Yearly: 2011

Christmas creeps up on me like a lake freezing over.

By Catherine Sword
Co-ordinator of Public Services
Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library

A Christmas Message

Canada Geese walking on water on Musselman’s Lake.
Dan Wigmore Photo

Christmas creeps up on me like a lake freezing over. There’s that moment when I notice razor thin black ice at the edge of the lake reminding me of winter and that the holidays are only a breath away. Then that thaws and I relax, believing that there’s lots of time to prepare.

You’d think that working with library due dates three weeks in the future I’d be a lot more prepared. We’re working well into the new year here and still I have fooled myself in thinking there’s plenty of time. Before I know it, I’ll wake up one morning, the lake will be solid (already I’ve seen geese walking on water) and either all the gifts will be bought, wrapped and sent out, or not. It’s a good thing there are no overdue charges on packages mailed out at the last moment.

So before the lake totally freezes over, let me send you all Christmas well wishes and hopes for a Happy New Year from all of us here at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library.

Now…just two more gifts.

Please try to think of those less fortunate at this time of year and give to a local food bank.

Whitchurch Stouffville Food Bank www.wsfoodbank.com

Thank you for supporting the MLRA in 2011 and we look forward to seeing you at the Winter Carnival on Sat. Feb. 11th 2012!

All are welcome to this event that will offer music, readings, and refreshments.

By Catherine Sword
Co-ordinator of Public Services
Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library

I can’t believe I’m reading Christmas stories already, but it’s almost the time for the library’s annual Senior’s Christmas Party. This is one of our most successful programs involving some social time, coffee, tea, or juice and a variety of treats. As part of this tradition the Spartan Sound choir joins us from the high school and they give a short performance, a teaser so to speak of their own upcoming show. For the library party we have the added bonus of the choir leading the group in a good old fashioned Christmas sing-along.

As well, this year I’ve been asked to read a short story and I love this particular duty, even though it has me reading about Christmas in November! It’s tough. I may repeat one of my favourites or try something new. I don’t know, but here’s the list I’m considering. Maybe you’ll enjoy these, or drop in Wednesday, December 7, 10:00 am for the Seniors Christmas party and find out what I’ve chosen. Stay for the morning and enjoy the party.

Donn Kushner. A Thief Among Statues
Will Ferguson. Coal Dust Kisses
Berkeley Breathed. A Wish for Wings That Work
The Worst Noel: Hellish Holiday Tales

Click Here For More Information

The Ballantrae – Musselman Lake and
Environs Secondary Plan / Highway 48
Corridor Review
DRAFT Background Report

You are invited to attend a public workshop / open house hosted by the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, being conducted as part of the Ballantrae – Musselman Lake and Environs Secondary Plan / Highway 48 Corridor Review.

Date: December 7, 2011
Time: 6:30 – 9:00 PM
Location: Ballantrae Community Centre, 5592 Aurora Road

Click here for more information

The Good news, everything is proceeding… just not as quickly as we would like. Unfortunately, whenever you have 3 parties involved with 3 lawyers, extensions are going to be a common occurrence. We are just going to have to be patient as we are very, very close to a community park.

The Official Update below is from Andrew McNeely through Councillor Phil Bannon.

Discussions continue with the Executors of the James Coultice Estate for the Town to acquire +/- 4 to 5 acres for a neighbourhood park, and, +/- 135 acres of environmentally sensitive lands for their long term protection. The general configuration of the parcels and the Terms and Conditions for the acquisition of the referenced lands remains consistent with the August 2010 Conditional Offer of Purchase & Sale Agreement that was authorized by Council. The Town has granted the Coultice Estate an extension on the clearing of Conditions associated with the Purchase & Sale Agreement which now expires in mid-February 2012 . The Coultice Estate requires the additional time to resolve their on-going discussions with Revenue Canada about land valuations in support of a charitable receipt issued under the Federal Government’s Eco-Gift program.

Andrew McNeely , MCIP, RPP | Director of Planning and Building Services | Planning and Building Department
Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

The MLRA volunteers have done an excellent job on keeping Musselman’s Lake healthy and beautiful.

Dear Rick,

Please pass along my congratulations to your association for being named Water Conservation Hero by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.

The MLRA volunteers have done an excellent job on keeping Musselman’s Lake healthy and beautiful.

Well done,

Paul Calandra, M.P.
Oak Ridges – Markham

The community of Musselman’s Lake serves as an excellent example of what great achievements can be accomplished when people work together.

Dear Mr. Wigmore,

On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I am pleased to offer my sincere congratulations to the Musselman’s Lake Residents Association for receiving the Water Conservation Award from the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority.

This award recognizes the hard work and dedication of your community members and the Musselman’s Lake Residents Association’s commitment to the environment and to a sustainable future we can all enjoy. The community of Musselman’s Lake serves as an excellent example of what great achievements can be accomplished when people work together. You should be proud!

Your continued efforts are valued and appreciated.

Sincerely,

Dr. Helena Jaczek
Member of Provincial Parliament
Oak Ridges-Markham

Halloween Dance a Big Success again this year.

By Charlene Jones

Scary, Scary Boo!

Where do men dress as women, women as men, the living dress as the dead and the dead are afraid to show up, for being shown up by the lively costumes and full Hallowe’en spirit of the liveliest of Hallowe’en Dances? Well, the yearly bash at Cedar Beach, sponsored by Cedarvale Community Association and Musselman’s Lake Residents Association. This festival has gained a reputation locally and from away as the best in Hallowe’en haunts.

Mike Feld of Most Excellent
Productions is key to the events
continued success

This year Mike Feld, ever ready to up the ante in entertainment, provided a 60 inch HD TV screen to flash snapped photos from around the floor. With the addition also of a smoke machine and laser lights, imaginations soared, sustaining the visuals of vampires, Medieval Knights, Damsels in and out of Dis-dress, a Court Jester, Pirates just ashore from salty adventures on the high seas, inmates newly sprung from prison and an entire family of bloodied and be-toga’d bodies. That’s Papa, Mama and little Baby Ghoul to you!

Girls Just Want To Have Fun at the
Musselman’s Lake Halloween Dance.

Cedar Beach as always provided the perfect venue with Bar Maids dressed as, well, Bar Maids, pouring from the substantial liquor supply shots and drinks for witches, a Cowardly Lion, and even Santa who refused the milk and cookies offered him. A brilliant robot flowed about as the ever graceful Lady Guinevere gave her scarf to a couple of Robin Hoodlums and a fair Friar Tuck.

As always many thanks go to Mike Feld and Most Excellent Productions who kept the leopards prowling, the bandits banding, the vampires vamping, Damsels…well, dancing. Everyone, dancing through the night to the wide variety of Mike’s music.

LISA is President of the CCA and on the MLRA
executive. Without her dedication to this event,
there would not be an event. Thanks Lisa.

Also kudos to Cedar Beach for hosting the event and to Lisa White, without whom the rest of us would still be wallowing in last year’s costumes. Thanks for the leadership, Lisa!

The annual ghoulish gala provides support to Cedarvale Community Association and to the Musselman’s Lake Residents Association.

New infestation sites found in Towns of Aurora and Whitchurch-Stouffville

The Regional Municipality of York has confirmed the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer in the Town of Aurora and the southern part of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. The invasive insect, which kills all healthy ash trees, was discovered in these communities following an extensive three-month survey conducted by the Region earlier this summer.

Click Here For More Information

Second Award In Three Years.

This is the second time in three years that Musselman’s Lake Residents have been recognized by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSCRA) for their fine work. In 2008 the Town received an award for initiating the Musselman’s Lake Stewardship plan which some residents of the Lake actively participated in drafting as members of the Technical Working Group. This is quite an achievement for our area as these recognition awards are not easy to come by.

Prestigious LSRCA Water Conservation
Award presented to the MLRA

This year the LSRCA has awarded the MLRA a Water Conservation Award for the environmental work that has been done in our community. Rick Wigmore who is the President of the MLRA says “The MLRA received this award on behalf of the many residents of the Lake who not only support but also participate in our Annual Earth Day Community Spring Clean Event which has become a template for other communities to follow.”

Many thanks have to go out to not only the residents who participate but also to Cedar Beach (Kyle Jenkin and Janet Davies) who donate not only the site for us to use but also equipment and staff. Everyone please make sure you thank Councillor Phil Bannon for his tireless support of our Earth Day event. He is already working with the MLRA on how to make the 2012 event even better.

Nature is truly amazing. If you give her a helping hand it she will never stop repaying you for your effort.