Ladies
and Gentlemen
The many faces of Christmas.
Yesterday my wife and I were over at the Guesthouse
shelter dropping off some food. Easily thirty people in the crowded basement
room, including children – talking, playing cards, politely waiting on supper. In
the kitchen increasing concern as the meal had not yet arrived.
Later that evening the Victorian Christmas Home Tour. A
warm welcome greeted wayfarers at four century homes in downtown Midland.
Christmas decorations that looked right out of a storybook. Topped off with a
gingersnap and mulled wine.
This morning the Native Friendship Centre hosted its children’s
Christmas party including a visit from the big guy. All of the chaos, the noise,
the running around as one hundred plus excited children met Santa and hugged that
special present. Brings back memories.
*****
Monday December 15th starts out early in the morning
as the four mayors meet with the hospital and the LHIN. We are working towards a common commitment to
a sustainable community hospital in North Simcoe.
At 2:00 pm that afternoon the Citizens Healthcare
Steering Committee meets at Midland Town Hall to organize our work in educating
the public on our healthcare needs and ensuring that the public has a voice at
the table. Ms. Jill Tettmann of the NSMLHIN will be attending the meeting. Then
at 3:30 pm the County Striking Committee meets to decide on Council and public appointments
to the many County Committees.
No sooner am I finished at County, when it’s back to
Midland for our own Striking Committee (a closed meeting at 6:00 pm) – followed
by a special meeting of Council at 7:00 pm to ratify the new committee appointments
and decide on our 2015 Sewer and Water rates. Please note that this Council
meeting will include a public meeting (you may speak) about the proposed
increase in water/sewer rates. See: http://www.midland.ca/Shared%20Documents/DRAFT%202015%20WATER%20AND%20SEWER%20RATES%20BY%20LAW%20NO%202014%2094.pdf
Tuesday starts back at County where the new County Council
will be introduced to the 2015 budget. That evening at 7:00 pm is the regular
meeting of Healthcare Innovators - a group of healthcare entrepreneurs
investigating and acting upon opportunities for new healthcare jobs in our
community.
Wednesday January 17th – another early morning
meeting to review doctor recruitment in North Simcoe. Then at 11:00 am is a
meeting with the Ministry of Health and Long term Care about – what else – our area’s
healthcare services. (I anticipate that there will be a general public meeting
in early 2015 to review where we are headed and to gain further direction from
the public.) At 4:00 pm that afternoon
the Police Service Board meets to invest its new members and say good-bye to
four retiring members.
Thursday January 14th at 4:30 pm is a Sistema
concert at Huron Park School. Sistema is
a unique charity that helps children find their way by learning how to play
music.
Friday December 19th wraps up the work week
with the 11:00 am Waterfront Project Steering Committee at Town Hall.
Weekend
Saturday
-
1:20 to 2:30 pm Free holiday skate at NSSRC sponsored
by Tim Hortons
Sunday
-
1:20 to 2:30 pm Free holiday skate at NSSRC
sponsored by Tim Hortons
*****
This
past week I completed a five day project sponsored by Karma Market, where I had
to live entirely off of the food provided from the food bank. There were 17 different
items in my box but it was quickly apparent that unless I ate most of the
peanut butter and spaghetti I would not make it through. I was never hungry – there
were enough proteins and calories. But after a week the prospect of another highly
processed meal with no fruit or vegetables was most unappealing.
Observations
and actions:
-
Food
banks need more fresh produce (greens). While it may look better to hand over a
bag stuffed with Kraft Dinner and tinned soup, I will be donating more cash in
future
-
Cooking
skills are important. Opening a tin of corn is hardly motivating. But with some
culinary education and maybe some community cooking, you can turn the ordinary bland
into some pretty interesting dishes. (ask about my Cheerio Tuna sauce)
Gord
McKay
Be
part of Midland’s Year of Making Decisions - 2014
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