Walpole Veteran’s Day, new Capitol manager, education funding

Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Thursday, November 9, 2017

A winter weather travel advisory is in effect across Chatham-Kent today. More details, here.

Today – Mainly cloudy. A few rain showers beginning this afternoon. Rain showers and flurries late this afternoon. Wind becoming southwest 20 km/h gusting to 50 this morning then west 40 gusting to 60 late this afternoon. High 8 with temperature falling to plus 2 this afternoon.

Tonight – A few flurries ending late this evening then partly cloudy. Local blowing snow this evening. Wind northwest 40 km/h gusting to 60 becoming north 20 after midnight. Low minus 7.

Veteran’s Day on Walpole Island

A Veteran’s Day Ceremony is being held on Walpole Island today, Thursday, November 9.

The service starts at 10 a.m. and will run for approximately 45 minutes.

A procession will start at the Bkejwanong Children’s Centre and head down towards the Veteran’s Monument.

All are welcome to attend.

New Capitol Theatre manager named

Heather Slater

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has named Heather Slater the new Manager, Chatham Capitol Theatre. Heather brings 18 years experience in performing arts administration, most recently as Director of Artistic Planning of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

Originally from Chatham-Kent, Slater returns to the municipality with valuable Industry knowledge and contacts from her work with Arts venues and organizations in Windsor, Toronto, Calgary, and London, England.

Municipal official say her new role will see her responsible for leading, developing, and managing the programming and business operations of the 1200-seat Chatham Capitol Theatre and box office.

Slater will also take a leadership role in cultural development initiatives as well as the Capitol’s relationship and engagement with the Kiwanis Theatre and other entertainment venues around the municipality.

“I’m excited to return home to Chatham-Kent and take on this important role,” Slater said in a press release.

“I look forward to shaping the future direction of the Capitol and Kiwanis, and engaging with the local theatre groups and all our residents looking for a variety of theatre and entertainment options.”

Chatham-Kent Chief Administrative Officer Don Shropshire says, “the community is fortunate to have someone of Heather’s capability in the role. I look forward to Heather’s contributions in helping the Capitol and Kiwanis theatres reach their full potential.”

Theatre Manager Lesley Grand will be retiring in December having served 28 years as Manager at both the Kiwanis Theatre and the Capitol Theatre.

Grand looks forward to spending more time with family including the arrival of her first grandchild in January.

The Municipality would like to thank Lesley for her years of service and wishes her all the best in retirement.

Helping youth access education

On Wednesday at the Chatham-Kent Public Library in Chatham, community partners came together to share the importance of helping children realize their dreams by having money set aside for post-secondary education.

The Chatham-Kent Community Leaders’ Cabinet, the CK Canada Learning Bond Championship Network, several banks, financial advisors and community partners raised awareness of the grants available for post-secondary education to help kids be all that can dream to be.

Education Saving Week will be celebrated November 19-25 and during this week parents, grandparent, teachers, neighbours and community members are encouraged to promote the importance planning ahead for post-secondary education.

Those in attendance learned about the following programs which help

– The Canada Learning Bond (CLB):A Government of Canada grant to help modest income families start saving early for their children’s education after high school. Families that qualify receive $500 and additional $100 for each year they are eligible. This requires no contribution from the parent.

– Basic Education Savings Grant: The government adds 20% on every dollar of the first $2,500 you contribute to your child’s RESP each year

– Canada Educations Savings Grant: An extra 20% on every dollar of the first $500 you save in your child’s RESP each year on top of the BASIC Canada Education Savings Grant

In Chatham-Kent, there are approximately 10,500 children who are eligible for the Canada Learning Bond.

Currently only 25% of these children are signed up for an RESP and CLB. If the remaining 7,800 children are fully eligible for $2,000 grant it would be up to $15.6 million given to youth in the community.

Goals of the initiative include:

– Increasing their percentage of Chatham-Kent residents who hold the postsecondary certificate diploma or degree.

– Changing the mindset of families currently believe that children will not have access to post secondary education.

– As a community, by helping promote the Canada Learning Bond, we are saying education is valuable for employment, health and quality of life.

Mayor Randy Hope, the Co-Chair of the Chatham-Kent Community Leaders’ Cabinet said he believes lack of awareness is a major part of the reason more people aren’t taking advantage of the funding and that the show of people on Wednesday from the colleges, education institutions, banks and partners is a great beginning to get the word out.

Don Fuoco, bank manager at CIBC said that all the banks and financial advisors are here to help.

All the banks and advisors will be encouraging people to sign-up during Education Saving Week and all throughout the year.

The following activities will be taking place for Education Saving Week.

– CLB Movie Night at the Chatham Capitol Theatre: November 15- showing Captain Underpants

– CLB Sign up Clinics at libraries

– Tilbury Branch: Monday, November 20 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

– Ridgetown Branch: Tuesday, November 21 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

– Wallaceburg: Wednesday, November 22 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

– Blenheim Branch: Thursday, November 23 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

– Chatham Branch: Friday, November 24 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

To learn more more details go to www.learnck.ca.

Preparations begin for annual St. James Christmas Bazar and Luncheon

Church members are busy cooking up some tasty soups, while preparing for the annual St. James Anglican Church Christmas Bazar and Luncheon to be held on Friday, November 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All are welcome to come out and do a little pre-Christmas shopping at the bazar and then relax and enjoy an $8 lunch, which will include a bowel of soup, sandwich and dessert.

The event will be held at the 719 James St. church in Wallaceburg.

Pictured above is Carrol Gilbert and Ann Labor preparing soup for the annual event.

Feature Act recognizes local builders

Nasr Nasr of Remmcor Ltd., and Tim Zavitz of TEMPO Property Management received the Feature Act, Recognition on Monday, November 6, 2017 in Council Chambers.

Both Nasr and Tim’s business have committed to develop affordable multi-unit residential housing in Chatham-Kent in response to the need. Their commitment to building high quality housing that any tenant would be proud to call home were highlighted.

Their commitment to building affordable housing enhances people’s quality of life and creates a supportive and healthy community.

Mayor Hope presented certificates of recognition and expressed his appreciation for their efforts in helping people have a place to call home, because of their help towards others.

Nasr Nasr stated, that for him it is about giving people hope and when he hears the impact it makes in people’s lives he wants to make it the best he can.

Tim Zavitz, said that providing a home is foundational to creating a healthy community and thanked the Municipality for their partnership.

The Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce CEO, Gail Hundt and Wallaceburg & District Chamber of Commerce Chair, Karen Debergh, cited that the actions take by Nasr and Tim are examples of how people investing in Chatham-Kent can change people’s future and quality of life.

To learn more about affordable housing in Chatham-Kent go to https://www.chatham-kent.ca/health-social-services/housing-services

The Feature Act recognition ceremony was held at the Civic Centre during Municipal Council and was televised by YourTV Chatham.

Feature Act is a recognition program of the CK Community Leaders’ Cabinet in partnership with the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce and the Wallaceburg & District Chamber of Commerce, and the Municipality to say thanks for building a better Chatham-Kent.

Remembrance Day details for Dresden and Wallaceburg

– Dresden: On Saturday, November 11, the Remembrance Day parade forms in the parking lot of Branch 113 at 10:45 a.m. and will proceed to the Cenotaph in downtown Dresden. At 11 a.m., two minutes of silence will be held, and act of remembrance and laying of the wreaths. Later that evening at 6:30 p.m., a Remembrance Banquet is being held at Branch 113. Tickets are $13. Call 519-683-4862 for tickets.

– Wallaceburg: On Remembrance Day, a service is being held at Wallaceburg District Secondary School at 9:30 a.m., with the laying of family and business wreaths. At 10:20 a.m. the crowd will march from the high school to the Cenotaph, there will also be a people mover available. At 10:55 a.m., the official service at the Cenotaph will take place with the laying of the Silver Cross and others wreaths, along with government officials speeches and a moment of silence. Following the service, a light lunch will be provided free of charge at Branch 18.