Sunday October 28, 2018

Ladies and Gentlemen

The 2018 municipal election is in the books.  We have elected a new mayor and council that with a bit of organizing should be able to keep Midland on the path to becoming a welcoming prosperous community.

One aspect of the election was a disappointment for me - voter turnout was just 35%.  I expect that most of you who are reading this did vote, so no need for that lecture about democracy. But why aren’t most people willing to invest the 30 minutes every 4 years?  Access is not the issue – paper, phone-in, electronic does not seem to increase numbers.  We seem to be able to make the effort for the more distant federal and provincial elections.  What seems to increase participation is having a local controversial issue.  So should we really care about low turnout? And if we do care, how do we change future municipal elections?

The Week Ahead

On Monday October 29^th NSCFDC hosts the first talk in its Money Management Monday series at the Midland Public Library.  The topic - Numbers Are Hot Part 1 – answering the question about what numbers you need to manage your business. The event runs from 7:30 am to 9:00 am. It is free but you should register at www.NSCFDC.on.ca 

At 7:00 pm volunteers for Diabetes Canada are hosting a diabetes information night at the NSSRC. Doors open at 6:00 pm for meeting the vendors. The speakers start at 7:00 pm. Refreshments will be served and there is no admission charge.

On Tuesday the 30^th you are invited to the MCC at 7:30 pm for an "Our Health" event. This fascinating evening will explore the relationship between technology and health. This program will be of special interest to the iGeneration (those who were born after the birth of the Internet, 1995) their parents and grandparents.   Access to the Internet and new technology has transformed the world of communication and health care. But, this proliferation of digital activity is not without negative effects! Cyber bullying, sextexting, and unwanted or unintended distribution of digital footprints and photographs can be dangerous. On-line users, particularly the iGeneration, are at risk of isolation, addiction tendencies including gaming disorders, anxiety and depression, all of which can lead to significant mental health concerns.  Register at Ticketfly.

Wednesday 31^st - Hallowe’en.  An evening for spooky fun.  Watch for excited children out trick or treating.

Thursday  November 1^st.  At 11:00 am you are invited to participate in the launch of Operation Heat at 283 Midland Ave. This OPP sponsored program is all about recognizing and supporting our youth in demonstrating positive actions, positive behavior and showing acts of kindness.

At 7:30 pm join Ted Barris at the Midland Cultural Centre.  Ted will regale you with the real life adventure of the “Dam Busters: Canadian Airmen and the Secret Raid against Nazi Germany”

Week - End

Saturday November 3

-          All day – Little Lake Park -  The Pan American Cyclocross Championships come to Midland.  The Cyclocross Championships competition will be open to cyclists from 44 nations within the Americas. It is the first Continental Championship to place the Elite Women’s event as the marquee race of the weekend.  The women will be the final competition on Sunday November 4.  It will also be the first ever Pan Am Cyclocross Championships hosted in Canada and the first-ever Pan Am Cyclocross Championships for Masters, athletes age 35 and above. All Championship races will be live-streamed, another first for the host event.

Over the weekend race organizer expect over 700 competitors from across the America’s to take the start, over two days, with thousands of athletes, support staff, cycling enthusiasts and sports-fans alike expected to spectate at the venue in Simcoe County.  Spectators are welcome free-of-charge and will find plenty to do with a demo area, kid’s event, beer garden and more.

Midland rocks.

Sunday November 4^th

-       All day – Cyclocross at Little Lake Park

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Last week the County of Simcoe conducted its first special collections for fabrics and electronics. With your help we recycled 107 tons of fabrics and 171 tons of electronics.  When we all pitch in we can make this happen.

Gord McKay

Sunday October 21, 2018

Ladies and Gentlemen

The weather forecast is cool and breezy but that’s no excuse for staying indoors on Monday.  It’s our municipal election day.  By now you should have all the information you need about the candidates. Now it’s your turn to get out and vote. Please take the 30 minutes to decide Midland’s future for the next four years.

The Week Ahead

On Monday the 22^nd (election day) the polls open at 10:00 am and close at 8:00 pm. All voting is at the NSSRC. Many of the candidates are offering free rides to the polling station. If you still need a ride to the polling station and have not made prior arrangements, let me know and I will try to help out.

One other note, the Culture North Simcoe Award Nomination deadline is today. This is your last chance to nominate our area’s best talent for well-deserved recognition.  Nomination forms at https://www.culturemidlandawards.com/the-event

  

Wednesday the 24^th is an anniversary date for our Town.  On this date in 1878, 140 years ago, Midland first reached a population of 1,000 and was incorporated as a village.  At 8:30 am the OPP Central Region Sergeants and Staff Sergeants will be conferencing at the Quality Inn. This is the third major OPP event in Midland this year.   

Then from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm the OPP “RACE Against Drugs” event takes place at the NSSRC.  RACE (Respect, Action, Courage and Excellence) has been designed to reflect the character values and curriculum taught within the Simcoe County and District of Muskoka school boards. Grade 5 students from 22 local schools from Christian Island, Towns of Penetanguishene and Midland, Townships of Tiny, Tay and Georgian Bay will be attending.

On Thursday the Quest AGM will be held at 5:00 p.m. at Quest Art School + Gallery at 333 King Street.  The Keewatin continues with its Ghost Tours – a novel way to enjoy the spooky side of the ship. Dates and times at https://sskeewatin.com/events /

And on Friday another chance to get with the Hallowe’en vibe with Paul James’ Hallowe’en Rock and Roll dance party, 8:00 pm at the MCC.

Week - End

Saturday October 27

-       6:00 pm - A tribute and farewell for mayor Scott Warnock at restaurant Ste. Marie

-       7:00 pm – Ghost Tours on the Keewatin

-       Dusk - Pumpkinferno at Discovery Harbor

Sunday October 28

-       Dusk - Pumpkinferno at Discovery harbor

Council Issues Update

Budget

The election is upon us. The draft 2019 budget will not be presented to this Council but will be tabled with the new Council early in 2019. Look for budget meeting dates to be published early in the new year.

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I often let you know about up-coming fundraisers but have not been telling you about the results. Time for a change.

Over 100 GBay Gals met at the PIE restaurant this past week to engage in an act of spontaneous fundraising – plus having some fun. They all contributed to the pot and selected Hospice Huronia as their local charity of choice.  They have just heard from Hospice Huronia that they raised $31,750!  From one evening!  The newly formed Gbay Gals is now over 200 STRONG – and this is just their second meeting!

The Guys Who Care met the same evening and also selected Hospice Huronia as their charity. They will receive over $17,000 from the Guys to help toward building their new facility.

A comment about the Gals versus the Guys seem appropriate, but suffice to say that we are fortunate to have both of these great groups helping those in need in our community.

Gord McKay

The Year for Forging Our Future - 2018

                                                                                              

Sunday October 14, 2018

Ladies and Gentlemen

The cooler weather has arrived and with it the first Hallow’een decorations. Time is moving on.

The advanced polls were open and are now closed. First indications are that voting numbers are well ahead of what we experienced in the last municipal election.  A good sign that residents are taking an interest in who they want to lead the Town on key issues - downtown safety; affordable housing; waterfront development; better municipal service; and building our local economy.  Please learn about what your candidates stand for and then vote. A good introduction to the candidates remains the two all candidates videos sent you last week. For your convenience:

Councillor candidate presentations from all three wards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch/?ref=0&v=9q000WsB_30   

Mayor and deputy mayor candidate presentations:

https://www.youtube.com/watch/?ref=0&v=rURyF8Cdp3E

Election Day is Monday October 22^nd.

The Week Ahead

On Monday October 15 all ladies who love to sing are invited to Calvary Baptist Church on King Street. The Shout Sisters Choir – an all woman’s choir featuring fun and friendship led by Julia Brown – will be meeting from 12 noon to 2:00 pm. More information at  www.shoutsisterchoir.ca

That evening both men and women in our community will gather to raise funds for a local charity or two. First of all the ladies; GBay Gals will meet at PIE Pizza restaurant at 5:30 pm - buy a glass of wine, visit with some friends, nibble on some snacks and raise funds for something we think is very exciting and important to our community. All ladies are invited to be a part of this exciting new initiative. Please contact the Gals at gbaygalsgive@gmail.com.

At 6:00 pm the Men Who Care hold their semi-annual fundraising event at 6:00 pm at Midland Golf and Country Club. To date nearly $100,000 has been raised for local charities. All men are welcome to join the fun and help those in need in our Town.

On Wednesday the 17^th I speak to the Simcoe County Home Builders Association at their dinner at the Barrie Country Club. While this is an opportunity to brag about the uptick in housing starts in Midland, I will also challenge them with some innovative ideas for building affordable housing. At 6:30 pm Wendat hosts its AGM at 6:30 pm at the Penetanguishene Legion, 2 Poyntz St. If you are going, please RSVP to Verna at verna@wendatprograms.com . And if you want some great entertainment, take in the Strawbs at the MCC at 8:00 pm. A great rock bandStrawbs album, Hero & Heroine, has been listed by Rolling Stone magazine as “one of the 50 greatest prog rock albums of all time”. It is the band’s biggest seller worldwide and was certified gold in North America.  In the USA Strawbs had seven consecutive albums in the Billboard Top 200Strawbs album, Hero & Heroine, has been listed by Rolling Stone magazine as “one of the 50 greatest prog rock albums of all time”. It is the band’s biggest seller worldwide and was certified gold in North America.  In the USA Strawbs had seven consecutive albums in the Billboard Top 200Strawbs album, Hero & Heroine, has been listed by Rolling Stone magazine as “one of the 50 greatest prog rock albums of all time”. It is the band’s biggest seller worldwide and was certified gold in North America.  In the USA Strawbs had seven consecutive albums in the Billboard Top 200 https://www.youtube.com/watch/?ref=0&v=oFp5vmyhxXg

Heroine, has been listed by Rolling Stone magazine

Thursday October 18 starts at 7:00 am at the Brooklea. It’s Small Business Week and our North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation is organizing a breakfast featuring a presentation by Nancy Spiker who will be telling her success story with a Passion for Fashion.  The cost is $25 - please register at www.nscfdc.on.ca. Then over to the MCC for two great events;

-       At 7:00pm it’s the annual Quest Art at Home event. For a $365 membership participants borrow a work of art for one year and are provided with a one-year Quest Art family membership and a $300 tax receipt. The art is on display in the Atrium Gallery until October 18^th.

-       At 7:30 pm Ken Dryden is coming to the MCC! Yes, the Ken Dryden. A Hockey Hall of Fame legend; arguably the best goalie in the history of the NHL; the winner of 6 Stanley Cups.  Ken will be Fred’s guest on “A Day in the Life”. But hurry! Tickets are nearly sold out!

Week - End

Saturday October 20

-       7:00 pm – Our annual GBGH gala fundraiser conceived by the amazing Splash (aka Jamie Crouch) featuring a “cirque” theme

-       7:00 pm - Huronia Museum presents a fun dinner theater – “Death Among the Wienerschnitzel”

-       7:30 pm - Martyrs’ Shrine hosts a unique concert to honor the women of historical New France. For tickets please visit www.martyrs-shrine.com/repose

-       Dusk - Pumpkinferno continues at Discovery Harbour

Sunday October 21

-       Dusk - Pumpkinferno continues at Discovery Harbour

Gord McKay

The Year for Forging Our Future - 2018

                                                                                              

Sunday October 7, 2018

Ladies and Gentlemen

We are now well into election season with three of the major all candidate meetings behind us. I hope you were able to attend. If not, Monday’s debate sponsored by midlandcommunity.ca and the downtown BIA was professionally recorded. You can see that debate at:

Councillor candidate presentations from all three wards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch/?ref=0&v=9q000WsB_30   

Mayor and deputy mayor candidate presentations:

https://www.youtube.com/watch/?ref=0&v=rURyF8Cdp3E

By now you should have received your voter registration card in the mail. If not you may not be on the voter list. You can check to see if you are by going to https://www.voterlookup.ca/home.aspx  or phone the Midland Town Clerk at 705-526-4275 ext. 2208.

Now none of us likes the line-ups we often encounter on voting day. Please take advantage of the Advance Polls that will take place in the gymnasium of the NSSRC on:

-       Wednesday October 10 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm

-       Thursday October 11 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm

-       Saturday October 13 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm

And if you still cannot make it to the voting location you may want to consider assigning your ballot to a trusted person through a Proxy Ballot. Information on voting by proxy is located at http://www.midland.ca/Shared%20Documents/Election%20Page/VOTING%20PROXY%20GUIDELINES.pdf  (or call the Clerk)

The Week Ahead

Monday – Thanksgiving – Enjoy your turkey.

On Tuesday the 9^th I am at the County for their regular Council meeting. Midland Council has no scheduled Council meetings this month. The Tiffin residents association is hosting a Ward 2 candidates meeting at 7:00 pm at the Native Friendship Center on Yonge Street. If you have not seen the candidates in your own ward, why not organize your own ward meeting.

Keeping with the election theme, on Wednesday the 10^th you can cast your ballot at the advance poll. That’s at the gymnasium of the NSSRC from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. At 5:30 pm CLH hosts its AGM dinner at Restaurant Ste. Marie. If you plan on attending please contact CLH at 705-526-4255 ext. 205.

Thursday is your second advance poll - NSSRC from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.  At 6:30 pm St. Paul’s United Church invites you to a presentation - A Compassionate Response to Dying. New legislation now in place, Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD), is happening regardless of Christian beliefs.  A group, ‘Men in Faith’, and local Midland  Knights of Columbus Laurier Council 2004  have invited;  Sister Nuala Kenny, SC, OC, MD, address this sensitive topic. Please RVSP to : https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/death-and-dying-in-a-compassionate-community-tickets-47852968517

On Friday the events start at 5:30 pm with the Wye Marsh’s annual fundraising dinner and silent auction, aka The Swan. Tickets are $85.00 per person. For more information visit

www.wyemarsh.com/fundraising-dinner.  At 7:00 pm, if you are a folk music fan it’s the Legends of Folk with Tom Paxton and the Don Juans at the MCC.  Sneak preview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch/?ref=0&v=dbzblBeHFzg 

THE LEGENDS OF FOLK SERIES PRESENTS
TOM PAXTON & THE DONJUANS

Week - End

Saturday October 13

-       10:00 am to 8:00 pm - Advance voting at the gymnasium of the NSSRC

-       All day - Treasure Day Weekend. Put reusable items you no longer need out to the curb for others to take them home

-       Dusk – Downtown movies wraps up the season with Hotel Transylvania and The Last Jedi

-       Dusk - Pumpkinferno continues at Discovery Harbor in Penetanguishene

-       8:00 pm - Johnny Cash tribute at the MCC

Sunday October 14

-       All day - Treasure Day Weekend. Put reusable items you no longer need out to the curb for others who need some help

-       Dusk - Pumpkinferno continues at Discovery Harbor in Penetanguishene

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The Allied Forces started the liberation of Europe on D-day, the 6th of June 1944.  Markelo, Holland and surrounding villages were liberated by the Canadians including some of own local veterans. Their sacrifice inspired Gert-Jan Oplaat to write the book ‘Mirrewinter’ and then turn it into a film.

You are invited to the Canadian screening of “Mirrewinter: The Movie” at the Midland Legion on Thursday, Oct 11^th at 7:00 pm.

The film focuses on a Dutch family during the Second World War and the Canadian role in the liberation of Holland. It was filmed with the help of Dutch re-enactors and production crew over a period of five months. The filmmakers are asking each viewer for a small donation.

Last year Holland honoured Legionnaire Frank Graham by naming a tulip variety after him. The first shipment of tulips to Canada was quickly spoken for. A few more of these special tulips have just been receive by Norman’s Garden Gallery. If you wish to honour Frank and all of our veterans by planting a tulip, I suggest you get over to Norman’s quickly.

Gord McKay

The Year for Forging Our Future - 2018