Fleet-Wood Dancentre 31st Anniversary
Rich in history and accomplishments, Fleet-Wood Dancentre is celebrating its 31st anniversary this year. Sharron Fleet and Jane Wooding joined forces in 1994, opening the school to both recreation and pre-professional training in the Georgian Triangle. In 2002, Sharron took on the role of sole Owner/ Artistic Director when Jane moved to Toronto and later Halifax to teach. Sharron is a credentialled Highland teacher and classical ballet teacher with The Cecchetti Society of Canada and heads the Cecchetti Ballet Syllabus Program.
In 2011 Sharron Fleet was honoured with the Inaugural Arts and Culture Award recognizing her history of preparing students for college and university dance programs. The Robert Kemp Award funded Fleet-Wood’s first Nutcracker which is now set to perform again this December 8 at Meaford hall. Dancers are also set to perform mini nutcracker ballets in the windows of historic Downtown Collingwood during the Christmas market.
Hundreds of students have passed through Fleet-Wood’s doors. Of note, three Fleet-Wood graduates, Jonathan Fleet, Sierra Maraj Fleet, and Colin Eccles, furthered their training in Toronto and later returned to Fleet-Wood as accredited teachers. Attending George Brown College, Sierra graduated with a three-year Dance Performance Studies Diploma, and Jonathan the Dance Preparation Program and The Early Childhood Education Program. Colin studied Russian ballet technique while in Toronto, obtained an Honours Bachelor of Music degree from McMaster University and is a Level 3 Essentrics® Instructor. Rounding out the team are Melissa and Jessica Mills.
Their combined training covers an impressive list of dance styles: kinderdance, pre-ballet/jazz, ballet, pointe, contemporary, modern, jazz, acro, contact improv, theatre dance, tap, hip hop and Essentrics®.Offering the largest selection of classes in the Georgian Triangle, Fleet-Wood provides three streams of classes: recreational, preprofessional, and competitive for aspiring dancers ages two to adult.
Students can look forward to beautiful class attire, recital and competition costumes produced in-house to the dancers measurements. A custom fit! The Fleet-Wood Boutique also carries ballet and jazz shoes, along with a full range of tights, year round.
Fleet-Wood School of Dance is nestled in the heart of Creative Simcoe Street, beside the library at 65 Simcoe Street.
Publisher’s Note
Our community is important to us and we take pride in being part of the
Thank
Publisher Victoria Ledden
JOHN ARMSTRONG, Sales Representative
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Collingwood Office: 330 First Street Collingwood and THE ARMSTRONG TEAM!
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Wasaga Beach Office: 1249 Mosley St. Wasaga Beach
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MAILING ADDRESS
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Kim Dadswell, DD
August 2024
We have certainly had the HEAT this summer, and the rain as well. The corn is high and the weeds too! Your garden should be looking great. Congratulations! Now, what to do this month.
• Top up your mulch. Keep it at least 2 inches deep. It works to suppress weeds, keeps the soil cool and damp and retains the rain.
• Sow vegetable seeds again for a fall harvest of spinach, radishes and some varieties of leaf lettuce.
• Tidy up plants and shrubs with a little judicious pruning, but early in the month.
• Stake tall perennials, like delphinium and New England asters against the wind.
• Cut your grass at least 2’’ high to combat drying out. Water well when needed, or when it is allowed.
• Check out bulb catalogues and order spring flowering bulbs before they’re gone.
• Finally pull or cut off the browned leaves of spring flowering bulbs. Trim back iris leaves. My picky mother would take her best kitchen scissors and cut up one side of each leaf fan and then down the other side to make a neat arrow.
• Fill in any gaps in your flower garden with fall-flowering perennial plants, like mums and asters.
• Start drying flowers and herbs. Pick your lavender now for drying for sachets.
• Start to dig up and divide daylilies as they stop blooming.
• Collect seeds that have matured but not yet fallen from the seed head, plants like poppies. Once they have completely dried, store the seeds in air tight containers in a cool location or sprinkle them around your garden for colour next summer.
• Take a hard look at your garden and take pictures too, so you can decide where there are empty spaces for new plants this fall. Identify any plants that have not performed well, (or you can’t stand) and plan to replace them with a fall planting program of shrubs and perennials.
• Early Fall is a great time to sow grass seed and plant perennials, trees and shrubs. They will get a big jump vs planting next Spring! Look for the annual Grey County Master Gardener’s fall plant sale, Saturday September 14th from 9am until noon. It’s in Meaford again at the Meaford Rotary Harbour Pavilion. Choose from unique perennials and lots of native and pollinator plants at reasonable prices.
Submitted by John Hethrington
Things to do in your garden each month taken from the Ontario Master Gardener Calendar by John Hethrington, Past President, Master Gardeners of Ontario. For more information, OR TO OBTAIN YOUR OWN COPY of the 11” x 17” colourful calendar of the full year’s tips for a $2 contribution to Master Gardeners, call 519-599-5846.
How to Eat More Meatless Meats
As a plant-based dietitian, my specialty is helping individuals and families transition to a more plant-based diet. Maybe that means introducing one meatless meal per week, or going completely vegan. Regardless of what changes people decide to make, my advice is typically the same, so here are my five tips to get you started.
Start small and go slowly
This is my number one recommendation to everyone. As with any change, taking on too much at once can feel overwhelming. Small changes made slowly are more likely to stick in the long term. This might look like: adding one plant-based meal a week, or maybe one plant-based meal a day. The changes don’t have to be huge. Small, sustainable changes will add up over time.
Focus on foods you like
I encourage people to focus on foods they can eat rather than what they are cutting out. As a Dietitian, I’m all about balance, and prefer to look at the positive aspects of making changes rather than the negatives. Explore new products, restaurants, brands and cooking methods. You don’t have to love every new thing you try, but you never know when you will end up loving.
Organize and plan ahead
Stock your kitchen and pantry with plant-based staples so you always have ingredients on hand. This tip is relevant to non-plant-based eaters as well, especially if you’re wanting to cook more food at home.
Spend a little time on the weekend meal prepping or batch cooking. Not only will this save you time during the work week, but you will always have a meal available and ready to eat. Additionally, always bring a snack or two if you’re going out.
Find recipes you love
Dust off those recipe books, or scroll through Pinterest and find a few recipes that you enjoy, and make them a part of your regular rotation. You can use recipes you already know and love, and make the necessary plant-based swaps (use black beans instead of meat in tacos or burritos). Not only will your cooking confidence and skill increase, you will start to see how easy it can be to eat meatless most of the time.
Pick your proteins
Protein is the key to creating a healthy, balanced meal that keeps you full, however, protein is often overlooked in meatless meals. There are some quick and easy plant proteins (soy milk, nuts and seeds, hemp hearts), but many take a little time to prepare (tofu, lentils, beans, edamame). I suggest picking your protein first and planning the rest of your meal around it.
WATERMELON MINT REFRESHER
INGREDIENTS
4 cups watermelon
½ cup fresh mint leaves
1 cup sparkling water
ice
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Add watermelon and mint to a blender. Blend until everything is liquified
2. Pour through a sieve or cheesecloth to strain
3. Transfer to a large jug or container, and add the sparkling water.
4. Pour into ice-filled glasses, and garnish with more fresh mint. Enjoy!
Bailey Franklyn is a Thornbury-based Registered Dietitian and the owner of Harvest Table Nutrition.
The Importance of Beach Cleanups
Preserving Our Coastal Treasures
The beach, with its sun-kissed sands and azure waters, is a sanctuary for many. It’s a place to unwind, play, and connect with nature. However, our beloved coastlines, including on Georgian Bay and especially Wasaga Beaches, face an increasingly urgent threat: pollution. From plastic debris to discarded fishing gear and cigarette butts, human waste is jeopardizing marine ecosystems and the very beauty we cherish. Beach cleanups play a pivotal role in combating this environmental crisis. Here’s why they are more important than ever:
1. Protecting Marine Life: Marine creatures often mistake plastic for food or become entangled in debris, leading to injury and death. By removing trash from beaches, we directly reduce the risk to wildlife and preserve their habitats.
2. Preserving Natural Beauty: Trash-strewn shores are not only unsightly but deter visitors and harm local economies dependent on tourism. Clean beaches attract more people, benefiting coastal communities and businesses.
3. Preventing Pollution: Plastics in rivers, lakes and oceans break down into microplastics, which infiltrate the food chain and pose health risks to humans. By intercepting waste at the beach, we halt this cycle of contamination.
4. Raising Awareness: Beach cleanups educate the public about the consequences of littering and encourage responsible waste management practices. They foster a sense of environmental stewardship crucial for long-term sustainability.
5. Community Engagement: These events bring together people of all ages and backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. They empower communities to take collective action against environmental degradation. Wasaga Beach Climate Action Team is partnering with Georgian Bay Forever to host Weekly Shoreline Clean-up:
• Wasaga Beach Area 2, Tuesdays from 9:30am to 11:30am
• Collingwood Sunset Point, Tuesdays from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
• Thornbury Little River Park, Thursdays from 9:30am to 11:30am
• Thornbury The Fish Way, bi-weekly Mondays from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
For more info: Visit WBCAT website at https://wasagabeachclimateaction.com/ shoreline-cleanups/
6. Global Impact: While the cleanup effort may seem localized, its effects ripple globally. Clean beaches contribute to cleaner lakes and oceans, benefiting ecosystems worldwide.
In conclusion, beach cleanups are not just about picking up trash; they are about safeguarding our natural heritage and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the pristine beauty of our coastlines. Each piece of litter removed is a step towards a cleaner, healthier planet. So, join hands – or rather, gloves – and make a difference at your next beach cleanup. Together, we can preserve these Georgian Bay coastal treasures for years to come.
LOCAL ACTION PRODUCES GLOBAL IMPACT
Engage with Wasaga Beach Climate Action Team wasagabeachclimateaction.com Info@wasagbeachclimateaction.com
Submitted by Gerard Dusastre
Get a Taste of Mexico with Locally Grown Ingredients
(NC) Everyone eats to survive, but food is much more than just a necessity of life. It’s also a common language across generations, cultures and languages, bringing people together in shared experiences of taste, flavour and sensation.
Canada has a rich heritage of attracting people from all around the world to its shores. That includes more than 17,000 international farm workers who come to Ontario every year to work on fruit and vegetable farms as part of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP).
They hail from Mexico, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Eastern Caribbean islands and play essential roles in helping Ontario farmers grow the popular but labour-intensive fruit and vegetable crops popular with consumers.
It can be hard to be away from family and friends for months at a time, and when they’re not on the job, workers keep busy with activities like soccer and other sports, music or cooking for their friends and coworkers.
Errol Mitchell from Jamaica has been working in Ontario annually for more than 16 years through the SAWP, for more than seven of those years at a Southern Ontario greenhouse.
“I love to cook, and I love to listen to music… I enjoy cooking for the guys sometimes. I cook and everyone sits and eats,” he says.
Many of the ingredients for tasty and nutritious Mexican, Jamaican or other Caribbean recipes are grown right here in Ontario, giving you an international flavour with local flair. Try these Mexican tostadas featuring locally grown tomatoes, green onions, celery, parsley, coriander, onion and garlic as a quick weekday supper option.
Mexican Tostadas
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
INGREDIENTS
4 tomatoes, coarsely chopped
2 green onions, sliced
½ cup (125 ml) chopped celery
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped fresh coriander or parsley
1 tbsp (15 ml) red wine vinegar
½ tsp (2 ml) ground cumin
½ tsp (2 ml) crushed red pepper flakes
½ tsp (2 ml) salt
8 corn tortillas
1 lb (500 g) lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup (250 ml) tomato sauce
1 tsp (5 ml) chili powder
OPTIONAL GARNISHES
Sour cream
Chopped green onion
DIRECTIONS
1. In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, green onions, celery, coriander (or parsley), vinegar, cumin, red pepper flakes and half of the salt. Cover and set aside.
2. In a small dry skillet, over medium heat, toast tortillas until lightly browned and crisp on both sides. Set aside.
3. In a large nonstick skillet, cook ground beef, onion and garlic over medium heat, stirring and breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
4. Stir in most of the tomato sauce (reserving some for garnish), chili powder and the remaining salt. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
5. To serve, place tortillas on plates and spoon beef mixture evenly over each. Top with reserved tomato mixture, sour cream and green onions, if using. Serve immediately.
Capturing the Beauty of the Seasons
The unveiling of a 4-panel mural in Stayner was attended by over 50 people. Stayner Collegiate Institute art students under the guidance of art teacher Angie Kerr have worked diligently and enthusiastically on the four separate images, depicting spring, summer, autumn and winter in their community. “A new landmark” was how the Clearview Chamber of Commerce referred to the piece.
Installed on the west wall of the tourism building at 220 Huron Street in Stayner, the images are bright, clear and colourful. Many accolades were had, from local politicians who were on hand for the event.
Master of ceremonies, Katie Campbell, Clearview Chamber of Commerce
Administrative Director, invited Mayor Doug Measures to address the crowd gathered at the ceremony. He thanked everyone for coming out to support the project. He offered a “...huge congratulations to Stayner Collegiate, the partnership with the students and the leadership of the administration”. Measures continued: “Adding public art ... in our community makes for a better, whole, community. We’re really pleased to have this mural added to the public art in our community”.
Hardware for helping out with the installation. Next up to speak was Clearview Chamber of Commerce President John Broderick. Broderick wears a couple significant hats around these parts as he is also the councillor for Ward 3. He spoke to the spirit of cooperation this project received, saying “... it was almost as beautiful as the gorgeous mural behind us”. He congratulated Chamber Director Rhonda Broderick for her vision to add some colour and beauty to the tourism building exterior. The building is shared with the Chamber, the tourism team and the Stayner Heritage Society. He thanked the Chamber’s Administrative Director, Katie Campbell for her support and enthusiasm and the local Home Hardware for donating the supplies and to the Clearview Township’s Culture and Recreation Department.
Broderick declared Stayner Collegiate’s “... Angie Kerr and her advanced art students have been absolutely amazing to work with throughout the entire project”. He thanked the township staff for their help. Wrapping up his talk, Broderick anticipated more artwork to come: “I look forward to what the Clearview Chamber of Commerce and this extended team of incredible talent puts together for future beautification projects throughout Clearview Township”.
He also noted that a QR code (those little black and white, oddly-checker boarded computer icons) will be included on the mural which will electronically direct people to a website showing the making of the mural plus the historical archives of the tourism building. It will also showcase the original railway station (now a part of Cranberry Golf Course).
Next up, Campbell was eager to introduce Angie Kerr of Stayner Collegiate Institute. Kerr began by thanking Christopher Stephens and Hannah Rawn, two of her students who “worked tirelessly on this project” and were in attendance. She referred to the collegiate as “A small school with big heart”.
This project was an opportunity to “Showcase and celebrate the talents that live right here in our township”. She described the unveiled artwork as having “A bit of nostalgia and moments of the seasons that offer up so many experiences; we are so lucky to have these features within our community”.
directly involved, but seeing it become a reality in passing by, asking questions and making suggestions.
A very pleased art teacher is seen here, Angie Kerr of Stayner Collegiate Institute. In this image she is showing off that her technical skills have improved so much that she could keep her crib notes for her speech, on her smart ‘phone, a sign that she can learn from her students. Kerr’s support, love of the arts and appreciation of her students’ dedication was palpable.
Even as a well-experience teacher living in Stayner, Kerr said she learned so much; “I look forward to continuing these amazing projects with our community”. She wrapped up her comments by thanking everyone for supporting the arts and art programming “at our school, and fostering these really important relationships to further the future of arts in our community”.
The final speaker, before the ribbon cutting and unveiling, was Frieda Linke. She runs an art supply store and gallery in Stayner. Linke has been a part of the art culture in Clearview Township and especially Stayner, for two decades.
Linke was pleased to be allowed to speak and “acknowledge the outstanding work of the young artists that have created this piece”. She continued, directing her words to the students: “You do yourself proud. You are a shining example of the tremendous creative talent we have in this region”.
Measures noted and thanked the many attending council members and township staff who were in attendance. He also acknowledged the help of Stayner Home
Kerr cited the experiences collaborating with the Chamber and the Township as being incredible. It was a positive experience for much of the student body, even those not
She stressed that art is not just for its appeal to the eyes. She sees it as a visual record, of history, cultures and much more. On her gallery wall are the words: “Power of Art: Heals the heart. Feeds the soul. Fuels the imagination”. This triad is often applied to daydreaming. Linke encouraged those present to support
Master of Ceremonies Katie Campbell did a fine job of introducing the guest speakers leading up to the unveiling of the new mural in Stayner.
Two students from Stayner Collegiate Institute jointly performed the actually cutting of the ribbon on July 17th at the Stayner tourist building on Huron Street. Taking charge of the over-sized scissors were Hannah Rawn and Chris Stephens. Keeping the ribbon taut, from left to right are Lisa Squire of Stayner Home Hardware, Katie Campbell the Chamber of Commerce of Clearview Township Administrative Co-ordinator, Rhonda Broderick the Chamber Director, art teacher Angie Kerr, students Hannah and Chris, Clearview Mayor Doug Measures and John Broderick the Chamber President and Councillor of Ward 3 in Clearview. the development of all art cultures in Clearview Township.
As an addendum, Linke brought a painting of her own, of the original fountain at Fountain Park in Stayner, as one of the panels, as the good folk were about to see, contains a panel with the current fountain represented.
Before the unveiling, a ribbon cutting was done in front of the still-covered mural just to keep everyone in suspense a little longer. The blue ribbon was held by a number of key people: Lisa Squire (Stayner Home Hardware), Katie Campbell (Chamber), Rhonda Broderick (Chamber), Angie Kerr (Teacher), art students Hannah Rawn and Chris Stephens (with scissors at-the-ready), Mayor Measures and John Broderick (Chamber and Council). The ribbon was successfully cut with Rawn and Stephens working the large pair scissors. Following the ribbon cutting, tall people were asked to pull out the pins holding the veil material to the top of the mural. With the final pins out and the dropping of the veil, gasps and cheers were heard as the crowd saw the splendour of the panels in all their colourful glory. The vivid colours were noted, as was the continuing horizon line in each “season”. There is a simplicity which suits viewing from a distance and conveys the images’ intent very well.
Master of ceremonies Campbell made sure everyone knew there was a massive cake inside the building to enjoy, thanks to J & R Cycle of Stayner. Beverages were also available and appreciated. The mural is now there for all to see, on Huron Street, in Stayner. But, the cake is gone.
Here we see Stayner Collegiate Institute art teach Angie Kerr flanked by two of her students, Hanna Rawn and Chris Stephens. About a handful of students worked consistently on the panels with a number of their peers helping out. The mural resides on outside of the tourism building at 220 Huron Street in Stayner, on the wall facing the street.
Submitted by Don Beaulieu
Sweet Heat Foil Packets
(Family Features) An easy hack for your next summer meal can be a recipe you prepare before heading out to enjoy the sun. Sweet Heat Foil Packets provide a no-mess, single-serve solution. Load up individual packets with shrimp, chicken, andouille sausage and favourite veggies that you can grill when you get home; a hot meal in minutes.
Recipe courtesy of Aramark Servings: 8
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup cold butter, diced
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 cup diced, peeled potatoes
1 cup diced, peeled carrots
1 cup diced red bell pepper
2 cups diced skinless, boneless chicken breast 16 extra-large shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed 8 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 cup diced pineapple
1 cup andouille sausage, cut in half and sliced
8 frozen mini corn cobs, cut in half (16 pieces)
1 cup sliced green onion salt, to taste pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat grill to medium. Place eight 18-by-18-inch squares heavyduty aluminum foil on work surface.
2. On half of each foil square, evenly layer butter, onions, potatoes, carrots, red bell peppers, chicken, shrimp, seasoning, pineapple, sausage, corn cobs and green onions.
3. Fold foil in half over filling. Fold edges of foil tightly toward filling to seal packets.
4. Place packets on baking sheet.
5. Grill 15 minutes with lid closed until chicken and shrimp are cooked through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4 Ways to Stay Active and Safe this Summer
(NC) Regardless of your preference – be it soccer, pickleball, bootcamp class or tai-chi – outdoor activity is an important part of how many of us maintain a healthy mind and body. But being active outdoors during hot weather can have health risks. Here are four tips to help you stay active and safe on hot days, and especially during a heat wave.
PLAN AHEAD Follow forecasts and weather alerts so you know when heat is on its way. During a heat wave, try to schedule games and practices early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s cool, or postpone until the heat wave passes. If you work out on a team or with a trainer, make sure they have a plan to adjust the workouts during a heat wave.
BE AWARE Watch for symptoms of heat illness including dizziness, nausea, headache, rapid breathing or heartbeat. Move to a cool place and hydrate. Call 911 if you or those with you have a very high body temperature, confusion, loss of
consciousness or a lack of sweating in the heat. This is a medical emergency.
LESS IS MORE You may expect markers of workout success, like how long you take to run a certain distance or how many times you can repeat an exercise. But try to adjust your expectations. Don’t aim for peak physical performance during a heat wave. Your body is already working overtime to stay cool, so don’t push it. Pace yourself, take extra breaks and hydrate (water is best). When resting, remove any gear you might have on, like a bike helmet, and cool off.
USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM Rather than exercising outdoors alone, go with someone else so you can keep an eye on each other and make sure you are each handling the heat okay. You can also remind each other to keep hydrated.
Find more information about staying safe while active this summer at canada.ca/ health.
Paint the Town Red
My Friend’s House is a 24/7 Emergency Residential Shelter servicing women and children in South Georgian Bay. Our catchment area includes Wasaga Beach, Clearview Township, Collingwood, The Blue Mountains and Meaford. In 2023, we received over 4500 calls to our 24/7 Crisis Line from women looking for support so the need for our services are great. As our shelter only has 12 beds, we are full almost all the time and have expanded our outreach work to meet women where they’re at so that they can be supported as best as possible. With increasing financial pressures and a very difficult housing situation in our region, women are staying with their abusers for longer because of not being able to afford to leave. We also see women staying in our shelter for longer because we cannot find them affordable housing.
My Friend’s House is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services but this funding has not changed with the changing pressures of cost of living. It only supports about 45% of what we need to operate in any given year, leaving us a fundraising gap of over $800,000 that our team will work to fundraise this year in our communities. We do this through our own 2 signature events, third party events put on by others, online donation campaigns, major gift donations, and grants. We provide therapeutic counselling, wellness supports for mental health and addictions, transitional housing and legal supports, child and youth programs and counselling all on an outreach basis, as well as with clients who are staying in our shelter.
Once our Red Shoe Walk but we are working to make the campaign more inclusive with everyone participating however they’d like, including hosting their own red-themed fundraiser for My Friend’s House. Paint the Town Red is saying that implies having a good time and we encourage anyone to do whatever they like to raise funds on our behalf. So far we have a Pickleball Tournament in Wasaga on August 24, Pancake Breakfast and Red Ribbon Walk in Wasaga (September 7 to be confirmed), 1920’s Vintage Tea Party (September 8), the HeART of Red Gala (September 21) among some other private dinners and events. We encourage anyone to help us Paint the Town Red by hosting an event to raise funds! We are looking to raise almost $100,000 in the month of September!
Collingwood Music Festival A World of Music
The 2024 edition of The Collingwood Music Festival was a bevy of established and rising exceptional talent from a variety of genres. The Festival is the brain-child of Daniel Vnukowski and his amazing team of staff and volunteers. Together they brought some of the most outstanding musical and inspiring talent of the province, to Collingwood. This year featured twice as many performances as last year and a larger opportunity for youth to perform and share their talents.
During the flag-raising/opening ceremonies held at the Collingwood Public Library on July 3rd, the dignitaries who spoke all praised Vnukowski for his unwavering spirit and tenacity. He persevered through all perils and surprises to see his vision for the community at large and the musicians come to fruition. This was the fifth edition of the Collingwood Music Festival, which took place from July 5th to July 12th.
The entire roster of the Festival, as always, was impressive including a variety of classical music, jazz and children’s entertainers at Millennium Park, First Presbyterian Church and the Simcoe Street Theatre. This year saw a Youth Day which included musical activities for children age 4–8 and drumming classes for youth age 8–16.
A youth concert was held featuring talent from The Town of The Blue Mountains, Walkerton, Barrie and Kingston. Another evening saw three young talent laureates from the Hamilton Music Festival. It is one thing to see mature, seasoned musicians performing intricate pieces flawlessly, but to hear these younger performers, who already have notoriety in the music realm, is absolutely delightful.
Another evening provided Broadway hits by Julie Nesralla and Gino Quilico (vocalists) with pianist Dominic Boulianne. Jazz was represented, including local reed player/arranger/composer John MacMurchy. He performed a free concert with his quartet which included Stacie McGregor on piano, Peter Telford on bass and Kevin Coady on drums. Another performance saw Jackie Richardson and Joe Sealy backed up by jazz trio Paul Novotny (bass), Daniel Barnes (drums) and Alison Young (saxophone) for their Africville stories of the oldest Black community in Canada, on the outskirts of Halifax. Their Africville Suite won the 1997 Best Contemporary Jazz Juno award.
There were many free performances as well as workshops to take part in, providing opportunities for a variety of musical tastes and interests regardless of income.
The organization and technical aspects of the entire Festival were superb. Venues, weather notices/venue changes, lighting and sound, the programme and hospitality were all top notch. Sponsors can be proud of supporting the Collingwood Music Festival, supporting the performers and helping to provide some of the best in a variety of music genres in some lovely settings. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for next year’s event.
Collingwood Music Festival artistic director Daniel Vnukowski at the official open ceremony and flag raising for the festival. He acknowledged the kind and supportive words from local, provincial and federal politicians, as well as noting the dedicated work by many volunteers. Vnukowski gave huge thanks and recognition to the sponsors of the festival who provide the financial support to be able to present this world-class event. The Collingwood Music Festival took place July 5th to July 12th, in this, its fifth year.
In this photograph we see Sharon Lee, artistic director of the Toronto Concert Orchestra duelling it out with Marcus Scholtes, assistant artistic director, as they take to the performing side of things at the inaugural concert of the recent Collingwood Music Festival. Their programme for this evening was titled Viennese Violins and, as the stated in the programme, transported their audience “to a world of beauty, elegance and pure musical magic”. The two traded conducting and performance roles with Scholtes at one point walking off the stage while playing violin to wander about the aisles of the audience. Another time, he went into the audience to find a couple ladies to dance with during one of their lovely numbers. The audience was thrilled by all aspects of their presentation which was thoroughly engaging, including banter between Lee and Scholtes, who are married to each other.
Collingwood’s Town Crier since 1996, Ken Templeton, presented Mayor Yvonne Hamlin’s proclamation officially announcing the start of the Collingwood Music Festival, outside the town’s public library. The ceremony included words of congratulations from all levels of government and greetings and thanks from Artistic Director Daniel Vnukowski. Vnukowski and Hamlin raised the Collingwood Music Festival flag following the speeches to a round of applause from the gathered supporters.
Artistic Director of the Collingwood Music Festival is seen here in more relaxed apparel than he often appears. He was welcoming fans to John MacMurchy’s quartet on the outdoor stage at Millennium Park on a hot sunny Saturday afternoon. He was glad to see children roaming around the park, getting in on the enjoyment of music.
John MacMurchy is seen here performing on the outdoor stage at Millennium Park in Collingwood. Artistic Director Daniel Vnukowski introduced MacMurchy as “...an amazing jazz legend...” and rhymed off a few familiar names the musician has worked with, including Guido Basso, Henry Mancini, Cleo Laine and Linda Ronstadt, to name just a few. MacMurchy and his quartet presented some classic jazz numbers and some of MacMurchy’s original tunes during their performance for the Collingwood Music Festival last month.
Submitted by Don Beaulieu
Local jazz musician John MacMurchy and his quartet performed a wonderful concert on the outdoor stage at Millennium Park as part of the Collingwood Music Festival in July. Daniel Vnukowski described MacMurchy as having a sound he can call his own “Blending the old world with the new contemporary world”. Supporting MacMurchy on stage were Stacie McGregor on piano, Peter Telford on acoustic bass and Kevin Coady on the drum kit. Every one of them was stellar, particularly shining in their solos. Their set ended with a rousing rendition of Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five”.
SUMMER WHEELS
(NC) Nothing screams summer like a road trip. Whether you’re embarking on an epic adventure across Canada or exploring a little closer to home, it’s important to be prepared.
First, plan your route ahead of time. No matter how far the destination is, it’s useful to map out the stops you’ll be making in between, including food, fuel and recharging stops to ensure you’ll get to your destination on time. For those extra-long drives, consider taking more breaks or sleeping overnight in a hotel to be well-rested and alert while behind the wheel.
If you’re travelling with young kids, it’s important to bring toys and activities that will keep them occupied. Noise can be a big distraction when driving, so make sure that whatever you bring will encourage quiet time. Movies and books can help kids pass the time in relative silence.
Stay prepared by always having an emergency roadside kit at your disposal. Important items to include in the kit are jumper cables, a flashlight, blankets, matches and candles, bottled water, non-perishable food and a first-aid kit. It may seem like too many items, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
6 Elgin St. S, Thornbury 519-599-2010 www.carquestthornbury.ca
206020 ON-26, Meaford 519-538-2311 www.carquestmeaford.ca
Take the time to familiarize yourself with what your auto insurance covers, making sure that your coverage fits your road-tripping needs. Insurance providers such as Belairdirect offer roadside assistance, which can add peace of mind for all your summer adventures. With just a few clicks on an app, you can request a tow and be back on the road in no time.
A road trip is also the perfect time to impress your insurer with your great driving skills. Some providers even reward
safe driving with discounts, giving you even more incentive to handle those highways like a pro.
Most importantly, make sure your vehicle maintenance is up-to-date and your car is ready to face any weather conditions that may arise. Consider booking an appointment with your mechanic well in advance of your trip, leaving yourself enough time to have any potential issues fixed before you hit the road.
With properly inflated tires that are in good condition, a maintenance check, a fully charged car battery or enough gas in the tank, you’ll be able to get where you’re going with ease. Find more travel tips at belairdirect.com.
Cleaning Around Pets
Pets are great companions and we should take care of them by providing a safe and healthy environment. Cleaning ingredients can harm their immune systems. Cats are more sensitive than dogs, as their immune systems are more vulnerable.
To choose the proper cleaning products to use around them, check the following:
• what kind of ingredients are in the product
• is it safe for pets?
• how much and how often should be used for a safe cleaning
I have used numerous “so called” safe cleaning ingredients around pets, but my favourites are white vinegar and baking soda. These non-toxic cleaning products are safe and effective. Their ingredients do not put the pet’s health at risk when used regularly around your home.
Here are some tips on how to use them on your pets or around them:
FURNITURE CARE WITH WHITE VINEGAR Does your cat like scratching your upholstered furniture? Sprinkle some distilled white vinegar around the effected area. Cats do not like the smell of vinegar. They will avoid it!
HOW TO REMOVE A SPOT LEFT BY YOUR PET For carpet, rug and upholstery: blot the area with a towel. Pour a bit of white vinegar over the spot. Blot it up with the towel. Reapply vinegar and let it dry. When the vinegar dries, the spot should be totally deodorized.
PROTECT AGAINST FLEAS AND TICK Apply (equal part of vinegar and water) with a spray bottle directly to the dog’s coat. Rub it in well. Your cat might give you a hard time as they are not fond of the smell of the vinegar.
REMOVE SKUNK ODOUR You will need to add to your dog’s bath a mixture of:
1/2 cup of white vinegar
1/4 cup of baking soda
1 teaspoon liquid soap
1 liter 3% hydrogen peroxide
Rub the solution into your dog’s coat. Let it soak. Finally, rinse it thoroughly with clean water.
CAT LITTER BOX Baking soda is a great deodorizer for the kitty litter box. Put a thin layer of it under the clean litter to absorb the smell or mix it with the litter as you are changing it.
FOOD BOWLS Placing some baking soda around your pet’s bowl keeps away insects.
STINK REMOVAL If your dog rolled over a pile of stinky dirt, rub some baking soda into his coat and brush it thoroughly. It removes smell and leaves his coat clean and shiny!
BENEFITS OF WHITE VINEGAR
• cheap
• has a limitless shelf life
• because it’s acidic it is self-preserving
BENEFITS OF BAKING SODA
• cheap if you buy it in bulk
• sealed box of baking soda has an average of 18 months of shelf life
• open box lasts around 6 months
How to test if open box of baking soda is still good? Pour out a small amount (1 teaspoon) and add a few drops of vinegar. If it doesn’t fizz it needs to be replaced.
White vinegar and baking soda are very essential in our every day life. Would you like to hear more benefits of these two cleaning powers?
Contact Edit at: grcleaner@gmail.com
519-938-1702
Edit Baker Greencleanercanada
Sundays are FUN Days in Creemore
Sundays in the Park in Creemore got off to a marvellous start last month with yoga in the morning courtesy of The Sanctuary and music in the afternoon with Lucca Mae. Each Sunday in the Creemore Village Green has seen a different morning fitness opportunity and another genre of music. Creemore Springs also has a beer garden on site to allow adults to quench their thirsts with some local flavour. These “Sunday fun days” continue to the end of August with morning meditation with Purple Tent Fitness at 10 a.m. and music with Jesse Corrigan & the Neustadt Sound at 1 p.m.
Here are some images from the inaugural musical act of the series, Lucca Mae, backed up on bass guitar by Adam Webster and Miles Gibbons on drums. Lucca Mae astounded the audience with her voice... subtle and sweet to gritty with a backbone. Her musical style leans to rhythm and blues with straight-up blues, rock, rock and rock & roll. It seems to be second-nature for her to have instant rapport with her audience, providing a very professional, attractive presentation. She has been residing in Collingwood of late, but has returned to her native Reading, England until this autumn when she’ll return.
Lucca Mae is seen here during her Sunday, July 7th performance at the inaugural Sundays in the Park series. This series includes a free morning fitness event and an afternoon with free live music. Lucca Mae’s vocals have a slight edge, but yet, she can be subtle, smooth and is always soulful. Her technique on guitar belies her age, playing as a “been around the musical block a few times” veteran. Lucca Mae said she was honoured to be chosen for the first “Sunday Fun Day” but it was her last Canadian performance for the summer as she heads to her native Reading, England home until October. She is looking forward to returning to Collingwood this autumn
During her time here, she found an excellent music teacher and mentor in Webster. She credits him with helping improve her guitar playing (which was impressive, to say the least) and song arrangements. Lucca Mae enjoys the co-operative music community we have here. Webster in turn feels grateful to have had the time to work with her.
Hailing from Toronto, popular drummer Gibbons has been on tour with the Strumbellas through the United States and into our general neighbourhood too. He and Webster were nothing short of spectacular at supporting and enhancing Lucca Mae’s performance. The trio sounded as if they’ve been working together for years. Each player was intuitive and delivering some creative arrangements to original tunes and cover songs. It was only the heat of the day keeping people from dancing up a storm, so-to-speak.
We can look forward to Lucca Mae’s return to our area in October, meanwhile, the amazing music continues in the park in Creemore to the end of this month.
Lucca Mae led the way with a marvellous trio, to start off Sundays in the Park at the Village Green in Creemore. Here we see Toronto drummer Miles Gibbons, who you may have seen recently with the Strumbellas backing up Lucca Mae, along with Collingwood’s Adam Webster on bass guitar. The three worked as a cohesive unit, offering rhythm and blues, some pop, some funk, some hints of reggae, all with soul. If it wasn’t for the heat of the day, more dancing would have occurred, without a doubt.
Submitted by Don Beaulieu
Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Red Slaw
(Family Features) Comforting family meals are a tradition in many homes with time spent around the table sharing stories and laughs while enjoying great food. These meals can include lavish or complicated recipes, but you can also enjoy dinner with loved ones by turning to easy-to-make dishes that still follow through with delicious flavour.
Serve up snack-sized sandwiches, for example, with this recipe for Pulled Pork Sliders with Tangy Red Slaw and Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage to add a zesty zip to tender pork sandwiches.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
INGREDIENTS
Slaw
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3/4 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced celery
1/4 cup finely diced green bell pepper
1 jar pickled sliced onions
1 jar sweet & sour red cabbage, drained Sliders
1 pound pulled pork, heated through 1/4 cup hickory smoked barbecue sauce, warm 12 small pull-apart dinner rolls, split crosswise and lightly toasted
DIRECTIONS
1. To make slaw: In large bowl, combine oil, vinegar, sugar and cayenne pepper; whisk to combine. Add celery, bell pepper, onions and red cabbage; toss to coat.
2. To make sliders: In medium bowl, mix pork and barbecue sauce. To assemble, spoon pork evenly over bottom half of each roll. Top with slaw and top half of each roll.
3. Note: If desired, slaw can be served warm. In saucepan over medium-low or medium heat, cook slaw about 5 minutes, or until heated through, stirring frequently.
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Teddy Wants S’Mores
{Culinary.net) Recipe courtesy of Honey Maid Grahams Servings: 18
INGREDIENTS
9 squares Honey Maid Honey Grahams, cut in half
8 ounces milk chocolate
2 cups Teddy Grahams Graham Snacks, any flavour (optional)
1 1/2 cups Jet-Puffed miniature marshmallows
DIRECTIONS
1. Arrange graham cracker pieces on bottom of lightly greased and waxed paper-lined 8-by-8-by-2-inch baking pan; set aside.
2. Melt chocolate in small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat; stir in stir in 1 1/2 cups graham snacks, if desired, and marshmallows.
3. Spread mixture evenly over graham cracker-lined pan. Press remaining graham snacks on top of chocolate layer, if desired. Let stand until firm.
4. Cut into bars using bottom graham halves as guide. Store in airtight container.
Creamy Raspberry Mocha Parfait
(Culinary.net) Servings: 4
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons hot water
1 tablespoon instant coffee
1 packet chocolate pudding mix
2 cups milk
1 carton whipped topping
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups raspberries
whipped cream, for topping chocolate powder, for dusting
DIRECTIONS
1. In small bowl, mix hot water and instant coffee. Cool completely.
2. In medium bowl, mix milk and chocolate pudding mix until blended and thickened. Add cooled coffee; mix well. Add whipped topping; mix well. Chill.
3. In large bowl, add heavy cream, cream of tartar and vanilla extract. Beat mixture to form peaks. Gradually add sugar. Continue beating mixture until stiffer peaks form.
4. In four parfait glasses, layer chocolate pudding mix, whipped cream mix and raspberries. Top raspberries with additional chocolate pudding mix, dollop of whipped cream, another raspberry and dust with chocolate powder.
Lemon Cheesecake with Fresh Fruit
(Culinary.net) Servings: 6-8
INGREDIENTS
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
3 eggs
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 orange, peeled and separated
8 raspberries
3 mint leaves, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. In medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press firmly into 9-inch springform pan.
3. In large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Add eggs, fresh lemon juice and vanilla extract; mix until combined.
4. Pour into pan. Bake 50-55 minutes, or until centre springs back when lightly pressed.
5. Chill in refrigerator until completely cooled. Arrange orange slices around border of cake and place raspberries in middle. Top with mint leaves.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
