Milton Villager Magazine Volume 1, Issue 18 - March 2014 www.MiltonVillager.com
If you would like to advertise in Milton Villager email rick@dilorenzo.com Publisher - Rick Di Lorenzo, rick@dilorenzo.com
MILTON Villager
Event Calendar
Photographers - Ann Kornuta, Denise Cooperwhite, Grant Rushton, Andrea Ramos Reporters - Stuart Service, Laura Steiner, Elizabeth Kogan, Genevieve Rushton-Givens Printed in Canada. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily that of the publisher and no liability is assumed for omissions or errors Follow us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/MiltonVillager Milton Villager Magazine is available at these fine local businesses: Grocery stores: Metro, Food Port, Real Canadian Super Store, La Rose Bakery Food: Hero Burger, Pizza Nova, Troys Diner, Coffee Culture, Heritage Fish and Chips, Symposium, Shoeless Joe’s, Portabello’s, Bombay Grill, Mama Mila’s Cafe, Quiznos, Cafe Zauq, Empire Wok, Mr. Sub Recreation: Milton Sports Centre, Leisure Centre, Milton Centre for the Arts, Making Waves Swim School Shopping: Milton Mall, Home Hardware, Staples, Canadian Tire
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Free Tim Hortons Swim - March 10 - 14, 2pm-3:30pm at Milton Leisure Centre March Break Fun for kids 4 to 12 years old - March 10 - 14, 10am to noon at Milton Mall Mom & Me Cupcake Decorating Fundraiser for Sick Kids Hospital March 12, 11am - 12:30pm, Milton Leisure Centre www.hanadiprettycakes.com Holi Celebration - March 15, 6pm to 11pm at the Milton Seniors Activity Centre Spring Card-a-Rama - March 21st 7:30pm, at St. Paul’s Church United Euchre, Bid Euchre and Bridge, prizes and refreshments. www.stpaulsmilton.com Empty Bowls fundraiser - March 30, 11:30am - 2:30pm at Milton Centre for the Arts Rotary Diamonds & Denim - April 11, 6:30pm, at Country Heritage Park www.miltonrotaryclub.com
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by Elizabeth Kogan / photos by Ann Kornuta
4 | Milton Villager
By Elizabeth Kogan | Photos by Ann Kornuta
T
he sun was blinding on February 17, and the anticipation was mounting in the hearts of Miltonians as crowds entered the Milton Sports Centre to watch Travis Gerrits compete in the men’s freestyle aerial competition in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The town of Milton and the Share the Dream Committee (created to support Gerrits’ road to the Olympics) partnered for a public family fun event at the Milton Sports Centre to cheer on Milton-born and -raised Gerrits. The gymnasium, banquet room, and lobby had big screen TVs ready to show the event. Olympic-themed activities for all ages ran from 10:15 a.m. until12:30 p.m and then again from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. Gerrits won silver at the 2013 FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships in March 2013. That medal win qualified him to represent Canada in the Winter Olympics in Sochi. On December 22, 2013, Gerrits achieved his first career World Cup win in Beijing, China, by winning gold in the men’s aerial competition. To kick off the viewing event, Jessica Lockwood, who placed third in the October 2013 Milton Talent Show, sang a soulful rendition of the Canadian national anthem. Intense silence filled the room at the Milton Sports Centre as Gerrits took his first jump of the initial qualifying round. A
Prior to the event, the Share the Dream committee wrote on their Facebook page, “The town of Milton is like no other. So many people have made this dream possible, and now it is a reality. We will be proud of Travis every moment he takes a breath in Sochi. He has won GOLD in our eyes and hearts no matter what happens. Making the Olympics is a WIN for our town of Milton and the rest of Canada!”
Milton Villager
Arturo Figliomeni has been involved with Share The Dream for one year. He said, “Travis has not only brought the community together, but he has also inspired the youth of Milton. He has shown them that anything is possible as long as you work hard and are dedicated to something you believe in. Milton couldn’t be prouder of Travis, and he will always be number one in our eyes.”
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hush came over the crowd when Gerrits, flipping, twisting, and tilting his body in the air, missed his landing on his first jump. He came back strongly with his second jump to qualify to compete for a medal in the final round. During his final jump of the day, Gerrits competed valiantly and went on to place seventh overall.
A Merry Afternoon By Elizabeth Kogan | Photos by Ann Kornuta
6 | Milton Villager
2nd Annual Tea Party for Autism and National Service Dogs
A
t the centre of a snow-covered winter wonderland scene in Campbellville, you will find the Mohawk Inn and Conference Centre (“the Mohawk”). On Sunday, January 26, 2014, the Mohawk was the setting for the 2nd Annual Tea Party for Autism and National Service Dogs Fundraiser. The event, hosted by Mary-Anne Selwa, owner of My Smart Hands (Milton location), brought local businesses and community members together in support of autism awareness and the important role of service dogs for youth living with autism. According to the Autism Canada Foundation, service dogs can assist a child living with autism in many ways. Some of the benefits include, “providing increased safety for the child, providing comfort when the child is upset and reducing social stress levels, allowing greater participation in education, as well as social and leisure activities.” The inspiration for the fundraiser’s theme came from the Academy Award-winning 1964 American film classic, Mary Poppins. Black umbrellas hung daintily upside down in the hall at the Mohawk, a poignant symbol of the umbrella that the Mary Poppins character, a lovable and enchanted nanny, used in the film as a fantastical method of transportation. When asked to share her goal as organizer, Selwa said, “My ultimate vision was to create awareness. Very importantly, I wanted to help a family that I’m closely connected to, by getting closer to them having a home service dog for their little boy. My goal was to raise $8,000 at this year’s fundraiser. To date, I’ve raised over $ 4,700, and donations are still coming in. I’m thankful for the community’s support.”
Heather Pilkey, an event guest, shared, “I was looking forward to this year’s fundraiser for autism since Mary-Anne (Selwa) announced it at the end of last year’s event. This year’s event did not disappoint. How could it with a theme like Mary Poppins? It was an absolutely fabulous time with excellent company doing what we do best—eating, drinking, laughing, having fun, and supporting a fellow sister in her dream. Thanks Mary-Anne for recognizing the need to create awareness for autism in our community and educating us all in such a fun and creative way.”
Soup kitchen Fundraiser Empty Bowls returns on March 30
During the event, Patrick Lee, a father living with autism, performed with his drumming circle, named Enzazu. Lee explained, “Enzazu started three years ago, offering free drumming classes and free workshops once monthly for children with disabilities. Using African rhythms, our kids’ class encourages family participation and, above all, fun, while being creative and learning social skills.” Selwa expressed her gratitude for being able to raise autism awareness, “As a sign language teacher, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to work with families who live with autism on a daily basis. Signing is an invaluable pathway to facilitate family communication in cases where a child is only saying a few words. It gives me the greatest joy to see that I am helping to make a difference, and I can’t wait for next year’s event.”
O
n Sunday March 30, Milton Transitional Housing is holding their fourth annual “soup kitchen” lunch “EMPTY BOWLS”. This is a fine opportunity to try gourmet soups from Milton restaurants while helping to provide housing and support for local people who need it. Milton Transitional Housing (MTH) is a communitybased charity providing bridge accommodation, support and counselling to those in Milton who are experiencing housing crises as they work towards securing a stable home. The lunch is being held in MinMaxx Hall at the Milton Centre for the Arts on Sunday, March 30 from 11:30am to 2:30 pm. Tickets are $50 each with a charitable tax receipt of $25. Tickets include a gourmet soup lunch and you get to choose and keep your hand-painted ceramic bowl. To purchase tickets phone 905699-5477, email tickets@miltontransitionalhousing.ca or visit www.miltontransitionalhousing.ca.
Milton Villager
Tracy Saunders who came out in support of the event shared, “There are two lessons I took away from today. The next time you see a child being slightly difficult, never judge that parent. Instead, step up and tell the parent that they are doing a great job and ask how you can help. Also, as parents, we never seem to pat each other on the back. Parenting is a tough job, and unlike many other professions, there isn’t a certification course to get you through it.”
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The high-spirited emcee/DJ, Mike Lupo, kept the guests highly entertained with his wit and upbeat music that kept the crowd smiling as they enjoyed hot tea and scrumptious sweets. When introducing Adrienne Nesci, a mother who gave an enlightening and eloquent speech to the group about the realities of living as a parent of an autistic child, Lupo chose the theme from the Rocky movies. The song selection was apt as Lee is a real-life role model. When asked by Lupo how we as a community could support parents of autistic children, she replied, “Remind the parent he/ she is doing a good job.”
Milton Youth Theatre Productions Channels Our Inner Child with
By Stuart Service | Photos by Ann Kornuta
8 | Milton Villager
Josh gets his wish and finds himself in an adult body the following morning
T
he Milton Youth Theatre Productions has outdone itself during its eleventh season by replicating the fun and wit of a classic late-’80s comedy. The Milton Villager attended the February 8 evening showing of Big: The Musical, the last of four performances over three days at Meadowvale Theatre in Mississauga from February 6–8. Each performance featured an entirely different cast of about 50 actors between the ages of 4 and 18.
Josh puts a quarter in a sketchy arcade machine and declares “I wish I was big” to Zoltar the fortune teller
The story begins with 12-year-old Josh Baskin, played by Camryn Durante, a bashful boy struggling to figure out how to talk to girls. This issue comes to a boil at the local carnival when Josh, motivated by best friend Billy, played by Ben Whyte, asks his crush, Cynthia, played by Riley Bertoia, to join him on the Ferris wheel. Josh experiences the pain of rejection when Cynthia introduces her boyfriend, Derek, played by Erin Healy, who wears baggy pants and a flat-brimmed hat and has a driver’s license. To add insult to his emotional injury, Josh discovers he does not meet the height requirement for the ride. Josh wanders to a sketchy arcade machine, inserts a quarter, and tells Zoltar the fortune-teller, played by Ashley Tuffs, “I wish I was big.” After Josh is told his wish is granted, he discovers the power cord to the Zoltar machine was not plugged in. The following morning, Josh, now played by Austin Costello, wakes up in the body of a thirty-year-old. Like the movie starring Tom Hanks, Big: The Musical captures the desire of every child to take on the full responsibility of an adult, and the consequences of growing up too fast. And it’s always great fun seeing the cast of the Milton Youth Theatre Productions improve with each performance.
Josh wows the founder of MacMillan Toys, Mr MacMillan, played by Harrison Ciccarelli, with remarkable product knowledge about which toys will be hits or misses next Christmas.
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March Break Fun!
JOIN US FOR A RAINBOW FULL OF FUN! The sky is the limit when it comes to creativity and we have five mornings full of colourful and entertaining fun! Crafts and snacks are from 10 to 11 am and entertainment runs from 11 am to 12 noon. Please note that parent(s) must remain with their children. Open to children ages 4 - 12. Supplies limited to first 250 children. For a complete schedule visit miltonmall.com and click on the Kids’ Club icon.
miltonmall.com Corner of Ontario and Main
By Elizabeth Kogan | Photos by David Geall and Grant Rushton
10 | Milton Villager
Saying Thanks O
Milton District Hospital Foundation
n the evening of February 6, 2014, a group of people made their way into the Teatro Conference and Event Centre to commemorate the Fifth Annual Community Partners Appreciation Event for the Milton District Hospital Foundation (MDHF).
even more delicious to taste. MDHF Executive Director Helen Vatistas addressed the group, expressing gratitude on behalf of the foundation for the support received. Mayor Gordon Krantz also spoke, thanking the volunteers and businesses for their efforts in supporting MDHF.
Andrea Cayer, Development and Communications Associate for MDHF, explained, “In 2013 about forty different community groups hosted events that raised a combined total of $110,000 for MDHF. These events range from bigger events such as the Black and White PJ Party and the Chinese New Year celebrations to our Little Leaders birthday parties and lemonade stands. Every dollar really does help, and we are sincerely thankful for each and every event!”
Throughout the evening, community partners were recognized and gave radiant smiles for the cameras after being presented with certificates of recognition. The Brian Brady Award was presented to the Shooting for Angels Basketball Tournament group in recognition of the group being the longest-standing community partner, having hosted nine annual events in support of MDHF.
With the money raised through donations, the Milton District Hospital purchased necessary medical equipment. In addition, the events provide a means to further raise awareness about the hospital’s needs. Carol Duvall, co-founder of Milton Business Connections, a networking group that connects businesses to each other and to the Milton community as a whole, provided insight into MBC’s choice to support the hospital through their charity bowlathon at Champs Family Entertainment Centre in May 2013. She commented, “We chose the hospital in 2013 as many people are unaware that hospitals don’t get funding from the government for the equipment—the money has to be raised. If we want our hospitals to be equipped with the necessary technology, we need to give back as a community. We chose to become part of the solution, and as a unified group of small business owners, we all saw the need to support our local hospital.” Prior to the start of the official presentations, guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres that not only were delightfully displayed, but
Cayer elaborated on the origin and significance of the award, “The Active Transport Oldstars Hockey Team, our longest standing community partner, spearheaded the creation of this award to honour one of their most beloved members, the late Brian Brady. Mr. Brady was past president of Milton District Hospital until his retirement in 1997, and one of his many achievements was helping to establish the Milton District Hospital Foundation. Mr. Brady’s wife and sons were pleased to attend the event, and it was very special for them to see him honoured. Each year, The Brian Brady Award will honour one of MDHF’s long-standing community partners.” David O’Connell, a member of Milton Business Connections and owner of BANG! Creative Communications stated, “You cannot have a vibrant community without people willing to support it. When businesses and people get together to help fund and support programs like MDHF, it goes a long way to strengthen our community. I believe it is our duty as business leaders to nurture and foster growth.”
12 | Milton Villager
Anne J. MacArthur Public School Opens S
even hundred and ninety-eight kids will remember Tuesday February 18, 2014, as their first day of school. That day, Anne J. MacArthur Public School opened its doors at its permanent location at 611 Farmstead Drive. It previously shared a site with the E.C. Drury High School for the Deaf at 255 Ontario Street. Anne J. MacArthur is a name long associated with Milton’s history. Her thirty years of teaching included twenty-seven at Milton District High School where she taught classes such as history and home economics (offered at the current Martin St. Public School). In 1965, she entered politics, serving as councillor and then as reeve for Nassagaweya Township. From 1974 to 1976, she was the first woman to serve as mayor, and the only woman to do so to date. Staff stood outside welcoming students to the building on a cold, stormy February morning. They were then led in by Principal, Kathy McArthur, who wore a tartan sash over her winter coat. “I feel a sense of pride in having this school named after such a vibrant and hard-working teacher. It’s very positive for our students,” she said in an interview. The school’s name was chosen last March, giving students and staff the chance to get used to it. Students were welcomed through the front doors by applause from McArthur, trustees Donna Danielli and Nancy MacNeill, councillors Rick Di Lorenzo and Colin
Best, along with Superintendent Gord Truffen. The kids took the attention in stride marching past the crowd to their classrooms. Milton Historical Society President Jan Mowbray presented Ms. McArthur and the staff with a framed photo of the school’s namesake. Work continued on the finishing touches to the school. “Construction’s always a challenge,” Parent Council member Allison Sitlani said. Over the weekend, students were asked to do an assignment about what they were looking forward to the most about the new school. Sitlani’s daughter Ava is in grade one. “She (Ava) said she was looking forward to being in a bigger school so she could make more friends.” The school will have approximately 1,250 students by September when the kindergarten students arrive.
Teacher Amy Singleton with her Grade 1 class
Milton Villager
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McArthur hopes it will be a community gathering place because the Drury location was out of the way for many parents. “We plan to have a lot of different community events and have parents come in during the day and use the library as the hub of the community.” The plan is to host coffee mornings and community events. Sitlani loves the new location. “We walk here in less than two minutes, so we’re very excited.”
School Volunteer Parents
By Laura Steiner | Photos by Denise Cooperwhite
By Genevieve Rushton-Givens | Photos by Denise Cooperwhite
Community Foundation of Halton North 14 | Milton Villager
Celebrates Official Launch
O
Watson thanked Brad and Jo-Anne Clements for providing the foundation’s first donation.
The foundation recently received a $189,000 three-year start-up grant from The Ontario Trillium Foundation in March 2013, which has helped them set up an office in Milton and hire one part-time staff member, Sue Lawrenson, Director of Development and Community Engagement.
“We’re in the centre of one of the fastest growing communities and that’s a lot of pressure but also an exciting opportunity,” said Lindsay.
n the afternoon of February 11, The Community Foundation of Halton North (CFHN) held their official launch in downtown Milton. The CFHN, established in 2011, is a foundation for the community of Halton North (Milton, Halton Hills, and the surrounding areas) that helps philanthropists set up permanent endowment funds and awards grants. In attendance at the event were Mayor Gord Krantz and several Halton councillors.
Lawrenson describes the aim of the CFHN, which is to provide “everlasting support for the caring community of Halton North.” The foundation also has a volunteer board of directors with eight members, chaired by Brad Clements. They plan to offer grants in 2016. What makes the CFHN different from other charities is that it provides broader, permanent philanthropy that collects interest over time. According to Mr. Clements, the foundation is “not delivering a product but making sure a need is met.” After some opening remarks from Hal Watson, a member of the board of directors, Clements explained that the idea for the foundation was conceived because there were community foundations in the surrounding towns, but none in Halton North. Clements emphasized the CFHN’s desire to address the issues that affect citizens within the communities of Halton North and explained that the aim of the foundation is “not to go out and do the job but to make sure the job is done.”
The foundation is one of 191 community foundations in Canada. Cindy Lindsay, the Director of Member Services for Community Foundations of Canada, the umbrella organization, provided more information about the CFC. Community foundations find out what isn’t working and what needs to change in a community.
For more information, contact Sue Lawrenson at 905-864-9211, or visit www.cfhn.ca and http://www.cfc-fcc.ca/.
www.miltonbusinessconnections.ca
Community Group
Computer Networking/Sales
Niraj Adhiya | 905-875-3939 info@discovermilton.com www.discovermilton.com
Sam Kassam-Macfie | 416-995-0939 sam.kassam@momstown.ca milton.momstown.ca
Robert Duvall | 289-878-7922 gurus@rdcnetworks.com www.rdcnetworks.com
GPS Tracking Services
Mortgage Broker
Photographer
brokerage #10287
Robin Chalmers | 647-784-5665 r.chalmers@vehiclepathcanada.ca www.vehiclepath.ca
Christine Walker | 647-801-0001 Christine.walker@mtgarc.ca www.mortgagesbychriswalker.ca
Eva Mende-Gibson | 416-986-9559 eva@blinkofaneyephoto.ca www.blinkofaneyephoto.ca
Contractor
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Group Travel/Cruising
Jason Sandilands | 416-873-6941 jason@i-gotta-guy.ca www.i-gotta-guy.ca
David O’Connell | 905-636-9393 david@creativitygoesbang.com www.creativitygoesbang.com
Dean Barreca | 416-726-3270 dean@thecruiseexpert.ca www.thecruiseexpert.ca
Every Milton area small business owner who is looking to make new connections, should come out and meet our group to meet other great Milton entrepreneurs. Where: Ned Devine’s Irish Pub, 575 Ontario Street South When: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 7pm-9pm Hope to see you there. RSVP to connect@miltonbusinessconnections.ca
Milton Villager
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Your Connections to Milton’s Small Business Community
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