Girls of Action & Leadership (GOAL)is a transformational program, teaching life skills with interactive lessons and running games. Developed and taught by Soroptimist International of Kawartha Lakes members, with help from teachers and volunteers from King Albert and Queen Victoria Public Schools in Lindsay, 2016 saw 47 girls in grades 4 to 6 participate in the program.

Each girl was supplied with proper clothes and shoes for the program activities. The 10-week after-school program culminated in a 5k run/walk, and a celebratory party acknowledged their accomplishments.

Funding to support GOAL and other Soroptimist programs, such as the Live Your Dream Education and Training Awards for Women and the RoseMary Reid Positive Influence Awards, comes from the proceeds of the Soroptimist’s signature annual fundraising event, the Snowflake Gala.

The 5th Annual Snowflake Gala is being held on November 3rd, at the Admiral Inn. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., with a delicious dinner, catered by Chef Konstantine. The evening will include the entertainment of World Champion benefit auctioneers, Barb and Krista Richards.

Tickets are only $60.00, and are available in advance only, until October 20th, at Edward Jones, 3 Russell St. East, Lindsay, or through our website, at www.sikawarthalakes.org.

SHAWN LACKIE
Special to The Standard

Well-Known journalist and author Brian McFarlane to appear at Local Book Store.

In conjunction with the Scugog Sports Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, noted hockey broadcaster and author Brian McFarlane, will be appearing at Books Galore on Thursday, November 10th, at 3:30 p.m., for a book signing session.

Having penned almost 100 books, mostly on the sport of hockey, Mr. McFarlane has traveled the globe and been involved in all facets of the broadcast industry. He was also responsible for most of the material that came from the creation of Peter Puck, and is a well known collector. He had one of the world's largest private collections of hockey memorabilia. He has since taken up painting and is accomplished in that as well. Brian and his wife Joan live in the Stouffville area.

Mr. McFarlane will be appearing for approximately one hour, before heading to Scugog Arena to attend the induction ceremony as keynote speaker. Bill Minor will have numerous hockey books by Mr. McFarlane on hand, for sale, and for Brian to sign.

The Scugog Sports Hall of Fame is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2016, and is looking forward to the induction ceremony being the best one yet. This from committee chair, Leanne Ashbridge: "Every year we set out to stage the best and most memorable induction ceremony yet. To date we have achieved that year over year. This one, being the 10th Anniversary, promises to be our best one ever. And we couldn't be more thrilled than to have Mr. McFarlane as our guest speaker. We have a lot of great things planned for the event."

The Sports Hall of Fame Committee would like to extend an invitation to all those interested, to join us, November 10th, at the Scugog Community Recreation Centre, at 6:30 p.m., as we celebrate, congratulate and  “welcome home” our 2016 Inductees.

EMMA RUNNALLS Special to The Standard

With our trip to Vimy drawing closer, Uxbridge Secondary students are getting more and more excited with each passing day. We were reminded of the First World War and its impact on Uxbridge, during our walking tour through the town, on October 6th. It’s easy to forget that the same streets we walk daily were once marched upon by Lieutenant Colonel Sam Sharpe and the 116th Battalion.

Former curator Allan McGilvery and the current staff at the Uxbridge Historical Centre, a museum, started our tour with an engaging presentation about life in Uxbridge during the wartime era. There was an excellent selection of artifacts available for students to examine after the presentation, including Sam Sharpe’s ceremonial sword! After our visit at the museum we headed towards downtown Uxbridge, as we learned about the values reflected in the life of Sam Sharpe and many others who belonged to the 116th Battalion.

We made our way down to the law offices of Bailey and Sedore.

Mr.Sedore showed students records that date back to the early 1900s, when Sam Sharpe ran the practice.

After our visit, we finished the tour at Trinity United Church. The impressive church was where Sam Sharpe and many other military men came for Sunday service. The walls have small memorial plaques to the men who belonged to the church, and left to fight in Europe during the First World War.

Overall the tour was a great way to learn more about the history of our small town, and it helped remind us of the price that was paid for the rights and freedoms we enjoy today.

Special thanks to all those who helped make the tour a success, including Bredin’s Bakery and The Meat Merchant for donating our delicious lunch!

We would also like to invite the community to our upcoming speaker series.

Our Vimy 100 Speaker Series begins with a presentation by, British historian, Andy Robertshaw.   

Andy is an author and historian who makes the past come alive for audiences of all ages. He was the lead historical consultant for Spielberg's film adaptation of War Horse. He is a regular consultant and onscreen expert for a host of TV and radio shows, and he has spearheaded numerous archeological investigations along the western front. He is an honorary lecturer at University College, London and regularly consults the British army on historical matters.

In partnership with The Great War Association (Ontario Chapter), please join us, at Uxbridge Secondary School in the library, at 7 p.m., on Monday October 24th, as we welcome Andy Robertshaw.  
All are welcome.  

The Vimy 100 Speaker Series will continue, on Wednesday November 16th, as we welcome local author and historian Ted Barris, who will share stories and remembrances about the defining battle of Vimy Ridge, as we lead up to the 100th Anniversary commemorations in April.   

Third in the Series, we welcome historian Rod Henderson.   Rod is the author of the spectacular new book, Fideles et Paratus: A History of the Ontario Regiment, written as part of the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Ontario Regiment.   

Thank you for supporting our USS Vimy 100th Anniversary students, and upcoming events. Lest we forget.
 

SUNDERLAND: To commemorate the 60th Sunderland  Lions Music Festival, the date of December 3rd, 2016 has been set for a celebration concert. Performers and teachers from the last ten years will be the featured guest acts for the evening.

Additionally, a mass choir under the direction of Jennifer Wilson will be formed for all interested festival participants past and present. A performance by the Sunderland Lions Chorus will also be featured.

We sincerely hope that you will join us on this special occasion. There will be a free will admission.

As seating is limited, we urge you to please reserve your seats now, by calling 705-357-3555 or 705-357-3405.

Join us in this celebration at the Sunderland Town Hall, on December 3rd, at 7:30 p.m.

SCUGOG: Expand your cultural perspective and explore the artistic process, with the new exhibit “Entities” by artist Kaitlin Mason.

The Opening Reception will begin Saturday, October 15th, 2016, at 2 p.m. The show will run October 15th to November 24th, in the Kent Farndale Gallery, in the Scugog Memorial Public Library, at 231 Water Street in Port Perry.

Kaitlin Mason is an emerging artist, who studied at NSCAD in Halifax, and has exhibited in shows across Ontario. In Entities, Ms. Mason uses oils and pencils to “investigate the figure and vacancy of human presence as a purposely arranged garment”, through representational drawings of scarves and fabrics.

The Kent Farndale Gallery is open 7 days a week, during library hours. Please call 905-985-7686 for more information.

DAN CEARNS The Standard

SCUGOG: The Borelians community theatre group of Port Perry will be opening their season this week, with their production of August: Osage County.

The storyline for the Pulitzer Prize and Tony award winning drama follows the Weston family, which reunites after their father disappears. The production takes the family through a host of “repressed truths and unsettling secrets”, according to the Borelians.

Producer Kyle Brough explained why the Borelians have decided to open their season with this play.
“We have wanted to do something that will challenge our audience. We’re finding that as Port Perry grows and keeps up with the times, that they are not just looking to be entertained anymore, they are looking for something that is challenging and thought provoking, and leaves them with respect as an audience, and this is a very challenging show,” he said.

The show will open at Port Perry’s Town Hall 1873 on Thursday, Oct. 13th, starting at 8 p.m. The Borelians will also be holding a gala night on Friday, Oct. 14th, starting at 7 p.m.

For the regular admission price, the audience will receive free wine, as well as other beverages and desserts before the show, and will be invited on stage for a meet and greet with the cast after the show, as well as a tour of the backstage area.

Mr. Brough told The Standard, over 50 people auditioned for the show. He also said there are many familiar names taking part in this production.

“The cast alone is 13 people, there are a lot of familiar faces in this one, like Ruth Smith, Annette Stokes, Michael Serres, and Justine and Kyle Dickie. There are a lot of regulars, which have been in a lot of Borelian shows over the past few years, who have been nominated for acting awards.”

The show will start at 8 p.m., from Oct. 13th and will run until Saturday, Oct. 15th, and then again from Thursday, Oct. 20th until Saturday, Oct. 22nd.

2 p.m. matinee showings will be held on Oct. 15th and Oct. 22nd.

Tickets are $24, and can be bought, by calling 905-985-8181, or on-line at www.townhall1873.ca.

Thursday night performances are buy one ticket, get another for half price, and there are also discounted group rates for groups of six people or more.

On Saturday, October 29th, the John Lennon show, 'Imagine John', will be coming to the Town Hall Performing Arts Centre in Port Perry.

Come to experience the uncanny look and sound of an authentic, energetic and fun tribute to the great legend. You will experience the legend, as if he were virtually there in real life!

Listen to the many hits of the Beatles, straight through to Lennon’s solo years, such as: Help, Ticket To Ride, In My Life, I Am the Walrus, Imagine, Watching The Wheels, and many, many more!

The full cast of this band continues to perform extensively, all over North America, on large stages, entertaining crowds at sold out shows week after week!  

Tickets can be purchased online, at www.townhall1873.ca
Come together and Imagine John!!

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard

UXBRIDGE: Recently, I had the privilege of attending the making of the world's biggest butter tart. The event was the brainchild of Chef Marco Cassano, executive chef and owner of Annina's Bakeshop, located in Goodwood, Ontario.

The purpose of the event was to raise funds for the Children's Wish Foundation. The foundation's mission is to provide children, with life threatening illnesses, the opportunity to realize their most heartfelt wish. To learn more about this organization you can visit their website, at www.childrenswish.ca.

Chef Cassano is a big supporter of this charity, having hosted several fundraising events in their honour. Often, the past events where held in the winter, so in an effort to embrace warmer weather he decided to hold this event in September.   

Frequently, children who apply to the Children's Wish Foundation have dreams that seem impossible, but with the help of many volunteers and some innovative brainstorming, success can be achieved. Chef Cassano's butter tart benefited from the same resourcefulness.  

A huge outdoor oven needed to be designed and constructed, on the spot, to bake the tart in. A local company stepped up to the challenge. A vast amount of ingredients needed to be assembled and kept at the right temperature. Olympic Wholesale donated a refrigerated truck, as well as organized donations of ingredients, from their various suppliers.

Volunteers where needed to prepare and assemble the butter tart. Several students and staff from Durham College joined the volunteer crew. The Standard's own, Tamara Green, who is also attending Durham College's Culinary Art's program, jumped at the opportunity to be involved. She and others, dressed in protective full body suits, climbed into the tart pan, inside the oven, and rolled out the crust.
Last but not least, customers where needed to purchase the final product, the proceeds of which would go to the Children's Wish Foundation.

Many others where on hand to volunteer, provide moral support, to watch history in the baking, and of course to eat butter tarts!  

The whole event was documented for the Guiness Book of World Records. It is uncertain how long it will take to hear back from the organization, as to whether or not Annina's butter tart made it onto the world record list.

But no matter what their decision is, the final result was a really 'sweet' way to raise funds for a worthy cause.  

Congratulations Chef Cassano and Annina's Bake shop for hosting such a delicious event and raising over $3,000 for the Children's Wish Foundation!

For more photos and video of the event go online to www.thestandardnewspaper.ca.