Aurora Banner August 13, 2015

TRAIL MIX

OUR VIEW

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COMMUNITY HEALTH

CYCLOSPORA OUTBREAK HITS 16 YORK RESIDENTS

BY LISA QUEEN

S

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lqueen@yrmg.com

ixteen York Region residents are among dozens of Canadians who have been infected by an outbreak of an intestinal illness called cyclospora since May, according to the region’s director of infectious disease control.

“We don’t know yet what the source is,” Marjolyn Pritchard said.

The microscopic parasite passed through people’s feces causes stomach cramps, diarrhea and loss of appetite and is usually contracted through infected water or food, particularly fruits and vegetables.

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Eleven York residents who picked up the illness had travelled outside of Canada.

Five of the cases are not related to travel.

Of the one case in May and four cases in June, one person had travelled to another province and the rest had not left Ontario.

In a normal year, York would have no more than two domestic cases of cyclospora in the same time frame, Pritchard said.

“It is certainly more than we have had reported in the past and the province is seeing the same thing. So, in Ontario, we’re see

STAFF PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT

Three Aurora youths will take part in the 2015 Canadian National Exhibition Rising Star Talent Competition.

Louise Barbosa will be singing, while Allison Lee and Daniel Tamburro will dance. For more, see page A4.

See page A6.

COUNCIL

HOEDOWN SHOWDOWN

Town thaws hiring freeze to ensure water standards

BY TERESA LATCHFORD

A

STAFF PHOTO/NICK IWANYSHYN

Judge Beverley Mahood enjoys auditions during the Magna Hoedown Showdown talent contest preliminary rounds at Theatre Aurora Tuesday.

Judges get tough to select 20 semi-finalists

F

BY TERESA LATCHFORD

tlatchford@yrmg.com

orty singers stood on stage but only 20 of the strongest will survive.

Theatre Aurora has gone country this week as Hoedown Showdown competitors took to the microphone hoping to make it into the top 20 for a chance to win a performance spot on the Magna Hoedown stage.

“The talent just gets better every year and they seem to be getting younger,” Showdown judge and singer Beverley Mahood said.

“It’s just blowing me away.”

The judges didn’t have it easy, as they were there to take the 40 performers, who had been

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To find out who the 20 semi-finalists are or for more on this year’s Hoedown, check out yorkregion.com

selected from 72 applicants, and cut the contestant list in half. Of the 40 taking the stage Tuesday, 16 were representing York Region.

At times, it seemed the showdown was happening at the judge’s table as Mahood and her manager, Tom Cross, fought for who they believed should continue to compete while Magna’s Steve Hinder tried his hardest to keep the peace.

See page A6.

tlatchford@yrmg.com

urora has waived its hiring policy to ensure the safety of residents when it comes to drinking water standards, council decided Tuesday.

During the 2015 budget process, council made the decision to implement a four-month gap between a position becoming vacant and hiring a replacement in an effort to reduce the town’s bottom line. However, a request that town staff be immediately authorized to fill a vacant water operator position had some councillors asking questions.

“We made a clear decision to have this four-month hiring gap,” Councillor Paul Pirri said. “It was a good decision, so why are these reports coming now?”

Ilmar Simanovskis, director of infrastructure and environmental services, said he brought the report forward because there is limited staff in the department and the town has regulatory FILE IMAGE

See page A4.

EDUCATION

2 teacher unions resume talks Suddenly glimmer of hope on education labour front

BY LISA QUEEN

W

lqueen@yrmg.com

ith most of the summer behind us and only 3-1/2 weeks before school starts, there is a suddenly a glimmer of hope on the education labour front.

Both the Ontario Elementary Catholic Teachers Association and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation

THE PLACE FOR

are heading back to the bargaining table.

Negotiations for the Catholic elementary teachers are taking place this week, on Wednesday and Thursday. They are in a legal strike position next Monday.

Union representatives for the public high school teachers agreed on Tuesday

See page A2.

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, August 13, 2015

Aurora Lions tamed by Bradford Wolves Bradford Wolves’ Helder Cordeiro (left) battles Aurora Lions’ Nicholas Gutta during Huronia & District Soccer League Cup semifinal action Sunday at the Aurora Soccer Club grounds. Bradford won 4-1. 4

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Sport Aurora pitches plan for former Hallmark building to town council

By Teresa Latchford

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Sport Aurora has a grand vision to build a multi-use, one-stop recreation shop and is asking council to commit to the plan.

An unoccupied building at 100 Vandorf Sdrd. — known to residents as the former Hallmark building — has the potential to become a multi-sport use facility, according to Stephen Kimmerer and Bruce Stafford, who presented their plan to council on behalf of the organization earlier this week.

“We think it could serve the sporting community who are in need of more space,” Kimmerer said. “It’s only limited by any engineering solutions and financial boundaries.”

A portion of the building has 42-foothigh ceilings and existing rows, defined by metal columns, measuring nine feet by nine feet. The building already has an existing cafeteria. The high ceilings alone would be ideal for vertical sports such as volleyball.

With a digital mock-up created by Stafford, council could see what could be included in the building. The virtual floor plan showed a 50-foot swimming pool, baseball space, volleyball and tennis courts and a gymnastics area all under one roof.

“Any combination of multiuse space this building could host,” Kimmerer said.

The fact that the building is adjacent to land already owned by the town means there would be potential to add outdoor facilities, including lights, running track, soccer pitch, baseball diamond and extended parking all the way through, making it a complete sport centre.

He also pointed out there is little to no residential neighbourhoods in the area, so

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lighting and noise from outdoor facilities wouldn’t be an imposition on residents.

“We ask that this council direct staff... to investigate the possibility and feasibility of the town partnering with sport and recreation providers by either purchasing, leasing or leasing-to-own this property providing customized specialty training and competition space for the betterment of athletes in Aurora,” Kimmerer said as he wrapped up his presentation.

While the delegates couldn’t comment on what the full cost to retrofit the building would be nor comment on a funding source, Stafford pointed out the building would be locked up during the exploration and Sport Aurora would be better able to gauge who would be interested in leasing space and signing on the dotted line.

He also pointed out leasing the space would be preferred over a permit system as it would allow the sport and recreation providers to use their own funds to make the needed changes within the space.

Councillor Paul Pirri asked if a publicprivate partnership had been considered for the project to which Stafford replied, “Not yet”.

Council accepted the presentation and directed staff to explore further, specifically under the umbrella of the sport and recreation master plan and report back to council with the findings.

Unions at table next Tuesday From Front Page

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to resume negotiations. They will get back to the bargaining table next Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario will hold its annual meeting next Monday and expects information about next moves to come from that, York Region union president David Clegg said.

The new talks for the Catholic elementary and public high school teachers are the first movement in many weeks in the tense standoff between unions and the provincial

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The new round of bargaining comes as the Catholic elementary union launches a new website called Teachers Matter, which it said will inform parents about issues that could impact Ontario classrooms.

“Parents deserve to know what’s at stake in these negotiations,” union president, Ann Hawkins, said in a statement.

“We hope that teachersmatter.ca will help parents understand that there’s more at stake here than a labour disruption. We all want to reach a deal but not at any cost to public education.”

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, August 13, 2015

TRAIL MIX

An occasional series where we take a closer look at the many beautiful, diverse trail systems in York Region

Boyd Conservation Area offers easy escape from urban jungle

By Adam Martin-Robbins Photography by Nick Iwanyshyn

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hite-tailed deer, rainbow trout, centuries-old hemlock trees and the occasional TV crew.

Those are just some of the things you might spot during a trek along the trails in Vaughan’s Boyd Conservation Area, nestled in the East Humber River valley, just south of Rutherford Road, at 8739 Islington Ave. Three main trails and several side trails snake through the sprawling park, owned and maintained by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).

With its myriad amenities – washrooms, soccer pitches, bocce courts, picnic tables – Boyd park is a popular spot for large group picnics, corporate and non-profit functions, cross-country running events and summer camps, among other things.

In the last few years, it has also become a bit of a hotspot for locally shot television shows, especially in the winter.

Given all that activity, you’re unlikely to find yourself alone, at least not in the open areas, but once you hit the trails, it becomes much more serene and, depending on the time of day, you might not encounter a single soul.

PIERRE AND JANET BERTON TRAIL Of the three main trails running through the park, the Pierre and Janet Berton is arguably the most publicized.

Getting there requires driving about 1.5 kilometres into the park from the main entrance off Islington Avenue, but there are ample signs to help you find your way.

There’s a large stone marker at the trailhead bearing the honorees’ names.

The 1km loop trail existed for decades, but underwent improvements several years ago and was officially dedicated in May 2011 to recognize the prolific Canadian author and journalist and his family for supporting the Friends of Boyd Park, a local group that successfully stopped the proposed extension of Pine Valley Drive through the conservation area.

The hard-packed dirt trail runs through a forested area of the park, which has been deemed environmentally sensitive, according to Grant Moravek, assistant supervisor at Boyd.

“There are things that grow here that don’t grow anywhere else – some special lilies, a natural spring that never freezes (and)… Jefferson salamanders, which is an endangered species,” said Moravek, a seasoned outdoorsman who has worked in the park for more than a decade, during a recent morning hike.

You’ll also find a wide variety of hardwood trees including cherry, some very old elms, birch, walnut and a few of the endangered butternut tree, “but they’re hard to find”, he said.

A mostly flat, hard-packed trail with a single boardwalk through a wet area, it’s ideal for beginners, Moravek said.

There used to be a stone bridge along the seepage area, but it was washed away by the frequent floods that occur here, he said.

The bridge was built

by Dr. Edmund Boyd, an ardent conservationist who owned the property until 1954, when he

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority supervisor Grant Moravek said Boyd Conservation Area features several rare species, such as the Jefferson salamander.

sold it to the local conservation authority.

At the point where it loops back toward the park, the Berton trail joins up with the William Granger Greenway, a wide, crushed-gravel trail popular with hikers and cyclists that runs alongside the branches of the Humber River, all the way up to Bindertwine Park in Kleinburg.

Those looking for a longer hike can head north along the Granger trail. Others can head south, back into Boyd Park.

WILLIAM GRANGER GREENWAY The William Granger Greenway, which is part of the Humber River Trail, is named after a former TRCA chairman.

It meanders alongside, and occasionally crosses, the East Humber River with a connection to the grounds of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.

Though largely flat, there are a few steep inclines along the route.

The section that passes through Boyd Park is mostly through open meadows.

At points, it affords some up close viewing of the East Humber River, which is a feeder stream for the main Humber.

“We get a good run of salmon in the fall and rainbow trout in the spring,” Moravek said.

“Depending on the water level, sometimes you can see them running up and down through the culverts, under the bridges. There’s some natural speckled trout in here, too.”

The river is also home to the redside dace, an endangered species of minnow with a characteristic red

stripe along the front half of the body.

They can be seen leaping out of the water to catch insects.

Also noteworthy about this route is that it lies along the historic Toronto Carrying Place Trail, an aboriginal trade route linking Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe and the northern Great Lakes.

As such, artifacts have been found along the trail from time to time, Moravek said.

Within Boyd Park, the Granger passes by an old quarry that was left to re-generate naturally.

Homes from the Islington Woods subdivision that abuts the park sit at the top of the ridge. Down below, out of sight from the trail, are a couple of wetlands that serve as home to an array of animal and plant species.

RED TRAIL Those seeking a slightly more challenging hike –

though still not terribly difficult — should consider the Red Trail, which runs along the top of the river valley through the densely forested part of Boyd park.

“It’s a good cross-country trail,” Moravek said.

There are three entry points to the trail, none of which are very well marked at the moment due to the devastating ice storm in December 2013.

One can be found at the rear of the Poplar Hill picnic site, located just inside the main gate off Islington Avenue.

For those wishing to drive further into the park, there are access points at the Valleyview picnic site, which provides for a shorter hike, and at the Cliffside 1 site, though, the latter trailhead is fairly steep.

Much like the Berton Trail, the Red Trail is packed dirt with lots of tree roots.

The terrain is undulating and the trail is quite narrow in some sections.

From the Poplar Hill trailhead, it runs alongside Islington Avenue for a fair distance, so depending on the time of day, the din of traffic can overwhelm the sounds of nature.

It then cuts a swath behind the Islington Woods subdivision before plunging into the forest at the park’s north end.

As you travel east along the trail, there are a couple of side trails with wonderful vistas of the East Humber.

It also affords you a view of the wetlands that have formed in the former quarry; the same ones you pass by, but can’t see, on the Granger trail.

All-in-all the Boyd Park trails are perfect for novice hikers looking to work up to more challenging treks or for those seeking respite from the sights, sounds and stresses of the urban jungle, says Moravek, “You’re right in nature and if you’re into it enough to pay attention – to watch and listen – it’s a great place to be.”

Boyd Conservation Area is open weekdays and weekends from the end of April until the end of August, then weekends only from September through to Thanksgiving.

It’s closed the rest of the year.

Pets are allowed on the trails, but they must be on a leash.

Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trails Admission costs $6.50 for adults (15 and older) and $5.50 for seniors (60 and older). Children 14 and younger are admitted for free with their families.

For more information, call 905-851-0575 or visit trca.on.ca.

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, August 13, 2015

The Aurora Banner, Thursday, August 13, 2015

Trio of Aurora youths competing in CNE talent contest

Cross-Canada ride supporting veterans stops in Aurora

Rising Star Talent Competition’s previous discoveries include crooner Matt Dusk and choreographer, dancer Blake McGrath

Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell among dignitaries to welcome riders to the Royal Canadian Legion’s Aurora branch Sunday

BY TERESA LATCHFORD

tlatchford@yrmg.com

Three Aurora youths are reaching for the stars.

Now in its 29th year, the Canadian National Exhibition Rising Star Talent Competition came long before the popular undiscovered talent TV shows such as American Idol and The Voice.

The Rising Star competition has found a number of talents throughout the years, including crooner Matt Dusk and famed choreographer and dancer Blake McGrath.

i

STAFF PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT

Singer Louise Barbosa and dance pair Allison Lee and Daniel Tamburro, all of Aurora, will participate in this year’s Canadian National Exhibition Rising Star Talent Competition.

To see Allison and Daniel’s duet they will be performing at the CNE, visit http://bit.ly/1KhHTJS To see Louisa’s performance at Aurora Teen Idol, visit http://bit.ly/1DN6U2I

Having submitted audition videos and earned spots to compete, singer Louisa Barbosa, 12, and dance pair Allison Lee and Daniel Tamburro, both seven, could join the ranks of those who have been discovered in the past.

This won’t be the first time Louisa has taken part in the competition, but it will be her final chance to win at the junior level.

“It was a great learning experience for me,” she said, adding she made it to the semifinals last year.

Her love of music comes from being in a musical household at an early age and, when

she turned six, she started to really enjoy performing. Her idol is singer Adele because, no matter what society tells her, she stays true to herself, Barbosa said.

“Music is such a diverse art form and it’s a great way for me to express myself and that’s why I keep singing,” she said.

She hopes her talent proves as powerful as it did when she took home the Aurora Idol competition earlier this year.

Dancing duo Allison and Daniel are excited and admittedly a little nervous as this will be the first time they have taken to such a big stage.

“I really hope we win,” Daniel said.

“People say we are very good,” Allison added.

The pair will perform an open duet, which incorporates acro and jazz, choreographed by their dance teacher, Natalie Cultraro, from Evolution Dance Studio in Maple, where they train.

Both began dancing at an early age after being influenced by their older sisters.

Each year, hundreds of applications from hopefuls six to 25 are received from across the province, but only the top candidates from the youth and junior divisions earn a spot to perform and compete at the CNE where they will be judged on their natural ability, audience appeal, stage presence and quality of performance.

The competition runs from Aug. 21 to 24.

Council waives hiring gap policy to fill water operation position From Front Page

requirements to meet when it comes to town water.

“What I’m hearing is it would be difficult to move forward without the operator but not impossible?” Councillor Tom Mrakas said.

‘I’m not willing to take this risk to save $10,000.’

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When asked outright if having only five staff in water operations instead of six would put residents or the town at risk, Simanovskis replied the operations are currently working with a reduced staff but he wouldn’t commit to saying there isn’t a risk if the position remained unfilled.

However, the staff report states water operation positions require regulated certifications and there will be insufficient operators in the department to allow for guaranteed safe and compliant operations come Aug. 14.

“I’m not willing to take this risk to save

$10,000,” Councillor Michael Thompson said.

“We need six (employees), we are down to five and if operations loses one more (due to illness), then it will have a significant impact.”

Mayor Geoff Dawe pointed out that because the hiring bylaw states any change must be reviewed by council, Simanovskis was well within his rights to bring forward his request.

Councillor Sandra Humfryes suggested the town think about training existing staff on water operations, so a situation such as this can be avoided in the future.

Councillor Wendy Gaertner said a fourmonth hiring gap likely wouldn’t even save money in this situation. She reminded council that, in the past, when it denied a request to fill a parks and recreation department position, cost savings were eaten up by the overtime needed to complete work.

A majority of council voted to waive the hiring gap policy to allow staff to hire a replacement.

Mrakas and Councillor Harold Kim voted against the motion.

BY LAURA FINNEY

lfinney@yrmg.com

A

group of riders raising awareness about veterans’ issues received a warm welcome at the Col. Fred Tilston V.C. Branch 385 Legion Hall in Aurora Sunday.

Paul Nichols, 46, left his home in Victoria, B.C. in April with his wife, Terry, their daughter and a team of supporters.

They are riding horses coast-to-coast to bring attention to veterans, especially those who served in conflicts after the Second World War, and the supports needed when they return home to civilian life.

Nichols served in the infantry and was deployed to the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. He fought in the Battle of Medak Pocket in Croatia.

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For more information, visit communitiesforveterans.ca

When he returned and had children, his family moved to Terry’s hometown, which did not have a strong connection with the military.

“We made the choice for me to leave the military and transition out of the core brotherhood, that full support network, out of that family into a community… that had very little ties with the military,” said Nichols.

“I moved to a community that doesn’t recognize a veteran as a young man.”

Many people think of veterans as older people, he said, and while those older veterans did very important work, it is also important to recognize veterans who are coming back from recent conflicts and making the transition from the military to a community.

He spoke of a time when he was in a store in Vancouver and a woman recognized his military crest.

She had lived in Sarajevo and told him about the horrible conditions she had lived in during the war.

“Her making the time to share that moment with me was a breaking point,” he said. “I was tearing up, she was tearing up.

Here I have this complete stranger hugging me.”

And, he noticed, others in the store were also tearing up.

“I realized then, right then, there is great power in a shared story,” he said.

That is one of the ideas behind this ride – to share these stories.

“Paul and I have our own story and our own personal pieces of this, but so does every other veteran that has served and transitioned, and that creates the louder voice that people need to get a greater understanding,” said Terry.

They are also recording stories while on the journey and will compile them into a book.

The ride also helps recognize the work the veterans have done and helps communi-

 Paul Nichols (blue shirt) and his fellow riders are joined by a welcoming party as they arrive at the Col. Fred Tilston V.C. Branch 385 Legion Hall in Aurora. Nichols is riding across Canada to raise awareness of veterans’ issues.

Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell speaks at the event to welcome Paul Nichols and his team to Col. Fred Tilston V.C. Branch 385 Legion Hall in Aurora.

Nichols is riding across Canada to raise awareness of veterans’ issues. 

STAFF PHOTOS/LAURA FINNEY

ties connect with them, Terry said.

“We are seeing the power in that recognition and we are joining our veterans not only to each other, but to community, and that community is the place where they need our support,” Terry said.

Local legionnaire Ken White agreed.

“At the legion, we have to remember our vets – not just the past ones; we have to remember the present ones and unfortunately the ones in the future coming as well,” he said, noting how important it is for veterans to tell their stories. “The Legion is not a bingo hall and beer parlor; it’s a sanctuary for veterans to come and just unwind and talk with their own.”

Horses have been important to both Nichols and Terry on their journeys – not

only their journey across the country, but their personal healing journeys.

Terry is a therapeutic riding instructor and they teach a military basic horsemanship course.

She said she has seen the benefits of the animals for the veterans.

“Horses are more than just a technical piece; they are powerful,” she said.

While they were in Aurora, the riders were joined by Legion’s colour party, other official riders and dignitaries, including Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell.

“I think through sharing their experience, their strength and hope, a new generation of soldier is taking the lead in healing their physical and mental wounds,” she said. “Our military men and women are reaching out

to each other and to civilians in an effort to raise awareness of the increasing posttraumatic stress disorder and mental health incidents,” she said.

“Often veterans who return home from conflict… are too often sidelined, their sacrifices honoured only on special occasions, because as civilians, we often don’t understand who our soldiers really are as husbands, wives, parents and community members,” she continued.

The riders left B.C. April 13 and hope to arrive in St. John’s, Nfld. Nov. 9.

Veterans are invited to join them on the ride. So far, more than 180 have done so.

They are hoping to ride with 700 before the end of their journey, Terry said.

— with files from Teresa Latchford

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, August 13, 2015

MARJOLYN PRITCHARD: York Region’s director of infectious disease control says the source of cyclospora outbreak unknown.

STAFF PHOTO/NICK IWANYSHYN

Jayme Lynn Reed of Keswick performs during the Magna Hoedown Showdown talent contest preliminary rounds at Theatre Aurora Tuesday.

Contestants compete for $20K From Front Page

“We have heard a few naturals who were born to do this and a lot of old souls,” Mahood added. “It is very hard to whittle down but we have had to be tough.”

But not all of the contestants made the choice difficult.

Cameron von Creigern from Peterborough was asked by judges what it’s like being 17 while he was waiting for his equipment to be set up.

“Not as good as you would think,” he said, causing the judges to break out in laughter.

All joking aside, he took to the mic and filled the room his smooth voice and subtle country twang that would make any teenage girl’s heart swoon.

In case his performance of Luke Bryan’s Country Girl (Shake it For Me) wasn’t enough to convince the judges he belonged in the top 20, he sang a song he wrote himself that sealed the deal.

Mahood remembers the Hoedown

being one of her first gigs 17 years ago after she released a single and has been involved ever since.

“It is such a tough business and this is a phenomenal opportunity for these singers to get studio time and mentorship,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to working with the top 10.”

The top 10 will be determined during the semi-finals to be held Sept. 13 at Aurora Ribfest. Those who make it, will be mentored and coached heading into the finals Sept. 18 during the first night of the Hoedown.

Contestants are competing for a grand prize valued at $20,000, including cash, guitar and case, recording studio package and a performance in front of 5,000 country fans during the Hoedown.

The runner up will take home $500 and third place will receive $250.

Proceeds from the Magna Hoedown will benefit 15 local York Region charities.

To learn more, visit hoedown.ca Check yorkregion.com next week for the names of the 20 semi-finalists.

JUPITERIMAGES

Infection not ‘normal thing’ in York: expert From Front Page

ing an overall increase,” she said.

The source of the illness is not known, so it isn’t possible to say whether the domestic cases were contracted within the region, Pritchard said.

“Whenever we get any of these cases, we do the normal follow up of finding out what people have consumed prior to the period in which they would have become ill or the incubation period,” she said.

“So, we do try and understand where people pick up these infections because it’s not normally something Ontarians should be picking up or York Region residents should be picking up because it’s not transmitted person to person and you’re not going to find it here as a normal thing in York Region.”

With 83 cases of cyclospora being investigated across Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada issued a statement Aug. 8 saying the illness has sent two people to hospital but no deaths have been reported.

At 74, Ontario has the vast majority of the

cases of people who became sick between May 9 and July 18, the agency said.

Three cases are from British Columbia, one is from Alberta and five are from Quebec.

“The risk to Canadians is low but people with weakened immune systems, young children and older adults are at increased risk for developing complications if they get sick,” the agency said.

It is investigating the outbreak with officials from provincial public health departments, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada.

While the cause of the outbreak is not known, past outbreaks have been linked to imported produce such as pre-packaged salad mix, basil, cilantro, berries, mesclun lettuce and snow peas, the agency said.

You are advised to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, not to ingest water from lakes and rivers, wash your hands regularly and clean food preparation and cooking surfaces thoroughly.

If you have questions or for more information, call the region’s Health Connection line at 1-800-361-5653.

Fall Registration To be a part of this great feature call 905.853.8888

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Bringing Dance to the Community since 1990 REGISTER AT THE STUDIO AUG 25 & 26 4-8 pm • SEPT 1 & 2 4-8 pm Register By Phone or Email

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Award winning studio celebrating 30 years of dance excellence • info@yorkdance.com • www.yorkdance.com C

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, August 13, 2015

OPINION

The BANNER

General Manager Shaun Sauve

Publisher Ian Proudfoot

Director, Business Administration Robert Lazurko

www.yorkregion.com 580 Steven Crt., Newmarket, ON L3Y 6Z2

Director Creative Services Katherine Porcheron Director Circulation Carol Lamb

EDITORIAL

Why is Harper inventing issues?

ISSUE: Prime minister seems to be waging campaign based on fear-mongering

Marney Beck

W

hile it’s far too early to predict precisely what this nascent federal election will be “about”, it looks increasingly likely, judging from the conduct of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, that the Conservative government seeks to wage a campaign based around fear.

Harper wasted little time in the days following the election call casting himself as the lone hero who could protect us from the horrors of a “Netflix tax”, which would, without a doubt, in the prime minister’s mind, be introduced by a new government helmed by either Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau or NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair.

If there’s one thing that can tingle the spine of any Canadian, it’s the thought of paying yet another tax, but there was one problem with the narrative laid out by Harper: neither Trudeau nor Mulcair had proposed a tax on Netflix or said anything on the subject one way or another.

Social and mainstream media were quick to seize on to that fact and satirists swiftly lampooned the campaign.

Fear mongering was again the tactic earlier this week as Harper played the public safety card and vowed to crack down on “terror tourism”, which is, barring Canadians from travelling to certain parts of the world unless they had a government-approved reason for going there.

GET CONNECTED q

TELL US what you think about this issue. Email tkibble@yrmg.com.

Without delving into the slippery slope such a law would create and the fact some Canadians could lose the ability to visit family who simply have the misfortune of living in a terrorism hotspot, it’s unclear how big a problem this truly is — the Conservatives themselves said terror tourists could number as many as 210 in 2014 — and why such a law would be required when existing legislation already prohibits citizens from travelling abroad to take part in terrorist activities.

Harper was back at it Tuesday, this time warning that relaxed marijuana laws would harm the health of Canadians, encourage more people to start using drugs and make it easier for children to obtain weed.

While these are tired prohibition arguments, the prime minister also, curiously, made reference to Colorado, a state which, since legalizing marijuana, has, indeed, seen an uptick in users, but has also experienced increases in revenue and tourism.

Its decision to legalize pot has largely been seen as a success.

Ultimately, it begs the question: don’t we have enough real problems to debate in this election campaign without the prime minister conjuring up imaginary ones?

In last week’s Maclean’s debate, Harper himself conceded, when pressed by Mulcair, that Canada was in a recession, although he attributed the lion’s share of the blame for the economic contraction on the energy sector and said the rest of the economy is growing and will continue to do so.

Obviously, we can’t say if that prediction will prove true, but the fact remains there are some serious and very real concerns with the economy at the moment.

The loonie is hovering around an 11-year low of 76 cents — with slumping oil prices largely to blame — and, while the unemployment rate has held at 6.8 per cent over the past six months, recent reports point to a troubling trend where overall job creation is up, but with lower paying, part-time positions and self employment taking the place of decent-paying, full-time work.

We propose it’s more likely the economy keeping Canadians awake at night, rather than boogeymen such as alleged Netflix taxes, terror tourism and our kids buying marijuana at the local convenience store.

By all means, let’s have a campaign, but there are enough pressing issues to debate without inventing new ones.

BOTTOM LINE: Let’s focus on real issues that keep Canadians awake at night.

Re-purposing bedroom yields school supplies

F

or parents of school-age children, August is back-toschool season, that time of year when you are assaulted by a repeated barrage of ads telling you to get out there quickly to buy all the latest gear so your kids can compete and learn.

Not to mention entreaties from your own children, who know that the only thing worse than heading back to school, is heading back to school with a battered knapsack, tattered binders and broken pens and pencils.

For parents of adult children, however, the end of summer and fall’s season of “new beginnings” may bring a different dilemma.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Not fair to slam university students Re: Young families need benefit for medication, letter to the editor by Chris Gray, July 30 and Child ‘benefit’ has me seeing red, opinion by Tracy Kibble, July 23: bit.ly/1IjePAy If you wanted to raise three children, then you should have been prepared for the financial burden that comes with raising three children and not rely on the taxpayers to do it for you.

That would be called responsible parenting.

You should know that, since you’re a university graduate.

As for your opinion on university students, Gray should then know they can’t afford to hang out at the bar and get drunk.

If that is your mentality, then I wonder how many parents will actually use the child ‘benefit’ money for the child.

G. Silva Newmarket

Pedestrian, cyclist safety needs improvement There is a lot to love about Newmarket, but one of those things is not the safety of pedestrians or cyclists.

In cities such as Toronto and Montreal, the behaviour of pedestrians and motorists is quite different. This is probably due to the fact there are so many more people walking and biking during all seasons, so people in cars become a lot more accustomed to actually stopping behind the line at intersections and looking both ways before starting to slowly cross that line.

Farther north, it is necessary for more of us to own cars and we are more spread out, therefore, we have less foot and bike traffic. Whatever the reason, I find it very troubling that approaching and crossing an intersection on my bike (especially on Davis Drive) feels like rolling dice.

Cars roll rapidly toward stop signs and intersections with lights, stopping well past the line (if they stop at all) and looking only left for oncoming cars.

This is dangerous in two ways: if there is a car already stopped in the lane to your left, you cannot necessarily see someone already crossing the road until you’ve hit them.

Secondly, looking only to your left while coming up on a crosswalk means you’ll completely miss someone crossing the intersection from your right.

Maybe you glanced at the corner before reaching the intersection, but what’s to say someone might not be there by the time you do reach it? Were they behind something that could have obstructed your view?

Pedestrians and cyclists, of course, have a responsibility to

help keep everyone safe as well, but this lack of awareness on the part of drivers has many of us scared when we really shouldn’t have to be. We should take the time to make eye contact with motorists before crossing to ensure they have seen us, but I’ve had extremely close calls with both of the above scenarios where I had no opportunity to see the driver at all before the danger presented itself.

I’m asking drivers to take time to re-evaluate your driving habits. Be very honest with yourself and if you are guilty of this, relearn what we are all taught in driving schools. You don’t want to be responsible for Newmarket’s next vehicle-related tragedy.

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Editorial

Nease creates excellent satirical cartoons Re: Cartoon disrespectful to prime minister, letter to the editor

by Michael Seminsky, Aug. 6.

Steve Nease creates excellent political cartoons, which, often, poke fun at the human vices and follies of politicians. Cartoons have been doing this for hundreds of years.

It is ironic Seminsky claims the cartoon in question disrespects Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who, for more than a decade, has disrespected Canada, its people and its institutions.

Long may Nease continue to comment on the political issues of the day.

A. King Sharon

Majority of cyclists respectful of road rules Re: Some Warden residents not happy with cyclists, letter to the editor by Ron Morgenstern, Aug. 6.

I ride my bicycle regularly during the summer months on Warden Avenue to Lake Simcoe and back. For the most part, motorists are respectful of cyclists and go out of their way to be extra safe around them.

The vast majority of cyclists are also respectful of cars and do their best to co-exist on the road with them.

If Morgenstern believes “a large percentage of cyclists are extremely ignorant and do whatever they can to annoy drivers and residents”, perhaps he should try riding a bike to find out what it’s like to be honked at for no reason and have to deal with drivers like him who have no respect for the lives of people who happen to enjoy riding a bike outdoors.

You may also want to remind Morgenstern and your readers that it is now law in Ontario for drivers to maintain at least one

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READ All our published letters at yorkregion.com or send your letter to the editor to Tracy Kibble at tkibble@yrmg.com

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Bronwen Dwyer

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metre distance from a person riding a bicycle. An added incentive for Morgenstern is a maximum fine of $1,000 and three demerit points for anyone breaking the law.

Michael Moriarity Aurora

Someone’s bound to be injured on Davis Re: Disabled people cannot walk Davis Drive, senior says, July 30.

I walk with a cane due to balance problems and was helping my mom (who has macular degeneration and is legally blind) to the CNIB office after riding a Mount Albert bus to the Medical Arts building July 28.

It was dangerous. I cannot imagine my mom doing it alone.

My teenage son has autism and all three of us battled heat, uneven pavement and poor (or missing) signage. If not for construction workers directing us around pylons, we might have walked into oncoming traffic by mistake. Why is there no clear signage to help? As Coffey pointed out in the story, if you can’t see, “God help you”.

When we left the hospital, we found the previous walkway was now closed off and there’s no bus shelter there. To top it off, the Mount Albert bus driver forgot to pull in to the 404 plaza bus stop, even though it’s a bus transfer point, so we waited for more than one hour past the scheduled time until York Region Transit sent a replacement bus.

I called and YRT apologized, explaining the bus driver made an error. I called the hospital to complain about poor signage, but was told to call the Town of Newmarket, who directed me to someone at YRT, a long distance call from Mount Albert.

Thanks for focusing on an issue we’ve been dealing with for months.

Sandra Misener Mount Albert

Thus, I found myself this past weekend, clearing through and trying to organize clutter and old textbooks and school “stuff” of adult children.

Some of you may recognize the controversial problem — how long do you leave a bedroom of a departed adult child intact before you re-purpose it to become a guest room, an office or an all-purpose storage room?

I hasten to report that my “departed” daughter is alive and well, living with her boyfriend in nearby Peel Region. She only returns home occasionally to grab clothing items.

So, I asked her delicately and tactfully (as much as possible conveyed via text messages), if I could make her bedroom into a guest bedroom over the next few weeks.

“You can always return home any time,” I reassured her, “you are always our daughter”.

“Sure, no problem” was the breezy response, nicely letting me know that a better option if they ever had to move was available through bigger lodgings at her boyfriend’s family home in Guelph.

So I opened her closet and peered under the bed, to begin my room repurpose project.

Yikes — I won’t describe too much of what I found under the bed, suffice to say that it entailed at least half a laundry load of clothes.

The closet yielded several pairs of shoes and sandals that I bet she’s completely forgotten about, along with numerous pretty dresses that had fallen in a tangle to the floor.

However, I did find numerous colourful folders, shiny new binders and colourful notepads, some with price tags still on them.

Rooting through several bags and boxes of my son’s college leftovers, which were gathering dust in a different closet, I found similar unused school supplies.

I now have a collection of brand new and gently used school supplies to contribute to the Salvation Army school supplies drive in Richmond Hill and Vaughan.

If you’ve got a similar collection of items languishing in cupboards or closets at your home, you can also contribute to the regional 360 Kids school supply drive.

If you aren’t in my position and your younger children succeed in dragging you back-to-school shopping, every Staples store across York Region is running a Staples for Students School Supply Drive, collecting items required by needy children in your own community.

Staples partners with the United Way in York Region and Optimist clubs to ensure the supplies get to less fortunate families.

However stretched your school supply budget may be, it’s certain there are families in your community who are finding it tougher and who truly need a little back-to-school help.

— Marney Beck is editor of the Thornhill and Richmond Hill Liberal newspapers

The BANNER

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Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member

‘You can always return home any time,’ I reassured her. ‘You are always our daughter’.

For all your delivery inquiries, please e-mail yrcustomerservice@ yrmg.com or call 1-855-853-5613

EDITORIAL 905-853-8888 ADVERTISING 905-853-8888 / Fax: 905-853-4626 250 Industrial Pkwy. N., Aurora, ON L4G 4C3

York Region Media Group community newspapers The Era, The Banner and The Express, published every Thursday and Sunday, are divisions of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of 100 community publications across Ontario. The York Region Media Group includes The Liberal, serving Richmond Hill and Thornhill, Newmarket Era, Aurora Banner, East Gwillimbury Express, King Connection, Vaughan Citizen, Markham Economist & Sun, Stouffville SunTribune, Georgina Advocate, Bradford Topic, GoodLife, beingwell and yorkregion.com

A8

The Aurora Banner, Thursday, August 13, 2015

Georgina...

LIVE. RELAX. ENJOY. Lakeside living year round starting from the $150’s to over $2 million with everything in between.

The ROC. Photo:www.georginaroc.ca

GEORGINA by Lake Simcoe, a place for you to call home and only 5 minutes from Newmarket. Closer than ever to Toronto with the new Hwy 404 extension, Georgina has everything you need to LIVE, RELAX & ENJOY life.

Gorgeous lake views, lakefront properties, boating, golf, fishing, skiing, tubing, food, entertainment and the arts – There is always something to do in Georgina!

OPEN HOUSE TOUR 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM SATURDAY AUGUST 15, 2015 PAINTED PERCH CHALLENGE 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM; JACKSON’S POINT PARKETTE Come for a visit this Saturday August 15th for the Painted Perch Challenge, then enjoy a drive through local neighbourhoods and take part in our open house tour.

76 Lake Drive East - $1,399,000

17 Rushton Road - $579,000

Breathtaking direct waterfront with 160 feet of shoreline with a permanent dock in a very desirable area of Lake Drive East. Cottage style 3 bedroom home with basement and enclosed 4 season sun porch. Separate Bunkie with bathroom, outdoor shower, sauna and hot tub. Incredible property with magnificent sunsets. Also listed separately are 2 separate lots across the road with 3 outbuildings.

Classy brand new 3 bedroom, 2 bath raised bungalow with 9 ft ceilings, hardwood flooring, custom kitchen, quartz counter tops. Walkout to huge covered deck. Entrance into house from 2 car garage. Quiet dead end street with walking trails. Short walk to the beach. Ten mins to the 404 extension.

NEIL MORRIS, sales representative 905-251-0740 / npjmorris@rogers.com

KEVIN DIXON, sales representative 905-715-2654 / kevin@kevindixon.ca / dixonprogroup.com

187 Hedge Road - $1,387,000

202 Hedge Road - $1,399,000

Spectacular one acre estate on Lake Simcoe with architectural masterpiece home with 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, gourmet chefs kitchen, hardwood floors, finished basement and charming one bedroom guest cottage complete with kitchen, bath and outdoor shower. Seeded waterfront access in walking distance to the Briars Golf course & Resort.

100 feet of direct, prime sandy waterfront on Lake Simcoe within 25 mins of Newmarket.

Year round living in this impressive 4 bedroom, 4 bath brick home with indoor sauna, hot tub and two car garage. Hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, wet bar, wood burning fireplaces, dry dock boathouse, dock and walking distance to the Briars golf course and resort on exclusive Hedge Road.

JENNIFER JONES, sales representative 416-702-1146 / jenniferjones.kwrealty@gmail.com

ANN ALDRED, sales representative 905-251-0754 / annaldred@gmail.com

Georgina Advocate July 9, 2015 Article Photo:www.yorkregioncommunity.com

101 Maple Avenue - $569,000 Quality built stone and brick 3 bedroom, 2 bath bungalow with full basement. Stunning open concept with chefs kitchen boasting commercial gas range & hood fan with warning shelf, wine fridge, breakfast bar, etc. Multiple walk outs onto large deck. Private large lot. Walking distance to street beach access and private dock. In area of exclusive Hedge Rd. Waking distance to Briars Golf course & Resort.

GARY & GINA SEMENIUK, sales representatives 905-918-1233 / info@yorkregionecoteam.com

Painted Perch Challenge - Jackson’s Point 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

The painted perch will be displayed in the Jackson’s Point Parkette during the event. Come help decide on the winners by judging your favourite fish!

OFFICE REALTY CENTRES, BROKERAGE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED

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905.476.5972 277 THE QUEENSWAY S., KESWICK, ON L4P 2B4

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, August 13, 2015

To have your event included in

what ’s on add it to our calendar at

what ’s on

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To have your event included in what’s on, add it to our calendar at yorkregion.com

Today THE LANDING Aug. 13, 3:45 to 5:30 p.m.

Newmarket Community Church, 145 Pony Dr. The Landing is a free, weekly program offered at Newmarket Community Church that aims to equip teens (ages 12 to 17) with the tools needed to overcome life’s struggles.

Contact: admin@newmarketcommunitychurch.org, 905-836-7251, 905-967-4081, www.newmarketcommunitychurch.org.

PASSAGE BETWEEN TWO WORLDS EXHIBITION & SALE

BY ERIKA TAKACS AND MARISSA SWEET Ongoing to Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. The story of Canada’s immigrants is a shared journey of creating a sense of space & place in a new country. With the exhibition Passage Between Two Worlds, artists Erika Takacs and Marissa Sweet present courageous interpretations of their personal immigration experiences. Exhibition continues through until Sept. 12. Galleries open Tuesdays and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Gallery admission is at no charge. Galleries are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Contact: Clare Bolton, info@auroraculturalcentre.ca, 905-713-1818.

MINO MIIKANA BIMAADIZIWIN: THE PATH OF LIFE: EXHIBITION OF WORKS BY DONALD CHRETIEN Ongoing to Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. Solo Exhibition of the works of local First Nations artist Donald Chretien from July 18 to Sept. 12. Large new works in the Great Hall Gallery and small works in Reception Gallery. Exhibition continues through until Sept.

12. Galleries open Tuesdays and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Gallery admission is at no charge.

Please note that the galleries are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Contact: Clare Bolton, info@auroraculturalcentre.ca, 905-713-1818.

Tomorrow LEGO & PLAY Aug. 14, 10 a.m. to noon.

Holland Landing Public Library, 19513 Yonge St. It’s time to build! Get creative with Lego. Ages 5+. Drop In. Contact: Heather Alblas, halblas@egpl.ca, 905-836-6492.

BUILDER’S CLUB Aug. 14, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Holland Landing Public Library, 19513 Yonge St. Build all kinds of structures from various materials. Ages 5+. Drop In. Contact: Heather Alblas, halblas@egpl.ca, 905-836-6492.

TWEEN SCENE Aug. 14, 2 to 3 p.m.

Holland Landing Public Library, 19513 Yonge St. Get creative with DIY projects for Tweens. Ages 8 - 11 years. Drop In. Contact: Heather Alblas, halblas@egpl.ca, 905-836-6492.

AT THE MOVIES Aug. 14, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Holland Landing Public Library, 19513 Yonge St. Cool down this summer with a movie, popcorn and juice! All Ages. Donations welcome. Please register. Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.

Contact: Heather Alblas, halblas@egpl.ca, 905-836-6492.

LEGO & PLAY Aug. 14, 10 a.m. to noon.

Mount Albert Branch, East Gwillimbury Public Library, 19300 Centre St. It’s time to build! Get creative with Lego Ages 5+ Drop In. DEEP SOUNDS Aug. 14, 9 p.m. until midnight.

LaserLounge ,18075 Leslie St. in Newmarket.

Featuring : APACHE-MIXX C-KUTZ-MADSIRENS and Mr GLOWSTICKS Doors open at 9 p.m. Cost: $5 Pre-Sale; $10 at Door.

Contact: Mitchel Rell, mitchelrell@outlook.com, 905-235-7774.

MOVIES IN THE PARK - ANNIE Aug. 14, 8:30 p.m.

Ada Johnson Park, 60 Hartwell Way. Come out for a free movie. “Annie” is rated PG. A food pantry donation for the local food pantry is appreciated. Delicious food vendors will be on site selling food. For your seating comfort, please bring your own lawn chairs. The movie will start at dusk.

Contact: Shelley Ware, sware@aurora.ca, 905-726-4762.

Only at

Reader Winnie Robinson emailed us this Your Shot of a baby chipmunk. Send us Your Shot. The popular theme is Nature & Wildlife. Email your high-quality jpegs to editor Tracy Kibble at tkibble@yrmg.com for a chance have your photograph included in our online gallery and published in the newspaper.

This weekend BE-BOP & DANCE Aug. 15, 10:30 to 11 a.m.

East Gwillimbury Public Library - Mount Albert branch, 19300 Centre St. This action-packed program is filled with movement for little ones. Ages 2 - 5 Free Drop-In NEWMARKET FARMERS MARKET - GARLIC IS GREAT FESTIVAL Aug. 15, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Riverwalk Commons, Doug Duncan Drive.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, baked goods, food vendors, hand-crafted artifacts and products such as jewelry, furniture, soap, horse and wagon rides, musical entertainment, buskers, fresh flowers, etc.

Contact: pheasanthollowcreations@live.ca, 905-773-9751.

FREE ZUMBA CLASS AT RIVERWALK COMMONS Aug. 15, 8 to 9 a.m.

Newmarket Riverwalk Commons, 200 Doug Duncan Dr. Free Zumba class every Saturday morning in June, July, and August from 8 - 9 a.m. at the Fairy Lake Newmarket Farmers Market, along side the reflecting pool. Instruction will be by The Move fitness and dance studio and will take place weather permitting. Sponsored by Peter C. Geibel, broker - Main Street Realty, and Jerry Montpetit of RBC Insurance. No signup required just come out and enjoy. Like the page if you plan on coming.

Contact: Peter Geibel, pgeibel@live.ca, 416-804-5581.

PICNIC SUNDAYS Aug. 16, 11:30 a.m.

The Sharon Temple National Historic Site and Museum, 18974 Leslie St. BYOBlanket for a picnic on our lawn. The best set up wins a prize!

Contact: mackenzie.brown@sharontemple.ca, 905-715-0879.

Next week ST. PAUL’S CAMP PANDAMANIA Aug. 17 to 21 9 a.m. until noon.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 227 Church St. Day Camp for children 5 to 12. Games, bible stories, crafts, snacks, fun! Cost $35. Contact Kelly at admin@stpaulsnewmarket.org or 905-853-7285.

Contact: Joyce Millard, millardjoycel@gmail.com, 905-895-9102.

TIME TRAVEL WITH GREAT ARTISTS FOR AGES 4 -6 / MIXED MEDIA MASH-UP - TIME TRAVEL WITH GREAT ARTISTS AGES 7-12 Aug. 17 to Aug. 21, 9 to 11 a.m. for ages 4-6 and 12:30 to 4 p.m. for 7-12.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. From Michelangeo and Van Gogh to Emily Carr and more, travel through time and create work based on these creative geniuses! Meet new friends, enjoy a week of fun - and show off your work at the end-of-week art show! Cost is $50 for ages 4-6 and $80 for ages 7-12. Materials included Contact: Jane Taylor, info@auroraculturalcentre.ca, 905-713-1818.

TD PRESENTS CONCERTS IN THE PARK: THE DIXIE CHICKLETS Aug. 19, 7 p.m.

Aurora Town Park, Wells St This is a free show but a donation for the Aurora Food Pantry would be appreciated. Food vendors will be on site. For your comfort, bring a lawn chair.

Contact: sware@aurora.ca, 905-726-4762, aurora.ca/summerconcerts.

DISCOVERY CLUB Aug. 18, 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Holland Landing Public Library, 19513 Yonge St. This weekly club will get you busy with creative and hands-on projects, games and activities! Ages 6-10. Please register.

Contact: Heather Alblas, halblas@egpl.ca, 905-836-6492.

MAKER MADNESS WORKSHOPS Aug. 19, 2 to 3 p.m.

Holland Landing Public Library, 19513 Yonge St. Unleash your creative side at these hands-on workshops. Free. Register.

Contact: Heather Alblas, halblas@egpl.ca, 905-836-6492.

FAMILY STORYTIME Aug. 18, 10 to 11 a.m.

East Gwillimbury Public Library Mount Albert branch, 19300 Centre St. This program features stories, crafts, and activities. Ages: 0-5 Drop In

FAMILY STORYTIME Aug. 20, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Holland Landing Public Library, 19513 Yonge St. This program features stories, crafts, and activities. Ages 0 - 5. Drop In. Contact: Heather Alblas, halblas@egpl.ca, 905-836-6492.

MAKER MADNESS WORKSHOPS Aug. 18, 2 to 3 p.m.

East Gwillimbury Public Library - Mount Albert branch, 19300 Centre St. Unleash your creative side at these hands-on workshops. Free. Register.

BLOOD DONOR CLINIC Aug. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

York Region Administrative Centre, 17250 Yonge St. in Newmarket.

Canadian Blood Services needs about 170,000 additional donors per year to maintain the blood supply. We ask eligible donors to consider booking an appointment by downloading the GiveBlood app or visit blood.ca.

Contact: elaine.stpierre@blood.ca, 1-888-236-6283.

GOLF “FORE” MADD Aug. 20, 8 a.m.

Cardinal Golf Club (RedCrest Golf Course), 17700 Keele St. in King.

Golf Fore Madd is a fundraiser run by MADD Canada’s York Region Chapter. Money raised goes directly toward Madd’s mission “To stop impaired driving and support victims of this violent crime”. Each hole sponsored by a different company with tons of prizes to be won. For an additional $25 golfers can participate in extra events to win extra prizes. Cost: $500 per foursome or $125 per individual.

Contact: Karen Hodge, 1014@yrp.ca, 905-895-1221.

EAST GWILLIMBURY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BREAKFAST Aug. 18, 7 to 9 a.m.

Silver Lakes Golf and Conference Centre, 21114 Yonge St. in EG Bring lots of business cards for a jam packed networking event, introduce your business and connect with the East Gwillimbury business community. Reservations required. $20 for non-members, $15 for members.

Contact: Suzanne, egcoc@egcoc.org, 905-478-8447.

SUMMER SPARKLE BOTTLES Aug. 20, 2 to 3 p.m.

Holland Landing Public Library, 19513 Yonge St. Create a bottle that gently swirls with glitter and color. Ages 6 - 9. Register.

Contact: Heather Alblas, halblas@egpl.ca, 905-836-6492.

DISCOVERY CLUB Aug. 19, 10:30 a.m. to noon.

East Gwillimbury Public Library - Mount Albert branch, 19300 Centre St. This weekly club will get you busy with creative and hands-on projects, games and activities! Ages 6-10.

To have your event included in what’s on, add it to our calendar at yorkregion.com

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, August 13, 2015

RODS BY THE RIVER

A red and white 1957 Mercury sits among an assortment of other vintage automobiles during the Newmarket Car Club’s Rods by the River event held last weekend at Fairy Lake Park in Newmarket.

A classic 1931 Ford Model A lines up with other classic cars during the event.

Photography by Steve Somerville

Sam Boyce takes a picture of a rust-tone Ford pick up. 

Car enthusiast Grace Aldworth sits in a sporty 1969 Volkswagen.

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