St. James Outreach Committee
The outreach committee has changed their plans for their fundraiser. Saturday, March 23 is cancelled due to a prior commitment.
The new date is Saturday, April 6 for a karaoke and coffee house event in support of the Special Olympics. The time is 7 to 10 p.m.
If you can offer live entertainment, or contribute baked goods for this event please contact the outreach committee, call Eva Hamlyn-Keller at 705-746-5210 or call Michelle at 705-774-9251.
March Breakout
Should you like original works by local writers and appreciate the feeling of being upfront and personal with these writers, become part of the experience at The Strawhouse Gallery where one will enjoy and appreciate the readings and poetry from local authors in Spring Breakout held Sunday, March 24 from 2 to 4 p.m.. The Strawhouse Gallery is located at Centre Road and Lakeside Drive, McKellar. Meet Katrina Fretwell, Stephen Duff, Claudia Eliot, Wes Morris, Jacki Morrison, Colleen O’Hare and Bert Weir and enjoy they’re works. Admission is by donation.
Easter season at McKellar United Church
Here are the dates for services and events during the 2013 Easter season: Palm Sunday service will be offered at both churches, at usual service times; Maundy Thursday will be on March 28 at 7 p.m. at the McKellar United Church; Good Friday, on March 29, will start by meeting at the Dunchurch Community Centre at 10:30 a.m, and include a walk to the Dunchurch Knox Church for service at 11 a.m.; Easter Sunday is on March 31 and services will be offered at both churches. On April 14 the Orillia Silver Band will visit the Dunchurch Knox Church at 11 a.m. followed by a luncheon. Please note that the McKellar United Church will hold services at their regular time.
McKellar Pioneer College
The McKellar Pioneer College presents: Forest Raptor Identification, from 9:30 am to noon on Saturday, April 20 at the McKellar Community Centre.
Instructor Lynn Landriault, a Forest Wildlife Habitat Specialist from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, will take course participants through the different species of hawks, owls, eagles, falcons, and other predatory birds that live in our area. From this course participants will be able to identify these birds by size and silhouette, colour pattern, hoot or call, or even nest.
The McKellar Pioneer College and Westwind Forest Stewardship present: Forest Triage: Threats to Your Trees, from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 27, at the McKellar Community Centre, in council chambers.
What threatens our forests and what is being done? Westwind Forest Stewardship will be presenting a course on current threats to trees in the form of invasive species and diseases.
A guided tree identification walk will follow the seminar.
Both courses are free of charge. Sign up by contacting the McKellar Township Office at 705-389-2842 or edc@township.mckellar.on.ca.
Seedy characters Saturday
Seedy Saturday, March 23rd is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the McKellar Community Centre.
What is Seedy Saturday? This is an event that takes place across Canada to celebrate spring and preparing for the planting of your garden. What seeds to choose?
Are they hybrid seeds, open-pollinated, organic, and/or heritage? When there are so many choices, how do we decide?
Seeds are the basis for food security, and in many countries the foundation for community. Recognize how we, as a community, can become empowered with regard to our food and the ability to grow it from a source of healthy, strong and vibrant seeds, strengthening biodiversity and ultimately creating the sustainability for people to feed their families. Learn what you can do as an individual to make a difference in your own life and community.
The Opening Ceremony will take place at 10 to10:30 a.m. and be followed by guest speakers.
Lunch is available at noon and the hall will be filled with individuals from the McKellar Market and community selling their farm produced and handcrafted items.
McKellar Market
The McKellar Market is back to offer another season of fresh and locally produced goodness. For the McKellar Market, it is all about growth. As always, the market showcases those who grow their own products.
As well though, this year the Market is looking to grow the number and variety of vendors.
Currently, the Market is looking to expand the number of vendors it hosts and is accepting applications.
Those interested in either being vendors at the market are encouraged to apply or get more information through the contact information below.
In the interest of hosting more vendors of more varied products, McKellar will also have a dedicated open craft market called the Artisans’ Avenue running simultaneous with the McKellar Market. Vendors with creative and original items should make the Artisans’ Avenue their venue for the sale of their pieces.
The McKellar Market and the McKellar Artisans’ Avenue run Saturdays, from 9:00 am to 1 p.m. in Minerva Park, Highway 124, McKellar, Victoria Day weekend through to Thanksgiving weekend.
More information can be found at the McKellar Market website:
www.mckellarfarmproducersmarket.com, or contact Stephen Webb at the McKellar Township Office: 705-389-2842 ext. 25
McKellar Sunshine Seniors
McKellar Sunshine Seniors euchre winners on Thursday March 14 were: first, Brenda Powis, second, Gerry Schmidt and third, Irene Hammond. Most lone hands was a tie between Chris Huibers and Tom Herbert. Carpet bowling winners were Maria Fedchak, Chris Way, Dennis Hutchinson and Audrey Jones.
Parry Sound & Dist. Horticultural Society will host the first meeting of 2013 on Wednesday, March 27 at the Seguin Seniors Hall at 80 James St. This is a Welcome to Spring potluck supper starting at 6 p.m. The speaker is Kristie Virgoe and her topic is invasive species. Please bring a favourite food, plate, cup and cutlery. Visitors and new members are welcome to attend.
Whitestone wins again
As would be known by those who organize an event, it takes a great deal of synchronized organizing to achieve success.
And the more one does this, as is the case with the Whitestone Rod and Gun Club, the greater the quality, however the outcomes may be measured.
There are many grateful “thank yous” at varying levels, the key people being the hard water anglers who continue to show their support in their efforts to hook and land the big one.
That’s where another level of thank yous are lauded with the repeated support of individuals and businesses donations of the over $10,000 value in prizes. Monies raised by the Whitestone Rod and Gun Club flow back into the community, be they donations to charitable organizations, and or the thousands of fingerlings introduce into area lakes.
One hundred and thirty-seven anglers competed for prizes on Whitestone Lake, off the Whitestone Resort shoreline, this past sunny Saturday.
“It was a great day with few participants receiving no prizes over and above the main cash incentives. Many kids prizes included four bicycles and a tow behind tube used in summer boating,” said club treasurer Dave Atkins.
The kids cash prizes for under 16 years of age were from, first to fourth: Justin Newdorf ($500), Natalie Desrocher ($250), Austin Atkins ($100) and a private donation for fourth to Cole Willis ($50).
For the adults first to third went to the following: Rob Sloye ($1000), Maxine Boudreau ($500), and Karen Shred ($250).
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Thanks to all who give us information for this column.
If you have something to share please contact us at 705-389-1786 or at our new email address: last@xplornet.ca.