Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
Sydenham River Canoe and Kayak Race
The 43rd annual Sydenham River Canoe and Kayak Race will take place on Sunday April 23.
The race begins on Mosside Road just west of County Road 79 north of Cairo and features 11 classes and three different race lengths. All classes finish at the Shetland Conservation Area on Bentpath Line (County Road 2).
This event is cosponsored by the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority and its Foundation. Participants are being asked, on a voluntary basis, to seek sponsors for their efforts. The funds raised will be used to help support outdoor education for school children in the St. Clair region.
“There are classes for all skill levels,” Sharon Nethercott, Race Coordinator, said.
In the 7 km races, the classes are Recreation – Competitive, Recreation – Lazy River, V.I.P., Touring (the over 50 crowd), and Kayak – Novice. The 12 km races include Men’s Amateur, Kayak Amateur, and Open (Ladies and Mixed). The 16 km races include 3 expert classes – Men’s, Mixed and Kayak. The race is sanctioned by the Ontario Marathon Canoe and Kayak Racers Association. Participants must supply their own canoe or kayak and safety equipment.
Trophies are presented to all first place winners and ribbons are given to the second and third place winners in each class. In addition the top fundraiser will receive a trophy. Registration for the race is from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and all races begin at 11:20 a.m. In the event of poor weather, please listen to local radio stations or call 882-2399 for a message. To download a poster and sponsor sheet visit www.scrca.on.ca.
Register for the third annual Chatham-Kent Nonprofit Network Spring conference
Registration for the third annual Chatham-Kent Nonprofit Network Spring conference closes Friday, April 21 at 5 p.m. The daylong event will be held at the John D. Bradley Centre on Thursday, April 27th from 8 a.m. till 3:30 p.m. and will bring together nonprofits and charities from all parts of Chatham-Kent.
This year they are shaking things up with the theme, “On the Edge of Change”. Thekeynote speaker, Suzanne Gibson (Suzanne Gibson and Associates), will be leading a high-energy interactive morning session that will provide participants with meaningful ideas, strategies and responses while working towards creating positive transformation and looking at how as a sector, organize and personally navigate change. The morning continues with breakout sessions where participants can choose to attend two of four topics. After lunch participants will be energized through an inspiring talk and a community jam session led by SongC!rcle.
The remainder of the afternoon will be spent together as they delve into the Hot Topic Panel: The Nonprofit Hunger Games. This session will touch on the tougher issues that affect the sector (and outside the sector) with topics such as, competitive fundraising, staff retention and much more. Participants will be encouraged to pose their own questions during the registration process. To celebrate and relax after a day of learning they are ending early in order to host a Nonprofit Happy Hour!
To register or to find more information about the day, including sponsorship opportunities please visit www.CKNN.ca/cknn-conference or contact CKNN at 519-354-0430 or CKNN@uwock.ca. The Chatham-Kent Nonprofit Network is a community building initiative of United Way of Chatham-Kent and The Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Urban Garden launching in Chatham
The Chatham Central Neighbourhood Assocation (CCNA) is planting seeds to grow hope in their neck of the woods.
CCNA a community association that is bringing together neighbours and community partners to strengthen and support their neighbourhood. Creating positive and sustainable change while supporting forward growth in the community.
CCNA is proud to announce their next project; the construction and roll out of their Urban Gardens. These gardens are created with our community in mind. The raised garden beds will be located at the Francis Moore Park, 69 Lorne Ave, Chatham.
“We are excited to be launching such a great project in our neighbourhood. So many have worked so hard to make this a reality,” said Bill McQuire, co-chair for CCNA.
The work will begin on April 22, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All are welcome to come out and lend a hand. There will be eight raised beds in total and individuals, families or groups interested in growing flowers, vegetables or greenery my simply email or call to get on the Urban Garden Plot Lottery list.
“We encourage all to lend a hand and get involved in the Urban Garden project,” McGuire said.
“This is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbours and get learn more about growing flowers and vegetables. We are currently looking for both volunteers to help with the installation of the beds and families, individuals and groups to occupy a urban garden plot.”
To enter the Urban Garden Plot Lottery email: chathamcna@gmail.com or call 519-351-1228 ext. 2185. Spots are limited. For further information please email or call: chathamcca@gmail.com, co-chair Bill McGuire 519-351-2264.
If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.
Photo of the day
Students testing pinhole cameras they built to see how light travels @SEWchargers pic.twitter.com/fqxELgrrG9
— Clare Quinlan (@cqsew) 18 April 2017
Weather forecast for Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Today – Mainly cloudy. A few showers beginning this morning. Risk of a thunderstorm late this morning and this afternoon. Wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. High 22. Humidex 25. UV index 3 or moderate.
Tonight – Mainly cloudy with 70 percent chance of showers and risk of a thunderstorm. Fog patches overnight. Low 14.
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