Saturday May 14, 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen

While Mother Nature has been busy painting Midland in bright new spring colors, the townspeople are busy too –everything from opening our first sushi restaurant to hosting our first boating season opening regatta.

The week begins at our own Georgian College campus.  On Tuesday May 17^th and Wednesday May 18^th the College will host some 500 students from all across the County. They will be given a hands-on introduction to the trades being taught at our campus – from marine engines, to electrical, to HVAC, to solar. This new annual “TRADES EXPOSITION” will promote the great work at Georgian College and showcase our Midland community.

Wednesday May 18^th from noon to 1:00 pm features the official opening of our District Health Unit. The Unit is located in the MSS building, 865 Hugel at Gervais. You are invited to come in and find out more about the many health services provided thorough the Unit and meet the good people making Midland a healthier place to live.

Thursday May 19^th gives you two occasions to get out. At 6:00 pm the Midland Area Reading Council will host its annual appreciation dinner at Ste. Marie. MARC is critical to improving literacy in our area.

Then at 7:30 pm your Council meets for its second strategy session at the NSSRC. A Council strategy is an important step in directing the future of the Town. This strategy will inform staff about what your Council considers important and therefore where we should be spending our time and tax-dollars. You are invited to come and watch.  I hope that Council will host a public input session on the draft strategy in the near future.

The weekend sees Midland and Penetanguishene’s first ever “SHAKEDOWN REGATTA”.  The two mayors decided it was time to have some fun on our waterfronts and officially welcome the boating season. On Saturday May 21^st (weather permitting) Mayor Marshall will step aboard the HMS Badger in Penetangusihene harbor and cruise to Midland. He will arrive about 1:00 pm and be greeted by the Legion Pipes, a salute from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and a ceremonial hat from your Mayor. Then on Sunday the course is reversed with a welcoming ceremony set for Penetanguishene harbour at 2:00 pm. Come on down and help us launch this new annual event that brings our two towns closer together.

Gord McKay