What's Up Bracebridge Gravenhurst - Whatsupmuskoka.com

WHAT’S UP MUSKOKAEDITORIALMuskoka provesitself to the worldMuskoka has often been called a world-class destinationbut now the G8 Summit has come and gone,the people and amenities of Muskoka have theproven experience of welcoming the world.Muskokans have demonstrated they have what ittakes to host even the largest event, and host it well.Muskoka’s communities were welcoming and localfacilities and services received accolades. We can nowmarket that track record to the world. Imagine whatother large-scale events await. Muskoka’s tourismleaders need to take this experience and run with it.Throughout the lead-up to the G8, $50 million ofinfrastructure money resulted in many G8 legacyprojects being built in Muskoka communities –buildings like the Canada Summit Centre and theAnnie Williams Memorial Park Pavilion.Not to diminish the $50 million in infrastructurespending but the experience and exposure of the G8will provide a legacy worth that much, and manytimes more, over the years. Thanks to the G8,Muskoka is a step ahead of many other areas andready to meet the future.The legacy of Muskokans being known as excellenthosts who welcome government leaders and officials,international media, police officers, military personneland guests is invaluable. We hope those involvedin the G8 Summit, whatever their capacity, willreturn on holiday or, at the very least, tell othersabout this great destination.Despite the best efforts of naysayers and ne’er dowells to undermine the efforts of G8 planners, theevent was a huge success. Now, it doesn’t hurt tothank those who’ve done a great job – Tony Clement,Sanjeev Chowdhury, Claude Doughty, Joseph Klein,Kelly Haywood and a whole host of others. After all,we all stand to benefit from the positive images ofMuskoka generated by the G8.Grandmothers saythanks for supportOn behalf of the Muskoka Lakes Grandmothers, Iwish to thank you and your staff for the significantattention you have given our group throughout ourfirst successful year.Special thanks to Maria Duncalf-Barber for hercomprehensive description early on of our campaign ofthe Stephen Lewis Foundation, and to Wendy Oke forher invitation just recently to our National Walk honouringAfrican grandmothers walking for the basicnecessities of life for their grandchildren.With the huge cutbacks in government spending, itis vital now more than ever that non-governmentalorganizations such as ours increase our efforts to helpturn the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa. We hope foryour continuing interest and support.Barbara PowerBracebridgeThe full story about HabitatThank you to What’s UpMuskoka for covering thegroundbreaking ceremony andpublishing the article on ourHabitat for Humanity Muskokaproject in Bala!This is in reference to JackHutton’s article, Bala Habitathome well underway. I loved theway Jack started his article aboutthe spirit of the people in Bala.We, in the Habitat for HumanityMuskoka organization hadheard that the residents of Balawould be great supporters of ourprogram and they are provingthat! We are excited about thisbuilding project, our ninth andtenth!I was happy that he includedPatricia Arney and Patty Parson’searly commitment to this idea. Iappreciated that the partner familieswere introduced, and thecall for help and the announcementof fundraisers were added.However, in one sentence Jackmade some errors which maycause problems for HabitatMuskoka because some peoplewill form the wrong impressions.He wrote, “Habitat homes arebuilt with volunteer labour,including at least 500 hoursfrom the new owners, and thensold at cost to those families.”Yes, we build with volunteerlabour but must use licensedcontractors for certain parts ofthe project. Some people,including contractors are underthe impression that our homesare second-rate because we use“volunteer labour”, or in theireyes, people who can help butdon’t really know what they aredoing.Our projects are supervised byvery experienced volunteers witha wealth of construction knowledgeunder their hard hats.Habitat for Humanity homes arewell built as the still-standingHabitat homes in Haiti provedafter the recent devastatingearthquake. We follow all codesand bylaws and hire licensedcontractors when necessary.Often contractors donate theirtime which is very much appreciated.Any donated buildingContinued on page 9Donald Smit hPublisherMelissa KosowanEditorSandy LockhartAssistant EditorDonna AnsleyCurtis ArmstrongAlan BruderJennifer CooperLaurie JohleJudy VanclieafAdvertising SalesMarc BonitatibusProduction ManagerAddie CollinsMatthew WalkerDesign DepartmentAngy GliddonKen NortheySusan SmithReader Sales and ServiceWhat’s Up Muskoka is published by CottageCountry Communications, a division of OspreyMedia Publishing Inc. which is a part of:Copyright© 2010, Osprey Media PublishingInc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of anymaterial published in What’s Up Muskoka isstrictly prohibited without the writtenpermission of the publisher. The publisherassumes no responsibility for unsolicitedmaterial. Printed in Canada.Published every month.Subscription Rates:Within in CanadaOne year $25.00 including applicable taxes.Two years $45 including applicable taxes.Canada Post Publication Sales ProductAgreement Number 40025080Address changes should be sent to theaddress below.How to contact us:Mail:P.O. Box 180, Bracebridge, ON P1L 1T6Street Address:195 Ecclestone Drive, BracebridgePhone: (705) 646-1314Fax: (705) 645-6424E-mail: info@northcountrymedia.comWebsite: www.whatsupmuskoka.comCover PhotoBracebridge/Gravenhurst:Jan PitmanHuntsville/Lake of Bays:Jan Pitman00 July 2010 www.whatsupmuskoka.com