All About Us Spring 2016

GRAVENHURST SENIORS NEWSLETTER ALL ABOUT US

SPRING - 2016 ALL ABOUT US

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COME IN FOR SENIORS DAY IT’S EVERY THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH THAT MEANS 20% OFF!

MUSKOKA INSURANCE salutes the Seniors and their community efforts

Dave Jon Christy Gay Stephen Amy Brandy Andy Marcia Charlotte Nicole Christina 705-687-6606 2

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Celebrating the activities of Gravenhurst Seniors Published by the Gravenhurst Senior Citizens Club Affiliated Club #325 United Senior Citizens of Ontario

Volume 24, Number 1

THE EDITOR SAYS As I begin my 22nd continuous year on the Board of Directors of the Gravenhurst Seniors Centre, it is with a different challenge that I never expected. Being the Editor of this great newsletter is something quite different for me.

In this edition, you will find articles from Jim and Marlyn Goodwin’s trip, the last of the Morrison Schools by Allan Denne, Workshop news by Roy Kerr, a new member featured, and other articles pertaining to our Club and Town.

We welcome two new members to our Committee - Ellen Camm as Secretary, and Cyril Fry will become more active as a Committee member and continue writing articles.

My thanks to All About Us Committee members past and present who contribute to our newsletter, especially Pat Wright who spends so much volunteer time putting it all together.

We wish you all a Happy Easter as we look forward to Spring.

Cliff Flavell LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: All letters to the editor must be signed: include first and last names. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity.

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

SPRING 2016

Editor Production Editor Secretary Treasurer Cover Design Photographer

Cliff Flavell Pat Wright Ellen Camm Pat Wright Glenna Kergon Fred Schulz

Committee Members

Jim Goodwin Cyril Fry Roy Kerr Garnet Schenk Ruth Robertson

Contributing Writers

Allan Denne Cyril Fry Glenna Kergon Roy Kerr Fred Schulz

Advertising Distribution President (ex officio)

Al Denne Harold Campbell Fred Schulz

All information to be included in the next issue of ALL ABOUT US should be submitted before May 15tth. Materials can be left at or emailed to the Gravenhurst Seniors Centre, 480 First St. N., Gravenhurst, Ontario P1P 1B9.

Tel: 705-687-8126 Email: gscnewsletter@live.ca

FRED SCHULZ

It is my privilege and pleasure to bring greetings to everyone in my new position as President of the Gravenhurst Senior Citizens Club. Over these past months of winter/early spring we’ve enjoyed a large number of well attended activities at the Centre which continue to provide a wonderful outlet for both social and physical activities through the winter months in Gravenhurst.

Once again, Lynne Briden and her staff provided some delicious luncheons near the end of every month My thanks also to the dedicated Activity Leaders who organize and oversee the 32 activities at the Centre.

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I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Past President Cliff Flavell for his many years of dedicated service as President of the Seniors Centre and wish him every success in his new role as Editor of All About Us and Director of the Newsletter.

I’m honoured to be President of the Seniors Club and look forward to working with Lynn Quesnelle, Pat Wright and Ted Robertson as well as the Board of Directors.

My sincere thanks to everyone who make the Centre such a special place and a home-awayfrom-home for those who pass through its doors.

Fred Schulz

“ALL ABOUT US” TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

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The Editor Says From our President Table of Contents Activities/Board of Directors River Cruising in Europe Picture - 2016 Board of Directors Crossword Puzzle Patrick (Bear) Allen Our Workshop - Today One Room School Houses #5 “Morrison Township” 17 Culinary Corner 18/19 Our New President - Fred Schulz 19 Christmas Bazaar & Luncheon 22/23 What’s Up - Glenna Kergon 24 Groundhog Day 24 Maintenance Activities During a Winter Storm 27 Did You know That………….

30 Coming Events

APOLOGY TO EILEEN GODFREY, ARCHIVES VOLUNTEER As the Past Editor of the Gravenhurst Seniors Club newsletter, All About Us, I would like to express my sincere apologies to Eileen Godfrey for the unauthorized use of her excellent article entitled ”Muskoka Summer Post Offices” that appeared without permission in the Winter 2015 - 2016 issue of this newsletter.

“All About Us” very much regrets this oversight.

Fred Schulz President Gravenhurst Senior Citizens Club

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About Our Cover Spring - 2016

Designed by Glenna Kergon

HEALTH & WELL BEING Arthritis: Arthritis Exercise Class Every Friday 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

(Except July & August) Blood Pressure Clinic Wed., Mar. 9th, Apr. 13th, May 11th 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon No Appointment necessary Toe Nail Clinic Wed., Mar. 9th, 16th, 23rd Apr. 13th, 20th, 27th May 11th, 18th, 25th 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Appointment necessary.

Men’s Fitness: Mon. & Thurs. - 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

(Except July & August) Mixed Fitness: Mon. - 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

(Except July & August) Yoga: Thurs. - 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE President Past President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Secretary Treasurer

Fred Schulz Cliff Flavell Aileen Passmore Lorne Robertson Ellen Camm John Mowry

Billiards - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Monday, Wednesday & Friday Workshop - 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday (July & August by appointment only) Sunday: A.A. - 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon 6 Hand Pepper - 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Shuffleboard - 1:00 p.m.

Line Dancing - 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (except July & August) Euchre - 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday: Bifocals Band Practice - 9:00 a.m. (except July & August) Snooker Tournament - 9:00 a.m.

Crokinole - 1:00 p.m. (except July & Aug.) Bingo - 1:15 p.m.

Darts - 1:15 p.m.(Sept. to May 15th) Horticulture - 3rd Tues. - 7:30 p.m.

Texas Hold’em - 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Palette/Art Group - 10:30 a.m. (except July & Aug.) Gravenhurst Rug Hookers - 12:00 noon Shuffleboard - 1:00 p.m.

Bridge - @1:00 p.m. Oct. to May @7:00 p.m. June to Sept.

Woodcarving - 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Thursday: Cribbage - 1:00 p.m.

Table Tennis - 7:30 p.m.

Friday: Carpet Bowling - 9:30 a.m.

Bean Bag Toss - 1:15 p.m.

Bid Euchre - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday: Texas Hold’em - 9:45 a.m.

DIRECTORS Communication Culture Food Services Health & Well Being Membership Newsletter Property Recreation Ways & Means Workshop Director Director

ACTIVITIES AT THE CENTRE

Al Denne Fred Schulz Lynne Briden Ruth Robertson Lillian Gillan Cliff Flavell Lorne Robertson Bob Macksey Carol Macksey Roy Kerr Ron Belfry Kathleen Powell

Quarterly General Meetings: Second Friday of March, June, Sept. & Dec. For more information, call 705-687-8126 (Calendars of club activities are available at the Centre.)

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RIVER CRUISING IN EUROPE

by Jim Goodwin August 2015 and our long anticipated cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. The reason for this trip was to celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary and was booked through a local travel agent a year in advance.

River cruising has become extremely popular, especially in Europe and there are several companies offering a choice of multiple itineraries. Our choice was Viking River Cruises whose motto is “Exploring the World in Comfort”.

All river cruises are long, narrow and low.

Our “Viking Bragi” was new (2013), 443 ft in length and 38 ft beam. She had three passenger decks (accommodating 180) plus a full sundeck.

An interesting feature is that the bridge retracts (i.e. telescopes down into the hull) to allow it to pass under low bridges.

The Netherlands is a low-lying and water -logged country and our first excursion was to hike along the dikes and visit several working windmills. These are essential to maintaining water levels and Dutch engineers are well renowned for their expertise in water management.

On to Germany and a visit to Cologne, the fourth largest city in Germany, and a visit to its world famous cathedral. “Eau de Cologne”, the celebrated toiletry, was patented here in 1709.

One of the most spectacular days of the trip was cruising the Rhine through a deep lush valley of green, viewing the castles at various levels on the cliffs. In this valley many vineyards covered the sides of the hills. We spent most of the day on the top deck with binoculars at hand.

After Germany, the ship traversed Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. During the trip we passed through 68 locks (mostly at night) and were elevated from sea level to 1,332 feet and then descended to 380 feet on the Danube River at Budapest (our destination).

Daily excursions allowed us to visit cathedrals, castles, forts, abbeys and many historic town squares. St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Possau (on the German/Austrian Border) is home to the largest cathedral pipe organ in the world with 12,974 pipes. We were lucky and able to attend a noon hour concert.

In Vienna, a visit to Maria Theresa’s opulent Schonbrunn Place was a daytime feature but for us attending a Mozart & Strauss orchestral concert in the city palace was a wonderful highlight.

Day 14 and time to fly home from Budapest. BUDA on one side and PEST on the other of the Danube River is a spectacular city.

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If history, old Europe, scenic cruising, fine gourmet dining, local wine and an endless variety of excursions is on your “bucket list”, river cruising is probably for you.

HOLY HUMOR A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!"

His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means? The son replied, "I do know!"

"Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?"

"That's easy, Daddy..." the young boy replied excitedly," It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'

Board of Directors for 2016-2017. Back Row: Cliff Flavell, Allan Denne, Lorne Robertson, John Mowry, Kathleen Powell, Ron Belfry, Lynne Briden. Front Row: Bob Macksey, Carol Macksey, Ellen Camm, Fred Schulz, Roy Kerr, Aileen Passmore, Lillian Gillan..

Please refer to Page 5 for titles.

KEEP THIS DATE OPEN FOR OUR FIRST SOUP, SANDWICH & PIE LUNCHEON TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY, APRIL 8TH AT A COST OF ONLY $6.00 11:00 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M. LOOK FOR OUR FLYER SOON FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

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A Crossword Puzzle by: Judy Sherman 1 2

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CLUES ACROSS

CLUES DOWN

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She Cooks

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Past President

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Peter & John

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_______-Ann

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Hodgson

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Horticulture Lady

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Played twice a week

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New President

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Matts & Duce

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New Game

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Ways & Means Lady

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New Yoga Guru

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A Lake

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Norton or Macksey

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A Red Apron

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The President Before

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Something we don't have

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Schulz or Tiley

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A Street

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New Secretary

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A Hookers Mate

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Lawton or McCabe

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Weekly Arrow

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Andrea's Hubby

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New Card Game

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Patrick Allen

Answers on Page 15 ALL ABOUT US

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Patrick Allen Always Ready to Lend a Helping Hand

by Fred Schulz Patrick Allen likes to help people and that outlook and lifestyle comes through loud and clear as he volunteers in many ways at the Gravenhurst Seniors Centre.

Patrick is a dedicated member of the club who adds greatly to the wellbeing of the establishment. We’re very fortunate that “Bear” decided to check out the Centre and become involved.

Thank you for all you do for the Seniors Centre, Bear! It’s greatly appreciated.

He was born in Guelph and lived in Toronto for most of his life other than three years in Yellowknife, NWT

Patrick moved to Gravenhurst in 2014 as he was looking for somewhere to retire and enjoy life in a small town. After thirty five years on the road as a general transport driver, he decided moving to Gravenhurst was a good plan. Patrick states, “It was a good idea and I’m very happy here since I’ve made lots of friends and am keeping busy.”

In October 2014, Patrick arrived at the Seniors Centre as he was looking for a place to join and become involved with a number of people and activities. The rest is history as Patrick enjoys a number of the regular activities such as playing cards, but also adds chief dishwasher, caretaker of the plants, shopping assistant and all round helper to many of the members of the club.

“I enjoy helping people,” states Patrick, who is always ready to lend a hand at the Seniors Centre.

He was affectionately given the name “Bear” while playing football a number of years ago!

The name has caught on at the Centre, so we seldom hear him called anything other than “Bear”.

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Ruth Robertson presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Joyce Anne Smith in December 2015.

When Joyce Anne was Director of Health and Well Being, she started the Men’s Fitness classes as well as the Toe Nail and Blood Pressure Clinics.

Sandra Buckley

“Senior Real Estate Specialist”

Home: Cell: Office: Fax:

705۰687۰3857 705۰644۰3815 705۰687۰5656 705۰687۰5626

410 Muskoka Road S., Unit 3 Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1J4 Sandra@enjoymuskoka.com www.EnjoyMuskoka.com

Frederick Mahood and Loretta Lake were the winners of the “Jelly Bean” and “Cinnamon Hearts” guessing game at our Groundhog Day Celebrations.

Congratulations to you both!

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Full Audiological Evaluations Batteries, Sales & Service State of the Art Digital Hearing Aid Technology

We are the big white house with the red roof located in the heart of downtown Bracebridge.

Now Offering a Home Visit Program Preeti Nichol, B.Sc., M.A., Audiologist Graham Cole, B.Sc., M.Aud, Audiologist 256 James Street Bracebridge, ON Phone (705) 646-2227 Fax (705) 646-0150 muskoka.audiology@bellnet.ca

Your Hearing is Our Concern

All of the staff here at Chartwell James Street strive to exceed the expectations of our residents with all inclusive affordable services delivered with skill and dedication. We offer a short stay program with all of the same amenities and services that our permanent residents enjoy. This can be for convalescing, respite for care givers or perhaps a winter stay.

Happy Birthday &

Chef Victoria continues to ‘wow’ everyone with her culinary delights including a wide selection of meals

Anniversary to all of our

and desserts for everyone to enjoy.

Each month our calendar provides physical, emotional,

Members who celebrate in the months of March, April and May.

spiritual, intellectual and vocational activities to stimulate the senses and ensure something for everyone. Our library/bistro is often the meeting place for residents to enjoy a cup of coffee, listen to some music and provide a chance to connect with others.

There is so much to share, please call me for your personal tour and lunch so that you can see for yourself.

I look forward to meeting you!

Lisa Edlington CHARTWELL JAMES STREET retirement residence 148 James Street, Bracebridge 705-645-1431 12

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ledlington@chartwell.com

OUR WORKSHOP – TODAY

By Roy Kerr If you are a paid-up member of the Gravenhurst Seniors Centre, our supervised, fully equipped Workshop is one of the over 30 activities that you have the opportunity to participate in. The Shop is open 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon Monday to Friday and all are welcome to investigate or participate.

You can enjoy the self-satisfaction of creating your dream piece, have many hours of relaxed concentration in an atmosphere of congenial companionship, and wind up with something that you have created. To accomplish this you have only to take any rectangular piece of wood, cut, carve and indent upon it for hours of pleasure until your planned project appears.

If he isn’t carving or painting, he is cleaning, adjusting and generally seeing that things are ship-shape in the Shop. He donates many of his pieces to the Club for our fund raising projects and we are very happy to have his assistance.

John Nicholson is a Cabinet Maker by trade and if it is made of wood, he has made it. For ten years he was with Pioneer Furniture and did all of the wood turning on the lathe. He has been with us now for three years since his retirement and we appreciate his assistance in volunteering as a Supervisor. He is most interested in finding some students to teach the love of Woodworking, so if you are looking for help, John is here and more than willing. John is our resident Santa and easy to recognize with his full beard.

Our volunteer Supervisors are all well skilled and ready to help those less knowledgeable in the use of the power tools available. We have a “Safety First” approach to everything in the Shop and if you don’t know – ask!!

The Shop President is Godfrey Cook who has been with us for ten years. Godfrey has his own woodlot and the interest and time to try using it up in our Shop. We can only wish him good luck in this endeavor. As well as keeping his fingers on all Shop activity, he has a group of ten people who meet on Wednesday afternoon for strictly carving, all with different projects, but enjoying their work and sharing their skills. The Shop has volunteered their time to make, repair, fix and generally help the Club whenever something is out of whack, and created many saleable items for our various fund raising activities. We are greatly thankful for their help.

Fred Tiley is a millwright interested in woodwork since he was a boy. He built his first home at the age of 24 and moved to Muskoka in 1996 due to his health. He had his own Shop and joined our Club to enjoy cards. Circumstances had him leave Muskoka for a few years but he returned in 2015 after he lost his wife and was on his own. He is very grateful to have our Shop to play in now and pays back by his volunteer work maintaining the equipment and doing project requests. We are very pleased to have him back.

Rob Gifford has been with us since 2012, a selftaught carver with a mean talent – he has become very proficient at the other side of the Carving Trade, - painting. Rob is happy to have our Shop at his disposal and spends many of his days here.

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THE ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSES OF MORRISON TOWNSHIP: S.S. # 5 MORRISON TOWNSHIP The old S.S.# 5 Morrison School house originally sat on the east side of the settlement road. It occupied a 4-acre section of Lot #10 in the tiny hamlet of Malta south of Gravenhurst. Malta could have sat on, or very close to, the Little Kahshe River south of Kahshe Lake. In 1902 this school site was relocated to Lot # 17 and moved over to the west side of the road which would later become Highway # 11. The school house sat in that location, in use until 1959 when the Morrison Township one-room schools closed, but it remains standing there still much as it did through the entire 20th Century, now bearing signage advertising it as “The Little Red Schoolhouse: Antique Shop.”

In 1958 teacher Gertrude Simpson presided over perhaps the final year of classes at the S.S. # 5 School on Highway 11 at Kahshe Lake, an enigma through it’s 57 years of use in that location.

Don and Gordon Gabitous, who lived on Highway 11 about 3 miles south of Gravenhurst, caught a school bus driven by Ed Tryon and tripped down the highway right past S.S. # 5 School house and on down to S.S. # 2 School at Canning’s Corner?

There is no apparent reason for that but there also appears to be instances where students were picked up on the northbound bus route and taken from closer proximity to S.S. # 1 or S.S.# 2 School houses and delivered to S.S. # 5 School house. Perhaps the economics of ‘cost of travel’ didn’t factor so highly in budgetary constraints in those days?

S.S. # 5 was a unique school in the group of Morrison Township One-Room Schools. While the other four schools were built in rural settings back along the Morrison Township’s back side where the population was rural and more or less permanent, the S.S. # 5 school was constructed right out along the main transportation line from Severn Bridge to Gravenhurst. The population along 14

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this route proved to be much more transient.

Businesses flourished and faded quickly along this route, the main route between southern Ontario and the “Great White North” and so the owners of those businesses came and went with abandon. Thus a large percentage of the S.S. # 5 school population were transient. Still many names of students from the 1950’s were, and still are permanent to the area. Names like VonAlma; Hutcheson; Leishman; Boyd and many, many others are fixtures in the Muskoka fabric.

In the mid-fifties the ball diamond at S.S. # 5 was tucked up behind on the northwest corner of the school property, backstop right up in the northwest corner. There were big boys at S.S. # 5. It seemed that wherever S.S. # 1 school played ball there were always big boys and the team was mostly boys. I remember a late spring day in about 1953, maybe ’54 when we were scheduled to play against #5. We had no way of getting up there from #1 school down in Severn Bridge. My father, who owned an old 1948 Chevrolet panel truck, worked for Pioneer Handicraft in Severn Bridge at that time. Dave Nancekiville and I walked from the school out to Pioneer Handicraft to borrow the truck;- we were 13, maybe 14 years old at the time. David drove that truck across the highway and down to the school where 9 or 10 of the students piled into the old jalopy and our teacher, Katie P. Manson drove the rig up the back roads to Kahshe then down to S.S. # 5 school. Oh, we were a ragged assembly of softball players for sure, girls and boys all packed into that old truck like sardines, sitting on the floor up against the sides, hooting and hollering, laughing and swaying to the roll and shimmy of that worn out old panel truck. We must have fractured every motor vehicle law on the books even in those heady days but we had fun! And we survived. We survived even though we got our asses whipped at baseball as usual. Our team of mostly girls was never a match for any of the teams with big boys and S.S. # 5 had some big boys.

There are a total of 22 names listed as teachers at S.S. # 5 since 1902 but for many years there is no name available and for at least one year, 1926, the school was closed for want of a teacher. In 1934 Dora Rennie, a young lady from down in Severn Bridge, was the teacher at S.S. # 5 and no teacher is listed for the final year 1959.

An addition appears to have been added to the original structure making the building into an “L” shaped structure. The back, south-facing part of the building wasn’t there when we played softball in the mid 50’s, nor was the sign that now hangs

over the front entrance reading “Little Red School House: Antique Shop.” Actually there were five of those “Little Red Schoolhouses” throughout Morrison Township in Muskoka in the first half of the last century and the descriptive “Antique Shop!” might suggest that the last classes in those school houses were held over 57 years ago.

Did you go to one of those schools? Was your name on the attendance sheet for any of those years; any of those classes? If so you truly are a graduate of a “Little Red School House:” an “Antique”.

January 18th. 2016 Allan Denne:

Line Dancing Classes every Monday afternoon at 1:30.

Come have some fun!

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******URGENT****** RENTAL SPACE AVAILABLE

HOSTESSES/HOSTS NEEDED

GRAVENHURST SENIORS CENTRE MICHAEL LIPISKI AUDITORIUM

Volunteer 7 hours a month

CAPACITY:

Theatre Style: 180 Dining: 100

Ideal for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Funeral Receptions, Stage Productions and Meetings Kitchen Facilities and Stage available.

Also available: Meeting Rooms for smaller groups.

Please call for rates: 705-687-8126 Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

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Regular and replacement people required.

KEEP THE CLUB RUNNING SMOOTHLY. Contact Lynne Briden - 705-687-8527

CULINARY CORNER SUPER CHOCOLATE CAKE

NEW ENGLAND STYLE CLAM CHOWDER

1 cup white sugar 3 tbsp butter 1 egg (beaten) 1/2 cup cocoa - fill with boiling water to make one cup of liquid 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 cup boiling water 1 cup flour 1 tsp baking powder

Serves 6-8 people

Cream sugar and butter. Add beaten egg and liquid cocoa. Mix soda with boiling water. Note: I use the same cup that the cocoa was in so as not to waste any of the chocolate mixture. Add flour and baking powder. Mix well with hand mixer and pour into greased 9X9 pan. Bake 30 minutes at 350F The batter will be quite liquidy but bakes into a rich moist cake. I like to ice with “Mocha Icing”. (Recipe follows) MOCHA ICING Dissolve 2 tbsp cocoa and 1 tbsp instant coffee in 1/2 cup boiling water. Add 1 heaping tbsp butter. Add 2 cups icing sugar. Blend in a little more water if needed to reach your desired consistency.

MUSHROOM FRIED RICE

2 large tbsp butter 3 or 4 good size potatoes cubes 1/2 cup leaves and stock from celery, chopped 3 cloves garlic, chopped 2 small onions, chopped 1 can of whole clams 1 cup frozen corn 1 can evaporated milk Salt & Pepper to taste Melt butter in large pot then add potatoes, celery, garlic & onions. Cook stirring with wooden spoon over medium heat for 3 minutes.

Add liquid only from clams and enough water to cover. Add corn.

Bring to a rolling boil then turn down and simmer for about an hour. About 5 minutes before serving, add milk and clams. Bring to a boil and serve. Good reheated.

Note: You can use bacon fat instead of butter. Or you can use cream instead of evaporated milk. But I like to keep the fat content down. Evaporated milk is also creamier than regular milk, without the fat.

2 large eggs, beaten 1 cup mushrooms sliced 1 cup cooked and cooled long grain rice 1/2 cup oil Soya Sauce (low sadium is best) 1 cup frozen peas In a wok or large fry pan cook scrambled eggs in a little of the oil then set aside.

In the same pan, sauté mushrooms, then set aside.

Now fry the rice in oil and enough soya sauce to colour the rice.

Add peas and keep stirring until cooked. Turn down heat and add the cooked eggs and mushrooms. Keep warm until ready to serve. You can change this to Pork Fried Rice but omitting mushrooms and adding cooked pork (or ham, etc.)

All Recipes Submitted by Judy Sherman ALL ABOUT US

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OUR NEW PRESIDENT - FRED SCHULZ

By Cyril Fry

were two of these, who usually chauffeured Fred back to Kilworthy following the chores.

Fred Schulz grew up in Beautiful Downtown Kilworthy– the description on T shirts sold there a number of years ago. The towering structures of the economy were the Post Office and the CN Railway Station. His family owned and operated the General Store, where Fred learned how to help customers, stock shelves, pump gas and oil. His Dad’s gifted harmonica playing sparked an interest in music which included the piano and guitar, and, much later, led him to the bagpipes.

John Brownlee introduced Fred to former Mayor, Wanda Miller, who invited him to help with Music On The Barge at Gull Lake Park It isn’t exactly a slow boat, more a stationary one, but he’s been with the crew, mostly as Captain, for over 40 years. He’s met a lot of musical luminaries in that post, and is on a first name basis with many more from his days as Manager of the Gravenhurst Opera House during the years when waves of mostly Canadian talent were crossing and recrossing the country.

As Fred recalls, “ Walking into the Beaumaris Yacht Club, if you weren’t a member, could prove a bit sticky, but when I arrived in my kilt, with my bagpipes under my arm, I was never asked for credentials”. It was just one of the venues that welcomed his appearance. His instruction and early experience came via the Bracebridge Legion Pipe Band, and his appreciation came, not only from a Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, but from platoons of curlers, Festival contestants and members of wedding parties.

Pictures have played a significant role in Fred’s career. He became involved in photography, often taking pictures for newspapers. Then Norma Carrick suggested he attend her daughter’s wedding for the same purpose. Norma had a number of daughters, so Fred found himself in the photo business. Albums for brides and grooms became a staple. He had a warning, though, for others contemplating a career among the wedding finery.. “Get your results into the hands of the subjects, and collect your cash, promptly. Sometimes love can be true, but brief!”.

Fred attended Morrison Public School and Gravenhurst High School. John Brownlee was Principal when Fred graduated in 1972. However, Fred wasn’t allowed to leave the place. He was directed into the Audio Visual Department, and began getting paid without having to answer a single classified ad. He was there until 1986, continually adding to the number of people who appreciated his work and his personality. He taught students of varying ages how to use motion picture projectors, and smoothly transitioned to video cameras before most people ever encountered those two words together.

Frequently, teachers sought his assistance on a variety of school tasks which could most readily be done by two pairs of hands, rather than just one. Mervyn,“Tiny” Firth and Alan Richardson 18

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After Fred decided to move from that historic culture centre, a gap yawned, but he didn’t want it to seem too permanent, and came back three times to the Opera House as Manager. During one return, an event occurred that was a shock minus electricity, an earthquake without a shudder. The Provincial Ministry of Labour cited the Opera House roof as unsafe and shut the building down. Fred faced a battery of microphones and cameras from widespread media. The building was closed for almost two years, during which the entertainment world for areas like ours changed mightily. Summer theatre used the high school stage to help fill the gap, but audiences were already declining, while competition from other venues increased . Now, in 2016, the effort to take full advantage of the Opera House facilities is continuing, but no longer in Fred’s hands.

He expanded and applied the technical knowledge he continued to acquire and taught it to folks at various Community Colleges, as well as in more informal groups. “Share” could well have been his middle name.

Fred, now the President of our Seniors Centre, is not exactly a new hand. Mike Lipiski, one of the stalwarts in the construction of the building and the organization within it, introduced Fred here over 25 years ago as a member. Fred has served as Treasurer, Director of Culture, a couple of levels of vice presidency, Newsletter Editor. It’s going to be a challenge for anyone to surpass his record..

Fortunately, his accomplishments have not gone without notice. The Town of Gravenhurst bestowed a Citizen of the Year title, plus Awards for Canadian Heritage, for Spirit, and from the Mayor. The Gravenhurst Rotary Club recognized dedication to restoration of the Gravenhurst Opera House with a Paul Harris Fellowship. He’s been a Director, Trustee, or Executive

Member of Muskoka Tourism, the Chamber of Commerce, the Muskoka Board of Education and the Muskoka Winter Carnival.

Through all this, he hasn’t neglected less celebrated accomplishments, like maintaining a backyard skating rink for neighbors of any age, and keeping an eye on his widowed mother, who lived next door until her death.

Stop in For Breakfast Take Lunch to Go Full Menu Available

Oh, yes, he has been a celebrant for civil marriages. Perhaps he still is. I’ll ask him.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR and LUNCHEON

By Fred Schulz The Gravenhurst Seniors Centre hosted an extremely successful Christmas Bazaar and Luncheon on Sunday, November 15th with a148 people in attendance The Bazaar, which ran from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. drew a crowd of enthusuasts who enjoyed a delicious luncheon prepared by Lynne Briden and her assistants.

SUBWAY GRAVENHURST 351 TALISMAN DRIVE

Janet Lamorie was the coordinator of the Bazaar and was capably assisted by a number of volunteers who covered the following areas - Penny Table, Bake Table, Jewellery Table, This & That, Book Table, 10 Table Rentals, and .

Silent Auction, Tickets were on sale for a wooden handmade Hummer SUV automobile which had been donated by Rene Sluyk, with the draw taking place during the Bazaar.

A great deal of thanks is expressed to all those who helped with the success of our Annual Christmas Bazaar.

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POLICY CLARIFICATION Membership: The policy states that for any activity in our Club, the person must be a member in good standing of USCO; that is, a current membership of a Senior’s Club that is affiliated with the “United Senior Citizens of Ontario”. Any group that does not wish to purchase memberships will be required to have a rental agreement, which will be reviewed each year, and approved by the Board of Directors. Any fund raisers such as Breakfasts, Luncheons, and Big Buck Bid Euchre Tournaments, and special groups: e.g. V.O.N. Smart Program exercise group, the O.S.G.A. 55+ (Ontario Senior Games) does not require membership to attend.

Power Outage: As soon as there is a power outage the staff or a Director is notified.

(Directors to be called in order of listing on the contact sheet). Bathrooms are blocked and no one is allowed to use them. (Bathrooms available at the Gravenhurst Centennial Centre next door, if necessary). If the power is still out after ½ hour, the same director is notified and will at that time make the decision to come to the GSAC so that the building can be closed after one hour of a power outage.

Inclement Weather and Bad Road Conditions: The Director in charge of the office that day will make the decision early in the morning re the necessity to close the building, Staff and Activity Leaders to be notified. If bad weather happens after the Staff has gone home, it will be up to the Activity Leaders to make the decision to close and notify the members of that activity.

Coffee: The Bottomless Cup: this had been voted on and passed in 2013, that it would be a bottomless cup of coffee or tea for the present cost of $1.00.

Styrofoam Cups & Lids: to be used if you are bringing your coffee/tea downstairs. All drinks are to be kept away from the courts and billiard tables.

Activities: It is up to each activity group to run their activity and to appoint someone to collect the money for the centre and be the Leader. The club is not responsible for this with the exception of those activities that the club pays an instructor.

GUIDELINES FOR WHEN TO CALL AN AMBULANCE:

A person with: Chest pain/discomfort/tightness Difficulty breathing Confusion Signs of a stroke (difficulty speaking, moving, weakness on one side) Severe allergic reaction Head trauma or falls resulting in neck or back pain A person that has fallen and cannot get up themselves An unconscious person A severe cut or wound Do not try to lift someone that has fallen, call the ambulance **Never hesitate to call 911 if unsure of a person’s condition, injuries, or illness.

Updated & approved by the Board of Directors: June 9, 2014

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The Dart players had a Christmas gathering on Tuesday, December 22nd which consisted of a Pizza lunch, a Chinese Xmas game, and an afternoon of Darts to top it all off.

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Editor’s Note: At our last Committee Meeting on December 21, 2015, as we were planning the Spring Edition, someone asked about our “cover lady”, Glenna Kergon. I was commissioned to interview Glenna and find out more about her and where and what she is doing now.

We have a lot of new members since she left nearly four years ago . Glenna was the producer of many variety shows at the Centre plus providing entertainment at special banquets. Reluctantly, on my prodding, she is filling us in on where she is and what she is doing now.

Will be heading up there again this spring for Sarah’s graduation in Outdoor Education.

(Maybe she’ll take me on a canoe ride?) My granddaughter, Danielle, who is a teacher in the city, had a baby girl in the spring, my first Great Grandchild, so I am really enjioying watching her grow. I have a Grandson, Eric, in Midland who visits often, and Nelson in Calgary who we see once a year. As you can tell by my ramblings, I quite enjoy this Granny thing. (Spoil them and send them home).

I mentioned her as our “cover lady” as she has been and continues to sketch the covers for our newsletter.

WHAT’S UP by Glenna Kergon It’s been almost four years but I still think of Gravenhurst as home. It was June 28, 2012 when the moving truck left my little house on Sarah Street and headed for Bradford. After living on my own for 19 years, and not getting any younger, I decided I was missing out on too much of my grandchildren’s lives. Every time they would have a concert or a dance recital, the roads would be bad. Although Bradford is only one hour and fifteen minutes away, you have to pass through the snowbelt of Orillia and Barrie.

Bradford has grown from a town of 28,000 when I arrived to 32,000 plus today. Houses are spreading out in all directions and just seem to go up overnight. It is situated 15 minutes north of Newmarket and about an hour from downtown Toronto. I am living with my daughter, Patti, who works in Toronto and takes the Go Train at six a.m. and arrives home at six p.m., so is very happy to have Mom here with dinner ready.

(She cooks on the weekends!) My son, Mike, also lives in Bradford and has three daughters who dance, so I am now getting my FILL of dance recitals. My daughter, Marlene, lives in Holland Landing which is just ten minutes south of here. Her two children are up north, Sarah in her last year at Lakehead University, and Mark, who graduated last year as a Pilot, is now flying out of Red Lake. We attended Mark’s graduation and he took me up for a flight over Thunder Bay. First time in a small aircraft, quite a thrill!

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I belong to the Danube Seniors Leisure Centre which is not affiliated with U.S.C.O. The building was formerly a banquet hall owned by the Danube Countries German Club and was donated to the town in 1998 to be used as a Seniors Centre.

It is a very active club with every activity one would want. They serve soup and sandwiches every noon and once a month a big Birthday Luncheon. This past Saturdaty they had a Summer in January Lunch and we all wore summer attire. One restriction NO SPEEDOS! The Goldenaires Choir meets every Tuesday and we sing and cavort at some of the luncheons and out at Nursing Homes. If you would like to learn more about the Danube Centre, they have a webpage.

Unfortunately my church here does not have a regular choir but six weeks before Christmas and Easter, one is formed and practices begin. The past two years, yours truly has had the job of leading them. Every Fall at the church, they have a Pot Luck and Talent Night so I have revived a few of my skits from Gravenhurst. (Miss my five old guys and their boobs!)

I still have my little cockapoo, Taffy, who is getting old and full of arthritis like me, but we have a new pet, Sophie, a Labradoodle who is quite the swimmer. She is into Dock Diving so we are now going to all the competitions cheering her on. (Now if we could just afford a cottage in Muskoka with a nice long dock!!)

Good things about living in this area are: being easy to slip into the city for a show, or down to Niagara on the Lake for the day – and LESS SNOW1 I get up to Muskoka for various events, unfortunately too many funerals, but it’s great to see everyone. I enjoy doing the odd cover for All About Us and reading all the news when I receive my copy. Names, I forget, but not the memories of all our GREAT times together.

Barb Duce got a Perfect Hand in Cribbage. This is only the 3rd perfect Hand by a Cribbage player in 19 years.

Every Friday Lillian Gillan works on her memberships in the coffee /socializing area but quite often there is a luncheon that day Seniors or Rental) and there are too many people congregating in the area. President Fred happened to be at the Restore and decided to pick up a desk and chair for her to be located in our Lounge.

As the pictures show, Lillian is hard at work and says she is quite happy with the arrangement.

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Groundhog Day Celebrated at the Centre

By Fred Schulz

It was a first for the Gravenhurst Seniors Citizens Club when Groundhog Day was celebrated in the Lounge at the Centre.

The successful Groundhog Day Celebration took place on Tuesday, February 2 nd with approximately 25 people showing up for the event.

There were lots of goodies and everyone enjoyed the morning social event.

Hostesses Lois Shubrook, Loretta Lake and Janet Lamorie were on hand to make sure everyone enjoyed the variety of baked goods along with tea and coffee during the event.

The activities included a 20 question Groundhog Trivia Quiz and a Groundhog Day Maze for people to play. The counting of the Jelly Beans and Hearts jars went over very well. Loretta Lake and Frederic Mahood tied for the Jelly Bean jar and Frederic won the Hearts Jar. The movie “Groundhog Day� was played later in the morning in the background in order not to interrupt those in attendance enjoying the social time and conversations.

A special thanks goes out to Lynn Quesnelle for providing the Groundhog Trivia Quiz and the wonderful posters and Aileen Passmore for counting the jelly beans and cinnamon red hearts. Also thank you to everyone who came out to the first Groundhog Day celebrations at the Seniors Centre.

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Maintenance Activities During a Winter Storm Before a Storm Before a storm occurs, crews get prepared and: Check for changing road and weather conditions.

Make sure staff, supplies and equipment are ready and available.

When it is best to do so, apply anti-icing liquid to the highway surface.

During a Storm During a typical snow storm, crews will: Start spreading salt when the snow starts accumulating.

Allow time for the salt to do its job.

Start plowing when there is 2 cm. of snow or slush on the travelled portion of the roadway.

Continue checking road, weather and traffic conditions and adjust operations when required.

Refuel and reload salt, sand and antiicing liquids.

After a Storm After a typical snow storm, crews will: Continue to check road, weather and traffic conditions.

Continue to plow, salt or sand the highway until the standards are met.

Remove any remaining snow from turning lanes, ramps and shoulders.

Remove any snow banks that may cause a hazard.

Remove any snow or ice that may cause drainage problems at ditches and culverts.

Check for damage to items such as signs and guiderails that may have occurred during the storm and make necessary repairs.

Inspect and, if required, repair winter equipment.

Refuel and restock salt, sand and antiicing liquids.

    

Gentle Earwax Removal Hearing Tests Hearing Aid Evaluations, Sales and Repairs Discounts on Batteries Custom Noise Protection & Swim Plugs

Kimberley

B.A., M.CI.Sc Audiologist

Marshall,

Free Hearing Aid Cleaning 118 Kimberley Ave., Bracebridge Tel: 705 645 3455

The Public Should be Aware that in Winter: Traffic conditions or a severe storm may delay restoring the highway to normal conditions, even with the best efforts of highway crews.

Crews may adjust their plans when a storm’s expected intensity, duration or precipitation type changes.

Crews may need to go over their routes several times during a storm.

Salt becomes ineffective for melting ice and snow at temperatures below –12C. When it is too cold for salt to work, sand is used to improve traction.

Weather conditions can be variable and unpredictable, placing extra demands on a vehicle and a person’s driving skills.

The Ontario Provincial Police may decide to close highways during extreme weather. Crews assist the OPP with road closures and emergencies when required.

Answers to the Crossword Puzzle on Page: 9 ACROSS 2 Lynne 4 Aylings 6 Judi 7 Shuffleboard 9 Barbs 11 Carol 13 Loretta 15 Belfry 17 Booze 20 Lyla 21 Howard 22 Dart 24 Pepper 25 Bear

DOWN 1 Cliff 3 Vera 5 Gilberte 7 Schulz 8 Beanbag 10 Elly 12 Bob 14 Ruth 16 Fred 18 Ellen 19 Dave 23 Rene

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2016 OSGA 55+ GAMES Pick up your Registration Form Deadline to Submit your form with your $15.00 Registration Fee is April 22, 2016!

Friday, May 6th - 1:00 p.m. - Cribbage Friday, May 13th - 1:00 p.m. - Euchre Friday, May 20th - 1:00 p.m. - Bid Euchre Friday, June 3rd - 1:00 p.m. - Euchre Final Tuesday, June 7th - 9:00 a.m. - Shuffleboard Wednesday, June 8th - 1:00 p.m. - Bid Euchre Final Tuesday, June 14th - 9:00 a.m. - Shuffleboard Final Wednesday, June 15th - 10:00 a.m. - Crokinole Tuesday, June 21th - 1:00 p.m. - Darts

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DID YOU KNOW THAT ……………

Joan McFayden is selling her house in Pineridge and moving to Ottawa.

Doug & Katherine Patterson are selling their house on Doe Lake Rd. and moving to Pineridge.

Caribou are the only members of the deer family in which both males and females have antlers.

There are plaques on the entrance wall to the Council Chambers at the Municipal Office in Gravenhurst that honours several of our Gravenhurst Seniors Club members. The plaques are to honour people for outstanding volunteerism -— In 2010, Fred Schulz for organizing Music on the Barge, Mary Leger for her work with Hospice, Helen Mallet for ushering at the Opera House. In 2008, Barb and Doug Duce, Howard and Donna Irwin, Fern Lipiski, and Gord Locklin for volunteering at the Gravenhurst Seniors Centre, Jim Goodwin for an Outstanding Achievement Award for volunteering to service in scouting. In 2003 — Helen Menzies for volunteering at the Rebekahs and other organizations.

Use of salt in winter melts snow and ice. Sand is used to provide traction on slippery surfaces.

Unlike salt, it does not melt snow and ice.

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Stop in to see us for all your home, garden, paint and giftware needs.

290 First St. North Gravenhurst, ON. P1P 1H3 PH: 705-687-0554 Fax: 705-687-0720

Owned and operated by Ian & Tara McNaughton

Chicken tenders/wedges

Steve Vandermolen Pharmacist/Owner Seniors Day every Tuesday Special 10% Discount YOUR FULL HOME HEALTH CARE STORE Bathroom safety . Rentals Rollators . Back Braces Walkers . Support Braces Support Stockings Diabetic and Ostomy Supplies DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE For More Information Call 28

Terry & Susan Candow Owner/Operators

Gravenhurst Home Hardware 1170 Muskoka Road Phone: (705) 687 - 3479 www.homehardware.ca

180 Brock St., Gravenhurst P1P 1X2 705-687-2207 Fax 705-687-3995

. . . . .

“Your Store for Low Prices Instore Pharmacy”

KIM BEIGHTON ALL ABOUT US Care Dept.

Home Health

Tender Tuesdays

Mister Roberts HAIR DESIGN

Seniors’ Discounts on Tuesdays through Thursdays

705-687-5400

We wouldn’t be here without the support of our neighbours. So it feels good to return the favour. That’s why your local Gravenhurst Tim Hortons are proud to be part of this great community.

275 KINGSWOOD DRIVE GRAVENHURST

Gary W. Rolston Investment Advisor 2-140 First Street South Gravenhurst, Ontario 705-687-0630

TUESDAY SPECIAL

ANNUAL GIC RATES

1 YEAR 2 YEARS 3 YEARS 4 YEARS 5 YEARS

1.80% 1.90% 2.05% 2.15% 2.40%

$3

29 99 plus tax

Rates as of November 20, 2015.

Subject to change and availability All GICs provided by CDIC Member Firms RRSPs, RRIFs, Cashable GICs, TFSAs

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COMING EVENTS CENTRE CLOSED Good Friday, March 25th Victoria Day, Monday, May 23rd 1ST QUARTER GENERAL MEETING Friday, March 11th, 1:30 p.m.

Danielle Millar and Tara Doyle Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce SENIORS LUNCHEONS Centre Closed March 25th Friday, April 22nd, 12:00 noon Friday, May 27th, 12:00 noon INCOME TAX RETURNS ASSISTANCE Saturday, March 19th, 10:00 a.m.

BDO Dunwoody GRAVENHURST HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Tuesday, March 15th - 7:30 p.m.

Gilberte Lambert & Pat Wright Orchids Care, Re-potting & Growing Tips Tuesday, April 19th - 7:30 p.m.

Linda Pots, Brackenrig Nursery Back to Basics, Choosing a Good Plant for your Garden Tuesday, May 17th - 7:30 p.m.

Trish Symons - A Special Guest Speaker Easy Gardens for Seniors SMILE THEATRE Gravenhurst Seniors Centre Thursday, April 7th - 2:00 p.m.

“Remember That Song” ZONE 39 Annual Meeting - Magnetawan Wednesday, May 4th Executive Council Meeting - 10:30 a.m.

Luncheon 12:00 noon. General Meeting 1:30 p.m.

Election of Officers BIG BUCK BID EUCHRE Wednesday, April 27th - 10:30 a.m.

BI-ANNUAL VOLUNTEER LUNCHEON Friday, April 29th - 11:30 a.m.

GRAVENHURST BIFOCALS CONCERT BAND SPRING CONCERT Sunday, May 15th - 2:00 p.m.

MUSIC ON THE BARGE Sunday, June 19th - 7:30 p.m.

Please Note: Activities and events are subject to change.

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