Richmond Hill December 31

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Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015

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Will Old Man Winter stick around?

YEAR IN REVIEW

Enjoy memorable moments through camera lenses

What a difference a day makes.

On Dec. 27, facilities operator Mark Kubbinga was packing small bits of snow on the green, grassy edges of the skating trail at Richmond Green, hoping to make the surface safe for skating. With so little snow in December, Cheong children Philip, Daniel and Alexis were keen to play with the white stuff in the wheelbarrow. Then a day later, a winter storm came to the GTA, bringing several centimetres of snow. However, one day after that, the snow melted in 6 C temperatures.

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STAFF PHOTO/STEVE SOMERVILLE

PUBLIC SAFETY

Your prison cell awaits should you decide to drink and drive

Local hospice organization closes doors This fall Hospice Richmond Hill closed its Yonge Street location after serving the community for more than 19 years. Through a formal process, nearby Hospice King-Aurora was chosen to step in and provide visiting hospice and caregiver support services in the Town of Richmond Hill.

Now the expanded hospice is calling out to Richmond Hill volunteers to help.

Serving a wider geographic area of York, there’s a greater need for trained compassionate volunteers to provide in-home visits to those diagnosed with life-threatening illness and support to their loved ones.

Hospice King-Aurora is already receiving visiting referrals for Richmond Hill clients and is

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calling on former Richmond Hill volunteers for support.

“One of the greatest gifts to Hospice Richmond Hill was the volunteers. Their unconditional love and compassion was profound,” said former co-ordinator Georgina Mercouris, who is now with Hospice King-Aurora.

Aundrea Larocque, former executive director of Hospice Richmond Hill, will be joining the King-Aurora team and working with volunteers starting in the new year.

Hill House Hospice, the regional residential palliataive care home on Wright Street in Richmond Hill, is not affected by recent Hospice Richmond Hill changes.

Hospice King-Aurora, a charitable, not-forprofit corporation, was one of the first community-based hospices in Canada and the first in York Region. The King-Aurora organization mentored other community hospices, including the former hospice service in Richmond Hill, and currently receives funding to provide visiting and caregiver services in King Township and south Aurora. Government funding is not provided for the bereavement support programs, which are offered as well.

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The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

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STAFF PHOTOS/STEVE SOMERVILLE

Our photographers captured many memorable moments in 2015, including a February presentation by author and motivational speaker Spencer West (above), telling a Richmond Hill audience about surmounting challenges from being teased to climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. A passionate David Beattie (right) performs the Address of the Haggis on Robbie Burns Day at St. Matthew’s church.

Trudeaumania 2.0 was demonstrated everywhere then Liberal leader Justin Trudeau (above) went, including an Oak Ridges bakery just days prior to voting day, where he was mobbed by fans.

York Regional Police officers carry a dog rescued by firefighters after a fire May 29 at a Thornhill home.

STAFF PHOTO/NICK IWANYSHYN

THE ROAD AHEAD The Road Ahead is a series of stories on issues and topics and the people and organizations that will undoubtedly be a major part of the conversation in York Region in the new year. See more at yorkregion.com

Transit aid for seniors in York in 2016?

By Lisa Queen

lqueen@yrmg.com

One way the region can support the health and wellbeing of seniors so they can lead healthy, active lives and stay involved in their communities is to provide them with more affordable transit options, he said, adding many seniors are on fixed incomes.

“The main thing is, during the day, a lot of the buses in the City of Vaughan are empty and they travel back and forth. Why not give seniors an opportunity to go out of their homes and do some shopping or just go to the club?” Di Biase said.

“I think it’s a great opportunity. Why not take advantage of it? A number of seniors have made that request because they really can’t afford it and they would like to get out and they can do so during the day.”

Di Biase said there are a number of options the region can look at, including free transit for all seniors or

reduced fares.

For example, seniors between the ages of 65 and 74 could pay $1 per ride, while seniors over 75 could ride for free.

It will depend on the cost and the region’s financial resources, Di Biase said.

Last March, council approved fare increases that boosted single ticket prices July 1 and will bring another hike next July.

The fare for seniors and children went up 10 cents to $2.10 last summer and will climb to $2.20 next summer.

The adult fare went up 10 cents to $3.40 last July and will increase to $3.50 next July.

Cash fares for everyone remained at $4.

Property taxpayers pay 61 per cent of the fare costs, with riders paying 39 per cent, according to Richmond Hill Councillor Vito Spatafora, chairperson of the region’s transportation committee.

Red-light cameras may be disliked, but proving to be effective ‘safety tool’

By Jeremy Grimaldi

jgrimaldi@yrmg.com

When red-light cameras were rolled out at 20 of the most dangerous intersections across York Region, it was easy to call the move a cash grab.

But now, a year later and armed with impressive new facts, York Region hopes you will re-evaluate your position.

“This is based on science, not politics,” said Brian Titherington, the region’s director of road and traffic operations.

According to his office, there has been huge reductions in right-angle crashes — aka T-bones, by far the most dangerous — across a number of intersections in the region.

For example, at Green Lane and Yonge Street, between Newmarket and East Gwillimbury, collisions fell from 14 in 2013 to four in 2014.

At Hwy. 7 and Weston Road in Vaughan, they dropped from 15 to nine.

In all, Titherington said there has been an almost 50 per cent drop in collisions at all 20 intersections, falling from 71 collisions to 37.

“It’s a safety tool,” he added. “And we’re quite proud of the data is bearing that out.”

This is not the only information the region wants you to consider. He added that, so far, the project has been largely revenue neutral.

While it raised some $1.5 million from the $325 fines, the court costs are equal to or

even outweigh that number, he said.

And Titherington said if anyone out there doubts that municipal staff get nailed like the rest of us, he said they do. To prove it, he explained how one of his regional staff has already paid the fine.

In 2016, the region will be adding 20 more cameras and switching some existing locations.

By 2017, those new cameras will be running, as long as council agrees with the budget.

So far, the busiest sites in terms of tickets include Bathurst and Hwy. 7 in Thornhill, which up-to-date-data indicates has been the site of 2,469 tickets and Yonge and Hwy. 7, which has resulted in 1,057 tickets.

Although Titherington understands the cameras can be annoying for motorists, he said you can’t argue with safety statistics, especially when so many people are already dying on our roads.

“It frustrates people,” he admitted, “but numbers are numbers.”

He noted that once people start getting used to cameras being so prevalent, he expects the 50-per-cent drop in collisions will settle somewhere around a 30-per-cent reduction.

Some of the other jurisdictions that have red-light cameras include Toronto, Ottawa, Peel, Hamilton, Halton and Waterloo.

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Seniors may get a free ride starting in 2016.

York Region councillors will look at the possibility of letting seniors ride YRT/Viva public transit at no cost or for a reduced fare.

The issue is expected to come to council in the spring.

Other municipalities offer fare breaks to seniors and York should look at doing the same, according to Vaughan Councillor Michael Di Biase, who is proposing the plan.

The region’s senior population is growing, with the number of residents over the age of 65 expected to balloon by almost 150 per cent between 2011 and 2031, he said.

Meanwhile, the region established a seniors’ advisory task force in 2015 to explore opportunities to improve supports and services for older residents, Di Biase said.

| The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015

Memorable moments of 2015

Muzzo was newsmaker in 2015

The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

4

By Jeremy Grimaldi

jgrimaldi@yrmg.com

YOUR CELL AWAITS

go to yorkregion.com for full story and more coverage

Stay with yorkregion.com for coverage. © Johnson & Johnson Inc. 2015 To be sure this product is right for you, always read and follow the label.

A day before New Year’s Eve festivities, York Police hosted a media tour at Markham district headquarters and launched a promo video for ‘L’hotel York Regional Police,’ warning that those who drink and drive may end up in a jail cell. Const.

Andy Pattenden (above) speaks to media, while our own police reporter, Jeremy Grimaldi (below, left), speaks with Staff Sgt. David Mitchell about the booking procedure.

STAFF PHOTOS/STEVE SOMERVILLE

There are hundreds of fatal car crashes each year in the GTA, but the resulting public anger is rarely, if ever, matched by that felt over suspected drunk driver Marco Muzzo.

It was on Sept. 27 that Edward and Jennifer Neville Lake lost their three children and their grandfather, Gary Neville, after Muzzo’s Jeep T-boned the family minivan in Vaughan.

Muzzo, heir to a billion-dollar development fortune, was later hit with a variety of charges, including impaired driving causing death.

The public reaction was fierce. There were thousands of messages seeking judicial and even vigilante revenge on Muzzo.

Videos and photographs of him and his family were dug up from the past, people began tweeting family secrets and social media pages began popping up slamming the 29-year-old King resident as “entitled”.

It was later reported that he was returning from his bachelor party in the United States when the crash occurred.

Some voices have been calling for a less caustic reaction, saying this is another, albeit major and destructive, human mistake.

But they have been largely drowned out by those putting their faith in the courts, hoping to see him serve a lengthy sentence.

Although unrealistic, the largest Facebook page, Prison 4 Marco Muzzo, is calling for life in prison.

The viral debate came to a shuddering halt Dec. 15 and a new argument began after an experienced lawyer told yorkregion.com he’s been hearing rumours about a plea deal in

the works at the Newmarket courthouse.

He suggested Muzzo’s lawyer, Brian Greenspan, may be using Muzzo funds to set up a foundation and pay the Neville-Lake family in an effort to get a reduced prison sentence.

The average sentence would usually be eight to 10 years, but with time served, Muzzo could serve as little as two years in prison, according to the outside lawyer.

One experienced York police officer, who did not want his name shared in the media, said he wouldn’t be surprised if Muzzo serves as little as 18 months.

The story appeared to open old wounds and those interested in the case have been bracing themselves for what some have called a “two-tiered” court system, which allows those with expendable cash to serve fewer days in prison.

Neville-Lake has not responded to the story, but continues to use her Facebook page to encourage others to appreciate the special lives around them.

In the lead-up to their first Christmas without their children, the former Richmond Hill resident wrote: “This Sunday afternoon you can: Go to the park, read a book, visit some friends, play a board game, help someone, play dress-up, bake, spend time with loved ones,” said the Christmas card adorning a photo of the three youngsters. “Please Don’t Drink and Drive.

Love, Harry, Milly and Daniel.”

Muzzo is expected back in Newmarket court Jan. 6.

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5 | The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015

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The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

6 Business Manager Robert Lazurko Director, Advertising Maureen Christie Advertising Manager

Mara Sepe

msepe@yrmg.com

Editor

Marney Beck

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Regional Director of Creative Services Katherine Porcheron

O

OPINION 2015 The year according to

Serving Richmond Hill and Thornhill since 1878

Publisher Ian Proudfoot

THE LIBERAL

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LETTERS POLICY All submissions must be less than 400 words and include a daytime telephone number, name and address. The Liberal reserves the right to publish or not publish and to edit for clarity and space.

E-mail mbeck@yrmg.com

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Ontario Press Council Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member

MAY

JULY

NOVEMBER

This year was ‘historic’ for provincial news ented athletes who competed and the volunteers who made the games such a success.

Autumn brought a change in government at the federal level for the first time in a decade. I congratulate the newly elected MPs for our community: Leona Alleslev (Aurora–Oak Ridges–Richmond Hill), Deb Schulte (King–Vaughan), Bob Saroya (Markham–Unionville) and our new federal Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Jane Philpott (Markham–Stouffville).

I know first-hand how much work goes into a campaign and I congratulate each of them and their teams for running terrific campaigns.

They will be tremendous representatives.

In December we began seeing planes arriving at airports across our country with refugees from Syria, as we work toward the goal of bringing 25,000 Syrian refugees by March 2016. I’ve already seen tremendous generosity of many people in York Region as we welcome them and I know we will help our newest residents settle in.

As 2015 comes to an end, I wish all of you a Happy New Year and all the best in 2016.

MPP Helena Jaczek Oak Ridges-Markham increase from 70 to 200 trips.

Summer brought a chance for all of us to enjoy the beautiful weather and the Pan Am Games. Like many of you, I took every chance to cheer on Team Canada.

I had the privilege of watching both our women and men win gold in rugby sevens. I was also watching as Rosie MacLennan of King won gold and Stouffville’s Karen Cockburn won bronze in women’s individual trampoline.

We can’t forget Eric Lamaze from Schomberg winning gold in equestrian team jumping, and Andre De Grasse of Markham — still making headlines after winning gold in both the 100m dash and 200m dash.

Congratulations to the tal-

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| The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015

What a year 2015 has been for Oak Ridges–Markham, our province and our country.

As Minister of Community and Social Service, I am responsible for violence against women shelter programs in Ontario. In March, I was honoured to join Premier Kathleen Wynne as she introduced our government’s action plan to stop sexual violence and harassment — “It’s Never Okay” — a $41 million investment over three years to strengthen provisions related to sexual violence and harassment.

In April, our province made two historic announcements.

The first represented the most substantive change to the way beer is sold in Ontario since the end of prohibition. It will now be sold in grocery stores across the province and one of the first stores to have beer is the Jefferson Square Sobeys in Richmond Hill.

The second was also in April, when our government announced the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario’s history. The number of weekly trips on the Stouffville GO line will increase from 75 to 200 over the next five years, while the Barrie line will see an

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The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

8

‘Welcome volunteers to King-Aurora family’ clients and caregivers program.”

For 32 years, Hospice King-Aurora has been providing compassionate community hospice support and is recognized for its innovative programming. It was the first hospice to develop a formal bereavement support program and one of the first to offer complementary therapies to clients.

An open house for former Richmond Hill volun-

From page 1.

mond Hill to assist in serving clients during their time of uncertainty and we are looking forward to welcoming former Richmond Hill volunteers to our KingAurora family,” said Heidi Bonner, executive director for Hospice King-Aurora.

“We will also be working to restore some of the group programs in Richmond Hill, starting with the yoga for

Heidi Bonner executive director

teers and those interested in volunteering will be held in Richmond Hill in the first few weeks of 2016.

Watch for notices of this open house and more information on the Hospice King-Aurora website at www.hospicekingaurora.ca.

For details, contact Heidi Bonner, executive director at 905-727-6815 ext. 22 or h.bonner@hospicekingaurora.ca - Marney Beck

Got old electronics for Richmond Hill Scouts?

Clear your electronics clutter for free and help 7th Richmond Hill Scouts at their Jan. 9 electronics recycling fundraiser.

The Scouts will accept any dropped-off electronics for free between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., ensuring environmentally responsible recycling.

Accepted items for recycling include televisions, VCRs and DVD players, wires, computers, household batteries, stereos and speakers, camcorders, printers, telephones and cell phones, laptops, tablets, monitors, networking equipment, computer accessories, and more.

Money is raised on every pound of electronics collected.

The electronics recycling location is 108 Briggs Ave., south of 16th Avenue, running east of Valleymede Drive in south Richmond Hill.

For more on the fundraiser, email jimmac@mail4me.com - Jonalyn Aguilar

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January count of homeless a first for York Region

The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

10

BY LISA QUEEN

lqueen@yrmg.com

STAFF PHOTOS/NICKIWANYSHYN

Volleyball FUN for food bank A charity volleyball tournament for teenagers was held at Oak Ridges Community Centre mid-December, to benefit both the Richmond Hill Food Bank and 360 Kids youth shelter. The ‘fee’ to play was non-perishable food items, with the goal of raising 1,000 pounds of food. Volunteers Jody Swartz (above) and Laudric Jenkins stack and weigh the many contributions.

Homelessness is a growing concern in York Region, according to social service officials and poverty activists, but just how many people without a place to call home live in the region?

In a first-ever for York, a small army of as many as 150 volunteers will span out over the region during a 24-hour period in January to tally as many homeless people as they can find in shelters and living outside.

The hidden homeless, those people who are “couch surfing” with friends and family during that period, will not be included.

The point-in-time count will provide an estimated snapshot of how many people are homeless in York over a one-night and one-day period, said Pedro Barata, vice-president of communications with United Way Toronto and York Region — overseeing the initiative.

The United Way administers federal funding in the region through a homelessness partnering strategy and co-ordinates an advisory group that includes people who have experienced homelessness, community agencies, policing services, the region and others. ”This (count) will allow us to look at two groups. The first is sheltered people who are in a whole variety of emergency shelters, violence against women shelters, individuals who may be in transitional housing, young people in youth shelters,” Barata said.

“The second is really the unsheltered home-

less and those are people who are living in the rough or outdoors, in bus shelters, in ravines, often away from sight.”

Tom Vegh, executive director of Inn from the Cold, which is involved in the project, applauded the count.

“It will give us our first fairly accurate count of the homeless. It’s not going to capture everyone, it’s a bit of a variable population,” he said.

The United Way is holding information sessions for volunteers who want to help with the count, happening in 30 communities.

“This is a big effort. It’s the first time we’re doing it and we’re going to rely on volunteers that night and that day to really help us run this volunteering effort and conduct a short survey with people who are homeless,” Barata said.

Residents may be surprised to learn the extent of homelessness in York, Vegh said.

“I think the public will be surprised, because it is somewhat invisible here in York Region. The simple reason for that is York has a lot of land.

In Toronto, it’s very difficult to stay out of sight if you’re homeless,” he said. “There are (in York) what we refer to as tent cities etc. ... it’s just not in your face as in a larger urban centre.”

The count will take place in late January.

The info session in Markham is Jan. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Milliken Mills Community Centre, 7600 Kennedy Rd. The Vaughan session is Jan. 9 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Chancellor Community Centre, 350 Ansley Grove Rd. in Woodbridge.

If you are interested, email Susie Kim at skim@uwgt.org

York Catholic District School Board

Kindergarten Registration

Registration for the 2016-2017 school year begins

January 4, 2016

Register at your local Catholic school. The following original documents are required:

• Roman Catholic Baptismal Certificate (child or parent) • Proof of age • Proof of legal status in Canada • Proof of residency • Proof of Separate School Support (i.e. MPAC Assessment Notice), or you can complete a school support form that is included in the registration package.

JK: Children must be 4 years old by Dec. 31, 2016 (born in 2012) SK: Children must be 5 years old by Dec. 31, 2016 (born in 2011)

If your child is already attending a YCDSB school for JK you do not need to register for SK

Parents/Guardians are encouraged to call the school before visiting.

Find your local Catholic school at: locator.ycdsb.ca For information, contact the Admissions Department: NS

www.ycdsb.ca/admissions

@ycdsb

905-713-2711 or 416-221-5050

Happy Holidays Wishing you a festive holiday season from your friends at HILLCREST Dental Centre.

905-883-0411 admin@hillcrest-dental.com Located in HiLLcrest MaLL 9350 Yonge St, Richmond Hill

Our province has a remarkable record of innovative firsts, from helping diabetics with the invention of insulin to keeping people’s hearts beating with the pacemaker.

The work of researchers in Ontario, which comprises nearly half of the national research enterprise, has impacted lives around the world, and their work with rare diseases is no exception.

This year, the Ministry of Research and Innovation approved $2.4 million for a Rare Pediatric Diseases (RaPID) research program led by Dr. Kym Boycott from the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. In 2013, Dr. Boycott also received $2.5 million in funding as part of the Ontario Research Fund – Research Excellence for her project, Care for Rare.

According to the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders, each year approximately 1 in 12 Canadians, two-thirds of them children, are affected by rare diseases, also known as orphan diseases. However, since each rare disease affects only a small percentage of the population, scientific understanding and clinical expertise are limited.

To date, there are 7,000 identified rare diseases affecting more than 300 million people worldwide.

Since a large percentage of rare diseases are genetic, although exact causes for many are still unknown, they are usually chronic in nature, even if symptoms do not appear early on. Rare diseases also tend to be severe, degenerative and life threatening. Such diseases are often poorly diagnosed by family physicians;

ics Institute, the Ontario Brain Institute, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, and the recently established Ontario Institute for Regen-

MPP Reza Moridi Richmond Hill consequently, many people cannot access needed medical support.

When medical support is available, orphan drugs, which are used in the treatment of rare diseases, are often very expensive. In some cases, costs may exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars a year per patient.

Several factors affect the price of treatments, such as the cost of research, development, regulatory and government drug coverage approval; limited number of patients with each unique rare disease; limited patient eligibility for a provincial health plan; plus a low demand and lack of competition in the market.

Despite the difficulty in identifying and treating rare diseases, Ontario is committed to investing in translational health research disorders that will help patients and bring hope to their families.

Through various research platforms, such as the Ontario Genom-

erative Medicine, the province promotes opportunities for commercialization and creating partnerships between scientists and industry.

The ministry funds research that can bring comfort and hope to families in Canada and around the world searching for answers.

You’re just not my type

| The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015

Our province supports families in rare diseases fight

11

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Toys, utensils and plastic wrap are just a few items NOT accepted in the blue box. Plastic that cannot be recycled or reused should go in the garbage.

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The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

12

COMMUNITY CALENDAR New Year’s Day, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., visit cfpromenade.ca

Thursday, Dec. 31 Everyone is invited to celebrate First Night — a New Year’s Eve Family Celebration presented by the Town of Richmond Hill — Dec. 31 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Richmond Green Sports Complex, Elgin Mills Road East at Leslie.

Family-friendly New Year’s Eve Party features a variety of activities and entertainment the whole family can enjoy, including free skating at nearby Tom Graham Arena. Countdown at 9 p.m. Free; nominal fees may apply within each interactive area. For details, email events@richmondhill.ca or call 905-771-5508.

For a safe and happy New Year’s Eve, YRT/Viva offers free transit service Dec. 31, beginning at 7 p.m.

Late-night service is extended on select routes until 5 a.m. and on Mobility Plus and select TTC routes operating in York Region until 4 a.m.

Check out the holiday service changes now in effect at yrt.ca

Friday, Jan. 1 Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill is open on New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hillcrest’s $125-million renovation is stil underway, with the updated Hudson’s Bay now open and Sporting Life’s new anchor store set to open later in 2016. For more, visit hillcrestmall. ca. The Promenade Mall in Thornhill, Bathurst and Centre, is also open

Monday, Jan. 4 One of only two Christmas tree collections will be held Jan. 4 in Richmond Hill, with the second and last collection Monday, Jan. 18. Remove all decorations and nails and place tree at curb by 7 a.m. Trees frozen into snow cannot be collected and collection crews are not permitted to climb snowbanks. If you miss both collections, trees can be dropped off at the Yard Waste Drop-off located at 1351 Bloomington Road.

Wednesday, Jan. 6 Are you or is someone you know affected by someone else’s drinking?

Families and friends of alcoholics invited join our caring Al-Anon community that meets every week either on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. or Saturdays at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Richmond Hill, corner of Yonge and Major Mackenzie.

Enter at McLatchy Lane, just west of Yonge; use doorway with ramp. Anonymity always respected. Meeting info at: 1-888-425-2666.

Thursday, Jan. 7 Enjoy free French language conversation group in Richmond Hill, Jan. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Covernotes Tea and Coffee House, 10268 Yonge St., beside Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. Adults from York Region welcome to put

French conversation skills into action (from francophones to beginners). For details, go online to http://bit.ly/partagez_conversation or email Partagez.

York@yahoo.ca

Saturday, Jan. 9 The women’s auxiliary to the Richmond Hill Legion, 233 Centre St. E., presents a Saturday night euchre Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. All invited; for details, call Betty at 905-884-5397.

7th Richmond Hill Scouts holds a Jan. 9 electronics recycling fundraiser between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., at 108 Briggs Ave., south of 16th Avenue, running east of Valleymede Drive. Electronics such as TVs, DVDs, phones, tablets, stereos, batteries, etc. accepted free for environmentally responsible recycling. For details, email jimmac@mail4me.com.

Monday, Jan. 11 The Reel Thing Movie Series continues Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. with screening of film My Internship in Canada, playing at Rainbow Elgin Mills Theatre, 10909 Yonge St., off Yorkland in Richmond Hill. Presented in French with English subtitles, the film stars Patrick Huard as an independent MP from Quebec who finds himself in a tiebreaking vote on whether Canada will go to war in the Middle East. Tickets: $10 in advance and $12 at door. Purchase through Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts box office at 905-787-8811 or rhcentre.ca.

ReadeRs’ ChoiCe Visit yorkregion.com to vote now or watch out for our in-paper ballots January 7th & 14th

Actress begins new role in TV series

BY DAVID LI

Alexander Mackenzie High School student Sarah Carmosino is one of the stars of Lost & Found Music Studios, a new show that will air weekly on the Family Channel starting Jan. 8.

The 17-year-old actress, who started singing and acting at age six, is a resident of Aurora but attends the Richmond Hill high school for its regional arts program.

“Sarah knew she wanted to go to an arts high school and was adamant about applying to Alexander Mackenzie,” explained her mom, Catherine Carmosino.

Sarah Carmosino, with proud mom Catherine The Grade 12 student, who will be graduating early this January, is ecstatic about her role on the new tween series, which follows the lives

of a group of young musicians as they try to make it in the music business.

“It was callback after callback, which began in January of 2014, but it’s all been worth it,” she said of the screening and auditioning process for Lost & Found Music Studios.

The highly anticipated new series is a spin-off of the popular Family Channel series, The Next Step.

“I’ve always loved singing and acting; so to be part of this new show that allows me to do both is just amazing,” she added.

- David Li is a Thornhill freelance writer.

Richmond Hill athletes earn acclaim in 2015

BY MICHAEL HAYAKAWA

mhayakawa@yrmg.com

Several Richmond Hill athletes made national and international news in 2015.

In tennis, 20-year-old Vaughan and former Richmond Hill resident Carol Zhao was named by Tennis Canada as the Most Improved Female Player of the Year.

Currently in her junior year as a member of Stanford University’s women’s tennis team, Zhao made her mark by advancing into the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I singles final and began the 2015-16 season as the Number One ranked player.

She also made strides on the pro circuit, making three ITF semifinals at the $50,000 Tevlin Challenger in Toronto and two $25K events in

Sumter, S.C. and Gatineau, Que. Zhao also took to the court with Gaby Dabrowski at the 2015 Pan American Games and captured the gold medal in women’s doubles.

On the links, Richmond Hill resident Taylor Pendrith finished as the top Canadian player on the 2015 Mackenzie Tour and earned the honour of being named Freedom 55 Financial’s Canadian Player of the Year.

While finishing the tour series in third place on the tour’s Order of Merit after earning $60,736, the honour enabled the 24-year-old Bayview Secondary School graduate to continue his climb up the competitive ladder after he procured on spot on next season’s Web.com Tour.

Markham resident

Michelle Li, 23, shuttled her way to the gold medal in the women’s individual badminton competition when she defeated her Team Canada teammate Rachel Honderich 2-0 in the final at the Markham Pan Am Centre.

A former Richmond Hill High School student, Li is Canada’s top-ranked women’s player.

Gormley’s Lisa Saunders was a member of Canada’s synchronized swim team that won the gold medal in the team competition.

Richmond Hill resident Dena Iezady scored an insurance marker that enabled the York University Lions men’s soccer team to successfully defend their Canadian Interuniversity Sport title with a 2-0 win over the University of New Brunswick Reds.

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Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm • 905-853-2527 • Toll Free 1-800-743-3353 • Fax 905-853-1765 For delivery questions, please contact 1-855-853-5613 BAGLEY, Robert (December 1st, 1922 December 23rd, 2015),

DICKSON, Joan Thelma

Peacefully, with his family by his side, at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.

Passed away at the Elginwood Long Term Care on Saturday, December 26, 2015.

Devoted husband for 72 years to the love of his life, Joan (Raynor); supportive and caring father to John (Diane), David (Frances) and Lynn (Cecil); proud grandfather to Michelle, Kimberley, Karyn, Greg, Tracey, Michael & Lisa; great grandfather to 14 and great great grandfather to 3.

Dad was a decorated Veteran of WWII, serving overseas with the 2nd Army Group, Royal Canadian Artillery. A hard working man who along with his wife built their family home, one log at a time in Richmond Hill, where they have resided since 1949. A long life well lived, we are all privileged and honoured to have had him in our lives.

At Dad’s request, there will be no funeral service.

Cremation has taken place.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to Hill House Hospice, Richmond Hill.

“Remember When”, “Livin’ On Love”

Joan, wife of the late Robert (Bob Dickson).

Mother of Robert Anderson.

A Memorial Service will be held at THE MARSHALL FUNERAL HOME, 10366 Yonge St., Richmond Hill (4th traffic light north of Major Mackenzie Dr.) on Tuesday, January 5th, 2016 at 2 p.m. Cremated Remains to be interred in the Yelverton Cemetery in the spring with her parents.

CRAIGIE, Irene Helen (of Richmond Hill, member of Richvale Lioness Club) Peacefully at Hill House Hospice, on Sunday, December 27, 2015, in her 92nd year. Beloved wife of the late James Craigie, and dear mother of Cynthia (Ted Smith) of Newmarket, Neil (Lyn) of Saskatoon and Alan (Wendy) of Shining Tree. Loving Grandma of Alexa (Chris Laughren), Drew, Stephanie Anne, Kirsten (Kelly Singer), and Ry (Vickie). Great grandmother of Noah Singer.

As per Irene’s wishes, a private graveside service was held at Aurora Cemetery.

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| The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015

Classifieds

13

The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

14

ife stories L

A celebration of lives well lived and people well loved Read more Life Stories on yorkregion.com

Fiddle champion Arbuckle was devoted husband, father R

By Simone JoSeph

sjoseph@yrmg.com

obert Arbuckle was rarely idle.

When daughters Roberta or Adrienne visited their father, he always seemed to be doing something.

He would be practising music, or trying out a new recipe. Robert was always trying to improve — in music, cooking and baking.

He never stopped learning, according to Roberta.

Robert bought a mandolin about two years ago and was teaching himself to play. He loved baking and was forever on the Internet, looking for new recipes.

He was continually challenging himself to come up with ways to keep busy, Roberta said. Cooking was definitely one of his passions.

A case in point: He could be out cutting grass or in the middle of gardening. When the Canadian cooking show Urban Peasant came on, he would drop whatever he was doing, stop, watch the show, write down the recipe of the day and try it out.

Robert grew up outside of King City. At age 11, he started violin lessons and would later go on to become a renowned fiddler. He learned his first songs from his parents, also fiddle players.

By age 14, he was already playing at square dances around his hometown of Laskay, Ontario.

Robert, or “Bob” as he was also known, played with various groups

Lstories ife

over the years, including Art Celsie and the Singing Plainsmen, who had a weekly radio show on CJRH Richmond Hill and later a TV show on CKVR Barrie during the early 1960s.

Robert met his wife Ginny Sherratt while playing with a group in Aurora and they later had their own group from 1965 to1970.

Ginny was a singer/guitar player from the U.S. She played with singer/accordionist/arranger Joan Fairfax.

Ginny’s parents were both wellknown Toronto musicians during the 1930s and ‘40s. In her last year of high school, she joined a local band called The Country Squires, where she met Robert.

The couple would go on to play music for dances at Musselman’s Lake.

The family lived in Oak Ridges for about 20 years. Robert coached for the Oak Ridges Minor Ball Association and also served as president of the association.

The Arbuckle family also lived in Cedar Valley, near Newmarket.

Roberta and Adrienne have happy memories of spending time together as a family tapping syrup from trees and making maple syrup. Their parents flooded the back yard so anyone could skate on the homemade rink. The family also enjoyed cross-country skiing on the property.

Later, Robert and Adrienne ended up performing on the first Friday of every month at a seniors centre in Newmarket, with Robert

Robert Arbuckle (inset and at right) and beloved wife Ginny were accomplished musicians, making music together throughout York and across Ontario.

playing the fiddle and Adrienne playing the piano.

Robert and Ginny started fiddler and step dancing competitions at Black Creek Pioneer Village and competed at the Royal Winter Fair.

The couple ended up competing in step dance and fiddle competitions throughout the province, eventually graduating to judging the competitions.

When Ginny went back to school at age 40 to become a legal secretary, Robert took over duties around the house.

“He was a nice guy and a true gentleman,” Roberta said.

Celebrate a life well lived!

“Adored by children, universally respected and an inspiration to her peers, Mrs. McCluskey was a tireless volunteer, quick to deflect the praise heaped on her.”

Not surprisingly, when Ginny battled cancer for 2-1/2 years, Robert supported her and put his own life on hold to help her.

“It was amazing the time and effort he put in to look after her,” Roberta said. “It was a tireless effort.

It was what he wanted to do. He was dedicated and devoted.”

Ginny died in August of 2010.

Robert missed her terribly since they had been partners both in love and in song, performing as a duo across York Region and Toronto.

Robert died suddenly of a heart attack Nov. 22, 2015 and funeral services were held at Richmond Hill’s Your community newspaper is celebrating the achievements and contributions of everyday, ordinary people, who have affected the lives of others in extraordinary ways. Leaving a lasting impression on the community, our award-winning journalists will write a fitting tribute in memory of those who have a special story to share.

Through your community newspaper and LifeNews.ca, we celebrate those no longer with us and remember the memories we share.

Marshall Funeral Home.

The weekend he died, he had attended a bluegrass awards event in Huntsville.

“He had a great weekend,” Roberta said. “He was doing something he enjoyed.”

Karen Reed knew Robert through the fiddle contest circuit, posting an online condolence message: “He leaves behind many memories of kindness, gentleness, wisdom, great tunes and great playing.

His life touched hundreds of people in a positive and encouraging way.

His contribution to the fiddle world has been highly significant”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION or to contact one of our professional writers please call

Newmarket/Aurora EG Tracy Kibble ..................905-853-8888 Georgina & Bradford Ted McFadden .............905-853-8888 Markham, Bernie O’Neill ...............905-294-2200 Stouffville Jim Mason ....................905-640-2612 Vaughan & King PaulChampion Futhey...................905-264-8703 Kim Richmond Hill/Thornhill Marney Beck ................905-294-2200

15

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| The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015

Business Services

The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

16

GET UP TO AN ADDITIONAL

500

$

00

IN HOLIDAY BONUS BUCKS ONLY AT YOUR ALTA GROUP OF DEALERS

ONLY UNTIL JANUARY 4TH

0 84 1,500 %

$

†

APR

FINANCING FOR UP TO

2015 NISSAN ALTIMA

UP TO

HOLIDAY CASH*

MONTHS

2015 NISSAN SENTRA

2016 NISSAN ROGUE

2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER

2015 NISSAN MICRA®

CHECK OUT THE GREAT INCENTIVES FOR CURRENT NISSAN OWNERS UNDER THE NISSAN CANADA FINANCE LOYALTY PROGRAM ENDS JANUARY 4TH

www.altagroup.ca

ALTA NISSAN WOODBRIDGE

MAPLE NISSAN

(IN #7 AUTO BLVD.)

(905) 851-1279

ALTA NISSAN

STOUFFVILLE

11667 YONGE ST.

95 AUTO MALL BLVD.

(JANE N. OF RUTHERFORD)

(JUST N. OF ELGIN MILLS)

(JUST N. OF STOUFFVILLE RD)

(905) 417-7211

(905) 780-7771

(905) 201-6006

7625 MARTIN GROVE RD. 100 AUTO VAUGHAN DR.

NS

4 locations to serve you Best.

RICHMOND HILL

NISSAN

Offers available from December 1, 2015 – January 4, 2016. †Representative finance offer based on any new 2015 Altima 2.5 SL (T4TG15 AA00). Selling price is $30,029 financed at 0% APR equals 84 monthly payments of $357 for a 84 month term. $0 down payment required. Total finance obligation is $30,029. $1,500 Holiday Cash included in advertised offers. Dealer trade may be necessary. *Altima 2.5 SL and Pathfinder S 4x4 can be financed at 0% for 84/72 month and receive $1,500 Holiday Cash. The $1,500 discount is available on any 2015 Altima/2015 Pathfinder when leased or financed with NCF. See your dealer or visit Nissan.ca/Loyalty. Holiday Cash consist of $500/$1,000/$1,000/ $1,500/$1,500 on 2015 Micra/2015 Sentra/2016 Rogue/2015 Altima/2015 Pathfinder models. The Nissan Loyalty Offer (“Offer”) is available only to eligible customers who (as of September 1, 2015) lease/leased, finance/financed or own/owned a 2007 or newer Nissan brand vehicle (an “Existing Vehicle”). Eligibility for the Offer will be determined by Nissan Canada Inc. (“NCI”) in its sole discretion. Proof of current or previous ownership/lease/finance contract will be required. Offer is not transferrable or assignable, except to a co-owner/co-lessee of the Existing Vehicle who resides within the same household as the intended recipient of the Offer. If the eligible customer elects to lease or finance a new and previously unregistered model year 2015 and 2016 Nissan brand vehicle (excluding NV, Fleet and daily rentals) (an “Eligible New Vehicle”) through NCI and Nissan Canada Financial Services Inc. (collectively “NCF”), then he/she will receive a specified amount of stackable loyalty dollars (“Loyalty Dollars”), as follows: (i) Micra/Versa/Sentra ($500); (ii) Juke/Rogue ($600); (iii) Altima/Frontier/Xterra/Leaf/Murano/Pathfinder ($800); and (iv) Maxima/Z/Titan, Armada/GT-R ($1000). Loyalty Dollars will be applied after taxes, which means that Loyalty Dollars are inclusive of all applicable taxes. Alternatively, if the eligible customer elects to purchase or lease/finance an Eligible New Vehicle (excluding GT-R and LEAF™ ) other than through NCF, then he/she will receive a three-year/48,000 kilometer (whichever comes first) Oil Change and Tire Rotation Plan which consists of a maximum of 6 service visits, each consisting of 1 oil change (using conventional 5W30 motor oil) and 1 tire rotation. For complete details on the Oil Change and Tire Rotation Plan, ask your dealer. Offer has no cash redemption value and can be combined with other offers. Offer valid on Eligible New Vehicles purchased/leased/financed and delivered between December 1, 2015 and January 4, 2016. Conditions apply. Model(s) shown for illustration purposes only. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice. While quantities last. Ask your dealer or visit www.nissan.ca for complete details. Nissan names, logos and slogans are trademarks owned by or licensed to Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and/or its North American subsidiaries. ©2015 Nissan Canada Inc. Conditions apply. Model(s) shown for illustration purposes only. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice. While quantities last. Nissan names, logos and slogans are trademarks owned by or licensed to Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and/or its North American subsidiaries. See your participating Nissan retailer for complete details. ©2015 Nissan Canada Inc. and Nissan Canada Financial Services Inc. a division of Nissan Canada Inc. Additional bonus bucks up to $500 available qualifying new, instock models only. 2015/16 Versa, Micra and Sentra receive $250.00, Altima Rogue Juke receives $350 and Murano Pathfinder Armada and Maxima receive $500.00. All vehicle must be instock to qualify and customers must purchase and take delivery between December 10th, 2015 and January 4th, 2016. See dealer for complete details.