The Creemore
Echo
Friday, June 19, 2015
Vol. 15 No. 25
thecreemoreecho.com
News and views in and around Creemore
Inside the Echo
In the spotlight
Open for business
BA Johnston nominated for Polaris prize
Clearview opens tourism booth
PAGE 3
PAGE 7
Publications Mail Agreement # 40024973
Creemore Blooms
The Creemore Horticultural Society is sending a crew around town this month to check out the talents of local gardeners during the third annual Creemore Blooms. From June 22-26, a panel of three independent assessors will pick the best front gardens based on curb appeal, maintenance, use of colour, shape and texture, balance, selection and use of a focal point. The top five gardens will be announced and the gardeners will be presented stakes to display.
Treasure hunt
Peter Miller photo
Music for a King It was a full house for the inaugural performance of the Creemore Choral Festival at St. John's United Church June 13. A choir, made up mostly of members of Toronto's St. Paul's Anglican Church Choir, performed Handel's Coronation Anthems with guest soloists and the Festival Orchestra, under the artistic direction of Thomas Bell.
Board admin making the grades by Trina Berlo When report cards come out on the last day of school June 25, elementary students will receive grades but no comments. With elementary school teachers currently in work-to-rule job action, the formal end-of-year reporting process has been disrupted. Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) administrators will be inputting marks in order to send final grades home at the end of the year. “The SCDSB feels that strong communication between parents/ guardians and the school is key to achieving our mission and vision. This would typically include a clear and fully documented final report card,” said Annie Chandler, trustee for Clearview Township and Collingwood.
“Due to current labour actions to handle the task of issuing as part this strike action, the report cards.” Chandler said discussions SCDSB will be sending home about how to get the marks a condensed version of report inputted happened at the cards for elementary students. They will include only grades board staff level when job with no associated comments action was announced in May. or learning skills.” “Right from the get-go, A lack of reporting has Annie Chandler SCDSB has been committed caused a stir in other school boards, prompting students to to assisting the elementary schools in sending reports home. protest in some urban areas. Our non-unionized staff, such as “There is no clear explanation as to superintendents have been going why school boards like Toronto, Peel and York Region can’t issue report into the schools to help input marks. cards as other boards are doing,” said Students will receive report card marks, without comments on the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of last day of school,” said Chandler. Ontario president Sam Hammond. “SCDSB has led the charge on this “These boards may be larger but they have proportionately as many issue, as we now see some of the bigger boards following suit.” administrators within their system
Eight private gardens will be open to ticket holders during the Purple Hills Arts and Heritage Society’s garden tour on Saturday, June 27. The Hort Park at Station on the Green will act as a starting point for those purchasing tickets on the day of the self-guided tour. The tour takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Tickets cost $20. They will be sold at the Creemore Farmers’ Market each Saturday until the day of the event. Tickets are also available at Curiosity House Books. For more information, e-mail info@ phahs.ca or visit www.phahs.ca.
Golf for New Lowell United New Lowell United Church is hosting a fundraising golf tournament on Saturday, June 27. The church is raising money for a 1,000 square foot addition that will make the church more accessible and user-friendly for community groups. Volunteers have already raised $335,000 toward the total cost of $350,000. The tournament will be held at Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club in Wasaga Beach. Admission costs $100 per person and includes 18 holes of golf, cart, dinner and a prize. Businesses are welcome to sponsor a hole for $100 each or donate prizes in the $20-$30 range. Donations are eligible for a tax receipt. For more information, call Tom Macham at 705-424-0579, or visit www.newlowellunitedchurch.weebly. com.
Taking care of buyers and sellers in Mulmur and the Creemore hills for 39 years
RCR Realty. Brokerage
Ginny MacEachern
(705) 444-1414 10230 Highway 26 East, Collingwood E-mail info@collingwood.toyota.ca
B.A., Broker
The Town & Country Agent with the City Connections 1-800-360-5821• 705-466-2607 • maceachern.ginny@gmail.com www.ginnymaceachern.com