WINGHAM - DuPont Pioneer celebrated the start-up of its new $15 million parent seed production facility near Wingham yesterday.

Ian Grant, president, DuPont Pioneer in Canada, indicated at the event that the opening of the Wingham Parent Seed Plant is a prime example of the investment Pioneer is making to continue producing products that meet the needs of today’s farmers.

“Over the last five years, DuPont Pioneer has more than doubled the size of its workforce and its business in Canada,” said Grant. “That degree of growth necessitates significant investment in infrastructure, including a $55 million combined investment in Canadian research and production facilities since 2008.

“DuPont Pioneer is pleased to expand its Canadian footprint and become a new corporate citizen of the Wingham community,” Grant added.

The 50,000-square-foot plant features a cold storage warehouse, state-of-the-art automated seed cleaning and treating equipment, and a controlled dense-phase pneumatic seed conveying system to maintain the highest seed quality. It is primarily focused on the production of parent canola seed, but it can also handle the conditioning and treating of parent soybeans.

Product from the Wingham Parent Seed Plant is shipped to Pioneer locations across Canada and around the world.

Dignitaries in attendance at the grand opening, including Mike Oxley, president and chief financial officer of DuPont Canada; Paul Gowing, Mayor, Municipality of Morris-Turnberry; and, Lisa Thompson, MPP, Huron-Bruce participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. In addition, Pioneer hosted visitors of the recently completed facility with guided tours of the production process and for lunch.

DuPont Pioneer is the world’s leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high-quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries. Pioneer provides agronomic support and services to help increase farmer productivity and profitability and strives to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere. Science with Service Delivering Success™.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders, we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit www.dupont.com

This news release was issued by DuPont Pioneer on Nov. 8, 2012

• A full freezer will keep food frozen for about 48 hours. A freezer that is half full will keep food frozen for about 24 hours.
• An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours.
• If available, add ice to the refrigerator to keep the food at a safe temperature if the power will be out for long periods of time.

KINGSBRIDGE – A new benefit will be offered to qualifying landowners in the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (“ACW”) as part of one of Ontario’s most promising renewable energy projects – the proposed 270-megawatt K2 Wind Project (the “Project”).

The Community Renewable Energy Benefit (the “Benefit”) will provide an annual payment of $1,500 to eligible landowners who own homes within one kilometre of a Project turbine, the substation or the transformer station, and who are not already participating in the Project through land lease option agreements.

The Benefit is voluntary, and qualifying residents are being contacted by mail. The Benefit will be available once the Project begins commercial operation. It will continue over the 20-year life of the Project.

There are no restrictions on how landowners can spend the Benefit, and participation in the program in no way limits an individual’s ability to comment or express opinions on the Project.

“The Benefit is part of a broader approach we’re taking to sharing Project benefits with the community,” said Paul Wendelgass, K2 Wind Project Lead. “We believe the community should receive direct and tangible benefits for the unique role that ACW will play in helping to meet Ontario’s targets for renewable energy.” The Township contains some of Ontario’s best areas for renewable power generation from wind, and ACW will help lead Ontario to a greener future.

The Project must meet all of the regulations under the Renewable Energy Approval (“REA”) process. This includes stringent requirements on noise impacts and a full range of environmental and cultural heritage studies. Copies of the draft studies will be available at locations throughout ACW starting August 17th, including:

Huron County Public Library – Goderich Branch

The ACW Township Office

The County of Huron Administration Office – Goderich

Capital Power’s Office in Goderich

The studies will also be available on www.K2wind.ca

K2 Wind will host a drop-in style open house on Thursday, October 18 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the former St. Joseph’s School.

Letters have been sent to residents qualifying for the Benefit. Residents who believe they may qualify, but who were not contacted by letter, can contact the K2 Wind Team by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at 519.524.2760.

A team of 45 United Communities Credit Union employees and their family and friends rode 160 km from Grand Bend to London and back in Canada’s largest and most successful MS Bike Tour to date recently.

As a result of months of fund-raising, the credit union team donated more than $20,000 and joined with more than 1,884 riders in raising almost $1.24 million to help put an end to Multiple Sclerosis. This is the third year the team participated and has raised over $55,000 in total.

“Our team really came together this year to raise funds and awareness for a great cause and we were overwhelmed by the generosity of all our donors.  Fellow team member Doug Topliffe was honoured this year as one of the Top 50 Bike Tour fund raisers by the MS Society,” said Carlene Frimer, who is team captain and a United Communities employee.

“The ride is challenging but when you come in at the end of day one and are high-fived by someone living with MS it inspires you to keep pushing on and reminds you that we’re riding for those who can’t,” she said.

In addition to the riders, 14 United Communities volunteers ran one of the stops along the route, and were named #1 Checkpoint for the weekend.

“I’d like to congratulate all those involved in this incredible event and I couldn’t be more proud to have such a community-minded staff,” said Jim Lynn, who is United Communities Credit Union president and CEO.

TIVERTON – One-hundred area students have received a $500 boost towards their post-secondary education thanks to Bruce Power’s scholarship program.

It is the second consecutive year the company has awarded $50,000 in scholarships to students from across Bruce, Grey and Huron counties.

The Scholarship Committee, which consists of 10 employees from a variety of Bruce Power departments, reviewed 606 scholarship applications, which were numbered to eliminate name biases, and no confidential information was shared about the applicants. The new online application form was open to all students attending post-secondary courses in the fall, studying in any discipline including trades apprenticeships and graduate studies. The students were asked to answer four main questions, and were ranked based on their answers.

“We thank all that took the time to apply and wish everyone a great academic year,” said Duncan Hawthorne, President and CEO. “Bruce Power is committed to supporting the education of our community members, and Bruce Power hopes the investments we are making in their future will reap rewards for everyone.”

This year’s recipients are Adam Kahgee, Alessandra Robertson, Alex Raynard, Alexa Braun, Allison Howcroft, Alyssa Kirk, Alyssa Walpole, Amanda Brown, Amanda Smith, Amy Richardson, Andrew Loucks, Anna Lehman, Bimadoshka Pucan, Brandy Zettler, Brittany Irwin, Brittany Merchant, Brittney John, Brooke Thompson, Cailin McMeekin, Carley McGlynn, Carol Stares, Carson Baks, Cheryl Kabbes, Claire Ashton, Connor Baer, Courtney Graham, Curtis Roote, Dan Hotchkiss, Danielle Bridge, Deidre Barfoot, Dominique Pilon, Emma Fuller, Emma Harrison, Erin Peister, Glenn Walpole, Grace Scott, Hannah Milley, Hillary Lubimiv, Hilory Von Hatten-Baer, Jeffrey Vincent, Jenna Ruetz, Jesse Chen, Jessica Grubb, Jisoo Yoon, Jonathan Reinink, Jonathon Jackson, Jordan Kelly, Justine Lennox, Kaitlyn McLeod, Kara McKellar, Karyn Little, Katelyn Brown, Katelyn Reid, Kathleen Padfield, Kathleen Walsh, Kathryn Loucks, Katrina Merner, Kelly Garrow, Kirby Cook, Kyla Mayrhofer, Kyle Kraemer, Laura Robinson, Lauren Bouillon, Laurie Hills, Laurissa Christie, Leslie Walker, Lindsay Campbell, Madeleine Popiez, Madison Bonderud, Mark Czuczman, Marsha Reany, Matthew Weishar, Melissa Fabry, Michael Campbell, Mike Park, Natasha Wickert, Nicole Van Doornik, Nikki Zeh, Olivia Fischer, Paige O’Neill, Patricia Meekins, Peter Reid, Rachel Mason, Riley Bell, Riley O’Hagan, Sarah Szabo, Scott Kunkel, Scott Overholt, Selena Hofmann, Shayla Rouse, Shelby Moore, Shelby Symon, Stephanie Seebach, Steven Crone, Taylor Larose, Tiffany Mills, Tom Fischer, Tyler Hardie, Tyson Van Osch and Wade Walker.

A celebratory breakfast for the winners will be held at the Bruce Power Visitors’ Centre on Aug. 15.

Since 2005 Habitat for Humanity Huron County has built six homes throughout Huron County, helping families who desperately need a “Hand up” to improve their living situation. As a Not for Profit Organization, Habitat Huron County has also strived to build not only homes, (recently announcing the 2013 Build on Tilt Street in Goderich), but also partnerships within our community. We would also like to extend this opportunity with your business.

The Huron County Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity and The Goderich ReStore can offer Tax Receipts on Building materials and all other donations received, based on Fair Market Value (FMV). End of line products, Seasonal items, appliances, tools and hardware, as well as building materials make up a bulk of what the ReStore typically can offer customers when they shop here. By your business’ generous donations we can help families by not just building a home at a time, but also helping families afford to maintain their current homes and living situation as well.

The Goderich ReStore is a retail outlet, but so much more. We are 90% volunteer staffed and work closely with several organizations and area schools, giving opportunities to many students and limited skilled individuals to become involved in a social setting and gain valuable skills in a work place environment. As well a lot of our volunteers are trained tradesmen, retired, who are looking to put their skills to good use to help others.

By volunteering, shopping or donating at the Goderich ReStore, we are all helping to “Build a home, without a hammer “and without the generosity of businesses such as yours and those all across Canada there would be no Habitat for Humanity Huron County. Thank you!

Attached you will find a copy of our list of ‘Items We Accept’ as well as a list of the items we take for ‘E-Waste Collection’.

Don’t forget our 10,000,000 Pennies equals One House Program! Bring in your pennies and support a great cause!

HURON COUNTY – The Huron Good Food Box is seeking a new Lead Volunteer for the program as they say farewell to their current volunteer who is retiring at the end of July.

“The Lead Volunteer has a very crucial role in the successful delivery of this program,” says Brittany Fry, Huron Good Food Box Coordinator. “We’re looking for a hard-working, dedicated individual with a strong desire to support this community-based initiative.”

The new recruit will work along-side the Good Food Box Coordinator for 2 consecutive days each month (based in Clinton). The individual will be responsible for helping the Coordinator pick-up local produce from around the county (on the third Wednesday); and packing/distribution (on the third Thursday) of products to various communities in Huron.

The successful candidate will have strong organizational, interpersonal, multi-tasking and communication skills. They must be able to do heavy lifting (20-50lbs) and have access to steel-toed work boots. Ideally they will have an avid interest in food, community and health.

Currently, Ken Leibold of Clinton fills this volunteer position. Leibold has been with the Good Food Box program since the very beginning in 2002 and has only missed one month due to illness since then.

“Ken has been a huge supporter of the program,” says Fry. “We’ll be sad to see him go, but are very thankful to him for sticking with us for so long.”

The Huron Good Food Box is a non-profit, volunteer-based program that provides a monthly box of fresh, local fruits and vegetables to residents of Huron County for $15 per box. The program functions as a produce buying cooperative that allows them to purchase products at wholesale prices and offer great value at an affordable cost to all Huron County residents.

The Good Food Box program has volunteer-run distribution sites throughout Huron County including: Bayfield, Blyth, Clinton, Ethel, Exeter, Goderich, Grand Bend, Hensall, Seaforth, Wingham, and Zurich. Details on ordering and pick-up information can be found by searching the Good Food Box at www.huroncounty.ca/health or calling 519-482-3416 ext 2244.

July box orders are due Friday, July 6, 2012 and can be picked up Thursday, July 19. There is no obligation to order every month, but organizers encourage customers to try boxes over a two or three month period because box contents vary according to season and local availability.  The Good Food Box program is now allowing people to pre-pay (with cash or certified cheque) for 3, 6 or 12 month periods.

This volunteer job description can be found online at www.huronperthfarmtotable.ca/consumers. Resumes and cover letters will be accepted no later than Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 4:00PM.

For more information on the Good Food Box, please contact the Huron Good Food Box Coordinator at 519-482-3416 x 2244 or [email protected].

United Way Perth-Huron’s 2011-2012 Annual General Meeting was held Wednesday June 13th at The Parlour in Stratford. The financials for the year ended March 31, 2012 were presented and approved with a surplus of $5,287 and combined fundraising and administrative costs of 15%.

Ryan Erb, Executive Director reflected on the accomplishments of the past year, touching on: the growth of new initiatives, specifically The Local Community Food Centre and PF Solutions; the ability to step in and provide aid to Goderich through 211, the Goderich Tornado Relief Fund, and additional funding to United Way agencies who support the victims of the tornado; staff development, team building, and the development of a new strategic plan; the completion of two reports by the Social Research & Planning Council (SRPC);and the successful 2011 campaign.

“With the dedication of our volunteers, the enthusiasm of our staff, and the partnerships of our two counties, United Way Perth-Huron can continue to create positive community impact. A community impact focus will allow us to collaborate with community partners and agencies to identify gaps between needs and services and work together to create effective solutions,” explains Erb.

Tine Buechler, Program Manager for The Centre of Employment and Learning, introduced participants to PF Solution, describing it as “one size fits all.” PF Solutions is a project of United Way- Perth Huron and Avon Maitland District School Board that was designed to bridge the gap between education and career. It serves to end the cycle of youth not being able to find a job because they have no experience and not being able to get experience because they’ve never had a job.

Awards were handed out and emotions were high as Erb bid farewell to 4 dedicated Board Members:

Jack Groothuis who completed his two year term as Board President, David Harvie (Vice President), Lisa Hacquebard (Board Member) and Stephanie Huitema (Youth Representative). We thank them for their extensive contributions to our Board of Directors.