Monday, May 28, 2012

Diamond Jubilee Celebrated at Homestead in June

For the month of June, a special exhibit at the John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area examines our local royal connections and celebrates the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.  Princely visits to Windsor, local people and organizations with royal honours, and how we mark royal occasions are some of the subjects included. 

Queen Victoria was the monarch when John & Amelia Park lived at the Homestead.  Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 was a major world event.  Now her great granddaughter Queen Elizabeth II has reached the same 60 year milestone.  “There won’t be another Diamond Jubilee in our lifetime,” Curator Janet Cobban says.  “The Queen has a remarkable record of service.”

On Sunday, June 3 the Community 1 Girl Guides will hold a Diamond Jubilee rally at the Homestead. “Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret were Guides in their youth,”  Cobban explains.    On Sunday, June 10 the Homestead’s annual Parade of Horse Breeds takes the theme “All the Queen’s Horses”.   The royal exhibit , supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage, continues until June  28.

The Homestead is located at 915 County Road 50, at the corner of Iler Road on the lakeshore. For more detailed information on the Homestead’s events, please visit: www.erca.org/events. To make a booking call: (519) 738-2029, or email jrph@erca.org.


by Richard Rosenthal

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

May 25, 2012 Seniors Invited to Talent Competition

Local Seniors Invited to Audition for National Talent Competition

Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT is excited to announce that local auditions will be held in May for Senior Star, Canada’s largest talent competition dedicated to seniors.  Now in its 6th year, this singing and musical instrument competition is open to anyone who is 65 years and over and a Canadian resident. 

Oak Park LaSalle is proud to be hosting a regional audition on Friday May 25, 2012 at 3955 Thirteenth Street, LaSalle, Ontario.  Registration forms can be obtained at Oak Park LaSalle- (519) 968-2000, Oak Park Terrace- (519) 972-3330, Devonshire Seniors Residence- (519) 252-2273.  Contestants do not have to be living in a Chartwell residence.

"Chartwell’s Senior Star has grown to become the largest celebration of senior talent in Canada,” announced Brent Binions, President and CEO of Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT.  “We are proud to support the incredible talent of today’s seniors and continue to be amazed and entertained year after year by the caliber of performers who participate.”

During the Regional Competitions, contestants are given a maximum of five minutes to sing a song, play an instrument, or do both, and their performance is videotaped. Musical accompaniment is provided to singing contestants, if required. A panel of three judges, made up of local musical experts, government officials, and media representatives choose the top three local contestants, each of whom will be recognized with a Senior Star trophy.

Videos of the first and second place winners from across Canada are then submitted to a celebrity panel of judges who will narrow the list to nine competitors invited to compete in the Senior Star National Final. The National Final will be held in November 2012 in Niagara Falls, Ontario at the Scotiabank Theatre.

Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT owns and operates a complete range of seniors housing communities from independent supportive living through assisted living to long term care.

For more information, please contact: Oak Park LaSalle- (519) 968-2000, Oak Park Terrace- (519) 972-3330, Devonshire Seniors Residence- (519) 252-2273

by Richard Rosenthal