After a blustery night with extremely high winds on March 10th, the waves were rolling on Nottawasaga Bay as the sun came up. Late morning, with blue skies the winds calmed, but were still gusty. It was great to see two visiting kiteboarders enjoying the waves at the Main Beach. Andy & Rick are both from out of town, and seemed disappointed with missing the extreme winds, as they suggested the increasing calm diminishes their fun.
Note: Kiteboading is only allowed at designated areas of Wasaga Beach during the 'swimming season'. Beach Area 1 is not one of those areas.
Brown Baggers in the Beach - Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous
Date: Tuesdays at 7pm & Thursdays at 12pm
Location: United Church, 380 Zoo Park Road
For more information contact 416-829-8259 or email Francine0464@rogers.com. Visit website at https://brownbaggerssecularaa.com
Wasaga Beach Parkinson's Support Group
Date: 1st Thursday of each month - 12:30 – 2:00 pm
Location: Wasaga Beach Public Library, Meeting Room.
All Parkinson's patients & caregivers welcome.
For more information contact Phil Bender 905-703-6248 or bender.philip@gmail.com
The Georgian Bay Photography Club nd
Dates: meets every 2 Thursday of the month via Zoom
Location: Zoom meeting – register by Zoom link
GBPC promotes the appreciation & enjoyment of photography, providing an opportunity for photographers to meet & exchange ideas, exhibit their work & advance their skills.
For more info please email: communications@gbpc.ca
The (Men's) PROBUS Club of Wasaga Beach
Date: 2nd Thursday of each month – 9:30 am – noon
Location: Wasaga Beach RecPlex, 1724 Mosley Street
Social club for retired or semi-retired men of all walks of life meet for coffee, meetings & guest speakers. Non-fundraising. Nonpolitical. Non-sectarian. Sponsor quests welcome. Contact Rick at 705-351-2096.
Beachcombers PROBUS of Wasaga Beach st
Date: Every 1 Tuesday of the month – 10:00
am
Location: Wasaga Beach Recplex, 1724 Mosley Street
Regular meetings for retired and semi-retired people who value & appreciate opportunities to meet others, enjoy hearing Guest Speakers & attending interest groups, visit places & organizations. For information please email: newsletter@beachcombersprobus.com
Georgian Bay Coin & Stamp Club
Date: 3rd Thursday of each month – 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Prime Time Club, (RecPlex), 1724 Mosley St. Please come & join us. For more info: www.geobaycoinstampclub.com
Friends of the Wasaga Beach Public Library
Date: The 2nd Wednesday of every month
Location: New Wasaga Stars Arena/Library – ReMax Room
Please come and join us. For more information on becoming a Friend, email us at fotlwasagabeach@gmail.com, follow us on Facebook at Wasaga Beach Friends of the Library or call the Library at 705 429-5481
PROBUS at the Beach (Wasaga Beach)
Date: Every 4th Thursday of the month – 10 am
Location: Wasaga Beach RecPlex, 1724 Mosley Street
Meetings are for retired & semi-retired women who are looking for fellowship, friendship and fun. We invite Guest Speakers and have additional interest groups. Organized trips to various places or interest & organizations. More info email: probusatthebeach@gmail.com
Prime Time Singers of Wasaga Beach
Date: Every Monday – 10:00 am – Noon
Location: Prime Time Club at the RecPlex, 1724 Mosley Street. “If you can sing in the shower, you are good!” Come and join the fun.
Wasaga Artists
Date: Every Tuesday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm –September thru June
Location: Wasaga Beach RecPlex, Oakview Room – 1724 Mosley St.
Enjoy the weekly meetings to paint, draw, socialize, learn & have fun.
Marlwood Dart League
Date: Thursdays 7-9 pm, Jan to April.
Location: Lions Den. The Rec Plex, 1724 Mosley St.
Fun Night of Darts. Play as a spare or join a team. $5.00 per night
To register or for more info email: marlwooddarts@gmail.com or call Ellen: 416-909-6229
Cribbage
Date: Tuesdays – 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Location: RecPlex - Prime Time Club, 1724 Mosley Street
All Cribbage players welcome. Please join us for a fun afternoon. New players, if you wish to learn how to play we, can make arrangements to teach you.
Weigh to Go (promoting a healthy lifestyle)
Date: Every Friday morning – 9:15-10:00 am
Location: Wasaga Beach Community Presbyterian Church (meeting room) - 208 Mosley St. Please come and join us. For more info, phone Sue: 705-606-0577
Wasaga Sunbirds PROBUS Club
Date: 3rd Thursday of the month from 10:00am to noon
Location: Wasaga Beach RecPlex, 1724 Mosley St.
Retired and semi-retired women are welcomed in order to socialize with others by taking part in activities such as trips, theatre outings, cards, book clubs, golf, walking & listening to different speakers each month.
For more information contact: Barb Sutton705-429-9702
Wasaga Senior Men's SloPitch TeamLooking for new players
Date: Tuesday mornings (Mid-May thru to September)
Location: Wasaga Sports Park – Klondike Park Rd.
We are a men's over 55 SloPitch league. Home games are played at Sports Park, away games played at several Simcoe County parks. Experience playing baseball is a must. Contact by email: jfthomas7@yahoo.ca
Guided Tour – Wasaga Beach Archives
Date: Friday March 22 at 1:00 pm
Location: Wasaga Beach Archives – 140 Main Street
Hear details about the history of the town as you view the many exhibits. Register by email: archives@wasagabeach.com or call (705) 300-0203.
Archive Hours: Thursday & Friday 9:30 am. - 4:30 pm. Saturday 9:00 am. - 3:00 pm.
Shoreline Clean-Up – Wasaga Beach
Climate Action Team
Date: Sunday April 21 – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Beach Area 2 – Parking at th Municipal Lot - 5 Street N. See info. on Page 14 of this issue.
Great Events & Activities – The Town of Wasaga Beach
See Pages 12 & 13 for all the details.
An email from recent contest winners:
Hi Joe:
We just wanted to say thank you for the tickets for last Saturday's concert. It was fantastic. We had a brilliant time and thoroughly enjoyed it. Who knew Burton was just as entertaining as ever? The Carpet Frogs were great as well, being so versatile and having been Burton's back-up band for twenty years, they certainly knew how to put on an entertaining contribution.
We loved every minute of it, and like all fans, we didn't want it to end!!
The arena was a great venue, and we expect that all concerts moving forward will be just as enjoyable.
Again, thank you so much, and we will certainly spread the word that it's worth entering your beach BOOSTER contests!
Susan and Bruce
Wasaga Beach
Dear beach BOOSTER.
I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for the coverage of local news and events in the BOOSTER. In an era dominated by national headlines, your dedication to highlighting the stories and happenings within our community is truly commendable.
Your newspaper serves as a vital source of information, keeping residents informed about important issues, events, and developments that directly impact our lives. By shining a spotlight on local businesses, organizations, and individuals, you help foster a sense of pride and connection within our community
Thank you for your commitment to preserving the fabric of our community through your exemplary journalism. I look forward to continuing to support and engage with the beach BOOSTER.
Warm regards,
Arthur I.
Wasaga Beach
How can we trust local news and comments on social media without content from legitimate news agencies?
One in four Canadians gets their news primarily from social media. Facebook is the top source. Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, is currently blocking news links and content posted by Canadian news publishers and broadcasters rather than paying them for content.
"People in Canada can continue to access news online by going directly to news publishers' websites, downloading mobile news apps, and subscribing to their preferred publishers."
Only a small percentage of us go out of our way to get news. We're used to having it dropped on our doorstep or watching it on TV
Metroland has gone digital-only and stopped printing 70 community newspapers including the Wasaga Sun. At the same time, Canadians are becoming less inclined to pay for news online.
CTV is cancelling most noon and weekend newscasts as Bell Media cut 4,800 jobs and sold 45 of its 103 regional radio stations. It's also scrapping its 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts on weekends at all CTV except Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa.
For many of us in smaller communities that means we'll only hear about what's going on from posts on social media sites.
A social media post is not news unless it's from a legitimate news agency or a re-post from one. Otherwise, it's an opinion, a rumour, or something worse –MDM: misinformation, disinformation, or malinformation.
When navigating social media, it's important to be aware of various forms of misleading information. Here are key things to watch out for according to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security:
1. Misinformation: Incorrect or misleading information shared without harmful intents such as false rumours, hoaxes, or inaccuracies.
2. Disinformation: Intentionally false or misleading information spread to deceive others, achieve a specific goal, or manipulate public opinion.
3. Malinformation: True information that is shared with the intent to harm someone's reputation or cause harm in other ways. This includes sharing private information or out-of-context content.
4. Manipulated Media: Images, videos, or audio that have been edited or manipulated to deceive viewers.
5. Clickbait: Sensationalized or misleading headlines or content designed to attract clicks or views, often leading to websites containing ads.
6. Biased or Partisan Sources: Sources that present information in a way that favours a particular viewpoint or political agenda, often leading to a one-sided or distorted view of events.
When viewing content, in any form, ask yourself the following questions:
Ÿ Does it provoke an emotional response?
Ÿ Does it make a bold statement on a controversial issue?
Ÿ Is it an extraordinary claim?
Ÿ Does it contain clickbait?
Ÿ Does it have topical information that is within context?
Ÿ Does it use small pieces of valid information that are exaggerated or distorted?
Ÿ Has it spread virally on unvetted or loosely vetted platforms?
Ÿ Fact or Innuendo?
Also watch for internet trolls, people who deliberately provoke and harass others online by posting inflammatory, off-topic, or offensive comments to stir up emotions and create chaos.
Trolls often target individuals or groups with the intent to harm or intimidate them. Trolling contributes to a toxic online environment that creates a hostile space for individuals, minority groups, or those with differing opinions.
Protect yourself from misinformation by verifying information before sharing it, relying on credible sources, and being aware of your own biases.
Facts and truth are two distinct concepts often used interchangeably. Facts are based on data that can be confirmed. Truth is more subjective and is often influenced by individual perspectives and beliefs. What may be true for one person may not be true for another
Here are some facts from the Town of Wasaga Beach about issues being discussed on local social media sites:
Budget increase was 5.6% with 2.6% (or 46% of the budget increase) attributable to the TPAL as follows:
a. Twin-pad arena budget represents 1.17%
b. The Library budget represents 0.45%
c. TPAL debenture cost increase represents 0.97%
Between 2016 and 2018 the province was tracking a list of 110 community hub projects for provincial and federal funding. As required, our proposed community hub included cultural, social/human, and educational uses. It was confirmed by provincial staff at the time that Wasaga Beach was wellpositioned on the list.
Town Council of 2018 to 2022 knew the requirements for provincial and federal funding yet decided to just build an arena/library without the community hub elements. The entire $60 Million project was funded by Wasaga Beach taxpayers.
A proposal has been submitted to build a Community Hub on the current TPAL facility. The Ministry of Education would fund the capital construction at no cost to the taxpayer. The Town would only be responsible for proper and comfortable theatre seating and some potential upgrades to sound and light systems. Private sponsorship of the upgrades will be sought to minimize the cost to taxpayers.
Over 6200 people attended the new Wasaga Stars Arena and Wasaga Beach Public Library event. Ticket sales and sponsorships netted $100,000 in profit for taxpayers.
The Wasaga beach Cruisers are now using the Re/Max Room for their General Meetings. This was our first of many to come in the future. The Club is also working with the Town of Wasaga Beach on th their 50 Anniversary celebrations. The Cruisers will be involved with “Cruising The Beach” June 3rd. Hopefully the weather is warm and the winds stay calm that night. Drive your ride and create some special memories with the Wasaga Beach Cruisers
The Club has installed a new board sign in the Community Rink. Take a picture of yourself with the sign and send it to our web site. We will be publishing some of the pictures in the near future.
The Wasaga Beach Cruisers set up a display at The Motorama Show for the 20 year. This year showing off our new tent and giving away almost 5000 Fun Run flyers over the course of the weekend. A great show and venue for the Cruiser's. Thanks to all who volunteered to man the post and help Russ Philp that weekend. Another great success for the Wasaga Beach Cruiser's volunteers. Don't forget to drop into any one of our sponsors for your needs, they are listed on the Fun Run Flyer Sponsors are there for you, please support them. One more way the Club supports our local families.
The Wasaga Beach Cruisers had over 80 members enjoy a great dinner at Swiss Chalet on Feb.17. A new owner/sponsor on board this year. Thanks to Manager Wendy Davis and staff for a great time.
“The Day the Music Died” was relived for our members by Rick & Michelle Seip. What a great night with a full audience in attendance waiting to hear Michelle and Rick talk about the early years with their involvement with The Dardanella and The Wasaga Beach Cruisers.
I did not realize what a hot spot 'The Dard' was. Many years of famous names entertained the crowds at the Dardanella. Starting in the summer of 1986 up until 2003 Rick & Michelle operated the historic Dardanella. Great acts, that are famous graced the stage for many a weekend nights at The Dard.
Rick & Michelle Seip shared their stories of Blue Rodeo, Kim Mitchell, David Wilcox, April Wine, George Thorogood, Burton Cummings, The Platters, Bare Naked Ladies and I could go on for a long list of noted celebrities. The evening bringing back many memories for some of the crowd.
Thank you Rick and Michelle for enlightening our lives with some of your stories, we are forever in gratitude to you both for being who you are for the Town of Wasaga Beach and the Wasaga Beach Cruisers.
“Keep the rubber on the road”.
Blue Thunder
Editor's Note: We look forward to welcoming the Wasaga Beach Horticultural Society to the beach BOOSTER with a new, quarterly feature that will keep us updated as to what's happening with this dedicated community group. Look for this new feature in the April issue (#214) of your local beach BOOSTER.
Our mission. To provide leadership and assist in the promotion of education and interest in all areas of horticulture and related environmental issues. We are dedicated to the beautication of our community through the expanded network of the Ontario Horticultural Association.
As a society we wish to encourage the planting of trees, shrubs, and owers on private and public grounds. Promote the protection of the environment, therapeutic benets of horticulture, circulation of horticultural information through media, community gardening and outdoor beautication.
Through our general meetings stimulate an interest in the study of horticulture through our professional and expert guest speakers while respecting the theory and practice of horticulture. We rafe and distribute seeds, plants, bulbs, owers, trees and shrubs.
Our annual outings, potluck, picnics and garden tours are opportunities to meet like-minded individuals who share the same interests in horticulture and sustainability. We also maintain the Monarch Garden at Puccinni Drive and Mosley Street.
SAVE the Date for our next event: Welcome Spring May 25, 2024 at the RecPlex.
Membership is $20 for new members. Members of the public and repeat guests who wish to attend our general meetings and not to join us pay only $5.
For more information email us at: wasagabeachgardenclub@gmail.com Facebook: @wasagabeacghorticulturalsociety Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wasagabeachgardenclub
Wasaga Adventure Park has a fun day of activities planned on April 20 raise much needed funds for the poor and disenfranchised people on the north coast of Dominican Republic. This event, called Paintballing 4 Poverty isn't a new event. Steve & Donna Langman have been supporting these people since they met them on a family vacation in 2002. You might remember gathering wedding dresses for them, or their Got Any Gitch campaign to gather socks and undergarments to distribute. You may have even gone on one of their trips to help build a village, do a medical clinic and hand out shoes.
Steve and Donna created this event to help raise funds for specic projects and needs in the DR, focusing mainly on Ascension Village, located about 20 minutes inland from the Puerto Plata airport. Ascencion Village was built from the ground up with much of the funds coming from Wasaga Beach and surrounding area. The village has houses, a medical center, church, community center, work cooperative, and the jewel of the village, the school.
The focus of the fundraiser has been the feeding program in Ascension Village so the event started out as being called Feed the Needy. Basic needs of food, medicine and education were far out of reach for these people who are the majority are of Haitian decent. Since the feeding program has become self-sufcient, the name was changed to Paintball 4 Poverty so that they could have more diversity on where the funds would go.
Steve and Donna have been partnered for many years with a Wasaga Beach couple, Travis and Megan Ratnam, who now live in the Dominican Republic and carry out work in many villages. They represent the charity Go Make a Difference and are doing fantastic work there.
The same children that Steve and Donna would feed and treat their wounds & conditions so many years ago, are now high school graduates, working to support their families. Some have even gone on to post secondary education!
The struggle continues for these people as there is a lot of racial strain, transportation problems, and lack of jobs due to not having the correct paperwork. If you are of Haitian decent and were born in the DR, you don't receive a Dominican Birth Certicate or a Haitian Birth Certicate. You are a person of no country which causes a lot of problems.
th Paintballing for Poverty runs from 10am - 4pm on April 20 and will have lots of activities to enjoy for the low price of $20. The event is suitable for ages 5 and up. Axe throwing, laser tag, gel blasters, hoverball, paintball target range, traditional and low impact paintball will be enjoyed.
Paintballs purchased will be an extra cost. Please bring food items for our local food bank and you will receive an extra rafe ticket. If you are a part of this event, you are a part of something amazing! Please tell all your friends!
February 2024 saw the Town of Wasaga Beach hosting the “Breaking the Ice th Festival”, in celebration of the 50 Anniversary of the town's incorporation. The festival included over a week of events, but none as anticipated as the headlining concerts of Burton Cummings and Blue Rodeo on the weekend of February 17-18. Both shows were virtual sell-outs of the arena's 2,206-seat concert capacity
The Carpet Frogs,
by 'local boy' Nick Sinopoli, opened the Saturday show with their high-energy set of classic rock covers. Having established themselves as experienced musical journeymen on tours with Cummings and Randy Bachman, and having performed at the Junos, on Canada's Walk of Fame, and of course at our very own Labour Day celebration in 2023, they expertly delivered the backing soundtrack of our collective youth. From their opening number, Buffalo Springeld's “For What it's Worth”, and throughout their set of hard rock classics and medleys, Sinopoli entertained the crowd with his incredible vocal range, while the rest of the band exed their collective musical muscle with great aplomb.
Next up, Cummings took the stage (with the Carpet Frogs acting as his backup band, as they did on his 2008 effort “Above the Ground”), and delivered a solid set of Guess Who and solo hits from his extensive career. From “These Eyes” to “American Woman”, he reminded us of the songs that really opened the doors to Canadian rock, both in the US and the rest of the world. He also deftly mixed in solo classics such as “Stand Tall” and “My Own Way to Rock”, showing us that he is still one of the premier rock pianists of our generation. And the collective hush during his brilliant delivery of “Sour Suite” was greeted by an arena full of mobile phone lights, swaying in time.
Sunday's show was opened by Canadian trio Belle Starr, who, like Blue Rodeo, are managed by Starsh Entertainment; a rm with local ties to Wasaga Beach. The high energy trio of ddlers, who weave in step-dancing and folk guitar strumming along with rootsy vocals and subtle harmonies, delivered a set of genre-defying entertainment.
Last, and certainly not least, Blue Rodeo wrapped up the weekend in style. Fronted by high school classmates Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, Blue Rodeo opened with “5 Days in May”, then delivered classic hits from their 16 studio albums, ending the evening with their nal encore of “Lost Together”. Cuddy's angelic voice was front and centre all night, perfectly rendering the songs we all know and love. While Keelor's role onstage has become subdued over the last few years due to his hearing difculties, his lead vocals and harmonies remain impeccable, while his role as lead guitarist was expertly back-lled by Colin Cripps, as it has been for the last ten years. Not even a re alarm, bringing up the houselights and unexpectedly adding the Wasaga Beach Fire Department to the on-stage personnel, could slow down these seasoned performers.
While it would be fair to describe the event as a success, it was not trouble free. Putting on two nights of top-class Canadian entertainment in a brand new venue did not come without growing pains. It got off to a rather dubious start, with about a hundred brave souls (including yours truly) standing in line for about 2 hours to purchase tickets on a very cold November night, only to be sent home without a single ticket being sold. And once the various gremlins were driven out of the ticket sales process, the town realized that some of the seats that were sold didn't actually exist (the number of seats in some rows were incorrect), causing a urry of activity for both the town staff and the ticketing agent. While these problems were very frustrating to the patrons, it has to be said that the town staff reacted really well, taking ownership of the problems and working diligently to iron out the various issues as they occurred.
The strategy behind the ticket pricing seemed unnecessarily complex; there were 11 levels of tickets, varying from $55 to $250 (excluding the “VIP” seats), with many of the seats providing very similar views and experiences. In this writer's opinion, four pricing levels would have been sufcient: one for front oors, one for mid-oors and prime tiered seating, one for rear oors and midlevel tiered seating, and a low-cost option for distant seats and side-stage. Having so many levels of seating not only complicated the buying process, but also added complexity when seat swapping had to be done.
As for the show logistics, everything went reasonably well, especially considering it was a new venue. Entry, concessions, and facilities were all as expected. The bands' seasoned roadie crews, along with the facility staff, combined to put together a awless light show and with good sound quality While the music sounded great in most of the arena, there were some exceptions; since sections 6-7 and 8-9 were located behind the front of the stage, (and therefore physically behind the PA speakers), the sound there was 'muddy' and lacking in denition, especially in the treble range. Vocals and the melodies were compromised for those seated there. Some additional speakers facing side stage would have been welcome, and should be considered if seats continue to be sold in those areas. That said, the town staff should be lauded for their conversion of the arena from a hockey venue, to a concert hall, and back again in such a short time frame.
All in all it was a very successful start, and one that puts our town on the map of concert venues to be considered by top talent who is touring the area.
Dimo Dzoutzidis Wasaga Beach frontedHope and optimism have returned to Wasaga Beach in a stunning manner. Since the election of 2022, there has been one positive announcement after another. Beach Drive was immediately reopened. Summer at the beach was a spectacular success in no small part due to the success of the Town's Special Events team. The new administration wasted no time in cancelling a terrible deal for beachfront development. They identied possible partners and invited them all to participate in an open process. The successful company was FRAM which is a world class award- winning development rm. During the summer, we learned that the administration had worked a miracle in accessing a wonderful site for a medical clinic. In a short time, this clinic was up and running, providing valuable medical services to the citizens of our community. Not bad for the rst year of a new term of ofce!
February's Grand Opening of the arena/library was a spectacular success. Top musicians performed to packed crowds in our new arena in a demonstration of what is possible for the future of our new complex. There was more good news when a Junior A hockey team announced that it will be making Wasaga Beach its home. That is quite a coup and offers the potential of real income to offset the operating costs of our twin pad arena.
The
The most dramatic development has been the announcement of a partnership between the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District Board and their proposal to build a K-12 school as part of a community hub at the site of our library and twin pad arena. The County of Simcoe is supporting our plan to bring child care facilities to the hub. In addition to the elementary and secondary school components, Lakehead University and Canadore College have indicated their interest in providing post secondary programs. These successes are the result of countless hours of work networking and meeting with decision-makers. As far as the education component of the administration's plans, everything hinges on the support from the Ministry of Education. We could know for certain sometime this spring.
Mayor Smith and councillors, supported by staff, have presented a united front to the Ministry of Education. Unfortunately, there are others who are actively working to subvert this project for their own personal political ambitions. They rear their ugly heads on social media. The Simcoe County District School Board, which was invited to participate in the venture at the same time and in the same way as their counterpart, failed to respond at the time. That Board does have a proposal for a new high school for Wasaga Beach on their priority list. Please note that ten or eleven other projects are ranked ahead of ours. In other words, if the Ministry approves two projects a year, Wasaga Beach will be considered in ve years. By then, our rst wave of children could be graduating from our new Catholic high school.
The high school project proposed by the S.M.C.D.S.B. will provide open access to the children of Wasaga Beach. That means that children from public elementary schools will be able to attend this new catholic high school if they so choose. This school will have all the amenities found in a modern high school plus the additional opportunities which come from being part of a community hub. The presence of a post secondary school in an attached building is a huge bonus. The students will have access to a shared Arts facility as well as the twin pad arena and the new library
Several years from now, it is quite possible that the students of Wasaga Beach will have a choice of two local high schools to attend. This spring, ofcials at the Ministry of Education will face a choice between two proposals for our community. A betting person would wager that the community hub project involving multiple partners will be given the rst green light.
Wasaga Beach will be successful in obtaining secondary education for our children only if we present a united front. It is not time to play politics. Each of us can let the plotters know that their efforts to obstruct can only bring harm to the children of our community. Work against our children will not be tolerated. We can only hope that the second proposal does not create a dilemma for the decision makers which prevents them from moving forward on either proposal. That is the worst possible outcome. The best scenario would be that our students will soon have a choice between two great local schools.
Let's work together to complete our education system.
Our Beach Kids Matter
Note: Your comments are appreciated. The column on the origins of the term “Beach Kids” elicited responses which confirmed my personal research and observations. Those were gratefully received. Every effort will be made to respond to your letters. (tochuckandrews@gmail.com)
113
The purpose of a Community Safety Zone is to indicate to the motorist that they are within a zone where fines have been increased through a special designation under the Highway Traffic Act. (many set fines are doubled, such as speeding & traffic signal related offences)
Members of the Huronia West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to remind motorists to slow down through community safety and school zones.
During the morning of March 1, 2024, the Huronia West OPP conducted traffic enforcement located on Mosley Street in the Community Safety Zone/School Zone with the traffic lights activated making it a 40km/h zone. As a result, six Provincial Offence Notices (PON) were issued within 15 minutes
It is imperative to be always mindful and aware of our pedestrians and children in all areas especially community safety zones. Officers and traffic units will be conducting patrols in these areas throughout the year with extra patrols being conducted during school hours.
The OPP would also like to remind motorists that fines are increased within zones identified with signs stating Community Safety Zone - Fines Increased.
For Drivers:
Stay Focused: Devote your full attention to the road, minimizing unnecessary distractions while driving.
Mind School Zones: Exercise caution in school zones by adhering to posted speed limits. Given the substantial number of children commuting to and from school via bus, foot, and bicycle.
School Bus Awareness: Be vigilant of school buses displaying flashing lights. Passing a school bus with activated lights incurs a fine of $490 and six demerit points.
Crosswalks: Ensure you are following the direction of traffic signs and signals. If a crossing guard is present, please follow their direction and wait until both the students and the crossing guard are completely off the roadway before proceeding.
The OPP and Traffic Safety partners remain committed to saving lives on our roads. For safety and crime prevention tips, please visit our website at www.opp.ca
The Huronia West OPP is committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our community
The kick-off events for celebrating the Anniversary of the Village of Wasaga Beach becoming a town at the New Wasaga Stars Arena brought us an economic opportunity to make Wasaga Beach a more vibrant community It truly was heartwarming to see locals and visitors come together for the various events, all having fun and enjoying themselves.
The exciting week of events enjoyed by all, generated a surplus of approximately $100,700.00 for the town.
The ‘Memories of Summer’ event last Labour Day Weekend brought over 10,000 fun loving visitors & locals together at our Main Beach for some great entertainment
At a recent council meeting, council has asked staff to prepare recommendations for consideration of creating a Wasaga Sports and Entertainment business unit, to oversee and attract top quality entertainment that will be sponsored, selfsustaining and would generate positive nancial returns. Such events not relying on tax dollars for funding.
Tourism is what drives our economy and as residents, we can enjoy the benets and be proud of great events, while also helping to pay down the
large debt for the new Wasaga Stars Arena & Library. It also brings more sustainable business and employment opportunities to Wasaga Beach, which is a major factor for our future. Many municipalities have embraced this long term vision and I think it is high time we did!
Let's Look forward, not backward!
Cheers!
I was sitting on the couch in my hotel lobby trying to process the awesome cave diving experience I just had with the elusive 7-Gill Shark, which I know is a special shark by the reaction the captain and crew gave compared to the 2 Bronze Whalers. The 7-Gill appears to want inside the cage with me in the video on my YouTube, it was cool and a bit scary
I couldn't sit anymore so I decided to go for a stroll around the harbour and explore. I've walked around many times during my time here & I decided to head into one store I had yet to visit. As I got to the door, this lady slammed the door in my face. Honestly, almost hit me with the door because I wasn't paying attention. She looked at me in the face and told me “We are closed!” I just looked at her, so confused as she fumbled for her keys. The lights were on, the TV was on, it looked open to me, and then she repeated “We are closed.”
I didn't know what to say or how to react because I'm in South Africa and had no clue what was going on. So, I'm just standing there confused and sad when she says the coolest thing I've heard in a while. “I have to go save a Penguin.” And off she went. I now totally understood why she slammed the door and I followed her to see what was going on. As we walked, I could sense some hesitation in her, so I offered my assistance. In my mind, I had no clue what I was getting into but knew I wanted to help. We figured out our plan and I handed my camera to a stranger watching and asked her to film.
This young penguin let me approach and pick up without putting up a fight as if knowing I was there to help. I squeezed him firmly and placed him into a box and wrapped him up to keep him comfortable. Finally, I'm inside that store I wanted to visit as we were hanging out, just the penguin and the two of us. The local wildlife group came, picked up, and checked out the penguin. I was told that he was just exhausted and lost, being a young 'Baby Blue' penguin and taken back to the colony, and released. See more pictures in the book Going Deeper with Jason George – Penguin.
I know many of you may be confused that there are penguins in South Africa, but if you subscribe to my YouTube channel @JASONGEORGEPHOTOGRAPHY, I take you through the experiences above and more, as I chill with them on the beach. In other videos, you can watch a loon dive from underwater, or swim with newly hatched, critically endangered Hawkbill Turtles.
Until next time,
Stay safe, have fun, and enjoy the wildlife!
Jason George
w w w b e a c h B O O S T E R c o m
Join The Wasaga Beach Shoreline Clean-Up on April 21st
Calling all residents and lovers of the Bay! Wasaga Beach Climate Action Team, Georgian Bay Forever and Jason George Photography are gearing up for a big shoreline cleanup at Wasaga Beach, Beach 2 on st April 21 , and we want you to join the party! It's not just about picking up trash after a long winter; it's about coming together as a community to show our shores some love.
Wasaga Beach may hold a special spot in our hearts for its breathtaking sunsets, diverse wildlife, and endless stretches of sand, but it's not immune to plastic pollution.As the snow and ice melt, garbage from the past and present begins to show its face. It's time for us to join forces and show how much we care in celebration of Earth Day
Now, you may be thinking – “Plastic pollution? Is that really my problem?” Hold tight to your sunhats, folks, because plastic pollution affects each and every one of us.Those plastic bottles, bags, and straws are not just eyesores, they are slowly breaking down into tinier and tinier pieces of plastic causing harm to humans and wildlife!
We are chasing a dream of beaches that are free from plastic waste, and spaces where children and wildlife can frolic without dodging discarded debris. Whether you are a frequent volunteer or a first-time beach cleanup recruit, your efforts will make a difference!
st So, onApril 21 , from 9am-12pm, let's gather at BeachArea 2 with a shared goal: to keep our beaches and waters healthy and thriving, and most importantly, have a blast while doing it.
Last year we were met with a dedicated group of 50 volunteers of all ages who helped to clean nearly 200lbs of garbage! So, tie up your boots, grab your gloves, buckets, and bags, and bring your friends and family to help break our 2023 record of volunteers! Let's turn this cleanup into a community celebration that will be talked about for years to come.
th We will be parking in the municipal lot on 5 Street N, and parking passes will be available for non-residents. Upon arrival, please check in at the Georgian Bay Forever table to sign in. We encourage all participants to bring gloves, buckets, and bags to help with the cleanup, as we have a limited number of supplies available.
Please contactAshley Morrison at ashley.morrison@gbf.org if you have any questions!
An important note for this Earth Day cleanup. Remember that the beach is home to both sensitive species and ecological features. We ask all volunteers to please be mindful of where they walk.
Wasaga Beach ClimateActionTeam wants to thank this event sponsors: Beach BOOSTER Media Group, Georgian Bay Forever, Jason George Photography, Rotary Club of Wasaga Beach,TheTown of Wasaga Beach. Local action produces global impact, engage with Wasaga Beach ClimateAction Team
https://wasagabeachclimateaction.com/ info@wasagabeachclimateaction.com
Although some of us knew of the tasty creations Amanda was providing at some special events in Wasaga Beach years ago, it was not until she opened a local take-out window called The Baker's Bench in 2021, that her talents were shared with many. Through the take-out window, customers would come back time and time again, ordering her featured butter tarts, cookies and scones.
In early 2023, regular customers were thrilled to hear the news of The Baker's Bench moving to the Stonebridge Town Centre, as a complete bakery, knowing that the list of offerings would be expanding. Amanda set up a temporary shop in the yet to re-open Swiss Chalet take out area for several months and by the end of July 2023, The Baker's Bench moved into the brand new, modern bake shop in Stonebridge to welcome existing customers, while creating new ones. What started as a one women operation, Amanda now has local staff members, all eager to share the freshly baked products.
The beautiful, welcoming new bakery now offers cookies, squares, butter tarts, cheesecakes, fresh bread, sausage rolls,
quiche, frozen (heat and serve) spinach dip, along with a small market of imported and unique items with some local artisan products as well. The Baker's Bench is Wasaga Beach's only brick & mortar baking goods store that offers various kinds of fresh hand made bread baked daily
Of course Amanda's butter tarts are know as the best in the county, and keep her customers coming back. She also specializes in custom order bakery, including custom cakes & cupcakes. Mr. Norm's Nephew's famous ice cream & frozen yogurt is also available at The Baker's Bench.
The Baker's Bench is open 5 days a week (Wednesday–Sunday), 10:00 am – 3:30 pm. Orders can be placed by calling Amanda at 705-444-4803. See more info and great products at www.thebakersbench.ca
Located in the Stonebridge Town Centre (beside Wild Wing) at 321 Main Street, Wasaga Beach.
A brand new M & M franchised store operated by Greg & Christina Foster th will be opening in the Stonebridge Town Centre on Monday March 25 . The couple have been operating M & M food Market locations within Ontario for the past 24 years and have owned and operated the Collingwood store for the past seven years. They have always prided themselves on delivering outstanding customer service.
In the heart of every home-cooked meal lies a story, and M&M Food Market has been an integral part of these tales for over four decades. What started as a small meat shop in Kitchener, has blossomed into a beloved culinary destination with a rich heritage that resonates with families across the country
Founded in 1980, M&M Food Market has been committed to providing high-quality, convenient, and delicious meal solutions for Canadian families. With roots deeply embedded in the concept of making home-cooked meals accessible to everyone with a focus on high quality ingredients.
From succulent cuts of meat and chef-inspired entrées to mouth watering appetizers and delectable desserts, the product range caters to every taste. Whether you're hosting a family dinner, planning a cozy date night, or simply seeking a quick and wholesome meal, products offered ensures there's something for everyone. Stepping into an M&M Food Market is not just a shopping trip; it's an immersive experience that celebrates the joy of cooking and the warmth of home. The new and welcoming open concept location in Wasaga Beach is sure to please.
We look forward to an Official Grand Opening scheduled for Saturday May th11 . The celebrations will include a radio remote with 97.7 Max FM and there will be a ribbon cutting with local dignitaries. A free BBQ from 11 am –3 pm will add to the fun, and donations will be collected for the Wasaga Beach Ministerial Food Bank. There will be a raffle and give-aways with an in store purchase.
Greg and Christina Foster look forward to introducing themselves and welcoming you to their new Wasaga Beach location.
Wasaga Beach Public Library is evolving into a vibrant cultural hub, seamlessly blending art, music, and technology to enrich the lives of its community members. The recent inauguration of the library's gallery wall marks a significant step forward in this cultural transformation, featuring the mesmerizing glass mosaic creations of local artist Jepherson Isaac Salazar
The gallery wall serves as a canvas for local talent, and the library is actively seeking more artists eager to share their work with the community. Featured artists not only receive a dedicated display space but also benefit from social media promotion, a meet-the-artist event, and the unique opportunity to create within the library, providing patrons with insights into their creative process. Interested artists can contact publicservices.wbpl@wasagabeach.com for more information on showcasing their work.
The library's commitment to fostering a cultural haven extends beyond visual arts to music. Since its January reopening, the library has welcomed diverse musical genres, hosting local concert bands, Caribbean rhythms, jazz ensembles, and rock acts, all free of charge to the public. More concerts are in the pipeline, promising a continuous flow of musical delights throughout the year. Details for these upcoming performances will be unveiled in the coming months, ensuring a year-round celebration of the arts at the Wasaga Beach Public Library
Adding an intellectual dimension to its cultural offerings, the library is set to launch its inaugural lifelong learning lecture series this fall. This initiative further weaves the library into the cultural fabric of the community, providing residents with opportunities for continuous education and intellectual stimulation.
The library is also merging art, culture, and technology with the Creative Tech Fusion for Artists Workshop series. Open to artists of all mediums, backgrounds, and skill levels, this innovative program seeks to empower rural artists with cutting-edge digital skills. From painters to filmmakers, attendees will explore the integration of digital technologies into their artistic practices, enhancing their creative horizons.
The workshop series is not just about skill-building; it aims to democratize access to advanced digital tools, bridging the gap between traditional art forms and digital innovation. By providing practical solutions without the need for extensive equipment or distant training centers, the library is opening new pathways for creative expression in town.
From art exhibitions and musical performances to interactive workshops and thought-provoking lectures, the library endeavours to create an inclusive and enriching environment for residents of all ages and interests. By actively participating in these cultural offerings, individuals not only contribute to the communal vibrancy but also find avenues for personal growth, learning, and a deeper connection to the vibrant cultural tapestry of their community
Want to know more?
KyleYoung Community Relations Assistant 705.429.5481 x2406
communityrelations.wbpl@wasagabeach.com
Recently the Wasaga Beach Bite volunteers gathered to celebrate and plan future endeavours to support the Wasaga Beach Ministerial Food Bank and the fight against food insecurity
In 2023 the team was able to donate $18,400 from events in local venues and this year they have started strong with $3,100 raised on Galentine's Day with a sold out ladies night featuring musical performances, a belly dancing demo and a fashion show provided by Hot Mess Boutique and Beauty Bar
Next up - Cabin Fever on March 21st at Wild Wing Wasaga Beach - tickets are selling fast!
For more information please visit: www.beachbite.ca/events.
making loaves of white whole wheat bread using 2/3 white flour and 1/3 whole wheat flour. I find that making bread using just whole wheat flour is a little too bitter but the white flour seems to balance it out a bit. I used a stand mixer with a dough hook to knead it, but it is just as easy to mix it in a large bowl and knead it by hand on a clean work surface. Bread will keep about 3 days in an airtight container or 3 months in the freezer. This recipe makes two loaves but you can easily double or triple it. It can also be used for rolls and Pizza crust.
2 cup water hot from the tap
1/2 cup cold milk
4 tablespoons honey or 2 tsp sugar
4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast or instant yeast ( 2 packets)
4 cups AP flour
2 cups of whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons salt
6 tablespoons butter cut into pieces or 3 Tablespoons of oil.
Combine 2 cup hot tap water with 1/2 cup of cold milk, with 4 tbsp honey and 6 tbsp butter or oil. Place the yeast mixture in a 3 speed mixing bowl and allow to bloom, about 10 minutes. (This is a simple test to tell whether or not your yeast is still alive.) Add the flour, salt to the bowl. Mix using the dough hook attachment until everything is combined.
Knead the dough on low speed for about 4 minutes. The dough should feel slightly sticky when you touch it, but dough shouldn't stick to your finger. If the dough is very sticky, add more flour, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time. As the dough kneads, stop the mixer every few minutes, as needed, and scrape the dough away from the sides of the bowl.
After kneading, the dough will be a little sticky and very soft. It should still hold its shape in a ball. Transfer dough to an oiled bowl using your hands and turn it once to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with a piece of plastic wrap and let the dough rise for about an hour, until it has doubled in size.
Grease a 9 x 5-inch or 8 ½ x 4 ½-inch metal or glass bread pan. Use your hands to gently punch down the dough, deflating it and popping any air bubbles. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and shape it into a ball. Then use your hands to gently pat the ball into a loaf shape. Put the dough in your greased bread pan.
Cover with piece of plastic wrap and let the dough rise in the bread pan until the top of the loaf is just above the top of the pan. This should take about 20 to 30 minutes. Brush with egg and sprinkle with a tbsp of rolled oats.
If you like you can take a bread knife and cut slits along the top.
Preheat oven to 350° F
Bake the bread for 35 to 45 minutes, until the inside registers 190° F on an instantread thermometer. If using a glass baking pan, the bread will take 35 to 40 minutes. It will take 40 to 45 minutes in a metal pan.
Let the bread cool for 20 minutes in the pan and then remove it to a wire rack to finish cooling.
The Town of Wasaga Beach announced the name of Wasaga's rst-ever Junior A hockey team on March 8th. The team will take on the name Wasaga River Dragons. The new team joins the Greater Metro Hockey League (GMHL) with games starting next season at the new Wasaga Stars Arena. Season's tickets are now on sale for all 20 regular season home games.
To purchase season tickets, contact: WasagaRiverDragons@gmail.com.
“We are excited to announce the new name for the Town of Wasaga Beach's rst-ever Junior A hockey team. Once they are up and running, the Wasaga River Dragons will be playing home games out of our spectacular new Wasaga Stars Arena on Tuesday evenings at 7 pm,” said Mayor Brian Smith. “This is a fantastic opportunity for our community's top young players to develop their skills close to home, and help bring our community closer together to watch, support and celebrate their hard work and success.”
“The Wasaga River Dragons name makes sense for our club because of the Nottawasaga River that runs through the Town of Wasaga Beach – and because of an exciting new partnership,” said team owner Brandon Billie. “Today, we're also pleased to share that the Wasaga River Dragons Junior A hockey club will partner with the Columbus River Dragons Minor Pro League team based in Columbus, Georgia. This will strengthen our organization. It means that our Wasaga Junior A hockey club will be able to offer graduating players opportunities to play both college and professional hockey.”
Spring Prospects Camp
The club also announced the date for its spring prospects camp, which will take place from April 26 to April 28 at the new Wasaga Stars Arena.
Wasaga River Dragons Prospects Camp
Date: April 26 – 28, 2024
Location: Wasaga Stars Arena
What you can expect: 3 games + 1 practice
Cost: $175
Call for sponsors and other opportunities:
The club is putting out a call for sponsors as well as individuals and hockey fans in Wasaga Beach and the surrounding area who may be interested in supporting the new club through the following paid and volunteer opportunities:
· Director of Marketing
Medical Trainer for game days
Team Photographer (home games)
· Ticket sales (home games)
Timekeeper (home games)
PA Announcer / music (home games)
· Head of Game Day Operations
Billet Coordinator
Billet homes for out-of-town players
Contact WasagaRiverDragons@gmail.com for more information.
With the warm spring & summer days fast approaching, if you are a 55 year old or older man who is eager to 'play ball', here's your opportunity to join the organized fun of SloPitch here in The Beach.
The Mens' Over 55 SloPitch League meets at the Wasaga Beach Sports Park (Klondike Park Road) every Tuesday morning (mid-May thru to midSeptember) for a fun, competitive 'double header'. Throughout the season, away games are played and enjoyed at several ball parks around Simcoe County Experience is required.
Over and above the fun of joining the league, there are many benets including the healthy physical activity, social interaction, mental stimulation and stress relief. Overall, joining the Seniors Men's Softball League can contribute to a healthier, more fullling lifestyle in your senior years.
For more information, please email: jfthomas7@yahoo.ca
Sports stories from the Georgian Bay
Ryan Davies
The Simcoe County Rovers FC announced important new signings to the Men's team to support the returning core group of players preparing to defend the championship title won in 2023.
Moving into their third season, the Rovers have the added excitement of representing League1 in the Canadian Championships. The Canadian Championships see Canadian teams from Major League Soccer including Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps and CF Montreal, the Canadian Premier League, Canada's Professional Domestic League and League 1 Canada teams face off against each other
The new additions to the team include goalkeeper Rimi Olatunji, defender Jordan Barclay, forward Nathaniel St. Louis, and midelders Matt Passacquale and Matthew Fisher
Coach Zico Mahrady is pleased by what he has thus far in training from this group and how they will contribute to the club this upcoming season.
“Our new signings support the growth of the club and allow us to continue building for the future. I'm excited to have them join us as they are talented and hungry individuals who understand our style of play and want to develop as footballers. This new group along with our returning core will be fun to watch this season.”
Left is Goalkeeper Rimi Olaturji
Photos by Simcoe County Rovers
Canadian International, Doneil Henry who is training with the men's team and providing guidance to the coaching staff from a technical perspective is looking forward to working with the new additions.
The club is extremely excited with the new acquisitions that will only bolster the core of our team. Rimi and Matt both bring professional experience and leadership skills that we hope will bring success, not only during the League1 season but also in the Canadian Championship tournament run.
“We are all eagerly looking forward to the team taking shape in the pre-season under the leadership of Coach Zico.”
Training for the 2024 season commenced February 5th and will run for approximately eleven (11) weeks leading up to the season opener of the League1 Ontario campaign the week of April 22nd. The Simcoe County Rovers Men's and Women's will play their home matches out of J.C Massie Field at Georgian College, Barrie.
For more information on the Simcoe County Rovers FC, including ticket purchase options and sponsorship opportunities, please visit: www.roversfc.ca
Mike Miller is a real "Beach Guy", growing up in Wasaga Beach with deep family roots in the area. Mike’s a collector & custodian of news stories, videos & photos of our long & rich history. Follow Mike’s “Memories of my Town - Wasaga Beach” page on Facebook.
A recent post from Mike about the former Wasaga Speedway - Stock Car Racing & The Hitching Post.
The Hitching Post was on the same property as the racetrack, you can see the location in the aerial shot. Owned by a gentleman named Bob Smith, he offered horseback riding with a restaurant in the 1950's. Bob was also involved in harness racing on the dirt track behind the Hitching Post. The building was also used a clubhouse for the Wasaga Snowmobile Club for a short period of time.
Wasaga Speedway operated from about 1956 to 1970. The track was about to close in the late 60s, but was purchased by brothers Harry & Jack Stapleton who operated the track until the end of the 1970 season.
The property today is owned by the MNR&F (Provincial Park) with easy access to explore. There is an entrance to the right of the Hitching Post marking in the photo.
Track Staff 1970Jack Stapleton sent this photo to CanadianRacer.com. Jack & brother Harry owned the track in 1970. Jack in the back row, 2nd person from the left in white. Beside him is Jim Story and Harry Stapleton. Morley Lewis Senior is first person back row left, and bottom left is Whitey Whiteside.
Iwaswalkinginthejungleandsawalizard onhishindlegstellingjokes.Iturnedto theguideandsaid, "That lizard is really funny!" Theguidereplied,"That'snotjust anyoldlizard...he'sastand-up chameleon.”
Sixcowsweresmokingjointsandplaying poker.That'sright.Thesteakswere prettyhigh.
IntheschoolIwentto,theyaskedakid toprovethelawofgravityandhethrew theteacheroutofthewindow.
IjoinedAncestrytolookedupmyfamily treeandfoundoutIwasthesap.
Lastyearmybirthdaycakelookedlikea prairiewild-fire.
PerhapsIdrinktoomuch?ThelasttimeI gaveaurinesampleithadanoliveinit.
Mywifeisonanewdiet.Coconutsand bananas.Shehasn'tlostweight,butwow, cansheclimbatree!
Theproblemwithkleptomaniacsisthat theyalwaystakethingsliterally.
Myfriendwasshowingmehistoolshed andpointedtoaladder. “That's my stepladder,” hesaid. "I never knew my real ladder.”
Haveyouheardaboutthosenewcorduroy pillows?They'remakingheadlines.
Howfastdoesazebraneedtorunbefore itlooksgrey?
Anger;thefeelingthatmakesyourmouth workfasterthanyourmind.
Giveamanafish,andhewilleatforaday. Teachamantofish,andhewillsitina boatanddrinkbeerallday.
Ifyouarrestamime,doyouhavetotell himhehastherighttoremainsilent?
Timemaybeagreathealerbutit'salsoa lousybeautician.
Youcan'tgetonthesamepagewith someonewhohasadifferentbook.
Icantotallykeepsecrets.It'sthepeople Itellthemtothatcan't.
