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As readers are aware, the storm on Friday, July 19 was rather unique and powerful for Oakville. Included in the temporary damage was a loss of power at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) (auxiliary power came on within seconds) followed by a hospital-wide announcement of a tornado warning. This was significant for me as my wife and I were preparing for the birth of our son at that moment. Despite these outside distractions and added stress, our very own tornado, Gabriel John Dinner, was brought into the world at 7:58 p.m. Friday night -- mere moments after the tornado warning. It is not this unusual birth story that has compelled me to write, but it does serve as context as to just how happy my wife and I are to be home in Oakville. Having been fortunate enough to visit numerous countries around the world as teachers, we have come to believe, like many, that Canada is the pre-eminent country in the world. We have come to believe that the Greater Toronto Area, and Oakville specifically, are among the finest communities in which to live, making them therefore, some of the greatest places to live on this planet. You can talk about shortcomings and we will continue to work on them, but when compared with most of the world and much of Canada, there is no place finer. We call the shores of one of the Great Lakes of the world, home. We have a community Thanks from `The Tornado' safety record envied the world over. First-class education. A tangible desire to be better and greater than we are. And of course, the Canadian health care system is the best there is. Our new home in Oakville sits within view of the construction of Oakville's new hospital, which if logic would continue in my argument, must therefore be one of the best in the world. We can argue wait times, but not the expertise and knowledge, coupled with the latest in health care technologies in our hospitals in Oakville and elsewhere throughout Canada. Nowhere was this more evident to us than at OTMH over the days preceding and following the birth of our son. The nursing staff, the doctors, and every person at OTMH were firstclass in all regards, making the entry of our little `tornado' one that was filled with joy and lifeaffirming experiences. We feel privileged to call this area home and cannot express our thanks and appreciation enough to the kind and expert staff OTMH Maternity and Paediatric Ward staff. The Tornado thanks you, we thank you. We wish you the continued success and happiness you gave us and shared with Gabriel on his first days at one of the world's best hospitals. A statement we can say with confidence because it will be staffed by those same kind and caring experts. John, Tasha, Gabriel `The Tornado' Dinner, Oakville 7 | Friday, July 26, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Dance group appreciated hospitality The dancers and families of the Goggin-Carroll School of Irish Dance would like to thank the folks at Knox Presbyterian Church for their outstanding hospitality during Midnight Madness. Thirty dancers and their parents were getting ready for the first of three shows on Dunn Street, where we have been performing for many years, when the darkness set in. With folding chairs under arms and shoe bags in hand we all rushed through the front doors of the church. The church that welcomes Midnight Madness patrons yearly was in darkness ­ power was out. We settled into the pews seeking shelter from the storm and were told by the Youth Minister we were welcome to stay. When the lights came back on, we were treated to popcorn and lemonade. Merchants from Pick of the Crop toys even came in with some activities. The cancellation of one of Oakville's top summer events is unfortunate for many including the merchants who staffed up and the community groups who rely on this event to support their fundraising efforts. For the Goggin-Carroll dancers it was a chance to see first-hand what pulling together as a community is all about. Janet Tosh, Goggin-Carroll Irish Dance Get everything you want for less. At Revera ­ Churchill Place, we have so many programs and activities to engage your body, mind and soul. It's why our residents tell us they "should have done this years ago." And, for a limited time, you can get it all for less. Call to book a personal tour today. 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