What's Up Bracebridge Gravenhurst January 2010

Be thankful for kindness and generosity
Around Bracebridge
By Maria Duncalf-Barber
December was
a challenging
month that saw
an incredible
amount of snowfall.
We heard lots
of incredible stories
of how neighbours
and
strangers helped
each other overcome
the power outages, get out of
driveways, assist the aged and all other
random acts of kindness.
On the first busy weekend I attended
the Festival of Lights at Santa’s Moonlight
Shopping Party downtown. Jam
Sandwich performed for the children in
attendance and it was wonderful to hear
children of all ages singing carols. Face
painting was offered by the talented
Karen Fish as Kare Kare the Clown. The
BIA sponsored event offered the chance
to do some Christmas shopping and
Manitoba Street looked wonderful as
the merchants dressed up their windows.
On Dec. 6, Bracebridge celebrated
the 41st Santa Claus Parade and the
theme this year was the 1950s. Thank
you to all Rotary members who put on
an amazing show.
On Dec. 6. Muskoka remembered a
tragedy that happened on that date in
1989. On that day, 14 women students
were murdered at L’Ecole Polytechnique
de Montreal. That tragedy awakened the
souls, voices and ears of our nation. In
Muskoka, our community remembered
those women who have been silenced
forever with peaceful candlelight gatherings
that were held in Bracebridge,
Gravenhurst and Huntsville. Participants
honoured the victims and reminded
each other that girls also have a right
to become whatever they want to be.
On Dec. 8, at St. Joseph’s Catholic
Church, the Muskoka Advent Choir
performed to a full audience. This 95-
voice volunteer choir comes together
Embrace new opportunities
Around Gravenhurst
By Gord Durnan
I needed all 31
days in December
to experience all
Christmas and
the holiday season
have to offer
in Gravenhurst.
I hope everyone
had the
opportunity to
attend at least one
holiday pot-luck luncheon or supper. I
find that everyone prepares their tastiest
favourite foods to share.
More than 50 years ago my mother
taught me to make shortbread cookies
and, in keeping with our family tradition,
I baked 30 dozen this year to give
away to friends and many of my favorite
service folks at retail shops in town.
This year I hope many of you found
the Gravenhurst merchants where able
to assist you in finding all the special
gifts you desired for all the members of
your family. Their special efforts in personalizing
the shopping experience was
a pleasure for me and on a couple of
occasions they secured next-day delivery
to meet my late requests.
I also had the opportunity as a member
of the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst
to spend part of a Saturday volunteering
to assist the Salvation Army with their
Kettle collection. This provided me with
an important reminder of the generosity
of the folks in Gravenhurst – both
young and old – who stopped by to
drop in their donation. The Salvation
Army provides assistance to hundreds of
families to ensure they can enjoy a real
Christmas dinner and that all the children
receive gifts from Santa. I was also
very appreciative of those kind folks
who thanked me for taking my time to
help out with this community effort.
On Friday, Dec. 18, a group of volunteers
organized a carol sing at the
Opera House Square. If you missed it
this year be sure to look for the date
next year because it was a wonderful
evening of carolling. Afterwards, the
more than 50 singers moved inside for
hot chocolate and coffee, along with
Christmas treats generously donated by
six main street eateries.
Gravenhurst along with thousands of
other Communities in Canada had the
fabulous opportunity to connect with
the 2010 Olympics when the torch was
paraded through our main street on
Dec. 30. Wow, what a wonderful community
event when literally thousands
of people lined Muskoka Road to cheer
on the torch bearers and celebrate the
spirit of the Olympic movement
throughout the world.
The day started for several hundred
with a community breakfast at the
Legion followed by the torch procession
with flag waving and loud cheering.
Then, hundreds of young and young at
heart gathered at the Centennial Centre
for free skating, hot dogs and hot
chocolate.
The new year will bring many new
opportunities for our town to grow and
prosper if we all share our time and talents
with each other so Gravenhurst
lives the slogan of being the “First Town
in Muskoka.”
once a year to present the full-length
cantata in our community. The choir is
sponsored by Gravenhurst Ministerial
and is non-denominational.
In my role as education co-ordinator
for Daphne’s Drop In, I was delighted
that this year we chose The Glassco
Foundation for our charity. It is a charitable
organization in Zambia that was
formed by Canadian Colin Glassco. My
friend Leslie Wray came to the Drop In
on Dec. 15 and shared information
about the foundation. We raised $550.
Our donation will help at the Italian
Orthopedic Hospital where they are
helping with some of the surgeries on
vulnerable children. Some of these
required surgeries are very basic corrections
and some are the result of injuries
or illnesses.
On Dec. 30, my husband Peter and I
were proud to be Canadian as we
attended Memorial Park with over
2,000 people to see the Vancouver 2010
Olympic Torch Relay. As young and old
dressed in red, waving the Canadian
Flag, the cheers were loud.
On New Years Eve, the blue moon
appeared, which means a second full
moon in a calendar month, the 13th full
moon of the year, and the first blue
moon in 20 years. This rare event welcomes
us into 2010. On this magical
night I am full to the brim with gratitude.
I will give thanks for my family of
origin in England and Ireland, my family
of marriage here in Canada and my
family of choice in Bracebridge. I love
you all and wish you happy 2010.
This is a time to count your blessings
as we enter a brand new decade. It has
been 10 years since we entered the new
millennium, that’s over three thousand
days. Life goes quickly. As Father Time
gallops by, make sure all your days are
perfect by honouring the new second of
each moment, of each minute, of every
hour and day as you decide what your
personal goals and aspirations will be.
Think clearly as you meditate on the
power of living on this amazing planet
where you can choose to define how
you spend your days. Live Well. Live
out loud. Live with love.
Get into the spirit
Town of Gravenhurst notes
Another year as been rung in and
there are so many things to look forward
to in 2010! The Olympic torch
came to Town on Dec. 30 and was welcomed
by approximately 1,000 people.
A big thank you goes out to the Royal
Canadian Legion, Branch 302, Girl
Guides from Gravenhurst and Bracebridge,
the South Muskoka Shield, the
Gravenhurst Scouts, Gravenhurst
Senior’s Centre and a variety of committed
citizens who helped form our
colour guard for the torch. With the
generous assistance of the Lions Club
and their Canadian flags, these services
groups and patriotic citizens showed
up on mass to show our support!
Following the torch relay the Catch
the Spirit flag relay took place at the
Centennial Centre where over 300
people showed up to celebrate. The
Gravenhurst Youth Centre handed out
free hot dogs and hot chocolate and
Olympic gold medalist Graeme Murray
was on site with his family. He
shared his Olympic story, allowed people
to get up close and personal with
his gold medal and participated in the
relay, showing off his sledge expertise.
Again a big thank you to all who
helped make this moment a memory!
Now is a great time to sign up for
some of our fitness and recreation programs
to work off those Christmas
goodies. Several classes are starting now
and run through the winter. They
include: classes, ballroom dancing, tai
chi, belly dancing, basketball, learn to
skate clinics and so much more! To register
contact Judy at 705-687-6774 or
check out the 2009/2010 Winter Recreation
and Leisure Guide at
www.gravenhurst.ca.
The Gravenhurst Boston Pizza Winter
Carnival Youth Pond Hockey Tournament
will take place on March 7,
2010. This tournament will be for ages
8-14 and has a registration cost of $15
per player.
Call Rob Carleton at 705-706-2507
or robcarleton2000@yahoo.ca.
The Winter Carnival committee is
busy at work preparing for the launch
of the Gravenhurst Winter Carnival,
being brought back by popular
demand. The Winter Carnival will run
from March 4-7, 2010. Some of the
great events include: a doggie dash,
donut eating on a string, nail driving,
snowmobile radar runs, bed races, a
youth dance at the high school, a
licensed dance for adults and the list
goes on and on. If you are interested in
volunteering, call Marg McLaughlin at
margmclaughlin@rogers.com or Amy
Taylor at ataylor@gravenhurst.ca.
Be sure to mark your calendars for
the Bridges to Better Business Seminar:
Discover steps to move your business
forward. It takes place Jan. 28, from
8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Regatta Steak
and Seafood Grille in the Sagamo Banquet
Room. Registration is required
and the seminar includes a speaker and
panel of business peers covering interesting
business topics including
expanding, marketing, sales and customer
loyalty and round table sessions
on best business practices. E-mail
contact@muskokasmallbusiness.ca,
call (705)646-9021 or visit
www.muskokasmallbusiness.ca
10 January 2010 www.whatsupmuskoka.com