November Neighbour Paper Aurora Newmarket

Photo by Glenn Rodger Photography

FORMER YRP 911 OPERATOR ANSWERED THE CALL AND BUILT A SCHOOL TO ENSURE HER SON AND OTHER KIDS WITH AUTISM CAN LEARN IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ALLOWS THEM TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL

SERENA & DANIEL THOMPSON

NEIGHBOUR MEDIA UPDATE

NEIGHBOUR COVER STORY

Serena Thompson and Lighthouse Learning and Development Centre

The Lighthouse Learning and Development Centre was created by Serena for her son Daniel. Her belief was and continues to be that every child has the potential to do and be something great regardless of any challenges they may face. The Lighthouse understands that in order for children to be given the opportunity to reach their full potential, they need to be taught in a way they understand by a team that believes in them and their amazing and unique abilities. We believe that differences are not just to be accepted, but embraced. We take great pride in the individualized program that we create for each and every child and are continuously assessing and changing learning plans as children grow and achieve goals. We greatly depend on the involvement of parents and other disciplines to form a multi-disciplinary team to ensure maximum growth and prosperity from each child.

As a registered and inspected private school with the Ministry of Education and approved Ontario Autism Program provider, we accept children from two years of age up to twenty-one for grade 12 - credit-bearing courses, both in a small group and a 1:1 setting.

Children with autism have unique barriers to learning, they are not incapable of learning. Our children just need a place where they are free to be themselves, are taught to love themselves and are encouraged to be better for themselves every day. We strive to be "that place" for our children.

We are currently accepting registrations. www.lhldc.com.

Welcome to the November edition of the Neighbour Paper! With Thanksgiving and Halloween behind us now, it won’t be long before the Holiday season is upon us.

Here are a few reminders and things to look forward to in the month ahead:

is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men's health issues. Learn more about The Movember Foundation at Movember.com

A reminder that at 2am on November 6th, the clocks fall behind when Daylight Saving Time

Remembrance Day we honour those who gave their lives to serve our country. Wear your poppy proudly during the Remembrance period, from the last Friday in October to the end of the day on November 11th.

World Kindness Day is on November 13th. This global day promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself and to the world. The purpose of this day is to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together.

falls on November 25th this year and as you begin your holiday shopping #SupportLocal There are so many incredible local businesses that would appreciate your support!

As always, we’d like to thank our community partners and the neighbourhood for all of your support and for helping us to build yet another amazing edition.

Each month the Neighbour Paper will make you smile! If you have something you’d like to share or would like help promoting, please email llanning@neighbourmedia.ca

Don’t forget to follow @NeighbourMedia on Instagram and Facebook for real time information and content sharing!

Photo by Glenn Rodger Photography

Lanning

Photo by Glenn Rodger Photography

Sheppard’s Bush Conservation Area is 65 acres and has over 3 kms of hiking trails, 11 soccer fields, 2 picnic pavilions

buildings

a maple syrup evaporator hut and the Sheppard family house.

On

Gorgeous

Letter from MAYOR TAYLOR

Elections are a time for all of us to reflect on what has been accomplished over the past four years and look ahead to making Newmarket an even better place.

Despite the demands of the pandemic, we made great progress this past term and, with the election behind us, I can't help but be excited about what we will do in the next four years.

Since 2018, we created a plan for the Mulock park, accelerated the expansion of ultra-high-speed internet throughout Town, partnered with York University, TreeFrog and the Chamber on a business accelerator, became the first municipality to permanently post a land acknowledgment on its town hall, supported the creation of the first Black community centre in the Region, preserved more than 80 acres of sensitive land, and opened the new state of the art Skatepark at the Magna Centre –to name just a few of the things we’ve accomplished together.

In the next term, among other things, we will complete the Mulock park, renovate the Mulock house, with an AGO satellite art gallery – the first one outside of Toronto –build a new tennis centre, introduce new eco homes and more affordable housing, connect more of our trails and parks with a new trail the length of Mulock Drive and open the Region’s first boutique hotel on Main Street.

There is much to look back on with pride and even more to look forward to with excitement. Partnerships are our path to excellence. Together we will ensure Newmarket remains one of the best communities in Canada.

On September 14th, the Town of Newmarket and York University celebrated the o cial signing of a memorandum of understanding, recognizing the ongoing collaboration between them!

On October 16th The ABLE Network held their annual 5K walk fundraiser. Beginning the walk at the Armoury, through the beautiful streets of downtown Aurora and back to the Armoury, where the group came

and festivities. Raising over 70K

Arden Krystal, President & CEO of Southlake Regional Health Centre, was joined by Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket-Aurora and additional leaders in healthcare for a funding announcement on October 14th. Southlake Regional Health Centre is receiveing an investment of up to $4.6 million as part of the Ontario government’s continuation of health human resources program funding. This funding will support the hospital to strengthen its workforce by hiring and training staff to meet the

On September 24th Neighbour Media was invited to the Holland Landing Seventh-day Adventist Church to cover their annual Leaders Appreciation Day! What we didn't expect was that Neighbour Media was selected to be one of the recipients. We were honoured to be recognized as a leader in the community that embraces positivity and elevates others. Along with local school teachers, school principals, volunteers, the Mayor of EG and members of EG Council, we were presented with a certificate of appreciation. Pastor Fray lead a wonderful service of inspiration followed by song and meal that we all enjoyed together. A very special shout-out to Lisa, the Community Service Director, for organizing such a special event.

ABUSE HURTS DELIVERING HOPE BOUTIQUE

ROSE

BOUTIQUE IN SUPPORT OF ABUSE HURTS

SHOPPING FOR A CAUSE

this Holiday Season

HOURS

HOURS

Monday 10am - 3pm

Tuesday 10am - 3pm

Wednesday 10am - 3pm Thursday 10am - 7pm Friday 10am - 3pm Saturday 10am - 3pm Sunday Closed

Monday 10am - 3pm Tuesday 10am - 3pm Wednesday 10am - 3pm Thursday 10am - 7pm Friday 10am - 3pm Saturday 10am - 3pm Sunday Closed

When you shop at the Delivering Hope Boutique you will find amazing deals on clothes, shoes, housewares, home decor, furniture and accessories. You you can also feel great about your purchases because 100% of the proceeds are donated to Abuse Hurts, to help women and children escaping abuse.

Want to become a volunteer?

HOURS

TUESDAY 12PM - 4PM

THURSDAY 12PM - 4PM SATURDAY 10AM - 4PM

Visit www.abusehurts.ca

Winter is on its way! Due to the change in seasons, we desperately need gently used winter clothing (including outer-wear and accessories like hats, mitts, scarves) that are not stained or ripped for men, women and children.

Donations of new socks and underwear are greatly appreciated as well. Even though our clients come in and pick out their own clothing, we also send bulk orders to agencies in Hamilton and First Nations, among others.

We also always need household items and small appliances that are in good condition, plus toiletries, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, soap and personal hygiene products. Diapers are also always in demand.

A quick reminder for supporters that we need new, unwrapped toys or gift cards for the holiday season. Gifts for mothers are also appreciated as we always include one with every outgoing toy order.

You may want to ‘Sponsor a Family’ – this is a program we run during the holiday season in which an individual or corporation can choose to sponsor a specific family. You get to choose the size and ages of family members that you would like to purchase gifts for. Please go to our website to find out how to donate items or sponsor a family.

We thank you in advance for helping to make this holiday season a much brighter one for many survivors who are struggling.

For more information, visit www.abusehurts.ca

On October 1st, surrounded by family and friends, The Little Red Bake Shop celebrated their 1 year anniversary! Mayor John Taylor and Councillor Bob Kwapis came out to help mark the occasion with a ribbon cutting. A BIG Neighbour congratulations and thank you for making such delicious cookies! The Little Red Bake Shop is located at 200 Mulock Dr in Newmarket.

Aurora Downtown BIA Santa Under the Stars Parade Party

Bring

Salvation Army Toy Drive

by Chartwell and Aurora BIA

- Saturday November

with Santa

On October 15th, the Aurora Cultural Centre celebrated the unveiling of the Aurora Bell Box Murals project. This multi-site mural project features 13 artists and 9 murals around the town of Aurora.

Meet Phil, owner of Apple Suites in Aurora and Doug a member of the The ABLE Network. For the past 11 years Doug has been an employee and a valued member of the Apple Suites team. One of Dougs favourite events to attend is the Apple Suites annual meeting! Apple Suites was one of the original companies to support The ABLE Network and the wonderful work they do in our community. To find out more about The ABLE Network visit

Letter from MAYOR MRAKAS

Getting ready for the most wonderful time of the year I want to start off by thanking the residents of Aurora for giving me the the opportunity to serve as their mayor for another four years. I am committed as ever to working closely with members of council, Town staff and the entire community to help ensure Aurora remains one of the best places to live, work and raise a family.

With the election now behind us – and Halloween as well!! –we’re entering one of my favourite times of the year.

And here in Aurora, we have a number of exciting events in store for the holiday season.

First, on Saturday, November 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. we will be having our Santa Under the Stars Parade, which will travel southbound along Yonge Street from Orchard Heights Boulevard to Murray Drive. This night-time parade is full of magic, with beautifully decorated floats, incredible marching bands and a few special guests, including the Jolly man-in-red himself.

The Salvation Army will be picking up food donations and letters for Santa along the route before the parade begins. This event is perfect for all ages and is sure to get you into the holiday spirit.

Then, from December 2 to 4, as well as December 9 to 11, I invite you to visit our incredible Christmas Market, featuring dozens of vendors selling crafts and seasonal goodies. There will be hands-on workshops, activities, entertainment and of course another appearance from Santa himself. The market runs each day from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

I hope to see you around Town at some of these family-friendly, festive holiday events.

CT WIT H U S

Congratulations Delmanor Aurora on

o cial Grand

Butternut Ridge Trail, Delmanor

Grease was the word on October 6th at the Royal Venetian Mansion, where the community gathered for the Annual Dancing with Easter Seals Stars Aurora/Newmarket event. It was a memorable evening of glitz, glam and entertainment!

The Easter Seals “Stars” are local business people who were paired with professional dancers from Artistica Ballroom Dance Studio.

This year we raised over $100,000 for Easter Seals! Thank you to the dancers, all those who attended and donated and to Magna International for sponsoring the opening number.

Together we have made a difference in the lives of many Easter Seals Children!

Over 500 people attended the 1st Annual Corn Roast Family BBQ hosted by Dawn Gallagher Murphy MPP - Aurora/Newmarket! This years event was held at Riverwalk Commons and included food, face painting, family photos, gift bags, music by George St Kitts and one on one conversations with MPP-Gallagher Murphy!

Lest we forget

Building our community together is my top priority. On Sunday October 16th I was joined by over 500 residents, volunteers, local vendors, Central York Fire Services and George St Kitts at Newmarket’s Riverwalk Commons to help me kick off my first annual family BBQ and Corn Roast. In addition, we also collected over ten boxes of non-perishable food donations for the Newmarket Food Pantry. It was an amazing community event, and I would like to thank everyone who attended.

It has been my pleasure to attend numerous community events over the past several weeks, including the Truth and Reconciliation Day event held at Fairy Lake, the Budo Without Borders Opening Ceremonies at Brad Jones Karate, the Run for Newmarket, as well as the Inn from the Cold Victorian Tea held at the Aurora Armoury, the Hillary House Victorian Tea and the Francophone flag raising event held at the Aurora Town Hall.

November 11th marks Remembrance Day and I would like to honour our service members, remembering the sacrifice they have made for us all.

Constituency week is November 7th – November 11th, 2022. Please feel free to connect with me over this week and in the coming months. I want to hear from you, our great community members of Newmarket – Aurora, and I look forward to collaborating with you to build our community together!

MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy stopped by Inn From The Cold to commemorate the Ontario Trillium Foundation Resilient Communities Grant funding for IFTC; a total of $277,100!

•

Celebrating 5 years of being your Hospice

•

•

Welcome

Welcome

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

PARTNERS

Innovative Startup of the Year Award Shippie Technologies Inc. Business Leader of the Year Michael Croxon, NewRoads Automotive Group

Business Resilience Award Market Brewing Company

Leadership in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA)

Small Business of the Year Award Patti Wilson Design Inc.

Large Business of the Year Award Celestica International LP

Impact in Marketing & Promotion Addison Marketing Solutions

Community Recognition Award

Jordyn Leschiutta

New Business of the Year Award The Maker's Mark

Not For Profit of the Year Award Blue Door Shelters

Professional Services Business of the Year Award Miller Orthodontics

One of our favourite events at the Newmarket Chamber is our Business Excellence Awards because it’s all about recognizing and celebrating businesses! Close to 200 people filled the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre on October 12th for a fabulous evening. Congratulations to all the nominees, finalists and 2022 award winners!

C el e brat in

Year

on Main Stree t, Newmarket

Good Vibes on Main opened on November 16th, 2012 and we have loved being a part of the Main Street and Newmarket community. In August 2022 we moved to a bigger location on Main Street, ready for another 10 years of good vibes! We are also excited to share that we are now an o cial Life is Good store, one of only two in the country!

As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we want to thank our customers for embracing us and our positive messages - helping us spread good vibes one shirt at a time.

Happy 1 year anniversary to Royal Rose Gallery! On September 29th the gallery hosted a celebration for this milestone and it was magical! The turnout was amazing, with individuals from the community, dignitaries, local charities and tons of artists in attendance. Rosa Teal, the owner of the gallery, has not only been building a business but also has been contributing to the ar community and supporting local charities!

you to Rosa

she does and to everyone who purchased art that night!

COBS Bread Aurora Gateway raised $4,500 for Welcoming Arms on October 19th during their "Raising Dough" event. Thank you COBS Bread Aurora for continuing to support our community! Welcome Table is a program offered through Welcoming Arms. Every Wednesday night they serve members of our community that are experiencing food insecurity a hot meal. This very generous donation will provide a lot of meals to those in our community that need help.

Meet the Owners of COBS Bread Aurora Gateway

Bhavin and Nidhi are residents of Aurora who own the local COBS Bread bakery.

Around July of 2018, we started looking into joining COBS. I was looking at different franchise bakeries, but picked COBS because of their philosophy to bake everything fresh and donate unsold products. Being part of the community is important to us. We opened our doors in August of 2019 and our commitment to the community is that whether you're picking up a scratch-loaf of bread for your family or a treat for yourself, you can always be sure that the day you walk into the bakery is the same day we baked it. You will also never have to worry about added preservatives in our bread.

Through our end of day giving program, we donate all unsold products to local charities. My inbox is full of requests for donations from charities that this bakery previously supported. I am continuing those partnerships and plan to include some other organizations as well. I picked COBS Bread because of the importance they put on supporting the community, so it’s very important to me that COBS Bread Aurora Gateway is known as the Community Bakery.

If you were a treat or loaf from COBS, which one would you be and why? [no hesitation] Double Chocolate Scone! It’s full of chocolatey goodness and topped with sweet vanilla glaze. I think that describes me, full of goodness! - Bhavin

Neighbour Media was honoured to be invited along with Smart Centre executives and the team from Crucial Logics to the space of Code Ninjas in Aurora! We got to learn about how the space will be transformed and the technology that will be available. Let’s just say it was a “virtual” experience that was a ton of fun! STAY TUNED - Neighbour Media will keep you up to date on the opening of Code Ninjas in the Walmart Plaza at Wellington and the 404!

Eat, Drink and Play IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

Located in the heart of downtown Aurora at Historic Town Park, our unique space is perfect for your next event. When you walk into the space, you will be greeted by a contemporary design paying homage to the building's nearly 150-year-old history. From high-vaulted ceilings, wood beaming and pictures sharing its story you can’t help but be mesmerized.

Our team specializes in creating one-of-a-kind events for all occasions, as we believe milestones are meant to be celebrated with friends and family. Offering multiple bookable spaces for intimate events or large celebrations, with indoor and outdoor access. Through the bi-fold glass doors step out onto Aurora’s BEST patio connecting you to Town Park, with outdoor service and a touch of nature - you will be swept away!

Bring your Vision to Life

Let our team of event coordinators bring your vision to life. With a combined 40+ years in the service industry, our team knows how to host your next event. We host a wide variety of corporate and social functions such as weddings, showers, meetings, and we hope to make The Armoury your home for life’s special occasions.

With large windows through the space, natural lighting is in abundance providing a warm and welcoming feel to your event. Our simple color palette allows you to bring the Pinterest board of your dreams to life. We are a one-stop event space providing all your necessities from décor, service, food, and built-in A/V. All you need to do is bring your guests!

Looking for a more intimate function? Book a private chef’s table dinner or culinary class. Join us in the state-of-the-art kitchen for an immersive experience you can’t find anywhere else. From Instagram worthy pictures to the mood and atmosphere of the day, our team is here to help curate your next event.

Our skilled team of chefs will be happy to create a perfect menu for your next function, using locally sourced ingredients. From small bites and food stations to plated dinner service we can accommodate the menu based on your needs. We promise to deliver tasty and memorable experiences that your guests will rave about for years to come.

Contact us to start planning your next event at Aurora's best kept secret!

905-751-8273

www.auroraarmourycfwi.ca 89 Mosley Steet, Aurora, ON @cfwithearmoury @cfwithearmoury

Photo by Lisa Scot t Photography

Thank you to Neighbour Partner Chris Cartwright and Team for supporting this month’s Eat, Drink & Play page! We appreciate your love and support of the community.

NEIGHBOURHOOD EVENTS

WHEN: November 12th, Doors at 6pm - Concert at 7:30pm

WHERE: Newmarket Old Town Hall

The 13th Annual Empty Bowls Event is in support of Welcoming Arms & Inn from the Cold. Tickets for Lunch Sitting 1 & 2 are available for purchase at Meridian Credit Union in Aurora. Payments must be made in CASH. Before the meal, guests choose a soup bowl from the hundreds on display that the Pine Tree Potters have made for the event. Chefs will serve a ladle of their various signature gourmet soups and artisan breads to guests. Afterwards, patrons will take home their bowl which serves as a gentle reminder that not everyone has a full bowl every day.

WHEN: November 17th, 11:30am - 1pm or 1:30pm - 3pm

WHERE: Newmarket Old Town Hall

Join us for this amazing, fun-filled day that's always jam packed and supports all things local! Here's what to expect at our 5th annual Christmas Market: Over 25 vendors selling one-of-a-kind handmade items, MB Co.

in the Taproom/to enjoy while you shop, My Indie Coffee selling hot drinks, Gangster Cheese Food Truck serving up delicious eats and Dana Ricker playing an acoustic set! We're hosting it outdoors once again so bundle up and bring the whole family and your dogs

Learn more at www.marketbrewingco.com

WHEN: November 19th, 11am - 5pm

WHERE: Market Brewing Co.

The Town of Newmarket, in partnership with the Santa Claus Parade Volunteer Committee, is pleased to announce the return to our traditional parade this year and invite everyone in our community to bring their family and friends to see the festive holiday floats followed by our special guest - jolly Old St. Nick. The Town of Aurora invites you to this night time parade full of magic, with beautifully decorated floats, incredible marching bands and a few special guests including the Jolly man-in-red himself. The Salvation Army will be picking up food donations and letters for Santa along the route before the parade begins.

WHEN: Newmarket - November 19th, 11am - 1pm / Aurora - November 26th, 6pm - 8pm

WHERE: Newmarket - Eagle St & Main St. / Aurora - Yonge St.; Orchard Heights Blvd - Murray Dr.

Human tra cking is a problem all over the world, but it is a major problem right in our own backyard of York Region. Debbie Pond, an RCMP o cer (retired) for 35 years and one of the founding members and Chair of the Board of Directors of U-R Home, will speak about human tra cking, what different types of exploitation look like, where tra cking happens, who the tra ckers are and who is tra cked. Guests are welcome to attend this presentation. For more info, contact cfuw.info@gmail.com

WHEN: November 22nd, 7:30pm

WHERE: Aurora Royal Canadian Legion

Join the York Symphony as we perform the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, one of the most beloved concertos in the violin repertoire. Also on the program is Brahms' 2nd Symphony. We welcome talented young violinist Nicholas Alexander VasilakopoulosKostopoulos to perform the monumental Tchaikovsky violin concerto. Learn more at www.yorksymphony.ca, Tickets available at www.eventbrite.ca, at the door or call 647-849-8403

WHEN: November 26th, 8pm

WHERE: Trinity Anglican Church in Aurora

An intimate musical experience in the heart of historic downtown Newmarket. Sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Newmarket and Central Counties Tourism, this unique event will showcase local artists and vendors. Don't miss Juno Award Winner Donné Roberts with his six-piece band! Seats are limited. Get your tickets at www.canadianconcertclassics.com

NEIGHBOURHOOD Charity Highlight

Abuse Hurts is a charitable organization that has served Canadians since 1993. The Centre’s mandate is to significantly reduce the incidence and impact of abuse through education and public awareness.

Abuse Hurts aims to raise awareness about the true cost of neglect and abuse and currently supports dozens of organizations including children’s services, victim’s services, shelters and other agencies that deal with tens of thousands of children, women, and men whose lives have been affected by abuse. With help from the community and corporate partners, the Centre also provides access to support, healing and individual empowerment for adult survivors, their families and caregivers.

Toy Drive

Every year we hand out thousands of toys to children and families, thanks to your contributions! This year from November 14th - December 2nd, we are once again collecting toys and gift cards to distribute to those in need:

• Brand new + unwrapped toys

• Always in need of gifts for kids 12+

• Always in need of baby toys, 2 years and under

• Arts and crafts are a big demand

• If donating books, they must be new

• If donating gift cards, we ask that the gift receipt be attached to the card with amount

Drop off locations:

Market Brewing Company: 17775 Leslie St #4, Newmarket; during regular business hours

Abuse Hurts Warehouse: 4 - 1208 Gorham St, Newmarket; Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays (10am – 3pm)

O ce/Newmarket Store: 120 Harry Walker Pkwy N., Newmarket; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (10am – 4pm)

NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED for toy donations

Sponsor a Family

Individuals or businesses can sponsor a family through Abuse Hurts! After selecting a family in need of 2, 3, 4 or more, you will be provided with a wish list for that family and can then start shopping! We ask for only new and unwrapped gifts for both the children and parents. It’s a great corporate team building exercise, as well as an amazing way to spread some joy this Holiday Season.

If you’re interested, please contact Kaylee at program.coordinator@abusehurts.ca

Celebrate in Style

Looking for a place to throw your Holiday staff party this year in a socially responsible fashion? Look no further than our Abuse Hurts facilities! You’ll be supporting our charity while enjoying an interactive shopping experience in our Delivering Hope Boutique! Staff appreciation gift options available. Catering and liquor license available.

Inquire at info@abusehurts.ca

Starting November 14th at 6am, you

online ra e tickets at www.abusehurts5050.com for

chance to win! Stay

for more

Market Bingo

Every Thursday in December at Market Brewing Co. is BINGO night in support of Abuse Hurts! From the $25 cash to enter, $15 goes into the pot for the players to win and $10 goes to us. There will be cash and beer prizes throughout the night, as well as different food options on-site serving delicious eats while you play each week! This is an 18+ event and there are no reservations.

Thank you to Neighbour Partner Wasim Jarrah for supporting this month’s Charity Highlight page! We appreciate your commitment to community and charity. Mobile 416-899-5566

NEIGHBOURHOOD FEATURED BUSINESSES

Main Street S. Unit 207, Newmarket (905) 235-2880

shannyntherapy@gmail.com

Main Street RMT and Wellness Clinic is conveniently located in the heart of Newmarket. Established in 2020, we have been dedicated to supporting patients with their physical and mental health.

Our focus is to help you achieve optimal overall wellness. Whether you suffer from a debilitating disease, chronic pain, or stress issues, our team aims to enhance your quality of life. We can help you overcome many obstacles and offer various services from preventative care to treatment and management of health issues. We embrace the idea of treating the body as a whole.

Main Street RMT and Wellness Clinic and our exceptional team of certified professionals, provide individualized programs that are tailored for each person's needs and health goals. We offer Registered Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, and Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine treatments that will leave you feeling healthier.

Yonge Street, Aurora (905) 503-0088

Replenish General Store is your destination for finding unique, local and sustainable products that are good for you, your family, and the planet. At Replenish you will find everything from beautiful, earth friendly kitchen and home products, natural and organic bath and skin care, pantry staples to unique gifts all sourced as local as possible good for your health and that make a positive change for you, your home and our planet. We provide full service and drop off refilling, online shopping and local home delivery.

Located on Aurora’s downtown mainstreet, the REPLENISH team is here to help you with our selection of natural, local, organic, plastic/packaging free products, we are the home of good products.

Visit us at our store, online, call or email us and let us know how we can help.

Christmas with The Salvation Army EVENTS

Christmas Artisan Marketplace: Saturday, November 19, 2022 ( 9 am to 3 pm)

55+ Christmas Carol Luncheon: November 30th (11 am)

Family Christmas Event: Saturday, December 3, 2022

Munchkin Morning with Santa: Thursday, December 22, 2022 ( 9 am to 11 am)

Christmas Eve Service: Saturday, December 24, 2022 ( 6:00 pm)

Christmas Day Service: December 24, 2022 ( 10:30 am)

Offsite: The Salvation Army's Hillary House Exhibit ( November 28 – December 23)

All are invited! Join us at Northridge Community Church, 15338 Leslie Street, Aurora ON

VOLUNTEER AND SPONSOR A KETTLE

The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign is one of Canada’s largest and most recognizable annual charitable events. You may recognize our bell ringers and red kettles which are located in grocery stores, department stores, malls, and other businesses. Monies raised during this Christmas campaign stay in York Region and help ensure the work of the Salvation Army can persist year-round. We, however, rely on volunteers and supporters to make this campaign a reality! Support us by either volunteering to stand by a kettle and ring a bell, or have your business 'sponsor' a Kettle!

Contact angela.covert@salvationarmy.ca 905-895-6276 ext. 208

CHRISTMAS ASSISTANCE

Need support this Christmas Season? Throughout the Christmas Season, we provide support for low-income individuals looking to provide toys to their kids and families.

For more information, or to apply for assistance, visit our website at northridgesa.com

On October 2nd The Northridge Community Church of The Salvation Army and members of the community celebrated Brian and Glenda Bishop and bid them a fond farewell. For 21 years Brian and Glenda have been serving our community and helping people in need. They built a strong foundation for their work to continue. We were blessed to have them and they will be missed.

Help bring joy, honour, and respect to our Canadian military personnel not at home for Christmas this year. Each year thousands of Christmas cards are sent to 30 bases around the world, handwritten by hundreds of members within our community. Over the past 17 years, over 100,000 cards have been sent! This year’s goal is 10,000 cards. If you can help by writing some cards, please reach out to Dianne and Brian Harrison at bdharrison2012@gmail.com

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

NOVEMBER MEMBER SPOTLIGHT - SHOP LOCAL

Gift Giving Season is upon us! You don’t have to look very far to find that perfect and unique gift for the people on your list. Aurora is home to many specialty shops and family run businesses to support this season. This month' Member Spotlight is a reminder to Shop Local this holiday season.

BOOKWORMS & CO.

Located in the St. Andrew’s Plaza; At Bookworms & Co. you'll find an array of your favourite books for all ages, bookish accessories, stationery, puzzles, and toys and gifts. Independently owned, they also have friendly staff who will help you find that special request!

www.bookwormsco.com

AURORA HOME HARDWARE

Located off Wellington Street, Aurora Home Hardware is genuinely family owned and operated for 3 generations. Their helpful staff will be sure to help you pick out that perfect gift, from kitchen gadgets to home décor and sporting goods. Home Hardware can check a few items off your list. Say hello to Garfield the store cat mascot while there.

www.aurorahomehardware.ca

OAKRIDGE FASHIONS

Looking to wow the fashionista in your life? Look no further than Oakridge Fashions. For over 20 years Oakridge Fashions has been an Aurora staple for women looking for everyday style. Visit them at their new location at 15195 Yonge St.

www.Oakridgefashions.com

OMARS SHOES

Family owned since 1970 Omars Shoes has something for everyone from head to toe! Carrying a wide selection of apparel and unique finds for men and women, the staff at Omars will help you check those items off your list. Visit them at their new location,15620 Bayview Ave.

www.Omarsshoes.com

REPLENISH GENERAL STORE

This one-stop shop, general store offers premium pantry items, for the chef in your life, lifestyle, and home goods, as well as personal care products - all with people and the planet in mind. Located in the heart of downtown Aurora at 15231 Yonge St.

www.replenishgeneralstore.com

YOURS CONVENIENTLY

More than a convenience store, you never know what unique items you will find as owners Jeff and Toni are continually sourcing new products and showcasing local makers! It truly is a destination. Go for a coffee and shop while you sip! Visit them at 69 McLeod Dr, Aurora

www.yoursconveniently.com

Opening a business or know someone who is? Check out the Chamber! visit us at aurorachamber.on.ca to discover the benefits and see why so many Aurora businesses are members.

Partner:

leah.taylorroy@parl.gc.ca

Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a moment of silence in remembrance of the Canadians who have served and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace.

Our country will always owe a debt of gratitude for the tremendous commitment of all Canadian veterans, and the government will continue to ensure all veterans are supported.

While we strive for peace through international cooperation and peace-keeping forces, we are aware of the need to be prepared to defend our country and our allies from unprovoked attacks. Peace is our goal and our wish is that our women and men in uniform never see combat.

Canada recently confirmed collaboration and commitment to protect the Juno Beach site in France. We are making joint investments to secure the long-term protection of Juno Beach and the use of the site for commemorative purposes. Canada’s collaboration with France will support the Juno Beach Centre’s

work to honour the achievements and sacrifices of all who have fought for freedom and democracy.

Throughout Remembrance Week, I encourage you to reflect on the strength, bravery, and dedication of our veterans and all those who have sacrificed their lives in service to Canada. To the heroes who have risked so much to protect our country, our values, and our freedoms: We thank you and are forever grateful for all you have done for all Canadians and people around the world.

I encourage all residents of Aurora- Oak Ridges -Richmond Hill to attend a local Remembrance Day Ceremony. You may contact the Aurora Royal Canadian Legion Branch #385 or Richmond Hill Royal Canadian Legion Branch #375 for more details.

Thank you to all our veterans and to all those who continue to serve Canada.

Community Living Central York hosted their Annual BBQ! Over 230 individuals supported, families and staff were in attendance and it was a wonderful afternoon spent together. Delicious food, live music and fun games were available for all to enjoy! Thank you to the generous donors who made this event possible: 100 Women Who Care Stouffville, RBC Wealth Management Aurora, Royal Canadian Legion Br. 426 Newmarket, Internationalsafety.com and Vince's Market. Learn more about Community Living at www.clcy.ca

Natasha, the owner of Pita Pit in Aurora, has been a partner of The ABLE Network for many years! Through The ABLE Network Jolen became a member of the Pita Pit Aurora team. Jolen missed the Pita Pit family during the Covid shutdowns and is very happy to be back! Be sure to stop in and say hi to Jolen & Natasha!

In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. www.leahtaylorroymp.ca

“Lest we forget.”

A message from Leah Taylor Roy

The Newmarket Lions Club assembled meal kits for the Newmarket Food Pantry! Each kit contains a recipe and all the necessary ingredients to provide a family meal!

Welcome to your new location Dawson Dental; 57 Harry Walker Pkwy S! On October 1st they hosted an opening celebration which included former Toronto Maple Leafs player Darcy Tucker signing autographs. Then on October 11th, in recognition of serving communities in Ontario for over 25 years with 30 locations, Premier Doug Ford and MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy stopped by to congratulate the Dawson Dental Team!

Remembrance Day Lest

Neighbour Media was honoured to participate in the first annual Easter Seals Ontario Mulligans & Mascara Legacy Tournament on September 28th, honouring Jennifer Buchanan-Peat and with special guest Christine Simpson. It was a cold day but that

stop this group of women from having a fun

NEIGHBOURHOOD PETS

This page is such a fun PAWty!

Let us know.

- Stoli

Stella

Woof! My name is Stella, I love hitting the Newmarket trails with my pawrent - let's just call her #whatsherface, you can catch us out there regularly! If you see me out for a walk, don't be afraid to say hello.

Billy

Hi, my name is Billy! I know I may look like a bucket of popcorn, but I am actually a pug! I love my mom a lot, even though she dresses me up like this sometimes... #PugCorn

Bella

Meow, I'm Bella! I am just over 2 years old and having been raised with dogs, I tend to think I am a dog myself. Plus I am much better at playing fetch than the dogs are...

Rennie

I'm Rennie and not only do I think, but I KNOW that I am the queen of the house! I like to rearrange things for my humans, including this cutting board... which ended up on the floor after this photo, as I thought it would look better there.

Coco & Max

I'm Coco, (blue harness) and I am 18 months old! I'm Max (red harness) and I am 13 months old! We both really enjoy playing with our toys and watching squirrels/chipmunks through the patio doors. But best of all, we just love being taken out for walks, as we are normally indoor cats.

Birdie

Hi, I'm Birdie! I am a 2 year old springer spaniel. I am happiest off-leash in the fields chasing birds. I also love to go swimming and can’t believe swimming season is over! I am the sweetest, most loving and friendly doggo and really wish my parents would get me a friend.

Interested in sponsoring it?

LOCAL REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES

AURORA ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 385

105 Industrial Parkway N, Aurora (905) 727-5642

• Saturday November 5 - Remembrance Dinner at the Legion, cocktails at 6:30 pm and dinner at 7:00 pm.

• Sunday November 6 - 10:30 am Parade starting at GW Williams, marching South on Yonge to the Cenotaph for the service. Followed by light refreshments at the Legion.

• Friday November 11 - Small Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph at 10:45 am, followed by light refreshments at the legion.

NEWMARKET ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 426

707 Srigley Street, Newmarket (905) 895-5481

• Sunday November 6 - Remembrance Day Parade and Service.Form-Up will be 1:15 pm on Doug Duncan Drive, March-Off at 1:30 pm.

• Service at the Cenotaph on D'Arcy Street at 2pm and then March back to Doug Duncan Drive. All are welcome!

NEWMARKET VETERANS ASSOCIATION 406 Millard Avenue, Newmarket (905) 895-7321

• Friday November 11 - NVA’s Remembrance Day service at the Newmarket Cemetery. Starting at 10:30 am.

The Optimist Club of Aurora is a service organization that has been operating in Aurora for 35+ years, raising funds to assist in meeting the needs of youth in Aurora. The clubs Presidents Dinner took place on October 1st at the Aurora Soccer Club, where the 2022-2023 Board of Directors were announced: Glen Sharp - President, Carol Bartlett - Treasurer, Rob GabySecretary, VP - Greg Way, President Elect - Georgia Pottage, Past PresidentSandra Watson. To learn more, visit www.auroraoptimist.com

On October 15th, StArt Academy held a Children’s Painting Project in support of Ukraine! Together the kids painted two pieces that reflected Ukrainian culture. One piece will be displayed at the Richmond Hill Welcome Center. The second piece will be presented to the Aurora Public Library. In addition, there was a Ukrainian/Canadian flag where participants wrote wishes to the Ukrainian soldiers. This event was in support of #OurBatalionCanada and money from donations will be spent on power generators for the hospital in Ukraine. #StandWithUkraine

Thanks to the support of community sponsors, advertisers and over 300 ticketholders, The Canadian Federation of University Women Aurora/Newmarket’s premier Home & Garden Tour 2022 was an incredible success. CFUW treasurers Margaret Blanchett and Donna Wright were delighted to present Fulvia Cantarutti, president of the Charitable Trust with a cheque for $27,000 for the Charitable Trust’s scholarship fund at the club’s AGM on September 20th.

AURORA

CFUW Aurora/Newmarket Outreach assists those in need within our broader community with the goal of enriching lives and empowering women and girls. The committee supports various groups with funds raised from ra es, a virtual film festival and donations from members. Recently, CFUW Outreach Committee members Carolynn Schiller and Shiela Ingle presented Rose of Sharon with a cheque for $2000 to support two graduating students who are pursuing post-secondary education. Each student was given $1000 each to purchase a computer or software as needed for their program.

Congratulations to all the golfers and sponsors that supported the Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers golf tourney. The day was a huge success! The goal of $30,000 was crushed, raising over $50,000 that day! Celebrity guest John Catucci was also there motivating the golfers, selling ra e tickets and raising awareness. A special shout-out to title sponsor Picone Real Estate!

Scotiabank branches and Business Line Partners in the Greater Toronto area, along with the Women in Leadership Employee Resource Group, united in an opportunity to give back to the community. Together, they collected diapers, formula and other necessities, in time for Thanksgiving. This donation initiative will support the families that rely on the Rose of Sharon agency for assistance. The response was overwhelming - delivering over 7 vehicles full of items that filled the space at Rose of Sharon, an estimated value of over $12,000!

Abuse Hurts

program

Downtown Aurora BIA for the Spooktacular

Royal Rose

These

witches

tradition!

Miller,

City

Tatton

of

McDonald's

On October 15th, MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy met with the team at the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA) to hear more about the impact that a six-month, $49,600 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) has had on delivering an innovative mental wellness program for Black youth, led by Black youth.

FOR OUR NEIGHBOURS

Hey Neighbours! This page is for you to enjoy each month. We will be featuring games, puzzles, contests, giveaways and so much more. You can also follow our social media accounts to stay up to date and to potentially receive some hints to help you solve future puzzles. @NeighbourMedia

ALPHA BLITZ

Using all 26 A - Z letters only once, complete the mystery words. (Multiple solutions are possible)

Mark these letters as you place them:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M

N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

The solutions will be shared on our @neighbourmedia social media platforms later this month.

Thank you to our community partner Brainy Games for providing us with this month’s puzzle!

If you would like to explore more of their amazing games and puzzles, please visit www.brainy.games

Get to Know YOUR NEIGHBOURS

John Large

How long have you lived in the Community?

We moved here for work a little over 17 years ago. We love the small town feel, next door to big city options.

What is your most memorable community event?

The annual Newmarket Optimist Club Breakfast with Santa. The event attracts families from across town to kick off the holiday season with games, activities, a pancake breakfast – and of course a visit from Santa and Mrs. Clause!

What is your go-to local restaurant?

We absolutely love anything on Main Street, but I would say we probably end up at the Ground Burger Bar more often.

What is your favourite holiday to celebrate?

I have 2 favourites – Halloween and Christmas. I tend to go a little crazy on the decorations for both and am always adding something every year.

How do you give back or pay it forward in your Community?

I am a member of the Newmarket Optimist Club. We are a not-for-profit organization that raises funds to support youth related programs and initiatives in the Town of Newmarket. It’s an amazing group of people doing amazing work for children and youth in our Community.

How long have you lived in the community?

My family has been proud to call Aurora home for 32 years with no plans to leave anytime soon!

What is your favorite season?

I love the summer – weekends at the cottage, boat rides, the Aurora Farmers Market, Ontario grown strawberries, corn on the cob, concerts in the park, reading a good book on the deck and patio dinners.

What is your favorite holiday to celebrate?

Christmas! I love the time spent with family and friends, decorating, driving around the Aurora neighbourhoods looking at all the lights and finding that perfect gift for someone and watching them open it.

Netflix or a night out?

I’m always up for a night out!

What is your most memorable community moment?

It’s always the Aurora Chamber Street Festival, but this year in particular. The return of the festival was amazing, everyone was excited and the buzz on the street was incredible.

Sam Sarwary

What is your favourite food?

I love cheese pizza! Classic and delicious.

How long have you worked in the community?

I have owned and been working at the Newmarket Plaza Cleaners for 18 years.

What is your favourite season (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) and why?

Summer! I enjoy going to the park and spending time soaking up the sunshine.

What is your favourite sport? Swimming!

What does being a good neighbour mean to you? Being a good neighbour means giving back to the community you are a part of, whenever you can!

Want to be featured on this page? Email us and we will introduce you to the neighbourhood!

Owner of the Newmarket Plaza Cleaners

Past President Optimist Club of Aurora / Events Manager Aurora Chamber of Commerce

Sandra Watson

Director of Strategy and Operations, Janssen Inc.