The Villager 2016 November by Villager Community News

November 2016

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Library services update. . . . . . . . . . . 5

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Recipe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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Township update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Community Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Lest we forget In the eleventh month, on the eleventh day, at 11:00 a.m. we pause. We give thanks. We remember. Inaugurated by King George V in 1919, Remembrance Day marks the date and time when World War I hostilities formally ended. Today, all government buildings fly the Canadian flag on this day and millions of Canadians wear poppies before and on Remembrance Day to show their respect and their support for our Canadian troops. It’s an emotional day for many. Although the First World War ended almost onehundred years ago, there are still many in our community who had an uncle, grandfather or great-grandfather, who fought or died in this war. Many more of us have been directly impacted by the Second World War, or the Korean War. For others who have no direct family ties to the troops who fought in these wars, it’s also an emotional day. We stand with friends and family and neighbours at a local Remembrance Day ceremony and we feel pride for our country, gratitude to those who are still among us, and grief for those who were lost in battle. Most of us have tears in our eyes as we watch the ever diminishing numbers of World War II veterans, proudly wearing their uniforms and medals, marching or being pushed in wheelchairs and moving ever more slowly

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towards the cenotaph. Yes, almost a hundred years has gone by since the first Remembrance Day ceremony and still today, grandparents, parents and teachers remember and they talk to and teach younger people about the importance of November 11th. It’s certain, however, younger people will never meet a World War I veteran. Few, if any, will hear stories directly from someone who fought in World War II. Inevitably, as years pass, and as the direct impact of war

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on younger people lessens, they may not feel the same depth of emotion we older folks do. Although they will show respect and gratitude, they may not shed tears. On November 11th at 11 a.m. take some time to remember and honour all of those who have served our country and especially remember those who gave their lives. SEE PAGE 6 FOR LOCAL REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY INFORMATION.

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Wow! What an event!! By Ellen Cohen But Kathy didn’t have to worry for long. By 2:50 p.m., the hall was buzzing. Hopeful art buyers were looking over the paddles, quietly and secretively choosing one of the twenty-two canoe paddles they just had to have, and having a lot of fun kidding each other about how they were going to out-bid their neighbour and warning others to keep their hands off ‘their’ paddle. In addition to the display of canoe paddles, the Washago Art Club members presented a large display at the back of the hall that included some of their best pieces of art for sale. A silent auction was set up along one side of the hall and on the other side was an excellent selection of complementary hot and cold finger foods, all supplied by members of the art club. Hall manager, Rose Petit and art club member, Ann Johnson worked in the kitchen and kept the tables filled up with food before and during the event. And, while all this was going on, leading up to the auction and between auction sessions, live music kept the crowd tapping their feet and hands clapping. The auctioneers – Mayor Mike Burkett; Deputy Mayor One of the twenty-two 6’ paddles Judith Cox; local artist and art that was auctioned off on Continued on page 22 October 8th.

As we reported in the October issue of The Villager, the 6’ wooden canoe paddles that had graced the hydro poles and storefronts on Muskoka Street in Washago had been taken down at the end of September so that they could go up for auction on October 8th, the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. The day of the auction, at about 2:30 p.m., Kathy Nicholson, the chair of Friends of the Water Tower committee and one of the Washago Art Club organizers of the paddle auction, was beginning to feel a bit nervous. Although quite a few people had shown up to the event, the hall at the Washago Community Centre is large and most of the chairs were still empty.

On October 7th, Casino Rama Cares presented the Friends of the Water with a $2,500 cheque. Natasha Ilic (public relations specialist, Casino Rama Resort; Cathy Westcott, community volunteer; Don Westcott, Severn Township councilor; Kathy Nicholson, Friends of the Water Tower committee chair; Glenys Hepinstall, Jan Turner, Patricia McDonald, community volunteers; and Jenna Hunter, director of public relations, Casino Rama Resort.

Water tower update Kathy Nicholson, the chair of the Friends of the Water Tower committee announced that they are now just about half-way to their goal of the $35,000.00 that is needed to install new art on the Washago water tower on

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Quetton Street. As with so many community projects, this committee is challenged with finding sources of funding and the Continued on page 22

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

Waterfront photos submitted by Villager reader, David Daniel. Letter to the Editor:

Water level problems have not gone away To the federal, provincial and municipal governments of this area: This problem has not gone away. Some person has written to the Washago Villager monthly newsletter and has reported that all is well and that the water council is doing a good job. I find this to be an insult! Do they think we are children? For your joint information, I have submitted the following article to The Villager in hopes this rebuttal will be published next issue. I know this is federal jurisdiction but all of you have a role to play. With all of the technical knowledge and capability we Canadians have in managing water and weather systems around the world, surely something as simple as a small canal system from Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay with 45 locks should be easy to control. It appears to me and a host of local residents that there is a lack of will at all levels of government to solve this problem. Don’t you realize that by shortening the boating season by 30% what this is doing to your tax base? No wonder the lock system is closing early and only open on weekends in the fall, all the boats are in storage! Please, please put resources in place to solve this problem. Sincerely, David Daniel

Response from The Villager Publisher: Mr. Daniel, In response to your letter, I wanted first to explain that it was I who wrote the small piece you refer to (in the October issue of The Villager). I wrote it because water levels in my community were better than the past few years, although I was clear the levels were ‘not high, but higher’. The reference to the Water Management Advisory Council (WMAC) was meant to be tongue-in-cheek because, as I said in a previous issue, I don’t believe the federal government has demonstrated the will to make changes that would give our area a decent boating season. What I failed to do was to take into consideration that simply because water levels at my little piece of waterfront were better, not great, there were perhaps other parts of the area that had not improved at all. I apologize for that. At the same time, I encourage all other lakefront residents and business owners to do what you have done, Mr. Daniel – speak out and ask your political representatives to fix an issue that affects so many of their constituents. Ellen Cohen, The Villager publisher Letters to the publisher are welcome and may be emailed to thevillagerpress@rogers.com. Letters may be edited.

Fee for library services must be fair By Ellen Cohen The story involving the Orillia Pubic Library and Severn Township goes back a long way, at least back to February, 2014 when the township voted to opt out of their annual agreement, an agreement which entitled Severn residents to Orillia Public Library memberships. The township opted out because Orillia asked for an increase of 20% a year for 5 years. This would have increased the township cost from an annual fee of $102,320 to over $200,000, a cost that would necessarily have impacted residential taxes. Without an agreement in place, the Orillia library began charging Severn residents $150/year. The township agreed to reimburse residents half of that fee. Jane Dunlop, Severn councillor and Severn Library Board member, says that records show 177 people signed up in Orillia. As of September 30th of this year, 80 memberships have expired and it’s not clear at this time if they will, or have, renewed. “The cost to Severn Township for those 177 memberships is $75 for each full membership. Obviously the total cost is much less than our original annual fee to Orillia of $102,000. At the

same time,” she noted, “we’ve seen increased memberships at the Coldwater Library.” Regardless of the relatively small number of Severn residents who have signed up for Orillia library memberships, and the fact that the Coldwater library has had an increase in memberships, there is still a concern with residents on the eastern side of the township. Because of the distance to Orillia from most eastern portions of the township, it is unlikely many residents would travel to Coldwater for library services. To address this issue, and to recognize a desire for some to want a membership at the much larger Orillia library, negotiations have continued with Orillia. In order to negotiate well on behalf of the township Jane says that the Severn Township Library Board will ensure they have sufficient information. Among other things, they need the number of Severn Township members, membership renewals, and the frequency of use. “The stand of the township is that the fee for use of the Orillia Public Library has to be in direct correlation to the number of residents using those services,” Jane said.

As the Severn Township and Orillia library boards continue to work together towards a potential agreement, Jane Dunlop says memberships at the Coldwater Public Library increase. She added that although the negotiation process is taking more time than they’d like, as recently as October 17th the chair of the Orillia Library Board and the Orillia library manager met in closed session with Severn library representatives in Coldwater. As a result of this meeting, a proposal was sent to the Orillia Library Board, including what Jane calls a ‘wish list’. Negotiations, Jane says, look promising. While Severn residents await the result of these negotiations,

all residents are reminded there is free access to the e-book system once you become a member of the Coldwater Public Library, also at no cost to Severn residents. This membership will give you access to more than 49,000 eBook titles through an Ontario library system, and another 7,900 titles through the county system. There are also 13,000+ eAudio books available. Information is available by calling 705-686-3601 or by visiting the township offices. Or visit coldwater.library.on.ca.

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Celebrate Grey Cup with the Lions By Sandra Crawford, Past President It is that time again! The Washago & District Lions Club will present their 16th Lions Annual Grey Cup Party at the Lions Hall on Sunday, November 27th, 2016. The hall will be open at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are available by calling Paula McFadden 705-689-5669, or Sandra Crawford at 705-6899646. It is recommended that you purchase your ticket ahead of time, although there may some tickets available at the door. The cost of a ticket to this event is $30/person. Included in this cost is a dinner of chili and Italian sausage. Snacks will also be provided. The ticket includes your name on the game board, scores at the end of each quarter, a final score is a cash

win and door prizes. Cash bar. In addition to food and the Grey Cup game, we will have a 50/50 draw and an auction. Finally, the BIG DRAW for the 2016 Polaris Sportsman 450 ATV, including the Triton aluminum trailer will be at 9:00 p.m. that night. The winner will be phoned immediately with congratulations on their WIN. Many thanks to everyone who came out to our October Fest event. Those who attended has lots of fun as indicated by the many great comments from people who thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to next year. Dougie’s Jam: November 16th at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Play your favourite music, sing or dance. Come hear them jam. Free event.

Local Remembrance Day ceremonies Chippewas of Rama First Nation: Thursday, November 10th. A parade marches south on Rama Road to the cenotaph for a full service at 11:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome to attend this event. Refreshments available following the service. Orillia: November 11th at the cenotaph at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 34 parade will arrive prior to a full service at 11:00 a.m. Following the ceremony, all are welcome to march behind the parade to the legion where cake will be served, and a light lunch and refreshments will be available. Cash bar. A shuttle bus will be available for those unable to walk to the legion. Gravenhurst: November 11th. Hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 302, a parade will march from the legion at 290 Veterans Way, to the Gravenhurst Opera House and back to the legion where a full Remembrance Day ceremony will be held.

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Freedom, democracy and human rights By Patrick Brown, Simcoe North MPP and Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario

Remembrance Day marks the Armistice that arrived on the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month. It is a time pay tribute to the proud military traditions of our great country. Canada has always answered the call to stand up for freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Ninety-eight years ago, the First World War ended. Each November 11th we remember all those who placed themselves in harm’s way, and all those who still risk their lives today. I am deeply thankful to all of the men and women who have served so valiantly in the Canadian Armed Forces. Their sacrifices have made the province and country we love and cherish possible. In June of this year, the Legislature paid tribute to and honoured those who fought

and lost their lives on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy. The Legislature also held a moment of silence in memory of those lost during the Battle of the Atlantic. Whether it’s Remembrance Day or D-Day, I’m always reminded on a more personal level of my great-uncle Frankie, who was president of the Barrie Legion for many years. He served overseas, and would tell me about what the Canadian flag means when you travel abroad. I can remember going to Holland, and appreciating the great Canadian maple leaf. As we gather to pay tribute to our brave soldiers, sailors and aircrews, I encourage all Ontarians to remember them with pride and to find their own way to say “thank you.” I especially encourage young people to reach out to a veteran and learn their story. Write a letter to a member of the Canadian

Forces who is posted overseas or serves as a local base commander. Spend time at a local retirement home with those who have lived through the experience of wartime. And all month, think of the brave men and women who never came home, all the grieving families, and all the soldiers who have been wounded in body and spirit. I look forward to going to a number of Remembrance Day events in the community this November, and I hope to see you there. Lest we forget. • 7 0 5-71 7-03 2 2 •

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Black River Wild Gamebird Casserole By Chef Becky Chef Becky Lennerton is the proprietor of Black River Food Company and a teacher in our region for Loblaw Companies Limited.

INGREDIENTS: • 2 onions, peeled and diced • 2 large carrots, peeled and diced • 1 turnip, peeled and diced (optional) • 2 crushed cloves of garlic • 2 celery sticks diced • 1 cup firm mushrooms (cremini) • ¼ cup finely diced thyme, rosemary and oregano… fresh herbs • 1 cup good red wine • Oil for frying • Cracked black pepper and sea salt to taste • 1 Tbsp. flour

• 1½ cups cream sauce • 1½ cups cooked whole wheat elbow macaroni • 1lb. cooked and shredded wild fowl (mixture of pheasant, quail, turkey etc.) If you are not a gamebird lover or do not have access to game meat, substitute with chicken, turkey, or shredded pork. • 1 cup panko bread crumbs, or crushed potato chips, or crushed crackers • 1 cup grated Ontario cheeses (optional) • Reserve 1 Tbsp. of fresh herbs to sprinkle on top before serving

METHOD: In a heavy pot, heat oil and sauté onion, carrot, turnip and celery until they soften. Add garlic and bay leaves, stir. Add wine to pan and with wooden spoon get the bits off the bottom of pot (this is ‘deglazing’ the pan which gets all the flavour off the bottom). Toss in mushrooms and sauté lightly, still retaining their shape. Remove from heat and cool. Toss with cream sauce and pasta, add the meat and fold into casserole dish. Top with panko bread crumbs or crushed crackers or crushed potato chips. Drizzle with melted butter or top with grated Ontario cheeses. Place in oven at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Broil last 5 minutes, if you would like a crispy top.

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In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

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Lynda Hepinstall

705-796-8877

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Guest speakers inspire Rotarians By Christopher Carman, Past President

October was a busy month for the Rotary Club of Washago and Area Centennial, with all Rotarians back from the cottage, brilliant and inspiring guest speakers, and new faces at our meeting, we started talking about goals for the New Year. We are partnering with the Barrie Huronia Rotary Club with their Cash Calendar project. We have named our local charity to support and are proud to announce that all the funds raised by the calendars bought from our Rotary Club members will be donated to Project Umbrella Burma (.com). One of the reasons Rotarians love coming out to meetings is the chance to hear some of the best speakers. October showcased two incredible speakers, Shawna Clark and Judy Snodden. Shawna (www. shawnaleighclark.com) is a local Certified Coach Practitioner in life and wellness. As she spoke to our club, her mission became clear: to encourage each person to live their most vital life and empowering them to live with intention, not by default. She left us

Stay tuned for breaking Rotary news at with the message that it’s time to ‘dust off our dreams’. Judy (www.findingjoy360.com) and like us on Facebook at Rotary Club of is a published author who wrote Finding Washago and Area Centennial. Joy, a book about her personal journey after losing her two sons. This inspiring story follows Judy’s journey from the depth of despair to enlightenment, from the brink of divorce to strength and hope. Upcoming this month: November is a special time for Rotarians worldwide. It is our Foundation Month and this year we celebrate the 100th year of having this fund. The Rotary Foundation transforms Mark your calendar and don’t miss: our financial gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the Lioness Court Whist, Nov. 9 world. As the charitable arm of Rotary, we See page 11. tap into a global network of Rotarians who Remembrance Day ceremonies, invest their time, money, and expertise into Nov.10/11 our priorities, such as eradicating polio, See page 6. promoting maternal health, providing Craft, bake & gift show, Nov.19. clean water and promoting peace. The fund See page 19. is solely built through the contributions of Rotary members. What started with a Lions Grey Cup Party, Nov. 17 donation of $26.50 has now received over See page 6. $1,000,000,000 (that’s a billion).

SPOTLIGHT ON EVENTS

green river yoga company Here we GROW again!!

Now that we’ve settled into our beautiful new studio in Washago’s Historic Hotel, we are adding 4 new Instructors and 3 different types of yoga. There is sure to be something for everyone!

~ Instructors ~

Melanie Rimkay ~ Hatha Yoga (all levels) including Chair & Restorative with Hot Stones Meagan Carney ~ Beginner, Level 1 & Power Yoga Andrea Grace Zapf ~ Hatha Yoga in a Sivananda Style Sabrina Beers ~ Hatha & Yin Yoga Ashley O’Connell ~ Guided Meditation

Free Yoga & Meditation Classes to meet our new Instructors: YIN Yoga

with Sabrina Sunday, November 6 11:00 – 12:00 Noon

POWER Yoga

with Meagan Saturday, November 12 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

SIVANANDA STYLE Yoga with Andrea Sunday, November 13 11:00 – 12:00 Noon

GUIDED MEDITATION with Ashley • Sunday, November 13 • 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. Visit our website for more details.

3374 Muskoka Street, Washago | 705-721-2799 www.greenriveryogacompany.com mel@greenriveryogacompany.com www.facebook.com/greenriveryogacompany

Our annual fashion show on September 15th was another huge success, thanks to the fashion show committee of Pat Warwick, Lynda Hepinstall, Marg Gallagher, Gayle Guymer, Sue Harvey, Lynda Henery, Darlene Woods and Rose Petit. The event was sold out in 2 days, thanks to all of you who purchased tickets. Thank you also to our models, and to the retailers who provided the clothing for the show: Bliss Boutique (Bracebridge), Clothes Closet (Coldwater), Fashion Therapy (Orillia), Joseph Men’s Clothier (Orillia), Say Yes Bridal Gallery (Orillia), and Simply Special Originals (Washago).

See you at the show in 2017.

Thank-you to the following sponsors:

AAA Sanitation Bedrock Café Dan the Wood Man Jenna Walsh Physiotherapy Home Hardware Hope Property Mgmt. Lake St. George Golf Manticore Books Rama Moccasin Sunshine Carpet

Artech Promotional Wear Carrick Construction Dr. Debra Shoniker Evergreen Golf Hinton Antiques Davenport KIA of Orillia Link Climate Care Muskoka Wrench Scetto Construction Think Feet

Bee by the Sea Frank Cooper Construction Dr. Pat Ryan Hardies Custom Paint Home Comfort Care Krown Car Repair & Rust Control Lynda Hepinstall, Century 21 Orchard Fruit Market Snug as a Lady Bug

Thank you to the following prize donors:

Jeanette Abernathy, Washago Clinic • Leah Beers, Ben’s Pharmacy • Candles With Care • Canoe Fresh Foods Country Produce • Emerald City Hair Salon • Giovanni and Perri (Orillia) • Gravenhurst Opera House Gung Ho Restaurant • Hooper’s Coffee Gifts & Gallery • Inochi Spa • Leon’s Orillia • Muskoka Bear Wear R Cottage • Pampered Chef • Quilts by Debbie • Simply Special Originals • Swiss Chalet • Thimbles and Things Washago Timber Mart • The Candy Shoppe • tnt Fine Lingerie (Orillia)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THE WASHAGO COMMUNITY CENTRE

Fun and fellowship By Pat Stead, Lioness

A group of Washago Lioness attended the Lioness Fall Rally on October 2nd hosted by the Wasaga Beach Lioness Club. Lioness meet for a spring and a fall Rally each year. It’s an opportunity for 50-70 Lioness from all over the A12 District to get together for strictly fun and fellowship. It was a very full and fun-packed day with good speakers, a marvelous choir, and a good and generous lunch laid on by the Wasaga Beach Lioness. I know I will ALWAYS attend this rally. As part of our commitment to support the community, the Washago Lioness Club has made a donation to the Friends of the Water Tower, a fundraising initiative that is starting to take shape. Mark both dates on your calendar right now - go! November 9th for Court Whist and November 26th for our Winter Bazaar. Here are the details: By popular demand, the Washago Lioness are holding another Court Whist at the Lions Hall in Washago on November 9th. As well as card playing, come and enjoy pre-game coffee and snacks, a full lunch, a door prize and a draw for many free prize gifts. We also have a 50/50 draw. Tickets for this event are $12. Get there when doors open at 9:30 when we serve coffee and snack. Space fills quickly! Whist begins at 10 a.m. The second event the Lioness will host in November is the Winter Bazaar. It takes place on the 29th from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Lions Hall in Washago. Lunch is available from 11 a.m. onward. “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

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Good food, great presentations By Marylynne White, Past-president October proved to be a fun month for the Club. A delicious Oktoberfest luncheon was cooked and served by club volunteers. Sausages, pork and beans, salads and of course sauerkraut and cake for dessert. Yummy! Afterwards, we were delighted to have Ron Reid, program coordinator for the Couchiching Conservancy, as our speaker. He showed a slide presentation on the physical land attributes of Washago and the surrounding area. It was most interesting to learn about all the birds and animals native to our area. The Conservancy has many interesting nature events throughout the spring, summer and fall in our area. Unfortunately, Danielle Todd, program coordinator for the VON Smart program, was unable to come as our speaker on October 19th. She will present at a later date. The VON Smart Program incorporates exercises needed after falls or surgery. These exercises provide very useful movements for strength and support. We look forward to having Danielle later in the year. We are fortunate to have VON Smart programs in Orillia and in the Severn area. We had a surprise guest in her place…of which, I will tell you about next month!! In November we will honour our veterans and thank them for their service and for our freedom.

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Learn how to recognize a scam By Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton

There are many fraud types, including new ones invented daily. Taxpayers should be vigilant when they receive, either by telephone, mail, text message or email, a fraudulent communication that claims to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requesting personal information such as a social insurance number, credit card number, bank account number, or passport number. These scams may insist that this personal information is needed so that the taxpayer can receive a refund or a benefit payment. Cases of fraudulent communication could also involve threatening or coercive language to scare individuals into paying fictitious debt to the CRA. To identify communications not from the CRA, be aware of these guidelines. If you receive a call saying you owe money to the CRA, you can call us (business-related calls: 1-800-959-5525, and for individuals:

1-800-959-8281) or check My Account at www.cra.gc.ca to be sure. If you have signed up for online mail (available through My Account, My Business Account, and Represent a Client), the CRA will do the following: • send a registration confirmation email to the address you provided for online mail service for an individual or a business; and • send an email to the address you provided to notify you when new online mail is available to view in the CRA’s secure online services portal.

person, unless formal authorization is provided by the taxpayer; • leave personal information on an answering machine.

There is an exception: If you call the CRA to request a form or a link for specific information, a CRA agent will forward the information you are requesting to your email during the telephone call. This is the only circumstance in which the CRA will send an email containing links. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a representative of the CRA and are concerned about whether it is legitimate, please contact my office ((705) The CRA will not do the following: 327-0513 (Orillia area), (705) 527-7654 • send email with a link and ask you to divulge personal or financial information; (Midland area)) and we will get in touch with our contacts to verify whether the CRA • ask for personal information of any kind has contacted you. by email or text message; • request payments by prepaid credit cards; • give taxpayer information to another

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Protecting a little nature: a long way to go By Mark Bisset How much protected land is enough? I ‘m often asked, in my role as executive director of The Couchiching Conservancy, what has helped protect more than 12,000 acres of important natural habitat in the region. When will our organization be able to say, good enough, we can stop protecting land? What’s the magic number? That’s hard to pin down due to the complexity of the concept. Imagine someone calculating how much air we need in this moment, then pumping all the excess atmosphere into a big tank and selling it to another planet. It’s a very wise or very foolish person who claims to know exactly how much nature we need to be healthy across time.

Courtney Baker, left, and Aiesha Aggarwal spent the summer asking people in the region to sign The Couchiching Conservancy’s 17% Pledge. But we do have some modest internationally agreed-upon targets that we can use as a guide. In 2010 a Strategic Plan for Biodiversity was adopted by countries around the world and it included what has come to be known as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (named after the location of the conference in Japan). The targets were adopted by Canada and Ontario, including one that calls for 17 per cent of the landscape under conservation by 2020. That is admittedly a simplified version of the target, and if you are interested in this sort of thing, I

encourage you to Google Aichi Biodiversity Targets to get the full picture. To give you a taste of the spirit of the plan, I offer you Target 5: “By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and where feasible brought close to zero, and degradation and fragmentation is significantly reduced. This summer The Couchiching Conservancy decided to pick up on the Aichi targets as a rough guideline. Meagan Coughlin, a science intern working for the Conservancy calculated all the acreage in the Couchiching region and then looked at the amount of land that would have to be brought under protection to achieve 17 % in the region we cover. Using various filters -- for instance, Crown land wouldn’t be counted because it is open to logging, mining and other threats -- Coughlin calculated that we would need to bring between 60,000 and 85,000 acres under protection to meet that goal. So The Couchiching Conservancy is not going to reach that magic “enough” in my lifetime. In July and August we fanned out through the communities we serve to talk to people about our work and ask them to sign our 17% pledge which says: “I believe land trusts such as The Couchiching Conservancy play a vital role in helping Ontario meet its 17% conservation commitment by 2020 and I support the Conservancy’s vision of a prosperous, healthy region laced with clean lakes and beautiful, interconnected natural spaces.” To date, close to 1,000 people have signed the pledge. It will be no surprise that one of the hotbeds of support for this modest statement is the Washago area. We hope to double that number as we continue to ask people to take a moment and think about the kind of community they wish to live in. If you would like to lend your voice to the pledge, go to couchichingconserv.ca/the-17-pledge/. Mark Bisset is the Executive Director of The Couchiching Conservancy, a non-profit, non-government charitable land trust which protects thousands of acres of ecologically important land in the Lake Couchiching region. For more information on the Conservancy, go to www.couchichingconserv.ca

Cookie Campaign raises over $36,000 With files from Carleigh Bodrug, Communications Officer, OSMH Foundation On October 19th, Tim Hortons restaurants in Orillia presented Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) Foundation with a cheque for over $36,000 to benefit the hospital’s Paediatric/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Paed/NICU) project. The money was raised during their annual week long Smile Cookie Campaign in September. “We are so grateful for the support of Tim Hortons restaurants in Orillia for choosing us as the beneficiary of this amazing campaign,” said Pat Campbell, President & CEO, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. “The proceeds will have a great impact on the lives of some of our most vulnerable patients.”

The Paed/NICU at OSMH hasn’t been updated in over 30 years and is undersized. A $2.7-million renovation project is currently underway which will see the space more than double in size. Essential equipment will also be replaced including incubators, ventilators and cardiac monitors. “The Paed/NICU project is entirely funded by community support to the OSMH Foundation,” said Nicole McCahon, Executive Director, OSMH Foundation. “That’s why initiatives such as the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign are so important to our hospital.” The Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign raised a total of

(From left) Cathy Cherwinski, Tim Hortons General Manager, West Street location, joins Tim Hortons employees Stacy England, Kara Cousineau and Elizabeth Yates to present a cheque for $36,584 to Nicole McCahon, Executive Director, OSMH Foundation. $7.2-million across Canada, supporting more than 460 local charities and hospitals including OSMH. The OSMH Foundation is currently working to close a $500,000 fundraising gap

on the Paed/NICU project. To learn about other ways you can lend your support, contact the Foundation at 705-3256464 or visit their website at www.osmhfoundation.ca.

It’s budget time in Severn BUDGET: Henry Sander, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for Severn Township told The Villager that staff started the budget process in October in preparation for the budget presentation to mayor and council. Henry and the director of corporate services will now review the presentations from staff with an end goal of completing the bigpicture budget document that will be presented to council. “Council relies on us to bring something to them that is reasonable, a budget that discusses new opportunities and one that will be good for the entire township. We try for a balanced approach that will meet staff and council expectations,” says Henry. The budget presentation on November 21st is open to the public. STRATEGIC PLAN: Created in 2012, this plan is a tool that sets the path forward for our municipality during this term and beyond. Every year, staff and council review goals and objectives, looking at issues such as fiscal responsibility and infrastructure. They look at what has been accomplished and what needs to be done moving forward. For township information, visit severntownship.com or call 705-325-2315.

Artist’s rendering of the new recreation facility in Severn Township. RECREATION FACILITY: The public open house was held on October 6th. Adrian Mauro, president, and Stephane Blood, both of Chamberlain Architect Services Limited provided an overview of the project and answered questions from residents. See above for one of the drawings they presented. A video can be seen on the township’s website. Tenders go out in January, 2017.

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Gift ideas for teens You would be so thrilled if the teen on your list opened her gift and said you are the best mom/grandmother EVER. Even if you elicited a ‘gee thanks’, with a teen, that’s pretty much a home run! Of course, electronics are likely a must buy and will almost always get you a passing grade from your teen, but there are other gifts to think about. Here’s a list: Concert/sporting event tickets: you may not know who their favourite performer is so ask. Even if the concert or event is months away, there’s nothing like anticipation. Buy two tickets so they can take a friend. Drive them to the venue and pick them up. They’ll never forget this gift. Blue Jays, Raptors and Argos sell their tickets well in advance. Wireless ear buds or in-ear headphone: a pricey gift but one you know will be used

and appreciated. Prices range from $80$200. Some are sweat and water resistant. Local electronic shops have a good selection but apparently this is a gadget retailers expect to move off the shelves quickly. Classic Handheld Pac-Man by Coleco. Everything old is new again! It looks like a mini arcade game. About $30.00 and available at local/Orillia retailers and at Amazon.com. Netflix-Binge Assistant – a fun gift marketed as a way to upgrade your teen’s phone to project onto a wall 8x the size of the phone screen, creating a mini at-home movie theatre. About $40 and available at amazon.com. Books: Consider a special book, a glossy edition that appeals to one of their

passionate interests such as wild animals, ocean life or astronomy. For general reading, The Toronto Star, Globe and Mail and New York Times all publish a list of the best or most popular books of the year. And, if there are no specific books on your teen’s list, a gift certificate is a good idea. There are two local book stores. Manticore in downtown Orillia, and SmithBooks in Orillia Square Mall. Adding to what you always buy your teens at Christmas – pj’s, slippers and undies, how about a pair of Emoji socks, a new cell phone cover, a portable power charger? Of course, there’s always the tried and true gift for the teens on your list – a gift certificate!

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Coming up with unique or perfect gifts year after year can be a challenge. Is it possible that giving the gift of an experience will be more appreciated – and probably never forgotten? Compared to shopping for ‘stuff’, finding the right experiences will likely take a little extra time and serious thought about who you’re buying for, but the memories will last forever. Here are some ideas: • Family membership at a local ski hill or cross country ski facility. • Live theatre subscriptions, available at both the Gravenhurst and Orillia Opera Houses. • Local concert series from the Orillia Concert Association. • Concert tickets. If out of town, include a night at a hotel. Book a room online and get great deals. • Mariposa Folk Festival weekend passes, purchased before December 31st are about 60% off. • Spa treatment or mani/pedi - great for men and women. • Hot air balloon or skydiving gift certificate. • Pre-paid on-line games. • Netflix pre-paid for one year; pre-paid movies on demand; pre-paid HBO.

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Local Santa’s helpers Santa counts on the following local retailers to help him complete his deliveries – and so should you! Check them out for gifts and ideas for sprucing up your home for the holidays. Bayou Park Marine | From an excellent selection of ATV’s to a host of smaller gifts in their accessory and retail store. Competitive prices. 705-689-5533. The Bird House Nature Company | Simcoe County’s bird experts with a huge selection of feeders, houses, books, garden art, bird baths, home décor, nature wall art and more. 705-329-3939. Canoe Fresh Foods | Everything you need for Christmas entertaining and baking needs. Spreads, dips, specialty teas and coffee. Bakery on site. 705-514-5000. Dapper Depot | Set your wardrobe apart for business or a night on the town. Suits, blazers, outerwear, shirts, ties. All the must have men’s accessories. 705-326-9900. Fashion Therapy | Casual elegance for women where 80% of clothing lines are Canadian. Women come to Fashion Therapy for a personal shopping experience. 705-259-9100.

Home Hardware Washago | Fill up those Christmas stockings for the handyperson on your list. Massive inventory of gadgets and hardware items. Kitchenware, giftware, decorations. 705-689-2611. Jax Bootery | Decades of experience shows in the selection of high quality boots, shoes and slippers for men and women. Check out his vintage shoes. 705-279-3668. Leon’s Orillia | Furniture, sleep sets, appliances, electronics, home décor. Everything you want for sprucing up your home or special gift giving. 705-326-3505. OTD Building Supplies | Everything you need for the handy person in your home. Huge selection of both hand and power tools, garden tools, generators and more. 705-329-1084. Richard’s Goldsmithing | Creative designs, unique pieces of jewellery. Lifetime warrantee on all original pieces. Man-made or good old fashioned mined diamonds. 705-327-1616. Simply Special Originals | Dressing up for a special occasion? Looking for quality business attire or for casual wear? Shop in comfort in this vintage village women’s fashion shop. 705-689-6603. Sunshine Carpet & Flooring | An extensive selection of floor coverings in a 10,000 sq. ft. showroom. Hardwood, laminate, ceramics, vinyl. Professional, personal service. 705-329-0202. The Vacuum Centre | If a central vac system is on your list, this is the region’s specialist. Excellent selection of canister or upright vacuums. 100’s of beautiful lamp shades. 705-326-5070 Washago Timber Mart | Visit their beautiful kitchen, bath, flooring, lighting and tile displays and get ready for the holiday season. Pellet stoves. 100’s of gift ideas. 705-689-2626.

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Washago Community Centre Mark these dates on your calendar! November 4 LINE DANCING: from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with instructor, Ann Sixsmith. Come out and enjoy a great evening of fun and good exercise. This evening is for beginners as well as experienced dancers. Followed by light refreshments. If we have sufficient interest, we will continue this program for the winter months. November 12 SMART SERVE COURSE: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Please call the community centre at 689-6424 by November 9th to register for this program. Cost: $40. November 19 Our annual CRAFT, BAKE AND GIFT SALE, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Hot lunch available and served between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. We have a good variety of vendors to appeal to everyone. THANK YOU to the residents of Beaver Creek Corrections who have repaired and repainted the arena boards. We provided the material and hot lunches and they provided all of the free labour. The rink looks great and we hope that everyone appreciates the work that has been done and make every attempt to keep it this way. For all of your rental and catering needs, please call the Community Centre at 689-6424.

Watch Washago gardens grow As well as completing their big fall cleanup in midOctober, the Washago Garden Club has redesigned and improved, with new cut stone, the two flower beds under the Washago welcome signs. And, weather permitting, by the time November Villager has been published, the club will have planted 200 ‘Canada 150’ tulips in those gardens. They’ll be ready to bloom in the spring of our sesquicentennial.

Lastly, the garden club has acquired six new ‘Lest We Forget’ signs to commemorate Remembrance Day. Those signs will be displayed in the large main community gardens on County Rd. 169, and on each of the 2 welcome sign beds. Local residents interested in becoming a member of the Washago Garden Club, please email Cathy Westcott, westcott.cathy963@gmail.com.

The Canada 150 tulip With help from the Netherlands to engineer this official tulip of Canada’s 150th anniversary, this flower has an elegant white bloom with red flames. More than 300,000 will be showcased in Ottawa next year. Home Hardware is the exclusive retailer of the official sesquicentennial bulb.

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On October 1st 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.

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Great oaks from little acorns Among the best trees for wildlife are the oaks, whose acorns are a popular item in the diet of species ranging from bears and deer to wild turkeys and blue jays. And, of course, squirrels of all kinds who take their fondness for gathering and storing nuts to extreme levels. In our area, you can run across three types of oak trees in your woodland rambles. Red Oak is easy to identify when leaves are present, either on the tree or on the ground nearby. These leaves have 7 to 9 sharp points, often with a little barb where the centre spine ends. Even if you can’t find leaves, the flat smooth bark in large plates and heavy spreading branches are characteristic. On good soils, Red Oaks can grow into towering forest trees. But on sites with shallow rocky soils, especially south-facing hillsides on the Canadian Shield, these oaks take on a stunted form. Foraging bears love to harvest their acorns by sitting in the centre of these miniature trees and pulling branches inwards, leaving a tangle of broken stubs and new shoots in future years. White Oaks and Bur Oaks, our other two species, both have lobed leaves with rounded ends on each lobe. In theory, Bur Oaks have shorter indentations betweens the lobes, especially towards the end of the leaf, but the leaf shapes are so variable as to be unreliable for identification. Instead, take a look at the twigs. Bur Oaks have corky “wings” on their twig and branches, while White Oak twigs are smooth. Their acorns are different as well: White Oak acorns have gnarly caps but about two-thirds of the smooth nut is visible; Bur Oak acorns have large shaggy caps that cover well over half of the nut. Finding acorns from White Oak can be a challenge, because the nuts of this species is particularly sweet and generally harvested and eaten quickly by squirrels and other critters. Red Oak nuts, on the other hand, are very high in tannins and bitter to the taste until time and exposure to water softens their bitterness. Where both are available, squirrels will eat the White Oak acorns immediately, but bury or store the

nuts from Red Oak for consumption later in the winter when they have mellowed. Bears are not so fussy. On a fall canoe trip a few years ago, I came across a bear at least fifty feet up in a large Red Oak tree, happily crunching away on fresh acorns. So don’t let anyone tell you that adult bears can’t climb! Acorns are very nutritious, and play an important role in fattening bears to see them through their long winter hibernation.

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The mighty red oak, a fixture in Ontario forests, grows to 20-30 metres, or about 100 feet tall. The trunk can be more than 120 centimetres (four feet) in diameter. During the early years of European settlement of southern Ontario and Muskoka, acorns were also a vital food source for the millions of Passenger Pigeons that nested in this area. Unfortunately, market (commercial) hunters wiped out this species completely, driving it into extinction. But, while the pigeons may be gone, the oaks remain as an important part of our forest heritage. 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.

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club instructor, Doug Cooper; and well-known community volunteer, Peter Keith – had the crowd eating out of their hands. Never a dull moment, with lots of jokes, they made sure that nobody sat on their wallets for too long. It turns out that Washago’s first outdoor art installation not only garnered a huge amount of interest, the auction, plus a little from a 50/50 draw and the silent auction, generated just under $8,000.00. All proceeds go to Friends of the Water Tower committee and will be used to replace the art on the historical water tower. Kathy Nicholson said that it was so gratifying to see the community come together and give such support to all of the artists and to the water tower project. Actually, Kathy said she

was ‘gob-smacked’. Cheryl Lawder, one of the canoe paddle artists added to Kathy’s comments, saying it was an amazing and humbling experience to know that others saw their (the art club) vision. “It is overwhelming to see how much money we raised for the water tower project and humbling to know that so many people saw our art and appreciated our work,” she said, although she admitted it was hard to see the paddle she created leave the community centre and go to someone else’s home. Rumour has it – from a good source – the Washago Art Club is already thinking about what outdoor art exhibit they might create for next year.

Water tower update Continued from page 3

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road to meet their goal can be a long one. Finding potential funders is a challenge, as is preparing the grant documents. Thankfully, in addition to individual contributions from local residents, the $8,000.00 raised from the canoe paddle auction, the generous $5,000 pledge from the Rotary Club of Washago, and the very recent $2,500.00 from Casino Rama Cares should stimulate interest in others and make the goal manageable. The water tower committee has determined there are two likely possibilities regarding material to be used for the installation of the new art: either aluminum panels on which the image would be imprinted; or the transferring of the image onto a well-protected outdoor sign product. In either case, says Kathy, the old wrap would

come off and the rusted surface of the tower would be dealt with. Quotes will be presented to the committee and the final decision reported in a future issue of The Villager. In the meantime, one of our local businesses, Dan the Wood Man, has volunteered to clean up the shrubs, messy weeds and other overgrown vegetation out from under the water tower, making the way for the project to move forward. The Friends of the Water Tower committee welcomes new members and are keen to talk to anyone who can help with transcribing minutes or help with grant applications. For information please contact Kathy at katmike@rogers.com.

New provincial riding. New nominee hopefuls. In early October, Patrick Brown, MPP and leader of the official opposition in Ontario, announced that he will run in the new Barrie-SpringwaterOro-Medonte riding in the 2018 election. Until that time, he will continue to represent Simcoe North residents as MPP. In the meantime, the Ontario Progressive Conservative party riding association will hold a nomination contest to replace Patrick in Simcoe North. After this announcement, two other political announcements were made. Doug Downey of Orillia, and Jill Dunlop of Severn Township are running to become the nominee and hope to replace Patrick Brown as Simcoe North MPP. Doug Downey, a partner of the Orillia law firm Downey Tornosky Lassaline & Timpano Law, is a former elected City Councillor (Orillia) and active community volunteer. He has been a member and leader of many volunteer groups including Kiwanis, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters and the Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce. Doug is an appointee to the Ontario Business Law Advisory Council, advising the Minister of Government and Consumer

Services. He was instrumental in bringing rules to the home inspection industry. He is also the recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal, the Order of Orillia, and has been recognized as one of the top lawyers in Canada under 40. Jill Dunlop, a lifelong resident of Coldwater and area is the second hopeful in this new political race. She is the mother of three teenaged daughters and a member of the faculty at Georgian College. She announced her intention to seek the nomination as the candidate for Simcoe North on October 19th. Jill has been actively involved in politics as both her parents have held several elected positions at both the municipal and provincial levels. “I feel that civic responsibility is in my DNA and that now is the perfect time to offer the community my name” said Dunlop. The date and location of the nomination meeting that has not been set yet by the Party. Anyone 14 and older that normally resides in Simcoe North can buy a membership.

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*Independently Owned and Operated 705-325-1366 1-800-498-8775 www.century21.ca/leah.cavanaugh leah.cavanaugh@century21.ca

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You Chill ~ We Grill

Visit www.lakecountrygrill.com

for menu, event and entertainment schedules.

Open daily from 11 a.m.

Fittons West Plaza | 425 West St. N., Orillia | 705-329-0303 | lakecountrygrill.com

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Community comes together for Canada’s 150th On September 26, representing Severn’s Ward 5 sesquicentennial celebrations, fifteen community members showed up to the first meeting of the ‘150th Celebration Committee’. The purpose of the meeting was to brainstorm some initial ideas and to determine what kind of a celebration was possible in light of the township’s contribution of $5,000 to each ward. Also on the agenda, with Ward 4 Councillor Ron Stevens present, there was discussion about a larger celebration with the possibility of Wards 4 and 5 celebrating together.

There was a lot of input from the group, including significant interest in presenting festivities at multiple locations: Washago Centennial Park, the community centre; Lions Hall; and Washago’s main street. And there was overwhelming agreement that the celebrations should be family oriented. The next meeting was held on October 25th and a follow up will be published in our next issue. Community members who would like to join the committee please contact Ellen Cohen at thevillagerpress@rogers.com.

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Beau Repairs “Little Jobs, Little Prices”

Working for Seniors Small Driveway Snow Removal – Decks Laminate Flooring – Odd Jobs

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Dan The Wood Man Tree Removal Junk Removal Demolitions

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New Installations and Repairs on Wells and Lake Draw Systems Pump & Electric Motor Repairs Call RICK Today

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Take control of retirement income

Smart planning now can help you retire the way you want. Submitted by Adam R. Burton Did you know that one out of every 5 Canadians will be retired in 2020? By 2030, the number will approach one out of every 4.1 With such a significant number of Canadians approaching retirement and living off a fixed income, now is the time for investors to take control of their retirement income. Getting things in order is very important. Nothing will be the same after you retire. If everything goes according to plan, you will be able to do what you want, whenever you want. Sounds good, right? Key topics that you’ll need to consider: your ideal retirement lifestyle, including large expenses like vacation properties; your retirement date; potential health issues based on family history; and taxes, today and in the future. After you clearly document this and any other vital information, ask yourself “How much will I need?” and “When will I retire?2 Historically, forty-six percent retire as planned; 48% retire earlier than planned due to circumstances beyond their control; 6% retire later than planned due to circumstances beyond their control. You will also have to understand how you

will you generate your retirement income. It’s important to note that the rules for Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) are changing in order to meet the needs of an aging population. And, while aging investors would typically turn to bonds, historically low interest rates are forcing them to consider higher-risk alternatives. Although your assets may be scattered across different accounts at different firms, you will likely be able to generate a retirement income from a number of the following sources: • Registered plans, such as a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) or Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) • Non-registered investments and savings • Government plans, such as CPP and OAS • Home equity • A private pension from your employer Ensuring that these potential sources of income are working together with the appropriate investments that suit your individual needs can take time. Professional advice can have a positive and significant impact on the growth of your financial assets. Households that

SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK Subaru factory-trained technicians. Call to book your appointment: 705-329-4277 385 West Street South, Orillia www.davenportsubaru.com

receive advice for 15+ years accumulate 2.73x more assets than households that do not receive advice.3 Advisors help with more than just savings. Advisors can also assist you in your efforts to reduce your tax burden and help you organize your estate so that your wishes are met. When it comes to planning for retirement, remember you are not alone. Government of Canada -- Action for Seniors Report, Profile of Seniors in Canada

Retirement in Canada: Lots to Enjoy About ‘Golden Years’ but Financial Worries Loom Large -- Especially for Those Still Working, Angus Reid Institute, July 2015

CIRANO Report: Econometric Models on the Value of Advice of a Financial Advisor

Adam R. Burton, CFP, CIM, FMA is a financial consultant with the Investment Planning Council Securities Corporation in Orillia. adam.burton@ipcsecurities.com The comments expressed here are the opinions of the advisor and may not represent the views of IPC Securities Corporations.

BRUCE STANTON, M.P. SIMCOE NORTH

575 West St. S., Unit 12 Orillia, ON L3V 7N6 Tel: 705-327-0513 • Fax: 705-327-8310 bruce.stanton@parl.gc.ca www.brucestanton.ca

TWIN MAPLES FARM

WEDDINGS • WAGON RIDES • SLEIGH RIDES

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1084 Brodie Drive, Severn

(Behind Orillia Square Mall) Open Mon.-Fri. 8am – 5pm, Sat. 9am-4pm

• th

e v ill

a g e r p r ess @ r o g e r s. c o

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November 3-6 Lightfoot Days celebrates Gordon Lightfoot’s birthday with ‘The Spirit of Mariposa’ exhibition at the Orillia Museum of Art and History; Nicole ‘Songbird’ Cowards Early Morning Rain concert at the Orillia Opera House; Lightfoot inspired live music in Downtown Orillia; workshop to hone guitar and ukulele skills; and storytelling through song. Visit lightfootdays.com. November 4-6 Annual Barrie Molson Centre Christmas Arts & Crafts Show, Nov. 4th from noon to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Over 140 of Ontario’s most talented artisans and crafters. Until November 6 Flavours of Lake Country – last week! Enjoy set 2-3 course lunch and dinner menus at some of your favourite local restaurants. Reservations are recommended. Visit flavoursoflakecountry.com for a list of participating restaurants and menus. November 4-6 Ladies’ Shopping Event, Downtown Orillia. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Mississaga Street. Tickets $35 include dinner at participating Fall Flavours restaurants and a special scarf that will give participants remarkable discounts at downtown shops. Complete details and registration at downtownorillia. com. November 7 Shepherd’s Pie Lunch, including beverage and dessert. Prepared by the Severn Bridge Women’s Institute. 12 Noon. $8. Severn Bridge Community Hall, 1035 Southwood Rd. Severn Bridge. For hall rental information, call Fern at 705-687-4462. November 9 Court Whist at the Lions Hall, presented by Washago Lioness. $12 includes snacks and lunch. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Get there early for your spot at a table!

November 12 Terrarium Workshop, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Offering ideas about how to build terrariums, based around plants and natural items found in our surroundings. $15. Ramara Township Public Library, 5482 Highway 12. 705-325-5776. November 13 Passport to Nature: Feeder Birds, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Get introduced to bird identification, biology and behaviour. Couchiching Conservancy, 1485 Division Rd. 705326-1620 to register. Free event. November 18 Children’s Candlelight parade and tree lighting, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Led by the Town Crier, children carry candles and carol in Downtown Orillia. The giant tree gets turned on to light the way for Santa. Cookies and hot chocolate. Meet at the Royal Canadian Legion at 215 Mississaga St. E. Free parking in downtown lots. November 20 Santa Claus Parade in Downtown Orillia, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. One of the largest Christmas parades north of Toronto. Over 100 floats and bands. Please bring a nonperishable food time to support The Sharing Place Food Bank. Free parking in downtown lots. More information at Orillia District Chamber of Commerce, 705-32564424 or 1-888-326-4424. November 25 Black Friday in Downtown Orillia, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Outrageous offers throughout the downtown. Look for windows and displays decked out in black décor to find the stores with the big sale items. November 26 Lioness Bazaar, Lions Hall, Washago, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Start your Christmas shopping early and choose from an exciting array of goods. Full lunch available starting at 11 a.m. December 3, 10, 17 Free Horse & Wagon Rides, Downtown Orillia, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Get into the Christmas spirit! Hop aboard a free horsedrawn wagon ride and explore the downtown.

Wood and pellet stove fire safety By Dianne Kyle, Fire Prevention Officer, Severn Township As the temperature begins to drop outside, wood and pellet stoves are fired up inside the home. With the increasing cost of oil and gas, wood stoves are becoming more popular as a cost-effective heating source. Primarily due to easy storage and low cost, in the past few years we are seeing more use of wood pellets as a fuel alternative. Although there are various basket insets to alter a wood stove to use wood pellets, it is best to use the stove for the purpose it was originally designed for - wood or pellets. Any kind of modification insert may affect home insurance claims should a fire occur. Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires during the winter months and the following are a few safety tips to ensure your home is safe.

• Make sure all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are in working order. Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed approximately 10 feet from the wood or pellet stove. The law states smoke alarms must be installed on every level of your home and carbon monoxide must be installed by each sleeping area on each level. • Never use gasoline, kerosene, charcoal starter, or propane torches to light the fire. Charcoal can cause excessive amounts of carbon monoxide. • Have qualified professionals install stoves, chimney connectors and chimneys. Have your unit inspected and cleaned annually or as necessary throughout the

JENNA WELCH PHYSIOTHERAPY 3378 Muskoka Street, Washago 705-796-3877 • jennawelchphysio@gmail.com

heating season. • Stoves should have a label indicating it has been tested by an independent testing laboratory such as ULC etc. • Keep all flammable objects, including dry wood or pellets far away from the wood or pellet stove. In wood stoves, burn only dry seasoned wood. In pellet stoves burn only dry seasoned wood pellets. Burn the fire hot for at least fifteen minutes, twice a day to reduce the amount of creosote in the chimney. Use a metal container with a cover for ash removal (once cooled) and store this container outdoors at least 10 feet from the home. Keep a close eye on children whenever the wood or pellet stove is being used. Remind

Protect your family and home with properly installed woodstoves or pellet stoves, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and a good fire safety plan. them to stay at least three feet away or place a safety rail in front. Properly installed wood stoves burn wood efficiently, safely, and effectively, allowing only a thin wisp of smoke to be seen coming from the chimney. You should NEVER smell smoke in your home. The smell of smoke indicates that a wood stove is not operating efficiently.

Candlelight Memorial Service

EXPANDING TO SERVE WASHAGO & AREA! WE NOW OFFER REFLEXOLOGY Treating chronic pain & stress Increase relaxation and more

Jeanette Abernethy,

Experienced & Licensed Reflexologist

Tuesday-Thursday appointments available Ask Jeanette about her ear candelling treatment for allergies, chronic sinus problems, migraines, etc. MASSAGE THERAPIST WANTED If you are a registered R.M.T. and would like to join our team of professionals in the lovely village of Washago, please contact Jenna Welch at jennawelchphysio@gmail.com or 705-796-3877. We offer excellent working conditions and flexible part-time days and hours. Come build your clientele with us!

Ann Carson and all the staff at Carson Funeral Homes invite you and your family to our Candlelight Memorial Service. Join us in lighting a candle to honour the memory of people we loved and lost. Family gatherings and social get-togethers can be very difficult when we are grieving, but it is important to remember that we will feel joy again. We hope that you will be able to share this time with us. Refreshments will be served following the service.

L. Doolittle Chapel, Orillia Sunday December 4, 2016 at 1 pm

J.H. Lynn Chapel, Midland Sunday December 11, 2016 at 1 pm

Please RSVP by email: info@carsonfuneralhomes.com By phone: Orillia 705 326-3595, Midland 705 526-6551

Canoe Signature Sandwiches Roasts, Chops, Ground Beef, Chicken & more • Always AAA Cuts •

Wonderful selection of

Fruits & Vegetables

Salads and Take-to-Bake Pizzas Ask our butcher to custom cut steaks or roasts to your liking!

Fresh to create a great meal!

Looking for a quick lunch or dinner, this Deli is for you!

Freshly Pressed to each cup!

Almost Famous Butter Tarts! Just one of Canoe Bakery’s homemade goodies.

Fresh Baked Breads Every Morning! Serving only our Premium Muskoka Roastery Coffee.

Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, Shag Fog, Chai Tea Latte, Green Tea Latte or Tea – all with a fresh bakery item or lunch from our Deli.

There are always specials at Canoe Fresh Food Market. Drop in to see what we have for you this week!

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