Monday, October 26, 2009

Warden’s Gala Dinner Raises $85,000 for United Way

Funds will support individuals and families across Simcoe County

Midhurst/ October 26, 2009 – The third annual Simcoe County Warden’s Gala Dinner was held at the Nottawasaga Inn in Alliston on October 22 and was a major success this year raising $85,000 for the United Way of Greater Simcoe County.

“This was a truly successful event we hosted this year and our gratitude goes out to all those generous donors who came out to support this cause,” stated Warden Tony Guergis. “This year, the United Way of Greater Simcoe County celebrates it 50th year of service to our communities and residents.

“Over 150,000 people in Simcoe County alone access the vital services that the United Way supports. We greatly appreciate the many sponsors that recognize the tremendous value of the United Way and its work in our communities.”

Highlights of the evening included the auction of a 2010 Honda Civic DX-G as well as the evening’s entertainment, Derek Edwards, an award winning comedian who frequents the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival. The evening was emceed by A Channel’s Lance Chilton.

The Gala brought together elected officials of Simcoe County, community leaders and key members of Ontario’s building and land development communities.

“We are so grateful to Warden Tony Guergis and County of Simcoe staff for organizing this event on behalf of United Way of Greater Simcoe County for the third year in a row,” said Seija Suutari, Chief Executive Officer for United Way. “The proceeds from this class act event will go a long way in supporting our community fund and will be directly invested in Simcoe County. “

The County of Simcoe manages social services programs for residents throughout the region including the cities of Barrie and Orillia. Programs for youth, seniors, families, people with special needs and the homeless are currently operating at capacity level and with extensive wait lists.

United Way of Greater Simcoe County, a volunteer-based organization, distributes funds to support local non-profit agencies. The services these agencies provide build a brighter future for children, enrich the lives of the elderly, give hope to those in need and strengthen families.

The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.

Simcoe County Museum Presents ‘An Evening of Hallowe’en’

Minesing/October 26, 2009 - On Wednesday, October 28th and Thursday October 29th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the Simcoe County Museum presents An Evening of Hallowe’en. Bring your friends and celebrate Hallowe’en with us as ghosts, goblins and ghouls come alive! There will be games, activities and treats for all ages. Race against your friends in Which Witch Wins?, test your accuracy at Ring the Cats Tail, practice your aim at Skeleton Toss, and play our all-time favourite Bowling for Tombstones.

If you dare, join us for an outdoor Haunted Adventure and be prepared to be scared! This year’s haunting promises to be spooktacular! For the not so brave, there’s always our Boo Barn, perfect for younger Trick or Treaters. There will be games and activities both inside the Museum and on the grounds. Be sure to dress for the weather and enjoy some great Hallowe’en fun! Admission is only $2 per person.

The Simcoe County Museum is located at 1151 Highway 26, minutes north of Barrie. For more information on An Evening of Hallowe’en, or the Simcoe County Museum, visit museum.simcoe.ca or call (705)728-3721.

Take the Infinite Journey with Simcoe County Museum, a cultural exploration of our historical past and exciting future. Simcoe County Museum is owned and operated by the County of Simcoe and offers year round exhibits, events and educational programs for visitors of every age. Visit our website at museum.simcoe.ca for further details.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the occasion of former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien’s appointment as member to the Order of Merit:

“On behalf of the Government of Canada and all Canadians, I congratulate Jean Chrétien on his appointment as member to the Order of Merit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“The Order of Merit is a mark of honour conferred by the Queen to individuals of distinction in the arts, learning, sciences and public service. Created in 1902, appointment to the Order is the Sovereign’s personal gift.

“Born and raised in a small industrial town in Quebec, Prime Minister Chrétien lived the Canadian dream and rose to the highest elected office in the country through hard work, determination and dedication to Canada. His warm relationship with the Queen of Canada is a reflection of this.

“This is truly an honour for former Prime Minister Chrétien and his family, and an occasion about which all Canadians can be proud.”

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

County of Simcoe Recognizes Child Care Workers and Early Childhood Educators

Midhurst/ October 20, 2009 – County of Simcoe Warden Tony Guergis has proclaimed Wednesday October 21, 2009 to be Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day in acknowledgement of the actions and efforts of those in the Child Care field.

“Each year we take this opportunity to celebrate those who dedicate themselves to the education and care of our children,” stated Warden Tony Guergis. “Early Childhood Educators and child care workers play a vital role in the lives of countless children and families across our region. It is an honour to recognize their efforts on behalf of the County of Simcoe.”

In recognition of this day, the County of Simcoe’s Children and Community Services Department sponsored the fourth annual Flag Contest. This contest was open to children 6 years of age and under attending licensed child care programs in Simcoe County, and challenged participants to draw pictures highlighting the qualities that make their teachers special and the things that they like best about attending Child Care. Once again, the theme of the contest was “Quality Educators Create Quality Child Care.” The winning drawing, selected by a Committee of community partners in the Child Care field, will be re-created in a full size flag to be flown at Georgian College YMCA Child Care, which is the centre where the child with the winning submission attends.

The County of Simcoe is the Child Care System Service Manager for the County of Simcoe and the cities of Barrie and Orillia. The County provides wage subsidy to support approximately 656 child care workers working in 137 licensed child care programs throughout the County. To date, there are approximately 6318 licensed child care spaces in Simcoe County.

Media are invited to help celebrate “Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day”, by joining Warden Guergis, County staff and child care workers at the following media event:

EVENT:
What

Childcare Workers and Early Childhood Educators Appreciation Day

Where

Georgian College YMCA Child Care
1 Georgian Drive, Barrie, Ontario

When

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 3:00 PM

The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.

Hospice House Races for the Finish Line

Hospice Simcoe took a giant leap toward the capital campaign finish line this week when an anonymous donor doubled a pledged bringing it up to $200,000.

“This is tremendous news,” said Faith Orlando, Manager, Resource Development at Hospice Simcoe. “Simcoe County residents, businesses and service groups have been extremely generous and they are making the dream of building, furnishing and operating a Hospice House a reality for this region. Donors who are stepping up and closing the gap are ensuring there will be access to exemplary compassionate care for those in need during the final days of their lives.”

Hospice House Simcoe County, located at 366 Penetanguishene Road, is a 10 bed residence designed to provide high quality end of life care to residents and support to families. Officials recently announced that the first residents will move into the facility on December 1.

The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care granted Hospice Simcoe $2.8 million in 2008. Hospice Simcoe Board of Directors approved the construction of Hospice House believing Simcoe County residents would embrace the project.

“That is exactly what has happened in a huge way,” said Orlando. “This is the community’s project, the community’s house. People are donating for their neighbours, their friends and their family members. Simcoe County residents are making Hospice House a reality and we are truly grateful for that community commitment.”

This facility is the first of its kind in Simcoe County and will serve residents from across Simcoe County’s 18 municipalities who are in need of end of life care. Outreach programs operated by Hospice Simcoe for the past 20 years will continue for individuals who continue to live at home in the community.

“Brick by brick, curtain by curtain residents of Simcoe County are working together to finish this home,” Orlando concluded. “Thanks to our donors we are closer to our ultimate goal of making Hospice House a place where residents will be at home with their families during a very difficult time.”

There are many ways to build a house. Here are a few examples of recent fundraising efforts:

· Anonymous donor knew the type of kitchen furniture that would fit the house and he wanted to have it created in his parent’s memory. The donated furniture was crafted specifically for Hospice House.
· Another generous donor provided hospital beds, armoires and Murphy beds.
· The kitchen countertop supplier toured Hospice House, said his parents own a quarry and the end was result was an installed countertop from India.

We invite your group, business or neighbourhood to help us cross the finish line of the capital campaign. For more information or to book a tour of Hospice House, please call Faith Orlando at 722-5995 or visit hospicesimcoe.ca.

Hospice Simcoe is a charitable, volunteer-based organization, providing client centred support for those living with life threatening illness or grieving the loss of a loved one. The 10 bed residential hospice, scheduled to open December 1, 2009, will provide care to Simcoe County residents who are dying and their families in a home-like caring environment.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Bus Safety Awareness Poster Exhibition

To increase awareness of Bus Safety Week, Sinton Transportation, in partnership with the MacLarenArtCentre, is hosting a student art exhibition that informs people about Bus Safety.

Posters by school children in Simcoe County will be on exhibition during Bus Safety Week, October 19 to 23, in the Bus Gallery parked outside of the MacLarenArtCentre on Collier Street.

To make the exhibition more accessible to the public, the Sinton Bus Gallery will be traveling to The Good Shepherd Catholic School to be viewed by students that submitted posters, staff and members of the public interested in viewing the exhibition.

THE TRAVELING GALLERY WILL BE AT THE GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL FROM 9:30 AM TO NOON ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, FOLLOWING WHICH IT WILL RETURN TO THE MACLAREN ART CENTRE FOR THE BUS SAFETY AWARENESS RECEPTION FROM 6 UNTIL 7:00 PM.

GENERAL INFORMATION
The MacLarenArtCentre is a not-for-profit, public art gallery located in downtown Barrie, Ontario. Our mission is to integrate the visual arts and culture within our community. The MacLaren promotes understanding and awareness by creating accessible means for the visual arts to be an intrinsic part of everyday life.

Gallery Location: The MacLarenArtCentre is located at 37 Mulcaster Street, Barrie, Ontario, L4M 3M2, 90 km north of Toronto. From highway 400 north, take the Dunlop Street East exit to Mulcaster Street and turn left. We are one block north at the south-east corner of Mulcaster and Collier Street.

Gallery Hours: The MacLarenArtCentre is open Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday noon to 4:00 pm. The MacLarenArtCentre is closed statutory holidays. Suggested gallery admission is $5.

Gallery Tours: Guided tours of the gallery for groups and schools are available by appointment. A free public tour of the current exhibitions is scheduled for Sunday, November 1 at 1:00 pm. The Family Sunday Workshop is offered each Sunday from 1:30 to 3:00 pm in the Rotary Education Centre. Materials are provided. Admission is $5 per child/Family Membership holders free.

Contact Information:
For more information on exhibitions and educational programming, please email us at maclaren@maclarenart.com or telephone 705-721-9696. Our website is www.maclarenart.com.

Acknowledgements: The MacLarenArtCentre gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of its members, benefactors and donors, the City of Barrie, the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts and Sinton Transportation.

2009 Warden’s Gala Dinner Benefits United Way

Midhurst/ October 19, 2009 – Simcoe County Warden Tony Guergis will host the Warden’s Gala Dinner in support of the United Way of Greater Simcoe County on Thursday, October 22 at the Nottawasaga Inn, Alliston, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

Building on the success of last year’s event, the 2009 Warden’s Gala offers great food, entertainment and a chance for one guest to drive away in a brand new Honda Civic.

Gala guests will be invited to bid on the new Honda Civic prior to the evening’s entertainment feature. Derek Edwards, an award winning comedian who has headlined at the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival, promises to keep to guests laughing.

“As community leaders, it’s important for us to do what we can to ensure that the United Way has the necessary resources it needs to help families and individuals across this region,” stated Warden Tony Guergis. “We are proud to partner with many businesses and organizations to help build stronger communities.”

The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.