Library Receives Grant Funding to Support Seniors CYCLING CYCLING

The 7 Beaches Route

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 60 km

Start: Wasaga Beach

RecPlex, 1724 Mosley Street

Starting in Wasaga Beach and carrying on to Historic Balm Beach, this relatively flat route travels up the shore of Georgian Bay, passing beach after beach, including the world's longest fresh water beach in Wasaga Beach.

The Wasaga Beach Public Library (WBPL) is excited to announce it has been chosen as a recipient of the 2023-24 Seniors Community Grant Program. The grant will contribute over $23,000 in funding to support the WBPL Seniors Cultural Connections program to provide older adults in Wasaga Beach with new cultural opportunities.

As announced by Minister of Seniors and Accessibility of Ontario Raymond Cho on June 1, the provincial government is investing up to $6 million dollars in over 280 projects across the province. These projects promote social inclusion, volunteerism, and community engagement.

“Across the province, June is a time when we pay formal tribute to our seniors. Ontario's older adults are the province's fastest growing demographic, and they are to be celebrated for the contributions they have made to our communities. It's important that they know we are working hard to provide them with grants such as this one, that will be used by the Wasaga Beach Public Library to provide opportunities for them to keep active and socially connected close to their home.” said Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey. “I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to WBPL CEO Pamela Pal and her dedicated team of staff and volunteers who work hard to deliver quality programming that makes a big difference in the lives of seniors in Wasaga Beach.”

WBPL will use the funds to focus on helping to combat social isolation by providing seniors with uplifting and enlightening cultural experiences. Using a portion of the grant money the library will be organizing four coach bus excursions to cultural attractions around the GTA. These trips will be highly subsidized to equalize access for all older adults.

Funds will also be used to organize four live musical performances at the new Twin Pad Arena & Library, providing seniors with unique social entertainment throughout the fall and winter seasons.

To ensure that the Cultural Connections program resonates with seniors and reaches those isolated the most, WBPL will be convening a Seniors Advisory Committee of volunteers to help with the organization and delivery of these programs. These volunteers will be instrumental in helping to organize specialized transit solutions to ensure that those with mobility and transit challenges will be able to still attend the performances.

WBPL has tremendous experience programming for seniors through its ongoing adult programs as well as having been a recipient of Seniors Community Grant funds in the past. “We recognize that there is a significant population of older adults in Wasaga Beach, and we are dedicated to providing them with unique opportunities to bolster their well-being while simultaneously removing barriers.” Said Pam Pam, library CEO.

More details will be made available as they become available. To get the latest updates on this program and others that the library offers, you can follow the library on social media or sign up for their email newsletter at wasagabeachpubliclibrary.ca.

General & Media Inquiries

Kyle Young Community Relations Assistant

Wasaga Beach Public Library

705.429.5481 x2406 communityrelations.wbpl@wasagabeach.com

Bring your bathing suit along, because this route lives up to it's name, “7 Beaches Route”. Take a swim in the clear blue waters of Georgian Bay at any point along the way, or at the halfway point in Balm Beach. Grab a quick bite to eat and fill up your water bottles before you return via the same way back to Wasaga Beach where you can have a refreshing aprè ride swim!

See our Digital Issue for a link to detailed map with elevations: www.beachbooster.com/publications

Editor's note: This route sees high volumes of traffic in the peak summer season, especially weekends. If you want to avoid the crowds and have the beaches to yourself do this ride early in the morning

Arugula and Asparagus Salad

This summer salad is delicious and refreshing and goes well with just about anything that you have on the grill. Quick and easy to make with only a very few ingredients, it's the perfect 'go to' salad when you

½ pound large or medium asparagus

1 tsp red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 garlic clove

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup arugula, washed and dried

1 oz Thin sliced ParmigianoReggiano Cheese

1 0z grated ParmigianoReggiano Cheese

In a small glass bowl, combine the vinegar and a good pinch of salt. After a minute, add the garlic and vigorously whisk in the olive oil and a few drops of water. It should thicken and be smooth.

Snap off and discard the tough ends of the asparagus and soak in cold water for about 5 minutes. You may need to peel the thicker pieces. Quickly blanch them for about 3 -4 minutes in a pot of boiling salted water. Chill down in a bowl of ice water. If you are using the thinner variety they will be done in about 1-2 minutes.

Note: If you smell the asparagus while it's cooking, you're n the verge of over cooking them. So get them out of the water quickly and drain them well.

Place the asparagus on a platter and sprinkle with some sea salt, some grated Parmesan, and a little lemon juice. Place the arugula on top, add the vinaigrette and the shaved Parmesan, and finish with a couple grindings of black pepper.