The Villager 2015 November

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November 2015

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Firefighter food drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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The Villager’s Christmas . . . . . . 13-17 Community Happenings . . . . . . . . 26

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Saturday, November 28

By Ellen Cohen Nobody has more fun bringing in the holiday season than the Washago and area residents who come out to the annual Christmas parade.

The first parade was in 2011, initiated by local resident, business owner and community volunteer, Mary Harth. Working with a team of volunteers and the Washago Community Centre hall manager, Rose Petit the first annual nighttime parade was a big hit.

This year, the 5th annual parade will take place on November 28th, led by parade committee chair Stan Hope-Smith. He and his volunteer group have been working on parade details for weeks and, it appears, the event is sure to be a huge success once again.

The parade features approximately 30 floats built by local businesses and private individuals. Lighting up the street, the sky and children’s faces, the glowing floats will move along the main street of Washago and, as tradition in this community has it, the parade will turn around and come back along the same route to give the crowd a second chance to enjoy the Christmas glitter.

In addition to the floats, dozens of walking participants add to the jovial atmosphere,

Santa on his magic sleigh, the highlight of the Washago Christmas parade, and approximately 30 other floats will light up the community on November 28th. some tossing candy to the kids. Depending on the weather, we may see a variety of other forms of transportation such as bikes, horses, ATV’s, fire engines, old cars and more.

The committee works closely with the Washago Community Centre to put together more than a parade. It’s a large and exciting community event that includes Santa on stage at the Washago Community Centre. As usual, kids will line up to talk to him about what’s on their wish list. Everyone who attends will be offered free hot chocolate and treats.

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Because the village is small and the audience is large, the committee encourages those attending to be in the village well ahead of the 6:30 start time.

Anyone interested in entering a float or a walking group should register in advance of parade day.

Registration forms are available online at www.townshipofsevern.com, or www.washagocommunitycentre. com. You can also pick up a form at the Washago Community Centre or call 705-689-6424 or 705-689-3594.

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3

Business leader calls Severn home

By Randy Lucenti Our region is blessed with successful business people and leaders, especially those who go above and beyond when it comes to supporting our community.

Severn resident Karen O’Coin is one of those people. She makes a difference in the lives of her clients, the business community at large, and with those in need.

Karen is an investment advisor and financial planner, a serious job with a lot of responsibility. She has more than 30 years of experience assisting her clients with their investment needs and, for the past 16 years, has been an integral part of the BMO Nesbitt Burns operation in downtown Orillia.

Her vast experience in the financial sector has given Karen the opportunity to develop valuable and cherished business and personal relationships. Over the years, she has used her network to benefit our community in many ways. She is what some would call a tireless community worker.

She has served on various local boards including The Community Foundation of Orillia & Area, The Orillia and Area Doctor Recruitment Committee and The Community Development Corporation, to name just a few.

A vocal supporter of the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce, she was the president of the board of directors in 2008.

While serving, she introduced a mentoring program plan for both established and emerging business owners which is still in place today and in which she still plays an active role.

Severn resident Karen O’Coin keeps a close eye on the financial markets from her BMO Nesbitt Burns office on West Street in Orillia. The successful businesswoman is also a tireless worker when it comes to causes in our region. Photo by Randy Lucenti.

“I think most people end up feeling like they are on their own when they are starting a business so it is good to have a support team they can tap into,” she said.

When it comes to the Chamber today, Karen is pleased with its current direction.

“I’ve seen a changing of the guard over the years and it’s nice to see younger members getting involved,” she said. “The Chamber now has over 600 members with so much to offer businesses. The mentoring program is just one of those things.”

A year after serving as the Chamber president, Karen was recognized for her business and charitable contributions to the community. She was awarded the Nelle Carter Business 2009 Woman of the Year Award, presented by the Orillia Women’s Business Association.

Karen is a vocal advocate and supporter of women and children’s issues. She has

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been personally involved in many causes and organizations including Green Haven Women’s Shelter, Couchiching Jubilee House, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orillia and Area, the Community Foundation of Orillia and Area, Places for People – Orillia, and Habitat for Humanity.

“There are so many worthwhile groups in our area that need volunteers and it would be nice if more people offered their help,” said O’Coin. “My focus is with the women’s and children’s groups in our area.”

One example of her dedication and leadership is her work with the Couchiching Jubilee House (CJH), a nonprofit organization that houses women and children who need help to improve their lives. Under the direction of professionals, they are housed by CJH, given the Continued on page 19

4

Ellen Cohen Publisher thevillagerpress@rogers.com 705-717-0322 The Villager, a Severn Township community news magazine, is an independently owned and operated publication delivered to households and businesses on or before the first day of every month.

It is mailed through Canada Post north from the Severn Township/Orillia border to Severn Bridge and includes parts of Ramara Township.

In addition to Canada Post delivery, The Villager is distributed each month through high traffic locations along the Highway 11 corridor and in many other select locations in Orillia. For a complete list of locations email thevillagerpress@rogers.com.

Editorial and advertising material is protected by copyright. Reproduction of any article, photograph or graphic is forbidden without the express permission of the publisher. The sentiments of our columnists do not necessarily reflect those of The Villager.

The Villager’s liability to advertisers for errors is limited to the portion of the advertisement in which an error occurs and only if the error is the fault of The Villager.

Community event submissions and prearranged editorial contributions must be received by the 10th of each month for the following month’s publication.

Advertising space must be booked by the 10th of each month in order to appear in the following month’s publication, with 5 business days thereafter to complete the advertising artwork and proof approval process.

The Villager P.O. Box 5 Washago, ON L0K 2B0

Art director: Cathy Cleary, www.cathycleary.tel

From the Publisher:

Concern about low water levels growing The above photo shows a lakefront property on Lake Couchiching in September of this year. In spring and early summer the water was 2 inches from the top of the dock.

However, by the end of July – in the middle of summer - the water level was lower by more than 18 inches. By mid-August the boat’s motor was dragging on the bottom of the lake. By the end of August, his boat was in storage.

The mid-to-late summer water levels have been very low for several years. The cause has not been scorching hot summers with no rain. In fact, this year we had a perfect summer with ample rain. The water levels are deliberately managed, up or down, by the federal government.

Readers, including residents’ associations who have met with either the Simcoe North MP or Parks Canada, tell The Villager the low water levels are a direct result of the federal government’s insistence in following a protocol that is 100 years old. It’s all about ‘bell curves’ and ‘draw downs’ and not about the result of a process that could and, readers believe, should be reviewed.

In spite of the fact that exceedingly low water levels have a negative impact on so much - tourism and recreation, including many local small businesses, real estate prices and the environment - our federal government has disappointed those of us who live, work or play on the water. Villager readers say nobody from any level of government has offered a solution and, they believe, the government has not been actively searching for one. That could be. If they do have a solution it doesn’t appear that they’ve shared it.

On October 19th, Canadians voted for change. We have a new majority government and Parks Canada has a new boss. Regardless of your political persuasion, this may be the time for local groups to put frustrations aside and reach out to this new government.

Some of us believe that where this a will, there is a way.

NOTE: The Villager will support local water level groups or residents’ associations by way of publishing news or notifications of public meetings. We also welcome input from government officials.

Contact us through email: thevillagerpress@rogers.com.

NOTICE TO READERS AND ADVERTISERS: THE VILLAGER WILL NOT PUBLISH AN ISSUE IN JANUARY, 2016.

We’ll deliver our February, 2016 issue at the end of January. Regular deadlines will apply for the February issue: book your ad space and submit your community events by Monday, January 11, 2016.

EVENT LISTINGS: If you have an event in January we will publish it in our December issue. The deadline is November 10th. Alternatively, if you miss this deadline, email us the information and we’ll post it on The Villager Community News Facebook page.

Letters to the publisher are welcome and may be emailed to thevillagerpress@rogers.com.

Letters may be edited.

5

Salvation Army is here for one and all

By Randy Lucenti The Salvation Army has been a fixture in Orillia and area for the past 134 years. Their church on Coldwater Road, which houses its food bank, and their Thrift Store on Wyandotte Street are both located in Orillia but its charity services are available to those in need in both the city of Orillia and the surrounding townships, including Severn.

The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and annually assists more than 2 million people from coast-tocoast. It has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country.

Charged locally with the daunting task of managing the outstanding work of the organization is the duo of Captains Kathleen and Chad Ingram who were posted to our region this past June after spending 12 years in Springhill, Nova Scotia. Both Kathleen and Chad have embraced this new posting.

They took the helm from Captains Jim and Michelle Mercer who were relocated to Ottawa after serving in Orillia for six years.

“The job and the needs of the people are similar to Springhill, but the area is much bigger,” said Kathleen. “In Springhill we were responsible for things like running the food bank ourselves. Here there are staff and volunteers to assist.”

“I’m originally from Belleville so Orillia already feels a lot like home to me,” Kathleen added. “The people here, from the staff, the volunteers, right to the people who use our services, have been great to our entire

Captains Chad and Kathleen Ingram, shown with their three children, moved from Springhill, Nova Scotia to the Salvation Army in Orillia. family. We couldn’t ask for more.”

For those who aren’t aware of the services offered by the Salvation Army, or if you know someone who is in need, Kathleen notes that they not only provide food and clothing but also family counselling services or just a compassionate ear.

The need is great. The food bank alone helps between 200-250 families each and every month, people from all parts of Orillia, Severn and Ramara Townships, even parts of Oro-Medonte.

In order to provide their services to our community, fundraising and donations are key and nothing is more important

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than the annual Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Drive. It is quickly approaching and, according to Kathleen, it is the life line of the organization.

“Our Kettle Drive is our major fundraiser each year and the money raised helps us operate our organization for the entire year as well as meet the increased Christmas demands. We set a fundraising goal and it is critical that we reach it,” said Kathleen.

“Last year, we surpassed our goal with more than $104,000 raised and we are once again setting a goal of at least $100,000,” Continued on page 17

6

What Severn’s Culture & Recreation department does for you

By Pat Harwood, recreation coordinator, Severn Township The department of culture and recreation comes under the umbrella of Severn Township’s department of public works.

We organize recreational and culture programs and assist with township events and activities throughout the year.

Recreation programming is one of the most important of our responsibilities. We locate and hire instructors for all programs with a goal of offering both the perennial favourites as well as new programs, many of which are suggested by Severn residents. Next, we organize the use of the appropriate facilities and set up timetables to make sure that everything fits into both the facility and instructor schedules. Lastly, we market

the programs to all Severn residents and look after the registration process.

In addition to recreation programming, public works is responsible for parks and sports fields, community centres, township owned trails and all culture programs.

Currently we are working on a replacement program for our parks that will help to develop and improve such things as playground equipment and bleachers. We are also investigating the condition of township ball diamonds with a goal to improvement and we are addressing accessibility which includes new accessible picnic tables and pathways.

The condition of the skate park in the Coldwater Fairgrounds and the dog park in Washago Centennial Park are also our

responsibility.

Parks and trails located in the township are important assets to our department and, of course, the residents. One of the most notable assets is the Uhthoff Trail. Recently the Orillia Naturalists’Club, an organization that was instrumental in the development of the Uhthoff Trail, made a substantial donation so that new benches could be purchased and placed along the entire length of the trail.

Another focus of the public works department is the Coldwater and District Community Centre. Ice rentals, floor rentals, hall rentals, programs and events keep the building busy throughout the year. Retrofits are ongoing as equipment ages and needs replacing and as the township

does this, energy savings are an important factor during the replacement phase.

Township docks are also the responsibility of public works.

An asset to residents, docks also play an important part in Severn Township’s tourism.

The township has recently developed a replacement/ maintenance program to ensure all docks are safe and in good shape.

Lastly, as part of the cultural aspect of public works and, therefore, culture and recreation, we are currently working on a program/ partnership for drama/theatre courses for young people.

Check out the recently updated Township of Severn website for all your culture and recreation needs at: www. townshipofsevern.com.

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Great Beer Festival Our first annual Beer Tasting Festival was a massive success with close to 150 people enjoying samples of tasty craft beer and yummy artisanal food. A big thank you goes to Highlander Brewery, Lake of Bays Brewery, Side Launch Brewery Company and Muskoka Brewery and, in the words of event organizer Janet Stead, “This night would not have been nearly as successful as it was without the presence of our beloved CiaoChowCiao. Owners Tod and Theresa provided a delicious and diverse sampling menu”.

Finally thank you to the community for coming out and helping to create such a warm and friendly vibe. Can’t wait until next year’s bigger and better Beer Tasting Festival..

Welcome Al We are pleased to welcome Al Thomson, manager of Wholesale Custom Signs in Orillia. With a background in community service, a desire to make change, and a fun attitude, Al exemplifies what it takes to be a Rotarian.

A Serious Competition At our weekly meetings we often have a fun and informative guest speaker such as an artist, businessperson, or skydiver! Sometimes we check out a local business like our visit to the White Lion’s Tea House where owner Laurie Neill fed us delicious tea sandwiches and crumpets, and gave us an entertaining lesson on tea sampling. But things got serious when we moved a recent meeting to Evergreen Golf Course for mini golf.

Congratulations to our guest, Mark Scott who took home the coveted award.

Come on Out If you want to have fun, meet people who are making a difference, and have a positive impact on the local and international community, check us out any time! We meet from 5 - 6:30 on Thursdays at the Washago Community Centre where we have a drink or coffee, snack, socialize, do some business, and listen to informative and inspiring guest speakers. You can also find us on Facebook or at www.

WashagoRotary.com.

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See pages 13-17

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Woodstove/fireplace safety

By Dianne Kyle, Fire Prevention Officer

• Always use a screen in front of the fireplace, and never leave children unattended by a fire.

There’s nothing cozier than a warm, bright fire on a cold winter evening. But unfortunately, this can quickly turn dangerous if your • Have a fire escape plan for your house and regularly review it wood-burning equipment is not properly installed or maintained. with your family.

Following the safety tips below will keep you and your family Remember it is the law to have working smoke alarms on every safe this winter: level of your home as well as Carbon Monoxide Alarm in or near or in your sleeping quarters.

• When installing a woodstove, situate it on a non-combustible surface.

• Ensure there is adequate ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

For more information on fire safety, please check visit the Fire Department area of the Township of Severn’s website at www.townshipofsevern.com.

• Consult a professional about proper installation of stove pipes.

• Have the chimney cleaned and serviced by a professional.

• Keep an area of at least one metre around the stove or fireplace clear of anything that might catch fire or overheat.

• Build your fire with a small amount of dry, seasoned wood to keep the flames under control. Resist the temptation to overload your fireplace or stove. Burning too much wood at once can cause tar and creosote to build up in your chimney or stove pipes, which creates a fire hazard.

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Please be generous on November 21st

Severn Fire Association – Station 1 3rd Annual Food Drive We’re heading into a season of joy and celebration, the time of year when families are excited about family events, dinners with colleagues, gift exchanges and, of course, sitting down to a fabulous home-cooked meal on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, as The Villager reported in our September issue in The Sharing Place Food Bank feature, there are 15,000 visits to that food bank every year working poor families, single parents, seniors, and youth – all of whom, after paying for rent and utilities, have little or no money to buy food. They certainly have little opportunity to enjoy much of what makes the holiday season joyful. About 15% of all people who rely on Sharing Place to help them with their hunger are from Severn and Ramara Townships, and Chippewas of Rama First Nation.

The Severn Fire Association – Station 1 understands the need in our community and, for the 3rd consecutive year, are doing their best to bring some help to those less fortunate. They are collecting food for Sharing Place and will come directly to

your house on November 21st to collect your donation.

If you live in the area of Westshore/Shadow Creek to Goldstein Drive, firefighters and their families will come to your house between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to collect your bags or boxes of food. Just put your donation outside your front door before collection time. Or, as we did in our neighbourhood, we hung out waiting to see the firetruck enter our neighbourhood and then took our donation to the bottom of the driveway so that we could shake their hands and say ‘thank-you’.

If you live outside of this designated area you may drop off food at Station #1 which is located at 3216 South Sparrow Lake Rd. Or you can make a donation by cheque, payable to The Sharing Place. Their mailing address is P.O. Box 743, Orillia, Ontario L3V 6K7.

There are very specific items the Severn Fire Association – Station 1 is looking for. The reason for this is that it will ensure food bank users receive the most useful products and most nutritious food.

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Artist connects people with the natural world

By Mark Bisset Jeff Miller doesn’t think we spend enough time seeing nature.

The local artist is convinced we look at it pretty regularly. This is prime time to enjoy the scarlets, oranges, yellows and rusts that surround us in this part of the world. One of the great natural shows of Ontario is well under way, and no doubt we will all take at least a passing glance at the fall colours as we scurry from appointment to appointment.

But Jeff is going for deeper. He wants us to take time to really see what we’re looking at; to feel it in the gut and let it nurture us.

This is heady stuff for our conversation over morning coffee at a restaurant in Washago.

But it’s the sort of thing Jeff has spent a lifetime thinking about. In his eighth decade, he’s starting to feel a little weary, but his passion for awakening our creativity by connecting us to nature hasn’t waned.

He’s convinced that the act of loving nature holds the key to much of what ails us.

We’re meeting to discuss a recent Sunday afternoon spent at Elliott Woods Nature Reserve, where Jeff led a group of 10 on a painting adventure with the help of Eleanor Reed. Through a program called Look, See, Paint, Jeff shows non-artists that they can access the deep experience of sitting in a quiet place, looking deeply at a scene, and putting some record of it down on paper. The event at Elliott Woods,

the last of the season, is a Couchiching Conservancy program called Passport to Nature, designed to introduce people to the beautiful landscapes under the protection of the Conservancy. It is also a fundraiser, and thanks to generous sponsors, including this publication, the public can attend the events free of charge. The Passport series was so well-received, plans are underway to hold it again next year.

Jeff showed the group how to frame a scene and apply a few dabs of paint.

But what he really did best is give them permission. Whether or not the end product is good doesn’t enter into his equation (although he has a surprise for them at the end)! He scoffs at the usual standards by which art is judged. “To hell with that,” he told them. “There are no rules, just you and your experience.”

He has offered them liberty.

It’s a kind of mindfulness, applying paint to paper. For the lucky ones who take Jeff’s instruction to heart, the cares of the world momentarily drop away and their universe consists of the shapes and colours in front of them, the light in the tree canopy, perhaps the sound of the wind.

When they are done, Jeff gathers the group together to show them a bit of magic.

He takes the small paintings and places a mat around the outside to frame the work.

There are gasps. The painters are delighted, seeing their work suddenly come into focus, given the credibility of a structured setting.

It’s a gift, as only Jeff Miller can deliver it.

Mark Bisset is the executive director of The Couchiching Conservancy, a non-profit land trust dedicated to protecting natural spaces in the region. For more information on the Conservancy, go to www.couchichingconserv.ca

Villager Deadline Book your advertising or send your community events by the 10th of each month for the following month’s issue.

Our email address is: thevillagerpress@rogers.com Please note: The Villager will not publish an issue in January 2016.

We will return to our regular monthly distribution in February.

11

Famous meat pies are ready!

By Estelle Ness, Lioness president

October was a very busy month for the Washago Lioness.

We made 360 of our famous, delicious meat pies and to date 250 have been sold! So don’t miss out – order today by calling Estelle at 705-325-8698. They are only $4.00 each.

District A-12 Lioness held their Fall Rally in Huntsville on October 4th, chaired by Lioness

Liaison Estelle. The speakers talked about organ transplants, and what it is like being an organ recipient. I believe donating an organ is the most precious gift you can give. It is a gift of life.

Please mark your calendar for November 11th at 10:30.

We are hosting a fun-filled day of Court Whist including lunch.

Tickets are $12.00, and available

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by calling Carol at 705-689-3333 or you may pay at the door. We will also observe Remembrance Day, honouring those who gave their lives so that we could enjoy our freedom.

Our Christmas Bazaar and popular $7.00 luncheon will be held Saturday, November 28th from 11 am to 2 pm. *Please note change in date. * Join us at Lions Hall in Washago for goodies, fun, complementary apple cider and, of course, a visit from Santa.

On a sad note, Lioness Mary Burton passed away in September. She will be greatly missed. Our deepest condolences also go out to Lioness Joan Hallett who lost her husband, Bernard and son, Glenn of B.C.

This year’s Christmas Bazaar will take place on November 28th from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Lions Hall in Washago. Lioness Jean Hilton, seen above, will be waiting for you at the bake table.

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12

Kinglets are a sign of fall

by Ron Reid

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The great annual migration of millions of songbirds is pretty well over by October, but a few species of insecteaters pass through our area surprisingly late. On a fall walk recently, I had no trouble identifying the calls of chickadees high in the pines, but another high-pitched jingle suggested they had company. Fall migrants often form “mixed bird parties”, so when you find one species, it is always worth a look to see who else might be around.

Fortunately, fall birds are often attracted to the sound of “phishing” created by a wily birder with pursed lips and soft puffs of air.

My repeated phishes soon brought in a dozen chickadees, several dull stripy yellowrumped warblers, and then a small flock of kinglets, the source of the jingly calls. The kinglets are tiny, endlessly active as they jump from branch to branch constantly flicking their wings even when they pause for a few seconds.

We have two kinds of kinglets in Ontario. Golden-crowned kinglets spend their summers nesting in the conifers of the boreal forest. As the name suggests, this species sports a bright yellow stripe bordered by black stripes on its head.

Ruby-crowned kinglets have a single red stripe, often hidden in the feathers of the crown. An easier field mark for this species is a broken white ring around its eye. In breeding season, it also has a long bubbly song that echoes through the tree-tops of the mixed deciduous forests it prefers.

A fully-grown kinglet weighs only about one-quarter of an ounce, one of the smallest of our forest birds. Because of their small size and high metabolism, kinglets must feed constantly, with a preference for aphids and other soft insects. If a kinglet is prevented from feeding, it may lose one-

third of its body weight in 20 minutes, and starve to death in an hour. So its migration is a drawn-out affair, as it gleans food from tree branches to fuel its travels.

Long-distance migration is a risky gamble for any bird, but for tiny kinglets the risks must be staggering. If they stray across large

© Can Stock Photo Inc. / pstclair

Ruby-crowned kinglet bodies of water, or get blown off course by high winds, these birds don’t have a chance.

This year, some of my photographer friends documented yet another hazard. They found several kinglets tangled in the burs of burdock, unable to escape this prickly trap. They were able to carefully extract and release a couple of birds, but, sadly, one was already dead.

With all these hazards, it seems incredible that kinglets can survive at all. Part of their success is due to their amazing family strategy with each female laying seven to twelve eggs, so many eggs that they are stacked in layers in their tiny nest. The female incubates them all by pushing her legs down through the layers. Unlike many birds, kinglet legs have a good supply of blood, making them a steady source of warmth for all the eggs. This turbocharged reproduction allows kinglets to succeed even when so many are lost during migration.

A regular contributor to The Villager, Ron Reid is a natural heritage consultant and the co-founder and former executive director of The Couchiching Conservancy. He has written more than 30 magazine articles and co-authored three books. He lives in Washago with his wife, Janet Grand.

The holiday season is upon us. Please visit area businesses.

© Can Stock Photo Inc. / Guliveris

13

Curl up and read a good book The Villager has prepared a list of fiction, non-fiction and children’s books. The list is compiled from the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star best seller lists for 2015.

FICTION Gray Mountain, John Grisham Cold Cold Heart, Tami Hoag All The Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr Deadline, John Sandford Go Set a Watchman, Harper Lee Hope to Die, James Patterson Inside the O’Briens, Lisa Genova The Martian, Andy Weir Memory Man, David Baldacci Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline The Bone Tree, Greg Iles The Cuckoo’s Calling, Robert Galbraith The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins The Liar, Nora Roberts The Night Stages, Jane Urquhart The Pocket Wife, Susan Crawford NON-FICTION I Am Malala, Malala Yousafzai An Astronaut’s Guide to Life On Earth, Chris Hadfield

The Time of Your Life, Margaret Trudeau Dead Wake, The Last Crossing of the Lusitania, Erik Larson Yes Please, Amy Poehler CHILDREN’S The Day the Crayons Quit, Drew Daywalt The Dark, Lemony Snicket Not Your Typical Dragon, Dan Bar-el Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, Peter Brown Up the Creek, Nicholas Oldland CANADA READS (Top Canadian Authors) And the Birds Rained Down, Jocelyne Saucier Intolerable: A Memoir of Extremes, Kamal Al-Solayee Ru, Kim Thuy The Inconvenient Indian, Thomas King When Everything Feels like the Movies, Raziel Reid

Look in Your Mailbox for Our Weekly Flyer

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Excellent Selection of trees, decorations, indoor & outdoor lighting

705-689-2611

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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR YOUR SHOPPING CONVENIENCE

© Can Stock Photo Inc. / pressmaster

14

Santa’s picks The following is a list of some local businesses who may have just the thing to complete your Christmas gift list: Arbonne International – fill stockings with botanically based beauty, health and wellness products. Products include skincare, bath and body, nutrition and cosmetics. Email juliescott.arbonne@ gmail.com.

Bayou Park Marine – in addition to one of the area’s best selection of ATV’s at competitive prices, Bayou Park Marine’s retail shop has a wide variety of accessories including helmets.

Canoe Fresh Foods – get ready for Christmas entertaining at Canoe. Extensive inventory of all your Christmas baking needs, spreads, dips, specialty cheeses, smoked salmon, specialty teas and coffee, and gift baskets.

Home Hardware Washago – stuff stockings for the handyperson on your list with selections from their massive inventory of gadgets and hardware items. Kitchenware, giftware, decorations, gift certificates.

Jax Bootery – footwear at its finest in this small store with a big heart. Muskoka St. in Washago. Jack will select the perfect shoe, boot or slipper. Check out his vintage shoe collection.

Manticore Books – book lovers browse in this heritage-style independently owned and operated book store in downtown Orillia. Local authors, forthcoming titles, new releases, classics, children’s section. continued on next page We can order any book currently in print.

We will track down any rare or out of print material for you.

Health, wellness & personal care products

JULIE SCOTT 103 Mississaga St. E., Orillia

705.326.7776

mail@manticorebooks.ca

www.manticorebooks.ca

Arbonne Independent Consultant

juliescott.arbonne@gmail.com 705-325-6859 www.arbonne.ca Wonderful selection of gift giving ideas!

15 Marcel’s Restaurant – take your friends or your staff for a special pre-Christmas lunch or dinner prepared by Chef Marcel Taillefer, or buy someone on your list the very special gift of cooking classes.

Orillia Trim & Door – find everything you need for the handyman/woman. Huge selection of both hand and power tools, garden tools, generators and more.

100’s of stocking stuffer ideas.

Simply Special Originals – Dressing up for special occasions, business attire or looking for casual wear? Spend time with owner Pat Warwick or one of her experienced staff. For the lady over 35.

© Can Stock Photo Inc. / shosphoto

Tiffin’s Creative – nestled in a picturesque little courtyard in downtown Orillia, Tiffin’s Christian bookstore has plenty of tools to help you grow in your faith. Bibles, books, gift, cards and more.

Like us on

Washago Timber Mart – beautiful kitchen, bath, flooring, lighting and tile displays will show you what you can do to spruce up your home. Pellet stoves to keep your family warm and cozy over the holidays.

White Lions Tea House – spend pre-Christmas time with your friends, business associates or family. Breakfast, lunch or reserve full afternoon tea after 1 p.m. Christmas shop and tea event November 22nd.

8253 County Rd. 169, Washago

P: 705-689-2626 • F: 705-689-8671 • 1-888-260-6324 • www.timbermart.ca

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Santa Claus is coming to Washago

© Can Stock Photo Inc. / monkeybusiness

Electronic gifts for kids APPS, ‘bots, smart watches and more

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2015

Parade Starts at 6:30 p.m.

Kids can visit Santa and enjoy hot chocolate & treats at the Washago Community Centre following the parade.

Registration forms for floats and walking participants are available at the Washago Community Centre or online at www.washagocommunitycentre.com and www.townshipofsevern.com For more information

call 705-689-6424 or 705-689-3594

Open Tueday - Saturday

Start your search for electronic gadgets by asking your children to include exactly what they want on their Santa list. It will save a lot of time and agony if you give in to the fact that 6-year olds know more about electronic items than you!

However, before buying, most parents and grandparents likely want to have some say. Things to consider: is what your child wants compatible with other household electronics; is it something you want them to have i.e. does it promote violence; is the gadget a learning tool and is it age appropriate; is it affordable; is it a fad, something your child will be bored with by the New Year?

Electronic gifts include tablets, action cameras, TVs and video players, smart watches, walkie talkies, robots, game systems and more. You can even find app-enabled droids. Searching the internet is a good way to start.

Keep in mind that every year there are one or two ‘most wanted’ gadgets, those that are typically heavily marketed to children.

Local stores will have a limited number of each of these popular items. Shop early.

Some of the top gifts available with approximate pricing: App-Enabled Droid $150.00 • Compatible with select Apple iOS and Android smartphones and tables; holographic communication.

Suitable for ages 8 and up.

Make Your Holidays Special - Reserve Now! 132 Mississaga St. E., Orillia • 705-325-3030 www.MarcelsRestaurant.com marcelsrestaurantorillia@gmail.com

VTech – Kidizoom Smartwatch DX $60.00 • Lets your child capture photos and videos; motion sensor; 3 action challenges; 8 games; touch screen; alarm; timer; stopwatch; calendar; calculator.

VTech – Kidizoom Action Camera $55 • Capture photos and videos. 1.4” colour LCD; effects, frames and photo filters; 3 learning games; water resistant case. Suitable ages 4-12.

Discovery Kids – Exploration Laptop $25.00 • Lets your child play more than 60 games and activities; builds spelling, math, music, geography and other important skills. Large LCD display; standard keyboard. Ages 6 and up.

Gaming Headsets from $30.00-$220.00 • If this is on your gift list, spend some time researching online before you buy. Some gaming headsets are very sophisticated and are suitable for a teen, while others, quite durable and inexpensive, are suitable for a younger child.

Nintendo 3DS $200.00 • This is the latest hand-held system from Nintendo. It boasts improved graphics, a robust e-shop with digital downloads of full games. There is an upgraded model, the 3DS XL with a larger screen.

17

Salvation Army is here for one and all Continued from page 5 said Kathleen. “Hopefully we can exceed that,” she added.

In addition to Christmas hampers, money collected from the Kettle Drive goes to support the Salvation Army food bank and provides clothing, food vouchers, emergency accommodation, a free budget and income tax program, the ABC lunch box program for Among other charitable works, the annual Salvation Army Kettle area schools, and sends kids to Drive raises money for their food bank, emergency accommodation, a summer camp. lunch box program, summer camp for kids, and toys that are included The Salvation Army efforts in Christmas hampers to support needy residents

don’t always go smoothly.

Last November, the 2,000 square foot basement in their Coldwater Road headquarters, space used to store food and toy donations, was flooded with two inches of water. Thanks to the generous community and with support from The Sharing Place Orillia food bank, the Salvation Army’s client needs were met. Five-hundred families were provided with Christmas hampers of food and toys.

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18

Support needed for one of our neighbours and friends In late September, Dan Schamehorn of Washago had an accident that resulted in two broken vertebrae in his neck. After many weeks at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, he was recently transported to Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital where he can be close Dan Schamehorn in his signature to his family and friends.

Support is needed for this Aussie hat shown with his family.

The expenses the family wife, Liz.

had to bear while Dan was in hospital in Toronto were many.

Ongoing care will also mean more expenses not covered by insurance.

On Friday, December 4th you can help this family and show that our community is united behind one of our neighbours and friends. Show your love and support by planning to attend a benefit for Danny and Liz. It will

Log Homestead & Cabin on 200 acres A nature lover’s delight. Approximately 110 years old.

1 ½ storey, 3 bedrooms. Generator for power, wood heat.

Old well. Old septic. Separate old log cabin. Black River runs through the entire property. Ideal as a hunt camp.

MLS631060128. $359,000.

Contact BIRGIT HOESTEREY 705.345.4411 for showings Direct: 705-345-4411

Birgit Hoesterey birgit@buywashago.com Sales Representative

www.buywashago.com Office: 705-689-3700

3380 Muskoka Street, Washago, ON L0K 2B0

*Independently Owned and Operated.

Not intended to solicit properties already listed for sale or buyers under contract.

be held at the Legion in Orillia at 215 Mississaga Street East.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature live music, a silent auction and a 50/50 draw.

Tickets are available at the Legion; Hooper’s on Muskoka Street in Washago; or you can call Kenny or Mary at 705-329-3248.

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Business leader calls Severn home Continued from page 3 opportunity to further their education, learn life skills, and find work along with permanent accommodation.

The house in which the women and children live had been leased since 2001 and, with its lease set to expire, Karen and her fellow volunteer partner, Jane Sorenson led a capital campaign to purchase the $600,000, four-unit building in 2010. A mortgage burning took place this past June, only 5 years after the purchase.

“The community support we got was just so overwhelming,” Karen says, still involved with CJH. “I think sometimes people just need a leg up. CJH is pivotal in their lives.”

Although far from packing in the fast-paced, at times hectic, world of finance and business, Karen does have a vision of what life will be like once she retires. She and her husband, Mark Burrows have made the township their home for the past seven years “I like living in Severn because it’s a little piece of the country only minutes from the city,” Karen said. “When retirement comes I want to spend more time with my husband and my grandchildren,” she said.

That, along with volunteer work in the community, is investing in the future.

Something Karen O’Coin knows a lot about.

Don’t miss

3381 Muskoka St., Washago STORE 705-279-3668 JACK 705-321-7749

Cozy, comfortable and quality-made.

Men’s & women’s slippers available in all sizes.

An excellent holiday gift for the one you love!

TWIN MAPLES FARM

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705-689-0182

Christine Jameson: christine@twinmaplesfarm.ca See pages 13-17

$4,995

$5,995

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Decadent Chocolate Mousse Ingredients

By Chef Becky

• • • • • •

1¾ cups of 35% whipping cream 12 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips 4 ounces of good quality black coffee 1 pkg. gelatin 1 Tbsp. Grand Marnier 4 Tbsp. butter

Preparation On top of double boiler, combine chocolate, coffee, Grand Marnier and butter in a stainless steel bowl.

Stir constantly until melted(water should be at a simmer not a boil).

Pour ¼ cup cream in metal bowl, add gelatin. Let rest, or bloom, for 10 minutes.

Carefully reheat or warm mixture. Do not boil....stir into room temp chocolate.

In a chilled mixing bowl beat remaining cream into stiff peaks.

Fold cream into chocolate mixture. Do not over-mix.

Spoon into parfait glasses and chill for one hour.

Garnish with whipped cream, fruit or whatever your preference.

Enjoy!!

Chef Becky Lennerton is the proprietor of Black River Food Company and a Red Seal instructor at the Liaison College of Culinary Art.

705-345-3491 or 705-706-2130 www.MuskokaLakefront.weebly.com muskokalakefront@hotmail.com

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嘀䤀倀 ㈀ ㄀㐀 ⴀ ㈀ ㄀㔀

嘀攀栀椀挀氀攀 䜀爀愀瀀栀椀挀猀 圀椀渀搀漀眀猀 ☀ 匀琀漀爀攀昀爀漀渀琀猀 䈀愀渀渀攀爀猀 ☀ 䄀眀渀椀渀最猀 ㌀䐀 ☀ 䐀椀爀攀挀琀椀漀渀愀氀 匀椀最渀猀 䜀愀氀氀攀爀礀 圀爀愀瀀猀 ☀ 䌀愀渀瘀愀猀 䈀愀挀欀氀椀琀 匀椀最渀猀 䈀椀氀氀戀漀愀爀搀猀 吀爀愀搀攀 匀栀漀眀 䐀椀猀瀀氀愀礀猀 䈀甀猀椀渀攀猀猀 ☀ 倀攀爀猀漀渀愀氀 匀琀愀琀椀漀渀攀爀礀 匀漀氀愀爀 ☀ 䰀䔀䐀 䰀椀最栀琀椀渀最 ☀ 倀爀椀渀琀椀渀最 伀昀 䄀氀氀 䬀椀渀搀猀

伀瀀攀渀 䴀漀渀搀愀礀 吀漀 䘀爀椀搀愀礀 㠀愀洀 ⴀ 㔀瀀洀

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Plan for the best Grey Cup party in the area

By Sandra Crawford, Past President The Washago & District Lions Club has had a fantastic year so far. Two events really stand out.

Canada Day was a great time for everyone. We were very happy to see so many friends and neighbours from our community, and those visiting from outside the area. As always, the festivities and food at the Lions Hall were very popular.

The first ever Lions Octoberfest on September 26th was also a successful event, and a day we will never forget.

Thank you to everyone in the Washago and surrounding area for making it so special. Also, thanks to those who gave us suggestions to improve and enhance next year’s event.

Hot on the heels of these successes, the Lions members are preparing for the popular annual Washago & District Lions

Grey Cup party, which takes place on Sunday, November 29th at the Washago Lions Hall.

Always fun and lively, a great Chili dinner and snacks will be served, and the Lions Watering Hole (the bar) will be open.

The Grey Cup party features two large screens for excellent viewing of the game complete with a game pool and a 50/50 draw. There will also be two auctions – one live with an auctioneer, the other, silent.

And the big draw for a Polaris ATV, including a Triton trailer, will take place at this event.

For more information and tickets for the Grey Cup Party please call Garnet Langelle at 705-689- 3974 or 705-644-2494.

A reminder: Dougie’s Jam Night, every third Wednesday of the month at the Washago Lions Hall, 7 pm.

Thank you!

On October 3rd we held our Farley Fair Fundraiser.

Thank-you to everyone who attended our event and donated to this very special cause.

We are very grateful for your generosity.

The Farley Foundation assists seniors and disabled persons with limited income in accessing necessary treatment for their pets.

Please visit www.farleyfoundation.org for complete information.

DR. KATHY MARCHILDON & DR. SANDY DRURY

To make an appointment or to learn more about our services:

www.lakecountryanimal.com or call 705-326-4800

some conditions do apply* *print ready artwork to be submitted

Visit our website for more information

www.georgianbayprinters.com

3843 Soules Road, Orillia

Hours: Mon., Wed., Thur., Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. • Tues. 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Sat. 8 a.m. – Noon • Evening appointments available.

OSMH opens new lobby space with support from generous donor Media release, OSMH, October 28, 2015 One of the most dramatic transformations to take place at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) since the redevelopment project in 2008 is now complete.

After five months of renovations, OSMH unveiled a completely redesigned, expanded and refurbished main lobby on October 28 to an enthusiastic crowd – thanks to a generous gift from the late Dora Vick Noy, whose family was on hand to unveil Dora’s Place, the new name for the coffee and gift shop that welcomes families into the hospital.

“Dora understood the importance of giving back, but she never wanted the recognition, preferring to be the silent benefactor,” said Dora’s cousin, Jane Marshall. “Her

affable personality is reflected and commemorated in this space, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be here today, to share in this special moment.”

While the hospital has continued to invest in the clinical areas, the main lobby had not been updated since 1983 and was in need of major safety and quality improvements.

Last year the OSMH board of directors, led by former chair Greg Gee, and the OSMH Foundation set out to revitalize the space. Plans were put in place to remodel the main seating area and double the size of the coffee and gift shop.

The main goal was to better serve the needs of patients and families and create a more welcoming and healing environment to help reduce

anxiety and stress and make sure that patients and families feel at ease during their time in hospital.

The new lobby welcomes visitors with new flooring and paint colours that create an uplifting atmosphere, comfortable seating, a new visitor information centre, and an expanded coffee and gift shop that offer a greater selection of merchandise and Jane Marshall and Ralph Noy food and beverage options, unveil Dora’s Place, the new name including a self-serve Tim for the lobby coffee and gift shop.

Hortons kiosk.

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23

Open Tuesday - Saturday from Labour Day to May 24

MLS#740140003. $329,000.

1769 Fairgrounds Road, Ramara Call Lynda for all the details 705-323-4211.

132 Mississaga St. E., Orillia • 705-325-3030 www.MarcelsRestaurant.com marcelsrestaurantorillia@gmail.com

24

Beau Repairs “Little Jobs, Little Prices”

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We respond to alarms and secure your property.

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SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK Subaru factory-trained technicians.

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Preplanning Specialist Funeral Home - Cremation Centre - Reception/Celebration Facilities 54 Coldwater St E Orillia, Ont. 705-326-3595

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Muskoka’s Pampered Pets Dog and Cat Grooming

New Customers Welcome Have your pet looking great for the holidays - book now!

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ORILLIA FOOT CLINIC & WELLNESS CENTRE Your One Stop Spot for Head-To-Toe Health

Chiropody Dental Hygiene Reflexology Massage Therapy Psychotherapy Wellness Coaching Medical Cosmetic Rejuvenation

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705-826-2500

dr.ab@xplornet.ca

25

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November 6-8

Lightfoot Days, a weekend filled with Gordon Lightfoot stories, songs, memorabilia. Tribute artists will be located throughout downtown Orillia. www.downtownorillia.ca

November 6

Hooper’s features Open Mic Night every Friday evening from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Excellent local entertainment. 3383 Muskoka St., Washago. 705-689-4984 or like on Facebook.

November 7

4th Annual Orillia Holiday Craft Show, 9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., ODAS Park.

Free admission, free parking, snack bar, ATM. 40-50 vendors. www. odaspark.com.

November 7

36th Annual Orillia Kiwanis Auction, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., ODAS Park, Roller Skating Rink, 4442 Fairgrounds Rd. See a full list of auction items available at www.kiwanisorillia.ca.

the Legion at the foot of Mississaga Street. Children carry electric November 12-15 and 19-22 Mariposa Arts Theatre Foundation candles and sing carols through presents You’ll Get Used to It!...The downtown to the Opera House to War Show, by Peter Colley. Canada turn on the giant Christmas tree. in World War II through memory Event is free and so are treats and and song, at the Orillia Opera House. hot chocolate.

Tickets available by calling 705-326- November 22 8011 or www.orilliaoperahouse.ca. Orillia Santa Claus Parade, 1:00 p.m. One of the largest parades November 19 Orillia Horticultural Society north of Toronto. Over 100 floats, meeting at Scott’s Garden Centre, bands and Santa himself celebrate 254 Coldwater Rd. W., Orillia, Christmas movies. Non-perishable 6 p.m. Christmas decoration food collection for The Sharing Place Food Bank. Free parking in demonstration. downtown lots.

November 20 Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre November 27 Friday in downtown P.A Day Camp offers children a fun Black filled day off school with themed Orillia, 10:.00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. crafts, games, activities, and ample Take advantage of outrageous play time in Kid Zone. 9:00 a.m. – offers throughout the entire 5:00 p.m. Cost is $22.00 per child. downtown. Watch the Downtown Also available February 5 and June Orillia Facebook Page for a list of deals, www.facebook.com/ 3. Call Olivia at 705-687-2115.

DowntownOrillia.

November 20 Children’s Candlelight Parade & November 28 Tree Lighting, 6:30 p.m., starting at Santa Claus Parade in Washago,

6:30 p.m. Kids can visit with Santa and enjoy hot chocolate and treats at the Washago Community Centre following the parade. Floats and walking participants register at wcc@rogers.com or call 705-6896424 or 705-689-3594.

November 28

Christmas Bazaar hosted by Washago & District Lioness Club, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Lions Hall in Washago. Vendors and bake tables.

November 29

Grey Cup Party hosted by the Washago & District Lions. Great chili dinner, snacks, cash bar, two large screens. Big draw for Polaris ATV and Triton trailer. More information: Garnett Langelle, 705-689-3974.

December 4

Coldwater Candlelight Parade, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Free skate 4:00 – 5:00 at the Coldwater Arena. Santa Claus and candlelight parade at 5:30 and at 6:00 meet Santa at the Mill, treasure hunt and cookies decorating.

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27

Singing for the love of it

By Lois Barrager For those who love to sing there aren’t a lot of opportunities to perform on stage. Choir members, it seems, stay on for years once they are accepted, and rare openings are often filled quickly. However, if you want to sing your heart out, there is an opportunity with the Jubilee Chorale.

The Jubilee Chorale has been singing in Orillia and surrounding area for fiftyseven years and, says choir member, Lois Barrager, the choir members are local people who simply ‘sing for the love of it’.

The choir is led by Meghan Simpson who joined the Jubilee Chorale as music director in October, 2013. She has a passion for choral music and currently sings with the Lyrica Chamber Choir of Barrie as a soprano.

After years of lessons and

competitive singing, Meghan trained as a classical voice major at York University.

With a goal to keep the music and the performances fresh and interesting, Meghan and accompanist, Brent Mayhew are always challenging the choir with new styles of music and presentations, both of which are demonstrated in the two public concerts they produce each year.

The next concert is on November 28th at Westmount United Church in Orillia. It will feature Suite Three of The Many Moods of Christmas arranged by Robert Shaw and Robert Russell Bennett.

The concert will also include traditional carols presented in unique arrangements, Christmas anthems and sacred works from other cultures. Tickets are

The Jubilee Chorale has been singing for fifty-seven years. They perform at public concerts, fundraising events and at seniors’ residents and nursing homes. available at Manticore Books on Mississaga Street in Orillia or by calling 705-826-8517.

The Jubilee Chorale is also involved in a number of fundraising events. They will perform on November 3rd at the Orillia Opera House as part of a Syrian refugee fundraising event. Also, join the Jubilee Chorale on December 13th at St. David’s Church on James

St., Orillia for a bazaar and free concert - free will giving with proceeds to St. David’s Church breakfast program. The choir also performs for local retirement and nursing homes.

For information on auditions or to purchase tickets for upcoming performances or fundraising initiatives, visit www.jubileechorale.org.

Upcoming Entertainment!

You Chill ~ We Grill Open daily from 11 a.m.

Gift Cards Available

Vintage 45 Band • Nov. 13

Even Steven Nov. 21, Dec. 12 and New Year’s Eve

Ronnie Douglas Blues Band • Dec. 4

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