your own community alive.