Seniors Have Fun at the Farm! - The Villa Retirement Lodge

Youth Employment Fund (YEF) - Midland YMCA Employment Service

Information Session on September 24th at 12:30pm to provide details about the new Youth Employment Fund (YEF) to be launched by Employment Ontario on September 23.

In response to the high youth unemployment rate, YEF will support employers who want to employ youth 15-29 in their communities.

See the attached flyer for further details on this information session. Please RSVP by September 23rd by calling 705-528-0845. We look forward to seeing you on September 24th and supporting you with your employment needs. 

Midland YMCA Employment Service

County of Simcoe Community Summit

County of Simcoe Community Summit

The County of Simcoe is pleased to announce they will be hosting a Community Summit on October 9, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. -  4:00 p.m. to provide an overview on the Labour Market Partnership Project, as well as an update of programs and services within the Social Services Division and the Ontario Disability Support Program. Please be advised the option is available to attend for the full day or half day, understanding that the objective for each session will vary.

The MORNING SESSION: will be focused on Simcoe County's Labour Market Partnership Project. At this session you will hear about the key findings presented in the Community Labour Force Report and have an opportunity to offer your expertise by participating in an interactive workshop that will inform the next steps of the project. You will also have an opportunity to self-identify your level of participation in future phases and ultimate implementation, performance measurement and monitoring.

The AFTERNOON SESSION: is focused on an update on programs and services. Presentations will include informational updates from:
• Ontario Works
• Social Housing
• Children and Community Services
• Ontario Disability Support Program

To register for this event please go to the following link and provide us with all of the information needed in order to participate in this session.

http://simcoecommunitysummit.eventbrite.ca/

FRANCO-ONTARIAN DAY HIGHLIGHT AT SAINTE-MARIE AMONG THE HURONS

SPECIAL ALERT:

FRANCO-ONTARIAN DAY HIGHLIGHT AT SAINTE-MARIE AMONG THE HURONS

Enjoy Franco-Ontarian Day at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons Wednesday September 25. This program highlight will feature Franco-Ontarian folk tales, historic blacksmithing and cooking, complimentary cake, and a special film presentation.  The Franco-Ontarian Day highlight is Included with regular site admission.  For info call 705 526-7838 or visit hhp.on.ca

Mike Serafin, Historic Program Group Leader, practices some historic cooking in preparation for the Franco-Ontarian Day highlight at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons September 25.  The day will feature the telling of Franco-Ontarian folk tales, historic blacksmithing and cooking, and complimentary cake.  A documentary film entitled “Pis nous autres dans tout ­­ça?” will also play in the Sainte-Marie foyer, exploring perceptions of Franco-Ontarian heritage.  

For info call 705 526-7838 or visit hhp.on.ca

HURONIA MUSEUM STRATEGIC PLAN

HURONIA MUSEUM STRATEGIC PLAN

The Huronia Museum is undertaking a Strategic Planning Exercise that will identify strategic directions and actions to be taken over the next several years. 

Strategic Planning is a dynamic process especially helpful in assisting an organization to take the steps needed to adapt and become more responsive to a changing environment. It involves identifying current circumstances, issues and opportunities both internal and external, developing a description of the desired future or Vision for the organization, and then determining key, strategic actions that will assist the organization to ultimately achieve its Vision.   As part of the process, the organization’s Mission (or stated purpose) and Goals are also reviewed to ensure that they are consistent with the Vision as well as current and effective in directing year to year planning.

Most simply, a number of questions are considered:  Where are we now?  Where do we want to be in the Future?  Are we doing the right things?   How will we get there?  

This questionnaire will be utilized as a first step in gathering input from a sampling of respondents that are internal (e.g. board, staff, members, volunteers) as well as external stakeholders (relevant organizations, partners, municipality, Museum users, the community in general); who have a vested interest and/or are intended to benefit from the Museum’s services, activities and programs.

Your insight and thoughts are very important and much appreciated.   The information provided will have a critical role in developing a Strategic Plan intended to support the Huronia Museum in planning for its future and continued success.

PART A:   HURONIA MUSEUM  MISSION

What is your relationship or experience with the Huronia Museum?

(i.e. board member, volunteer, community organization, staff, frequent visitor etc.)

What is your understanding of the overall purpose or Mission of the Museum?

To your knowledge, what programs, activities or services does it provide?

Who in your opinion benefits from the above?

PART B:   ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN

INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT

(internal items, or primarily within the control of the Museum)

What in your knowledge or opinion are the STRENGTHS of the Huronia Museum?

(e.g. what is it doing well, membership base, skills, commitment, human resources, what attributes or assets does it have, how utilized, valued by the public etc.)

What in your view could be IMPROVED?

(any weak areas, what it could be doing better,  better fulfill its mandate, internal relationships and responsibilities, problems that need to be solved, how can it better serve the community, are there gaps that are not being met etc.)

EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT

Factors or trends within the broader environment that impact or could impact upon the Museum, usually beyond the control of the Museum

(e.g. demographics, economic trends, political, changing community/population, community needs, collaborators, funding, competitors, laws/ regulations, technology etc.)

What in your view could be considered threats or issues impacting upon the delivery of the Museum’s Mission?  Are there any threats that could also be considered opportunities?

What advantages or positive circumstances exist or could present themselves as opportunities for the Museum in delivering its Mission.

PART C:   VISION FOR THE FUTURE

(i.e. desired picture of the future)

What would your preferred Vision be for the Huronia Museum in next five years?

PART D:   SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE

Considering your previous comments, and given current circumstances, what in your view are the most critical factors for achieving success as well as the most significant issues or barriers to be addressed?

Please submit your responses (electronically if at all possible or if not by fax or mail) to:

Judy Adams

Strategic Planning Facilitator

Email:  Judy.Adams@ontario.ca

Fax: 705-739-6697

By    Friday, September 13, 2013                          THANK YOU!

TALL SHIPS ® 1812 Tour Event an Outstanding Success at Discovery Harbour!

Assistant Deputy Minister Morah Fenning raises a “Celebrate Peace” flag with Huronia Historical Parks General Manager Jan Gray (right) as part of the official Opening Ceremony at Discovery Harbour to start the TALL SHIPS ® 1812 Tour event.  Over 5,500 people visited Discovery Harbour the weekend of August 24-25 and enjoyed on-deck visits aboard Discovery Harbour’s own Tall Ships H.M.S. Tecumseth and Bee, plus guest American ships Lynx and Friends Good Will.  The spectacular event also featured the newly opened H.M.S. Tecumseth Centre, live music, children’s heritage crafts and games, marine artisans, and much more.  Discovery Harbour is currently open to September 1, and then open for extended Fall dates Thursday to Sunday September 5-8 and September 12-1

Quest Art Hosting Multi-Generational Shilling Exhibition

Quest Art hosting multi-generational Shilling exhibition

Quest Art School and Gallery is proud to present Nindede, a multi-generational exhibit featuring the work of Arthur, Travis and Bewabon Shilling. 

This is one-of-a-kind exhibition features work which breaks through the boundaries of traditional Aboriginal art.

“As the new Program Coordinator at Quest Art, I was extremely excited when I heard our next exhibit was going to feature the timeless masterpieces of Arthur Shilling alongside the works of his two sons,” said Jill Price, Program Coordinator at Quest Art. 

“I was already a huge admirer of Travis' work, as I had seen two of his most recent "Flood" series at the Orillia Museum of Art and History,” Price continued.  “Now I have become charmed by the more minimalist approach to landscape within Bewabon's practice.”  

“As I continue to study the expressiveness mark-making and listen to the acquired stories behind the artists and their work, I realize that this collection of historical and contemporary works by the Shilling family, has the potential to become one of the richest presentations of aboriginal culture and the Ontario art scene from the 1970's til now,” stated Price.  “I hope those who visit Quest Art this fall will feel as honoured as I do to be in the presence of this work.”

The exhibition, which has been shown at the Southampton Art Society and Georgina Arts Centre and Gallery, runs from Aug. 22 to Oct. 26.

The work by Arthur Shilling is from the private collection of Rudy and Gloria Bies.

The opening reception on August 22, from 7 to 9 p.m., features a smudging ceremony, drummer and a taste of traditional foods.  All are welcome to attend.

The show continues to Oct. 26 and there is no charge to view the exhibition.  Quest Art thanks Midland Toyota for their generous sponsorship of this exhibition.

Also taking place on Aug. 22 is the opening reception of Works on Paper and the silent auction of the Steamroller Prints created on Aug. 17.  Works on Paper continues to Oct. 21.

Quest Art School and Gallery is a charitable organization offering educational workshops for all ages and exhibition opportunities.  They are located within the Midland Cultural Centre at 333 King St., Midland.  For more information about these exhibitions or workshops, call 705-526-2787 or visit www.questart.ca.

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For more information about these exhibitions, please contact myself at karen@questart.ca or Jill Price at jill@questart.ca.  We hope you will join us for the opening reception on Aug. 22.

Thank you,

Karen Mealing

Operations Coordinator

Quest Art School + Gallery

333 King Street

Midland, Ontario   L4R 3M7

www.questart.ca

Engaging and enriching the community through visual arts appreciation, education and exhibition.

Photo:  The work of Arthur Shilling, along with that of his sons Travis and Bewabon, will be on display at Quest Art from Aug. 22 to Oct. 26.  The show will feature pieces by Arthur Shilling, including this self-portrait, from the private collection of Gloria and Rudy Bies, seen here with Quest Art Operations Coordinator Karen Mealing, left, and Quest Art Program Coordinator, Jill Price.