Sunday November 29, 2015

Ladies and Gentlemen

The Christmas season is upon us. This past week saw the lighting the Town Christmas tree; the Santa Clause parade; and Serenata’s Sing We Noel concert. Remember parking is free in the downtown during December. 

Other noteworthy developments this past week - Penetanguishene and Midland Councils have both voted to start the transit link running between the two communities in January. The new entrance to the commercial property off of Highway 12 at Jones Road is now open, although traffic congestion suggests that more work is needed on the access to the Walmart plaza. And Midland has received its first shipment of our new hometown beverage Midland’s Maple Butter Tart Beer. A definite “must try”. Should be available at our local LCBO.

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Monday November 30^th sees the return of a unique Midland event – Gifts to Give.  Team Jordan, NEBs and the YMCA Employment Centre have been collecting quality donations that will be given to needy individuals and families who otherwise would not be able to afford Christmas gifts.  The gifts will be made available at the NSSRC from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. This year Waypoint will make the program accessible to all of North Simcoe by providing a transit service. The pick-up for Tiny Township will leave at 12:15 pm from the Swinging Seniors Centre near the beach and from Victoria Harbor Community Centre leaving at 12:40 pm.

Tuesday December 1^st and another special event. A spontaneous group of 50 local “guys” will come together at Lot 102 at 6:00 pm for the inaugural Guys Who Care event. These gentlemen will each donate $200 and then select one charity to receive the combined $10,000. And all this will take less than an hour. A truly sharing community. Also that evening at 7:00 pm is the Huronia Players AGM at their location.

Wednesday the 2^nd see two Town meetings. At 5:30 pm is a closed meeting to discuss human resource matters. At 7:00 pm is the December Planning and Development Committee.  The agenda includes:

• A detailed discussion of “second suites” and what restrictions, if any, Council may place on them. (The province requires residential buildings be allowed to have a second suite included in the building unless there is a sound planning reason not to do so.)
• A review of the many projects linked to our recently adopted Downtown Master Plan
• A discussion of the Master Plan implementation associated with the Midland Bay landing property
  
  
  
  
  Thursday the 3^rd starts early with an 8:00 am meeting for Councilors and interested parties to discuss our Municipal Energy Plan. That’s at the Library.
  
  
  On Friday December the 4th, the three day Bantam-Midget Silver Stick Tournament kicks-off at the NSSRC. That evening you are invited to attend the Lions Christmas party at 6:30 pm at the Legion. Tickets are $30:00 and include dinner.  Please call Ethel at 527-4115.
  
  
  Weekend
  
  
  Saturday

• 10:00 am at Lakehead University – A planning meeting for the upcoming Zero Waste conference
  
  
  
  
  Sunday
• 2:00 pm the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women ceremony in the Askennonia Room at the NSSRC.  This moving tribute is organized by the Rosewood Women’s Shelter to remind all of us of the continuing tragedy of men’s violence towards women.  Please do attend.

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The famous “First Light” event at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons heads into its 16^th year in 2015 with a second schedule of dates that will see the historic site aglow with over 5,000 candles. In addition to November dates, December 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th have been added. Also new for 2015 is a spectacular fireworks display on Thursday December 3^rd.

Gord McKay

Be part of Midland’s Year of Bold Action - 2015