Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
Weather forecast from Friday, August 4, 2017 to Sunday, August 6, 2017
Today – Cloudy with 70 percent chance of showers this morning and early this afternoon then a mix of sun and cloud. Risk of thunderstorms this morning and early this afternoon. Wind becoming southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50 this morning. High 25. Humidex 31. UV index 7 or high.
Tonight – Partly cloudy with 30 percent chance of showers. Wind southwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. Low 15.
Saturday, August 5 – A mix of sun and cloud. Wind northwest 20 km/h gusting to 40. High 24. Humidex 26.
Saturday night – Cloudy periods. Low 15.
Sunday, August 6 – A mix of sun and cloud with 30 percent chance of showers. High 24.
Sunday night – Cloudy periods with 40 percent chance of showers. Low 16
Emancipation Day in Dresden on Saturday
Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site will be the location for the annual Emancipation Day festivities on Saturday, August 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Emancipation Day is an annual celebration of hope and freedom commemorating the end of slavery in the British Empire on August 1, 1834.
Everyone is welcome at this fun and educational day featuring interactive theatre performances, live music and a photo essay presentation.
This event is presented as part of the Ontario Heritage Trust’s MyOntario – A vision over time, a conversation among Ontarians about our experiences, identities, values and aspirations.
There is free admission.
Have a look at the program:
– 10 a.m. Welcoming remarks
– 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Interactive performances by Bright Star Theatre: History comes to life in two captivating interactive performances from Bright Star Theatre. Black History: Heroes, Soldiers and Spies shines a spotlight on some of the most exceptional stories and figures from Black history. Heroes of the Underground Railroad introduces you to the inspiring people behind the Underground Railroad, including Harriet Tubman, Levi Coffin, Henry “Box” Brown, John Parker and more.
– 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. North is Freedom: The Legacy of the Underground Railroad presentation by Yuri Dojc. Join renowned photographer Yuri Dojc on a powerful photographic journey to freedom, featuring descendants of freedom-seekers who escaped slavery and came to Canada through the Underground Railroad.
– 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Musical performances by The Motown Boys: Revel in the rhythms of motown’s greatest hits with this dynamic show from The Motown Boys.
– Also available: Gift shop, picnic area, public washrooms, parking, accessible site, bring your own lawn chair.
Potawatomi Gathering continues on Walpole Island
A full slate of activities is taking place on Walpole Island First Nation today and tomorrow for the remainder of the Potawatomi Gathering.
Some of the events planned for Day #3 of the event include: a tribal leaders meeting, veterans feast, workshops, vendors, kid’s zone, gathering activities and karaoke.
For more details, visit: walpoleislandfirstnation.ca/potawatomi-gathering-2017
Port Lambton Gala Days gets underway tonight
Gala Days is being held this weekend in Port Lambton.
The event is located in Port Lambton at McDonald Park on the corner of Reedy and First Street.
Gala Days kicks off on Friday night with the men and women’s slow pitch tournament and the adult dance from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Gate opens at 8 p.m. and there will be no entry after 11 p.m.
The dance is 19+ event.
Admission is $10.
Entertainment for the evening will be provided by the Jessika Rabbit Band offering a wide variety of genres guaranteed to get everyone on their feet.
The fun continues Saturday morning at 9 a.m. with slow pitch resuming and the co-ed volleyball tournament, only to pause at 11 a.m. for the famous Gala Days parade.
Make sure to bring the kids out to see Beebo from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. for the Exotic Animal Show immediately following.
The beer garden entertainment continues with Scott Manery and the Barnburners taking the stage from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
There is no shortage of fun on Sunday as the kids can participate in the water ball fight at 1 p.m. and stick around to catch the Slimy Creature Race at 2 p.m.
Slow pitch and volleyball both continue at 10 a.m. with Pull 3 taking the beer garden stage from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Directly after will be the homerun derby at 4 p.m.
Face for Radio takes the stage from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to close out the weekend.
Gala Days is a strictly volunteer-run event and would not be possible without the help of their dedicated community members.
The goal of the weekend is to raise money for the Athletic Association, which helps fund children’s extra curricular activities within the community.
Art On The Boulevard in Erieau this Saturday
On Saturday, August 5 over 100 vendors will be set up in Erieau from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the annual Art On The Boulevard event.
A cottage and home tour will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and tickets for the cottage tour are available at the registration/information table.
Civic Holiday weekend service hours in Chatham-Kent
Municipal offices and most services will be closed Monday, August 7 in recognition of the Civic Holiday.
Other services are scheduled as follows:
– Cemetery Operations: Cemetery staff will be on call for funeral homes who require at-need sales.
– CK Transit: Services will not be running on Monday, August 7. However, the Seasonal Bus Route S1 (Beach Bus to Mitchell’s Bay and Erieau) will be running on the Civic Holiday. The Seasonal Bus is FREE for the Civic Holiday weekend August 4 – 7, 2017!
Check the website https://www.chatham-kent.ca/SiteCollectionDocuments/transportation/Inter-Urban%20Seasonal%20Transit%20Map.pdf for more details.
– Emergency Services: Police, Fire and Ambulance are operational 24 hours a day, every day, and are accessible by dialing “911” for emergency calls only.
– Culture: The Thames Art Gallery, Chatham-Kent Museum, Milner Heritage House and Ridge House Museum will be open from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. The Cultural Centre will be open for summer day camps but the Cultural Centre Box Office and ARTspace will be closed.
– Entegrus and Public Utilities Commission: PUC will be closed. The emergency call number is 519-352-6300.
– The office of Fleet Services (PABC) will be closed on Monday August 7.
– Health and Family Services: The Health and Family Services building will be closed on August 7, including the offices of Employment and Social Services, Housing Services, Children’s Services and Public Health. The Employment Resource Centres located at 240 King St. W., Chatham and 786 Dufferin Avenue, Wallaceburg will be closed on the Civic Holiday. The Chatham-Kent Homeless Response Line is available at 519-354-6628.
– Libraries: All public libraries will be closed Monday, August 7 and will have normal operational hours on Tuesday, August 8.
– Public Health: Essential after-hours Public Health services are available by calling 1-866-446-8207. Public Health Clinic Services, located at 177 King St. E., Chatham will be closed.
– Provincial Offences Court: POC will be closed.
– Recreation and Facility Operations: Blenheim Gable Rees Rotary Pool, Wallaceburg Sydenham Pool, Chatham Pools (Jaycee, Orville Wright and Walter Hawkins), Dresden Kinsmen Pool, Ridgetown Howard Community Pool, Thamesville Community Pool and the Tilbury Centennial Pool are all open with their regular schedule and have a free swim from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. William K. Erickson Arena will be open for summer recreation day camps.
– Riverview Gardens: Reception and administrative offices will be closed, but services, activities and visiting hours continue as normal. Nursing staff can be reached 24/7 by calling 519-352-4823.
– Waste and Recycling: Garbage and recycling collection services for the week of August 7 will be delayed by one day. Please refer to the Recycling and Waste Collection Guide for further details. The Harwich Transfer Station, Wallaceburg Transfer Station and Chatham Leaf & Yard Depot will be closed in recognition of the Civic Holiday. All other transfer stations will be open regular hours and will not be affected by the holiday.
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Services Altered for Civic Holiday on Monday, August 7
Some healthcare services offered at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (Chatham & Sydenham Campuses) will be altered on Monday, August 7, 2017 in recognition of the Civic holiday.
Routine X-rays, electrocardiograms (EKG), and ultrasounds will not be available on Monday, August 7, 2017. These departments will be staffed to meet the needs of inpatients and emergencies.
Ambulatory Care Services, Out-Patient Rehabilitation Services, Out-Patient Laboratory Services, Pre-Surgical Screening Services, Diabetes Education Centre, Pulmonary Function Lab, Health Records and Patient Appointment Offices will be closed on Monday, August 7, 2017.
The Chatham-Kent Mental Health and Addictions Program Out-Patient Department will be closed on Monday, August 7, 2017. For any immediate crisis, please call the crisis line at 1-866-299-7447.
Elston Pharmacy, located at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Chatham Campus, will be closed on Monday, August 7, 2017.
The Oncology/Chemotherapy Department will be closed on Monday, August 7, 2017.
The Business Office and Cashier’s Office will be closed on Monday, August 7, 2017. Please note there are two bill changers in the building to accommodate change for coin.
Hemodialysis Care will be open on Monday, August 7, 2017.
The Emergency Departments located at Grand Avenue, Chatham Campus, and Sydenham Campus, Wallaceburg are open 24 hours daily.
Photo of the day
For more details about Emancipation Day in Dresden on Saturday, click here.
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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.
