Remembrance Day is Not a Holiday

Last weekend I went to three marches in Halton Hills to honour those who paid the supreme sacrifice for our freedom. There was a march in Acton on Saturday and two on Sunday in Glen Williams and Georgetown.

The weather couldn't be finer for this time of year. The attendance at all three marches were excellent. All three ceremonies were excellent and giving such a solemn message to pay a tribute to all of the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom something so many take for granted.

Every other year some politician dreams up an idea to make this day November 11th a holiday. It use to be many years ago when I was a youngster. The meaning of Remembrance Day would be lost. There would be hockey tournaments and shopping sprees and many would forget what our veterans of done for us. Keep the kids in school, let them have a moment of silence and have a veteran to talk to them. There were many youngsters at the marches over the weekend. There were Beavers, Scouts, Cubs, Air Cadets and many others. It was great to see. For the other kids who weren't there is to my point if November 11th was a holiday future generations the cenotaph would be less attended.

Lest We Forget.

How will you Remember our Fallen????

This is a week that many in Halton Hills will be remembering our fallen soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy our freedom. It is a time to reflect on those who died for our country and also to thank those who continue to serve Canada with much courage.

I will write more on this later in the week. You can mark your calendars as there will be three Remembrance Day marches this weekend. They are as follows:

Acton November 6th - 11:00 am
Glen Williams November 7th - 12:00 Noon
Georgetown November 7th - 2:00 Pm

Myself and many of the councillors will be there. I hope to see many of you there to say thank you to a veteran. I will write more as we get closer to the end of the week.

Movies in the Park in Glen Williams

Last Saturday night I went to experience the Movies in the Park that was held in Glen Williams. This is a real family event and I strongly urge anyone to come out to the next one. This is a huge HD screen so it looks just like a drive-in theatre. Families come early with lawn chairs, blankets, tents and pick your spot. Party Cinemas are the ones who put on this free event. The only thing they ask in return is to make a donation to the local food bank. On Saturday night, HeyRay Chesher the real estate agent donated glow sticks and many of the kids and parents put them around their neck.



Councillor Joan Robson was also at the Movies in the Park on Saturday night along with close to 400 people. The movie was " How to Train your Dragon". It is just like going to the drive-in but instead of sitting in cars you are sitting in lawn chairs in the park. These events happen once a month and they alternate between Acton Prospect Park and Glen Williams.

The big winners, besides all the families, experiencing an outdoor movie on a nice summer night are the Food Banks. Thanks to the generosities of the public, already 450 pounds of food have been collected for our local Food Banks. It is this time of year that the food banks need donations. We think of the Food Banks in the winter time but tend to forget about them in the summer months. So everyone wins with Party Cinemas "Movies in the Park".

Canada Day in Halton Hills

Halton Hills will once again be celebrating Canada Day with two major community events. Glen Williams is a historic village featuring a former woolen mill and flour mill that are now used as artisan and antique markets. Glen Williams should be on every ones list to start the day with a pancake breakfast. Noon hour is the parade followed by opening ceremonies, Duck Races and many more family events. Special thanks to the volunteers who work so hard in putting on the Canada Day Festivities in the Glen. Glen Williams has been a Canada Day tradition for decades attracting 1000's of families. St. Albin's church will also have a barbecue followed by fireworks.

Acton's Prospect Park will also be a hub of activity as the annual Canada Day Concerts in the Park. Local entertainment will be provided by last year's Acton Idol winner Kelsey Kirkpatrick. A fireworks display will be held at Prospect Park. Bring your lawn chairs. What better place to see these brilliant fireworks reflect on the waters of Fairy Lake. The fireworks are put on by the Acton Fire Association. Although the fireworks are free a donation will be very much appreciated.

Again, special thanks to the Acton B.I.A. and the Acton Firefighters Association for their efforts in making Prospect Park a special place to celebrate Canada's 143rd birthday.

Also, I would like to add that Norval will also have a BBQ and fireworks at the Norval United Church.

Happy Canada Day.

Wasn't that a Party! - Big Daddy Festival a Success

The Big Daddy Festival has now come and gone. After months of planning events the weekend event in Halton Hills was a success. This is the only Festival in all of Canada that is dedicated to Father's Day.

Kudos to all of the volunteers who planned all the events. I saw countless volunteers, you couldn't miss them with their Big Daddy t-shirts, handing out brochures. Beatrice Sharkey and Laurent Thibault did an amazing job quarter backing this event. They were like City Pulse TV, they were everywhere.

The weekend was a blur for my wife Josey and I as there were so many events to go to. We were well fed from the Taste of Acton and the movie in the park was like being at the drive-in without a car. The chill zone in down town Georgetown was also a busy place all weekend.

Of course, Classics Against Cancer was a huge draw as well as the Show and Shine for Autism which featured close to 200 motorcycles.

Councillor Bob Inglis did a great job at the annual Father's Day service in the Glen. Williams Mill was also a bee hive of activity. I missed the father's and son's street hockey game but I heard it went very well. It was a real opportunity to show case Halton Hills.

I know the creative juices are flowing and there will be many more ideas that will come out for next year's event. The brochure listing all of the events and locations was excellent. I can really see this event growing and Halton Hills being the place to be on Father's Day. This well run weekend was full of activities for everyone and can only get better next year.



See you next year!

Halton Hills Hosts the Big Daddy Fesitval this Weekend!

What are your plans for Father's Day? The Halton Hills Cultural Roundtable has been organizaing many amazing events thorughout Halton Hills for the Big Daddy Festival. This will be the only Festival in all of Canada to celebrate Father's Day and it's happening right here in Halton Hills. There will be many events in Georgetown, Acton, Limehouse, Glen Williams over this weekend of June 18-20. It should be fun for the whole family! There will be beer gardens, fishing derbies, movies in the parks, Taste of Acton, Farmers Market, Classics Against Cancer, Show and Shine for autism, walks along the Bruce Trail and boat building. Just to name a few. For more information visit www.bigdaddyfestival.ca.
See you there!