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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, November 9, 2011 · 6 OPINION & LETTERS The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 --Open 9-5 weekdays, 5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekends Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: C Canadian Circulation Audit Board Member A THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association S Suburban Newspapers of America o Canadian Community Newspapers Association ATHENA Award NEIL OLIVER Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The Oakville Beaver is a division of DAVID HARVEY Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief DANIEL BAIRD Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director SANDY PARE Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution SARAH MCSWEENEY Circ. Manager Roll up your sleeve It's the time of year for cooler temperatures, fall jackets, raking leaves and...bugs. Flu bugs. Halton Region's seasonal influenza (flu) immunizations clinics began last week at both senior centres and will continue at community clinics throughout the region. Flu immunization is free and recommended for all those six months of age and older. A yearly influenza vaccination is needed to help provide protection against the different flu strains that circulate each season. "Getting the flu vaccine every year is important," said Dr. Bob Nosal, Halton Region Medical Officer of f Health. "Although most healthy people recover from the flu within a few days, it can lead to pneumonia, hospitalization and even death, especially in the elderly and those with chronic health conditions." The flu can be spread from infected persons through coughing, sneezing, touching surfaces ­ such as toys, doorknobs, utensils, or unwashed hands ­ and then touching the eyes or nose. It is recommended that people of all ages get the vaccine, but those at particular risk include people aged 65 years or older, children aged six months to 23 months, pregnant women, those in nursing homes and chronic care homes, and adults and children with chronic medical conditions. The following actions can also help protect against getting the flu: · Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 15 seconds · Use alcohol-based hand rub · Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue, not your hand. Dispose of tissues immediately. · Clean and disinfect commonly-touched surfaces and items. · Stay home when you are sick Numerous immunization clinics are being held by the health department for members of the general public around town over the coming weeks, at local schools and at the Halton Regional Centre on Bronte Road. For best protection against influenza, yearly immunization is recommended. If you have a fever or do not feel well, postpone your visit to a later date. No appointments are necessary. People are advised to wear a short-sleeved shirt. For more information on the flu, including local, clinic dates and locations, visit www.halton.ca/flu, dial 311 or call Halton Region at 905-825-6000. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Letter to the editor Volunteers are not forgotten Each Remembrance Day people across Ontario pause to reflect on the sacrifice of the men and women who have served this country during times of f conflict. We don brilliant red poppies as a tribute to our country's displaced sons and daughters, her wounded souls and glorious dead. This day holds a special importance for St. John Ambulance as we pause to remember many Volunteer Aid Detachments (VADs) we trained to participate in past war efforts. At the beginning of the First World War, St. John Ambulance was mobilized to train and organize local VADs. These dedicated women worked tirelessly sewing uniforms, assisting in hospitals and meeting troop trains. The work of St. John Ambulance trainedVADs during the Great War went above and beyond caring for the troops, to assisting with home healthcare. By 1918, Canada was in the grip of f the Spanish Flu and St. John, a leading member of the Emergency Volunteer Health Auxiliary, placed volunteers in homes and staffed hospitals to help care for the overwhelming number of sick. At the outbreak of the Second World War, St. John Ambulance once again prepared a new wave of VADs to mobilize. This time, the call to serve was met by a brave new generation of women, anxious to serve their country. Many of these pioneers were called upon to fill vacancies at military hospitals at home and overseas -- duties few other organizations would fill. St. John Ambulance also trained VADs for home front safety efforts. First aiders in specially-equipped mobile first-aid posts were activated to respond in case of air raids or other war related disasters. For St. John Ambulance, the hard work and dedication of the VADs they trained was truly humbling. These women volunteered enthusiastically despite lackluster working conditions and the potential danger of f See St. John page 7 Letters to the editor The Oakville Beaver r welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver r reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Resident d thankful h kf l so many Good Samaritans were there I would sincerely like to thank all the wonderful, caring people who came to my rescue in front of Shoppers Drug Mart in Bronte on Thursday, Oct. 27. After almost being hit by a truck that came barrelling through the walk signal as I was crossing Lakeshore Road, I was so shaken and rattled, , I lost my focus and tripped over a rise in the sidewalk, having a very bad fall. I think there were five people who seemed to come from all directions to help me. I was in so much pain, I couldn't get up off the sidewalk. The people who stopped to assist me were so helpful and concerned, , it has really y renewed my faith in mankind. Fortunately, I only suffered a broken elbow, when it could have been much worse. To each of those people who rescued me, I wish to thank each and every one of you for your kindness that day. June Wiltse, , Oakville Follow Oakville Beaver staff on Twitter @DavidLea6 @DominikKurek @Beaversports