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Southern Georgian Bay Visitor Guide Book 2013 ---- News Release
THANK YOU!!
Thank you to the continued support of our Members and advertisers for making the 2013 edition of the Southern Georgian Bay Visitor Guide Book a success again this year!! This Visitor Guide Book is a highly visible full-color KEY Tourism Publication in Southern Georgian Bay area, offering affordable advertising rates.
THIS GUIDEhighlights and promotes Southern Georgian Bay tourism businesses and events in the Towns of Midland and Penetanguishene, and the Townships of Tay and Tiny: Attractions, Accommodations, Restaurants, Marinas, Recreational Activities, Services...and more!!
THIS GUIDE strengthens Georgian Bay’s brand recognition and awareness as a tourism destination. Cross promotion of print and online marketing provides the opportunity for businesses to maximize their exposure through the use of direct website and email links.
THIS GUIDEwas recognized by branding slogan specialists of “I Love NY” and “Virginia is for Lovers”... They portrayed how the artwork symbolized all that they found important and strategic in creating a “lure” publication that looked “inviting” to the vacationers’ eye. They were impressed with the publication and could not say enough about its professional appearance.
THIS GUIDEwill be distributed across Ontario to Chambers of Commerce, Ontario Travel Centres, Visitor Information Centres, trade shows, local businesses, at community events and conferences, and direct mailing requests. A total of 37,000 copies will be circulated.
THIS GUIDEis available for downloading in both English and French from the www.southerngeorgianbay.on.ca website. The Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce website is an information portal designed to inform and assist visitors with their travel plans.
THIS GUIDEwill be available to the public as of January 1, 2013.
Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce
Organization of Choice… Your #1 Business Link
Investment in Innovation 2012
. GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INVESTS IN INNOVATION, JOBS AND GROWTH IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO
July 4, 2012
Brantford, Ontario — The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) announced today a $20-million investment in innovation funds that will support small- and medium-sized businesses in southern Ontario. Minister Goodyear was accompanied by Phil McColeman, Member of Parliament for Brant.
“Innovation is critical to creating high-value jobs and securing a prosperous future for southern Ontario communities,” said Minister Goodyear. “The investment announced today will lead to new opportunities for small- and medium-sized businesses in the region, allowing them to grow, develop new products, services and technologies. This will diversify the economy, encourage greater innovation and create hundreds of jobs for southern Ontario.”
“Small and medium sized businesses in southern Ontario are ready to compete and lead in the twenty-first century global economy,” said McColeman. “With the launch of this new fund, our government is taking additional steps to encourage innovation and the creation of high quality, highly skilled jobs right across this region.”
The $20-million contribution comes through FedDev Ontario’s Prosperity Initiative. This investment will support two funds, known as the Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) projects. SOFII will provide a $12-million fund in the west and an $8-million fund in the east. These two funds will be delivered by southern Ontario’s two regional Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) networks: the Western CFDC Association and the Eastern CFDC Network Inc. to both smaller rural and larger urban communities.
During the projects’ first two years, the Networks will provide business loans valued between $150,000 to $500,000 each to accelerate the growth of an estimated 80 southern Ontario small- and medium-sized businesses, which will help create or maintain over 700 full-time jobs. This will support innovation and growth in small- and medium-sized businesses in southern Ontario.
“We have heard about the difficulties small businesses can have bringing new developments to market,” said Cindy Swanson, Past-President of the Western Ontario Community Futures Development Corporation Association, Inc. “This fund will provide an opportunity for small companies to secure the financing they need and get the product to market more quickly than they otherwise might be able to.”
Dan Stanford, Chair of the Eastern Ontario CFDC Network shares this sentiment. “New products, new services and new processes often need support with that last push to the market—as do other late-stage commercialization activities,” said Stanford. “SOFII can help knowledge-based businesses do this successfully and we look forward to our role in assisting the Government of Canada to create a more productive and competitive private sector in southern Ontario.”
For more information about SOFII or the Prosperity Initiative, please refer to the backgrounder.
The investment announced today supports the Government of Canada’s science, technology, and innovation agenda, which is focused on increasing the country’s productivity, creating jobs and growing the economy.
Created in 2009, FedDev Ontario supports the southern Ontario economy by building on the region’s strengths and creating opportunities for jobs and economic growth. The Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to encourage partnerships and support projects that help the region’s businesses and communities become more competitive, innovative and diversified. To learn more, please visit www.feddevontario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.
Follow us on Twitter @FedDevOntario
For more information, contact:
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Michele-Jamali Paquette
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Media Relations
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Director of Communications
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FedDev Ontario
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Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
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519-585-2917
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613-947-2956
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Quest Art announces the line-up for their 2012 Speaker Series: For Art’s Sake
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2012 (Midland, ON)
Quest Art proudly presents this year’s Speaker Series: For Art’s Sake.
Quest Art is pleased to announce the launch of the 2012 Speaker Series: For Art’s Sake. Three renowned visual art professionals will enlighten us on how they are engaged with the visual arts.
The first speaker, Tina Poplawski, received her visual arts education at York University and the New School of Art. She has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Toronto, Quebec and N.Y. Her work is contained in North American and European collections. On Thursday, September 13, Tina Poplawski will present Picturing Memory. This talk will focus on artists whose work reconstructs, in pictorial terms, forms of remembering. It is the unique ability of art to bring collectively traumatic experiences into the public eye, allowing painful individual memories to be woven into a larger context of community grief, reconciliation and healing.
Stephen Smart, the second speaker in the series, is a retired lawyer and now art consultant. Smart will be speaking on Tuesday, October 2 about The Art of Collecting. Stephen Smart will bring to us his insights in how he became interested in art and collecting with tips to help you become a great collector of Canadian art.
John Hartman is a prominent local artist who established his reputation with the exhibition Painting the Bay at the McMichael Canadian Collection in 1993.
Hartman paints major port cities, contrasting the bright open space of water and sky with the dark and swarming density of compact urban growth. Hartman incorporates different perspectives and angles to produce an organic and sensory representation. He attempts to render cities as visceral: the roads as arteries, the buildings as armored skin, and the water and the sky as a breathing lung.
John will present Depicting Midland 1900-1950, The Art of JW Bald and WJ Wood on Tuesday, November 6. John will focus on WJ Wood and JW Bald, both of whom documented the town of Midland in the first half of the twentieth century, Wood as a painter/etcher and Bald as a photographer.
All presentations will commence at 7:30 PM and should last 45 minutes followed by reception.
Tickets for the Speaker Series are $75 per person which includes a $50 tax receipt.
Purchase tickets by June 30, 2012 to be entered into a draw for a special gift. All seats are guaranteed.
For more information about our Speaker Series and to buy tickets, please visit the Quest Art Shop in the Midland Cultural Centre starting June 9. Tickets can also be purchased prior to June 9, by telephone only. Looking forward to seeing you there!
CONTACT:
Ninette Gyorody, Director/Curator
Quest Art
264 King St, Midland, ON L4R 3M3
705.526.2787
ninette@questart.ca
About Quest Art
Quest Art is a charitable, not-for-profit volunteer driven visual arts organization and is generously funded by its members, community supporters and organizations and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Established in 1995, Quest Art has 17 years experience offering quality visual arts programs that provide learning through continuing education, exposure through exhibition programs and interaction through community outreach. We are strong leaders in the local art community and we engage the community through art activities.
Quest Art is located in downtown Midland, ON at 264 King Street. The gallery is open Monday-Saturday from 10:00 am-5:00pm.
Quest Art will be moving into our expanded facilities at the Midland Cultural Centre, a state-of-the-art event centre in June 2012.
May 28, 2012
May 7, 2012
MEDIA RELEASE – (for immediate release)
TO CELEBRATE PEACE, DISCOVERY HARBOUR LAUNCHES WAR OF 1812 THEMED EXHIBITS AND EVENTS
Discovery Harbour is launching War of 1812 themed exhibits and events over the next three years, beginning this summer, as part of province wide War of 1812, 200th anniversary celebrations.
Huronia Historical Parks General Manager Jan Gray is excited at the prospect of showcasing the very unique story of the Penetanguishene Naval Establishment. “We hope to create a lot of community pride and excitement in our area’s local history,” she said, “and show visitors how it was connected to the broader defence across the country.”
The Penetanguishene Naval Establishment at Discovery Harbour will be the focus of programs, exhibits and activities exploring the links between the region’s history and the successful defence of Canada from American invasion 200 years ago.
New features celebrating the bicentennial of the War of 1812 this summer include an above and below deck historical refit of the replica tall ship H.M.S. Tecumseth, based on the ship’s original log book, the presentation of a traveling War of 1812 art show entitled ‘War on the Lakes’, participation in the Ontario Heritage Trust’s ‘Doors Open Huronia’ June 2, and a music special event entitled ‘Ditties and Shanties’ July 21. In future years a new permanent exhibit is planned for the North Visitor Centre, and further enhancements for War of 1812 public programming. Other highlights include a Tall Ships ® Rendezvous for the summer of 2013 and a ‘Celebrate Peace’ summer and winter event for 2014.
Discovery Harbour will open to the public Tuesday May 22 and will operate Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm., last admission 4:30pm. Discovery Harbour will be open 7 days a week from June 30 to September 2.
Media contact: Bill Brodeur, Coordinator, Marketing and Media Relations, Huronia Historical Parks Bill.Brodeur@ontario.ca 705-528-7692
Discovery Harbour, Huronia Historical Parks…an attraction of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Ontario. May 7, 2012
Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA)
BACKGROUNDER (Continue)
DISCOVERY HARBOUR AND THE WAR OF 1812
The provincial historic attraction Discovery Harbour re-creates the days of the British Navy and Military on Penetanguishene Bay, from its beginnings late in the War of 1812 until it was turned over to the Canadian government in 1856. The Penetanguishene Naval Establishment was a result of the War of 1812, declared by the United States in June of that year, against Great Britain. British Command felt it vital to build a strategic outpost and shipyard to guard the flow of supplies and men north to British outposts and First Nations allies. Eventually, it evolved into a naval and military base to maintain colonial defence. There were no battles fought with the Americans at Penetanguishene.
PENETANGUISHENE NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT HISTORY
In 1793, the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe, noted Penetanguishene’s potential as a harbour. To that end, lands surrounding Penetanguishene Bay were purchased from the Chippewa (Ojibway) First Nation in 1798. The long, narrow bay was chosen for a new British Naval Dockyard in the fall of 1814 by British Commander, Sir George Prevost. The American victory over the British Fleet on Lake Erie in 1813 made the establishment of such a base more important. Originally the Nottawasaga River was the British depot on Georgian Bay, but the sinking of the British schooner Nancy by American ships there in 1814, showed its vulnerability. Penetanguishene was defensible and much better suited for a naval shipyard.
In late 1814, the initial plans for the Penetanguishene Naval Establishment included building a 36 gun frigate, to help maintain British superiority on Lake Huron. This resulted in the clearing of the Penetanguishene Road which would allow the transport of ship-building supplies and men from Kingston via York, north to Lake Simcoe and then to Penetanguishene Road, versus an earlier route involving Lake Simcoe, Fort Willow Depot and Nine Mile Portage to Nottawasaga. But in March of 1815 when news of peace finally reached Penetanguishene orders were given to stop all operations. The frigate was never built and the anchor was abandoned en route at Holland Landing. Only a few crude huts had been constructed. Although the Treaty of Ghent between the United States and Great Britain had been signed December 24, 1814, the news was delayed in reaching Penetanguishene for almost three months.
After the War
Despite the peace, the British still needed a naval presence on Lake Huron, as tensions remained between the U.S. and Britain. With the closing of Nottawasaga, attention returned to Penetanguishene and major development began in 1817. Its priorities were to maintain the supply routes to the upper lakes, keep a watchful eye for American vessels, and to maintain the two 124 foot transport ships, H.M.S. Tecumseth and H.M.S. Newash. With the Rush-Bagot agreement between the United States and Great Britain, restricting the size and armaments of vessels on the Great Lakes, Tecumseth and Newash were ordered into a state of ‘ordinary’…(decommissioned and all masts and armaments removed, but maintained in a state of readiness).
By 1820, the Penetanguishene Naval Establishment was home to over 70 personnel, including sailors, officers, a Military guard, and civilian shipwrights, sawyers, blacksmiths, and oxen drivers. Samuel Roberts, Captain of the Penetanguishene Naval Establishment 1820-22, had fought against the Americans in the War of 1812, in Virginia, Baltimore and New Orleans. Assistant Surgeon Clement Todd was wounded in action on Lake Champlain (presumably in the failed British attempt to capture Plattsburgh, N.Y., in the fall of 1814). He served at Penetanguishene from 1819 to 1827. Lieutenant Henry Bayfield was on board one of the British ships on Lake Champlain late in 1814. He was based at Penetanguishene from 1820 to 1822.
Over the following years and with a general warming of relations with the United States, there was a reduction in personnel and expenditures until the British Navy formally withdrew from Penetanguishene and Canada in 1834.
The British Military presence at Penetanguishene began in 1828 with the relocation of the British Regiment from Drummond Island, when the island was ceded to the Americans during boundary negotiations. The majority of the regiment came to Penetanguishene, along with many Métis families who were connected with the Drummond Island base. Métis descendants still live in the community today.
In 1856, Britain decided it could no longer afford to finance military expenditures in the Canadas. All the establishments, including Penetanguishene, were closed and the lands handed over to the Canadian government.
Media Contact:
Bill Brodeur
Coordinator Marketing and Media Relations
Huronia Historical Parks
Bill.Brodeur@ontario.ca
705 528-7692
Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA) is hosting an Open House on Thursday June 14th, 2012 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Midland Public Library (see attached invitation). You are invited to join us in “Celebrating 15 Years of Continued Success”. Come and meet the friendly and professional staff of the SSEA. Chat with us about our work and view our program and project displays. Learn more about the SSEA. Our Featured Guest Speaker is Bob Bowles, local naturalist who will be presenting: “Silence of the Songbirds” Learn about research on migratory songbird populations, how they choose their mates, bird divorce and other interesting research results. Bob will address population declines and how the cutting of woodlands and use of pesticides affects birds. Learn what we can do to help prevent these declines. Bob will also talk about the North American bat death toll from white-nose syndrome (WNS) and the concern this is causing among bat researchers, including the fear that the Little Brown Bat could become extinct within the next 20 years. This event is open to everyone! Hope you are able to attend. For more information please contact Gail Marchildon at gmarchildon@midland.ca or 705-527-5166 ext. 207. Kind regards, Gail Thank you, Gail Marchildon Office Manager Severn Sound Environmental Association 67 Fourth Street Midland, ON. L4R 3S9 P: (705) 527-5166 Ext. 207 F: (705) 527-5167 e-mail: gmarchildon@midland.ca website: www.severnsound.ca “Celebrating 15 Years of Continued Success”
Dominique Le Blanc takes on the title role in
Monday, May 14, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – After a nationwide search, Drayton Entertainment has selected
13-year-old Halifax native, production of the Broadway musical different locations over the 2012 Season. Dominique Le Blanc to portray the lovable red-headed orphan in itsAnnie, which begins rehearsals today and plays at three
Annie will open at King’s Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene and run for four weeks from May 29th through June 23rd. The show will be remounted at the Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend from August 15th through September 1st and then again at the Country Playhouse in St. Jacobs from November 13th through December 23rd for the holiday season.
Earlier this year, Drayton Entertainment launched a video search for the actress to portray Annie. Hundreds of young performers submitted videos of themselves performing “Tomorrow” in hopes of landing the plum role. A select few were asked to audition in person for Director, Alex Mustakas. Le Blanc flew from Halifax to attend the callback and won the part in late April.
“Dominique is an immensely talented young performer – she has the lovable stage presence and feisty spirit that’s essential for the role of Annie,” says Drayton Entertainment. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a young performer, and we are thrilled to give Dominique the chance to spend the next few months working with some of the finest actors and creative professionals in the country.”
Le Blanc, a natural red-head and a precocious grade seven student who attends École Secondaire du Sommet in Bedford, NS, has been performing since the age of 8, when she made her theatrical debut in a community theatre production of She has since appeared in both Neptune Theatre in Halifax. Le Blanc has also appeared on television in Sinking Ship Entertainment’s film
“I can’t believe I get to be Annie, says Le Blanc. “It all just feels like a dream come true. I’m so excited to start rehearsals!” Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office toll free at online at will open at King’s Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene and run for four weeks from Mayth through June 23rd. The show will be remounted at the Huron Country Playhouse in Grandth through September 1st and then again at the Country Playhouse in St.th through December 23rd for the holiday season.Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director ofHigh School Musical produced by Upstage Studios.The Wizard of Oz and A Christmas Carol: The Musical withIt’s a Hard Knock Life (For Girls) and CTV’s Christmas Daddies.1-855-drayton (372-9866) orwww.draytonentertainment.com. valerie@draytonentertainment.com
April 30, 2012
MEDIA RELEASE
CELEBRATING THE HERITAGE OF HURONIA DOORS OPEN HURONIA
JUNE 2 and 3, 2012
Doors Open Huronia offers the opportunity to take a peek into the past and explore local sites of interest- for FREE! During the weekend of June 2 and 3, 2012, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the Towns of Midland and Penetanguishene will be opening the historic doors to over 10 sites for all visitors and residents to enjoy.
Doors Open Huronia 2012 is a celebration of the area’s local history and heritage, offering access to historically significant sites that may not usually be open to the public. Sneak a peek at hidden historically significant places in our area that are featured as part of Doors Open Huronia.
The first Doors Open Day took place in France in 1984 and soon spread to neighbouring countries. In 1991, these events were united as European Heritage Days at the initiative of the Council of Europe. In 2003, all 48 signatory states of the European Cultural Convention participated in European Heritage Days.
In 2002, the Ontario Heritage Trust launched Doors Open Ontario, the first province-wide event of its kind in Canada, for which Doors Open Huronia was a part of.
Every year, Doors Open Ontario attracts large crowds across Ontario. From April to October, residents and visitors are invited to discover first-hand Ontario’s hidden heritage treasures, some of which have never been open to the public. Since the program was launched in 2002, nearly 4 million visits have been made to heritage sites participating in this exciting initiative.
Don’t miss your opportunity to take part in Doors Open Ontario 2012, now considered a cultural phenomenon, with hundreds of communities participating across the province.
For further event and site details pertaining to Doors Open Huronia, visit http://doorsopenhuronia.wordpress.com/ or www.doorsopenontario.on.ca
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Holly Bryce, CMO, Dipl.M.A.
Town Clerk
Town of Penetanguishene
P.O. Box 5009, 10 Robert Street West
Penetanguishene ON L9M 2G2
(705) 549-7453 ex. 212
(705) 549-3743 FAX
www.penetanguishene.ca
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For more information please contact: Valerie O’Brien, Marketing Manager (519) 638-5511 ext.235 or email
MEDIA RELEASE
THE CULTURAL PHENOMENON OF
DOORS OPEN HURONIA – THIS WEEKEND!
JUNE 2 and 3, 2012
Drayton Entertainment’s Annie
-Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and Discovery Harbour Expand Hours of Operation!
Doors Open Huronia offers the opportunity to take a peek into the past and explore local sites of interest- for FREE! During the weekend of June 2 and 3, 2012, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the Towns of Midland and Penetanguishene will be opening the historic doors to over 13 sites for all visitors and residents to enjoy.
With a variety of cultural and historical activities slated for this weekend, visitors will have the opportunity to explore our cultural wealth and heritage landmarks that add to the character of our unique communities and all for FREE!
Don’t miss your opportunity to take part in Doors Open Ontario 2012, now considered a cultural phenomenon, with hundreds of communities participating across the province.
For further event and site details pertaining to Doors Open Huronia, visit http://doorsopenhuronia.wordpress.com/ or www.doorsopenontario.on.ca
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