Maple Education Tours Feb. 23 to March 27, 2015

With all of this snow and cold, do you feel like spring may never arrive? Not to worry, the first sign of spring will soon be here - maple syrup season! But it won’t last long, so don’t miss your chance to learn about the springtime ritual of maple syrup and sugar making. The John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area is now booking its popular maple education programs and group tours, offered from February 23^rd until March 27^th.

 

Costumed guides will be making maple syrup and sugar the pioneer way and you are invited to get involved at every stage. Discover the tradition that began with the First Nations. Outdoors, get up-close and see the trees tapped and the sap boiling in a large iron cauldron.  Come inside to help with the finishing of the syrup on the 1850s’ kitchen fireplace.  At the modern visitor centre, knowledgeable staff will teach you the science behind maple syrup. Children can participate with various hands-on activities; try a brace and bit drill, carry pails of sap using an old-fashioned yoke and taste some pure maple sugar.


New this year, ERCA will be celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Canada’s National Flag. The Homestead will host an original maple leaf flag which flew on Parliament Hill in February of 1965, the year it was officially adopted as Canada’s national symbol.

 

The Homestead’s maple programs are appropriate for any age, explains Curator Kris Ives: “We tailor our program to meet the appropriate grade level and curriculum links, or special interests that the group may have. The sweet subject matter is interesting to everyone. This program often attracts Girl Guide and Scout troops, seniors’ groups, day camps, church groups, New Canadians and many others. Our maple programs are also available en francais on select days.”

 

Bookings are available for half day (1.5 hour) or full day (4 hour) programs. The maple syrup experience can also be combined with one of the Homestead’s other popular pioneer or nature programs.  Pure local maple syrup, maple butter and maple sugar are offered for sale in the Homestead gift shop. 

 

Spaces are limited for this program, as the season only lasts a few weeks. To ensure your group is able to attend, contact the Homestead to reserve a date; call: (519) 738-2029, or email jrph@erca.org. The Homestead is located at 915 County Road 50, at the corner of Iler Road on the lake shore.


To find out more about the Homestead’s maple offerings, check out www.erca.org/maple

 

More upcoming maple events:


Essex County’s Only Maple Syrup Festival!

Learn about a true Canadian tradition at the Homestead’s Maple –First Taste of Spring event, on Sunday March 1st from 11 am to 4 pm at the John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area. Admission is $6 for adults; $4 for children (3-16), and a family maximum of $20.

More maple fun through March Break!

 Attend one of the Homestead’s popular “Maple March Break for Families” programs on Tuesday, March17^th and repeated again on Friday March 20^th at 1:30 pm sharp.  Get hands-on in this fun and educational program for the whole family to enjoy. Family admission is $20.. 

 

Maple Moon

    Join the exciting Maple Moon evening program on Tuesday March 17^th at 7:00pm. Pre-registration is required for this sugaring-off party by candlelight including taffy making on snow.  Special maple activities are in store for this magical maple evening, $15 per person.  Register online at: maplemoon.eventbrite.ca  

 

Since 1973, the Essex Region Conservation Authority has served as a community-based organization dedicated to protecting, restoring and managing the natural resources of the Essex Region.

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by Richard Rosenthal

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Get IN MOTION on Family Day in Kingsville!

February is Heart Month.  According to the Heart and Stroke Society Heart Disease and Stroke take one life every 7 minutes and 90% of Canadians have at least one risk factor. 

The Town of Kingsville is pleased to be doing its part during Heart Month to offer a FREE Level A CPR class on Monday February 16 from 9am-12noon at the Arena.  This is YOUR opportunity to know what to do in the event of an emergency.  Did you know that most people, who respond to emergency situations, are responding to family emergencies.  Why not learn the skills so that you can make a difference.  The class is FREE just call the arena at 519-733-2123 to register.

 

When you are finished CPR they have a free family skate from 12-1:50 pm sponsored by the Kingsville OPP. 

 

So let’s Get IN MOTION and plan on participating in these great Free Family Activities at the Kingsville Arena on February 16 starting at 9 am.

 

The Kingsville Recreation Complex is fully accessible for all visitors.
Please call 519-733-2123 for details.




by Richard Rosenthal

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Volunteers Needed For The Distress Centre of Windsor-Essex County

The Distress Centre of Windsor-Essex County is currently recruiting volunteers to provide emotional support and emergency crisis interventions to people who seek help in Windsor-Essex and surrounding areas.  In the past year, over 3,000 area residents called the Distress Centre for support and were able to speak to a highly trained, dedicated, and caring Phone Volunteer at the Centre.


Distress Centre Executive Director Rukshini Ponniah-Goulin said calls have continued to increase over the past few years, due to factors such as an increased number of Windsor-Essex residents looking for work and more people reaching out for emotional support as opposed to waiting for a time of severe crisis.  The increase in call volumes (some months as high as 50% over previous years), has necessitated an increase in the number of Volunteers answering the phones throughout operational hours (12 noon to 12 midnight), so the Centre’s Training Team is actively recruiting interested candidates to meet with about this highly regarded and well-sought after Volunteer Experience.  “We need people who are good listeners and are non-judgmental above all else," Ponniah-Goulin said. "Our Volunteers need to be able to listen to people, support them through whatever they’re going through, encourage them, send intervention if needed and provide them with community resources if they need further or more specific types of help."


Training Candidates must be over the age of 18 and be able to work in a sometimes stressful environment handling what can be very mature and serious conversations and requests for help.  Candidates will need to pass through an extensive screening and training process which begins Jan. 27^th and must be willing to volunteer a minimum of 16 hours per month over a period of 12 months.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the Distress Centre should e-mail DistressCentreWE@gmail.com with their availability for a brief Phone Interview by Jan. 16^th.  For more information, interested candidates are encouraged to visit the Centre’s website, www.dcwindsor.com, to learn more about the organization, the service it provides the community, and the Volunteer Training Program and Opportunity itself.

Those needing emotional support, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, or community referrals, are encouraged to call 519-256-5000 between 12 noon and 12 midnight any day of the year.  The Distress Centre’s Phone Volunteers are always there to support those who reach out, “Sometimes talking helps” as the Distress Centre’s philosophy states and no-one in Windsor-Essex should ever feel alone!

by Richard Rosenthal

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LAF ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK LOTTERY- GET YOUR TICKET UNTIL JAN. 8, 2015

LAF Lottery tickets are on sale. 1 for $50 or 3 for $100. The Grand Prize is $10,000 and there are 16 chances to win!  

Draw date: January 9, 2015

12 Prizes of $500
4th Prize: $2,000
3rd Prize: $3,000
2nd Prize: $4,000
Grand Prize: $10,000

*winning tickets are re-entered for each draw as well! only 2,500 tickets will be sold!

All proceeds go to Life After Fifty (Centres for Seniors), a non-profit agency that provides innovative and interesting recreational, educational and social programs for older adults in our community. Life After Fifty promotes active living through various programs at two convenient locations –West Side Centre located at 635 McEwan Avenue, and their East Side Centre located within the WFCU Centre.  You can also call 519-968-3443 to purchase a ticket as well.

by Richard Rosenthal

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Volunteers Needed For Gift Wrapping Booth

Each year for the past 22 years, Community Living Essex County has operated a Gift Wrapping Booth fund-raiser at Devonshire Mall in Windsor.  Community Living Essex County has been extremely fortunate to benefit from the generosity of hundreds of volunteers who, year after year, give of their time and holiday spirit to wrap gifts of all sizes for a small fee or donation.  Volunteers include students looking to secure community hours, local service clubs, church groups and small and large businesses that use the opportunity to give back or as a fun team building exercise.  Individual volunteers and groups are being recruited now.

The 2014 Gift Wrapping Booth is now official opened and will continue to operate during Devonshire Mall hours each day until Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) at 5 pm.  

The booth will again be located near Chapters Bookstore in Devonshire Mall on Howard Avenue in Windsor. So save time in wrapping your holiday presents and consider bringing them to the Community Living Essex County Gift Wrapping Booth at Devonshire Mall this Christmas.

If you are interested in volunteering at the booth, please contact Tony DeSantis, Manager Community Relations by calling 519-776-6483, ext 246, or emailing: tony@communitylivingessex.org

All proceeds from the annual Gift Wrapping Booth benefit Community Living Essex County in support of over 600 people with an intellectual disability and their families throughout Essex County.  

by Richard Rosenthal

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Take A Photo of Your Meal When Downtown to Win a $100 Voucher in November 2014

Organized by the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, the #30DaysDiningDowntown Windsor contest highlights participating restaurants and eateries and encourages patrons to take a picture of their meal for a chance to win a $100 voucher to any restaurant in the city centre. Contestants may enter the competition by posting a picture of their meal on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter; tagging or identifying the respective business; and using the hashtag #30DaysDiningDowntown Windsor.

The contest runs for 30 days during the period November 1 to 30, 2014. At the conclusion of the contest, one (1) winner will be selected at random, and will be awarded a $100 voucher to be used at a restaurant of their choice located within the Downtown Windsor BIA's boundaries. You can also win one of over 10 gift certificates from participating restaurants.

The Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA) advocates for continuous improvement, promotes sustainable growth, cultivates and projects the uniqueness and creative spirit within our city centre. As a proponent for downtown revitalization, the DWBIA strives to create and nurture a downtown that defines the character of the Windsor region and actively works to invest in amenities that people want, need and use.








by Richard Rosenthal

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A.R.A. Annual Art Show & Sale October 17 to November 2, 2014

 The Association of Representational Artist (ARA) of Windsor & Essex is 

holding their annual art show and sale from October 17th, to November 2nd, 2014

The show and sale gallery is located at Windsor Crossings Outlet Mall 1555 Talbot Rd. Unit 110.

 The A.R.A. is a nonprofit group of painters that have focused on composing representational art work since 1978. The public is invited to see the show and help support the local artists. There will be 36 artist displaying and selling original compositions in water-colour, acrylic, oil and mixed-media. Side by side, the A.R.A. has established artists; evolving artist and undiscovered talents that sell their work directly to the public and make lasting connections with art patrons, dealers and collectors. 

 Biz X magazine encourages the public to review and purchase exceptional original art works. 

 

Hours of operation will be: Thurs. 10 am - 6 pm, Fri. 10 am - 9 pm, Sat. 10 am - 6 pm

&  Sun. 12 noon -  5 pm. Closed Mon, Tues & Wed. 

 

Here are just a few reasons why original art is best.

Local Artist are part of our community who purchase goods and services; they are part of the economic engine. The Arts are an industry; they are an integral part of the local economy. Artists are in competition with big box stores that sell cheap, fast reproductions made overseas that don't support the local economy directly. Local art creates heritage and captures local history that defines who are community is.

 

For more information contact

 

Mariano Klimowicz 519-977-0729  and mariano.studio77@gmail.com

Katrina Rutter 519-252-0601 and paintbynumbers@rocketmail.com. 

A.R.A. website:  www.arawindsor.com 

by Richard Rosenthal

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