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,...
Perchin for MS raises $21,000 in its final year
By: Mike Anderson One of Georgina's local heroes is calling it a day. After a decade of organizing Perchin for MS, one of Lake Simcoe's premier ice fishing derbies, and raising more than $186,000 for Multiple Sclerosis, Doug Poirier is moving on. It's was a hard decision. But Mr. Poirier's MS has progressed to the point where he can no longer put in the...
Images of home, two perspectives: Georgina Arts Centre & Gallery
By: Ewa Chwojko Home is the comfiest place to be said Winnie the Pooh. Jennifer Zsolt, a Georgina artist, agrees. Her paintings of charming Georgina houses basking in sunshine make you smile, and perhaps conjure a story about their past history. Old farmhouses, tiny cottages, mysterious dwellings at the end of winding lanes sparked the artist’s imagination, and urged her...
Ayres donates goalie stick to Hockey Hall of Fame; understands EBUG concerns
TORONTO — David Ayres went out for a casual game of pickup hockey last week. Between work, coaching kids and suiting up as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ practice goalie, the 42-year-old Zamboni driver hadn’t been on the ice with friends in a few months. Now a piece of equipment he used in that game of shinny — incredibly, improbably — resides in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Ayres, the...
Keswick woman wins over $50,000 playing Hospice Georgina’s Catch the Ace
By: Mike Anderson Meghan Savoie never considered herself lucky, until she picked envelope number 31. That envelope contained the Ace of Spades, and Ms. Savoie, 27, won a jackpot that had been accumulating for more than 50 weeks without a winner. The total prize was $52,525.50. "I never thought this was going to happen in a million years," says Ms. Savoie, who...
Willow Beach inspired play: “That Summer” at Stephen Leacock Theatre until Feb 16
By: Ewa Chwojko Thirteen-year-old Maggie, a dreamer who lived in a world of novels and poetry, fell in love. Years later, Margaret, now an adult, reminisces about those memorable August days, and feels a deep wish that things had been different. She is plagued by thoughts of “if only...” Karin Kuch-Simpson, who plays Margaret, says “bringing this character to life has...
What’s on this Valentine’s Day week-end in Georgina
By: Michelle Poirier Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, but it's not too late to make some reservations with plenty of events and special offers happening in Georgina. From Thursday, February 13 to Sunday, February 16, The Corner House Bistro in Keswick is running a special Valentine's menu. They are open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday and...
Lack of affordable transportation a barrier for low-income residents seeking medical services
By: Michelle Poirier The lack of affordable transportation options in Georgina is impacting low-income residents and their access to health care services, according to a community-led report, A Closer Look. The report, funded by the United Way of Toronto, points out that Georgina shares critical health care issues with other smaller, rural municipalities – a shortage of family doctors, not enough...
