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Kids’ event promotes healthy lifestyles, sense of accomplishment and lots of fun!

Kids’ event promotes healthy lifestyles, sense of accomplishment and lots of fun!

Provided by Cornwall Multisport Club

CORNWALL – All youngsters come away winners during the Cornwall Multisport Club Kids’ Day.

From tiny tykes ages 6 and under, through to 16-year-olds, this year’s popular event will be held Sunday, July 10 at Lamoureux Park and is free to everyone in the community.

“We really want to encourage parents to bring their youngsters down to the park for it,” encouraged Monique Branchaud, one of the event leads. “The event is meant to encourage kids’ to become physically active, but it also promotes important qualities like good sportsmanship and fair play.
“Plus, it’s tons of fun, too.”

The CMC club has organized the event for several years, and members eagerly look forward to it every summer. The organization is especially delighted to welcome its return this summer after two years of it being sidelined due to the pandemic. The event is truly a kid-friendly morning that is specifically designed to encourage participation in a positive, non-competitive atmosphere geared towards all levels of physical ability.

“For instance, not only do we have awards for each age group, but every participant who crosses the finish line receives a finishers’ medal,” she added. “They take such pride in this, it’s a real sense of accomplishment for them, and they’ll end up wearing it the whole day.
“It’s great to see them running across the finish line with big smiles on their faces.”

In addition, club members also volunteer as pace bunnies for the events. This ensures that no participant is left behind on the course, and that there’s someone there to see they get over the finish. Kids’ of all levels of physical fitness are encouraged to register and no special equipment is required except a pair of running shoes.

“You see the pacer run up with the kids, then step back as the kids would cross the finish on their own. It’s a very positive thing for participants.”

Registration takes place from 10 – 10:20 a.m. at the bandshell. It will take place rain or shine. Those interested may also sign-up in advance by visiting http://www.cornwallmultisportclub.com/cmckids.shtml

The race routes are all in Lamoureux Park and around the bandshell area. Distances vary from 700 metres (6 and under), 1.25 km (7-9), 2.5 km (10-12) to 3.75 km (13 +). It is very important to remember, however, that any child is welcome to run a shorter distance if they prefer: participation and fun are the names of this game.

Events for ages 6 and under begin at 10:30 a.m., with all other age groups as listed to follow. The awards ceremony will be held immediately after the final participant crosses the finish line.

The event takes place rain or shine.

A light snack will be provided for the participants, and their supporters are welcome to pack a picnic to enjoy while cheering them on. The awards ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m.

On average, 80 youth register for the event, but there’s no cap on it. The non-competitive atmosphere still has an official air which makes it especially fun for them.

“Each participant has their own race bib, it’s on a marked course, we have race marshals and pacers, plus they receive a finishers’ medal. It’s such a positive event for them, even if they’ve never run before. It’s a great day,” Branchaud enthused.

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COLUMN: As summer nears, lots of popular events returning

COLUMN: As summer nears, lots of popular events returning

Art Under the Pavilion, popular spring boat show, Gathering festival in Rama and much more happening this weekend, notes columnist

It’s back. Feels like I might be writing that a lot this summer. This time, I am talking about Art Under the Pavilion, which will be happening as part of the Spring Boat, Cottage and Green Technology Show this weekend at Couchiching Beach Park.

As per COVID-19 usual, both the show and the art show were MIA in 2020 and 2021, and it will be wonderful to see this great kick-off-to-summer event running Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., again.

Art Under the Pavilion will be located in the waterfront pavilion in the park and will feature paintings and artworks by local artists Paul Baxter, Marlene Bulas, David Crighton, Xavier Fernandes, Chris MacDonald, Gayle Schofield and Richard Vandermeer.

Baxter and Fernandes will transform the pavilion into a wonderful outdoor art gallery and the gorgeous works of art by these talented local painters will take the scene to the next level. Come and browse Art Under the Pavilion this weekend, meet these talented folks, and buy some art. It will make your weekend.

Another event that is back, post-COVID-19, this weekend is Gathering: Festival of First Nations Stories. This is a wonderful, free event featuring many First Nations authors and storytellers, produced jointly by Rama First Nation and the Orillia Centre for Arts and Culture.

Featured authors include Drew Hayden Taylor, Brenda Wastasecoot, Sherry Lawson and Waubgeshig Rice, along with musicians Ronnie Douglas and Ritchie Benson, as well as many others. Gathering events are happening at the Rama Community Hall from June 9 to 11. All events are free, but you are asked to register here.

Both the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH) and the Orillia and District Arts Council (ODAC) have annual general meetings coming up, OMAH’s is June 16 via Zoom, and ODAC’s is June 15 at 5 p.m. at Creative Nomad Studios. For more information and to register for OMAH’s, click here.

Speaking of OMAH, the annual silent auction fundraiser, Pachter Panorama, is coming up June 18, featuring works by good friend of OMAH Charles Pachter. There will be an in-person garden party event at Pachterplex, 54 Western Ave., June 18 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The online silent auction preview begins June 13, and the bidding runs from June 16 to 18. For lots more information, and to bid, click here. This is an important fundraiser for OMAH’s Endowment Fund, so please support.

The Orillia Youth Centre and its executive director, force-to-be-reckoned-with Kevin Gangloff, are raising funds for the Nelson Bell/Jake Beers bursaries and mental health and creative fund, via a couple of concerts coming up at the end of the month:

  • June 30 at Eclectic Café by Melanie Robinson Catering with Roger Harvey and SAMMY live for dinner and a show.
  • July 1 at Brightview Farms for FarmFest in Sebright with Roger Harvey, Kayla Elizabeth, and ALEX the Band.

These will be first-rate shows, food, and entertainment, as well as for a great cause. Get your tickets today. For the ticket link and more information, click here.

Brass Transit is coming to the Orillia Opera House June 15. Always fun when a critically acclaimed group like this one comes to O-Town. For tickets, go here.

And, the Will Davis Trio is playing at Couchiching Craft Brewing Co. June 12 from 1 to 4 p.m., and throughout the summer. Grab a brew and enjoy the show.

Don’t forget the Orillia Secondary School production of Guys and Dolls runs June 8 to 11, the Mariposa Arts Theatre production of The Gin Game runs June 9 to 19, and the premiere of Sunshine City is June 10 at Creative Nomad Studios.

Have a great weekend and go see art — under the pavilion.

If you have arts news, send it to annaproctor111@gmail.com by Tuesday at noon to be included.

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Air Canada Has Lots To Celebrate At In-Person Events

Air Canada Has Lots To Celebrate At In-Person Events

Reconnecting in person is worth a party in itself, but as Air Canada prepares to host travel partner events in Toronto and Montreal, Lisa Pierce, VP Canada/USA Sales, says there are multiple reasons to celebrate.

“We’re getting together with a lot of our partners to celebrate travel agent month, to celebrate that travel is returning and to celebrate our summer schedule,” said Pierce in a conversation with TravelPulse Canada.

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“We’ve been through a lot together and we’re just getting our sea legs back.”

The 35-year Air Canada employee says the past two years have been a true test of partnership. “We hope we’ve expressed our gratitude to our travel partners. We couldn’t have gotten through it without them.”

Pierce says the pandemic and the world’s response took the airline and the travel industry “lower than we ever thought we’d go,” but she sees strong signs of recovery and believes important lessons have been learned.

The turbulent period gave Air Canada a deeper appreciation for the value of the service travel advisors provide, Pierce says, rather than simply measuring by their sales.

“We learned a lot. We’re a complex industry. There’s lots of information and we have to be good at sharing it.”

She’s proud of the Travel Ready hub at aircanada.com, which presents all the latest information about COVID testing, vaccination and destination entry requirements in one place – and in a clear and easily understandable format.

“I’m excited about many of the changes we’ve made,” says Pierce. But mostly, she’s excited about the world opening up again.

“We’re all so happy travel is coming back.One of the big things we’re celebrating is the return to many markets. We’ll soon be at 90% of pre-pandemic North American capacity, and that’s encouraging and inspiring,” Pierce said.

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Lots to discuss about current events

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The 2022 Winter Olympics, the COVID-19 pandemic, the anti-mandate protests and the Russian sword rattling along the Ukraine border have dominated the news recently.

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So there is plenty to think about and many questions to be answered, at least in my mind.

So here are some of the things with which I struggle and I am sure I am not alone.

If the Winter Olympics are so important that there is 24/7 coverage, why don’t we see more of the actual athletes and events? I am pretty tired of the talking heads that dominate the telecasts.

It doesn’t matter to me if there is or is not a Canadian in an event, I just like watching these amazing athletes perform no matter which country they represent. Watching the true sportsmanship of the athletes as they congratulate one another after an event is what sportsmanship is all about.

The COVID-19 pandemic has nearly run its course. The key word is nearly. We are slowly returning to some new normal conditions. But to emphasize the importance of staying true to the course until completely out of the woods here is an example. A man jumps out of an airplane, opens his chute and begins to glide safely to the ground. Does he take off the chute before he hits the ground? Just my thought on returning too quickly to the new normal.

The misnamed convoys that crossed this land of ours and are now blocking borders, streets and generally causing more harm to our economy each and every day is a shame. I say this because many of those in these convoys have no idea about what they are doing.

An example of this is those calling this a ‘freedom’ convoy and then some among them proceed to wave flags that stand for anything but freedom. The Confederate flag is known as a symbol of white supremacy. The swastika, representing the Nazi Party of Germany under Hitler, represents one of the most oppressive regimes in the history of the world. Millions upon millions of people were killed for being Jewish.

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It makes me wonder if any of these so-called freedom riders even know what freedom is. Maybe they should go the Ukraine and ask them about freedom.

Personally, I have a hard time figuring out just what freedoms they are talking about and how they have lost them. They don’t seem to like the word ‘mandate’. They drove across this country on roads that have mandated speed limits, mandated road sharing, and mandated areas to stop. Those mandates are there for the safety of everyone.

I believe many of the protesters forget the fact that along with freedom comes responsibility and it means that I have my freedom but I also have the responsibility not to infringe on someone else’s freedom.

The real truckers have a right to demonstrate but many outside influences have turned it into something else. The cost of these demonstrations must be enormous. How is it being financed and by whom? This should be of great concern to each and every one.

As our protesters demonstrate about getting a vaccine, those in the Ukraine worry about getting invaded and possibly killed in their defence of real freedom. Hopefully there is a peaceful outcome and that the world can convince that egomaniac Putin to back down.

Now for some positive news: Iceland has joined many other nations that ban whaling. In the UK, the construction industry goes through 18 million wooden pallets annually, most of which are only used once. This number of pallets represents about 6,000 acres of forests and the pallets themselves represent about 10 per cent of the waste stream. A British firm has come up with a solution to reduce the waste: Stronger reusable pallets that are redeemable and an opportunity to cut CO2 emissions by 40 per cent and timber usage by nearly 75 per cent. You can read more about it by Googling The Pallet LOOP. Since most pallets in Canada end up as fire wood, this is definitely something our lumber industry should try.

Just a final positive note about the Winter Olympics. I am proud of all our Canadian athletes and have enjoyed watching them representing this country. I am also proud of all the competitors as they try for excellence in their chosen sport. Just wish I could see more of the events.

Kashley1940@hotmail.com