www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 26, 2007 - 23 Caregivers can find respite and retreat at the Y H elping a loved one who is dying puts unprecedented demands on the caregiver emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. The need for respite and retreat remains intense for the caregiver because the giving is constant with only one outcome. The caregiver must exert extraordinary effort and attention to keep the loved one comfortable and as much at peace as possible. Having experienced traumatic physical and professional turmoil during the year preceding his mother's diagnosis, Doug McPherson realized that his energy level had been tapped. In early 2006, he had suffered a leg injury requiring surgery and long term convalescence. Despite his therapist's prognosis for a nine-month recovery and therapy, Doug returned to work within two months and was dismissed from his position. "I was absolutely shattered since I had worked with the company for 17 years without any performance issues," he said. In early 2007 just as Doug was able to walk better and his life professionally was making significant improvements, his mother received her diagnosis. Caring for his mother on a 24-7 basis, and at the same time working as a consultant, caused considerable "burnout." Doug knew he needed a place to regroup for several hours a week where he could get away and look after himself. The Y became the answer. Membership at the YMCA in Oakville provided Doug with the refuge that he needed to regain internal strength and assist his mother as she passed away. With its hours of operations, he knew he could visit the YMCA of Oakville when he found the situation overwhelming and literally needed to `get away'. As Doug said, "The moment I walked into the Y, I was accepted. Although I didn't talk to anyone about my situation, I received support by the friendliness of staff and members." The Wellness Centre provided the relief Doug needed to deal with the stress in his life at that time, giving him the chance to work out with the camaraderie of staff and members. For more information about the YMCA of Oakville programs and services, call the YMCA of Oakville at 905845-3417. -- Submitted by the Oakville YMCA. The Regional Municipality of Halton www.halton.ca Don In urban areas, put pumpkins in with your yard waste. Other acceptable yard waste materials include: decorative corn stalks, fallen fruit from trees, yard and garden trimmings and tree trimmings. Use only paper yard waste bags, or labelled, reusable, rigid containers with no lids. Drill holes in the bottom of reusable containers to prevent water from gathering. Yard waste labels for reusable containers are available at no charge from Halton Region. Containers must be no larger than 125 L (27 imperial gallons) or 23 kg (50 lbs). Yard waste materials will be collected on the same day as your Blue Box until December 7. Halton Region composts your yard waste material and provides it free of charge to Halton residents at our Compost Give Away in the spring and fall. Watermain Cleaning Program For 2007 Attention Residents of Oakville As part of Halton's ongoing watermain maintenance program Regional staff and our contractor will be cleaning the watermains in the Town of Oakville commencing the week of . Halton staff will also be performing preliminary maintenance the week prior to the program start up. There may be some inconvenience to you during our entire operation, either when we are on your street, or even in your general area. Discoloured water is discharged during the cleaning process, and to avoid having it enter your home/place of business please follow the steps noted below: · Do not use water between the times indicated on your BLUE LETTER, which we will provide to you approximately two days prior to working on your street. BLUE LETTER) please turn on your cold water tap in your basement and let it run until the water is clear. Halton Region Residential Ultra Low Flow Toilet Rebate Pilot Program you can reduce your water bill by approximately $43 annually! Halton Region is currently conducting a Residential Ultra Low Flow Toilet Rebate Pilot Program to offer rebates to Halton residents models. Please note: limit one rebate per residence at this time. Residents must be serviced via the municipal water supply to be eligible for rebate. For more information on the Halton Region Residential Ultra Low Flow Toilet Rebate Pilot Program please visit: or call 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866). Questions: Please call the Halton Region Planning & Public Works Department at 905-825-6000, ext. 7670, 7667, 7664, or toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866) and Regional staff will be available to answer your questions and assist you. This year Halton's Waste Management Site (HWMS) is celebrating its 15th year of operation. The HWMS manages our household waste, which is vital for Halton's sustainability. When the HWMS opened, it was expected to last 20 years. Thanks to the enthusiastic recycling efforts of Halton residents its life was extended to 2023. It could now last another six to eight years with the programs in the 2006-2010 Solid Waste Management Strategy, including the region-wide rollout of the GreenCart in April 2008. Gary Carr Regional Chair Oct. 31 Nov. 13 Nov. 14 Nov. 14 Nov. 21 9:30 a.m. - Regional Council 9:30 a.m. - Health & Social Services Committee 9:30 a.m. - Planning & Public Works Committee 1:30 p.m. - Administration & Finance Committee 9:30 a.m. - Regional Council can visit . 261007 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, Ontario L6M 3L1 · Tel: 905-825-6000 · Toll Free: 1-866-4HALTON · TTY: 905-827-9833