Monday, July 15, 2013

National War of 1812 Veteran Graveside Recognition Project Inaugural Plaque Laying Ceremony

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!

National War of 1812 Veteran Graveside Recognition Project
Inaugural Plaque Laying Ceremony

Sunday, July, 28th, 2013, 12:00 noon
St. James on-the-lines Anglican Church
215 Church Street, Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada

A national project that is unique in Canadian History to honour veterans of the War of 1812 will begin at St. James-on-the-Lines Anglican Church in Penetanguishene Ontario on Sunday, July 28, 2013. The first two granite plaques to mark the graves of veterans of the War of 1812 will be unveiled in a ceremony at the church cemetery following the service. The unveiling ceremony will take place at approximately 12:00 noon.

This is a massive national project initiated by the Historic Military Establishment of Upper Canada, a not for profit charitable volunteer organization based in Penetanguishene. This project will see us map and identify veterans of the War of 1812 and mark their graves with a bilingual black granite plaque so all Canadians can honour their service to our nation.

The details of this bicentennial project can be viewed at a recently launched website: www.1812veterans.ca.

This project was fortunate enough to receive funding from the Federal government War of 1812 Commemorative Fund and our organization thankfully acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada for this Bicentennial initiative.

This is a national project that has a website dedicated to providing a searchable data base of the biographies of War of 1812 veterans for the use of students and researchers alike, a data base that until now has never been attempted. Each plaque placed at a War of 1812 Veteran's gravesite across Canada will relate to corresponding biographies of the veterans with the location of the grave on our website. Over the first phase of the project we hope to add up to 1000 War of 1812 veterans across the country and post the biographies that will tell the stories of these Canadian heroes.

We encourage the public to attend this most historic plaque unveiling and honour local War of 1812 Veterans – Captain James Keating – R.A. and Admiral John Moberly – R.N.


Our organization has taken on the project to ensure that the War of 1812 veterans get the recognition that they deserve, not only in the defense of Canada, but also for their dedication in building the foundation of the Canada that we live in today.

For more information contact:

David Brunelle
davidbrunelle@rogers.com
705-716-7124

or

Lyn Downer
lyn.downer@bell.net
705-361-1257

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Banding Hummingbirds at Wye Marsh

For Immediate Release:

Banding Hummingbirds at Wye Marsh

Midland, Ontario – There will be a hum of activity at Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre this weekend (July 12th, 13th & 14th) as they celebrate the Ontario Hummingbird Festival.  The festival is one of Ontario’s most unique nature festivals, giving visitors the opportunity to see hummingbird banding up close. 

The festival is centered on the hummingbird as one of Ontario’s most recognizable and beloved birds.  Every spring we delight in their arrival and go out of our way to attract them to our gardens and patios.  The familiarity and fondness of hummingbirds makes them the ideal backyard ambassador.  When gardeners and landowners plant and create habitat for hummingbirds they are protecting nature for the needs of all wildlife species. 

Leading the banding demonstrations is internationally renowned Bob Sargent from The Hummer/Bird Study Group.  Sargent has been banding birds since 1987 and uses the banding sessions as a way to educate and promote the preservation of wildlife and their habitat to participants both young and old.  Sargent is especially passionate about environmental education with children.  “The hands-on approach to educating children allows each child present to experience birds as living, breathing creatures deserving of our protection.”  The banding demonstrations will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning from 7am to 11am.

To kick off the festival there will be a special Friday night presentation with Bob Sargent, from 7pm to 9pm.  Bob will be sure to entertain, educate and inspire listeners while they indulge in treats made by Grounded Coffee co.  Saturday, 10am families can learn how to get their children excited about birding with Wild Birds Unlimited, and then at 1pm plant a hummingbird attracting planter with native plants from Ego’s Garden Centre.  Sunday there are photography workshops with Anne Brokelman Nature Photography and a presentation at 1pm on how to attract hummingbirds with Bob Sargent.  Throughout the festival (10am to 4pm) there will be activities for children, plant sale, local artisans, and an outdoor cafĂ© with Grounded Coffee co.

Visitor experiences during the banding demonstrations will vary and depend on weather and hummingbird numbers.  Registration is required for workshops and preferred for the banding sessions and presentations.  To register contact Wye Marsh at info@wyemarsh.com or 705-526-7809.  For further information go to www.wyemarsh.com.




For further information please contact:
Laura Thomas
Friends of Wye Marsh
Marketing and Development Coordinator
705-526-7809 x 205


Bob Sargent
Hummer/Bird Study Group Inc.
205-681-2888

Monday, July 8, 2013

Norm Foster comedy up next at the King's Wharf Theatre

Norm Foster Comedy Exposes the Hilarious Truth
about finding the Perfect Mate
Thursday, July 4th, 2013
PENETANGUISHENE – Have you ever asked yourself, what are the top ten qualities in your perfect mate? This universal question is at the heart of Norm Foster’s irresistible comedy The Love List, opening this summer at the King’s Wharf Theatre. This witty romp promises to keep audiences laughing from July 17th through August 3rd.
Written by Canada’s leading comic playwright, The Love List is a delightful tale of perfection and the pursuit of happiness. Foster’s perceptive look at contemporary dating is also a testament to men who don’t get what they wish for – but get what they deserve.
The Love List is one of Foster's funniest comedies," says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. “The intimacy of the King’s Wharf Theatre is the perfect showcase for such a witty and insightful production. Audiences are in for a real treat.”
As a gift for his best friend’s 50th birthday, Leon has decided to help Bill - a mild-mannered civil servant who has been divorced for seven years and dateless for almost as long - find his soul mate. Together the two men enlist the help of a “dating service” and dream up a Top Ten list of must-have attributes of the ideal woman. To their surprise and delight, this fantasy woman arrives in the flesh when the luscious Justine appears, but the men quickly learn that their flawless list could stand a few revisions.
Foster’s clever dialogue has the audience continually guessing as Leon and Bill change each item on The Love List, which results in dramatic personality changes in Justine.
A top notch cast has been assembled for this winning comedy including David Ludwig as Bill, the divorced and dateless statistician in search of excitement in his love life. Neil Foster delivers plenty of laughs as Leon, the long married best friend of Bill and Heather Hodgson takes on the role of Justine, the most imperfect, perfect woman.
The Love List is directed by Chris McHarge. A well-known figure in Canadian theatre, McHarge has directed over 100 productions including 11 world premieres of Norm Foster’s plays and musicals. McHarge also directed Foster’s Bedtime Stories and The Melville Boys for Drayton Entertainment this last season, both of which received tremendous audience response.
Joining McHarge on the Creative Team are Set Designer Stephen Degenstein, Lighting Designer Lyle Franklin and Costume Designer Jessica Bray.
The Love List is sponsored by Comfort Inn, Midland. Media Sponsors are 104.1 FM The Dock and The Midland Penetanguishene Mirror. The Design Sponsor is The Peak 95.1 FM. The 2013 Season is sponsored by John & Terry Hamilton. The 2013 Season Media Sponsor is CTV.
The Love List runs July 17th through August 3rd. Tickets can be purchased online at www.kingswharftheatre.com, in person at the Kings Wharf Theatre Box Office, or by calling (705) 549-5555 or toll free 1-855- DRAYTON (372-9866).
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For more information please contact: Valerie O’Brien, Marketing Manager
(519) 621-5511 ext. 235 or email valerie@draytonentertainment.com

Ontario to Increase Accessibility, Boost Economy

Ontario to Increase Accessibility, Boost Economy

Province Appoints New Accessibility Council

July 5, 2013 | Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment
Ontario is taking steps to ensure that people living with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of our economy and society with the appointment of members to the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council/Standards Development Committee.
The Council represents a cross-section of leaders from Ontario's disability community and organizations that have to comply with Ontario's accessibility laws. Alongside Chair Jim Sanders, the Council will work to increase accessibility in Ontario. Their first order of business will be to review and enhance the service standard that applies to customer service.
Increasing accessibility across the province will help boost Ontario's economic growth and competitiveness by improving employment rates for Ontarians with disabilities and by helping organizations that sell goods and services focused on accessibility.
Making sure all Ontarians have an opportunity to participate in the workforce and contribute to building a stronger economy is part of the government's plan to create a fair society for all.

Quick Facts

  • Over the next 20 years, people with disabilities will represent 20 per cent of Ontario's population.
  • The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act was passed in 2005 with the goal of making the province accessible by 2025.
  • A fully accessible Ontario could generate up to $9.6 billion in new retail spending, according to a report by the Martin Prosperity Institute, and up to $1.6 billion in new tourism spending.

Quotes

"Our plan to make Ontario a fully accessible province is the right thing to do, and it makes economic sense. If our economy is to be vibrant and if our society is to be truly fair and inclusive, all Ontarians must have the opportunity to contribute."
- Dr. Eric Hoskins
Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment
"I am extremely pleased to chair this important committee and contribute my skills and knowledge to making Ontario a better place to live. A fully accessible society is important for everyone. It will allow many of us to enjoy a quality of life that most others take for granted"
- Jim Sanders
Chair, Accessibility Standards Advisory Council/Standards Development Committee

Background

Ontario's Accessibility Standards Advisory Council/Standards Development Committee
Ontario's Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) requires the establishment of an Accessibility Standards Advisory Council/Standards Develop

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Learn More