The Creemore
ECHO
Friday, September 4, 2020 Vol. 20 No. 36 www.creemore.com News and views in and around Creemore
INSIDE THE ECHO
Together But Apart
Farms For Change goes virtual PAGE 3
Contributed photo
Cardboard Castles Children's Emporium held a ribbon-cutting in 2006 to mark the store's opening with owner Laurie Copeland, husband Corey Finkelstein, daughter Sadie and nephew Carter Von Stackelberg. They recently recreated the photo, see page 2. When that store was closing Copeland seized the opportunity to take over the lease. She laughs, recalling how she went home and said to Finkelstein, “I just bought a business.” He wasn’t surprised, she said, laughing. It was at that location that Copeland built the cardboard castle of her dreams,
and where that iconic sign first went up. Within three weeks, Cardboard Castles Children’s Emporium was up and running. Copeland said she chose the moniker of emporium because she wanted the store to be a little bit of everything, for everybody. “I have been true to my vision from (See “Copeland” on page 2)
Nottawa fire sends students to Byng by Trina Berlo Nottawa Elementary School students displaced by an August 13 fire that broke out on the roof of the school will be spending the first month of the school year at the recently shuttered Byng Public School in Stayner. Superintendent Michael Giffen said about 300 students will be bussed to the Stayner school until repairs to the Nottawa school are complete,
hopefully at the beginning of October. “…Families certainly can be assured that regardless of the change in location the staff is working very hard to make it a safe, supportive and inclusive welcome to all the Nottawa families. We appreciate their understanding and their patience,” said Giffen. The fire, which was caused by workers, caused extensive smoke
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Toy store aimed to inspire play by Trina Berlo Visitors to Cardboard Castles Children’s Emporium who are used to seeing the shelves packed with a large selection of items to inspire play will be sad to see them near empty as Creemore’s popular toy store prepares to close its doors later this month. Owner Laurie Copeland admits the decision to close the store was not made lightly and there have been some tears, on both sides of the counter. “I have had the privilege of watching all of the children in the community grow up. That’s what I’ll take with me,” she said. Copeland opened the store in 2006, when her daughter was two. Sadie, now 16 and sometimes found working there, grew up in the store. Copeland says the business has been part of her family life, with husband Corey Finkelstein taking an active role. She said there was never any clear deliniation between family and work, everything blended together, and it was not unheard of that family dinner consisted of everyone coming together for take-out pizza at the store, when there was evening work to be done. Copeland said she hadn’t realized her desire to run a toy store until she saw a children’s furnishings store by the name of Wee Wonders open on the main street, at 146 Mill St.
Village View
Third work goes on the wall
damage. “The nature of the work is restoration and repair, essentially due to smoke damage,” said Giffen. “Crews are working diligently to work through this and to restore the school.” Because Byng only closed in the spring, there was minimal work required to furnish the classrooms and get it ready to welcome students once more.
Simcoe Muskoka sees increase in cases of COVID-19 by Trina Berlo The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is reporting a significant increase in local cases of COVID-19. Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Charles Gardner reported 25 new cases in the region since the week prior. “I think it’s worth noting that this is a very substantial increase in our case count. We’ve not had a weekly increase of this magnitude since June 21,” said Gardner. In that week there were 40 confirmed cases. He said we are still below the provincial average in weekly incidences. As of presstime on Thursday, the total case count for Simcoe Muskoka is 716. There are no new deaths and two people currently in hospital. He is urging people to stay the course, following health protocols, especially as students and teachers return to school next week. “We continue to work closely with the school boards. We are building up our own internal team and hiring staff in order to do our part to protect the schools. Gardner said they now have outbreak guidelines from the province and are working to tailor them to local needs. There will be an onus on parents and guardians to assess students’ health before sending them to school. The health unit is asking parents keep students home if they are exhibiting any of the respiratory type symptoms. They should report symptoms to the school, possibly seek testing and selfmonitor. They are to remain home until they are symptom-free for a period of 24 hours. This does not apply to recurring allergies. Parent resources will be posted at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.