Amanda Jane Modaragamage

1 week ago | theeverygirl.com | Amanda Jane Modaragamage

Recently, I noticed a pattern in how I move through life: I mentally collect little stories or funny things that happen to me and file them away like souvenirs. Then, I have a little highlight reel to share with my friends the next time I see them. Initially, I thought this was a good idea. I mean, I don’t want them to miss anything! But somewhere along the way, I realized that all we do is get together to recount old memories—we hardly ever make new ones together.

1 week ago | granthaven.com | Amanda Jane Modaragamage

By Amanda ModaragamageThe Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) marked the completion of its Patient Room Rebuild Project at St. Marys Memorial Hospital with a grand-opening celebration on June 11. The newly constructed wing is set to reopen this week, welcoming patients to the upgraded space. Among those in attendance were St. Marys Mayor Al Strathdee, Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae, HPHA staff, donors and members of the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation.

1 week ago | granthaven.com | Amanda Jane Modaragamage

In a first-of-its-kind event, students from all three Stratford high schools, Stratford District Secondary School (SDSS), St. Michael Catholic Secondary School and Nancy Campbell Academy, gathered to participate in a collaborative United Nations simulation, aimed at fostering global thinking, diplomatic skills and leadership among youth. The full-day session on May 30, chaired by Courtney Pearce, a Grade 12 student at St. Mike’s, brought together student delegates representing 19 countries.

1 month ago | granthaven.com | Amanda Jane Modaragamage

A new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, with the support of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), recommends that Ontario significantly boost hospital funding, phase out for-profit staffing agencies, and invest in preventative health care. The report, Hollowed Out: Ontario Public Hospitals and the Rise of Private Staffing Agencies, links an increase in agency use to what it describes as chronic underfunding of public hospitals over the last decade.

1 month ago | granthaven.com | Amanda Jane Modaragamage

With tension rising between Canada and the U.S., many locals are planning to stay put this summer. To help boost local tourism, CBC’s The Current has put together a list of the top 10 travel destinations in Canada – and Stratford made the list. With more than 2,000 locations sent in by listeners, The Current shortlisted 20 destinations in March and gave Canadians a chance to vote for their favourite travel spots until the end of April.