JANUARY 2013
Milton Villager Magazine Volume 1, Issue 4 - January 2013 Community based magazine that focuses on local news and events www.MiltonVillager.com 15,000 copies of each issue are distributed in Milton - more than 14,000 by Canada Post, and 1000 to local businesses If you would like to advertise in Milton Villager Magazine email rick@dilorenzo.com or call 416-821-1219 Publisher - Rick Di Lorenzo Photographers - Ann Kornuta, Denise Cooperwhite Reporters - Stuart Service, Laura Steiner Cover Photo Coach Sandra Howell 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
BROADWAY VISITS MILTON By Laura Steiner
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n January 19, the Milton Centre for the Arts will host some of its biggest performers yet. Michael Burgess and Rebecca Caine are bringing their Dream Concert to the Mattamy Theatre. The performance forms part of the first annual Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, a fundraiser for the Milton Centre for the Arts.
Cultural Services Manager Rob MacKay initiated the idea. Other communities had dinner fundraisers for the arts, MacKay suggested it, and Mayor Krantz agreed. “The evening promises to be an enjoyable celebration of the arts that will help significantly in sustaining the Centre as the community’s cornerstone for creativity,” Krantz said in a news release. Burgess’s and Caine’s involvement was MacKay’s suggestion. “Before confirming the show, we checked with the Mayor’s office to see if he liked this idea and he did,” MacKay added.
Michael Burgess and Rebecca Caine are two of Canada’s best-known musical theatre stars. Burgess is a tenor who is best known for his performance as Jean Valjean in the Toronto-based production of Les Misérables. Rebecca Caine is a soprano who originated the role of Cossette
in the London production of Les Misérables, and played the role of Christine in the London and Toronto productions of Phantom of the Opera. Nothing has been confirmed, but it’s expected their performance will include hits from both shows and songs from modern musicals West Side Story and My Fair Lady.
The organizing committee came up with the “New York” theme for the evening. “It was part of making it an event, not just the show,” MacKay said. The full evening will begin at 6 p.m. Attendees will be treated to dinner catered by Pepperwood’s Bistro at New York-themed stations, then the concert will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $100 each and include dinner. Attendees also have a chance to win a trip to New York furnished by the Italian Canadian Club of Milton. Why should people support the Milton Centre for the Arts? MacKay passionately argues his case, “The Centre enriches our community. It makes us more complete people and a more complete community. It makes a difference in people’s lives.” Tickets are available at the Chudleigh’s box office by calling 905-878-6000. You can also order tickets through their website at www.miltoncentreforthearts.ca
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Extra! Extra!
By Laura Steiner Photos by Julie Harley
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DON’T BLINK
Milton Speed Skating holds Third Annual Meet
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he starting gun’s crack shattered the early morning at the Milton Sports Centre on December 1, 2012 to signal the start of the Milton Speed Skating Club’s third annual skating meet. The quiet following the sound gave way to cheering as skaters raced through a series of laps. The Milton Speed Skating Club has been serving the Halton area since 2004. Its goal is to provide a place where youth from ages 5–18 can learn and compete in the sport of speed skating. The club is affiliated with the Ontario Speed Skating Association and Speed Skating Canada to provide long-term opportunities in the sport. It’s very family friendly, and it offers a family-rate plan if parents want to skate with the kids, and will rent skates to participants for the season. Jennifer Tomlinson’s son Jackson was inspired to pursue speed skating because of the Olympics. During the Vancouver 2010 games, he watched all the speed skating events and couldn’t get it out of his head. “He said he wanted
to learn to speed skate, but being an 8-year old he changes his mind often. I just put it on the backburner,” Tomlinson explained. Eight months later, Jackson was still asking to take speed skating. So his mom did a quick Google search and found the Milton Speed Skating Club. She put him in the four-week Introduction to Speed Skating session offered by the club, and he loved it. Jackson won a silver medal during his first full season. “That gave him a bit of a boost to continue skating,” his mom said. Jackson has Asperger’s syndrome, and team sports aren’t necessarily always the way to go. “He feels like he belongs to the Milton Club, he supports the Milton Club, but he still skates individually, which is more in his personality,” Tomlinson said. She’s learned to celebrate the successes. “In speed skating, he feels like he accomplishes a lot. Once he learned his crossovers (a technique where, instead of gliding around a corner, skaters cross their feet) he was very excited,” she said. According to Tomlinson, it’s very hard to find something an autistic child can thrive in. “He’s found something he’s good at, he doesn’t get teased while
Milton Skating Club Matthew Luxton
Milton Skater Isaac Emblin
placed 3rd in Charlie Mixed Genders
placed 5th in Hotel Mixed Genders Group
Jackson Tomlinson
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doing it, and it definitely makes him really happy,” she said. Medals at the December meet were awarded to the top three finishers in each of the eight divisions, including to Matthew Laxton from the Milton Club, who won a third place medal. The supportive atmosphere runs through the coaching side of the Milton Speed Skating Club. “I’m a big advocate of being positive all the time with them,” Coach Sandra Howell said of her skaters. Howell coaches students who know the basics. They can skate, and know the crossover move, “and then you have to show them all the big pushes.” Howell competitively skates in addition to coaching. “Racing is very demanding. It makes me a better coach knowing exactly what those kids are going through,” she said. Watching the students shine is one of the best parts for her: “To see them excel at their races is so rewarding. It’s great to see them achieve something.” Howell also shared that the sport has many opportunities for girls. “That would be the sport to try if they want to go far,” she said. For more information on the Milton Speed Skating Club, please visit their website at www.miltonspeedskating.com.
Coach Ann Hanham
Miltonians Borrow a Record-Breaking
1 Million Library Items in 2012! also took home the winning prize, a holiday basket filled with goodies and reading material. The library’s circulation count, along with other impressive MPL statistics, will be available soon in the Annual Report.
Jason Vanderholt being presented with winner’s gift by Susan Mickalow and Anna Cansick
Released December 24, 2012 – Miltonians rose to the challenge and successfully achieved Milton Public Library’s (MPL) goal of circulating one million library resources in 2012 – a first in its 157-year history! The goal was met on December 24th at 12:10 by Jason Vanderholt who borrowed some videos for his holiday viewing. Jason
“We are thrilled to achieve this goal and it has been a lot of fun,” said Leslie Fitch, CEO and Chief Librarian, Milton Public Library. “We have seen increases in every aspect of library usage in 2012 including the number of in-person visits, on-line visits, participation in programs and services, and number of items borrowed. It is encouraging to know that Miltonians are making great use of their library spaces, as well as, eBooks, DVDs, eAudiobooks, games, traditional books, programs and more. Keeping our fast-growing community engaged and satisfied with their Library is instrumental to us.” For more information, visit us at www.mpl.on.ca, Facebook, Twitter, in-person or call 905-875-2665.
AT MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY Photo: Pamela McLean, Gloria Brown, Judy Houston, Stuart Hill, and Jan Mowbray Photo by Jim Dills
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t was Open House at the Milton Historical Society (MHS) on Saturday, December 15th, where the new cookbook was released: “A Collection of Favourite Recipes - Past and Present�. At almost 200 pages, the book features over 100 recipes and historical photos. The book is a fundraiser for our continuing preservation work. Reasonably priced at $12 for members, $15 for non-members, books may be purchased at any MHS regular meeting; or leave a message at 905-875-4156; or email miltonhistoricalsociety@bellnet.ca The Milton Historical Society was founded in 1977 with a mandate to preserve the history of Milton. The very first achievement was the preservation of the County Court House and Jail, which had been abandoned after being so much a part of the community for well over a century. The Town later acquired the property for $1 and had the building magnificently restored.
Since that initial project, the MHS has carried out many other activities described more fully on the website: http:// www.miltonhistoricalsociety.ca. Everyone is welcome to attend monthly meetings held on the 3rd Thursday at 8pm (unless otherwise noted) in the Carriage Shop Room, Waldie Blacksmith Shop at 16 James Street, Milton. There are no meetings during July or August. Membership is $25. There are advantages to purchasing a membership: discounts on our own published books (as noted above) and special events, for instance. The Milton Historical Society is 100% volunteer run and welcomes your participation. Some well known people claim Milton as their home
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Open House
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Did you know that astronaut Chris Hadfield was raised in Milton? Chris Hadfield was the first Canadian to walk in space.
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Are you are aware that the Robertson screw (socket head screw), was invented by P.L. Robertson and made right here in Milton? The screw revolutionized industry. Offices are still maintained on Bronte Rd, north of Main Street.
Check out the many other famous people on the Walk of Fame at Milton Town Hall.
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Betty Kennedy, of television’s Front Page Challenge, Canadian Senator, broadcaster, author, journalist, and officer of Order of Canada, resides in Milton.
Peter Appleyard, residence in north rural Milton, is one of the world’s best vibraphonists, percussionists and composers.
Meanwhile, I look forward to welcoming you to one of our general meetings. Jan Mowbray President Milton Historical Board
8 | Milton Villager Jessica Clattenburg and Keaundra Kay with Mayor Gord Krantz
Native Studies Class Supports Attawapiskat Chief’s Hunger Strike
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t was just over a year ago in November that the First Nation’s Reserve of Attawapiskat Ontario made the news when a state of emergency was declared due to horrendous living conditions. There were families living in tents or sharing the same homes, some no larger than a shed and without running water or proper sewage.
According to the Reserve’s Deputy Chief Gerald Mattinas regarding current living conditions, “he expressed they are still experiencing similar problems with sanitation, overcrowding, health issues, and poor housing,” Cheryl Clarke, a teacher at Craig Keilburger Secondary School (CKSS) said. Chief Theresa Spence is on a
Clarke’s Grade 11 Native Studies class held a fundraiser on December 19 for the Northern Ontario Reserve to help bring awareness to conditions there and to Spence’s hunger strike. Clarke drew inspiration from a feature on the CBC and was struck by the fact that this was happening in Canada. “We have people living in third world conditions right here in Canada,” she said. One of the students, Emily Hyde, sent a letter proposing the fundraiser, which in part read, “We are enclosing the support and passion of a small, yet determined, Native Studies class in Milton, Ontario.”
At noon, the fundraiser moved inside the school’s theatre for a multi-media presentation given by Tribal Vision Native dance group. Students from all over the school were given the opportunity to attend through using a “buy-out” process where they paid to get out of class to attend an event. The theatre was standing room only as the group performed traditional native dances.
The passion was clearly evident in the voice of one student, Keaundra Kay. What struck her most was the fact that most of the kids on the Reserve couldn’t go to school. “I feel really bad for them; they don’t have the money or resources to go to school; the living conditions are really poor.” Keaundra was part of a group that sold hand-made jewelry, dream catchers, and brownies in the school’s main hallway. She felt lucky for what she had: “We get to wake up and go to school every day, and they don’t even have that,” she commented. The elementary
There are endless ideas on how to fix the situation. If Cheryl Clarke were in charge, she’d look at what is needed to help solve the problem. “I’d provide them with the resources needed to deal with the issues they are facing. These include mental health issues and many others. I would also provide them with proper housing and schools.” She added that she would give incentives to lure professionals such as teachers, doctors, and other professionals who want to live near there. For her part, Keaundra would start with education, and housing, “offering them somewhere to stay where they can go and get education, where they can stay and be healthy.” By Laura Steiner Photos by Rick Di Lorenzo
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school has been rebuilt, but they have to leave the reserve following grade nine.
Milton Villager
hunger strike on Parliament Hill to call attention to her Reserve’s plight.
Randall Keast raps ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas with impressive flow
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CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
By Stuart Service Photos by Ann Kornuta
alive and well in hands of Milton Concert Band
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ith its liveliest Christmas show yet, Milton Concert Band’s sixth annual “Home for the Holidays” show at the Milton Centre for the Arts on Dec. 8 packed a cheerful punch to the Mattamy Theatre audience. Acting Music Director Sheena Nykolaiszyn lead the 47member band in an arrangement of festive Christmas standards. The selection of medleys featured visual elements with either video, sketches, or both. One individual who wasn’t the least bit impressed with all of that cheerful racket was Mr. Grinch himself. Early into the Concert Band’s performance, the show was stolen by the Grinch, played by Jonathan Kirkwood. Kirkwood’s Grinch ran up and down the aisles, even periodically jumping on stage to disrupt many performances, even bunny-ear’ing the Kingsway Conservatory of Music Children’s Choir as they Christmas carolled. Milton Concert Band Director Joseph Resendes had his own share of Grinch problems. Wearing a costume that included a beanie cap and suspenders, Joseph was able to suspend the crowd’s disbelief that he was a little boy typing a letter to santa. As he typed along with the song’s tempo on a fossilizing typewriter, little Joseph developed a list projected onto a screen so the crowd could follow along.
But once again, the Grinch stormed the stage with a mobile phone, texting his own list that he likely considered to be of much greater importance. Following an intermission in the middle of the two-hour concert, the Milton Youth Theater Productions group gathered around the tree for a musical story-time version of The Night Before Christmas. Children in pajamas gathered ‘round the tree and wrapped presents, listening as the MCB’s Randall Keast wore a nightcap and rapped the poem to the concert band’s beat while he sat in a reclining chair. The actors engaged the audience by pantomiming the story, which featured a svelte ballerina, a humble family, and eight children dressed as Santa’s reindeer. Once more, the Grinch trolled the performance, taxing the presents when no one but the audience was looking. The Milton Youth Theater players finally caught the Grinch, and then showed him the true meaning of Christmas through finger-wagging and song. As the evening came to a close and the stage took its bows, the Milton Concert Band had one more special gift to hand out. It was a golden baton awarded to their director, Joseph Resendes, who was now in a suit and no longer in his letter-writing attire, for his dedicated work over the past six years.
An unfortunate member of the Kingsway Conservatory of Music Children’s Choir was bunny-eared by the Grinch, who also actively stole entire segments of the December 8 show at the Milton Centre for the Arts
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Special guests at the Home for the Holidays Christmas concert by the Milton Concert Band included the Kingsway Conservatory of Music Children’s Choir
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Cracking up the audience with his reindeer games was a mischievous member of the Milton Youth Theatre Productions
By Stuart Service | Photos by Ann Kornuta
MIRACLES COME TRUE ON MAIN STREET T
he Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation’s annual Christmas charity event doubled in attendance, toys donated and dollars raised. The event, formerly known as Troy’s Toy Drive, raised about $215,000 in toys, cash, and corporate donations.
the generosity of sponsors “allowed us to put on the event and not charge anybody for stuff. The food, the entertainment, the rides are all free.”
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During a Breakfast Television Live-Eye segment with Jennifer Valentyne, Halton MP Lisa Raitt presented To make room for Miracle on Main Street activities Troy with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his in and around Troy’s Diner -- which included rides, community service efforts. “Thank you so much,” Troy reindeer, and a photo op with the Stanley Cup -- Main said on Citytv. “That’s quite the honour -- you caught St. E. was closed between Commercial St. and Millside me off guard.” Dr. from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on December 17. Former WWE wrestler Tiger Jeet Singh Jr. who is All of the toys and donations were distributed the President of Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation, was throughout the week before Christmas to the the spokesperson for the event, and said that no other McMaster Children’s Hospital, The Hospital for Sick event compares. “What has happened, with the grace Children (SickKids), Halton Women’s Place and the of God, it’s blown up,” said Tiger Jeet Singh Jr., wearing Salvation Army. Troy Newton, owner of Troy’s Diner a Santa outfit and displaying his championship belt at and director of the Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation, said all times.
“We do not discriminate. Take a look at me. I’m six-foot four, 275 pounds, an Indo-Canadian, former WWE wrestling superstar wearing a red turban and a Santa’s coat. If that doesn’t show the embracement of East and West, I don’t know what does,” he continued.
“My pocket is full of cheques from people not only from Milton -- we’re so blessed -- from Barrie someone just donated 5,000 bucks,” Tiger Jr. said.
Tiger Jr. raised his voice significantly as he said, “I’m probably the only guy on the planet that’s promoting the Christmas holidays looking like I am.”
Troy Newton wearing Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal
Tiger Jeet Singh Jr., Garry Hans - Halton Regional Police, Tiger Jeet Singh,Troy Newton
Walter Gretzky, Jennifer Valentyne, Tiger Jeet, Singh Jr., Mayor Gord Krantz, Andrew Fletcher - Halton Regional Police
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“What you see before you has never ever happened ever in the history of Milton. You got a Ferris wheel, you got a carrousel, horse and carriage — you got everything here.” “Everything is absolutely free admission. All we ask for is a new, unwrapped toy,” Tiger Jr. said.
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BTV Host Jennifer Valentyne and Walter Gretzky
Halton MP Lisa Raitt
Members from the TDS Fox Cheerleading program
Santa with Easton and father Ryan dEntremont
Milton Share-A-Story reading program
Share-A-Story is a free literacy based community program created in an effort to bring By Dale Ho, thecompletefamily@live.ca awareness to children’s literacy within our communities. Once a month at select locations parents and caregivers are invited to bring the kids in to enjoy story-time with me, parents will also learn fun, new and exciting ways to support their child’s learning at home using simple to make literacy based games and activities. We gladly welcome donations of either a very gently used or new book at each event but it is NOT mandatory for attendance, these will go directly towards stocking our classroom libraries and children’s hospital playrooms/waiting rooms where books are greatly needed and very much appreciated. Join us on January 26th 2013 from 2:00pm at Indigo (Milton) for our next story-time. All those in attendance are eligible for our monthly give-away.
FUNtastic Fridays Drop-in Program Dodgeball Daze Do you know the 5D’s of dodgeball? Test your dodge, duck, dive, dip, and dodge skills while defending the first place trophy. Dodgeball is a game in which six players on one side of a court try to hit opponents on the opposite side with an inflated ball to eliminate them. Dodgeball Daze is open to players aged 9 to 13 on Friday, January 11 at the Milton Leisure Centre from 6 to 9 p.m. Registration is first come, first served, so make sure to arrive early to secure your spot. Cost is $4.50. You can call the Milton Leisure Centre at 905-8787946 for more information.
it be Friday mornings or Monday evenings,” said Rod McLachlan, club coordinator of public relations. “We welcome anyone who wants to network, who wants to give back and who wants to develop professionally while having fun at social events.”
Milton Rotary Club cut ribbon at a new accessible playground at The Darling Home for Kids
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n a bid to attract new members, the Milton service club is adding a second meeting time in addition to its usual Monday meetings at 6:30 PM, creating greater flexibility for busy Miltonians who are looking to give back to their community. Already many prospective new members have attended information sessions during November and December, enjoying guest speakers presenting on topics ranging from the light hearted end of the Mayan calendar to a backgrounder on the U.S. fiscal cliff to a tour of Community Living North Halton ‘s facilities. Members will be able to attend whichever meeting is convenient to them that week. Morning meetings are efficient and run only one hour with guest speakers and breakfast available for just $5. “The creation of this second morning meeting time will allow small business owners and commuters alike to get involved according to their own schedule, whether
The Rotary Club of Milton is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year and each year fundraises thousands of dollars that members give away in the form of local scholarships and bursaries for high school students, dictionaries for grade 3 students and support for youthoriented organizations like The Deck youth drop-in centre, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Lighthouse for grieving children, Literacy North Halton and many other worthy causes. In the last 10 years alone, the Rotary Club of Milton has funded $60,000 worth of scholarships and bursaries for Milton high school students. The club has also run a successful international student exchange for over 40 years. Prospective new members can contact rodmclachlan@ hotmail.com or call 289-878-5437 for more information. Rotary’s 1.2 million members believe changing the world starts with a commitment to Service Above Self. In more than 34,000 clubs worldwide, members are volunteering in communities at home and abroad to support education and job training, provide clean water, combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, and eradicate polio.
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is reaching out to busy, new Miltonians with a second meeting time, Friday mornings at 7:30 AM
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The Rotary Club of Milton
Milton Career Opportunity Advertising Sales Representative (Milton Villager Magazine) Milton Villager is seeking a highly-motivated advertising sales representative to sell advertising for its monthly magazine. This position is a commission based work from home opportunity where your remuneration would be dependent on your sales performance. Bonus incentives in place for surpassing monthly sales targets. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include. • • • • • • •
Achieve or surpass assigned advertising sales targets Prospect to generate new business including researching advertisers in competing publications and reviewing new business in the area Networking at various community and business events Develop strong and positive business relationships with clients Establish and renew advertising contracts Develop creative sales programs that meet advertisers’ business needs. Deliver advertising or illustration proofs to customers for approval
Qualifications: • • • • • • • • •
Minimum 2 years advertising sales experience (preferably in print media) Self-motivated, goal-oriented, enthusiastic, naturally outgoing, ambitious and upbeat Ability to build strong relationships with clients Excellent written and verbal communication skills Have the ability to offer creative marketing solutions to client problems/concerns Valid driver’s license Ability to work individually with minimum supervision Experienced in cold calling Preferred knowledge of print media technical specifications and submission requirements
Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to rick@dilorenzo.com We thank all applicants who respond, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.