
January 5, 2018 · 0 Comments
July 6
• Andy Macintosh, Orangeville’s fire chief for nearly 30 years, is one of 150 residents of Dufferin and Caledon who will receive a Canada 150 Medallion, recognizing the community service and volunteer work he and so many others have provided.
Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation is a time to not only celebrate our nation’s independence and culture (and not just one day), but also the individual stories behind it, which the 150 Medallion brings out. A letter to recipients announcing the awards says the medallion celebrates community service/volunteerism and is “important to recognize contributions to our community by individuals who go above and beyond to make Dufferin-Caledon a better place for all citizens.”
Dufferin-Caledon MP David Tilson says they are giving 75 medallions to residents in Dufferin, and 75 for those in Caledon, adding up to 150 residents who “served our community in many different ways, their time, their effort, their expertise in helping.”
• Police Chief Wayne Kalinski has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Orangeville Police Services Board following its three-week investigation of his conduct in dealing with local media earlier this year.
The investigation, carried out by an internal committee made up of several board members, found that there were “no grounds” to Coun. Sylvia Bradley’s allegations that the chief’s credibility and integrity should be called into question over the way he handled a situation between the OPS and the Orangeville Banner in May.
July 13
• With the local housing market seemingly refusing to slow down, Habitat for Humanity Wellington Dufferin Guelph (WDG) is looking into the possibility of constructing affordable homes in Dufferin County for those who need it most.
In a release to media last week, Steve Howard, CEO of Habitat for Humanity WDG, explained the organization was currently exploring a number of potential properties in the region that could be turned into affordable homes for single- and dual-parent families, people with disabilities and senior citizens.
According to statistics presented to Dufferin County council earlier this year, approximately 10 percent of the county’s population currently lives in poverty, with one in every nine households living in core housing need. Mr. Howard noted this reality has called for Habitat for Humanity WDG to partner with organizations, corporations, individuals and the County to make a greater impact in the community.
• One Dufferin youngster is counting the days as he prepares to represent his nation at the upcoming 2017 World Dwarf Games.
Kicking off at the University of Guelph with an opening ceremony on August 4, the 10-day international competition will welcome close to 500 athletes from 20 countries all across the world. Amongst those is seven-year-old Gabe McHughan, a soon-to-be Grade 2 student at Glenbrook Elementary School in Shelburne.
Competing at the Junior A level (7-11 year olds), Gabe will represent Team Canada in soccer, curling, basketball, boccia, floor hockey, the 20-metre sprint, the 40-metre sprint and the softball throw.
July 20
• You can put it in the books. Another Orangeville Rotary Ribfest has come and gone and organizers couldn’t be happier with how their eighth annual event unfolded this past weekend.
Threatening weather on two of the three days did little to deter visitors, with people traveling from all across the GTA to indulge their musical and rib-eating needs. An official attendance of 20,708 falls slightly short of last year’s record-breaking total, but does set the bar moving forward with Ribfest now firmly established as one of Orangeville’s premier summertime extravaganzas.
While it’s probably safe to say that the event raked in tens of thousands of dollars once again this year – 2016’s event drew $82,000 – official numbers won’t be released until later this year. Rotary Ribfest chair Charles McCabe did however offer a slight insight regarding where potential profits will be spent over the next year.
“We won’t know what the final number will be for net funds raised for a while because we will be receiving invoices throughout the summer but we are looking forward to supporting parks, youth and vocational and social service oriented projects in the coming year,” Mr. McCabe noted in a release to media
July 27
• After spending the past two seasons shooting hoops in Orangeville, the A’s of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC) have announced they will not be returning in the fall.
The move brings an end to the organization’s four-year stint in the league, following two previous seasons playing in Brampton.
Breaking the news to the Citizen Wednesday, team president Jena Crone said the decision was not an easy one. She expressed gratitude for the love and support the team has received in Orangeville.
“When we brought the team to Orangeville we knew we were bringing the A’s home, and that’s just what it felt like – home,” Ms. Crone said. “Playing for all of our incredible fans in Orangeville over these past two years has been like playing in front of our family – a big, loud, supportive family.”
The professional team mustered 30 wins during its two-year stay in Orangeville, placing fourth in the NBLC’s Central division in both the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons.
• A group of 32 young local dancing enthusiasts got a taste of international action last week when they traveled south of the border to compete in StarQuest 2017 World Finals.
The boisterous troupe, representing Citrus Dance Inc. in Orangeville, enjoyed a hugely successful week down in sunny Virginia Beach, VA, with several competitors ruffling the feathers of the world elite at the contest, which ran from July 17 to 22. The competition featured performances in all dance disciplines, including ballet, jazz, acro, musical theatre, classical and hip-hop.
Numerous impressive finishes from a collection of the studio’s talented dancers put Canada on the map in the international dancing scene.
Chief among those achievements was a first place Quest for the Best finish for a contemporary dance duet featuring 14-year-old Samantha Clark and 17-year-old Honour Stahl, who received a huge trophy in recognition of their big win. There was another impressive display, this one from 13-year-old Dilena Nadan who did the local studio proud, finishing first overall in her novice soloist category.
Other notable finishes for studio dancers include: 16-year-old Brooklyn Mackie placing 8th out of 100 dancers for senior solo dance, Ms. Clark placing 6th out of over 150 soloists in her teen division and 13-year-old Breanna Huron finishing 13th out of almost 100 soloists in a pre-comp division. Ms. Thomas reserved special praise for seven-year-old Ella Godfrey, who placed fifth overall in the solo Quest for the Best contest with a “breathtaking” ballet solo.
• The Orangeville Junior A Northmen are done for the season after losing out to the Mimico Mountaineers in the first round of the OJALL playoffs.
The best-of-five series got underway on July 16, with the first game ending in a 9-6 loss for the Northmen.
The return to Tony Rose arena in Orangeville on July 18, saw the Northmen behind the eight-ball when they took a 12-2 loss giving them one more chance to keep the series alive.
It was all over when the Moutaineers tied the game in the third period of game three then went ahead with two final goals to win the game 13-12 and take the series.