Community initiatives pop up during COVID-19 crisis
By: Michelle Poirier While the COVID-19 crisis brings anxiety and uncertainty, it is also inspires the best in people. And that's what's happening in Georgina, as some residents have started initiatives to help out their community. Steve Jacobson, former chair of the Jackson's Point BIA, has launched "SOS Georgina," a Facebook page designed to find ways to help people...
Bars, cannabis sector eligible for $40B credit program from government bank
TORONTO — Devastated bars and lounges as well as the country’s hard-hit cannabis sector will have access to $40 billion in new credit being made available via the government’s business bank during the COVID-19 crisis, its CEO said on Sunday. In an interview with The Canadian Press, Michael Denham said the program from the Business Development Bank of Canada and Export...
York Regional Forest closed to the public until further notice
By: Mike Anderson York Region has closed its 21 forest tracts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Georgina, the Metro Rd., Cronsberry and Pefferlaw forest tracts will be closed until further notice, effective immediately. Here is the full text of the York Region Media Advisory issued Saturday, April 4: Newmarket – As part of The Regional Municipality of York’s continued...
Editorial: The case for wearing a face mask
By: Mike Anderson From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic our public health officials have been unanimous in their condemnation of uninfected people wearing face masks. They have repeatedly said that masks will not protect us from the spread of the virus and that we may well infect ourselves by continually touching our face to adjust the mask. That position may be...
Town of Georgina challenges community to donate to local food bank
By: Mike Anderson The Town of Georgina will match each dollar donated by the community to the Georgina Community Food Pantry, up to a total of $25,000, according to a media release issued by the Town on April 1. As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its fourth week, the food pantry is experiencing record demand and is running low on food...
Wonder Women Conference 2020: Smart Women Achieving Greatness
By: Ewa Chwojko “It’s women’s time, rise up!” was the shout of the day at the Women in Business Conference held earlier this month by the Georgina Chamber of Commerce in partnership with its East Gwillimbury counterpart. We were greeted by Georgina’s first woman Mayor, Margaret Quirk, who shared personal insights about the highs and lows of her career, and...
Local caremongers rally to help isolated seniors and others in need during pandemic
By: Mike Anderson They are called caremongers; people who volunteer to get food and essentials to vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. And Danielle Trautman, a 46-year old mother of three from Keswick, is one of them. “There are vulnerable people out there who we need to assist,” said Ms. Trautman, who jumped into action after reading anxious Facebook posts from isolated...
John Sibbald, community leader and champion of the arts, dead at age 92
By: Karen Wolfe John Drinkwater Sibbald III (1928 - 2020) was a charming friend who had an iconic presence in our community. With a legacy few others will ever achieve in Georgina, his passing on Friday, March 20 creates a huge void, certainly among his family, but also among those of us who cheered his passion, his commitment and his...
Online resources for residents self-isolating
By: Michelle Poirier Many residents of Georgina are practicing social distancing and self-isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While you are stuck inside, you may be questioning what you should be doing with your time. Here are some ideas for those who may need food delivered, or those who may be getting restless: Donate. You can donate your time, money and resources. If you are able...
Provincial grant helps local shelter upgrade facilities for women and children escaping abuse
By: Mike Anderson Sandgate Women's Shelter in Jackson's Point was the recent recipient of a $78,800 provincial grant, which allowed the shelter to complete much-needed upgrades to its kitchen and washroom facilities. The grant was arranged by MPP Caroline Mulroney's constituency office and provided through the Partner Facility Renewal Program (PFR), launched by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services,...
